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A Poppy Mystery Tale #4
Poppy's Christmas Cracker
** COSY CRIME WITH A BITE FROM MILLION-COPY-SELLING AUTHOR LEIGH RUSSELL **
A French patisserie opens in the village of Ashton Mead in time for Christmas. Local residents are pleased but Hannah, owner of the Sunshine Tea Shoppe, feels threatened by the competition.
When the owner of the patisserie is killed, Hannah is suspected of murdering her business rival. Her friend, Emily, is determined to clear Hannah's name. She seems to be facing an impossible task... until her little dog Poppy makes a surprising discovery.
A French patisserie opens in the village of Ashton Mead in time for Christmas. Local residents are pleased but Hannah, owner of the Sunshine Tea Shoppe, feels threatened by the competition.
When the owner of the patisserie is killed, Hannah is suspected of murdering her business rival. Her friend, Emily, is determined to clear Hannah's name. She seems to be facing an impossible task... until her little dog Poppy makes a surprising discovery.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 5, 2024
5 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Leigh Russell
70 books335 followersLeigh Russell has sold over a million books in her Geraldine Steel series of crime novels. Published in English and in translation throughout Europe and in China, the Geraldine Steel titles have appeared on many bestseller lists, including #1 on kindle. Leigh's work has been nominated for several major awards, including the CWA New Blood Dagger and CWA Dagger in the Library.
Leigh has also written a trilogy featuring Lucy Hall, set in the Seychelles, Paris and Rome, and two standalone psychological thrillers.
Leigh serves on the board of the Crime Writers Association and chairs the judges for the prestigious CWA Debut Dagger Award.
She is represented by Bill Goodall.
Leigh has also written a trilogy featuring Lucy Hall, set in the Seychelles, Paris and Rome, and two standalone psychological thrillers.
Leigh serves on the board of the Crime Writers Association and chairs the judges for the prestigious CWA Debut Dagger Award.
She is represented by Bill Goodall.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 4, 2024
"cosy crime with a bite"
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What's it about?
When a French patisserie owner is found murdered in Ashton Mead, suspicion falls on Hannah, the owner of a rival tea shop. Determined to prove her friend's innocence, Emily investigates, uncovering a vital clue thanks to her clever dog, Poppy.
My thoughts:
- 2.5 ⭐️ read
- it was a very easy read with a simple plot
- lovely cosy setting with a dog so I was here for that
- maybe more a cosy crime read for those new to the genre
- I read a lot of cosy crime reads and this one was just okay
- some of the romance wasn't for me
- The plot reveal I guessed early on which is not usual for me.
AD/PR product
What's it about?
When a French patisserie owner is found murdered in Ashton Mead, suspicion falls on Hannah, the owner of a rival tea shop. Determined to prove her friend's innocence, Emily investigates, uncovering a vital clue thanks to her clever dog, Poppy.
My thoughts:
- 2.5 ⭐️ read
- it was a very easy read with a simple plot
- lovely cosy setting with a dog so I was here for that
- maybe more a cosy crime read for those new to the genre
- I read a lot of cosy crime reads and this one was just okay
- some of the romance wasn't for me
- The plot reveal I guessed early on which is not usual for me.
December 21, 2024
3.5 stars
October 4, 2025
It took far too long to get to the murder. I also found the main character so annoying. Her dog repeatedly barked when she came into contact with the killer and yet she kept ignoring her dog even though she said she never barked at anyone else! And going into the house when her dog continued to bark and growl was just stupid!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2024
This is the fourth outing for Poppy, the adorable crossbreed terrier and her owner Emily. Emily inherited a house, in the beautiful country village of Ashmead, when her great auntie died. with the condition she adopted Poppy,
Emily works as a waitress in village’s popular, Sunshine Café, owned by her best friend, and brilliant baker Hannah.
In this unputdownable story, a French Patisserie has newly opened in the village. The problem being,it is opposite the busy Sunshine Café. To further complicate, and cause bad feeling between Hannah and Emily, Emily has fallen for and has started dating Niles, the handsome waiter at the French café.
The Sunshine cafe is now losing trade where the French patisserie is thriving.
When the owner of the patisserie, Desiree, is found dead, having fallen out a window, and suspected having being pushed, Hannah is arrested and charged with her murder. She had been overheard by many villagers saying bad things about Desiree, and further witnesses have come forward to report overhearing a row between the two women. To complicate further, Hannah has no alibi.
Christmas plans in Hannah’s café involving all the lone villagers and friends are now on hold, and the café is closed.
Now Emily, along with her close village friends, go on a mission to prove Hannah’s innocence.
Next, our hero dog Poppy discovers something of vital importance that turns the case on its head, leaving Emily wondering who her real friends are.
This, as one would expect from the pen of Leigh Russell, is an extremely well-crafted mystery. Add to that clear and colourfully drawn characters, and top that with a cracker of a dog for becoming Santa Paws and saving Christmas in the village of Ashton-Mead.
I read this story in one sitting. I couldn’t put it down. Five stars for Leigh Russell and a big turkey dinner for Poppy.
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Reviewer: Linda Regan
For Lizzie Sirett (Mystery People Group)
Emily works as a waitress in village’s popular, Sunshine Café, owned by her best friend, and brilliant baker Hannah.
In this unputdownable story, a French Patisserie has newly opened in the village. The problem being,it is opposite the busy Sunshine Café. To further complicate, and cause bad feeling between Hannah and Emily, Emily has fallen for and has started dating Niles, the handsome waiter at the French café.
The Sunshine cafe is now losing trade where the French patisserie is thriving.
When the owner of the patisserie, Desiree, is found dead, having fallen out a window, and suspected having being pushed, Hannah is arrested and charged with her murder. She had been overheard by many villagers saying bad things about Desiree, and further witnesses have come forward to report overhearing a row between the two women. To complicate further, Hannah has no alibi.
Christmas plans in Hannah’s café involving all the lone villagers and friends are now on hold, and the café is closed.
Now Emily, along with her close village friends, go on a mission to prove Hannah’s innocence.
Next, our hero dog Poppy discovers something of vital importance that turns the case on its head, leaving Emily wondering who her real friends are.
This, as one would expect from the pen of Leigh Russell, is an extremely well-crafted mystery. Add to that clear and colourfully drawn characters, and top that with a cracker of a dog for becoming Santa Paws and saving Christmas in the village of Ashton-Mead.
I read this story in one sitting. I couldn’t put it down. Five stars for Leigh Russell and a big turkey dinner for Poppy.
------
Reviewer: Linda Regan
For Lizzie Sirett (Mystery People Group)
December 6, 2024
This is the fourth Poppy Mystery in the series, but the books can all stand perfectly well alone, with enough information provided to catch up a newcomer without bogging down a returning reader. Once you’ve met Poppy, though, you will definitely want to catch up on all of her antics – she’s one of the cleverest and cutest little dogs in crime fiction!
For this adventure, Emily and Poppy are yet again keeping busy on all fronts, as Emily cautiously explores the idea of dating again, helps to keep two businesses she doesn’t own afloat, and stumbles upon yet another dead body that obviously needs investigation. Unluckily for her – but fun for us readers – Emily is somewhat prone to mishaps, misunderstandings and general muddling, so it’s a good job she has her incredibly competent canine sidekick to help out. If only she listened to her once in a while!
I really enjoy these light, easy-to-read village mysteries and particularly enjoyed it being Hannah’s turn in the hotseat this time round after her lack of support for Emily in Poppy Takes the Lead. I did find the mystery side of the plot a little easier to guess this time around than in previous outings, and struggled to keep up with Emily’s terribly fickle romantic feelings, but the festive vibes were warm and cosy, and Poppy is adorable, so I turned the last page with a pleasant seasonal glow.
If you like your human main characters hopelessly outmatched by their pets, and are in the mood for some light festive murder, then this is the quick cosy mystery read for you!
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
For this adventure, Emily and Poppy are yet again keeping busy on all fronts, as Emily cautiously explores the idea of dating again, helps to keep two businesses she doesn’t own afloat, and stumbles upon yet another dead body that obviously needs investigation. Unluckily for her – but fun for us readers – Emily is somewhat prone to mishaps, misunderstandings and general muddling, so it’s a good job she has her incredibly competent canine sidekick to help out. If only she listened to her once in a while!
I really enjoy these light, easy-to-read village mysteries and particularly enjoyed it being Hannah’s turn in the hotseat this time round after her lack of support for Emily in Poppy Takes the Lead. I did find the mystery side of the plot a little easier to guess this time around than in previous outings, and struggled to keep up with Emily’s terribly fickle romantic feelings, but the festive vibes were warm and cosy, and Poppy is adorable, so I turned the last page with a pleasant seasonal glow.
If you like your human main characters hopelessly outmatched by their pets, and are in the mood for some light festive murder, then this is the quick cosy mystery read for you!
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
January 11, 2026
The bon-bons weren't the only thing on crack in this one. I don't know if deadlines loomed, but by the third act the book ceases to make sense. Characters are no longer recognisable and their motivation seems comparable to a 12-year-old's understanding of grown ups. Maybe there's some greater metaphor being explored about our essential disintegration as a human being the closer we get to Christmas, but if so, it was too subtle for me and I was just confused.
There is a point where a character disappears. And I promise you, in the context of that scene in real life, it could not happen. If you were in a room and there was only one person in the room whose whereabouts it was vital to keep track of, you wouldn't just stop paying attention. I'm talking a room of reasonable proportions not overly packed with anything to stop you seeing a person. Think of it this way. You and I are sitting down in a cafe having a coffee. How reasonable is it that you get up and leave without me noticing? If you disappeared from that scenario, I would be astonished. I would stand all amazed.
No-one is even particularly bothered.
That's when the book lost me. Some other stuff happened and honestly if everyone just paid attention to the dog whose character remained consistent throughout, all mysteries would be mysteries no longer, but I guess you wouldn't have a book. So this is a book of people paying no attention and making every possible bad decision. If this sounds like your life and you'd like some company at Christmas, have at it.
There is a point where a character disappears. And I promise you, in the context of that scene in real life, it could not happen. If you were in a room and there was only one person in the room whose whereabouts it was vital to keep track of, you wouldn't just stop paying attention. I'm talking a room of reasonable proportions not overly packed with anything to stop you seeing a person. Think of it this way. You and I are sitting down in a cafe having a coffee. How reasonable is it that you get up and leave without me noticing? If you disappeared from that scenario, I would be astonished. I would stand all amazed.
No-one is even particularly bothered.
That's when the book lost me. Some other stuff happened and honestly if everyone just paid attention to the dog whose character remained consistent throughout, all mysteries would be mysteries no longer, but I guess you wouldn't have a book. So this is a book of people paying no attention and making every possible bad decision. If this sounds like your life and you'd like some company at Christmas, have at it.
November 11, 2024
A new French patisserie is opening in the village of Ashton Mead in time for Christmas. Local residents are pleased but Hannah, owner of the Sunshine Tea Shoppe, feels threatened by the competition.
When the owner of the patisserie is killed, Hannah is suspected of murdering her business rival. Her friend, Emily, is determined to clear Hannah's name. She seems to be facing an impossible task... until her little dog Poppy makes a surprising discovery.
This is the fourth and latest title in Leigh Russell's series, The Poppy Mystery Tales, featuring Poppy the dog, (a Jack Russell and ShihTzu cross, in case you're wondering!).
It's a cosy crime novel with festive season vibes, featuring distinctly unseasonal goings on at the newly opened French Patisserie, and all I'll say to avoid spoilers, is thank heavens to Betsy that our wee Poppy has more gumption and people reading skills than her clueless owner, Emily!
I very quickly worked out "who dunnit", in this exceptionally light, quick read of a cosy crime novel. If you can forgive more telling than showing, and quite under-developed plot and characters, but you love a dog with lots of smarts, then Poppy could be your girl.
1.75 stars rounded up to 2.
When the owner of the patisserie is killed, Hannah is suspected of murdering her business rival. Her friend, Emily, is determined to clear Hannah's name. She seems to be facing an impossible task... until her little dog Poppy makes a surprising discovery.
This is the fourth and latest title in Leigh Russell's series, The Poppy Mystery Tales, featuring Poppy the dog, (a Jack Russell and ShihTzu cross, in case you're wondering!).
It's a cosy crime novel with festive season vibes, featuring distinctly unseasonal goings on at the newly opened French Patisserie, and all I'll say to avoid spoilers, is thank heavens to Betsy that our wee Poppy has more gumption and people reading skills than her clueless owner, Emily!
I very quickly worked out "who dunnit", in this exceptionally light, quick read of a cosy crime novel. If you can forgive more telling than showing, and quite under-developed plot and characters, but you love a dog with lots of smarts, then Poppy could be your girl.
1.75 stars rounded up to 2.
September 8, 2024
It's running up to Christmas in Ashton Mead. Hannah, owner of the Sunshine Tea Shoppe, and Emily are decorating the shop for the holiday. It's one of the busiest times of year, or it's supposed to be. Unfortunately for Hannah, a A French patisserie opens in direct competition to her old-fashioned tea room. It's a disaster for Hannah and her business. Emily and her little dog Poppy have to do what they can to help find a way to cope with the opposition. However, when the owner of the other shop is killed, Hannah is, of course, the prime suspect. Emily's focus has to shift from saving the business to proving her innocence by finding the real killer.
The book has a lot of holiday atmosphere and I like most of the characters. However, let me just say, if your dog hates your new boyfriend, pay attention! Poppy is the star of the show.
Over all it's an entertaining book with lots of good detail, but I really disliked how blinded by infatuation Emily was. Thus I'm giving it 3 stars rather than the 4 it would probably receive otherwise.
The book has a lot of holiday atmosphere and I like most of the characters. However, let me just say, if your dog hates your new boyfriend, pay attention! Poppy is the star of the show.
Over all it's an entertaining book with lots of good detail, but I really disliked how blinded by infatuation Emily was. Thus I'm giving it 3 stars rather than the 4 it would probably receive otherwise.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2025
Probably 3.5 stars… but the mystery wasn’t very mysterious. I couldn’t figure out if the main character trusted her dog’s intuition or not? Because she was very inconsistent…? And the way my EYES ROLLED at some parts. This main character made questionable choices the whole book, but her ability to ignore red flags was truly remarkable.
There was also a lot of dog talk, which I wasn’t expecting: “I let Poppy out on the leash and checked on him every few minutes” kind of thing. I guess I’m just not as enthusiastic of a pet owner because I found all of those details boring.
Overall, it was a cozy read. The mystery was weak. The main character actually annoyed me. But it was a Christmas mystery.
There was also a lot of dog talk, which I wasn’t expecting: “I let Poppy out on the leash and checked on him every few minutes” kind of thing. I guess I’m just not as enthusiastic of a pet owner because I found all of those details boring.
Overall, it was a cozy read. The mystery was weak. The main character actually annoyed me. But it was a Christmas mystery.
November 23, 2024
🌟🌟.5
I'm not really one for reading Christmas books but when I spotted a cosy christmas crime I decided to give it a go. Sadly it was a bit disappointing.
I found most of it quite boring and so predictable, there wasn't any twists and you could see what was coming a mile off. There was parts of it that was getting exciting so It did manage to keep me interested enough to read to the end. I was routing for Emily and Barry, the local policeman, the whole book so I loved the ending.
It was a quick read and I liked the characters but it just lacked a bit of mystery.
I'm currently reading an other Christmas book so hoping I enjoy this one more 🤞🏼
I'm not really one for reading Christmas books but when I spotted a cosy christmas crime I decided to give it a go. Sadly it was a bit disappointing.
I found most of it quite boring and so predictable, there wasn't any twists and you could see what was coming a mile off. There was parts of it that was getting exciting so It did manage to keep me interested enough to read to the end. I was routing for Emily and Barry, the local policeman, the whole book so I loved the ending.
It was a quick read and I liked the characters but it just lacked a bit of mystery.
I'm currently reading an other Christmas book so hoping I enjoy this one more 🤞🏼
December 3, 2024
Poppy's Christmas Cracker is the fourth in Poppy Mystery Tale series, but it can definitely be read as standalone. Once again, Russell's writing style is simply brilliant.
Emily has inherited the cottage and happily works with her best friend, Hannah. Sunshine Café is a very popular cafe, and unexpectedly, a French Patisserie opens opposite their café.
When the owner of the French patisserie is found dead, Hannah becomes the prime suspect. Things get complicated when Emily starts dating Niles.
I thoroughly enjoyed this beautifully crafted murder mystery. I can not wait to read the next adventure.
Emily has inherited the cottage and happily works with her best friend, Hannah. Sunshine Café is a very popular cafe, and unexpectedly, a French Patisserie opens opposite their café.
When the owner of the French patisserie is found dead, Hannah becomes the prime suspect. Things get complicated when Emily starts dating Niles.
I thoroughly enjoyed this beautifully crafted murder mystery. I can not wait to read the next adventure.
December 21, 2024
I was drawn in by the synopsis of the book, cosy mystery, chocolate box village, Christmas, what’s not to love. Unfortunately I didn’t enjoy the writing, not sure if it was because of the narrator, Emily, written entirely from her point of view, or that I found it a little basic. At times it seemed to be padded out with a few too many descriptions. Sometimes the characters actions seemed to be unrealistic.
The plot was OK, but many events were signposted so early as to make the remainder obvious. Not going to pick up anymore in this series.
The plot was OK, but many events were signposted so early as to make the remainder obvious. Not going to pick up anymore in this series.
December 2, 2024
This is book four in the A Poppy Mystery Tale series and every bit as good as the previous books. This time we catch up with Poppy the dog and Emily who finds that Emily's friend is in a spot of bother and needs help to find out who the real killer is. It was a great short story that has a great bunch of characters. Poppy is just the cutest of dogs and I love the way she helps her owner Emily. But can they solve this mystery this time? I loved reading this story.
December 17, 2024
When the owner of a newly opened French patisserie is killed, Tea Shoppe owner Hannah is the prime suspect because just days before she expressed anger at the competition for taking away her business. Her friend and employee Emily is determined to clear Hannah's name - and does so, with the help of her little dog Poppy.
A predictable light read.
A predictable light read.
December 15, 2024
What's not to like about Poppy! This story is set in the run up to Christmas and everything that can go wrong in the village does, not helped by the fact the Poppy's owner Emily doesn't listen to her little dog and ends up in all sorts of trouble. Great wee read on the run up to Christmas.
December 6, 2025
I mean if you're going to call yourself a mystery you really need to have more than one suspect. The writing is so juvenile that I did actually think it was a homework project, there was no character development, just cardboard characters doing really stupid things.
November 23, 2024
Scrapes a three because the feeling of the book is friendly but the solution was obvious.
November 24, 2024
Lovely Christmas read especially for dog lovers
September 14, 2025
it was OK. 🤷♀️
December 4, 2024
Christmas Cracker is the fourth in the Poppy Mystery Tales by Russell and is another enjoyable addition to the series.
A return visit to Ashton Mead is always welcome and it's nice to catch up with the series' recurring characters Hannah, Emily and Poppy.
Rusell has created a charming community of characters, who on the whole are likeable and rally together as a community. They say that dogs are a great judge of character, if only Poppy could convey this to Emily. Although if she could I guess there'd be no series.
It's an entertaining, easy read that's perfect for dog lovers and the younger readers.
A return visit to Ashton Mead is always welcome and it's nice to catch up with the series' recurring characters Hannah, Emily and Poppy.
Rusell has created a charming community of characters, who on the whole are likeable and rally together as a community. They say that dogs are a great judge of character, if only Poppy could convey this to Emily. Although if she could I guess there'd be no series.
It's an entertaining, easy read that's perfect for dog lovers and the younger readers.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews