Murder at Arleigh
Aug 2025 · A Gilded Newport Mystery Book 13 · Kensington Books
5.0star
4 reviewsreport
Ebook
304
Pages
family_home
Eligible
info
reportRatings and reviews aren’t verified Learn More
About this ebook
Reporter, sleuth, and new mother Emma Cross Andrews comes to the aid of a distraught wife who’s convinced her husband is trying to kill her . . .
April 1903: Emma and Derrick Andrews have been invited to the wedding of her cousin Reggie Vanderbilt and heiress Cathleen Neilson at the Bellevue Mansion, Arleigh. Their hosts are a popular young couple who are leasing the home for the summer—Harry and Elizabeth “Bessie” Lehr. Known for his practical jokes, Harry is the toast of parties, earning a reputation as the court jester of the Gilded Age. However, as Emma soon learns, behind closed doors he is dead serious.
Following the wedding, Bessie comes to Emma for help, insisting that her husband is cruel to her in private, telling her outright he married her only for her money and finds her repulsive. Divorce is unthinkable. Now she believes he is plotting to murder her and make it look like an accident: a broken balcony railing she might have leaned on, a loose stair runner that could have sent her tumbling down a staircase, faulty brakes in the car she uses . . .
Some would say being trapped in a loveless marriage is a fate worse than death. Not Bessie—she wants to live! Unsure if these situations are mere coincidences or add up to premeditated sabotage, Emma agrees to investigate and determine if Newport’s merry prankster is engaged in a cold-blooded game of life or death . . .
April 1903: Emma and Derrick Andrews have been invited to the wedding of her cousin Reggie Vanderbilt and heiress Cathleen Neilson at the Bellevue Mansion, Arleigh. Their hosts are a popular young couple who are leasing the home for the summer—Harry and Elizabeth “Bessie” Lehr. Known for his practical jokes, Harry is the toast of parties, earning a reputation as the court jester of the Gilded Age. However, as Emma soon learns, behind closed doors he is dead serious.
Following the wedding, Bessie comes to Emma for help, insisting that her husband is cruel to her in private, telling her outright he married her only for her money and finds her repulsive. Divorce is unthinkable. Now she believes he is plotting to murder her and make it look like an accident: a broken balcony railing she might have leaned on, a loose stair runner that could have sent her tumbling down a staircase, faulty brakes in the car she uses . . .
Some would say being trapped in a loveless marriage is a fate worse than death. Not Bessie—she wants to live! Unsure if these situations are mere coincidences or add up to premeditated sabotage, Emma agrees to investigate and determine if Newport’s merry prankster is engaged in a cold-blooded game of life or death . . .
Ratings and reviews
5.0
4 reviews
julie barrett
- Flag inappropriate
August 26, 2025
Leave reading about thee earlier times on the island. I live in southern portion and it's amazing how much I still learn about the whole island with every book I read. This one starts out with Emma and she's been to the wedding of Reggie and hears all about his escapades. Bessie Lehr is upset, her husband she fears wants her dead so he can take over her inheritance. He has no money of his own and doesn't want to work. Love the scene on the beach with boys being fished out. Love caves and tunnels
Andrea Romance
- Flag inappropriate
August 26, 2025
At a Gilded Age wedding, Emma discovers that charming host Harry hides a cruel nature behind his jester’s mask. His wife, Bessie, suspects that Harry is plotting to kill her for her fortune. Is it paranoia, or is Newport’s prankster playing a deadly game? This is a fun and twisty mystery with well-developed characters and strong relationships. I love the Newport setting and the historical details. As usual, I enjoyed the audiobook narration by Lauren Ezzo. Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.
Lori Dykes
- Flag inappropriate
September 15, 2025
This has been a fabulous series, full of mystery and history. When Emma and Derrick attend her cousin Reggie;s wedding, they find more than they thought. The hostess couple have a lot going on. Bessie, the wife is sure her husband is trying to kill her. It seems possible with a lot of little things that happen, but is it true? As all of this author's stories you will be pulled in from the beginning!!
About the author
Alyssa Maxwell knew from an early age that she wanted to be a novelist. Growing up in New England and traveling to Great Britain fueled a passion for history, while a love of puzzles of all kinds drew her to the mystery genre. She and her husband reside in Florida, where she loves to watch BBC productions, sip tea in the afternoons, and delve into the past. You can learn more about Alyssa and her books at alyssamaxwell.com.
Rate this ebook
Tell us what you think.
Reading information
Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.
