Death Comes to Bath
3.5 Stars

Sir Robert and Lady Lucy Kurland travel to Bath for the treatments and investigate the murder of a new acquaintance, Sir William Benson, whose abominable family all wanted him dead.

While the culprit is predictable and the motivation straightforward, it is the characterization that really makes the story shine. Each member of Sir William's despicable family is drawn in vivid detail, and this adds depth and intrigue to the rather mundane mystery.

Lucy and Robert's marriage is back on track after the difficulties of the previous book. Not only has Lucy made a wonderful recovery both physically and psychologically, but the love and affection she shares with Robert are delightful.

There are also updates in the lives of other recurring characters including Lucy's sister, Anna, and Penelope Fletcher, who is growing on me.

The final book so far, Death Comes to the Nursery, is next and it promises to be very satisfying. ( )

This has been a reliable series from the start. Death Comes to Bath is not the strongest in the series in terms of mystery plotting or main character development, but the atmosphere, setting and secondary character development balance the scales.

After a serious setback in Sir Robert Kurland's post-war recovery, Lady (Lucy) Kurland packs up and drags him to Bath for 3 months for the restorative water cure, dragging her sister along in the hopes that she will find a suitable man to marry. Sir Robert makes fast friends with their cantankerous neighbour and when he ends up dead, Robert and Lucy take it upon themselves to discover who, in one of the most disastrous families that ever was, might have committed the crime.

The outrageous dysfunction of the murdered man's family almost lends an air of frivolity to the story, but not really. The plotting of the murder itself was semi-predictable; the murderer wasn't a shocking revelation, though it wasn't at all telegraphed. A few extra points go to the author for the plot twist that I only cottoned on to a few pages before it was revealed to the characters.

The character development between Lucy and Robert was sadly predictable, although also historically accurate, so no fault goes to the author. What was far more interesting to me is the continued exploration of Lucy's sister Anna's reluctance to marry because she doesn't want kids. Historically accurate or not, I find her small story line compelling and it filled the gaps nicely for me when the story threatened to become stale. (It's possible I mixed metaphors there?)

MT and I spent an all-too-short overnighter in Bath a few years ago, and all it's done is whet my appetite for the city. The area of Bath this story covers is small, and almost cliched with its mentions of the Pump Room, but I still ate it up with a spoon.

Death Comes to Bath is a light and charming way to spend a few hours, and I will happily anticipate a 7th adventure. ( )

Major Sir Robert Kurland and Lady Lucy Kurland are visiting Bath for the health of Sir Robert. Their Bath next door neighbour, Sir William Benson, happened to be an old acquaintance of Sir Robert's grandfather. Sir William is also at Bath for his health, with his three sons, second wife and her two sons. So it comes as no surprise when Sir William is found dead at the baths. But the Kurlands are suspicious and investigate.
Another enjoyable mystery in this series. I really like the writing style of this well-written story and the continuing development of the characters throughout the series. It can certainly be read as a standalone novel but I would certainly recommend the whole series.
A NetGalley book. ( )

Lucy gets Sir Robert to Bath to seek alleviation for his war injury. Murder occurs in the baths and an ugly family environment and history creates much angst before the team sorts it and their own family issues out. ( )

Kurlands go to Bath so that Sir Robert can take the waters and mud baths. They rent a house for their entourage and meet their next door neighbors, the Bensons. Robert and William strike a friendship and then William is murdered at the Baths. His three sons, two step-sons, and wife are all suspects. Meanwhile Lucy is worried about her sister Anna who has renewed a courtship with a naval captain but has refused his proposal. Robert’s doctor friend and his pregnant annoying wife have joined to add to the confusion. ( )