Fire When Ready
Manor House Mystery Series, No. 7  
By Kate Kingsbury

     Many of the people in Sitting Marsh are opposed to the munitions factory recently built near their village. Lady Elizabeth and the villagers feel the large building is an eye sore, marring the peaceful countryside. Most of all, they fear it will attract Hitler’s bombs. Now that the factory is here, Lady E. has decided to make the best of it. McNally, the Scotsman who built the factory, promises it will improve the local economy. The Housewives League, led by Rita Crumm, isn’t buying it, nor are others. Later, after the factory’s opening ceremony, it’s blown up and victims are found. Despite the melancholy feeling marring her life with the major gone, Lady E. goes on with her duties. After looking into the munitions explosion, she’s determined to find the murderer, even it means breaking rules.

     The Manor House series is a traditional, cozy type read. Generally, it’s a light, amusing read, but there are times when this historical visit back in time is a reminder of human perseverance during fearful times. It’s during these times that a village like Sitting Marsh becomes an extended family, ready to accept and maybe even protect one another unconditionally. Mystery and romance visits the Manor once again and series followers will be duly entertained by the characters who bring Sitting Marsh and the Manor House to life.