by Sarah Burr & Sandra Murphy

This week we have reviews of 2 mysteries set in England, one historical and one set in the present-Two Weddings and a Murder by Alyssa Maxwell, and A Lethal Walk in Lakeland by Nicholas George. Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of both books and links to purchase them from Amazon at the end of each review.

Two Weddings and a Murder by Alyssa Maxwell
Review by Sarah E. Burr

Matrimony meets murder in a wedding mystery that’s a brilliant match for historical cozy lovers!

I am a big fan of Alyssa Maxwell’s Gilded Newport Mysteries, so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to read another one of her series. Two Weddings and a Murder is actually the final installment of the nine-book Lady and Lady’s Maid Mysteries, so I’m doing things a little backward. Yet, Maxwell never fails to delight me with her characters and storytelling. I believe fans of this series will thoroughly enjoy Lady Phoebe and Eva’s last outing together. Maxwell deftly delivers a sense of the duo’s “greatest hits”—even to a newcomer like me—and it really showcases the love the author has for this world. With a setting as charming as an Edwardian wedding and a mystery as tangled as a bouquet toss gone awry, this final Lady and Lady’s Maid Mystery proves to be a perfect match for historical cozy lovers.

Lady Phoebe Renshaw and her ever-capable lady’s maid, Eva Huntford, find themselves in the middle of matrimonial mayhem when a wedding at Foxwood Hall turns from festive to fatal. What should be a joyful occasion is swiftly soured when the local chief inspector is murdered, leaving secrets spilling faster than champagne at a reception. When Eva’s beau, Miles Brannock, becomes the top suspect, the duo must unravel the mystery before the real killer can say, “I do… it again.”

Maxwell expertly crafts a richly detailed 1920s English countryside full of social tensions, hidden scandals, and a dash of upstairs-downstairs drama. Lady Phoebe’s sharp yet compassionate intellect and Eva’s practical skills make them the ideal sleuthing pair, complementing each other like a perfectly matched bride and groom. Their investigation leads them through a web of motives and whispers of long-buried betrayals, all leading to an unexpected yet satisfying resolution.

The novel’s pacing is as steady as a well-planned wedding march, allowing readers to savor the atmospheric details while staying engaged in the central mystery. Maxwell’s writing is elegant yet accessible, and she balances historical authenticity with a modern sensibility that makes Phoebe and Eva feel refreshingly ahead of their time.

For fans of historical cozies, Two Weddings and a Murder is a bridal bouquet of delights. It is richly embroidered with engaging characters, sparkling dialogue, and a mystery that keeps you guessing. Whether you’re a longtime reader of the series or a newcomer, this book is sure to be love at first read.

You can click here to purchase this book from Amazon.

Sarah E. Burr is the award-winning author of the Glenmyre Whim Mysteries, Trending Topic Mysteries, the Book Blogger Mysteries, and the Court of Mystery series. She is the producer and co-host of It’s Bookish Time TV, a web channel featuring live-streamed author interviews. When she’s not spinning up stories, Sarah reads everything from mystery to manga, plays video games, and enjoys walks with her dog, Eevee. Stay connected with Sarah and receive free short stories via her newsletter: bit.ly/saraheburrbookssignup.

A Lethal Walk in Lakeland by Nicholas George
Review by Sandra Murphy

Rick Chase is a retired San Francisco detective who’s found peace and enjoyment in walking tours, several in the English countryside. The last time he was there, he met Mike, a coroner from Devonshire. To say they hit it off would be an understatement. Now he’s scheduled another trip to England to walk a short portion of the Coast to Coast trail in the Lake District—sadly alone, as Mike is unfortunately delayed by an outbreak of a food contamination.

Billie, a friend from previous walks, is also scheduled to go along. She’s looking forward to it, at least until they meet the others in the group. The problem is a family from Texas who signed up although none of them seem excited about the idea of exercise. The constant squabbling and physical fights may be second nature but not to the tour guide who threatens to leave them to find their own way home if they don’t behave.

One of the family likes her liquor a little too much. When she reaches the point of grabbing someone else’s drink, she starts dancing and flirting with strangers. Led off to bed, she falls asleep quickly.
And never wakes up.

Rick uncovered a murderer on a previous walking tour so it’s a given the village constable would look to his expertise to find out what happened. It’s also a good excuse to request Mike’s help when the usual coroner is out of town for several days. It’s not the romantic trip they wanted but each is willing to take what they can get.

With family members, each with their own agenda, it’s not going to be an easy case to solve. Although a walking tour may sound slow paced, the story is not. Descriptions of the countryside, the birds seen, the foods eaten, will make readers feel they’ve been along for the walk – without any blisters.

My favorite line in the book is about the character who died – “Somewhere, possibly, the soul was passing through a heavenly portal, maybe accompanied by a choir of angels or at least a good Beatles cover band.”
The relationship between Rick and Billie is that of a long friendship. She’s someone you’d like to know. His relationship with Mike is a work in progress but has great promise for the future. I foresee many more walking tours for the pair and will be happy to follow along – from the comfort of my living room chair.

You can click here to purchase this book from Amazon.

To enter to win a copy of both books, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “England” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen March 29, 2025. U.S. residents only, and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. Also listen to our new mystery podcast where mystery short stories and first chapters are read by actors! They are also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Spotify.

Sandra Murphy lives in the shadow of the Arch in St. Louis Missouri. She’s the editor for the upcoming Yeet Me in St Louis, an anthology with stories from twelve St. Louis writers. Her own short stories have appeared in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Mystery Magazine, and anthologies such as The Perp Wore Pumpkin and I (Almost) Died in Your Arms. ‘Lucy’s Tree’, published in The Eyes of Texas, won a Derringer Award from the Short Mystery Fiction Society. She lives in St. Louis with Ozzie the Westie Impersonator and his sidekick in crime, Louie the Cat.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.