Murder at Graverly Manor (A Five-Star Mystery) [Paperback]

Daniel Edward Craig (Author)

Book Description

Series: A Five-Star Mystery | Publication Date: April 8, 2009

 

Hotelier Trevor Lambert is about to fulfill his ultimate fantasy—managing his own bed and breakfast, a Victorian mansion in Vancouver called Graverly Manor. But there's one caveat: the elderly owner, Lady Graverly, won't sell until Trevor lives and works there for one month.

Screams in the night, foul odors, and the sudden disappearance of a chambermaid have Trevor looking over his shoulder. Grim rumors surrounding Lady Graverly's tragic and suspicious past hint at possible murder. Now Trevor must piece together the whole story before these dark family secrets turn his dream into a nightmare.

First-class praise for the Five-Star Mystery series:

"This fast-paced puzzler shines with droll wit and hotel-savvy details."
—Publishers Weekly

"Craig has kicked off his series with a bang, a big bang of a book. Wonderfully clever and well executed."
—Crimespree Magazine

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Swashbuckling hotelier Trevor Lambert watched the last place he managed burn to the ground in Craig's Murder at Hotel Cinema (2008). Now, in his entertaining third outing, Lambert's back in Vancouver, Canada, near his family but jobless and depressed until he discovers Graverly Manor, an inn, for sale near picturesque Lost Lagoon. He decides his own B&B might be just what the doctor ordered, even if it's haunted by its former owner, Lord Andrew Graverly, and Graverly's chambermaid lover. Andrew's eccentric octogenarian widow, Elinor, hires Lambert to manage on a trial basis to see if he's serious. Clarissa, a pretty guest looking into the inn's past, distracts Lambert briefly as he deals with strange sounds, awful smells, a semidemonic cat and murder. Craig's lively mix of the macabre with his ever-urbane humor keeps this neo-Victorian melodrama from collapsing from its familiar haunted house theme. (Apr.)
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Review

"A lively mix of the macabre with Craig's ever-urbane humor ... an entertaining third outing." --Publishers Weekly

"Hotelier Craig does an excellent job of solving the improbable crimes and painting a fascinating look at behind-the-scenes hotel life."
--Booklist

"Author Craig gives us a look into an intriguing industry and how it drives the lives of the people who work in it. Another entertaining instalment in a series that grows on you with each succeeding tale."

--The Hamilton Spectator

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: MIDNIGHT INK (April 8, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738714739
• ISBN-13: 978-0738714738
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,245,441 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I am a hotel manager and the author of the Five-Star Mystery Series featuring Trevor Lambert, the consummate hotelier who finds himself playing the role of the reluctant house detective when a murder takes place on property. I have worked for a variety of hotels in positions ranging from front desk agent to vice president, most recently as general manager of Opus Hotels in Vancouver and Montreal. There is a lot of truth in my novels - except for the murder part, that's pure fiction. Currently I work as a hotel consultant and writer based in Vancouver, Canada. For more information, recent articles and blog visit www.danieledwardcraig.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping and entertaining from the first page., April 10, 2010

By 

D. Driscoll (Roanoke, TX United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Murder at Graverly Manor (A Five-Star Mystery) (Paperback)

Daniel Edward Craig has done it again - bringing us a story with just the right mix of intrigue, humor and mystery that had me fooled until the very end of the book.

The instantly likable hotelier, Trevor, was at a crossroads in his life and career... His life was out of balance (who can't relate to that?) and although he was intrigued and seduced by Graverly Manor, Trevor was also well aware of the fetor that surrounded the quaint manor needing a new owner/innkeeper. I found myself frightened, yet strangely supportive of his decision to buy the manor, with its strange history and idiosyncratic staff.

But once sucked in, I, like Trevor, could not stop moving forward and found myself creepily delighted at every turn.

Daniel's character development is outstanding, and I mourned the loss of a connection with Trevor after I turned the last page. Daniel closed the mysterious loops expertly, answered every question for the reader and to my surprise, left me with some thoughts about my own life's priorities.

A tremendous read, a lovely escape and a delightfully entertaining who-done-it, written by a truly gifted author.

5.0 out of 5 stars Murder most humorous, January 5, 2010

By 

Claudia Lovell "Redoctober312" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Murder at Graverly Manor (A Five-Star Mystery) (Paperback)

I really enjoyed this lively, funny read from Daniel Craig. This was my first five-star mystery and I'm looking forward to reading the author's other two books. Working in the hospitality industry, I appreciated his insider knowledge of this world. I didnt guess the ending, so I enjoyed the twist. I highly recommend this for a very pleasant diversion!

5.0 out of 5 stars Cleverly plotted and well-written, July 2, 2009

By 

Debra Hamel (North Haven, CT) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Murder at Graverly Manor (A Five-Star Mystery) (Paperback)

Murder at Graverly Manor is the third book in Daniel Edward Craig's 5-Star Mystery series, featuring hotelier Trevor Lambert. Trevor, between jobs and back in his hometown of Vancouver, Canada, comes across a Victorian mansion turned bed and breakfast with a for sale sign in its yard. Intent on buying the creepy house, Trevor agrees to the bizarre demand of its current proprietress, Lady Graverly, that he live and work at the inn for a month while she decides if he's worthy of the property. It's not a thoroughly pleasant prospect: the allegedly haunted manor is saddled with a violent history. Rumors abound that Lady Graverly's husband, not seen for fifty years, was involved in the disappearance of a chambermaid. There are weird noises at night, the staff are hostile or incompetent, and Lady Graverly herself, who is alternately sweet and scary, is less than forthcoming about her plans for Trevor.

I really enjoyed this book. It's cleverly plotted and well-written. But I most appreciated it as an entree into a different world: Craig himself has worked in the hotel industry--he was Vice President of Opus Hotels in Canada--and his experience subtly informs Trevor's character. My only complaint about the book is that there's a sort of information dump early on, as the author summarizes what we've missed (or forgotten) in the first two books in the series. This might work for readers familiar with the earlier books, but not having them read them myself I found the information rushed and poorly incorporated into the current story. A minor negative, though, in an otherwise very pleasurable read.

-- Debra Hamel