Murder at Lowry House (Hazel Martin Mysteries Book 1)

I purchased this book and started reading a mediocre mystery when I found a section of explicit sexual content. The sexual content pages clearly has been inserted into the book at printing. The printing nor the pages are aligned with the main story although clearly bound together at printing. The publisher needs to be notified to review and recall this book. Although you say return is not necessary, I am returning this book for your review and necessary corrective action.

Save your money! The best thing about this book is it's cover. After that, it is all down hill. The writing is stilted and repetitive, and the plotting is predictable. It is easily the most maladroitly conceived and constructed mystery novel that I have encountered in over five decades of extensive reading in this genre.

MURDER AT LOWRY HOUSE (Hazel Martin Mysteries Book 1) introduces another likable amateur female sleuth. Hazel Martin is a widowed, wealthy, post-WWI British aristocrat, and a successful writer of popular mysteries. She has a furry sidekick/confidant, her Siamese cat Dickens. This cozy mystery is an enjoyable, fast read, even though the culprit is easily guessed early on.

In the novel, Hazel receives a note, handwritten on lavender paper, that summons her to a house party in celebration of her elderly friend Myrtle's upcoming eightieth birthday. In the note, Myrtle confides that she fears one of her immediate family members is plotting to do her in. Hazel is doubtful, but packs her bags and Dickens' things, and moves into Lowry House where she can investigate the circumstances of the possible recent attempts on Myrtle's life (sabotage of a garden path, a mixup of medications, a possible poisoning).

After yet another close call for Myrtle, Hazel is convinced that a killer is lurking. Eventually, with some help from Dickens, Hazel figures out the murderer's motive and scheme, although she fails to thwart the planned murder. After it occurs, it is investigated by Hazel's friend and prospective love interest, Detective Michael Gibson.

This is a well-written, if lightly plotted, cozy mystery. There isn't much character development, but Hazel is memorable for her painstaking use of an assortment of classic fountain and dip pens (Parker, Waterman, etc.). Author Leighann Dobbs really understands the cozy mystery genre, and has provided a pleasant, satisfying entertainment for cozy mystery fans.

Very disappointing read for a mystery. Lot's of observation, scenarios
supposition, what if this one did this? Not really a hard core mystery! Started out as an inquiry for an attempt at murder. Slow read.
Dead body, yes!, but no interaction between characters. In fact, as a first
read in the series, no real description of the characters. Lots of description about the garden, the house but I could not picture what any of the characters looked like.
Clues were given, so by the fifth chapter I had a pretty good idea who would be the killer: too bad nobody got murdered till chapter
20. Then the book moved a little faster, some action and then, of course
the explanations. Was a little disappointed, will see if the second book is any better.

Book Title: Murder at Lowry House
Book Author: Leighann Dobbs
Source: Downloaded from the store Kindle Unlimited.
Rating: 5 stars

So this is my first time venturing out into Leighann's other series. It was interesting and fun to read, especially about Hazel's feline companion.

Hazel received a letter about someone thinking that she was being targeted for death. Being a mystery author and having insight into how cops work from past experiences, she decided to follow up on the letter by going to the Lowry House. Things took a turn after she got there, especially with her buying a new dress. ;)

What I liked about Hazel was her not so perfect nature. She made assumptions and things were bad from those assumptions. Though, she could write a great mystery novel, in reality, it was a different experience where things were more complicated. While being at the house, she did start and finish her next novel and the real life experience really did help her to get out of the funk and she learned something about herself in the process.

It's a fast read, a little travel of going to the past for the reader, but interesting nonetheless.

Hazel Martin leads a comfortable life from her writing, but hasn’t written a new book in the last three years. She quit following the death of her husband, Charles, a Scotland Yard Inspector.

Hazel received a letter from an old family friend, Myrtle Pembroke. Myrtle asked Hazel to attend her 80th birthday gathering. It looks like a good chance to help a friend. Myrtle says there have been attempts on her life and she wants Hazel to find out who is responsible and why.

While Hazel is investigating and making an effort to keep Myrtle safe, additional attempts are made on Myrtle's life. Who is working so hard to kill an 80 year old lady? Why would someone want to kill a sweet old lady?

There are a multitude clues and no shortage of suspects. Actually, there are more questions than answers.

This is a wonderful book, with believable characters and an estate that would be loads of fun to spend time in. She creates visuals of the people, places and situations.

I would love to see a series based on Hazel Martin and her exploits as a writer.

I love Leighann Dobbs and her mysteries. This is book 1 in the Hazel Martin Mysteries, and is in the spirit of Agatha Christie. I also love the cover. On the heels of her detective husband's death, successful mystery author Hazel Martin is struggling to write her first novel without his expert advice. When she receives a mysterious letter from her old friend Myrtle Pembroke, Hazel sets out to find who is trying to kill her friend. It's a winding maze of misdirection, false clues and failed attempts. As danger closes in on her, Hazel is very glad to find her cat Dickens and her investigator friend on the job with her. Very well done. I look forward to more in the series.

Still grieving her husband, a Scotland Yard detective, Hazel is having trouble with her writing, as well. Invited to help an old family friend figure out if a few dangerous incidents are deliberate or accidental, she finds herself in the middle of a cast of characters who all have the means & motive for murder. As she stumbles from clue to clue, she pieces together both the case - & her confidence in her own abilities. A well written, fast paced & delightful read!

Kindle Unlimited, Leighann Dobbs writes under Leighann Dobbs, Annie Dobbs and (soon) L.A. Dobbs but her real name {not sure if she writes under that one} is Lee Dobbins, Hazel Martin Mysteries only one I found for this type with her, she has not made sure that terms used match the British terms as well as in other areas for that period of architecture and assorted styles. I have read and somewhat forgotten some of her other works and they were more the usual cozy so will go back thru them and read {or reread} and review. Starting with the Lexy Baker Cozy Mystery Series, should be currently around 12. Plan on copy/paste reviews because that seems to be pretty much what she is doing in her books, which wouldn't be half as bad if the plots and ploys and actions were believable at all.By the way, bakeries and other food service places don't run like that. Badly needs to proof things, it's messing up the flow of the book, which my computer reads to me, so that's bad.

I really enjoyed this book. Hazel Martin is a mystery writer who also helps in solving mysteries. When asked to investigate who is trying to kill her friend, she discovers things are not as they seem. Follow Hazel and the clues and discover for yourself who really is behind the crimes and why. Great storyline and character development. Keeps you guessing till the very end.

Hazel Martin is a delightful lady. I'm hoping for a romance between her and Michael Gibson. I didn't figure out who the murder was before Hazel did - I just thought statements made by Fran and Edward were made to discredit Gloria. Boy was I wrong. Can't wait to read the next book in this series. I really do enjoy cozy mysteries of any genre.

The story was a good idea but the execution sloppy. On my Kindle , it says it's first in a new series, but it felt like I started watching a movie in the middle. Unless my Kindle is acting up, sometimes it felt like whole chapters were missing. Conversations I never read were brought up. Also , the author repeated information over and over. I don't usually give criticism, and again, maybe it didn't download all the way ,but the book felt like things were left out.

Please find a good editor! The conversations don't flow and information is repeated too many times. After two discurrions about a character's memory problems, just refer to it rather than explaining it a third time.

Hazel Martin, a successful mystery writer,comes to the aide of an elderly friend of her mothers, after receiving a plea for help when she suspects one of her family members is trying to help her into an early grave. This is a very well written story that will keep you turning the pages till the very end.

On really enjoy reading books by Leighann Dobbs. This book kind of reminded me of Phryne Fisher. I was able to figure out "who done it, " but not till pretty close to the end. Eggnog would recommend this book to any mystery lover.

A new series by one of my favorite authors really hit a home run for me! I loved this historical mystery and it's colorful characters and can't wait for the next adventure in this series. Thank you Ms Dobbs!

Very poor writing style. Seems to think the reader isn't smart enough to ask their own questions. Instead she writes them into the story line. The red herrings are neon they are so obvious. Won't be reading anymore of this author.