Review: Cold-Blooded Myrtle (Myrtle Hardcastle Mysteries #3)

Review: Cold-Blooded Myrtle (Myrtle Hardcastle Mysteries #3) by Elizabeth C. Bunce

An Edgar Award–winning series!

Twelve-year-old Young Lady of Quality and Victorian amateur detective Myrtle Hardcastle returns, and now she’s on the trail of a serial killer in her hometown of Swinburne.

When Mr. Leighton, proprietor of Leighton’s Mercantile, is found dead on the evening his annual Christmas shop display is to be unveiled, it’s clear a killer had revenge in mind. But who would want to kill the local dry-goods merchant? Perhaps someone who remembers the unresolved, long-ago scandal that occurred when he was a professor and archaeologist. When the killer strikes again, ­­­each time manipulating the figures in the display to foretell the crime, Myrtle finds herself racing to uncover the long-buried facts of a historical scandal—and the motivations of a modern murderer. 

-summary and cover via Goodreads

Plot: It was so good! Elizabeth C. Bunce writes out such well done mysteries, with plenty of twists and turns. I think I've become pretty good at solving mysteries in books, but I was pleasantly surprised when I was stumped for the majority of this one! I ended up figuring out the culprit, but it took me nearly the entire book to do so, which is great. I love being surprised in books! I also loved that this book took place during the Christmas season, I love books with that time as the backdrop!

Characters: I love all the characters in these books! And I love how they're able to evolve. Aunt Helena began the series firmly against Myrtle investigating, but I was pleasantly surprised by how her attitude has changed as the series goes on. Miss Judson continues to be a favorite. And I love the introduction of new characters we met in this book!

The Cover: Excellent!

Overall: I was so happy when I opened a package and found an ARC of this book, I may have screamed a little! This series has quickly become a favorite, and I was so looking forward to reading what would happen to Myrtle, (and her family and friends!) next. I ended up reading this book the same day I received it, because I just could not wait. I had high expectations, and I am thrilled to say they were exceeded with this book! As an adult, I love these books, but I know I would have loved them when I was Myrtle's age, as well. (This is a series I would have reread multiple times!) Overall, this is a series I can't recommend highly enough, for anyone who loves a good mystery, or an excellent MG novel (or both!)! I can't wait to read the next book! 

I received an ARC of the book from the publisher.