The Black Cat Murders - Menuhin
Audio performance by S. Dewhurst-Phillips
3 stars

Publisher’s blurb, “Downton Abbey meets Agatha Christie with a touch of Wodehouse and a dog of distinction.”

I agree that Mr. Fogg is a dog of distinction. The setting is an English country house during the decade following WW1. The mystery doesn’t come close to the twisty plotting of an Agatha Christie novel. The author tries very hard, too hard, for Wodehouse-like humor, but doesn’t ever truly bring it off.
The book is what it is, a very predictable cozy mystery. The continuing characters are more cartoon caricatures than any approximation of reality. I was mildly offended by a few of the stereotypes, (especially the cross-dressing male characters) since this is a recently published book, not one that was written in 1925. But, I was only a little annoyed. The author is imitating the writing style and attitudes of another time. The book works as a mildly entertaining distraction. I do like Mr. Fogg and his kitten. ( )

I read the first in this series and bought this one to continue enjoying Major Lennox. This is the second in the Major Heathcliff Lennox Series. It is a wonderful read. Others will write better reviews than I can. I want to tell you why this book is special for me. My husband read 'intellectual' books for pleasure. Last fall he decided he wanted to read something light and enjoyable. He sorted through the books in my waiting to read collection and chose this book. When he was done reading it he raved about how much he enjoyed it and purchased the next book in the series. Unfortunately he did not have the opportunity to begin reading it. This was the last book he read before his passing in November of last year. ( )

1921 and a performance of an opera to a private audience, as part of a wedding week, at Bloxford Hall has resulted in a death. Dr Cyril Fletcher is suspicious but the local police have ruled it an accident. Although Major Heathcliff Lennox has been invited to the week he has been reluctant to go until he hears from the Doctor of his suspicions.
But will this be the last death and will Chief Inspector Swift of Scotland Yard once again suspect Lennox.
A very enjoyable well-written mystery with the loveable Lennox. ( )

1920s, England, British-humor, murder, murder-investigation, situational-humor, verbal-humor, law-enforcement, amateur-sleuth*****

Lennox very reluctantly goes off to attend the wedding of a friend from childhood and encounters much more than he bargained for. The first body sounds like an operatic farce, except that the man actually is dead. Enter the Scotland Yard detective who wanted Lennox hanged last year. Lots more characters who certainly are, more bodies, a kitten, red herrings, and misdirections! I loved it!
Narrator Sam Dewhurst-Phillips really brings it all over the top with distinct characters and inflections, excellent timing, his droll way of interpreting the text to perform this as a real farce. Perfect match! ( )

Great Murder Mystery ( )