Ma-ah, Ma-ah, Murder! : A Tamsin Kernick English Cozy Mystery

The Tamsin Kernick Cozy English Mysteries #5

by Lucy Emblem

She’s happy teaching her dogs scentwork and playing with her pal’s enchanting goat kids, but when someone seems set on destroying her friends’ craft businesses in the Malvern Hills, Tamsin jumps to action.

Tamsin Kernick, passionate dog trainer, has three priorities in her three dogs. justice … and cake! In the Farmers’ Market the goats’ yogurt is off, the hand-knitteds are causing a rash, and a tearful baker’s delicious scones are tasting awful.

And when contaminated yogurt is implicated in a mysterious death, Tamsin fears her favourite café may be next on the list, and now she’s catapulted into investigating a murder.

With many wrong turns and false scents, can she and her dogs nose out the suspects and bring the culprits to heel, and save the creatives’ livelihoods?

Ma-ah, Ma-ah, Murder! is the fifth book in the growing Tamsin Kernick English Cozy Mystery series. If you like country town markets and handmade products, the smell of hay and the sight of capering kids, and well-trained dogs keeping crafty malefactors at bay, you’ll love this latest flavoursome escapade!

Buy Ma-ah, Ma-ah, Murder! now and work your way through the twists and turns, the frisky kids, and the scrummy baked delights.

164 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 16, 2024

Reviews

[Lynn Hayward-Bisbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This latest in the Tamsin Kernick series did not disappoint. It's full of more animals, goats this time, and all the dogs and cats we've come to know and love.

One of the best things about Lucy Emblem's books is the way she makes her subjects and characters relatable to the reader. For example, when Susannah talks about the bolts she has on her gates because the goats are escape artists, I know that to be true, but also I related because our donkeys are highly intelligent and one of them knows how to unlock every gate in every pasture so they have to be securely closed! I live next to a goat farm and so I related to reading about the goats and the every day workings of Susannah's farm. The author always seems to get right at the heart of the animals and we feel an empathy for every one.

This current mystery has new characters and familiar ones. Each character is described in such a way that you can see them in your mind's eye. If you like Farmers Markets and all the artists and vendors one can find there, you'll certainly enjoy this read. Tamsin has begun teaching scent tracking to her dogs; it seems she's always coming up with new tricks to teach them. And, of course, there's cake! The mystery and the clues are well written and interwoven into the story in a manner that keeps the reader guessing.

I think one of the best lines in the book and one which sums up why animals lovers really love this series is when Susannah comments: “I’ll deal with the milking parlour and go and soothe my soul with my goats.” (Excerpt From
Ma-ah, Ma-ah, Murder! : A Tamsin Kernick English Cozy Mystery
Lucy Emblem)

Animals soothe my soul and Lucy Emblem's cozy mysteries do just that as well!

I was provided an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion which I have given.

[Janna-Lis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every one of these books in the series get better and better, even though all are utterly fantastic. The characters are relateable, the settings in the beautiful Malvern hills are stunning and the stories themselves each very different from the others, but also relateable, having the same group of central characters, with new ones introduced each time,who are the focus of the latest mystery. Tamsin is a dog trainer who helps people with their dogs who have problems, and with a no punish policy she is helping the humans understand how to work with their dogs gently and kindly, making their bond strong and built on love and rewards. She also runs puppy classes and others teaching various tricks which are very well attended. She is always teaching her dogs new skills and through these skills they are often central in solving the mystery. Her dogs are the true heroes, and in this episode it is Banjo who takes centre stage because he is learning scentwork. Tamsin and her cohorts, Emerald and Feargal who regularly meet and the Cake Stop to discuss the case, eat cake and drink coffee, as well as other characters work through the mysteries, the twists, turns and red herrings to finally discover who the perpetrator/s are. The stories grab me from the beginning, I feel like they are my friends and I am there with them, and this time we meet a woman who keeps goats for their milk, and makes cheese and yoghurt. Lucky Tamsin and Emerald even get to bottle feed the kids as well as discussing the problems affecting the small-scale makers of the farmers market who seem to be targeted, but no-one knows who or why.
This intriguing story has everything and more and I highly recommend reading the whole series.
I was given an ARC version of the book and I leave this honesty and voluntary review because I loved reading this book and want everyone to know about it.

[Cyndar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something is wrong in Tamsin's little village. It seems they are experiencing a problem with tainted food at the Market, which isn't good for business.
Tamsin is a dog trainer whose friends are loyal and pets are brilliant. Is it the heat or is it the work of someone intent on harming the local businesses?
Tamsin has a knack for solving crimes. Will she save her friends and beloved village from the latest nefarious deeds?
This book, like the others in the series, is a nice read with a good story.It would be fine to join the series at any point, like I did, and enjoy the previous four books. I am hoping there will be a Book 6.
The characters are nicely drawn and the pets are appealing. The descriptions of food, especially cake, are inspirational.
Nicely done.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the characters. Kallie Brooks and her best friend Tess Russo and Kallie’s father Benny Brooks attended the Gasparilla in Tampa. It is a pirates taking over the city event that is held every year. While there are woman bumped into Kallie leaving her with a bloody blouse and a knife in her hand. Police Charged her with murder. Once she is out on bail she decides to find the murderer to clear herself.
This was a great book, fast paced and very well written. I highly recommend it.

I received an advance review copy, ARC, for free, and I am leaving an honest opinion and voluntary review

[Anne Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Tamsin, with help from Emerald & especially her dog Banjo, get involved in a mystery. Someone is managing to make things taste bitter. The people affected all have booths at the local Farmers’ Market. There is a prime suspect with a possible motive. Then someone gets poisoned & dies. Is this connected or a copycat act? Things come to ahead & finally Tamsin & Banjo unmask the contaminator. Suddenly thinks click in her head & she solves the murder as well! A really enjoyable end.

[Linda Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun & entertaining read, with our favourite characters. Once again Tamsin with her friend Emerald & faithful dog Banjo set out to solve a mystery & a murder. Are the two linked…is there more than one culprit? Who is stirring up trouble?…who has a grudge? and who is out for revenge? All with be revealed. Recommend
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the author & I am writing a voluntary, honest review

[Cornel Diaconu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real cozy mystery - someone tries to mess with local various food/drink products, apparently to make them stop. And also a murder that looks related. Are these connected ?
Just give the book a read - it's worth it.

I just wonder if the author is equally fond of cakes, and other sweets, as the character of her books, Tamsin.
Clearly Tamsin's mastering of dogs is modeled after herself (being also a dog trainer in her real life)

[Martine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who's contaminating food? Tamsin and her friends are on it. This is a good addition tho this series. I enjoyed the writing style, the story, the characters. A recommendation. I hope there will be many more stories to come.
I received an advance review copy for free and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tamsin and Emerald her friend are surprised as someone was sabotaging foodstuff and items owned by small business owners. There was also the death of Mable Carstairs to deal with. Lots of humour and great characters to make this a captivating read from the start.  I received this ARC copy and leave a honest review. I recommend this book to other readers.

[Eliz Marino · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC and this is my voluntary review. Tamsin must help her friends in this delightful cozy. The local artisans are being targeted with contaminated food that seems intent on destroying their businesses. A great series that keeps getting better. I loved learning about goats while reading this book.

[Lavender Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this book: the lovely cover, the captivating story, the clever and cute pets, the wonderful goats and their delightful kids, and, of course, the characters, especially Tamsin.

A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.

[Alayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent mystery - or two! I took off half a star for the fact that the murderer was obvious to me well before the investigator worked it out, but I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

[mrs epeach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Brilliant and interesting as all ways. Love these stories and recommend them to anyone who loves a good murder mystery.

[Alice Hazelbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things are heating up in Great Malvern, as they head into the third week of unusually high heat! And there are strange goings on in the Saturday Craft and Farmers markets, as it seems someone is tampering with a number of vendors products! Foods are tasting off with a bitter flavor, and a shawl had itching powder put on it! But Tamsin and her dogs are investigating. One of the vendors runs a goat farm and makes yogurt. When her yogurt is discovered at the scene of a possible murder, it gets serious! I loved reading about the goats and their kids, romping around and performing funny antics. I also enjoyed the unique English flavor of the writing. I received a free ARC of this book and write this review voluntarily.

[Karin Tillotson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who killed Mabel Carstairs and why??? She's blaming the wrong person??? I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.