False Truth

Bunburry #16

by Helena Marchmont, Nathaniel Parker (Narrator)

The Cotswolds village of Bunburry is not only picturesque but also historic, about to mark its 500th anniversary. Self-made millionaire and amateur sleuth Alfie McAlister is dreading the celebrations, having been coopted to make a speech from an outsider’s perspective, despite having lived in the village for more than four years. But Dorothy from the post office has worse concerns. She suspects the mayor of the neighbouring town of Rimingford is using the celebrations for dodgy dealings. It’s exactly the sort of situation to be investigated by the Bunburry Triangle: Alfie and his elderly friends Liz and Marge. But Dorothy decides she’s going to uncover the truth without any help. This could prove a dangerous mistake ...

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Cozy Mystery, Crime, Fiction, British Literature, Contemporary

Audiobook

Published May 19, 2023

About the author

Helena Marchmont is a pseudonym of Olga Wojtas, who was born and brought up in Edinburgh. She was encouraged to write by an inspirational English teacher, Iona M. Cameron. Olga won a Scottish Book Trust New Writers Award in 2015, has had more than 30 short stories published in magazines and anthologies and recently published her first mystery Miss Blaine's Prefect and the Golden Samovar.

Reviews

[Shiloah]

I have a pout coming on. This whole series is wonderful. I hate for each novella to end. Thank you, Ms. Marchmont for continuing to write these darling, cozy mysteries.

[Uluwehi Hopkins]

Lots of fun and interesting twists

I am an avid fan of this series, but even I can admit that the last few stories have been less about the mystery and more about the angst between Alfie and Emma. This one makes up for all of that. It’s got a fun, twisty mystery and surprise relationships you never saw coming. I devoured this book in one sitting the morning it was released, and I’m very happy I did.

[Kathleen]

These cozy mysteries are short and sweet, enjoyable and easy, with likable characters, except Sergeant Wilson. I am happy for Alfie (finally they kiss) but I am growing weary of Marge. Every time she opens her mouth, she is sharp, rude, stupid, judgmental, or just annoying. These books cost too much for such a short story. Part of the precious few pages are taken up by repeating what we already know from previous books.

[Marilyn]

Well, Finally❣

This is full of false information, a mix up of communication between different people, and a thief. Always full of goofy mixup and misunderstandings that make you want to grit your teeth, this time there is love in the air and more then normal for a small place like Bunburry. Smile along with the mighty biting toddlers and the grownup confusion. Enjoy book 16!

[Bobbi]

Another very enjoyable book in this series.

[Stephanie]

Pretty good story. Some odd happenings between characters.

[Les Wilson]

An excellent short story and well worth reading.

[Mo]

What can I say? I'm hooked on this series. It's too bad that the ending in this one was so rushed, just when things were getting really interesting!

Audiobook BRK
Nathaniel Parker - Narrator
Duration: 02:56:03

[Rebecca]

It's Bunburry's 500th anniversary, and the mayor of neighboring town Rimington is donating a statue of his ancestor, Bunburry's first mayor--despite the fact that nobody asked for that or really wants it. Alfie is particularly ruffled by the celebrations, because he was voluntold to give a speech from the "outsider" perspective, and it's the last thing he wants to do. Then there's Dorothy, the local postal worker who is now (I think) living with semi-retired Sgt. Wilson. She suspects the mayor of something dodgy, but is not sure what, and decides to investigate. But she's bitten off a bit more than she can chew...maybe.

While this was entertaining, I did have trouble following the plot and couldn't distinguish a lot of the characters. I still enjoyed it for the most part, though I don't enjoy anything that involves kidnapping. Fortunately that got resolved quickly and no harm done, though it did leave me more confused than ever. So, enjoyed it, not sure I really got it.

[Carol Evans]

The Bunburry series is always fun. I always listen to the audios, Parker does a great job with the narration, and each is between 2 and 3 hours, which is a great length for when I can’t quite decide what I want to listen to.

This time around Bunburry is holding its Quincentenary Celebration, but something feels off. Dorothy from the post office starts doing a little digging on her own and ends up in a bit of trouble. The local historical society is involved too.

It’s a fun story, no one dies, and there’s more love in the air than usual. I do enjoy these characters and their hijinks.

[Pinky]

Bunburry is celebrating it’s 500-year-anniversary and there’s a celebration and a statue unveiling with speeches led by the Mayor and Alfie. Something’s up with the celebration, however, and the local historical society is involved. In an interesting twist, Dorothy from the post office starts detecting and is followed by the Sergeant who is worried for her welfare! Lots of twists and turns with a mystery surrounding the history of Bunburry.

[Kaija]

Lukijana Nathaniel Parker.
Aivan upeaa eläytyvää kerrontaa. Hahmot heräsivät eloon loistavan lukijan ansiosta, ei kuitenkaan menty liiallisuuksiin.
Tarina ei ollut jännittävä, enemmänkin viihdyttävä. Pääosissa oli nyt postileidi Dorothy ja Alf, toki vanhat tutut kyläläiset ja jokunen uusikin kuuluivat tarinaan. Viihdyin tarinan äärellä kovastikin.

[Faribura]

(Hörbuch) Uwe Teschner liest auch diese Episode aus Bunbury hervorragend- ich mag, dass die Schrulligkeit der Charaktere lebendig wird. Das Bunbury Trio tritt diesmal kaum in Aktion. Die Story ist eigentlich ausbaufähig, wird jedoch mehr oder weniger lustlos abgewürgt. Ich bin gespannt, ob meine Nostalgie für die nächste Folge noch ausreicht. Schade.

[Chautona Havig]

There are too many to review, thanks to Goodreads' not-working sidebar, so I'm copying and pasting a series review on each one:

Marchmont has created a delightful village, hilarious characters, and interesting mysteries that kept me buying the next to find out what's up in the Cotswolds. An absolute delight.

[Martha A. Wilson]

No ending

This left me feeling empty...too much of a tease. What is in the envelope and how will Natalie respond and can Glenn be trusted? Too many questions and not enough answers.

[edward minton]

Great series

I hope for more to read. This series is great to read. Awesome is all I can say. What will happen to all the characters

[Vanessa-Ann Dowsett]

Excellent as usual

[Neely Powell]

Bunburry is 500 years old and the town is celebrating. A pall is cast over the town as the mayor of Rimington wants a statue of his ancestor in the town square.

[Macky]

⭐️3.5/4⭐️

[Caren]

3.5 stars

[Jennifer]

3.5

[Mit Kind und Buch]

Es war so schön, endlich wieder in Bunburry zu sein, endlich wieder zuhause!
Danke für das Ende! 😍

[Gary and Sandra Sims]

Very cute

Cute story in which Alfie solves the problem of missing money and funny business in a rival village, and Alfie gets the answers he's be looking for.

[Sina Stein]

Ahhh endlich 😍 das Ende hat endlich einen Schritt in Richtung Beziehung Emma & Alfi gemacht

[Ali]

This was a great story. Even without a murder. And thank goodness Alfie and Emma finally get a chance. Loved it.

[Lottie]

SO Wonderful!!! Love this Series, and this is most probably my favorite one!!! ( Happy Squeak )

[Homerun2]

3.5 stars

[Jenny]

Love Alfie and his friends Liz and Marge - always a good read the Bunburry mysteries

[Kelly Ann]

Faith in the author and series restored!!

[Kataklicik]

Audiobook : Spotify .
Read by Nathaniel Parker .