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Libby Sarjeant #12
Murder in the Dark
The twelfth book in the Libby Sarjeant series of British murder mysteries which features a retired actress as the female sleuth and are based in the picturesque village of Steeple Martin.
An unidentified woman’s body is found in a remote garden in Kent. With the owners not in residence, the only people with legitimate access are the caretaker, Johnny, and landscape gardeners Adam Sarjeant and his employer, Mog.
Afraid of her son falling under suspicion, Libby Sarjeant, with her friend Fran, are determined to find the murderer, with or without the assistance of the police in the person of Chief Detective Inspector Ian Connell.
An unidentified woman’s body is found in a remote garden in Kent. With the owners not in residence, the only people with legitimate access are the caretaker, Johnny, and landscape gardeners Adam Sarjeant and his employer, Mog.
Afraid of her son falling under suspicion, Libby Sarjeant, with her friend Fran, are determined to find the murderer, with or without the assistance of the police in the person of Chief Detective Inspector Ian Connell.
- GenresCrimeMysteryCozy Mystery
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 11, 2013
44 people are currently reading
511 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 6, 2016
A young woman's body is found in a grotto in the garden of an old house which Adam - Libby Sarjeant's son - is helping to restore. Adam is questioned by the police which brings the case to Libby's attention. Lewis Osborne-Walker, TV personality and DIY expert - knows the owners of the house and asks Libby to go and see Adelaide Watson as she has few friends in the area and she needs some female support. Naturally Libby jumps at the chance to find out more about the murder.
This is a totally fascinating mystery with lots of historical background. The plot consists of several strands and I love the way they are cleverly woven together. I love the series characters - Libby and Fran, Ben - Libby's partner - Peter and Harry - partners and owners of the restaurant The Pink Geranium - not forgetting Sidney the cat and DCI Ian Connell who often finds himself having to be grateful for Libby and Fran's help in his murder investigations.
If you like intriguing murder mystery with quite complicated plots and likeable characters then you may enjoy this book and this series. The books can be read as a standalone novels and also as part of a series. This is the twelfth book in the series.
This is a totally fascinating mystery with lots of historical background. The plot consists of several strands and I love the way they are cleverly woven together. I love the series characters - Libby and Fran, Ben - Libby's partner - Peter and Harry - partners and owners of the restaurant The Pink Geranium - not forgetting Sidney the cat and DCI Ian Connell who often finds himself having to be grateful for Libby and Fran's help in his murder investigations.
If you like intriguing murder mystery with quite complicated plots and likeable characters then you may enjoy this book and this series. The books can be read as a standalone novels and also as part of a series. This is the twelfth book in the series.
January 4, 2015
This book delves into the history of England during its civil wars. Although the mystery itself takes place in the 21st century. Libby's son Adam, is working in the garden of the Dark House, when a fellow worker finds the body of a dead woman in the grotto. Libby, Fran, and her cohorts as well as the Inspector, are all looking for motive, which leads them to the secrets hidden in the old manor. It was a fun read with lots of twists and turns.
August 4, 2020
Another great read. Lesley Cookman is the Queen of crime. Another well created plot with a twist at the end. With Libbys son Adam being questioned and being a possible suspect to a murder. Libby and Fran realise there is no time to lose. I really enjoyed this twelfth Libby Sarjeant book. The pendulum was swinging from one character to another. I really recommend these series.
February 12, 2016
Another great story in the series. ..I don't know what I will do when I've finished all of them...
November 14, 2025
Just a note that the synopsis above is not for this book. I’ve been “summer reading” my way through this series. As an Anglophile and mystery junkie, I’ll read almost anything British mystery!
However, I am running out of interest in the series with this title in particular. The author gives us a disjointed story, trying to give us British history (thank you) with a standard who dun it plot but is not able to smoothly integrate her ideas. Giving us a ridiculously improbable plot line where police and civilian crew treasure hunt instead of murder investigation.
I am also surprised that no one has commented on her introduction of and her very uncomfortable portrayal of a black character. His “white eyes and big white smile”?! She repeatedly refers to. And although he is a profesor with a doctoral degree in history, she has him use the line “yas, massa” when he is annoyed with another character and supposedly being sarcastic. HE has a “chip on his shoulder” about his colour. I found it somewhat disgusting. Maybe the author should get to know an actual person of colour? Or just avoid trying to portray a black character altogether.
Ms Cookman usually manages somehow to pull her story together and give us something we can enjoy but this one was just a disappointment.
However, I am running out of interest in the series with this title in particular. The author gives us a disjointed story, trying to give us British history (thank you) with a standard who dun it plot but is not able to smoothly integrate her ideas. Giving us a ridiculously improbable plot line where police and civilian crew treasure hunt instead of murder investigation.
I am also surprised that no one has commented on her introduction of and her very uncomfortable portrayal of a black character. His “white eyes and big white smile”?! She repeatedly refers to. And although he is a profesor with a doctoral degree in history, she has him use the line “yas, massa” when he is annoyed with another character and supposedly being sarcastic. HE has a “chip on his shoulder” about his colour. I found it somewhat disgusting. Maybe the author should get to know an actual person of colour? Or just avoid trying to portray a black character altogether.
Ms Cookman usually manages somehow to pull her story together and give us something we can enjoy but this one was just a disappointment.
August 27, 2017
Great story
This book had much more of the historical research aspect to it that I really love about this series. I definitely did not figure out who the murderer was this time. I like the newest member of 'Libby's loonies' as they were named in this book. I love that the new characters remain a back part of the following stories. Can't wait to start the next book but I am also sad because I know I'm nearer to the last book.
This book had much more of the historical research aspect to it that I really love about this series. I definitely did not figure out who the murderer was this time. I like the newest member of 'Libby's loonies' as they were named in this book. I love that the new characters remain a back part of the following stories. Can't wait to start the next book but I am also sad because I know I'm nearer to the last book.
February 3, 2019
Slow start but improved
May 12, 2023
Another enjoyable mystery in rural Kent
March 5, 2017
Very convoluted
January 17, 2014
When I found out I'd won this book from Goodreads, I read the first two books in the series to prepare myself. I wasn't thrilled with them because of the main character's apparent low self-esteem and internal drama over being 'fat' and 'old', and it reminded me of the Agatha Raisin series, of which I am not a fan for that very reason.
But I was pleasantly surprised by this one (the 12th in the series?) because the character has undergone significant development and self-improvement - not a mention of being fat and old to be seen, although one of her friends still persists in calling her an 'old trout'. So I might also go back and read the other books in the series, because the mystery in this one was excellent.
I'm such an Anglophile, and I adore old houses with tunnels and priests' holes. There was even a Famous Five reference! I quite enjoyed it. I would say though that there were a lot of characters who are part of the main character's day-to-day life who just pop in and out of the story, and sometimes it doesn't make a lot of sense, so you probably wouldn't want to start reading this series at this most recent book, but go back a few books to get a better sense of who all the people are.
All in all, it's an excellent cosy.
But I was pleasantly surprised by this one (the 12th in the series?) because the character has undergone significant development and self-improvement - not a mention of being fat and old to be seen, although one of her friends still persists in calling her an 'old trout'. So I might also go back and read the other books in the series, because the mystery in this one was excellent.
I'm such an Anglophile, and I adore old houses with tunnels and priests' holes. There was even a Famous Five reference! I quite enjoyed it. I would say though that there were a lot of characters who are part of the main character's day-to-day life who just pop in and out of the story, and sometimes it doesn't make a lot of sense, so you probably wouldn't want to start reading this series at this most recent book, but go back a few books to get a better sense of who all the people are.
All in all, it's an excellent cosy.
March 4, 2014
Twists and turns
I liked the story line, however it did seem like a muddled mess part of the time. I have to say I like the earlier books where you had parts about the family. I think that's the fun of all of the books, so when you basically leave those parts out, it looses a lot of the charm
I liked the story line, however it did seem like a muddled mess part of the time. I have to say I like the earlier books where you had parts about the family. I think that's the fun of all of the books, so when you basically leave those parts out, it looses a lot of the charm
November 22, 2014
I won this book from Goodreads giveaway.
Murder in the Dark was a fun read. I really enjoyed learning the history of Dark House. This is the first book I have read by Lesley Cookman. I will defiantly will be reading more Libby Sarjeant murder mysteries in the future.
Murder in the Dark was a fun read. I really enjoyed learning the history of Dark House. This is the first book I have read by Lesley Cookman. I will defiantly will be reading more Libby Sarjeant murder mysteries in the future.
August 9, 2014
Hm. Reading this was like watching a very tedious Midsomer episode. Lots of rambling conversations that only serve to retread the goings-on up to that point. No real plot movement. By the time I knew whodunit, I couldn't care less.
July 17, 2014
Not her best, plot fizzled out near the end.
July 14, 2022
Listened to on Audible
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews