Murder at Morrington Hall

March 15, 2019
An independent-spirited American struggles to fit into the stultified lifestyle of the Edwardian British aristocracy.Stella Kendrick is surprised when her crude, uncaring, but very wealthy father, Elijah Kendrick, brings her and her great-aunt Rachel Luckett on a trip to England's New Forest region to deliver three of the finest thoroughbred horses he's bred at his Kentucky estate. She's even more surprised to hear that her father is giving Viscount Lyndhurst, son of the Earl of Atherly, the three horses in exchange for his marriage to Stella. Unaccustomed to the strict rules of British society, Stella makes many missteps that attract the disapproving eye of Lady Atherly. But Lyndy's pleasantly surprised by her beauty and knowledge of horses. Although Stella incurs her father's wrath by her refusal to marry Lyndy, an even darker shadow is cast by the murder of the Rev. Bullmore, the vicar who was to marry them. The whole group, including Atherly's houseguests, Mr. and Mrs. Westwoode and their daughter Elizabeth, who's engaged to Lyndy's friend Lord Hugh, attend the derby, where more trouble is brewing. Orson, the stallion Kendrick brought from Kentucky, is the sire of the favorite, whose victory makes Orson even more valuable. Stella faces sly looks and gossip at the derby until King Edward VII grants her an audience. Then, of course, everyone wants to meet her. When Orson is stolen, Stella and Lyndy turn sleuths in order to solve both crimes. Can they solve the crimes and resolve their differences? It won't be easy for feisty Stella to conform, but she proves she's as clever as she is beautiful.Although the plot could use some pruning, McKenna's series kickoff will warm the hearts of fans who cherish all things Edwardian.

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April 1, 2019
Set in 1905 in Hampshire, England, McKenna’s delightful debut and series launch introduces feisty American heiress and horse breeder Stella Kendrick and Viscount Lyndy Lyndhurst, to whom Stella’s father hopes to marry her off. Stella is the last to know about her father’s scheme, and she’s furious when she realizes he tricked her into going to England. When Stella and Lyndy go looking for the Reverend Bullmore, who’s to marry them, they discover his dead body in the library of Morrington Hall, the Lyndhurst family estate. This breaks the ice between the two, who decide to investigate the murder together. Stella’s longing for Kentucky diminishes as she grows fond of England, and she gradually falls in love with Lyndy, who’s already smitten with her. After her stallion, Cicero, shipped over from the U.S. as a bargaining chip to seal the marriage deal, wins the Epsom Derby, its sire, Orson, is stolen. Eccentric, humorous characters add to the intrigue of catching the murderer and rescuing Orson from his captors. Fans of historical cozies will be enchanted. Agent: John Talbot, Talbot Fortune Agency.

April 15, 2019
In 1905, American heiress Stella Kendrick travels to England with her self-made, boorish father to deliver several Thoroughbred horses and attend a wedding, where she is stunned to discover she is to be the bride. The Earl of Atherly needs an infusion of cash to support his estate, and Stella's father wants a title for his daughter. Stella wants nothing to do with the match, convinced that her intended, the earl's son, Viscount "Lyndy" Lyndhurst, is arrogant. Before the wedding can take place, Stella and Lyndy find the vicar, John Bullmore, murdered; then two thefts occur. The two begin an investigation, with Lyndy believing someone close to him may be guilty; Stella ultimately sets a trap to uncover the killer, as the two slowly begin to like and trust one another. While members of the aristocracy find fault with Stella's outspokenness, her familiarity with the staff, and even her appetite, Lyndy finds her refreshing. Well-drawn characters, a richly described historical setting with details of horses and horse racing, and a tentative romance distinguish this agreeable cozy.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)