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Murder On The Marlow Belle by Robert Thorogood

Jan16

Engaging, Entertaining & Wholesome

Murder On The Marlow Belle by Robert Thorogood is a fabulous contemporary cosy crime novel that gripped me from the start. It is the fourth book in The Marlow Murder Club series but can be read as a stand-alone.

I enjoyed meeting up with familiar faces – the trio of women who are amateur super sleuths. On the surface they look quite ordinary but underneath – the seventy-nine-year-old, middle-aged lady and the vicar’s wife – have the extraordinary capacity to sniff out and solve murders!

Like the fictional Miss Marple, the three are relentless in their pursuit of the solution to the crime. They are the thorns in the side of local police woman Tanika – although she secretly approves and appreciates their puzzle solving abilities.

We follow some amateur dramatic actors following the murder of one of their own. No one seems to have been able to commit the crime but everyone has a motive – who could it be? Is the truth stranger than fiction?

The three leading ladies are a formidable team. They all have unique qualities and work well together. Their friendship proves that together they are stronger.

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Murder At Raven’s Hollow by Louise Marley

Jan11

Entertaining

Murder At Raven’s Hollow by Louise Marley is a contemporary cosy crime novel that I enjoyed. It is the third book in An English Village Mystery series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The village is a close-knit community with an eclectic mix of characters. They are realistic and provoke a variety of emotional responses from the reader – many are liked, one I decidedly did not (but this was a guided response by the author).

A normal autumnal day soon takes a mysterious turn as human bones are found under a glass house floor. Whose could they be? And how long have they been there? There appears to be three likely candidates from years ago. The police must work out just who it is.

We see that characters are not wholly black or white but a blend of grey. However, one character definitely has a black heart and has been manipulating others for years and without remorse.

A village community throws up some interesting relationships as characters find themselves sharing DNA which they were unaware of!

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Death In The Hills by Kate Wells

Jan8

Engaging Cosy Crime

Death In The Hills by Kate Wells is a contemporary cosy crime novel that I really enjoyed. It is the fourth book in The Malvern Farm Mystery but can be read as a stand-alone.

As the series name suggests, the action is set in the Malvern area with mentions of the cities of Worcester and Birmingham. Living in Worcestershire means the area was easy for me to picture, giving the story a familiar feel to it.

We see the value of family. Family is not just blood related but includes all who love us. There were some very touching scenes featuring a very young nephew, and at the other end of the scale, an aging Grandmother. This showed the love between the generations. Too often the elderly are ignored, this makes for ideal amateur sleuthing as their ears are open.

The reader is treated to the open Malvern landscape as we roam the hills, see the sheep and sample the fayre in a local pub.

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The Cream Tea Killer by Judy Leigh

Jan6

Cosy Crime At Its’ Finest

The Cream Tea Killer by Judy Leigh is a most delightful, contemporary, cosy crime novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is the third book in the Morwenna Mutton Mystery series but can be read as a stand-alone. However, for maximum enjoyment, I recommend reading the previous books first.

I enjoyed meeting up with familiar faces as the Cornish summer season gets underway. We ‘experience’ the Cornish hospitality. “If you come here when we are closing, I’ll give you what’s left over, a pasty, a bit of cake, scones, some fruit, a bottle of milk.” Seal Bay is a welcoming community that offers hospitality and help to those in need.

There is a more worrying side as one of their own is washed ashore and shady characters are seen around. Fortunately for all, Morwenna Mutton, a modern-day Miss Marple is at hand to investigate, alongside the police. Her amateur sleuthing is second to none.

All the characters were well drawn and believable, Morwenna Mutton is sixty-three but is like a breath of fresh air wherever she goes. She is very sprightly as she cycles around the village.

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