I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Madrigals and Mayhem
by Elizabeth Penney
Series: Cambridge Bookshop #4
Series Rating:
Published by Minotaur Books on November 26, 2024
Setting: Cambridge, England
Genres: International Holiday Mystery
Pages: 288
Format: Audio CD, Kindle, Paperback
Source: the Publisher
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Get Your Copy at: Amazon
In Madrigals and Mayhem, the fourth in Elizabeth Penney's charming Cambridge Bookshop series, Molly Kimball finds that even the holidays can come with a healthy dose of mystery.
Molly is eager to experience her first English Christmas with family and friends now that she's adjusted to her move to Cambridge and her restoration of her family’s ancestral bookshop, Thomas Marlowe―Manuscripts and Folios. When local toyshop Pemberly’s Emporium reopens, Molly is excited to meet the new owner, Charlotte Pemberly, who is determined to make the toy store a success after unexpectedly becoming her grandfather Arthur’s sole heir.
Arthur's new wife Althea Winters and her unpleasant family loathe Charlotte for inheriting what they believe was theirs and have set their sights on a valuable Madame Alexander doll that's gone missing. When Althea's grandson is poisoned by cakes from Tea & Crumpets, Charlotte becomes the top suspect. Molly believes Charlotte was the intended victim and investigates the Pemberly’s home, only to discover that Arthur had been murdered.
To get closer to this treacherous family, Molly and her boyfriend Kieran go undercover by volunteering to act and sing for a madrigal dinner directed by Althea and her daughter at St. Hildegard’s College. Molly must help her new friend clear her name while searching for the missing doll and wrangling her own family during the chaotic holiday festivities at the bookshop.
Molly is celebrating her first English Christmas in Madrigals and Mayhem by Elizabeth Penney and solving a mystery or two along the way.
Will Molly clear Charlotte’s name before one of them is next?
Molly Kimball
Molly Kimball is our sleuth and point-of-view character. She is enjoying her new life in Cambridge with her mom and Aunt Violet. Molly loves being at the bookstore and especially spending time with her boyfriend. I have to say that Molly is a great character, and I adore how she embraces life in England. Molly relishes spending time with her maternal family but is also carving out a spot for herself in the town and with her boyfriend, Kiernan.
The Mysteries
Molly’s new friend, Charlotte Pemberly, is the new owner of the toy store across the street from their bookstore called Pemberly’s Emporium. The first mystery that Molly gets wrapped up in is finding a Madame Alexander doll that is rightfully Charlotte’s, which her grandfather hid so that his new wife’s family couldn’t get it. The second mystery is Charlotte’s step-cousin, the grandson of her grandpa’s new wife, was poisoned at her toy store, and the police think that Charlotte did it. Molly decides to help prove Charlotte innocent while also helping her find the doll before her step-grandma’s family can. Along the way, Molly uncovers more than she should, which makes the killer anxious. I had an idea of who did it, and I was right.
Five Stars
My rating for Madrigals and Mayhem by Elizabeth Penney is five stars, and I love the whole holiday feel it brought. Madrigals and Mayhem by Elizabeth Penney is my first book by this author. Since I first saw the series, I’ve wanted to try it out, and I’m glad I did. Ms. Penney did an excellent job of transporting me to Cambridge, England. I also felt like I was helping Molly solve the case. I recommend it to all cozy mystery fans out there.
Cambridge Bookshop
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Madrigals and Mayhem by Elizabeth Penney.
Until the next time,
Happy Holiday Reading!
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About Elizabeth Penney
Elizabeth Penney is an author, entrepreneur, and local food advocate living in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. In addition to writing full-time, she operates a small farm. Elements that often appear in her novels include vintage summer cottages, past/present mysteries, and the arts. She is represented by the fabulous Elizabeth Bewley at Sterling Lord Literistic.
Elizabeth’s writing credits include over twenty mysteries, short stories, and hundreds of business articles. A former consultant and nonprofit executive, she holds a BS and an MBA. She’s also written screenplays with her musician husband.
She loves walking in the woods, kayaking on quiet ponds, trying new recipes, and feeding family and friends.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2024 Alphabet Soup-Author Edition-RC
- 2024 Cloak and Dagger
- 2024 Goodreads RC
- 2024 Medical Examiner Mystery RC
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