I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

This was a fairly cosy murder mystery set at a house party in 1928. Marius, the hero, is struggling to write his second murder mystery, and there are a lot of knowing nods to 'how things always happen' in such novels. The tone was light throughout, apart from odd references to Marius' wartime experiences. I found his love interest Bella rather annoying, but the story itself was well-plotted - I guessed bits of it, but not all.

Murder at Everham Hall by Benedict Brown is the first book in A Marius Quin Mystery series.

This is a historical mystery, set in England in the late 1920s, during the holiday season. It is also a remote setting and locked room mystery.

I enjoyed this first book, especially catching was the beginning. It was a really good mix of humourous and mysterious.
The main character is likeable and although sometimes a bit silly and irresponsible still very likeable and relatable. He is smart, well read, funny and a mystery writer, there are so many good things in his favour.
There is a bit of possible romance in the air.
The story itself was well crafted and clearly presented. I lagged a bit around the middle but picked up a pace later on.
The side characters although possibly a bit stereotypical were nevertheless a lively bunch and a pleasure to read about.
Everything was exactly as I imagine Christmas at that time to be, with the perfect mystery to solve.

A Festive Murder…
The first outing in the Marius Quin series of mysteries finds our protagonist, a mystery writer with an annoying dose of writers block, travelling to a New Years bash at a stately home. With his trusty basset hound in tow, Marius soon finds himself snowed in with a killer. A fun, quirky and engaging start to a new series with a pacy narrative, a host of eclectic and eccentric characters and a perfect location for a festive murder.

I genuinely would not have known this book was written and published this year; it’s set in the 1920s and lives up to it!

The humor and speaking-to-the-audience of Everyone In My Family has Killed Someone meets the classic mystery vibe of Agatha Christie.

Thank you NetGalley for the early copy!

Murder at Everham Hall by Benedict Brown is a captivating start to the Marius Quin Mysteries series, set in the winter of 1927. This cozy mystery unfolds as Marius Quin, a mystery writer with a crippling case of writer's block, is drawn into a murder mystery at a lavish New Year's Eve party at Everham Hall. With a quick, engaging writing style and a charming mix of wit, quirky characters, and intricate mysteries, the story balances the murder investigation with the complexities of relationships and unrequited love. While some readers may not warm up to the protagonist, Marius Quin, the book offers a satisfying blend of historical authenticity, humor, and unexpected twists that make it an entertaining and delightful read for fans of cozy mysteries. Benedict Brown's new series holds great promise for more captivating mysteries to come

1927. Mystery writer Marius Quin is invited to a New Year's Eve party by childhood friend Lady Isabella Montague at Everham Hall, hosted by owner actor Cecil Sinclair. But when the host is shot dead, Marius and Isabella decide to investigate as the guests (suspects) are snowed in.
An entertaining and well-written cozy historical mystery with its cast of diverse personalities, and likeable main character. A good start to this new series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

An easy read. A typical murder mystery.

A group of guests at an actors house … what could go wrong! Lots of twists and turns. Clever and interesting.

BOOK: MURDER AT EVERHAM HALL
AUTHOR: BENEDICT BROWN
PUB DATE: NOVEMBER 2023
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REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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I'd have given this book 4 stars, but I subtracted 0.2 from it because Marius Quin was slightly annoying. He acted like a know it all when in fact, he didn't. I also didn't like his attitude towards Gilbert, it was understandable, but over the top. Apart from that, he was an okay character
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I almost guessed the culprit and it was a wonderful cozy mystery/amateur sleuth book, and you'll like it if you're a fan of those Genres. The characters were okay and I loved reading a book set in the early 1900s and a slight exposure to the film making process.
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I really liked Lady Isabella, I'd have preferred her pov than Marius's, she's a deeper thinket than he is. I loved reading the backstory of her relationship with Marius. I'm hoping there's a romance between the two of them in the future.
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I liked the ending, the crime solving, the characters, the setting and Marius' reflection at the end of the book. I'd like to read more in the series although it's the first in the series
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This historical cosy mystery is the first in a new series featuring writer Marius Quinn. It’s Christmas 1927 and Marius is visiting his publisher to explain that his second book has stalled (after only one chapter) and to ask for a further advance to pay his rent. Denied and told to get on with the book, he runs into his old childhood friend Bella Montague who invites him to spend New Years Eve Everham Hall, a friend’s country house. Marius last saw Bella ten years ago, just before he headed off to war. Realising he’s still in love with her he eagerly attends the party only to find her boyfriend Gilbert, a banker, is there as well.

Everham Hall belongs to Cecil Sinclair, a popular film actor, who has a reputation for being difficult on set due to his drunkenness and drug taking. At the party, Marius meets Cecil’s girlfriend Poppy, also an actress, his father Ross and his younger fiancé Edith, his director Anton and his wife Alma and a young man Gilbert is mentoring at his bank, Carl Wilson. When Cecil shows up he is clearly intoxicated from drugs and alcohol and behaving badly and is escorted to his room, where he is later found dead with three bullet holes in his head.

Since they are snowed in and the police can’t get to them, Marius decides to start investigating by interviewing all the guests, with Bella to help him. There are quite a few plot twists until Marius works out why Cecil was killed and eventually who carried out the murder. I never really warmed to the main character and the writing style, however this is a quick read and should appeal to those who enjoy Christmas cosy mysteries set in snowed in country houses.

Thank you NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Benedict Brown for this ARC in exchange for a review.

This first in the Marius Quin Mysteries, this cosy mystery starts as our main character is flying high after the success of his bestseller.

After being invited to a New Year's Eve party, the real mystery begins - who killed the host? We find out more from the other party goers in this light hearted who done it? But will they find the killer!

A quick, witty read that grabs your attention right till the end!

Nice, easy to read, cozy murder/mystery set at New Year in 1920s England.

I enjoyed the characters, who were likeable and believable, loved Marcus’ faithful hound and I didn’t guess who did it, which is always a bonus. I loved the authors historical research notes at the end, not often you see this and just as interesting as the book. A good start to his new series, I’ll be interested to see how Marcus and Bella develop.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Marius, a crime writer and Bella, his long time friend, find themselves in a whodunnit situation at a house party. The case is solved in a funny, entertaining way, which keeps you interested throughout. I received a copy for free from Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The first in a new historical cozy mystery series featuring protagonist Marius Quin, a mystery writer. He is struggling to finish his next book when he is invited to a New Year’s party by his ex, Bella. The party is being hosted by famous movie star, but that movie star ends up dead. Marius and Bella team up to investigate.

I really enjoyed this debut! I think it started a little slow, but once Marius and Bella started investigating, I found it a really good read. I liked having a mystery writer as the detective and it had good pacing, clues, etc. I can’t wait to read the next one!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

According to the front cover, Murder at Everham Hall by Benedict Brown is a completely addictive 1920s cozy mystery. For me that just wasn't true. I don't think it's a particularly bad book, and I enjoyed the setting but the characters all drove me crazy! Unfortunately for me, I found Marius, the lead, most irritating of all. If you can get past him, or don't share my feelings about him, then I think you'll enjoy this first in a prospective series.

This truly gave an Agatha Christie feel from the get go. I adore Agatha Christie so I went in with high hopes.

This was the perfect cosy crime and mystery novel. It was easy and a quick read to just consume while I was sick.

The added historical research and references pages showed the author put so much thought and effort into his book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Benedict Brown for a copy of this ARC to read and review!

Oh I think I am really going to enjoy this new cozy mystery series!! Marius Quin is a witty character, full of humor and charm! This first book reconnects Marius with his ex love Bella … and together they form a new sleuthing duo when they are snowed in at Everham Hall for a New Year’s Eve holiday weekend. One of the guests has murdered the host of the lavish estate and they are determined to find out the truth! His mopey hound, Percy, tags along on this adventure and is pretty stinkin’ adorable.

I'm excited to see how this relationship between Marius and Bella evolves as the series continues!

I love the 1920’s era and thought the author did a fantastic job making this age come to life! It’s a quick and clever whodunit murder mystery with a classic and timeless setting! The ending was nicely done and took me by surprise! This book would pair nicely with a hot cup of something, a comfy blanket in your favorite reading chair on a chilly winter day! The perfect comfort read!

Struggling writer, fancy party with mostly strangers, atmosphere, champagne and murder...a great way to see in the New Year!
I found it difficult to orientate myself within the house and grounds and to picture the many stealthy entrances, closed off corridors and unused rooms- perhaps a little more description may have helped but this does not stop the story being a very readable cosy crime.

December 1927 & mystery-writer Marius Quin has one previous bestseller, endless looming mortgage payments, and no idea how to write his next book. When his childhood friend Lady Isabella Montague invites him to an intimate New Year’s Eve party hosted by a narcissistic actor, Marius seizes upon the distraction. With his perpetually glum Basset hound along for the ride, he navigates the snowy lanes to the opulent estate of Everham Hall. As the celebrations begin, fireworks light up the sky, champagne corks pop, and then the host is murdered. Snowed-in and with the police unable to reach them, Marius is the closest thing the panicked party has to a detective and he is swiftly nominated to find the killer. But when two more guests are attacked.
The first book I’ve read by the author & it certainly won’t be the last. I thoroughly enjoyed this cosy mystery, which had strong characters, twists & turns, red herrings & more than a sprinkling of humour. As well as reading the book I also listened to the audiobook & that was just as good. The narrator did a wonderful job of bringing the book to life. I really liked Marius & look forward to more in the series
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

As an Agatha Christie fan I loved this novel set in the 1920's. Clearly author Benedict Brown has done a lot of research into the 1920's to understand about life in those times thus giving detailed references to aspects of life in that time period. I always applaud writers who take the trouble to include a glossary that helps the reader understand some of the language used. This book will appeal to many I am sure. Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the chance to be an ARC.

I just finished reading Murder at Everham Hall by Benedict Brown. Some of you may not know this about me but I enjoy a good cozy murder mystery and that’s exactly what this book provides. It has a fascinating cast of characters with Marius Quin, murder mystery author and now amateur detective, as the lead. As a fan of these types of stories, I loved trying to solve the murder as the story went on and felt really invested with the mystery. The twists and turns are as fascinating as you’d hope for and having the book told in the first person perspective of Marius helped us get into his mind as revelations were made. Benedict Brown also left some historical research at the end of the book as this is a period piece set in 1927. I definitely plan to look into the Lord Edgington Investigates series that is tied into this book as well as keep an eye out for future adventures involving Marius Quin and his friend and crime-solving partner Lady Isabella Montague. If, like me, you enjoy a cozy winter-set murder mystery, check out Murder at Everham Hall by Benedict Brown.