Author: Louise Marley
Series: An English Village Mystery #1
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Format: Kindle ARC
No. of Pages: 384
Date of Publication: May 7, 2024
My Rating: 4 Stars
DESCRIPTION:
But her nostalgic visit takes a dark turn when the body of a local woman is discovered in an abandoned manor house on the edge of the forest. The murder scene is chillingly close to that of Milla’s own mother, whose death was never solved. As she begins to investigate the connection, Milla realizes this adorable village is guarding some dark secrets.
Handsome, grumpy local policeman Ben Taylor doesn't believe in coincidences, and he doesn’t think mysterious newcomer Milla Graham is as innocent as she seems. Why is she really here in Raven’s Edge, and how come she keeps turning up at his crime scenes, causing trouble? Can he solve this murder case without losing himself – or his heart – to the rather distracting Miss Graham?
When another body is found, everyone becomes a suspect – from the barmaid at the local pub to Milla Graham herself. It seems that in Raven's Edge, not everybody is as friendly, or as innocent, as they first seem...
This picture-perfect English village is full of rumour, romance... and murder! A gripping, funny, absolutely unputdownable murder mystery, which is perfect for fans of Faith Martin, Fiona Leitch and M.C. Beaton.
MY THOUGHTS:
Milla Graham is determined to uncover her roots after returning home to Raven’s Edge. She had been gone for eighteen years but now that she is back, she begins a relentless pursuit for answers. As soon as Miller is returned home, Detective Ben Taylor is called to the scene when the body of a woman is discovered. Milla wants to know what happened to her mother all those years ago, and will Milla find the truth she has always craved, no matter how painful?
Why is there a trail of dead bodies growing? Milla’s new in town. Dead bodies are being found. No way this is a coincidence as far as Ben is concerned.
Meanwhile Ben Taylor is a policeman just trying to do his job. Finding Milla at the center of what is going on, he is also driven by distraction by how much he is drawn to her. While Ben is working within the bounds of his job, Willa relentlessly looks for answers.
Murder at Raven’s Edge is a wonderful first book in a new cozy mystery series. An easy read, likable characters and an intriguing story. Next book in line for me is Murder at Ravenswood House.
Many thanks to Storm Publishing and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Author: Louise Marley
Series: An English Village Mystery #2
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Format: Kindle ARC
No. of Pages: 376
Date of Publication: May 7, 2024
My Rating: 4 Stars
DESCRIPTION:
When a shocking murder rocks the picture-perfect English village of Raven’s Edge, erstwhile amateur detective Milla Graham finds herself right at the centre of the mystery. Still reeling from her recent breakup with local police officer Ben Taylor, Milla sets her sights on solving the case, hoping to win Ben back.
But when the evidence begins to point to Milla’s old friend and former paramour Lorcan Black, she must choose between her loyalties to the past and the possibilities of the future. Meanwhile, Ben is on a different trail – he’s begun to suspect that the murderer could be someone from his own family's dark history.
Further complicating matters are Milla's meddling grandmother, Ben's no-nonsense police partner Harriet, and David the surprisingly young and sexy new vicar. With shocking twists around every cobblestone corner, the truth refuses to stay buried for long in this quaint village, whose picture-postcard façade hides decades of buried grudges, plots, and betrayal.
Will Milla solve the mystery in time to rescue her relationship with Ben? Can Ben face the skeletons in his family’s closet before one of his own relatives meets the same bloody end?
Brimming with drama, intrigue, romance and quirky characters, this addictive tale will have cozy mystery fans racing through the pages long into the night. Fans of M.C. Beaton, Faith Martin and Fiona Leitch will love this book!
MY THOUGHTS:
After Milla Graham finally found the answers she desperately needed about her past, she and DI Ben Taylor became a couple. However, Milla had no intention of giving up her feisty and often irreverent nature. Inevitably, this played into her breakup with Ben.
When proof a new crime has taken place, one that appears to involve Ben’s past, a past that he would have much rather forgotten about, a determined Milla can’t help but to put on the hat of an amateur detective and try to solve the crime. This way she can help Ben in any way that she can. Hopefully, she can do enough that Ben and her can get back together.
While the previous book in this series focused on Milla and her past, this second book shed lights on Ben’s family and how he has become alienated from them and how some of those issues have still followed him.
Many thanks to Storm Publishing and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Author: Louise Marley
Series: An English Village Mystery #3
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Format: Kindle ARC
No. of Pages: 356
Date of Publication: January 3, 2025
My Rating: 4 Stars
DESCRIPTION:
When decades-old human bones are discovered beneath the old glasshouse behind Foxglove & Hemlock, the local florist, DS Harriet March and DI Ben Taylor find themselves digging into Raven's Edge's murky past. As a frosty wind whips down the cobblestoned lanes of the village, the two detectives feel an ominous chill that has nothing to do with the weather…
The discovery coincides with the arrival of enigmatic novelist Iris Evergreen at Raven's Hollow, a gothic monstrosity of a mansion that's been sitting empty for years. Harriet is shocked to uncover a web of hidden secrets connecting the skeleton, Raven's Hollow and, most alarmingly, her own family history.
Just as Harriet begins to piece together the puzzle, a heavy snowfall blankets the village. And there, half-buried in a snowdrift outside Raven's Hollow, lies another body – this one still warm. As sirens wail in the distance, Harriet realises with a shiver that this killer is anything but history. The past and present have collided in Raven's Edge, will DS Harriet March be the one to pay the price?
Filled with buried plots, tangled romances and deadly intrigue, this cosy village mystery will keep readers guessing until the very last page. Perfect for fans of Fiona Leitch, Agatha Christie, and anyone who loves their murders with a side of charm!
MY THOUGHTS:
In this third installment of the English Village Mystery series, DS Harriet March takes center stage in her own captivating story. Cozy and intriguing, the narrative follows Harriet and her colleague DI Ben Taylor as they delve into a perplexing case involving the discovery of human remains. This unexpected finding unearths a cold case that delves deep into the troubled past of Raven’s Edge, a small village with a seemingly quiet history.
However, the discovery of a skeleton with a peculiar connection to Harriet’s own family history sends her on a whirlwind journey of self-discovery. As she grapples with the past, Harriet finds herself at a loss, her mind racing with questions and uncertainties.
The story unfolds through a clever dual timeline approach, gradually revealing the intricate web of events that connected Harriet to the discovery of the remains. As the past unfolds, the present day becomes increasingly intertwined, creating a compelling narrative that keeps readers engaged from beginning to end.
Beyond its compelling plot, the English Village Mystery series stands out as a unique blend of cozy mystery and police procedural elements. The addition of a Gothic edge further enhances the storytelling, infusing the narrative with a touch of mystery and suspense that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned.
Many thanks to Storm Publishing and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
My first published novel was Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, which was a finalist in Poolbeg’s Write a Bestseller competition. As well as nine novels, I’ve written short stories for women’s magazines such as Take a Break and My Weekly. Before becoming a full-time writer, I worked as an administrative officer for the police.
When I’m not writing, I enjoy visiting big old houses, which I use as inspiration for the houses in my novels, and reading other people’s books when I ought to be writing my own…
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