Tag: #HistoricalFiction

Posted in Cozy Mysteries

Murder at St Saviour’s (A Flora Steele Mystery Book 5)

Posted on by BookReviews

An absolutely gripping English cozy mystery novel

Bookshop owner and amateur detective Flora Steele teams up with handsome crime writer Jack Carrington to unravel a curious murder in the village of Abbeymead!

Sussex, 1956: When Flora and her partner-in-crime-solving, Jack, arrive at the charming church of St Saviour’s the last thing they’re expecting to find is the curate, Lyle Beaumont, lifeless on the flagstone floor beneath the belltower, with a mysterious note in his hand.

Flora is dismayed to find the poor curate dead. But she can’t help being intrigued by the eclectic mix of bell ringers present at the old church – Mr Preece, the local butcher, Dilys Fuller, the busybody postmistress, and Stephen Henshall, a newcomer to the close-knit community. Any one of them could be the culprit – and Flora needs to act fast before someone gets away with murder…

When Flora and Jack begin their sleuthing, they quickly realise all is not what it seems with the victim, and the certainty of the dead man’s identity becomes the first twist in the investigation.

Just as they’re getting closer to the answer, the death of one of the suspects changes everything. As a series of unexplained accidents unfolds across the village, it seems no-one who was present at the church on the night of the curate’s demise is safe.

Has the bell tolled on Flora and Jack’s detective days? And will they work out the truth in time to save themselves?

A completely addictive cozy crime novel set in the fictional Sussex village of Abbeymead. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Joy Ellis!

Readers love the Flora Steele Mysteries:

‘Amazing… a top-notch cosy mystery… an engaging, intelligent and intriguing murder mystery that I found totally absorbing.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I absolutely love this book! I was so captivated… I could not put this book down… I read this book in one sitting!… Amazing.’ @thenerdandherbooks, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Absolutely fantastic… An addictive perfect mix of mystery, crime, suspense and quirkiness which kept me turning the pages late at night!! An explosive start to a new series!’ Bookworm86, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A joy to read… Full of mystery and secrets!… Truly an unstoppable read! And I loved every minute of it!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I loved… A cozy, heart-warming, fast read. It felt like Scooby-Doo meets Agatha Raisin. I am here for it!… Delightful.’ Frosta Wings It, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Fantastic cozy mystery!… Fun to read… This author knows how to keep the reader’s attention from the first chapter!’ Books and Benches, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Wonderful book! I absolutely adored this… Had me reading and finishing the book in no time! I highly recommend!!!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Love… The story twisted along, with everyone becoming a suspect… A fab read, that I devoured in a day.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘What a joy… Fabulous… Totally fantastic… I highly recommend this outstandingly fabulous book.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Pace moves along as you keep turning the pages to find out whodunit. You’ll find yourself rooting for Flora and Jack in more ways than one. I can’t wait for the next book!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Posted in Cozy Mysteries

Murder at the Priory Hotel (A Flora Steele Mystery Book 4)

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

A totally gripping cozy historical mystery

Join Flora Steele – bookshop owner, bicycle-rider, and amateur detective – as she faces her most puzzling case yet!

Sussex, 1956: When Flora Steele andhandsome crime writer Jack Carrington attend the grand re-opening of the Priory Hotel in the beautiful little village of Abbeymead, their day out is cut short when the flame-haired female singer in the band suddenly drops dead before their eyes.

Flora is stunned by the unexpected turn of events and immediately deduces foul play. Beverly Russo was a spirited young woman with a big voice and Flora is determined to get to the bottom of her untimely demise – especially as the detective sergeant leading the investigation is so hopeless. The first clue in the extraordinary case is Beverly’s missing ruby ring…

As Flora makes her enquiries, she discovers that Beverly wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea and there’s more than one person in Abbeymead who had reason to dislike her. But who had the biggest motive: Beverly’s former beau Tommy May, jealous love rival Sally Jenner, or the local doctor who seems to be up to no good…

Then one of the suspects is found dead in the woods near the Priory Hotel. The murder weapon – a musical instrument. As the investigation reaches a high note, Flora knows she must find the culprit and make them face the music before anyone else is hurt. But will Flora’s tenacity put a dangerous spotlight on both her and Jack?

A delightful cozy crime novel, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Joy Ellis!

Readers love the Flora Steele Mysteries:

‘Amazing… a top-notch cosy mystery… an engaging, intelligent and intriguing murder mystery that I found totally absorbing.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I absolutely love this book! I was so captivated… I could not put this book down… I read this book in one sitting!… Amazing.’ @thenerdandherbooks, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Absolutely fantastic… An addictive perfect mix of mystery, crime, suspense and quirkiness which kept me turning the pages late at night!! An explosive start to a new series!’ Bookworm86, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A joy to read… Full of mystery and secrets!… Truly an unstoppable read! And I loved every minute of it!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I loved… A cozy, heart-warming, fast read. It felt like Scooby-Doo meets Agatha Raisin. I am here for it!… Delightful.’ Frosta Wings It, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Fantastic cozy mystery!… Fun to read… This author knows how to keep the reader’s attention from the first chapter!’ Books and Benches, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Wonderful book! I absolutely adored this… Had me reading and finishing the book in no time! I highly recommend!!!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Love… The story twisted along, with everyone becoming a suspect… A fab read, that I devoured in a day.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘What a joy… Fabulous… Totally fantastic… I highly recommend this outstandingly fabulous book.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Pace moves along as you keep turning the pages to find out whodunit. You’ll find yourself rooting for Flora and Jack in more ways than one. I can’t wait for the next book!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Posted in Cozy Mysteries

Murder at Primrose Cottage (A Flora Steele Mystery Book 3)

Posted on by BookReviews

Join Flora Steele – bookshop owner, bicycle-rider, daydreamer and amateur detective – in her quest to solve a brand-new murder mystery!

Cornwall, 1956: When Flora Steele sets off for a peaceful vacation with crime writer Jack Carrington in his little red Austin,the last thing she expects to find is a body at their pretty rental cottage!

Shocked by the discovery, inquisitive Flora joins forces with handsome Jack to find out how the poor man came to such an untimely end in the overgrown orchard of Primrose Cottage. They discover Roger Gifford was a man with plenty of friends and the villagers seem devastated by his sudden death…

So why was he murdered? And who has blood on their hands – his estranged wife Beatrice, his wayward younger brother Lionel, or the suspicious newcomer Mercy Dearlove?

The baffling case gets even more complicated when a second man is found dead and a set of puzzling clues lead them to an intriguing wartime mystery connected to Jack’s estranged father.

As old secrets emerge and Jack receives an unsettling letter, it seems the crime writer is in danger of a fate befitting his fictional characters. Will Flora be able to crack the case and save Jack? Or will this be one murder too many for Flora Steele?

Readers love the Flora Steele Mysteries:

‘Amazing… a top-notch cosy mystery… an engaging, intelligent and intriguing murder mystery that I found totally absorbing.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I absolutely love this book! I was so captivated… I could not put this book down… I read this book in one sitting!… Amazing.’ @thenerdandherbooks, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Absolutely fantastic… An addictive perfect mix of mystery, crime, suspense and quirkiness which kept me turning the pages late at night!! An explosive start to a new series!’ Bookworm86, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A joy to read… Full of mystery and secrets!… Truly an unstoppable read! And I loved every minute of it!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I loved… A cozy, heart-warming, fast read. It felt like Scooby-Doo meets Agatha Raisin. I am here for it!… Delightful.’ Frosta Wings It, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Fantastic cozy mystery!… Fun to read… This author knows how to keep the reader’s attention from the first chapter!’ Books and Benches, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Wonderful book! I absolutely adored this… Had me reading and finishing the book in no time! I highly recommend!!!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Love… The story twisted along, with everyone becoming a suspect… A fab read, that I devoured in a day.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘What a joy… Fabulous… Totally fantastic… I highly recommend this outstandingly fabulous book.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Pace moves along as you keep turning the pages to find out whodunit. You’ll find yourself rooting for Flora and Jack in more ways than one. I can’t wait for the next book!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Posted in Cozy Mysteries

Murder on the Pier (A Flora Steele Mystery Book 2)

Posted on by BookReviews

A completely unputdownable cozy mystery novel

Meet Flora Steele – bookshop owner, bicycle-rider, daydreamer and amateur detective!

Sussex, 1956: When bookshop owner Flora Steele goes for a walk along the pier she isn’t expecting to spot a young woman’s body in the stormy waters below. And she’s shocked to discover the victim is someone she knows…

Convinced the death was not an accident, Flora persuades attractive local crime writer Jack Carrington to help her find out what really happened to poor Polly Dakers, a popular young woman with a complicated love life, who’d been at the heart of village life in Abbeymead.

Jack is reluctant to get involved in another murder case at first but even he can’t deny that Polly’s fall seems fishy. An argument at a party, a missed hairdresser’s appointment and a red woollen bobble found on the wooden boards where Polly last stood provide a trail of clues…

As they grow closer to solving the puzzling mystery, the unlikely pair stumble upon several surprising secrets about those closest to Polly. A number of potential suspects begin to emerge. But who really disliked Polly enough to kill her? Was it Raymond, her jilted first love? Harry, her latest beau? Or Evelyn, Harry’s jealous estranged wife?

As the investigation brings them closer to the truth, Flora is intent on unmasking the killer – but will her stealthy sleuthing lead her down a dangerous path?

An utterly delightful cozy crime novel set in the fictional Sussex village of Abbeymead. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Joy Ellis!

Readers love the Flora Steele Mysteries:

‘Wonderful book! I absolutely adored this… had me reading and finishing the book in no time! I highly recommend!!!… I was drawn into the murder mystery plot instantly.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I absolutely love this book! I was so captivated… I could not put this book down… I read this book in one sitting!… amazing.’ @thenerdandherbooks, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Absolutely fantastic… an addictive perfect mix of mystery, crime, suspense and quirkiness which kept me turning the pages late at night!! An explosive start to a new series!’ Bookworm86, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A joy to read… full of mystery and secrets!… captured my attention in the first chapter… This is truly an unstoppable read! And I loved every minute of it!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I loved… a cozy, heart-warming, fast read. It felt like Scooby-doo meets Agatha Raisin. I am here for it!… delightful.’ Frosta Wings It, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Fantastic cozy mystery!… fun to read… This author knows how to keep the reader’s attention from the first chapter!’ Books and Benches, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Love… The story twisted along, with everyone becoming a suspect… A fab read, that I devoured in a day.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘What a joy… fabulous… totally fantastic… I highly recommend this outstandingly fabulous book.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Pace moves along as you keep turning the pages to find out whodunit. You’ll find yourself rooting for Flora and Jack in more ways than one. I can’t wait for the next book!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Posted in Cozy Mysteries

The Bookshop Murder (A Flora Steele Mystery Book 1)

Posted on by BookReviews

An absolutely gripping cozy mystery

‘Wonderful book! I absolutely adored this… had me reading and finishing the book in no time! I highly recommend…!!! … I was drawn into the murder mystery plot instantly.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Join Flora Steele – bookshop owner, bicycle-rider, daydreamer and amateur detective as she tackles her first case!

Sussex, 1955: When Flora Steele opens up her bookshop one morning she’s in for the surprise of her life! Because there, amongst her bookcases, is the body of a young man, with a shock of white-blond hair. But who was he? And how did he come to be there?

Determined to save her beloved bookshop’s reputation and solve the baffling mystery, Flora enlists the help of handsome and brooding Jack Carrington: crime writer, recluse and her most reliable customer.

The unlikely duo set about investigating the extraordinary case, following a lead across the sleepy village of Abbeymead to The Priory Hotel. When the hotel’s gardener dies suddenly, and they find out their victim was staying there, Flora’s suspicions are raised.

Are the two deaths connected? Is someone at the hotel responsible – the nervous cook, the money-obsessed receptionist, or the formidable manageress?

As the trail of clues takes Flora and Jack all over the village itbecomes clear there’s more than one person hiding secrets in Abbeymead…

But does Flora have what it takes to uncover the truth – or will her amateur sleuthing put her in harm’s way?

Love Agatha Christie, Midsomer Murders and T E Kinsey? Then this brand-new cozy crime series featuring bookshop owner Flora Steele is just what you need!

Readers love The Bookshop Murder:

‘Gosh I really loved this cosy murder mystery… Really charming… I raced through it in a day. Good for fans of Miss Marple or Osman’s Thursday Murder Club. Delightful.’ NetGalley, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I absolutely love this book! I was so captivated by Flora and Jack that I could not out this book down… I absolutely loved the way that this book twists and turns… I cannot wait to read more of the Flora Steele Books!’ NetGalley, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘What a joy… fabulous village setting… a totally fantastic tale… I highly recommend this outstandingly fabulous book.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Wonderful book! I absolutely adored this book!… had me reading and finishing the book in no time! I highly recommend this book!!!… I was drawn into the murder mystery plot instantly.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I loved this book. Flora is the ultimate amateur sleuth; she is fearless, funny, determined, and defiant. I had a lot of fun trying to solve the mystery with her… a cozy, heart-warming, fast read. It felt like Scooby-doo meets Agatha Raisin. I am here for it!… delightful.’ Frosta Wings It, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Love… The story twisted along, with everyone becoming a suspect… A fab read, that I devoured in a day.’Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Fantastic Cozy mystery!… fun to read… This author knows how to keep the reader’s attention from the first chapter!’Books and Benches,⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Pace moves along as you keep turning the pages to find out whodunit. You’ll find yourself rooting for Flora and Jack in more ways than one. I can’t wait for the next book!’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A lot of twists and turns, this cozy mystery holds readers attention. The Bookshop Murder is a page-turner till the last page.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐