The Murder

by M.K. Turner

Tom Large is an accountant with issues, issues which are not helped when he stumbles across the body of Denise Knight. The police are treating Denise’s death as misadventure, but Tom’s cleaner, Liz Thorne, won’t accept that. She declares it to be murder, and little by little, she drags Tom out of his comfort zone as they try to establish the truth of what really happened to Denise.
The unconventional pair of sleuths are doing well until Tom’s daughter reveals an earth-shattering secret.
Can Liz pull Tom back from the brink to help her solve the case before the murderer walks away scot free?
Will Tom listen to reason and accept the news he has no power to change?

280 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 31, 2023

About the author

Having worked in the property industry for most of her adult life, latterly at a senior level for a corporate agency, Marcia finally escaped in 2010. Whilst she still works as a consultant for several independent agencies, she can now dedicate the bulk of her time to writing and of course reading.

Misplaced Loyalty was her debut novel in published format, and introduced the popular Meredith & Hodge Crime series. In 2017 Marcia published Witness for Wendy the first in the Bearing Witness series. She has also written several stand alone novels.

Marcia is married with two children and lives in Bristol UK.
Marcia can be contacted at www.mkturnerbooks.co.uk

Reviews

[JT · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so kindly provided an Audible code so that I could enjoy this opening book in the MK Turner's new series called Little Compton Mysteries. The Murder was quite the adventure with such an array of quirky characters that it was a gift to listen to. I found the angst more every day possible and many we don't talk about enough. I was really absorbed by the way the folks in this book begin to connect and develop relationships. This book almost proves the idea that 'it takes a village to raise...' From in your face loud to timid as a mouse it was exciting to watch folks come together for a resolution to several issues that pop into the story line after the Murder.....MK has truly done it again. I love the subtle, mostly supportive, snark several of the characters seem to sneak past their friends. A big shout out to Lee Beddow and Perdita Lawton for giving voices to this cast of outstanding characters. Their voices and talent complement so well. I am excited to see what comes alive on the pages of the next Little Compton Mystery.

[Kathy S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

M K Turner does it again. After the huge success of the Meredith and Hodge series, she offers us a look at a down home whodunit. This was a quirky story that reminded me of the American TV show “Monk” - a detective that loses his wife, pushes his OCD to unbearable heights, and is forced to retire from the San Fran Police Dept. His brilliance is like Tom’s. The Murder story line, leads us down a garden path - literally and figuratively, with a lot of side stories - the cleaner, the daughter, the neighbor, not to mention an interesting policeman. The end is satisfying, leaving you hoping for Tom and Liz to give us another installment.

[kenneth Fowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

a sort of anti hero !

What I would term as a cosy mystery , outside my normal reading profile but as I enjoy most of her novels , very enjoyable and entertaining.
A different direction to her other novels although as well written , I think I might have to read the next one as well because she makes the characters believable and interesting. Well done

[Kim Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Compton

I loved the characters. They have great personalities & are a lot of fun. The story kept me wondering who done it. Great ending too. I have to read the second book. I have to know what happens next.

[Siobhan D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the dual narration of Lee Beddow and Perdita Lawton

Tom finds a dead body and the mystery starts. The police are not moving as fast as some people would like, so they take it upon themselves to do a bit of sleuthing, getting themselves into all sorts of trouble along the way. A enjoyable cozy mystery.

[Caglehead66 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Compton

Amateur sleuths, secrets from the past, and so much more! You will not be disappointed, have a read and let me know if you love it as much as me!

[Barbara Dionne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was Not Expecting Much but The Story Rose Above!

Ok, the guy won me over. I will look for the next one in the series to see how he gets on.

[Brad Audiobibliophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Little Compton series and what a way to start the ball rolling. We are introduced to the two main characters, accountant Tom Large & Liz Thorne, his cleaner or, as she tells it, his housekeeper. Both are very likeable and interesting characters that I took to instantly, both well written and they develop nicely through the course of the book.

The murder in question occurs right at the start of the book and Tom and Liz follow all the clues, gradually piecing together what happened and who the murderer is. A very entertaining tale indeed.

I’d been following the progress of the book ever since it was first revealed but as a dedicated Audiobook listener I held out for the audio version which I enjoyed while driving my work van.I usually go more for crime/mystery/thrillers than cosy mysteries but I know I can’t wrong with anything the author writes and this book certainly lived up to those high standards.

Equally I’m a fan of the narrators. Lee Beddow did a fantastic job narrating the author’s Meredith & Hodge books and keeps up the standard in this one. Perdita Lawton was new to me in the Bearing Witness series but in this book she excels at the local dialect of the Little Compton ladies which is a huge contrast to the “posh” accents of the Bearing ladies, showing how versatile she is. A real pleasure to listen to.

I can't give more than 5 stars but each one is very well worth it. I can’t wait for the next in the series, The Abduction, to land as an audiobook.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the author at my request and am voluntarily writing this honest and unbiased review.

[John Hinchliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent first book in the Little Compton Mystery series. The characters are well developed and personable. Tom is an accountant with issues himself in that he fears he cannot go out in the daylight and meeting people frightens him. Liz, his "Housekeeper" is brash and down to earth. After discovering the body of a librarian friend of his Tom and Liz get involved in finding out who murdered her... the police believe it is misadventure until our amateur duo prove differently. Action packed the story kept me glued to my earbuds and I couldn't stop listening. A 10 star listen if possible. The colaberation between Lee Beddow and Perdita Lawton as narrators was brilliant, it was as if you were in the room listening to the characters talking to one another. I for one cannot wait for the next in the series.

[Randi Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read most of Ms Turner's Meredith and Hodges and all her Bearing Witness series. The Little Compton series is a bit of a change. It's a murder mystery without the police procedurals and nothing paranormal. It has a cast of "normal " characters who feel like friends and had me genuinely caring about them from the beginning. The mystery of the dead woman found by Tom is well plotted with a few surprises but not earth-shattering ones. The book flows but not at a breakneck pace, but still I read on and on to the satisfying conclusion. I can't wait to spend more time with my friends in Little Compton.

[Lorraine Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so enjoyed reading this "cosy murder".  Set in a village, the characters are extremely likeable and I am already looking forward to getting to know them better in the future.  So, although cosy ... there is a murder, and the police are not moving as fast as some people would like, so they take it upon themselves to do a bit of amateur sleuthing, getting themselves into all sorts of trouble along the  way.  Very much a "whodunit", it will keep you entertained and turning pages, needing to know the answers. All in all, a very "good read"!

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who killed Denise and why??? family matters??? The trip from Australia isn't that long - if you don't find out about it until they are almost here!!! I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.