MYSTERY

Murder at Mullings: A Florence Norris Mystery

Severn House. May 2014. 248p. ISBN 9780727883384. $28.95; ebk. ISBN 9781780105017. M
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Time moves slowly at Mullings, a slightly stodgy British estate governed by the Stodmarsh family. Head housekeeper Florence Norris loves her life of service, particularly the relationship she's nurtured over the years with grandson Ned. When beloved Lady Stodmarsh dies in her bed, the doctor calls it a natural death. Florence, however, has noticed a couple of odd things about the circumstances (she thinks overdose). Fast-forward to 1932, and Lord Stodmarsh foolishly remarries. The second Lady Stodmarsh rules the roost in a harsher manner—and in time, someone rebels and stabs her to death. The investigation of this murder brings the earlier death of the first Lady Stodmarsh into question. For Florence, initial suspects turn out to be allies, and once all the cards are on the table, motives are painfully obvious.
VERDICT Downton Abbey fans will pick up on the tone immediately: imagine the ever-reliable Mrs. Hughes narrating a mystery. Stepping away from her long-running Ellie Haskell series, Cannell has created a fascinating and leisurely paced historical, excelling at period details and class distinctions.
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