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  • Published: 25 March 2025
  • ISBN: 9781496734921
  • Imprint: Kensington
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 272
  • RRP: $49.99

Two Weddings and a Murder




As Lady Phoebe and her betrothed say their vows of holy matrimony, a killer has vowed unholy vengeance on the town’s chief inspector . . .

As Lady Phoebe and her betrothed say their vows of holy matrimony, a killer has vowed unholy vengeance on the town’s chief inspector . . .

June 1922: The blessed day has finally arrived. Phoebe Renshaw and Owen Seabright are to be wed, and lady’s maid Eva Huntford could not be more delighted for her lady’s happiness. But she is disturbed by one notable absence from the ceremony—her beau, Police Constable Miles Brannock. When Miles finally does appear, breathlessly running into the reception at Foxwood Hall, he brings grim news: he’s found Chief Inspector Isaac Perkins murdered, shot in his home in his favorite parlor chair with his own gun.

A policeman naturally makes enemies, especially those of questionable character. In charge of finding his former boss’s killer, Miles reviews the details of the crime scene. The murder weapon has been wiped clean and left on the table next to the remnants of the chief inspector’s breakfast: sausage pasty and coffee reeking of a bit of whiskey. No sign of forced entry. A seemingly peaceful scene—other than the bullet hole in the victim.

Before Miles can make much progress in his investigation, a Scotland Yard detective arrives in Little Barlow to take over the case—and promptly focuses his suspicions on the constable himself, who he reasons had motive and opportunity. Coming to their maid’s defense, Phoebe and Owen postpone their honeymoon to join Eva in clearing her beau’s good name and unmasking the identity of the true killer . . .

  • Published: 25 March 2025
  • ISBN: 9781496734921
  • Imprint: Kensington
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 272
  • RRP: $49.99

Also by Alyssa Maxwell

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Praise for Two Weddings and a Murder

Praise for Alyssa Maxwell’s A Lady and Lady’s Maid Mysteries

“Phoebe is a courageous, forward-thinking young woman in the 1920s, who insists her boyfriend respect her autonomy. Superbly framed by the life and times of the period, from both Phoebe's and Eva’s points of view, this delightful historical cozy seamlessly weaves the details of couture fashion into the story.” —Booklist on A Fashionable Fatality

“The addition of the notorious Chanel adds interest to a solid golden age–style mystery.” —Kirkus Reviews on A Fashionable Fatality

“Engrossing…Phoebe and Eva make a great team, seamlessly working together above stairs and below stairs to uncover the truth. An evocative setting, realistic relationships, and a nicely crafted plot more than make up for the unlikely murderer simply confessing at the end. Fans of lighter historicals should be satisfied.” Publishers Weekly on A Fashionable Fatality

“Maxwell brings the era’s class and gender constraints to life in this intelligent historical.” Publishers Weekly on A Sinister Service

 
“A revealing look at the pottery business melds nicely with a classic 1920s-style mystery.” Kirkus Reviews on A Sinister Service

“Excellent...with lots to be learned about the bone-china industry, and a murderer who remains elusive until the final pages.” Historical Novels Review on A Sinister Service

“Agatha Christie meets Downton Abbey in Maxwell’s pleasantly diverting seventh Lady and Lady’s Maid Mystery. . . . Maxwell brings it all to the table: colorful characters, a charming Cotswold setting, lots of suspects, a dismissive chief inspector and his kind subordinate, plucky ladies who are smarter than the police, a hidden treasure, and a hint of romance. This is an exemplary cozy.” Publishers Weekly on A Deadly Endowment

“Beneath all the red herrings is an appealingly perceptive look at England between the wars.” – Kirkus Reviews on A Deadly Endowment

“The forward-thinking Phoebe and the loyal Eva are a sympathetic duo, and the life and times of a small, post-WWI English village are nicely integrated into the story.” —Booklist on A Silent Stabbing

“Eva and Lady Phoebe provide smart sleuthing and insight into the upstairs and downstairs worlds. Fans of traditional English mysteries will be rewarded.” —Publishers Weekly on A Silent Stabbing

“A stylish post-World War I mystery with plenty of twists and strong female characters fully capable of negotiating them.” —Kirkus Reviews on A Silent Stabbing

“This will delight Maxwell’s readers as well as all who love a good cozy. And since they appear in the plottea and scones, anyone?” —Historical Novel Society on A Silent Stabbing

“A Silent Stabbing brings the pastoral world of maid and mistress to vibrant life, with an elegantly elegiac tone to the narrative.” —Criminal Element

“Thanks to the considerable talents of Alyssa Maxwell, readers can ‘visit’ the delights and perils of life in a small English village in post- World War I England.” —Murder on the Beach Mystery Bookstore on A Silent Stabbing

"The action unfolds smoothly until well-disguised clues lead to a clever and satisfying denouement. Downton Abbey fans will have fun." Publishers Weekly on A Murderous Marriage

"A well-crafted historical mystery which will delight devotees of television shows such as Downton Abbey." Suspense Magazine on A Murderous Marriage

"Maxwell, who always puts an interesting spin on her country-house mysteries set between the great wars, delivers once again in this tale of love, hate, revenge, and country houses in peril." —Kirkus Reviews on A Murderous Marriage

"The real murderer doesn’t stand a chance in face of this indomitable, experienced pair of detectives. ‘Circumstances call for logic and cool heads,’ and that’s exactly what they bring." —Criminal Element on A Murderous Marriage

“Well-crafted…Maxwell artfully portrays the personal dynamics of English society at the time, and readers will hope to see more of the endearing Phoebe and Eva.” Publishers Weekly on A Devious Death

“Colorful information on the postwar period is combined with plenty of suspects, all neatly wrapped up in the style of a classic mystery.” Kirkus Reviews on A Pinch of Poison

“A sweet, delightful mystery, which is sure to appeal to historical-fiction and mystery readers alike.” Foreword Reviews on A Pinch of Poison

“Along with a bracing mystery, Maxwell explores compelling themes. Although this is from a slightly earlier time period, it’s a good match with Rhys Bowen’s Her Royal Spyness series.” Booklist on A Pinch of Poison

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