Review by Booklist Review
Set in England in 1816, Schellman's latest Lily Adler murder mystery is densely plotted, entertaining, and filled with suspenseful twists and vivid details of the period's social customs and behaviors. Wealthy Mrs. Grantham is hosting a winter ball for dozens of guests, including Lily, but over the course of the night, as snow begins to fall, the roads become impassable. The stranded guests stay in the large Grantham house and the next morning, to everyone's horror, the body of one is found, shot to death and face down in the snow. The local magistrate, who also happens to be Lily's father-in-law, enlists her help to solve the crime. As Lily uncovers blackmail and her own family's possible involvement in the crime, valuable jewels go missing and another body is found. When Lily finally solves the crime, she uncovers a tragic tale of greed, lies, extravagance, and revenge.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Schellman's delightful fourth mystery featuring feisty widow Lily Adler (after 2022's Death at the Manor) sees the amateur sleuth attending a Christmas ball in 1816 England. Lily has brought along her late husband's mother, Lady Adler, and his brother, Sir John, to Mrs. Grantham's annual yuletide celebration in Hertfordshire. Also in attendance are Jack Harley and Matthew Spencer, both of whom harbor feelings for Lily. After much dining, dancing, and gossiping, the festive evening takes a turn when a terrible snowstorm hits, forcing the guests to stay at the house overnight. In the morning, someone is found shot to death in the poultry yard. Potential motives for the murder abound, including fraud, blackmail, theft, and romantic jealousy. Mrs. Grantham, who has heard murmurings about Lily's success at solving crimes, asks her to quietly investigate. The plot is sufficiently complicated, and Schellman does an excellent job casting suspicion on multiple characters while keeping the clues subtle. Historical mystery fans will devour this holiday treat. Agent: Whitney Ross, Irene Goodman Literary. (Sept.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
It's Christmas season in 1816, and Lily Adler is looking forward to celebrating at a neighbor's estate, enjoying time with the family of her late husband Freddy Adler, the widower who is courting her, and Jack Hartley, Freddy's childhood best friend. Jack's younger sister Amelia is the talk of the party. She's in the middle of a scandal, but she won't talk about it with her family. Then a snowstorm hits, stranding all the neighbors who don't live nearby. The next morning, a body is found in the snow. When he's identified as the man who was involved in Amelia's disgrace, suspicious eyes turn on her. The local magistrate, Lily's brother-in-law Sir John Adler, is forced to investigate, and begs Lily to help him. Everyone trapped in the house has secrets: illicit romances, jewelry theft, poison, blackmail. Can Sir John and Lily uncover a murderer trapped in the house with them? VERDICT The Regency-era follow-up to Death at the Manor is a Christmas treat for fans of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None. Those who enjoy stranded guests in isolated locations will appreciate Schellman's latest.--Lesa Holstine
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Who slew the lowlife lothario? Widow and sometime sleuth Lily Adler is in Hertfordshire to attend a gathering celebrating Christmas 1816, hosted by her former brother-in-law Sir John Adler and his mother, Lady Adler, who makes no secret of her wish that Lily would marry the courtly Matthew Spencer, who's also in attendance. While not anxious to remarry, Lily admires him and does not dismiss the idea. Her failure to object may surprise series fans, since the gathering also includes Capt. Jack Hartley, a supporting character in Lily's earlier mysteries. Dashing Jack, the closest friend of Lily's husband, Freddy, has been her confidant ever since Freddy's death. The large gathering is abuzz at a scandal involving Jack's sister, Amelia, and a reported indiscretion in the garden during a dance at the vicar's home. Amelia's complete silence on the matter does nothing to still the wagging tongues. The gentleman in question is also a guest who, after heavy snow requires everyone to spend the night, suffers the destiny foreshadowed in Schellman's title, transforming Sir John instantly from genial host to stern investigator. In his capacity as a magistrate, he assigns Amelia to his protective care. Convinced of Amelia's innocence, Lily begins her own investigation as discreetly as possible. After presenting a dauntingly large cast in her opening chapters, Schellman adroitly thickens the plot with juicy secrets and sinister backstories. The subplot of Lily's two suitors provides a blithe contrast to the dark mystery. A plummy period whodunit with a colorful collection of suspects. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
