What do you think?
Rate this book
Constable Evans #2
Evan Help Us
Evan Evans is settling into his role as Constable of Llanfair, a small town nestled in the mountains of North Wales. Here, he has been a mediator of the minor disputes of the locals, between competing ministers, country merchants, and seemingly every Welch eccentric throughout the region. But an unusual series of events brings unseen hostilities to light, and Evan realizes just how deep the townsfolk's passions and hostilities lie.
While the village of Llanfair has always been at odds with the neighboring town of Beddgelert, an intriguing archeological find in the nearby hills brings that rivalry to dangerous extremes, and creates a circus of local enthusiasm and gossip. The circus quickly turns deadly, however, when Llanfair's prodigal son, Ted Morgan, announces plans to erect an amusement park over the site's excavation. Soon Constable Evans is drawn into a whirl of cultural pride, deception, and greed, and while he's at it uncovers the town's undaunted ambition - to earn the right to the longest name in the world.
With the warmth, charm, and wry sense of humor that won readers' hearts in Evans Above , Rhys Bowen offers a delightful new installment to an already cherished mystery series.
While the village of Llanfair has always been at odds with the neighboring town of Beddgelert, an intriguing archeological find in the nearby hills brings that rivalry to dangerous extremes, and creates a circus of local enthusiasm and gossip. The circus quickly turns deadly, however, when Llanfair's prodigal son, Ted Morgan, announces plans to erect an amusement park over the site's excavation. Soon Constable Evans is drawn into a whirl of cultural pride, deception, and greed, and while he's at it uncovers the town's undaunted ambition - to earn the right to the longest name in the world.
With the warmth, charm, and wry sense of humor that won readers' hearts in Evans Above , Rhys Bowen offers a delightful new installment to an already cherished mystery series.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published August 15, 1998
1012 people are currently reading
1005 people want to read
About the author
Rhys Bowen
127 books9,612 followersI'm a New York Times bestselling mystery author, winner of both Agatha and Anthony awards for my Molly Murphy mysteries, set in 1902 New York City.
I have recently published four internationally bestselling WWII novels, one of them a #1 Kindle bestseller, and the Tuscan Child selling almost a million copies to date. In Farleigh Field won three major awards and was nominated for an Edgar. My other stand-alone novels are The Victory Garden, about land girls in WWI and Above the Bay of Angels, featuring a young woman who becomes chef for Queen Victoria.
April 2021 will mark the publication of THE VENICE SKETCHBOOK--another sweeping historical novel of love, loss and intrigue.
My books are currently translated into 29 languages and I have fans worldwide.
I also write the Agatha-winning Royal Spyness series, about the British royal family in the 1930s. It's lighter, sexier, funnier, wicked satire. It was voted by readers as best mystery series one year.
I am also known for my Constable Evans books, set in North Wales, and for my award-winning short stories.
I was born and raised in England but currently divide my time between California and Arizona where I go to escape from the harsh California winters
When I am not writing I love to travel, sing, hike, play my Celtic harp.
Series:
* Constable Evan Mystery
* Molly Murphy Mysteries
* Her Royal Spyness Mysteries
Awards:
Agatha Award
◊ Best Novel (2001): Murphy's Law
Reviewer's Choice Award
◊ Historical Mystery (2001): Murphy's Law
I have recently published four internationally bestselling WWII novels, one of them a #1 Kindle bestseller, and the Tuscan Child selling almost a million copies to date. In Farleigh Field won three major awards and was nominated for an Edgar. My other stand-alone novels are The Victory Garden, about land girls in WWI and Above the Bay of Angels, featuring a young woman who becomes chef for Queen Victoria.
April 2021 will mark the publication of THE VENICE SKETCHBOOK--another sweeping historical novel of love, loss and intrigue.
My books are currently translated into 29 languages and I have fans worldwide.
I also write the Agatha-winning Royal Spyness series, about the British royal family in the 1930s. It's lighter, sexier, funnier, wicked satire. It was voted by readers as best mystery series one year.
I am also known for my Constable Evans books, set in North Wales, and for my award-winning short stories.
I was born and raised in England but currently divide my time between California and Arizona where I go to escape from the harsh California winters
When I am not writing I love to travel, sing, hike, play my Celtic harp.
Series:
* Constable Evan Mystery
* Molly Murphy Mysteries
* Her Royal Spyness Mysteries
Awards:
Agatha Award
◊ Best Novel (2001): Murphy's Law
Reviewer's Choice Award
◊ Historical Mystery (2001): Murphy's Law
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 244 reviews
April 29, 2023
Evan Evans, police constable of the village of Llanfair in North Wales, is busy again, only this time there are two murders and Evan himself nearly becomes a third.
I listened to this one on audio and enjoyed the narrator's Welsh accent very much. I always like Rhys Bowen's writing style too so the pages just slipped by on the occasions when I could listen - unfortunately there are not many of those so an audible book can last me several weeks. Evan Help Us is the kind of book which is easy to read and which you can always pick up where you left off, so ideal for me.
Evan is a very likeable character and I was pleased to see him making progress with Bronwen although we had to wait until the end of the book for that! There is a lot of humour in the story and the author pokes gentle fun at village life especially the resident's interest in each other (or nosiness).
I have the audio ready for book three Evanly Choirs. You have to love the titles!
I listened to this one on audio and enjoyed the narrator's Welsh accent very much. I always like Rhys Bowen's writing style too so the pages just slipped by on the occasions when I could listen - unfortunately there are not many of those so an audible book can last me several weeks. Evan Help Us is the kind of book which is easy to read and which you can always pick up where you left off, so ideal for me.
Evan is a very likeable character and I was pleased to see him making progress with Bronwen although we had to wait until the end of the book for that! There is a lot of humour in the story and the author pokes gentle fun at village life especially the resident's interest in each other (or nosiness).
I have the audio ready for book three Evanly Choirs. You have to love the titles!
November 5, 2023
Constable Evan Evans was in charge of the small Welsh village of Llanfair, where the crime levels were low and the townsfolk mostly close. When the old colonel, who was down from London on his usual visit, discovered some old ruins, his excitement was infectious, and an archaeologist was called in. But before he could arrive, the colonel was discovered dead - was it an accident or was it murder?
Evans called in the detectives from a nearby town, and the investigation began. But when there was another death, this time definitely murder, Evans wondered what was happening in quiet little Llanfair. Could he get to the bottom of it all before another body appeared?
Evan Help Us is the 2nd in the Constable Evans series by Rhys Bowen and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Fun and lively, I find Evan Evans a gentle character, not often angry, more the sort to feel sorry for people and want to help. I'm looking forward to #3 soon. Recommended.
Evans called in the detectives from a nearby town, and the investigation began. But when there was another death, this time definitely murder, Evans wondered what was happening in quiet little Llanfair. Could he get to the bottom of it all before another body appeared?
Evan Help Us is the 2nd in the Constable Evans series by Rhys Bowen and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Fun and lively, I find Evan Evans a gentle character, not often angry, more the sort to feel sorry for people and want to help. I'm looking forward to #3 soon. Recommended.
May 20, 2019
I am glad there was less nosy villager stereotyping in this sequel. Evan politely tells his landlady that his presence will not be determined by meals. My frequent thought as I read this novel is that I wished it had the pace and seriousness of a “standard mystery” instead, like Rhys’s New York series. Other nonsense to drive me up a wall was that small town cops should not investigate murders. Do real police not enlist all professional collaboration they can get? The moment these novels stop stating that Evan hid work on a case, is the day I respect them better.
Thirdly, the “cozy” idea that superiors avoid acknowledging a criminal case because they don’t want the work or publicity of handling a murder, is stupid. When will authors stop the ridiculous thread, in which a death would be called an accident, if a village cop didn’t battle superiors about what it was? If this were “standard mystery”, “Evan Help Us” would be so much better; particularly with a non-crime mystery of an archaeological nature that had the potential to be eminently more interesting. I would love to see mysteries solely about non-crime discoveries and puzzles!
The twists were great but unknown history made the revelations surprises. They had strongly-believable substance too. Were it not for behaviour unfathomable for policemen, that put Evan in preposterous danger; I had three stars in mind. Wasting the archaeological discovery as a red herring sank my zeal too. Serious subjects railed against “cozy” categorization but I like how hard the two local men worked to sift out leads to solve the mysteries of three visitors. A note from an animal rights advocate: decide how you are going to depict animals. Do not show a village of sheep families, then discuss them as meat!
Thirdly, the “cozy” idea that superiors avoid acknowledging a criminal case because they don’t want the work or publicity of handling a murder, is stupid. When will authors stop the ridiculous thread, in which a death would be called an accident, if a village cop didn’t battle superiors about what it was? If this were “standard mystery”, “Evan Help Us” would be so much better; particularly with a non-crime mystery of an archaeological nature that had the potential to be eminently more interesting. I would love to see mysteries solely about non-crime discoveries and puzzles!
The twists were great but unknown history made the revelations surprises. They had strongly-believable substance too. Were it not for behaviour unfathomable for policemen, that put Evan in preposterous danger; I had three stars in mind. Wasting the archaeological discovery as a red herring sank my zeal too. Serious subjects railed against “cozy” categorization but I like how hard the two local men worked to sift out leads to solve the mysteries of three visitors. A note from an animal rights advocate: decide how you are going to depict animals. Do not show a village of sheep families, then discuss them as meat!
March 9, 2019
I really enjoyed this gentle mystery, largely thanks to Roger Clark's wonderful narration on audible. He has a great Welsh voice, even if his Cockney accents for one or two of the characters are a bit reminiscent of Dick Van Dyke! It was also fun to meet Constable Evan Evans and the residents of his Welsh village, Llanfair, again.
The story involves an eccentric colonel who thinks he has discovered King Arthur's tomb, a businessman who wants to start up a theme park, a quarrelsome butcher, a mysterious new mum in the village, and all the locals. Oh, and a murder or two.
The plot is rather heavy on coincidences, and I think all the village maidens swooning over the hunky PC will soon get a bit annoying. I had hoped to listen to the whole series on audible, but have just realised that sadly only the first three are available.
The story involves an eccentric colonel who thinks he has discovered King Arthur's tomb, a businessman who wants to start up a theme park, a quarrelsome butcher, a mysterious new mum in the village, and all the locals. Oh, and a murder or two.
The plot is rather heavy on coincidences, and I think all the village maidens swooning over the hunky PC will soon get a bit annoying. I had hoped to listen to the whole series on audible, but have just realised that sadly only the first three are available.
July 25, 2024
Evan Help Us is the second book in the Constable Evans series by award-winning British-born author, Rhys Bowen. The audio version is narrated by Roger Clark. Mere hours after he discovers what he hopes is proof of King Arthur’s presence in Wales (but actually might be the true grave of St Celert) not far from the abandoned slate mine, Colonel Arbuthnot, a regular summer visitor to Llanfair, lies dead in the river. And while it looks like the man fell off the rickety bridge after a few celebratory whiskies at the Red Dragon, local police presence, Constable Evan Evans is not convinced that his death is accidental.
While the village is trying to decide how they will handle a discovery that may put them on the map, Evan is trying to convince his senior, DS Watkins, that there may have been foul play. When the autopsy results back Evan up, he is told to keep an eye and ear out but “no playing detective on your own”. He notes that the Colonel mentioned seeing someone he knows out of their usual place, and wonders if that, or the discovery, might have something to do with his demise.
Meanwhile, there are new faces in the village: Annie Pigeon and her three-year-old daughter Jenny, apparently from Manchester but with a very different accent, have appealed to Evan’s charitable nature for guidance and company in a place where they don’t know the language; and the late Taff Morgan’s son, Ted has returned from London with big development plans: tourist accommodation bungalows on Taff’s farm, a theme park at the slate mine, a monorail and a fancy hotel, all of which put some village noses out of joint.
Also putting noses out of joint is Evan’s attentions to Annie: Betsy at the pub and teacher Bronwen Price don’t want some outsider getting her nail-polished claws into their Evan. Betsy has some tips for Bronwen when Evan actually asks her on a date.
Evan finds it hard to believe anyone would murder the Colonel, who was well-liked in Llanfair, so wonders if his murder is related to his life in London. Before the case is solved, there’s another murder with a tiny stolen pearl-handled pistol, suspicion lands successively on a number of people, and Evan accompanies DS Watkins to London for a bit of investigating under the radar of DI Hughes.
While Evans is just a village bobby, he is certainly intelligent and insightful, often having a better handle on both the villagers and the criminals than his superior officers, to their chagrin, although Watkins seems willing to give him credit. He does somehow put himself into a dangerous situation, but then manages to cleverly talk his way out.
While the friction between Evans-the-Meat and Evans-the-Milk is always a source of humour, when the Meat strongly states opinions on the town’s potential fame and on tourists, the Milk very reasonably points out that wanting Llanfair to be famous and hold world records, but not wanting tourists to visit, makes not an ounce of sense.
Despite the war of the church billboards, in this instalment, Rev Parry Davis and Rev Powell-Jones actually agree on an issue, to the surprise of the villagers. Banter about the possible discovery of Arthur’s castle and about the mooted village name change make this a particularly entertaining episode. The romance between Evan and Bronwen is slowly progressing: it will be interesting to see what develops in Evanly Choirs.
While the village is trying to decide how they will handle a discovery that may put them on the map, Evan is trying to convince his senior, DS Watkins, that there may have been foul play. When the autopsy results back Evan up, he is told to keep an eye and ear out but “no playing detective on your own”. He notes that the Colonel mentioned seeing someone he knows out of their usual place, and wonders if that, or the discovery, might have something to do with his demise.
Meanwhile, there are new faces in the village: Annie Pigeon and her three-year-old daughter Jenny, apparently from Manchester but with a very different accent, have appealed to Evan’s charitable nature for guidance and company in a place where they don’t know the language; and the late Taff Morgan’s son, Ted has returned from London with big development plans: tourist accommodation bungalows on Taff’s farm, a theme park at the slate mine, a monorail and a fancy hotel, all of which put some village noses out of joint.
Also putting noses out of joint is Evan’s attentions to Annie: Betsy at the pub and teacher Bronwen Price don’t want some outsider getting her nail-polished claws into their Evan. Betsy has some tips for Bronwen when Evan actually asks her on a date.
Evan finds it hard to believe anyone would murder the Colonel, who was well-liked in Llanfair, so wonders if his murder is related to his life in London. Before the case is solved, there’s another murder with a tiny stolen pearl-handled pistol, suspicion lands successively on a number of people, and Evan accompanies DS Watkins to London for a bit of investigating under the radar of DI Hughes.
While Evans is just a village bobby, he is certainly intelligent and insightful, often having a better handle on both the villagers and the criminals than his superior officers, to their chagrin, although Watkins seems willing to give him credit. He does somehow put himself into a dangerous situation, but then manages to cleverly talk his way out.
While the friction between Evans-the-Meat and Evans-the-Milk is always a source of humour, when the Meat strongly states opinions on the town’s potential fame and on tourists, the Milk very reasonably points out that wanting Llanfair to be famous and hold world records, but not wanting tourists to visit, makes not an ounce of sense.
Despite the war of the church billboards, in this instalment, Rev Parry Davis and Rev Powell-Jones actually agree on an issue, to the surprise of the villagers. Banter about the possible discovery of Arthur’s castle and about the mooted village name change make this a particularly entertaining episode. The romance between Evan and Bronwen is slowly progressing: it will be interesting to see what develops in Evanly Choirs.
April 9, 2018
For a tiny Wales town, Constable Evan Evans sure has had his hands full! This series reads like a Cozy, but its setting and people are so enchanting I cannot get enough.
Evan Evans the young constable is once again entangled in a murder mystery. How this poor little unassuming town keeps turning up dead bodies is part of the intrigue and draw... Evans stepped on important higher ranking toes in Evans Above (#1) when he solved that case. As only a local community Bobby, he is desperate not to repeat the same mistakes. Not only does the Constable have to question his own neighbors, but friends too. Along the way, he is evaluating his feelings towards a young lady while trying to politely discourage 2 other interested advancing forward females. As a result, he humorously appears awkward as a schoolboy.
One can read this as a Stand Alone.
Evan Evans the young constable is once again entangled in a murder mystery. How this poor little unassuming town keeps turning up dead bodies is part of the intrigue and draw... Evans stepped on important higher ranking toes in Evans Above (#1) when he solved that case. As only a local community Bobby, he is desperate not to repeat the same mistakes. Not only does the Constable have to question his own neighbors, but friends too. Along the way, he is evaluating his feelings towards a young lady while trying to politely discourage 2 other interested advancing forward females. As a result, he humorously appears awkward as a schoolboy.
One can read this as a Stand Alone.
April 10, 2022
Book two in the Constable Evans series has Evan looking into two seemingly unrelated deaths. Colonel Arbuthnot has wandered the area around the village for some time and, an amateur archeologist, he’s come across what he believes to be a credible ruin that could bring great attention to the village. After boasting to one and all at the pub one night, he leaves to go to his lodging house, but he never makes it home. He’s found the next day in the river; apparently having slipped off the footbridge while inebriated and drowned. A few nights later prodigal son Ted Morgan, who’s returned to the village from a successful career as a real estate developer in London, is found dead in his study, an apparent suicide. But both deaths are eventually deemed to be murder. There is no obvious connection between the two of them, so does this mean there are two murderous persons about in the small Welsh village?
I like Constable Evans, but this one dragged a little. Still, I enjoy spending time with the colorful residents of Llanfair. CP Evans’ slow-burn relationship with is ever-so-slowly inching along. But isn’t about to give up hope for a romance with him either.
I like Constable Evans, but this one dragged a little. Still, I enjoy spending time with the colorful residents of Llanfair. CP Evans’ slow-burn relationship with is ever-so-slowly inching along. But isn’t about to give up hope for a romance with him either.
July 25, 2024
Evan Help Us is the second book in the Constable Evans series by award-winning British-born author, Rhys Bowen. Mere hours after he discovers what he hopes is proof of King Arthur’s presence in Wales (but actually might be the true grave of St Celert) not far from the abandoned slate mine, Colonel Arbuthnot, a regular summer visitor to Llanfair, lies dead in the river. And while it looks like the man fell off the rickety bridge after a few celebratory whiskies at the Red Dragon, local police presence, Constable Evan Evans is not convinced that his death is accidental.
While the village is trying to decide how they will handle a discovery that may put them on the map, Evan is trying to convince his senior, DS Watkins, that there may have been foul play. When the autopsy results back Evan up, he is told to keep an eye and ear out but “no playing detective on your own”. He notes that the Colonel mentioned seeing someone he knows out of their usual place, and wonders if that, or the discovery, might have something to do with his demise.
Meanwhile, there are new faces in the village: Annie Pigeon and her three-year-old daughter Jenny, apparently from Manchester but with a very different accent, have appealed to Evan’s charitable nature for guidance and company in a place where they don’t know the language; and the late Taff Morgan’s son, Ted has returned from London with big development plans: tourist accommodation bungalows on Taff’s farm, a theme park at the slate mine, a monorail and a fancy hotel, all of which put some village noses out of joint.
Also putting noses out of joint is Evan’s attentions to Annie: Betsy at the pub and teacher Bronwen Price don’t want some outsider getting her nail-polished claws into their Evan. Betsy has some tips for Bronwen when Evan actually asks her on a date.
Evan finds it hard to believe anyone would murder the Colonel, who was well-liked in Llanfair, so wonders if his murder is related to his life in London. Before the case is solved, there’s another murder with a tiny stolen pearl-handled pistol, suspicion lands successively on a number of people, and Evan accompanies DS Watkins to London for a bit of investigating under the radar of DI Hughes.
While Evans is just a village bobby, he is certainly intelligent and insightful, often having a better handle on both the villagers and the criminals than his superior officers, to their chagrin, although Watkins seems willing to give him credit. He does somehow put himself into a dangerous situation, but then manages to cleverly talk his way out.
While the friction between Evans-the-Meat and Evans-the-Milk is always a source of humour, when the Meat strongly states opinions on the town’s potential fame and on tourists, the Milk very reasonably points out that wanting Llanfair to be famous and hold world records, but not wanting tourists to visit, makes not an ounce of sense.
Despite the war of the church billboards, in this instalment, Rev Parry Davis and Rev Powell-Jones actually agree on an issue, to the surprise of the villagers. Banter about the possible discovery of Arthur’s castle and about the mooted village name change make this a particularly entertaining episode. The romance between Evan and Bronwen is slowly progressing: it will be interesting to see what develops in Evanly Choirs.
While the village is trying to decide how they will handle a discovery that may put them on the map, Evan is trying to convince his senior, DS Watkins, that there may have been foul play. When the autopsy results back Evan up, he is told to keep an eye and ear out but “no playing detective on your own”. He notes that the Colonel mentioned seeing someone he knows out of their usual place, and wonders if that, or the discovery, might have something to do with his demise.
Meanwhile, there are new faces in the village: Annie Pigeon and her three-year-old daughter Jenny, apparently from Manchester but with a very different accent, have appealed to Evan’s charitable nature for guidance and company in a place where they don’t know the language; and the late Taff Morgan’s son, Ted has returned from London with big development plans: tourist accommodation bungalows on Taff’s farm, a theme park at the slate mine, a monorail and a fancy hotel, all of which put some village noses out of joint.
Also putting noses out of joint is Evan’s attentions to Annie: Betsy at the pub and teacher Bronwen Price don’t want some outsider getting her nail-polished claws into their Evan. Betsy has some tips for Bronwen when Evan actually asks her on a date.
Evan finds it hard to believe anyone would murder the Colonel, who was well-liked in Llanfair, so wonders if his murder is related to his life in London. Before the case is solved, there’s another murder with a tiny stolen pearl-handled pistol, suspicion lands successively on a number of people, and Evan accompanies DS Watkins to London for a bit of investigating under the radar of DI Hughes.
While Evans is just a village bobby, he is certainly intelligent and insightful, often having a better handle on both the villagers and the criminals than his superior officers, to their chagrin, although Watkins seems willing to give him credit. He does somehow put himself into a dangerous situation, but then manages to cleverly talk his way out.
While the friction between Evans-the-Meat and Evans-the-Milk is always a source of humour, when the Meat strongly states opinions on the town’s potential fame and on tourists, the Milk very reasonably points out that wanting Llanfair to be famous and hold world records, but not wanting tourists to visit, makes not an ounce of sense.
Despite the war of the church billboards, in this instalment, Rev Parry Davis and Rev Powell-Jones actually agree on an issue, to the surprise of the villagers. Banter about the possible discovery of Arthur’s castle and about the mooted village name change make this a particularly entertaining episode. The romance between Evan and Bronwen is slowly progressing: it will be interesting to see what develops in Evanly Choirs.
September 30, 2019
This mystery series follows the adventures of Evan Evans, the police constable of the small Welsh town of Llanfair.
This book was better than the first in the series. The setting is charming, the characters are pleasantly eccentric, and the mystery had me guessing till the end.
My only complaint is the love triangle; it's already getting a bit tiring after only two books, and I hope it doesn't continue into the third.
This book was better than the first in the series. The setting is charming, the characters are pleasantly eccentric, and the mystery had me guessing till the end.
My only complaint is the love triangle; it's already getting a bit tiring after only two books, and I hope it doesn't continue into the third.
March 18, 2017
I like the local colour in these books but there doesn't seem to be much character development going on nor much by way of plot.
I'll try one or two more and see if there's an improvement, but if it doesn't get beyond someone getting smacked on the head, bigwigs say accident, our hero says murder, and he has some women chasing him and can't make up his mind. Gets old, fast.
I'll try one or two more and see if there's an improvement, but if it doesn't get beyond someone getting smacked on the head, bigwigs say accident, our hero says murder, and he has some women chasing him and can't make up his mind. Gets old, fast.
January 27, 2018
Okay, Rhys Bowen is officially one of my super favorite authors. The Constable Evans books are just as terrific (and hard to put down!) as the Molly Murphy series and the Royal Spyness series. I'm working my way through these books with absolute glee!
December 3, 2023
3.5 stars, rounded up
I am well into this author's Her Royal Spyness and Molly Murphy series, but only started this series last year. Two books in, I enjoy it but not as much as the other two series.
The setting and the MC both remind me of M.C. Beaton's Hamish Macbeth series, which is both good and bad. Like Hamish, Evan is happy being the local law in a small, remote village, and there's a local lady he'd like to get to know better. Unlike Hamish, Evan doesn't seem to mind deferring to the higher ups when necessary to solve a case.
The murder victim in this book hasn't been back in town very long, so there aren't many serious suspects until more information is uncovered and the list expands. One person seemed a bit 'off' to me almost from the moment the character appeared in the story, and it was gratifying to learn that my suspicions were correct. I couldn't figure out the motive, but it ended up making sense.
I have the next book in this series in my Audible library, so I hope to listen to it sometime next year.
I am well into this author's Her Royal Spyness and Molly Murphy series, but only started this series last year. Two books in, I enjoy it but not as much as the other two series.
The setting and the MC both remind me of M.C. Beaton's Hamish Macbeth series, which is both good and bad. Like Hamish, Evan is happy being the local law in a small, remote village, and there's a local lady he'd like to get to know better. Unlike Hamish, Evan doesn't seem to mind deferring to the higher ups when necessary to solve a case.
The murder victim in this book hasn't been back in town very long, so there aren't many serious suspects until more information is uncovered and the list expands. One person seemed a bit 'off' to me almost from the moment the character appeared in the story, and it was gratifying to learn that my suspicions were correct. I couldn't figure out the motive, but it ended up making sense.
I have the next book in this series in my Audible library, so I hope to listen to it sometime next year.
July 21, 2024
Ähnliche Kritikpunkte wie an Teil 1, für eine Urlaubslektüre war die Lösung des Kriminalfalls aber überraschend schlüssig und unerwartet.
May 8, 2016
Evan Help Us by Rhys Bowen is the second book of the Constable Evans mystery series set in the late-20th-century in a small mountain town in Wales. Constable Evan Evans is a kind-hearted soul, more intelligent than most people expect from his gentle demeanor. He left big-city detective work for a quieter life in the mountains where he can enjoy the outdoors. He's fond of the local schoolteacher Bronwen, but slow to show his affection, uncertain of her feelings. When a seasonal resident uncovers what may be a major archaeological find, local attitudes vary. Some residents of Llanfair want no publicity whatsoever, preferring to keep their quiet life. Others want to beat the neighboring town Beddgelert with a famous site, and consider renaming the town to have the longest name in the world. Meanwhile the son of a long-time resident has returned to Llanfair after decades, and he wants to replace the generations-old family farm with new commercial properties. A young and pretty woman arrives with her daughter, frequently claiming Evans' time to show her around. Both the local pub waitress and the schoolteacher are fond of Evans, and they are so jealous of the new woman, they agree to team up. Village nicknames "Evans the Law", "Evans the Meat", "Evans the Milk", "Roberts the Pump" provide humorous entertainment throughout the book. Even though protagonist Evan Evans is the village constable, consider this a light-hearted cozy mystery.
January 11, 2024
Rated 3 stars. Very entertaining contemporary cozy mystery set in Wales. Looking forward to continuing this series with Constable Evans and it's cast of likeable, quirky characters.
September 29, 2022
After reading the first book in the series, I didn't think I'd read any more--but I just kept thinking about quirky Constable Evan Evans and the craggy mountain he patrols and the odd folks in his little Welsh town. So I decided to give the next book a try, and I'm glad I did. I definitely didn't pick up on the humor the first time around, and these a re rather like watching a cozy mystery on Acorn or BritBox.
September 28, 2016
Charming. I love this series. Evan Evans is the police officer of a small Welsh village and it is the people and place that make this so entertaining. They mystery is good and multi-layered and you get more tidbits of Evan's life, love life, and his interactions with the higher ups in the force.
Delightful.
Delightful.
April 28, 2017
At this hectic time in my life all I wanted was an easy to read cozy mystery series. This Constable Evans fits the bill perfectly. Quick, easy read with humor and lightness. If you find yourself in a constant state of "busyness" this is a good series to try.
February 11, 2017
This series reminds me of a welsh Hamish Macbeth.
January 21, 2020
2020 bk 29. I liked this as much as the first novel. It was so well put together that it could be read as a stand alone. There is a new rival in town for Evan's affections. He sees a woman who needs help in finding her way around town, Betsy sees trouble, Bronwyn isn't sure as to where his affections are leading him. And then the deaths begin. First an elderly man who has visited the village for quite a number of years, then a prodigal son. What threads does Evan have to untwine? He and his new pal Sgt. Watkins have to brave London to learn the essential clues, that might lead to their own deaths.
November 6, 2022
I am loving this series!
This thoroughly enjoyable Welsh cozy mystery series is totally addictive.
Evan Evans, the local police constable in the North Wales village of Llanfair, is yet again embroiled in a double murder.
I am loving this fabulous series which is superbly written and researched by Rhys Bowen, and can't wait to read more.
This thoroughly enjoyable Welsh cozy mystery series is totally addictive.
Evan Evans, the local police constable in the North Wales village of Llanfair, is yet again embroiled in a double murder.
I am loving this fabulous series which is superbly written and researched by Rhys Bowen, and can't wait to read more.
May 5, 2023
Enjoyable read
I liked the descriptions of the locality and the people who lived there. A quiet village, and a local bobby, Evan, who finds himself embroiled into a gripping murder. The characters were both interesting and believable.
I liked the descriptions of the locality and the people who lived there. A quiet village, and a local bobby, Evan, who finds himself embroiled into a gripping murder. The characters were both interesting and believable.
September 11, 2021
I’m enjoying this series. PC Evans manages to keep busy - chasing murderers, and trying to keep the women at bay
January 25, 2023
Quaint Welsh village gains and loses new citizens as the past creeps up to join them.
December 24, 2025
A constable is trying to find out if two deaths in the mountain of rural Wales are related. It was a fun mystery.
June 23, 2023
A pleasant enough cosy murder mystery but not gritty enough for me
June 17, 2017
The Constable Evans books are enjoyable cozy mysteries. A cup of tea goes nicely with them.
May 27, 2016
Slightly more substance than the first installment, but still just a cosy snack-read. Local boy nobody likes turns up at home after inheriting Da's property--and turns up with a bullet between the eyes after a heated town meeting. Whodunit, whydunit? And does it have anything to do with the death of an elderly English Colonel who spends his holidays in Llanfair each year?
A lot of the plot, such as it is, turns round the love-hate relationship of the villagers with tourism: it brings in money and creates jobs, but also changes things that don't necessarily need changing. There's also a nod to Llanfair PG--or do I mean a sly nudge?
The police sergeant trots out the TV tropes that "suicides usually leave a note" (they don't in real life), and that murderers always give themselves away by being unable to "keep the murder to themselves." Yeah, well...it is fiction.
Don't expect much, and you won't be disappointed. It's all good fun, perfect for a day of exhaustion when I didn't want to move from my comfy chair, or do any thinking.
A lot of the plot, such as it is, turns round the love-hate relationship of the villagers with tourism: it brings in money and creates jobs, but also changes things that don't necessarily need changing. There's also a nod to Llanfair PG--or do I mean a sly nudge?
The police sergeant trots out the TV tropes that "suicides usually leave a note" (they don't in real life), and that murderers always give themselves away by being unable to "keep the murder to themselves." Yeah, well...it is fiction.
Don't expect much, and you won't be disappointed. It's all good fun, perfect for a day of exhaustion when I didn't want to move from my comfy chair, or do any thinking.
May 20, 2018
This second book in the Constable Evans series was better than the first which was itself very nice. The mystery was handled well. No maddening implausibilities. The personalities of the locals are coming together to create a community of people that can sustain future books in the series. I really enjoyed the read, the plot was interesting and the characterizations are becoming well fleshed out. I certainly recommend this book and this series to others.
September 5, 2021
I finally found all the books in the series, so I'm going through and re-reading it from start to finish. I'm not quite as fond of this one the second time around. It seemed to meander at times, and the ending didn't seem entirely well-established. I do enjoy reading about Evan and the others in the village, though, so I don't mind too much.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 244 reviews