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Libby Sarjeant #1
Murder in Steeple Martin
Artist and ex-actress Libby Sarjeant is busy directing a play for the opening of a new theatre in her village when one of her cast is found murdered. The play, written by her friend Peter, is based on real events in his family, disturbing and mysterious, which took place in the village during the last war.
As the investigation into the murder begins to uncover a tangled web of relationships in the village, it seems that the events dramatised in the play still cast a long shadow, dark enough to inspire murder.
Libby's natural nosiness soon leads her into the thick of the investigation, but is she too close to Peter's family, and in particular his cousin Ben, to be able to recognise the murderer?
As the investigation into the murder begins to uncover a tangled web of relationships in the village, it seems that the events dramatised in the play still cast a long shadow, dark enough to inspire murder.
Libby's natural nosiness soon leads her into the thick of the investigation, but is she too close to Peter's family, and in particular his cousin Ben, to be able to recognise the murderer?
352 pages, Paperback
First published May 8, 2006
357 people are currently reading
1906 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
May 23, 2011
In all honesty, this book is well-written with a good, if slow and not all that juicy, plot. I believe, though, that it is aimed at an older readership than me. The protagonist and her romantic interest are both in their 50s - 30 years older than me - so I found I was unable to really connect with either of them. Libby's constant fussing about Ben's thoughts, feelings, whereabouts, actions, meanings behind the actions, etc. got old pretty fast, probably because I do not really associate 50 year olds and the idea of embarking on a new relationship like some hormonal teen.
One thing that bugged me is that if Libby's known Ben for years, why does she magically realise that she fancies him at the start of the book? I think I'd have found an on-going attraction more realistic than this miraculous realisation.
I don't buy the gay man being seduced by a woman known the be the village bicycle.
The character "flings" her cloak on a lot, like there was no other verb to describe the action.
Enjoyed but I doubt that I'll continue with the series at this time.
One thing that bugged me is that if Libby's known Ben for years, why does she magically realise that she fancies him at the start of the book? I think I'd have found an on-going attraction more realistic than this miraculous realisation.
I don't buy the gay man being seduced by a woman known the be the village bicycle.
The character "flings" her cloak on a lot, like there was no other verb to describe the action.
Enjoyed but I doubt that I'll continue with the series at this time.
April 8, 2012
Absolutely fabulous read. I couldn't put it down and had to finish it, reading through bath, breakfast and getting dressed. A wonderful opener to the series and I'm so glad I still have 9 books to go before I run out. By which time, hopefully Lesley will have written another one!
February 15, 2013
Murder in Steeple Martin is the first in the Libby Sarjeant murder mystery series, and the first Libby Sarjeant read by me. It's a cosy murder mystery along the lines of Agatha Raisin.
Unexplained accidents at the theatre and the murder of a cast member, turns Libby Sarjeant amateur theatre director, into Libby Sarjeant amateur detective. The protagonist is a likeable woman, who doesn't wish to see any murder go unsolved. Being conscientious, she also knows the show must go on and therefore carries on directing while detecting.
Like all good murder mysteries, the crime isn't solved until the last few pages, and kept me guessing. The subplots are nicely done too.
This is a popular series, and I can see why. Alongside Libby ‘Miss Marple’ Sarjeant, we meet a cast of characters set to become regulars in the series, including a possible love interest, and Fran, her psychic friend and partner in sleuthing. In this novel, they all investigate together and have fun on the way, a formula which has proved successful enough to spawn a series of ten novels so far.
One for all who prefer their murder mysteries on the less gritty side.
Unexplained accidents at the theatre and the murder of a cast member, turns Libby Sarjeant amateur theatre director, into Libby Sarjeant amateur detective. The protagonist is a likeable woman, who doesn't wish to see any murder go unsolved. Being conscientious, she also knows the show must go on and therefore carries on directing while detecting.
Like all good murder mysteries, the crime isn't solved until the last few pages, and kept me guessing. The subplots are nicely done too.
This is a popular series, and I can see why. Alongside Libby ‘Miss Marple’ Sarjeant, we meet a cast of characters set to become regulars in the series, including a possible love interest, and Fran, her psychic friend and partner in sleuthing. In this novel, they all investigate together and have fun on the way, a formula which has proved successful enough to spawn a series of ten novels so far.
One for all who prefer their murder mysteries on the less gritty side.
July 16, 2013
An ok read but probably wouldn't read any more in this series. A ridiculous overuse of the greeting "Hello you old trout!" and became really irritating after a while.
August 29, 2014
Where to start?
Having enjoyed other books from Accent press I took a chance on this one when it was offered free on Amazon.
It became clear early on that this was a gentle read. I don't mind 'gentle', I found Elizabeth Jane Howard's Cazelet Chronicles hugely enjoyable (yes, even the much-derided fifth book) but this takes gentle to a new level.
It is slow. Painfully slow. The characters are so stereotypical it hurts (the two gay men say 'dearheart' and make Alan Carr look like a cage fighter, the lead Libby is painfully one-dimensional, forever fretting about her love life and always flinging on her cape and characters flop into overstuffed chairs (can one buy overstuffed chairs anywhere? It must be possible as they are in no end of books).
The story is (yet) another murder case which has echoes of another from the past and the narrative switches between present day and the past in order to relay this. The prose is well-written and well-edited but the problem lies with the story which is not interesting enough to keep the pages turning and the characters who are not really terribly likeable.
I persevered to the end, despite realising I was not really the target audience, hoping for a payoff in the big reveal but upon finding out the identity of the killer I felt massively let down. Some reviewers here have said they guessed the killer fairly early on. I don't know how they did as there were almost no clues in amongst the easily avoidable red herrings.
This is the first in a series and I will be giving the rest a wide berth.
Having enjoyed other books from Accent press I took a chance on this one when it was offered free on Amazon.
It became clear early on that this was a gentle read. I don't mind 'gentle', I found Elizabeth Jane Howard's Cazelet Chronicles hugely enjoyable (yes, even the much-derided fifth book) but this takes gentle to a new level.
It is slow. Painfully slow. The characters are so stereotypical it hurts (the two gay men say 'dearheart' and make Alan Carr look like a cage fighter, the lead Libby is painfully one-dimensional, forever fretting about her love life and always flinging on her cape and characters flop into overstuffed chairs (can one buy overstuffed chairs anywhere? It must be possible as they are in no end of books).
The story is (yet) another murder case which has echoes of another from the past and the narrative switches between present day and the past in order to relay this. The prose is well-written and well-edited but the problem lies with the story which is not interesting enough to keep the pages turning and the characters who are not really terribly likeable.
I persevered to the end, despite realising I was not really the target audience, hoping for a payoff in the big reveal but upon finding out the identity of the killer I felt massively let down. Some reviewers here have said they guessed the killer fairly early on. I don't know how they did as there were almost no clues in amongst the easily avoidable red herrings.
This is the first in a series and I will be giving the rest a wide berth.
February 26, 2014
This was a well-written, light cozy mystery set in England with typical dry British humour and quirky expressions. One such expression was "old trout", an euphuism that was no doubt meant to be affectionate but was not, in my opinion, exactly flattering! :)
Although there were many different characters introduced and complex familial ties to keep straight, they were engaging and compelling, especially the main character Libby--a middle-aged, down-to-earth and likeable woman with flaws and eccentricities she was not afraid to admit to. Despite stating emphatically that she did not want to be "Miss Marple", she nevertheless reluctantly found herself drawn into the murder mystery in order to protect and defend those she considered her family.
Though the book was a little plodding and slow in places, the mystery itself was quite well-done with a few red herrings and interesting twists thrown in to keep the reader on his or her toes.
I will definitely read the next book in the series. This one introduced another intriguing character, Fran Castle, who seems destined to play a bigger role in the future adventures of Libby, so I'm looking forward to it.
Although there were many different characters introduced and complex familial ties to keep straight, they were engaging and compelling, especially the main character Libby--a middle-aged, down-to-earth and likeable woman with flaws and eccentricities she was not afraid to admit to. Despite stating emphatically that she did not want to be "Miss Marple", she nevertheless reluctantly found herself drawn into the murder mystery in order to protect and defend those she considered her family.
Though the book was a little plodding and slow in places, the mystery itself was quite well-done with a few red herrings and interesting twists thrown in to keep the reader on his or her toes.
I will definitely read the next book in the series. This one introduced another intriguing character, Fran Castle, who seems destined to play a bigger role in the future adventures of Libby, so I'm looking forward to it.
September 5, 2012
knew whodunit halfway through. had to wait for Libby to catch on.
April 9, 2007
Libby Sarjeant retired from acting to re-invent her life. She's helping produce a play about local events which is getting mixed reactions from the people originally involved. When one of the actors dies, is it a reflection of the older murders and is it linked to the accidents happening in the theatre.
Not an impressive read but not a bad read, in fact it's quite pedestrian and wouldn't induce me to hunt up more books by this author, however I wouldn't avoid books by this author.
Not an impressive read but not a bad read, in fact it's quite pedestrian and wouldn't induce me to hunt up more books by this author, however I wouldn't avoid books by this author.
October 26, 2012
Problematic. There is something missing - the book feels much too long, perhaps, or at least longer than it is. That said, this series is mostly 99cents in the Kindle store, so I am sure to keep reading. not an unpleasant read but not one to shout about either.
June 12, 2019
First in a series. So many characters that I found it difficult to keep them straight (and some of them weren't).
September 26, 2019
Nice easy read and a book hard to put down.
March 25, 2018
This book was recommended by an older relative, and while I can see that it would probably appeal to her, I honestly found the perspective to be entirely too old and too English to appeal to me at present. Maybe it's one of those books that I'd like if I tried it later in life. At the moment the dialogue seems entirely too repetitive, the action too slow, there are too many references to being old, fat, tired, faded and resentful of younger generations, and all the characters seem content to just plod along being mediocre and bitching about each other. Speaking of which, I mentioned that the book was "too English", the infuriating tendency of being overly polite and dropping hints instead of saying what one thinks or feels straight out is rife in this book. Having grown up in England, I am familiar with this cultural phenomenon but I have been an ex-pat for too long to have any patience with it any longer. In the early chapters the main character is frustrated with the unwanted attentions of an old friend, but instead of gently telling him she's not interested, she chooses to try and avoid being alone with him, or pretends to be tired and "hopes he'll leave". So irritating!
April 5, 2024
"Ex actress Libby Sarjeant's fresh start in a picturesque Kent village includes an exciting new venture: The Oast House Theatre. She never expects it to include a new romance in the form of Ben, but who's complaining? She just isn't expecting ingredients three, four and five: mystery, intrigue, and the shadow of old murder.
"This is a tale of engaging misfits and muddlers in a Ken village, whose theatrical endeavours have unwittingly murderous consequences."
~~back cover
The play being produced is the story of The Family's last generation as hop pickers, and the three sons are involved in the theater and the play, but from all different motivations. That, coupled with the cast of characters in the last generation makes for very confusing reading. The culprit/murderer didn't become apparent until the last minute (unless I wasn't paying enough attention.) The budding (is he or isn't he? And does she want to if he is?) romance got in the way of the mystery, which detracted greatly from the plot.
Good attributes: it's set in England.
"This is a tale of engaging misfits and muddlers in a Ken village, whose theatrical endeavours have unwittingly murderous consequences."
~~back cover
The play being produced is the story of The Family's last generation as hop pickers, and the three sons are involved in the theater and the play, but from all different motivations. That, coupled with the cast of characters in the last generation makes for very confusing reading. The culprit/murderer didn't become apparent until the last minute (unless I wasn't paying enough attention.) The budding (is he or isn't he? And does she want to if he is?) romance got in the way of the mystery, which detracted greatly from the plot.
Good attributes: it's set in England.
January 13, 2023
First DNF of the year. The main character is a c*nt of colossal proportions.
The only good thing about it, and the reason why I mark this book to the list
Narrated by: Patience Tomlinson
The only good thing about it, and the reason why I mark this book to the list
Narrated by: Patience Tomlinson
October 14, 2019
Slow and kind of boring for me. I am not much of a fan of books that throw too many characters at you as it can become confusing to keep track. Not much action to hold my interest in this book.
February 21, 2014
I was recommended Murder in Steeple Martin by my Aunt. Like the central character Libby Sarjeant, I too am involved in amateur dramatics and was curious to see if this book was a realistic interpretation.
I must admit, when I started this novel I groaned and cringed more than I enjoyed it. Several of the characters were stereotypical and clichéd, while Libby herself I found quite irritating. There is 30 years age difference between her and me, so maybe that's why I struggled to put her with her ramblings. Or maybe it's because I realised how like her I actually am with the constant worrying and turning into a teenager any time a man arrives on the scene. Although I did like the fact that she wore a cape.
The first half of the book I thought was very slow going. It took me an age to actually 'get in' to the story, but once somebody was murdered it all kicked off. I was hooked and read the last hundred or so pages in one sitting.
The play the characters are putting on is written by Libby's friend Peter Parker (also Spiderman's alter ego, so that put me off a little bit) and is based on family events during the 40's on a hop farm. There are a few chapters set in that time which I think helped immensely keep track of who everybody was. Not only do you have to remember the name of the character, you have to remember who they're playing in the lay and then who they are based on from Peter's family. In the end I gave up trying to work out how everyone was related. Lesley Cookman does start her book with notable characters but a family tree could have also been useful.
I also felt the introduction of Libby's children was somewhat unnecessary. They turned up to watch the play and then they left again, two of them didn't even speak. I hope they're made more use of throughout the series otherwise it was a bit of a waste of time.
The amateur dramatic society isn't represented very well either. They all appear to be of a certain age, and not a very nice group of people. I belong to two theatre companies, the youngest is seven, the oldest is in her eighties and everybody displays a range of talent and interest. However, the fact that they all troop off to the pub after every rehearsal is very true indeed.
Overall, an utter cheese fest, but who doesn't love a bit of cheese? I've already purchased the next in the series on Kindle.
I must admit, when I started this novel I groaned and cringed more than I enjoyed it. Several of the characters were stereotypical and clichéd, while Libby herself I found quite irritating. There is 30 years age difference between her and me, so maybe that's why I struggled to put her with her ramblings. Or maybe it's because I realised how like her I actually am with the constant worrying and turning into a teenager any time a man arrives on the scene. Although I did like the fact that she wore a cape.
The first half of the book I thought was very slow going. It took me an age to actually 'get in' to the story, but once somebody was murdered it all kicked off. I was hooked and read the last hundred or so pages in one sitting.
The play the characters are putting on is written by Libby's friend Peter Parker (also Spiderman's alter ego, so that put me off a little bit) and is based on family events during the 40's on a hop farm. There are a few chapters set in that time which I think helped immensely keep track of who everybody was. Not only do you have to remember the name of the character, you have to remember who they're playing in the lay and then who they are based on from Peter's family. In the end I gave up trying to work out how everyone was related. Lesley Cookman does start her book with notable characters but a family tree could have also been useful.
I also felt the introduction of Libby's children was somewhat unnecessary. They turned up to watch the play and then they left again, two of them didn't even speak. I hope they're made more use of throughout the series otherwise it was a bit of a waste of time.
The amateur dramatic society isn't represented very well either. They all appear to be of a certain age, and not a very nice group of people. I belong to two theatre companies, the youngest is seven, the oldest is in her eighties and everybody displays a range of talent and interest. However, the fact that they all troop off to the pub after every rehearsal is very true indeed.
Overall, an utter cheese fest, but who doesn't love a bit of cheese? I've already purchased the next in the series on Kindle.
April 13, 2011
Ex actress Libby Sarjeant moves to Kent for a fresh start and becomes involved in a local am-dram group performing a play written by a local. Soon there's a murder and the plot thickens!
This was OK, nothing more really. A pleasant enough read, I didn't hate it but it just felt like there was something missing. I suppose it's an English equivalent of a 'cozy' mystery and a lot of time these kinds of book aren't great. I don't really know what was missing - it had an interesting cast of characters, enough murder, mystery and mayhem and yet it was just lacking something. It is the first in a series so the author could well just be developing her characters and to be fair I think it would be best to read another couple in the series to get a true feel of them.
This was OK, nothing more really. A pleasant enough read, I didn't hate it but it just felt like there was something missing. I suppose it's an English equivalent of a 'cozy' mystery and a lot of time these kinds of book aren't great. I don't really know what was missing - it had an interesting cast of characters, enough murder, mystery and mayhem and yet it was just lacking something. It is the first in a series so the author could well just be developing her characters and to be fair I think it would be best to read another couple in the series to get a true feel of them.
June 3, 2013
This is the first 'Cosy Crime' novel I've read. I enjoyed it so much that as soon as I had finished it I immediately ordered the next three in the series for my Kindle. The main character, Libby Sarjeant 'with a J' is someone I empathised with and liked. The background was multi-layered and skilfully woven into current action. It is a complex story written with deceptive simplicity. Three-quarters of the way through I thought I knew who the murderer was. But there were two more twists I hadn't seen coming.
I highly recommend this book.
I highly recommend this book.
December 10, 2013
Libby has moved to the small Kent village of Steeple Martin and is directing an amateur production about the local hop farm set in the 1940's. Various 'accidents' occur and then a murder, which Libby and her friends try to solve.
This is a gentle Miss Marple type of easy read.
This is a gentle Miss Marple type of easy read.
August 21, 2016
I purchased this, the first in the Libby Sarjeant series, after reading Murder in the Monastery a while ago. It lived up to expectations - a competent, entertaining cosy with a cast of middle-aged characters to follow through successive books. An entertaining Sunday read.
August 20, 2011
The first book in my Libby Sarjeant series.
September 4, 2012
It started out well but dragged toward the end. However I did enjoy it. Will probably read at least one more by the author.
May 27, 2017
Oh dear.
Libby Sarjeant, a divorced older woman, has moved to the village of Steeple Martin, where she is directing a play in the village’s new theatre, written by her friend Peter and based on events related to his family during World War II. After a series of acts of sabotage involving the theatre and cast, the lead actress is found dead.
Can this murder be linked to events in the past that Peter’s family would rather keep secret?
Let’s get the good points out of the way first.
It’s not a bad read and the author appears to have researched the subject of hop pickers during the war fairly thoroughly.
So, what is wrong with this novel?
1. Characters. Cookman throws us straight into a bewildering array of characters, some of whom are difficult to distinguish from each other. I got about 17% in and had to return to the start to work out who Ben was and how he relates to the rest of the family.
There seems little attempt to give anyone a personality. We know that Peter and Harry are gay because they call everyone ‘Ducks’ or ‘Dear Heart’ and Harry wears pink shirts and runs a vegetarian restaurant called The Pink Geranium. I tend to see Cookman with a tickbox list of gay cliches pinned up on the wall next to her laptop. If this had been written twenty years ago I would have been only slightly less concerned. This is 1970s sitcom stereotyping of the laziest sort and honestly, it shouldn’t exist in the 21st Century.
If you’re going to include gay characters then I’d suggest you ask some gay people to have a read through and suggest any changes. Clearly this wasn’t done on this occasion.
A psychic is thrown into the mix halfway through. Apparently, in Middle England, builders and estate agents employ psychics to check out buildings for them. Who knew?
The police appear to be based in the 1950s and evidently have no idea of procedural issues.
Are there any memorable characters in this book? Just the one, in fact. It’s Libby’s cat, Sidney, who displays far more personality than any of the humans without having to say a single word and additionally has a pivotal role to play in the finale.
2. Dialogue
No one seems capable of having an ordinary conversation without it turning into an awkward argument or a misunderstanding. This happens all the time, but particularly with the psychic, Fran, who quite honestly has no real reason for being invited, either into the village or the novel.
3. Realistic stuff
Could an English village, in 2012, possibly support a successful theatre and a vegetarian restaurant? Most villages are having trouble hanging on to a Post Office and a local shop. The Pink Geranium always seems to have lots of bookings though. I find this quite unrealistic.
I’ve already mentioned the psychic. I’ve nothing against psychic investigators in novels. There’s a whole subgenre of supernatural detective stories. The problem lies in bringing in a psychic in an otherwise ‘rational world’ novel, whose powers appear to be real. It’s a fact which seems to phase no one. Had she had some role to play within the novel it might go some way to explaining her presence, but she doesn’t. She just keeps turning up and apologising for knowing things she shouldn’t because of her X-Men powers.
4. The Plot
I am reminded of the marvellous Margaret Rutherford film ‘Murder Most Foul’ which, strangely enough, features a murder related to a theatre company. Ron Moody – perfectly cast as the irascible director is found in one scene frantically riffling through the pages of the play Margaret Rutherford has submitted.
‘What are you looking for?’ asks Margaret Rutherford.
‘The plot, Madam. The plot!!’ He replies (or words to that effect), frantically riffling on. I felt a little like this during the course of the novel.
None of it makes a great deal of sense when it’s all finally explained. One tends to feel that the author herself wasn’t sure of the identity of the murderer until quite late in the day and found a way of squeezing in an explanation.
The denouement is very rushed, particularly disappointing and defies logic, although I can’t go into any detail without some major spoilers.
I don’t think I’ll be reading any more of these.
Libby Sarjeant, a divorced older woman, has moved to the village of Steeple Martin, where she is directing a play in the village’s new theatre, written by her friend Peter and based on events related to his family during World War II. After a series of acts of sabotage involving the theatre and cast, the lead actress is found dead.
Can this murder be linked to events in the past that Peter’s family would rather keep secret?
Let’s get the good points out of the way first.
It’s not a bad read and the author appears to have researched the subject of hop pickers during the war fairly thoroughly.
So, what is wrong with this novel?
1. Characters. Cookman throws us straight into a bewildering array of characters, some of whom are difficult to distinguish from each other. I got about 17% in and had to return to the start to work out who Ben was and how he relates to the rest of the family.
There seems little attempt to give anyone a personality. We know that Peter and Harry are gay because they call everyone ‘Ducks’ or ‘Dear Heart’ and Harry wears pink shirts and runs a vegetarian restaurant called The Pink Geranium. I tend to see Cookman with a tickbox list of gay cliches pinned up on the wall next to her laptop. If this had been written twenty years ago I would have been only slightly less concerned. This is 1970s sitcom stereotyping of the laziest sort and honestly, it shouldn’t exist in the 21st Century.
If you’re going to include gay characters then I’d suggest you ask some gay people to have a read through and suggest any changes. Clearly this wasn’t done on this occasion.
A psychic is thrown into the mix halfway through. Apparently, in Middle England, builders and estate agents employ psychics to check out buildings for them. Who knew?
The police appear to be based in the 1950s and evidently have no idea of procedural issues.
Are there any memorable characters in this book? Just the one, in fact. It’s Libby’s cat, Sidney, who displays far more personality than any of the humans without having to say a single word and additionally has a pivotal role to play in the finale.
2. Dialogue
No one seems capable of having an ordinary conversation without it turning into an awkward argument or a misunderstanding. This happens all the time, but particularly with the psychic, Fran, who quite honestly has no real reason for being invited, either into the village or the novel.
3. Realistic stuff
Could an English village, in 2012, possibly support a successful theatre and a vegetarian restaurant? Most villages are having trouble hanging on to a Post Office and a local shop. The Pink Geranium always seems to have lots of bookings though. I find this quite unrealistic.
I’ve already mentioned the psychic. I’ve nothing against psychic investigators in novels. There’s a whole subgenre of supernatural detective stories. The problem lies in bringing in a psychic in an otherwise ‘rational world’ novel, whose powers appear to be real. It’s a fact which seems to phase no one. Had she had some role to play within the novel it might go some way to explaining her presence, but she doesn’t. She just keeps turning up and apologising for knowing things she shouldn’t because of her X-Men powers.
4. The Plot
I am reminded of the marvellous Margaret Rutherford film ‘Murder Most Foul’ which, strangely enough, features a murder related to a theatre company. Ron Moody – perfectly cast as the irascible director is found in one scene frantically riffling through the pages of the play Margaret Rutherford has submitted.
‘What are you looking for?’ asks Margaret Rutherford.
‘The plot, Madam. The plot!!’ He replies (or words to that effect), frantically riffling on. I felt a little like this during the course of the novel.
None of it makes a great deal of sense when it’s all finally explained. One tends to feel that the author herself wasn’t sure of the identity of the murderer until quite late in the day and found a way of squeezing in an explanation.
The denouement is very rushed, particularly disappointing and defies logic, although I can’t go into any detail without some major spoilers.
I don’t think I’ll be reading any more of these.
March 28, 2022
Did I read the same book as everyone else?
I'm not sure if I read the same book as others, who gave this glowing reviews and couldn't wait to read another, because, frankly, this is a mess. First the main character is rather unlikable. She runs off in all directions, managing to accuse almost everyone except the right person. And spends huge swathes of text complaining about her looks, her weight, and, sickeningly, "Ooh, does he fancy me? No, he can't; that woman (or that woman or that woman) is more attractive and he must be interested in her." In fact, she seems to think any woman she sees with a man must be involved with him, even though she is told repeatedly it is not the case. The psychic, who supposed to be a great help, is equally dithery, and spends half the time being cryptic and the other half saying she doesn't know why people think she can help. Keep in mind from the very beginning we are told she makes her living working as a psychic for large firms, so this isn't a tea room charlatan. And most of the characters, despite her being introduced by one of their own, either mock her or get annoyed that she doesn't tell them whodunit. One character actually changes dialects for no apparent reason.
The story, itself, is also all over the place and includes flashbacks to an older crime that doesn't make great deal of sense, but drives the present.
Finally, there are some very odd errors. The main character is supposed to be an artist of some kind, but it's not clear what type of art one produces by stretching paper. Most of us stretch fabric to form our canvases. Then she is supposed to be an experienced director, but for some reason, she lets a playwright run rehearsals and even recast a role (without her input). There is nothing to indicate that the playwright (another primary character) has any experience at all, but he's running rehearsals?? Recasting a major role in the play?? Sorry, no. Just no.
I won't be reading anymore by this author.
I'm not sure if I read the same book as others, who gave this glowing reviews and couldn't wait to read another, because, frankly, this is a mess. First the main character is rather unlikable. She runs off in all directions, managing to accuse almost everyone except the right person. And spends huge swathes of text complaining about her looks, her weight, and, sickeningly, "Ooh, does he fancy me? No, he can't; that woman (or that woman or that woman) is more attractive and he must be interested in her." In fact, she seems to think any woman she sees with a man must be involved with him, even though she is told repeatedly it is not the case. The psychic, who supposed to be a great help, is equally dithery, and spends half the time being cryptic and the other half saying she doesn't know why people think she can help. Keep in mind from the very beginning we are told she makes her living working as a psychic for large firms, so this isn't a tea room charlatan. And most of the characters, despite her being introduced by one of their own, either mock her or get annoyed that she doesn't tell them whodunit. One character actually changes dialects for no apparent reason.
The story, itself, is also all over the place and includes flashbacks to an older crime that doesn't make great deal of sense, but drives the present.
Finally, there are some very odd errors. The main character is supposed to be an artist of some kind, but it's not clear what type of art one produces by stretching paper. Most of us stretch fabric to form our canvases. Then she is supposed to be an experienced director, but for some reason, she lets a playwright run rehearsals and even recast a role (without her input). There is nothing to indicate that the playwright (another primary character) has any experience at all, but he's running rehearsals?? Recasting a major role in the play?? Sorry, no. Just no.
I won't be reading anymore by this author.
June 4, 2023
I'm not sure where I came across this author. It was one of those that you see and jot down and then forget about.
After the first couple of chapters, I started to lose track of the characters and decided to draw myself a character map to keep track. This proved most useful as there were quite a few although I did later realise that the books list of characters included people from the whole series. The number was further complicated as if included character in a play about the lives of some of the older people from the village and their annual trip from London's East End for the hop picking month in Kent.
This is an intriguing tale of secrets from the Hop fields that still concern people in the present day village where a play about that time is about to be put on by the local AmDrams.
The central character is Libby Sarjeant (with a J). Unlike a film or TV version where she would undoubtedly be a young thin athletic bronzed wisp of a girl, our Libby is far more down to earth, mature and even dumpy. She is the producer of the play around which the modern day action takes place.
I suspect this book is a bit longer than usual as the author gets us involved with the lives of the family at the centre of village life now , and as they were in those earlier days. The reader feels involved in the present day village - a feeling that I last had in Three Pines of the Gamache series by Louise Penny.
There are 28 books in this series and I doubt that I will get through them all but I'm already searching for the next.
After the first couple of chapters, I started to lose track of the characters and decided to draw myself a character map to keep track. This proved most useful as there were quite a few although I did later realise that the books list of characters included people from the whole series. The number was further complicated as if included character in a play about the lives of some of the older people from the village and their annual trip from London's East End for the hop picking month in Kent.
This is an intriguing tale of secrets from the Hop fields that still concern people in the present day village where a play about that time is about to be put on by the local AmDrams.
The central character is Libby Sarjeant (with a J). Unlike a film or TV version where she would undoubtedly be a young thin athletic bronzed wisp of a girl, our Libby is far more down to earth, mature and even dumpy. She is the producer of the play around which the modern day action takes place.
I suspect this book is a bit longer than usual as the author gets us involved with the lives of the family at the centre of village life now , and as they were in those earlier days. The reader feels involved in the present day village - a feeling that I last had in Three Pines of the Gamache series by Louise Penny.
There are 28 books in this series and I doubt that I will get through them all but I'm already searching for the next.
July 11, 2017
Enjoyed reading this book with its tale of murder and mayhem within a theatre group. The characters are well rounded and easy to identify with. Libby, the main character is involved with a dramatic production and is on friendly terms with other members of the cast. So that when disaster strikes in the theatre this causes concern to her.
Firstly it is imagined that the subject matter of the play, based on real life events going back several generations within the hop picking community is the reason for these acts of sabotage. Then someone is killed and the plot thickens. There is a certain amount of going back to the history of the story and then to the present day, which makes it more intriguing, but demands a certain amount of concentration by the reader. Its worth persevering as the story unfolds, the tension rises. There are various issues that arise and there are no obvious answers on offer here. There are unpredictable twists and turns, making this a satisfactory read.
I enjoyed reading this and will be looking out for more novels by Lesley Cookman. I can recommend this as an interesting murder mystery.
Firstly it is imagined that the subject matter of the play, based on real life events going back several generations within the hop picking community is the reason for these acts of sabotage. Then someone is killed and the plot thickens. There is a certain amount of going back to the history of the story and then to the present day, which makes it more intriguing, but demands a certain amount of concentration by the reader. Its worth persevering as the story unfolds, the tension rises. There are various issues that arise and there are no obvious answers on offer here. There are unpredictable twists and turns, making this a satisfactory read.
I enjoyed reading this and will be looking out for more novels by Lesley Cookman. I can recommend this as an interesting murder mystery.
September 6, 2025
Though Cookman has an easy readable style and the pace of the book hotted up towards the end which proved quite page turning, there were several problems with the novel that seriously reduced my enjoyment.
The first and most serious was the vast number of characters especially in the opening chapters which I had to reread a couple of times to work out who was who. The story is set in a small village theatre rehearsing a play covering the history of people several of whom still live in the village and not only did I have to get to grips with the names of the present-day actors and the real life characters they are playing on the stage, the script writer has given them different names in the play. Confusing or what! Nor did it help that just as I began to get a grip on a chacter, after a couple of hundred pages that character turns out to be 20 to 30 years older than I'd assumed.
A character list at the start of the book would have been so much help.
The term "old trout" became tedious and annoying and the repartitions such as the flinging cloak and the main character's constant angst occured far too many times.
The first and most serious was the vast number of characters especially in the opening chapters which I had to reread a couple of times to work out who was who. The story is set in a small village theatre rehearsing a play covering the history of people several of whom still live in the village and not only did I have to get to grips with the names of the present-day actors and the real life characters they are playing on the stage, the script writer has given them different names in the play. Confusing or what! Nor did it help that just as I began to get a grip on a chacter, after a couple of hundred pages that character turns out to be 20 to 30 years older than I'd assumed.
A character list at the start of the book would have been so much help.
The term "old trout" became tedious and annoying and the repartitions such as the flinging cloak and the main character's constant angst occured far too many times.
November 1, 2022
I picked these up in a local charity shop after donating a lot of books I'd recently finished. I read the summary, saw that they had all but one of the books and then promptly picked up the first six. A friend told me I should have got them all, but I am a bit more cautious these days.
This was not exactly the most amazing cosy mystery out there, the plot moved incredibly slowly, the dual timelines made it a bit more intriguing, and the revelation that came close to the end was great, but the present day murder, I solved that pretty easily, which often frustrates me.
I know that this was the first book in the series and that gives it a little leeway, I try and read a few in a long series before I make a final decision.
I have to say that there are many similarities (at least in my view) between Libby Sarjeant (with a j don't you know) and Agatha Raisin, age, smoking like a chimney, obsession with age, moving to a small town for a quiet life...looking forward to getting to know her and the rest of the village better.
This was not exactly the most amazing cosy mystery out there, the plot moved incredibly slowly, the dual timelines made it a bit more intriguing, and the revelation that came close to the end was great, but the present day murder, I solved that pretty easily, which often frustrates me.
I know that this was the first book in the series and that gives it a little leeway, I try and read a few in a long series before I make a final decision.
I have to say that there are many similarities (at least in my view) between Libby Sarjeant (with a j don't you know) and Agatha Raisin, age, smoking like a chimney, obsession with age, moving to a small town for a quiet life...looking forward to getting to know her and the rest of the village better.
February 27, 2023
A new author for me and the start of a new series featuring the indomitable Libby Sarjeant (with a J). Libby is an artist and amateur theater director who has recently moved to the sleepy village of Steeple Martin. She and some friends are putting on a play based around the true events that happened in the village in the 1940's. But it seems that there are some people who do not want the play to go ahead and soon all sorts of mysterious things begin happening with the culmination of a murder.
I have seen this book described elsewhere as a 'cosy Mystery' but I am not sure that is quite true. I found it took me a while to warm to the character - a sort of cross between Agatha Raisin & Miss Marple. There are a lot of characters to sort out in this book at the beginning but none-the-less it was an enjoyable read and whilst I figured out the final villain it was near the end before I had worked it out and there were several surprises along the way.
I have seen this book described elsewhere as a 'cosy Mystery' but I am not sure that is quite true. I found it took me a while to warm to the character - a sort of cross between Agatha Raisin & Miss Marple. There are a lot of characters to sort out in this book at the beginning but none-the-less it was an enjoyable read and whilst I figured out the final villain it was near the end before I had worked it out and there were several surprises along the way.
September 16, 2017
The Queen of Cosy Crime proclaims the back of the the cover. This isn't the kind of 'cosy crime' exemplified by, for example, the Agatha Raisin books of M R Beaton. This is far better written, the characters more rounded and the lead character, Libby Sarjeant is not nearly as ditzy. Well constructed with the back story told separately with a good understanding of Cockneys hop pickers in the first half of the 20th century - right down to the man on the enormous stilts unhooking the bines for picking. I'll be interested in seeing what happens in later books and how the character of Libby is developed. My one criticism would be that the denouement is a little rushed. Oh, and a family tree would help!
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