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Morwenna Mutton Mystery #3
The Cream Tea Killer
Morwenna Mutton should be living the quiet life of a librarian and grandmother in Cornwall’s beautiful Seal Bay – if only dead bodies would stop turning up…
After the excitement of her last investigation, amateur sleuth Morwenna is looking forward to things getting back to normal. When local DJ Irina asks to meet however, desperate to share information she has discovered regarding nefarious goings-on, Morwenna can’t resist.
But Irina never arrives for their drink – instead her body is washed up on the beach, an apparent victim of an accidental drowning. At once keen wild bather Morwenna knows something is amiss as Irina was a strong swimmer who knew the local conditions well. What had Irina uncovered and who would want her dead?
When the local news dubs Irina’s murderer The Cream Tea Killer in honour of Cornwall’s famous delicacy, the clock starts ticking. Now the murderer knows Morwenna is on their trail, no one in her family is safe. She must get to the truth before the killer gets to her…
If you love The Thursday Murder Club, Agatha Christie and Richard Coles then you'll love The Morwenna Mutton mysteries.
After the excitement of her last investigation, amateur sleuth Morwenna is looking forward to things getting back to normal. When local DJ Irina asks to meet however, desperate to share information she has discovered regarding nefarious goings-on, Morwenna can’t resist.
But Irina never arrives for their drink – instead her body is washed up on the beach, an apparent victim of an accidental drowning. At once keen wild bather Morwenna knows something is amiss as Irina was a strong swimmer who knew the local conditions well. What had Irina uncovered and who would want her dead?
When the local news dubs Irina’s murderer The Cream Tea Killer in honour of Cornwall’s famous delicacy, the clock starts ticking. Now the murderer knows Morwenna is on their trail, no one in her family is safe. She must get to the truth before the killer gets to her…
If you love The Thursday Murder Club, Agatha Christie and Richard Coles then you'll love The Morwenna Mutton mysteries.
311 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 4, 2025
139 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
Judy Leigh
22 books406 followersJudy Leigh has lived all over the UK from Liverpool to Cornwall, but currently resides in Somerset. After teaching theatre, writing lyrics for a punk band and setting up Shakespeare Festivals, she completed an MA in Professional Writing.
She is a prolific writer, but when she is not at her computer you will find her on the beach, walking, doing yoga or splashing in the sea. She is also a Reiki healer, a vegan and an animal lover. She has three black cats and she enjoys live music, theatre and football.
She is a prolific writer, but when she is not at her computer you will find her on the beach, walking, doing yoga or splashing in the sea. She is also a Reiki healer, a vegan and an animal lover. She has three black cats and she enjoys live music, theatre and football.
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December 22, 2024
The Cream Tea Killer by Judy Leigh
Synopsis /
Morwenna Mutton should be living the quiet life of a librarian and grandmother in Cornwall’s beautiful Seal Bay – if only dead bodies would stop turning up…
After the excitement of her last investigation, amateur sleuth Morwenna is looking forward to things getting back to normal. When local DJ Irina asks to meet however, desperate to share information she has discovered regarding nefarious goings-on, Morwenna can’t resist.
But Irina never arrives for their drink – instead her body is washed up on the beach, an apparent victim of an accidental drowning. At once keen wild bather Morwenna knows something is amiss as Irina was a strong swimmer who knew the local conditions well. What had Irina uncovered and who would want her dead?
When the local news dubs Irina’s murderer The Cream Tea Killer in honour of Cornwall’s famous delicacy, the clock starts ticking. Now the murderer knows Morwenna is on their trail, no one in her family is safe. She must get to the truth before the killer gets to her…
My Thoughts /
Rounded up to 3.5 stars
First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, publishers Boldwood Books and author, Judy Leigh for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review. Publication date is currently set for January 04, 2025.
So, this is my first Judy Leigh read and I didn't have any preset expectations but chose this one purely because of the cute cover, title and blurb, and, well, because I'm a cozy mystery devotee.
The Cream Tea Killer is the third book in the Morwenna Mutton Mystery series and I've come in cold. The reader learns that Morwenna is regarded as the town's amateur sleuth, having helped police solve some previous mysteries.
Morwenna Mutton lives in Seal Bay, a small seaside town in Cornwall. Aged 63, sexagenarian Morwenna works as a part-time librarian and waitresses at her family's tearoom. Three generations of Mutton women work to make the Proper Ansom Tearoom a success – daughter (Tamsin), mother (Morwenna) and grandmother (Lamorna).
When Morwenna's good friend, Irina, who works as a journalist and local radio presenter, is found dead on the beach, her death is initially thought to be accidental drowning. Morwenna, though, is not so sure. For one thing, Irina was a strong swimmer – both she and Irina were members of SWANs (the Seal Bay Wild Aquatic Natation) – who met weekly as a group to ocean swim. When Morwenna learned that Irina had fresh water in her lungs, she was confident that her death was as a result of foul play.
For this reader, The Cream Tea Killer rated high for its characters. Brilliantly crafted and totally engaging. You will easily fall for all the Mutton women. Morwenna is hard working, empathetic and doggedly diligent in her efforts to find out what happened to her friend. Morwenna's six-year-old granddaughter, Elowen, is the granddaughter we'd all love to have! If I could, I'd give five stars to Elowen alone!
Morwenna looked at the child with affection. 'And being grown up is when you can make the thunder and lightning be quiet and you use your brain to think through the problem sensibly. The way of peace is best. The way of violence never works'.
'Never?'
'Never'.
'But I felt better when I thwacked him'.
'Did Billy feel better?'
'No – his nose bled a tiny bit and Miss Parker sent me outside to calm down, but I was calm because I hit him. Grandma? Does that mean I can't have a dog?'
'It might mean you're not quite ready for one yet.'…'But you can practice being calm and grown up on Brenda until you are ready'.
Elowen nodded furiously. 'I'll try the way of peace. I'll do my best.'
However, the mystery thread was this book's weak spot. In the story, the 'local newspaper' dubbed Irina's murderer "The Cream Tea Killer", in honour of Cornwall's famous delicacy – but this reader failed to see the connection. The plot for the murder was intriguing, however was not executed to its best advantage – the devil is in the details and this reader just couldn't join all the dots. The pacing was well done, but the action is a bit over the top and at times unbelievable.
But in true cozy mystery style, the reader will be drawn to the characters; the close-knit community of Seal Bay and the love and affection they have for each other. The author's use of fun, wit and humour did not go unnoticed and this reader would easily give this series another go just to spend more time with the people of Seal Bay and the Mutton family.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Publishers, Boldwood Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Synopsis /
Morwenna Mutton should be living the quiet life of a librarian and grandmother in Cornwall’s beautiful Seal Bay – if only dead bodies would stop turning up…
After the excitement of her last investigation, amateur sleuth Morwenna is looking forward to things getting back to normal. When local DJ Irina asks to meet however, desperate to share information she has discovered regarding nefarious goings-on, Morwenna can’t resist.
But Irina never arrives for their drink – instead her body is washed up on the beach, an apparent victim of an accidental drowning. At once keen wild bather Morwenna knows something is amiss as Irina was a strong swimmer who knew the local conditions well. What had Irina uncovered and who would want her dead?
When the local news dubs Irina’s murderer The Cream Tea Killer in honour of Cornwall’s famous delicacy, the clock starts ticking. Now the murderer knows Morwenna is on their trail, no one in her family is safe. She must get to the truth before the killer gets to her…
My Thoughts /
Rounded up to 3.5 stars
First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, publishers Boldwood Books and author, Judy Leigh for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review. Publication date is currently set for January 04, 2025.
So, this is my first Judy Leigh read and I didn't have any preset expectations but chose this one purely because of the cute cover, title and blurb, and, well, because I'm a cozy mystery devotee.
The Cream Tea Killer is the third book in the Morwenna Mutton Mystery series and I've come in cold. The reader learns that Morwenna is regarded as the town's amateur sleuth, having helped police solve some previous mysteries.
Morwenna Mutton lives in Seal Bay, a small seaside town in Cornwall. Aged 63, sexagenarian Morwenna works as a part-time librarian and waitresses at her family's tearoom. Three generations of Mutton women work to make the Proper Ansom Tearoom a success – daughter (Tamsin), mother (Morwenna) and grandmother (Lamorna).
When Morwenna's good friend, Irina, who works as a journalist and local radio presenter, is found dead on the beach, her death is initially thought to be accidental drowning. Morwenna, though, is not so sure. For one thing, Irina was a strong swimmer – both she and Irina were members of SWANs (the Seal Bay Wild Aquatic Natation) – who met weekly as a group to ocean swim. When Morwenna learned that Irina had fresh water in her lungs, she was confident that her death was as a result of foul play.
For this reader, The Cream Tea Killer rated high for its characters. Brilliantly crafted and totally engaging. You will easily fall for all the Mutton women. Morwenna is hard working, empathetic and doggedly diligent in her efforts to find out what happened to her friend. Morwenna's six-year-old granddaughter, Elowen, is the granddaughter we'd all love to have! If I could, I'd give five stars to Elowen alone!
Morwenna looked at the child with affection. 'And being grown up is when you can make the thunder and lightning be quiet and you use your brain to think through the problem sensibly. The way of peace is best. The way of violence never works'.
'Never?'
'Never'.
'But I felt better when I thwacked him'.
'Did Billy feel better?'
'No – his nose bled a tiny bit and Miss Parker sent me outside to calm down, but I was calm because I hit him. Grandma? Does that mean I can't have a dog?'
'It might mean you're not quite ready for one yet.'…'But you can practice being calm and grown up on Brenda until you are ready'.
Elowen nodded furiously. 'I'll try the way of peace. I'll do my best.'
However, the mystery thread was this book's weak spot. In the story, the 'local newspaper' dubbed Irina's murderer "The Cream Tea Killer", in honour of Cornwall's famous delicacy – but this reader failed to see the connection. The plot for the murder was intriguing, however was not executed to its best advantage – the devil is in the details and this reader just couldn't join all the dots. The pacing was well done, but the action is a bit over the top and at times unbelievable.
But in true cozy mystery style, the reader will be drawn to the characters; the close-knit community of Seal Bay and the love and affection they have for each other. The author's use of fun, wit and humour did not go unnoticed and this reader would easily give this series another go just to spend more time with the people of Seal Bay and the Mutton family.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Publishers, Boldwood Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
June 28, 2025
Another interesting visit to a quiet corner of Cornwall, where a radio announcer is found washed up on the beach, after missing a meet up she’d planned with Morwenna. Some mysterious and shady characters turn up in the village before the mystery is solved.
I love the Cornish flavour. This series has more depth than some cozy mysteries.
I love the Cornish flavour. This series has more depth than some cozy mysteries.
March 5, 2025
I am very happy to be back in Seal Bay with the 3 generations of Mutton women.During one of the SWANS Sunday morning swims, one of Moweena's friends Irina, a local radio personality shared she had some big news to share with Moweena. Moweena never learns the news as her friend suspiciously is found dead washed up on the shore. So begins another sleuthing episode. The mystery in this book is not as strong as the last 2 books but is still enjoyable. Also,I am rooting for Moweena and Ruan.
November 12, 2024
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC! I thoroughly enjoyed this cosy mystery and felt myself transported to a warm (and rainy) day on the Cornish coastline.
Morwenna is the towns amateur sleuth and she always has her nose in the air searching for trouble. When an acquaintance turns up dead and the mystery deepens she steps up and begins her own investigation which ends with fiery and intense final showdown! I loved the familial bonds that the Mutton family have with lots of strong independent women who aren’t afraid to express themselves, as well as the ties to some very modern day issues for both Cornwall and the country as a whole.
Overall this was a fun, cosy read and I hope to hear from Morwenna again; because I’m absolutely certain this won’t be the end of her sleuthing!
Morwenna is the towns amateur sleuth and she always has her nose in the air searching for trouble. When an acquaintance turns up dead and the mystery deepens she steps up and begins her own investigation which ends with fiery and intense final showdown! I loved the familial bonds that the Mutton family have with lots of strong independent women who aren’t afraid to express themselves, as well as the ties to some very modern day issues for both Cornwall and the country as a whole.
Overall this was a fun, cosy read and I hope to hear from Morwenna again; because I’m absolutely certain this won’t be the end of her sleuthing!
July 15, 2025
Another great cozy mystery in this delightful series.
January 1, 2025
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'The Cream Tea Killer' by Judy Leigh.
.
This is the second book I have read by this author and it most definitely will not be my last! It is also the third book in Judy's 'A Morwenna Mutton' series but can be read as a standalone. I have also read the second book in this series which is called 'Bloodshed On The Boards' and which I would also highly recommend.
Well done and thank you Judy on, and for, yet another absolutely amazing cosy mystery and a fantastic addition to this addictive series!!! This book is very smoothly written with vivid descriptions which really help you see what's going on around you as well as the storyline. The blurb and the cover compliment the novel perfectly.
I absolutely LOVED this book and cannot wait to read previous and future books in this series!!
Judy's amazing and evocative writing skills really brought everything to life all throughout the story ensuring I could see the characters, the surroundings and feel everything the characters were feeling. In this cracking book we are taken to Seal Bay in the stunning location of Cornwall. I absolutely LOVE books that are set in Cornwall. I went on holiday to Cornwall last year and missed it before I read this book but OMG Judy has made me want to jump in the car and go straight back now!!! Judy's evocative writing skills ensures the readers are absolutely sucked into the stunning storyline with the atmosphere and characters coming to life all around them. I absolutely fell in love venturing back into Cornwall and Judy's vivid descriptions are absolutely perfect and evocative. I am just glad that I am returning to Cornwall in April otherwise I would be looking at holiday booking sites by now!! I became so invested in this book that it actually felt like going on a holiday and I absolutely dreaded coming to the end where I had to unpack my suitcase and get back to reality. I always say it is better to read books that are part of a series in order but that is not always possible as sometimes, like myself in this case, when you see a book you just have to read it regardless of what number in a series it is!! There is a silver lining to reading books in a series out of order and that is while you are waiting for the next superb book in this series to come out you can go back and read the previous books in the series. That is exactly what I am planning to do as I am yet to actually read the first book in this series which is called 'Foul Play At Seal Bay'. In this addictive book we meet the fabulous Morwenna Mutton again, for those who have already met her. Morwenna is 63 years old, lives in Seal Bay in Cornwall and works as a part time librarian, part time waitress at her family's tea room which is called the 'Proper Ansom Tearoom' and part time amateur sleuth after already helping to solve 2 cases. Morwenna also works with her mother Lamorna and her daughter Tamsin at the tea rooms as well as helping to look after her granddaughter and Tamsin's daughter Elowen. She is also "dating" Barnaby but is still close to her ex and Tamsin's dad Ruan. If that does not keep her busy enough she also joins the SWAN's (The Seal Bay Wild Aquatic Natation) for a weekly swim in the sea. One day Morwenna's friend and local journalist and radio presenter Irina approaches her saying that she is investigating a big story that will make heads roll as it is so explosive but she needs to gather some more facts together before she can tell Morwenna. However, Irina does not get the chance to tell her as Morwenna comes across Irina's washed up body. Irina used to go swimming with the SEAL's and was a strong swimmer so Morwenna has difficulty believing that she just drowned. Morwenna goes to her friend and local PC Jane Choy and expresses her doubts. Morwenna is determined to discover the truth about what happened to Irina. Louise works in the library with Morwenna and believes their resident ghost Elizabeth is leaving clues behind in regards to the death of Irina. When Morwenna discovers information hidden in Irina's desk at Bay Radio it gives her an idea on where to start her search. With the local Sea Shanty Festival going on, the Blue Brothers turning up and a library ghost dropping hints will Morwenna get to the bottom of what really happened to Irina? Well, you will just have to grab your copy of this absolutely addictive page turner to find out for yourselves and I can promise that you will not regret it. You may even discover a new favourite author just like I did!! With a storyline ram packed with stunning locations, mystery, cream teas, family, bizarre costumes, friendship, ghosts, romance and so, so much more what on Earth are you waiting for? I love the fact that Judy includes a Glossary at the beginning of the book which I thought was a very nice and thoughtful touch so Thank You Judy for that!! It gives a list of several Cornish "slang" and their meanings which I found incredibly useful to go back to refer to now and again plus it was fun learning some new words! The book is fast paced with one thing happening after another and I absolutely devoured it in one sitting. Every time I told myself just one more chapter it ended in a way that I just had to read one more and before I knew it I had devoured the whole book around in one sitting. I was walking around with my kindle glued to my hand as I just could not put it down!! Judy's fantastic evocative writing skills really bring the surroundings and characters to life and it makes you feel that you are standing right next to them throughout. I absolutely loved everything about this book and I am so pleased that I can go back and read the first book in this series!! All of the characters are realistic, have their own unique personalities, strengths and weaknesses and are all very well developed. Grab your copy of this fantastic book and discover for yourself how great this book is and trust me, you will not regret it and if your anything like me you will find a new author whose work you will fall in love with!! The storyline was realistic which I always prefer as it makes it more enjoyable to read when you can see that it is something that could happen. It is well constructed and traditional and what starts off as one mystery becomes quite multi layered with all the characters backgrounds coming out. It was a very compelling read and I would never have guessed who did and was hiding what and I was completely shocked by the mega twists. An absolutely fantastic read filled with suspense, mystery, twists and much more (I can't say much more as I don't want to spoil it for future readers) Congratulations Judy, it is getting harder and harder to surprise me and you did just that!!! I loved the addictive storyline and the fantastic characters and I really am looking forward to getting stuck into the rest of your books!! With a fantastic storyline, unforgettable characters and twists and turns this book is perfect to devour in front of a fire on a winters day or relaxing on the beach under the sun! Regardless of where or when you read this book Judy transports you to Seal Bay at the turn of a page!
Although this is the third book in the series I had absolutely no problems reading it without reading the first book which is called 'Foul Play At Seal Bay' and is one I'm looking forward to going back to and reading. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.
I absolutely LOVED meeting all these refreshing characters again and getting to know more about them along with meeting new characters that I had not met previously. They are a delightful mix of personalities with intriguing backgrounds and each one was very compelling. Each and every character is realistic, well defined and leapt out of the pages at me every turn of a page!! Our main protagonist is 63 year old Morwenna who I absolutely loved but we also get to meet many members of her fantastic family including her 83 year old Mum Lamorna, 29 year old daughter Tamsin and 7 year old Granddaughter Elowen. Each of them had their own unique personalities, were all a breathe of fresh air and I just adore them all. I must admit though one of my favourites just had to be Brenda the cat!! I am a huge animal lover and run my own cat rescue called Golden Oldies Cat Rescue and Hospice (you can find me on social media if interested) so any books that contain animals is always a huge bonus for me and this has the bonus of having a cat which made me very happy!! I absolutely love our main protagonist Morwenna who is just absolutely amazing and a strong female lead. I am always a fan of strong female protagonists in books being female myself and I was surprised at how quickly it was for me to think of Morwenna more as a friend than a fictional character, along with several other characters. I absolutely loved getting to know many of these characters and Judy's vivid and evocative descriptions makes it feels like the reader is standing next to Morwenna and meeting her and the other characters for yourself. I really cannot wait to get to meet many more of them again on my next visit in the first book in the Morwenna Mutton Mystery series which is called Foul Play At Seal Bay, as well as the future books in this series. I loved watching the way they all interacted with each other and seeing them change as individuals as well as relationships between characters throughout the storyline. Judy ensures that you really get close to them feeling everything that they are feeling and seeing everything that they are! Congratulations Judy on creating a fantastic collection of unique, varied, realistic and memorable characters who I am looking forward to meeting over and over!
Congratulations Judy on another absolutely fantastic and successful cosy mystery and I cannot wait to get stuck into more books in this promising series especially the first book to meet some of these amazing characters from the start!!! An absolutely perfect addition to this series. This is the exact reason you are in my favourite author club!! Here's to many more successes!!
Overall a quirky, fun, page turning, intriguing murder mystery that will keep you hooked!
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Review for 'The Cream Tea Killer' by Judy Leigh.
.
This is the second book I have read by this author and it most definitely will not be my last! It is also the third book in Judy's 'A Morwenna Mutton' series but can be read as a standalone. I have also read the second book in this series which is called 'Bloodshed On The Boards' and which I would also highly recommend.
Well done and thank you Judy on, and for, yet another absolutely amazing cosy mystery and a fantastic addition to this addictive series!!! This book is very smoothly written with vivid descriptions which really help you see what's going on around you as well as the storyline. The blurb and the cover compliment the novel perfectly.
I absolutely LOVED this book and cannot wait to read previous and future books in this series!!
Judy's amazing and evocative writing skills really brought everything to life all throughout the story ensuring I could see the characters, the surroundings and feel everything the characters were feeling. In this cracking book we are taken to Seal Bay in the stunning location of Cornwall. I absolutely LOVE books that are set in Cornwall. I went on holiday to Cornwall last year and missed it before I read this book but OMG Judy has made me want to jump in the car and go straight back now!!! Judy's evocative writing skills ensures the readers are absolutely sucked into the stunning storyline with the atmosphere and characters coming to life all around them. I absolutely fell in love venturing back into Cornwall and Judy's vivid descriptions are absolutely perfect and evocative. I am just glad that I am returning to Cornwall in April otherwise I would be looking at holiday booking sites by now!! I became so invested in this book that it actually felt like going on a holiday and I absolutely dreaded coming to the end where I had to unpack my suitcase and get back to reality. I always say it is better to read books that are part of a series in order but that is not always possible as sometimes, like myself in this case, when you see a book you just have to read it regardless of what number in a series it is!! There is a silver lining to reading books in a series out of order and that is while you are waiting for the next superb book in this series to come out you can go back and read the previous books in the series. That is exactly what I am planning to do as I am yet to actually read the first book in this series which is called 'Foul Play At Seal Bay'. In this addictive book we meet the fabulous Morwenna Mutton again, for those who have already met her. Morwenna is 63 years old, lives in Seal Bay in Cornwall and works as a part time librarian, part time waitress at her family's tea room which is called the 'Proper Ansom Tearoom' and part time amateur sleuth after already helping to solve 2 cases. Morwenna also works with her mother Lamorna and her daughter Tamsin at the tea rooms as well as helping to look after her granddaughter and Tamsin's daughter Elowen. She is also "dating" Barnaby but is still close to her ex and Tamsin's dad Ruan. If that does not keep her busy enough she also joins the SWAN's (The Seal Bay Wild Aquatic Natation) for a weekly swim in the sea. One day Morwenna's friend and local journalist and radio presenter Irina approaches her saying that she is investigating a big story that will make heads roll as it is so explosive but she needs to gather some more facts together before she can tell Morwenna. However, Irina does not get the chance to tell her as Morwenna comes across Irina's washed up body. Irina used to go swimming with the SEAL's and was a strong swimmer so Morwenna has difficulty believing that she just drowned. Morwenna goes to her friend and local PC Jane Choy and expresses her doubts. Morwenna is determined to discover the truth about what happened to Irina. Louise works in the library with Morwenna and believes their resident ghost Elizabeth is leaving clues behind in regards to the death of Irina. When Morwenna discovers information hidden in Irina's desk at Bay Radio it gives her an idea on where to start her search. With the local Sea Shanty Festival going on, the Blue Brothers turning up and a library ghost dropping hints will Morwenna get to the bottom of what really happened to Irina? Well, you will just have to grab your copy of this absolutely addictive page turner to find out for yourselves and I can promise that you will not regret it. You may even discover a new favourite author just like I did!! With a storyline ram packed with stunning locations, mystery, cream teas, family, bizarre costumes, friendship, ghosts, romance and so, so much more what on Earth are you waiting for? I love the fact that Judy includes a Glossary at the beginning of the book which I thought was a very nice and thoughtful touch so Thank You Judy for that!! It gives a list of several Cornish "slang" and their meanings which I found incredibly useful to go back to refer to now and again plus it was fun learning some new words! The book is fast paced with one thing happening after another and I absolutely devoured it in one sitting. Every time I told myself just one more chapter it ended in a way that I just had to read one more and before I knew it I had devoured the whole book around in one sitting. I was walking around with my kindle glued to my hand as I just could not put it down!! Judy's fantastic evocative writing skills really bring the surroundings and characters to life and it makes you feel that you are standing right next to them throughout. I absolutely loved everything about this book and I am so pleased that I can go back and read the first book in this series!! All of the characters are realistic, have their own unique personalities, strengths and weaknesses and are all very well developed. Grab your copy of this fantastic book and discover for yourself how great this book is and trust me, you will not regret it and if your anything like me you will find a new author whose work you will fall in love with!! The storyline was realistic which I always prefer as it makes it more enjoyable to read when you can see that it is something that could happen. It is well constructed and traditional and what starts off as one mystery becomes quite multi layered with all the characters backgrounds coming out. It was a very compelling read and I would never have guessed who did and was hiding what and I was completely shocked by the mega twists. An absolutely fantastic read filled with suspense, mystery, twists and much more (I can't say much more as I don't want to spoil it for future readers) Congratulations Judy, it is getting harder and harder to surprise me and you did just that!!! I loved the addictive storyline and the fantastic characters and I really am looking forward to getting stuck into the rest of your books!! With a fantastic storyline, unforgettable characters and twists and turns this book is perfect to devour in front of a fire on a winters day or relaxing on the beach under the sun! Regardless of where or when you read this book Judy transports you to Seal Bay at the turn of a page!
Although this is the third book in the series I had absolutely no problems reading it without reading the first book which is called 'Foul Play At Seal Bay' and is one I'm looking forward to going back to and reading. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.
I absolutely LOVED meeting all these refreshing characters again and getting to know more about them along with meeting new characters that I had not met previously. They are a delightful mix of personalities with intriguing backgrounds and each one was very compelling. Each and every character is realistic, well defined and leapt out of the pages at me every turn of a page!! Our main protagonist is 63 year old Morwenna who I absolutely loved but we also get to meet many members of her fantastic family including her 83 year old Mum Lamorna, 29 year old daughter Tamsin and 7 year old Granddaughter Elowen. Each of them had their own unique personalities, were all a breathe of fresh air and I just adore them all. I must admit though one of my favourites just had to be Brenda the cat!! I am a huge animal lover and run my own cat rescue called Golden Oldies Cat Rescue and Hospice (you can find me on social media if interested) so any books that contain animals is always a huge bonus for me and this has the bonus of having a cat which made me very happy!! I absolutely love our main protagonist Morwenna who is just absolutely amazing and a strong female lead. I am always a fan of strong female protagonists in books being female myself and I was surprised at how quickly it was for me to think of Morwenna more as a friend than a fictional character, along with several other characters. I absolutely loved getting to know many of these characters and Judy's vivid and evocative descriptions makes it feels like the reader is standing next to Morwenna and meeting her and the other characters for yourself. I really cannot wait to get to meet many more of them again on my next visit in the first book in the Morwenna Mutton Mystery series which is called Foul Play At Seal Bay, as well as the future books in this series. I loved watching the way they all interacted with each other and seeing them change as individuals as well as relationships between characters throughout the storyline. Judy ensures that you really get close to them feeling everything that they are feeling and seeing everything that they are! Congratulations Judy on creating a fantastic collection of unique, varied, realistic and memorable characters who I am looking forward to meeting over and over!
Congratulations Judy on another absolutely fantastic and successful cosy mystery and I cannot wait to get stuck into more books in this promising series especially the first book to meet some of these amazing characters from the start!!! An absolutely perfect addition to this series. This is the exact reason you are in my favourite author club!! Here's to many more successes!!
Overall a quirky, fun, page turning, intriguing murder mystery that will keep you hooked!
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November 18, 2025
This third book in the Morwenna Mutton mysteries is equally as good if not better than the two previous stories. Following the murder of a journalist who works for the local radio station, Morwenna carries out her own investigation, bringing her into contact with some very unpleasant characters.
Set in Cornwall, Morwenna is a larger than life. Cycling everywhere and dressed in her distinctively bright coloured clothing, she has a passion for life and is a fabulous lead character.
Set in Cornwall, Morwenna is a larger than life. Cycling everywhere and dressed in her distinctively bright coloured clothing, she has a passion for life and is a fabulous lead character.
November 11, 2024
Morwenna Mutton is one of those amateur sleuths that I find both intriguing and maddening. She's smart and clever about sorting out clues but, well, sometimes doesn't show much common sense in how she gets them. This go-round, she finds her snooping may put not just her but those she loves in danger, too. That's one angle you don't see often in cozy mysteries, the fact that an even semi-intelligent murderer might not hesitate to harm your loved ones if you get too close, so kudos to Judy Leigh for going there. Morwenna is also almost 63 year-old, so she's hardly got youth as an excuse. Even more amazing, she seems to be on friendly working terms with Jane, the local investigator, so her habit of not sharing until she finds out just one more thing, so to speak, seems foolhardy.
Nonetheless, Morwenna is determined to see justice done, using her wits and smarts to find out, in this case, who killed radio DJ Irina. She's told Morwenna she was on the verge of uncovering something important but didn't share. You guessed it. She had one more thing to verify before sharing. Bad move. They plan to meet the next morning. Irina is a no-show. Initially Morwenna doesn't think too much about it, expecting she'd been detained, but when her efforts to locate Irina prove fruitless, she pretty much begins investigating without much thought. That's when the trouble... and danger.... begins. Irina's body is found washed up along the shore near where Morwenna and a group of avid swimmers meet to share their love of the sport, even when the water is frigid. Brr. Cornwall isn't exactly a tropical spot in England. In any case, she's pushy and has the help of Ruan, her ex-husband who just happens to live across the street. There's a love-triangle of sorts involved, too, although quite frankly, I'm on Team Ruan. All that aside, putting herself into some dicey situations, usually with Ruan along, Morwenna slowly uncover the secret Irina died without revealing.
I won't detail any more of the plot but it was far more intricate than expected. I liked Morwenna although, sigh, a little bit of her, oh, so talkative grand-daughter went a long way. Toss in Morwenna's attraction to Barnaby, a monied plastic surgeon, while obviously harboring feeling for Ruan wore on me. I like Ruan's calm, always-there-for- her presence. That said, I didn't dislike even the annoying grand-daughter, who desperately wants a real dog, but just wished for less of her. Seal Bay seems an intriguing place, full of interesting characters, and, oh, yes, there's that little matter of whether the library Morwenna works at is haunted. Louise, a friend and co-worker, is on Team Ghost, I'll note. And let's not forget Brenda, the cat, who seems to have the ability to sleep peacefully through almost everything, even gun shots. Bottom line, an intriguing multi-level mystery with likable, interesting characters, even if I do think I'd pass on the swimming sessions. And, oops, almost forgot, thanks #BoldwoodBooks for not only allowing me an early peek at Morwenna's latest adventures but including that handy glossary of terms. I'm happy to say that I didn't much need it as they mostly made sense, but was handy to have.
Nonetheless, Morwenna is determined to see justice done, using her wits and smarts to find out, in this case, who killed radio DJ Irina. She's told Morwenna she was on the verge of uncovering something important but didn't share. You guessed it. She had one more thing to verify before sharing. Bad move. They plan to meet the next morning. Irina is a no-show. Initially Morwenna doesn't think too much about it, expecting she'd been detained, but when her efforts to locate Irina prove fruitless, she pretty much begins investigating without much thought. That's when the trouble... and danger.... begins. Irina's body is found washed up along the shore near where Morwenna and a group of avid swimmers meet to share their love of the sport, even when the water is frigid. Brr. Cornwall isn't exactly a tropical spot in England. In any case, she's pushy and has the help of Ruan, her ex-husband who just happens to live across the street. There's a love-triangle of sorts involved, too, although quite frankly, I'm on Team Ruan. All that aside, putting herself into some dicey situations, usually with Ruan along, Morwenna slowly uncover the secret Irina died without revealing.
I won't detail any more of the plot but it was far more intricate than expected. I liked Morwenna although, sigh, a little bit of her, oh, so talkative grand-daughter went a long way. Toss in Morwenna's attraction to Barnaby, a monied plastic surgeon, while obviously harboring feeling for Ruan wore on me. I like Ruan's calm, always-there-for- her presence. That said, I didn't dislike even the annoying grand-daughter, who desperately wants a real dog, but just wished for less of her. Seal Bay seems an intriguing place, full of interesting characters, and, oh, yes, there's that little matter of whether the library Morwenna works at is haunted. Louise, a friend and co-worker, is on Team Ghost, I'll note. And let's not forget Brenda, the cat, who seems to have the ability to sleep peacefully through almost everything, even gun shots. Bottom line, an intriguing multi-level mystery with likable, interesting characters, even if I do think I'd pass on the swimming sessions. And, oops, almost forgot, thanks #BoldwoodBooks for not only allowing me an early peek at Morwenna's latest adventures but including that handy glossary of terms. I'm happy to say that I didn't much need it as they mostly made sense, but was handy to have.
July 19, 2025
I enjoy Judy Leigh's books featuring mature female characters and she continues the trend in her cozy mystery series, Morwenna Mutton Mysteries. The books feature 4 generations, Morwenna, her daughter, granddaughter and mother. Morwenna works part time at the library in Seal Bay and also helps her daughter out at her café. Her life should be quiet, especially after her last investigation wound down, but another dead body revs her up again. Local DJ and investigative reporter, Irina, has something to tell Morwenna, but instead of showing up for a drink, her body washes up on shore. Irina is a strong swimmer, so Morwenna knows she couldn't have drowned and when the autopsy shows tap water in her lungs, her hunch is correct. Local news dubs the murderer, The Cream Tea Killer, after Cornwall's delicacy. The police ask Morwenna to keep her eyes and ears open and report what she finds out, but when the killer finds out that Morwenna is snooping around, she and her family are put in danger.
This was another great mystery that had some twists and the final reveal had me dropping my jaw. Morwenna has access to most people in Seal Bay between the library and café, so she finds things out that get her intuitive juices flowing. She is also good friends with the police detective and they appreciate her help, which isn't always the case in cozy mysteries. Her granddaughter adds a refreshing presence to the story, with her innocent nature that is hilarious at times. Morwenna's ex-husband plays a huge role in this story, helping her when she is attacked, and putting himself in danger. She is also dating and that is another relationship that has her in danger on one of their dates. I think this is the best one in the series yet. The actual motive for the crime is one that is a bit darker than most in a cozy mystery, but I really liked the final showdown and arrest. An excellent cozy mystery with a bit more bit to it. I did a read/listen with the audiobook being narrated by Jilly Bond. I really enjoy her narration. She gives voice to the characters of different ages and gender, with accents and uses tone and expression to add suspense to the story. I highly enjoyed the audiobook.
This was another great mystery that had some twists and the final reveal had me dropping my jaw. Morwenna has access to most people in Seal Bay between the library and café, so she finds things out that get her intuitive juices flowing. She is also good friends with the police detective and they appreciate her help, which isn't always the case in cozy mysteries. Her granddaughter adds a refreshing presence to the story, with her innocent nature that is hilarious at times. Morwenna's ex-husband plays a huge role in this story, helping her when she is attacked, and putting himself in danger. She is also dating and that is another relationship that has her in danger on one of their dates. I think this is the best one in the series yet. The actual motive for the crime is one that is a bit darker than most in a cozy mystery, but I really liked the final showdown and arrest. An excellent cozy mystery with a bit more bit to it. I did a read/listen with the audiobook being narrated by Jilly Bond. I really enjoy her narration. She gives voice to the characters of different ages and gender, with accents and uses tone and expression to add suspense to the story. I highly enjoyed the audiobook.
January 8, 2025
The Cream Tea Killer is Book 3 in the Morwenna Mutton Mysteries Book 3. I read Bloodshed on the Boards (Book 2) last year (and gave it a score of 9/10) and Foul Play at Seal Bay (Book 1) in 2023 (another 9/10).
The books are set in Seal Bay in Cornwall. This one begins in June where the Sea Shanty Festival is attracting plenty of visitors.
I love Morwenna, she’s such a great character! Her cat Brenda is brilliant too. Morwenna is nearly 63 and has so much zest for life. She cycles everywhere on her distinctive red electric bicycle and wearing her trademark bright clothes, she’s very noticeable. Outdoor swimming is her passion and she swims in the sea with fellow SWANs on Sundays.
She works in the family run business – the Proper Ansom Tearoom – with her mother Lamorna (83) and daughter Tamsin. Morwenna also works in the library, where fellow librarian Louise thinks the library ghost has come back.
The whole gang are back again and each of the four generations are great in their own right. I love the older characters, but I also adore Morwenna’s granddaughter Elowen, who is six years old and obsessed with dogs, real and imaginary.
PC Jane Choy is back and a new addition from London has also joined the local police – DCI Blessed Barnarde, who is a strong woman and I enjoyed her part in the story.
As you would expect, there is a murder, though I’m not telling you who, because I think you’ll enjoy the book more if you find out as you read it.
My one, teeny tiny criticism is the overuse of the word ‘dreckly’ which I found in the previous books too. While I enjoy the Cornish words as a whole, for some reason this one grates. But it’s probably me.
But other than that, the books are fabulous and I always look forward to the next one and seeing what Morwenna gets mixed up in! Her character does steal the show, but I find returning to the series is just like catching up with old friends, as they are all so believable. The stories are beautifully done, the whodunnit woven into the novel seamlessly, as we admire the views of the idyllic Seal Bay and catch up with the gossip at the Tearoom.
The books are set in Seal Bay in Cornwall. This one begins in June where the Sea Shanty Festival is attracting plenty of visitors.
I love Morwenna, she’s such a great character! Her cat Brenda is brilliant too. Morwenna is nearly 63 and has so much zest for life. She cycles everywhere on her distinctive red electric bicycle and wearing her trademark bright clothes, she’s very noticeable. Outdoor swimming is her passion and she swims in the sea with fellow SWANs on Sundays.
She works in the family run business – the Proper Ansom Tearoom – with her mother Lamorna (83) and daughter Tamsin. Morwenna also works in the library, where fellow librarian Louise thinks the library ghost has come back.
The whole gang are back again and each of the four generations are great in their own right. I love the older characters, but I also adore Morwenna’s granddaughter Elowen, who is six years old and obsessed with dogs, real and imaginary.
PC Jane Choy is back and a new addition from London has also joined the local police – DCI Blessed Barnarde, who is a strong woman and I enjoyed her part in the story.
As you would expect, there is a murder, though I’m not telling you who, because I think you’ll enjoy the book more if you find out as you read it.
My one, teeny tiny criticism is the overuse of the word ‘dreckly’ which I found in the previous books too. While I enjoy the Cornish words as a whole, for some reason this one grates. But it’s probably me.
But other than that, the books are fabulous and I always look forward to the next one and seeing what Morwenna gets mixed up in! Her character does steal the show, but I find returning to the series is just like catching up with old friends, as they are all so believable. The stories are beautifully done, the whodunnit woven into the novel seamlessly, as we admire the views of the idyllic Seal Bay and catch up with the gossip at the Tearoom.
January 9, 2025
The Seal Bay Sea Shanty Festival is in full swing when Morwenna (dressed as a prawn) is approached by local Bay Radio DJ and journalist Irina Bacheva. She arranges to meet with her the next evening but Irina never shows up. Her fiancé says she never came home. Morwenna, who is getting a reputation as an amateur sleuth, is worried, since Irina has told her she has an explosive story about illegal goings-on which will make heads roll when it comes out. Her friend PC Jane Choy warns Morwenna about getting too involved but the maid just can’t resist breaking into the studio and helping herself to Irina’s diary and a folder of notes just as someone else is cleaning up the office and removing a laptop. Morwenna finds she was right to be worried when she and Jane discover Irina’s dead body washed up on the beach after one of their early morning wild swims. Irina was also a strong swimmer so Morwenna immediately suspects foul play. She receives the backing of the very impressive new broom Chief Inspector Blessed Barnarde to keep her ear to the ground as DI Rick Tremayne makes a fool of himself again. As she gets stuck in to another investigation with help from her friends, Morwenna is determined to find out just what Irina was on the trail of but in doing so, will she become a target for the Cream Tea Killer?
And the ghost of Lady Elizabeth Pengellen also makes a reappearance in the library!
In a series which has really grown on me, it was good to see more appearances from old faces Lamorna, Tamsin, Elowen, Ruan, Lifeboat knitters Barb and Susan Grundy, and Douglas and Louise from the library, together with new faces such as magician Sheppy and tearoom cook Zach as Morwenna finds herself caught between two lovers. It was lovely to see the great friendship between Morwenna and her ex-partner Ruan and the caring closeknit community of Seal Bay in this cosy crime story with some gentle sleuthing and plenty of suitable suspects. The characters are charming, vibrant and humorous and there is plenty to love in this thoroughly engrossing story. Morwenna makes a great lead character and I look forward to more in this lovely series.
And the ghost of Lady Elizabeth Pengellen also makes a reappearance in the library!
In a series which has really grown on me, it was good to see more appearances from old faces Lamorna, Tamsin, Elowen, Ruan, Lifeboat knitters Barb and Susan Grundy, and Douglas and Louise from the library, together with new faces such as magician Sheppy and tearoom cook Zach as Morwenna finds herself caught between two lovers. It was lovely to see the great friendship between Morwenna and her ex-partner Ruan and the caring closeknit community of Seal Bay in this cosy crime story with some gentle sleuthing and plenty of suitable suspects. The characters are charming, vibrant and humorous and there is plenty to love in this thoroughly engrossing story. Morwenna makes a great lead character and I look forward to more in this lovely series.
December 7, 2024
The Cream Tea Killer by Judy Leigh is a most delightful, contemporary, cosy crime novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is the third book in the Morwenna Mutton Mystery series but can be read as a stand-alone. However, for maximum enjoyment, I recommend reading the previous books first.
I enjoyed meeting up with familiar faces as the Cornish summer season gets underway. We ‘experience’ the Cornish hospitality. “If you come here when we are closing, I’ll give you what’s left over, a pasty, a bit of cake, scones, some fruit, a bottle of milk.” Seal Bay is a welcoming community that offers hospitality and help to those in need.
There is a more worrying side as one of their own is washed ashore and shady characters are seen around. Fortunately for all, Morwenna Mutton, a modern-day Miss Marple is at hand to investigate, alongside the police. Her amateur sleuthing is second to none.
All the characters were well drawn and believable, Morwenna Mutton is sixty-three but is like a breath of fresh air wherever she goes. She is very sprightly as she cycles around the village.
I loved Morwenna Mutton’s six-year-old granddaughter who has an old head on young shoulders. She is absolutely hilarious. “Why do I need shutting up, Great-Grandma? You said women need to speak up for themselves.” And you cannot argue with her logic! “Can I stop going to school… I’ve learned enough.” She is also relentless in her desire to have a dog – but the grown ups are not quite worn down yet!
Despite the murder, the novel is light-hearted and fun. It is cosy crime after all. I think the Morwenna Mutton Mystery series would make fabulous early evening television viewing.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Cream Tea Killer and can highly recommend it.
I received a free copy from Rachels Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
I enjoyed meeting up with familiar faces as the Cornish summer season gets underway. We ‘experience’ the Cornish hospitality. “If you come here when we are closing, I’ll give you what’s left over, a pasty, a bit of cake, scones, some fruit, a bottle of milk.” Seal Bay is a welcoming community that offers hospitality and help to those in need.
There is a more worrying side as one of their own is washed ashore and shady characters are seen around. Fortunately for all, Morwenna Mutton, a modern-day Miss Marple is at hand to investigate, alongside the police. Her amateur sleuthing is second to none.
All the characters were well drawn and believable, Morwenna Mutton is sixty-three but is like a breath of fresh air wherever she goes. She is very sprightly as she cycles around the village.
I loved Morwenna Mutton’s six-year-old granddaughter who has an old head on young shoulders. She is absolutely hilarious. “Why do I need shutting up, Great-Grandma? You said women need to speak up for themselves.” And you cannot argue with her logic! “Can I stop going to school… I’ve learned enough.” She is also relentless in her desire to have a dog – but the grown ups are not quite worn down yet!
Despite the murder, the novel is light-hearted and fun. It is cosy crime after all. I think the Morwenna Mutton Mystery series would make fabulous early evening television viewing.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Cream Tea Killer and can highly recommend it.
I received a free copy from Rachels Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
January 4, 2025
The Cream Tea Killer by Judy Leigh
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Morwenna Mutton should be living the quiet life of a librarian and grandmother in Cornwall’s beautiful Seal Bay – if only dead bodies would stop turning up…
After the excitement of her last investigation, amateur sleuth Morwenna is looking forward to things getting back to normal. When local DJ Irina asks to meet however, desperate to share information she has discovered regarding nefarious goings-on, Morwenna can’t resist.
But Irina never arrives for their drink – instead her body is washed up on the beach, an apparent victim of an accidental drowning. At once keen wild bather Morwenna knows something is amiss as Irina was a strong swimmer who knew the local conditions well. What had Irina uncovered and who would want her dead?
When the local news dubs Irina’s murderer The Cream Tea Killer in honour of Cornwall’s famous delicacy, the clock starts ticking. Now the murderer knows Morwenna is on their trail, no one in her family is safe. She must get to the truth before the killer gets to her…
My Opinion
Morwenna Mutton is back for her third mystery. I am really enjoying this series; each book could be read as a standalone but I would highly recommend reading the books in order to get the full enjoyment of Morwenna. The Cream Tea Killer is a cosy mystery and great for reading over a weekend.
Judy Leigh has once again shown that just because her characters are older they are no less fun to read about. There are four generations of the Mutton family included in these pages and I like the way that Judy has written the family dynamics. Welcome back to Seal Bay, a town that sounds delightful – except for the fact dead bodies keep being found.
Rating 4/5
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Morwenna Mutton should be living the quiet life of a librarian and grandmother in Cornwall’s beautiful Seal Bay – if only dead bodies would stop turning up…
After the excitement of her last investigation, amateur sleuth Morwenna is looking forward to things getting back to normal. When local DJ Irina asks to meet however, desperate to share information she has discovered regarding nefarious goings-on, Morwenna can’t resist.
But Irina never arrives for their drink – instead her body is washed up on the beach, an apparent victim of an accidental drowning. At once keen wild bather Morwenna knows something is amiss as Irina was a strong swimmer who knew the local conditions well. What had Irina uncovered and who would want her dead?
When the local news dubs Irina’s murderer The Cream Tea Killer in honour of Cornwall’s famous delicacy, the clock starts ticking. Now the murderer knows Morwenna is on their trail, no one in her family is safe. She must get to the truth before the killer gets to her…
My Opinion
Morwenna Mutton is back for her third mystery. I am really enjoying this series; each book could be read as a standalone but I would highly recommend reading the books in order to get the full enjoyment of Morwenna. The Cream Tea Killer is a cosy mystery and great for reading over a weekend.
Judy Leigh has once again shown that just because her characters are older they are no less fun to read about. There are four generations of the Mutton family included in these pages and I like the way that Judy has written the family dynamics. Welcome back to Seal Bay, a town that sounds delightful – except for the fact dead bodies keep being found.
Rating 4/5
November 30, 2024
This book starts with a glossary of Cornish phrases, handy for all of us Emmets on holiday in that part of the world!
This is a cosy crime mystery, with a little romance on the side provided by two male contenders for the affections of Morwenna Mutton.
Morwenna has become involved in another murder mystery in the picturesque village of Sea Bay. The victim is a journalist friend who has a slot on Bay Radio, who was apparently going to reveal a huge secret that would ‘ rock ‘ the whole community. Morwenna agrees to a drink in the local pub, but the journalist never turns up, but, a few days later, a body turns up in the sea.
When such an experienced wild water swimmer drowns, Morwenna suspects it is murder. She voices her concerns to Jane the local Police constable, and decides to investigate.
Even the ghost in the library, Lady Elizabeth Pengellen, believes it was not an accidental death. Books are left open at relevant pages, but who or what is leaving clues to be followed?
Full of larger than life characters, the reader is drawn to this close knit community, and their love and affection for all . Morwenna doesn’t have the most conventional family set up,but they all bring a unique insight to this mystery.
I found this book to be full of fun, wit and wisdom, scrapes, and the enjoy life while you can attitude, a great read and very entertaining. There was an intriguing plot, and great cooperation between the police and the locals. This can be read as a standalone novel, but why not try the previous books?
A five star read. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers Boldwood Books for my ARC, freely given in return for my honest review. I will leave copies to Goodreads and Amazon UK upon publication.
This is a cosy crime mystery, with a little romance on the side provided by two male contenders for the affections of Morwenna Mutton.
Morwenna has become involved in another murder mystery in the picturesque village of Sea Bay. The victim is a journalist friend who has a slot on Bay Radio, who was apparently going to reveal a huge secret that would ‘ rock ‘ the whole community. Morwenna agrees to a drink in the local pub, but the journalist never turns up, but, a few days later, a body turns up in the sea.
When such an experienced wild water swimmer drowns, Morwenna suspects it is murder. She voices her concerns to Jane the local Police constable, and decides to investigate.
Even the ghost in the library, Lady Elizabeth Pengellen, believes it was not an accidental death. Books are left open at relevant pages, but who or what is leaving clues to be followed?
Full of larger than life characters, the reader is drawn to this close knit community, and their love and affection for all . Morwenna doesn’t have the most conventional family set up,but they all bring a unique insight to this mystery.
I found this book to be full of fun, wit and wisdom, scrapes, and the enjoy life while you can attitude, a great read and very entertaining. There was an intriguing plot, and great cooperation between the police and the locals. This can be read as a standalone novel, but why not try the previous books?
A five star read. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers Boldwood Books for my ARC, freely given in return for my honest review. I will leave copies to Goodreads and Amazon UK upon publication.
January 4, 2025
First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and author Judy Leigh for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to share my unbiased review. The book is set to release on January 4, 2025, and cozy mystery fans, mark your calendars!
This was my first foray into Judy Leigh's work, and I picked it up purely because of the adorable cover, intriguing title, and enticing blurb. As a devoted fan of cozy mysteries, I couldn't resist.
The Cream Tea Killer is the third installment in the Morwenna Mutton Mystery series, and while I jumped in without reading the previous books, I found it easy to catch up. Morwenna Mutton is the quintessential amateur sleuth, a sharp and curious woman who always seems to find herself in the middle of trouble. When an acquaintance is found dead under mysterious circumstances, Morwenna steps up, diving headfirst into a case that leads to a fiery and intense final showdown.
What stood out to me the most was the strong sense of family and community. The Mutton family is full of independent, outspoken women whose bonds add warmth and depth to the story. Leigh also weaves in modern issues relevant to Cornwall and the broader country, grounding the whimsical charm of the cozy setting in reality.
Despite the murder at its heart, the novel remains lighthearted and fun, delivering everything you'd expect from a cozy mystery. The blend of intrigue, humor, and heart made this a delightful read.
Overall, The Cream Tea Killer is a charming addition to the cozy mystery genre. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Morwenna’s world and hope to see her sleuthing again soon. If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries with a strong protagonist and a tight-knit community, this book is for you!
More like a 3.75 stars of 5.
This was my first foray into Judy Leigh's work, and I picked it up purely because of the adorable cover, intriguing title, and enticing blurb. As a devoted fan of cozy mysteries, I couldn't resist.
The Cream Tea Killer is the third installment in the Morwenna Mutton Mystery series, and while I jumped in without reading the previous books, I found it easy to catch up. Morwenna Mutton is the quintessential amateur sleuth, a sharp and curious woman who always seems to find herself in the middle of trouble. When an acquaintance is found dead under mysterious circumstances, Morwenna steps up, diving headfirst into a case that leads to a fiery and intense final showdown.
What stood out to me the most was the strong sense of family and community. The Mutton family is full of independent, outspoken women whose bonds add warmth and depth to the story. Leigh also weaves in modern issues relevant to Cornwall and the broader country, grounding the whimsical charm of the cozy setting in reality.
Despite the murder at its heart, the novel remains lighthearted and fun, delivering everything you'd expect from a cozy mystery. The blend of intrigue, humor, and heart made this a delightful read.
Overall, The Cream Tea Killer is a charming addition to the cozy mystery genre. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Morwenna’s world and hope to see her sleuthing again soon. If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries with a strong protagonist and a tight-knit community, this book is for you!
More like a 3.75 stars of 5.
January 6, 2025
Morwenna and her little family of Mutton maids (four generations: mother, Morwenna, daughter and granddaughter) return to solve another Cornish murder mystery (well, technically, only Morwenna does that bit – Tamsin is busy serving tea and scones and having a social life, Elowen is mainly begging for a dog, and Lamorna sticks to grumbling, meddling and definitely not swimming!)
I don’t know where Morwenna finds her energy to be honest – perhaps it’s the fresh Cornish sea air or those icy sea dips? – but she somehow manages to hold down two part-time jobs, keep up with her granddaughter, go out dating, regularly brave the freezing sea and STILL find the time to solve murders… even the police are in awe at her competence at this point!
In this story we get more ghostly goings-on from the alleged library ghost, more cuteness from precocious Elowen and the multiplying Oggys, and more will-they, won’t-they romance between Morwenna and her two potential suitors, one old and one new. Honestly, I am firmly in Ruan’s camp here, no matter how charming Barnaby is, and I am getting increasingly irked with Morwenna’s reluctance to admit that they belong together… it can only be the legendary Mutton stubbornness holding her back now. Oh, and someone get that poor child a real Oggy already (that’s my two only miffs out of the way!)
This is definitely a must-read series for fans of light and cosy mysteries with a real authentic British flavour and plenty of character, and this latest instalment is as delightfully easy to read as its predecessors (which you don’t need to read to follow this one, but should anyway).
I can’t wait to see what Morwenna gets up to next… hopefully with a certain loyal and reliable fisherman sidekick as back-up!
I don’t know where Morwenna finds her energy to be honest – perhaps it’s the fresh Cornish sea air or those icy sea dips? – but she somehow manages to hold down two part-time jobs, keep up with her granddaughter, go out dating, regularly brave the freezing sea and STILL find the time to solve murders… even the police are in awe at her competence at this point!
In this story we get more ghostly goings-on from the alleged library ghost, more cuteness from precocious Elowen and the multiplying Oggys, and more will-they, won’t-they romance between Morwenna and her two potential suitors, one old and one new. Honestly, I am firmly in Ruan’s camp here, no matter how charming Barnaby is, and I am getting increasingly irked with Morwenna’s reluctance to admit that they belong together… it can only be the legendary Mutton stubbornness holding her back now. Oh, and someone get that poor child a real Oggy already (that’s my two only miffs out of the way!)
This is definitely a must-read series for fans of light and cosy mysteries with a real authentic British flavour and plenty of character, and this latest instalment is as delightfully easy to read as its predecessors (which you don’t need to read to follow this one, but should anyway).
I can’t wait to see what Morwenna gets up to next… hopefully with a certain loyal and reliable fisherman sidekick as back-up!
February 9, 2025
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Morwenna Mutton is back on the case in Judy Leigh’s latest entertaining cosy mystery, The Cream Tea Killer.
Amateur sleuth Morwenna Mutton is happy to leave the sleuthing to the police and is looking forward to her life returning to some semblance of normality. However, when local DJ Irina asks her to meet about some nefarious goings-on at Seal Bay, curiosity gets the better of her and Morwenna agrees to meet her. Only, Irina never shows up because her body is discovered washed up on the beach. The police believe that it was an accidental drowning, but Morwenna’s gut instincts are telling her that there’s far more to Irina’s death than meets the eye.
Irina was a strong swimmer who was fully conversant with the local conditions, so she certainly would not drown. Just what had she wanted to meet Morwenna about? What had the DJ uncovered? And who was willing to go to such desperate lengths to keep Irina from spilling the beans?
Morwenna needs to tread carefully if she wants to bring Irina’s killer to justice. But she needs to watch her step and trust nobody because one false move and it would be her body the police dredge up from the sea next!
I love Judy Leigh’s books and will read anything she writes and her Morwenna Mutton series is absolutely fantastic. The Cream Tea Killer is her latest mystery and it is full of wicked wit, Cornish charm and plenty of red herrings and twists and turns that kept me up until the early hours of the morning desperate to find out who killed Irina.
A superb Cornish cosy mystery from a huge favourite of mine, The Cream Tea Killer is another immensely enjoyable treat from Judy Leigh.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Morwenna Mutton is back on the case in Judy Leigh’s latest entertaining cosy mystery, The Cream Tea Killer.
Amateur sleuth Morwenna Mutton is happy to leave the sleuthing to the police and is looking forward to her life returning to some semblance of normality. However, when local DJ Irina asks her to meet about some nefarious goings-on at Seal Bay, curiosity gets the better of her and Morwenna agrees to meet her. Only, Irina never shows up because her body is discovered washed up on the beach. The police believe that it was an accidental drowning, but Morwenna’s gut instincts are telling her that there’s far more to Irina’s death than meets the eye.
Irina was a strong swimmer who was fully conversant with the local conditions, so she certainly would not drown. Just what had she wanted to meet Morwenna about? What had the DJ uncovered? And who was willing to go to such desperate lengths to keep Irina from spilling the beans?
Morwenna needs to tread carefully if she wants to bring Irina’s killer to justice. But she needs to watch her step and trust nobody because one false move and it would be her body the police dredge up from the sea next!
I love Judy Leigh’s books and will read anything she writes and her Morwenna Mutton series is absolutely fantastic. The Cream Tea Killer is her latest mystery and it is full of wicked wit, Cornish charm and plenty of red herrings and twists and turns that kept me up until the early hours of the morning desperate to find out who killed Irina.
A superb Cornish cosy mystery from a huge favourite of mine, The Cream Tea Killer is another immensely enjoyable treat from Judy Leigh.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 19, 2024
3.5 stars
The third entry in a contemporary cozy series set in Cornwall featuring 4 generations of the tough, outspoken Mutton women. The main character is Morwenna, the grandmother, who helps her daughter run a tea shop when she's not working at the library. Morwenna is hardy and rides her electric bike all over as her main method of transportation.
She is one of a group of mostly women who do wild swimming - jumping into the frigid ocean - once or twice a week to blast their senses and get some exercise. She also seems to trip over dead bodies fairly often.
What's to like: strong female characters, tight-knit community, nice glimpse into Cornish customs and geography. I did grow weary of usually decisive Morwenna's romantic angst having to do with her ex-husband who lives across the street, which seems to be an ongoing theme in the three books I have read.
Morwenna's friend Irina, a local radio personality, is in pursuit of a big story and promises to spill all over a drink with Morwenna. But she never shows, and her body washes up on the beach and is found by Morwenna, who has an implausible relationship with the local police. Although they constantly warn her off of pushing into their investigations, they clearly don't really mean it.
The action is a bit over the top at times but nicely paced. The small town feeling is well-portrayed. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The third entry in a contemporary cozy series set in Cornwall featuring 4 generations of the tough, outspoken Mutton women. The main character is Morwenna, the grandmother, who helps her daughter run a tea shop when she's not working at the library. Morwenna is hardy and rides her electric bike all over as her main method of transportation.
She is one of a group of mostly women who do wild swimming - jumping into the frigid ocean - once or twice a week to blast their senses and get some exercise. She also seems to trip over dead bodies fairly often.
What's to like: strong female characters, tight-knit community, nice glimpse into Cornish customs and geography. I did grow weary of usually decisive Morwenna's romantic angst having to do with her ex-husband who lives across the street, which seems to be an ongoing theme in the three books I have read.
Morwenna's friend Irina, a local radio personality, is in pursuit of a big story and promises to spill all over a drink with Morwenna. But she never shows, and her body washes up on the beach and is found by Morwenna, who has an implausible relationship with the local police. Although they constantly warn her off of pushing into their investigations, they clearly don't really mean it.
The action is a bit over the top at times but nicely paced. The small town feeling is well-portrayed. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 4, 2025
The Cream Tea Killer By Judy Leigh
I want to begin by saying a huge thank you to Netgalley , the publisher and most importantly Judy Leigh for sending me the advanced reader copy in return of my honest opinions and review.
Welcome to Seal Bay, where the sea shanty festival is kicking off. Morwenna Mutton has dressed up as a prawn not like an old sheep as her surname would suggest. This 63 year old part time librarian /waitress at her family Tea Room Proper Ansom . She along with her 83 year old Mother Lamorna and Morwenna's daughter Tamsin are 3 generations strong and want their tea room success to be even stronger. Irina , local journalist and friend of Morwenna has called asking Morwenna to meet her for a drink. However, she never arrives for that drink. Instead she is found dead, washed up on shore . So get comfy, grab your favorite cup of tea and join Morwenna and the rest of this misfit cast of characters and see if you can figure out who exactly is,,,,, The Cream Tea Killer.
This cozy mystery had my attention from the first page, seriously how many other 63 year old women do you know have the courage to dress up as a prawn. I kept reading to see how that played out among the locals in Seal Bay, and kept reading because I fell in love with the book. I had it read in a day and the bags under my eyes from staying up past my bedtime prove it. One of the easiest 5 star reviews I have ever given.
I want to begin by saying a huge thank you to Netgalley , the publisher and most importantly Judy Leigh for sending me the advanced reader copy in return of my honest opinions and review.
Welcome to Seal Bay, where the sea shanty festival is kicking off. Morwenna Mutton has dressed up as a prawn not like an old sheep as her surname would suggest. This 63 year old part time librarian /waitress at her family Tea Room Proper Ansom . She along with her 83 year old Mother Lamorna and Morwenna's daughter Tamsin are 3 generations strong and want their tea room success to be even stronger. Irina , local journalist and friend of Morwenna has called asking Morwenna to meet her for a drink. However, she never arrives for that drink. Instead she is found dead, washed up on shore . So get comfy, grab your favorite cup of tea and join Morwenna and the rest of this misfit cast of characters and see if you can figure out who exactly is,,,,, The Cream Tea Killer.
This cozy mystery had my attention from the first page, seriously how many other 63 year old women do you know have the courage to dress up as a prawn. I kept reading to see how that played out among the locals in Seal Bay, and kept reading because I fell in love with the book. I had it read in a day and the bags under my eyes from staying up past my bedtime prove it. One of the easiest 5 star reviews I have ever given.
January 3, 2025
Favorite Quotes:
Elowen had hugged her and told her that Billy Crocker had told everyone in the class that her grandmother had found a ‘horrible drownded woman’ on the beach and Elowen had retorted that Billy was the reason God created the middle finger. The conversation had occurred during a lesson on religion and about how blessed the peacemakers were, so Miss Parker had not been best pleased.
Elowen declared she needed toys and clothes for her sleepover, despite Lamorna saying that in her day all she’d take to a friend’s was a pair of pyjamas and a toothbrush and if it was a male friend, she wouldn’t take the pyjamas. Tamsin shot her grandmother a look; Elowen didn’t need leading astray– she was already a handful.
‘It hurt my feelings and I felt like thunder and lightning inside.’ Morwenna took Elowen’s hand. ‘We all feel like that sometimes.’ ‘So I hit him in the face. It wasn’t just me. The thunderstorm in my heart did it really.’
I know that guilty face. Ever since you were a kid and peed in your toy box.
My Review:
Judy Leigh is a guaranteed fun read. She never fails to entertain and amuse me with her quirky, authentic, and entirely knowable characters. I am enjoying this new cozy series, the murders are well-contrived and unpredictable, and keep the little pea in my brain pinging.
Elowen had hugged her and told her that Billy Crocker had told everyone in the class that her grandmother had found a ‘horrible drownded woman’ on the beach and Elowen had retorted that Billy was the reason God created the middle finger. The conversation had occurred during a lesson on religion and about how blessed the peacemakers were, so Miss Parker had not been best pleased.
Elowen declared she needed toys and clothes for her sleepover, despite Lamorna saying that in her day all she’d take to a friend’s was a pair of pyjamas and a toothbrush and if it was a male friend, she wouldn’t take the pyjamas. Tamsin shot her grandmother a look; Elowen didn’t need leading astray– she was already a handful.
‘It hurt my feelings and I felt like thunder and lightning inside.’ Morwenna took Elowen’s hand. ‘We all feel like that sometimes.’ ‘So I hit him in the face. It wasn’t just me. The thunderstorm in my heart did it really.’
I know that guilty face. Ever since you were a kid and peed in your toy box.
My Review:
Judy Leigh is a guaranteed fun read. She never fails to entertain and amuse me with her quirky, authentic, and entirely knowable characters. I am enjoying this new cozy series, the murders are well-contrived and unpredictable, and keep the little pea in my brain pinging.
January 9, 2025
I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.
This is the third book in the Morwenna Mutton cosy mysteries, set in Cornwall. I really enjoyed the previous instalments, so I was excited about this.
Even from the beginning, I found this book and its characters made me chuckle. It was lovely to visit Seal Bay again, and escape into the lovely seaside atmosphere. I really like Morwenna as a protagonist, and there are some other characters that I find endearing. Morwenna’s granddaughter, Elowen, melts my heart, her potential suitor, Barnaby, is very charming, and I also love Brenda the cat. If you haven't read the previous books in the series, I'd say this works well as a standalone, but I would recommend the previous books as well.
This was lovely to read, and it satisfied my craving for a cosy mystery. It was a lovely new instalment to the series; very entertaining, with some loveable characters and heartwarming moments as well. I'd say that Morwenna Mutton is a little bit like Cornwall's answer to Agatha Raisin, so if you're a fan of hers, you'll probably love Morwenna.
Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.
This is the third book in the Morwenna Mutton cosy mysteries, set in Cornwall. I really enjoyed the previous instalments, so I was excited about this.
Even from the beginning, I found this book and its characters made me chuckle. It was lovely to visit Seal Bay again, and escape into the lovely seaside atmosphere. I really like Morwenna as a protagonist, and there are some other characters that I find endearing. Morwenna’s granddaughter, Elowen, melts my heart, her potential suitor, Barnaby, is very charming, and I also love Brenda the cat. If you haven't read the previous books in the series, I'd say this works well as a standalone, but I would recommend the previous books as well.
This was lovely to read, and it satisfied my craving for a cosy mystery. It was a lovely new instalment to the series; very entertaining, with some loveable characters and heartwarming moments as well. I'd say that Morwenna Mutton is a little bit like Cornwall's answer to Agatha Raisin, so if you're a fan of hers, you'll probably love Morwenna.
Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.
January 5, 2025
I received a free copy of this book as part of a blog tour book promotion with Rachel's Random Resources.
The Cream Tea Killer is part of a series and I started the book without being familiar with the MC Morwenna Mutton.
As someone experienced with wrong place wrong time and if it can go wrong, it will, I enjoyed Mutton's hairy situation.
How worrisome to become the target for a murderer when you never should have been involved with the situation in the first place.
This story took place in a charming coastal town with descriptive shops and fun characters that made me want to visit again.
The spunk and guts of Morwenna made me think of the spicy Matlock spinoff series, where wily Madeline Matlock is fooling everyone around her, proving age doesn't always mean losing your wits.
Although primarily a cozy mystery, this book gave readers a bit of everything, from family drama to butterfly romance. And a lovely reminder that life doesn't end when you pass middle age.
I look forward to reading the first two books in this series and exploring more of Mutton's mystery solving adventures.
The Cream Tea Killer is part of a series and I started the book without being familiar with the MC Morwenna Mutton.
As someone experienced with wrong place wrong time and if it can go wrong, it will, I enjoyed Mutton's hairy situation.
How worrisome to become the target for a murderer when you never should have been involved with the situation in the first place.
This story took place in a charming coastal town with descriptive shops and fun characters that made me want to visit again.
The spunk and guts of Morwenna made me think of the spicy Matlock spinoff series, where wily Madeline Matlock is fooling everyone around her, proving age doesn't always mean losing your wits.
Although primarily a cozy mystery, this book gave readers a bit of everything, from family drama to butterfly romance. And a lovely reminder that life doesn't end when you pass middle age.
I look forward to reading the first two books in this series and exploring more of Mutton's mystery solving adventures.
March 6, 2025
This started out as a wild ride, but lost me some towards the end.
I was a little apprehensive at first. The main character is in her sixties. I’ve read other books with 60+ sleuths and those were all of the darling old lady variety. No such thing with Morwenna. She may be grey-haired, but that does not stop her from getting to the bottom of things, including a little law breaking. Which I normally find very annoying when the sleuth does that, but Morwenna could have asked me to stand watch for her and I still wouldn’t have tried to talk her out of it.
Somewhere around the middle, the mystery started to sag about. Perhaps I had other things on my mind, but mostly it was that Morwenna didn’t snoop so much as had chance encounters that turned out to be usefull.
The book completely lost me towards the end with the killer’s confession. This killer could have gotten away with it if not for the confrontation with the sleuth, and is smart enough to have realized that. (But why did the killer leave a day between killing Irina and searching her office for her laptop?)
I read an ARC through NetGalley.
I was a little apprehensive at first. The main character is in her sixties. I’ve read other books with 60+ sleuths and those were all of the darling old lady variety. No such thing with Morwenna. She may be grey-haired, but that does not stop her from getting to the bottom of things, including a little law breaking. Which I normally find very annoying when the sleuth does that, but Morwenna could have asked me to stand watch for her and I still wouldn’t have tried to talk her out of it.
Somewhere around the middle, the mystery started to sag about. Perhaps I had other things on my mind, but mostly it was that Morwenna didn’t snoop so much as had chance encounters that turned out to be usefull.
The book completely lost me towards the end with the killer’s confession. This killer could have gotten away with it if not for the confrontation with the sleuth, and is smart enough to have realized that. (But why did the killer leave a day between killing Irina and searching her office for her laptop?)
I read an ARC through NetGalley.
November 24, 2024
'The Cream Tea Killer' by Judy Leigh.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I love this series of books. This one is probably my favourite of the series. I love the added addition of Blessed, she's brilliant. I felt like this one was a lot more fast paced then normal but I enjoyed that. And I like the added twists at the end, I wasn't expecting them.
If you love cosy crime and a beautiful location then give this series a read.
Morwenna Mutton should be living the quiet life of a librarian and grandmother in Cornwall’s beautiful Seal Bay – if only dead bodies would stop turning up…
After the excitement of her last investigation, amateur sleuth Morwenna is looking forward to things getting back to normal. When local DJ Irina asks to meet however, desperate to share information she has discovered regarding nefarious goings-on, Morwenna can’t resist.
But Irina never arrives for their drink – instead her body is washed up on the beach, an apparent victim of an accidental drowning. At once keen wild bather Morwenna knows something is amiss as Irina was a strong swimmer who knew the local conditions well. What had Irina uncovered and who would want her dead?
When the local news dubs Irina’s murderer The Cream Tea Killer in honour of Cornwall’s famous delicacy, the clock starts ticking. Now the murderer knows Morwenna is on their trail, no one in her family is safe. She must get to the truth before the killer gets to her…
Thanks to NetGallery UK, the publishers and the author for letting me read a copy in return for an honest review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I love this series of books. This one is probably my favourite of the series. I love the added addition of Blessed, she's brilliant. I felt like this one was a lot more fast paced then normal but I enjoyed that. And I like the added twists at the end, I wasn't expecting them.
If you love cosy crime and a beautiful location then give this series a read.
Morwenna Mutton should be living the quiet life of a librarian and grandmother in Cornwall’s beautiful Seal Bay – if only dead bodies would stop turning up…
After the excitement of her last investigation, amateur sleuth Morwenna is looking forward to things getting back to normal. When local DJ Irina asks to meet however, desperate to share information she has discovered regarding nefarious goings-on, Morwenna can’t resist.
But Irina never arrives for their drink – instead her body is washed up on the beach, an apparent victim of an accidental drowning. At once keen wild bather Morwenna knows something is amiss as Irina was a strong swimmer who knew the local conditions well. What had Irina uncovered and who would want her dead?
When the local news dubs Irina’s murderer The Cream Tea Killer in honour of Cornwall’s famous delicacy, the clock starts ticking. Now the murderer knows Morwenna is on their trail, no one in her family is safe. She must get to the truth before the killer gets to her…
Thanks to NetGallery UK, the publishers and the author for letting me read a copy in return for an honest review.
November 24, 2024
We are back in Seal bay, this time Morwenna has sadly found the body of a friend she used to swim with. Irina went missing the night before when she was going to meet Morwena to tell her something important and when she didn't turn up Morwenna took things into her own hands and broke into where Irina was staying- as did someone else who Morwenna managed to avoid. Why has Irina been killed and what on earth is going on in quiet Seal Bay?
I adore this series. It's always a great plot and wonderful characters. They probably stand alone but why miss out on the rest of a great series? Morwenna and her friends have the right attitude to life as in “one life- live it” and don’t hang around waiting for things to come to them, they grab opportunities with both hands and Morwenna loves her bit of sleuthing. A terrific read with lots of smiles, a great plot and so much more.
For more reviews please follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @nickisbookblog
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I adore this series. It's always a great plot and wonderful characters. They probably stand alone but why miss out on the rest of a great series? Morwenna and her friends have the right attitude to life as in “one life- live it” and don’t hang around waiting for things to come to them, they grab opportunities with both hands and Morwenna loves her bit of sleuthing. A terrific read with lots of smiles, a great plot and so much more.
For more reviews please follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @nickisbookblog
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December 29, 2024
My Review: It’s no secret that I adore author Judy Leigh aka Elena Collins. Morwenna Mutton is a very special cosy crime character, she’s fun, sassy and loves to uncover crimes, murders in particular. We are reconnected with her ex Ruan, her mother Lamerna, daughter Tamsin and her very cheeky Granddaughter Elowen.
Seal Bay is still as endearing as ever, until something bad happens to Irina who was about to uncover a very dark secret.
The police try and discourage Morwenna’s sleuth antiques, but fail miserably. Jane, Rick and Blessed have their work cut out.
Pretty soon we are on the hunt for the Cream Tea Killer. Although lets be honest, imagining Morwenna dressed as a Prawn is hilarious, her and her bike take a humourful centre stage, as do her feelings for Barnaby and Ruan. There are fun song references, shots, people falling into water. It’s a light hearted and loveable read, easy to follow and then the pace really picks up 75% in, edge of your seat stuff as things start to become clearer. A recommended read.
Seal Bay is still as endearing as ever, until something bad happens to Irina who was about to uncover a very dark secret.
The police try and discourage Morwenna’s sleuth antiques, but fail miserably. Jane, Rick and Blessed have their work cut out.
Pretty soon we are on the hunt for the Cream Tea Killer. Although lets be honest, imagining Morwenna dressed as a Prawn is hilarious, her and her bike take a humourful centre stage, as do her feelings for Barnaby and Ruan. There are fun song references, shots, people falling into water. It’s a light hearted and loveable read, easy to follow and then the pace really picks up 75% in, edge of your seat stuff as things start to become clearer. A recommended read.
November 20, 2024
There's nothing better after a difficult day than coming to the Cornwall coast and having a good time swimming in the surf with Morwenna, her tea shop, the ghostie, and the latest murder investigation. I love the way Morwenna sets about doing her own thing in her own way from attire to transportation to opinions and sleuthing. And don't forget her eighty-something mother who simply must swim every single day regardless of the weather. This time the victim is a local news personality who was about to air someone's dirty laundry. For everyone who likes her, there are two others who dislike and/or fear her. Serious business, but lots of fun to be had, too!
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected proof copy from Boldwood Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
Avail Jan 04, 2025 #TheCreamTeaKiller by @JudyLeighWriter #MorwennaMuttonMysteriesBk3 #NetGalley @BoldwoodBooks #CozyMystery #Cornwall
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected proof copy from Boldwood Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
Avail Jan 04, 2025 #TheCreamTeaKiller by @JudyLeighWriter #MorwennaMuttonMysteriesBk3 #NetGalley @BoldwoodBooks #CozyMystery #Cornwall
November 25, 2024
I really like Morwenna and her somewhat unconventional family. This book is full of wit and wisdom and so many wonderful details. I had to laugh about Morwenna teaching Elowen "the way of the peace," and I love how essential Brenda the cat is to Morwenna. But not in a sappy "furbaby" way. And the ocean bathing in the North Atlantic. These strong women in the frigid waters reminded me of the few people I saw swimming daily in the ocean in Skerries, Ireland (sometimes with their dogs). Something about these scenes feel visceral and wonderful. Not romanticized, but also somehow larger than life. Aside from the ridiculous title, which implies that this is a culinary cozy--which it isn't--this is a thoroughly enjoyable read!
I'm looking forward to the next title in this series. (And I'm going to have to back up and read the first two!)
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy, in exchange for this honest review.
I'm looking forward to the next title in this series. (And I'm going to have to back up and read the first two!)
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy, in exchange for this honest review.
January 1, 2025
I decided to review this book based on the other books by the author I had read and enjoyed. I didn't realise that this was a cosy mystery or that it is book #3 in a series.
I started off reading on the back foot, as it felt like there was something I should have known before I began. It wasn't until a few pages in that reference to the earlier mysteries was made. I read on and really it didn't make any difference to me. Other than I had no back story in my mind.
It was nice to read a mystery where the main character (Morwenna) is a mature lady and I think that works to her advantage in the investigations she undertakes. In this case a DJ she is friendly with, asks her to meet up later to discuss some goings on she thinks could be explosive if uncovered. The DJ never makes the meeting as her body is found washed up on the beach despite her being a very strong and experienced swimmer.
Morwenna is a librarian and also helps run her daughter's tea shop so she is a very busy lady. However, she still finds time to meddle in police investigations and do some investigating of her own. The police do their best to discourage her maverick detection but to no avail.
I enjoyed the book and the characters. It was a nice cosy read and going along at a nice pace until the last third of the book. Then it became very fast with action and not at all cosy really, but a page turner for me.
I started off reading on the back foot, as it felt like there was something I should have known before I began. It wasn't until a few pages in that reference to the earlier mysteries was made. I read on and really it didn't make any difference to me. Other than I had no back story in my mind.
It was nice to read a mystery where the main character (Morwenna) is a mature lady and I think that works to her advantage in the investigations she undertakes. In this case a DJ she is friendly with, asks her to meet up later to discuss some goings on she thinks could be explosive if uncovered. The DJ never makes the meeting as her body is found washed up on the beach despite her being a very strong and experienced swimmer.
Morwenna is a librarian and also helps run her daughter's tea shop so she is a very busy lady. However, she still finds time to meddle in police investigations and do some investigating of her own. The police do their best to discourage her maverick detection but to no avail.
I enjoyed the book and the characters. It was a nice cosy read and going along at a nice pace until the last third of the book. Then it became very fast with action and not at all cosy really, but a page turner for me.
December 29, 2024
When a friend, Irina, discovers nefarious goings-on in Seal Bay,
Morwenna Mutton can’t wait to learn more later that day.
However, for their meeting Irina doesn’t come or call
To what cruel fate did she befall?
Morwenna never expected Irina's body to discover
Washed up on the beach - was it an accident or something other?
Morwenna can’t resist looking to see what she can find
But if it was murder, will Irina's killer mind?
When a radio presented dubs the murderer The Cream Tea Killer
Will this prove to be another enthralling thriller?
Will Morwenna's family be safe if she continues to investigate?
Can she identify the killer before it is too late?
Another brilliant read that had me engrossed from the start
A murder mystery with community and love at its heart.
A fascinating read, with so many twists and turns, too,
I have no hesitation in highly recommending it to you!
For my copy of this book I say a huge thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.
Morwenna Mutton can’t wait to learn more later that day.
However, for their meeting Irina doesn’t come or call
To what cruel fate did she befall?
Morwenna never expected Irina's body to discover
Washed up on the beach - was it an accident or something other?
Morwenna can’t resist looking to see what she can find
But if it was murder, will Irina's killer mind?
When a radio presented dubs the murderer The Cream Tea Killer
Will this prove to be another enthralling thriller?
Will Morwenna's family be safe if she continues to investigate?
Can she identify the killer before it is too late?
Another brilliant read that had me engrossed from the start
A murder mystery with community and love at its heart.
A fascinating read, with so many twists and turns, too,
I have no hesitation in highly recommending it to you!
For my copy of this book I say a huge thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.
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