Lady Elizabeth’s current problem doesn’t appear to be much of a problem at all. Long time housekeeper Violet has begun to produce meals that far exceed expectations, considering the rationing that is done with much of the villagers’ food. Lady Elizabeth expects Violet is getting some ill-gotten goods from the village, or that the in-house Americans are supplying some extra treats, both of which Lady Elizabeth frowns on.

Early one morning, the town bell rings, a bell that is only to be rung to signal a German attack. When Lady Elizabeth and her fellow villagers arrive at the bell tower, they find the body of American GI Kenny Martin strangled by the bell pulls. Now, the rift between the locals and the Americans widens as the investigation begins and the locals are questioned.

The investigation takes a turn very close to the Manor House, as Lady Elizabeth’s young secretary, Polly’s secret beau, American soldier Sam, is the focus of the investigation. Then the extra food seems to dry up, causing Lady Elizabeth to assume that Kenny was a main supplier. She has a gut feeling that the two incidents are connected, but has a hard time proving it, what with the tour bus coming to view the Manor House with the insufferable guide, the cricket match she is organizing between the Americans and the local men, cleaning the chimneys for the upcoming winter, not to mention dodging her growing feelings for Major Earl Monroe, an American officer staying in the east wing of the Manor House.

For Whom Death Tolls is a delightful look at a small English village over fifty years ago, during one of its most trying times. The villagers try to keep a stiff upper lip, even allowing small pettiness to intrude, creating a warm atmosphere. Lady Elizabeth’s staff is very entertaining, from Polly, a love sick fifteen year old trying to act grown up to Martin, the family’s long time butler who is rapidly approaching senility, to Violet, the family’s other longtime servant, who is both housekeeper and cook, and while she feels very tenderly toward Lady Elizabeth, she also sees it as her job to keep her mindful of her duties. Earl Monroe is very much a mystery. After three novels, he seems very taken with Lady Elizabeth, yet he has a wife and children back in the United States, though he doesn’t speak of them often. The possibilities of a relationship seem very real, yet Earl’s other life in America leaves readers curious as to what his situation really is and whether or not there is hope for the young, headstrong, yet caring lady of the house and the handsome officer. The mystery is very well laid out and the plot moves at a quick pace. Even though there are several trails to follow, readers should have no trouble untangling them, though the final solution may not be entirely apparent at first, they should be sure to be on the right trail early on. A fast-pace, easy read that will appeal not just to fans of light historical fiction, but those fond of traditional English village mysteries. Lady Elizabeth is a pleasant heroine who truly seems to care about her charges, and one whom readers will be anxious to make the acquaintance of again very soon.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry