Death Takes a Fall: A Cotswold Crimes Mystery

A Cotswold Crimes Mystery #2

by Sharon Lynn

When Maddie McGuire finds herself tumbling over a cliff while hiking The Cotswold Way, she uncovers much more than ancient woods. Terrified by her shocking discovery, she returns to the safety of her international internship at the Roman Baths only to find competition in the form of the tittering, aristocratic Gwendolyn De Valence, who has captured the attention of everyone Maddie hopes to impress. Turning to her boyfriend Constable Edward Bailey, only reveals dark secrets about his past, leading her down a dangerous path which, this time, she may be unable to escape.

Genres: Mystery

348 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 5, 2023

About the author

Sharon Lynn was raised in Arizona, but it was living in England as a teenager, and every return trip since that inspired the setting of her first novel. As a professor of theater, film, and writing she coaches and mentors aspiring artists. Her short stories can be found in anthologies from Malice Domestic and Desert Sleuths. She is a member of the Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and the Author’s Guild. Please sign up for her news updates at www.sharonlwrites.com.

Death Takes a Bath, Sharon Lynn’s debut novel, was released in 2022 by Level Best Books. Sharon’s mystery short stories in anthologies by Malice Domestic include The Professor’s Lesson (2022), Final Curtain (2020); Carne Diem (2019) in the Anthony Award-winning Mystery Most Edible. Also, Death on Tap (2017) is featured in Sisters in Crime Desert Sleuths’ anthology SoWest: Killer Nights. Sharon also has recipes and writing tips included in Recipes to Kill For.
Death on Tap and Carne Diem are available as standalone short stories on Kindle.

Reviews

[Wanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death Takes a Fall is the second entry in the Cotswold Crimes Mystery series. When I won it in a Goodreads Giveaway I read the first book, Death Takes a Bath, so I’d be up to speed for it but I didn’t really need to. It works perfectly as a standalone. The mystery is well‑crafted, fast‑paced, and it brings in new characters that keep the plot twisting and turning. From reading the first book I was expecting a YA cozy mystery but I’d say this is more of a YA mystery thriller instead. My thanks to Goodreads Giveaways and the publisher for an ebook copy to review. 3.5 stars

[Christine DeSmet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This delightful, fast-paced, adventuresome mystery set in Bath, England stars archeology intern Maddie McGuire from Tempe, Arizona. Maddie’s personality is a combination of Bridget Jones and Indiana Jones. We meet her hanging off a cliff and discovering a body bearing a tattoo. From there, misadventures continue with Maddie gathering clues and bruises in entertaining fashion. The backdrop of the archeological dig and authentic locale with its historical manors and beauty lends itself handily to the action and mystery. Maddie is attracted to a Scottish policeman, Edward, but he takes a backseat while energetic Maddie solves the mystery with a twist or two for readers. The action also utilizes horses, a pig, and a rabbit in a fine way. Sharon Lynn does a skillful job of incorporating the local culture and language, historical facts about the baths, the geographic area, and even the origin of famous nursery rhymes. Dialogue is entertaining and handled masterfully. Five stars for this novel! Highly recommended. This is Book 2 of a new series.

[Sherrill Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

In author Sharon Lynn’s second adventure in her Cotswold Crimes Mystery series, danger ramps up for nineteen-year-old Maggie McGuire. The American archaeology intern once again discovers a body, this time, in the countryside near Bath, England. Again, she turns detective to solve the grisly crime that somehow feels very personal.

Maggie’s boyfriend, Constable Edward Bailey, assists. But then, he disappears! Maggie’s every lead turns up more questions than answers. Are her colleagues, Dolly and Simon at the Roman Baths excavation site, involved? What about their relatives, Lady Vivian and Viscount Clarence De Valence?

Lynn is adept at creating characters we love or hate. So, when Maggie falls into a deadly situation where escape seems impossible, I found myself genuinely worrying about the sleuth. I couldn’t read the book fast enough to see what happened. I highly recommend this shocking mystery thriller. But be warned: It’s no relaxing English bath.

[Margaret Mizushima · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved traveling into England’s beautiful Cotswold setting to join Sharon Lynn’s spunky protagonist Maddie McGuire in her latest adventure. After Maddie takes a fall over a cliff and discovers a body, she becomes obsessed with uncovering what happened to the poor dead girl. Hoping to gain support from her boyfriend, Constable Edward Bailey, Maddie is met with disappointment when he disappears. Secrets from his past start to surface, leading her into dangerous territory as she continues to investigate even while working at her internship at the Roman Baths. Maddie is a funny and resourceful heroine, the setting is interesting as well as beautiful, and the plot is full of surprises in this delightful addition to Lynn’s Cotswold Crimes Mysteries. Highly recommended for a fun and entertaining read.

[Joy Ribar · Rating 5 out of 5]

American student Maddie Maguire stumbles into her second dead body during a lovely hike in the Cotswolds with beau, Constable Edward in Death Takes A Fall, the second in the Cotswolds Mystery series by Sharon Lynn. After Maddie discovers that Edward and the victim share a common tattoo, Edward promptly disappears, leaving a bewildered Maddie to encounter one pitfall after another, and wonder whom she can trust. With Maddie’s internship at the Baths and her life both in jeopardy, she needs to get to the bottom of the murder and the reason she’s being targeted. Hold on tight while you navigate twists and turns from the underbelly of the Roman Baths to the aristocratic country estates in this electrifying mystery. -Joy Ann Ribar, Deep Lakes Mysteries, Bay Browning Mysteries

[Valerie Biel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fabulous second installment in A Cotswold Crimes Mystery series firmly establishes these books as must-read mysteries. American student Maddie McGuire is a quirky amateur sleuth who you can’t help but love as she stumbles (literally) into a horrible criminal ring and puts herself (unwittingly) in mortal danger. The author skillfully builds the sinister plot against the backdrop of the seemingly idyllic setting of Bath, England accompanied by a brilliant cast of characters. Villains are hidden in plain sight, sending the reader on a marvelous twisting, turning jaunt as the culprits and their motives are unveiled. A charming, witty, and terrifyingly delightful mystery!

[G.P. Gottlieb · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a young teen, I'd have loved this series about a college student who is already out in the world having adventures. Book #2 opens with Maddie and her boyfriend Edward hiking in the countryside around Bath, England. After she stumbles, Maddie sees a naked, dead body with an unusual tattoo. Is it coincidental that Edward has the same one? A kind farmer helps them get back to town, and we meet a cast of intriguing characters - some immediately suspicious, others friendly, but who can Maddie trust aside from Edward? Coincidences start to nag her, and then Edward disappears. She's on her own and her questions might be getting a little too close to the truth.

[Jacqueline Vick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharon Lynn’s fun new adult mystery series continues with the same loveable characters as the first, though some relationships have moved to a different level. When a woman’s body with a unique tattoo is discovered by Maddie McGuire while on a walk through the English countryside, it seems like no more than an unlucky event. But the tentacles of murder reach out an affect those closest to her, leading her to surprising discoveries…and questions. Author Lynn creates a vivid setting for her characters, many of whom are quirky and charming. It’s wonderful to spend time with them again in this second installment. I’m looking forward to the third.

[Colleen Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first introduction to the Cotswold Mysteries and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the unexpected heroine and sleuth Maddie McGuire. The story starts when Maddie discovers a body after falling during a hike along the Cotswold Way. Unable to help herself, she is soon trying to find the murderer while navigating her internship at the Roman Baths. Inevitably, her two lives collide and the story becomes increasingly complex and compelling as she gets closer and closer to the truth. This mystery was fun, entertaining, and Maddie is a refreshing sleuth as she navigates the foreign world of the U.K., the trials of growing up, and her tendency to discover bodies wherever she goes.

[Carlene ONeil · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her latest Cotswold Crimes mystery, author Sharon Lynn takes us on a lively romp through the English countryside, guided by nineteen-year-old Maggie McGuire, an American archaeology intern. Maggie has a talent for finding bodies, much to the chagrin of her love interest, Constable Edward Bailey. This doesn’t stop Maggie from pushing ahead in spite of the danger. Things move quickly in this fast-paced novel. Maggie covers a lot of Cotswold countryside searching for the culprit, and the reader is kept guessing until the end. A great read!

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death Takes a Fall

An American goes to England for her career and her constable boyfriend. While there, she usually ends up wherever she shouldn’t be. Like she is a magnet for trouble. Using things her parents taught her and her own wit (and a lot of luck), she narrowly escapes harm. Working with the police detectives and her friends she starts to put the puzzle together.

#GoodreadsGiveaway

[Liz Muehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an entertaining crime mystery and the second in the series. It had many twists and surprising turns that keep the reader engaged. The storyline was rich and played out with fun characters. I loved the setting of Bath, UK. Having been there I know the author did a great job of researching and writing about Bath. I loved this book and will read all of the series. It transports me back to my wonderful time in Bath.

[Anne Louise Bannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharon Lynn has done it again with Death Takes a Fall, the second in the series. Maddie McGuire is charming, slightly crazy, and uncommonly fun. Loved the twist her relationship with the hunky constable had. Plus the mystery was a good one, with nice turns and a satisfying resolution. A good read that's hard to put down.

[Laurie Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Well-paced and brimming with heart, intelligence, and intricately crafted misdirection, DEATH TAKES A FALL is packed with pulse-pounding twists and heart-stopping turns. Be prepared to stay up late with this fully immersive mystery because it pulls you in and doesn't let go." —Laurie Buchanan, author of the Sean McPherson crime thriller novels

[Laurie Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maddie is one brave, sharp, young woman -- I'll say that much for her. From the startling beginning on a cliff to a troubled archeological dig in Bath and a mysterious medi-spa in a fine manor house, Maddie shows herself to be a true super-sleuth. Toss in a little romance with a cute cop, and you've got a great read!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well that was one interesting resolution to the murder. Initially I thought there was more filler in this story than in the first book in the series, but every bit of information was there for a reason. Lots of twists and turns that held my attention. Very much enjoyed this very entertaining story. Would definitely recommend that you read this series in order.

[Mythical Bookwrym · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maddie has the survival instincts of a gnat.

Honestly, who on earth goes to the farm of the man that's just tried to kill you, and asks the driver to drive you there to get on with his day?

Also, how does one person get into two bad situations in less then a year?

I'm going to have to DNF this series.

[Tracey Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Traveling to England with Maddie McGuire is like a warm scone and a cup of tea with honey. Her discovery of a dead body prompts a series of sleuthing scenarios that will keep you turning pages and rooting for her to discover the truth. An excellent adventure!

[Saralyn Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maddie takes a fall and discovers a dead body, and from that moment on, you won’t take a breath without wanting to be on the page with this ebullient, unassuming, trouble-prone amateur sleuth. Maddie’s adventures are pure delight. I’m thoroughly addicted!

[Tricia Shaffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the this mystery. Sho much happening to Maddie. I was way off track with some of the characters. Enjoyed how it all worked out in the end. I loved her relationship with her landlords. This is a must read!

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really fun mystery set in a beautiful town!

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very fun cozy mystery with delightful characters and great pacing. I really enjoyed the story. I won a copy in a giveaway and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amanda Knoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I haven't read the 1st in the series but did not seem to matter and was fine as a stand alone book. a lot of twists and things that left me guessing in this one.

[May Soeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good story. Didn't see who the killer were untill she did. Very good character building. At times I was holding my breath when Maddy got in a tight situation