"Amory and Milo Ames are drawn into the investigation of a years-old murder by a salacious novelist in the English countryside in the latest installment in this "smart and sophisticated" (Library Reads) series from a bright new voice in traditional mysteries. With two murder investigations behind them and their marriage at last on steady ground, Amory and Milo plan to quietly winter in Italy. The couple find their plans derailed when Amory receives an urgent summons from her cousin Laurel to the English countryside. At Lyonsgate, the country house of Laurel's friend Redinald Lyons, Amory and Milo are surprised to discover an eccentric and distinguished group of guests have been invited, led by notorious socialite Isobel Van Allen. Isobel has returned to England after years of social exile to write a sequel to her scandalous first book, the thinly-fictionalized account of a high-society murder at the very country house the Ameses have been called to. Her second incriminating volume, she warns the house's occupants--all of whom were present when one of their companions was killed years ago--will tell everything that really happened that fateful night. But some bones are meant to stay buried, and when a desperate person turns to murder, it's up to Amory and Milo to sort through a web of scandal and lies to uncover the truth, and the identity of a killer"--
Well, that was almost a Greek tragedy.
1930's England and Amory's cousin begs her by letter to join a house party at the Lyonsgate Estate; the first house party the estate has seen since a tragic weekend 7 years prior and with the exception of Amory and her husband, it's the same roster of guests. They've all been brought back together by one woman who is determined to rake up all the secrets of the past and what really happened on that 'lost' weekend.
The series started with Amory estranged from her playboy husband, but instead of taking the obvious route - divorce and future romantic entanglements - the author brings Amory and her husband Milo back together for reconciliation. Frankly I didn't think I'd like it and she sure didn't do much to sell Milo's legendary charm to the reader. But three books in and I've warmed to Milo and find I don't mind him sticking around at all.
The plotting was amazing, frankly. I never had a hint of where she was taking this story until the very end and when I read it, had to do a double take to make sure I'd read the right name. I don't often trot out comparisons, but really, this was a mystery worthy of the era it's set in; very Christie-esque.
I rated it slightly lower than I usually would for such an outstanding mystery because the pacing was a bit slow; I never got bored or distracted, but neither did I feel antagonistic about being interrupted. I might, upon further consideration, up it to 4.5, but for now it's a very, very solid 4 stars.
Reading updates
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28 July, 2017:
Started reading
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28 July, 2017:
Finished reading
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29 July, 2017:
Reviewed