MURDER AT ARCHLY MANOR is the first book in Sara Rosett's High Society Lady Detective historical mystery series. I enjoy historical mysteries, but they have to be more mystery than history. Olive Belgrave, this amateur sleuth, is intelligent, compassionate, and perfectly positioned to investigate the high society types who most likely murdered Alfred Eton. There is so much to love about this book. I adore house parties, and the house party at Archly Manor is a backdrop for the murder as well as several critical scenes. This book held me spellbound from the first page.

Olive is a young woman who doesn't have to work for a living and could just forever live with and off of her wealthy family, but she chooses not to. Unfortunately, without any training or experience, there's not many positions she's fit for, and her attractiveness often doesn't work in her favor. Thankfully Olive's aunt comes to her and offers to pay for her to investigate her cousin Violet's shady fiancé Alfred. As an amateur detective, Olive is logical and resourceful and her adventures trying to ferret out all the things Alfred may be hiding are entertaining. This is a book you can easily fall into. The supporting characters are intriguing and enigmatic. Olive's friend Jasper Rimington and her cousin Gwen are occasional Dr. Watsons to Olive's Sherlock. You're able to piece things together and figure out who the murderer is if you pay attention to the clues that Olive uncovers over the course of her investigation.

MURDER AT ARCHLY MANOR is a divine dose of murder and mayhem in 1920s London. This book is loads of fun and a must-read for historical mystery fans. Disappearances in the middle of the night, alter egos, dangerous addictions, and wild parties make for a totally ripping good time and a terrific story. I look forward to reading the next installment in Sara Rosett's High Society Lady Detective series.