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Byron

Murder in the mansion with great secret rooms!

Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2014

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I adore Julie Hyzy's White House Chef Mysteries, then I saw that she has her first in a new series out in Audio books, so I gave it a try. This series is just as interesting and was fun to listen to also!

Grace is a new assistant curator at (fictional) Marshfield Manor. Her family is from this area and she had spent many happy days here as a child. Unfortunately, a disturbed guest causing a huge scene and then a murder, causes Grace to have to start off her job with much more involvement than she had anticipated. Her gossipy nosey assistant, Frances, seems to know everything about everybody, but she's obviously no fan of Grace. But the hunky gardener , Jack, is considerably nicer. She's helped in stepping in to help protect the rich owner from danger by her two roommates in the beautiful but decaying mansion that her grandmother has left to her.

This mystery has lots of interesting details involving curating in an old mansion. All the different rooms and secrets are especially fascinating --I love old houses and secret rooms. The characters are intensely created with great flaws and creative personalities--some you love and some you love to hate. Hyzy has created another fun cozy series for sure. The narrator for the audio book is wonderful--creating voices distinct for every character. Definite winner!

S. Warfield

Not as excited about this book

Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2011

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I'm such a fan of mysteries and cozy mysteries, but Grace Under Pressure just didn't sit that well with me. I didn't have trouble getting into the book, but from about a third of the way through, it seemed to drag along with Grace needing these files and this letter, and another set of files. I think the book got bogged down in details that could have been avoided, but the basic mystery itself is good.

However, everthing has a silver lining, and I did enjoy the character of the very nosy and eavesdropping Frances with the animated eyebrows. She brought humor to the story and also a lot of irritation to Grace, but they did have their moments of at least a little more closeness rather than Frances's intruding questions always being ignored or when Frances wasn't being her sneaky self. The manor house itself is a character, because throughout the book more and more of its interior is explored and revealed. The reader gets to know it pretty well.

The ending was a surprise, which was another good thing about the book. It's the middle part that lost me for a while. I'm sure I'll read the second in the series to see how that one is and hope I enjoy that one a bit more.

Michelle Boytim

Grace solves a mystery at the manor and learns more of her own past

Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2014

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This is the first book in the Manor House cozy mystery series. Unlike most cozies, this one does not contain any supplemental material. The book introduces us to Grace, who has become the assistant curator of the Manor and its collection. She has loved the house and grounds since she was a little girl. The book opens with her defusing a tense situation in the dining area, which we later learned was a planned diversion for a far more serious crime. When circumstances lead her to take over as head curator, Grace has a lot going on. She must earn the trust of Frances, the loyal assistant and Mr. Marshfield. She and the new chief of security work with the police to track down the threat against Marshfield. Grace also has complications from a personal level as she digs into her grandmother’s past at the manor and meets the new gardner who may provide more than clues to the mysteries at the manor. This was an interesting start to the series with some major reveals along the way. I look forward to seeing how the characters go forward in the series.

Stuart Finestone

Could have been in England

Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2010

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I guess I am a bit of a snob, as I like nothing better than English manor house mysteries. Because Ms. Hyzy elected to call her new series "Manor House Mysteries" she certainly caught my eye. Based on her prior titles, I knew this would not take place in England, but decided to give it a try out of curiosity. I was delighted, as I feel Ms. Hyzy not only captures the feel of a British manor house comfortably seated in the U.S., but has a writing style that makes it difficult to put the book down. I think her plot and characters were well developed. While awaiting the second book in this series< I think I will read her other series.

Chelsea

Great book

Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2020

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I read all of her executive White House chef series and was disappointed there would be no more. I have just finished the first book in the series A Manor House Mystery and loved it. I have started on the second book and plan to read them all. I highly recommend them!

DKW

first of a new series and delightful

Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2013

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Grace is a very likable character with super work ethic, character and it turns out bravery. She becomes curator to a mansion museum as a result of a murder and manages with little experience to pull things together. This read is very comfortable for relaxing. There are lovely and lively descriptions of characters and places as to place you right there with them. Also people you would love to have as your friends / acquaintences. Action moves right along from beginning to end. I have read all four of the series thus far, and enjoyed each. DKW

bunnygirl

Great book!

Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2013

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Julie Hyzy is a talented writer and the Manor House Mysteries are proof of that. Once I started reading this book - I couldn't put it down. Grace is an interesting character. She grew up loving Marshfield Manor, and working there now, is learning some of the ups and downs of the Manor. The murder of her supervisor throws things off a little. Not only is she thrown into a new position without any training, but she feels compelled to solve the mystery. I enjoyed the descriptions of the manor, the interesting characters, and the mystery itself - which kept me guessing.

Top reviews from other countries

d,a,steele

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 18, 2015

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very good

Valerie Dunn

Thoroughly enjoyable

Reviewed in Canada on July 8, 2016

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I decided to try this series and so went back to the first one.
It's a great read, held my interest to the end and I
look forward to reading the others.

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