Lady Elizabeth Hartleigh, her staff and the villagers of Sitting Marsh generously join
in on the wedding celebration of Priscilla Pierce and Captain Willy Carbunkle. Pictures
are taken to immortalize the cheery occasion. Dancing, refreshments and cake are enjoyed
by all - even Martin and Rita Crumm -- but it's Rita Crumm's fancy cake knife that leaves
the lasting impression when it's found in the chest of a visitor.
Lady Hartleigh and Major Earl Monroe lead the way to the body covered in confetti.
Constable George tries to keep the murder case contained until the Inspector arrives,
but Lady Hartleigh is determined to prove the guilty party does not reside at The Manor
House. The path of clues weaves back and forth, leading Lady Hartleigh and the readers
in various directions.
As always in the Manor House series there is a celebration, a murder, an investigation,
and Rita Crumm's Housewives League. This time the League does their part in chasing down
the three musketeers who enjoy sabotaging the American soldiers. Poor Rita, will she never
learn? The war goes on and the villagers' fear of a a German invasion continues. Even
with the Major at her fingertips, Lady Hartleigh is limited to what's really going on
with the war.
It's hard to believe this is the next to the last installment in this enjoyable series.
I've found each character to be a unique ingredient in an exceptional montage of history
and mystery. Sitting Marsh is so quaint, and if not for the War, the village could easily
forget the world outside its boundaries. Manor House Mysteries is a cozy series of emotion,
mystery, and humor. It will continue to be one of my favorites.