Murder at the Breakers (A Gilded Newport Mystery)

This is a new author for me. I loved this book. It was historic and suspenseful, Entertaining and romantic. I can’t wait Togo onto the next book.

Entertaining, light read. Pleasant escape after just finishing a dreadfully heavy novel and wanting to restore the enjoyment of reading.

This is an extremely well-written story with great attention to detail. Even though the heroine is a fictional relative of the Vanderbilt family, I still learned a great deal about them and the Gilded Age.The story was very well written with believable characters, especially Emmaline (Emma), Jesse, and Derrick. I started to read the book on Saturday afternoon and stayed up late in the night to finish it as I simply couldn't put it down.Ms. Maxwell's descriptions of the homes and fashions are rich and evocative of the time and location but never overshadowed the mystery. Emma is clever and her journalism experience helps her to notice little nuances. But she is not always right in where her suppositions lead. Yet working with Jesse and Derrick, they put the clues together and solve the case.After finishing this story, I couldn't wait to read more. I ordered the rest of the series that night. Keep them coming!

I enjoyed the characters. I appreciated to clean romance. Although a series it is a whole story which stands alone. However who the murderer was became obvious about half way into the story. The main character 's stupidity and not having the slightest suspicion of them was annoying and completely ruined the story. The main character was portrayed as a smart independent women but was a dumb as a stick when it came to seeing who the murderer was even though the author made it very easy for the reader to figure it out. The ending was very predictable.

I don’t live too far from Newport and have toured the Breakers and other mansions or summer homes of many of the elite. It was fun reading this made up murder mystery at the Vanderbilt’s summer “cottage” at the time, after the fire and rebuild into the beautiful mansion, when they had a historic ball.It was very creative weaving the murder into the occasion, and even the family at that time into the whole story. In fact there were some facts that were based on truth, just not all of them. The author did a great job of keeping us guessing at who the murdered was.I’m looking forward to the next book, where the murder takes place at the Marble House!

Emma Cross is attending the social event of the year at The Breakers. While she is distantly related to the hosts, the Vanderbilts, she is also covering it as the society reporter. The night ends in tragedy when a man falls to his death in front of Emma. With all the evidence pointing to her brother, Brady, who was up to something that night, Emma starts investigating. Can she find the truth?This book does a great job balancing the beginning of the plot with the introduction of Emma and her world. The plot was great, and I appreciated that Emma fell for some red herrings before she reached the logical conclusion. The characters are also strong; it was hard to tell if some of them were going to be series regulars or were just suspects for this book. This book is a tad gray and falls closer to traditional than cozy for me, but that’s a minor issue. I also appreciated how the time and place came to life and were used by the author. It’s easy to tell why this series is so popular. I’m looking forward to reading more soon.

Loved the book. I couldn't put it down. Well written mystery plot. Lots of suspects and great characters. Truly enjoyed reading this book. Highly recommend!!

This cozy mystery had a more complex plot than many others of the genre. It was enjoyable as well as a bit of a history lesson about the Gilded Age.

I obtained this book because I had read the third book in the series and loved it so much that I wanted to read the whole series. "Murder at the Breakers" is the first in the series, and the author does improve significantly between the first book and the third. I plan to continue and read the other books.Character development, plotting, and editing were all somewhat below my standard in this book, but the author improves in all three areas, so I would encourage readers to give her a try.Where she excels is in the creation of the world of the late 19th century, in that select area of Rhode Island that was home to the Vanderbilts and their cronies. The heroine is a "poor relation" of the Vanderbilts, and moves easily in and out of the world of the wealthy. It was her insights into this strange and interesting corner of society that really made the book enjoyable.

First in the Gilded Newport Mysteries by Alyssa Maxwell.This was the audio version that I brought along side of the Kindle edition, and is narrated by Eva Kaminsky.Introducing Emmaline (Emma) Cross, a poorer relation and second cousin to Cornelius Vanderbilt II. Who lives in Gull Manor, a cottage in Newport, Rhode Island her feisty aunt Sadie left to her, and earns her way by writing about society events for the Newport Observer.Attending a grand ball to celebrate the newly rebuilt splendour of The Breaker, the Vanderbilt's four-story, 70 roomed 'summer cottage' and her cousin Gertrude's coming-out party. Emma witnesses a man fall to his death from the balcony of her uncle Cornelius's private rooms.And Emma's older half-brother Brady (not a Vanderbilt) is found drunk and out cold up in uncle Cornelius's bedroom and is arrested for the mans murder.Emma knows that Brady did not kill the man, and sets out to find the murderer that the police won't look for!This was a great start to a New series. Loved the mix of historical fact and creative fiction that melded so well together. Well plotted and written. Can not wait to read/listen to more of Alyssa Maxwell's Gilded Newport mysteries, with Eva Kaminsky's well balanced narration.

the story and the writer are both incredible the afterward and her last words were phenomenal such a twist, highly reccomended for a first read after a long time that one hasn t read.

I enjoyed this light mystery and the time period. I'll read it again. (It was de paperback copy)

not my cup of tea.