The village of Kurland St. Mary looks forward to a wedding in 1817. Major Sir Robert Kurland is marrying Miss Lucy Harrington shortly, but for now folks can revel in the fair held on the village green. Even the staff at Kurland Hall have been given leave to visit. DEATH COMES TO THE FAIR seems a sinister title for a day's rural merrymaking. But we see that competition among local vegetable growers is serious, and Robert, a veteran of the Napoleonic Wars, somehow deepens the rivalries with his judging.

Ezekiel Thurrock is the church verger - but he is shockingly discovered dead in the church tower. Old grievances have been aired lately and Robert, the local magistrate, has to wonder if the prizegiving brought something more sinister to the surface. I definitely enjoyed the social conscience displayed by Robert who wants to work to support the returning soldiers and injured. He is considering entering politics so his marriage will be an asset, though the elaborate preparations for marrying an earl's relative make him want to elope to Gretna Green. Still recovering from war wounds, Robert needs to use a stick or drive a light carriage.

I also enjoyed the sideways look at the status of women at this period. Lucy, the rector's daughter, wants to start an estate school, but as the future lady of the manor is unlikely to be allowed to teach. Her role as politician's wife might include being a hostess and helping her husband write speeches. She has to go around with a maid, while the two herb-wife sisters in the village are aware that living without a man makes them far too independent for some. All this is just ongoing background to the investigation of the untimely death of the verger.

History and family spites make up a lot of the involved story, with our characters at this period not having the benefit of modern forensic science. Lovers of historical mysteries and indeed historical romance will find themselves equally well served by DEATH COMES TO THE FAIR which is fourth in Catherine Lloyd's 'Kurland St. Mary Mystery' series. I enjoyed the read and there is always something to learn from a well-drawn period tale. Such as the tasty local tipples of spiced mulled cider and plum wine, just right for a chilly autumn day.

Book Summary

It’s harvest time in the village of Kurland St. Mary as Lucy and Robert prepare to take their vows—but a murderer has taken an unseasonable vow of vengeance . . .

As Miss Lucy Harrington, daughter of the village rector, and Major Sir Robert Kurland plan their nuptials, the major is beginning to wonder if he’ll ever hear wedding bells. He’s seen complex military campaigns that involved less strategy, and he’s finding Lucy’s meddling family maddening.

When the body of Ezekiel Thurrock, the church verger, is discovered crushed by a stone gargoyle that has fallen from the bell tower, the tragic death strikes a somber note and the wedding is delayed. But the evidence suggests this was no accident, and Lucy wonders if bad blood at the village fair had anything to do with the man’s mysterious demise, since there was much bitterness over Ezekiel’s prizewinning vegetables.

As Lucy and Robert uncover long-standing village feuds, the town’s dark secrets begin to take their toll and the couple soon finds they too are in grave danger . . .