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The Murderwell Mysteries #1
A Floof to a Kill
“An Oregon adventure that combines Harry Potter vibes with Miss Marple–type murders and a champion alpaca! A brisk, fun read!” —Kirkus ReviewsWelcome to Maidenwell. Come for the alpaca show. Stay for the murder. The first book in a brand-new series perfect for Richard Osman readers and all fans of utterly delightful and page-turning whodunnits.In one crushing week, Gina Biletti, a 40-something New Yorker, loses her job and signs her divorce papers. Shattered but determined to reboot her life, Gina gratefully accepts her best friend Danielle’s a girls’ weekend escape to the mysterious village of Maidenwell clear across the country.Built by an eccentric tech billionaire in a remote corner of Oregon, Maidenwell is an improbable but picture-perfect replica of a quaint English village. Cobblestone streets, inviting tea shops, vibrant pubs, and an Instagrammable Village Green—Maidenwell’s got it all.As Gina explores the village’s charms, a gathering of wealthy alpaca breeders descends upon Maidenwell, all vying for Florrie, the world’s most valuable alpaca. But when one of the breeders is found dead in her room at the stately Haverford Hall, Gina’s curiosity kick in, and she suspects foul play.The floof flies and soon Gina finds herself embroiled in mysteries, lies, and murder. As the bodies pile up, she realizes that she’s next on the murderer’s list. Can Gina untangle the mysterious strands of this puzzle before the killer strikes again? Or will she end up DOA (dead on alpaca)?Drawing on classic whodunnit vibes with a modern twist, this fast-paced, deliciously witty mystery will enthrall you from start to finish. If you love M.C. Beaton, Frances Evesham, and Agatha Christie, welcome to Maidenwell—or should we say Murderwell...
290 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2023
288 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
B.G. Wood
4 books6 followersHi there! I’m B.G. Wood, author of the Murderwell Mysteries and accidental pioneer of what’s being called the ‘chaos cozy’ mystery genre. (I just wrote what I wanted to read, and apparently that’s a whole thing now!)
The Murderwell Mysteries series is centered around Maidenwell, a charming recreation of an English village in the middle of Oregon. In Maidenwell, the tea is strong, the gossip is stronger, and someone keeps inconveniently dying right when my messy protagonist Gina Biletti is trying to get her life together.
Like Gina, I traded my New York roots for the high desert of Central Oregon, where the growing season lasts approximately fifteen minutes and the occasional judgy alpaca stops by to critique my gardening failures. The whole concept of Maidenwell was born from my love of English villages, discovered during magical trips through the Cotswolds with my dad when I was in my twenties. Those village visits planted the seed for what would eventually become my mystery series.
When not plotting fictional murders (yes, my search history is concerning), you’ll find me exploring local arts festivals, binge-listening to podcasts, or curling up with a good book (and a glass of Oregon Pinot, of course). I am also an avid dog parent (to a rescued chow chow and an insane husky mix) and appreciator of pizza, bagels, and sometimes pizza bagels.
With nine Murderwell Mysteries available, there’s plenty of mayhem to go around.
—BG
P.S. In addition to the stories themselves, I enjoy world building. If you want a behind-the-scenes peek at Maidenwell (as well as a ton of bonus content, free novellas, and more), please visit my website at murderwell dot com.
The Murderwell Mysteries series is centered around Maidenwell, a charming recreation of an English village in the middle of Oregon. In Maidenwell, the tea is strong, the gossip is stronger, and someone keeps inconveniently dying right when my messy protagonist Gina Biletti is trying to get her life together.
Like Gina, I traded my New York roots for the high desert of Central Oregon, where the growing season lasts approximately fifteen minutes and the occasional judgy alpaca stops by to critique my gardening failures. The whole concept of Maidenwell was born from my love of English villages, discovered during magical trips through the Cotswolds with my dad when I was in my twenties. Those village visits planted the seed for what would eventually become my mystery series.
When not plotting fictional murders (yes, my search history is concerning), you’ll find me exploring local arts festivals, binge-listening to podcasts, or curling up with a good book (and a glass of Oregon Pinot, of course). I am also an avid dog parent (to a rescued chow chow and an insane husky mix) and appreciator of pizza, bagels, and sometimes pizza bagels.
With nine Murderwell Mysteries available, there’s plenty of mayhem to go around.
—BG
P.S. In addition to the stories themselves, I enjoy world building. If you want a behind-the-scenes peek at Maidenwell (as well as a ton of bonus content, free novellas, and more), please visit my website at murderwell dot com.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 5, 2024
This was a surprise. Other than a moment of TSTL at the end, the mystery was a good one. A mix of mystery and magic. History and modern clashing together in a model village created by a reclusive billionaire. Gina is a recently divorced, recently fired middle aged woman about to embark on a new adventure.
September 29, 2025
Loved the originality of setting and situation - and laugh-out-loud funny at times!!
March 10, 2024
With the loss of her job and her divorce papers newly signed, Gina Biletti needs a break from her New York life. Enter her best friend, Danielle who skillfully arranges a working holiday in a pseudo-English village-style resort located in Oregon's badlands. Dismayed to learn the resort prohibits technology, Gina is bemused to find that the auction of a rare alpaca is to be held on the grounds. But when the leading contenders are found murdered, and Gina is framed as a killer, all bets are off.
I find the setting fascinating. I can picture the brochure now: "Visit a quaint English village without leaving the comfort of your own country". (As an aside, for Gina, the travel time to either place would be virtually identical.) However, the thought of a closed campus did appeal to me, especially one with the epic proportions of Maidenwell in the story.
Our heroine is charming! I say that with all sincerity. Her husband is a fool to leave such an adorable goofball. Gina is far from perfect, but she's genuine. And fun! Part of her charm was her inherent nosiness, ahem curiosity, which paired nicely with her need to sleuth to save herself from a murder charge. The rest of the characters integrated into the story well, but they were definitely side characters - Gina was the star.
Finally, the title - also adorable. It is also responsible for me wandering around our apartment singing the Duran Duran song with a slight change to the lyrics. It's safe to say I had a good time with this book and am so sad it's over.
A wonderful start to a new series - highly recommended.
I find the setting fascinating. I can picture the brochure now: "Visit a quaint English village without leaving the comfort of your own country". (As an aside, for Gina, the travel time to either place would be virtually identical.) However, the thought of a closed campus did appeal to me, especially one with the epic proportions of Maidenwell in the story.
Our heroine is charming! I say that with all sincerity. Her husband is a fool to leave such an adorable goofball. Gina is far from perfect, but she's genuine. And fun! Part of her charm was her inherent nosiness, ahem curiosity, which paired nicely with her need to sleuth to save herself from a murder charge. The rest of the characters integrated into the story well, but they were definitely side characters - Gina was the star.
Finally, the title - also adorable. It is also responsible for me wandering around our apartment singing the Duran Duran song with a slight change to the lyrics. It's safe to say I had a good time with this book and am so sad it's over.
A wonderful start to a new series - highly recommended.
December 1, 2023
Eccentric billionaire, Matthias Loneskum, has created an authentic English village in Oregon, complete with a palatial estate and carefully vetted residents. Gina Biletti has just been downsized from her market research job and is still reeling from her recent divorce. She agrees to go to Maidenwell with her friend Danielle, who is doing PR for the resort. Little does she know that the trip may just change her life.
Gina and Danielle find themselves at Maidenwell along with a number of alpaca ranchers who are vying to win Frau Loneskum’s prized male alpaca, Florentine. When Vanessa dies from an apparent heart attack, no one is too concerned. When her husband, Stanley, is found murdered the next day, however, things become a bit more complicated. Is there a serial killer loose in this model town? While it’s a PR nightmare for Danielle, Gina sets off to find the truth. But getting too close to the killer puts her life in danger.
A richly detailed story with a meticulously crafted mystery. You feel as if you’re exploring the town with Gina and getting to know the quirky residents. I’m looking forward to more adventures in Murderwell.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Gina and Danielle find themselves at Maidenwell along with a number of alpaca ranchers who are vying to win Frau Loneskum’s prized male alpaca, Florentine. When Vanessa dies from an apparent heart attack, no one is too concerned. When her husband, Stanley, is found murdered the next day, however, things become a bit more complicated. Is there a serial killer loose in this model town? While it’s a PR nightmare for Danielle, Gina sets off to find the truth. But getting too close to the killer puts her life in danger.
A richly detailed story with a meticulously crafted mystery. You feel as if you’re exploring the town with Gina and getting to know the quirky residents. I’m looking forward to more adventures in Murderwell.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 24, 2024
Wonderful Surprise!
B. G. Wood has created a wonderful, magical (not that kind of ‘magic’) world in A Floof to a Kill. Her writing and plotting is fabulous and her characters strong and relatable. I started reading this, expecting your standard cozy mystery and was wonderfully surprised to discover a unique, fun, and intelligent story.
B. G. Wood has created a wonderful, magical (not that kind of ‘magic’) world in A Floof to a Kill. Her writing and plotting is fabulous and her characters strong and relatable. I started reading this, expecting your standard cozy mystery and was wonderfully surprised to discover a unique, fun, and intelligent story.
December 15, 2023
As I have said in other reviews, I don't expect much from my cozy mysteries. With that being said, I really liked this book. I have already purchased the second book in the series.
March 15, 2024
Cleverly written
The wit the author endowed Gina is sharp resulting often in a grin or giggle. This book is engaging. Read it!
The wit the author endowed Gina is sharp resulting often in a grin or giggle. This book is engaging. Read it!
April 21, 2024
Rated PG 15
Suggestive language
Marijuana use
Suggestive language
Marijuana use
September 13, 2025
Poof to Floof
If you are a fan of cozies you will love this book. As cozies go, this is cute, well plotted, and should be a quick read. Full disclosure, I am not drawn to this subgenre of mysteries and the murdered was easy to spot. Occam's Razor which is actually a clue. However I give this a 3 because I just never warmed to Gina Biletti, the heroine of the story. Her humor isn't as amusing as the author thinks it is and at 45 she's too old to be think her juvenile outbursts are clever. Ultimately I'm not sure I will read #2. Finally the book put me to sleep within a few pages so it took a week to read.
If you are a fan of cozies you will love this book. As cozies go, this is cute, well plotted, and should be a quick read. Full disclosure, I am not drawn to this subgenre of mysteries and the murdered was easy to spot. Occam's Razor which is actually a clue. However I give this a 3 because I just never warmed to Gina Biletti, the heroine of the story. Her humor isn't as amusing as the author thinks it is and at 45 she's too old to be think her juvenile outbursts are clever. Ultimately I'm not sure I will read #2. Finally the book put me to sleep within a few pages so it took a week to read.
August 7, 2025
What a fun and intriguing story. I got this as a free read for signing up with my email after reading one of this author's stories (Witchnapped) in an anthology. I was quite pleasantly surprised and enjoyed it more than the anthology story . There are references to the village as being somewhat Harry Potter-esque, but it really just seems like a new, old English style village (which I quite enjoyed). A good series starter!
April 21, 2024
different and cute mystery
This mystery has a different kind of main character: one who drinks too much and indulges in pot. Still it was fun to read even though I figured out the murderer rather quickly.
This mystery has a different kind of main character: one who drinks too much and indulges in pot. Still it was fun to read even though I figured out the murderer rather quickly.
July 15, 2024
At last, a truly original premise for a cozy mystery! Ever so slightly far-fetched, perhaps, but still enjoyable, for all that. The book appeared to be well-researched, as well, in its information about alpacas. If I have any complaint at all, it was in constantly reading about how much the characters were drinking. I realize it's a personal penchant, but the main character, Gina, and all the supporting characters, seemed to swill down alcohol like they were supporting speakeasies during Prohibition. Also, one detail was a bit anachronistic: Berenstein calls the cops "the fuzz" and Gina twits him about Woodstock. Oh, honey! Like me, Berenstein would have been a Joneser, not a Boomer! We missed out on calling the cops "fuzz"; we missed out on Woodstock and Haight Ashbury and LSD and all the other fun stuff of the 60s. All we got was a recession, gas rationing, and plunging hemlines!
Other than that, nothing but praise: well-written, a twisty and entertaining plot with lots of red herrings, an unusual setting--just a good, light read.
Other than that, nothing but praise: well-written, a twisty and entertaining plot with lots of red herrings, an unusual setting--just a good, light read.
November 28, 2023
Engaging combo of classic mystery vibes with a futuristic twist. Gina's life is falling apart with divorce & no job at 45. Her best friend Danielle offers her a mysterious, top secret girl's weekend to Maidenwell, a re-creation of an English village with high-tech updates. An alpaca auction is taking place in Maidenwell at the same time, & murder & mayhem ensue. Looking forward to future books in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 20, 2024
I have never made any secret of the fact of how much I loathe audio books, but this one wouldn't play properly and kept repeating itself. And the narrator was terrible.
The book itself ---- parts of it were REALLY good, and parts of it were just dumb. When Gina gets so upset because she stepped in alpaca poop, I just had to laugh. It's not like it was a big gooey cow pie.
The parts where she got knocked out and had conversations with the alpaca were pretty funny.
Probably would have rated this a "4" if I hadn't gotten so annoyed with the audio.
The book itself ---- parts of it were REALLY good, and parts of it were just dumb. When Gina gets so upset because she stepped in alpaca poop, I just had to laugh. It's not like it was a big gooey cow pie.
The parts where she got knocked out and had conversations with the alpaca were pretty funny.
Probably would have rated this a "4" if I hadn't gotten so annoyed with the audio.
November 14, 2023
Gina, 45, just divorced and jobless. She and her friend Danielle go on a girls’ weekend. Top secret destination Maidenwell, that look like a quaint English village. Someone gets killed and Gina tries to solve the crime. This is such a fun, charming and entertaining story. I loved it and could not stop reading. I’m looking forward to the next story.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and I’m leaving a voluntary and honest review.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and I’m leaving a voluntary and honest review.
May 16, 2025
Ugh… sorry I DNF’ed it.
July 5, 2025
A cut little cozy read. Gina and Danielle go to an auction for a prize alpaca, and murder happens.
September 8, 2025
An entertaining mystery.
September 15, 2025
Meh. Failed to interest me.
October 7, 2025
Murder mystery
A little slow but a decent read. May read the sequel as well . A unique, different setting for sure
A little slow but a decent read. May read the sequel as well . A unique, different setting for sure
October 15, 2025
Great story
Interesting characters. I did figure out who dun it but liked following along to see I was right. Loved the scenery
Interesting characters. I did figure out who dun it but liked following along to see I was right. Loved the scenery
October 27, 2025
The main character's personality is fun, but the nod to developmental disabilities and serious mental health concerns seemed in poor taste, in the way in which it was discussed.
May 25, 2024
Took one star away for unnecessary foul language.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews