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The Meadowfield Bookshop Mysteries #1
The Last Draft
Welcome to Meadowfield Bookshop...
Meet Ellie Swift... a bookworm with a history degree stuck at a crossroads.
After putting her degree to work in a TV studio's historical continuity department for years, the studio merges with a giant streaming service and Ellie loses her dream job. She finds herself working in a coffee shop to make ends meet, and while waiting for the perfect opportunity to come along... she gets a phone call informing her that her dear Granny Maggie has broken her hip.
Leaving the city and her coffee shop job behind, Ellie returns to her quaint hometown of Meadowfield to care for her grandmother, but she finds more than just the family's beloved bookshop, Meadowfield Books, in disarray. Granny Maggie's hip was broken during a robbery gone wrong, and the thief—a relative of a deceased local author—is found dead. The item the thief stole? The local author's final manuscript.
While juggling caring for her grandmother and running the failing bookshop, Ellie finds herself in a web of mystery and murder, as she encounters a cast of characters each with a motive for coveting the author's final manuscript. Utilising her passion for history and her old community ties, Ellie untangles a series of clever clues and red herrings. From the financial desperation of the thief's father to the secretive actions of a local historian and antique dealer, the plot thickens when a rival author is also found dead.
With a knack for history and a heart for sleuthing, Ellie uncovers hidden truths, from coveted manuscripts to clandestine motives, but can Ellie's keen insights and tenacity ensure justice is served? And will she find a renewed sense of purpose in her long-forgotten home?
Meet Ellie Swift... a bookworm with a history degree stuck at a crossroads.
After putting her degree to work in a TV studio's historical continuity department for years, the studio merges with a giant streaming service and Ellie loses her dream job. She finds herself working in a coffee shop to make ends meet, and while waiting for the perfect opportunity to come along... she gets a phone call informing her that her dear Granny Maggie has broken her hip.
Leaving the city and her coffee shop job behind, Ellie returns to her quaint hometown of Meadowfield to care for her grandmother, but she finds more than just the family's beloved bookshop, Meadowfield Books, in disarray. Granny Maggie's hip was broken during a robbery gone wrong, and the thief—a relative of a deceased local author—is found dead. The item the thief stole? The local author's final manuscript.
While juggling caring for her grandmother and running the failing bookshop, Ellie finds herself in a web of mystery and murder, as she encounters a cast of characters each with a motive for coveting the author's final manuscript. Utilising her passion for history and her old community ties, Ellie untangles a series of clever clues and red herrings. From the financial desperation of the thief's father to the secretive actions of a local historian and antique dealer, the plot thickens when a rival author is also found dead.
With a knack for history and a heart for sleuthing, Ellie uncovers hidden truths, from coveted manuscripts to clandestine motives, but can Ellie's keen insights and tenacity ensure justice is served? And will she find a renewed sense of purpose in her long-forgotten home?
345 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 23, 2024
1362 people are currently reading
447 people want to read
About the author
Agatha Frost
75 books595 followersAGATHA FROST, an Amazon bestselling author, has written over thirty mystery novels. She lives in the North West English county of Lancashire with her two cuddly beagles and one cat.
When Agatha isn’t writing, she loves reading head-scratching mysteries and thrillers, coffee, baking, and exploring her local countryside on long dog walks.
From a young age, Agatha devoured the great British murder mystery books and television shows, ample inspiration for her Peridale Café and Claire’s Candles series. She loves writing about family women who juggle their ordinary village lives with the challenges of amateur sleuthing.
Add in some good food, close friends and family, cute pets, and plenty of twists and turns, and you have a classic Agatha Frost mystery.
Sign up to the newsletter at www.agathafrost.com
When Agatha isn’t writing, she loves reading head-scratching mysteries and thrillers, coffee, baking, and exploring her local countryside on long dog walks.
From a young age, Agatha devoured the great British murder mystery books and television shows, ample inspiration for her Peridale Café and Claire’s Candles series. She loves writing about family women who juggle their ordinary village lives with the challenges of amateur sleuthing.
Add in some good food, close friends and family, cute pets, and plenty of twists and turns, and you have a classic Agatha Frost mystery.
Sign up to the newsletter at www.agathafrost.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
July 28, 2024
This came close to being a DNF for me multiple times in the early going. But, I've liked other books by the author so persisted. So far, this is my least favorite of the author's cozy mystery series. Our heroine, Ellie, is back to her hometown after being let go as a historical researcher/continuity person for a film company, and quitting her next job as a barista. She's back in her hometown to help her beloved grandmother out running her bookstore. Quickly, a mystery occurs, and of course Ellie hops in to help.
I had trouble getting into the story in the early going, and was put off when one of the seeming clues, a coin with King Offa was discovered. Everyone knowingly comments it's a "Roman coin," and Ellie agrees, and adds on that he ruled in the 700s CE in Britain. Umm, Britain left the Roman empire centuries before that, and the Western Roman Empire (of which Britain was a part), fell in the 5th century CE! So no, it wasn't a Roman coin. Seemingly trivial point? I think not, since Ellie was supposed to be a history whiz, and was employed with the film company to catch historical inacuracies. Oops! Big issue for me.
Overall, I'd give this a C-/C, so just barely three stars. I'll try the next in the series, but hope I like it more right from the beginning.
More about King Offa here (NOT a Roman ruler!):
https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK...
I had trouble getting into the story in the early going, and was put off when one of the seeming clues, a coin with King Offa was discovered. Everyone knowingly comments it's a "Roman coin," and Ellie agrees, and adds on that he ruled in the 700s CE in Britain. Umm, Britain left the Roman empire centuries before that, and the Western Roman Empire (of which Britain was a part), fell in the 5th century CE! So no, it wasn't a Roman coin. Seemingly trivial point? I think not, since Ellie was supposed to be a history whiz, and was employed with the film company to catch historical inacuracies. Oops! Big issue for me.
Overall, I'd give this a C-/C, so just barely three stars. I'll try the next in the series, but hope I like it more right from the beginning.
More about King Offa here (NOT a Roman ruler!):
https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK...
July 28, 2024
Good read
It took me some time to get into the plot. There were so many characters and so different to each other but slowly I got into the plot and really enjoyed it,specially the second half. I liked Oliver a lot and I liked Daniel. I think I will enjoy this series.
It took me some time to get into the plot. There were so many characters and so different to each other but slowly I got into the plot and really enjoyed it,specially the second half. I liked Oliver a lot and I liked Daniel. I think I will enjoy this series.
July 26, 2024
4 stelle un po' stiracchiate (purtroppo)
Ho visto il libro e... mi sono innamorata della copertina! Poi ho letto la trama: libreria e protagonista che è una storica. Mio! Oltrettutto ho già letto altri libri di questa autrice e sapevo cosa aspettarmi. Anzi, all'inizio mi sono un po' meravigliata perché il modo di scrivere mi piaceva di più che nei libri precedenti, ma poi l'autrice ha più volte scambiato i nomi dei personaggi lungo la storia, soprattutto alla fine: direi che manca un editing affidato a una persona e non a un computer, che queste cose non le vede.
Devo dire che anche il fatto di dire che la protagonista sia una storica mi è sembrato quasi una esagerazione: alla fine fine, il suo lavoro dei sogni è stare in TV a evitare che uno parli usando un termine sbagliato o cose simili. Per essere storica vuol dire fare ricerca sui documenti o sui libri! Mah... forse stiamo parlando di due "storie" diverse... Ora che farà la libraia, mi sembra quasi che farà un lavoro più consono a una laurea in storia.
Detto questo, il libro non mi è dispiaciuto, quindi credo che leggerò anche il seguito.
Ho visto il libro e... mi sono innamorata della copertina! Poi ho letto la trama: libreria e protagonista che è una storica. Mio! Oltrettutto ho già letto altri libri di questa autrice e sapevo cosa aspettarmi. Anzi, all'inizio mi sono un po' meravigliata perché il modo di scrivere mi piaceva di più che nei libri precedenti, ma poi l'autrice ha più volte scambiato i nomi dei personaggi lungo la storia, soprattutto alla fine: direi che manca un editing affidato a una persona e non a un computer, che queste cose non le vede.
Devo dire che anche il fatto di dire che la protagonista sia una storica mi è sembrato quasi una esagerazione: alla fine fine, il suo lavoro dei sogni è stare in TV a evitare che uno parli usando un termine sbagliato o cose simili. Per essere storica vuol dire fare ricerca sui documenti o sui libri! Mah... forse stiamo parlando di due "storie" diverse... Ora che farà la libraia, mi sembra quasi che farà un lavoro più consono a una laurea in storia.
Detto questo, il libro non mi è dispiaciuto, quindi credo che leggerò anche il seguito.
Read
December 15, 2024Sadly DNF. I love her Claire’s candles series but this one wasn’t for me
December 22, 2025
Reread (Kindle): overall 3.7 🌟 As expected, without the crappy virtual voice narration, the story is actually GOOD. Never again will I listen to a virtual voice narration.
Story: 3.5 🌟 Virtual Voice Narration: 1 🌟 (Audible Plus Catalog)
I tried. I really did. The story + characters were pretty good, but the virtual voice narration killed it. I pre-loaded the next 2 books in the series, but now I'm going to remove them from my Audible library + look for the series elsewhere.
Story: 3.5 🌟 Virtual Voice Narration: 1 🌟 (Audible Plus Catalog)
I tried. I really did. The story + characters were pretty good, but the virtual voice narration killed it. I pre-loaded the next 2 books in the series, but now I'm going to remove them from my Audible library + look for the series elsewhere.
September 17, 2024
"The Last Draft" is book #1 in "The Meadowfield Bookshop Mystery" by Agatha Frost.
"Welcome to Meadowfield Bookshop...
Meet Ellie Swift... a bookworm with a history degree stuck at a crossroads.
After putting her degree to work in a TV studio's historical continuity department for years, the studio merges with a giant streaming service and Ellie loses her dream job. She finds herself working in a coffee shop to make ends meet, and while waiting for the perfect opportunity to come along... she gets a phone call informing her that her dear Granny Maggie has broken her hip.
Leaving the city and her coffee shop job behind, Ellie returns to her quaint hometown of Meadowfield to care for her grandmother, but she finds more than just the family's beloved bookshop, Meadowfield Books, in disarray. Granny Maggie's hip was broken during a robbery gone wrong, and the thief—a relative of a deceased local author—is found dead. The item the thief stole? The local author's final manuscript.
While juggling caring for her grandmother and running the failing bookshop, Ellie finds herself in a web of mystery and murder, as she encounters a cast of characters each with a motive for coveting the author's final manuscript. Utilising her passion for history and her old community ties, Ellie untangles a series of clever clues and red herrings. From the financial desperation of the thief's father to the secretive actions of a local historian and antique dealer, the plot thickens when a rival author is also found dead.
With a knack for history and a heart for sleuthing, Ellie uncovers hidden truths, from coveted manuscripts to clandestine motives, but can Ellie's keen insights and tenacity ensure justice is served? And will she find a renewed sense of purpose in her long-forgotten home?"
My thoughts:
An interesting cast of characters with all seeming to have long memories and a few secrets, yet most eager to share the town gossip. Ellie had rarely visited since leaving twelves years earlier so as not to visit the memories of her own past.
Though both Ellie and her Granny Maggie seemed to be keeping secrets at times, they worked well together at home, in the bookshop and in trying to solve the clues to the murder and missing manuscript. Settling back into her hometown isn't easy but there are a few people who seem quite willing to welcome her back and let the past be the past.
Ellie's mother, Carolyn rarely sees outside of her own world as an actress trying to revive her career. Her so called "emergencies" and dramatics were pretty much over the top as she "chewed the scenery" in almost all situations. Granted her actions did provide a few chuckles but her overall behaviour gets tired quickly. How Ellie turned out so normal is amazing. Sylvia lives and breathes for the town gossip and isn't afraid to ask questions that are truly none of her business.
The Blackwood family are as unlikable a bunch as you can find. Their inner squabbles turned vicious and only made solving the murder harder. The riddles that had been left by the author to find his "last draft" were complex. It felt like a never ending hunt as each was found and deciphered.
As for who the actual killer was - I had a strong hunch early on. Despite some well placed red herrings and other misdirection, I wasn't surprised at the outcome.
There were some lighter moments and readers can see the beginnings of new friendships and relationships. Hopefully, the characters will continue to grow and evolve in any future books.
Even at 408 pages for the Kindle edition, this was a fairly quick, interesting and entertaining read.
"Welcome to Meadowfield Bookshop...
Meet Ellie Swift... a bookworm with a history degree stuck at a crossroads.
After putting her degree to work in a TV studio's historical continuity department for years, the studio merges with a giant streaming service and Ellie loses her dream job. She finds herself working in a coffee shop to make ends meet, and while waiting for the perfect opportunity to come along... she gets a phone call informing her that her dear Granny Maggie has broken her hip.
Leaving the city and her coffee shop job behind, Ellie returns to her quaint hometown of Meadowfield to care for her grandmother, but she finds more than just the family's beloved bookshop, Meadowfield Books, in disarray. Granny Maggie's hip was broken during a robbery gone wrong, and the thief—a relative of a deceased local author—is found dead. The item the thief stole? The local author's final manuscript.
While juggling caring for her grandmother and running the failing bookshop, Ellie finds herself in a web of mystery and murder, as she encounters a cast of characters each with a motive for coveting the author's final manuscript. Utilising her passion for history and her old community ties, Ellie untangles a series of clever clues and red herrings. From the financial desperation of the thief's father to the secretive actions of a local historian and antique dealer, the plot thickens when a rival author is also found dead.
With a knack for history and a heart for sleuthing, Ellie uncovers hidden truths, from coveted manuscripts to clandestine motives, but can Ellie's keen insights and tenacity ensure justice is served? And will she find a renewed sense of purpose in her long-forgotten home?"
My thoughts:
An interesting cast of characters with all seeming to have long memories and a few secrets, yet most eager to share the town gossip. Ellie had rarely visited since leaving twelves years earlier so as not to visit the memories of her own past.
Though both Ellie and her Granny Maggie seemed to be keeping secrets at times, they worked well together at home, in the bookshop and in trying to solve the clues to the murder and missing manuscript. Settling back into her hometown isn't easy but there are a few people who seem quite willing to welcome her back and let the past be the past.
Ellie's mother, Carolyn rarely sees outside of her own world as an actress trying to revive her career. Her so called "emergencies" and dramatics were pretty much over the top as she "chewed the scenery" in almost all situations. Granted her actions did provide a few chuckles but her overall behaviour gets tired quickly. How Ellie turned out so normal is amazing. Sylvia lives and breathes for the town gossip and isn't afraid to ask questions that are truly none of her business.
The Blackwood family are as unlikable a bunch as you can find. Their inner squabbles turned vicious and only made solving the murder harder. The riddles that had been left by the author to find his "last draft" were complex. It felt like a never ending hunt as each was found and deciphered.
As for who the actual killer was - I had a strong hunch early on. Despite some well placed red herrings and other misdirection, I wasn't surprised at the outcome.
There were some lighter moments and readers can see the beginnings of new friendships and relationships. Hopefully, the characters will continue to grow and evolve in any future books.
Even at 408 pages for the Kindle edition, this was a fairly quick, interesting and entertaining read.
December 26, 2024
A bit odd but with interesting characters and an intriguing mystery.
Amazon synopsis:
Meet Ellie Swan... an introverted bookworm with a history degree stuck at a crossroads. After putting her degree to work in a TV studio's historical continuity department for years, the studio merges with a giant streaming service and Ellie loses her dream job. She finds herself working in a coffee shop to make ends meet, and while waiting for the perfect opportunity to come along... she gets a phone call informing her that her dear Granny Maggie has broken her hip.
Leaving the city and her coffee shop job behind, Ellie returns to her quaint hometown of Meadowfield to care for her grandmother, but she finds more than just the family's beloved bookshop, Meadowfield Books, in disarray. Granny Maggie's hip was broken during a robbery gone wrong, and the thief—a relative of a deceased local author—is found dead. The item the thief stole? The local author's final manuscript.
While juggling caring for her grandmother and running the failing bookshop, Ellie finds herself in a web of mystery and murder, as she encounters a cast of characters each with a motive for coveting the author's final manuscript. Utilizing her passion for history and her old community ties, Ellie untangles a series of clever clues and red herrings. From the financial desperation of the thief's father to the secretive actions of a local historian and antique dealer, the plot thickens when another of the family is also found dead. With a knack for history and a heart for sleuthing, Ellie uncovers hidden truths, from coveted manuscripts to clandestine motives, but can Ellie's keen insights and tenacity ensure justice is served? And will she find a renewed sense of purpose in her long-forgotten home?
Amazon synopsis:
Meet Ellie Swan... an introverted bookworm with a history degree stuck at a crossroads. After putting her degree to work in a TV studio's historical continuity department for years, the studio merges with a giant streaming service and Ellie loses her dream job. She finds herself working in a coffee shop to make ends meet, and while waiting for the perfect opportunity to come along... she gets a phone call informing her that her dear Granny Maggie has broken her hip.
Leaving the city and her coffee shop job behind, Ellie returns to her quaint hometown of Meadowfield to care for her grandmother, but she finds more than just the family's beloved bookshop, Meadowfield Books, in disarray. Granny Maggie's hip was broken during a robbery gone wrong, and the thief—a relative of a deceased local author—is found dead. The item the thief stole? The local author's final manuscript.
While juggling caring for her grandmother and running the failing bookshop, Ellie finds herself in a web of mystery and murder, as she encounters a cast of characters each with a motive for coveting the author's final manuscript. Utilizing her passion for history and her old community ties, Ellie untangles a series of clever clues and red herrings. From the financial desperation of the thief's father to the secretive actions of a local historian and antique dealer, the plot thickens when another of the family is also found dead. With a knack for history and a heart for sleuthing, Ellie uncovers hidden truths, from coveted manuscripts to clandestine motives, but can Ellie's keen insights and tenacity ensure justice is served? And will she find a renewed sense of purpose in her long-forgotten home?
August 13, 2025
Ellie Swan is back in her hometown of Meadowfield, England after her Aunt Penny shows up unexpectedly to bring her back when her Aunt tells her that her beloved Granny Maggie has broken her hip. Ellie is happy to pack up and come back especially since she just quit her job as a barista at The Happy Bean after loosing her job of 10 years a the movie studio she worked for after they merged with another studio.
When Ellie returns to Meadowfield she finds her family bookstore in an alarming state! The next day she and her grandmother find a dead body in the bookstore. Soon Ellie finds herself in the mist of trying to solve riddles that would like to the last draft of local best selling author Edmund Blackwood especially when her Gran has one part of the manuscript that lead to the murder of Edmund's son Thomas. Can Ellie and her Gran solve the riddles and find the rest of the manuscript before the killer strikes again?
I really enjoyed this first book in Agatha Frost's new series. Not only was there a mystery to solve but we learn a lot about Ellie and why she left and how her returning to Meadowfield means she has to face a painful past. There was an interested family dynamic going on also and her mom is a lot.
I did feel that the mystery was great but the book was too long and the reveal and capture could have been wrapped up quicker.
When Ellie returns to Meadowfield she finds her family bookstore in an alarming state! The next day she and her grandmother find a dead body in the bookstore. Soon Ellie finds herself in the mist of trying to solve riddles that would like to the last draft of local best selling author Edmund Blackwood especially when her Gran has one part of the manuscript that lead to the murder of Edmund's son Thomas. Can Ellie and her Gran solve the riddles and find the rest of the manuscript before the killer strikes again?
I really enjoyed this first book in Agatha Frost's new series. Not only was there a mystery to solve but we learn a lot about Ellie and why she left and how her returning to Meadowfield means she has to face a painful past. There was an interested family dynamic going on also and her mom is a lot.
I did feel that the mystery was great but the book was too long and the reveal and capture could have been wrapped up quicker.
March 11, 2025
It took me a while to get into this story, and I thought of not finishing the book several times. I persevered, and by the second half of the book, I quite enjoyed the story. It's a cosy mystery set in Wiltshire and based around a bookshop in the small village of Meadowfield.
Ellie was born in the village and left it after a tradegy in her twenties. She went to university in Cardiff and stayed there until an accident at home brought her back. She's now helping her Gran run the bookshop, which has been in the family for generations.
When someone is killed in the bookshop, a story emerges, which involves an author who lived in the village, his dysfunctional family in the village, and his missing last work. Somehow, Ellie ends up trying to solve the murder, as well as trying to find the authors Last Draft.
Along the way, we find out more about Ellie's life in Meadowfield, why she left, and is she home for good.
I've read other books by this author, namely her Peridale Cafe series. This series seems a little darker but still falls into cosy mystery.
I'm hoping the next book in this series goes a little faster. I'd recommend this book to readers of cosy mystery, and I expect that this series is going to be best read in order of publication.
Ellie was born in the village and left it after a tradegy in her twenties. She went to university in Cardiff and stayed there until an accident at home brought her back. She's now helping her Gran run the bookshop, which has been in the family for generations.
When someone is killed in the bookshop, a story emerges, which involves an author who lived in the village, his dysfunctional family in the village, and his missing last work. Somehow, Ellie ends up trying to solve the murder, as well as trying to find the authors Last Draft.
Along the way, we find out more about Ellie's life in Meadowfield, why she left, and is she home for good.
I've read other books by this author, namely her Peridale Cafe series. This series seems a little darker but still falls into cosy mystery.
I'm hoping the next book in this series goes a little faster. I'd recommend this book to readers of cosy mystery, and I expect that this series is going to be best read in order of publication.
November 4, 2025
Im always looking for a new mystery series to follow, and this book seemed promising, so I gave it a try. The characters were likeable and generally realistic, the plot was a good cozy mystery, but the writing was a bit too clunky. Too much exposition (show, don't tell!), and heavy reminders of the feelings and relationships of the characters. I don't have terribly high standards for cozy mysteries (you can probably tell from my reading list), but I just didn't get pulled into this book, and it felt like a slog. Maybe the author will gain some experience and lighten her hand a bit, but it usually seems to go the opposite way.
July 26, 2024
Puzzling, Scary, and Delightful
I'm delighted with Agatha Frost's new series. The characters are fascinating, like my neighbors, and with such a variety of personalities that it will be entertaining getting to know them. The mystery of the murders is shrouded in a family's history and behaviors - definitely a challenge to solve. The village setting and the manor house are both enchanting and imposing. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to the next. Congratulations on another fabulous success, Agatha.
I'm delighted with Agatha Frost's new series. The characters are fascinating, like my neighbors, and with such a variety of personalities that it will be entertaining getting to know them. The mystery of the murders is shrouded in a family's history and behaviors - definitely a challenge to solve. The village setting and the manor house are both enchanting and imposing. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to the next. Congratulations on another fabulous success, Agatha.
September 10, 2024
The author branded her work perfectly when she deemed it a cozy mystery. I enjoyed reading this book, but the editor failed to correct even the most glaring errors. It was hard to stay engrossed in the story, when every few chapters I would notice a spelling error or a naming mistake.
Examples:
• ”Sylviad hesitate, a hungry…”
• “Historical Continuity Supivisor.”
Aside from these issues, I loved the charming village of Meadowfield and the cast of quirky characters.
3/5 ⭐️
Examples:
• ”Sylviad hesitate, a hungry…”
• “Historical Continuity Supivisor.”
Aside from these issues, I loved the charming village of Meadowfield and the cast of quirky characters.
3/5 ⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2025
The main character has lost her job and returns home to take care of her grandmother and a failing bookshop. It was a little strange about Meadowling people that live in this village. It almost sound like a Harry Potter book with Muggles but this book has no magic or witches just folks born in the village. Ellie also has to live with her past which some folks will remind her about it. It's a little on the slow side of reading. I thought it would pick up but it remained on one path.
July 26, 2024
Promising Beginning
The Last Draft fully delivers on its promise of a twisty, cozy murder mystery, full of intriguing and relatable characters. Its promise was slightly marred by the myriad typographical errors, which repeatedly led me to wonder whether the wrong, unedited file had been uploaded.
The Last Draft fully delivers on its promise of a twisty, cozy murder mystery, full of intriguing and relatable characters. Its promise was slightly marred by the myriad typographical errors, which repeatedly led me to wonder whether the wrong, unedited file had been uploaded.
July 28, 2024
Great beginning to a new series!
I love reading Agatha Frost's books and so excited to see she had a new series. Excellent writing, wonderful characters and a compelling plot with several twists makes a great beginning to this new series. I cannot wait to read the next story to see what mystery these charming characters have to unravel.
I love reading Agatha Frost's books and so excited to see she had a new series. Excellent writing, wonderful characters and a compelling plot with several twists makes a great beginning to this new series. I cannot wait to read the next story to see what mystery these charming characters have to unravel.
August 6, 2024
Enjoyable first book in the Meadowfield Bookshop series by Agatha Frost. It has a complex plot and interesting new characters. I gave it 4 stars because of several errors where character names were swapped, which caused confusion. Hopefully the editing will be better in the coming books in the series. I already pre-ordered the second book.
September 11, 2024
A spectacular beginning of the series
Agatha Frost did not disappoint. The characters are believable, well developed, and this book was truly a page turner. The promise of a new relationship, a challenge of starting over and being home. I just really enjoyed this book and can not wait for the next installment.
Agatha Frost did not disappoint. The characters are believable, well developed, and this book was truly a page turner. The promise of a new relationship, a challenge of starting over and being home. I just really enjoyed this book and can not wait for the next installment.
September 11, 2024
What a fun new series!
Agatha Frost has create another great series, if this first book is any indication…I am hooked. With a good amount of details about the main characters commingled with a mystery and she got her hooks into me with Ellie, Oliver, Daniel, Maggie and the rest of the gang.
Agatha Frost has create another great series, if this first book is any indication…I am hooked. With a good amount of details about the main characters commingled with a mystery and she got her hooks into me with Ellie, Oliver, Daniel, Maggie and the rest of the gang.
November 24, 2024
Great Book
Another good series by Agatha Frost. I have read every book in her Peridale series and I couldn't imagine anything beating that series, but this series holds promise. It started out kind of slow and I almost quit reading it, but I am so glad I kept reading! Highly recommend this book!
Another good series by Agatha Frost. I have read every book in her Peridale series and I couldn't imagine anything beating that series, but this series holds promise. It started out kind of slow and I almost quit reading it, but I am so glad I kept reading! Highly recommend this book!
January 17, 2025
Engaging and Entertaining
"The Last Draft" by Agatha Frost is a refreshing first book in a new series. The story is full of angst but also hope for a bright future for the protagonist. The mystery is compelling and Ms Frost has another winning series for her readers. This is a real page turner. You can't go wrong in giving this book a read.
"The Last Draft" by Agatha Frost is a refreshing first book in a new series. The story is full of angst but also hope for a bright future for the protagonist. The mystery is compelling and Ms Frost has another winning series for her readers. This is a real page turner. You can't go wrong in giving this book a read.
Read
January 25, 2025Thirty-something with failed career moves back home to help grandmother and solves mystery of missing novel. Finds potential love interest in old classmate.
Stayed up late and got up early just to read this.
Can’t wait to read the others but pacing myself in anticipation of the new one coming out in March.
Stayed up late and got up early just to read this.
Can’t wait to read the others but pacing myself in anticipation of the new one coming out in March.
February 3, 2025
Excellent!
By definition this qualifies as a cozy, but in doing so it belittles what a wonderfully crafted classic mystery it really is. Well written, with a finely crafted plot, the characterizations are wonderfully unfolded to a satisfying conclusion. Can’t wait to return to Meadowfield to see what happens next.
By definition this qualifies as a cozy, but in doing so it belittles what a wonderfully crafted classic mystery it really is. Well written, with a finely crafted plot, the characterizations are wonderfully unfolded to a satisfying conclusion. Can’t wait to return to Meadowfield to see what happens next.
March 3, 2025
Cute book
This welcoming book introduces us to a new village in Wiltshire, peppered with fascinating and quirky characters. As with other Agatha Frost books we need an interesting murder to round out the plot. This fascinating murder mystery will fit in quite nicely in the cozy murder mystery group.
This welcoming book introduces us to a new village in Wiltshire, peppered with fascinating and quirky characters. As with other Agatha Frost books we need an interesting murder to round out the plot. This fascinating murder mystery will fit in quite nicely in the cozy murder mystery group.
March 7, 2025
Utterly Captivated!
I'm thoroughly engrossed in this delightful cozy mystery series! The first book has introduced compelling characters that have already captured my interest. Despite any potential challenges, I'm committed to continuing the journey and eagerly anticipating the next installment in the collection.
I'm thoroughly engrossed in this delightful cozy mystery series! The first book has introduced compelling characters that have already captured my interest. Despite any potential challenges, I'm committed to continuing the journey and eagerly anticipating the next installment in the collection.
April 19, 2025
a mirror reveals what you try to conceal
What a story about ego and greed. I came away feeling that Edmund at the end wasn’t much better than his sons. Maybe if he’d helped Anne instead of using her…. But, of course the real gem is Ellie letting go of her guilt and embracing her home and family and possibly romance.
What a story about ego and greed. I came away feeling that Edmund at the end wasn’t much better than his sons. Maybe if he’d helped Anne instead of using her…. But, of course the real gem is Ellie letting go of her guilt and embracing her home and family and possibly romance.
June 17, 2025
The description caught my eye.
Similar to the main character's employment problem,I was made redundant due to corporate buyout and new technology at a local TV station.
Beyond that, I was intrigued by the plot of the book. The interactions of a local family drew in the main character to solve a series of local clues.
Similar to the main character's employment problem,I was made redundant due to corporate buyout and new technology at a local TV station.
Beyond that, I was intrigued by the plot of the book. The interactions of a local family drew in the main character to solve a series of local clues.
July 23, 2024
Wasn’t my cup of tea, at all.
I don’t think this was poorly written, nor did it have a horrible premise. I just did not like the characters, I didn’t find anything interesting about them or their interactions. Just not the book for me.
2.5 stars
I don’t think this was poorly written, nor did it have a horrible premise. I just did not like the characters, I didn’t find anything interesting about them or their interactions. Just not the book for me.
2.5 stars
July 26, 2024
New Series.
When I first started to read this book, I didn't I would like it, but I continue to read and got into Ellie and her family and hometown, it was a match made for me. Thanks Agatha. Really enjoyed this book.
When I first started to read this book, I didn't I would like it, but I continue to read and got into Ellie and her family and hometown, it was a match made for me. Thanks Agatha. Really enjoyed this book.
July 28, 2024
An absolutely delightful first book in a new series.
Anything from this author is always guaranteed to be a great read.
All the hallmarks of a cozy mystery are met & exceeded.
I cannot wait to read the next in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
Anything from this author is always guaranteed to be a great read.
All the hallmarks of a cozy mystery are met & exceeded.
I cannot wait to read the next in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
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