Murder in an English Village by Jessica Ellicott
Reviewed by: Dawn Dickey, Library Volunteer
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Suggested Age: Adults
What is the book about?: Shortly after the end of The Great War, famous American adventurer Beryl Helliwell descends on the English countryside to visit her longtime friend, Edwina Davenport. Beryl has been seeking peace and quiet and just by luck, she sees an advertisement placed in a newspaper indicating that Edwina is seeking a lodger. Beryl finds her friend on the brink of poverty and embarrassed by her current financial situation. In an effort to quash rumors about Edwina’s need for a lodger, Beryl plants a rumor of her own: She and Edwina have been and are still in the employ of His Majesty as secret agents. The rumor quickly spreads through the small town and sets in motion a chain of mystery and murder that begin with an attack on Edwina’s life.
My Review: The post-War time period, English small town setting, and cast of unique characters all make this cozy mystery a good read. Beryl and Edwina, the two protagonists, contrast strongly with each other: Beryl the fearless, rather flighty adventurer, Edwina the staid, reliable pillar of the community. Because it is a “cozy” mystery, there isn’t a lot of blood and violence, but there are enough well-developed secondary characters with troubling pasts to keep you guessing about who is the murderer. A satisfying read, indeed, and I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series when it is published!
Three Words That Describe This Book: cozy, historically accurate
Give This a Try if You Like… historical fiction, cozy mysteries, Maisie Dobbs series (by Jacqueline Winspear, set in a similar time period) or Agatha Raisin series (cozy, contemporary mystery series set in a small town in England, by M.C. Beaton)
Rating: 5/5
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About FDL Reads
Welcome to FDL Reads, weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library. Librarians (and possibly some other guest reviewers) review all types of books, from children’s picture books, young adult favorites, to the latest adult thriller, and share their thoughts each week at fondulaclibrary.org. If the book is owned by Fondulac District Library (or another local library), you’ll see a direct link to the catalog entry and whether or not it is available. If it is checked out or at another local library, you will be able to place a hold as long as you have your library card and PIN numbers. As with any book review, these are our opinions…we disagree amongst ourselves about books frequently. We all have different likes and dislikes, which is what makes the world an interesting place. Please enjoy, and keep on reading!