Good Evening All,

Another post and another review so quickly. This is the first audiobook I’ve listened to in so long and I’d obviously missed it as I didn’t stop listening to this book for the majority of the day. I’ve had an absolutely lovely time having someone read to me.

Book 📖

Thank you to @LisaCuttsAuthor and @bookouture for this advanced audio copy of Murder in the Village in return for an honest review. Murder in the Village was published on 25th August 2021 and you can get a copy here.

Description 🔖

Belinda Penshurst owns and lives in Challham Castle in the little sleepy village of Little Challham. She adores where she lives and makes it her business to know about all that is going on locally. So it is no wonder that she is one of the first to know about the local pub landlord Tipper and his unfortunate death.

Harry Powell is a retired detective and he moved to Little Challham in search of a peaceful and quiet life. However he can’t help but get the investigative itch when Belinda is more enthusiastic about solving the local murder than the police are. So the two pair up in an attempt to find out who killed Tipper and who is behind all of the other mysterious goings on in Little Challham.

General Thoughts 🤔

I know that cozy crime is it’s whole own genre but this is my first cozy crime read and I’m pleased to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was so quaint and pleasant (even though it’s about murder) I couldn’t help but fall in love with the village and the villagers.

This book reminded me of Saturday afternoon TV when I was a kid. Being snuggled up on the sofa with my Nan, pretending I’m not enjoying what she’s watching but secretly engrossed. It’s not edge of your seat drama, but it’s gripping and once you’re in, you’re in. You can’t just stop.

Characters 👬👭👫

Belinda and Harry are such a good character pairing. The rapport and friendship that they built during the book was so sweet. I have no doubt that in future books, Belinda will end up getting her way and Harry will give in and go for that drink with her.

What I liked most were all of the periphery characters in the story. Probably because they reminded me so much of some of the people that live in my own village. Everyone knew everyone and made it their business to know what was going on with in their neighbours lives. That may seem annoying to some but what it also means is that everyone tends to look out for one another and that’s the feeling I got from the characters in Little Challham.

Writing Style ✍️

I love how the writing in this book made me feel. It truly did feel comforting and brought out all of the cosy feelings in me. Aside from that the mystery in the book was also cleverly written and kept me entertained whilst I was playing the whodunnit game along with Belinda and Harry. With a sprinkling of a budding romance added into the mix, I was hooked.

Conclusion & Scoring 🎖️

I’m so happy to conclude that this definitely won’t be my last cozy crime book and Belinda and I will definitely meet again. I’m so excited that this is just the first in the Belinda Penshurst Mystery series and I can’t wait for more of Little Challham.

😍😍😍😍😩