Murder at Maybridge Castle: A Festive Country House Murder Mystery
Festive: Murder at Maybridge Castle is a Christmas-set historical country-house mystery by Ada Moncrieff. Set in 1936 during a castle reopening in Cumbria, it turns a parlour game into a murder investigation among a varied group of guests, including an amateur sleuth.
At a glance
- A Christmas 1936 setting at the reopening of Maybridge Castle in the Cumbrian countryside.
- A parlour game ends in a death, with suspicion moving among the guests.
- The cast includes an elderly amateur sleuth accompanied by her cat, alongside a doctor, tarot readers and a journalist.
Often bought together
Pros and cons
Pros
- The seasonal country-house setting combines a historical mystery with a festive atmosphere.
- The premise centres on a clear whodunnit hook, with secrets and grudges among the guests.
- At 304 pages, the listed print length gives a defined scope for a holiday read.
Technical specifications
8 specifications| Publisher | Harvill Secker |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 26 Oct. 2023 |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 304 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1787304310 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1787304314 |
| Weight listed | 215 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 12.9 x 1.8 x 19.7 cm |
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Readers looking for a festive historical whodunnit set in a country house.
- Fans of amateur-sleuth mysteries and stories with a Christmas setting.
- Readers who enjoy an ensemble of guests and concealed motives.
Less suited to
- Readers seeking contemporary crime fiction or a non-seasonal setting.
- Readers who prefer mysteries without a murder as a central plot event.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
42% 42% - 4 stars
29% 29% - 3 stars
21% 21% - 2 stars
6% 6% - 1 star
2% 2%
Customer feedback highlights the mystery, an unexpected ending and easy readability, with some finding it an enjoyable escapist read. Other responses describe it as boring, and views on character development are mixed. That range matters if you want a consistently brisk or strongly character-led read. The overall rating distribution is mostly positive but includes a substantial middle share, so it does not suggest universal enthusiasm.
Positive themes
- Customers describe it as an excellent mystery and mention an unexpected twist.
- Some customers find it easy to read and entertaining.
Negative themes
- Some customers describe the book as boring.
Mixed feedback
- Customer views on character development are mixed.
- Feedback on how engaging the story is varies.
Frequently asked questions
What is Murder at Maybridge Castle about?
At Christmas in 1936, guests gather for the reopening of a Cumbrian castle. A parlour game ends in a death, and suspicion falls across the group.
Who is the sleuth in the story?
The description features an elderly amateur sleuth accompanied by her cat, but does not name her there.
Is this part of a series?
The listing identifies it as number 3 in A Christmas Mystery.
How long is the print edition?
The listed print length is 304 pages.
Alternative options
A Murder of Christmas Past: A 1920s Historical Cozy Mystery (The Kitty Worthington Mysteries)
£7.99
The Fish Shop Murders (An Ocean Plaice Mystery)
£8.99
Vanilla Chai and A Vanishing Victim: A British Cozy Murder Mystery with a Female Sleuth (A Waterwheel Cafe Mystery)
£11.99
Murder at Everham Hall: A completely addictive 1920s cozy mystery (A Marius Quin Mystery Book 1)
£2.99
Mint Tea and A Midsummer Murder: A British Cozy Murder Mystery with A Female Sleuth (A Waterwheel Cafe Mystery)
£13.99
WHO KILLED MARY: A solve-it-yourself murder mystery novel
£12.59
Latte Lies: A Small-Town Culinary Cozy Mystery with Café Rivalries, Hidden Secrets, and an Amateur Sleuth (The Rory Lane Café Mysteries)
£18.99
Murder At Midwinter: A cozy Christmas crime novel from the author of Murder at Maybridge Castle
£6.00
The Christmas Jigsaw Murders: The deliciously dark Christmas cracker from the bestselling author of Murder on the Christmas Express
£3.00
Murder on the Midnight Star: The cosy new murder mystery to escape with this Christmas
£6.00
Murder at the Christmas Emporium: The brand new festive whodunnit to gift this Christmas
£6.00
