Murder at the Manor: Libby Sarjeant Mystery

Only fault is too much alcohol! Not everyone drinks as much as these characters do. Good plot and characters. Like Fran and Libby.

Libby Sarjeant and Ben Wilde - her partner - have turned his parent's home, the manor into a small conference centre and are hosting a writers' weekend. Libby is keeping her fingers crossed that things go well and is pleased to have her friend, Fran there as well as Fran's writing tutor - Rosie. Rosie is giving a talk to the guests. The writers seem to be an ill assorted group and don't seem to get on that well together though they claim to have got on really well at their previous get together and this weekend is reunion.The day after they all arrive a body is found in the grounds of the manor. Is it one of the guests? Libby soon finds herself out of her depth when Scotland Yard becomes involved. But of course Libby and Fran can't resist getting involved and their own investigations lead them to Dorset and some spooky goings on.I really enjoyed this story and got totally involved in the ramifications. I liked the way the various threads were brought together. I didn't work out what was going on until a few minutes before I got to the bit where all was revealed. I like the relationships between the main characters and the way people from previous stories reappear in later books. If you like crime mysteries without on the page violence then you may well enjoy this well written story. It can be read as a standalone novel and also as part of a series.

So finally we have it. A load of strangers, who also happen to be aspiring authors, all in a big house when a murder happens. The book starts with the startling news that Greg has passed away and the Manor has been converted into the holiday venue for writing and art courses as Ben+Libby had dreamed.Their new friend Rosie is running a couple of sessions for the aspiring novelists who have seemingly come together for a reunion following another writing holiday the previous year.Everyone seems to be quite guarded. They had only spent a weekend together the year before and the reunion was to be a celebration of their time together. So why does no one seem to like anyone else?!This is an intriguing brilliant book where the murder is ACTUALLY on home turf, and far too close for comfort even for Ian Connell (who starts the story refusing to take the case). The book takes us out of Kent into Dorset and complicated relationships and sites of archeological interest, government-approved fake identities and a victim unknown to everyone apart from two of the guests at the manor?!but why would no one admit to knowing who the dead woman was, especially when she was a famous non-fiction writer and political figure married to the fiction writer they had traveled to see?My favourite in the LIbby Sarjeant series so far. so many twists and turns and possible motives.

Libby Sargeant Murder Myster series by Lesley CookmanI purchased the first in the series by Lesley Cookman and have enjoyed the books so much that I have now read nearly all of them. I enjoy the development of the characters - it always adds to my enjoyment when I feel a sense of recognition for an existing character. I want to know what happened to them since the last book that I read. As it happens I am neglecting other books, my e-books and hardback books, in my eagerness to find out the next installment.My plan is to find out whether or not Lesley Cookman has written any other books so that I can buy them as well.To add to the pleasure I have to be honest is the price! I could not buy a magazine for the cost of some e-books and most magazines nowadays contain nothing but celebrity trash!!

These books are great - i can't wait to turn the next page to find out what's going on. The characters are so well written you feel as if you live in the village with them and know them all.I've done a bit of amateur acting myself which is what first attracted me to the books (Libby is an ex professional actress). Now i'm completely hooked and can't wait for the next one.I'd recommend these books to anyone who likes well written mystery stories but doesn't like their mystery accompanied by 'gritty realism'. There's no real gore in there (i'm very squeamish and this puts me off a lot of authors). Libby is funny, scatty and a great natural detective (or just nosy and lucky as she puts it).

This is the latest book in this series, and to me it lacked the content of the other books in this series, the storyline does not flow very well, the characters lack their usual witty conversations and sparkle and I found it a bit boring and hard to finish. I am very sad about this as I have really enjoyed all the other books and feel this one lets them down.

Another intriguing murder mystery involving amateur sleuths Libby and Fran. Newly promoted DCI Ian Connelly enlists the assistance of the intrepid duo to solve a complex series of crimes. Gripping throughout.

I really enjoyed this book, not least as an aspiring novelist myself! The setting, and the description of the writers, made me chuckle out loud several times.Once again Libby and her friend Fran get caught up in a mystery, and once again the Police need their special brand of help...What a delight this series is, and if you have not yet started to read this series you MUST! You have a wonderful collection of books just waiting for your attention...