DESCRIPTION:
No one can hold a candle to amateur detectives Flora Steele and Jack Carrington as they ask the burning question… Who is the killer walking the cobbled streets of their historic little town?
Sussex, November 1959. There’s a chill in the air at the Lewes bonfire celebration. Carnival floats fill the narrow streets, fireworks crackle overhead, and Flora and Jack feel the heat of the burning torches lining the streets. But when Trevor French, chief of the Grove Bonfire Society, tumbles from his parade float, they know something is afoot. Trevor didn’t just fall – and amidst the crowds, his killer slips away through the smoke-filled night.
But who would want the respected Trevor dead? As Flora and Jack question the vying bonfire societies, they find a surprisingly competitive underbelly at play. Did Edwin Brooker, former chairman, stoke the flames of rivalry too far? Or are the tears of the victim’s friend, Leo Nelson, faked to keep himself safe?
Just as the sleuths believe they’ve figured it out, the body of a key suspect in the case is found dead on their hearth rug, and Flora and Jack realise that no one is safe – including themselves. Together, can they smoke the murderer out? Or will their chances of survival go up in flames?
A completely addictive and absolutely charming cozy mystery novel. Fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Joy Ellis will adore this unputdownable series!
Sussex, November 1959. There’s a chill in the air at the Lewes bonfire celebration. Carnival floats fill the narrow streets, fireworks crackle overhead, and Flora and Jack feel the heat of the burning torches lining the streets. But when Trevor French, chief of the Grove Bonfire Society, tumbles from his parade float, they know something is afoot. Trevor didn’t just fall – and amidst the crowds, his killer slips away through the smoke-filled night.
But who would want the respected Trevor dead? As Flora and Jack question the vying bonfire societies, they find a surprisingly competitive underbelly at play. Did Edwin Brooker, former chairman, stoke the flames of rivalry too far? Or are the tears of the victim’s friend, Leo Nelson, faked to keep himself safe?
Just as the sleuths believe they’ve figured it out, the body of a key suspect in the case is found dead on their hearth rug, and Flora and Jack realise that no one is safe – including themselves. Together, can they smoke the murderer out? Or will their chances of survival go up in flames?
A completely addictive and absolutely charming cozy mystery novel. Fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Joy Ellis will adore this unputdownable series!
BUY LINK:
Amazon: https://geni.us/
You can sign up for all the best Bookouture deals you'll love at: http://ow.ly/Fkiz30lnzdo
Author: Merryn Allingham
Series: Flora Steele Mystery #12
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Format: Kindle ARC
No. of Pages: 280
Date of Publication: September 4, 2025
My Rating: 4 Stars
MY THOUGHTS:
It is September 1959 in Sussex. Villagers had been enjoying a Lewes bonfire celebration, with several striking carnival floats. Flora Steele and her husband Jack Carrington were among the revelers. The celebration comes to a screeching stop when Trevor French, the head of the Great Bonfire Society falls off of his float, and Flora, Jack and others rush to his aid.
One thing is for certain. Trevor’s death was no accident due to that fall. He was murdered. His bloodied body proved that. Flora is a small bookshop owner and Jack is a teacher and a writer. However, they are also amateur detectives. Flora may have been the one eager to jump into sleuthing previously, but she is ready to step back, leaving the investigations to the police. However, Jack is determined to
find the murderer.
Jack’s plans to give up teaching at Cleve College to write full time has its moments of trepidation. For now, his writing would have to be pushed to the side as he determinedly looks for Trevor French’s murderer. With Jack much more invested than Flora, he leaves no stone unturned. Of course, Flora dearly loves Jack so she does what she can to stop, not just the murder of Trevor, but another murder that takes place as well. Of course, this will no doubt make things very tenuous for the couple as there is clearly more than one person that could be responsible.
Twelves books in and yet each installment in this series takes on a fresh take with a couple who have a penchant for solving the crimes that always seem to happen in or around their presence. But, as a cozy mystery lover, this is perfect! I love Flores and Jack together and hope that they have many more stories in the future.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Merryn lives in a beautiful old town in Sussex with her husband and one last cat, Bluebell. When she’s not writing, she tries to keep fit with adult ballet classes and plenty of walking.
https://merrynallingham.com/
https://www.facebook.com/
https://twitter.com/
Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Merryn Allingham here: https://www.bookouture.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment