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Kate P Adams
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Sleep Like the Dead: A Charleton House Mystery (The Charleton House Mysteries Book 3) Kindle Edition

by Kate P Adams (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 420 ratings
He would make a lovely corpse… When visitors gather deep in the frozen Derbyshire countryside for a sleepover in the opulent Long Gallery of Charleton House, joined by some notable guests from the past, no one expects that by morning Charles Dickens will have been murdered. Sleep- and caffeine-starved catering manager Sophie Lockwood makes her way to the staff breakroom the following day, wondering if she’s hallucinating when she finds the body of the famous 19th century author slumped over the desk. Seeing him wandering the Charleton grounds later in the day, very much alive, Sophie begins to question her sanity. Has Dickens risen from the grave? Or is the murderer’s work incomplete? With the dead man’s true identity revealed and the police on site, Sophie can’t resist launching her own investigation, enlisting the help of her closest friend and verbal sparring partner, tour guide Mark Boxer. Are present-day scandals and jealousies behind the murder, or does the truth perhaps lie in a half-forgotten crime from the past? Is there really a spark of romance developing between Sophie and DC Joe Greene? And just how significant will outspoken gift-shop manager Joyce’s talents as a Tiller Girl prove to be? Mystery fans, wrap up warm, grab a coffee and cookie, and join Sophie as she explores the mists of the past and the deceptions of the present to uncover the truth.

Book 3 in The Charleton House Mysteries series. A light, entertaining mystery with a coffee loving amateur sleuth who works at one of England’s finest stately homes, and is ruled by her domineering tabby cat.

Written in British English. Can be read as a standalone but will be enjoyed more as part of the series. No strong language, gore, sex, or violence!
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  1. Book 3 of 11
    The Charleton House Mysteries
  2. Print length
    190 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    June 4, 2020
  5. File size
    3.0 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 11 books in this series.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B089QT52ZZ
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 4, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.0 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 190 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 3 of 11 ‏ : ‎ The Charleton House Mysteries
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 420 ratings

About the author

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Kate P Adams

Kate P Adams

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After 25 years working in some of England’s finest buildings, Kate P. Adams has turned to murder.

Kate grew up in Derbyshire, the setting for the Charleton House Mysteries, and went on to work in theatres around the country, the Natural History Museum - London, the University of Oxford and Hampton Court Palace. Every day she explored darkened corridors and rooms full of history behind doors the public never get to enter. Kate spent years in these beautiful buildings listening to fantastic tales, wondering where the bodies were hidden, and hoping that she’d run into a ghost or two.

Kate has an unhealthy obsession with finding the perfect cup of coffee, enjoys a gin and tonic, and is managed by Pumpkin, a domineering tabby cat who is a little on the large side. Now that she lives in the USA, writing the Charleton House Mysteries allows Kate to go home to her beloved Derbyshire every day, in her head at least.

Head to Kate’s website to get a free copy of ‘A Stately Murder’, the first in the Charleton House Mysteries. Find it here www.katepadams.com

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
420 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers love the characters in this cozy mystery series, with one noting their larger-than-life personalities. The story keeps readers guessing until the end, and one customer describes it as a delightful murder mystery set in a fancy English manor house. Customers find the book fun and intriguing, making it a must-read in the series.

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9 customers mention "Character development"9 positive0 negative

Customers love the characters in the book, with one noting their larger-than-life personalities.

"...The characters are fun and they grow on you with each book...." Read more

"A tricky mystery that had me stumped! I just love the characters, especially the cats. I read the story all in one go it was so good." Read more

"...lovers of history, country houses, good food, clever puzzles and quirky characters. Great fun and very enjoyable." Read more

"...These mysteries have a wonderful cast of recurring characters. There are always too may suspects and possible motives...." Read more

9 customers mention "Story quality"9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, describing it as a delightful mystery with clever puzzles, and one customer notes that it keeps readers guessing until the end.

"...Sleep Like the Dead is book 3 in the series but you will enjoy the story even if you haven’t read the other books or short stories...." Read more

"...She takes all the cozy requirements then crafts a delightful story around the plot. I wasn't sure about this one at first...." Read more

"A tricky mystery that had me stumped! I just love the characters, especially the cats. I read the story all in one go it was so good." Read more

"...A great cosy mystery for lovers of history, country houses, good food, clever puzzles and quirky characters. Great fun and very enjoyable." Read more

8 customers mention "Readability"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a must-read in the series, with one customer describing it as a wonderful cozy mystery.

"...Reading the book is the solution. In fact, read the entire series...." Read more

"...Everything was tied up nicely. This is one of my favorite series!" Read more

"...Another very good eh done it mystery, will keep you guessing till the end. That is one reason I enjoy this series so much...." Read more

"...Mark and her friend Joyce are awesome, funny and snarky sidekicks. Just love them! Keep them coming Kate!!" Read more

6 customers mention "Enjoyment"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book very enjoyable, appreciating its fun and intrigue elements.

"...A great cosy mystery for lovers of history, country houses, good food, clever puzzles and quirky characters. Great fun and very enjoyable." Read more

"...Each entry truly is better than the previous one and each is a great read. I am ready and waiting for the next installment..." Read more

"...Also it’s fun to get a taste of what it’s like to be a tour guide and an employee of a property that interacts with visitors by enacting different..." Read more

"...House Mystery (The Charleton House Mysteries Book 3) was a joy to read!..." Read more

3 customers mention "Appeal"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book appealing, with one mentioning the fancy English manor house setting and another highlighting the great atmosphere of the Charleston House.

"...A great cosy mystery for lovers of history, country houses, good food, clever puzzles and quirky characters. Great fun and very enjoyable." Read more

"...Charleston House is always a great setting. I was trying to guess who was going to be the victim and I never guessed it right. And the suspects?..." Read more

"...One thing I find fun and appealing about her books are the recurring characters that have larger than life personalities...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • DawgFan NC
    5.0 out of 5 stars Murder strikes Charleton House again
    Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Charleton House has gone all out with guests in period costumes dining and spending the evening at the house. Performers help bring the past alive for the attendees until someone is found murdered. As an investigation ensues, Sophie Lockwood, an employee of the House, can’t help but get involved. Sleep Like the Dead is book 3 in the series but you will enjoy the story even if you haven’t read the other books or short stories. The characters are fun and they grow on you with each book. The author’s knowledge of working in historical homes is apparent as you read this cozy mystery.
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  • CarlinK
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another great one in a wonderful cozy mystery series!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I think Kate P. Adams may be my (current) favorite cozy mystery author. She takes all the cozy requirements then crafts a delightful story around the plot. I wasn't sure about this one at first. A "sleep over" in a historical mansion seemed quite farfetched. Who in their right mind would enjoy, and pay good money for, spending a night in a sleeping bag, on a cold stone floor, with 50+ others, some of whom were snoring? But it worked. I think the author's prior work experience in historical buildings in England (including, I learned in the end, arranging a sleepover at Hampton Court Palace) gave the story the verisimilitude it needed to win me over!

    This story involved Sophie in another murder, finding the body of someone dressed as Charles Dickens. Sophie is in charge of the restaurants at Charleston House in Derbyshire and now has solved several murder mysteries there often with the aid of Mark, one of the historical tour guides. (Mark is married to Bill who plays a small role in the stories but a big role in Mark's life.) I love all of the returning characters mainly other Charleston House employees, including Joyce, a woman of indeterminate years (likely over 70) who is always dressed to the nines with matching stiletto heels and perfectly polished nails. I highly recommend the Charleston House mysteries to lovers of classic cozies with a twist.
    One person found this helpful
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  • oldehf
    4.0 out of 5 stars Not Miss Marple...
    Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    And by now she'd be dead! Gin and coffee, in copious amounts. Probably too many suspects, and you have about a one-in-three chance of getting the killer right.The setting is great, though. Get a tour of the important castles of England when you can.
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  • Mystery Girl
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I love all of Kate Adam's books. The details of Charleston House make you feel you are right there. Love affairs gone wrong and the murder of Charles Dickens. But was it the actor who was portraying him during a sleepover at Charleston House or someone dressed liked him and it confused the murderer? I loved the way Sophie and her gang have to come up with the facts that lead to the killer. Especially love Mark and Joyce. Can't wait to read more of her books!
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  • Linnette Parris
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful
    Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2024
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    A tricky mystery that had me stumped! I just love the characters, especially the cats. I read the story all in one go it was so good.
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  • Susie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another great instalment in a wonderful series!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    There's a sleepover night at Charleton House. The paying guests have a wonderful dinner, dancing and a reading by 'Charles Dickens' before settling down to sleep in the Long Gallery. Head of Charleton House catering and amateur sleuth, Sophie Lockwood, finds a body (of course!). There is much confusion and red herrings abound - what the Dickens is going on?! Happily Sophie and the usual gang of Mark, Joyce, Bill and Joe are quickly on the case! Pumpkin the cat has a less than stellar role in this one but we do get to meet Romeo instead.
    Although this book is part of a series it could also be a standalone, however you would surely want to read the rest afterwards. A great cosy mystery for lovers of history, country houses, good food, clever puzzles and quirky characters. Great fun and very enjoyable.
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  • IreneS
    4.0 out of 5 stars This series is worth a read
    Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2020
    Another enjoyable read in the Charleton House series. There is a sleepover for visitors with a dinner menu to suit the period, a tour of the house and a reading by Charles Dickens. Among the guests, liaisons past and present add to the evening’s entertainment, but when someone is found dead there are a number of possible motives and suspects. At least, there will be, when they figure out who has actually died. Sophie is getting more pro-active in her investigations, or perhaps it was just lack of sleep that made her impatient, as she explained to Mark. History to the fore with some interesting twists and Folies Bergére style ending. I wonder if the author actually knows someone like Mark? Hmmm.
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  • DONNA T. MCKENZIE
    5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful manor house mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2024
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    This series of books just gets better with each installment. Sophie is the manager of Charleton house. They are having a sleepover. There is an adaptation of a Charles Dickens portrayer. There is a murder which takes place however at first they are not sure who the victim is. After identifying him there are no shortage of suspects and motives. That the killer was not who I thought it was is always fun.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • carickfergus
    5.0 out of 5 stars What The Dickens Is Going On & Who The Dickens IS Dickens ? !!!
    Reviewed in Canada on June 6, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    All Hail History & Cozy Mystery Buffs this series is My new guilty pleasure ! Ah, a coffee & a few treats, then starts Chapter 1 and I am off and gone on this Dickens of a tale (sorry I can't help myself the puns just keep coming).
    Somewhere on high over Poet's Corner Dickens himself must be looking down with a rye olde smile, to be remembered so lovingly for this very special 150th anniversary of his death. Kate you have done him & yourself proud.
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  • KIMBERLY
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another great read.
    Reviewed in Australia on June 8, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Another book that can make me laugh and cry. Follow Sophie as she investigates another murder. A Grand House sleepover and a birthday party. I love these characters - and yes, I guessed whodunnit wrong again.
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  • S F Canfield
    4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 7, 2022
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    A well written story with excellent background information which is very interesting in itself. I like the main characters and their interaction with each other.
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  • Katherine M
    4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable
    Reviewed in Canada on May 13, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    An enjoyable addition to the series. Ms Adams first-hand knowledge of the running of historic homes that are open to the public definitely enhances the stories in this series.
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