Monday, October 25, 2021

Murder at Mallowan Hall by Colleen Cambridge

 
First Line: Phyllida Bright had seen her share of bodies during the Great War, so when she discovered the dead man sprawled on the floor, it didn't even occur to her to scream.
 
Housekeeper Phyllida Bright manages Mallowan Hall with the proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove. Tucked away in the Devonshire countryside, Mallowan Hall combines the best of English country house tradition with the modern conveniences of 1930, but it isn't your typical English estate. It is the home of archaeologist Max Mallowan and his wife, famous mystery novelist Agatha Christie. 

Phyllida met Christie during their service in World War I, and she is as much friend as employee. A devotee of the mystery genre, Phyllida has yet to find a man as fascinating in real life as Christie's fictional Hercule Poirot. But even though she's familiar with murder as a topic of conversation, she's unprepared for the sight of a dead body on the library floor.

It soon becomes clear that the victim arrived under false pretenses during a weekend house party. Phyllida now has her hands full with demanding guests, hordes of reporters, and an anxious staff, and when another body is discovered, there's only one thing for her to do: take a page from Poirot's casebook to deduce which of Mallowan Hall's guests is the killer.

~

Author Colleen Cambridge's Murder at Mallowan Hall is an inspired bit of fun that kept me smiling and thinking throughout. Why wouldn't Agatha Christie have a mystery-solving housekeeper and why wouldn't that housekeeper be as interesting as Phyllida Bright? Although Christie herself only makes the occasional brief appearance, with the cast Cambridge has created she's pretty much surplus to requirements. 

Former war nurse Phyllida Bright leads the way. She's no-nonsense, likes to wear unhousekeeper-like light-colored floral prints, and has the sort of eye-catching hair that Mr. Dobble the butler thinks should be kept under a cap at all times. She loves her cats, Stilton and Rye, and positively hates dogs, but I won't hold that against her. She's never met a man who meets Hercule Poirot's high standards, and she enjoys the occasional tea and chats with Agatha. All in all, she seems a very straightforward character capable not only of serious deduction but also of making readers laugh. But... why does Phyllida Bright avoid the spotlight and being photographed? I'm looking forward to future books to see how this little tidbit is developed.
 
The interplay between Phyllida and the other staff like stuffy Mr. Dobble and Bradford the new chauffeur is light and fun, and one of the things I enjoyed the most in this multi-layered mystery is the fact that I really got a good feel for the running of a country house and all the myriad duties Phyllida had to oversee every day. Tops in the shocking tidbit category was the fact that the lower servants like the scullery maids had to run out in all weathers to use the outhouse while the upper servants, the owners, and the owners' guests all got to take advantage of the indoor plumbing.  It's never fun being at the bottom of the totem pole.

If you're in the mood for a fun, intriguing mystery filled with engaging characters, by all means, pick up a copy of Murder at Mallowan Hall. Afterwards, I have a feeling that you'll be waiting for the next book in the series just like me.

Murder at Mallowan Hall by Colleen Cambridge
eISBN: 9781496732460
Kensington Books © 2021
eBook, 304 pages
 
Historical Mystery, #1 Phyllida Bright mystery
Rating: B+
Source: Net Galley

10 comments:

  1. Yes, there is much more to Phyllida than former war nurse! I look forward to finding out more about the background...and about Bradford. This was a fun adventure, and I'm eager for the next book!

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  2. This does sound like a fun story, Cathy. And I do like historical mysteries. You know, having a housekeeper as the sleuth can work very well. It did for Barbara Neely's Blanche White (I know, different era, etc., but still!). This one does look interesting!

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    1. It is. I really enjoyed the Zoom event with Cambridge and Barbara Peters Tuesday afternoon.

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  3. I can't claim to be an Agatha Christie fan, but this one really does sound like fun. I think I know just enough about her biography that I would have a chance of "getting it."

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    1. I'm a fan of televised Agatha Christie. I am not, however, a fan of her books (although I find her short stories more palatable). I haven't gone out of my way to learn about Christie's life, and I'm not confused, so I really don't think you would be either, Sam.

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  4. I have been looking forward to this!

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  5. I do so like the setting as well of this story. I will be looking out for this one.

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    1. I hope you get a chance to read and enjoy it, Mystica.

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