annieb123
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
Murder at the Majestic Hotel is the fourth Stella & Lyndy historical cozy by Clara McKenna. Released 25th Oct 2022 by Kensington, it's 304 pages and available in hardback, ebook, and audio formats. Paperback edition due out in second quarter 2023. Set in Edwardian England, lead character Stella is one of the 'Million Dollar princesses' who married into the English aristocracy in the late 19th - early 20th centuries.
The book is firmly in the cozy historical murder mystery genre with a romance subplot. As such, the murder is bloodless and the language is clean. There is no graphic violence or sexual content. There is strongly implied congress between the titular series protagonists, who are newlyweds (it's not graphic, and doesn't occur on page). The only cursing is an occasional 'bloody' or 'damn'; nothing to make a maiden auntie blush.
This is a solidly engaging and entertaining series. The author is a gifted storyteller with a sure feel for characterization and descriptive narrative. The relationship between Stella and Viscount Lyndhurst which started at an odd pace in the first book has found a great footing and they're newly married at the start of this one. There are a number of anachronistic turns of phrase, but all in all, the author has done her background research and the book moves along to a satisfying, if slightly telegraphed, denouement.
Four stars. I would recommend the book for fans of cozy mysteries looking for a historical series (Downton Abbey meets Daisy Dalrymple). Although it's the fourth book in the series, it works perfectly well as a standalone; with the codicil that the characters have developed throughout and will spoil earlier books in some ways. It would make a good candidate for a binge or buddy read.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
