The Proof in the Pudding: Prudence Bulstrode 2

by Rosemary Shrager

352 pages, Hardcover

Published February 23, 2023

Reviews

[Annie (is so far behind 😬) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second in a series about a retired professional chef Prudence Bulstrode and her granddaughter Suki finds the duo preparing a midwinter feast for the residents of the small Yorkshire village of Scrafton Busk. Developers are trying to woo the townsfolk onside for a fracking venture in the Dales.

Everything is on track until a body is discovered inside a snowman on the village green. The murder upsets the village, but the developers have put a lot into the feast and presentation and push to keep everything on track. Prudence and Suki, however, start to investigate and discover some secrets, both ancient and more recent.

I enjoyed this very much and felt it did well as a standalone. The story and mysteries were good and Prudence and Suki make a good detecting team - I especially enjoy the confidence Prudence has in her granddaughter, pushing her to make decisions on her own and trusting her to manage things on her own in a few instances.

Not an especially gritty mystery, definitely falls into the cosy category, but was a thoroughly enjoyable read and I will be going back to read the first one and keeping an eye out for the next one in the series. Recommended for a slow afternoon or a feet up at the fire evening.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the second of Rosemary Shrager’s, Prudence Bulstrode series. And as much as I wanted to love it, I just didn’t. It’s an easy read that doesn't tax the brain, a relaxing cosy crime, although somewhat dull in places .

[Jan Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m loving these books by Rosemary Shrager. They’re the sort of cosy mystery I love. Yes, I got the murder right from the start, but who cares. A wonderful Christmas tale of murder and mayhem. Long may it continue.