Book Review: The Paris Mystery by Kirsty Manning

The Paris Mystery is a cosy crime novel set in 1930's Paris, on the cusp of WWII. It is the first book in Kirsty Manning's Charlotte 'Charlie' James series.

 

Journalist Charlie James leaves Australia for a position at The Times Paris. She purposefully calls herself Charlie to circumvent preconceived notions of women in journalism.

Charlie is sent to cover a ball held by socialites Lord & Lady Ashworth. When a prominent Parisian is found murdered in the grounds of the ball, Charlie seizes the opportunity to interview attendees hoping this will be the scoop that will prove to her boss that she can do this job.

 

The Paris Mystery is an enthralling mystery. I had no idea who had murdered the victim and as Charlie, together with the police, interview each person we find that many people disliked the man enough to kill him.

 

An eclectic group of characters are introduced from many different countries that make up the Parisian community.

 

Kirsty Manning lusciously describes the beautiful gowns worn by Charlie and her friend Violet and evokes the sense of a flamboyant Paris before the hardships of war. The food, clothes and extravagant balls are all enchantingly described to bring the setting alive. 

 

As The Paris Mystery is the first in a series the pace is slow as the reader gets to know Charlie and the circumstances that led her to Paris.

 

Kirsty Manning takes her readers to 1930's Paris, to a world of luscious gowns, extravagant balls, illicit affairs, blackmail, murder and spirited females.

 

My rating 3 / 5   ⭐⭐⭐

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 30th August 2022

Series: Charlotte 'Charlie' James #1

Pages: 320

Source: Own copy

 

Book Review: Murder of a Suffragette by Marty Wingate

I enjoyed this cosy murder mystery set in the 1920’s and around a meeting of suffragettes.

The murder is discovered quite early in the book and as the investigation unfolds the mystery builds. Our protagonist Mabel Canning calls in her friends from the London Ladies Murder Club. Murder of a Suffragette is book 4 in a series but I didn’t feel like I had missed anything by not reading the previous books.

 

Murder of a Suffragette is a slow burn, character driven story. A nice easy read to sit down in a comfy seat with a cup of tea.

 

A few red herrings had me guessing and double guessing who the murderer was. I never did get it right.

 

Murder of a Suffragette is a light read with an engaging mystery, a touch of humour and memorable characters ( especially Gladys the dog). Perfect to escape into for a few hours.

 

My rating: 3 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐ 

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication date: 28th October 2024

Genre: Cosy Mystery

Pages: 331

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Netgalley

 

 

 

Book Review: Murder by Milkshake by Elizabeth Maria Naranjo

 Murder by Milkshake

by

Elizabeth Maria Naranjo

Publisher: Self Published

Publication date: 15th July 2024

Series: Sweet Dreams Mysteries #1

Genre: Cosy Crime / Mystery

Pages: 220

RRP: AU$4.44 (kindle)

Source: Courtesy of the author via WOW! Women on Writing

 

Review: Murder by Milkshake

Murder by Milkshake is the first in a cosy murder mystery series set around an ice-cream parlour.

Genevieve Winterland is our 17 year-old amateur sleuth who decides to investigate the disappearance of her favourite teacher.

I really like the relationship between Genevieve and her best friend Brandon. It shows teens that girls and boys can be friends without any romantic attachment.

Murder by Milkshake is a very sweet read and Genevieve is a likeable protagonist. I didn't know before I read it that it is a young adult read and it is perfectly suited to this age group of 12 - 18 years. Perfect for readers who like a sweet mystery with a spoonful of suspense and an extra scoop of ice-cream.

There are lots of mentions of ice-cream flavours focusing on Genevieve's work at the ice-cream parlour and how she mixes her own flavours. I would have liked some of Genevieve's secret recipes, they sounded delicious.

Light themes of following your dreams and teens as carers. A few red-herrings are included to throw the reader off the trail.

If you are after something not too taxing Murder by Milkshake is the perfect read; light and cosy it can be read in one sitting.

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ages 12 - 18 years

 

Book Review: Murder in the Scottish Highlands by Dee MacDonald

Murder in the Scottish Highlands

by

Dee MacDonald

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication date: 2nd September 2024

Series: An Ally McKinley Mystery #1

Genre: Cosy Mystery

Pages: 282

Source: eBook courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Murder in the Scottish Highlands

Murder in the Scottish Highlands is the first in a new cosy mystery series by Dee MacDonald.

 

Ally McKinley has opened the guesthouse of her dreams in the tiny village of Locharran in the Scottish Highlands. Just when she feels she is settling into the village and making friends, one of her guests, an American tourist, is found murdered in the courtyard.

Not having much faith in the local police, Ally can't resist launching her own investigation to find the murderer. The list of suspects mounts and has Ally even questioning her new friends.

 

Murder in the Scottish Highlands is a fun read. Ally is a likeable main character and the imagery of the delightful Scottish village is superb.

As this is the first in a series there is lots about getting to know the supporting characters as Dee MacDonald introduces each of the residents of the village and how they interact with each other.

There are a mixed lot of characters who all had a good reason for wanting the tourist dead.

 

I did feel like the murder investigation slowed through the middle of the book until the end when it was all wrapped up very quickly.

 

Lots of humour, cups of tea, local gossip and the introduction of a love interest for Ally make this a fun and entertaining read. I finished this eager for the next book.

 

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

 

 

Book Review: The Castaways of Harewood Hall by Karen Herbert

The Castaways of Harewood Hall

by

Karen Herbert

 

a devilish dog, a curious cat and skulduggery in the basement...

 

Publisher: Fremantle Press

Publication date: 1st September 2022

Genre: Crime / Mystery

Pages: 216

RRP: $32.99AU

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

My review of The Castaways of Harewood Hall

Harewood Hall is a retirement village home to an eclectic group of residents who believe retirement from paid work doesn't mean retirement from life.

The narrative switches between some of the residents of the village, the manager, staff member Josh and even the resident cat, Harley, gets his point of view in this humorous and quirky tale.

Kind-hearted Josh rescues some research mice and hides them in Harewood Hall basement. Manager Fiona diligently deals with residents concerns about tree trimming, a spike in water usage and an unsafe retaining wall. Drama abounds when some residents decide to fix things themselves. Paul is the mediator, Martin the fixer and Joyce the organiser.

The Castaways of Harewood Hall is a delightful, light read bursting with a whole cast of likeable characters all with their own quirks and pet projects.

The mystery tends to take second stage to the goings on of the characters, human and non human.

I loved Harley's (the cat) point of view as he wandered from resident to resident, aloof but also a huge part of the village.

Missing money, mysterious deliveries  and a couple of red herrings make this novel an entertaining read. In Harewood Hall nothing goes unnoticed.

I've read a couple of retirement village novels that were hugely entertaining but unbelievable with the over-the-top high-jinks. Harewood Hall is tremendously engaging and believable.

My rating 4 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Karen Herbert has worked in age care, disability services, higher education, Indigenous land management, social housing and the public sector, and is a board member of The Intelife Group, Advocare Inc., and President of the fellowship of Australian Writers WA. Born in Geraldton, Karen now lives in Perth with her husband.

 
 

Spotlight on books I've read over the last few months

 I've become so far behind in my reviews that I'm going to do a quick post with some short reviews of books I have recently read. I hope you find something here that takes your fancy.

 

Doom Creek (Nick Chester #2)

by Alan Carter

Published by Fremantle Press 

 

My review

 

I have previously enjoyed Alan Carter’s writing in his Cato Kwong series and Doom Creek, the second book in the Nick Chester series, didn’t let me down.

I was pulled into the story from the first few pages. The action never stops in this gritty crime novel and just when you think Carter has thrown everything at his main character he throws in another murder and a couple of personal tragedies for Nick to cope with.

Doom Creek is a must read for crime fans. Real characters, dark humour and the beautiful scenery of Havelock in the Marlborough district of New Zealand make this an entertaining read. 

 

With thanks to Beauty & Lace and the publisher for my copy to read.

This review first appeared on Beauty & lace website

 

The Weekend

by Charlotte Wood

 

Published by Allen & Unwin

 

My review

 

The Weekend has been sitting on my shelf for a long time. I don’t know why it seemed to get pushed to the bottom of the pile, it is an extraordinary read.
 

Four older women with a lifelong friendship. Each of them very different from each other but something drew them together all those years ago. But when one of the group dies the remaining three are left to face their failing bodies and their own mortality. Sylvie was the one to hold the group together. Can they survive without her?
 

The Weekend is a sharply observed look at friendship and ageing. Charlotte Wood’s nuanced characters and lyrical prose combine to deliver a heart-felt story that explores the changing dynamics of a decades long friendship group when one of the group passes away.
 

As the story develops the women’s thoughts were mainly on each other, their likes and dislikes but it soon changes to musings on their own lives, lost opportunities, lost loves and regrets.
 

The Weekend is a thought provoking read, confronting and clever, primarily highlighting the bond of friendship.  

 

Thank you to the publisher for my copy to read

Till Daph Do Us Part (Daphne Jones Mysteries #1)

By Phillipa Nefri Clark

Published by Self Published  

My review

Till Daph Do Us Part is the first book in a series starring Daphne Jones, a travelling celebrant who likes to do a bit of sleuthing on the side.

When someone is found dead at a wedding Daphne is officiating at she can't help but become involved in the investigation.

Daphne reminded me of Miss Marple, she has an eye for things out of place and people tend to open up to her.

This was a fun cosy mystery and I enjoyed Daphne's investigative process. The story had a couple of good twists that I didn't see coming.

If you enjoy light, fun, Miss Marple type reads, Till Daph Do Us Part will appeal.

 

With thanks to the author for my copy to read.

 

The Understudy

by Julie Bennett

 

Published by Simon & Schuster

 

My review

I found I was drawn into this story right from the beginning. Two opera singers; one at the top of her game the other, young and ambitious.

It’s 1973 and Margaret is the lead in Madama Butterfly to open at the newly built Sydney Opera House. Sophie is her understudy. She has her eye on the top and she has a plan and is prepared to do anything to succeed!
 

Told in a dual narrative by Margaret and Sophie, with both women having an air of mystery about them.
 

Living in Sydney myself I enjoyed all the mentions of the city landmarks and the headlines of the time. I can vividly remember the opening of the Opera House, the controversy over the design and going to see a performance with my school.
 

Julie Bennett has brought 1970’s Sydney to life through her meticulous attention to detail. 

The story travels back to 1953 and Margaret’s early years in a bohemian Wooloomooloo which was both poignant and fascinating.

 

There is an intriguing mystery at the centre of the story and it’s final reveal took me completely by surprise.

 

Lies, deception, jealousy and vengeance….. The Understudy is an intriguing read!

 

 

With thanks to Beauty & Lace and the publisher for my copy to read.

This review first appeared on Beauty & Lace website 

 

Book Review & Giveaway: Murder Most Fancy by Kellie McCourt

Murder Most Fancy

by

Kellie McCourt 

 

She really didn't mean to become a detective....

 

Publisher: Harlequin Australia

 

Imprint: HQ Fiction

 

Publication date: 5th January 2022 

Series: Indigo #2

 

Genre: Mystery

 

Pages: 464

 

RRP: $29.99 AUD

 

Format read: Uncorrected Advanced Copy

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

My review

 

Socialite turned unwilling sleuth Indigo-Daisy-Violet-Amber Hasluck-Royce-Jones-Bomberg is back again in this madcap murder mystery.

In Murder Most Fancy Indigo literally falls over a body in her grandmother's garden. The man by all appearances looks to be homeless and Grandmother's neighbour, Dame Elizabeth Holly, asks Indigo and her personal assistant Esmerelda to unearth the man's identity so she can give him a decent burial. As the pair use their unconventional means of investigation the mystery thickens, and could someone be trying to kill them?

 

I haven't read the first book in this series, Heiress on Fire and I didn't feel like I had missed anything, so I would say this reads well as a standalone.

Murder Most Fancy is a fun read filled with humour and wry wit. A diverse cast of characters combine to deliver a story that's not all about high society and name dropping. Indigo is well portrayed as the overindulgent rich girl. However, she is perfectly offset with her sidekick Esmerelda, who is laid-back and unassuming. 

I found it hard to get a hold on Esmerelda's character. She was a whole bunch of contradictions. She quite often had no idea what was going on around her but she was street wise, tech savvy and intelligent. I think Kellie McCourt has done a wonderful job of writing such a complex character and I am sure she will be the favourite of many readers.

 

I loved the way each character had a partnering character with an opposite personality; Indigo and Esmerelda, also the two grandmothers, with Indigo's grandmother firm and no nonsense whilst Dame Elizabeth was softer and manipulated with kindness, showing opposites can get along and make lasting friendships.

At times I found the story was a bit too wordy however this could be easily overlooked when the wordiness was so funny.

Murder Most Fancy is an addictive murder mystery filled with a diverse cast of likeable characters and shenanigans that will have you laughing out loud.

My rating 4 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Credit: Harper Collins

 Kellie McCourt has worked as a national and international television anchor, scriptwriter, producer and reporter. Kellie is also an experienced print journalist and magazine editor.

She has a double BA in Journalism and Creative Writing from Curtin University, studied journalism in SE Asia and completed a postgrad scholarship program at UNSW. Alas, her mother is still waiting for her to 'get a real job', like a lawyer. Or an accountant.

Kellie had a misspent youth as a wayward socialite, and loves shoes, friends, reading, shoes and baked goods.

Kellie is passionate about creating entertaining, gender empowering stories. She lives in Sydney with her two amazing young daughters, and two poodles. 

 

Giveaway

 

I have two copies of Murder Most Fancy to give away to two lucky readers.

Entry is open to Australian addresses only and close at midnight on 19th February 2022.

Entry via the form below. 

 

This giveaway is now closed and the winners were announced HERE

 

 

Book Review & Giveaway: What LaVonda Robinette Did Next by Kirsten Maron

 What LaVonda Robinette Did Next

by

Kirsten Maron

 

Can she still get away with murder?

 

Publisher: Self Published

Publication date: 30th May 2021 

 

Genre: Cosy Crime / Humour

 

Pages: 470

 

RRP: $21.34 AUD (AmazonAU)

 

Format read: Paperback 

 

Source: Courtesy of the author

 

About the book

 

Three years have passed since the events that led LaVonda Robinette to murder. And yes, there are still plenty of people in her life giving her grief, including her ex-husband, her new neighbour, and a rather unwelcome character from her past.

But surely there are better ways, more creative outlets, for LaVonda to manage her frustrations than by committing murder?

Well, perhaps.

When she is faced with an unusual proposal, LaVonda must make one of the most difficult decisions in her life. A decision that has serious consequences and will force her to decide just how far she is willing to go to protect herself and her family.

Can she bring herself to kill someone in cold blood? Does she still have what it takes? Can LaVonda Robinette really go through with committing another murder?

Perhaps she already has.

 

My review:

 

In What LaVonda Robinette Did Next, LaVonda is back with her murderous thoughts in the sequel to What Would LaVonda Robinette Do? 

Kirsten Maron has delivered another outrageously funny story starring the morally skewed LaVonda Robinette. I think this second book is even better than the first book!!

Can LaVonda's family get any more crazy? Oh yes they can!

LaVonda has started her own cleaning business and as she gets to know some of her clients she comes to think there are some people who don't deserve to be on this earth.

LaVonda takes it upon herself to put the wrongs of the world right. A one woman vigilante and fabulous anti-hero.

A chance encounter with a former workmate leaves LaVonda with a moral dilemma and every situation she tries to sort out leaves her further in trouble.

"..there was a reason she hadn't bothered to keep in touch with any of her old workmates; they were all a little boring and annoying. And heaven knows, LaVonda had enough annoying people in her life without cultivating more."

LaVonda is menopausal, cranky and intolerant and can't understand why people have to be so irritating.

Maron has a witty and sharp sense of humour and clever observance of people's foibles and pet hates. I found myself agreeing with LaVonda more than once.

LaVonda's wild imagination and internal monologue had me laughing out loud.

I found myself eagerly reading to find out what LaVonda would do next and I had to force myself not to skip a few pages and read forward as the suspense built.

Kirsten Maron includes a host of diverse characters and I liked that their diversity wasn't the main focus. They are portrayed as any other character, their sexuality or disability does not override the plot.

With What LaVonda Robinette Did Next Kirsten Maron has proven herself in the cosy crime / humour genre. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

About the author

Kirsten Maron writes fictional stories and What Would LaVonda Robinette Do? is her second completed book. Don't bother looking for her first book; she decided she hated the ending and scrapped the whole thing.

Kirsten has been creating stories since she first learned to write and at the age of six won her first literary and only award with a cunning retelling of Maurice Sendak's Where The Wild Things Are.

The frustrations of middle-age provided Kirsten with the authorial fuel for writing her second book, but of course, unlike LaVonda, she would never actually murder anyone.

Kirsten lives in rural NSW with her husband and several bossy kangaroos. She is currently working on her third novel; a sequel called What LaVonda Robinette Did Next.

 

Challenges Entered: Australian Women Writers Challenge AWW2021

 

                                   Aussie Author Challenge #Aussieauthor21

 

 

Thanks to the outstanding generosity of the author I have 4 double sets of the books to give away. 

 

GIVEAWAY 

This giveaway is now closed and the winners were announced HERE

Book Review: What Would LaVonda Robinette Do? by Kirsten Maron

What Would LaVonda Robinette Do?

by

Kirsten Maron 

 

Can she really get away with murder?

 

 

 

Publisher: Shawline Publishing Group

 

Publication date: May 2021

 

Genre: Contemporary Fiction 

 

Pages: 419

 

RRP: $24.95AUD 

 

Format read: Paperback

 

Source: Courtesy of Beauty & Lace Book Club

 

 

About the book

 

LaVonda Robinette likes to take charge, and yes, she can be a little bossy, because sometimes that is the only way to get things done. But lately, LaVonda's life is spinning out of her control: Her husband of twenty-five years walks out, she has a horrible run-in with a colleague, and to make matters worse, she experiences her first hot flush in a crowded supermarket. On her birthday.

It is enough to drive a person to murder.

After her colleague is accidentally, but conveniently killed, LaVonda is left in a bit of a state. The appropriate thing to do would be to confess and accept her punishment. And she will. But maybe she could put right a few wrongs first? Not everything is as straight-forward as LaVonda would like though and bumping people off is proving to be rather tricky.

Does she have what it takes?

Will her newfound interest put herself, and her family, in danger?

 

My review

 

Who would have thought menopause and murder would combine to make such a darkly funny and enjoyable read!

LaVonda has a lot to contend with at the moment; her husband has left her for a younger woman, she is being bullied and shut down by the new person at work, she is obligated to visit her elderly abusive mother and on top of all that she is stricken with hot flushes that descend without warning. It's little wonder LaVonda's thoughts turn to murder. Her life would be so much easier without these people.

 

Kirsten Maron's writing is entertaining as she builds intrigue through a witty narrative. LaVonda is extremely likeable even though she has a deviated moral sense, we see most of her dark thoughts through her internal monologue. 

 

Many of the books themes will resonate with middle-aged women; hot flushes, mood swings, forgetfulness, paranoia, perceived invisibility and murderous thoughts.

 

"I've become invisible, Ann. People keep bumping into me as though they can't see me."

"It's our age. We're not relevant to society anymore so we're overlooked ......... we're sliding into middle-aged obscurity."

"It makes me furious ....... Any minor irritation flares straight into rage these days."

 LaVonda's sisters Maxine and Ann are wonderful support characters and lend for some additional threads to the story.

What Would LaVonda Robinette Do? is an engaging and witty read filled with, fierce and fabulous females, a storyline that will have you laughing out loud and a twist that I didn't see coming.

4 / 5   ⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Kirsten Maron writes fictional stories and What Would LaVonda Robinette Do? Is her second completed book.  

 

Kirsten has been creating stories since she first learned to write and at 6 won her first literary and only award with a cunning retelling of Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are. 

The frustrations of middle age provided Kirsten with the authorial fuel for writing her second book, but of course, unlike LaVonda, she would never actually murder anyone. 

Kirsten lives in rural NSW with her husband and several bossy kangaroos. She is currently working on her third novel; a sequel called What LaVonda Robinette Did Next.

 

 Challenges Entered: Australian Women Writers Challenge AWW2021

 

                                   Aussie Author Challenge #Aussieauthor21

 

Book Review: Digging Up Dirt by Pamela Hart

Digging Up Dirt

by

Pamela Heart

 

Renovations are hell. And that's before you find the body beneath the floorboards.

 

Publisher: Harlequin Australia

Imprint: HQ Fiction

Publication date: 2nd June 2021

Series: Poppy McGowan Mysteries #1

Genre: Cosy Crime

Pages: 352

Format read: Uncorrected Paperback

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

About the book

 

When your builder finds bones under the floor of your heritage home, what do you do? For TV researcher Poppy McGowan, the first step is to find out if the bones are human (which means calling in the cops and delaying her renovations) or animal (which doesn't).

Unfortunately, 'help' comes in the form of Dr Julieanne Weaver, archaeologist, political hopeful, and Poppy's old enemy. She declares the bones evidence of a rare breed of fat-tailed sheep, and slaps a heritage order on the site. The resultant archaeological dig introduces Poppy to Tol Lang, the best-looking archaeologist she's ever met - and also Julieanne's boyfriend.

When Julieanne is found murdered in Poppy's house, both she and the increasingly attractive Tol are considered suspects - and so Poppy uses her media contacts and news savvy to investigate other suspects. Did Julieanne have enemies in the right-wing Australian Family party, for which she was seeking preselection, or in the affiliated Radiant Joy Church? Or at the Museum of New South Wales, among her rivals and ex-boyfriends? And who was her secret lover?

Can Poppy save herself, and Tol ... and finally get her house back? 

 

My review

 

I have come to know Pamela Hart through reading her Historical Fiction novels. However, she also writes Fantasy and children's novels under the name Pamela Freeman. Digging Up Dirt is her first foray into the cozy mystery genre.

 

Poppy McGowan works for the ABC children's network. She is currently renovating an old inner city house and when bones are found under her floorboards she sees it as a good opportunity to call in a couple of archeologists she knows and film the dig for a children's documentary. All is going well until one morning a body is found in the house and suddenly she is the number one suspect.

 

This story was such a lot of fun. Poppy is a character I easily warmed to. She was fun, upbeat and didn't take herself too seriously. The addition of nemesis Julieanne leant for some dark comedy. She was one determined, ambitious woman!

Not at all happy about being a suspect Poppy decides to do some digging of her own.

 

Digging Up Dirt is a story that has many twists and turns and my thoughts on who the murderer was kept changing as i read on.

With the involvement of an evangelistic church , politicians, the local council, heritage orders, archaeologists and news reporters after an exclusive, it all makes for an interesting and fast paced read.

 

Pamela Hart has proven herself to be a writer of remarkable versatility. I am eagerly looking forward to the next Poppy McGowan mystery now that she has proven to be an amazing investigative reporter.

 

4 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

About the author

 

Pamela Hart is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than thirty-five books. She writes the Poppy McGowan mystery series and also historical novels, The Charleston Scandal is her most recent historical story, set in 1920's London.

As Pamela Freeman she is well-known as beloved children's author and fantasy writer. Her most recent children's book is a non-fiction picture book. Dry to Dry: The Seasons of Kakadu. Her adult fantasy series, The Castings Trilogy, ended with the award-winning Ember and Ash.

To be kept up to date about the next Poppy McGowan story, you can subscribe to her newsletter at  https://www.pamela-hart.com/ . You even get a free story!

 

 

Challenges entered:  Australian Women Writers Challenge #AWW2021

                                 Aussie Author Challenge #AussieAuthor21

Book Review: The Affacombe Affair by Elizabeth Lemarchand

 The Affacombe Affair

by

Elizabeth Lemarchand

Who in the village has a motive for murder…?

 

  

Publisher: Sapere Books

Publication date: 11th October 2018

Series: Pollard & Toye Investigations #2

Genre: Cosy Crime / Mystery

Pages: 238

Format read: eBook

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

About the book

1966, Rural England

When a body washes up at the banks of the river in Affacombe village, the residents are thrown into disarray.

It turns out to be the quiet and solitary matron at the local school: Sister Roach.

But when the police start to investigate it appears Roach’s unassuming demeanour hid a much darker secret…

With rumours of blackmail and clandestine affairs, it becomes clear that more than one person may have wanted Roach dead.

Chief Detective Inspector Pollard and Detective Sergeant Toye are called in from Scotland Yard to crack the case. 

 

My review

 

The Affacombe Affair, the second book in the Pollard & Toye series, is another enjoyable cozy mystery set in rural England.

 

When a murder haunts the small, sleepy town of Affacombe and the local police investigation comes to a standstill, Scotland yard is called in to pick up the case.

Set in the 1960's The Affacombe Affair has all the charm of the era; small close-knit town, a mix of well to do and working class, local traditions, garden parties and hidden secrets.

 

The story builds slowly revolving around the community, their day to day life and interactions. As the police investigation progresses hidden secrets are exposed and we find there is more than one person who may have wanted the victim out of the way.

 

Pollard & Toye didn't come into this story until about the 50% mark and I felt in this novel they didn't come across as the main characters. Olivia Stode, a community stalwart, is a wonderfully drawn character and it felt much like her story as she became involved with many aspects of the investigation and also did a little sleuthing of her own.

Pollard solves the case by piecing together what seemed to be inconsequential evidence and a good dose of sheer luck.

I really enjoy following along with the investigation in cosy mystery reads, trying to pick up on clues and having my own guess at who-dun-it. But I must say I didn't guess the outcome of this case.

If you enjoy reading about quaint rural communities with a murder mystery thrown in The Pollard & Toye series is sure to appeal.

4/5   ⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

 

Elizabeth Lemarchand was born in 1906. She became a teacher at The Godophin School in Salisbury. Her first book Death of an Old Girl was published in 1967. Elizabeth passed away in 2000 at the age of 93. Her books are currently being republished by Sapere Books.

Click cover to read my review