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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
Charming Start
Murder in the Village by Lisa Cutts
Published: August 21, 2021
Bookouture
This title is available to read for free with a Kindle Unlimited subscription.
Lisa Cutts was a full-time detective constable for twenty-five years, most of which she spent investigating murders. Lisa writes crime books with her insider knowledge from the heart of the incident room and is busy writing her new series set in Kent. Belinda Penshurst, amateur sleuth, teams up with retired detective inspector Harry Powell to solve murders in the village of Little Challham. Murder in the Village is Lisa's seventh crime fiction novel and her first cozy crime novel. Never Forget was the winner of the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award 2014.
“Come and help me solve a murder.”
Belinda loves her charming village and her home. She fought to keep her home, despite her brother's sometimes dubious schemes. When things start to go amiss in the Village, Belinda, along with ex-officer Harry, decide they have to do something. Now, it’s a race against time to prevent another murder and another dog napping.
This was such a cozy, fun novel. I love that it is centered around dogs. I enjoyed the descriptions of the village and those that live there.
I found Belinda charming in her own way. She is headstrong, intelligent, stubborn, and assertive. She isn’t afraid to do what she thinks is right, regardless of the consequences, and she is unapologetic about how she handles things.
Harry was delightful. He was the perfect balance to Belinda, and together their bickering was the ideal banter to set off the seriousness of what was happening.
I enjoyed how the story unfolded, and I am pleased to say I didn’t guess who was guilty. I loved the Clue-like way everyone was potentially guilty.
This series is sure to be filled with mishaps, laughs, and shenanigans. I am looking forward to continuing the journey.
Murder in the Village by Lisa Cutts
Published: August 21, 2021
Bookouture
This title is available to read for free with a Kindle Unlimited subscription.
Lisa Cutts was a full-time detective constable for twenty-five years, most of which she spent investigating murders. Lisa writes crime books with her insider knowledge from the heart of the incident room and is busy writing her new series set in Kent. Belinda Penshurst, amateur sleuth, teams up with retired detective inspector Harry Powell to solve murders in the village of Little Challham. Murder in the Village is Lisa's seventh crime fiction novel and her first cozy crime novel. Never Forget was the winner of the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award 2014.
“Come and help me solve a murder.”
Belinda loves her charming village and her home. She fought to keep her home, despite her brother's sometimes dubious schemes. When things start to go amiss in the Village, Belinda, along with ex-officer Harry, decide they have to do something. Now, it’s a race against time to prevent another murder and another dog napping.
This was such a cozy, fun novel. I love that it is centered around dogs. I enjoyed the descriptions of the village and those that live there.
I found Belinda charming in her own way. She is headstrong, intelligent, stubborn, and assertive. She isn’t afraid to do what she thinks is right, regardless of the consequences, and she is unapologetic about how she handles things.
Harry was delightful. He was the perfect balance to Belinda, and together their bickering was the ideal banter to set off the seriousness of what was happening.
I enjoyed how the story unfolded, and I am pleased to say I didn’t guess who was guilty. I loved the Clue-like way everyone was potentially guilty.
This series is sure to be filled with mishaps, laughs, and shenanigans. I am looking forward to continuing the journey.
Murder in the Village - Lisa Cutts
Narrated by Lucy Paterson
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Nothing ever happens in Little Challham… until the local pub owner is drowned in his own ale. Belinda Penshurst, owner of Challham Castle, is on the case!
Belinda Penshurst loves her home village Little Challham, with its shady lanes, two pubs and weekly market, and she’s determined to keep it peaceful. She may live in Challham Castle but she knows almost everything that goes on under her nose. So when irritable pub landlord Tipper is found dead in his cellar, she’s perfectly placed to investigate.
This is the first book in a new series, which brings together Belinda and Harry. Set in a small English village with some interesting characters this really is a fun book to read.
There is just something about the relationship between Harry and Belinda which made this an enjoyable read and I look forward to following them on future adventures.
Rating 4/5
Narrated by Lucy Paterson
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Nothing ever happens in Little Challham… until the local pub owner is drowned in his own ale. Belinda Penshurst, owner of Challham Castle, is on the case!
Belinda Penshurst loves her home village Little Challham, with its shady lanes, two pubs and weekly market, and she’s determined to keep it peaceful. She may live in Challham Castle but she knows almost everything that goes on under her nose. So when irritable pub landlord Tipper is found dead in his cellar, she’s perfectly placed to investigate.
This is the first book in a new series, which brings together Belinda and Harry. Set in a small English village with some interesting characters this really is a fun book to read.
There is just something about the relationship between Harry and Belinda which made this an enjoyable read and I look forward to following them on future adventures.
Rating 4/5
4,5* rounded to 5
It's a good start for a new cozy series, i thoroughly enjoyed as it's engrossing and entertaining.
It's a bit darker than the average cozy mystery and the characters are more mature and experienced.
Belinda is a business woman, sometimes harsh and not always likeable and I liked her as she no-nonsense and clever.
Harry, the former detective, is a hurt man, someone who's trying to come to terms with his new life.
I liked how they interacted and I'm curious to read about the development in their relationship.
The mystery is complex, full of twists and turns, and it kept me guessing.
The character development is good and the dogs were lovely.
My only note is that the beginning is quite slow even if it serves as introductions to the characters and the setting.
I look forward to reading the next instalment as I liked this one.
Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
It's a good start for a new cozy series, i thoroughly enjoyed as it's engrossing and entertaining.
It's a bit darker than the average cozy mystery and the characters are more mature and experienced.
Belinda is a business woman, sometimes harsh and not always likeable and I liked her as she no-nonsense and clever.
Harry, the former detective, is a hurt man, someone who's trying to come to terms with his new life.
I liked how they interacted and I'm curious to read about the development in their relationship.
The mystery is complex, full of twists and turns, and it kept me guessing.
The character development is good and the dogs were lovely.
My only note is that the beginning is quite slow even if it serves as introductions to the characters and the setting.
I look forward to reading the next instalment as I liked this one.
Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Very typical English cozy murder series. It was an easy listen which kept me entertained whilst cooking and driving. It was not taxing to listen to but somehow I wanted to know what happened next.
Looks like it is set up for a series.
The narration was good and fitted in with the story and I liked the tonal changes to represent different people.
I was give an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.
Looks like it is set up for a series.
The narration was good and fitted in with the story and I liked the tonal changes to represent different people.
I was give an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
It was a fun listen but, it was also repetitive and illogical. The narrator is perfect for the role of Belinda and has a range for the others. Belinda is someone with an entitled life that lives in a castle and owns part of the village, which makes rooting for her hard sometimes. Harry and Belinda do balance each other nicely and, I do feel for their relationship. Part of the repetitive problem is how many times the book mentions animal cruelty is worse than murder, especially in the last two chapters. Overall I wish it was tighter and less animal-focused but, it does a good job creating characters and has an interesting mystery to solve.
*NetGalley provided a review copy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Death
Minor: Gore, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Gaslighting
The kidnapping and pregnancy are for the dogs, not humans. The police brutality wasn't stated but it was heavily hinted at but the story never brings it up again. Belinda walks into multiple crime scenes where there's a dead body or someone's hurt but it's never really detailed because her focus is usually on dog food, shrink wrap, etc. There are three different bars that are backdrops for the story and one person is a struggling alcoholic.