There’s a murderer sneaking through the shadows of the lavish country estate called Greenwood Hall.  In Catherine Lloyd’s newest Regency England mystery series debut, MISS MORTON AND THE ENGLISH HOUSE PARTY MURDER, there are plenty of important guests arriving for one of the grandest parties of the year, but there are also some unwanted guests looking for a chance at revenge.

     In 1837 London, Caroline Morton finds her station in life has changed.  Her father, an Earl, deceived his family and took his own life, leaving Caroline and her sister penniless and in debt to their aunt, Lady Eleanor Greenwood.  Caroline is determined not to be beholden to anyone and when her intended marriage falls through due to the scandal, she becomes a paid lady’s companion for Mrs. Frogerton, a wealthy widow from the North.

     Caroline is settling into her new duties when her Aunt Caroline requests her presence at her cousin’s birthday party at Greenwood Hall.  Caroline is reluctant to return to Greenwood Hall, but she doesn’t want to disappoint her aunt or her cousin Mabel.  Mabel has always championed the less fortunate and she has requested that current and past members of her household, including the charitable children that lived at Greenwood Hall over the years, be allowed to attend her lavish party.  With Mabel’s good intentions and the chance for Caroline to see her younger sister again, how can she not accept the invitation?  Mrs. Frogerton has been invited by extension, and she is excited to attend and introduce her daughter, Dorothy, to the ton.

     After arriving at Greenwood Hall, Caroline soon realizes that there is something sinister afoot when a member of the staff goes missing.  He is later found in the basement with injuries.  When the handsome Dr. Harris comes to check on the man, Caroline is drawn to his unique manner.  Later, an elderly family member is found strangled with yarn and stabbed in the neck by a knitting needle.  Something is seriously wrong, and Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton are determined to find out what secrets are kept in the grand house.  An old journal dropped off at Caroline’s room will provide some clues as well as a dollhouse in the nursery depicting the various crimes.  Is the murderer a current staff member or an old acquaintance out for revenge?  As Caroline gets closer to the truth, someone will try desperately to keep their secrets hidden, while another member of the household will surprise them all.   

     This first book in a new series is a winner.  Filled with Regency England atmosphere and customs, it is a delight to enter Greenwood Hall and uncover the secrets that exist within its dark and drafty rooms.  Caroline is a strong woman carving out a new life for herself after the humiliation and financial disaster of her father’s making.  She joins forces with Mrs. Frogerton, who is intelligent and level-headed, and the two make a fun and effective crime solving duo.  Caroline must also come face to face with her former fiancé and redefine their relationship, while also contemplating a new relationship with the secretive Dr. Harris.  There are gothic undertones with the large, isolated estate, dark and drafty hallways, an unhappy overworked staff, and stormy weather limiting access to and from the estate.  The addition of the cryptic dollhouse and the swindling staff members ups the danger and intrigue.  The pacing and plotting are good and the suspense is well-maintained throughout the novel until the surprisingly devious murderer is unveiled.  MISS MORTON AND THE ENGLISH HOUSE PARTY MURDER is a great start to the series and I look forward to reading the next installment.