Murder on Mistletoe Lane

McKenna's charming fifth historical cozy featuring Stella Kendrick (after 2022's Murder at the Majestic Hotel) picks up just after the Kentucky-born heiress has married British aristocrat Viscount "Lyndy" Lyndhurst and moved with him to the lavish Morrington Hall in Hampshire, England. It's late December 1905, and the young newlyweds are preparing for their first Christmas together. Their chambermaids have decorated Morrington with freshly cut boughs of pine and holly to prepare for the arrival of the imperious Lady Isabella Kentfield and her family, who will be staying with the Lyndhursts for the holidays. When an important member of the household staff is found dead near the estate before the Kentfields arrive, Stella and Lyndy set out to investigate. Another death soon follows, and Stella begins to connect the body count to strange goings-on at Morrington: items vanishing from her bedroom, anonymous love letters appearing out of nowhere, suspicious behavior by the staff. Friction in the servants' quarters and some icy sniping between Stella and Isabella provides an entertaining backdrop. This easygoing Christmas mystery hits the spot. Agent: John Talbot, Talbot Fortune. (Nov.)

An arranged marriage creates a sleuthing couple with very different backgrounds. Ever since a horse-loving Kentucky girl with a wealthy controlling father married the wild son of an aristocratic family in need of a cash infusion, Stella, Lady Lyndhurst, and Lyndy, Lord Lyndhurst, have slowly forged a loving marriage. Although Stella's been forced into the mold for upper-class ladies in the early 1900s, she still manages some freedom to pursue her interests, which have recently involved solving murders. Christmas at Morrington Hall is not as cheerful as Stella would like, and she's uneasy when some of her trinkets go missing and she receives love notes from an unknown person. The infusion of Stella's money has enhanced the Lyndhursts' lifestyle, and Lyndy's mother, Lady Atherly, is so busy hiring more servants and improving the house that she has little time to pick on Stella and even approves of her charity, Triple R Farm, which rescues and rehabilitates horses. It seems odd to Stella that their Christmas guests, Sir Edwin, Lady Isabella, and their son, Freddy, who's in love with Lyndy's sister, Alice, are not particular friends, and indeed the two ladies snipe at each other. When Mrs. Nelson, the housekeeper, is found deathly ill and delirious, Stella springs into action, moving into high gear when the new veterinarian arrives with the news that he's found Mrs. Nelson dead on Mistletoe Lane. Manages to find a happy Christmas ending despite murder and mayhem. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.