Murder In The Village A Completely Unputdownable English Cozy Mystery

Meet Belinda Penshurst. Castle owner, dog lover... crime solver? Belinda Penshurst loves her home village Little Challham, with its shady lanes, two pubs and weekly market, and she's determined to keep it peaceful. She may live in Challham Castle but she knows almost everything that goes on under her nose. So when irritable pub landlord Tipper is found dead in his cellar, she's perfectly placed to investigate. Retired detective Harry Powell moved to Little Challham for a quiet life. He didn't expect to be dragged into a murder investigation. But the police don't seem half as enthusiastic as Belinda about the case, and there are strange things happening in the village. Particularly the number of dogs that have disappeared lately... Is there a dognapper snaffling schnauzers and luring away Labradors? Is Belinda barking mad to be worried that her brother Marcus was arguing with Tipper on the day he died? Belinda and Harry track down the suspects: the rival landlord, the outraged barmaid, the mysterious man in the black car following dogwalkers around. But are the dogged detectives running out of time to sniff out the killer, before he starts hounding them? A charming cozy mystery full of laughs and eccentric characters. Fans of M.C. Beaton, H.Y. Hanna and Emily Organ will love the first novel in the Belinda Penshurst series! See what readers are saying about Murder in the Village 'Wonderful... I absolutely adored this book! Had me reading and finishing the book in no time! I highly recommend this book! Stunning, a page-turner which stays long in the memory!' NetGalley reviewer 'What a great start to a new series!... A lively, spark-filled investigation... Wonderfully entertaining with the perfect set of ingredients.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Charming... A super quick read perfect for the beach!' Bless Their Hearts Mom, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A zany cast of characters, most of whom are suspected of being dognappers, murderers or both. A humorous mystery perfect for dog lovers' Goodreads reviewer 'Fun, full of mystery... Top notch cosy crime... Has a kind of Midsomer Murders vibe and in spite of the murderer on the loose, kept me smiling from start to finish... Fabulous... I can't wait to see what this fabulous duo get up to next. Fans of cosy mysteries (and dog lovers) are just going to eat this up.' Jen Med's Book Reviews 'Excellent village mayhem and murder' NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Julia Bird can't wait to attend the annual village party at the local stately home, with its tea tents, cake stalls, and... dead body in the maze? The annual village celebration at Berrywick House is underway, complete with over-decorated cake stalls, fiercely contested flower competitions, and even a maze for the disappointed losers to hide in. Julia Bird, now a well-known - even notorious - member of the community, with her trusty Labrador Jake, has thrown herself headlong into the festivities. But her reputation for adding drama to any event stands up yet again when she discovers a dead body in the maze... It seems Ursula Benjamin, village know-it-all and prickly baking competition participant, has been strangled - and the killer has to be someone at the fete. As Julia grapples with finding yet another murder in Berrywick, she starts to wonder, could one of the competitive cake-bakers have taken the contest to deadly new heights? Or is there something darker in Ursula's life that led to her untimely demise? Embroiled once again in a murder enquiry, Julia isn't about to leave the investigation to the police. Like it or not, she's involved, and she's going to help them solve the mystery. But when there's another death, and it's clear the murders aren't isolated incidents, the stakes become even higher. Can Julia figure out the identity of the killer, and prevent any further dastardly deeds, before the wholesome spirit of the village is ruined forever? If you like utterly gripping English mysteries, then you'll love A Village Fete Murder. Perfect for fans of M.C. Beaton, Faith Martin and Betty Rowlands. Readers are loving the Julia Bird mysteries: 'There just aren't enough stars for this one, so I can only give it FIVE!! I'm so looking forward to the next book in the series!!' Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I absolutely LOVED this... Julia Bird was an amazing and lovable character... Once I started it, I couldn't stop.' Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I loved this very English murder mystery, so reminiscent of Agatha Christie... I loved everything about this book.' NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Fabulous... addictive... a witty and delightful crime novel full of delicious red herrings, rural mischief and bucolic charm that is impossible to put down.' Bookish Jottings 'Oh my, I loved Julia Bird... she is a delight! I can't wait for the next one! Please don't let it be long!' MoongloTexas ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Really entertaining... I simply couldn't put the book down... Julia's life in the countryside with her newly adopted dog Jake was too enjoyable... I cannot wait to read for Julia Bird's next adventure!... Five stars!' Tropical Girl Reads Books ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Brilliant!... I really warmed to Julia and especially Jake, her errant puppy, and loved the village life.' Broadbean's Books ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

When her best friend goes missing, amateur sleuth Beth Haldane is determined to do some digging of her own... but can she crack the mystery before it becomes a murder? Beth Haldane is worried. First her dear friend and fellow single mother Jen suddenly gets married to a new man who seems too perfect to be true, then she moves out of leafy Dulwich Village - and now seems to have disappeared without a trace. Beth knows Jen would never leave her little daughter to handle playground predicaments or her sneaky stepmother alone. Heading to Jen's new home for answers, Beth's knocks on the periwinkle-blue front door go unanswered. Police are convinced the lovebirds are on an extended honeymoon: but Beth suspects Jen's new husband is up to no good... why does no-one in Dulwich know where he came from? Are his looks hiding a dark past? With Jen's unpleasant ex popping up at every turn, and gruff but handsome policeman DI Harry York insisting Beth should leave things to the professionals, it's going to take all her sleuthing skills to track Jen down. But searching Jen's overgrown garden for clues, Beth hears a twig snap... and next thing she knows, she's woken up in a hospital bed. Someone in normally peaceful Dulwich Village will do anything to stop her reaching the truth. Can Beth get to the bottom of this mystery before she's the next to disappear? A totally addictive murder mystery that's perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, The Thursday Murder Club and Elly Griffiths. 'Poses quite an enigma!... Another fabulous addition to this series... Beth does seem to be a magnet for trouble!... A real treat... a total surprise!... these novels are a cut above the usual mysteries... Without doubt, worthy of a full five stars!' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Kept me guessing... great sense of humour... I really love this great little series... Romance and mystery with a bit of humour thrown in. You can't get much better than that!!!!' Goodreads reviewer 'Page-turning... thoroughly addictive... a clever plot... the perfect novel, just made for curling up with.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Fabulous... such a relatable character... Plenty of suspects, twists, and turns... my amateur sleuth skills were once again put to the test, and once again I was completely foiled... I cannot wait for the next book!... Absolutely recommend to cozy mystery and crime thriller lovers.' Goodreads reviewer 'Intelligent and well-plotted... twists that I didn't see coming... I can't wait to read the next one!' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

THERE'S A BAFFLING MYSTERY IN THE VILLAGE OF STEEPLE MARTIN...BUT ACTRESS AND AMATEUR SLEUTH LIBBY SARJEANT IS ON THE CASE! 'The characters are so likeable. I would love to visit the mythical Steeple Martin!' ***** GoodReads review Lesley Cookman's bestselling series featuring amateur sleuth Libby Sarjeant is back for its sixteenth instalment! Max Tobin brings his all-male dance company to Steeple Martin with his new ballet Pendle, based on the infamous Pendle Witch Trials, due to be performed at the Oast Theatre. There have been unpleasant incidents during rehearsals in London, and Max asks Libby Sarjeant and her friend Fran Wolfe to look into them. To everyone's surprise, the seriousness of the incidents escalates until, rather unfortunately, someone is murdered. While the police look into the murder, Libby and Fran wonder why someone seemed so set against the ballet. Were occult forces at work, or was there a more worldly, personal motive? The sixteenth book in Lesley Cookman's bestselling series featuring amateur sleuth Libby Sarjeant. This unputdownable cozy crime novel is perfect for fans of Betty Rowlands, Faith Martin, J.R. Ellis, LJ Ross, Miss Marple and Midsummer Murders./h3 _________________________________________________________________ Praise for the bestselling series: 'Cozy village mystery with an amateur theater and links to the past. What's not to love?' ***** Goodreads reviewer 'Absolutely fabulous read. I couldn't put it down and had to finish it, reading through bath, breakfast and getting dressed' ***** Goodreads review 'I'm surprised this is not a BBC series... it's that good and I for one intend to read more of Libby's adventures' ***** Goodreads review

Join bookshop owner Flora Steele and handsome writer Jack Carrington as they set off on a French adventure and solve a chilling crime! Jack is stunned to receive a call from his estranged mother, asking him to drop everything and come to France. Together with Flora, his fellow sleuth, they pack their suitcases, dreaming of fragrant lavender fields and freshly baked pain au chocolat. It's only when they arrive that they discover the shocking truth - Sybil's friend was killed on a street in Paris, and she is desperate for their help. The case leads them to a picturesque village in the south of France where life should be rosé, but even the bright blue skies can't hide the fact that something is very wrong. And the mystery only deepens when Flora discovers that Sybil was in fact the intended target. Who would want her out of the way? Perhaps Sybil's relationship with wealthy Italian count Massimo Falconi has something to do with it. His darling daughter Allegra, ruthless business partner Pascal and his jealous estranged wife Isabella all have reasons for revenge... Then when another person in the small French town dies in suspicious circumstances, Flora is convinced the two untimely deaths must be connected. Just when the case seems impossible to crack, a chess box provides an unlikely clue. Can Flora discover the truth before Sybil meets her end? Or could trouble in paradise spell a final au revoir for the detective duo? A completely addictive cozy crime novel. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Joy Ellis! Readers love the Flora Steele Mysteries: 'Fantastic... Absolutely devoured this book in one sitting!!... Yet another explosive book in an absolutely addictive series!!!... Will keep you guessing throughout! OMG!!!! THAT ENDING!!!! LOVE, LOVE, ABSOLUTELY LOVED!!!!... I LOVED IT !!!!! Clear your schedules as you won't be able to put this book down!' Bookworm86, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Obituary writer and amateur sleuth Eve Mallow is enjoying life in sleepy Saxford St Peter - until a mysterious murder lands right at her door... It's spring in Saxford St Peter - time to get back in the garden, listen to the birds, and take gentle strolls in the woods. But for some, it's the season for murder. Eve Mallow is relishing the gentle pace of the village until a new arrival stirs everyone up. Ashton Foley is back: a teenage tearaway turned interior designer to the stars. He's mad, bad and dangerous to know, but charming too - as Eve herself can testify - and every house in Saxford opens its doors to him. So when he's found murdered in the woods near his mother's home, Apple Tree Cottage, there's no shortage of suspects. A jealous husband? A spurned lover? Or has someone from his past life caught up with him? The police soon hit on a simple solution, and arrest his mother's partner Howard. Ashton always hated him, and he bears all the marks of a recent fight. But Ashton's mother, miles away in New Zealand, is convinced he's innocent, and enlists Eve's help to prove it. There's just one problem. Eve saw Howard sniffing around Apple Tree Cottage on the morning of the murder, and she's fairly sure he's guilty, too... An unputdownable page-turner, perfect for fans of Faith Martin, Agatha Christie and Betty Rowlands. See what readers are saying about the Eve Mallow series: 'Stunning... loved the story and the pacing and just everything about it... a great story that I couldn't put down... The twists and turns were great.' Crossroad Reviews 'Plenty of plot twists, red herrings, and misdirection. Kept me in suspense. I loved it!' Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Drags the reader right into the plot from day one. She writes so vividly... I can almost imagine I'm on the dunes walking Gus, an inspiration of a dog that steals the show. The plot is strong... A Marplesque amateur sleuth.' Jenny O'Brien, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I really enjoyed reading this! Loved the typical English village location and the very Jessica Fletcher-type protagonist... I am anxious to read more of this character soon!' Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Kept me on my toes throughout...a cracking follow up book which completely satisfied although it did leave me gagging for the next in series.' Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I devoured the mystery in one sitting. Highly recommend this series.' NetGalley reviewer 'Like coming home. I loved the atmosphere... Looking forward to the next part. 5 stars' B for Bookreview, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Julia Bird loves the village pub quiz, but it seems one of her team won't make it to the next round alive... On the first Tuesday of each month, Julia Bird and her Agatha Quizteam teammates take part in Berrywick's village pub quiz. They take it seriously - what's the point of playing, after all, if you aren't in it to win it? But it seems someone connected with the quiz night has taken the competition to a whole new level when Lilian, the local police constable and all-round general knowledge expert, is found fatally stabbed after the evening's final round. With local DI Hayley Gibson stuck home with a broken leg and an incompetent Superintendent brought in from the nearby town, it's up to Julia to make sure the investigation stays focussed - whether they like it or not! While the police are convinced that the murderer is linked to Lilian's professional life, Julia turns her amateur sleuthing eye to suspects much closer to home. Perhaps Lilian's personal life could have something to do with the dreadful crime? When another quiz team member is attacked, Julia is finally put on the right track. But what could possibly be important - or dangerous - enough for two attendees of the pub quiz night to meet such foul ends over? Could the culprit really be among them on that busy Tuesday night? As Julia's race to identify the killer ramps up to desperate heights, she wonders, where will the murderous spree end? Perfect for fans of M.C. Beaton, Faith Martin and Betty Rowlands, Murder at the Inn is a brilliantly compelling English cozy mystery. Readers are loving the Julia Bird mysteries: 'There just aren't enough stars for this one, so I can only give it FIVE!! I'm so looking forward to the next book in the series!!' Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I absolutely LOVED this... Julia Bird was an amazing and lovable character... Once I started it, I couldn't stop.' Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Fabulous... addictive... a witty and delightful crime novel full of delicious red herrings, rural mischief and bucolic charm that is impossible to put down.' Bookish Jottings 'Oh my, I loved Julia Bird... she is a delight! I can't wait for the next one!' MoongloTexas ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I completed the book within a day... I would highly recommend this cosy crime page-turner as the perfect indulgent summer evening escape'. NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Really entertaining... I simply couldn't put the book down... Julia's life in the countryside with her newly adopted dog Jake was too enjoyable... I cannot wait to read for Julia Bird's next adventure!... Five stars!' Tropical Girl Reads Books ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Reminiscent of Agatha Christie... I loved everything about this book.' NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Oooh I loved this book… I wanted a book which would be absolutely soothing to read with a murder in it and this was it. The book was everything I wanted in these troubling times. I loved it.’ Book Reviews by Shalini Move over Miss Marple, there’s a new sleuth in town! Meet Eleanor Swift: distinguished adventurer, dog lover, dignified lady… daring detective? England, 1920. Eleanor Swift has spent the last few years travelling the world: taking tea in China, tasting alligators in Peru, escaping bandits in Persia and she has just arrived in England after a chaotic forty-five-day flight from South Africa. Chipstone is about the sleepiest town you could have the misfortune to meet. And to add to these indignities – she’s now a Lady. Lady Eleanor, as she would prefer not to be known, reluctantly returns to her uncle’s home, Henley Hall. Now Lord Henley is gone, she is the owner of the cold and musty manor. What’s a girl to do? Well, befriend the household dog, Gladstone, for a start, and head straight out for a walk in the English countryside, even though a storm is brewing… But then, from the edge of a quarry, through the driving rain, Eleanor is shocked to see a man shot and killed in the distance. Before she can climb down to the spot, the villain is gone and the body has vanished. With no victim and the local police convinced she’s stirring up trouble, Eleanor vows to solve this affair by herself. And when her brakes are mysteriously cut, one thing seems sure: someone in this quiet country town has Lady Eleanor Swift in their murderous sights… If you enjoy witty dialogue, glamorous intrigue and the very best of Golden Age mysteries, then you will adore Verity Bright’s unputdownable whodunnit, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, T.E. Kinsey and Downton Abbey! Readers love A Very English Murder! ‘I fell in love immediately! Agatha Christie eat your heart out… I was instantly swept away in the drama of it all and fell in love with everything about the book… Lady Swift is my new idol. I absolutely adored her… Plenty of twists, turns and deterrents to put the reader off the scent.’ Sarah in Readerland ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘Wow, we have a feisty new heroine taking command in the historic cozy mystery genre! What a fun new character, she is… Totally digging this series so far!’ Beauty Sleuth Book Diva ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘What a great cozy mystery! I am hooked! This is the best book, bar none that I have read this year… An extremely witty, fast-paced mystery… I love the heroine, intrepid adventuress… I want to live at Henley Hall, I love Gladstone, the very funny bulldog, too cute! A most enjoyable read!’ Reviews by Carol in Tallahassee ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘So engaging. I loved reading this book it was so easy to read and absolutely captivating. I cannot wait to read of the further adventures of Lady Eleanor and her beloved bulldog Gladstone. Highly recommended.’ Goodreads Reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘I liked Eleanor a lot, she’s feisty and sweet… The ending had me a little teary, because she’s finally come home… The best part of the book was that it made me feel cozy and warm. Looking forward to the next book! Highly recommended.’ Goodreads Reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘I LOVE British mysteries! I knew without a doubt Eleanor was going to take me on a fantastic journey and that she did!... Makes you feel like you are there with her sleuthing through the quaint villages and countryside. I like a book that leaves me wanting more and this book definitely did that!’ Goodreads Reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘So fun! I really enjoyed the adventurous Ellie and the lovable cast of supporting characters at Henley Hall… I was kept guessing until the very end.’ Goodreads Reviewer