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The Maisie Cooper Mysteries #1
Murder at Church Lodge
A gripping British cosy crime mystery with a mysterious death and a village full of secrets...
Maisie Cooper hasn't seen her brother in years. So it's a surprise when he gets in touch out of the blue. But when she returns to the village they grew up in, she discovers that he's dead. And not just dead - murdered.
As Maisie investigates, she starts to uncover a sinister mystery at the heart of the perfect little village. Why is everyone so reluctant to answer her questions? Is the murder connected to the recent Cathedral robbery? What was her brother going to tell her before his untimely demise?
And when another death rocks the community, can Maisie solve the case before the killer strikes again?
Maisie Cooper hasn't seen her brother in years. So it's a surprise when he gets in touch out of the blue. But when she returns to the village they grew up in, she discovers that he's dead. And not just dead - murdered.
As Maisie investigates, she starts to uncover a sinister mystery at the heart of the perfect little village. Why is everyone so reluctant to answer her questions? Is the murder connected to the recent Cathedral robbery? What was her brother going to tell her before his untimely demise?
And when another death rocks the community, can Maisie solve the case before the killer strikes again?
352 pages, ebook
Published November 14, 2023
225 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
July 19, 2023
3.3 Stars
One Liner: A mixed read
Maisie Cooper left her village and her brother many years ago. She had been in Paris, enjoying life as a tourist guide. But when she receives a message from her brother Stephen, Maisie decides to come down for a holiday. However, she is shocked to find out that Stephen had died before she reached the village.
With the local police and the Special Branch interested in her brother, Maisie realizes she should find out the truth. People don’t want to tell her things (or those who do leave a lot of gaps), and soon a second death crooks the village.
Maisie will not stop until she knows what happened.
The story comes mainly from the third-person POV of Maisie, with a few scenes from Sergeant Jack’s Wingard POV.
My Thoughts:
The premise and cover were enough for me to request this book right away. I loved the dark-ish vibes of the plot while knowing it will still be a small-town cozy mystery set in a village in England.
The prologue is intriguing and sets the stage for the plot to develop. Stephen has many faults and is in no way a likable character. However, we see that he had a few redeeming qualities, which weren’t enough to save his life.
Maisie is intriguing enough, though it’s hard to relate to her. I blame this more on the narration than the characterization. The writing doesn’t do justice to the character.
My biggest issue is the lack of clear indication about the period the story is set in. I thought it was a contemporary cozy in the present time. But soon, I realized it was from when we had no mobile phones or internet. Then at 47%, we see the year 1972 mentioned in the newspaper. This may not be an issue for UK readers as they can guess the timeline based on the references to power cuts and the oil crisis. However, it isn’t a period I’m familiar with, and the references were lost on me. I could only guess it to be after WWII.
The pacing is slow and detailed, a little too detailed with a lot of 'tell'. While some red herrings are good, the plot, as such, feels unnecessarily convoluted. There’s a lot of information, investigation, and guesswork to fit into a single week.
Sergeant Jack Wingard’s POV was a bore. I should have empathized a little with him, but the way it’s written makes it hard to take his side. He sounds whiny whenever he thinks of Maisie. Not just his POV, even the scenes with Maisie sound odd and off. The side characters are interesting enough, but none of them stand out. They do their bit to keep the plot going.
Furthermore, there isn’t enough chemistry between Maisie and Jack. I know this is the first book in the series, but the subplot can’t be so slow. At the least, the conversation should have happened before the book ended. And I can only hope there won’t be a love triangle.
The action scenes were well done. Maisie is no damsel in distress. She can save herself and even attack if required. At the same time, she is not fearless or ready to handle any situation. The combination of vulnerability and self-defense skills work well together.
To summarize, Murder at Church Lodge is a decent start to a new cozy mystery series. It’s promising but falls short (mainly due to the writing style). The blurb for book two is interesting, so I’ll check it out when the copies are available.
Thank you, NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#MurderatChurchLodge #NetGalley
***
P.S.: The blurb is different in NetGalley and Goodreads (this is for NG reviewers).
***************************************
Coz I cannot resist a cozy mystery! Sigh...
One Liner: A mixed read
Maisie Cooper left her village and her brother many years ago. She had been in Paris, enjoying life as a tourist guide. But when she receives a message from her brother Stephen, Maisie decides to come down for a holiday. However, she is shocked to find out that Stephen had died before she reached the village.
With the local police and the Special Branch interested in her brother, Maisie realizes she should find out the truth. People don’t want to tell her things (or those who do leave a lot of gaps), and soon a second death crooks the village.
Maisie will not stop until she knows what happened.
The story comes mainly from the third-person POV of Maisie, with a few scenes from Sergeant Jack’s Wingard POV.
My Thoughts:
The premise and cover were enough for me to request this book right away. I loved the dark-ish vibes of the plot while knowing it will still be a small-town cozy mystery set in a village in England.
The prologue is intriguing and sets the stage for the plot to develop. Stephen has many faults and is in no way a likable character. However, we see that he had a few redeeming qualities, which weren’t enough to save his life.
Maisie is intriguing enough, though it’s hard to relate to her. I blame this more on the narration than the characterization. The writing doesn’t do justice to the character.
My biggest issue is the lack of clear indication about the period the story is set in. I thought it was a contemporary cozy in the present time. But soon, I realized it was from when we had no mobile phones or internet. Then at 47%, we see the year 1972 mentioned in the newspaper. This may not be an issue for UK readers as they can guess the timeline based on the references to power cuts and the oil crisis. However, it isn’t a period I’m familiar with, and the references were lost on me. I could only guess it to be after WWII.
The pacing is slow and detailed, a little too detailed with a lot of 'tell'. While some red herrings are good, the plot, as such, feels unnecessarily convoluted. There’s a lot of information, investigation, and guesswork to fit into a single week.
Sergeant Jack Wingard’s POV was a bore. I should have empathized a little with him, but the way it’s written makes it hard to take his side. He sounds whiny whenever he thinks of Maisie. Not just his POV, even the scenes with Maisie sound odd and off. The side characters are interesting enough, but none of them stand out. They do their bit to keep the plot going.
Furthermore, there isn’t enough chemistry between Maisie and Jack. I know this is the first book in the series, but the subplot can’t be so slow. At the least, the conversation should have happened before the book ended. And I can only hope there won’t be a love triangle.
The action scenes were well done. Maisie is no damsel in distress. She can save herself and even attack if required. At the same time, she is not fearless or ready to handle any situation. The combination of vulnerability and self-defense skills work well together.
To summarize, Murder at Church Lodge is a decent start to a new cozy mystery series. It’s promising but falls short (mainly due to the writing style). The blurb for book two is interesting, so I’ll check it out when the copies are available.
Thank you, NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#MurderatChurchLodge #NetGalley
***
P.S.: The blurb is different in NetGalley and Goodreads (this is for NG reviewers).
***************************************
Coz I cannot resist a cozy mystery! Sigh...
July 12, 2023
Maisie Cooper hasn't seen her brother in years. So it's a surprise when he gets in touch out of the blue. But when she returns to the village they grew up in, she discovers that he's dead. And not just dead - murdered. As Maisie investigates, she starts to uncover a sinister mystery at the heart of the perfect little village. Why is everyone so reluctant to answer her questions? Is the murder connected to the recent Cathedral robbery? What was her brother going to tell her before his untimely demise?
Ste in the 1970s - Oh I do like a cosy mystery, and this one does not disappoint. Maisie has traveled from Paris to Framlington in Sussex to see her brother Stephan who she hadn't seen for years. But when she gets there, she finds out her brother had been murdered. Maisie tries to get to the bottom of her brother's murder. The story references some of the things that actually took place in the 70s. I quite enjoyed this first book in a new series, and I will definitely be looking out for the second installment.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HodderStoughton and the author #GregMosse for my ARC of #MurderAtChurchLodge in exchange for an honest review.
Ste in the 1970s - Oh I do like a cosy mystery, and this one does not disappoint. Maisie has traveled from Paris to Framlington in Sussex to see her brother Stephan who she hadn't seen for years. But when she gets there, she finds out her brother had been murdered. Maisie tries to get to the bottom of her brother's murder. The story references some of the things that actually took place in the 70s. I quite enjoyed this first book in a new series, and I will definitely be looking out for the second installment.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HodderStoughton and the author #GregMosse for my ARC of #MurderAtChurchLodge in exchange for an honest review.
June 2, 2025
A really good cosy mystery.
Is it realistic - nope
are there flaws - yup
Did I still love it? You Bet!
Is it realistic - nope
are there flaws - yup
Did I still love it? You Bet!
March 22, 2024
Really good cozy mystery
August 3, 2023
I really enjoyed it. I think it was the first time I’ve read a mystery without trying to desperately work out who did it. I just enjoyed reading it and letting the story lead the way. Immediately looked for the next one but it’s not pjs till November. I’ve preordered and can’t wait to read it.
January 5, 2024
Quite a quick read thanks to short chapters. A gentle mystery with no excess gore. Only quibble being that it's set in 1972, but there's no indication of that until quite a way into the book. Not a bad book, at all.
May 19, 2024
Synopsis: When Maisie Cooper receives a sudden contact from her long-lost brother, it leads her back to their childhood village, only to discover he's been murdered. As she delves into the investigation, Maisie uncovers a sinister mystery shrouding the seemingly perfect town. With reluctance from the locals to answer her questions and hints of a connection to a recent Cathedral robbery, Maisie races to uncover the truth before the killer strikes again.
Rating:☆☆
I appreciated the premise and the familiar setting of Chichester, where I've lived myself. However, I found the pacing too slow, leading to a loss of interest.
Rating:☆☆
I appreciated the premise and the familiar setting of Chichester, where I've lived myself. However, I found the pacing too slow, leading to a loss of interest.
August 6, 2024
A nice, easy read. I enjoyed this book, set in the 70s with an interesting story line and a good reminder of how much we rely on things like mobile phones, google and internet banking! The only real quibble is the quote on the front likening it to a Richard Osmon book- they have a murder in common and that is it!
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July 13, 2023A great start to a series I just know I'm going to enjoy!
Maisie left her home village of Framlington many years ago, but when her brother asks her to come, she finds herself heading back. Alas, she is too late as Stephen dies just before she arrives and, as it turns out, he was murdered. So what did he need to tell her? With a lack of progress by the police, Maisie decides there is only one thing to do - get to the bottom of things herself.
I love a good murder mystery, and this one held my attention right to the very end. Maisie left the village a long time ago which gives her an edge to viewing everyone dispassionately and it isn't long before she gets the feeling that there's something going on. She hangs in there, determined to find out what happened to her brother - and why. Gripping from beginning to end, I shall definitely be on the lookout for the next one in this series. 4* from me.
Maisie left her home village of Framlington many years ago, but when her brother asks her to come, she finds herself heading back. Alas, she is too late as Stephen dies just before she arrives and, as it turns out, he was murdered. So what did he need to tell her? With a lack of progress by the police, Maisie decides there is only one thing to do - get to the bottom of things herself.
I love a good murder mystery, and this one held my attention right to the very end. Maisie left the village a long time ago which gives her an edge to viewing everyone dispassionately and it isn't long before she gets the feeling that there's something going on. She hangs in there, determined to find out what happened to her brother - and why. Gripping from beginning to end, I shall definitely be on the lookout for the next one in this series. 4* from me.
February 13, 2025
just not for me. so so slow and repetitive. just couldn’t form a bond with any of the characters
July 13, 2023
Maisie left the picture-perfect village of Framlington years ago & is living in Paris. But when her brother Stephen asks for her help out of the blue she soon finds herself back among the windy lanes and open green fields. But it's not the family reunion she hoped for - upon arrival she learns that she's too late. Stephen is dead. And not just dead - murdered. Frustrated by the slow police investigation headed up by handsome Sergeant Wingard, Maisie determines to start asking questions herself. Then another death rocks the community.
A new author to me & a new series, it was a well written cosy mystery, it started slowly but the pace built as did the tension. The characters had depth & were well portrayed, I really like Maisie & will be interested to see how her character develops. There are plenty of suspects & the village has a good mix of characters. I also loved that the author gave a true feeling of the early 1970's with power cuts & miners' strikes. There were twists & turns as well as red herrings. A thoroughly enjoyable mystery
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
A new author to me & a new series, it was a well written cosy mystery, it started slowly but the pace built as did the tension. The characters had depth & were well portrayed, I really like Maisie & will be interested to see how her character develops. There are plenty of suspects & the village has a good mix of characters. I also loved that the author gave a true feeling of the early 1970's with power cuts & miners' strikes. There were twists & turns as well as red herrings. A thoroughly enjoyable mystery
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
August 10, 2023
This classic cosy crime novel is the first in a series, bringing Maisie back to a quiet English village where she has been summoned by the brother she's not seen for years, only to discover he has been murdered. Inevitably, the village and its inhabitants have plenty of secrets which Maisie has to get to the bottom of.
In a 1970s world with no mobile phones or social media but plenty of power blackouts, it's an interesting setting and premise and Maisie proves a very able sleuth.
The classic Agatha Christie-style ending of having the suspects all in the same room at the end as the case and clues are summarised had me leafing back through the book to realise what I'd missed.
It's a gentle, nostalgic story, written well, and would transfer easily to the TV screen, especially early on a Sunday evening.
In a 1970s world with no mobile phones or social media but plenty of power blackouts, it's an interesting setting and premise and Maisie proves a very able sleuth.
The classic Agatha Christie-style ending of having the suspects all in the same room at the end as the case and clues are summarised had me leafing back through the book to realise what I'd missed.
It's a gentle, nostalgic story, written well, and would transfer easily to the TV screen, especially early on a Sunday evening.
July 12, 2023
This is a new intriguing cozy series. There's a lot of tropes in common with the classic cozy mysteries but Maisie and the characters are very original and I loved them.
A bit slow at the beginning it kept me reading as I was involved in the story and wanted to know what was going to happen and discover the uncountable secrets behind the murder.
It's a solid mystery, the mystery never takes the backseat and the plot flows and kept me turning pages.
I couldn't guess the culprit and thoroughly enjoyed this story.
Can't wait to read a new one.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
A bit slow at the beginning it kept me reading as I was involved in the story and wanted to know what was going to happen and discover the uncountable secrets behind the murder.
It's a solid mystery, the mystery never takes the backseat and the plot flows and kept me turning pages.
I couldn't guess the culprit and thoroughly enjoyed this story.
Can't wait to read a new one.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
June 30, 2025
363 pages of sheer enjoyment. Maisie Cooper turns out to be a very likeable person, forced by the circumstances of her brother’s death to turn amateur detective. The descriptions of all the characters she meets bring the whole community to life. I’m looking forward to reading the next book.
March 3, 2025
Insta @thedadbookclub
Murder at Church Lodge by Greg Mosse
The Book...
After receiving a letter from her brother Stephen, Maisie Cooper finds herself returning to her old home town of Framlington.
When she arrives from Paris, she finds her brother hasn't just died, he's been murdered. Frustrated that the police investigation, headed by Sargeant Wingard, isn't moving quick enough Maisie starts asking questions.. the deeper she digs, the more she begins to feel something sinister is at play. When another death hits Framlington, Maisie fears she will need to catch the killer before they catch her....
My Review...
A cosy crime book that you can really sink your teeth into. Quick chapters allow you to quickly get through pages of this book.
The backstory is set up brilliantly in this book ready for a second, third and fourth! Being from a small town myself the characters really rang true to me. I was honestly guessing throughout the book with the author not giving anything away at all until the final quarter of the book. I think what I like most about this book is the authenticity of the characters, particularly Maisie. She's not a detective, she's a sister who wants to get to the bottom of why her brother was murdered by integrating herself into the local community, asking questions and cleverly keeping the reader onside but in the dark with her thinking.
A very well and cleverly written cosy crime book which has definitely done two things for me personally
1. Introduced me to a brilliant and unknown author (to me)
2. Introduced me to a catchy series to dive into without it being a heavy or difficult reading experience.
Rating ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Would I recommend this book? Yes! If cosy crimes your bag, get this book read!!
Murder at Church Lodge by Greg Mosse
The Book...
After receiving a letter from her brother Stephen, Maisie Cooper finds herself returning to her old home town of Framlington.
When she arrives from Paris, she finds her brother hasn't just died, he's been murdered. Frustrated that the police investigation, headed by Sargeant Wingard, isn't moving quick enough Maisie starts asking questions.. the deeper she digs, the more she begins to feel something sinister is at play. When another death hits Framlington, Maisie fears she will need to catch the killer before they catch her....
My Review...
A cosy crime book that you can really sink your teeth into. Quick chapters allow you to quickly get through pages of this book.
The backstory is set up brilliantly in this book ready for a second, third and fourth! Being from a small town myself the characters really rang true to me. I was honestly guessing throughout the book with the author not giving anything away at all until the final quarter of the book. I think what I like most about this book is the authenticity of the characters, particularly Maisie. She's not a detective, she's a sister who wants to get to the bottom of why her brother was murdered by integrating herself into the local community, asking questions and cleverly keeping the reader onside but in the dark with her thinking.
A very well and cleverly written cosy crime book which has definitely done two things for me personally
1. Introduced me to a brilliant and unknown author (to me)
2. Introduced me to a catchy series to dive into without it being a heavy or difficult reading experience.
Rating ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Would I recommend this book? Yes! If cosy crimes your bag, get this book read!!
July 14, 2023
Murder at Church Lodge is a cosy mystery with a lot of heart that sucked me in from page one and kept me guessing until the end. So what’s it about?
Maisie Cooper left her home village in England years ago and lives happily in Paris. When her estranged brother, Stephen, leaves her a garbled voice mail suggesting that she needs to return to the village to see him urgently, she instantly packs a bag. But by the time she arrives, Stephen is dead, and the postmortem proves that he’s been murdered.
As Maisie sets about arranging the funeral and sorting out his affairs, she discovers more than she bargained for. The village is harbouring a dark secret and Maisie makes it her mission to uncover the facts, and the culprits.
I loved the author’s engaging and witty writing style. He beautifully weaves an intriguing plot against a vividly described backdrop of ‘sleepy’ village life - greedy landlords, shady retired business men, the local gossip, little old ladies, the focal point of the village shop, all of whom are very well developed as individual and interesting characters. And all with motives that me guessing.
As a romance fan, I enjoyed the sweet, slow burn ‘will they won’t they’ storyline between Maisie and the local policeman Jack, who has held a candle for her since they were teenagers.
Murder at Church Lodge is a gripping and enjoyable read, full of red herrings, near misses, a dash of romance and a very
clever ending. I can’t recommend it enough. Fans of Richard Osman will want to snap this one up quickly!
Maisie Cooper left her home village in England years ago and lives happily in Paris. When her estranged brother, Stephen, leaves her a garbled voice mail suggesting that she needs to return to the village to see him urgently, she instantly packs a bag. But by the time she arrives, Stephen is dead, and the postmortem proves that he’s been murdered.
As Maisie sets about arranging the funeral and sorting out his affairs, she discovers more than she bargained for. The village is harbouring a dark secret and Maisie makes it her mission to uncover the facts, and the culprits.
I loved the author’s engaging and witty writing style. He beautifully weaves an intriguing plot against a vividly described backdrop of ‘sleepy’ village life - greedy landlords, shady retired business men, the local gossip, little old ladies, the focal point of the village shop, all of whom are very well developed as individual and interesting characters. And all with motives that me guessing.
As a romance fan, I enjoyed the sweet, slow burn ‘will they won’t they’ storyline between Maisie and the local policeman Jack, who has held a candle for her since they were teenagers.
Murder at Church Lodge is a gripping and enjoyable read, full of red herrings, near misses, a dash of romance and a very
clever ending. I can’t recommend it enough. Fans of Richard Osman will want to snap this one up quickly!
September 22, 2023
As usual in my reviews I will not rehash the plot or publisher's blurb - instead I recommend that you read this for yourself.
This is the first book in a new series featuring "Maisie Cooper", the main character in this novel. The book is in the classic "cosy murder mystery" genre, and is set during the 1970s, a decade I remember well. It was interesting to realise how much social attitudes, communication and behaviours have changed since then (well it was 50 years ago I guess!). The book triggered several personal memories - I was reminded of my Dad's car (the model is mentioned!), and I'd forgotten the chaos brought about by the recurring power cuts.
There are some interesting characters - some of whom will recur in future books I think. Maisie is very likeable and has had an interesting life, and the other characters were well thought out and believable.
I liked the writing style, and the dialogue felt realistic too. The plot featured several red herrings, and I didn't guess the ending (as I often do), so bonus marks for that.
An excellent start to a series that I will follow with interest.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.
This is the first book in a new series featuring "Maisie Cooper", the main character in this novel. The book is in the classic "cosy murder mystery" genre, and is set during the 1970s, a decade I remember well. It was interesting to realise how much social attitudes, communication and behaviours have changed since then (well it was 50 years ago I guess!). The book triggered several personal memories - I was reminded of my Dad's car (the model is mentioned!), and I'd forgotten the chaos brought about by the recurring power cuts.
There are some interesting characters - some of whom will recur in future books I think. Maisie is very likeable and has had an interesting life, and the other characters were well thought out and believable.
I liked the writing style, and the dialogue felt realistic too. The plot featured several red herrings, and I didn't guess the ending (as I often do), so bonus marks for that.
An excellent start to a series that I will follow with interest.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.
August 28, 2024
The first in the series to feature Maisie Cooper in what promises to be an outstanding series
From the opening pages Greg Mosse drew me in, into what became a highly enjoyable and engaging read.
The plotting of the book is slick and superbly constructed, it strikes the right balance of intrigue and mystery, it had me guessing and second guessing myself right the way through
The characterisation is spot on for the period and village life, Maisie is a somewhat reluctant sleuth, I enjoyed those moments with the local detective Jack who somewhat shy would appear to want to re kindle old flames. We are also treated to a veritable cast of characters fully rounded all have a sense of belonging, in the end it wasn’t who I thought it might be.
I loved the fact that Maisie is not nor does she set out to be an amateur detective, she just wants the truth, she isn’t the type of interfering busy body, she is smart and likeable, not someone to suffer fools
Greg Mosse paints a striking and vivid picture of village life brought to life on the page in glorious technicolour it ties everything up
Set in the early 70’s the book has more than a passing nod to the golden age, it captures that feel and essence but in a more upto date setting, in fact for me setting the book in the 70’s worked perfectly and fed into that sedentary way of village life, nothing was hurried all at a perfect pace, no modern gadgets a perfect slice of nostalgia wrapped up in a murder mystery where it’s all about working the clues that are there
There is so much to admire about this book, it is sprinkled with warmth and humour and plenty of emotion, the book has enough twists to keep you guessing as to the outcome
If you like your crime on the cosy side then this book is for you, if you like your crime a bit grittier then I would still recomend this book. This is a read which does not disappoint.
I look forward to reading the rest of the series
From the opening pages Greg Mosse drew me in, into what became a highly enjoyable and engaging read.
The plotting of the book is slick and superbly constructed, it strikes the right balance of intrigue and mystery, it had me guessing and second guessing myself right the way through
The characterisation is spot on for the period and village life, Maisie is a somewhat reluctant sleuth, I enjoyed those moments with the local detective Jack who somewhat shy would appear to want to re kindle old flames. We are also treated to a veritable cast of characters fully rounded all have a sense of belonging, in the end it wasn’t who I thought it might be.
I loved the fact that Maisie is not nor does she set out to be an amateur detective, she just wants the truth, she isn’t the type of interfering busy body, she is smart and likeable, not someone to suffer fools
Greg Mosse paints a striking and vivid picture of village life brought to life on the page in glorious technicolour it ties everything up
Set in the early 70’s the book has more than a passing nod to the golden age, it captures that feel and essence but in a more upto date setting, in fact for me setting the book in the 70’s worked perfectly and fed into that sedentary way of village life, nothing was hurried all at a perfect pace, no modern gadgets a perfect slice of nostalgia wrapped up in a murder mystery where it’s all about working the clues that are there
There is so much to admire about this book, it is sprinkled with warmth and humour and plenty of emotion, the book has enough twists to keep you guessing as to the outcome
If you like your crime on the cosy side then this book is for you, if you like your crime a bit grittier then I would still recomend this book. This is a read which does not disappoint.
I look forward to reading the rest of the series
August 22, 2023
Murder at Church Lodge is the first Maisie Cooper book in Greg Mosse’s new murder mystery series.
In short, Maisie’s brother reaches out for help, so Maisie immediately leaves Paris to return to the village of Framlington to help him only to find out she’s too late he’s dead, he’s been murdered! Frustrated by the police’s slow investigation she starts her quest in finding out who murdered him and why. It’s not going to be as straightforward as she hoped as the deeper she digs the more sinister the situation becomes…people did odd things when there were secrets they were obliged to conceal!
It’s a well written, typically English, old school murder mystery with lots going on to chew over…it’s definitely an easy read which was something I needed as a refresh after reading a copious amount of tough, gritty crime thrillers, so noting that the publisher was Hodder and Stoughton I guessed it would be a good read too.
Big thanks to Greg Mosse, Hodder and Stoughton and NetGalley for this eARC which I chose to read in return for my honest review.
In short, Maisie’s brother reaches out for help, so Maisie immediately leaves Paris to return to the village of Framlington to help him only to find out she’s too late he’s dead, he’s been murdered! Frustrated by the police’s slow investigation she starts her quest in finding out who murdered him and why. It’s not going to be as straightforward as she hoped as the deeper she digs the more sinister the situation becomes…people did odd things when there were secrets they were obliged to conceal!
It’s a well written, typically English, old school murder mystery with lots going on to chew over…it’s definitely an easy read which was something I needed as a refresh after reading a copious amount of tough, gritty crime thrillers, so noting that the publisher was Hodder and Stoughton I guessed it would be a good read too.
Big thanks to Greg Mosse, Hodder and Stoughton and NetGalley for this eARC which I chose to read in return for my honest review.
June 3, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. Set in West Sussex in 1972 in the midst of the Middle East oil embargo and the subsequent coal miner’s strikes. The country was in a mess, no one had any money and the government required daily power cuts made a difficult time even more so. Maisie has returned to her childhood home village just outside of Chichester per her estranged brother’s request. Unfortunately she arrives shortly after he has died. It is quickly determined that it was murder. Maisie, feeling guilt for ignoring her brother for so many years feels compelled to find out what had really been going on in his life. Carefully questioning locals she hears conflicting stories. Many remembered him fondly, but one of the locals was the one to kill him.
Well developed characters along with a subtle romance, this book is thoroughly enjoyable and I give it 5 stars. Thank you to netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this advance copy. I highly recommend.
Well developed characters along with a subtle romance, this book is thoroughly enjoyable and I give it 5 stars. Thank you to netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this advance copy. I highly recommend.
July 25, 2023
The moment I saw “fans od Osman are in for a treat” review on the front cover of Murder At Church Lodge I knew I was going to enjoy this book - and I was not wrong. Mosse’s manages to capture the true essence of a cosy murder mystery, which is a massive guilty pleasure of mine! I raced through this book in under two days and that does not happen often. It was effortless to read and the short chapters made it almost impossible to stop myself from saying ‘just carry on reading, its only three more pages’ at the end of each chapter.
Murder At Church Lodge does contain a large number of ‘main’ characters, around 20, which at times I did find slightly overwhelming. This is partly down to the fact I am horrendous at remember characters names; I even struggle to remember the name of characters in my favourite tv shows! But that being said, Mosse does include a character index at the beginning of the book which is extremely helpful - I was continuously referring back to it.
Murder At Church Lodge does contain a large number of ‘main’ characters, around 20, which at times I did find slightly overwhelming. This is partly down to the fact I am horrendous at remember characters names; I even struggle to remember the name of characters in my favourite tv shows! But that being said, Mosse does include a character index at the beginning of the book which is extremely helpful - I was continuously referring back to it.
July 17, 2023
I have to just say how much I love the cover of this book, the colours are simply stunning and eye catching. This is the first book in the Maisie Cooper Series and it is a pure British cosy crime mystery that I couldn't wait to get stuck into. When Maisie returns to her home town of Framlington, her brother said he was in need of her help but when she arrives she realises she is too late and that he has died. Maisie has lots of questions to ask surrounding his death and none of the villagers seem to want to talk. Everyone is suspicious and I was suspecting many of them. I loved how when I was reading the story, I like Maisie was trying to work out what happened before the end. It is a interesting story and I really like Maisie. I look forward to the book in the series with great anticipation.
July 20, 2023
I have found a new series to read! Maisie Cooper is a brilliant main character, an every day Miss Marple! She is strong, intelligent and straightforward. She uses all her amateur detective skills to solve two murders and a robbery in a cool, matter of fact manner. I also like the fact that she is so well rounded, having experienced life.
This book is extremely well written,enter-twining the characters into the plot and shedding light on each of their stories. It took me a bit to figure out the exact time period of the story, but there were clues that finally helped me work it out. It’s clear that the author did plenty of research while writing this book to make it authentic to the time. I love cosy crime and I loved this book!
This book is extremely well written,enter-twining the characters into the plot and shedding light on each of their stories. It took me a bit to figure out the exact time period of the story, but there were clues that finally helped me work it out. It’s clear that the author did plenty of research while writing this book to make it authentic to the time. I love cosy crime and I loved this book!
May 28, 2024
This was an enjoyable start to a series. Set in the UK in 1972, Maisie returns home to her brother only to find him dead, and not from natural causes. She soon discovers he was a bit of a scoundrel and the small village is full of secrets
I liked Maisie and also Jack Wingard, the local detective, and how Maisie is determined to get to the bottom of things despite only having a short time before having to leave the cottage her brother was living in. The location and timing of events was also good and gave a vivid depiction of life in 1972. In fact, I wasnt sure of when it was set until it was mentioned further in the book. There is a myriad of characters, all with their own stories and secrets and I enjoyed how the identity of the killer was gradually revealed.
I liked Maisie and also Jack Wingard, the local detective, and how Maisie is determined to get to the bottom of things despite only having a short time before having to leave the cottage her brother was living in. The location and timing of events was also good and gave a vivid depiction of life in 1972. In fact, I wasnt sure of when it was set until it was mentioned further in the book. There is a myriad of characters, all with their own stories and secrets and I enjoyed how the identity of the killer was gradually revealed.
December 31, 2025
This book is set in 1972, the year I did the bulk of my O levels. It’s set in the area around Chichester in the fictional village, I believe, of Framlington. I read the paperback version of this, rather than the ebook as it states above.
I wasn’t sure about this at first. There was something about it that put me off, maybe i had the feeling that the author was trying a little too hard at either the period or introducing the characters, probably the latter. But then the author got into his stride with the story and i became more involved with the main characters, Maisie and Jack and i started to enjoy the story.
The comment on the cover referencing Richard Osman tells you the type of book this is, but don’t think that this is an Osman “rip-off” it’s better than that.
I wasn’t sure about this at first. There was something about it that put me off, maybe i had the feeling that the author was trying a little too hard at either the period or introducing the characters, probably the latter. But then the author got into his stride with the story and i became more involved with the main characters, Maisie and Jack and i started to enjoy the story.
The comment on the cover referencing Richard Osman tells you the type of book this is, but don’t think that this is an Osman “rip-off” it’s better than that.
April 27, 2023
Oh, the cliffhanger! I quite liked Maisie Cooper as a character and can't wait to see what she'll be up to in the next book in this series. And where the story takes her and those two men...
Often I make a point of inclusion or diversity when it lacks in a book I read, but in this case I was happily surprised by the variety (for want of a better word) of people being part of the community of this small town. Not just different cultural backgrounds or skin color, but even someone being disabled without all of this being emphasized as a theme of the book. Instead, simply them being there :)
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.
Often I make a point of inclusion or diversity when it lacks in a book I read, but in this case I was happily surprised by the variety (for want of a better word) of people being part of the community of this small town. Not just different cultural backgrounds or skin color, but even someone being disabled without all of this being emphasized as a theme of the book. Instead, simply them being there :)
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.
July 8, 2023
A great cosy mystery set in the 1970’s when power cuts were rife and a man is found dead in a swimming pool.
Maisie lives in Paris and receives a letter from her brother to come back to England to help him with some issues he’s dealing with , but unfortunately Stephen is the man who is dead , after the police begin to investigate they deduce that Stephen was murdered.
Plenty of eccentric characters in this village mystery and once Maisie decides to try and get to the bottom of the murder of her brother everyone becomes a suspect.
I did think the story began at a slow pace but it soon gathered pace and made for a satisfying read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton.
Maisie lives in Paris and receives a letter from her brother to come back to England to help him with some issues he’s dealing with , but unfortunately Stephen is the man who is dead , after the police begin to investigate they deduce that Stephen was murdered.
Plenty of eccentric characters in this village mystery and once Maisie decides to try and get to the bottom of the murder of her brother everyone becomes a suspect.
I did think the story began at a slow pace but it soon gathered pace and made for a satisfying read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton.
July 23, 2023
Maisie is back in Framlington, the little West Sussex village she grew up in, attending her brother Stephen’s funeral.
Her brother had contacted her out of the blue for help before he was murdered, she starts her own investigation as she feels the p9lice investigation is going too slow,
A gripping British cosy crime mystery with plenty of red herrings.
With a village full of eccentric characters, everyone is a potential suspect.
It’s gently paced rather than action packed, which is part of it’s charm.
Hope it’s the first of a series of books involving Maisie Cooper.
Thanks @gregmosse, @hodderbooks & @netgalley for the eARC
Her brother had contacted her out of the blue for help before he was murdered, she starts her own investigation as she feels the p9lice investigation is going too slow,
A gripping British cosy crime mystery with plenty of red herrings.
With a village full of eccentric characters, everyone is a potential suspect.
It’s gently paced rather than action packed, which is part of it’s charm.
Hope it’s the first of a series of books involving Maisie Cooper.
Thanks @gregmosse, @hodderbooks & @netgalley for the eARC
December 26, 2024
The fact it’s set in a village near Chichester, in the 70s, shows how much easier we have it nowadays! Especially with mobile phones etc. It was interesting finding about Stephen and I got really into his character and life even though it wasn’t from his point of view. However, some of the other characters felt unnecessary, such as Malcom and Hillary, making the story a bit longer than it needed to be.
It didn’t particularly stand out to other mysteries but it was good enough for me to now have bought the second book. It’s a cozy easy-read mystery that I managed to read in one day as it was easy to get sucked into the story.
It didn’t particularly stand out to other mysteries but it was good enough for me to now have bought the second book. It’s a cozy easy-read mystery that I managed to read in one day as it was easy to get sucked into the story.
June 16, 2023
What a lovely cosy murder mystery .Set in Sussex in 1972 amid power cuts and strikes which I well remember.Reminds me of a more modern Agatha Christie type story .Maisie returns to her childhood village at the request of her estranged brother but arrives too late as he has been found dead perhaps murdered. Maisie sets out to find out what happened and why as she feels the Police are lacking enthusiasm !! Great characters some made me smile ,I look forward to reading what Maisie gets up to next ! Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC.
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