Spies and Murder collide in A Question of Inheritance

A Question of Inheritance by Elizabeth Edmondson Pub Date: October 27, 2015 Description December 1953 Hugo Hawksworth is on the tail of rogue Cold War agents at a top-secret government facility, while back home at Selchester Castle they’re awaiting the arrival of the new Earl—an American, the long-lost son of the murdered Lord Selchester. The town of Selchester, rich in scandal and gossip, is unsure what to make of the Earl or his teenage daughters, but they know that his sharp-tongued half-sister, Lady Sonia, furious at being deprived of her inheritance, won’t be a merry guest over Christmas. The new Lord Selchester can cope with the strangeness of English country life, but he hadn’t expected stolen paintings—or a body in the hothouse. What’s the link between Hugo’s investigations and the suspicious goings-on in the town and at the Castle? And will he and his allies get to the heart of the mystery before the murderer gets to them? Review A Question of Inheritance immerses the reader in an England at the start of the Cold War, recovering from the privations of WWII. Filled with a cast of well developed characters, the novel is a pleasure to read. 1953, England is still recovering from the war. Intelligence plays an important role in discovering potential traitors to the crown. Hugo Hawksworth is an intelligence agent tasked with looking through past files to discover potential enemy agents. A new Earl, the long lost heir to the Selchester line arrives at Selchester Castle with his daughters in time for Christmas. Not everyone is happy with his presence. Lady Sonia in particular isn't happy with losing her inheritance. Knowing a number of valuable paintings were left out of the inventory, she plans to sell them - the tax man and her half brother none the wiser. When the man she invited to help sell the paintings is murdered, questions are raised. Was the intended victim the new Lord Selchester? Does the death relate to Hugo's investigations? Part murder mystery part spy story, the novel will appeal to anyone who enjoys classic British mysteries or historical mysteries. 5/5 I received a copy of A Question of Inheritance from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review. --Crittermom