Book Review: Lift and Let Die by Helen Golden

About the book, Lift and Left Die

Lady Beatrice should be finalising her wedding vows — not investigating murder.

With just weeks to go before she marries Richard Fitzwilliam, Bea is helping put the finishing touches to Three Lakes, a rehabilitation centre for veterans, when a senior staff member dies in a late-night lift malfunction.

At first, it looks like a tragic accident. Until the toxicology results suggest otherwise.

With the centre’s opening looming and scandal threatening to overshadow both Three Lakes and her wedding, Bea can’t help getting involved. While Rich helps with the official investigation, Bea and the others have a few theories of their own. And while Perry obsesses over lift mechanics and Simon insists he’s staying out of it (he isn’t), Daisy uncovers a clue everyone else missed.

As they dig deeper, they discover buried secrets, old resentments, and a grievance someone may have carried for years.

Some loyalties last a lifetime. So do some grudges.

A warm, cozy mystery with loyal friends, buried secrets, a determined little dog, and exactly the sort of trouble Bea should be avoiding before her wedding.

Buy, read, and discuss this book:

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About the author, Helen Golden

“Hello. I’m Helen Golden. I write British contemporary cozy whodunnits with a hint of humour. I live in small village in Lincolnshire in the UK with my husband, my step-daughter, her two cats, our two dogs, sometimes my step-son, and our tortoise.

“I used to work in senior management, but after my recent job came to a natural end I had the opportunity to follow my dreams and start writing. It’s very early in my life as an author, but so far I’m loving it.

“It’s crazy busy at our house, so when I’m writing I retreat to our caravan (an impulsive lockdown purchase) which is mostly parked on our drive. When I really need total peace and quiet, I take it to a lovely site about 15 minutes away and hide there until my family runs out of food or clean clothes.”

Connect with Helen:

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My Thoughts

There’s something bittersweet about discovering a series just as it’s coming to an end. Lift and Let Die is the sixteenth and final installment in Helen Golden’s A Right Royal Cozy Investigation series, and while I had no trouble following the mystery as a newcomer, I couldn’t help feeling that I’d arrived rather late to a very entertaining party.

Golden has clearly spent fifteen previous books building a world populated by characters with shared histories, established friendships, and a collection of inside jokes. I enjoyed meeting them, but I suspect longtime readers will find an extra layer of satisfaction in this final adventure, particularly in the relationships between Lady Beatrice, Richard, Simon, and Perry. There are moments of genuine warmth beneath all the witty exchanges, and Bea and Richard’s approaching wedding gives the story a lovely emotional center.

Speaking of wit, Golden has a wonderfully dry sense of humor. Consider this description: “Perry was not hiding; he was casually loitering. The distinction was important.” It’s precisely the sort of understated, character-driven observation that makes me smile, and one of several reasons I’m tempted to return to the beginning of the series.

Naturally, as a devoted dog lover, I was particularly charmed by Daisy, who manages to be both an endearing companion and a surprisingly useful participant in the investigation. She may not be the central character, but she certainly stole my heart.

The mystery itself is nicely constructed, with enough red herrings and unexpected turns to keep me reconsidering my suspicions. Golden balances the investigation with the personal lives of her characters, allowing the friendships and romantic relationships to feel just as important as uncovering the culprit. I especially appreciated Richard’s passing of the investigative torch to DI Tina Spicer, a satisfying touch in a book that is as much about endings and new beginnings as it is about solving a murder.

One small detail I appreciated was the author’s introductory note explaining that the novel uses British English and British spellings. I’m equally comfortable with either variety, but it’s a thoughtful courtesy to readers who might be less familiar with the differences.

By the time the royal wedding arrived, I understood why readers would be reluctant to say goodbye to this particular circle of friends. Although I missed some of the accumulated history and recurring humor, I found Lift and Let Die an engaging, affectionate, and thoroughly enjoyable cozy mystery, with plenty of charm, clever dialogue, and a very memorable dog.

I may have arrived for the final curtain, but Helen Golden has given me fifteen good reasons to go back and enjoy the rest of the performance.

Goes well with: A glass of chilled champagne and a generous slice of wedding cake, served on the finest China, naturally.