Audiobook Review: Murder at Mallowan Hall by Colleen Cambridge

Murder at Mallowan Hall
Author: Colleen Cambridge
Narrator: Jennifer M. Dixon
Series: Phyllida Bright Mystery (Book 1)
Publication: Highbridge (October 26, 2021)
Length: 9 hours and 29 minutes

Description: Tucked away among Devon's rolling green hills, Mallowan Hall combines the best of English tradition with the modern conveniences of 1930. Housekeeper Phyllida Bright, as efficient as she is personable, manages the large household with an iron fist in her very elegant glove. In one respect, however, Mallowan Hall stands far apart from other picturesque country houses....

The manor is home to archaeologist Max Mallowan and his famous wife, Agatha Christie. Phyllida is both loyal to and protective of the crime writer, who is as much friend as employer. An aficionado of detective fiction, Phyllida has yet to find a gentleman in real life half as fascinating as Mrs. Agatha's Belgian hero, Hercule Poirot. But though accustomed to murder and its methods as frequent topics of conversation, Phyllida is unprepared for the sight of a very real, very dead body on the library floor....

It soon becomes clear that the victim arrived at Mallowan Hall under false pretenses during a weekend party. Now, Phyllida not only has a houseful of demanding guests on her hands - along with a distracted, anxious staff - but hordes of reporters camping outside. When another dead body is discovered - this time, one of her housemaids - Phyllida decides to follow in M. Poirot's footsteps to determine which of the Mallowans' guests is the killer.

My Thoughts: This historical mystery stars Phyllida Bright who is the housekeeper at Mallowan Hall. Her employers are Max Mallowan and Agatha Christie. Phyllida is a woman with secrets. She didn't come to the position of housekeeper by rising through the ranks of the servant class which irritates the very correct butler. 

Phyllida is also a mystery fan and has a crush on Hercule Poirot. No man has measured up to Poirot yet in her opinion. Phyllida gets a chance to become a detective herself when she discovers a body in the library during one of the Mallowan's house parties. 

The victim is a man who claimed to be a reporter there to interview Mrs. Christie for an article in the Times. Investigation indicates that this was a lie. His reasons for being present are not known until Phyllida investigates. 

But his was only the first death. When a young maid is also murdered, the case gets more complex. Phyllida soon learns that there is a connection to another event that the house guests and the maid attended. 

I enjoyed the setting of this mystery. I also liked Phyllida who was an entertaining investigator. I liked her rivalry with the new chauffeur. I am eager to read more in this series to learn more about the mysterious Mrs. Bright. 

I bought this one November 1, 2025. You can buy your copy here.