I wish authors would focus on not overdoing it in books. Because that’s exactly what happened in this book. The author had a really decent synopsis and framework, but added way too much. I spent more time trying to figure it out and remember who all the characters were and what was going on rather than focusing on the actual mysteries itself. I’ll pass on another in this series at this rate.

The small village vibes of the Palace, where everyone knows some business of someone else leads to gossip between the ladies and staff, pointing fingers before evidence it provided.
I did feel the ending was drawn out in revealing who did it.

In 1891, at Hampton Court Palace, Mrs. Lydia Bramble, the housekeeper, finds out that Miss Philomena Franklin, one of the residents, has been found dead with a knife in her back. Detective Inspector Cole from Scotland Yard is called to investigate. However, Mrs. Bramble believes she can solve the case herself. She asks Reverend Thomas Weaver for help.

Together, they explore the lives of the palace residents, searching for clues and uncovering secrets. The story features a range of interesting characters, making it both engaging and enjoyable.

This historical cozy mystery is well-written and serves as a start to a new series. The publisher provided an advance reading copy (ARC) via NetGalley.

Murder at the Palace is an interesting locked-room, historical mystery about a woman (Philomena Franklin) who was found dead with a knife in her back while in residence at Hampton Court Palace. After Scotland Yard is called in to investigate the murder, Mrs. Bramble is convinced that they are ill equipped to handle the case. Given her position within the palace and having previous experience as a nurse in the war, the palace housekeeper (Lydia Bramble) is set on solving the mystery of Miss Franklin’s demise along with Rev. Weaver.

There were many things to love about this book. I enjoyed Mrs. Bramble’s character and her sleuthing skills. Women during this time period were often ignored and marginalized, so I loved how the author painted Mrs. Bramble as a clever, strong female lead character. The Reverend working alongside Mrs. Bramble in this mystery was also entertaining. The mystery itself was also strong and was similar to the personality of Agatha Christie’s Miss Jane Marple. There were many red herrings, which always amps up the pacing of any cozy mystery.

The issues I found with this book included the long list of characters, the geography of the palace itself, and the way in which the ending seemed to be thrown together. There is a very long list of characters and it was hard to remember each person because they all seemed to have similar personalities. The placement of the palace was so detailed but was also confusing, and I feel like this could have been remedied if the author had included a map or visual reference. The first half of the book moves at a slower pace and the few chapters really sped up and felt rushed. Even though there were a few issues, the story was enjoyable.

I rate this a good 3.75.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. This review is voluntary and all thoughts are my own.

⭐ Rating: 4.5/5
📖 Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery
📅 Publication Date: March 13, 2025

🕵️‍♀️ Summary:

Set in 1891 at the illustrious Hampton Court Palace, Murder at the Palace introduces readers to Mrs. Lydia Bramble, the diligent palace housekeeper. When Miss Philomena Franklin, a resident of the palace’s Grace and Favour apartments, is discovered dead with a knife in her back, the shocking crime sends ripples through the royal residence. With the official investigation veering off course, Mrs. Bramble, alongside Miss Franklin’s maid, takes it upon herself to delve into the intricate web of secrets and rivalries among the palace’s esteemed inhabitants.

🖋️ My Thoughts:
N. R. Daws crafts a compelling narrative that seamlessly blends historical ambiance with the intrigue of a classic whodunit.

🔍 What I Loved:

✔ Authentic Setting: The depiction of Hampton Court Palace is richly detailed, immersing readers in its grandeur and the unique dynamics of its Grace and Favour apartments. The collaboration with the palace adds depth and authenticity to the setting.

✔ Engaging Protagonist: Mrs. Lydia Bramble is a standout character — intelligent, observant, and resourceful. Her perspective as a servant provides a fresh angle on the investigation, highlighting the often-overlooked insights of those working behind the scenes.

✔ Intricate Plot: The mystery is well-constructed, with red herrings and unexpected twists that keep readers guessing. The exploration of the residents’ secrets and the societal norms of the era adds layers to the narrative.

🔸 Minor Drawbacks:

▫ Pacing Variations: Some sections delve deeply into character backstories, which, while enriching, occasionally slow the momentum of the main plot.

✨ Final Verdict:
Murder at the Palace is a delightful addition to the historical cozy mystery genre. N. R. Daws delivers a story that is both engaging and atmospheric, with a protagonist who shines in her role as an amateur sleuth. Despite minor pacing issues, the novel offers a satisfying and immersive reading experience that will appeal to fans of historical mysteries and character-driven stories.

📌 Recommended For:

✔ Readers who enjoy historical settings with authentic details.

✔ Fans of cozy mysteries with strong female leads.

✔ Those intrigued by the secrets lurking within grand establishments.

Embark on a journey through the opulent yet secretive halls of Hampton Court Palace with Mrs. Bramble as she uncovers the truths hidden behind its majestic facade.

3.5 - This was a cozy mystery set at the Hampton Court Palace way back when. I thought I had it figured out about 30% of the way through, but there was a last minute twist I didn't see coming! Some of the characters felt a little stereotypical, like the detective from Scotland Yard who only saw things one way. Overall, it was a cute story that I enjoyed!

Thank you to NetGalley, NR Daws, and the publisher for the eARC I received! All opinions are my own.

1891 Hampton Court Palace. Housekeeper Mrs Lydia Bramble is informed that one of the inhabitants, Miss Philomena Franklin, has been found dead with a knife in her back. DI Cole of Scotland Yard is called in but Mrs Bramble believes she is better equipped and recruits Reverend Thomas Weaver to aid her in her investigations.
An entertaining and well-written historical cozy mystery with its varied characters. A good start to this new series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Hampton Court Palace is not the kind of place where you expect to find a lady murdered by a fancy letter opener. When Miss Franklin is found in just such circumstances, the rumors start flying around. Mrs Bramble, erstwhile Court Housekeeper and powers of all, is first on the scene.

Scotland Yard is next but Inspector Cole is no match for Mrs B. Discerning, sharp and clever and blessed with common sense she is no match for the plodding Inspector Cole.

Filled with eccentric, old ladies who have earned a grace and favour apartment for work done by their husbands, these ladies give the atmosphere to the story and the almost village atmosphere that is brought about by a dozen old ladies with their so active social life and hidden histories and secrets all within the confines of a very small area.

The whodunnit was a sideline to the detective skills of Mrs B who was really clever and unassuming as well.

Read this on Netgalley. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!!

This is a historical whodunit where a murder happens in a palace and Mrs Bramble tries to find out who did it after the Male police from Scotland Yard is hell bent on pinning it on a reaident of the Palace.

Pros:

1. Mrs Bramble is like Miss Marple, sharp and astute and ahe schemes and sniffs out clues
2. There are adequate clues to guess whodunit at the start, and it isn't like magic from the detective 's side
3. Book is very well written, so despite the cons you want to read until the end

Cons:

1. Holy British Empire. I had no idea this was a historical fiction, but Lord this Lady that was exhausting
2. The sheer number of characters and their maids was exhausting.

Perfect for Jane Marple's fans and those who love cozy mystery with the classic England as the set!

I'd say that I quite enjoyed how the pace is set for this one, especially in the meticulous way the writer tries to give us details. It would be perfect to read if you love to enjoy a light mystery case while sipping your tea. Although it would be better if it has an illustration on how the castle is designed and which room is which, I think it would help me imagine the situation better.

Ending-wise, I do think that the ending was a bit rushed, from how slow it was building at the beginning, I feel like the case was solved in such a rush. Though, I like the suspense in the twist at the culprit revelation. Quite good to enjoy for avid-mystery readers out there.

If you have difficulties in remembering a long list of cast, then I suggest you to take a note when reading this book as you will faced by a lot of characters. Regardless, it was such a fun time for me meeting each one of them (especially Sunny--this is one character that I want you to bear in mind when you read this book). Oh and the hint of a second book at the epilogue....quite intriguing!

4 stars

A new cosy mystery which is no doubt part of a series.

I enjoyed the character of Mrs Bramble and Reverend Weaver the best, this detecting duo were engaging but I found the other characters quite samey - which snob is which? The ending was clever though so I'd urge you to keep going.

An enjoyable read , thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read in exchange for an honest review

Neil Daws displays an impressive knowledge of the geography of Hampton Court Palace in his new book, Murder at the Palace. In one paragraph, the heroine, Mrs Bramble, trots from Base Court through Anne Boleyn’s Gateway, Clock Court, George II’s Gateway and Fountain Court. In doing so, she passed the Great Hall. Yes, it adds verisimilitude, but I felt I was wading through names rather than chasing a suspect and the names did not enhance the story.

Mrs Bramble is the Lady Housekeeper at Hampton Court Palace, where a lot of widows live in grace and favour apartments. One widow’s unmarried sister is found dead and Detective Inspector Cole from Scotland yard is sent to investigate. Mrs Bramble immediately takes against the Inspector and is convinced that he will fail to find the murderer. Although the author probably intends Mrs B to be straight-talking, I felt she was unjustifiably rude. Although the narrative follows Mrs Bramble, we readers are seldom privy to her thoughts. At one point, the narrator states “If she’d listened to her instincts…” but we have no idea what those instincts were. The author tells us Mrs Bramble’s actions but doesn’t show her thought process.

Mind you, those thoughts may be confused anyway. At one point, Mrs B is concerned about the murderer noticing her leaving the grounds again and fears that she might be stopped – permanently. However, a few pages later, she is “Confident that the murderer […] had no reason to be out and about looking to kill anyone else.” So is the murderer watching her or not watching anyone? We are told that a character is concerned about being tainted by a scandal but I couldn’t work out how that taint would affect her plans – it might be embarrassing, but is unlikely to change anyone’s intended plans.

I stated that a lot of widows live in the apartments supervised by Mrs Bramble. Unfortunately, I’m afraid I struggled to tell them apart. Most of them seemed selfish and spiteful, thus failing to make me sympathetic and interested in them. Overall, I was disappointed in the book. It was promising but I felt none of the characters merited my interest and sympathy so they remained names on a page.

#MurderatthePalace #NetGalley

I could not continue this cozy mystery because the characters and plot were hard to follow. I usually have a pretty high tolerance for formatting and writing weaknesses, but here I was not able to proceed with the story. If this book had another round of edits then I would be willing to try reading it again.

Special thanks to the Publisher, Orion, and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A murder in a palace! Mrs. Bramble, the housekeeper at Hampton Court Palace, finds herself working with Reverend Weaver to solve the murder of Philomena, who has been stabbed in the back (how appropriate!). Know that you might find yourself a bit confused with the ups and downs of the building as well as with all the characters but the worldbuilding is good, especially as this appears to be the first in a series. There's squabbling among the residents and staff but Mrs Bramble works her way through all of it. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good cozy read.

A cosy murder mystery where the head housekeeper at Hampton Court Palace, Mrs Bramble, gets involved in a locked-room murder of one of the residents. She enlisted the help of Reverend Weaver to try to solve it, as she thinks the policeman leading the investigation is not up to the job. There are very detailed descriptions of the palace, which is interesting, but there are a lot of characters to contend with, so you need to try to keep up with who’s who.

Thank you to NetGalley, Orion Publishing Group and N. R. Daws for the eARC.

I partly enjoyed reading this book, but there was some issues with it. It was hard to visualize a palace with all the passage ways and apartments with their being no map in the book. Also there was a lot of characters and it was not easy to keep them straight, sometimes they were mixed up in the book by the author, and by myself. I realize it is an arc and not the final copy. Also the ending it took a long time to wrap it up and explain it all out, the final conclusion was confusing and the last line of the book took an unexpected turn which suggests another book may follow this one. Thank you #netfalley for this arc and I have gave my honest opinion.

Murder at the Palace is book 1 in this historical cozy mystery series.

When Hampton Court Palace housekeeper, Mrs Bramble, is called to use her extra key when one of the residents fails to answer or open the door, she finds the resident murdered with a knife in her back! Mrs Bramble is unhappy with the way Scotland Yard is investigating the murder, she decides to take matters in to her own hands and find the killer before the police arrest an innocent person.

This was a cozy read but it could have been shorter. There were some parts that felt repetitive and I just wanted to skim read. But the overall mystery and ending was satisfying.

2.5 Stars
One Liner: This didn’t work

After a night of festivities at the Hampton Court Palace, one of the ladies doesn’t answer the door in the morning. Mrs. Lydia Bramble, palace housekeeper, steps in to investigate and finds Miss Philomena Franklin murdered with a knife in her back. When the police seem to be on the wrong track, it’s up to Mrs. Bramble to play a sleuth and find the killer. After all, who better than servants to know things the masters and mistresses won’t talk about?
The story comes in Lydia Bramble’s third-person POV.

My Thoughts:
So, this is a debut historical cozy mystery set in an apartment complex (a sort of mix between a modern apartment and a gated community from what I understood) where widows live with their wards/ children and maids. Also, the author’s note reveals the setting is based on a real place.
The book starts with a list of characters, which I appreciated. Even though the list was detailed and provided information about who lived where I still got confused. A map would have helped.
The death happens fairly soon, so it is not a long wait to get to the mystery. We are introduced to the characters during the initial round of investigation (by our amateur sleuth, of course).
I liked the attempt to show how the detective (from Yard) was proud of his credentials and looked down upon others (especially the sleuth). It is also a display of misogyny where men consider women inferior and weak.
However, this is a women-dominant book with most characters being widows, maids, or wards. Still, it was hard to enjoy this one. No one was easy to like. Everyone was judgmental, even the MC.
I went along despite the slow pacing but started to zone out often. Then, I switched to speed-reading. This helped a little. Still, I was ready for the book to end at 60%. The reveal came a long time afterward!
The mystery as such was okay. It was certainly well-thought-out with red herrings, suspects, and twists. However, being unable to empathize with even a single character meant I couldn’t appreciate it as I should.
The ending is set for a series with a lead provided for the next book. My journey stops here, though.

To summarize, Murder at the Palace has a historical writing style and vibe but the characters fail to make an impact.
Thank you, NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

This starts out well but it didn’t hold my interests. It soon becomes more about petty squabbles between staff than about solving a murder. DNF.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

Historical mystery. Mrs. Bramble, the head housekeeper at Hampton Court Palace, finds one of her residents murdered and decides to investigate things herself as she is not happy with the way the police are handling the case. This was okay, but Mrs. Bramble was a little too forceful in her investigating, in my opinion. The ending of the book suggested this will become a series, but I don't think I would read another. 3 stars.