"The Alpine Christmas Mystery" by Benedict Brown

It’s 1929, and Lord Edgington, retired Scotland Yard superintendent, is taking his grandson Christopher Prentiss on the grand tour of Europe. But like their experiences in England over the years, murder seems to follow. 

The two are in Milan; Christmas is near, and they’re both surreptitiously trying to buy presents for each other. But mysterious and anonymous letters appear in their room; they’re asked to come to Switzerland to prevent one and perhaps more murders. They’re soon on their way, with Lord Edgington’s staff in tow.

 

It’s an Alpine hotel in Switzerland at Christmas, and a snowstorm is due that will cut all communications off. No soon do they arrive when Christopher saves a guest from being crushed under a family chandelier. Another guest on her way to the hotel is found dead on one of the last trains before the expected snowstorm. 

 

Benedict Brown

What they soon discover is that all the guests, including Lord Edgington himself, are tied to the theft of a tiara owned by the Princess Royale some 20 years earlier. And someone among the guests is planning to kill each of the others to eliminate any possibility of discovery.

 

The Alpine Christmas Mystery is the third novel in the Lord Edginton Abroad series by British author Benedict Brown. The series is something of an offshoot of the original series which was set entirely in England. It has all the trademarks of both Lord Edgington series – crimes largely among the upper class, Christopher getting himself in funny predicaments (this one has him skiing when he’s never learned), a little levity to lighten the serious crimes and investigations, and well-researched historical settings. 

 

In addition to the Lord Edgington stories, Brown has written eight Izzy Palmer mystery novels three novellas, and five Marius Quin mysteries. A native of south London, he lives with his family in Spain. The Lord Edgington mysteries are likely aimed at both the general reader as well as the young adult audience. And they’re well-researched stories, full of information about the mid-to-late 1920s.

 

Related:

Murder at the Spring Ball by Benedict Brown.

A Body at a Boarding School by Benedict Brown.

The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall by Benedict Brown.

 Death on a Summer’s Day by Benedict Brown.

The Tangled Treasure Trail by Benedict Brown.

The Curious Case of the Templeton-Swifts by Benedict Brown.

The Crimes of Clearwell Castle by Benedict Brown.

The Snows of Weston Moor by Benedict Brown.

What the Vicar Saw by Benedict Brown.

Blood on the Banisters by Benedict Brown.

A Killer in the Wings by Benedict Brown.

The Christmas Bell Mystery by Benedict Brown.

A Novel Way to Kill by Benedict Brown.

The Puzzle at Parham Hall by Benedict Brown.

Death at Silent Pool by Benedict Brown.

Murder in an Italian Castle by Benedict Brown.

"Murder in an Italian Castle" by Benedict Brown

British mystery writer Benedict Brown is taking the Lord Edginton series (some 15 books in all) in a new, and rebranded, direction. Murder in an Italian Castle is the first in the Lord Edgington Investigates Abroad series.

A new direction (outside of England), yes, But the same familiar characters are there, the same tongue-in-cheek humor, and the same detailed use of a real building as the setting. In this case, it’s an Italian castle in Italy.

 

It’s 1929. Lord Edgington, retired head of Scotland Yard, has finally made good on his promise to take grandson Christopher Prentiss, now approaching 21, on a grand tour of the continent. The first stop will be the castle of an old acquaintance of the Lord’s, an earl known for his manipulation of people, sometimes cruel antics, and a deep thirst for making sure justice triumphed. As they arrive, they witness the fall of the earl from a tower, a fall that looks more like a push. Christopher rushes to the tower base and hears the footsteps of someone running. But no one can be found.

 

With almost all the suspects having solid alibis, and the lack of cooperation by the local police, it seems the investigation has hit a dead end. And then there’s a second death.

 

Benedict Brown

Brown includes all the characteristic features of a Lord Edgington mystery – deep research into the setting, an often comical repartee between Edgington and his grandson, a seemingly unsolvable puzzle, and even a dash of romance for Christopher – a young woman he saw on the boat to Calais shows up in Florence, reading a novel by Christopher’s favorite author – Charles Dickens. And just as the reader expects a romance to blossom, the young woman departs, with Christopher neglecting to have asked her name. Given that there’s more international mysteries to come, it’s likely we’ll run across her again.

 

In addition to the Lord Edgington stories, Brown has written eight Izzy Palmer mystery novels three novellas, and five Marius Quin mysteries. A native of south London, he lives with his family in Spain. The Lord Edgington mysteries are likely aimed at both the general reader as well as the young adult audience. And they’re well-researched stories, full of information about the mid-to-late 1920s.

 

Murder in an Italian Castle is a fun, fast-paced read. And like Christopher Prentiss himself, we’re glad Lord Edgington, his grandson, and the servants who accompany them have finally made it to the continent.

 

Related:

Murder at the Spring Ball by Benedict Brown.

A Body at a Boarding School by Benedict Brown.

The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall by Benedict Brown.

 Death on a Summer’s Day by Benedict Brown.

The Tangled Treasure Trail by Benedict Brown.

The Curious Case of the Templeton-Swifts by Benedict Brown.

The Crimes of Clearwell Castle by Benedict Brown.

The Snows of Weston Moor by Benedict Brown.

What the Vicar Saw by Benedict Brown.

Blood on the Banisters by Benedict Brown.

A Killer in the Wings by Benedict Brown.

The Christmas Bell Mystery by Benedict Brown.

A Novel Way to Kill by Benedict Brown.

The Puzzle at Parham Hall by Benedict Brown.

Death at Silent Pool by Benedict Brown.

 

Some Monday Readings

 

George Cruikshank’s London Summer – Spitalfields Life.

 

Where should the Elgin Marbles be displayed? – Mario Trabucco della Torretta at The Critic Magazine.

 

When the Rules No Longer Apply – Joel Miller at Miller’s Book Review.

 

The Ten Warning Signs: A huge change is coming – Ted Gioia at The Honet Broker.

 

Why woke failed – Michael Shermer at Persuasion.

"Death at Silent Pool" by Benedict Brown

It’s 1928. Lord Edgington, retired head of Scotland Yard, is called to Silent Pool, the home of Abraham Hindmarsh. Hindmarsh is a member of Parliament and an undersecretary in the Cabinet, and his wife Patience has vanished, leaving behind on the estate a wrecked car with blood all over the interior. No body has been found, and no one has reported anything about the missing woman. 

Christopher Prentiss accompanies his grandfather, as he has been doing for the pat several years when the great detective is called in. What the investigating pir discover is a highly toxic brew of Hindmarsh himself, five adult children who seem to hate each other, and a niece who is treated with near contempt by most of her cousins. 

 

While they’re investigating, they hear gunshots; Hindmarsh has been shot dead. And his death won’t be the last, as the case is flooded with evidence that night or might not apply, bubbling anger, and the siblings physically attacking one another.

 

Benedict Brown

Death at Silent Pool is the fourteenth Lod Edgington mystery by British author Benedict Brown, and it takes a decidedly different turn from its predecessors. The previous stories had a strong element of humor, mostly emanating from Christopher and his observations, and a lightness to the story. Death at Silent Pool is a good, intriguing story, but it takes a much darker path.

 

In addition to the Lord Edgington stories, Brown has written seven Izzy Palmer mystery novels and three novellas. A native of south London, he lives with his family in Spain. The Lord Edgington mysteries are likely aimed at both the general reader as well as the young adult audience. And they’re well-researched stories, full of information about the mid-to-late 1920s.

 

I’m glad to see that a 15^th Lord Edgington mystery, The Christmas Candle Murders, returns to a more lighthearted story line. It’s due out Nov. 24.

 

Related:

 

Murder at the Spring Ball by Benedict Brown.

 

A Body at a Boarding School by Benedict Brown.

 

The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall by Benedict Brown.

 

 Death on a Summer’s Day by Benedict Brown.

 

The Tangled Treasure Trail by Benedict Brown.

 

The Curious Case of the Templeton-Swifts by Benedict Brown.

 

The Crimes of Clearwell Castle by Benedict Brown.

 

The Snows of Weston Moor by Benedict Brown.

 

What the Vicar Saw by Benedict Brown.

 

Blood on the Banisters by Benedict Brown.

 

A Killer in the Wings by Benedict Brown.

 

The Christmas Bell Mystery by Benedict Brown.

 

A Novel Way to Kill by Benedict Brown.

 

The Puzzle at Parham Hall by Benedict Brown.

 

Some Thursday Readings

 

The Place of Murder – Sydney Graves (Kate Christensen) at CrimeReads. 

 

The Long Art of the Short Story – Elly Griffiths at Writer’s Digest.

 

The Everlasting Man – Paul Kingsnorth at The Abbey of Misrule on G.K. Chesterton.

"The Puzzle of Parham House” by Benedict Brown

This time, the mystery to be solved for Lord Edington and his grandson Christopher Prentiss comes for a new direction – Christopher’s mother. A good friend, the mistress of Parham House, writes a letter asking for help. While the Elizabethan-era house is undergoing extensive renovation, and a team of experts are examining artifacts, paintings, and ancient weaponry, someone is moving things around. Sometimes artifacts disappear and reappear in another part of the house. A vase has been found smashed. 

Lord Edgington quickly assembles his chauffeur, family, and attendants (including the cook), and off the family goes to Parham House. They begin interviewing the experts and household servants, but every promising lead goes exactly nowhere. Lord Edgington is convinced that the odd occurrences are masking something more nefarious. When the might watchman is murdered, his belief is confirmed. 

 

But the 78-year-old lord does not seem at his sharpest and most incisive. Something seems definitely off, and it’s Christopher, now 19 years old, who becomes the lead investigator. His grandfather has trained him, and trained him well, for the previous four years, and it’s the investigation into the mysterious goings-on at Parham House that sees that training paying off.

 

Benedict Brown

The Puzzle of Parham House is the 13^th mystery novel in the Lord Edgington series by British author Benedict Brown, who’s also written several novellas and short stories featuring his celebrated detective. In keeping with several of the previous stories, the home, in this case Parham House, is actually a real building in west Sussex. Brown invites owners of grand estates to have their houses featured in his 1920s-era mysteries. (Parham House and Gardens is also open for tours and visits.)

 

In addition to the Lord Edgington stories, Brown has written seven Izzy Palmer mystery novels and three novellas. A native of south London, he lives with his family in Spain. The Lord Edgington mysteries are likely aimed at both the general reader as well as the young adult audience. And they’re well-researched stories, full of information about the mid-1920s.

 

Related:

 

Murder at the Spring Ball by Benedict Brown.

 

A Body at a Boarding School by Benedict Brown.

 

The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall by Benedict Brown.

 

 Death on a Summer’s Day by Benedict Brown.

 

The Tangled Treasure Trail by Benedict Brown.

 

The Curious Case of the Templeton-Swifts by Benedict Brown.

 

The Crimes of Clearwell Castle by Benedict Brown.

 

The Snows of Weston Moor by Benedict Brown.

 

What the Vicar Saw by Benedict Brown.

 

Blood on the Banisters by Benedict Brown.

 

A Killer in the Wings by Benedict Brown.

 

The Christmas Bell Mystery by Benedict Brown.

 

A Novel Way to Kill by Benedict Brown.

 

Top photograph: Parham House in West Sussex, England.

Some Thursday Readings

 

Noon After (after Millet: 1890) – poem by Marilyn McEntyre at Rabbit Room Poetry.

 

The Violin and the Enchantment of Western Culture – Michael De Sapio at The Imaginative Conservative.

 

My Name Ain’t Nobody – Dan Baldwin on writing at Harvey’s (Almost) Daily Journal.

"A Novel Way to Kill" by Benedict Brown

Eighteen-year-old Christopher Prentiss is visiting his grandfather, retired Scotland Yard Superintendent Lord Edgington. An unexpected invitation arrives, one marked urgent, from the Shipley sisters, who live in Suffolk. The three are well-known, except to young Christopher. One writes historical biography, one is a mystery novelist, and the third (and youngest) is a travel writer.  

The invitation doesn’t explain the urgency, but Lord Edgington and Christopher quickly pack up and head to Suffolk.

 

The three, now in their 50s and 60s, live together with their elderly father at the large family estate. Only the youngest is married. The conversation at dinner still doesn’t explain the urgency, but it does focus on how to commit the perfect crime. When old Mr. Shipley is found dead the next morning, seemingly having fallen from a window during the night, Lord Edgington quickly sizes up the situation. It was no accident, and it was definitely murder.

 

A Novel Way to Kill is a novella in this 1920s Lord Edgington series by British author Benedict Brown. It falls about halfway in the (so far) 12-book series, the twelfth being the recently published The Puzzle of Parham House. The story told in the novella is essentially a murderer testing how much the great Lord Edgington still knows about the business or murder. It’s a rather fun read, and a quick read.

 

In addition to the Lord Edgington stories, Brown has written seven Izzy Palmer mystery novels and three novellas. A native of south London, he lives with his family in Spain. The Lord Edgington mysteries are likely aimed at both the general reader as well as the young adult audience. And they’re well-researched stories, full of information about the mid-1920s.

 

Related:

 

Murder at the Spring Ball by Benedict Brown.

 

A Body at a Boarding School by Benedict Brown.

 

The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall by Benedict Brown.

 

 Death on a Summer’s Day by Benedict Brown.

 

The Tangled Treasure Trail by Benedict Brown.

 

The Curious Case of the Templeton-Swifts by Benedict Brown.

 

The Crimes of Clearwell Castle by Benedict Brown.

 

The Snows of Weston Moor by Benedict Brown.

 

What the Vicar Saw by Benedict Brown.

 

Blood on the Banisters by Benedict Brown.

 

A Killer in the Wings by Benedict Brown.

 

The Christmas Bell Mystery by Benedict Brown.

 

Some Thursday Readings

 

On the Invention of M. Dupin – Olivia Rutigliano at CrimeReads.

 

‘France! à l’heure où tu te prosternes’ (1853) by Victor Hugo – Adam’s Roberts at Adam’s Notebook.

 

The State of the Crime Novel, Part 1: The Writing Life  and Part 2: The Future of Crime Writing – Molly Odintz at CrimeReads.

 

“Confused about the Ivy League,” poem by A,M Juster – Joseph Bottum at Poems Ancient and Modern.

 

"The Christmas Bell Mystery" by Benedict Brown

It starts with a chance meeting on a train, shortly before Christmas. Christopher Prentiss is returning home from visiting friends at Oxford. He discovers he’s sharing a first-class compartment with only one other person, a beautiful young woman dressed in green who is crying. Over the course of only a few minutes, she explains her tears: someone in her family is trying to kill her grandfather. She leaves the train shortly after; all Christopher knows is her first name, Holly, and that her grandfather is a lord. 

Christopher, somewhat smitten, tells his grandfather, Lord Edgington and the retired superintendent of Scotland Yard, when he arrives home. Independently, they work out who the girl’s grandfather is. And on Christmas Eve, Christopher, his grandfather, Christopher’s parent, Daisy the dog, and a flock of servants pile into cars and make their way to the girl’s home.

 

Benedict Brown

The girl’s grandfather is thrilled to death to see them; he knows who Lord Edgington is, and he wants him to find out who is trying to murder him. And just about everyone in the family has a motive, just like everyone in the family has a motive in keeping certain things to themselves. 

 

A murder does indeed happen on Christmas Eve, followed by a second murder. And nothing and no one will be what they appears to be, including the girl Christopher met on the train.

 

The Christmas Bell Mystery is the 12^th Lord Edgington mystery by British author Benedict Bell. Set in the 1920s (No. 12 being set in 1927), the well-researched series includes considerable detail and background bout the period. The Lord Edgington stories may be more aimed at a teen audience, but it’s equally enjoyable for adults.

 

Brown has also developed the character of Christopher over the series. From a schoolboy to now a young man, he is learning how to solve crimes under the tutelage of his grandfather. And with each story, he’s contributing more and more to the solution.

 

Related:

 

Murder at the Spring Ball by Benedict Brown.

 

A Body at a Boarding School by Benedict Brown.

 

The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall by Benedict Brown.

 

 Death on a Summer’s Day by Benedict Brown.

 

The Tangled Treasure Trail by Benedict Brown.

 

The Curious Case of the Templeton-Swifts by Benedict Brown.

 

The Crimes of Clearwell Castle by Benedict Brown.

 

The Snows of Weston Moor by Benedict Brown.

 

What the Vicar Saw by Benedict Brown.

 

Blood on the Banisters by Benedict Brown.

 

A Killer in the Wings by Benedict Brown.

Some Thursday Readings

 

Burdekin’s London Nights – Spitalfields Life.

 

Poet Laura: The Gifts That Darkness Brings – Michelle Rinaldi Ortega at Tweetspeak Poetry. 

"A Killer in the Wings" by Benedict Brown

Christopher Prentiss’s former bully / old school friend Marmaduke rushes to Lord Edgington’s estate to find his friend and the lord, once a chief detective at Scotland Yard. Marmaduke, an aspiring actor, has been rehearsing his small role a play in London’s West End. A bizarre accident has happened – an actor has been killed during rehearsal by a stage prop -- an old suit of armor with an ax. 

The retired detective and his grandson accompany Marmaduke to London and work with the police. It appears to have been an accident, but Lord Edgington suspects otherwise, and Christopher finds the evidence. As they investigate, they discover a tangled web of motives, past histories, jealousies, and strong emotions. The difficulty is separating reality from what the actors in a play normally do – project strong emotions. Slowly they realize that someone in the cast or crew seems to be following the plot of the play itself as a guide – and it’s a murder mystery.

 

Benedict Brown

A Killer in the Wings is the 11^th Lord Edgington mystery by British author Benedict Brown, and it’s something of a breakthrough for two reasons. First, it happens almost entirely with central London (no country estates home in this one). Second, Lord Edgington is deliberately leading and misleading Christopher into solving the crime itself. And the young man will do exactly that (not without a few false starts and blind alleys). 

 

In addition to the Lord Edgington stories, Brown has written seven Izzy Palmer mystery novels and three novellas. A native of south London, he lives with his family in Spain. The Lord Edgington mysteries are likely aimed at both the general reader as well as the young adult audience. And they’re well-researched stories, full of information about the mid-1920s.

 

A Killer in the Wings includes the author’s usual humor and detailed descriptions of scenes such at the Hotel Savoy on the Strand, Leicester Square, a West End theatre, the area of London known as Little Venice, and more. It’s an entertaining story, and it’s fun to cheer on Christopher as he officially solves two murders on his own. 

 

Related:

 

Murder at the Spring Ball by Benedict Brown.

 

A Body at a Boarding School by Benedict Brown.

 

The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall by Benedict Brown.

 

 Death on a Summer’s Day by Benedict Brown.

 

The Tangled Treasure Trail by Benedict Brown.

 

The Curious Case of the Templeton-Swifts by Benedict Brown.

 

The Crimes of Clearwell Castle by Benedict Brown.

 

The Snows of Weston Moor by Benedict Brown.

 

What the Vicar Saw by Benedict Brown.

 

Blood on the Banisters by Benedict Brown.

 

Some Monday Readings

 

Today is Israel’s 9/11 – Bari Weiss at The Free Press.

 

Things Worth Remembering: A Time of War – Douglas Murray at The Free Press.

 

The (American) Revolution in the Hudson Highlands – Bert Dunkerly at Emerging Revolutionary War Era.

 

An unpublished interview with Gabriel Garcia Marquez – El Pais. 

 

Classical Education’s Aristocracy of Anyone – Micah Meadowcraft at AEI National Affairs.