They say that life begins at 40—or perhaps it’s 50? Anyway, I don’t care. For me, life begins at 69! Don’t get me wrong, I adored my Frank (bless his cotton socks) and considering his profession working for HM Customs & Excise, he had a good sense of humor despite only knowing one joke about a goat and a banana. Every time he told it, he made me laugh. I still miss him.
Being married for fifty years is quite an accomplishment in this day and age. Take my poor daughter Katherine. She’ll be forty on her next birthday and she’s no closer to walking up the aisle or having a family—not that I’m pressuring her to do any of those things, you understand. And frankly, I’m glad she didn’t end up with David. He was so stuffy. Sometimes I can’t help wondering if I might have had something to do with her disastrous choices in men.
It’s true—I wasn’t always emotionally available (as they say in America) as a mother. I did spend a lot of time writing my romance novels and pretending I had migraines, but would either Frank or Katherine have supported my dreams if they’d known what I was really up to? Of course not! But it’s too late for all that sort of thing now. What’s past is past. It’s time to seize the day! Live life to the fullest—and that’s exactly what I’m doing.
Despite what Katherine says, buying that old carriage house on the grounds of the magnificent Honeychurch Hall estate in Devon was the best thing I’ve ever done. It’s filled with such happy memories of my childhood—life on the road, sleeping under the stars, working the sideshows for the traveling boxing emporium—all the things I gave up when I fell in love with Frank. I’m not saying I regret anything. I don’t—but as you get older, priorities change. It’s time for ME!
Of course, there are drawbacks to living in such close quarters to the gentry. They’re nice enough—although his lordship walks around as if England still has an Empire and his wife, Lavinia, is such a cold fish, it’s no wonder that he has a wandering eye. Then there’s the dowager countess, Lady Edith Honeychurch. I would still do anything for her. She was always good to me back in the day despite the tragedy. But I don’t want to talk about that. As I say, there’s no point in looking back.
Speaking of the past, Honeychurch Hall has been around for six hundred years. Even King Charles I paid a visit. So when I found out that the government planned to build a high-speed railway line right through the estate as well as the neighboring village of Little Dipperton, I knew they would have to be stopped. The English countryside must be preserved! Our heritage must be saved!
Fortunately, we’ll soon have some help from someone who is rather good at organizing protests and riots and that kind of thing. I haven’t told Katherine about our visitor yet because she can be such a killjoy. But I’m sure once she meets him she’ll love him just as much as me. After all, family is family.
Gosh, it’s nearly six and that means it’s gin and tonic time. I must pour myself a glass. Until next time . . . bottoms up!
You can read more about Iris in Deadly Desire at Honeychurch Hall, the second book in the “Honeychurch Hall” mystery series, published by Minotaur. The first book in the series is Murder at Honeychurch Hall.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 a.m. eastern on May 25 for the chance to win a copy of Deadly Desire at Honeychurch Hall. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Two lucky commenters will be randomly selected. Winner will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes and you will have three days to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your SPAM folder.
About the author
British born, Hannah originally moved to Los Angeles to pursue screenwriting. She has been an obituary reporter, antique dealer, private jet flight attendant and Hollywood story analyst. Now living in Portland, Oregon, Hannah continues to teach mystery writing at UCLA Extension and still works for a west coast advertising agency. Hannah writes the Honeychurch Hall Mysteries (Minotaur) and the Vicky Hill Mysteries (Constable Crime) both set in the wilds of the English countryside.
For more information, visit Hannah’s website and on Facebook.
A carriage house on an estate.rich gentry Mother Daughter issues perfect series for me,
Sounds intriguing. I’ll have to search for the first one. Thanks for the chance!
Yes please Dru, I love British stories. Please enter me in the giveaway.
Would love to read this!!!
Thank you for the giveaway!!!
I’m hooked. Another British writer to follow. I also identify with the female character! Thanks for the chance at the giveaway, Dru.
I would love to read this book!
What interesting characters. Thanks for the giveaway.
I relate to this series as I’m the same age as Iris. She sounds like a hoot!
looks great, and thanks for the chance to win 🙂
Really looking forward to reading this second book in the Honeychurch Hall mysteries. It sounds like it will be a fun read.
Sounds great, would love to read this
Sounds like a good read—thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Sounds like a good series to add to my list.
Sounds like we are in for some fun trouble!
I love the sound of this one, I need to get the first in this series and get started.
Thanks for the review. It sounds like a very interesting read. The cover is interesting too. robeader53@yahoo.com
I love books about the English gentry, and a good mystery along with it is certainly my cup of British tea. Thanks for the A Day In The Life, you’ve whet my appetite.
I wonder what the tragedy was? I’d love to find out!!!
I love the British mysteries. Thanks for the giveaway!
WOW! This book sounds fantastic! How did I miss this series? I have to hurry and read the first book and then this one.
Sometimes it is better to NOT know what goes on in a person’s mind!!!
This series sounds intriguing. love the setting. thanks.
I’m looking forward to reading it.
Iris sounds like quite a gal and maybe life does begin at 69, I’ll have to wait and see. Looking forward to the story of her latest adventure, thanks for the chance to win it.
Iris sounds like my Aunt B. Always into something fun!
This sounds like a delightful series! 🙂
A carriage house on a country estate sounds like a wonderful setting. Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I’ve only read 2 British mysteries and they were fascinating. servedogmom@yahoo.com
Thanks for the giveaway! Kuzlin at AOL.com
Iris is coming into her own even if it is rather later in life than for most women. You go girl!
Looks like a lot of fun, can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
I want to read this book. What a great chance thank you so much…
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
It’ll be fun to see if this is “Go, Iris!” or “Uh-oh, there’s Iris.”
This is a great series! Thanks for the giveaway!
Sounds like a good one.
Sounds awesome!
This sounds like a great book; I would love to read it!! I have not yet read any by this author.
Now I’m in the mood for an English mystery – and a gin and tonic. Please enter me in the drawing.
Iris sounds like quite the character.
This Anglophile is eager to read it.
I wasn’t aware if this series and to think the author lives right across the river from me. I really enjoy mysteries set in Britain. Looking forward to reading this.
Enjoyed the first book and know this new one will be fun as well
I would love to read this…and I adore things set in England. Fingers crossed.
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
So fun to meet Iris and learn about this new to me series! Sounds like a great setting. Thanks for the chance to win.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
Sounds so good love to read this!
I really enjoyed book 1 in this series so much. It would be really nice to be the recipient of book 2 by this wonderful author. Thank you.
Cynthia
Anxious to get my hands on this book. The first was so much fun.
Can’t wait. thanks.
I love England…countryside and elsewhere. Been to Torquay and really want to visit Devon. Have read a few cozies with Cornwall as a setting, which I really enjoyed. This book is right up my alley.
Sounds great!
Love characters in their 60’s!! Sounds great!!
This sounds like a good read
Love a story with a British flair. Sounds fantastic! Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Thank you!
I’ve been dying to read this series and just bought the first. I’d love to win the second and move the series up in my actual TBR pile!
Love the introduction, I’m hooked.
Thank you for the chance to win
contest is closed.