Murder on the Cricket Green

The Martha Miller Mysteries #4

by Catherine Coles

Westleham Village, May 1948

The villagers of Westleham are excited for the first village cricket match since the end of the war. But Martha Miller has more pressing concerns - namely, the sudden reappearance of her husband, Stan, missing for two years and acting as though nothing has happened.

Martha doesn’t know what to feel, especially now that his return threatens her growing fondness for the kind-hearted village vicar, Luke. Yet she’s not the only one unsettled by Stan’s return…

As the match begins and the crowd cheers, Stan suddenly collapses - dead before he hits the ground. And all eyes turn to Martha.

To clear her name, she must uncover the truth about Stan’s missing years and his sudden reappearance. But in a village this small, everyone has something to hide. Will Martha’s amateur sleuthing find the real killer or will she pay the price for someone else’s deadly deed?

Let the investigation commence!

Genres: Cozy Mystery

220 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 5, 2026

About the author

The daughter of a military father, Catherine was born in Germany and lived most of the first 14 years of her life abroad. She spent her school years devouring everything her school library had to offer!

Her favourites were romance and mysteries. Her love for the Nancy Drew books led Catherine to check out every mystery story she could find. She soon found Agatha Christie who quickly became Catherine's favourite author.

Catherine writes cosy mysteries that take place in the English countryside. Her extremely popular Tommy & Evelyn Christie mysteries are set in 1920s North Yorkshire. Her new series, the Martha Miller cosy mysteries, are set in the years following the Second World War in Berkshire.

Catherine lives in northeast England with her two spoiled dogs who have no idea they are not human!

You can connect with Catherine on her website - www.catherinecoles.com

Reviews

[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stan Miller walked out two years ago and just waltzes back into Westleham like he didn’t ghost his wife harder than a man who forgot her birthday, and burned her rations book. I mean. Sir. You can’t disappear in post-war England with a shady solicitor, a questionable moral compass, and a vague “I did it for you” energy, then drop dead mid-cricket and not expect to be the drama. But here we are.

In Murder on the Cricket Green, Martha Miller is already juggling too many things. Her feelings about the ghost-husband-turned-actual-corpse. Her not-so-secret crush on the very proper, very tormented, and very taken aback village vicar, Luke. And now, oh look, a murder investigation where she’s Suspect Number One because, surprise, Stan’s Will is the gift that keeps on implicating. Also her sister’s wedding is, like, next week and we cannot have murder drama overshadowing the dress.

Let me just say: the vibes are pure cozy, but the secrets are soap opera-level messy. We’ve got embezzlement, blackmail, shady pharmacists, long-lost fiancées, and more than one person who might’ve fed Stan to the roses if he hadn’t died so theatrically on the cricket green. And yes, it’s a literal cricket match murder. This is England, darling. Sports are deadly and no one is emotionally available.

Martha is a top-tier cozy heroine because she’s not quirky in a Pinterest way, she’s “I’m exhausted and still solving this murder out of spite and spite alone” kind of girl. Honestly? Mood. Her makeshift girl gang of Ruby and Maud bring real “ladies who investigate with gin and hairpins” energy, and I’d trust them with my life. Or at least my postwar reputation.

But listen. As fun as the setup is, the killer reveal didn’t pop the way I wanted it to. It had the ingredients for emotional devastation or shocking betrayal, but instead we got... a resolution that felt like someone politely folding a napkin after slapping you in the face. It’s fine. It works. But it didn’t make me scream “WHAT?!” into the void, which is what I demand from fictional murders.

That said, I am very invested in Martha finally getting to smooch a certain sad, morally conflicted vicar without worrying about inconvenient husbands, wartime secrets, or Anglican judgment. Give this woman peace. And maybe some better stationery. She deserves both. Solid 3.5 stars, charming, sharp, with that kind of historical coziness where everyone is traumatized but pretending it’s fine over tea.

Whodunity Award: For Making Me Side-Eye Literally Everyone with a Garden

Massive thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC and for dropping me directly into the middle of postwar English chaos where murder is casual, flirting is restrained, and literally no one is emotionally okay. I’m thriving.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. I enjoyed the latest in the series. While it can be read as a standalone, I think that it would be better to read from the beginning of the series in order to fully understand the main characters and their relationships. The mystery, however, is self-contained and there are not any spoilers to the previous books so you could start here and go back and read the earlier books if you wanted to. Martha is surprised when her missing husband, Stan, shows up on her doorstep, ready to set things right. But unfortunately he ends up dead the next day while playing in the first town cricket match since the end of the war. Martha is a prime suspect as she stands to inherit since she is still Stan's wife so she must do her own investigating in order to clear her name. Her sister, Ruby, takes a break from planning her wedding to Ben to help and friend and neighbor, Maud, also lends a hand. The female relationships are one of the reasons why I enjoy this series so much. And, of course, there is the slowly simmering romance with Luke, the local vicar, who is also a suspect in Stan's death. The other suspects include Oliver, the local attorney who had embezzled funds that Stan had meant for Martha after he left, Walter, who had blackmailed Stan into giving him confidential mortgage information from the bank and was one of the reasons that Stan left, and Lavinia, Stan's ex-fiancé before he married Martha who is still hung up on him. Arriving in town with Stan are his friends, brothers Ted and Bernard, who are also suspects. Bernard is a pharmacist who is illegally selling drugs to support his gambling habit. It was clear from the start that Stan and Ted had a romantic relationship and that Stan's sexuality was likely the reason for Walter's blackmail. When Martha is knocked over the head in her own backyard, it is clear that she is getting closer to the truth. Stan was killed with a poisonous plant, a plant that Walter had growing in his garden and one that Bernard would have known was dangerous. But the killer was Lavinia who was upset that Stan never took their relationship as seriously as she did. The mystery was solid with a manageable number of suspects and a satisfying conclusion. Now that Martha is really single maybe her relationship with Luke can fully blossom. I look forward to the next in the series.

[Bok Choy Nomad (Cat-Dan) · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review: Murder on the Cricket Green by Catherine Coles

I’ve been following this series from the beginning, and this instalment delivers another cosy, well‑constructed mystery set against the everyday rhythms of post‑war village life. Westleham in 1948 feels as vivid as ever — the cricket match, the gossip, the small‑town loyalties — all of it creates the perfect backdrop for a murder that hits uncomfortably close to home.

Martha Miller remains such an easy heroine to root for, especially as she’s blindsided by the sudden return of her husband, Stan, after two years missing. His reappearance is unsettling enough, but the way it disrupts the gentle, growing connection she’s been building with the village’s handsome vicar, Luke Walker, adds a thoughtful emotional layer. When Stan collapses dead in front of the entire village, it’s no surprise that suspicion lands on her.

One of my favourite parts of this series continues to be Martha’s sleuthing partnership with her neighbour, Maud — the ultimate “super‑grandma” sidekick. Their teamwork and banter is as delightful as ever, and they carry the investigation with a mix of practicality, intuition, and quiet determination. The mystery itself is tight and well‑paced, and I didn’t land on the culprit until much closer to the end.

If I missed anything, it was Luke’s lack of involvement in the investigation. His dynamic with Martha is one of the reasons I enjoy this series so much, and his reduced presence here left a small gap for me. Given my love of mysteries with a romantic thread, I felt that absence. But now that Martha is a proper widow, I’m hopeful the next book will let their relationship develop more openly — village nosiness and post‑WWII expectations included.

Overall, this is another engaging, atmospheric entry in the series, with a strong mystery and plenty of heart. Fans of cosy historical whodunnits will find a lot to enjoy here.

P.S. I am grateful to the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me an advanced reader’s copy of this story for which I am voluntarily writing this honest review.

P.S. 2: If you liked this, then please check out my other book reviews of stories about strong women and their handsome sidekicks!

[June Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's May, 1948, and everyone seems to have a secret...or many. Westlehan Village is excited to be hosting its first cricket match since the end of the war. As one of the organizers, Martha Miller is focused on making the event a success. That is, until her missing husband Stan shows up at her door after simply vanishing about two years before. Small villages being what they are, Martha had been a target for gossip ever since, some local wags theorizing that Stan's body would eventually be found buried in her garden. But, nope. There he is. Very alive. Alive and well and wanting to talk to her. Seems he's in for a few surprises, too, such as discovering that the money he'd been sending Martha regularly via the local solicitor hadn't been delivered. In fact, Martha had no clue whether he was dead or alive. Unfortunately for Stan, he's really dead not long afterward. His death does little to clear the way for Martha's growing friendship with Luke, the local vicar. You'll learn more about the complications Stan's disappearance created for them and, oh, boy, how times have changed.

But, romance aside, who'd kill the recently returned Stan? True, he had a couple run-ins with locals, including that shady solicitor, but might the secrets of his last two years hold a clue or two as to the guilty party? Could the two gentleman he arrives with, Ted and his pharmacist brother be involved? DI Ben Robinson, about to marry Martha's sister, warns Martha away from the case, of course. Martha, also of course, begins to look into things herself, which, predictably, leads her to trouble. Secrets kept can be dangerous.

No more teasers. Seriously, if you enjoy small town mysteries where the gossip flows quickly but things move a bit more slowly, you'll love this one. Seriously, the characters are likable, even Stan, go figure, and, hey, I can't forget sweet Lizzy the dog. The overall feel is warm and inviting, so don't hesitate to pay a visit to Martha and Westleham Village. Thanks #BoldwoodBooks for introducing me to Martha, Luke, and the rest and giving me this early peek at a major twist in the story.

[Srivalli (Semi-Hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars (rounded up)

One Liner: A quick mystery

Westleham Village, May 1948

Martha Miller doesn’t know what to do when her husband, Stan, who had been missing for two years, returns and acts as if nothing had happened. Her growing fondness for the village vicar, Luke, and her husband’s return put her in a tough spot. However, Stan collapses on the cricketing ground, and everyone is ready to blame Martha.

Now, she has to prove her innocence by finding the killer. If it means digging secrets from her dead husband’s past and that of the villagers, she will do it.

The story comes in Martha’s first-person POV.

My Thoughts

It’s been a while since I read a book from this series. Luckily, I could get into the flow in the first chapter itself.

While it might work as a standalone, I’d recommend reading at least the previous book. That’s because this mystery is a part/continuation of the overarching plot, and you will enjoy it more if you know the backstory and the village dynamics.

Since this is a short book, we don’t waste too much time on infodump. Things move at a steady pace while leaving enough time for readers to empathize with the MC’s situation.

Also, there are quite a few suspects, creating enough doubt for everyone. I admit I initially picked a character who could be unlikely-likely. There was a teeny reveal, which is easy enough to guess.
The mystery is decent. Nothing overly complex or too many twists. Just the type of book to read when you are tired and don’t want to use your grey cells much.

We see the good and not-so-good side of living in villages (and small towns). People can be caring and loving, but super nosy and ready to gossip 24*7. Not really different from the rest of the world, right? ;)

To summarize, Murder on the Cricket Green is a decent addition to the series and an important one too. There will be another book next, so excited to see how things move on from here.

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

#NetGalley #MurderOnTheCricketGreen

[Yvonne Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

This charming postwar cozy mystery series has a story arc involving the unexplained disappearance of the husband of the main character, Martha Miller. In the meantime, Martha and the local vicar have been developing romantic feelings for each other. Given that storyline, it was inevitable that at some point during the series, Martha's husband would end up dead under mysterious circumstances and that she would solve the murder (after all, in the 1940s, if you've been previously married you don't get to marry the vicar if you aren't a respectable widow). This is the book where it happens.

Martha's husband suddenly reappears in the village, clearly with some secrets. Before anything is explained, he gets roped into participating in the first postwar cricket match in the village, and he doesn't survive the experience. Although Martha has developed a reputation in the previous books for solving local murders, this time she's also a suspect since it's assumed that she stands to inherit her husband's estate. She and her group of friends, including the local detective (who just happens to be her sister's fiancé), eventually manage to work it out before the police do. Which, of course, leaves the pathway clear for her and Luke the vicar to finally get together.

Although the overall storyline was predictable, the story itself has some interesting and unseen twists and turns. The reappearance of Martha's family and friends, familiar from previous books, is enhanced by some new characters from her husband's recent past. Ms Coles makes the setting of this series somewhere you'd really like to live (notwithstanding all the murders, of course!), and the 1940s setting is very cozy. Altogether, it's a book well worth reading, and it makes the reader really look forward to the next story.

[Jan Mawdesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder on the Cricket Green is an engrossing cozy murder set in 1948, Westleham, Berkshire when the world was slowly recovering from the effects of the War.
The Villagers are looking forward to a Cricket match against the Winteringham side, and a wedding, that of Ruby to Detective Inspector Ben Robertson. Two events that it was hoped would lift a community still struggling with everyday life.
Societies rules were hard and fast, as Martha Miller had discovered firsthand. Village gossip, founded or otherwise can be dangerous, having been singled out when her husband Stan left to go to work two years prior, never to return.
A knock on her door changes everything she though she knew about Stan, as he has returned, offering an explanation and trying to put past wrongs right. Unsure of what to make of this, as she has long considered herself an independent woman, one who has deep feelings for the local Vicar which are returned, she is flummoxed.
When Oliver Beckwith, the local somewhat underhand local Solicitor, is injured in an altercation, Stan is roped in to make up the Westleham team numbers. He goes into bat and collapses at the crease, dying from what appears to the amateur eye, some form of poison.
Martha, known as a very good amateur Detective decides she needs to try and discover who is responsible for Stan’s death and most importantly why. Recruiting her trusty neighbour Maud, they set about digging deep into Village life. The more they dug, the more astonished they became at what really goes on behind closed doors.
Book four in the Marth Miller Mysteries from Catherine Coles, Murder on the Cricket Green delivers an intriguing, gently old fashioned, thoroughly entertaining murder which sees everyone, including Martha, considered as guilty until they are proven innocent.
A most enjoyable read.

[Meg Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder on the Cricket Green by Catherine Coles is a thoroughly enjoyable cosy mystery that blends village life, gentle suspense, and a strong emotional thread with ease.

This was my first book by Catherine Coles, but it certainly will not be my last. As a long time fan of Agatha Christie style mysteries and someone who enjoys a classic English village setting, this book felt like a perfect fit. The post war backdrop of 1948 adds a lovely sense of atmosphere, and the excitement surrounding the village cricket match provides an ideal setting for murder to strike.

Martha Miller is an engaging and sympathetic main character. When her long missing husband suddenly reappears after two years, only to collapse and die during the cricket match, the story quickly becomes personal as well as mysterious. With suspicion falling on Martha, she is determined to clear her name and uncover the truth. I enjoyed following her investigation and watching the layers of village secrets slowly come to light.

The mystery itself is well paced and kept me turning pages. There are plenty of suspects, believable motives, and just enough twists to keep things interesting without ever feeling complicated. The supporting cast adds warmth and charm, and the village setting feels vivid and lived in.

Overall, this was a very entertaining cosy murder mystery that I read in just two sittings. It is comforting, engaging, and satisfying in the way the best books in this genre are. I would happily recommend it to fans of classic whodunnits and historical cosy crime.

Thanks to Goodwood Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Miki Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Martha's husband has been missing for two years. She has been gossiped about with all the various things that might of happened to him - she killed him and buried him under the vegetable patch is a favourite. But she has dealt with it all and has been getting on with her life despite being left penniless.
A week before her sister's wedding there is a knock on the door and it's Stan, her husband. He explains he has been living in Brighton with some friends and has come back to sort out the financials and is appalled to find out that the money he has been sending to her via the local solicitor hasn't been reaching her. When he confronts the solicitor there is a slight incident and the solicitor ends up with a sprained ankle.
As it's the revived village cricket match the following day, Stan is persuaded to take the solicitors place.
As number eleven it is a while before he is called to the crease and impressed with scoring boundaries on his first balls. Then he collapses reaching for his glove and dies.
One of the Brighton friends, who travelled with him to Berkshire, accuse Martha of killing him to get all his money, she is shocked as she was only aware that he was going to pay off the mortgage and sign the house across to her. Being aware that she is on the list of suspects, she sets out to prove that she didn't commit murder.
This proves both enlightening and dangerous for her.
A quick easy cosy read.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder on the Cricket Green is another delightful addition to the Martha Miller Mysteries, and it delivers exactly what fans of the series love: a picturesque village, a tangle of secrets, and a heroine who always seems to find herself in the middle of trouble.

The 1948 setting feels warm and nostalgic, and the excitement around the first post‑war cricket match gives the story a lovely community buzz. But Catherine Coles wastes no time shaking things up with the sudden return of Martha’s long‑missing husband, Stan — and the emotional tension this creates is just as gripping as the mystery itself. Martha’s confusion, her growing feelings for Luke, and the awkwardness of Stan acting as if nothing happened all add a great layer of character drama.

And then Stan drops dead on the cricket green.

From that moment, the book becomes a classic cozy whodunnit, complete with suspicious villagers, hidden motives, and plenty of red herrings. Martha’s determination to clear her name and uncover the truth makes her easy to root for, and the dynamic between her and Luke continues to be one of the series’ sweetest threads.

It’s light, engaging, and packed with that small‑village charm that makes cozy crime so addictive. Fans of historical mysteries and gentle sleuthing will have a great time with this one.

A fun, comforting read with just the right amount of intrigue.

My thanks to Catherine Coles, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Tracy Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the war having been over for a few years some things are beginning to return to normal in the small village of Westleham, including the restart of regular cricket matches. Martha Miller has been helping organise it, but all plans take a back step when her husband, Stan, missing for two years, turns up unexpectedly on her doorstep to right wrongs done in the past, especially to Martha, but before he can get started the cricket match is thrown into chaos after a player collapses and dies at the crease! With all eyes on Martha she knows she has to intervene but someone doesn't want her anywhere near the investigation and, as the danger increases, with the killer getting more desperate, they set their sights on silencing Martha and leaving the village behind.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Boldwood Books, but the opinions expressed are my own. This is my first visit to Westleham and I loved it. Martha, her sister Ruby, and neighbour Maud, are great main protagonists and the village vicar, Luke, adds a little hesitant romance, or it would if the sensibilities of the late 1940's didn't take precedence! I also really enjoyed the historical aspects of this novel, and will definitely be reading the previous three books before the next new release. An easy 5*, it definitely ticked all my cosy reading boxes.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another really enjoyable entry in the Westleham Village series and a solid fourth book overall. The post-war setting in 1948 continues to be one of the series’ biggest strengths, and the village cricket match was a great backdrop for the mystery to unfold.

Martha remains a fantastic main character — warm, determined, and easy to root for. The sudden return of her husband after two years missing was an intriguing twist right from the start and added plenty of emotional tension, especially with her growing feelings for Luke the village vicar. It made the story feel more layered than just a straightforward murder mystery.

The mystery itself was well-paced and kept me guessing, with lots of village secrets slowly coming to light. As always in a small community, everyone seemed to have something to hide, which made for a satisfying whodunit. I thought the author balanced the cosy village feel with darker undertones really well.

What I enjoyed most, though, was spending time with the familiar cast of characters again. The series does such a good job of building a close-knit village atmosphere where you feel like you know everyone.

Overall, a great continuation of the series with strong characters and a good central mystery. Not my absolute favourite of the series so far, but definitely a solid 4/5 and one I’d recommend to fans of cosy historical crime.

[Moriah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this title from the publisher; all opinions and thoughts are my own. In the very first book of the series, it was revealed that Martha's husband, Stan had just disappeared one day and many in the village believed that she had done him in and buried him in her garden. Two or so years later, Martha has built a life for herself without him. Unfortunately, she's been in a weird spot as not a wife, but not a widow either since there is no body. The book opens with Stan re-appearing with no warning along with two friends from Brighton. He makes it clear that he's there to atone for how he treated Martha during their marriage. During a cricket match, Stan suddenly drops dead from what appears to be poison and there are no shortage of suspects including Martha herself! Marth frantically tries to figure out who the killer is not only to clear her name, but to stop her sister's wedding from being postponed. I love Martha as she is just such a relatable character and it was nice to understand her marriage to Stan better (although I had my suspicions) and see her get some closure on it instead of being stick in limbo as neither a wife nor a widow. I look forward to seeing how she moves forward as a widow of independent means. I definitely hope to read many future titles in the series.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The villagers of Westleham are excited for the first village cricket match since the end of the war. But Martha Miller has more pasing concerns - namely, the sudden reappearance of her husband, Stan, missing for two years and acting like nothing has happened. Martha doesn't know what to feel, especially now that his return threatens her growing fondness for the kind-hearted village vicar, Luke. Yet she's not the only one unsettled by Stan's return. As the match begins and the crowd cheers, Stan suddenly collapses, dead before he hits the ground. And all eyes go to Martha.

May, 1948. Martha Miller is one of the organisers for the first cricket game since the end of the war. Then her husband Stan reappears on er doorstep after being missing for two years.

This is a well-written cosy murder mystery. It's a bit predictable, but I don't mind if the plot is good. The characters are well-portrayed and the pace is steady.

Published 5th February 2026

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #CatherineColes for my ARC of #MurderOnTheCricketGreen in exchange for an honest review.

[Pam Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this fourth in the cozy crime series, you get to find out a lot more about Martha's marriage and sone of the reasons behind Martha's husband's desertion. The community of Westleigh are still there in all their glory, from the village gossips and nosy parkers, to Martha's staunch friends and allies. Martha's sister is keen for her marriage to happen and her fiance finds himself in a tricky position when a murder takes place as it is quite close to home. Warned off by the police, Martha ignores their requests and sets about with her sleuthing. She is totally set on finding out the truth.

This is a reassuring series, with hallmarks of the cozy crime genre and elements reminiscent of an Agatha Christy story. Under the guise of the unassuming mature woman, Martha questions the villagers, exposing the fact that several people have reasons to be involved. There is of course the unmasking to a group of interested parties. As Martha's life moves on, it will be interesting to see if further books are written and where her future will take her.

In short: dark doings in a cozy village
Thanks to the publisher

[Sue Garland · Rating 5 out of 5]

MURDER ON THE CRICKET GREEN is the fourth novel in the Martha Miller Mystery series by CATHERINE COLES. It is the first book I have read by this author and it most certainly will not be the last ! The story takes place in the village of Westleham in England and I really enjoy the setting and the interesting characters.
Martha Miller’s husband is back home after a two year absence, wanting to make amends after succumbing to backmail and helping an unscrupuous man ruin people’s lives. He has barely arrived when he drops down dead whilst playing in the much anticipated first cricket match since the war…….
Martha puts herself in danger as she goes all out to use her sleuthing skills to find the murderer…..
I like the good relationships Martha has with her friends, her neighbur, her sister and the handsomr vicar……
The book is very exciting and I was kept guessing right to the end.
I highly recommend this most enjoyabe cozy murder mystery to anyone who enjoys this genre.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Boldwood Books. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

[Paloma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martha Miller is living her life in the village of Westleham. One day her husband Stan shows up at her doorstep after missing for two years. He let's her know everything about why he left, what he has been up to and why he is here. He soon learns that his solicitor Oliver Beckwith kept all the money that was meant for Martha while Stan was gone. Stan is also back to right some wrongs and pay back Martha all she is owed. But when Stan drops dead in the middle of a cricket game, everything Stan wanted to amend comes to a stop.

This story was full shady characters and their questionable actions. I enjoyed Maud so much. She was such a true friend to Martha. I liked the post war atmosphere and the village itself. This book had characters committing fraud, stealing from the vulnerable, a pharmacist selling medicine for cash and poisoning. They were all a shady mess and I was here for it. A great storyline with so many morally gray characters to pin the murder on.

Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.

[Michael B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the perfect book to read while curled up under a blanket on a cold winter afternoon. The characters are interesting, with a lot of background relationships to work through, making it that much more challenging to pin down the suspect.

This book is the fourth book in the Martha Miller Mystery series. But don’t worry, if you haven’t read the other books in the series, you will be just fine reading this on its own.

Set in the village of Westleham a few years after the end of World War II, Martha finds herself a little too close for comfort to the victim of the murder, her estranged husband. Martha quickly realizes that she is one of the suspects of the murder, and so she must find out who did it to clear her name. It turns out that a number of people have reason to want her husband out of the picture.

I love a good cozy mystery like this. They are fun and satisfying to read, especially after reading something heavier. If you enjoy a good relaxing mystery as well, you will certainly enjoy this book.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, this was quite the surprise!

Here we finally meet Martha’s long lost husband, Stan. He shows back up after a prolonged absence, much to Martha’s surprise and not necessarily to her delight. There are multiple layers to the book, including revelations along the way as to why Stan left and provision that had been made for Martha while he was away that was not forthcoming due to a shady local lawyer. There are also friends who are traveling with Stan upon his return and they along with several others in the village become suspects in crimes, including an attack on Martha. With Ruby’s wedding fast approaching, Martha is determined to get to the bottom of the matters quickly, before a killer possibly gets away. In spite of her own injury and a seeming tangle of clues, she ultimately unravels it all and justice is served. A truly delightful and page turning must read!

[Jane Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first village cricket match since the war is Martha's focus at the start of this book, but events soon overtake her when someone from her past returns unexpectedly. A sudden death forces Martha into an investigation that soon becomes not only personal but dangerous. This book ties up an overriding story that has simmered in the background since the first book in the series. The author evokes the post-war era in the village with subtle reminders of past bombings and the ever-present rationing. Martha is a character you invest in, and you want her to find the happiness that has eluded her in romance. The investigation has many credible suspects and is perhaps Martha's most challenging. I enjoyed the relatable village setting, the twisty mystery and the positive conclusion.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

[K McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can recommend both this book in particular and the entire series of very enjoyable mysteries set in a postwar English village. Martha’s skills at investigating take a very personal turn when her estranged husband turns up, having apparently tried to turn his life around. When he ends up dead during a cricket match, Martha tries to solve the mystery while also dealing with all the personal ramifications of his death, including what it means for her affection for the village vicar. The mystery itself is well done, and there are enjoyable personal developments for both Martha and her sister. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. All views are entirely my own and offered voluntarily.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

*SPOILER ALERT*
If you haven't read the first 3, you might not want to start with this one.
I was sooooo excited to finally find out what happened to Martha's husband, Stan. Lots of backstory on Stan's previous life and the 2 missing years. So glad he intended that Martha not be left destitute. So mad to find out why she was! Poor Stan had no idea that so many people had it in for him when he returned to make things right.
Good news for Martha's friend Ada. Always fun hearing Maud's opinion on everything.
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to finding out what the future holds for Martha (and dog, Lizzie), her sister Ruby and Ruby's husband Ben, and the vicar, Luke.
A wonderful series: long may it continue!

[Jessica Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder on the Cricket Green is the fourth historical mystery in the series but was easy enough to start from this point as I hadn’t read any of the others in the series. Martha is busy living her life and being in love with the local vicar. Out of nowhere, her absentee husband shows up after abandoning her for two years. Trying to right some wrongs, he is trying to help take care of Martha until he drops dead on the cricket green. Now Martha is one of many suspects but she is determined to find a killer and bring him to justice. This book was easy to read and flows pretty quickly. The characters are interesting enough to revisit in future books that I will be adding to my to be read shelf. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

[M.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder on the Cricket Green is the fourth book in the Martha Miller historical cosy mystery series. I've read the previous books in this series, but I don't hink it's necessarily necessary for those looking for a lovely cosy mystery to read (there will be some elements that might no be understood, but they will be quickly picked up).

It's always lovely to spend time with Martha and her allies (and enemies) in this quaint village. This latest book is a delightful, quick read, where we can all play 'guess the murderer' as there are any number of suspects.

Always a sure hit, this story is a light-hearted, fun, quick read. Let's hope it's not too long until we're back with Martha.

[hayley · Rating 3 out of 5]

📱Thank you NetGalley & Boldwood Books for the e-ARC of this book!

This was a cute cozy mystery story, comparable to the Thursday Murder Club series. This is the 4th installment in the Martha Miller Mysteries series. I have not read the previous 3 books but did not feel like I was missing out on any information.

It was a quick, easy read and I enjoyed the characters as they were full of personality. However, I was pretty disappointed with the big reveal and felt like there was an opportunity for a more interesting culprit and motive.

Overall, if you’re in the mood for a mystery without the intensity and drama that thrillers tend to possess, I would recommend this to you.

[Mary C · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the village of Westleham is getting ready for the village's first cricket match, Martha's life is turned upside down when her husband Stan, who left her two years ago, suddenly reappears. Martha will learn the reason he left and will question if that is why he was murdered. Martha is a suspect as she stands to inherit Stan's estate. Not only is Martha determined to prove her innocence, she is also determined that the murder will not impact her sister's upcoming wedding.
Interesting characters, fourth in the series but can be read as a standalone.
#MurderontheCricketGreen #BoldwoodBooks #NetGalley

[Sree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Murder on the Cricket Green started off strong, with an interesting murder mystery plot. However as the book progressed I found the events to be extremely mundane. Martha’s sleuthing primarily consisted of just conversation, and it got repetitive at around the 60% mark. I would have enjoyed it a lot more if it was an active investigation, with her finding clues which would have increased tension and improved pacing.

If you’re looking for a cozy mystery with small town vibes, I’d recommend this book but the pacing was slow in some areas.

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder on the Cricket Green in a cozy village in post-WWII England. Martha’s husband left for work two years ago and never returned and Martha has made a life for herself, solving a few crimes along the way. This is the fourth in the series and I haven’t read the first three, but I had no trouble settling right into the story, the characters, and the setting. This was a very entertaining mystery, with several very suspicious characters and possible red herrings. Martha and her friends are very down-to-earth and relatable, which I enjoyed. I plan to go back and read the first three in this wonderful series.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Roberta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed all the previous books in the Martha Miller series, so I was thrilled to get my hands on Murder on the Cricket Green.

This was another excellent mystery. There was a plethora of suspects with the motive, and I didn’t guess the culprit before the big reveal.

It was lovely to come back to a set of characters that feel like old friends, and a setting that I like. I really enjoy the people who now support Martha, and the way she’s coming out of her shell.

Overall, this was a puzzling mystery, with great characters. I recommend the whole series.

I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice cosy mystery set in a post-war English village. Martha is married, but Stan walked out two years previously to go to his job in London and hasn’t been seen since. On the day before the cricket match, Stan shows up on Martha’s doorstep, he says he is back to right wrongs, but before he can he is killed whilst standing in for one of the village cricket team.
Martha is determined to find out who did it, even though warned off by the police, as she does not want anything to stop her sister’s wedding.
A really good read with plenty of suspects, including the vicar. My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc