DESCRIPTION:
May Day should mark the start of spring. But this year, it means murder… Fortunately antique store owner and amateur detective Bella Winter is on the case!
Everyone in Hope Eaton climbs the hill to Sweet Agnes’ Spring on May Day, to greet the dawn and leave tokens among the flowers. Antique store owner Bella Winter grumbles about the early start, but she has to admit that watching the sun rise over the flower-strewn grove is worth it. And her interest deepens when she sees that one of the offerings this year is a little doll stuck all over with pins… a perfect replica of Mary Roberts, who lives nearby.
Determined to find out what lies behind this bizarre threat, Bella dives into a murky mess of strange events. Mary’s house is up for sale, but someone’s trying to wreck the deal, leaving rotting weeds on her front step. And Mary claims she’s seen a cloaked figure watching her from the woods…
Bella’s half convinced this is all nonsense, but then Mary is found dead, her prized carving of the spring stolen from her dresser. The police say it was a heart attack, but was she literally scared to death?
Soon Bella has uncovered a string of further mysteries. Why is Mary’s nearest neighbour missing? Who graffitied her boss’s house with a warning the night she died? And why would anyone want Mary’s carving?
All paths lead back to the spring itself… but does it hold answers or more danger? And can Bella track the killer down before she’s cut off at the source?
A completely delightful English mystery, full of cozy charm and cunning clues. Fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Betty Rowlands will love The May Day Murder !
Everyone in Hope Eaton climbs the hill to Sweet Agnes’ Spring on May Day, to greet the dawn and leave tokens among the flowers. Antique store owner Bella Winter grumbles about the early start, but she has to admit that watching the sun rise over the flower-strewn grove is worth it. And her interest deepens when she sees that one of the offerings this year is a little doll stuck all over with pins… a perfect replica of Mary Roberts, who lives nearby.
Determined to find out what lies behind this bizarre threat, Bella dives into a murky mess of strange events. Mary’s house is up for sale, but someone’s trying to wreck the deal, leaving rotting weeds on her front step. And Mary claims she’s seen a cloaked figure watching her from the woods…
Bella’s half convinced this is all nonsense, but then Mary is found dead, her prized carving of the spring stolen from her dresser. The police say it was a heart attack, but was she literally scared to death?
Soon Bella has uncovered a string of further mysteries. Why is Mary’s nearest neighbour missing? Who graffitied her boss’s house with a warning the night she died? And why would anyone want Mary’s carving?
All paths lead back to the spring itself… but does it hold answers or more danger? And can Bella track the killer down before she’s cut off at the source?
A completely delightful English mystery, full of cozy charm and cunning clues. Fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Betty Rowlands will love The May Day Murder !
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and the May Day Murder
Author: Clare Chase
Series: Bella Winter Mystery #2
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Format: Kindle ARC
No. of Pages: 358
Date of Publication: January 17, 2025
My Rating: 4 Stars
MY THOUGHTS:
Bella Winter, an antique store owner with a knack for sleuthing, finds herself entangled in a series of eerie events that precede the death of Mary Roberts. As Mary was recently terrorized, whispers of a prophecy or curse surrounding her demise begin to circulate. Determined to uncover the truth, Bella delves into the town’s folklore, hoping to find answers.
What starts as a promising May Day event takes a dark turn when Mary’s death is revealed. The townsfolk are left feeling uneasy, and Bella’s quest for the truth becomes even more pressing. As she investigates, she uncovers a web of secrets and discovers that more than one person may have wanted Mary dead.
This second installment in the Bella Winter Mystery series showcases Bella’s unwavering determination and formidable nature. Despite the overwhelming evidence suggesting natural causes, Bella refuses to give up, her stubbornness driving her to uncover the full extent of the mystery. This series has definitely caught my attention, and I eagerly anticipate the next chapter in Bella’s adventures.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Clare Chase writes classic mysteries. Her aim is to take readers away from it all via some armchair sleuthing in atmospheric locations.
Her debut novel was shortlisted for Novelicious’s Undiscovered Award, as well as an EPIC award post-publication, and was chosen as a Debut of the Month by LoveReading. Murder on the Marshes (Tara Thorpe 1) was shortlisted for an International Thriller Writers award.
Like her heroines, Clare is fascinated by people and what makes them tick. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked in settings as diverse as Littlehey Prison and the University of Cambridge, in her home city. She’s lived everywhere from the house of a lord to a slug-infested flat and finds the mid-terrace she currently occupies a good happy medium.
As well as writing, Clare loves family time, art and architecture, cooking, and of course, reading other people’s books.
You can find Clare's website and blog at www.clarechase.com
Social Media
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ ClareChase_
Website: www.clarechase.com
Instagram: https://www. instagram.com/ clarechaseauthor/
Bookouture email signup: https://www. bookouture.com/clare-chase
Thank you so much, Robin! 😊
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