Murder at the Brightwell

Amory Ames has been invited by her ex-boyfriend, Gil, to come away with him for a week to a seaside resort where she is to convince Gil's sister to leave her boyfriend that Gil does not approve of.

Amory has been married for five years to Milo, a bit of a bad boy, and is dissatisfied with her marriage.  She is all too happy to accommodate Gil's request.

And the resort is beautiful with an interesting group of friends also there for a vacation.  

Until a murder takes place. It is  Amory who discovers the body of Rupert Howe, Gil's sister Emmeline's boyfriend. And it is Amory who heard Gil and Rupert arguing the night before she finds Rupert's body.

Milo arrives uninvited, and despite her general annoyance with him, Amory does realize that the two make a great pair of investigators and work well together.  Even as they are uncovering clues another murder takes place right under their noses, keeping the two guessing.

Ashley Weaver's novel is a great, entertaining read.  The 1932 setting is perfect and I have read that Downton Abbey fans will love The Murder at Brightwell. I am reminded a bit of the Maisie Dobbs series as well.

Weaver's novel contains suspense and it also contains a little romance.  Although Milo is initially perceived as a rather poor husband, I couldn't help but root for him to make things right with Amory as he quickly appears to help her solve this case.  There is a definite chemistry between the two.

I have found nothing indicating this is the beginning of a series, but I am hopeful that is the case. The novel leaves plenty of room for readers to meet up with Amory again and I would love to see what else Weaver writes.