Village Politics Can Be Murder

Dorothy Martin #26

by Jeanne M. Dams

A trip to the Lake District proves to be anything but idyllic when Dorothy and Alan investigate a mysterious death.

Dorothy Martin and her husband, retired chief constable Alan Nesbitt, jump at the chance to holiday in the beautiful Lake District when Alan's old friend, Christopher Prideaux, invites them to visit him in Grasmere.

A party at Christopher's cottage is the perfect way to meet the locals, but one stands out - accountant Donald Atkinson, an egoist hoping to become a politician, clearly isn't popular among his fellow villagers. When he's found mysteriously dead during the Fell Race, could his demise be due to a sudden, fatal medical emergency, or was it murder? Dorothy and Alan find themselves catapulted into a disturbing case that will lead them back in time, and to a terrible, scandalous secret that someone is determined to keep hidden.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

212 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 4, 2024

About the author

Jeanne M. Dams lives in South Bend, Indiana. The Body in the Transept, which introduced Dorothy Martin, won the Agatha Award for Best First Novel. Dams is also the author of Green Grow the Victims and other Hilda Johansson mysteries published by Walker & Company.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Village Politics Can Be Murder is the 26th book in this cozy mystery series set in various locations in England, this time the Lake District home to William Wordsworth. I enjoy reading this series when I’m in the mood for an Agatha Christie style mystery featuring an American woman and her ex-policeman British husband. This book checks all the boxes of a classic cozy mystery including a murder that takes place “off page”, well developed characters, and descriptions of British life.

[Alyce Gibson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers, Severn House, for an eARC of this novel in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

This is the 26th novel featuring Dorothy Martin and her husband, former Chief Constable Alan Nesbitt. Dorothy is a retired American schoolteacher living in the UK with her British husband Alan. Alan is recently retired from his position as Chief Constable and has many friends and connections retired and still serving in the UK police services. One of those, Christopher Prideaux, lives in the Lake District and has invited Dorothy and Alan for a weekend. But no weekend away for Dorothy is complete without a murder. It just so happens the victim was introduced to Dorothy and Alan at a drinks party held by Christopher. The victim was arrogant, egotistical, a womanizer, and held political ambitions. There are more than a few suspects.

These are such well written cozies. Dorothy and Alan are my kind of people, and I'd just love to meet them at a drinks party. Dorothy susses out the inner workings of village life using a mix of schoolmarm firmness and American directness. Alan approaches the puzzles through his connections and his reliance on traditional police work. The entire series is very good. While I really enjoyed this book I found the ending rushed and I'm not sure I'm entirely on board with who the murderer was. For that reason I'm giving it a 3 out of 5 stars, however I really do recommend the series and you should start as early on in it as possible.

[Gerri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the series that first got me interested in the British cozy mystery genre. Written by an American with a main character of a retired, widowed American woman living in England when the series begins. This is the 26th book in the series but can definitely be read and enjoyed as a stand alone. The characters and setting always have a major role in these mysteries. This one gives us a glimpse of the beautiful Lakes District in northern England. I like the perspective that she brings as an American (now UK citizen) living in England. There’s usually some humor involved, maybe a bit less in this one.
The mystery kept you guessing. Although I felt that they had made many judgements based on a limited meeting with the victim. The murder happens early on and the rest of the book is devoted to Dorothy and her husband, trying to help solve it. I felt that it perhaps concluded a bit abruptly after the extensive search for a killer and evidence. It was an enjoyable read and I plan to read the others that I have missed in this series. The series feels like a mini vacation to different parts of England and occasionally other parts of Europe. It’s a nice light read for the summer or to cozy up around the fire in the winter.
#villagepoliticscanbemurder #netgalley

[Scilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dorothy and Alan have been invited to visit Grasmere in the Lake district by Alan's former police friend Christopher. They decide to drive there and book a room at the Inn at Grasmere. The first full day they do a local tour and attend a party at Christopher's home. Dorothy meets an American woman, Ruth, who has recently moved to Grasmere. When Donald and Sarah arrive, no one seems to want to talk with Donald, a politician, and seems to be disliked by everyone, but Ruth says Sarah is her best friend.

On Sunday after church they go to sports day. The final activity is a race for seniors. They see Donald take off at the front of a large group of runners, but when everyone else has returned, Donald has not. Alan and Christopher go to gather a search group, and finally find him fallen on his face dead and off the track. After the autopsy, they find that there was nitroglycerine in the sun ointment Donald had applied which had seriously lowered his blood pressure. Now Dorothy and Alan with Christopher's help have a murder case to solve. It appears that Donald had very few friends, and was very controlling with his wife Sarah, although she appears to be the only person who loved him.

The book is very well written, and keeps the interest of the reader. I thank Netgally and Severn House for an ARC so that I could read the book before publication.

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dorothy and her retired police husband Alan are visiting Alan’s old friend in the Lake District. Invited to a party, they find everyone is friendly, except for one man whom it was obvious that no one liked. He is arrogant, conceited, and verbally and emotionally abusive to his wife. His death at a running event is originally considered a natural death, but it soon becomes clear that he was murdered. The problem is that there are so many suspects. He also was skimming money from his clients. Was he killed for his abuse, for money, or some other reason?
This is a fun cozy mystery and I like Dorothy and Alan’s characters. They may be older and not able to physically do as much as when they were younger, but they cope and are quite capable. The Lake District was a beautiful setting. I enjoyed this story and continue to enjoy Dorothy’s exploits.
Thank you to Severn House and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeanne Dams is the author of my go-to comfort reads, the Dorothy Martin cozy mysteries. In this 26th installment, she does not disappoint.

As is often the case, Dorothy and Alan, her retired police Chief Constable husband, venture off on a vacation, this time to visit Alan's old friend, Christopher Prideaux, who lives in the Lake District Home of William Wordsworth.

Also, as is always the case, when Dorothy and Alan travel, there's a murder and they both get involved in solving it. Here, the murder is of an annoying politician during a Fell race.

Featuring an extremely clever method of murder and the interactions of Dorothy and Alan with the locals, this is another outstanding installment in this long-running cozy series.

Highly recommended to cozy mystery fans!!

[Marlene · Rating 2 out of 5]

by Jeanne M. Dams
Pub Date: Jun 04 2024
Review by
Marlene K, Librarian
Last updated on May 25 2024
This is number 26 in the series. Alan and Dorothy have been invited to spend time in the Lake District with a former police colleague of Alan's. At a drinks party they have a brief encounter with Donald Atkinson, who is aspiring to run for a political seat. Dorothy takes an immediate dislike to him and feels sorry for his meek wife. When Atkinson dies during race Dorothy and Alan "help" the local police solve the case. I think perhaps Dorothy needs to retire from crime solving. This case was uninteresting and a bit of a slog. There are endless meals and lots of bourbon drinking all leading to a rushed ending. Thanks to Netgalley and Severn House for the ARC.

[Daria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dorothy and Alan are visiting an old police friend of Alan's when they get roped into helping solve a murder. Fortunately the victim was universally despised so there are a lot of suspects. This is a classic cozy set in a British village with a lot of charm. The plot got a bit bogged down with little progress for several chapters, but justice is suitably provided at the end. Thanks to Severn House and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Latest in a cozy series set in the UK featuring expat American Dorothy Martin and her second husband, a retired policeman. Off on holiday in the Lake District they are once again drawn into a local mysterious death and spend a lot of time eating and drinking as they snoop about a man disliked pretty much universally, making the number of suspects rather large. Easy read, free ebook from the library.

[Gwenn Wright]

In the traditional of a Golden Age mystery. There is very little in terms of action, zero danger. Honestly, it left me completely bored for about 75% and then somehow Dorothy and Alan were suddenly as familiar as my aunt and uncle and I wanted to spend time with them. If you’re looking for a quintessentially cozy cozy-mystery, this won’t disappoint. It’s all very flat but somehow I wound up enjoying it in the end. I’m very confused by my own feelings about this one, but there it is.

[Becky Tatar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay English cozy. Ex pat Dorothy Martin, and her husband, retired chief constable, Alan Nesbitt are on vacation in England's Lake District, meeting up with a former colleague of Alan's. And murder comes into play, when an obnoxious wanna be politician is murdered during a local games day. All the stereotypical small English village norms are brought into play, and the ending is anticlimatic.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dorothy Martin's mysteries are always a pleasant and entertaining read. I prefer those set in thier village but like them notheless.
A well plotted and solid plot the kept me guessing, I'm delighted to catch up with the pleasant and well-developed characters of this series
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Belinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one felt a bit too long.

Read Dorothy Martin numbers 25 and 26 nearly back-to-back. This one seemed to drag in parts. Not sure it needed to be 264 pages. Could have done with more editing, I think. Still, I was so very glad that it wasn’t political as the title suggested. Just good old Dorothy and Alan doing their best to help out the police in another mystery. 3-stars.

[Sandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not her usual fare.

The story dragged on with a chapter relaying everything in the previous chapter, either her to him or vice versa. When the build up came at 98% done, it was over in an instant for a most unsatisfying anticlimactic ending.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Dorothy Martin series and the latest installment did not disappoint. Dorothy and Alan visit a friend in the Lake District and, of course, get involved in solving a murder. Lots of interesting characters and enjoyable until the end.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in the Dorothy Martin series. This one finds her and husband Alan visiting an old friend in Grasmere and falling into another murder investigation. Poisoning, blackmail, mental abuse, this book had it all. Can’t wait for the next!

[Rowena Onions · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me a difficult book to rate! 5 stars for the 'soap opera' aspect... I love the main characters! 3 stars for the plot which is weak, especially at the unbelieveable catching up with the murderer. 1 star for any successful attempt to check accuracy about British life!

[Catherine D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great story in the series

I really enjoyed the read. One of my all time favorite cosy mystery series. Hope for another book in the future.

[Marcia McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is #26 in a series about Dorothy Martin but the first one is read. I'm hooked and am going to start with the first one. Love finding a new author of mysteries to binge read.

[Kyle Fisher · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be 3.5 stars. The premise was interesting. However the solution, a guess by Alan and Dorothy, was a stretch.

[John Sargent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. I did think the ending can a little too fast

[Julie White · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much about eating, drinking
and sleeping. Not impressed with the ending.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great cosy whodunnit from an excellent series. The pace of the story slipped a bit at the end but was otherwise complex, engaging & overall well executed!

[Lia Marcoux · Rating 1 out of 5]

Listen, if you're looking for a pleasantly boring travelogue where you meet a murderer briefly at a party: you got it!

[Lavender · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A retired couple go on a trip and become entangled in a mystery.