I enjoyed the story and look forward to more. The mystery kept me guessing. I like the characters as well as the English setting. It always takes me a bit to get back into this author's style of writing, but once I do I enjoy his books

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

When threatening letters begin arriving in the village where Marius grew up, no one knows what to make of them. There are a few people, however, who take them seriously. They are afraid that they are going to die, and slowly, the small group falls victim to the unknown killer. As the mystery deepens, there are snippets from the past that are going to be brought forward, and a story from the past is going to be central part of the mystery.
Can Marius and Lady Bella solve the case before more of their friends die?

This was a super cute read, and I am enjoying this series. I sure hope that there are going to be more than the three books that Amazon is showing right now! Marius and Lady Bella make a great team, and having her parents make an appearance in this book was something of a treat. I enjoyed the mystery and the unraveling of the story as the book progressed.

His second book now safely published, Marius Quin is going for a celebratory lunch with his Lady Isabella Montague. Too bad her beau, Gilbert Gaines, joins them. It seems the two have an idea for a new business as private investigators. Their first case can be why people are sending poison pen letters to people in the village they grew up in. Specifically, why Lucinda Heaton, who is revered by most of the town, is getting these letters.
Isabella and Marius travel back and get to know some of the people in town, none of whom have changed very much though Marius describes trying to overlay the people from his memories with the people in front of him. Then, someone is murdered. Inspector Lovelace is pressed into service once again (though neither Bella nor Marius know his first name...
This was a nice addition to the series. I didn't love the wrap up to the mystery but it left us with an open ended question for the next book in the series.

Marius Quin #2
Four stars
This book comes out February 20, 2024
Follows Murder at Everham Hall
ARC kindly provided by Storm Publishing and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Set in the late 1920s in an English village, Marius and Bella return to their childhood home to help old friends, the victims of poison-pen letters. A death draws Inspector Lovebrook into the investigation at Marius' request. Numerous suspects, false leads and a web of deceit and lies make the mystery frustrating and twisty for the amateur and professional detectives. The reader gains insight into Bella and Marius' backgrounds, which adds to the story's authenticity. I enjoyed the relatable characters, the historical village setting, and the twisty mystery, lightened with touches of gentle humour.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

The second instalment of the Marius Quin investigates series, "The Hurtwood Village Murders" by Benedict Brown is a go to read for fans of cosy British murder mysteries set in the first half of the 20th century. Funny, warmhearted, and quintessentially British this novel picks up the storyline of Marius Quin, a murder mystery author, and Bella Montague, his old love with whom he has recently reconnected as friends. Returning to the village of his childhood after over a decade's absence to investigate reports of poison pens letters being sent to some old school friends, Marius and Bella quickly find themselves with a murder on their hands and a mystery to solve.

Everyone in the village of Hurtwood loves Lucinda Heaton, despite her family’s reprehensible past, so who is sending her poison-pen letters threatening her life? After their success in solving the murder of an actor on New Year’s Eve, that’s what crime author Marius Quin and his childhood sweetheart and now friend and partner-in-crime Lady Isabella “Bella” Montague intend to figure out. However, Marius hasn’t been back in Hurtwood in ten years, since he left to fight the war in Europe and his father’s disappearance. Most of his childhood friends welcome him back warmly, some less than others, including his former best friend, James Heaton, who, as his cousin Lucinda and his sister Tilly, has received the threatening letters and who is then found stabbed in his own kitchen. With Lucinda and Tilly’s lives in danger, Marius and Bella need to find the killer quickly. Is the killer someone in the village, someone who they’ve known their whole life, or is an outsider?

The Hurtwood Village Murders is the second book in the Marius Quin Mystery series and I had so much fun reading it that I am already looking forward to the next one. Bella and Marius are a brilliant duo of detectives. Coming from different backgrounds, she is the daughter of a duke, he is the son of the local lawyer, Marius and Bella were first childhood friends, then they fell in love, but they broke things off when he left for the war. Now they have found each other again, close friends and occasional detectives, solving crimes full of suspects and surprises.

Witty, engaging, immersive, and well-written and with a picturesque village as the setting of a murder, The Hurtwood Village Murders is the perfect cozy mystery to keep you quite entertained for a few hours. Highly recommended!

It’s 1928 in England. Marius Quinn and Lady Isabella Montague have learned that some of their old friend from Hurtwood village may be in serious danger. The three Heaton cousins have all received notes threatening death. Marius and Quin head home to investigate with the aid of Scotland Yard Inspector Lockwood. But shortly after, they arrive, one of the Heatons is found dead and it’s is a race against the clock to save the others.

The Hurtwood Village Murders is the second Marius Quin Mystery and its a fun, entertaining historical cozy mystery with a nice touch of tongue-in-cheek humour running through it. Marius and Bella are extremely likeable protagonists and we learn a great deal more about their backgrounds but I think my favourite character is Percy, Quin’s basset hound. The mystery was interesting and kept me guessing right up to the big reveal near the end. The story ends with a hint of what the next mystery will be for Marius and Bella and I am so here for it.

Thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review

1928 Surrey. The three Heaton cousins, schoolfriends of Marius Quinn and Lady Isabella Montague, have been sent death threats. They journey to Hurtwood village as requested to investigate. Marius informs Scotland Yard Inspector Lovebrook of the threats. He arrives just as a body has been discovered.
A entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its likeable main characters supported by a cast of varied personalities.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I thank NetGalley and Severn House for an advance reader copy of “The Hurtwood Village Murders.” All opinions and comments are my own.

Mystery novelist Marius Quin is right in the thick of a mystery in this, his second outing (“Murder at Everham Hall” being the first). Who’s got it in for bright and beautiful Lucinda Heaton? The poison pen letters have been sent to others, too. And somebody dies. He’s gained some confidence, has our boy Marius, and with good friend Lady Isabella Montague by his side, the trek to find a determined killer amongst the denizens of Hurtwood proves no obstacle -- more or less. Marius is no Sherlock Holmes.

Which is just as well, for author Benedict Brown has given us a three-dimensional albeit fictional fellow that’s a delight to keep up with as he follows a trail of muddled clues and murky evidence. Mr. Brown has a gift for description and exposition, employing flashbacks to 1917 to set the scene for “present-day” (the book is set in 1928) happenings. And when the truth all comes out, ah ha, how very, very modern it will seem, for people haven’t changed all that much, have they?

Our ending finds Marius settled, or so he thinks. For he receives a challenge that fans of the books should find intriguing, including myself. “The Hurtwood Village Murders” will capture your attention and keep you reading until the final pages.

On an ending note, Benedict Brown includes an “About This Book,” which has interesting bits about the historical research involved and notes about book themes, characters, facts and other thoughts about the writing process. Always fun to read.

Mystery writer Marius Quin receives alarming news from his sleuthing partner Lady Bella Montague that their childhood friends are in danger. Back in their charming village of Hurtwood, the three Heaton cousins have all been sent identical death threats. When the local constable refuses to help, it’s up to Marius and Bella investigate the threats. But they arrive too late, and Marius finds his former best friend dead in his kitchen with a knife through the heart.
The second book in the series & it’s easily read on its own. Another well written cosy mystery with strong characters & an intriguing story. I loved how we learned more about Marius & Bella’s backstories so I felt I was getting to know them, which I didn’t feel in the first book. There are twists & turns in this engrossing murder mystery & my interest was held throughout, a bonus was that I didn’t even guess who the villain was. I look forward to more in the series
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

The Hurtwood Village Murders is the 2nd, and absolutely charming, Marius Quin mystery by author Benedict Brown. The book cover describes the story as "a totally gripping 1920s murder mystery" and I cannot agree more! Marius travels to the village of his childhood, Hurtwood, when old friends receive death threats via poisoned pen letters. Lots of fun, very clever, and so well-written that I didn't guess the killer and was very surprised at the end! A+++

***Benedict Brown always includes notes about his historical research at the end of his books. It's interesting, informative, sometimes funny, and always appreciated!***

In this the second book in the series we learn more about our characters background and their family's we get to learn something about Marius father, and we meet Isabella’s father. The banter between our main characters was as good in this book as it was in the first. The story is well written, and the murder was a great surprise to me. Can't wait for more. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Benedict Brown's The Hurtwood Village Murders offers a captivating journey into the heart of 1920s England, where mystery writer Marius Quin and his intrepid partner Lady Bella Montague find themselves embroiled in a web of threats and murder in the quaint village of Hurtwood. As they race against time to uncover the truth behind the Heaton cousins' death threats, Brown skillfully blends intricate plotting with evocative characterization, painting a vivid portrait of post-war England. While the abundance of characters and detailed world-building may initially slow the pace, the novel's cleverly crafted mystery and poignant exploration of wartime trauma ultimately make for a delightful and engaging read, promising further intrigue in future installments of the Marius Quin Mystery series.

I love books set in times gone by and this is no exception, as the time and language reflect the 1920s beautifully and represents the golden age of crime novels as typified by the great Agatha Christie. Despite the murders it reflects a time of greater civility and manners, and dislike is shown not in angry tirades but looks, ungenerous handshakes and pithy responses. Where people use intelligence and logic rather than Google and where there is an element of formality which means people get on with their jobs. A beautifully written book, with a sneaky twist and I’ll read more.n

Second book I’m reading by this author. Set in I presume a quintessentially English village, complete with the characters including the eccentric. Here we have unusually the Heaton family detested universally, and although the main culprits are dead and gone, the animosity remains hidden but very much below the surface.

Marius our prize winning author and his sort of girlfriend the lovely Lady Isabella gets dragged into an investigation of threatening poison pen letters to three of the Heaton remaining clan. Death promised in no uncertain terms assured. Police are called in but the first murder of James happens anyway and then the second of Tilly. Scotland Yard gets roped in and no proper suspect is in place because there are a lot of red herrings.

The detection is slow, but charming. Characterisation was varied, also charming.

A sequel has to follow because I want to know where the romance is going. It’s not quite fair to leave the reader dangling!

This is the second in a series about Marius Quinn, author and now partner of a new amateur detective agency. His partner is Lady Isabelle Montague, for whom he had a school boy crush. One of their old school friends has been receiving poison pen letters letters and so Marius is persuaded to return to his childhood home to investigate.

There are lots of characters but there is a handy list of them at the end of the book to help keep track of who is who and the various relationships between them. The story is based in the 1940s with reminiscences from 10 years earlier. The storyline is good and engaging from the start. There are some nice twists and some lovely elements of humour. The story ends with a tantalising glimpse into the potential topic for the next book and I am really looking forward to the next instalment in this series.

I also particularly liked that at the end of the book there are some interesting sections explaining the context, historical research and definitions of some of the more unusual words and references.

I think I liked this just a little tiny bit more than the first book, but only because I wasn't also worried about Marius's writer's block and financial problems. I have to be honest though, I still do not like Bella. She's not really all that helpful in actually solving the crimes and she still seems to be stringing Marius along even though she's still with the boring fiancé. She offers to take him out to lunch only for him to discover that she invited her fiancé and that she really wanted to talk him into starting a private detective-like agency with her. And then later when he is getting attention from other women she acts almost jealous. The woman needs to decide what she really wants and be honest with Marius about. I'm really hoping he gets a new love interest soon so that he can stop pining over Bella. I did like how Bella's father wanted them to get back together while her mother wanted Marius to stay away from her daughter. That aside, I really enjoyed the mystery side of the story. Once again I thought there were so many possible killers that it was difficult to determine who were the red herrings and who we should be keeping an eye on. And even though the victims weren't completely likeable, you still felt sorry for him that their lives were ended so prematurely. The ending of this has me so excited for the next book - I can't wait to see what Marius discovers about his father!

This book was beautiful written and extremely gripping from page to page. The twists and turns that were weaved between the discoveries added lots of curiosity for myself as a reader. I loved how this book ended and I already cannot wait for the next! Thank you for your beautiful writing .

I liked this second installment of Benedict Brown's new mystery series featuring Marius Quin. The flashback sections to their youth worked well for setting the stage for the relationships between the cast of characters. The description of the village and its occupants was well drawn and I like that there is a subplot - the disappearance of Marius' father many years before, that haunts the two stories and leads the story arc forward. Marius and Bella are smart, likable characters and I enjoy their relationship. I will definitely continue reading this series!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC!

I actually enjoyed this novel more than its predecessor, and it’s rare for me — to prefer sequels. I did like the small town atmosphere very much, as well as the close cast of characters. They have a history together and I enjoyed knowing more about it. Marius is still a pleasant main character, and though I’m not the biggest fan of Bella, she’s fine. The mystery itself was well-constructed and its ending was especially satisfying — it ended the way I wanted.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.