Customer Reviews

Murder at Graverly Manor (A Five-Star Mystery)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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

This is the third in the "Five-Star Mystery" series but it was the first one I read. The author does a great job of referring to the earlier books without either ruining them for potential readers (I will go back and read the others) or making the reader feel like he or she is missing something without the background.
The continuing character, Trevor Lambert, has been rising in his career in the hotel industry, with some notable set backs (see above about previous two books!). In this book he sets out on a plan to turn a Victorian mansion in Vancouver into a top-flight B&B. He faces challenges of financing, family, the dubious reputation of the house, and the quirks (to put it mildly) of the current owner.
The author hooked me with the first chapter. That chapter is a tease about the mayhem to come; chapter 2 goes back to how it all started. But the tease is effective...I read the story from the beginning with questions already forming in mind, and honestly couldn't wait to catch up with that part of the plot. A fun read...sophisticated and eerie.