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lbarr031's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
arwen_w's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
A charming murder mystery, twists and fun characters.
Really enjoyed it!
Really enjoyed it!
sigrros's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
mazza57's review
3.0
I thought i had enjoyed the first in this series more than this one but i see my rating is exactly the same. These novels are readable but sometimes the reader is drowned in detail that adds nothing to the plot. I like the characters and may well read more
ruchidas's review
5.0
I came across this audiobook as one comes across a stranger in a garden on an autumn evening, narrating a tale you can't quite decipher to be fiction or real but fall in love with nonetheless.
The Curse of the Arundel Hall is Book 2 in the Yellow Cottage Vintage Mysteries, a series of five (as of January 2021) cozy mystery novels surrounding the chronicles of a young widow named Isobella "Ella" Bridges. Set in the 1930s, England in the fictional village of Linhay, The Curse of the Arundel Hall revolves around two murders in two different eras united by their link to the abominable curse of the Arundel hall. The curse was brought forth by the former owner of the hall, the Duke of Norfolk, in the 1890s, who cursed the fate of any lovers taking up residence there to end up in misfortune. Not soon after, the Duke's third wife went missing after he banished her and her illicit lover-the stable master.
Almost a century later Ella now finds a skull in a hidden room in Yellow Cottage (her titular residence in Linhay) which she deftly discovers belonged to the Duke's wife. As she goes on to solve this murder off the radar, her acquaintance at the Scotland Yard, Sir Albert Montesford, takes a liking for her knack for solving mysteries and asks her to join him in his work. Ella gets the perfect opportunity to do so soon when Petty-Mae, an American actress engaged to the present-day resident of Arundel Hall is killed under mysterious circumstances.
Is this death too one of the many brought forth by the curse? Or is there a sinister motive behind this one?
This vintage take on murder mysteries is what makes this book a delight to read. In its rightful sense, the Yellow Cottage mysteries are the epitome of the cozy mystery genre. The book transported me to a faraway place in a happier, more peaceful time. I had neither heard of the author nor the narrator(Jilly Bond) before this and I must say both of them are perfect fits in the cozy mystery genre. Ella's character in particular has an effervescent wit and charm to it which makes even the sleepy Linhay atmosphere come alive. All the secondary characters in the book-Ella's brother Gerry and her sister-in-law Ginny, the Scotland Yard police officer Sir Albert Montesford, and her house help Mrs. Shore, add to the charm of the book. Only the two murders in the book confused me for some time. I felt the transition from the yesteryears murder to that in the present day could have been more lucid as I found myself working hard to connect the dots.
Nevertheless, the book left an unexpectedly good impression on me. I especially loved the fact that the author makes sure you smell the country grass and feel the rustic warmth as you read the book with her vivid writing.
Take this one for a delightful walk along or curl up in your bed with some hot chocolate/chicken soup as you burn the midnight oil reading this deep into a long, dark night. The country's atmosphere will keep you company even as the interesting mystery will keep you from sleeping. Especially recommended for fans of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple books.
I look forward to touching upon the others in this series soon and also read more from the author.
The Curse of the Arundel Hall is Book 2 in the Yellow Cottage Vintage Mysteries, a series of five (as of January 2021) cozy mystery novels surrounding the chronicles of a young widow named Isobella "Ella" Bridges. Set in the 1930s, England in the fictional village of Linhay, The Curse of the Arundel Hall revolves around two murders in two different eras united by their link to the abominable curse of the Arundel hall. The curse was brought forth by the former owner of the hall, the Duke of Norfolk, in the 1890s, who cursed the fate of any lovers taking up residence there to end up in misfortune. Not soon after, the Duke's third wife went missing after he banished her and her illicit lover-the stable master.
Almost a century later Ella now finds a skull in a hidden room in Yellow Cottage (her titular residence in Linhay) which she deftly discovers belonged to the Duke's wife. As she goes on to solve this murder off the radar, her acquaintance at the Scotland Yard, Sir Albert Montesford, takes a liking for her knack for solving mysteries and asks her to join him in his work. Ella gets the perfect opportunity to do so soon when Petty-Mae, an American actress engaged to the present-day resident of Arundel Hall is killed under mysterious circumstances.
Is this death too one of the many brought forth by the curse? Or is there a sinister motive behind this one?
This vintage take on murder mysteries is what makes this book a delight to read. In its rightful sense, the Yellow Cottage mysteries are the epitome of the cozy mystery genre. The book transported me to a faraway place in a happier, more peaceful time. I had neither heard of the author nor the narrator(Jilly Bond) before this and I must say both of them are perfect fits in the cozy mystery genre. Ella's character in particular has an effervescent wit and charm to it which makes even the sleepy Linhay atmosphere come alive. All the secondary characters in the book-Ella's brother Gerry and her sister-in-law Ginny, the Scotland Yard police officer Sir Albert Montesford, and her house help Mrs. Shore, add to the charm of the book. Only the two murders in the book confused me for some time. I felt the transition from the yesteryears murder to that in the present day could have been more lucid as I found myself working hard to connect the dots.
Spoiler
This came as an utter disappointment when I realized there was none. They were just meant to reinforce the idea that in each of the two eras, two different deaths that were otherwise thought to be the result of the curse had perfectly plausible explanations.Nevertheless, the book left an unexpectedly good impression on me. I especially loved the fact that the author makes sure you smell the country grass and feel the rustic warmth as you read the book with her vivid writing.
Take this one for a delightful walk along or curl up in your bed with some hot chocolate/chicken soup as you burn the midnight oil reading this deep into a long, dark night. The country's atmosphere will keep you company even as the interesting mystery will keep you from sleeping. Especially recommended for fans of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple books.
I look forward to touching upon the others in this series soon and also read more from the author.
staceylynn42's review
4.0
Ella discovered a new ghost in a closed off part of her home at the end of the previous book . Now she is trying to figure out who the woman is and how she died. Research shows her that the Yellow Cottage used to be the Dower House for Arundel Hall & Arundel Hall is considered a cursed place due to all the deaths that have happened there. She finds herself invited to a dinner party there & then one of guests is murdered.
Ella, with the help of the Scotland Yard commissioner, (her sister in law's godfather) needs to solve that murder, plus the the ghost's murder and get to the bottom of the curse.
It's well done. The setting feels true, the characters are believable & the mystery is interesting.
Ella, with the help of the Scotland Yard commissioner, (her sister in law's godfather) needs to solve that murder, plus the the ghost's murder and get to the bottom of the curse.
It's well done. The setting feels true, the characters are believable & the mystery is interesting.
manasakannan's review
5.0
J.NEW IS MY NEW FAVORITE AUTHOR!
I would like to thank the author for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second book in the series 'yellow cottage mystery'. This book can be termed as a 'stand alone' but some elements will be understood only after reading the first book.
"It's been a pleasure, Miss Bridges. I seldom meet a mind as bright as yours."
I was hyped to read the novel as it is a mix of all my favorite genres. It definitely lived up to the hype. The plot is intriguing and the characters are well developed having their own voices. The right amount of mystery with a dash of paranormal made this book a joy to read. A lot of characters appear on this book and each one of then have their own unique voice. Isobella, the protagonist cannot stop running into trouble and the kind she stumbles upon are highly mysterious. The adventures she experiences are nail biting and makes the reader want more of it.
The plot is truly interesting and the dialogues are just lovely. The book, having been written by a British author adds that vibe to it. Additionally, the theme is based on a historical time which relays the 'coziness'. Since I'm a huge fan of British novel, I practically devoured this book. The story leaves you guessing till the end and I can assure you that you will be surprised.
It ends with a cliffhanger which I absolutely adore in any book. It has the element of suspense which bugs your mind to the core. I'd definitely recommend this to a fellow mystery lover. I'm looking forward to reading more of the author's books in the future and I'm sure I won't be disappointed.
I would like to thank the author for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second book in the series 'yellow cottage mystery'. This book can be termed as a 'stand alone' but some elements will be understood only after reading the first book.
"It's been a pleasure, Miss Bridges. I seldom meet a mind as bright as yours."
I was hyped to read the novel as it is a mix of all my favorite genres. It definitely lived up to the hype. The plot is intriguing and the characters are well developed having their own voices. The right amount of mystery with a dash of paranormal made this book a joy to read. A lot of characters appear on this book and each one of then have their own unique voice. Isobella, the protagonist cannot stop running into trouble and the kind she stumbles upon are highly mysterious. The adventures she experiences are nail biting and makes the reader want more of it.
The plot is truly interesting and the dialogues are just lovely. The book, having been written by a British author adds that vibe to it. Additionally, the theme is based on a historical time which relays the 'coziness'. Since I'm a huge fan of British novel, I practically devoured this book. The story leaves you guessing till the end and I can assure you that you will be surprised.
It ends with a cliffhanger which I absolutely adore in any book. It has the element of suspense which bugs your mind to the core. I'd definitely recommend this to a fellow mystery lover. I'm looking forward to reading more of the author's books in the future and I'm sure I won't be disappointed.
stacey42's review
4.0
Ella discovered a new ghost in a closed off part of her home at the end of the previous book . Now she is trying to figure out who the woman is and how she died. Research shows her that the Yellow Cottage used to be the Dower House for Arundel Hall & Arundel Hall is considered a cursed place due to all the deaths that have happened there. She finds herself invited to a dinner party there & then one of guests is murdered.
Ella, with the help of the Scotland Yard commissioner, (her sister in law's godfather) needs to solve that murder, plus the the ghost's murder and get to the bottom of the curse.
It's well done. The setting feels true, the characters are believable & the mystery is interesting.
Ella, with the help of the Scotland Yard commissioner, (her sister in law's godfather) needs to solve that murder, plus the the ghost's murder and get to the bottom of the curse.
It's well done. The setting feels true, the characters are believable & the mystery is interesting.