Murder At Wedgefield Manor
The Blurb
England, 1926: Wedgefield Manor, deep in the tranquil Essex countryside, provides a welcome rest stop for Jane and her matchmaking Aunt Millie before their return to America. While Millie spends time with her long-lost daughter, Lillian, and their host, Lord Hughes, Jane fills the hours devouring mystery novels and taking flying lessons, much to Millie’s disapproval. But any danger in the air is eclipsed by tragedy on the ground when one of the estate’s mechanics, Air Force veteran Simon Marshall, is killed in a motorcar collision.
The sliced brake cables prove this was no accident, yet was the intended victim someone other than Simon? The house is full of suspects, visiting relations, secretive servants, strangers prowling the grounds at night, and also full of targets. The enigmatic Mr. Redvers, who helped Jane solve a murder in Egypt, arrives on the scene to once more offer his assistance. It seems that everyone at Wedgefield wants Jane to help protect the Hughes family. But while she searches for answers, is she overlooking a killer hiding in plain sight?
The Details
Series: A Jane Wunderly Mystery – Book #2
Author: Erica Ruth Neubauer
Genre/Category: Cozy – Amateur Sleuth/Historical
Publisher: Kensington Books
ISBN: 1496725883
Page Count: 288
Rating: 
The Review
I enjoyed this second book in the series. Although I did not find it as engaging as the first one, and it seemed to lack the same feel of intrigue (that could be due to the Egyptian setting of the first book, where this one is set in England), the mystery was well done and the outcome satisfying. Jane and Aunt Millie are back and are up to mischief. Or, in Aunt Millie’s case, trying to spend time with her daughter and the man she loved. Murder At Wedgefield Manor has plenty of interesting fun characters, with just enough history and action to keep the story moving.
Jane is one of those characters that you are always excited to read about. She has gone through a nightmarish marriage and has recovered most of her self-worth, but she has flaws and fears just like any real-life person. She is outgoing, adventurous, and mostly happy with her newfound freedom, and the man she has come to realize is very important in her life. While spending time at a manor house in England with her aunt, life becomes exciting as Jane learns more about her strict, old-fashioned aunt’s past and how to fly. Other characters in this series are equally interesting and add to the action, especially Redvers.
A young man is killed, and Redvers shows up to help Jane save the day. There aren’t many suspects, mainly those staying at or working at the manor, but those that there are all have a reason to want young Simon out of the way, or so it seems. Evidence is abundant, but readers will need to have their sleuthing caps on to unravel every red herring. The setting of England and its countryside invokes ideas of lord and ladies, wealth, history, and grandeur which makes it difficult to think about murder. But the investigation shows there is more than one secret to uncover at this manor house. After a harrowing chase, Jane and Redvers catch the killer and are heroes once more.
Who wouldn’t enjoy spending time in England, living in a manor house, and not having to do anything other than enjoy yourself? Murder At Wedgefield Manor reflects the era and shows growth and maturity in the characters and the plot. This is a wonderful story filled with action, adventure, quirky characters, and a delightful mystery. I highly recommend this book and series if readers want a great adventure back in time.
The Author
Erica Ruth Neubauer spent eleven years in the military, nearly two as a Maryland police officer and one as a high school English teacher before finding her way as a writer. She has been a reviewer of mysteries and crime fiction for Publishers Weekly and Mystery Scene Magazine for several years, and she is a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. When she’s not writing, Erica Ruth enjoys traveling, yoga, and craft beer. She lives in Milwaukee, WI with her husband.
Readers will enjoy the first book in this series, “A Jane Wunderly Mystery,” Murder At The Mena House.
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