It’s Christmas in Berrywick, the busiest time of year for dashing taxi driver Lewis. But when he’s killed in a road accident, the entire village is shaken. Julia Bird, recently appointed to the Road Safety Committee, visits the site so that no other villager suffers the same fate. But when she spies a pendant left in the bushes, she feels certain Lewis’s death was no accident…
As the festive lights twinkle in the village square, Julia vows to uncover the truth. She soon learns not everyone found Lewis’s charm appealing. Sweetshop ownerDora says he had an eye for the ladies, much to his wife’s frustration. Lewis recently gave his life savings to a mysterious businessman who proves difficult to track down. But could these be reasons enough to want him dead?
Then, local beekeeper Matthew is struck by a car near the Christmas market. Julia believes the two deaths must be linked, but contrary to Lewis, Matthew was as sweet as the honey he sold. Who could possibly want to hurt Berrywick’s kindest man?
With no obvious leads, Julia stumbles upon an old picture that finally links Lewis and Matthew. Many years ago they were in a band poised for stardom, but when the bubble burst, their chance at fame vanished quicker than a glass of festive eggnog. Could someone be targeting the band members one by one? And can Julia track them down before the killer strikes again?
An utterly gripping and totally charming cozy mystery set in the English countryside. Fans of M.C. Beaton, Faith Martin and Betty Rowlands will love the Julia Bird Mysteries!
Publisher: Bookouture
For Julia Bird and her neighbors in the charming village of Berrywick, they are preparing for a warm and festive Christmas celebration. However, things all but come to a screeching halt when of the villagers, Lewis, was found dead in what appeared to be a car accident.
Certainly, if there was anything that could ruin the festive holiday atmosphere, it would be Lewis’s death. As a new Road Service Committee was being formed, with Julia having an active role, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Lewis’s death was not an accident. As a rather effective amateur detective, Julia’s inquisitive nature wouldn’t rest.
Julia recognizes almost immediately that this was no accident, and that someone intended to kill Lewis. But why? Who could’ve possibly had any issues with him? While Julia certainly intends on doing her part to make the roads safer, if there is a killer about, she intends on stopping them.
Each book in this Julia Bird Mysteries series has been a delightful read, and the series continues to grow with fresh and engaging stories. As a woman “of a certain age”, I find it particularly enjoyable to have a protagonist around my age who is still embracing life, including her loving relationship with her boyfriend Sean. As always, the next book in the series is eagerly anticipated.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
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