I'm not a very big fan of mystery, but the book club I am a part of at church decided on this one to read. Once completing it I was very surprised in how much I enjoyed it! I didn't feel it was very different from any other typical mystery novel available on the market, but it had a good story line that kept me on my toes in figuring out who the murderer was! I was tickled pink when I found out at the end that I was halfway right which is seriously uncommon for me! However with that said, it doesn't mean that the case was easy to figure it out!

Throughout Rules of Murder there was not any really gruesome parts/images except maybe two that were not very descriptive, but left the mind little to imagine. The characters were very enjoyable, especially Drew, Nick, and Madeleine! I absolutely loved their interactions and the growing romance between two of them!

I do want to mention that this book might fall under inspirational, but really there was not a lot of "religious talk" as some people might call it. Actually, one of the main characters has some issues with God more or less. There are only a few small mentions in different parts of the book concerning his struggles and believing if God is really there. I felt this enhanced the story rather then take away because it was easier to relate to him.

Overall, great mystery that is clean with good romance as well as a fair dose of humor (that was also one of my favorite things about the book next to the romance)! Plenty of suspense too! Just when you think you know who the murderer is, you find out that your wrong!

I'll admit I am a great fan of Agatha Christie. I love cozy mysteries and the historical ones set in the 1920's to '50's are favorites of mine. Ms. Deering has done a fantastic job of writing a Christie-esque style murder mystery. In fact, there were times I became so intwined in the story and writing that I thought I WAS reading a Christie, and then a character would bring out some Biblical or Christian point, and I was reminded I was reading modern Christian fiction. Very well done. (By the way, the Christianity is not overdone, quite subtle overtones.)

I enjoyed the first novel of this new mystery series. Drew Farthering in the main sleuth intent on solving the double murder especially as it happened on his own estate and one of the victims was his own mother. The story included a great cast of characters who fit perfectly in this 1930's world. Nick is his right hand man and friend while Madeline is his love interest but also at his side trying to solve the crime as well. Drew and Madeline reminded me a lot of Tommy and Tuppence in their first book together (Agatha Christie characters). I look forward to seeing all these characters in the following books and how the relationship between Drew and Madeline develops.

Overall I found it to be a riveting novel, well-researched, with a mystery and writing voice perfectly suited for the time period. 5 stars.

Welcome to Farthing Manor, home of Drew Farthing, a young man who is an avid mystery reader.

When Drew Farthing returns home after an extended vacation, he finds that his mother has thrown a weekend party and that his nemesis is now occupying his bedroom. When said nemesis is later found murdered, Drew along with his best friend Nick and his new girlfriend Madeline set out to find the killer.

Rules of Murder is set in England in the 1930's and is a breath of fresh air. The overall mystery was magnificently written with several plot twists that will keep the reader guessing. I adored the quaintness of the time, such as Drew and Maddie on their leisurely stroll from the manor to the village, quietly discussing the case, or the times that Drew, Nick and Maddie would discuss what their favorite sleuth, Father Knox, would do in this or that situation. There was just enough detail that I could picture the situation, but not enough that overwhelmed me. It's the little things like this that can make or break a book.

The author brings a whole host of likable characters. Drew's stepfather Mason, is also Madeline's uncle. Nick is the son of Fathering Manor's long time butler Dennison, Inspector Songbird who is the lead investigator on the case and of course Madeline, who has lived all her life in America, but is in England on vacation and to visit her uncle. The author did a wonderful job with the way that these characters all interacted with each other. It was very natural, not forced.

Really the only complaint that I had was with the cover. It was a little cartoony for me, but I am so glad that I took a chance with this book.

This is a must read for all mystery lovers, or if you want an introduction into something new.

I grew up feeding my love of mystery with Hercule Poirot and Lord Peter Wimsey. Finally, someone writing that same quality of mystery!

The setting is the 1930s England. A murder is uncovered and Drew Farthering, the heir of the family fortune, sets out to discover the murderer. His friend Nick, son of the butler, and newly arrived from America and potential girlfriend, Madeline, help him investigate.

I really liked this novel. It is not your modern mystery. It is in the style of classic mystery writers of nearly a century ago. The setting is a country estate near a small village. Drew now owns the estate and lives there with his mother and father-in-law. Drew is drawn to solving the mystery when a man is found murdered in the manor greenhouse.

The dialog is snappy and interspersed with bits of humor. The characters are well developed and lovable. Drew is sort of a bumbling detective and gets drawn off course by red herrings. He faces his nominal faith near the end of the book and embraces a new dedication to it.

Overall, I really liked the book. For lovers of classic mysteries, this is a refreshing debut to a new series. Deering's entrance into the mystery genre is a success.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.

Ronald Arbuthnott Knox, a Catholic Priest, came up with 10 Commandments for Detective Novelists, and Julianna Deering set out to write a book that broke all of the rules. Set in the 1930s, "Rules of Murder" is about an English gentleman and a beautiful American girl who work together to solve a murder mystery. Drew Farthering comes home just in time for a party and murder. A guest is murdered and his mother is found dead in her bedroom. Are the deaths connected? Was it murder-suicide? Drew and his new American acquaintance, Madeline Parker, start their own investigation when Drew doesn't believe the local law enforcement is doing enough to solve the questions Drew has about the crimes. They soon discover that no one is who they claim to be and everyone is a suspect.

If you love Agatha Christie, you'll love Deering's plot, characters and perfect timing. She may break all of the rules of mystery writing according to Father Knox, but she will have you on the edge of your seat until the end. And you'll never believe who did it....

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author as the winner of a contest on her blog. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."