Kate P. Adams

I was given the challenge this year to read at least twenty-six books, each one's title beginning with a different letter of the alphabet. This one fit the bill for a book starting with the letter "K". (Believe me when I say that there's a relatively small pool from which to choose.)

This cute cozy mystery (second in series) was all that and then some. There's the grand English country manor house where the duke and duchess are still resident, the stately rooms for hosting events and a cadre of interesting staff and related characters.

Author Kate P. Adams does a spectacular job of setting scene, building up story and developing her characters. Told through the voice of catering manager (and occasional sleuth) Sophie Lockwood, we find the staff of Charleton House prepping for a young couple's nuptials. The wedding is to occur at the estate's chapel with a grand reception held in the manor house. It doesn't take long for a body to wind up dead during the reception. In spite of being warned by the local constabulary to stay clear of the investigation, Sophie can't help herself. It is, after all, on her patch, so to speak.

There are of course a number of red herrings to taunt the avid mystery reader. There is also a fair amount of playful banter among the regular characters laced generously with humorous action and conversation. All in all, this was a light and quite enjoyable read.… (altro)