The Body in the Kitchen Garden

Hill House Vintage Murder Mystery #2

by Paula Sutton

Antique-hunting Daphne Brewster is back for more sleuthing in Book 2 of Paula Sutton's beloved murder mystery series. Return to the picturesque village of Norfolk's Pudding Corner - a glorious haven of golden field, winding cobbled lanes and... murder.'Blooming fabulous! The perfect book to get lost in . . . The cosiest of cosy crime' Veronica Henry on The Potting Shed Murder'A village of secrets, a cast of zany this is a romp of a read that warms the heart' Orlando Murrin on The Potting Shed Murder'A really fun, fast-paced and atmospheric whodunnit. Perfect for fans of Agatha Raisin' Jessica Bull on The Potting Shed Murder'A great modern cosy' Ian Moore on The Potting Shed Murder'Delightful . . . Charming and fresh' Kuchenga Shenjé on The Potting Shed Murder

Genres: Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Crime

246 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 3, 2025

Reviews

[India (IndiaReadsALot) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

This, I will be honest, is quite disappointing. After reading the first book in this series, absolutely loving it and recommending it to anyone who would listen, I was excited to read the second instalment. Unfortunately, all the things that I loved so much about the first book just fell flat in this book.

The setting and the eclectic residents of Pepperbridge were great and I always enjoy Sutton's writing of the inhabitants and their idiosyncrasies. But I felt more connected to the setting in the first one and all the side characters introduced. The side characters in this book were flat and I knew their motive from basically the first 50 pages. The first book made you feel like you were truly their with the characters but the second one felt too light and less enveloping.

Daphne, as a detective, was somebody that I felt was missing in the crime genre. Leading with kindness and an open mind. I loved her conversations with the residents and her intelligence and compassion. While she still leads with kindness and compassion in this book I felt that the actual investigating was non-existent. Daphne was not in charge of the narrative in this book but just reacting to things happening around her. I can't think of anything in the book apart from the visit to the library where I truly felt she was being active in this novel. This book had a severe lack of deducting, which was incredibly disappointing.

The plot. Everything was just too obvious this time around. Normally I don't mind figuring out the motives and plots of mysteries but this was just way too obvious and easy. As I said earlier, it took me about 50 pages to suss out the new characters and the trajectory of the plot. I just really wish more time was spent in this book to pad it out and give time and detail to it.

Overall this was a big dip in quality after how amazing that first book was.

[BoMi · Rating 3 out of 5]

all in all, this book was OK. while the setting was something to get used to and tension is really attenuated by the lengthy descriptions of each act and scene, the writing was neat and left off with a great sentence on the localities of Pudding Corner and Pepperbridge (wonderful names for villages on the countryside!):

"some stayed for a season, some came for a reason, but many stayed for a lifetime."

[Acantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cosy murder mystery set in the English countryside.

The characters are for the most part entertaining, although personally the main characters husband annoyed me. He didn't seem engaged with his wife or their life. The sisters in the shop were fun, and while I would hate to know the sort of busy body know-it-alls that are dotted around the village, to read about them was a lot more fun.

It's not the most complicated of plots - the threads are all there and for the most part obvious to the reader, who is of course looking for these. I was able to work it out long before the characters did, and pick up on plot points. It isn't taxing, but it was an enjoyable, light read, that you probably won't remember in a few months.

A good chunk of this book is dedicated to exploring the motivation behind the crimes. We revisit the past, long before the murders, as well as the murders themselves. Usually, these books have the killer unmasked in the last few pages, but I enjoyed this longer, more leisurely look at the why and the how, really getting into their heads.

~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cozy murder mystery in a small town, where small thefts and burglaries are happening, finding dead body in the garden and accidental death that might not be that accidental. I didn’t know it’s a second book in a series but right from the start we have the prologue where we get enough information for the first book so it’s not confusing.

The writing is what you’d expect from a cozy mystery, it was slow paced and very descriptive. I liked Daphne, our MC, the book is mainly from her pov and her voice if I can call it so, is basically this patient soft voice retelling you a story and you just want to curl up on the coach with hot chocolate and listen to it.

It was too predictable for me, and the last 20% kind of lost me even more. I don’t mind the backstories of the characters but for some reason this one didn’t impress me. But it might impress you. I’d say it’s perfect if you want to read something and without spending too much time figure out what’s going on and just enjoy the vibes and the coziness.

Thank you NetGalley and Dialogue Books for the ARC! I appreciate it!

[Heather Howarth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second outing for Daphne Brewster, antique shop owner, in deepest rural Norfolk.

This time there is a spate of thefts and burglaries going on in the village blamed alternately on the local lads or the vagrant seen around the village.

Meanwhile there is a new lord of the manor with his girlfriend - a local resident - trying to do up the hall to begin taking B&B clients to start to restore its finances. Daphne’s expertise is required to dispose of some of its contents and to provide interior design input. After spending time at the hall she begins to suspect that the lord is not who he seems.

The death of the vagrant at the hall’s glasshouse - accident or murder? - and the continuation of the thefts leaves her with further questions.

It is a chance overheard comment from her friend, Nancy - dead after an accidental fall - which leads Daphne to suspect that there is to the situation than an imposter lord.

An enjoyable cosy murder story - easy to read, light and a good summer story.

[Fleurtje Eliza · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first thing about this book that I appreciated is the kind and gentle tone of voice of the narrator who takes you by the hand, guides you strolling through the streets and scenery of Pudding Corner, and makes sure you get to know all the ins and outs of its citizens. In Pudding Corner everything has its place and people are expected to stick to it...

Will you believe at 54% of the book I, of course, had it all figured out, of course! Clever me, thinking of myself as inspector Barnaby herself. Let me tell you: that, apparently, I am not which did not make me enjoy the book any less and expecting the third book in this series coming along with James probably wanting to strangle his lovely wife Daphne for going sleuthing again. Bring it on!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.

[Kerry Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to Netgalley and Dialogue books for the opportunity to read this.
Daphne is back and once againshe's caught up in a mystery when she discovers a body in the garden of a stately manor. Who is it and why did they die.

This is book 2 in the series. I havent read book 1 ye but I will because I really enjoyed it. I love a cosy mystery and even better when its set in my home county of Norfolk. The plot was simple but clever and the ending was perfect for the story, Especially the last scene with her husband. Daphne is a relatable and fun lead. I instantly warmed to her. The setting is so recogisable for the area its based. Village life, knowing each other's business so well covered. A brilliant sequel and I look forward to more.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great, cosy mystery - very Miss Marple 'ish', except the sleuth in the story is much younger.
Set in the quintessential English village of Pudding Corner, Daphne Brewster is approached by the fiancee of Lord Darlington to help revive Darlington Hall. But before long, an unidentified body turns up in the Kitchen Garden and Daphne is once again caught up in a murder.
The story has everything you could want with a cast of eccentric and engaging characters, a typical quaint village setting and a twisty mystery to solve. I really enjoyed it. My only criticism is that finding it was the second in the series I was eager to read the first - but the author gives rather too much of the plot away regarding the first story even naming the killer. Never the less I look forward to reading more of Daphne's adventures in subsequent books.
With thanks to NetGalley, the author and publishers for this ARC copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this is the second book in the series, you don't need to read the first one, the author ensures the reader knows the back story at the start.

Daphne, is the main POV & she is softly spoken which I feel makes it a cosy murder mystery. 

It is a pleasant, easy novel to read but I was disappointed that I'd worked out the  plot very early on!

Thank you to Net Galley for my ARC in return for an honest review.

[Victoria Nightingale · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a real joy to return to this series. The writing style is very meandering and cosy which I like. My only criticism is that the plot twist was pretty obvious (and there was a lack of suspects to play with!) but nonetheless I enjoyed it.

[Simon Frenais · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continuing on from the last book, the familiar characters continue to live in tge sleepy hamlet. Things happen, it all resolves. Not so much a whodunnit more a why and how did they. Good but I've read better.

[Larisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very basic story. Whilst the first book was quite entertaining, this one has fallen flat

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Great mystery in a great setting, and I hope there are many more books to come in the series!

[Amylia Mesic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cosy thriller! not very scary, had a good plot twist at the end and very slow burn. Had alot of characters which could make it confusing at times to follow.

[Laurin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good fun! 👍

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this second book of the series, a cozy village mystery. It definitely needed better proofreading, I found so many grammatical errors that it became distracting!

[Nicola Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful cozy crime novel set in the quaint Norfolk village of Pudding Corner. Daphne is our erstwhile sleuth who has moved from the bright lights to this quiet rural idyll, except she stumbles across a dead body . A stranger has been found dead in the kitchen garden glasshouse and Daphne sets out to solve the mystery. This is a classic murder mystery with a cast of quirky characters , lashings of tea and cakes and village politics.

I enjoyed this light and easy read which is perfect for curling up in an armchair with whilst sipping a steaming hot chocolate. With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

[Elisabeth Heien · Rating 3 out of 5]

whole I thoroughly enjoy the well-described charming village and both its likeable and less likeable inhabitants, as well as the beautifully rich English of Paula Sutton, this plot was, alas, a bit too obvious, and the ending too drawn out and unbelievable. still, I will gladly buy and read any further books in what I suspect( and hope) is meant to be a series just because the writing is so superb.

[Charlotte Moriarty · Rating 2 out of 5]

I almost didn’t finish this book unfortunately. I really wanted to enjoy it but I just struggled to get into it, I’m not sure if that’s because I hadn’t read book 1. The characters and setting of the story are well-written and enjoyable, but unfortunately felt a little surface level. I found myself wanting the book to be over rather than being able to really get into it and escape.

[Julie Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to read this book on NetGalley and enjoyed the story. It is the second book in the series and I have read the first one but I do think this would work well as a standalone book. I enjoyed returning to read more about the familiar characters and settings but feel that anyone would soon get to know and love the characters.
The main character is Daphne who gets drawn into investigating the death of a mysterious stranger. She is naturally inquisitive and friendly so she notices some things that others may not. She is also doggedly determined to get to the bottom of things and never takes things at face value. She is always thinking through what she has noticed and trying to make sense of it until she finally gets to the answer. Naturally enough this doesn’t always endear her to the local constabulary!
This is a fun, cosy mystery filled with great characters and the warmth of friendship. A solid 4 star read for anyone who wants an easygoing read.

[Verity W · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading the first in the Hill House Vintage mystery series last year, I'm back to report in on the second, because I said that I would come and report back on a sequel if it came. This sees Daphne helping in the renovation of the local manor house after the return of the owner after years out of the country. But when an unidentified body is discovered in the garden, she's drawn into another murder investigation.

In the first book, I had the murderer pegged fairly early on but I thought that might be because it was a debut, but also because there was a lot of series set up going on, so the mystery couldn't be as complex as a result. But this didn't have all that set up to do and I had the victim's identity and the murderer worked out as early (if not earlier). And that's a shame because I still really like the main characters and the setting. It's just not got enough happening or complexity for me. Hey ho.


*****Copy from the publisher via NetGalley for review consideration. All opinions are my own.*****

[Melisa Broadbent · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Paula Sutton's debut novel so was delighted to see this pop up and as soon as I was approved, I started it immediately!

We are reunited with Daphne and her family who are settled in the wonderful sounding Pudding Corner and her new business, an upcycling furniture shop in the village is thriving and is all is well. Well, this only lasts for about a chapter as things are turned upside down!

The Body in the Kitchen Garden is even better than the first adventure in my opinion and I couldn't put it down. I must admit, I nearly shed a tear over some events that happen but can completely understand why this was done.

The pace of the book is a little bit faster than the first one I think with the author still finding her feet and I think it worked a lot better.

A very enjoyable cosy crime series, I'm looking forward to the next in the series.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really nice cosy murder mystery. Daphne lives with her family in Pudding. Corner and runs her business in the nearby village. Although a newcomer her previous involvement in solving a murder has seen her as an established member of the community. The new Lord Darlington has taken up residence at Darlington Hall, but no-one has really seen him, Hugh returned after over 20 years in Australia, having been estranged from his family and only returned after the untimely death of his brother.
Daphne gets involved in helping his fiancé Helena, a local girl, to renovate some of the Hall so that they can be let out. However, all is not as it seems.
An excellent read and my thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was fun despite the murder mystery. The characters are believable and relatable and at times humorous. Daphne haas moved with her family to an idyllic village in Norfolk. The family had settled in well but no doubt that was helped by Daphne, a amateur detective solving her first crime and elevating her status. This is the second book about Daphne investigating the deaths of two locals. It was a cosy mystery amidst cups of tea. I couldn't put the book down and it was one of those books I found relaxing to read. It was fast paced and very atmospheric. I will be looking for further books by this author.