Taking you to the heart of Arizona in the 1930s
Welsh architect, Merlin Richards is in Arizona, chasing his architectural dream.
He arrives at the Arizona Biltmore hotel and meets a glamorous young designer, Rosa Lustig.
He is mesmerised, but is soon implicated in her murder, becoming the prime suspect.
A very well researched historical Murder mystery.
Told mostly for Merlin’s point of view, which maintains the mystery around Rosa’s murder.
Thanks @edwardmarston @allison&busby & @netgalley for the eARC

Having read the acknowledgements, this was a labour of love for the author and hence, makes a lot more sense, I enjoyed the story though not so much the characters, no matter how well rounded there were. 4 stars and my thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the reading copy.

I was a little ambivalent about this one. I am a regular reader of of Edward Marston's other series' and some are very good, but others are... not. This one persistently hovered between the 'good' and the 'not' as I read and I think the scales finally tipped towards 'good', but only just. Unfortunately, this book suffered a little from a limited setting, something that one or two of Marston's other series - the Ocean Liner mysteries to name but one - are hamstringed by. The limited setting makes for a lack of depth and development in both plot and characters, and the action is therefore somewhat stilted. In the end, it was the dogged spirit of the main protagonist that won the day, and saved the book. Bit of a twist the end and the denouement was definitely a surprise to me, so it wasn't such a bad book for all that.

Edward Marston's historical mystery series are always a treat as they are solid mysteries and well researched historical fictions.
This one is set very far from the usual places and it deals with architecture faturing Frank Lloyd Writght as special guest.
I thoroughly enjoyed and hope to read a new one soon.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Steeped In Atmosphere..
The first in the Merlin Richards series of mysteries follows Merlin as he leaves behind the valleys of South Wales and sets out for the Arizona Desert in search of his dream. He has architecture on his mind, Arriving at the Arizona Biltmore hotel he meets with Rosa and, although dazzled by her, he soon becomes a suspect in her murder. Merlin will have to fight his corner and conduct his own investigation in order to save himself. Beautifully steeped in atmosphere with a solid mystery at heart and a plot driven narrative laced with wit, this is an enjoyable read, first published as ‘Murder in Perspective’ under Keith Miles.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Allison & Busby for an advance copy of Murder at the Arizona Biltmore, the first novel to feature Welsh architect Merlin Richards, set in Arizona in 1928.

Fuelled by a letter from famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright Merlin Richards leaves Merthyr Tydfil for America. Arriving at the Arizona Biltmore build site he is befriended by aspiring designer Rosa Lustig, only to end up in jail as the prime suspect in her murder. On his release he starts his own investigation.

I enjoyed Murder at the Arizona Biltmore, which is a straightforward murder mystery with the odd glimpse of humour. It is told mostly from Merlin’s point of view so the reader gets close to his thoughts and actions while the author maintains the mystery around Rosa’s murder.

The plot is fairly standard for this kind of novel where the protagonist confronts various potential suspects with variable results. As an aside, it is amazing how many people a twenty four year old woman can upset. There are a lot of strong emotions and secrets to be uncovered, but the motive in the end is rather cold blooded and unusual. There is a nice sense of misdirection with the emphasis on Rosa’s relationships.

I must admit that I don’t have a great interest in architecture or the politics of building a hotel, so some of the detail was lost on me, but I think that for those who are interested the historical detail will be very satisfying as it seems well done.

This is a plot driven novel so the characterisation isn’t strong. Even Merlin is fairly flat. His lust for independence sits uncomfortably with how easily he is taken advantage of. He is the original innocent abroad.

Murder at the Arizona Biltmore is a good read that I can recommend.

It's 1028. Merlin Richards, a Welch architect who worked with his father is entranced by Frank Lloyd Wright. He leaves the firm he has with his father to go to America to see Wright. He had his wallet stolen in New York when he arrived, lost his luggage from a Chicago hotel, and left his harp in a pawn shop in Wisconsin before finally going to Arizona where Frank Lloyd Wright was advising the architect of the Arizona Biltmore Hotel not far from Phoenix. He has walked almost 2 miles when he sees a car. Rosa stops her car and offers him a ride. That night Rosa offers him a spot to sleep in her tent. Rosa is a very attractive woman as well as very good at drawing, and most of the men on the site are interested in her and not too happy about Merlin sharing her tent. The next day Rosa introduces Merlin to Frank Lloyd Wright.

The next night Rosa goes out to see someone. When he wakes, she is gone, and her belongings are scattered. Merlin hunts for her, and finds her near the concrete factory with her skull smashed by a concrete block. As he looks, Pete, a security guard blames him for killing her and knocks him out. Soon, Merlin is the prime suspect, and kept in jail for a night. From the time he gets out the next morning, he begins sleuthing, and after talking to several people on the site and in Phoenix, he gradually finds out more and more about the murder and those involved and figures out the murderer.

The characters are very interesting, the plot is well executed, and the ending is great. It was fun to read what I think is Marston's first book taking place in America. I thank Allyson & Busby and Netgalley for the ARC. The ideas expressed above are my own opinions.

A well researched historical murder mystery set in 1929 in the Arizona dessert and the construction compound of the famous luxury Biltmore hotel. Merlin Richards is a young architect working for his fathers practice in the Welsh valleys. The work he does is highly organised as is his life with his father having clear expectations on his career. Merlin has ambitions though and is keen to break free from the family firm and a predictable and boring future. He travels to America in the hope of meeting and impressing highly renowned and innovative architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

Merlin arrives on Arizona with no money and few possessions having been robbed and beaten during his travels. He is befriended by a beautiful young woman, Rosa, who lets him share her tent in the compound and introduces him to Wright when he turns up for a site visit. Rosa is murdered and Merlin is the prime suspect. In attempting to clear his name he faces discrimination, secrecy, jealousy, and misdirection.

Historical facts and details of the construction of the Biltmore are threaded throughout the story and provide a fascinating backdrop for the events that take place. My only criticism is that quite a few of the characters are not that well developed and the dialogue consequently in places is lacking in depth. Overall though an engaging story rooted in historical fact.