The Innkeeper's Intrigue
The Lockstone Hollow Mysteries: Book 2
Buy directly from Deb Marlowe's store for discounts on e-books and audio-books
Buy from your favorite retailer
|
|
|
|
|
Coming to Audio
Buy directly from Deb Marlowe's store for discounts on e-books and audio-books
Buy from your favorite retailer
A Regency set cozy mystery series featuring an intrepid heroine, a charming Cotswold village, a host of quirky characters, a handsome but reserved carpenter, an attractive but suspicious constable, and a baby goat or two!
Miss Lisette Birtwhistle is recovering from all the turmoil of the tragic murder of her former betrothed. Tired of loss, still hoping to find community and fellowship, she is looking forward to settling into village life in Lockstone Hollow.
She’s focused now on continuing her village improvement plans. A new public garden, as well as a contest to win the chance to design the plantings, is the latest scheme she and her friends have set into motion.
Until a body is found left in the newly dug flower beds.
Lisette is not acquainted with this new victim, but Mr. Maxwell Sowerby, the local constable, is. In need of an unbiased observer to vouch for the impartiality of his enquiries, he asks Lisette for help. He needs someone who will refuse to pander or defer. Who better to keep him in line than the woman he so recently—and wrongly—accused of murder?
In the end, Lisette agrees. With the constable at her side and the villagers of Lockstone Hollow eager to lend a hand, she dives into the world of a man who wears many faces. The suspects are numerous, but the uncovered secrets are even more plentiful—and Lisette must uncover the killer before he can harm someone who has grown dear to her.
Miss Lisette Birtwhistle is recovering from all the turmoil of the tragic murder of her former betrothed. Tired of loss, still hoping to find community and fellowship, she is looking forward to settling into village life in Lockstone Hollow.
She’s focused now on continuing her village improvement plans. A new public garden, as well as a contest to win the chance to design the plantings, is the latest scheme she and her friends have set into motion.
Until a body is found left in the newly dug flower beds.
Lisette is not acquainted with this new victim, but Mr. Maxwell Sowerby, the local constable, is. In need of an unbiased observer to vouch for the impartiality of his enquiries, he asks Lisette for help. He needs someone who will refuse to pander or defer. Who better to keep him in line than the woman he so recently—and wrongly—accused of murder?
In the end, Lisette agrees. With the constable at her side and the villagers of Lockstone Hollow eager to lend a hand, she dives into the world of a man who wears many faces. The suspects are numerous, but the uncovered secrets are even more plentiful—and Lisette must uncover the killer before he can harm someone who has grown dear to her.
Reviews
This is a truly wonderful read, the characters are well thought out and well developed which makes you connect with them. The story flows well, has plenty of twists, turns and intrigue. It is not at all predictable and kept me guessing. Once I started reading I was hooked. I loved everything about this book and didn't want it to end. But now I can look forward to the next one!
--Donna, Netgalley
--Donna, Netgalley
I fell right back into the charm of Lockstone Hollow with this one. Lisette is still healing from the murder of her former betrothed, but she throws herself back into village life with a new project, a public garden contest, and I loved watching her lean on her community for that sense of fellowship she so desperately wants. Of course the peace doesn't last, a body turns up in the freshly dug flower beds and suddenly she's pulled right back into a murder investigation. What really got me was the dynamic between Lisette and Constable Sowerby, the very man who once wrongly accused her, now asking for her help precisely because he trusts her to keep him honest and unbiased. Their partnership crackled with tension and mutual respect as they worked through a suspect list that kept growing along with the secrets. I was hooked trying to figure out which of the villagers was hiding the real motive, and the ending delivered exactly the payoff I wanted.
--EA, Goodreads
--EA, Goodreads
Listen, this book (and series) is perfect. It’s soooo cozy with the perfect blend of intrigue, romance, and history. If Deb Marlowe wrote them, I would read 100 Lockstone Hollow mysteries! This once balances everything beautifully, and while I did guess the killer, the misdirects and drama were totally fun along the way. This book made me feel ALL the feels. I will be singing it's praises for a LONG time and will be impatiently waiting for book three!
If you like When Calls the Heart or Lark Rise to Candleford, you’ll love the “new girl in a small town” vibes!
--Jen, Bookstagram
If you like When Calls the Heart or Lark Rise to Candleford, you’ll love the “new girl in a small town” vibes!
--Jen, Bookstagram
This is the second book in the series, and I’m getting really hooked! I really like the main character. She is intelligent, curious, and down-to-earth and I especially appreciate that she doesn’t act superior or like she knows everything. She’s helping the local police officer solve the murders, which makes for a great partnership. I really enjoy seeing how they work together and how their relationship develops throughout the story. The concept and storyline are very well done and the characters are likeable and interesting. There is enough mystery and suspense to keep you guessing, but it still has that cozy historical atmosphere that makes it such an enjoyable read. I found myself getting more and more absorbed in the story, to the point where I simply didn’t want to put the book down. I would definitely recommend this book and the series to anyone who loves cozy historical mysteries, especially if you enjoy interesting characters, intriguing murder cases, and a lovely historical setting.. I’m really enjoying this series and can hardly wait to find out what will happen next!
--Martine Ja, Bookbub
--Martine Ja, Bookbub
I loved being back in this world, it was still as cozy and the mystery was even better!! A Regency set mystery series is truly something I'll always enjoy and this is such a great one!!
Lady Lisette is determined to make the village better and the next project is a new public garden and a contest to help design it. Everything was going well until a body was found... This time the constable is connected to the victim, so he asks Lady Lisette to help him find the killer and to make sure he stays objective. They are on the hunt and determined to uncover the truth and find the killer quickly.
Lady Lisette is back, solving mysteries, this time as an active participant alongside Mr. Sowerby. I loved seeing her more in a role of detective as well as landlady, her determination to make Lockstone Hollow better is commendable. Her empathy and instant connection to everyone she talks to makes her an amazing heroine. We also got a better glimpse into her feelings towards Mr. Sowerby as well as Royce Logan here. I can't wait to see it develop more between her and a certain someone..
I adore the villagers, all unique and helpful in their own way and always in each other's business. I really liked the new characters too, but my favourites are still the goats, especially Swoon.
The mystery was full of intrigue, fascinating characters, family secrets and blackmail.. The pace was steady and the ending suspenseful. While I did guess the killer, it was still an enjoyable journey to the truth.
This setting is so beautiful and I'm very excited for more installments!! If you're a fan of Regency mysteries, I highly recommend this series!!
--Ann M, Storygraph
Lady Lisette is determined to make the village better and the next project is a new public garden and a contest to help design it. Everything was going well until a body was found... This time the constable is connected to the victim, so he asks Lady Lisette to help him find the killer and to make sure he stays objective. They are on the hunt and determined to uncover the truth and find the killer quickly.
Lady Lisette is back, solving mysteries, this time as an active participant alongside Mr. Sowerby. I loved seeing her more in a role of detective as well as landlady, her determination to make Lockstone Hollow better is commendable. Her empathy and instant connection to everyone she talks to makes her an amazing heroine. We also got a better glimpse into her feelings towards Mr. Sowerby as well as Royce Logan here. I can't wait to see it develop more between her and a certain someone..
I adore the villagers, all unique and helpful in their own way and always in each other's business. I really liked the new characters too, but my favourites are still the goats, especially Swoon.
The mystery was full of intrigue, fascinating characters, family secrets and blackmail.. The pace was steady and the ending suspenseful. While I did guess the killer, it was still an enjoyable journey to the truth.
This setting is so beautiful and I'm very excited for more installments!! If you're a fan of Regency mysteries, I highly recommend this series!!
--Ann M, Storygraph
The Innkeeper’s Intrigue by Deb Marlowe is the second book in the Lockstone Village mysteries. I've been reading a few darker mysteries and I really enjoyed this book because it was such a breath of fresh air. This is one of those books set in a charming town with wonderful, caring citizens and everyone working together to make life better for everyone. Although there is of course a murder, it doesn't stop the majority of the town from being kind and sweet and unlikely to murder someone. That made it harder to figure out who the killer was and really added to the fun of the mystery. I had no idea until the very end who the perpetrator was and I enjoyed figuring it out with Lizette. I'm also happy to say that a dreaded love triangle appears to have resolved itself and I can't wait to see what happens next for Lockstone Hollow. I recommend this book. It's an easy, fun read that is a wonderful distraction from the horrors of the real world.
--Mary S, Goodreads
--Mary S, Goodreads
