Didn’t enjoy this one as much as some of the others... I don’t quite buy Emma as editor of a newspaper... I know that the murder mystery has to take center stage in the book, but it felt like the newspaper was more of an afterthought for her even though it’s supposed to be this huge aspirational thing.

And I’m not sure about the plot point of having the first victim *possibly* be her half-brother’s father but then never really exploring the implications of that. It just sort of got dropped, making me wonder why it was there. ( )

August 1898 and Emma Cross is picnicing on the beach in Newport when a group of people discover a body of a man, presumably drowned. Emma is distressed to realise that the man resembles her half-brother Brady's father, presumed dead in a yachting incident many years ago.
Circumstances a few days later mean that Emma although Editor-in-Chief of the local newspaper, must attend a function of Mamie Fish, at their grand "cottage," Crossways. With the added bonus that Prince Otto of Austria will attend. But in the gardens his body is discovered.
Is there a connection between the two deaths, will there be more murders.
Another enjoyable and well-written mystery, which also has a couple of sub-plots added to the mix. Joined to this are the likeable characters and description of the era, which makes a satisfying addition to this series.
A NetGalley Book ( )

Even though Emma Cross is now the acting editor of the Messenger, she is forced to fill in as Society reporter at the Harvest Festival held at Crossways. All society is excited because eligible Prince Otto of Austria is scheduled to attend. Mrs Fish, the hostess, is horrified when the Prince is a no show but even more so when the Prince is found murdered in her garden. Mrs. Fish insists on teaming up with Emma to solve the murder and clear her name.

The mystery is further compounded by the discovery of another body on the beach who looks amazingly like Emma's brother Brady and who turns out to be connected with the Prince. When one of the young ladies at the Festival is murdered in the same manner several days later, Emma and Mrs. Fish begin to worry that others could be in danger.

This series is so interesting not just because it is well-plotted but because the research of the time period and descriptions come through masterfully. One can almost see the glitter jewels and elegant dresses! ( )

Newport 1898. Emma is having a day out at the beach with her relatives, the Vanderbilts, when a commotion draws her attention to a body on the beach. When she goes to investigate, he looks like her half-brother, Brady’s believed to be dead father. A couple of days later while attending a Harvest Festival Party at Crossways, the anticipated guest, Prince Otto, is found dead in the garden. It is believed the two men knew each other and Emma helps her friend the police detective, Jesse solve the case. Society hostess, Marion Cross, and the owner of Crossways inserts herself into Emma’s investigation . . . sometimes helping and sometimes not. There is a side story of someone attempting to sabotage the newspaper and Emma’s position of editor. ( )

Murder At The Crossways is the seventh book in The Gilded Newport Mystery series.

Emma had hopes of an enjoyable day at the shore with the Vanderbilt's, her distant relation, ends of being ruined when she discovers the body of a man that has had his throat cut, lying on the Spouting Rock. Emma is startled when she first looks at the body as she fears it is her half-brother, Brady. She soon realizes that it isn’t Brady, but wonders if it might be his father that had reportedly, fallen off a yacht and drowned while sailing off of Newport some twenty years ago.

Before Emma can get started on investigating the identity of the dead man, learns that she must replace the reporter she had assigned to attend the Harvest Festival at The Crossways, the home of Mrs. Mamie and her husband. This is the last ball of the summer season and it has been reported that Prince Otto, from Austria, will be a special guest. The guests are anxiously awaiting the Prince’s arrival, while some are commenting that it was just a ploy to attract more attendees. But soon a scream is heard and the dead body of the Prince is found. The method of the Prince’s death and the body found at Spouting Rock are identical. Emma and Jesse Whyte, police detective, both feel that the two deaths are related, but are stymied by how. Once again Jesse welcomes Emma’s help in the investigation. Jesse has learned early on that Emma’s link to the Vanderbilt’s and other members of society will allow her to get information that they wouldn’t willingly share with the police.

I love this series. The books are well-written, plotted and the times are well researched. I particularly enjoy reading the descriptions of the houses that Ms. Maxwell is having the reader visit. The characters are well developed and I find it interesting to read about the interacting of the various classes of people.

I looking forward to the next book in this very enjoyable and informative series. ( )