A review by llmacrae
Murder at Spindle Manor by Morgan Stang
5.0
Ahhhhhh, I loved this!
I'm not a mystery reader and maybe that's why I really enjoyed it, because I had some suspicions but no real idea what was going on or would happen. Really loved the darker/twisted elements in an otherwise light-hearted seeming sort of "victorian-esque" setting, flavoured liberally with dark fantasy. Loved that it really didn't take itself too seriously and clearly was a lot of fun to write!
Isabeau (Izzie) is not a detective or police officer. She's a Huntress. She's a skilled, trained, talented, badass monster hunter, and she's here to kill one of ten guests who is most definitely a monster in hiding.
Complications arise with a murder, and with secrets hidden within Spindle Manor itself that are revealed. There are all sorts of supernatural spookiness happening, a cast of delightful characters, and a plot that thickens with every chapter.
Really, really, awesome stuff. Some very creative world-building (omg Ralph might well give me nightmares), very capable main characters, some very despicable side characters, and brilliantly written.
Highly recommend!
I'm not a mystery reader and maybe that's why I really enjoyed it, because I had some suspicions but no real idea what was going on or would happen. Really loved the darker/twisted elements in an otherwise light-hearted seeming sort of "victorian-esque" setting, flavoured liberally with dark fantasy. Loved that it really didn't take itself too seriously and clearly was a lot of fun to write!
Isabeau (Izzie) is not a detective or police officer. She's a Huntress. She's a skilled, trained, talented, badass monster hunter, and she's here to kill one of ten guests who is most definitely a monster in hiding.
Complications arise with a murder, and with secrets hidden within Spindle Manor itself that are revealed. There are all sorts of supernatural spookiness happening, a cast of delightful characters, and a plot that thickens with every chapter.
Really, really, awesome stuff. Some very creative world-building (omg Ralph might well give me nightmares), very capable main characters, some very despicable side characters, and brilliantly written.
Highly recommend!