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Violet Brewster #1
Murder in Merrywell
Amateur sleuth Violet Brewster wants to embrace the quiet village life, but a decades-old mystery threatens to disrupt the peace of her new hometown…
Ex-journalist Violet Brewster is keen to make a good first impression in her new community, having just moved to the small village of Merrywell. When Violet hears about the mystery of Helen Slingsby, who disappeared from the village forty years earlier, she decides to help uncover what happened. But despite Violet’s best efforts, she can find no trace of the missing woman.
As Violet talks to the other residents, it becomes apparent that something sinister is lurking beneath the village’s idyllic exterior.
When a villager is found dead in their home, Violet becomes convinced that the murder is connected to Helen. Did Helen ever really leave Merrywell? Who in the village is hiding something? And can Violet finally solve this forty-year-old mystery before someone else gets hurt?
An utterly gripping and page-turning English cozy mystery, perfect for fans of Clare Chase, Frances Evesham and Betty Rowlands.
Ex-journalist Violet Brewster is keen to make a good first impression in her new community, having just moved to the small village of Merrywell. When Violet hears about the mystery of Helen Slingsby, who disappeared from the village forty years earlier, she decides to help uncover what happened. But despite Violet’s best efforts, she can find no trace of the missing woman.
As Violet talks to the other residents, it becomes apparent that something sinister is lurking beneath the village’s idyllic exterior.
When a villager is found dead in their home, Violet becomes convinced that the murder is connected to Helen. Did Helen ever really leave Merrywell? Who in the village is hiding something? And can Violet finally solve this forty-year-old mystery before someone else gets hurt?
An utterly gripping and page-turning English cozy mystery, perfect for fans of Clare Chase, Frances Evesham and Betty Rowlands.
309 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 18, 2023
About the author
Jane Bettany
23 books141 followersI am the author of the DI Isabel Blood crime novels, set in the fictional Derbyshire town of Bainbridge, and the cosy crime series featuring amateur sleuth Violet Brewster, which is also set in Derbyshire.
My debut novel In Cold Blood (the first in the DI Isabel Blood series) won the 2019 Gransnet and HQ writing competition, for women writers over the age of 40 who had written a novel with a protagonist in the same age range.
Before turning to novel writing, I had been writing short stories and non-fiction articles for over twenty years, many of which have appeared in women’s magazines, literary magazines, newspapers and online.
I live in Derby, UK and have an MA in Creative Writing.
My debut novel In Cold Blood (the first in the DI Isabel Blood series) won the 2019 Gransnet and HQ writing competition, for women writers over the age of 40 who had written a novel with a protagonist in the same age range.
Before turning to novel writing, I had been writing short stories and non-fiction articles for over twenty years, many of which have appeared in women’s magazines, literary magazines, newspapers and online.
I live in Derby, UK and have an MA in Creative Writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
August 21, 2024
I just loved Murder in Merrywell by Jane Bethany I listened to the audio version which took me to Sheffield Derbyshire the narration by Hannah Parker was top notch I could feel this cozy mystery getting better & more intriguing by the minute as the chapters went on. This is the first in the Violet Brewster series which I am going to continue I love the writing of Jane Bethany & have found a new author yay!!🙌 yay 🙌
Violet Brewster is an ex journalist who has just settled in Merrywell she decides to do a short film for the town she calls the memory Box she gets to know the townsfolk very well until a 40 year mystery rears its ugly head Violet is now an amateur sleuth she is separated from her policeman husband.
Violet is looking in to the disappearance of Helen Slingsby who vanished 40 years earlier what caused her to vanish & why?
Violet finds out that Helen had an affair she decides to interview the residents but they seem to know nothing or do they?
This was my first read of Jane Bethany & won’t be my last I got lost in the setting of Merriwell there are many secrets & reveals that I never picked but that is not unusual for me a wonderful book which I loved 🥰.
Violet Brewster is an ex journalist who has just settled in Merrywell she decides to do a short film for the town she calls the memory Box she gets to know the townsfolk very well until a 40 year mystery rears its ugly head Violet is now an amateur sleuth she is separated from her policeman husband.
Violet is looking in to the disappearance of Helen Slingsby who vanished 40 years earlier what caused her to vanish & why?
Violet finds out that Helen had an affair she decides to interview the residents but they seem to know nothing or do they?
This was my first read of Jane Bethany & won’t be my last I got lost in the setting of Merriwell there are many secrets & reveals that I never picked but that is not unusual for me a wonderful book which I loved 🥰.
August 10, 2023
Murder in Merrywell is an entertaining cosy mystery, and the first in a new series by Jane Bettany, author of the wonderful D.I. Isabel Blood series.
While the cover image rather confusingly depicts the village of Castle Combe in Wiltshire, Murder in Merrywell is actually set in an eponymous fictional town in Derbyshire, somewhere in the vicinity of real life Rowsley.
Recently-divorced former journalist Violet Brewster has recently relocated from London to Merrywell, where she's establishing a business making documentary films. She's delighted to be engaged by the local parish council to make a short video depicting the history of Merrywell and the memories of local residents. Violet is - ahem - naturally curious, and it's not long before she's become aware of a mystery that continues to baffle many of the town's residents - the sudden disappearance of local woman Helen Slingsby in 1982. With very little prompting, and some covert investigations on her own time, she begins uncovering many tantalising clues that indicate that Helen may never have left Merrywell to make a new life for herself, as many had assumed. Violet's interest in the matter certainly stirs up some ill-feeling, as she receives more than one anonymous message imploring her to stop asking questions.
When an elderly resident of the village, who had recently given Violet an interview for her film, is found murdered in her cottage, it seems that long-held secrets might have become threatened in the present. Violet is conscious that it may be dangerous to pursue her quest to determine Helen's whereabouts, but can't resist sharing confidences with new friends, a midnight escapade to search a long-abandoned bomb shelter and confronting several villagers with her suspicions. Can Violet solve the 40-year-old mystery and finish her film, before she becomes the next victim?
Jane Bettany establishes an evocative Derbyshire setting, which had me reaching for Google Earth on several occasions (always a positive sign of my engagement with a book!), which is why the Cotswolds image on the cover of the book seemed jarring. There's an interesting and varied cast of characters, including Violet's new friends at the picturesque Merrywell shopping hub, the several local residents she interviews for her film, and the members of the parish council, who range from helpful to pompous to downright interfering. The narrative achieves a convincing cosy-mystery style, somewhat of a departure from Bettany's darker Isabel Blood police procedural series. As readers of cosy mysteries expect, the underlying mystery plot is balanced with light humour, village life and the prospect of future romance between Violet and widowed joiner Matthew Collis.
I'd highly recommend Murder in Merrywell to lovers of cosy mysteries, in the vein of Katie Gayle's Julia Bird Mysteries series, M.C. Beaton's Agatha Raisin series and Caroline Graham's Inspector Barnaby series (later expanded into the voluminous television series Midsomer Murders).
My thanks to the author, Jane Bettany, publisher HQ, HQ Digital and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.
While the cover image rather confusingly depicts the village of Castle Combe in Wiltshire, Murder in Merrywell is actually set in an eponymous fictional town in Derbyshire, somewhere in the vicinity of real life Rowsley.
Recently-divorced former journalist Violet Brewster has recently relocated from London to Merrywell, where she's establishing a business making documentary films. She's delighted to be engaged by the local parish council to make a short video depicting the history of Merrywell and the memories of local residents. Violet is - ahem - naturally curious, and it's not long before she's become aware of a mystery that continues to baffle many of the town's residents - the sudden disappearance of local woman Helen Slingsby in 1982. With very little prompting, and some covert investigations on her own time, she begins uncovering many tantalising clues that indicate that Helen may never have left Merrywell to make a new life for herself, as many had assumed. Violet's interest in the matter certainly stirs up some ill-feeling, as she receives more than one anonymous message imploring her to stop asking questions.
When an elderly resident of the village, who had recently given Violet an interview for her film, is found murdered in her cottage, it seems that long-held secrets might have become threatened in the present. Violet is conscious that it may be dangerous to pursue her quest to determine Helen's whereabouts, but can't resist sharing confidences with new friends, a midnight escapade to search a long-abandoned bomb shelter and confronting several villagers with her suspicions. Can Violet solve the 40-year-old mystery and finish her film, before she becomes the next victim?
Jane Bettany establishes an evocative Derbyshire setting, which had me reaching for Google Earth on several occasions (always a positive sign of my engagement with a book!), which is why the Cotswolds image on the cover of the book seemed jarring. There's an interesting and varied cast of characters, including Violet's new friends at the picturesque Merrywell shopping hub, the several local residents she interviews for her film, and the members of the parish council, who range from helpful to pompous to downright interfering. The narrative achieves a convincing cosy-mystery style, somewhat of a departure from Bettany's darker Isabel Blood police procedural series. As readers of cosy mysteries expect, the underlying mystery plot is balanced with light humour, village life and the prospect of future romance between Violet and widowed joiner Matthew Collis.
I'd highly recommend Murder in Merrywell to lovers of cosy mysteries, in the vein of Katie Gayle's Julia Bird Mysteries series, M.C. Beaton's Agatha Raisin series and Caroline Graham's Inspector Barnaby series (later expanded into the voluminous television series Midsomer Murders).
My thanks to the author, Jane Bettany, publisher HQ, HQ Digital and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.
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April 18, 2023Murder in Merrywell by Jane Bettany.
Violet Brewster mystery book 1.
Ex-journalist Violet Brewster is keen to make a good first impression in her new community, having just moved to the small village of Merrywell. When Violet hears about the mystery of Helen Slingsby, who disappeared from the village forty years earlier, she decides to help uncover what happened. But despite Violet’s best efforts, she can find no trace of the missing woman.
As Violet talks to the other residents, it becomes apparent that something sinister is lurking beneath the village’s idyllic exterior.
When a villager is found dead in their home, Violet becomes convinced that the murder is connected to Helen. Did Helen ever really leave Merrywell? Who in the village is hiding something? And can Violet finally solve this forty-year-old mystery before someone else gets hurt?
Did enjoy this book. I loved Violet and how she was. Gripping. 5*.
Violet Brewster mystery book 1.
Ex-journalist Violet Brewster is keen to make a good first impression in her new community, having just moved to the small village of Merrywell. When Violet hears about the mystery of Helen Slingsby, who disappeared from the village forty years earlier, she decides to help uncover what happened. But despite Violet’s best efforts, she can find no trace of the missing woman.
As Violet talks to the other residents, it becomes apparent that something sinister is lurking beneath the village’s idyllic exterior.
When a villager is found dead in their home, Violet becomes convinced that the murder is connected to Helen. Did Helen ever really leave Merrywell? Who in the village is hiding something? And can Violet finally solve this forty-year-old mystery before someone else gets hurt?
Did enjoy this book. I loved Violet and how she was. Gripping. 5*.
October 29, 2024
I'm sorry to say I was rather underwhelmed by this book. Part of the problem was that I did not like Violet Brewster very much, she was pushy and insensitive, she gave no sign that she actually cared about Helen, it was just a puzzle to solve. She would have made a good journalist, I think, shoving a microphone in the face of people regardless of the trauma they are going through! I'm not an absolute stickler for plausibiity in what is, after all, fiction, but there has to be some sense of possibility. I think it is inconceivable that people Violet was meeting for the first time would divulge so much information to a virtual stranger, expecially given her insensitivity and lack of discretion. It was also noticeable that the dramatis personae appeared to comprise the entirety of the people that Violet had actually met, barely a dozen, I should think. I believe somewhere it said that Merryweather had a population of about 500, but it felt more like 15. I don't think I will be looking out for any more Violet Brewster mysteries.
February 18, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed this new cosy crime book by Jane Bettany. Great characters, particularly the main character Violet Brewster who moves from London to live in a Derbyshire village location. Violet quickly gets involved in trying to solve a long standing mystery. I love the way this is written, held my interest from start to finish. Was almost sad when I got to the end but look forward to the next book in the series.
October 6, 2025
I really enjoyed this first entry in the Violet Brewster Mystery series. I liked the main character (although she did some pretty stupid things) as well as many of the secondary characters. I was puzzled by both the cold case mystery as well as the modern-day murder, and enjoyed the solution. I'll definitely be reading the next in the series.
April 10, 2023
Great start to a new cozy mystery series. I like Violet and hope to read more in the series.
Fantastic whodunnit. And the reader gets enough details to solve the case along with Violet.
Thanks to NetGalley and HQ for giving me an early reader digital copy.
Fantastic whodunnit. And the reader gets enough details to solve the case along with Violet.
Thanks to NetGalley and HQ for giving me an early reader digital copy.
March 19, 2024
First Book of Jane Bettany, throughly enjoyed this cozy crime mystery.
It was easy to whip through the pages.
Only thing I found myself doing was shouting in my head “Violet, STOP telling everyone what’s going on, what your doing, what you’ve learned” 🤐🤣
Already got Book 2 ready to go!
It was easy to whip through the pages.
Only thing I found myself doing was shouting in my head “Violet, STOP telling everyone what’s going on, what your doing, what you’ve learned” 🤐🤣
Already got Book 2 ready to go!
April 6, 2023
When I read the description of this book, that it was a cosy mystery set is a small English village, I jumped at the opportunity to read it. I adore cosies with that setting, because you know you're going to have amazing settings and interesting characters. It also means the interactions between the characters are deeper, due to the closeness of the community. And, I would love to live in a village like that.
This book does provide the settings and the community closeness, as Merrywell is a village where everybody seems to know everybody. While these elements were well done, I thought a lot of the dialogue felt rigid. It didn't have the comfortable feel of a cosy mystery - it didn't feel natural. But, many of the characters are engaging, including the protagonist, which you do need in a cosy. Plus, she's an undeniable snoop. Another big element all cosies must have. So, it's a mix of me for the cosy elements of this book.
For the mystery, I thought it was solid. The twists seemed a bit foretold in a way. But I did like the way the mystery evolved from a humble question into something of a larger scale. That does start to draw you into the mystery more and more, as more characters are introduced or suspected. The author does well to draw many suspects out of a small community.
I think this first book in what, I suspect, will become a series, will draw many readers in as they get to learn more and more about Merrywell and the people who live there. I would read the next in the series.
Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book for an honest review. All comments are my own.
This book does provide the settings and the community closeness, as Merrywell is a village where everybody seems to know everybody. While these elements were well done, I thought a lot of the dialogue felt rigid. It didn't have the comfortable feel of a cosy mystery - it didn't feel natural. But, many of the characters are engaging, including the protagonist, which you do need in a cosy. Plus, she's an undeniable snoop. Another big element all cosies must have. So, it's a mix of me for the cosy elements of this book.
For the mystery, I thought it was solid. The twists seemed a bit foretold in a way. But I did like the way the mystery evolved from a humble question into something of a larger scale. That does start to draw you into the mystery more and more, as more characters are introduced or suspected. The author does well to draw many suspects out of a small community.
I think this first book in what, I suspect, will become a series, will draw many readers in as they get to learn more and more about Merrywell and the people who live there. I would read the next in the series.
Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book for an honest review. All comments are my own.
May 13, 2025
That this is so well rated shocks me. Let alone the fact that the killer is obvious from the very beginning, but that is not the only sin of this book. Where do I start?
1. the main character is so obnoxious and the leaps she makes in deduction from nothing would quality her for the Olympics somersault challenge.
2. The village is too empty for the 5000 it's supposed to have. Only a couple characters shown and what are the odds they are all important in figuring out what happened?
3. The mystery and the clues, if you can call them that, are laughable at best.
4. The murderer taking time to explain everything like a B-rate movie?
5. The narrow escape?
Plain terrible.
1. the main character is so obnoxious and the leaps she makes in deduction from nothing would quality her for the Olympics somersault challenge.
2. The village is too empty for the 5000 it's supposed to have. Only a couple characters shown and what are the odds they are all important in figuring out what happened?
3. The mystery and the clues, if you can call them that, are laughable at best.
4. The murderer taking time to explain everything like a B-rate movie?
5. The narrow escape?
Plain terrible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2025
Violet Brewster has moved to the quiet village of Merrywell in the Peak District. She is making a video of the history of the local area and has already got herself embroiled in a missing person case and then a resident is murdered! Are the two events related? Violet is on a mission to find out!
This is an enjoyable, cosy mystery. It’s a good start to the series. Entertaining and lively with some interesting characters. A little predictable at times and on occasions I thought the plot was a little forced. But it rolls along nicely at a steady pace and kept me turning the pages. If you enjoy the Agatha Raisin books, you’re sure to like this series. 3.5⭐️
This is an enjoyable, cosy mystery. It’s a good start to the series. Entertaining and lively with some interesting characters. A little predictable at times and on occasions I thought the plot was a little forced. But it rolls along nicely at a steady pace and kept me turning the pages. If you enjoy the Agatha Raisin books, you’re sure to like this series. 3.5⭐️
October 28, 2023
2.5 stars—I doubt I will read any more books in this series. I definitely did not care for the main character. Some of her actions and decisions are just stupid, and she doesn’t take advice very well. It also seems unlikely that she, a newcomer to the village, would be the person one would turn to to solve a decades old missing person mystery.
April 12, 2023
I don't usually read Cosy Crime. I chose this book because I love the author's DI Isobel Blood Series. And I'm so glad I did! I really enjoyed getting to know Violet and the rest of the occupants of Merrywell. I look forward to reading more from this ballsy amateur sleuth.
October 9, 2023
Enjoyed this thoroughly. The characters were fun. The mystery was interesting, lots of twists and turns. Looking forward to the release of book two. And I hope there will be more coming..
March 3, 2024
An enjoyable cozy
May 5, 2024
Loved this one
December 27, 2023
A wonderful, gently flowing English mystery, set in a quaint Derbyshire setting. The main character was likeable and curious, and I enjoyed the method she quizzed suspects. Great pace, solid characters, although I did want to yell at the MC when she walked into obvious danger at the end. I was happy the cat wasn't forgotten :)
April 16, 2023
Ex-journalist & divorcée Violet Brewster is keen to make a good first impression in her new community, having just moved to the small village of Merrywell in the Peak District. When Violet hears about the mystery of Helen Slingsby, who disappeared from the village forty years earlier, she decides to help uncover what happened. As Violet talks to the other residents, it becomes apparent that something sinister is lurking beneath the village’s idyllic exterior. When a villager is found dead in their home, Violet becomes convinced that the murder is connected to Helen.
A new author to me & a new series, a well written book with strong characters & I look forward to seeing how they develop in future books. The pace is slow to begin with but with a new series there's the scene setting & introduction of characters, I enjoyed getting to know Violet & the villagers. There were twists & turns & I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery. A good start to the series
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
A new author to me & a new series, a well written book with strong characters & I look forward to seeing how they develop in future books. The pace is slow to begin with but with a new series there's the scene setting & introduction of characters, I enjoyed getting to know Violet & the villagers. There were twists & turns & I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery. A good start to the series
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
February 2, 2023
Murder in Merrywell is an enjoyable first in series by Jane Bettany, somewhat reminiscent of Katie Gayle's Julia Bird series, but Violet Brewster, divorced woman of a mature age, has an interesting new business venture. Through her business, "The Memory Box," Violet intends "to capture on video whatever people feel compelled to talk about or want to share with others." That includes working with "communities to create living memories and village histories," and helping "individuals tell their personal and family histories." Her first venture is a PR film for her new home in Merrywell, a history of the village that includes compelling stories from a generation soon to be lost to us, those from the second World War, as well as subsequent decades up to and including children in the Merrywell school. While interesting, in and of itself, it also provides a great opportunity to snoop, and Violet is one of those who seems to be unable to keep her curiosity in check, once it is whetted. As one person put it, she is like "a dog with a bone." In her defense, her digging began at the request of and to assist one of her neighbors, but once begun, there was no stopping her. As the ex-wife of a detective with the Met, Violet respects the police but also recognizes their limited resources and reluctance to delve into things based on her "gut feeling." It will be interesting to see how her relationship with the local force fares in later books, but rest assured that the amateur sleuth/police detective love interest trope is not in play here. The detective, who seems to be quite good at his job, is also married and no heartthrob. That is not to say that there aren't other options available to Violet, but that is for another story and another time. All in all, I enjoyed this read and meeting the variety of characters in Merrywell. Violet is quite likeable, if a bit headstrong. I look forward to her next outing.
#murderinmerrywell #janebettany #netgalley #harpercollinspublishers #cozymysteries #britishcozymysteries #amateursleuth #strongfemalelead #englishvillage #bookrecommendations
#murderinmerrywell #janebettany #netgalley #harpercollinspublishers #cozymysteries #britishcozymysteries #amateursleuth #strongfemalelead #englishvillage #bookrecommendations
September 3, 2023
Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ for an advance copy of this cozy mystery.
Violet Brewster has recently moved to Merrywell and bought a house called Greengage. She has started a business where people are filmed talking about their history and remembrances. It's called The Memory Box. She hasn't secured a client yet, but has an interview with the village parish council to make a film about the history of the village, and is delighted to be awarded the contract. The first man she interviews, Nigel Slingsby, tells her about his childhood and life in the village. When the interview is over, he asks her for advice about finding his wife Helen who disappeared 40 years ago. Violet is intrigued but feels she should stay focused on the job she's been hired for. But her inquiring mind gets her on the internet searching for Helen. When she finds nothing, she begins to speculate.
Merrywell is a small village, only a few hundred residents, so no-one can do anything without everyone knowing. How could Helen have disappeared without a trace? Violet continues her interviews, and also asks people about Helen. One senior citizen, Martha Andrews, leaves her a voicemail one afternoon to say she had come information, could Violet come by? But when Violet calls her, there's no answer, and later it going around the village that Martha has been found murdered in her house.
I liked the character of Violet - she's relentless in her snooping. I would like to read some more books by this author, and am happy to see she has written another series.
Violet Brewster has recently moved to Merrywell and bought a house called Greengage. She has started a business where people are filmed talking about their history and remembrances. It's called The Memory Box. She hasn't secured a client yet, but has an interview with the village parish council to make a film about the history of the village, and is delighted to be awarded the contract. The first man she interviews, Nigel Slingsby, tells her about his childhood and life in the village. When the interview is over, he asks her for advice about finding his wife Helen who disappeared 40 years ago. Violet is intrigued but feels she should stay focused on the job she's been hired for. But her inquiring mind gets her on the internet searching for Helen. When she finds nothing, she begins to speculate.
Merrywell is a small village, only a few hundred residents, so no-one can do anything without everyone knowing. How could Helen have disappeared without a trace? Violet continues her interviews, and also asks people about Helen. One senior citizen, Martha Andrews, leaves her a voicemail one afternoon to say she had come information, could Violet come by? But when Violet calls her, there's no answer, and later it going around the village that Martha has been found murdered in her house.
I liked the character of Violet - she's relentless in her snooping. I would like to read some more books by this author, and am happy to see she has written another series.
August 23, 2023
After her divorce ex-journalist Violet Brewster decided she would up sticks, move north, start her much planned new business, and fully embrace Merrywell's village life. Investigating a decades-old missing person mystery wasn't on her to do list even if she used to be married to a detective in the Met!
Violet is supposed to be making a film extolling the positives of Merrywell but her inquisitive nature means she can't leave well enough alone when one of her new neighbours asks for help finding out what happened to his wife in the eighties. It seems a harmless distraction until a sudden death makes her wonder if her questioning has unnerved someone. With the police reluctant to take her seriously will Violet concentrate solely on her film or is it already too late for that?
This is the first in a cosy series by popular crime writer Jane Bettany and was a really good start. Violet is an interesting main protagonist and, by the end of the book, has a few allies to help in her forthcoming investigations. The village and local council members add an interesting background, and I'm looking forward to reading more in this series very soon.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the opinions expressed are my own. I thoroughly enjoyed this and happily recommend it.
Violet is supposed to be making a film extolling the positives of Merrywell but her inquisitive nature means she can't leave well enough alone when one of her new neighbours asks for help finding out what happened to his wife in the eighties. It seems a harmless distraction until a sudden death makes her wonder if her questioning has unnerved someone. With the police reluctant to take her seriously will Violet concentrate solely on her film or is it already too late for that?
This is the first in a cosy series by popular crime writer Jane Bettany and was a really good start. Violet is an interesting main protagonist and, by the end of the book, has a few allies to help in her forthcoming investigations. The village and local council members add an interesting background, and I'm looking forward to reading more in this series very soon.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the opinions expressed are my own. I thoroughly enjoyed this and happily recommend it.
January 6, 2025
Actual rating - 3.5 stars.
It took a while for me to get into this one. But eventually I did, and liked it enough to continue. I actually bought book 2 a few months ago by accident, so at least I've got context for all the characters now.
It took a while for me to get into this one. But eventually I did, and liked it enough to continue. I actually bought book 2 a few months ago by accident, so at least I've got context for all the characters now.
April 19, 2023
A fabulous cosy crime mystery set in the quiet country village of Merrywell.
Ex journalist and amateur sleuth Violet Brewster has moved from London and settled in Merrywell.
She has started a new business venture “The Memory Box” and is commissioned by the village parish council to produce a community video for the village.
It’s while she is interviewing locals of their recollections of Merrywell she discovers about Helen, a missing person who disappeared from the village 40 years ago.
Violet’s investigative skills come into play as she tries to find out what happened to Helen.
Well written with lots of strong characters.
I enjoyed getting to know Violet Brewster and it seems she just can’t help but get involved when there is a mystery to be solved.
Reminiscent of Midsummer Murders or Miss Marple
Look forward to next title in the series - Murder at the Book Festival
Thank you to @JaneBettany @Hqstories & @netgalley for the advance eARC
Ex journalist and amateur sleuth Violet Brewster has moved from London and settled in Merrywell.
She has started a new business venture “The Memory Box” and is commissioned by the village parish council to produce a community video for the village.
It’s while she is interviewing locals of their recollections of Merrywell she discovers about Helen, a missing person who disappeared from the village 40 years ago.
Violet’s investigative skills come into play as she tries to find out what happened to Helen.
Well written with lots of strong characters.
I enjoyed getting to know Violet Brewster and it seems she just can’t help but get involved when there is a mystery to be solved.
Reminiscent of Midsummer Murders or Miss Marple
Look forward to next title in the series - Murder at the Book Festival
Thank you to @JaneBettany @Hqstories & @netgalley for the advance eARC
October 27, 2024
I am a huge cozy mystery fan. The book started with a lot of promise and pleasant characters. But as it progressed, I was very disappointed. As soon as the woman who disappeared was first mentioned, I’ve had an exact idea what happened to her and who was responsible, I even wrote down the name in my notebook. Then there was more and more evidence towards that. And in the end it was word-by-word as I have imagined. Did anybody think it was unexpected?.. I’ve never read such a predictable book. And I never even try to think who did it, when I read, not to spoil the fun. As for the main character, I prefer to admire their crime-solving talents rather than just virtually face-palming the whole book…
Not a good fit for me.
Not a good fit for me.
March 17, 2023
3.5/5 ⭐️
After her divorce, Violet moved to the small town of Merrywell. She soon gets a job to make a commemorative film for the city. As she starts interviewing, she stumbles across a decades old missing person case. Violet starts to ask questions about the missing woman when a villager is murdered. More than ever, Violet becomes determined to solve the cases.
I enjoyed this debut. I think it had some slow parts and had to set up a lot of characters but I saw a lot of promise for Violet in future books. She reminded me of a less combative Agatha Raisin!
I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
After her divorce, Violet moved to the small town of Merrywell. She soon gets a job to make a commemorative film for the city. As she starts interviewing, she stumbles across a decades old missing person case. Violet starts to ask questions about the missing woman when a villager is murdered. More than ever, Violet becomes determined to solve the cases.
I enjoyed this debut. I think it had some slow parts and had to set up a lot of characters but I saw a lot of promise for Violet in future books. She reminded me of a less combative Agatha Raisin!
I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 4, 2025
Violet Brewster, a former journalist, moves to Merrywell where she is commissioned by the Parish Council to produce a short community film about the village. When one of the residents tells her about his wife who vanished years ago, Violet takes it upon herself to investigate the disappearance, alienating most of the villagers in the process !
Although the 'cosy murder mystery' genre isn't my favourite, I warmed to this story as I progressed through the book, in spite of Violet Brewster being one of the most irritating amateur detectives I've come across !
Although the 'cosy murder mystery' genre isn't my favourite, I warmed to this story as I progressed through the book, in spite of Violet Brewster being one of the most irritating amateur detectives I've come across !
December 27, 2023
3.75 An entertaining cozy mystery. Well-paced and plotted. Knocking off a few points because the main character, Violet Brewster, could be a tad annoying at times. Hope that in the next installment, as the author settles into this series, Violet settles in as well. Overall, though, a good start and I’ll read the next one to see how the series progresses.
April 15, 2024
This is the first of the Violet Brewster Mystery series which is cozy crime. I have to say that I found the main character infuriating at times but despite this I am about to start reading the next book in the series LOL. Looking forward to seeing Violet’s character develop.
July 12, 2024
Not for me
Started with promise but I got bored with the plot very quickly.
Slow paced and not very interesting characters. I will attempt another of the series but it will have to be a good read
Started with promise but I got bored with the plot very quickly.
Slow paced and not very interesting characters. I will attempt another of the series but it will have to be a good read
September 12, 2025
This was a pleasant cozy mystery. It's well written and had interesting enough characters and setting to balance out containing one of the tropes I deeply dislike about the genre (mortal danger for the main character near the end).
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