The body in the ice by A. J. MacKenzie.
Book 2 of Hardcastle and Chaytor.
Christmas Day, Kent, 1796
On the frozen fields of Romney Marsh stands New Hall; silent, lifeless, deserted. In its grounds lies an unexpected Christmas offering: a corpse, frozen into the ice of a horse pond.
A very good read. Little slow but readable.
Good story and characters. 4*.

An interesting procedural. Well done characters and a complex plot make it a good read. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC.

I read this book in 2 days and it is the first book in quite a while that I didn't want to put down!

We are in rural Kent on the marshes towards Dungeness - a very distinctive, lonely, eerie world. We have a young but astute widow in Amelia Chaytor and her friend the local reverend and justice of the peace Marcus Hardcastle. Unfortunately a body is found in the frozen horse pond of the local manor house which is currently empty.
Without giving anything away, the book has several twists and turns and keeps the reader guessing. What starts out as a local killing develops into a family feud and then much more. Quite a detailed story that has several strands to it.
While I very much enjoyed the story, the tension that the narrative builds and the final reveal, the strength of this book is the characters and the setting. Luckily for me there are several strong female characters who are neither wishy-washy nor abrasive - which often seems to be the only choices authors make. Amelia Chaytor is resilient, clever and witty and has no romantic slush about her! (which is not to say that she is impervious to men!) Meanwhile the reverend goes about his duty doggedly and we follow his thought-processes as he considers possible murderers etc His sister arrives on the scene and is quite the character, giggly and gossipy but with a backbone of steel when things get hot!
The family that arrive at the local manor house are clearly suspect and it was classic 'whodunnit' to work out who was the evil one. (I didn't guess.)
Meanwhile the authors clearly know their area. The marshes, the weather and the sea are all atmospheric, compelling and a metaphor for the shifting layers of truth in the mystery.
Altogether a great book!

This was my first book by the author, and it was a clever, well-paced historical mystery, one of my favorite genres. The characters are developed nicely and I liked the way their own history was woven into the story. I will keep an eye on this author in the future!

We are back at the tail end of the 18th century on the Kent coast in the latest installment of the Romney Marsh series. I enjoyed the first one and this is a great sequel with the return of the amateur detectives, the Reverend Hardcastle, now a Justice of the Peace at St Mary in the Marsh and the still grieving widow, Mrs Amelia Chaytor. It is 1706 amidst a desperately harsh winter, on Christmas Day, Amelia is with her friends, Miss Godfrey and Miss Roper, when she is alerted to a dead body in the ice at the empty New Hall in the Romney Marshes. Reverend Hardcastle is in charge of the investigation, but they have no clue who the dead black woman dressed as a man is, nor who murdered her, or where the murder weapon is. It is a turbulent period of history, Britain is in its 4th year of the war against revolutionary France, there is much political intrigue and rampant paranoia that the French are on the point of invading. This is particularly pertinent in the Romney Marshes where the largest economic enterprises all seem to involve smuggling and it is an ideal spot for French spies to enter the country and cause havoc.

Hardcastle is a pragmatic man when he appoints the fisherman and smuggler Joshua Stemp as a constable. He is aided by Amelia, Stemp and Captain Edward Austen in his search for a murderer. When the victim is identified as Emma Rossiter, her brother Samuel is arrested for her murder. They have a claim to New Hall but rights have been granted to William Rossiter from an earlier will. Rossiter is under the influence of his uncle, James Rossiter, and his lawyer, the brutal racist, Parker. It would suit many that Samuel should take the fall and hang for the murder, but not Hardcastle and Amelia who are convinced he is innocent. In the meantime, Hardcastle's sister, the writer Calpurnia arrives, with her Irish Wolfhound, the lovable but cowardly Rudolpho, with every intention of staying for some time. Hardcastle is horrified at the prospect, his sister determinedly noses into every corner of his life, vetting his friendship with Amelia, and thinks he should get married. As the Rossiter entourage descend on New Hall, the French spy and murderer, Camille de Fourcament returns. Are these two events connected? And what is the secret of the New Hall cellars?

The authors have penned a delightful historical mystery that takes in the political events of the time to weave a story of intrigue, smuggling, racism and spies. It is narrated with warmth, wit and humour and a gentle charm. The characters of the flawed Hardcastle and the strong Amelia have now established themselves as a force to be reckoned with, and complement each other well. They are joined by the busybody that is Calpurnia, who turns out to be instrumental to their investigation, and reveals herself to be a significantly more compassionate and resourceful character than I expected. I thoroughly recommend this historical crime novel that revolves around the issues of the day, family feuds, revolutionary fervour, betrayals and murders. Many thanks to Bonnier Zaffre for an ARC.

I’ve had to make a discerned effort to get through my Netgalley shelf of ‘books older than 3 months’, and this was my first choice.

I downloaded this in April and am only reading it in October. Well more fool me. This book is an absolute gem of a murder mystery. And just to make me feel better its set-in December with dark nights, cold draughts and frosty weather. Which made it the prefect read for an autumnal afternoon by the wood burner and a cuppa tea.

This is the second book in what is a new series of the Romney Marsh Mysteries Christmas 1796. A body is found in a frozen pond in the deserted mansion New Hall. What follows is a mystery that includes smugglers and Revolutionaries. Locals Reverend Hardcastle, and his friend Mrs. Amelia Chaytor try to solve the mystery of how the body is and how it body got there, with what appears to very few clues.

Its old-school detective work, prior to DNA testing and forensics. The banter between the Reverend and Mrs Chaytor is believable, and some of the interactions with other characters add just amount of banter to raise the seriousness of the crime.

I really enjoyed this, so much so that I am going to download the first novel the Body on the Doorstep.

Do you yourself a favour, put the kettle, light the fire, switch your phone off and enjoy the wee treat. I read it in one sitting which for me says it all.

I received an ARC from NetGalley to read and review. The below is my honest, unbiased opinion. Thank you, AJ MacKenzie, the publisher, and NetGalley, for allowing me to review.

On the frozen fields of Romney Marsh stands New Hall; silent, lifeless, deserted. In its grounds lies an unexpected Christmas offering: a corpse, frozen into the ice of a horse pond. It falls to the Reverend Hardcastle, justice of the peace in St Mary in the Marsh, to investigate. But with the victim's identity unknown, no murder weapon and no known motive, it seems like an impossible task. Working along with his trusted friend, Amelia Chaytor, and new arrival Captain Edward Austen, Hardcastle soon discovers there is more to the mystery than there first appeared. With the arrival of an American family torn apart by war and desperate to reclaim their ancestral home, a French spy returning to the scene of his crimes, ancient loyalties and new vengeance combine to make Hardcastle and Mrs Chaytor's attempts to discover the secret of New Hall all the more dangerous.

THE BODY IN THE ICE by AJ MacKenzie is the second book in the historical crime fiction series, Romney Marsh Mysteries; for best enjoyment, read the books in order.

I quite enjoy reading mysteries, especially when they're not set in the modern, digital age, where the smallest piece of evidence can break a case, like DNA. It's nice to read about a detective who needs to do the legwork needed to unveil a criminal without the use of the latest technology. I thought Mackenzie did a great job writing this one: even though it's set in 1776, I didn't have any trouble understanding what was going on. I enjoyed that Mackenzie added a bit of humor to the plot, too. I appreciate writers who are able to maintain the mysterious, thrilling feel while also giving me the occasional chuckle. This was a fast-paced read that I read in one sitting.

There were many things here to like. There was the historical fiction angle, there was plenty of mystery and murder, it was also very much a family saga coming down the generations and then there was the setting between two countries and the time of 1796.

A remote village in Romney Marsh and a very old manor house is being opened up again for its owners. With the excitement of a new family coming in, there is apprehension when a body is discovered of a young man encased in ice in the horse pond. Subsequent examination shows that this is in fact a young woman and to find a black woman in this part of the world adds further to the mystery.

The history of the family who owns the house is complicated to say the least. There are branches of the family that are not even acknowledged, and the present head of the family would like it to stay that way. They did not count for the magistrate of the area - a vicar and someone who has a keen eye on seeing that justice is done, whatever the rank. Our vicar cum magistrate has to come up against the highest echelons in the land who do not want to upset the political and diplomatic waters in London, irrespective of what their sins may be. Along with his good friend the widow Amelia, Harcastle unravels a plot which will not just endanger their village but also the whole of Britain at a time when it is already in crisis.

The family saga which is historical was very good. Characterization and plot was excellent and the pace of the story was quick and fascinating.

Goodreads and Amazon reviews posted on 3/9/2017. Review on my blog 28/9/2017. Also linked to my FB page

I bloody loved this old school mystery, very CJ Sansom. I want to read the previous book but this book, number 2 doesn't depend on the previous book. A Christmas story of a different kind, I read this in one sitting and really enjoyed it! It's such a departure from forensic modern detective stories and is so infused old world detective charm! A real surprise this was for me! I loved it!

Historical crime fiction is one of my favourite genres and The Body in the Ice by A J MacKenzie is a most enjoyable read. It’s the 2nd Hardcastle and Chaytor Mystery set in Romney Marsh and the surrounding countryside in 1796-7. I haven’t read the first one in the series, The Body on the Doorstep, but it didn’t seem to matter as I had no difficulty in reading this as a standalone, even though there are references back to the first book, but I do intend to read it as I enjoyed the second book so much.

Reading historical crime fiction is a different experience from reading modern crime fiction – no modern technology, just old-fashioned crime detection and deduction and a certain amount of intuition. The late eighteenth century is a newish period for me, but The Body in the Ice appears (as far as I can judge) to be well grounded historically and geographically.

Historically this is the period after the end of the American War of Independence, so Britain and America are at peace, but Britain and revolutionary France are at war with the constant threat of a French invasion. Geographically, the area is not one I know but there is a map showing the locations together with a plan of New Hall, at the beginning of the book an empty and bleak (fictional) house owned by the Rossiter family, and also the Rossiter Family Tree.

The winter of 1796-7 was exceptionally harsh and cold and on Christmas Day in the village of St Mary in the Marsh, on the Kent coast Amelia Chaytor is spending the day with her friends, spinsters Miss Godfrey and Miss Roper when their maidservant bursts in and announces that she has seen someone at New Hall stables, frozen into the ice face down. Previously two men had been seen arriving at the Hall and at first it looks as though one of them has killed the other as they have both disappeared.

The Reverend Hardcastle is informed and as a justice of the peace he sets out to investigate the murder, aided by Joshua Stemp, the parish constable. It’s soon obvious that this is a complicated matter as the body they pulled from the ice was that of a black woman, dressed as a man.

Add into the mix the American family who arrive after the murder to establish their claim to their ancestral home, the village community, smugglers and French spies, and slavery and racism. The characters of Revd Hardcastle and Amelia Chaytor in particular are well drawn and convincing. His sister, Cordelia provides a comic element – she is a gothic novelist, who incidentally gave a young Jane Austen writing tips, accompanied by her cowardly (but lovable) dog Rodolpho.

It’s fast paced, and like all good mysteries it’s full of twists and turns, tension and drama, mixed together with both national and local politics. I enjoyed it immensely and will read more books by A J Mackenzie. The next book in the series will be The Body in the Boat.

My thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for my copy of this book.

I think I’ve found my new favourite crime series. Aside from the fact that the setting of this novel is local to me, which has an appeal in itself, everything about The Body in the Ice is perfect.

Widow Amelia Chaytor and Reverend Hardcastle are my favourite detective duo. They’re fun, witty and solving a mystery alongside them was a thrilling experience. The Mackenzie team have a way with magic that makes even the minor characters lovable and endearing, from Rodolpho the Cowardly Dog, to her endearing if a little mad mistress, Capurnia.

There’s an art to writing a crime novel and these authors possess it. Everything from the carefully crafted characters to their pasts and the particular roles they play in the novel. The Mackenzie team are meticulous authors and this quality goes a long way in their writing.

I can’t wait to dive into the prequel, The Body on the Doorstep, and the sequel, The Body on the Boat when it’s released!

The Body in Ice is set in 1796 in the Romney Marsh area of England. The first chapter had me wondering if I'd finish the book, but each successive chapter got more interesting, and I liked the characters.

The late 18th c. setting is quite interesting. Twenty years have passed since America gained independence, but relationships between the two countries are still tense; the French Revolutionary Wars that followed the revolution keep England on edge with the threat of spies and invasion; the Bluestockings, led by Elizabeth Montague and Elizabeth Vesey, were encouraging intellectual activities for women; the abolitionist movement was growing; and smuggling was part of Romney Marsh's culture.

In addition to the mystery, all of the above events played a part. When Amelia Chaytor mentioned that someone was a bluestocking, I was surprised--I had no idea that the term dated back to the 18th c. A little research made me think that a series of historic mysteries featuring bluestockings would an excellent idea.

The book is uneven, but I enjoyed it.

NetGalley/Bonnier Zaffre

Historic Mystery. April 20, 2017. Print length: 368 pages.

The good widow Amelia Chaytor is trying to enjoy a Christmas meal with friends when her servent rushes in with news of a dead body half in the frozen horse pond up at New Hall, where he had been pilferring some firewood.

The ever so curious widow marches straight up to find out what is going on. On finding a body, they send for the good Reverand Hardcastle, Rector and Justice of the Peace in this small village.

Now they must figure out who the person is and what were they doing at the abandonded New Hall?

This is a hard time in history for both the violent and turbulence going on in the Americas, fresh from winning their independance from England, to the spies in England who would like to take England for the French and with America form a powerhouse alleigance. There is a shortage of ablebodied men which means the good Hardcastle and Mrs. Chaytor have very little help trying to find the truth.

When the owners of New Hall show up more questions than answers are found.

This is the second book featuring Hardcastle and Chaytor in St. Mary in the Marsh and I am a big fan of this historical mystery writing. And while quite a bit of this story may have happened. It is a fine tale!

I loved the first book and I eagerly looked forward to reading this and wondered whether it would be as good ..... and I'm so pleased to say that it is every bit as good as the first book.

It was wonderful to be back in the company of the irascible Reverend Hardcastle and the ingenious Mrs Amelia Chaytor as they attempt to discover the identity of the frozen body in the icy pond of New Hall on Christmas Day 1796 and why they were murdered.

Hardcastle is now the Justice of the Peace which has curtailed his drinking and his argumentative nature somewhat but then when his sister turns up unexpectedly to stay at the Rectory he becomes his usual grumpy self. One of my favourite scenes is when she invites Mrs Chaytor for tea and they act like two adversaries checking each other out. Brilliant writing!

The desolate and empty New Hall is at the centre of this story, the murder was committed there, a family return to live there after many years away, some of them involved in the Americas War which caused a family feud. Why have they returned now, is it connected to the dead body, and what secrets does the New Hall contain?

Rev Hardcastle and Mrs Chaytor try to find all the answers by coming up against old foes, old acquaintances, lies and secrets.

They make an unusual and unlikely team but it really works. You don't need to have read the first book as this is a standalone story.

This was an enjoyable and clever storyline, slow suspense with twists and shocks and surprises with great characters, lots of historical detail and even a dog called Rodolpho that was one of the stars of the story.

I can't wait for the next mystery with the Hardcastle and Chaytor duo.

Also, I must just mention how I love maps of areas in books and this had not only a map but a floor plan of New Hall and a family tree. So useful to refer to and which added to my enjoyment.

I loved this atmospheric, thought-provoking mystery. Fans of Elizabeth George will enjoy the flawed characters' methodical journey through to the conclusion. I have a renewed excitement in the who-done-it novel, with the added bonus of a history lesson. Looking forward to the next instalment.

The Body in the Ice by A.J. MacKenzie

It is Christmas Day in 1795 and this is one of the coldest winters that people can remember. But the villagers of St Mary in the Marsh in Kent will have more reason than most to remember this particular Christmas – a body is discovered, frozen into the ice of a horse pond belonging to New Hall, the deserted grand house on the edge of the village. It’s not, though, as deserted as it should have been. Two men were spotted arriving there a couple of days before but both have now vanished. Reverend Hardcastle, justice of the peace as well as rector, doesn’t delay in pursuing these men but it’s not long before he realises that there is more to the murder mystery than first appeared. And matters are compounded when New Hall’s owners arrive to reclaim their ancestral home, years after abandoning it for new lives in America.

This is a time of unease. Peace has finally been achieved with America after the Revolution and independence but Britain is at war with France and this vulnerable Kent coast feels the threat more than most. And so Hardcastle and his friend and neighbour Amelia Chaytor will receive little help from the preoccupied authorities for their investigations, especially after an obvious suspect makes himself known. But, as the winter continues to hold its grip, Hardcastle is convinced that all is not as it seems.

The Body in the Ice is the second Hardcastle and Chaytor historical mystery by A.J. MacKenzie but, I’m sorry to say, it’s my first. There are links to the first novel The Body on the Doorstep but that didn’t affect my enjoyment or understanding of The Body in the Ice at all. The story stands alone very well and I was gripped from its opening icey chapter, immediately falling for Amelia and the rector (and the dog, even the rector’s sister). But, if you do want to read The Body on the Doorstep, make sure you read that first.

I love historical murder mysteries, especially those that evoke strong feeling for the times in which they’re set, and The Body In the Ice does just that with the American Wars of Independence and the war with France playing their part. I hadn’t thought before about the impact of the American revolution on families in Britain, many of whom would have been divided, but this novel brings that to the fore. But there are other big themes here, such as the treatment of black men and women on both sides of the Atlantic during these days of slavery.

But apart from all the tension and drama of the murder mystery (which is excellent), there is humour, mostly at the expense of the rector’s poor sister, Cordelia. She is a gothic novelist (currently engaged in writing The Lighthouse of Vavassal) and not above providing generous writing advice to the sister of a new arrival in the village, Captain Edward Austen from Hampshire. But Cordelia complements Amelia perfectly and I enjoyed them both.

The Body in the Ice evokes a world of Georgian country villages that revolve around their church and manor house, with a dash of smuggling thrown in as this is the Kentish coast. It is richly atmospheric and wonderfully written, with just the right proportions of domestic and national politics, murder and polite conversation. The ending put me on the edge of my seat – there comes a time when manners have to be put to one side. I will most definitely be following this series from now on. I’m looking forward to The Body in the Boat very much.

Transported a couple of centuries back into a good old fashioned gripping historical murder. Brilliant!
Although it goes back it 's a change its different.
There is a maze of wondering whodunnits, it definitely keeps you guessing and wondering , becoming the detective,, I like that, though i rarely get it right haha!
The plot is brilliant(i never give spoilers) you just never know who you are sat across the table from :-)

Looking forward from more of AJ. Mackenzie

From the blurb:1796,Kent,a killer at large,a family feud and a house with a secret .Doesn't it sound good?
The year is 1797,the United States have gained their independence some 20 years previously, the British took part of Canada from the French and the French fleet is ready (or so it seems) to invade Britain. The relationship between the British, the Americans(republicans)and the French (revolutionary) is slightly troubled to say the least.
Against this background a small,rural(coastal)community, and more specifically, Reverend Hardcastle (who is also a Justice of Peace)is confronted with murder (and smugglers ,French spies and an adorable Irish wolfhound who is not particularly brave (a rabbit frightened the hell out of him))
The historical setting is marvellous, it is very atmospheric and the main characters are endearing. But strangely enough, the last chapters are perhaps a bit long-winded with too much gunpowder, spies and cloak and dagger and somehow it kills all that atmospheric tension. Still,all in all, a very good read.

How delightful to read about a pair of amateur sleuths in a time when there was not police force as we know it, no electricity, no computers or cell phones. What Amelia Chaytor and the Reverend Hardcastle do have in 1796 is mail. And mail was very fast in those days. You could write a ltter in the morning, send it off and have the answer before lunch. Not to mention the fact that they both have a sharp mind and a very good insight in what drives people.
The story is built around the impending war with France, and the great differences in those times between ‘colored’ and ‘white’ people, not to mention between rich and poor people. Both the Reverend and Amelia are different. She a widow, he a Justice of the Peace, they work together in solving the crime, regardless of the killer’s color or standing.
This story is easy to read, with interesting characters, and it gives also a good insight in how life in the 18th century was. I hope to read another book with this nice couple again.

My next review is:-
"The Body In The Ice:A Dark And Compelling Historical Murder Mystery(The Romney Marsh Series", written by A.J. MacKenzie and published in hardback by Zaffre on 20 April 2017. 368 pages. ISBN-13: 978-1785761225

It is Christmas 1796 and on the bitterly frozen fields of Romney Marsh stands New Hall; silent, lifeless, deserted. In its grounds lies an unexpected Christmas offering: a corpse, frozen into the ice of a horse pond.

It falls to the Reverend Hardcastle, justice of the peace in St Mary in the Marsh, to investigate. But with the victim's identity unknown, no murder weapon and no known motive, it seems like an impossible task. Working along with his trusted friend, Amelia Chaytor, and new arrival Captain Edward Austen, Hardcastle soon discovers there is more to the mystery than there first appeared.

With the arrival of an American family torn apart by war and desperate to reclaim their ancestral home, a French spy returning to the scene of his crimes, ancient loyalties and new vengeance combine to make Hardcastle and Mrs Chaytor's attempts to discover the secret of New Hall all the more dangerous.

The Body in the Ice, with its unique cast of characters, captivating amateur sleuths and a bitter family feud at its heart, is a twisting tale that vividly brings to life eighteenth-century Kent and draws readers into its pages. The story with it's fascinating historical background is so well researched you could swear that the authors were time travellers as the details seem so accurate.

For readers of the first story, you will be reassured that the Reverend Hardcastle seems to have cut back on the volume of alcohol he gets through which in the first book seemed absolutely astounding. Apparently, now that he is a magistrate he has to set an example and also keep a clear head for when he is asked to act in his official capacity. However, at times of stress he seems to still enjoy a few glasses of port! He also still seems to be at war with his housekeeper.

I read for review "The Body On The Doorstep:A Dark And Compelling Historical Murder Mystery(The Romney Marsh Series)"(April 2016)which was the first in this series of absolutely gripping and superbly well researched stories.

A.J. MacKenzie is the pseudonym of Marilyn Livingstone and Morgen Witzel, a collaborative Anglo-Canadian husband-and-wife duo. Between them they have written more than twenty non-fiction and academic titles, with specialisms including management, medieval economic history and medieval warfare. This is the second of the Romney Marsh mysteries set in the late 18th century.

I was very impressed by the quality of the research and the historical detail of this well plotted and highly atmospheric story. The characters are all richly drawn and full of period detail. The rich plot kept me guessing until the final page and I look forward to reading further stories by these really gifted authors. Strongly recommended.