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Rina Martin #8
Murder at the Willows
Meet Rina Martin, a retired actress with a taste for tea, gardening and crime solving.
She played a TV sleuth for years, but now she has to do it for real.
There’s something strange about the scene . . . Famous artist Elaine appears to have passed peacefully in her sleep as she rested against a tree in the garden of her home, the Willows. Her legs are outstretched, hands tenderly clutching a small blue flower.
But upon closer inspection, things don’t add up. Where is Elaine’s trusty walking stick? Why did she choose to slumber on the ground when there is a comfortable lounge chair nearby? Where did that blue flower come from? . . . not from her garden, that’s for sure.
The clues soon point to murder. Elaine was beloved by the community, who would do such a thing? Her grandson is determined to uncover the truth and hires Rina to investigate.
The trail leads Rina to a series of shocking secrets, stretching back over twenty years. And a murderer who has unfinished business . . . Can our favourite amateur sleuth catch this killer before it’s too late?
She played a TV sleuth for years, but now she has to do it for real.
There’s something strange about the scene . . . Famous artist Elaine appears to have passed peacefully in her sleep as she rested against a tree in the garden of her home, the Willows. Her legs are outstretched, hands tenderly clutching a small blue flower.
But upon closer inspection, things don’t add up. Where is Elaine’s trusty walking stick? Why did she choose to slumber on the ground when there is a comfortable lounge chair nearby? Where did that blue flower come from? . . . not from her garden, that’s for sure.
The clues soon point to murder. Elaine was beloved by the community, who would do such a thing? Her grandson is determined to uncover the truth and hires Rina to investigate.
The trail leads Rina to a series of shocking secrets, stretching back over twenty years. And a murderer who has unfinished business . . . Can our favourite amateur sleuth catch this killer before it’s too late?
270 pages, Paperback
First published February 15, 2023
451 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
About the author
Jane A. Adams
59 books151 followersSome of her early books were published under the name of Jane Adams. This should not be confused with this Jane Adams who is a different author.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
March 13, 2023
Murder at the Willows was a fun story to read. It is the 8th book in the Rita Martin Murder Mysteries. It starts with a prologue where the police arrive at a house where Miles Cunningham is sitting on his steps covered in blood with a knife. He tells the police "It is all my fault". Inside are the bodies of his wife and his two children as well as their boarder William. He went to prison and died there never telling what had happened.
Rina Martin, actress of the show Lydia Merchant Investigation. She also owns Peverill Lodge, a Victorian boarding house in Frantham on the Sea. She has an unusual group of people who live there. She is a mentor of two college students, George and Ursula who were in foster care.
There is another story within this story, Sarah Fredericks is the daughter of Constance Tatum Fredericks who has died during covid. Her mother was not a nice person who had Sarah under her control throughout her life. Her mother's cousin Clieve Tatum comes to the house to tell her that he is going to write a book about her mother. She denies the request. When he leaves she goes into the kitchen and turns on the gas on the stove. Her mother always told her that fire cleanse. After the funeral Sarah decides to put the house on the market. Her mother's will stipulated that any profit from the house profit was to be put towards her fight in court for the death of her brother breach of promise. Sarah sold the house to a developer for cash. Also got extra cash for white goods and furniture. Sarah moved into a little flat.
Calvin (CaL) Hammond has arrived at Willow Tree House known as The Willows to visit Jean Hammond, a woman who he came to live with when he was 10. He finds her in the garden lying against a tree dead with blue flowers in her hands. He calls the police and an ambulance. Yolanda was the police woman at the scene.. Rina after attending Jean's funeral Cal tells her he still feels that something is wrong with her death. Rina decides she will talk to her friend, DI Mac McGregor to put Cal's mind to rest. She talks to Mac and his partner Miriam about the situation at lunch. Miriam had been the CSI at the scene, Mac said he would look into it. Mac speaks to Yolanda about the case. She tells him that she took a picture of the flowers. While waiting for the mortuary van, she looked around the garden but he blue flowers were not there. What she told Mac about the scene got him interested in pursuing.
Ursula told Rina that she had been Jean's cleaning lady and that she also took painting lessons from her. While Rina and Jean were visiting Cal at Jean's studio to pick up her paintings and viewing the garden Ursula also took an envelope and a package out of another drawer fulfilling Jean's wishes if anything happened to her that she was to take these and do what is right. There was Jean's last painting called The Wedding Coat. Rina took a picture of it while she was there. When back at her apartment Ursula and George open the envelope and package and after viewing it they decide to take to Rina to help them with Jean's wish.
This is where the story takes off taking the reader on an exciting journey. There is so much going on that can't be put on paper so I will leave it to the reader to enjoy to the exciting climax where the two stories come together.
Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for this ARC.
Rina Martin, actress of the show Lydia Merchant Investigation. She also owns Peverill Lodge, a Victorian boarding house in Frantham on the Sea. She has an unusual group of people who live there. She is a mentor of two college students, George and Ursula who were in foster care.
There is another story within this story, Sarah Fredericks is the daughter of Constance Tatum Fredericks who has died during covid. Her mother was not a nice person who had Sarah under her control throughout her life. Her mother's cousin Clieve Tatum comes to the house to tell her that he is going to write a book about her mother. She denies the request. When he leaves she goes into the kitchen and turns on the gas on the stove. Her mother always told her that fire cleanse. After the funeral Sarah decides to put the house on the market. Her mother's will stipulated that any profit from the house profit was to be put towards her fight in court for the death of her brother breach of promise. Sarah sold the house to a developer for cash. Also got extra cash for white goods and furniture. Sarah moved into a little flat.
Calvin (CaL) Hammond has arrived at Willow Tree House known as The Willows to visit Jean Hammond, a woman who he came to live with when he was 10. He finds her in the garden lying against a tree dead with blue flowers in her hands. He calls the police and an ambulance. Yolanda was the police woman at the scene.. Rina after attending Jean's funeral Cal tells her he still feels that something is wrong with her death. Rina decides she will talk to her friend, DI Mac McGregor to put Cal's mind to rest. She talks to Mac and his partner Miriam about the situation at lunch. Miriam had been the CSI at the scene, Mac said he would look into it. Mac speaks to Yolanda about the case. She tells him that she took a picture of the flowers. While waiting for the mortuary van, she looked around the garden but he blue flowers were not there. What she told Mac about the scene got him interested in pursuing.
Ursula told Rina that she had been Jean's cleaning lady and that she also took painting lessons from her. While Rina and Jean were visiting Cal at Jean's studio to pick up her paintings and viewing the garden Ursula also took an envelope and a package out of another drawer fulfilling Jean's wishes if anything happened to her that she was to take these and do what is right. There was Jean's last painting called The Wedding Coat. Rina took a picture of it while she was there. When back at her apartment Ursula and George open the envelope and package and after viewing it they decide to take to Rina to help them with Jean's wish.
This is where the story takes off taking the reader on an exciting journey. There is so much going on that can't be put on paper so I will leave it to the reader to enjoy to the exciting climax where the two stories come together.
Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for this ARC.
April 22, 2023
It had been a lovely service, Rina Martin thought. Not like some where it was obvious the celebrant had never met the deceased and been briefed by relatives who had also probably not seen the dead person in years. The vicar had been a personal friend, had known Jean Hammond all the time she had lived in that rambling old place a couple of miles outside Frantham. Everyone who'd spoken their piece had related personal memories or performed music she had loved or - and this was the first time Rina had witnessed this happening in church - had simply raised a glass to their lost friend, usually accompanied by some elaborate toast. One had stood out for her, the wish that Jean's journey should be a joyful one. Rina had liked that.
ABOUT 'MURDER AT THE WILLOWS': Meet Rina Martin, a retired actress with a taste for tea, gardening and crime solving.
She played a TV sleuth for years, but now she has to do it for real.
There’s something strange about the scene . . . Famous artist Jean appears to have passed peacefully in her sleep as she rested against a tree in the garden of her home, the Willows. Her legs are outstretched, hands tenderly clutching a small blue flower.
But upon closer inspection, things don’t add up. Where is Jean’s trusty walking stick? Why did she choose to slumber on the ground when there is a comfortable lounge chair nearby? Where did that blue flower come from? . . . not from her garden, that’s for sure.
The clues soon point to murder. Jean was beloved by the community, who would do such a thing? Her grandson is determined to uncover the truth and hires Rina to investigate.
The trail leads Rina to a series of shocking secrets, stretching back over twenty years. And a murderer who has unfinished business . . . Can our favourite amateur sleuth catch this killer before it’s too late?
MY THOUGHTS: Murder at the Willows is #8 in the Rina Martin series, but the first that I have read. What a wonderful series I have been missing out on! I had no trouble with relating to the characters, and events in past books are only vaguely referred to. It seems that each book is a complete mystery.
Rina is a wonderful character, sharing her home with several other theatrical people. Although Rina is the main character, she doesn't actually feature any more predominantly than several other characters like Ursula and Mac.
In the prologue the police arrive at a house where Miles Cunningham is sitting on his steps covered in blood with a knife. He tells the police "It is all my fault". Inside are the bodies of his wife and his two children as well as their boarder William. He went to prison and died there never revealing what had actually happened.
Miles was an acquaintanc of Jean's, and a good friend to Rina, helping her navigate a difficult time in her life. Rina's curiosity is piqued when similarities are found in the deaths of several other acquaintances of Miles' and Jean.
This is an engaging mystery, populated by relatable and interesting characters. I look forward to reading more titles from this series.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.1
#MURDERATTHEWILLOWS #NetGalley
I: #JaneAdams @joffebooks
T: #JaneAdams @JoffeBooks
#contemporaryfiction #cosymystery #crime #friendship #mystery
THE AUTHOR: Jane Adams was born in Leicestershire, where she still lives. She has a degree in Sociology, and has held a variety of jobs including lead vocalist in a folk rock band. She enjoys pen and ink drawing, martial arts and her ambition is to travel the length of the Silk Road by motorbike.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Joffe Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Murder at the Willows by Jane Adams for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
ABOUT 'MURDER AT THE WILLOWS': Meet Rina Martin, a retired actress with a taste for tea, gardening and crime solving.
She played a TV sleuth for years, but now she has to do it for real.
There’s something strange about the scene . . . Famous artist Jean appears to have passed peacefully in her sleep as she rested against a tree in the garden of her home, the Willows. Her legs are outstretched, hands tenderly clutching a small blue flower.
But upon closer inspection, things don’t add up. Where is Jean’s trusty walking stick? Why did she choose to slumber on the ground when there is a comfortable lounge chair nearby? Where did that blue flower come from? . . . not from her garden, that’s for sure.
The clues soon point to murder. Jean was beloved by the community, who would do such a thing? Her grandson is determined to uncover the truth and hires Rina to investigate.
The trail leads Rina to a series of shocking secrets, stretching back over twenty years. And a murderer who has unfinished business . . . Can our favourite amateur sleuth catch this killer before it’s too late?
MY THOUGHTS: Murder at the Willows is #8 in the Rina Martin series, but the first that I have read. What a wonderful series I have been missing out on! I had no trouble with relating to the characters, and events in past books are only vaguely referred to. It seems that each book is a complete mystery.
Rina is a wonderful character, sharing her home with several other theatrical people. Although Rina is the main character, she doesn't actually feature any more predominantly than several other characters like Ursula and Mac.
In the prologue the police arrive at a house where Miles Cunningham is sitting on his steps covered in blood with a knife. He tells the police "It is all my fault". Inside are the bodies of his wife and his two children as well as their boarder William. He went to prison and died there never revealing what had actually happened.
Miles was an acquaintanc of Jean's, and a good friend to Rina, helping her navigate a difficult time in her life. Rina's curiosity is piqued when similarities are found in the deaths of several other acquaintances of Miles' and Jean.
This is an engaging mystery, populated by relatable and interesting characters. I look forward to reading more titles from this series.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.1
#MURDERATTHEWILLOWS #NetGalley
I: #JaneAdams @joffebooks
T: #JaneAdams @JoffeBooks
#contemporaryfiction #cosymystery #crime #friendship #mystery
THE AUTHOR: Jane Adams was born in Leicestershire, where she still lives. She has a degree in Sociology, and has held a variety of jobs including lead vocalist in a folk rock band. She enjoys pen and ink drawing, martial arts and her ambition is to travel the length of the Silk Road by motorbike.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Joffe Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Murder at the Willows by Jane Adams for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
February 28, 2023
Not too sure why, but this one did not jive with me. Probably 2.5 stars rounded up.
I think maybe because this is the first book in the series I have read, but it felt like the characters were too many, and I could not place them all - it seemed like I needed prior knowledge to be able to tell who's who.
Story-wise, it was pretty interesting! I would not, however, classify this as a cosy mystery, but maybe that's just me.
Also, for some reason, even though I was interested in the book, it was a slow read for me.
This all could be just me, however!
Thank you for the ARC, NetGalley!
I think maybe because this is the first book in the series I have read, but it felt like the characters were too many, and I could not place them all - it seemed like I needed prior knowledge to be able to tell who's who.
Story-wise, it was pretty interesting! I would not, however, classify this as a cosy mystery, but maybe that's just me.
Also, for some reason, even though I was interested in the book, it was a slow read for me.
This all could be just me, however!
Thank you for the ARC, NetGalley!
April 7, 2023
I found this to be an enjoyable read.
April 27, 2023
Another great story in the Rina Martin Mystery series. Love all the books and the characters. Whoever the editor was though, really needs to pay more attention. Lots of small grammatical errors - mostly missing words.
April 2, 2023
Jane Adams’ Murder at the Willows is a fantastic cozy mystery perfect for fans of Richard Osman and M C Beaton.
It’s a case of life imitating art for Rina Martin. The actress once played a sleuth on TV and now she’s turned detective for real. Rina finds herself having to put her sleuthing cap back on when local artist Jean passes away seemingly of natural causes. While it looks like Jean passed away in her sleep, Rina is not the slightest bit convinced. With her mobility impaired, why did Jean venture into the garden of her house, The Willows, without her walking stick when she could barely walk without it? Why did she choose to slumber onto the ground when there was a perfectly comfortable lounge chair nearby? And what about the blue flower she had been clutching? It had certainly not come from her garden! With all the clues pointing to murder, Rina sets out doing some investigating. But is she ready for what she is about to find?
Jean was loved by pretty much everybody in the local community, so who could have possibly wanted to kill her? With her grandson desperate for answers, Rina vows to leave no stone unturned in her quest to find Jean’s killer. However, the more Rina investigates, the more tangled secrets she finds herself stumbling upon. As Rina unearths shocking revelations stretching back decades, will she be able to find Jean’s murderer? Or will this be the case the redoubtable Rina Martin simply cannot crack?
Pacy, witty, charming and full of twists and turns, red herrings and bucolic secrets and scandals, Murder at the Willows is a rollicking crime novel readers will not be able to resist. Jane Adams always cleverly constructs gripping mysteries that keep readers guessing and hooked until the very last page and she has done it yet again with her latest novel, Murder at the Willows.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
It’s a case of life imitating art for Rina Martin. The actress once played a sleuth on TV and now she’s turned detective for real. Rina finds herself having to put her sleuthing cap back on when local artist Jean passes away seemingly of natural causes. While it looks like Jean passed away in her sleep, Rina is not the slightest bit convinced. With her mobility impaired, why did Jean venture into the garden of her house, The Willows, without her walking stick when she could barely walk without it? Why did she choose to slumber onto the ground when there was a perfectly comfortable lounge chair nearby? And what about the blue flower she had been clutching? It had certainly not come from her garden! With all the clues pointing to murder, Rina sets out doing some investigating. But is she ready for what she is about to find?
Jean was loved by pretty much everybody in the local community, so who could have possibly wanted to kill her? With her grandson desperate for answers, Rina vows to leave no stone unturned in her quest to find Jean’s killer. However, the more Rina investigates, the more tangled secrets she finds herself stumbling upon. As Rina unearths shocking revelations stretching back decades, will she be able to find Jean’s murderer? Or will this be the case the redoubtable Rina Martin simply cannot crack?
Pacy, witty, charming and full of twists and turns, red herrings and bucolic secrets and scandals, Murder at the Willows is a rollicking crime novel readers will not be able to resist. Jane Adams always cleverly constructs gripping mysteries that keep readers guessing and hooked until the very last page and she has done it yet again with her latest novel, Murder at the Willows.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 24, 2023
A cozy mystery with a bit of grit…
Jane Adams has written a thoroughly engaging English countryside mystery featuring actress Rina Martin, who is now semi-retired and the “proprietress” of a Victorian era boarding house, Peverill Lodge. At first, the case appears pretty simple – so simple that there’s not really a case at all: the aging but still mentally sharp painter, Jean Hammond, is found dead in her garden. She was known to have a dicey heart, so at first everyone assumes that she had a heart attack. But discrepancies keep popping up, both small (why was she sitting on the ground when it was so hard for her to get up) and large (two valuable paintings of Jean’s are missing from the walls of her house, The Willows). Eventually enough of these odd pieces fall into place, and it seems there may be a serial killer on the loose.
Rina, who knows practically everyone in town, is asked by Jean’s grandson to investigate. And together with her found family of friends and lodgers, and local policeman, Mac McGregor, she does – and figures out whodunnit in time to prevent even more deaths. Murder at the Willows is a bit unusual in that readers are let in on who is responsible for the killings well before the end of the book, but will still keep reading to find out the details about how and why. And although it has many of the trappings of a cozy mystery, there is also an edge of grittiness that keeps Murder in the Willows from being just cotton-candy.
I had not read any of the previous Rina Martin books, but didn’t find this to be too much of an issue. The author does a good job of filling in the necessary background, and although it took me a little while to figure out the characters and their various relationships, I was still able to enjoy the book without ever feeling lost. My thanks go to the publishers, Joffe Books, and to NetGalley for the review copy, and I’m now looking forward to the next book in the series. And finally, please keep in mind that I don’t give many five-star reviews, so for me, this four-star review is a solid recommendation to read this book.
Jane Adams has written a thoroughly engaging English countryside mystery featuring actress Rina Martin, who is now semi-retired and the “proprietress” of a Victorian era boarding house, Peverill Lodge. At first, the case appears pretty simple – so simple that there’s not really a case at all: the aging but still mentally sharp painter, Jean Hammond, is found dead in her garden. She was known to have a dicey heart, so at first everyone assumes that she had a heart attack. But discrepancies keep popping up, both small (why was she sitting on the ground when it was so hard for her to get up) and large (two valuable paintings of Jean’s are missing from the walls of her house, The Willows). Eventually enough of these odd pieces fall into place, and it seems there may be a serial killer on the loose.
Rina, who knows practically everyone in town, is asked by Jean’s grandson to investigate. And together with her found family of friends and lodgers, and local policeman, Mac McGregor, she does – and figures out whodunnit in time to prevent even more deaths. Murder at the Willows is a bit unusual in that readers are let in on who is responsible for the killings well before the end of the book, but will still keep reading to find out the details about how and why. And although it has many of the trappings of a cozy mystery, there is also an edge of grittiness that keeps Murder in the Willows from being just cotton-candy.
I had not read any of the previous Rina Martin books, but didn’t find this to be too much of an issue. The author does a good job of filling in the necessary background, and although it took me a little while to figure out the characters and their various relationships, I was still able to enjoy the book without ever feeling lost. My thanks go to the publishers, Joffe Books, and to NetGalley for the review copy, and I’m now looking forward to the next book in the series. And finally, please keep in mind that I don’t give many five-star reviews, so for me, this four-star review is a solid recommendation to read this book.
March 16, 2023
3.5 stars, RTC!
April 25, 2023
Rina Martin was at one time a well-known TV sleuth and for some time now she has been helping solve crimes for real. She is quite pleased with herself, having recently completed a comeback with a Christmas Special for television as her old character Lydia Marchant.
When an old acquaintance of hers, a famous artist named Jean Hammond is found dead sitting under a tree in her garden, the police assume she died of natural causes. She had after all had a heart condition and was ninety-five years old. However, several things about the way she was found are “a bit off”. She never walked outside without her stick, but there was no sign of it. She was sitting down under a tree – she never sat on the ground as she could not get up. Also why were there crushed dried flowers in her hand?
Jean had been made guardian to Cal, who found her body and he tells Rina about the strange anomalies. She decides to ring her friend Detective Inspector McGregor, known as Mac. So begins a proper police investigation when similarities are found to two previous murders.
Ursula a young girl of eighteen whom Rina has known since she was a child, worked for Jean as a cleaner and became very close to her. Jean had instructed her that on her death, Ursula should open an envelope to be found in her art studio and do what is necessary. The contents reveal connections to many years ago – and someone is bent on revenge, but who? More intriguing, what has Jean’s death got to do with a seemingly unrelated murder of a whole family also years ago?
To add to the puzzle, valuable paintings Jean created are stolen from her studio, they are worth hundreds of thousands of pounds. The theft is obviously connected to her death, but it will take all Mac and his team’s investigative powers – along with Rina’s of course to try and get to the truth.
Then there is another murder. Is anyone safe?
Another intriguing murder mystery for Rina to help solve. I do so like her character and her following of friends. Thoroughly recommended.
------
Reviewer: Tricia Chappell
For Lizzie Sirett (Mystery People Group)
When an old acquaintance of hers, a famous artist named Jean Hammond is found dead sitting under a tree in her garden, the police assume she died of natural causes. She had after all had a heart condition and was ninety-five years old. However, several things about the way she was found are “a bit off”. She never walked outside without her stick, but there was no sign of it. She was sitting down under a tree – she never sat on the ground as she could not get up. Also why were there crushed dried flowers in her hand?
Jean had been made guardian to Cal, who found her body and he tells Rina about the strange anomalies. She decides to ring her friend Detective Inspector McGregor, known as Mac. So begins a proper police investigation when similarities are found to two previous murders.
Ursula a young girl of eighteen whom Rina has known since she was a child, worked for Jean as a cleaner and became very close to her. Jean had instructed her that on her death, Ursula should open an envelope to be found in her art studio and do what is necessary. The contents reveal connections to many years ago – and someone is bent on revenge, but who? More intriguing, what has Jean’s death got to do with a seemingly unrelated murder of a whole family also years ago?
To add to the puzzle, valuable paintings Jean created are stolen from her studio, they are worth hundreds of thousands of pounds. The theft is obviously connected to her death, but it will take all Mac and his team’s investigative powers – along with Rina’s of course to try and get to the truth.
Then there is another murder. Is anyone safe?
Another intriguing murder mystery for Rina to help solve. I do so like her character and her following of friends. Thoroughly recommended.
------
Reviewer: Tricia Chappell
For Lizzie Sirett (Mystery People Group)
June 18, 2023
Final book with the usual twists and turns.
Reading this series has been a delight. Since I read it on Kindle I could look up all the words I didn’t understand. Not sure if real people would say some of these things.
I hope there will be more books to come. This one didn’t feel like a finale. A woman has been found dead propped up against a tree holding a piece of a hydrangea. Looks like an expected death. Yolanda, introduced in earlier books, thinks it doesn’t belong and takes a pic of it. Then more deaths to come, each holding a blue hydrangea. What looks like natural deaths are murders.
Ursula plays an important part to this story and almost loses her life.
I love that beloved characters are included. Ursula and George. Tim and Joy. Rina’s household, Fitch, who is now a good guy. This is one series that needs to be read in sequence.
The first death is Jean Hammond, a renowned painter. During the investigation, an old infamous crime comes to light. Jean has painted a pic of it. A wife and 3 children died in a house fire with a temporary lodger. The husband, Miles, is found with a bloody knife sitting at the front of the house saying this is all his “fault.” That is seen as a confession. Miles is arrested, offers no defense, and goes to prison for life.
Ursula had been taking art lessons from Jean. Jean has made her promise that if she died, come and
get papers she has left in a drawer.
People who knew Miles did not believe he did it. Rina knows Miles and is loyal to him still. He had died in prison. Mac is initially investigating another death until Yolanda points out the similarities of the deaths.
In the last few chapters, the author, disclosed the murderer and her thoughts. Unpleasant reading. The murderer is on a spree. Filled with hate. Disconnected thinking. She is able to kill freely bc no one saw her as a threat.
If you like Agatha Christie, you will love this series. Lots of moving parts, people who come and go, suspense, many characters to keep up with, and a surprise ending.
Reading this series has been a delight. Since I read it on Kindle I could look up all the words I didn’t understand. Not sure if real people would say some of these things.
I hope there will be more books to come. This one didn’t feel like a finale. A woman has been found dead propped up against a tree holding a piece of a hydrangea. Looks like an expected death. Yolanda, introduced in earlier books, thinks it doesn’t belong and takes a pic of it. Then more deaths to come, each holding a blue hydrangea. What looks like natural deaths are murders.
Ursula plays an important part to this story and almost loses her life.
I love that beloved characters are included. Ursula and George. Tim and Joy. Rina’s household, Fitch, who is now a good guy. This is one series that needs to be read in sequence.
The first death is Jean Hammond, a renowned painter. During the investigation, an old infamous crime comes to light. Jean has painted a pic of it. A wife and 3 children died in a house fire with a temporary lodger. The husband, Miles, is found with a bloody knife sitting at the front of the house saying this is all his “fault.” That is seen as a confession. Miles is arrested, offers no defense, and goes to prison for life.
Ursula had been taking art lessons from Jean. Jean has made her promise that if she died, come and
get papers she has left in a drawer.
People who knew Miles did not believe he did it. Rina knows Miles and is loyal to him still. He had died in prison. Mac is initially investigating another death until Yolanda points out the similarities of the deaths.
In the last few chapters, the author, disclosed the murderer and her thoughts. Unpleasant reading. The murderer is on a spree. Filled with hate. Disconnected thinking. She is able to kill freely bc no one saw her as a threat.
If you like Agatha Christie, you will love this series. Lots of moving parts, people who come and go, suspense, many characters to keep up with, and a surprise ending.
April 3, 2023
Setting the Scene: In the 8th book in Jane Adams' Rina Martin series, Rina and others in her circle are faced with the death of a well-loved and well-known artist living in their community. At first blush, Jean's death is the result of a failing heart, and at the age of 90, it is not unexpected. Even the coroner rules it a natural death, but things just are not adding up. Unsatisfied with the findings, but unable to say exactly why, Jean's grandson seeks Rina's help to look more closely at her death. Rina isn't really sure where to begin, except of course to talk with DI MacGregor ("Mac"), and as things unfold, it seems there may be more suspicious deaths, all related in some way to 20 year old murders.
What I Thought: I am not a fan of jumping into the middle of an ongoing series. I want to start at the beginning and get to know the characters, watch them grow and develop. Often, not doing so prevents me from fully enjoying a book mid-series. However, I found it very easy to slip into Rina's world and pick up on the relationships that exist today, with glimpses of their origins. The characters are likeable, with just enough quirk to make them interesting, sometimes endearing. The mystery is solid, with lots of twists and turns, though the reveal was early, in my estimation, it did not detract from the search nor from the various schemes at play. This is an easy to read book and a series I will visit again.
#murderatthewillows #janeadams #joffebooks #NetGalley #cozymysteries #britishmystery #amateursleuth #strongfemalelead #mysterybooks #bookreview #bookworm #bookaddict #booklovers #bookrecommendations #bookloversofinstagram #bookwormsofinstagram
What I Thought: I am not a fan of jumping into the middle of an ongoing series. I want to start at the beginning and get to know the characters, watch them grow and develop. Often, not doing so prevents me from fully enjoying a book mid-series. However, I found it very easy to slip into Rina's world and pick up on the relationships that exist today, with glimpses of their origins. The characters are likeable, with just enough quirk to make them interesting, sometimes endearing. The mystery is solid, with lots of twists and turns, though the reveal was early, in my estimation, it did not detract from the search nor from the various schemes at play. This is an easy to read book and a series I will visit again.
#murderatthewillows #janeadams #joffebooks #NetGalley #cozymysteries #britishmystery #amateursleuth #strongfemalelead #mysterybooks #bookreview #bookworm #bookaddict #booklovers #bookrecommendations #bookloversofinstagram #bookwormsofinstagram
March 17, 2023
This is book 8 in the Rina Martin series and I haven't read any of the others so I can confirm it works perfectly as stand alone. Although, like me you will probably want to go back and read the previous books after reading this one.
An elderly artist is found dead. It appears that she passed away peacefully in her sleep but appearances can be deceptive and the people that know her think there is something wrong and one of those people is Yolanda, a detective who was one of the first on the scene.
Yolanda reports in to DI McGregor and it soon becomes clear that this is not what it seemed and the artist is not the first to die holding a flower.
A very different and intriguing read that kept my interest all the way through. The suspense builds gradually and there are many twists and turns all the way to the mind-blowing ending.
I love the characters they are all different with their unique personalities and we get to know them very well through the course of the book. Picking this series up at book 8 I thought I would have missed the character building especially the main characters like Rina and Mac but thanks to the phenomenal skill of the author I found I got to know them quickly although there is still that feeling of wanting to start at book 1 and really get to know them.
In summary this is a gripping read with well defined characters and a unique story that is perfect for anyone who loves crime fiction.
Thank you to Joffe Books for the advance digital copy.
An elderly artist is found dead. It appears that she passed away peacefully in her sleep but appearances can be deceptive and the people that know her think there is something wrong and one of those people is Yolanda, a detective who was one of the first on the scene.
Yolanda reports in to DI McGregor and it soon becomes clear that this is not what it seemed and the artist is not the first to die holding a flower.
A very different and intriguing read that kept my interest all the way through. The suspense builds gradually and there are many twists and turns all the way to the mind-blowing ending.
I love the characters they are all different with their unique personalities and we get to know them very well through the course of the book. Picking this series up at book 8 I thought I would have missed the character building especially the main characters like Rina and Mac but thanks to the phenomenal skill of the author I found I got to know them quickly although there is still that feeling of wanting to start at book 1 and really get to know them.
In summary this is a gripping read with well defined characters and a unique story that is perfect for anyone who loves crime fiction.
Thank you to Joffe Books for the advance digital copy.
June 7, 2023
I’ve enjoyed all the Rina Martin novels, particularly the characters and relationships that bring a warm feeling to the stories. The plots are original and intriguing, but not true murder mysteries, as the killers are often revealed before Mac, the local detective inspector, and his team identify them.
Murder in the Willows followed this familiar path, delving into the past to understand why a local artist was murdered in her home. A popular figure, known to many, she had links to several people who have also been killed. It all adds up to an intriguing investigation, both current and in the past.
As usual, Rina and her quirky housemates carry out their own enquiries, often complementing the police investigation, sometimes causing conflict. The cast of characters has grown with the series and often adds humour to the stories. In this story, the list of suspects was also large, which sometimes made it difficult to recall exactly who the characters were, their relationships to the victims and where they fitted into the story, past or present. Along with some poor editing, this interrupted the flow and took the edge off the story. The climax also seemed to come out of nowhere, without the usual tension and build up, bringing the story to an abrupt and somewhat disappointing finish.
It’s a pity because all the things I like from the series are here, but not quite to the same high standards of the previous books.
Murder in the Willows followed this familiar path, delving into the past to understand why a local artist was murdered in her home. A popular figure, known to many, she had links to several people who have also been killed. It all adds up to an intriguing investigation, both current and in the past.
As usual, Rina and her quirky housemates carry out their own enquiries, often complementing the police investigation, sometimes causing conflict. The cast of characters has grown with the series and often adds humour to the stories. In this story, the list of suspects was also large, which sometimes made it difficult to recall exactly who the characters were, their relationships to the victims and where they fitted into the story, past or present. Along with some poor editing, this interrupted the flow and took the edge off the story. The climax also seemed to come out of nowhere, without the usual tension and build up, bringing the story to an abrupt and somewhat disappointing finish.
It’s a pity because all the things I like from the series are here, but not quite to the same high standards of the previous books.
June 15, 2023
an intriguing story
I came to read the book, Murder at the Willows, written by Jane Adams, by accident. Murder at the Willows was my first book from this author that followed an amateur sleuth Rina Martin a retired actress interested in crime solving.
In this book, a famous elderly artist died and everybody thought that her dead was from a natural cause, even her doctor, because her health was not excellent at her ninety-something, but something was not quite right with the scene, her body was leant against an old tree in the garden, her legs outstretched, her cane was not near her, and her hand was tenderly clutching a small blue flower that does not belong to her garden. A very observant young officer realized those details. Then a few days later, when investigating the stolen paintings and material from the artist's house, the police compared information. They soon realized that there were other deaths connected to the famous artist, and also, in those cases, the police found a blue flower on their hands. How these cases are related and why is an Intriguing story with rich characters, although not quite a mystery. In this case, Rina did not take the lead in the investigation.
For me it was very difficult keep track of all the characters involve in the story so it is better to read from the beginning of the series due to a lot of active characters. In this way, you will get acquainted with them.
I came to read the book, Murder at the Willows, written by Jane Adams, by accident. Murder at the Willows was my first book from this author that followed an amateur sleuth Rina Martin a retired actress interested in crime solving.
In this book, a famous elderly artist died and everybody thought that her dead was from a natural cause, even her doctor, because her health was not excellent at her ninety-something, but something was not quite right with the scene, her body was leant against an old tree in the garden, her legs outstretched, her cane was not near her, and her hand was tenderly clutching a small blue flower that does not belong to her garden. A very observant young officer realized those details. Then a few days later, when investigating the stolen paintings and material from the artist's house, the police compared information. They soon realized that there were other deaths connected to the famous artist, and also, in those cases, the police found a blue flower on their hands. How these cases are related and why is an Intriguing story with rich characters, although not quite a mystery. In this case, Rina did not take the lead in the investigation.
For me it was very difficult keep track of all the characters involve in the story so it is better to read from the beginning of the series due to a lot of active characters. In this way, you will get acquainted with them.
November 27, 2023
An artist is found dead in her garden and the circumstances become increasingly suspicious before eventually being identified as murder. Rina Martin is an actress who plays a TV sleuth and can't resist investigating in real life too!
Murder at the Willows is the 8th book in the Rina Martin cosy murder mystery series. However, it is the first book of the series that I have read and I did feel a little at sea at the range of main characters and their somewhat complicated relationships.
Jean Hammond has just finished painting her last commission when she is discovered dead, sat against a tree with a flower crushed in her hand. The police initially believe the death to be natural causes this changes when her house is burgled and other clues come to light. The victim also kept something hidden in her studio and Rina receives it which throws her into her own investigation.
There is a lot of build up and the case isn't identified as a murder until a third of the way through. This felt a little slow to me but did provide me with plenty of time to get to know Rina Martin as our lead character. However, despite the name of the series, I felt that it was actually Mac who was the main focus: he drives the investigation onwards but does defer to Rina's intuition.
Murder at the Willows is an enjoyable murder mystery. I enjoyed the plot twists and would be interested in reading the previous books in the series to get to know Rina better.
Murder at the Willows is the 8th book in the Rina Martin cosy murder mystery series. However, it is the first book of the series that I have read and I did feel a little at sea at the range of main characters and their somewhat complicated relationships.
Jean Hammond has just finished painting her last commission when she is discovered dead, sat against a tree with a flower crushed in her hand. The police initially believe the death to be natural causes this changes when her house is burgled and other clues come to light. The victim also kept something hidden in her studio and Rina receives it which throws her into her own investigation.
There is a lot of build up and the case isn't identified as a murder until a third of the way through. This felt a little slow to me but did provide me with plenty of time to get to know Rina Martin as our lead character. However, despite the name of the series, I felt that it was actually Mac who was the main focus: he drives the investigation onwards but does defer to Rina's intuition.
Murder at the Willows is an enjoyable murder mystery. I enjoyed the plot twists and would be interested in reading the previous books in the series to get to know Rina better.
February 25, 2023
305 pages
4 stars
This is another delightful cozy in the Rina Martin series. Ms. Adams has created likable characters. I especially like Rina having opened up her house to a variety of characters. Her boarders add so much more to her stories and their interactions are interesting and attractive. Ms. Adams writes well and her plots are interesting and easy to read and grasp. They read quickly. I will continue to read the Rina series.
When a famous ninety-three-year old artist dies in her garden, not all is as it seems. Elaine was an acquaintance of Rina’s, so of course, she gets involved. The officer who was left at the scene of the supposed “natural” death believes there is something off. Mentioning the inconsistencies to her friend Detective Mac, he then becomes involved as well.
This sets off a large investigation as things become more suspicious and more deaths occur.
The murderer, although somewhat known to the reader early on, has an unusual motive and some serious mental health problems. How she came to murder these people is very sad.
This is a very good entry into the series.
I want to thank NetGalley and Joffe Books for forwarding to me a copy of this delightful book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.
4 stars
This is another delightful cozy in the Rina Martin series. Ms. Adams has created likable characters. I especially like Rina having opened up her house to a variety of characters. Her boarders add so much more to her stories and their interactions are interesting and attractive. Ms. Adams writes well and her plots are interesting and easy to read and grasp. They read quickly. I will continue to read the Rina series.
When a famous ninety-three-year old artist dies in her garden, not all is as it seems. Elaine was an acquaintance of Rina’s, so of course, she gets involved. The officer who was left at the scene of the supposed “natural” death believes there is something off. Mentioning the inconsistencies to her friend Detective Mac, he then becomes involved as well.
This sets off a large investigation as things become more suspicious and more deaths occur.
The murderer, although somewhat known to the reader early on, has an unusual motive and some serious mental health problems. How she came to murder these people is very sad.
This is a very good entry into the series.
I want to thank NetGalley and Joffe Books for forwarding to me a copy of this delightful book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.
March 13, 2023
Rina Martin is a retired actress who owns Peverill House a Victorian boarding house. She has a taste for tea, gardening and crime solving. She played a TV sleuth for years, but now she has to do it for real.
Famous artist Jean appears to have passed peacefully in her sleep as she rested against a tree in the garden of her home, the Willows. Her legs are outstretched, hands tenderly clutching a small blue flower. But upon closer inspection, things don’t add up. The clues soon point to murder. Jean was beloved by the community, who would do such a thing? Her grandson is determined to uncover the truth and hires Rina to investigate.
The eighth outing for Rina & this could be read as a stand alone but there are quite a few characters so I'd recommend reading the series in order to fully appreciate it. The characters are well portrayed & Rina’s boarders are a diverse but entertaining bunch who add to the stories. The pace is good & there are plenty of clues, red herrings as well as twists & turns, all of which made the pages fly by. I loved the mix of humour with the mystery & look forward to the next in the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Famous artist Jean appears to have passed peacefully in her sleep as she rested against a tree in the garden of her home, the Willows. Her legs are outstretched, hands tenderly clutching a small blue flower. But upon closer inspection, things don’t add up. The clues soon point to murder. Jean was beloved by the community, who would do such a thing? Her grandson is determined to uncover the truth and hires Rina to investigate.
The eighth outing for Rina & this could be read as a stand alone but there are quite a few characters so I'd recommend reading the series in order to fully appreciate it. The characters are well portrayed & Rina’s boarders are a diverse but entertaining bunch who add to the stories. The pace is good & there are plenty of clues, red herrings as well as twists & turns, all of which made the pages fly by. I loved the mix of humour with the mystery & look forward to the next in the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
May 13, 2023
I did not realize when I requested to read Murder At The Willows on NetGalley that it was #8 in the series. I mention this because it did have some impact on my enjoyment of the read. Some book series you can drive right in anywhere. This book was full of seemingly unrelated characters who knew each other well and I had a hard time keeping them separate initially. It was a little like being invited to a party and you're the only one that doesn't know everyone.
Outside of this, I found the subject matter and the whole vibe of the story something I enjoyed. An artist is found dead in her garden. At first it looks like natural causes, but then detectives realize it is another murder in a series. I enjoyed the writing and the setting, as well as the storyline. I think, though, before proceeding in this series, I would start at the beginning. Those who are already familiar with these characters will, I'm sure, find much enjoyment in this book.
Thanks to NetGalley, Jane Adams, and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion. For me it was 3.5, but rounding up for the above stated reasons.
Outside of this, I found the subject matter and the whole vibe of the story something I enjoyed. An artist is found dead in her garden. At first it looks like natural causes, but then detectives realize it is another murder in a series. I enjoyed the writing and the setting, as well as the storyline. I think, though, before proceeding in this series, I would start at the beginning. Those who are already familiar with these characters will, I'm sure, find much enjoyment in this book.
Thanks to NetGalley, Jane Adams, and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion. For me it was 3.5, but rounding up for the above stated reasons.
May 22, 2023
Princess Fuzzypants here: I love it when a book catches my fancy early and never lets up. This book certainly did that. A famous, elderly artist is found dead in her garden by her adopted son. She is old and has been in poor health so no one even thinks it is anything but natural… except for a few things that a young girl who knew her well thought was out of place. It soon becomes evident that something is definitely out of place and not only was she murdered but hers was part of a bigger serial murder scheme.
I do not want to give away too much and let the reader enjoy putting the puzzle pieces together. All I will say is there is an old murder that still has some big questions. It involves children who have been abused by adults in their lives and how the support of some caring people can make the difference between decent human beings and monsters.
All the characters work together to investigate and protect each other. They are a wonderful cast of quirky and memorable people. It is well written and paced with a very exciting finish. This would make a great summertime read. Five purrs and two paws up.
I do not want to give away too much and let the reader enjoy putting the puzzle pieces together. All I will say is there is an old murder that still has some big questions. It involves children who have been abused by adults in their lives and how the support of some caring people can make the difference between decent human beings and monsters.
All the characters work together to investigate and protect each other. They are a wonderful cast of quirky and memorable people. It is well written and paced with a very exciting finish. This would make a great summertime read. Five purrs and two paws up.
June 12, 2023
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I recently finished reading Murder at the Willows by Jane A. Adams, and I must say it was a cracking good read. The story begins with the mysterious death of famous artist Elaine, who appeared to have passed away peacefully in her sleep while clutching a blue flower. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that something more sinister is afoot.
Elaine’s grandson hires Rina to investigate the case, leading her down a rabbit hole of shocking secrets stretching back over twenty years. As Rina delves deeper into the investigation, she soon realizes that there is more than meets the eye.
What I loved about this book was the excellent writing. As well as the well-paced plot that had plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. The characters were also likable, well developed, and realistic. Which added to my enjoyment.
Additionally, despite being part of a series, Murder at the Willows held up well as a standalone novel. Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging mystery with memorable characters and an intriguing plot.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
I recently finished reading Murder at the Willows by Jane A. Adams, and I must say it was a cracking good read. The story begins with the mysterious death of famous artist Elaine, who appeared to have passed away peacefully in her sleep while clutching a blue flower. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that something more sinister is afoot.
Elaine’s grandson hires Rina to investigate the case, leading her down a rabbit hole of shocking secrets stretching back over twenty years. As Rina delves deeper into the investigation, she soon realizes that there is more than meets the eye.
What I loved about this book was the excellent writing. As well as the well-paced plot that had plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. The characters were also likable, well developed, and realistic. Which added to my enjoyment.
Additionally, despite being part of a series, Murder at the Willows held up well as a standalone novel. Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging mystery with memorable characters and an intriguing plot.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
March 5, 2023
An elderly woman has died in her garden, seemingly of natural causes however a couple of those close to her think there are a few odd things but nothing specific enough to ring alarm bells. When there is a burglary a short time later, this escalates things. Rina Martin is a retired actress and has a large house where she has several permanent guests. She is soon employed by the dead woman's grandson to investigate what exactly has happened, the main investigation being done by DI Mac and a wonderful DS Yolanda who came across reality well. Who would want to kill a 93 year old lady and take all of her painting supplies?
This is a wonderful, easy, leisurely read. There’s nothing to put you off your dinner and it's easy to pick up and put down again- if you can! A very cleverly thought out plot that has lots of twists to keep the grey matter active and the pages turning. There are lots of characters and a very interesting unusual plot line, skilfully written. I enjoyed this- a very different, compelling read.
This is a wonderful, easy, leisurely read. There’s nothing to put you off your dinner and it's easy to pick up and put down again- if you can! A very cleverly thought out plot that has lots of twists to keep the grey matter active and the pages turning. There are lots of characters and a very interesting unusual plot line, skilfully written. I enjoyed this- a very different, compelling read.
March 9, 2023
This is the second book I have read in the series and I quite enjoyed it. The death of an elderly artist initially appears from natural causes but later it is discovered that this isn;t the case. Ursula who is a young friend of Rina's, is entrusted with the safekeeping of an envelope and its contents, by the artist after her death.
This was a steady-paced read in this cozy series but very enjoyable nonetheless. I like how Rina still manages to get involved and to an extent, manage Mac a bit. I am enjoying the Yolanda and Andy characters and look forward to how things progress there. For me it was clear who the culprit was early on but that didn't detract from things. I enjoyed how the investigation progressed and how things came to an end.
My thanks to Joffe Books for a copy of this, and this is my honest review.
This was a steady-paced read in this cozy series but very enjoyable nonetheless. I like how Rina still manages to get involved and to an extent, manage Mac a bit. I am enjoying the Yolanda and Andy characters and look forward to how things progress there. For me it was clear who the culprit was early on but that didn't detract from things. I enjoyed how the investigation progressed and how things came to an end.
My thanks to Joffe Books for a copy of this, and this is my honest review.
March 19, 2023
This book is right up my street. A series of murders in a leafy town and a group of would be detectives, led by a would be Miss Marple, set out to solve the crime. Rina is the mother figure and person that everyone runs to in the event of difficulty. When her friend Jean dies unexpectedly she begins to wonder what has happened. When a youngster, Ursula, who she has been looking out for, admits to being asked by the deceased to remove something from her property in the event of her death Rina knows there is something sinister going on. Cue a series of events that, with her friends, lead Rina to establish who committed the murders and why. This is an easy read, believable and realistic. I highly recommend Murder at the Willows to anyone who likes a good murder mystery.
March 23, 2023
Wow! This was a perfect whodunit! This is the first book I've read in this series but once I sorted out who all the characters were, I could not put this book down. A famous artist is found dead in her garden holding a crushed flower in her hand. At first It seemed like a natural death as she was elderly and had health problems, but Its later revealed that she was murdered. Several of her acquaintances were murdered in a similar fashion. All these murders seem to be connected to several murders in the past. Retired actress Rina Martin once again helps the police investigate. I am looking forward to the next book in this series. Thank you to the publisher and to netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2023
Rina Martin plays a sleuth on TV. Now, she gets to play a sleuth in real life, too. Famous artist Jean Hammond has passed away in the the garden of her home, the Willows. But something's wrong with the scene. Rina and a host of neighbors and police begin an investigation that uncovers secrets from the past. They might just solve a cold case, too.
I definitely recommend starting this series at the beginning. This novel is not a standalone book. While the author shares some details of their backstories, it wasn't enough. I felt lost from page one.
However, I did enjoy the multi-layered mystery. And many of the characters are likable. Many characters have also suffered trauma, which makes this series different from most cozy mysteries.
I would like to read the entire series.
I definitely recommend starting this series at the beginning. This novel is not a standalone book. While the author shares some details of their backstories, it wasn't enough. I felt lost from page one.
However, I did enjoy the multi-layered mystery. And many of the characters are likable. Many characters have also suffered trauma, which makes this series different from most cozy mysteries.
I would like to read the entire series.
April 18, 2024
This book begins with two murders which appear to be unrelated at first. But as the story progresses the characters involved begin to overlap. Rina personally knows a man who spent most of his life in prison for killing his wife and children. Ursula had worked keeping house for an elderly artist who is found dead in her well-tended garden. It turns out the woman did not die from natural causes.
The murderer is a very creepy person who is on a vendetta to kill those she holds responsible for something that happened before she was born. When I wasn't reading the book I was still trying to figure out the whys and hows of what was going on. It has been one of my favorites in this series so far.
The murderer is a very creepy person who is on a vendetta to kill those she holds responsible for something that happened before she was born. When I wasn't reading the book I was still trying to figure out the whys and hows of what was going on. It has been one of my favorites in this series so far.
July 13, 2023
This is book 8 in the Rina Martin series, I have not read any of the previous books.. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had. I did like the characters but there seemed to be so many. Rina is an interesting character and seems to well developed. The trail leads Rina to a series of shocking secrets, stretching back over twenty years. And a murderer who has unfinished business . . . Can this amateur sleuth catch the killer before it’s too late? I think I'll find a couple of the previous books and then re-read this story. I do like the fact that Rina is an older woman with lots of friends in this small British village.
April 12, 2024
Slightly different, but still familiar
This sequel to earlier Rina Martin/DI Sebastian (Mac) McGregor series is another puzzler by Jane Adams. Set in the fictional country-town Of Frantham-on-Sea and its not so fictional surroundings, the problem this time is a spate of "natural deaths" that turn out to be anything but. Runs and Mac get involved when an elderly artist joins the queue and Rina realizes she was acquainted with the woman. A box full of papers, diaries, and even grade school exercise books just seem to deepen both the present mystery AND one more than 20 years old! Any cozy mystery fan will be reminded of just why they love cozies!
This sequel to earlier Rina Martin/DI Sebastian (Mac) McGregor series is another puzzler by Jane Adams. Set in the fictional country-town Of Frantham-on-Sea and its not so fictional surroundings, the problem this time is a spate of "natural deaths" that turn out to be anything but. Runs and Mac get involved when an elderly artist joins the queue and Rina realizes she was acquainted with the woman. A box full of papers, diaries, and even grade school exercise books just seem to deepen both the present mystery AND one more than 20 years old! Any cozy mystery fan will be reminded of just why they love cozies!
July 5, 2024
Rina Martin - retired actress who has started her series, Lydia Marchant, again. Lives at Peverill Lodge, a boarding house with Tim, (professional magician) who is engaged to Joy, twins, Steven and Matthew Montmorency, Peters sisters: Bethany & Eliza
George and Ursula, students
(20 months earlier) Sarah's mother, Constance Fredrick, a mean woman died. Cousin Clive Tatum wanted to discuss something with her. Sarah put the house on the market....any profit was to be used to pursue Connie's war of attrition through the courts for her brother's murder, allegedly by her father.
Jean Hammond found dead in her garden, by Cal, Etta his partner. Yolanda, medical examiner. Her walking stick wasn't with her.
Mac, DI McGregor (Sebastian); partner Miriam
George and Ursula, students
(20 months earlier) Sarah's mother, Constance Fredrick, a mean woman died. Cousin Clive Tatum wanted to discuss something with her. Sarah put the house on the market....any profit was to be used to pursue Connie's war of attrition through the courts for her brother's murder, allegedly by her father.
Jean Hammond found dead in her garden, by Cal, Etta his partner. Yolanda, medical examiner. Her walking stick wasn't with her.
Mac, DI McGregor (Sebastian); partner Miriam
March 2, 2023
If I hadn't spent so many years working with the kind of problems the characters have, I would have enjoyed this story a whole lot more. I commend the portrayal of the kind of involved law enforcement personnel, and lament that "the system" in England is no better than in the US. We try, but...
The regular characters are excellent as is the world building and the diligence of law enforcement above and beyond the call. Well done, but not for this particular retiree.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Joffe Books via NetGalley.
The regular characters are excellent as is the world building and the diligence of law enforcement above and beyond the call. Well done, but not for this particular retiree.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Joffe Books via NetGalley.
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