DEATH AT THORBURN HALL
A Drew Farthering Mystery, #6
by
JULIANNA DEERING
Genre: Historical British Mystery / Suspense
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Date of Publication: November 7, 2017
Number of Pages: 336
Scroll down for the giveaway!
Investigating a suspicious accident leads Drew on a path that points to international intrigue and ever-growing danger
Drew Farthering arrives in idyllic Scotland for the 1935 British Open at Muirfield, hoping for a relaxing holiday with his wife, Madeline, and friend Nick. But death meets him once again when Lord Rainsby, their host at Thorburn Hall, is killed in a suspicious riding accident--only days after confiding in Drew his fears that his business partner was embezzling funds.
Thorburn Hall is filled with guests, and as Drew continues to dig, he realizes that each appears to have dark motives for wanting Rainsby out of the way. Together with Madeline and Nick, he must sort through shady business dealings, international intrigue, and family tensions to find a killer who always seems to be one step ahead.
PRAISE FOR DEATH AT THORBURN HALL:
"Amateur sleuthing at its finest!"--Fresh Fiction Review
"Another great mystery headed by the charming Drew Farthering and his intelligent wife, Madeline. There is murder, mystery, intrigue and a little romance, which makes Death at Thorburn Hall a most enjoyable read . . . The plot has twists, turns and a few surprises throughout the story. Deering is at her best when penning Drew Farthering mysteries."--RT Book Reviews
"This sixth series entry will delight Agatha Christie fans."
--Library Journal
CLICK TO PURCHASE
HALL
WAYS REVIEW: ✪✪✪✪✪ Ah! What a refreshing experience it is to have
read my first (but definitely not last) Drew Farthering mystery, Death at Thorburn Hall, the
sixth book in this fabulous and fabulously British series from Texas author
Julianna Deering. A Texan doing British? Fear not – Deering has done her
research and the British-ness is spot-on with the book feeling very Alexander
McCall Smith-y. There is clearly a lot of back-story that unfolds in the prior
books, but Deering does a great job of giving the reader enough information to
get the big picture and appreciate that the main characters have been through a
lot together, which has forged a unique bond between them. I am ITCHING to get
my hands on book one and get fully up-to-speed on what I am confident to say is
going to be my new favorite cozy mystery series.
“He was
somewhere in his late thirties, tall and slender, with a pencil-thin mustache
and a look of pale tragedy about him.”
Oh, how I enjoy Deering’s writing style. Her
descriptions and use of figurative language leave readers with a crisp, clear image
of characters and setting. The dialogue
enhances the story, fleshing-out and revealing much about the characters. Historical
elements are laced-in not only with the 1935 Open (golf tournament) in Scotland,
but with everyone’s eyes on what Mr. Hitler was doing to re-build Germany. Not to mention (but I am mentioning because that’s
what I do) that the book is beautifully and cleanly edited and the writing is witty
and intelligent. Death in Thorburn
Hall is the first cozy
mystery series I’ve read to have the “Christian” stamp on it, and I wasn’t sure
how that was going to work out. I am happy to report that the faith element was
handled with a light touch and came across naturally, as it should with people of
faith. For example, in a scene when a character is questioning why his prayers
aren’t being answered, another’s response is:
"Maybe
He has something else in mind...
and His
answer isn't no, but 'not now.'"
Exactly!
I always enjoy the
prim and proper manners and speech of British society, alongside the sometimes-flimsy
façade of the upper-crust. Death in Thorburn Hall is full of interesting characters who fit the
bill. Main character Drew Farthering epitomizes that dashing, perfect fella who
always has just the right snappy remark to keep a person talking to him (all
the while assessing and filing away information to solve a crime). What good
British story is complete without a butler with a sharp eye and wry sense of
humor? Twining is your man in this story, and his best line?
"There
are those with all the advantages of blood and breeding
who
manage to be as common as small beer."
While I can’t vouch for the prior books in
the series being this way (though I hope to soon), Death in Thorburn Hall keeps the romance element in the background,
right where I prefer it be for a mystery. Plenty of sweet and awwwwwww-worthy romantic
moments are sprinkled about for readers to glimpse the love between characters
and experience all the feels. Where the story shines is in the mysteries afoot.
Suspects, motives, clues, and red herrings are scattered about to keep the
reader guessing right up to the end, when there’s a head-spinning climax and conclusion.
If you are a cozy mystery fan who enjoys
being transported to another place and time where manners matter and scenes of gore
and sex are left to the imagination, then Death in Thorburn Hall is just right for
you. I highly recommend you jump in to
this series. Happily, as of this writing, the author intends to add several
more installments, so get caught up now!
Thank you to Lone Star Book Blog Tours
and Bethany House Publishers for providing me a gorgeous print copy in exchange
for my honest opinion – the only kind I give.
JULIANNA DEERING (also writing as DeAnna Julie Dodson) has always been an avid reader and a lover of storytelling, whether on the page, the screen or the stage. This, along with her keen interest in history and her Christian faith, shows in her tales of love, forgiveness, and triumph over adversity. A fifth-generation Texan, she makes her home north of Dallas with three spoiled cats and, when not writing, spends her free time quilting, cross stitching, and watching NHL hockey. Her series of Drew Farthering mysteries set in 1930s England debuted from Bethany House with Rules of Murder (2013) and is followed by Death by the Book and Murder at the Mikado (2014). Dressed for Death (2016), and Murder on the Moor and Death at Thorburn Hall (2017). She is represented by Wendy Lawton of the Books and Such Literary Agency.
-------------------------------------
GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
One Winner Receives the Full Drew Farthering Mystery Series!
November 28-December 7, 2017
(U.S. Only)
VISIT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:
11/28/17
|
Character Interview
| |
11/29/17
|
Review
| |
11/30/17
|
Excerpt
| |
12/1/17
|
Review
| |
12/2/17
|
Author Interview
| |
12/3/17
|
Excerpt
| |
12/4/17
|
Review
| |
12/5/17
|
Top Ten List
| |
12/6/17
|
Review
| |
12/7/17
|
Series Sneak Peek
|
blog tour services provided by
Awww, thank you so much for the lovely review! Thanks for letting Drew visit your blog, and I hope you enjoy the rest of the series. I've had a ton of fun writing it! :)
ReplyDeleteJulianna Deering/DeAnna Julie Dodson
Thank YOU! I just added 5 new books to my Christmas list!
Delete