Title:	Death in the Stocks (Country House Mysteries)
	Author:	Georgette Heyer
	Published:	February 1, 2019, Sourcebooks Landmark
	No. of Pages:	384
	Cover Price:	$14.99 Paperback, $9.99 Kindle

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Death in the Stocks is the first book in the Country House Mysteries – Inspector Hannasyde series by Georgette Heyer. First published in 1935, this is a reprint. When the body of Andrew Vereker, a prominent, wealthy man, who isn’t liked by anyone, is discovered in the stocks on the village green in a small town just outside of London, Superintendent Hannasyde is assigned to the case. Hannasyde pays a visit to Vereker’s second residence, Riverside Cottage, and finds Vereker’s half-sister, Antonia is staying at his home. She is waiting for her skirt to dry, as it was covered in blood. Antonia is quite rude and uppity (“extremely – equivocal”) with Hannasyde, and becomes a suspect in the murder. Antonia puts a call in to her cousin, Giles Carrington, who is a solicitor, and he agrees to represent her and her brother, Kenneth. As the novel progresses, most of the family members, who aren’t a bit upset about the murder, become suspects. They are all unhelpful, and do nothing to help solve the mystery, thinking they are above the law.

Although Heyer was most known for creating Regency romance novels, she also wrote what she referred to as thrillers, which were detective mysteries. Her characters are mostly upper class, and they exhibit stereotypical mannerisms of snobbery and selfishness. Heyer is an excellent storyteller, and readers will feel like they are at the scene, looking in on the drama that the spoiled characters cause. Heyer‘s writing has been compared to Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers, but with the element of humor and wit.

Although lighter than some of the thrillers being marketed today, there is some suspense, and plenty of humor. The book is an easy read, but is hard to put down because the characters are so funny. There is no graphic violence, language, or sex, so the book is suitable for all ages.

Death in the Stocks is fun, and readers will want to pick up the other books in the series.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.