The Monks Hood Murders

A 1920s Murder Mystery (Heathcliff Lennox, Book 5)

By: Karen Baugh Menuhin

Narrated by: Sam Dewhurst-Phillips

Length: 7 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's Summary

A 1920s murder mystery in the depths of rural Yorkshire.

A scoundrel lies dying, and he makes his confession; his sins were despicable, and he wants to atone for his wasted life. He bequeaths an invaluable gift to Monks Hood Abbey, an ancient monastery set in a lonely corner of the Yorkshire moors.

But sin throws a long shadow and corruption crawls in its shade. Strangers come forward and lay claim to the monks' inheritance. 

The abbot calls on Major Heathcliff Lennox and ex-Chief Inspector Swift to ask for their help. They must go to Yorkshire to unravel the mayhem, but then there's mystery, murder, and another adventure begins.

Major Heathcliff Lennox, ex-WW1 war pilot, six feet, three inches, unruly dark blond hair, age around 30 - named after the hero of Wuthering Heights by his romantically minded mother - much to his great annoyance. 

The Monks Hood Murders is the fifth book in the Lennox series.

©2020 Karen Menuhin, Baugh (P)2021 Karen Menuhin, Baugh

Best one yet which I said about the last one too

in my last review my one complaint was seeming lack of good personality traits from Lennox, I was hoping he would start showing personal growth through the series. I'm happy to say this book did not disappoint. Lennox had much more kindness and depth of character in this book. Looking back over the first four books you can see the improvement growing, it was simply happening in a realistic timeline based on the close timing of events in all the books. Book 5 is where the improvement becomes much clearer.

Another winner

"I must inform you sir that there is a ghost in the garden." "No there is not." Another hilarious intro. So, someone is lurking in the garden who looks like 'death without a scythe' and Lennox and Swift are roped into solving another mystery. The characters are great, and as usual Greggs steals every scene he's in. Sam Dewhurst-Phillips' narration is perfect for this series.

Cant wait for the Next One!!

LOVE this author’s works starring Major Lennox and LOVE LOVE Sam Dewhurst-Phillips’ narration. I savor every Chapter & try to make the book last as long as possible because I enjoy it so much. Menuhin knows Lennox & his manservant, Griggs, so well & I particularly enjoy Lennox’s appreciation for the food he is served - and his hurt feelings when his cohort rushes him away before he can order dessert! The mysteries themselves are so well crafted & I have never been able to successfully determine the killer before it’s revealed. Please keep them coming Ms. Menuhin & Mr. Dewhurst-Phillips. Your work keeps me entertained, intrigued & smiling!!

My only problem: I am running out of superlatives

Yet another engrossing, enlivening and fascinating Karen B Menuhin offering of the detective adventures of Major Heathcliff, er, Lennox and Gregg, the world's grumpiest yet valiant butler, from her indefatigable pen. As soon as another offering bounces into my Audble WISH list, my little mid-Missouri world stops, my coffee is perked, my snacks are at hand, my sofa beckons and I sigh with anticipation as I nextle edown for an enthralling listen as the exceptionally talented voice of Sam Dewhurst-Phillips wafts me away to early twentieth century England as murder and shenanigans ensue.

Mind you, as soon as Mr Dewhust-Phillips voice trails off and I have, indeed, "enjoyed this Audible recording", I want more! Luckily, Mrs Mehuhin must be have the endurance of a super-=charged Rolls-Royce authjor's engine as she has produced with commendable vitality and imagination a growing library of Major Lennox's escapades with commendable alacrity.

What I enjoy most (hard to narrow that down, actually) is Mrs Menuhin's ability to bring her characters to life in a time and place obviously long gone, yet somehow brilliantly present. I am ... there. I inhale, I taste, I shudder, my mind contemplates and considers the time and place in the context of murder as if I am Major Lennox: I am there. Far from the wrangles and concerns of goe-politics, mangled pandemic policies, a winter blizzard furiously rattles my windowpanes: I am warmly cocooned for all too brief hours in another world, so tantilizingly close in tone and texture, yet free of cell phones intrusions and e-mail scams. Mrs Mehuhin has brought this listener the gift to wander in another time and place and I always emerge, reluctant -- true -- yet refreshed.

For this talent and her incredible dedication to her talent, I have only gratitude.

Excellent

If you enjoy good clean mysteries, I highly recommend the Heathcliff Lennox books by Karen Menuhin. These are such good entertaining books. I read them in the order they were published and recommend that approach even though they can be stand alone books. I hope there are more to come.

Pretty good

Still good, though I like the second in the series best so far. This one has several mysterious threads, so I needed to pay close attention to follow who was connected to what and why. The end chapters were more interesting as pieces started pulling together. Fantastic narrator as usual. My only disappointment is that there’s no way I’d know the main character was only thirty if I hadn’t read it in a description. He sounds much older, and I think that changes the feel of the book. In general, this one is good enough to keep on with the series. I love a good, clean, old-fashioned mystery.

comfy cozy

Cognitive and auditory Hershey Kiss
I enjoyed the weave of historical content into the story and plot (and I enjoyed and was educated by the author's comments) - accented by the narration and production.

I am awaiting the next edition.

I’m in love with Major Lennox

On a lark I purchased the first book in this series and every subsequent addition, has been better than the last. Who knew Greggs is a Swordsman, not he!
Also, the inclusion of pets, in a quite masculine story, makes a lighter listen for me.
Already purchased the next book and can’t wait to start listening.
Mrs. Menuhin has chosen an excellent reader, Mr. Dewhurst-Phillips does a wonderful job and enhances a great story.
ONTO THE NEXT!!!

Terrific listen

Another installment in the Lennox series, just as fun as the previous ones. The mystery is interesting enough and the characters are appealing. The best part is the narration, I am in love with Sam Dewhurst-Phillips’ voice. And he nicely channels all the characters’ voices. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

FABULOUS, I’m HOOKED

Karen writes such fun and interesting mysteries. I can never wait for the book. As soon as I forget “who dun it” in the first book I will listen again while waiting for the next book.

Sam Dewhurst-Phillips is perfect for Lennox and all the other characters.

Thank you please keep them coming.

Outstanding Series

I love Lennox and his escapades and always look forward to the next one. Great characters, Greggs is a firm favorite and of course, the dog Mr Fogg and Tubs the cat. Wonderfully written with lots of laughs, suspense and romance. Superb narration by Sam Dewhurst Phillips you forget there is only one person narrating. Outstanding series.

Another exceptional adventure for Lennox and Swift

With Karen Menuhin's storytelling combined with Sam Dewhurst-Phillips vocals you know you're in for a treat. Sam once again brings the characters to life with Lennox and Swift answering a call for help that sends them travelling to Yorkshire.

As deaths occur, past deeds and hidden secrets are unearthed, Lennox and Swift arrive at the truth once more to bring the guilty to justice.

As good as ever

If you are still listening by book number 4, you don’t need my verdict.

Lovely performance, that really enhances the overall feel of the book. I love the characters, and enjoy the peeling back of the layers of their histories and relationships. For me the final reveal is not that important, it just means another book is nearly over.

Can’t wait for the next one!

Great story

Another great story, excellently narrated by Sam Dewhurst-Phillips. Can’t wait for the next book.

I LOVE this series.

Good plot, likeable characters, nice descriptions and excellent narration. What more could you want. Brilliant.

A brilliant listen

Loved every minute of this audio book and even had a good cry at the ending. I would highly recommend listening to the entire series

Worth the wait

Been waiting for the audio version for a while. This series manages to walk a tightrope between the melancholy of the aftermath of the 1st world war and light heartedness. As well as murder mystery, the characters become more fully fleshed out with time. Sam Dewhurst-Phillips appears to effortlessly inhabit all the characters and the book is a delight.

Heathcliffe Lennox at his best

lighthearted funny and entertaining easy to listen to but keeps you guessing till the very end

Intriguing characters

Brilliant narration makes this story a great listen - full of fascinating characters who come alive via the narrator. The addition of the loved dog & cat add a humorous touch. As do the amorous dalliances of the valet.

Fantastic narrator. Brings the characters to life

Makes the characters very funny, poignant and surprisingly believable, both human and non human ones