Alyssa Maxwell

In 1901, newlywed Emma Cross Andrews finds herself once again in the position of seeking justice. Coal baron Edward Berwind's luxurious Elms estate is being opened. Immediately, it is plagued by a servant strike. The servants are all fired and new ones hred for a grand party. During the party, a maid is murdered, a guest's diamond necklace vanishes, and a laborer disappears. Detective Jessie Whyte enlists Emma and her husband Derrick's help to unravel the connection between the maid's murder and the missing necklace. As the dark secrets of the mansion threaten to overshadow its grandeur, Emma takes on the task of uncovering the elusive culprit.

I always look forward to seeing where Emma ends up next! She married and went on a honeymoon to Italy between this book and the last book. Now she must learn to balance her work life with being married. Her husband wants her to be more careful in seeking criminals, though he does respect her independence.

I have not heard of the Elms before, so I was intrigued to learn more. The descriptions didn’t give me a vivid description so I had to look up pictures. The other historical details, the time period and clothing, made the story come alive. I was kept guessing as to the culprit for this one, which is always fun.

This series is one I definitely recommend to readers who enjoy historical mysteries and this book is no different. I received an advance copy through NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own.… (més)

Alyssa Maxwell has brought us back to Newport, Rhode Island in 1901 to explore another one of the gilded age’s success stories. Edward Berwind and his wife were fabulously wealthy and known to be heavy handed with their staff. With dissent comes dismissal and murder and scandal which provides Emma Cross and her husband with a new case to investigate.

Described as an installment in Maxwell’s “cozy historical mystery series” I can’t help thinking there is cozy and then there is well researched, informative, and challenging puzzles to be solved. Nothing is completely clear nor simple which is what makes Maxwell’s mysteries so enjoyable. She doesn’t pander to her readers - she expects them to become informed and involved which is a problem because once started her books are hard to put down. Yeah, I am a fan and I loved this book. I learned more about The Elms and the Berwinds from Alyssa Maxwell than I did from the tour I took of the Mansion years ago.

Many thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for a copy.… (més)

Another good book in this series. Emma and Derrick are back in Newport from their honeymoon and are invited to a house party at the newly built Elms. However, before the party, the servants declare that they will strike for a little time off and better working conditions. All are fired except the one housemaid who refused to participate in the strike. On the night of the party everyone is enjoying a musical when there's a scream and a murder is discovered of the maid who was the dissenter. Police are called and an investigation is started. Lots of threads to tie together and Emma with her society connections is asked by the police inspector to help. Exciting ending.… (més)

Murder At The Elms is the eleventh book in the A Gilded Newport Mystery series by Alyssa Maxwell.

On the first day back at the Newport Messenger after Emma and Derriclk’s return from their honeymoon, Emma is asked to come to The Elms, the home owned by Herminie and Edward Berwind. Upon arriving at The Elms, Emma is greeted by the home’s staff, where she is told they are going on strike for a weekly day off. Everyone agrees except for one maid, Ines, a Portuguese maid. When Mr. Berwind meets with the servants, he fires them all except for Ines.

A week later, Emma and Derrick receive an invitation to attend a musicale at The Elms. Shortly after the music had finished, a scream was heard, and it was learned that someone was lying dead in the coal tunnel. Emma and Derrick proceed to the coal tunnel, shocked to see that the body is Ines's. The police are called, and Detectives Jesse Whyte and Gifford Myers arrive to begin their investigation. Emma has worked well with Jesse previously, and he asks her and Derrick to talk with the Berwinds and their guests, knowing they will get more information than he would.

Rex, Silvie Morton, Charles, and Kay Gilchrist are the couples vacationing at The Elms. The investigation of the murder will get even more suspicious when it is learned that a precious diamond necklace belonging to Rex Morton goes missing. Emma and Derrick must now investigate whether Ines was involved with the missing necklace and was killed to silence her. There are plenty of suspects to investigate.

The story is well-written, plotted, descriptively told, and historically accurate. Many of the characters have returned in this book. They are all interesting and well-developed. The story moved at a good pace and was for me to put down. Plenty of red herrings should keep most guessing until the end.

Ms. Maxwell also provides an interesting and informative Author’s Note.

I’m anxiously awaiting the next book in this exciting series.… (més)