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An Eliza Doolittle & Henry Higgins Mystery #4
With A Little Bit of Blood
Agatha Christie meets ‘My Fair Lady’! After a spring and summer marred by murder, Eliza Doolittle and Professor Henry Higgins hope to spend the autumn giving phonetics lessons to their London students. But fate – and a killer – have other plans as this intrepid duo discover that attending a country house party can be a deadly affair. First published in 2018, this is the fourth installment in the witty Edwardian era mystery series inspired by the characters of ‘My Fair Lady’ and George Bernard Shaw’s ‘Pygmalion’.Eliza is not happy after Professor Henry Higgins buys a snazzy roadster, only to become injured in a motor car crash soon after. Forced to play nursemaid, Eliza is thrilled to accept an invitation to a country house party. But upon their arrival at Banfield Manor, Eliza is greeted by her sweetheart Freddy, arm in arm with a beautiful actress. Higgins is shocked to learn the woman who once stalked him is also attending the party. Things grow worse when spiritualist Madame Evangeline arrives and warns of impending danger. Her prediction comes true when someone is killed during the following day’s shoot in the forest.Higgins and Eliza suspect it wasn’t an accident, but murder. Every guest hides a dark secret that involved the dead man. But who hated him more? The French aviator, the American cinema actress, a lady novelist, the Austrian count, or a knighted explorer of the Amazon? And is Higgins the next target? As the day of the fox hunt draws near, it seems likely that more than the fox will die. Before that happens. Eliza and the Professor must discover who has a little bit of blood on their hands.
327 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 15, 2018
3 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
D.E. Ireland
4 books212 followersD.E. Ireland is the pseudonym of authors Meg Mims and Sharon Pisacreta.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 1, 2019
I never knew when I picked up the first book in this series what a grand time I was in for. Now four books in, and I can’t get enough! Now my favorite unlikely sleuthing team is back! D.E. Ireland, the writing team of Meg Mims and Sharon Pisacreta, once again channel Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins to take readers on their most exciting adventure to date.
From the first page until the last of, WITH A LITTLE BIT OF BLOOD, I was enraptured with the characters. I could hear them so clearly in my head. I could envision every scene as it took place. I was so drawn into this book, I felt less a reader and more a character hidden within the story itself, living every scene first hand.
The mystery within the story was top notch. There were so many ways it could have played out. Through every twist and turn and false lead, I was hard-pressed to guess whodunit and why. In the end, I was totally wrong, and wonderfully surprised.
WITH A LITTLE BIT OF BLOOD is a must for fans of this series.
From the first page until the last of, WITH A LITTLE BIT OF BLOOD, I was enraptured with the characters. I could hear them so clearly in my head. I could envision every scene as it took place. I was so drawn into this book, I felt less a reader and more a character hidden within the story itself, living every scene first hand.
The mystery within the story was top notch. There were so many ways it could have played out. Through every twist and turn and false lead, I was hard-pressed to guess whodunit and why. In the end, I was totally wrong, and wonderfully surprised.
WITH A LITTLE BIT OF BLOOD is a must for fans of this series.
February 8, 2019
Another exciting adventure
Eliza and the professor have another mystery to solve at a house party. Lots of suspects and even some romance keep them very busy.
Eliza and the professor have another mystery to solve at a house party. Lots of suspects and even some romance keep them very busy.
December 15, 2018
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Iconic characters Eliza Doolittle, Henry Higgins along with Colonel Pickering, Freddy Eynsford-Hill, and Mrs. Pearce, return in the 4th installment based on the George Bernard Shaw classic, My Fair Lady. Sadly Colonel Pickering and Mrs. Pearce has minor roles this time.
An accident in a fancy roadster and a fire send Eliza and Henry off to the country. They were invited to the home of Lord Ashmore and his new bride, Clara. Higgins had no desire to go but current circumstances have given him no choice. Eliza was excited to go but when she sees Freddy, the man who has begged her to marry him several times, with a beautiful woman by his side, she is unsure how she feels. When Higgins gets a gander of another guest, Lady Annabel, he is ready to return to London immediately, seems the woman stalked after him in the past.
The guest list rounds out with Sir Anthony Dennison, Annabel’s husband, pilot Phillippe Corbet, Count, and Countess von Weisinger, Madam Evangeline, “a table tipper”, and her manservant Zohan Batur. Dwight Pentwater, an American businessman arrives just after dinner has been served. An eclectic bunch all there for a week-long house party that will culminate with a fox hunt.
Madam Evangeline is barely in the door when she proclaims “Death and Darkness surround this house. The future of the world stands in the balance.” So when someone is killed in the forest Henry and Eliza suspect the death was no accident. The house is full of suspects and Madam Evangeline even holds a séance to try to reveal the killer but all it raises are more questions like is Henry somehow involved? With a “little bit of luck,” or blood, he and Eliza work to solve the case before anyone else ends up dead.
I opened the book and start to read and as before the voices I hear are the ones from the movie. The authors have truly captured their essence in manner and dialogue. Their descriptions bring everything alive from people to places and even the food and tea served. There is a large cast of characters but each is clearly defined and easy to keep straight.
The story is very well written and time is taken to add background and introductions before death occurs and the mystery portion of the story starts to play out. For this reason, the story takes place at a very comfortable pace. It takes time to determine the exact and correct motive. Then a plan is made but like true Eliza, she has her way of doing things. I was very entertained from beginning to end.
I love these characters and enjoy the imaginative way the authors take them on this little journey to the countryside. There is never a dull moment when Eliza Dolittle is around.
Blimey, you just have to read this book, I tell ya!
Iconic characters Eliza Doolittle, Henry Higgins along with Colonel Pickering, Freddy Eynsford-Hill, and Mrs. Pearce, return in the 4th installment based on the George Bernard Shaw classic, My Fair Lady. Sadly Colonel Pickering and Mrs. Pearce has minor roles this time.
An accident in a fancy roadster and a fire send Eliza and Henry off to the country. They were invited to the home of Lord Ashmore and his new bride, Clara. Higgins had no desire to go but current circumstances have given him no choice. Eliza was excited to go but when she sees Freddy, the man who has begged her to marry him several times, with a beautiful woman by his side, she is unsure how she feels. When Higgins gets a gander of another guest, Lady Annabel, he is ready to return to London immediately, seems the woman stalked after him in the past.
The guest list rounds out with Sir Anthony Dennison, Annabel’s husband, pilot Phillippe Corbet, Count, and Countess von Weisinger, Madam Evangeline, “a table tipper”, and her manservant Zohan Batur. Dwight Pentwater, an American businessman arrives just after dinner has been served. An eclectic bunch all there for a week-long house party that will culminate with a fox hunt.
Madam Evangeline is barely in the door when she proclaims “Death and Darkness surround this house. The future of the world stands in the balance.” So when someone is killed in the forest Henry and Eliza suspect the death was no accident. The house is full of suspects and Madam Evangeline even holds a séance to try to reveal the killer but all it raises are more questions like is Henry somehow involved? With a “little bit of luck,” or blood, he and Eliza work to solve the case before anyone else ends up dead.
I opened the book and start to read and as before the voices I hear are the ones from the movie. The authors have truly captured their essence in manner and dialogue. Their descriptions bring everything alive from people to places and even the food and tea served. There is a large cast of characters but each is clearly defined and easy to keep straight.
The story is very well written and time is taken to add background and introductions before death occurs and the mystery portion of the story starts to play out. For this reason, the story takes place at a very comfortable pace. It takes time to determine the exact and correct motive. Then a plan is made but like true Eliza, she has her way of doing things. I was very entertained from beginning to end.
I love these characters and enjoy the imaginative way the authors take them on this little journey to the countryside. There is never a dull moment when Eliza Dolittle is around.
Blimey, you just have to read this book, I tell ya!
June 19, 2018
Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins have been invited to the first house party thrown by the new Lord and Lady Ashford (she the former Clara Eynsford-Hill). The timing is perfect since a couple of strange things have forced the duo to look for a place to stay. However, the first morning a fellow guest is killed during the rabbit hunt. Henry is sure it was a hunting accident, but Eliza isn’t so sure. Who is right?
This is another fun mystery with the characters made famous by Pygmalion and My Fair Lady. The plot did seem to start slowly, however by the end I realized how things played into the overall story. A few of the regulars are reduced to cameos, but it was still nice to catch up with them. We have a rather large cast of characters, but it was always easy to keep them straight as the story unfolded. We get some fun with new (for 1913) things like airplanes and cars as well as mentions of the more serious things unfolding in the world at the time.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
This is another fun mystery with the characters made famous by Pygmalion and My Fair Lady. The plot did seem to start slowly, however by the end I realized how things played into the overall story. A few of the regulars are reduced to cameos, but it was still nice to catch up with them. We have a rather large cast of characters, but it was always easy to keep them straight as the story unfolded. We get some fun with new (for 1913) things like airplanes and cars as well as mentions of the more serious things unfolding in the world at the time.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
December 6, 2018
The fourth book in the Eliza Doolittle & Henry Higgins mystery series. This book does not disappoint. The first morning staying at the house of Lord and Lady Ashford, a fellow guest is killed during the rabbit hunt. Henry is sure it was a hunting accident, but Eliza isn’t so sure.
Which one is right and who could have been the murder? With Colin’s help they start to investigate.
I have read all the books, the series is getting better and better. It was nice to seer Colin more in this book. The characters are so wonderful to read about.
Which one is right and who could have been the murder? With Colin’s help they start to investigate.
I have read all the books, the series is getting better and better. It was nice to seer Colin more in this book. The characters are so wonderful to read about.
December 7, 2018
WITH A LITTLE BIT OF BLOOD by D. E. Ireland
The Fourth Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins Mystery
Eliza Doolittle knew it was a mistake when her father bought an automobile and now that Henry Higgins owns it she's sure the motor car is nothing but trouble. Henry's reckless driving leads to a broken arm while a kitchen fire leads to an opportunity. Eliza and Henry will attend a country house party! A medium warns of darkness and death and during the first hunt the brash American is killed. A hunting accident? It turns out that most of the guests had dealings with the man, and most of them unpleasant. Could it be murder, as the medium predicted? Eliza and Henry will deal with romances, spirits, and a fabled artifact in order to find the truth!
Automobiles, aeroplanes, spiritualism, and hints of war collide in this fourth Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins Mystery. I love how the authors bring the realities of 1913 England to two favorite fictional characters. In addition to his mysteries, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle opened the world of spiritualism to members of the upper class and mediums became the rage in upper crust party circles. And so Clara and Richard bring Madame Evangeline to their first house party. While Henry assumes she's a fraud, Eliza believes her to be real. And readers...we can make up our own minds.
As with George Bernard Shaw, D. E. Ireland injects plenty of humor to the story as well. Henry's bad temper increased due to his injury, Freddie's mooning over the American film star, a pushy admirer, and Eliza giving some Cockney attitude add to the fun. The vision of a certain love struck Frenchman singing along to phonograph records is still embedded in my brain.
WITH A LITTLE BIT OF BLOOD is a fun country house mystery. Interesting characters with lots of motives and a hint of the supernatural make this a page turning addition to a delightful series.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
The Fourth Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins Mystery
Eliza Doolittle knew it was a mistake when her father bought an automobile and now that Henry Higgins owns it she's sure the motor car is nothing but trouble. Henry's reckless driving leads to a broken arm while a kitchen fire leads to an opportunity. Eliza and Henry will attend a country house party! A medium warns of darkness and death and during the first hunt the brash American is killed. A hunting accident? It turns out that most of the guests had dealings with the man, and most of them unpleasant. Could it be murder, as the medium predicted? Eliza and Henry will deal with romances, spirits, and a fabled artifact in order to find the truth!
Automobiles, aeroplanes, spiritualism, and hints of war collide in this fourth Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins Mystery. I love how the authors bring the realities of 1913 England to two favorite fictional characters. In addition to his mysteries, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle opened the world of spiritualism to members of the upper class and mediums became the rage in upper crust party circles. And so Clara and Richard bring Madame Evangeline to their first house party. While Henry assumes she's a fraud, Eliza believes her to be real. And readers...we can make up our own minds.
As with George Bernard Shaw, D. E. Ireland injects plenty of humor to the story as well. Henry's bad temper increased due to his injury, Freddie's mooning over the American film star, a pushy admirer, and Eliza giving some Cockney attitude add to the fun. The vision of a certain love struck Frenchman singing along to phonograph records is still embedded in my brain.
WITH A LITTLE BIT OF BLOOD is a fun country house mystery. Interesting characters with lots of motives and a hint of the supernatural make this a page turning addition to a delightful series.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
December 7, 2018
An Eliza Doolittle & Henry Higgins Mystery #4
Once again, the author duo D. E. Ireland bring to life early 20th century London, both the upper class (Henry Higgins and the Colonel, and recently, Eliza) and the poorer classes (Eliza's upbringing, and exemplified by her most recent stepmother, Rose). Higgins gets the same motorcar bug that earlier bit Emily's father Alfred, injuring Alfred, and now injuring Higgins and Emily's detective cousin Jack as well. So it's off to the country for recuperation, of course, with a side dish of murder.
Once again, the author duo D. E. Ireland bring to life early 20th century London, both the upper class (Henry Higgins and the Colonel, and recently, Eliza) and the poorer classes (Eliza's upbringing, and exemplified by her most recent stepmother, Rose). Higgins gets the same motorcar bug that earlier bit Emily's father Alfred, injuring Alfred, and now injuring Higgins and Emily's detective cousin Jack as well. So it's off to the country for recuperation, of course, with a side dish of murder.
November 5, 2018
The best so far. Eliza and Higgins find mysteries and adventures at the country party of Clara and her husband. Fun adventures in cars and airplanes and a couple of people turn up dead. Was glad to see Colin Ramsey turn up more in this book. Definitely hope to see a lot more of him in the next book. Loved the part where Colin, Eliza, and Higgins do research. Very interesting to read. Looking forward to the next book.
April 5, 2019
A car crash and kitchen fire have Higgins and Eliza retreating to the country for newlyweds Richard and Clare's first house party. The guests are an eclectic group, chosen by Clare's overbearing brother- and sister-in-law. At least the group promises Higginssome respite from the usual boredom of house parties. A hunting accident, or murder, offers even more.
June 26, 2019
The forth installment in this series is the charm. A large cast of characters at a country estate for the week provide a "Christie" like gathering of suspects. Do they all have some conection to the dead person?? Liza and Higgins provide a perfect foil to the assembled hi-toned guests. And is that a the possibility of a new love interest for Eliza is see coming down the road?
September 22, 2019
I adore this series. I loved the movie My Fair Lady with Audrey Hepburn and when I found out there was a series with these beloved characters I had to read it. D.E. Ireland does not disappoint. The characters are believable the victorian details are accurate and stories are well written. I cannot wait for the next in the series. Fingers crossed it will be out sooner rather than later.
July 25, 2020
This book features Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins as the main characters. They are attending a house party and become involved with murder. The year is 1913 Henry has been injured in a car accident and after a fire at his house they decide to attend the house party . Things do not go as planned. The book was a quick easy read.
May 23, 2022
These get more and more farfetched each time, but I love the little twists and turns and I love the bits of romance sprinkled in. Can't wait to learn more about Higgins' love life and how Colin Ramsey will fit into Eliza's life next book.
April 25, 2018
Wonderful!
May 24, 2018
Love this series!
I have read all 4 books this week. I often skim books. Not these. Love reading every word! Wonderful characters.
I have read all 4 books this week. I often skim books. Not these. Love reading every word! Wonderful characters.
December 27, 2018
Good twists. Didn't see the killer coming. It felt a bit like an Agatha Christie book.
September 19, 2020
I love this series. This one is a true closed mystery. I hope there will be another book soon.
April 25, 2021
Really enjoyable installment. Hopefully, there will be more in the series.
November 12, 2019
Excellent! Eliza and the Professor sleuth with suspects galore at a country house party. More Please! Love Eliza and the gang. Starting Have Yourself a Beary Little Murder by Meg Macy, one part of the D.E. Ireland duo.
November 25, 2019
This is my favorite one in the series! This story had so many twists and turns, keeping me on my toes for its entirety. I'm sad there aren't more books in this series, but can't wait to see the future of this writing duo!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews