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Cotswolds Classics #1
Slaying at Stanway
Some weddings end with 'I do'—this one ends with 'whodunit?'
When American ex-pat Nigella Hunt agrees to help her friend with the flowers for a wedding at the grand Stanway Manor, she expects a day of romance and celebration. But when the cantankerous wedding planner is found dead among the roses, the festivities take a deadly twist, and Nigella finds herself caught up in her very first murder mystery.
With all eyes on the guests at Stanway Manor—a historic estate rich with secrets and ties to J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan—Nigella’s curiosity quickly pulls her into the investigation. As she digs deeper, she realizes this case is no fairytale; hidden motives, swirling secrets, and clues embedded in the manor's storied past make every revelation more unexpected.
Set against the picturesque backdrop of Stow-on-the-Wold, Slaying at Stanway offers cozy mystery lovers an enchanting escape filled with literary charm, village intrigue, and a dash of danger. Can Nigella solve the case before the killer strikes again?
Perfect for fans of village life, literary legends, and amateur sleuths, this first installment in ACF Bookens’ Cotswolds Classics series is sure to delight.
When American ex-pat Nigella Hunt agrees to help her friend with the flowers for a wedding at the grand Stanway Manor, she expects a day of romance and celebration. But when the cantankerous wedding planner is found dead among the roses, the festivities take a deadly twist, and Nigella finds herself caught up in her very first murder mystery.
With all eyes on the guests at Stanway Manor—a historic estate rich with secrets and ties to J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan—Nigella’s curiosity quickly pulls her into the investigation. As she digs deeper, she realizes this case is no fairytale; hidden motives, swirling secrets, and clues embedded in the manor's storied past make every revelation more unexpected.
Set against the picturesque backdrop of Stow-on-the-Wold, Slaying at Stanway offers cozy mystery lovers an enchanting escape filled with literary charm, village intrigue, and a dash of danger. Can Nigella solve the case before the killer strikes again?
Perfect for fans of village life, literary legends, and amateur sleuths, this first installment in ACF Bookens’ Cotswolds Classics series is sure to delight.
261 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 28, 2024
82 people are currently reading
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November 12, 2024Years and years ago, I studied in Cheltenham in the Cotswolds area of England. I loved everything about that area - the thatched roofs, the cheddar rolling contests, the stone walls.
So when I wanted to start a new series, I knew I wanted to set it there, and because I am such a book lover, I wanted to take advantage of all the literary references in the area. Thus, The Cotswolds Classics series was this born.
While much of the story occurs in Stow-On-The-Wold, a village I love, the actual murder occurs in Stanway House, where J. M. Barrie got his inspiration for Tinkerbell.
I so hope you enjoy the book!
So when I wanted to start a new series, I knew I wanted to set it there, and because I am such a book lover, I wanted to take advantage of all the literary references in the area. Thus, The Cotswolds Classics series was this born.
While much of the story occurs in Stow-On-The-Wold, a village I love, the actual murder occurs in Stanway House, where J. M. Barrie got his inspiration for Tinkerbell.
I so hope you enjoy the book!
November 30, 2024
Enjoyable story, but I had to downgrade it a star due to the very poor editing- way too many places where the word “my” should have been she/her or he/him. I had to reread too many sentences to figure out who was speaking or acting. Usually her books are edited better than this.
January 3, 2025
Good story, dreadful editing
Oh dear! I really enjoy Bookens’ stories and characters and this is no exception. BUT dreadful editing with errors every couple of pages made this book a struggle throughout. Bookens’ skill deserves so much better.
Oh dear! I really enjoy Bookens’ stories and characters and this is no exception. BUT dreadful editing with errors every couple of pages made this book a struggle throughout. Bookens’ skill deserves so much better.
February 15, 2025
Nice and cozy read, nice characters in the new series. However, book needs additional proof reading, both for grammar/typos as for details (eg. In the beginning, Gray has no mobile phone, a few pages later he has without further explanation).
December 10, 2024
"Slaying At Stanway" is the first book in "The Cotswold Classics Series" by ACF Bookens.
Storywise, the book would rate 4 stars.
Editing/proofreading, the book barely rates 1 star.
Read on for my review and explanation...
As the first book in a new series, it can take a while to get to know the characters and the surroundings. Nell has just moved to the English home she inherrited from her Aunt so we see things through her perspective.
As Nell adjusts to her new surroundings and meets new people, readers are drawn into to a comfy setting that will also allow for more potential stories and getting to know some of the wonderful new people she has met. SInce Nell is American, there is also a generous sprinkling of adjusting to British humour and terms. Add in the resident animals of her home and a loveable dog for aditional enjoyment and antics.
The actual murder was not a surprise. At times, solving it seemed to take a backseat as we get to know Nell, her new home, new business and friends but it worked. A few nice twists kept the actual murder plot going and suspicion shifting before all was revealed. Granted, I had surmised who was most likely responsible well beforehand but getting there was interesting.
Storywise, I would give this 4 stars.
HOWEVER, this has got to be the most poorly edited/proofread book I've ever come across - assuming it was actually proofread! Most of the mistakes were the use of I/my instead of she/her or he/him. There were so many times that I had to stop and reread a sentence or paragraph just to sort out who was saying or doing something. Several places where the usage was mixed such as "I looked over to see my smile" instead of "She looked over to see my smile."
There were a few places where a word in a sentence was missed or the wrong word used (the instead of they) or an extra word was added (was to was)
In all, I noted 80 - YES I SAID EIGHTY! - typos and grammatical errors in the first 253 pages! Whoever "supposedly" did the final edits and proofreading failed misserably, should be fired and sent back to school. I'm not an English teacher but this should never have been released in this condition.
I didn't bother reading the preview for "Stitches In Crime" that was included in the Kindle edition as I had read it a few years ago - therefore I can't speak to any typos in the last 20 or so pages of the book.
The editing and proofreading barely rate 1 star.
Overall, I'd give this book 2 stars and though this series has good potential, PLEASE do more thorough proofreading in any future books! JMO!
Storywise, the book would rate 4 stars.
Editing/proofreading, the book barely rates 1 star.
Read on for my review and explanation...
As the first book in a new series, it can take a while to get to know the characters and the surroundings. Nell has just moved to the English home she inherrited from her Aunt so we see things through her perspective.
As Nell adjusts to her new surroundings and meets new people, readers are drawn into to a comfy setting that will also allow for more potential stories and getting to know some of the wonderful new people she has met. SInce Nell is American, there is also a generous sprinkling of adjusting to British humour and terms. Add in the resident animals of her home and a loveable dog for aditional enjoyment and antics.
The actual murder was not a surprise. At times, solving it seemed to take a backseat as we get to know Nell, her new home, new business and friends but it worked. A few nice twists kept the actual murder plot going and suspicion shifting before all was revealed. Granted, I had surmised who was most likely responsible well beforehand but getting there was interesting.
Storywise, I would give this 4 stars.
HOWEVER, this has got to be the most poorly edited/proofread book I've ever come across - assuming it was actually proofread! Most of the mistakes were the use of I/my instead of she/her or he/him. There were so many times that I had to stop and reread a sentence or paragraph just to sort out who was saying or doing something. Several places where the usage was mixed such as "I looked over to see my smile" instead of "She looked over to see my smile."
There were a few places where a word in a sentence was missed or the wrong word used (the instead of they) or an extra word was added (was to was)
In all, I noted 80 - YES I SAID EIGHTY! - typos and grammatical errors in the first 253 pages! Whoever "supposedly" did the final edits and proofreading failed misserably, should be fired and sent back to school. I'm not an English teacher but this should never have been released in this condition.
I didn't bother reading the preview for "Stitches In Crime" that was included in the Kindle edition as I had read it a few years ago - therefore I can't speak to any typos in the last 20 or so pages of the book.
The editing and proofreading barely rate 1 star.
Overall, I'd give this book 2 stars and though this series has good potential, PLEASE do more thorough proofreading in any future books! JMO!
November 16, 2024
I received a free copy from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.
A.C.F. Bookens is one of my favorite cozy mystery authors, so I was excited for this new series. It took me some time to get into this book, but after a few chapters I started to get into the story and the further I got the more I enjoyed it. The story follows Nell who lost her parents and inherited a house in the English countryside, so she moves there and starts her new live there.
I liked reading about Nell. Moving to the British countryside is quite the change for her. I liked seeing her discover her new house and make it her own. She also meets some great people and becomes friends with some of them and there's a bit of romance as well. I liked seeing her working on starting her own business and reading about the planting she's doing. There's already a great group of side characters and I liked seeing Nell interact with all of them. There are some great animal characters as well.
The mystery was less interesting to me than reading about Nell's daily life. I felt like the mystery just wasn't as interesting and there aren't as many suspects. The only thing I kept wondering about is the motive as there weren't many clues for that and that was a surprise when it came to light. There were some interesting parts during the investigation and I liked the way Nell got involved.
To summarize: This was a solid start to a new series by one of my favorite cozy mystery authors. It took me some time to get into the story, but I enjoyed it more the further I got. I liked reading about Nell, how she's adapting to life in the UK, making new friends and starting her own business. The mystery was less interesting to me and I just wasn't as interesting about that part of the plot. The motive did keep me guessing and there were some interesting scenes along the way, but there weren't as many suspects and I just didn't find the mystery as interesting. I look forward to the next book and reading more about Nell, the animals and her friends.
A.C.F. Bookens is one of my favorite cozy mystery authors, so I was excited for this new series. It took me some time to get into this book, but after a few chapters I started to get into the story and the further I got the more I enjoyed it. The story follows Nell who lost her parents and inherited a house in the English countryside, so she moves there and starts her new live there.
I liked reading about Nell. Moving to the British countryside is quite the change for her. I liked seeing her discover her new house and make it her own. She also meets some great people and becomes friends with some of them and there's a bit of romance as well. I liked seeing her working on starting her own business and reading about the planting she's doing. There's already a great group of side characters and I liked seeing Nell interact with all of them. There are some great animal characters as well.
The mystery was less interesting to me than reading about Nell's daily life. I felt like the mystery just wasn't as interesting and there aren't as many suspects. The only thing I kept wondering about is the motive as there weren't many clues for that and that was a surprise when it came to light. There were some interesting parts during the investigation and I liked the way Nell got involved.
To summarize: This was a solid start to a new series by one of my favorite cozy mystery authors. It took me some time to get into the story, but I enjoyed it more the further I got. I liked reading about Nell, how she's adapting to life in the UK, making new friends and starting her own business. The mystery was less interesting to me and I just wasn't as interesting about that part of the plot. The motive did keep me guessing and there were some interesting scenes along the way, but there weren't as many suspects and I just didn't find the mystery as interesting. I look forward to the next book and reading more about Nell, the animals and her friends.
November 13, 2024
Nigella (Nell) Hunt found that she had inherited a home in England, in Stow-on-the-Wold, Cotswolds. There are 3 miniature donkeys there, Bramble, Thistle & Clover. Nell gets asked to do the flowers at a wedding & then discovers the wedding planner dead. Nell decides to help investigate but she gets very busy with her garden, planting lots of flowers to keep herself in business all year round. Then a wolfhound arrives & makes himself at home. Nell becomes very fond of him & is glad when she finds that she isable to keep him. A very enjoyable book.
February 21, 2025
Nell was living in Virginia when her parents were killed in a car crash. She was an only child, so she inherited everything. While going through her mother's things, she discovered she also owned a house in the English Cotswolds that belonged to her aunt, who recently passed away.
She decided to sell everything in Virginia and move to England, stating a new phase in her life. I have read several books by this author, but this is a bit different. Still a very enjoyable read.
I received a free ARC, and this is my honest opinion.
She decided to sell everything in Virginia and move to England, stating a new phase in her life. I have read several books by this author, but this is a bit different. Still a very enjoyable read.
I received a free ARC, and this is my honest opinion.
September 7, 2025
I have many of ACF Bookens' cozies. as I truly enjoy her characters' relatability and the settings of their worlds. I want to love this new series as much as the others, but the editing, rather, lack thereof, was horrible. It only gets two stars, because Vinci books has done Bookens, the readers. and themselves a disservice by prematurely releasing this book without proofreading and final edits.
I truly hope this is corrected before further volumes in the series are released, because the potential for a great cozy community is there.
I truly hope this is corrected before further volumes in the series are released, because the potential for a great cozy community is there.
November 21, 2024
Murder!
An entertaining book as American Nigella Hunt, arrives in the Cotswolds after inheriting her aunt's property. An avid gardener and florist, she agrees to prepare the wedding flowers for the brother of her new friend, Gisella. A murder occurs! Nigella cleverly pieces together the puzzle and identifies the murderer. I recommend this book.
I read this book as part of an advance reader team and am voluntarily writing this review.
An entertaining book as American Nigella Hunt, arrives in the Cotswolds after inheriting her aunt's property. An avid gardener and florist, she agrees to prepare the wedding flowers for the brother of her new friend, Gisella. A murder occurs! Nigella cleverly pieces together the puzzle and identifies the murderer. I recommend this book.
I read this book as part of an advance reader team and am voluntarily writing this review.
July 31, 2025
Great start to a new series
I'm in love with this series already, just because it's set in the Cotswolds, a glorious part of England. It's almost like my fantasy come true, growing flowers in the English countryside, eating and drinking at the local, solving murders.... Well, maybe not solving murders. But if this book is a preview of the rest of the series, I'm excited to read more.
I'm in love with this series already, just because it's set in the Cotswolds, a glorious part of England. It's almost like my fantasy come true, growing flowers in the English countryside, eating and drinking at the local, solving murders.... Well, maybe not solving murders. But if this book is a preview of the rest of the series, I'm excited to read more.
August 13, 2025
This book was okay. I had a hard time connecting with the FMC and whatever kind of romance was going on with her farmhand dude. Also - maybe I missed it, but he (Gray) said he didn't have a cellphone because he didn't like them - but then a couple chapters later he is whipping out HIS phone and taking pictures. Maybe it was a joke? Maybe he got a phone? I don't know but it just seemed like a weird plot hole (that's the best way I can describe it - it's not really but hopefully you get my drift) that he hates them, doesn't have one, then magically has one. Maybe it was an editor mistake and it got missed in proofreading. Overall, it was just okay.
November 12, 2024
I received a free advance review copy of this book and am voluntarily providing my honest review. Bookens has another hit on her hands. Nell inherits a farm in England and moves there and finds out she has also inherited 3 miniature donkeys. I loved this book and am looking forward to the next one in this new series.
November 12, 2024
I love this author’s writing style! It felt like a good friend was telling me her story! The characters are well developed and vibrant so that I felt drawn into the story as if I was there! The story is much cozier than the title implies and I loved the mental trip to the Cotswolds. I was delighted to read an advance copy of this book and these are my honest opinions.
November 16, 2024
A wonderful new series by a super writer! A Cotswolds murder mystery with wonderful characters, excitement aplenty, a bit of romance, and wit too. I love all this author's books, and will definitely be looking forward to the next one in this series!- I received an advance copy and freely leave this honest review.
November 17, 2024
The book starts of a bit slowly which I expected since it’s the first in a new series and the author had to introduce the characters and set everything up. I enjoyed the setting of a small town in the Cotswold. In fact for me the everyday life of Nell and her friends was my favorite part of the book. The mystery felt almost secondary.
November 12, 2024
This is book one in A Scandalous Cozy Mystery.
I loved the characters, and great storyline. It was different in a good way. I look forward to more books:
The book releases November 21st.
I loved the characters, and great storyline. It was different in a good way. I look forward to more books:
The book releases November 21st.
November 21, 2024
Love it, great start to a new series I hope.
March 13, 2025
Loved the storyline. Great little cozy mystery. Some grammatical errors that made it a little confusing but overall a fun little story.
July 28, 2025
Awesome first book in a new series! All the characters (especially Clover and Dante) are wonderful!
Looking forward to the next one!
Looking forward to the next one!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews