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Pitkirtly Mysteries #1
Crime in the Community
Christopher thinks he has his life under control until the mysterious Amaryllis arrives in the little town, spreading chaos and confusion in her wake. Suddenly he isn't sure about anything any more. Will he learn to relax and go with the flow or will he try desperately to remain in charge even in the face of domestic upsets and strange things happening all around him? This is the first in a series of gentle, quirky mysteries set in the small town of Pitkirtly in Scotland.
182 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 26, 2010
152 people are currently reading
380 people want to read
About the author
Cecilia Peartree
70 books23 followersCecilia Peartree is the mystery writing pen name of a former database manager who lives in Edinburgh. She is a history graduate and as well as writing, she uses her spare time to research family history, serve on a local committee and look after cats.
In real life, Cecilia has two sons, one a computer consultant and one a writer, film-maker and social media specialist.
Incidentally, there are now 27 books in the Pitkirtly Mystery series, and 6 in the Adventurous Quest series, but who's counting? (Apart from me, of course) Recently published work includes six historical novels (with more in progress) and 3 mysteries in a new series, as well as some random odds and ends.
In real life, Cecilia has two sons, one a computer consultant and one a writer, film-maker and social media specialist.
Incidentally, there are now 27 books in the Pitkirtly Mystery series, and 6 in the Adventurous Quest series, but who's counting? (Apart from me, of course) Recently published work includes six historical novels (with more in progress) and 3 mysteries in a new series, as well as some random odds and ends.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
October 21, 2014
Amaryllis Peebles is, at 40, a retired spy. She comes to live in Pitkirtly and muscles in on PLIF –the Pitkirtly Local Improvement Forum. The members of the committee have treated this as an informal drinking and social group, meeting as they do in a local pub. Amaryllis proposes that they do up the local village hall which is in a state of decrepitude, so that they, and other village groups, have a better meeting place. Naturally, as a new broom, her clean sweeping is resented. Christopher Wilson, chair of the group, seems particularly uncomfortable about actually improving the village.
This story takes a sassy woman with an uncommon range of skills and drops her into a serene (on the surface) little village and the results are fun and frantic. I loved the characters – living in a village community myself I recognised several types! The writing was witty and most enjoyable to read. As this is the first of a series, I can see I have more treats in store!
This story takes a sassy woman with an uncommon range of skills and drops her into a serene (on the surface) little village and the results are fun and frantic. I loved the characters – living in a village community myself I recognised several types! The writing was witty and most enjoyable to read. As this is the first of a series, I can see I have more treats in store!
December 31, 2011
Crime in the Community is a mystery on many levels. It’s fast, wacky and at times so bizarre it’s difficult to know exactly what is happening but somehow you feel compelled to read on!
The storyline centres on Christopher and his role as the chair of a local action group that seem happiest when there isn’t actually too much action. Enter the mysterious Amaryllis to shake things up and a madcap adventure involving stranger than strange strangers ensues along with weird goings-on within Christopher’s own family circle.
This is a fun read with the author displaying many a comic turn of phrase. It’s well written and the first in a series so I’m certainly tempted to try another!
The storyline centres on Christopher and his role as the chair of a local action group that seem happiest when there isn’t actually too much action. Enter the mysterious Amaryllis to shake things up and a madcap adventure involving stranger than strange strangers ensues along with weird goings-on within Christopher’s own family circle.
This is a fun read with the author displaying many a comic turn of phrase. It’s well written and the first in a series so I’m certainly tempted to try another!
February 10, 2018
An OK book, a little slow for me.
May 11, 2012
Crime in the Community is a farce about village life and steering committies. The reader is teased with sinister undertones and you begin to search for some action or a conspiracy. This novel is a classic slow burner that simply nags at possibilities of a plot but just rambles on. There are many jolly conversations between the characters and there is some mild social comment about problems within British society.
Crime in the Community is a drawn out story that is slow to develop. Things slowly drop into place and your suspicions are confirmed. There are no "WOW!" factors. The ending of this novel is no surprise and this book simply fails. I have taken nothing away from reading this quaint tale of village life. Crime in the Community does poke great fun at people's lives, prejudices and funny little ways - but nothing else.
Crime in the Community is a drawn out story that is slow to develop. Things slowly drop into place and your suspicions are confirmed. There are no "WOW!" factors. The ending of this novel is no surprise and this book simply fails. I have taken nothing away from reading this quaint tale of village life. Crime in the Community does poke great fun at people's lives, prejudices and funny little ways - but nothing else.
January 12, 2012
I downloaded this book for my Kindle as the customer reviews were good, and I love a good thriller/mystery book.
well, this books isn't a thriller, and I don't think the front cover is particulalry well matched to the book itself. That said, this book is a great read and funny in places.
It's certainly quirky, and the whole story I found very far fetched, but that said it held my attention and you understand the characters. It did, however, feel a little that the author had ideas for a lot of different characters, and they were all crammed into this book. Perhaps some might have been better having their own story explored. For example the American characters.
well, this books isn't a thriller, and I don't think the front cover is particulalry well matched to the book itself. That said, this book is a great read and funny in places.
It's certainly quirky, and the whole story I found very far fetched, but that said it held my attention and you understand the characters. It did, however, feel a little that the author had ideas for a lot of different characters, and they were all crammed into this book. Perhaps some might have been better having their own story explored. For example the American characters.
April 3, 2021
The first is a long series of quirky, not-so-cosy mysteries set in Scotland. Some interesting characters: strong, sensible, mysterious Amaryllis; awkward, irritating Christopher; and the two kids, Faisal and Marina, stood out for me. And for anyone living in a village or a small town, the people and the goings-on will be very familiar. There were lots of twists and odd happenings that didn't make sense at the time but became clear by the end. I look forward to reading more about Pitkirtly and its characters.
June 6, 2015
Very entertaining with a complex plot and a sympathetic central character. Christopher's bewilderment at the world around him and the depth he suddenly finds in people he had regarded superficially is very funny.
August 5, 2012
Cosy mystery set in nice Scottish environment. Not very credible but I found it extremely funny.
November 20, 2012
actually 0 star
April 15, 2015
After less than 50 pages I found myself already skipping whole paragraphs because of too detailed descriptions. The plot was rather unrealistic, but this is just my opinion.
October 5, 2017
I am in a quandary about this book. On the whole I enjoyed it, but I can’t help feeling there was something missing. A murder might have livened things up, but despite my best hopes nobody died.
Amaryllis Peebles (There is one problem identified at least) is a young-ish but retired Secret Service Agent who moves to the quiet town of Pitkirtly, and there joins the Pitkirtly Local Improvement Forum, a disparate band of people who essentially have regular meetings in the local pub out of a lack of anything else to do.
Steve Paxman, a Council Official, turns up at Amaryllis’ first meeting and suggests that the PLIF request funding from the Council in order to restore the derelict village hall. Very soon after, Paxman goes missing and things start to get a bit weird for Christopher Wilson, the chair of the PLIF and carer for his mentally unstable sister and her children.
It’s a novel that hasn’t really made a decision as to what it should be. Is it satire, light comedy, cosy mystery, spy thriller or something else entirely?
Let’s return to problem number one. Amaryllis Peebles is completely the wrong name for this character. My wider view is that it’s the completely wrong name for any character. However, if you are going to use an eccentric name, then it has to be for a good reason, or else in a context where others have eccentric names (no one else does). It also has to suit the character, and this doesn’t. There seems no good reason why such a name should have been chosen. If Amaryllis was hoping to blend in to the background then such a name doesn’t help. It seems like a senseless affectation which should have been abandoned after the first draft. You also have characters called Steve Paxman and Simon Fairfax, which have enough common S’s, X’s, M’s and N’s to cause confusion.
There are points where the reader will wonder ‘What the Hell is going on?’ with good reason, although most of it is ultimately explained. The explanation doesn’t make a lot of sense. There were far easier ways for the bad guys in this book to achieve their objective.
Having said that, there is some wonderful characterisation and it is nice to see Christopher’s view of his PLIF colleagues change as they help him to face various random crises which are hurled at him. Christopher himself is a well-drawn character, beset with problems with his family, his PLIF commitments and the strange creature that is Amaryllis, who has entered his life and seemingly brought turmoil in her wake.
Will I read another one? I'll give it another chance. I'm hoping that the characters might dictate the next book and help it find out what sort of a beast it wishes to be.
Amaryllis Peebles (There is one problem identified at least) is a young-ish but retired Secret Service Agent who moves to the quiet town of Pitkirtly, and there joins the Pitkirtly Local Improvement Forum, a disparate band of people who essentially have regular meetings in the local pub out of a lack of anything else to do.
Steve Paxman, a Council Official, turns up at Amaryllis’ first meeting and suggests that the PLIF request funding from the Council in order to restore the derelict village hall. Very soon after, Paxman goes missing and things start to get a bit weird for Christopher Wilson, the chair of the PLIF and carer for his mentally unstable sister and her children.
It’s a novel that hasn’t really made a decision as to what it should be. Is it satire, light comedy, cosy mystery, spy thriller or something else entirely?
Let’s return to problem number one. Amaryllis Peebles is completely the wrong name for this character. My wider view is that it’s the completely wrong name for any character. However, if you are going to use an eccentric name, then it has to be for a good reason, or else in a context where others have eccentric names (no one else does). It also has to suit the character, and this doesn’t. There seems no good reason why such a name should have been chosen. If Amaryllis was hoping to blend in to the background then such a name doesn’t help. It seems like a senseless affectation which should have been abandoned after the first draft. You also have characters called Steve Paxman and Simon Fairfax, which have enough common S’s, X’s, M’s and N’s to cause confusion.
There are points where the reader will wonder ‘What the Hell is going on?’ with good reason, although most of it is ultimately explained. The explanation doesn’t make a lot of sense. There were far easier ways for the bad guys in this book to achieve their objective.
Having said that, there is some wonderful characterisation and it is nice to see Christopher’s view of his PLIF colleagues change as they help him to face various random crises which are hurled at him. Christopher himself is a well-drawn character, beset with problems with his family, his PLIF commitments and the strange creature that is Amaryllis, who has entered his life and seemingly brought turmoil in her wake.
Will I read another one? I'll give it another chance. I'm hoping that the characters might dictate the next book and help it find out what sort of a beast it wishes to be.
January 17, 2021
Quirky humour , rather like Agatha Raisin in style
Having made a sudden decision that it was time to retire, a spy arrives in a small village in Fife. Life is not at all quiet as she tries to get involved in the improvements society and help save the chairman and his family from a kidnapping plot at the same time. Some laugh out loud moments and a good yarn makes this an easy read for relaxing with on a cold wintery night.
Having made a sudden decision that it was time to retire, a spy arrives in a small village in Fife. Life is not at all quiet as she tries to get involved in the improvements society and help save the chairman and his family from a kidnapping plot at the same time. Some laugh out loud moments and a good yarn makes this an easy read for relaxing with on a cold wintery night.
May 13, 2017
I liked the fact that many of the places I grew up near were mentioned in this book.
It tells the story of a new resident in a small close-knit community where stranger are often not welcome. She is there for a very specific reason and it also turns out that she does have some history within the small town in Fife
It tells the story of a new resident in a small close-knit community where stranger are often not welcome. She is there for a very specific reason and it also turns out that she does have some history within the small town in Fife
August 8, 2020
Intrigue in a Scottish Village
Nicely paced with interesting characters. Cecilia doesn't try to make her leads flawless and all knowing, for the most part at lest, mostly just some small town normal people who have to deal with some not normal happenings.
Nicely paced with interesting characters. Cecilia doesn't try to make her leads flawless and all knowing, for the most part at lest, mostly just some small town normal people who have to deal with some not normal happenings.
August 15, 2022
An interesting start to a series, it introduces you to some of the characters in the town and particularly amaryllis a sassy lady who is bringing some change with her. A slowish start but I’m intrigued to see how the characters develop 4* from me
April 6, 2025
A book club member suggested this one. They didn't care for it. I found it entertaining. Lots going on to keep it interesting. I'm definitely going to check out more from this series. Very easy read would be great for taking on vacation.
April 13, 2018
Started to give up the ghost , but 1/3 of the way it the book became better so I hung in there . Not a bad read ...could have been better .
October 3, 2021
A rather strange book about small town committees and communities as much as anything.
December 27, 2021
I liked this book but didn't love it. I liked the characters and the story was okay. It just didn't really grab me the way I thought it would.
December 31, 2021
Cecilia Peartree
Good story slow to start with but then developed at a startling pace. More twists than a cotton thread,keeps you interested to the end.
Good story slow to start with but then developed at a startling pace. More twists than a cotton thread,keeps you interested to the end.
July 9, 2025
No he podido por menos que dejar unas palabras sobre esta obra en el Blog Annavalaina.
November 25, 2014
The story is set in Pitkirtly, a small town near Fife in Scotland in a small community specifically the PLIF (Pitkirtly Local Improvement Forum) chaired by Christopher Wilson. The PLIF are perfectly happy regularly meeting at the local pub drinking and chatting but where nothing is ever decided and everything stays just as it is. Enter Amaryllis Peebles who has decided to retire to Pitkirtly and joins the PLIF whose members grudgingly accept her but their peaceful existence is about to be disrupted. Before long a local community worker disappears and Christopher finds himself being targeted by mysterious strangers.
I downloaded this for free via the Amazon site I was expecting a cozy mystery set in a small town but was pleasantly surprised by the inventiveness of the plot, the interesting characters and nice use of humour. As the story progressed I became more involved in the characters and genuinely liked them not just intrigued by the mystery all of the characters had their own little storyline. And just when you think everything should be tied up there's more! There are several more in the Pitkirtly series and I have downloaded them from Amazon as I want to continue reading more about Pitkirtly and its inhabitants.
I downloaded this for free via the Amazon site I was expecting a cozy mystery set in a small town but was pleasantly surprised by the inventiveness of the plot, the interesting characters and nice use of humour. As the story progressed I became more involved in the characters and genuinely liked them not just intrigued by the mystery all of the characters had their own little storyline. And just when you think everything should be tied up there's more! There are several more in the Pitkirtly series and I have downloaded them from Amazon as I want to continue reading more about Pitkirtly and its inhabitants.
March 25, 2012
Book based in a quaint Scottish village. Opening scene introduces you to one of the main characters and gives you some insight into the lifestyle she has lead. Fast forward to the PLIF club at the pub where you are introduced to the other main character and sub characters. The sub story of refurbishing the town hall is a good way to keep the story moving, but the real story is tucked away within the detail. You get a bit of American and Iran and some spying! Never expected any of it!
This was a well written book in that the story flowed very well and there was just the right amount of detail - I never felt need to scan because I got just the right amount of info to move the story along.
This book was a free book via Kindle, but definitely above some of the other quality of free books! I would recommend this is you enjoy mystery and a bit of love/humour. Good balance throughout!
This was a well written book in that the story flowed very well and there was just the right amount of detail - I never felt need to scan because I got just the right amount of info to move the story along.
This book was a free book via Kindle, but definitely above some of the other quality of free books! I would recommend this is you enjoy mystery and a bit of love/humour. Good balance throughout!
January 23, 2015
I'm really not sure about this one. I arrived at this book because I read a sample of the seventh book in the series (which shows how popular these books are), and I needed to know something about the characters involved. The story is a little far-fetched, as we are expected to believe that this small community can really harbour (to coin a phrase) the rather exotic characters and complex plot-lines involved. Nevertheless, it is a story that holds you to the end, even if a fair degree of disbelief has to be suspended along the way. I've downloaded Book 2 of the series to see how the characters develop.
November 5, 2012
(kindle freebie)
Weird book.
Scottish,parochial, bit international, Committee work experience essential to get fuller enjoyment.
Not sure which genre this would appeal to.
To pass the time waiting for something concrete to happen try counting the lenghth of her sentences.
13/15 lines not uncommon.
Relationships and characters develope interestingly.
The unexplained is eventually explained so sit with it.
Still trying to figure out if I did enjoy it
or
did I didn't
Certainly bamboozled..
Weird book.
Scottish,parochial, bit international, Committee work experience essential to get fuller enjoyment.
Not sure which genre this would appeal to.
To pass the time waiting for something concrete to happen try counting the lenghth of her sentences.
13/15 lines not uncommon.
Relationships and characters develope interestingly.
The unexplained is eventually explained so sit with it.
Still trying to figure out if I did enjoy it
or
did I didn't
Certainly bamboozled..
June 21, 2012
FREE on Kindle. In an insular ex-urban village near Edinburgh, mysterious strangers appear and odd things begin to happen. The chairman of a sleepy little community committee begins to investigate. All the quirkiness and local color you'd want in a mystery set in small-town Scotland, with a good plot and plenty of action. Think Miss (in this case, Mr.) Marple meets James (in this case, Jane) Bond.
March 31, 2015
When I first started reading I thought it would get my 5 chapter chance and no more. By the fifth chapter I thought I might as well finish. It was enjoyable. I can see it as a British TV show. It starts in a pub with a meeting of a committee consisting of characters I recognize from other shows, Scots this time. The plot gets complicated and does test the suspension of ones belief, but it is entertaining.
January 10, 2012
it was ok. not what I ecpected and not something that I would have normally read. It was very easy to read and well written. I found it lacking in something, but I'm not sure what. If I can put my finger on it, then I'll update this later with my thoughts.
January 25, 2014
Different from my normal read with a number of twists and turns.
The location of this story was the aspect that encouraged me to read this (plus it was a freebie).
Overall, I really enjoyed this story, but I wouldn't say it was totally amazing.
The location of this story was the aspect that encouraged me to read this (plus it was a freebie).
Overall, I really enjoyed this story, but I wouldn't say it was totally amazing.
July 8, 2015
Unusually very well done
Haven't read anything quite like it. Kept my interest all the way. Will be in that part of the world next month and will be talking about it there. Now I will have to get the next in the series! Lovely book
Haven't read anything quite like it. Kept my interest all the way. Will be in that part of the world next month and will be talking about it there. Now I will have to get the next in the series! Lovely book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews