Murder by Invitation Only by Colleen Cambridge #bookreview #audiobook #series

I borrowed this audiobook from the library.

Publisher: Kensington Books / Highbridge

Published: September 26, 2023

 

Summary:

In this engaging historical mystery, Agatha Christie’s ever-capable housekeeper, Phyllida Bright, not only keeps the celebrated author’s English country home in tip-top shape, she excels as an amateur sleuth. But when a murder-themed game goes awry, can she outfox the guilty party?

“A murder will occur tonight at Beecham House . . .” Who could resist such a compelling invitation? Of course, the murder in question purports to be a party game, and Phyllida looks forward to using some of the deductive skills she has acquired thanks to her employer, Mrs. Agatha, who is unable to attend in person.

The hosts, Mr. and Mrs. Wokesley, are new to the area, and Phyllida gladly offers their own overwhelmed housekeeper some guidance while events get underway. Family friends have been enlisted to play the suspects, and Mr. Wokesley excels in his role of dead body. Unfortunately, when the game’s solution is about to be unveiled, the participants discover that life has imitated art. Mr. Wokesley really is dead!

In the absence of Inspector Cork, Phyllida takes temporary charge of the investigation, guiding the local constable through interviews with the Murder Game actors. At first, there seems no motive to want Mr. Wokesley dead . . . but then Phyllida begins to connect each of the suspects with the roles they played and the motives assigned to them. It soon becomes clear that everyone had a reason to murder their host—both in the game and in real life. Before long, Phyllida is embroiled in a fiendishly puzzling case, with a killer who refuses to play by the rules . . .

 

My thoughts:

This is the third book in Colleen Cambridge’s Phyllida Bright Mystery series and I forgot just how much I enjoy this series. The fifth book is coming out soon and I realized I was a bit behind, so I am quickly getting myself caught up and oh what fun I had revisiting these characters!

I love that Phyllida Bright, Agatha Christie’s friend and ever-loyal housekeeper has also proven to be quite a capable amateur sleuth. When the household is invited to a murder-themed dinner and things are desperately wrong, it is Phyllida who comes to the rescue, especially as the actual inspector is unable to get to the location in a timely manner.

I find these books to be so much fun and ever so clever. I think reading them now, as I am also reading some Agatha Christie books, is even more enjoyable as I am able to find some shoutouts to Miss Christie. I find that Phyllida is the perfect cross between Jane Marple and Hercule Poirot – and I could not love her more! I also love that while we do get brief cameos of Agatha Christie herself, she does remain in the background for much of the story and I think that is such a wise move.

These books really keep me on my toes and guessing all the way through. I am always a fan of a good locked-room mystery and this one had some really good twists that kept me in the dark until the end.

 

Audio thoughts:

I went the audio route again and was thrilled to see that it was the same narrator as the previous book. Jennifer M Dixon does a great job with the characters and her consistency book to book was perfection!

 

Books in series:

1. Murder at Mallowan Hall
2. A Trace of Poison
3. Murder by Invitation Only
4. Murder Takes the Stage
5. Two Truths and a Murder – due out Oct 28th

 

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