The second in the series continues the theme of unexpected murder in Port Trevan. This time a murder mystery evening goes horribly wrong but who hated the victim enough to kill him? Fortunately Molly is on hand to help identify the killer. A lovely book with great characters and an amazing setting. Really enjoyable.

Having read and enjoyed the first book in this series, I was eager to read this and I wasn't disappointed. I enjoyed it very much. Looking forward to the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

This series is becoming a favorite and I loved this story that I couldn't put down.
It's a fun and fast read, full of twists and turns, and I loved the well thought and likeable characters, the lovely setting and the well crafted plot.
The mystery is solid, lots of suspects, and the solution came as a surprise.
I can't wait to read the next instalment.
It's strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Murder Most Foul....
The second of the Molly Higgins mysteries finds Molly catering a murder mystery weekend at a coastal Gothic mansion. Amidst the atmospheric surroundings murder most foul rears it’s head for real and Molly is called upon to help to find the perpetrator before they strike again. An enjoyable read with a likeable protagonist in Molly and a colourful cast of supporting characters as well as a fully entertaining plot.

Ned is running a murder mystery weekend in his crumbling old mansion. Kitty, a well known actress, playing one of the roles in the cast. Everyone is expecting a fake murder, but they get a real one instead!

This is the second book in the series, but you could read it as a standalone. Molly and Connor, who are the main characters in book one are in this one too. Molly is the one who solves the mystery. Ned and Kitty are the romantic subplot for this book. Kitty is smart and outgoing and the perfect foil for Ned, who is rather shambolic. I love Ned. He's such a delightful mess.

There's a big house, glamrous guests and a murder. There's also romance and jokes and quite a lot of Cornwall. I really enjoyed this book.

Usual disclaimer. I know the author in real life. We belong to the same writers organisations. I received a review copy of this book from Netgalley.

This is the second of Kate Johnson’s cosy murder mysteries set in Port Trevan, on the Cornish coast, and featuring Molly Higgins, café owner and caterer, and her glamorous actress friend, Kitty Cardew.

Kitty steps in to help out another of Molly’s friends, City hedge fund manager turned dilapidated Gothic mansion owner and murder mystery weekend organiser, Ned Crowe when the actress he has hired to play the part of the next murder weekend’s victim pulls out after suffering a nasty accident on one of the Penkellis Hall’s treacherous back stairs.

The guests, among whom Ned is dismayed to discover are his ex-wife, Serena Morgan, and her latest partner, Hugo St Aubyn, all arrive at the hotel on Friday evening and the scene is set for an enjoyable weekend of murder and intrigue until the following morning when a real live, as it were, dead body is found in one of the bedrooms.

The body is that of Hugo St Aubyn and is found by Serena Morgan. The police are called, and the initial suspect identified by the police is Ned himself after he has been publicly accused by his ex-wife. Molly and her friends refuse to believe that such a thing is possible. The plain-speaking Molly has been given the catering contract for the event and therefore is on hand to become drawn into the search for the murderer, much to the irritation of the police, not least because of her success in solving a previous murder the story of which is told in the previous novel in the series “Death Comes to Cornwall”.

The author has gathered together, in this fun read of a novel, a varied collection of interesting, authentic, characters that contrasts the shallow, greedy world of London with, the less thrusting and ambitious perhaps but, much more relaxed and idyllic world of provincial Cornish life.

As Molly and friends investigate and uncover information that the police seem unable to do the plot twists and turns in an entirely satisfactory manner. Add to that the blossoming romantic relationship between the stunning Kitty and the awkward, hapless Ned, and we find in this novel a light hearted and humorously told story that never loses its dramatic edge and has more than enough mystery and tension right up to the revelation of the identity of the killer.

I would like to express my thanks to Net Galley and Orion Dash/Orion Publishing for making a free download of this book available to me.

This was a really enjoyable murder mystery.

I liked Molly, and her actress friend Kitty, who get involved in trying to solve a real life murder mystery that happens at a murder mystery weekend. Molly is catering for the event and Kitty is an actress who has signed up to play the baron’s wife.

Only thing that marred this for me was finding out this was part of a series and there was a book prior to this one. I felt I would’ve enjoyed this more had I read the first book as you only really get a rough overview of the main characters.

Thank you to Orion and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my review.

Kate Johnson ’s new cosy mystery, Murder Most Cornish is an exhilarating read!

Enjoying life in Port Trevan, Kitty Cardew has a part-time role on a popular TV show, and all is looking rosy, except that she is struggling for cash. Asked to help out at a murder mystery weekend in a Gothic mansion on the coast, she leaps at the opportunity. There, she gets to meet the handsome Ned Crowe, owner of Penkellis Hall, who is one of the most vexatious men she's ever happened to have met. Just as matters begin to get lively, a body is discovered in one of the bedrooms. Desperately in need of help to figure out which of their guests is the real killer, Kitty and Ned turn to Molly Higgins, a caterer and proprietor of her own café in the small town of Port Trevan. Not only is she providing the catering for the weekend event at Penkellis Hall, but she is also the only person who can help track down the murderer.

This second instalment in the series is an edgier cosy mystery than most and as I became embroiled in the thickening plot I couldn't put this novel down, and just had to keep turning those pages. The beautifully developed characters were a wonderful assortment, each with their distinct personalities. Feisty and down-to-earth Molly made a brilliant amateur sleuth and of the rest, some I liked, others I wasn't so keen on, but they all had a valuable contribution to make to the story-line. Port Trevan and the surrounding country estate are described in luscious, rich detail, but one of the triumphs was the general atmospheric tone of the story. I also enjoyed the author's portrayal of the frequent claustrophobic nature of small-town life. The great pacing by Kate Johnson aided my enjoyment of the story as it propelled its way towards the revealing denouement.

If you love a good cosy mystery with plenty of surprises and misdirection, then Murder Most Cornish is for you. I confidently recommend this novel.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Orion Dash via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.

4.25 Stars
At Penkellis Hall, murder is just for entertainment...until it suddenly isn't.
Kitty Cardew has been enjoying life in Port Trevan and her reoccurring role on a popular TV show, all is looking rosy, except for the very small issue of being broke. So when Kitty is asked to help out at a murder mystery weekend in a Gothic mansion on the coast, she jumps at the chance. Throwing her into the path of Ned Crowe, who might be good-looking, but definitely one of the most irritating men she's ever met! Just as the sparks start to fly, a body is discovered and this time the death is not part of the plan.
This is the second book in the series & could be read on its own but if you love series & seeing how characters develop then I’d recommend reading the previous book. A well written book that is a bit grittier than a lot of cosy mysteries & for me that added to my enjoyment. The characters have plenty of depth & are well developed, I really like Molly & hope there are many more books to come. There are twists & turns & I loved how clues are gradually revealed. I read the book in two sittings, as I didn’t want to put it down & was totally drawn into the mystery
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Murder Most Cornish is the second book in the gripping Molly Higgins Cozy Mystery series and although preferable it isn't a necessity to have read the opening instalment before diving into this one; you can always go back and enjoy it after this. When Kitty Cardew is asked to help host a murder mystery retreat held over a weekend at a stunning Gothic mansion named Penkellis Hall she thinks all her birthdays have come at once. After all, she has been struggling financially and anything that makes this burden a lighter one to bear is all good with her. But soon a body is discovered throwing the mystery weekend into jeopardy when attendees realise they have a real killer in their midst. The victim is from the world of high finance and seemingly had a knack for rubbing people up the wrong way. Enter Molly Higgins who had been providing the food and drink for the event but learned some valuable skills from a past solo investigation which come in handy. Can she identify the murderous guest before they can strike again?

This is billed as a cosy/cozy mystery but it has an edgier side to it that makes it a lot more exciting than many cosies/cozies out there. The characters are a wonderful bunch who are beautifully developed each with distinct personalities and the setting of Port Trevan and the country estate are described in lush, richly-imagined detail. There is plenty of tension and mystery throughout but one of my highlights was the atmosphere and how well the author portrayed the often claustrophobic nature of small-town life and the tendency to overestimate how well you know someone who is an inhabitant of the local area. It's a fun, easy and entertaining read simply perfect for a spot of escapism and a break from reality. The slow revealing of motives and the fact that the victim was from a world of shady dealings made the plot all the more interesting. Highly recommended. I love a good amateur sleuthing novel and look forward to reading more from Molly. Many thanks to Orion Dash for an ARC.

Kitty Cardew.'s broke, despite having a part in a TV drama. So helping out at a murder mystery weekend should help the finances.

But there's a body, and not the one from the murder weekend..

Nothing upsets a fun murder solving weekend more than a real murder preempting the fake one. Several of the attendees appear to have wanted to put an oar in Ned's new way of life - but murder? No surely no-one disliked either him or the victim that much! Did they?

Loved it.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I read an advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

The second in a series sees cafe owner Molly Higgins dragged into a murder case that takes place during a murder mystery weekend. The victim, from the cut-throat world of high finance, has many people who might want him dead. Can Molly solve the case before someone gets hurt?
This was a great read. There were a great mix of characters: some lovable and others thoroughly unpleasant and the gradual revealing of different motives and aspects of the victim's behaviour kept the pace going and made the mystery not too obvious to solve. The location was scenic and played a role in some aspects of the plot. The eventual solution was cleverly revealed without Molly seeming arrogant or high handed and everything wrapped up to prepare for another in this series? I hope so.

#MurderMostCornish #NetGalley
An excellent cosy mystery.
Kitty Cardew has been enjoying life in Port Trevan and her reoccurring role on a popular TV show, all is looking rosy, except for the very small issue of being broke. So when Kitty is asked to help out at a murder mystery weekend in a Gothic mansion on the coast, she jumps at the chance. Throwing her into the path of Ned Crowe, who might be good-looking, but definitely one of the most irritating men she's ever met!
It was pacey and full of twists. A good read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for giving me an advance copy.