Good series opener! I didn't guess the end twist, and Eliza left many people and "stories" open, so who knows where this will go! ( )

I've long been intrigued by the American heiresses who traveled to England in search of titled husbands so combining that idea with a 1912 set murder mystery sounded completely delectable. Add in a down to earth aristocratic sister turned investigator and a humble but lovely lady's maid and the cat she's rescued and you have all of the ingredients for a pleasant, diverting read.

Danby Hall is clearly in need of funds as the slightly shabby interiors and missing possessions attest. The Earl and Countess of Avebury have invited an American heiress to the country to meet Patrick, the absent-minded, gentle scientist heir to the estate, in hopes that he and the rather trying Annabel Clarke will make a match of it, securing her fortune so they do not lose their ancestral home. All seems to be going reasonably well until a guest is murdered at a pre-party dinner they've thrown for Annabel. In order to prevent her brother from being considered the primary suspect in this crime and because she isn't entirely convinced that local law enforcement will uncover the real murderer, Lady Cecilia Bates, Patrick's level-headed and intelligent younger sister, starts investigating the crime herself with the help of Jane, Annabel's lady's maid.

The house and the relationship between the aristocracy and below stairs is well drawn. Cecilia and Jane's friendship developed very quickly, even if it was meant to show how relatable and kind Cecilia is despite her title, but it was also necessary to have an instantaneous rapport so that they could investigate both above and belowstairs equally. There are a lot of other characters in the novel all at Danby Hall for Annabel's visit but many of them have limited function in this first in the series. Perhaps they will be more integral to the overarching story as it goes on in later novels. Jack, the cat that Jane saves, who features on the cover and in the series title (The Manor Cat Series), is not really a major part of uncovering the murderer, which for me as a reader was actually welcome but might be a disappointment for those looking for a larger role for the ginger feline and the reveal of the murderer and the motivation behind it was rather predictable in the end. Despite these quibbles, this was still a fun, amateur sleuth mystery, perfect for a busy time of year. ( )

This was a first novel debut by the author. The concept was not bad but I felt the whole plt was incredibly predictable and I was somewhat bored by it. I got tired of all the emotional outbursts by Annabel as well. ( )

It is rare for me to purchase a book from a glance at the cover art for as a life-long reader and as a retired librarian I know the English idiom "don't judge a book by its cover." The cover of this novel was shared on one of the Facebook cozy mystery groups that I follow and I was instantly intrigued. The home reminded me of the English homes featured in the television series of "Downton Abbey" and "Belgravia." Then the cute little ginger tabby caught my eye and I was quite curious what role he might have to play in the mystery. With the lovely reminder of the wonderful stories by Julian Fellowes and my curiosity about the little cat, I made my purchase.

The setting is the springtime of 1912 England and with visions of the grandeur of "Downton Abbey" and "Belgravia" scenes dancing in my mind, I could easily envision each scene in "Lady Takes the Case." I was also my own casting director transferring actors and actresses from the British drama and mystery series that I've watched on PBS Masterpiece Theater and AcornTV to now star in my mind's visions of "Lady Takes the Case" as I turned each page.

I loved Lady Cecilia Bates from the very first paragraph as her bedroom was described as over the years I have chosen those same colors as my favorites for this room and have also thought of this room as a quiet sanctuary. Her polite consideration and kindness to family, friends, villagers, and servants alike characterized her as an individual it is always lovely to meet and have as a friend on one's life journey. I was also delighted as Lady Cecilia (or Cec as called by her brother) came to become the amateur sleuth as she worried that her brother was going to be named as the prime suspect in the murder that shockingly has occurred in the midst of a dinner party in the home their family has lived in for generations.

Another character that I liked from her first introduction into the storyline was that of Jane Hughes, maid to American heiress Annabel Clarke. I liked Jane's adventurous spirit and was happy every time she managed to spend more time with Lady Cecilia than Annabel as Jane herself described Annabel as "bossy and persnickety."

The introduction of the ginger tabby named Jack was as charming and plausible as I hoped it would be from my first glance at his appearance on the front cover. I won't divulge any more of this affectionate and intelligent furry face but suffice it to say that he's the purr-fect assistant to Lady Cecilia and Jane.

Another mystery is the name of the author as Eliza Casey is a pseudonym for a multipublished author. Her books are said to have been nominated for many awards, including the RITA Award, the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, the Booksellers Best, the National Readers’ Choice Award, and the Holt Medallion. I can only hope that some day she reveals her name.

I can't wait to read the next novel in the series!

08/07/22 Review Update: The Manor Cat Mystery Series is written by Amanda McCabe using pseudonym Eliza Casey. ( )

Facing financial constraints Avebury estate needs an influx of money from and wealthy American heiress and her marriage to the son, Patrick. However, the house party takes a distinctly bad turn when one of the guests is murdered. Patrick's sister, Lady Cecilia, along with acting lady's maid Jane, and cat Jack find clues that lead them to a plot that could destroy Avebury.