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The Somerset Whodunit Mysteries #2
Murder In A Somerset Village
When an amateur sleuth’s pub colleague is bumped off, can she work out who called time at the bar?
Since getting her life back on track after being wrongly accused of murder, Julia Ford is finally realizing her ambition of opening a bookshop in the sleepy English village of Biddle Rhyne. But, best laid plans and all that, things go awry when she stumbles upon the body of Barry, who worked alongside her in the local pub. That another murder has occurred doesn’t take much the knife sticking out of his back strongly suggests it was no accident.
This is just the beginning of a series of strange occurrences including stolen diggers, giant haystacks, haunted playground swings, and human remains that drag Julia, kicking and screaming, into another serious(ish) investigation. Juggling a nascent career in crime-solving with one in bookselling, Julia has a lot on her plate. Can she catch another killer, or was her first case beginner’s luck?
MURDER IN A SOMERSET VILLAGE is the second book in a series of humorous mysteries set in the West Country. Look out for MURDER ON A COUNTRY LANE, the first book.
Since getting her life back on track after being wrongly accused of murder, Julia Ford is finally realizing her ambition of opening a bookshop in the sleepy English village of Biddle Rhyne. But, best laid plans and all that, things go awry when she stumbles upon the body of Barry, who worked alongside her in the local pub. That another murder has occurred doesn’t take much the knife sticking out of his back strongly suggests it was no accident.
This is just the beginning of a series of strange occurrences including stolen diggers, giant haystacks, haunted playground swings, and human remains that drag Julia, kicking and screaming, into another serious(ish) investigation. Juggling a nascent career in crime-solving with one in bookselling, Julia has a lot on her plate. Can she catch another killer, or was her first case beginner’s luck?
MURDER IN A SOMERSET VILLAGE is the second book in a series of humorous mysteries set in the West Country. Look out for MURDER ON A COUNTRY LANE, the first book.
- GenresMystery
220 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 23, 2023
87 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 6, 2025
I Won't Read Any More of the Series
Hadn't read the first book, but enough hints to the plot are laid out that this one can be read as a stand-alone. The story is well-written with no egregious errors in sentence structure, grammar, or spelling. The characters seemed reasonably three-dimensional, although...I'm not certain how to describe it...somewhat scanty? One didn't have a sense of truly getting into their minds or personalities. However, the main character, Julia, just seemed so smugly sure of herself when it came to the investigation--so of course she She's also something of a 20-something utter snot, explaining to the detective (who obviously is far from retirement age), "...you're really old..." No, I won't be reading any more of the series.
Hadn't read the first book, but enough hints to the plot are laid out that this one can be read as a stand-alone. The story is well-written with no egregious errors in sentence structure, grammar, or spelling. The characters seemed reasonably three-dimensional, although...I'm not certain how to describe it...somewhat scanty? One didn't have a sense of truly getting into their minds or personalities. However, the main character, Julia, just seemed so smugly sure of herself when it came to the investigation--so of course she She's also something of a 20-something utter snot, explaining to the detective (who obviously is far from retirement age), "...you're really old..." No, I won't be reading any more of the series.
May 15, 2025
It started okay but....
I enjoyed this book to start with, but got a bit bored, not sure why. Julia Harris works in the local pub but she is intending to open a book shop in the village once she and her boyfriend have completed renovating the old library. (Mostly it seems to be the boyfriend working on it). When a work colleague fails to turn up for his shift at the pub she calls at his home and finds him dead, she starts her own investigation (as you do). Surprisingly, DI Rhys Jones seems happy enough with her input (he is her boyfriend's father after all) and they seem almost to work together, especially as there are other strange happenings going on in the small village. I think I just found it all a bit unbelievable that this would really happen.
I enjoyed this book to start with, but got a bit bored, not sure why. Julia Harris works in the local pub but she is intending to open a book shop in the village once she and her boyfriend have completed renovating the old library. (Mostly it seems to be the boyfriend working on it). When a work colleague fails to turn up for his shift at the pub she calls at his home and finds him dead, she starts her own investigation (as you do). Surprisingly, DI Rhys Jones seems happy enough with her input (he is her boyfriend's father after all) and they seem almost to work together, especially as there are other strange happenings going on in the small village. I think I just found it all a bit unbelievable that this would really happen.
October 23, 2023
Julia Ford is back in the second mystery of this series set in Somerset. I really enjoyed the first one so I was really looking forward to reading it. Both can be read as standalone stories so you don't have to read them in order.
I was not disappointed. I'm loving this series. It's the perfect cozy read, especially at this time of year. The characters are relatable, the mystery is really intriguing – haunted swings! And it's all wrapped up perfectly and told with engaging and easy-to-read prose. Can't wait for more.
I was not disappointed. I'm loving this series. It's the perfect cozy read, especially at this time of year. The characters are relatable, the mystery is really intriguing – haunted swings! And it's all wrapped up perfectly and told with engaging and easy-to-read prose. Can't wait for more.
October 24, 2023
An excellent follow up to Murder on a Country Lane. The slightly neurotic heroine is very enjoyable to follow and the escapades of the small town a delight. Closely observed and funny, this is certainly an author to watch.
October 26, 2023
Another cracking read
The first book was great but somehow this one is even better, the main characters are so vibrant and it is fantastic to see them develop alongside the gripping storyline. I hope the next book is well underway!
The first book was great but somehow this one is even better, the main characters are so vibrant and it is fantastic to see them develop alongside the gripping storyline. I hope the next book is well underway!
October 17, 2023
A great follow up to the author's debut MURDER ON A COUNTRY LANE. A light-hearted and funny mystery with a tidy plot.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews