Murder on the Home Front

Edie York Mystery #2

by F.L. Everett

England, 1941. With World War Two shaking the nation, rookie reporter Edie York wants to write the front-page news. But she ends up as the headlines when she stumbles over a body on the moors…

Eager to follow Churchill’s order to keep calm and carry on, Edie York has left the bombed-out streets of Manchester behind for a stroll in the countryside. But her rationed picnic lunch turns to ashes in her mouth when she discovers Joyce Reid, a well-known anti-war activist, lifeless at the bottom of a cliff.

Despite infuriatingly handsome DCI Louis Brennan’s less-than - amused warnings ringing in her ears, Edie is unable to leave the conscripted local bobby to do his work. Heading off to investigate, she immediately uncovers potential suspects galore. From alleged black-marketeers to the local land girl, a shell-shocked artist to Joyce’s on-off lover, Edie is sure the murderer is right under her nose.

Then Edie makes another gruesome discovery, and realises she needs long-suffering Louis on the scene to officially investigate. Can they uncover the killer hiding in plain sight, before it’s too late? Or will Edie’s own obituary end up featured on the front pages she’s coveted for so long…?

A fantastically gripping historical cozy mystery perfect for fans of Richard Osman and Agatha Christie. This is the second book in the Edie York Mystery series.

Readers love F.L.

‘I finished this yesterday and it’s bloody brilliant! … wonderful … so clever and witty … Loved it .’ @clareswatmanauthor

‘Once I started this, I just couldn’t stop … loved … reading this book felt like watching a deliciously nostalgic Sunday night drama … I thoroughly enjoyed every minute .’ Bestselling author Jill Mansell

‘An addictive, authentic page-turner : Edie York has the makings of a classic amateur detective in the great Golden Age tradition.’ Erin Kelly, bestselling author of He Said / She Said

‘ Extremely entertaining and pacey WWII-set murder mystery.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘ From the very first page I was completely immersed in Edie's world… I loved all the characters instantly and can't wait to read the next in the series.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical, British Literature, Audiobook, Fiction

325 pages, ebook

First published November 23, 2023

Reviews

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edie York is angling for a bigger role as a reporter. Writing obituaries has become boring to her. Although still new on the job, she is determined to write front-page news. Things take a different turn, however, when she discovers a dead body.

Finding the body along with her best friend Ethel gives Edie the chance to become an amateur sleuth once again. This is not the only mystery at hand for Edie. There is also a missing teen, and Edie is determined to solve that case as well.

Meanwhile, with the setting during the World War II era, mention of blackouts, curfews and carrying gas masks levels a serious nature as to the time period in which Edie lived. Then there were the food rations to consider, especially when Edie helps out an old friend. An excellent setting, to be sure, all while Edie goes beyond the desire to make a name for herself.

This second book in the Edie York series was a delightful read, with interesting characters, intriguing mysteries and some surprising twists. If you enjoy cozy mysteries with great atmosphere, a touch of humor, along with a dose of compassion, then this book is for you.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

[Vikki Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved both of the Edie York books so far and can’t wait for the third. This has been my first foray into reading cosy crime and it’s taken me back to my childhood whenever I would lap up book after book of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five and Secret Seven. Flic writes beautifully and the characters jump to life off the page as I’ve found myself rooting for Edie. I’m sad that the third one isn’t out yet as reading about Edie has felt like catching up with an old friend.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s another good book in this series.
Edie is trying to figure out two mysteries, one a murder and the other a disappearance.
I did think the book started a bit slow, it took me several chapters to really get interested in the story. It becomes much better and really kept my attention to the end. It’s a nice cozy historical fiction

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm enjoying this series as Edie is a strong and clever characters and the mystery are well developed and solid.
This story is even better than the first one and it kept me turning pages and guessing.
Thoroughly enjoyed it
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC
This is the second Edie York mystery I've read, and I like this one even better than the first.
Edie is still trying to find a way to turn her obit-writing job into a 'real' reporting job,
While on a day trip to a village near London for a day of walking, she finds a body, and decides to investigate while assuring her boss she's found a fascinating subject for the obituary section.
The local policeman isn't really equipped to investigate the complicated relationships of the deceased, and Edie's friend and possible heart throb Louis shows up to help.
There's lots of interesting facts about war time life woven into the plot and the characters. I did miss the London setting and Edie's roommate a bit, but I hope there will be another book set back in London.
Giving this a 4.5 rounding up to 5, well-written, well-researched and left me wanting more.
Would recommend to fans of Allison Montclair and other wartime-at-home books.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second in F. L. Everett’s Edie York mystery series. I haven’t read the first, but that didn’t stop me enjoying this one.

Edie is an obituarist for a newspaper, with dreams of becoming a crime writer. When she and a friend go for a walk in the countryside, they come across a corpse. The deceased is one Joyce Reid, artist and very outspoken pacifist. The Athena House art commune had its base in her home, and she often shared her anti-war views with the village, in spite of their open and vocal disagreement with those views. There is no shortage of suspects, both villagers and Joyce’s fellow artists. But local law enforcement seems inclined to go on hearsay that Joyce took an unfortunate tumble. DCI Lou Brennan warns her off, but Edie can’t help but investigate.

Everett gives us a varied cast of characters. Edie is a charming, determined, independent young woman, someone who might easily be described as “plucky.” DCI Lou Brennan is no-nonsense, sometimes even abrupt, and dedicated to his work. Both have reasons for not seeking romance, but you get glimmers of attraction between the two of them that might smolder and eventually burst into flame. When Edie throws herself headlong into sticky situations (as she sometimes does), Brennan’s concern for her well-being shines through, before he tucks it back behind a professional veneer. I’m interested to see where Everett takes them in future books.

The artists who Joyce essentially took under her wing are also an interesting lot, and as the story unfolds, we see that each of them has some hidden resentment with the situation at Athena House. Could one of them have snapped and killed Joyce? Athena House is a hot mess of bed-hopping free love, and you have to wonder if someone didn’t like sharing. I sometimes thought the villagers frowned on Athena House’s moral compass as much as they did Joyce Reid’s pacifist (and, to the villagers, unpatriotic and even communist) leanings.

The murder isn’t tagged as an actual murder until a good way into the book, and Everett gives us other story arcs to unravel, too. There’s the side quest of who sent Edie’s co-worker Ethel lilies and why; Edie’s lost friendship with Suki and whether there is hope for reconciliation; and teenagers who go missing from Joyce’s village at about the same time she dies. Each story unfolds in good time, and Everett gives us some characters we may meet again.

The setting is almost like a character unto itself. Everett gives us a real feel for what wartime Britain was like – the shortages, the sacrifices, the injured soldiers returning home for care. And Edie may be working, but she hasn’t yet been given the opportunity to achieve the career goal she’s really hoping for. The wartime effort didn’t mean women were immediately considered equal to men in terms of employment, just that women were who was available to get the work done while so many of the men were off fighting.

This was a thoroughly charming book, and I recommend it to anyone who likes cozy mysteries with a bit of history to them and light on the romance.

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Bookouture & NetGalley for a digital advance reader's copy. All comments and opinions are my own.

This is the second in the Edie York Mystery Series but can be read as a stand-alone. The novel takes place in 1941 during World War II in Manchester and the nearby fictional country village of Birchcroft in Lancashire. Edie is working as an obituarist at the Manchester Chronicle but once again becomes an amateur sleuth when she and her friend, Ethel, discover a body while out hiking in Birchcroft.

There are numerous characters in this story, many new ones and several friends returning from the first novel. Friendship is a recurring theme for Edie as she had no family, but thinks that “perhaps over time, good friends made up for that.” This book proves her right.

What I particularly liked about this novel is the writing style. Edie is observant and spunky, with a witty and flippant attitude that often had me laughing out loud. Her friend (and hopefully soon-to-be boyfriend) Detective Inspector Lou Brennan is also clever in his retorts, as when he responds to Edie’s far-fetched suggestion: “Ah yes, Superintendent Hunch. Thank goodness for unsubstantiated feelings, just what we need on this tricky case.”

In addition to the murder mystery and a missing teenager, the topic of war is always present. Author F.L. Everett has done an excellent job of researching this historical period, which she comments on in her note to the reader: “Of course, those who lived through the war didn’t just worry about the big dangers – bombing, their loved ones away fighting, or the threat of a German victory. They worried about coupons and the sugar ration, or how they’d get to work through the rubble, why prices had suddenly gone up, or whether their young man would ever propose. Reading diaries and letters of the time, it’s notable how much people thought about day-to-day life – finding their way home in the blackout, or a cake that didn’t rise and wasted the margarine ration. Even those away fighting dreamed of sleeping in a comfortable bed and going dancing again.

“They were of course, ordinary people, caught up for almost six years in something extraordinary. Writing about Edie and her friends brings the war to life for me – and reminds me that while we have the historical privilege of knowing the outcome, the people simply getting on with life in 1941 had no idea. I admire those past generations enormously, and I feel very lucky to be able to write about them with the benefit of hindsight.”

The novel accurately renders this time period and the “getting on with life” attitude of many during the war. It’s also an entertaining murder mystery that had me trying to solve the case (murders and a missing teen) along with Edie and Lou. Clues and red herrings, bohemians and anti-war activists, humor and thought-provoking “meaning of life” observations – all kept me turning the pages.

[Elsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second Edie York mystery, and I liked it even better than the first. The publisher calls it a “historical cozy mystery”, but I think it’s more of a golden age mystery with a modern slant. FL Everett tips her hat at, and is obviously inspired in the very best way, by Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Margery Allingham et al, and manages to write a believable, enjoyable classic mystery but with a modern outlook as regards class and women’s role in society. I very much like the fact that her main characters are “ordinary people” and not from the genteel world of mansions, vicar’s daughters, Colonel policemen and sundry rich businessmen that people the golden age queens’ novels.

Edie is now firmly established as an “obituarist” at the paper, with secret hopes of eventually becoming a real journalist. The novel starts with her going on a walking tour in the countryside with her friend Ethel at the paper, in order to visit Athena House, an artist’s commune of friends to Ethel. On the way there, however, they stumble on the dead body of Joyce Reid, the owner of the house and a formidable pacifist who has managed to set the entire village against the commune with her conscientious objector’s speeches at the village hall. At the same time, Edie learns that two evacuees, a boy of fifteen and a girl of fourteen, has mysteriously gone missing a few days earlier. Edie talks her editor into letting her do an obituary of Joyce, in order to return to the village and do some sleuthing. When her friend, brisk, sarcastic DI Lou Brennan, later is convinced that there has been one or more crimes committed and that the local constable is useless, he and his large dog Marple comes with Edie in order to investigate Joyce’s murder and to search for the missing girl evacuee. They quickly turn up more than they bargained for.

This is such a fun book. The theatrical, poseur inhabitants of the commune, the impossibly genteel Lady Brackenfield who Lou manages to charm in order to rally support for the search party and police investigation, and the friendly banter of Edie’s friends - harassed war nurse and flatmate Annie, Arnold the nice undertaker and neighbor Clara, who has signed up to become a wartime pilot - made me laugh out loud several times. Everett adds to Edie’s universe with some new faces like Edie’s childhood friend from the orphanage, Suki, who’s escaping a violent husband and a new landlady, the fearsome Mrs Turner, who forbids male visitors. The wartime restrictions and tribulations are described believably and interestingly- Everett has clearly done her research, and effortlessly paints a picture of the time.

All in all a great read, and I stayed up far too late since I didn’t want to put the book down. Highly recommended.

I received a ARC from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Sheri Metzger Karmiol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not read book 1 of the Edie York Mysteries, but Murder in a Country Village works well as a stand-alone novel. The background is 1941 Manchester, during the Blitz. Author F.L. Everett does a nice job of capturing the social and cultural background. Many people remembered the loss of a whole generation of men during the Great War, and they did not want another war. As a result, the conflict between pacifists and those who support the government's decision to join the war does create tension. But as a whole, people did support the need to fight against Hitler and stop him before his army invaded Great Britain. This historical background is the major strength of Murder in a Country Village, Book 2.

As a mystery, the story did not have much depth and was not a compelling read. Many cosy mysteries can have characters who are immensely appealing, and as a result, even when the plot is flawed, the characters carry the story and the novel. Edie York is supposed to be plucky and determined to solve the mystery, but plucky is not enough to make Edie an interesting or appealing character. The staged conflict between Edie and Lou, the D.I., was staged and fails as a way to advance the novel. The artificial petty argument between them, which occupies too much space, is a distraction. In many novels, the female protagonist and the detective work well together. But Everett expects readers to think that the D.I. is stupid and has no critical skills to solve a mystery, and thus, Edie has to keep calling him out on his incompetence. I understood why he was irritated.

The Bohemians do not work especially well. They are a houseful of differing personalities, none of whom seemed to believe in the purpose of their group, except as a way to exchange partners. The conclusion, which occurs without a return to Athena House, worked better than many other parts of the novel.

I think this series has possibilities, if Everett can create a better dynamic between Edie and Lou. Edie has good intuition, but Lou didn't make D.I. by being an idiot. Have them work together with more give and take. Edie cannot be the only brains in the partnership. Women can be smart, but there is no need to make them smarter than everyone else. Better balance will make Edie and Lou more appealing. I assume there is supposed to be a bit of romance brewing between them. Maybe it should be allowed to advance and warm up the partnership, at least a little.

Thank you to the author, publisher Bookouture, and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review. The comments above are my honest opinion.

[John Purvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

F.L. Everett https://www.fliceverett.com/ is the author of six books. Murder in a Country Village was published just a few days ago and is the second of her Edie York Mysteries. It is the 109th book I completed reading in 2023.

I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com with the expectation of a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to minor scenes of violence, I categorize this novel as PG. The story centers around 24-year-old Edie York, though there are several important supporting characters.

It is February of 1941, and the German Blitz against the UK is in full swing. York is an aspiring journalist for the Manchester Chronicle who is currently writing the obituary column. Her friend and co-worker Ethel Cooper invites her on a country walk. The two young women then plan to visit Cooper’s friend Joyce Reid. Reid is a pacifist living at Birchcroft, a large country home. There, she is surrounded by artists in a very unorthodox community.

As York and Cooper are laying out their picnic lunch after a morning hike, they discover a body. The corpse turns out to be Reid. Was she murdered, or was it an unfortunate accident? Her outspoken anti-war sentiments and bohemian lifestyle has raised the ire of local villagers. There may also have been romantic jealousies between residents at Birchcroft.

York’s curiosity is tweaked when she finds that two London evacuees had disappeared just before Reid’s death. The pair had lived and worked at a local farm for nearly 18 months. Did the young teen couple run away? Is their disappearance just a coincidence, or are they linked to Reid’s death? The local Constable Creech has no interest in York’s theories. York confides in her friend DCI Louis Brennan and asks for his assistance.

With Brennan in charge, a real investigation begins to take shape. He also organizes a thorough search for the missing teens. The discovery of a bloody body at Birchcroft raises the stakes in the investigation. Are more people at risk? Will the teens be found alive? Were one or both involved in the deaths?

I enjoyed the 8.5+ hours I spent reading this 325-page mystery. I did not realize until I began this novel that it was a ‘cozy mystery’. That gave me some reservations, but itl turned out to be a good mystery. I partially chose this novel because of the time period it is set in. It turns out that the war does not have very much to do with the plot. The chosen cover art is simple, but I do like it. I give this novel a rating of 4 out of 5.

You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).

[CPE · Rating 4 out of 5]

F.L. Everett’s Murder in a Country Village is the second in her Edie York series. Edie is the obituaries columnist on the Manchester Chronicle during WWII but has a knack of getting embroiled in murder mysteries. This time, she is walking in the Peak District with a colleague from the Chronicle when she finds a dead body. The dead woman, Joyce Reid, shared her house in a small village with a set of bohemian artists who believed in free love and had no qualms about bed-hopping. Or did they? Was one of them jealous enough to push Joyce over the cliff-edge?

This is a very well-written book. The pace is tight and, although there were one or two too many artists for me to keep track of, they were necessary to the plot. Edie’s friend, DI Lou Brennan, provides a “will they, won’t they?” romantic interest as well as enabling certain aspects of the plot to progress with his senior police credentials. I think Lou’s harsh “Don’t you ever dare to do that again.” And “I’m telling you to….” were perhaps a little overdone. If he cares for Edie – and we assume he does, whether Edie or he acknowledge that – I think there would be a gentler tone on occasion with “Edie, please don’t…”. The unrelenting barking at Edie needs some modulation, even if he is angry or stressed, otherwise the narrative becomes a smidgen predictable.

The gloomy aspects of Manchester during the Blitz, with its bombsites; its rationing; and its blackout are portrayed beautifully as a backdrop. There isn’t much irritating foresight along the lines of “After the war, I think this will happen…”. I will definitely forgive the one instance I spotted, where Pat at the Chronicle says “I just wonder what’ll happen to the young lasses when the war’s over. All these new skills and excitements, then they’ll be back home again, washing some bloke’s smalls.” I often wonder how the women who took up new occupations during WWI, such as ticket inspectors and guards on trains or ambulance drivers felt when that war was over and they were dismissed so that a demobbed soldier could take their job. On the one hand, “Good news: you can now vote in general elections” and on the other, “Bad news: you’re out of a job.” There must have been many such women around in 1941 who could tell Pat all about it.

I am very much looking forward to Book 3 in the Edie York series.

#MurderontheHomeFront #NetGalley

[Helena Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I should start this review by saying that I haven’t read A Report of Murder, the first Edie York mystery, yet. While there are references to that first book in this story, I’m very happy that I never felt as if I missed out on vital information.

Murder in a Country Village is a charming, well-plotted, and fluently told mystery. It is also somewhat of a slow burner. While the first body is discovered fairly early on in the story it isn’t even qualified as anything other than an accident until well beyond the midway point of the book. Having said that, Edie has her doubts from the very start and can’t help but investigate both the death and the controversial community of pacifist artists Joyce, the victim was part of.

It isn’t until much later on in the story and Edie’s discovery of a second corpse that things speed up. That is also the moment when her friend, DCI Louis Brennan starts taking an active interest in the case.

There was quite a lot to enjoy in this story. Edie is a very likeable, be it at times exasperatingly impulsive, main character. It’s quite refreshing to encounter a DCI encouraging the amateur investigator to do more sleuthing rather than sternly forbidding them from such action. Edie’s roommate, her colleagues, her friends, and the girl she fell out with years earlier were all interesting and vividly described secondary characters. What’s more, Manchester and its surroundings during WWII made for a fascinating setting, just as the conflict between pacifists and the rest of the population added extra tension to the story.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this well-written and easy-to-read mystery. The crimes were enticingly mysterious, and the solution was satisfying. What’s more, the author played fair with the reader; the clues were there and I’m happy to say that Edie and I reached the same conclusion at more or less the same time. It’s highly probable that I will revisit Edie and Louis in the not-too-distant future.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this Advance Reader Copy and the opportunity to review Murder in a Country Village. All opinions and comments are my own.

Edie York is still reporting for the Manchester Chronicle, still writing her obituary column. Still wanting to be a crime reporter. Never mind she’d been involved in a real murder mystery (see book #1), it didn’t get her her “real” job. Dreamers can dream. This time her friend Ethel has attracted some dubious attention; an order of flowers sent to the office that she’s wondering about. Edie suggests they go for a weekend tramp up at a country house where people who “might” be involved are staying. Ethel agrees. And thus, the stage is set for Murder in a Country Village, whereby bodies will turn up, and Edie will get to showcase her crime reporter/snooping skills once again to find the answer to what really did happen at the artist colony.

Edie can be classified as one of those “plucky heroines” so popular in 40’s movies. Involved are the sidekick, the handsome inspector, some boyfriend troubles, the admonition to “keep out of it, Miss York” by the police, you know the drill. In author F.L. Everett’s hands, it’s all handled rather well.

Our girl also does a lot of introspection, never mind the who and what and why behind the killing(s). The book bogs down a bit in the middle -- the murders are not the only story here, there’s a lot to get through, which means Edie’s doing a heck of a lot of work. She’s up to the job, though.

Soon, everything comes together, and gets explained. Back to waiting for what the war has in store for them. And the next investigation, of course, which we’re told is coming. Edie York and Inspector Lou Brennan make a good team, and though “Murder in Country Village” takes its time in spots, there’s an entertaining story here for historical mystery readers.

[Ameya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging WWII crime mystery.
Set in February 1941 during the German Nazis blitz against the UK, ‘Murder in a Country Village’ centres around 24-year-old Edie York. Edie is an obituarist for the Manchester Chronicle, who’d rather be their crime reporter. Fortunately for her career (but not for the victim), her second foray into crime investigation takes off when she and her colleague, Ethel Cooper, discover the body of Joyce Reid, a renowned anti-war activist, beneath a cliff. Edie York is supported by an interesting cast of characters.

Edie discovers that 2 London evacuees, a fifteen-year-old boy and fourteen-year-old girl, had disappeared a few days prior to Joyce’s death. Edie wonders if their disappearance and Joyce’s death are connected. Gaining the ears and assistance of her friend, DCI Louis Brennan, to investigate what Edie suspects is murder, she joins in the police procedural. Assisted by his dog, DCI Brennan organises a systematic search for the teens. The mystery unspools further as the body count builds up. Edie is an engaging protagonist, with her energy and curiosity.

The WWII setting in Britain is painted so well it comes to life, the people’s day-to-day concerns featuring while battle rages around them. Bombs fall, innocents are evacuated and food rationing is a harsh reality, yet the characters think about love also. I like that the characters’ lives carry on around the war setting. It’s human nature to crave a good meal and romance. The author, F.L. Everett folds all this into her crime mystery.

Thank you to #NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced reader’s copy of #MurderinaCountryVillage.

This book review also appears in https://Amazon.com, https://netgalley.com and https://thereadersvault.blogspot.com/...

[Luanne Ollivier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder in a Country Village is the second book in F.L. Everett's wonderful Edie York Mystery series.

What makes it such a wonderful series? Well, all the elements that I quite enjoy are there. Set in the years of WWII, the keep calm and carry on attitude, a plucky female protagonist, a mystery, a crime, an excellent crew of supporting characters - and a dog.

Manchester, London England. Edie is the local newspaper's obituarist. Which is good, but what she'd love to be is a crime reporter. On a ramble with her friend Ethel, they come across a body - and it's someone Ethel knows. Accident or deliberate?

Edie just can't help herself - she starts asking questions. And soon enough, DCI Louis Brennan is called upon.

I really enjoy this type of investigation. Answers, clues, secrets and more are found by interviews, conversations, hunches and instinct. So much more interesting than DNA matches etc.

Edie is such a great lead character and the reader can't help but behind her. Urging her on and sometimes shaking your head at some of her choices. But, it's her curious nature, her kindness and zest for life that makes her such a great protagonist. The supporting cast from the first book return - Lou, Annie her roommate, Lou's friend Arnold and Marple the dog. Everett gives her players personal lives that move forward. Yes, there's some romance afoot for some.

Everett has done a really good job of bringing her setting to life. She gives us detailed locales, food, businesses, the war and much more.

The first book, set the place and introduced the characters. With this second entry there's much more to the crime, the investigation and the characters. I will be watching for the third book!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Publication date: November 23, 2023

This is the second book in the Edie York mystery series by author F.L. Everett. I’m really starting to get into the series and the characters. The writing has improved and I’m excited to really see where the series goes!

Edie York is a writer for the Manchester Chronicle. After getting mixed up in a Nazi war criminal in the first book and barely escaping death herself, Edie is quite content to write her obituaries and stay on the safe side.

Edie and her friend Ethel take the train up to a country village for a ramble through the hills, they discover the body of one of the artists living in an old farmhouse set up like an artist retreat.

After learning more about the deceased, Edie discovers she was not accepted in the village with her peace talks and anti war speeches. She enlists her friend detective inspector Lou Brennan to investigate what she now believes is a murder.

This was a wonderful instalment of the series. I enjoyed being reintroduced to the characters and am quite tired of waiting for author to put Edie and Lou together!! There is clearly attraction and tension there. This is an excellent cozy mystery with historical content and an intriguing cast of characters. This is a four star for me and I can’t wait to see what adventures Edie gets up to next!

#NetGalley #FLEverett #murderinacountryvillage

[loopyloulaura · Rating 4 out of 5]

TRIGGER WARNING: domestic abuse
Edie and Ethel go out for a walk in the hills but stumble across a body. They recognise the woman as Joyce Reid, an unpopular pacifist from the local area. The police think it was a terrible accident but Edie isn't convinced and appeals to the police officer who helped her previously to aid her investigation...
Murder In A Country Village is the second book in the Edie York murder mystery series set during WW2. There are major spoilers about the outcome of the first book so I would advise reading the books in order.
Edie is still hoping for her big break in journalism. When she stumbles across a dead body, she is sure that it wasn't a simple accident. Added to this are a pair of missing teens that no one is concerned about.
The mystery sustained my interest but the pace was quite slow. Both the murder and the missing teens provide Edie with plenty of opportunity to investigate and explore the local area and community. There were a whole range of suspects and potential motives for each crime.
I felt fully immersed in the 1940s with the rationing, black outs, tragic telegrams. There is some big emotion as we consider the deaths of brave young men fighting for their country and evacuees desperately missing their homes. I also felt incredibly moved by the plight of Edie's friend Suki who is trapped in a violent marriage.
Murder In A Country Village is an enjoyable cosy historical murder mystery.

[Misfits farm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edie, who works on a newspaper, sets off for a walk with her friend Ethel. It's 1941 and they are glad the blitz is over and they have a little freedom. Currently Edie is the obituarist, but is inquisitive by nature and good with people and so would love to be a crime writer. Being Edie things are never straight forward and they spot a body on their walk and so she wants to find out more. It’s someone known to Ethel as the woman who is petitioning for peace and her and her friends are unpopular in the village. It also appears that two evacuees have gone walkabout from the same village. The conscripted local bobby appears to be as much use as a chocolate fireguard and so Edie begins to investigate what on earth is going on and why?

This is a cozy type crime and one to get immersed in the WW2 world of Edie York. There are plenty of red herrings and dubious suspects to keep the reader engrossed and guessing right the way through. There’s the relationship between Edie and Lou who is the detective inspector which verges on romance but quickly jolts to professional each time they manage to get any time together which adds to the backstory and provides a little humour. It's a wonderful read, one that is highly entertaining with a light-hearted mystery. A read with a smile and more!

For more reviews please follow me on Twitter or Threads @nickisbookblog
_____________________

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

As WWII presses on, Edie York and a friend go hiking in the country with plans to have a picnic with their rations and then meet with Joyce Reid, a local antiwar activist and founder of an artists colony on her property. Those plans are cancelled the moment Edie finds Joyce laying dead below a cliff.

The local police believe this to be just an accident, she slipped and fell, end of story. Ever the newspaper reporter, Edie is not so easily convinced, This just may be the story to get her off the obituaries column. Many people would be happy to see Joyce gone. They did not like her views on a war where their husbands and sons were dying, They certainly did not like the hedonistic lifestyle of the residents of her home or their artistic pursuits.

Edie convinces DCI Louis Brennan that there is more going on here than the local police are saying, Are they hiding something? They are none too happy to have an outsider come in and start snooping around. Edie will soon find more intertwining mysteries and disappearances. She won't stop until she uncovers the truth, and DCI Brennan will have to protect Edie from not only others, but herself.

For fans of the The Miss Fisher Murder Mysteries, pour a cup of teas and cozy up to this mystery series.

My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started reading Murder in a Country Village, the story captivated me in such a way that I couldn't stop: the plot is brilliant, the intrigue perfectly constructed in such a way as to gradually reveal the characters, understand their motives and interests, and allow the reader to hypothesise who is responsible for the crime.
The World War II setting is also perfect for justifying the involvement of the whole community, thus placing an entire village with motivations against the victim.
Also, the way the author describes the context of the United Kingdom in the years of WWII, with the deprivation, despair and hopes of the population, with the framing of the measures that were, at the time, considered the best, is also a way of putting us in touch with a historical reality that has almost been forgotten but which was part of the lives of our parents and grandparents.
What's more, the dynamic between Edie York and Louis Brennan leaves us wondering how their relationship will develop - will they be able to resolve their fears and differences?
For all these reasons, I can only say that I really enjoyed it and highly recommend reading it.
I received an advance copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily, thanks to the author for it.

[Judy Odom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder in a Country Village is another delightful book in the Edie York series.

The Blitz is over and Edie has agreed to join her friend for a walk in a small village and they come upon a dead body.

The body is identified as Joyce Reid and thus the new investigation has begun.

Edie never leaves well enough alone, her curiosity and her ability to read people have you rooting for her every step of the way.

Then a young teen goes missing and Edie with Lou's help must determine if the two incidents are related.

Coincidence is not high on Edie's list.

I laugh out loud at Edie sometimes as she says to herself what we are all thinking and her power of reasoning is like no other.

Many suspects to choose from with twists and turns that will have you guessing along with both Lou and Edie.

The plot is clever and the reader gets to know more about Edie and her past.

I cant wait to see where F.L. Everett and Edie will take us next.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for a delightful series that keeps those pages turning

[Erica Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

IIt's Valentine's Day and everyone is receiving invitations from prospective Valentines. Even Ethel, Edie's colleague and friend who is perpetually tied to her mother received a special something from a secret admirer. But could the lilies she received mean someting entirely different: horrid and despicable? The duo embark on unraveling this mystery but become entangled in a different web --- a murder in a country village.

Everett's storytelling captivates from the get-go, drawing me into the narrative. I was really looking forward the continuation of Edie's story from the previous installment, and I'm thoroughly pleased with the outcome.

The characters possess both charm and complexity, making their dynamics a compelling aspect of the read. I find myself engrossed in the book for both its plot and the well-developed characters.

The novel is a welcome respite from my overly hectic schedule. It is a delightful blend of amusement, compelling narrative, and coziness. A genuine page-turner, it is a perfect match to the post-Halloween, pre-Thanksgiving atmosphere.

[Sonia Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was intrigued by this book and was looking for something with good plot and minimum graphic gore. I can say that this book met the bill, and even though second in a series could happily be read as a stand alone story.
Set in 1941 mid WW2, we meet Edie York, 24, works for a Manchester newspaper writing obituaries but who aspires to do more. Edie is persuaded to go for a walk in the country with her friend and colleague Ethel Cooper, first for some fresh air but also to meet Ethel's friend Joyce Reid who leads an artistic commune.
After a bracing walk, some hot tea and comestibles the friend tragically find Joyce dead at the bottom of a cliff. This and the disappearance of two young evacuees sets Edie's journalistic nose twitching and when local investigation stutters she decides to investigate herself with advice form her friend DCI Louis Brennan. Twists, turns and red herrings abound leading to a satisfying murder mystery.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for access to this ARC, all views are my own.

[Saffy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely adored the first Edie York mystery so was thrilled to have the opportunity to read Murder on the Home Front, the second in the series. It's 1941 and most of the action moves out of Manchester to a village in the Peak District after Edie discovers the body of anti war activist Joyce Reid. When Edie learns that two evacuees are also missing from the village she enlists the help of DCI Louis Brennan. This is a great addition to the series and a real joy to read. I love novels set on the Home Front and loved all of the wartime details here. I was happy to be back with Edie's friends- Annie, Arnold and Louis and we are also introduced to her childhood friend Suki. I did miss the Manchester setting for this novel but was drawn into the Peak District setting and particularly the plot line involving the evacuees. Another great Edie York mystery that I'd highly recommend and I'm looking forward to the next in the series. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC. 4.5 stars

[B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this mystery series that takes place during the early years of WWII in Manchester. Edie works writing obituaries for the local paper, but also has a deep curiosity to investigate mysteries. So when she and a friend find a dead body, she gets together with snarky Detective Inspector, Lou, to investigate what was going on in a Bohemian group of artist/pacifists. The mystery was well-done. I hadn’t guessed the guilty character. I really enjoyed the way the author evokes living on the home front with shortages and all the missing men and worries. The side characters were interesting and I liked the growing relationship between Edie and Lou. If you like historical mysteries, this is an excellent new series.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

[Mystica · Rating 4 out of 5]

England 1944 and Edie is a courageous woman who is keen to make her mark in the newspaper world but she gets sidelined .She is an obituarist but she wants to be a crime reporter making front page news.

Finding an active anti war activists body at the bottom of a cliff becomes the news. In this village where many men have not returned from the wars, Joyce Reid’s death was not mourned by many. Joyce ran a house with a load of artists who were all anti war in varying degrees. They were a bunch of people with secrets to hide, and they did not take kindly to DCI Louis Brendan’s investigation into the suspected murder. Edie has better luck and gradually unravels a whole heap of information which could lead the Police to the murderer.

The setting is picturesque, both the village and the contrast with the artists residence. We have the background of 1944 WWII with its rationing, the hard life civilians faced on a day to day basis. It added a depth to the cozy.

[Jack Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second cosy mystery from Everett and this time Edie's adventures take her into the (damp) countryside, where an enclave of artists is causing consternation in a Peak District village with their lack of morals and generally Bohemian attitudes. Plus some evacuees have gone missing. Once again I think the period is nicely evoked - life on the home front is a strain, eggless, chilly and anxious, even when you're not being bombed.

I liked the development of Edie and Lou's professional (?) relationship and the details are fun. This is very much one of those 'but is it a murder though' stories, at least to begin with, and there are plenty of suspects who might not even be suspects, neatly handled. If you enjoyed the first one you'll like this one too. Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read it before publication.

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Edie is caught up in another mystery when she discovers a body during a hike in the countryside. There is no shortage of suspects as the victim has rubbed everyone in the village the wrong way with her anti-war talks. Running alongside this is the mystery of 2 missing evacuees.

I'd like to start by saying that I don't think I was the intended audience for this book. It will appeal to those who enjoy historical mystery books.

The author does a great job of capturing the time it's set in. The characters are likeable and interesting and I suspect there will be an ongoing will-they/won't-they with Edie and her Detective friend Lou. The book is quite slow paced at the beginning but instead focuses on developing the characters.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Elaine - Splashes Into Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another WWII cosy crime thriller
With Edie York trying to catch a killer!
During lovely walk in the countryside with a friend
Finding a body brings it all to a sudden end.

With pacifists upsetting the local community,
There are plenty of suspects to see.
However, it seems there's another mystery
But no one is looking into it, you'll see.

So journalist Edie decides to ask around
About the person whose body she found.
Writing their obituary is her cover
What will she soon discover?

Another war time case to investigate for both Edie and Lou
Where her insights can help them discover what is true.
There are plenty of red herrings and twists, too,
Before this riveting read is through!

For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.

[Zuribooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first thing I loooooved about this book was the cover, for some reason it reminded me to the "thursday murder club" book that I just have to read it, the second thing I liked the most was the murder.

Even though I didn't read the first book I don't feel like I missed anything that would stop me from enjoying it. The story is set in WWII and the main character is our friend Edie who is an (unofficial) amateur Sleuth that dreams with become a crime writer (and who doesn´t?) and when he is hiking with a friend they found the corpse of Joyce Reid, the local police says it was an accident but Edie is not so sure about that so of course he is going to investigate, but no one is very happy to have him snooping around of course everyone has their own secrets.

I loved the characters and really enjoyed the vibe of the book.

Thank you very much for the ARC