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Beaufort Scales Mystery #9
Something in the Waters
A Cozy Mystery (with dragons): Tea, cake, and suspicious flooding in the Yorkshire Dales
It never rains, but it pours.
And in Toot Hansell, that goes double…
When Toot Hansell’s water supply turns murky, it’s easy to blame the notoriously soggy Yorkshire weather. But this winter, the rain’s endless, the water’s undrinkable, and the village is slowly turning into a bog.
The local water sprite, Nellie, could probably sort it all out – if she hadn’t mysteriously vanished, leaving behind a battalion of furious geese, which are only adding to the problems. Now the only clean water in town is arriving in pricey bottles from Toot Hansell’s new wellness guru, Lachlan Jameson.
And the rising water isn’t the only problem. People are vanishing, strange faces are appearing in the streams, and quicksand is starting to become a real concern. The dragons and the ladies of the Women’s Institute know this is more than a bit of inclement weather, and they’re not going to stand by and watch their village drown.
But the deeper they wade into the mystery, the murkier things get. Because something is lurking in the depths—and if the WI, the dragons, and one reluctantly off-the-books detective inspector don’t get to the bottom of it soon, the whole valley could be swept away.
This winter, it’ll take tea, teamwork, and all the stubborn deviousness of ladies of a certain age to keep Toot Hansell from being washed off the map…
A funny cozy mystery (with dragons), for anyone that likes their mysteries British, gentle, and well-stocked with cake, tea, and friendship. And dragons, obviously.
Something in the Waters is the ninth book in The Beaufort Scales series of cozy mysteries (with dragons) - pick up Baking Bad today to see where it all began!
This cozy mystery contains:
no graphic violence
no sex
no strong language; however it does contain some blasphemous language
Also there are copious quantities of cake and tea. You may need supplies.
It never rains, but it pours.
And in Toot Hansell, that goes double…
When Toot Hansell’s water supply turns murky, it’s easy to blame the notoriously soggy Yorkshire weather. But this winter, the rain’s endless, the water’s undrinkable, and the village is slowly turning into a bog.
The local water sprite, Nellie, could probably sort it all out – if she hadn’t mysteriously vanished, leaving behind a battalion of furious geese, which are only adding to the problems. Now the only clean water in town is arriving in pricey bottles from Toot Hansell’s new wellness guru, Lachlan Jameson.
And the rising water isn’t the only problem. People are vanishing, strange faces are appearing in the streams, and quicksand is starting to become a real concern. The dragons and the ladies of the Women’s Institute know this is more than a bit of inclement weather, and they’re not going to stand by and watch their village drown.
But the deeper they wade into the mystery, the murkier things get. Because something is lurking in the depths—and if the WI, the dragons, and one reluctantly off-the-books detective inspector don’t get to the bottom of it soon, the whole valley could be swept away.
This winter, it’ll take tea, teamwork, and all the stubborn deviousness of ladies of a certain age to keep Toot Hansell from being washed off the map…
A funny cozy mystery (with dragons), for anyone that likes their mysteries British, gentle, and well-stocked with cake, tea, and friendship. And dragons, obviously.
Something in the Waters is the ninth book in The Beaufort Scales series of cozy mysteries (with dragons) - pick up Baking Bad today to see where it all began!
This cozy mystery contains:
no graphic violence
no sex
no strong language; however it does contain some blasphemous language
Also there are copious quantities of cake and tea. You may need supplies.
333 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 20, 2024
54 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
Kim M. Watt
42 books328 followersHello lovely people!
I’m Kim (as you may have guessed, given that you're on the author page for Kim). I write funny fantasies and off-beat cosy (or cozy, depending where you're from) mysteries set in a world not so dissimilar to ours - and in fact sharing many locations.
And in this not-dissimilar world you'll find mystery-solving dragons with a strong affection for barbecues and scones, and snarky feline PIs with human sidekicks. You'll run across baking-obsessed reapers running petting cafes stocked with baby ghouls, Apocalyptic riders on Vespas, and women of a certain age Getting Things Done. There may even be the odd born-again troll redefining troll-ness for the modern age about the place.
You'll find myth and reality clashing in small and spectacular ways, and discover the healing magic of tea and a really good lemon drizzle cake.
But, most of all, there will be friendship, and loyalty, and people of all species looking out for one another. Because these, above all things, are magic.
And you can find me rambling on about all this (and more) over on my website, or join me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for bad puns and many, many cat memes. Many.
Come join me!
I’m Kim (as you may have guessed, given that you're on the author page for Kim). I write funny fantasies and off-beat cosy (or cozy, depending where you're from) mysteries set in a world not so dissimilar to ours - and in fact sharing many locations.
And in this not-dissimilar world you'll find mystery-solving dragons with a strong affection for barbecues and scones, and snarky feline PIs with human sidekicks. You'll run across baking-obsessed reapers running petting cafes stocked with baby ghouls, Apocalyptic riders on Vespas, and women of a certain age Getting Things Done. There may even be the odd born-again troll redefining troll-ness for the modern age about the place.
You'll find myth and reality clashing in small and spectacular ways, and discover the healing magic of tea and a really good lemon drizzle cake.
But, most of all, there will be friendship, and loyalty, and people of all species looking out for one another. Because these, above all things, are magic.
And you can find me rambling on about all this (and more) over on my website, or join me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for bad puns and many, many cat memes. Many.
Come join me!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
December 13, 2024
Let me start by saying I was given an advance copy in exchange for a honest review. I was so happy to be back in the world of toot Hansel I truly missed all these wonderful characters. Once again DI Adam’s is pulled into the craziness of unscrupulous humans, dragons and women of a certain age that won’t be deterred from their mission and of course Nellie is missing and that is not good.What a wonderful story I am not going to spoil anything for the readers but your going to love this book
January 29, 2025
The ladies of the Women's Institute of Toot Hansell are up to their old tricks in investigating a strange water pollution, flooding, missing people and more seriously, a missing water sprite. There is a disgruntled dryad in the woods and more than a few dragons eager to help.
Kim M. Watt just keeps getting better and better at bringing Folk into the human realm of Toot Hansell. Folk being the non-human, mystical beings of lore. Detective Inspector (DI) Adams with her invisible dog goes after the filthy rich newcomer to the region suspecting that his good will is actually hiding mischievous deeds.
And don't forget the minced meat pies, drizzled lemon cake and the occasional alcoholic, homemade cordials and/or the whiskey flask carried in the handbags.
Another fun break between more serious reads.
Kim M. Watt just keeps getting better and better at bringing Folk into the human realm of Toot Hansell. Folk being the non-human, mystical beings of lore. Detective Inspector (DI) Adams with her invisible dog goes after the filthy rich newcomer to the region suspecting that his good will is actually hiding mischievous deeds.
And don't forget the minced meat pies, drizzled lemon cake and the occasional alcoholic, homemade cordials and/or the whiskey flask carried in the handbags.
Another fun break between more serious reads.
December 13, 2024
As usual with any Cloverly Dragon adventure, this is a rollercoaster ride of a story. I don’t know how Kim does it. What’s happening in Toot Hansel somewhat mirrors events in the world.
This is no ordinary wet season in the tiny but close-knit town of Toot Hansell. It’s been raining for weeks. Gardens are soaked and ponds are overflowing. Oddly, rivers and streams are at low levels. No one has seen Nellie, the sprite who keeps the waters clean and her geese are on the attack. When the water becomes undrinkable, newcomer multi-millionaire, Lachlan Jameson, comes to the rescue with his new bottled water plant, Sourced. However, the W.I. isn’t buying it. When the dragons get involved, watch out! On the edge of your seat episodes keep happening to the W.I. as things get soggier. But Lachlan goofs when he claims the ladies are harassing him and he insists on their arrests. DI Adams enters the fray. Plus, Beaufort finds not every dragon is on his side. It will take everyone in Toot Hansell to wring out a victory in this squall of a story.
This is no ordinary wet season in the tiny but close-knit town of Toot Hansell. It’s been raining for weeks. Gardens are soaked and ponds are overflowing. Oddly, rivers and streams are at low levels. No one has seen Nellie, the sprite who keeps the waters clean and her geese are on the attack. When the water becomes undrinkable, newcomer multi-millionaire, Lachlan Jameson, comes to the rescue with his new bottled water plant, Sourced. However, the W.I. isn’t buying it. When the dragons get involved, watch out! On the edge of your seat episodes keep happening to the W.I. as things get soggier. But Lachlan goofs when he claims the ladies are harassing him and he insists on their arrests. DI Adams enters the fray. Plus, Beaufort finds not every dragon is on his side. It will take everyone in Toot Hansell to wring out a victory in this squall of a story.
March 3, 2025
A good friend of mine, who recommended me the Beaufort Scales series, described this book/ this series as a warm blanket and I couldn’t agree more. It’s very cosy!
This books sets you off on another thrilling adventure with the badass ladies of the WI and the dragons! Leave it up to them and DI Adams & Dandee to save the village. As always very well written, leaving you feeling like you are part of the WI yourself, wrestling through the mud and rain. Can’t wait to read the next book; I do hope Thompson will be back then.
This books sets you off on another thrilling adventure with the badass ladies of the WI and the dragons! Leave it up to them and DI Adams & Dandee to save the village. As always very well written, leaving you feeling like you are part of the WI yourself, wrestling through the mud and rain. Can’t wait to read the next book; I do hope Thompson will be back then.
December 17, 2024
I got an early copy of the ebook to write a review, and as all of the Beaufort Scales books this one just feels like a warm blanket, despite all of the water in the story. I think this may be the best one in the series so far, even though there is slightly less cake in this one than in some others. It was funny and sweet and everything I want out of this series
December 11, 2024
Ahhhh! I so needed this book. I just finished Something In The Waters and it was Sooo wonderful 🤩. There is something seriously wrong with things in Toot Hansell. The rain is pouring down, the waterfowl are more plentiful and fouler than ever. Worst of all the village is slowly being drowned in all the water and Nellie the Water Sprite who would normally deal with it is missing. More shady characters have come to Toot Hansell and the WI is suspicious with good reason. The combined efforts of the Ladies of a Certain Age, the Cloverley Dragons and friends (even my favorite member of the Watch who shows up at the end) come together to solve the mystery. Proving yet again that friendship and people (of all kinds, Humans and Folk) can always find a way 😉. I know I say this every time but I MUST repeat it again. This is one of the best series of all time! Please do yourself the favor of treating yourself and friends to it and all of Kim Watts works! Such bright lights in a world that needs it
January 13, 2025
I was given this book As an ARC reader and to give an honest review, this is it. As I was reading this novel, a random thought popped up (not one of those I'm at work and the oven' s still on thoughts), but that this book is wonderful! It made me feel as though I was right there with Miriam, or Beaufort, or DI Adams, I almost expected to have muddy wellies on at times. It's nicely paced with a good balance of characters and their chapters and I now know more about water than I did before. Not only funny, with cakes of course, it's friendly, I was drawn right in with everyone, it is also about something that concerns us all, the impact we have on (basically everything) in particular the water. Can't do without it, as Toot Hansell is finding out. And what is in the waters? Certain assorted feathered antagonists demand a response and are not slow in making that point felt. I remember when I was younger, coming home from an evening out to find a line of geese sitting on the adjoining wall to my garden, all watching silent, but ready to spring into action like ghostly feathered ninjas. It had a sobering effect every time.
However, I digress, safe to say, author Kim M Watt has done it again, even better this time! Something in the Waters is a book I shall read again and probably again, and I thoroughly recommend it!
However, I digress, safe to say, author Kim M Watt has done it again, even better this time! Something in the Waters is a book I shall read again and probably again, and I thoroughly recommend it!
December 13, 2024
Better get your wellies out (and check for hibernating creatures), there’s a flood coming!
The rain doesn’t show any signs of stopping and gardens and village green are turning into marshy habitats alive with geese and ducks that seem to have an attitude problem. Roads are turning into rivers and tempers are starting to fray in this next instalment of Beaufort Scales and the WI.
It all seemed to start when a new Health Retreat was built, but surely it couldn’t possibly be the millionaire, sorry, multimillionaire who is so willing to share bottled water from Toot Hansell’s own source?
But then people and folk start disappearing. First it was Nellie, our favourite cantankerous water sprite who’d normally keep the geese in order and the Tiddy’uns sorting the muck in the water, then one of village residents vanishes followed by another and then another.
Alice decides it’s time to Pay A Visit to the self-styled health entrepreneur and see if they can’t find out exactly what is going on and sets off with Miriam clutching a sugar and gluten free pineapple cake wondering whether or not Lachlan really even eats cake and should they really trust someone who doesn’t.
The geese are increasing, tempers are fraying and the waters keep rising promising that if answers are not found then folk, dragons and people alike may vanish from the landscape and it’s left to DI Adams, a rather soggy invisible dog and a squeaky duck to save the day.
The rain doesn’t show any signs of stopping and gardens and village green are turning into marshy habitats alive with geese and ducks that seem to have an attitude problem. Roads are turning into rivers and tempers are starting to fray in this next instalment of Beaufort Scales and the WI.
It all seemed to start when a new Health Retreat was built, but surely it couldn’t possibly be the millionaire, sorry, multimillionaire who is so willing to share bottled water from Toot Hansell’s own source?
But then people and folk start disappearing. First it was Nellie, our favourite cantankerous water sprite who’d normally keep the geese in order and the Tiddy’uns sorting the muck in the water, then one of village residents vanishes followed by another and then another.
Alice decides it’s time to Pay A Visit to the self-styled health entrepreneur and see if they can’t find out exactly what is going on and sets off with Miriam clutching a sugar and gluten free pineapple cake wondering whether or not Lachlan really even eats cake and should they really trust someone who doesn’t.
The geese are increasing, tempers are fraying and the waters keep rising promising that if answers are not found then folk, dragons and people alike may vanish from the landscape and it’s left to DI Adams, a rather soggy invisible dog and a squeaky duck to save the day.
January 22, 2025
Kim M. Watt has done it again! Another romp (albeit a soggy one) through the Dales and hills of Toot Hansell. This time, there's murky business afoot, and the folk - and the waters - are... disturbed! The fully-fleshed-out environs will make you want to pull on your mac and wellies, and go splashing through puddles. The ladies of the Toot Hansell Women's Auxiliary are in top form, the dragons are straying alarmingly far from the Mount, and a new-age Health Spa outside the village may (or may not be) more than it seems. DI Adams can't quite put her (pruney) finger on the problem, and Dandy is about as much help as he usually is. Kim's descriptions and nuanced characters do all the things I look for in a book - they let me imagine the people as if they were in the room with me; they let me see and more importantly, FEEL the coziness of a kitchen, big AGA cooker gently warming the room, while amazing baked goods appear from all sorts of places; raise the hairs on my neck as I see the gray, foreboding highlands under a lowering sky. In short, Kim's stories always transport me. And there's no more delightful place I can think of to be transported, than Toot Hansell. For "Beaufort Scales" fans and newcomers as well, "Something in the Waters" is a terrific read. 5 Stars! (Now, where's my lemon drizzle and Battenberg Sponge??)
March 10, 2025
I like this series, I like these characters, I like the world of Toot Hansel, and I've listened to the entire series (except for book eight, I don't know what happened with book eight, but I dnf), and I like the narrator, Patricia Gallimore.
If I'm so on-board here, why only three stars for this book? I've had to think about that.
In the first book, A very cozy, very tropey mystery and a nice introduction to this world. Successive books expanded the scope of the mysteries and developed additional characters, all good. But the last few books, say seven to nine, have become more analogies for real-world problems than cozy mysteries. It's left me feeling mired in the real world and I read fantasy to escape that.
In this book, It's not hard to see the message there...
There's also come to be a bit too much preachiness - for all the right things, of course - for my comfort. Yes, friendship can be magical but it isn't always. It can also be quite toxic and one can experience that for quite a while before figuring out that one has a false friend, so I guess I'd prefer a bit more nuance with some of these ideas.
This was a welcome visit with the Toot Hansel Women's Institute, but not the wonderful timeout that the first books provided.
If I'm so on-board here, why only three stars for this book? I've had to think about that.
In the first book, A very cozy, very tropey mystery and a nice introduction to this world. Successive books expanded the scope of the mysteries and developed additional characters, all good. But the last few books, say seven to nine, have become more analogies for real-world problems than cozy mysteries. It's left me feeling mired in the real world and I read fantasy to escape that.
In this book, It's not hard to see the message there...
There's also come to be a bit too much preachiness - for all the right things, of course - for my comfort. Yes, friendship can be magical but it isn't always. It can also be quite toxic and one can experience that for quite a while before figuring out that one has a false friend, so I guess I'd prefer a bit more nuance with some of these ideas.
This was a welcome visit with the Toot Hansel Women's Institute, but not the wonderful timeout that the first books provided.
December 12, 2024
Love the story, love the dragons, love the Toot Hansell WI - truly ‘inspiring women’ - as for the weather, least said soonest mended. On the case with dragons, tea, cake and cheesy puffs, aided by DI Adams and not in the least hampered by community opposition, Alice, Miriam and fellow members of the Toot Hansell WI pursue the means to fix the pollution and flooding with little regard for the risk to themselves. The crowding waterfowl have their own agenda. Cosy fantasy mystery at its best, the tension at the end delightful. Phew.
December 13, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this (longish) book. No murders! But, a huge mystery. All the water is polluted, things keep disappearing under the flooding, nonstop rain. Then people start to disappear as well. On investigation by DI Adams and the Toot Hansell WI it seems it started when a billionaire started bottling the natural spring water. Nellie, the water sprite is missing & there are geese, swans and even ducks attacking people. Naturally the dragons get involved as well, they can get where others cannot, after all. Great fun was had by most of the WI.
December 13, 2024
Fueled only by tea and cake, the ladies of the WI and the dragons are deluged, literally as the village is danger of being flooded, but the one being who could fix it is nowhere to be found. Loyalties are divided and friendships strained, both with the humans and the folk. Luckily, D I Adams is on hand, her resourcefulness is awesome. I loved this book, I read most of it in one evening. Everyone needs more dragons in their life! Can't wait for the next one.
December 25, 2024
Between an army of geese, missing people (including sprites) and a drowning village, there was little not to love in this thrilling adventure.
As always, I really can't wait to read more stories of Mortimer, Alice, Miriam and DI Adams.
As always, I really can't wait to read more stories of Mortimer, Alice, Miriam and DI Adams.
December 25, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyable
I really enjoy this series. Saved reading it for a Christmas treat for myself. Looking forward to the next one.
I really enjoy this series. Saved reading it for a Christmas treat for myself. Looking forward to the next one.
January 19, 2025
Grab your rainwear and umbrella as we head to Toot Hansell , where we can follow the W.I.(Women's Institute), DI Adams, and the dragons as they try to unravel what is happening with the waters. The rain is nonstop , the water is undrinkable, the village is flooding , the ducks, geese , and swans are more aggressive, and people are missing. Most notably missing is Nellie, the water sprite, who could probably clear up this mess.
A clever , imaginative story with tea, cake, . and friendship . This is a well written mystery with many humorous moments, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I received an advance copy of this book, and this is my freely offered and honest review
A clever , imaginative story with tea, cake, . and friendship . This is a well written mystery with many humorous moments, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I received an advance copy of this book, and this is my freely offered and honest review
December 20, 2024
I requested an ARC copy of this book as I have really enjoyed the series so far. All opinions are my own and no-one has paid me to do this.
The ninth Beaufort Scales cozy mystery squelches into action with a shudder, evoking those late winter days when everything is grey and cold and dark and the rain seems as if it will flood the world. The joy and celebration of Christmas and New Year is all but forgotten. The story opens with the WI busy, as usual, making Valentine's Day wreaths ranging from florid to gothic. The weather is miserable, the tap water in the village has become totally undrinkable, the roads are flooding, gardens are now swamps, and Nellie the sprite who is in charge of the waters has vanished.
Drinking water is being delivered to the village for free by the multi-millionaire owner of the new water bottling plant and Retreat upstream of the village whose water is still fine…which is not suspicious at all. Then people start to go missing. The WI investigate in their own inimitable style (a cake is not just for eating), the dragons join in on the supernatural front (although there is danger from internal politics), and DI Adams deals with her invisible dog, the WI, solving the mystery without compromising her Police credentials and trying to keep Toot Hansell afloat.
The plot races along with twists and turns. The tension mounts as we follow first Miriam, then Alice, then Mortimer, then Adams, circling from one to the next and leaving each of them in more peril than you can shake a stick at.
I particularly liked Jasmine's development in this book and am left wondering where was Thompson the cat and what direction that may lead us in as the series progresses.
As I've said before about other Toot Hansell books, this can be read in isolation, but to get the full benefit I would suggest reading the other books – they are all rather wonderful, with twisty humorous plots, a good dose of magic and people working together with kindness – a special sort of magic all its own. So cuddle up on the sofa with a cup of hot chocolate or a hot toddy and immerse yourself in the waters – there might be something in it!
The ninth Beaufort Scales cozy mystery squelches into action with a shudder, evoking those late winter days when everything is grey and cold and dark and the rain seems as if it will flood the world. The joy and celebration of Christmas and New Year is all but forgotten. The story opens with the WI busy, as usual, making Valentine's Day wreaths ranging from florid to gothic. The weather is miserable, the tap water in the village has become totally undrinkable, the roads are flooding, gardens are now swamps, and Nellie the sprite who is in charge of the waters has vanished.
Drinking water is being delivered to the village for free by the multi-millionaire owner of the new water bottling plant and Retreat upstream of the village whose water is still fine…which is not suspicious at all. Then people start to go missing. The WI investigate in their own inimitable style (a cake is not just for eating), the dragons join in on the supernatural front (although there is danger from internal politics), and DI Adams deals with her invisible dog, the WI, solving the mystery without compromising her Police credentials and trying to keep Toot Hansell afloat.
The plot races along with twists and turns. The tension mounts as we follow first Miriam, then Alice, then Mortimer, then Adams, circling from one to the next and leaving each of them in more peril than you can shake a stick at.
I particularly liked Jasmine's development in this book and am left wondering where was Thompson the cat and what direction that may lead us in as the series progresses.
As I've said before about other Toot Hansell books, this can be read in isolation, but to get the full benefit I would suggest reading the other books – they are all rather wonderful, with twisty humorous plots, a good dose of magic and people working together with kindness – a special sort of magic all its own. So cuddle up on the sofa with a cup of hot chocolate or a hot toddy and immerse yourself in the waters – there might be something in it!
December 22, 2024
Perfect!
Really perfect says perhaps everything needed.
For everyone who likes to know more: Here comes a longer version, as always in my book reviews without telling sth. about the story as I don't want to diminish Your reading experience.
It is great to be back in Toot Hansell with all it's beloved inhabitants. Like coming home, meeting friends you missed deeply the last months and reconnect.
Being book no. 9 of this series there is some change here and there, a twist to the "usual" main story everything evolves around. But this makes it even better. Not better as if the last books were less good, just better for this one, as it is as said no. 9. So the twist in the main story makes it more realistic. Maybe the next one goes back to "normal" even this could be great, but for this one, it really fits well.
Even our main characters have changed here and there. The reader got to know them more and more over the last years and now some of them have changed, evolved, and this is really good. In real life people do change over the years and so do our Yorkshire placed friends. As in real life, it is great to see these beloved beings mature and shape.
As always in Kim M. Watt's books this one directly drags you inside the story and cries for being read with cakes and a good cuppa beside you. The writing style is as always marvellous, nothing that distracts you from your reading experience.
Our real life can be hard enough, so getting some hours in a world where obstacles, struggles and prejudges exist, but brave beings stand up, caring for their neighbours and friends, acting selfless and just fight for justice because it is right to do so - that is great and balm for the soul.
Oh, and I love those few sentences thrown in that show us some small connections to the other series by Kim M. Watt and even give hints on when in those other series we currently are.
So I highly recommend this book. It is great.
I am one of the lucky ARC readers who got a free copy a little earlier for an honest review. That did not influence my opinion and / or review.
Really perfect says perhaps everything needed.
For everyone who likes to know more: Here comes a longer version, as always in my book reviews without telling sth. about the story as I don't want to diminish Your reading experience.
It is great to be back in Toot Hansell with all it's beloved inhabitants. Like coming home, meeting friends you missed deeply the last months and reconnect.
Being book no. 9 of this series there is some change here and there, a twist to the "usual" main story everything evolves around. But this makes it even better. Not better as if the last books were less good, just better for this one, as it is as said no. 9. So the twist in the main story makes it more realistic. Maybe the next one goes back to "normal" even this could be great, but for this one, it really fits well.
Even our main characters have changed here and there. The reader got to know them more and more over the last years and now some of them have changed, evolved, and this is really good. In real life people do change over the years and so do our Yorkshire placed friends. As in real life, it is great to see these beloved beings mature and shape.
As always in Kim M. Watt's books this one directly drags you inside the story and cries for being read with cakes and a good cuppa beside you. The writing style is as always marvellous, nothing that distracts you from your reading experience.
Our real life can be hard enough, so getting some hours in a world where obstacles, struggles and prejudges exist, but brave beings stand up, caring for their neighbours and friends, acting selfless and just fight for justice because it is right to do so - that is great and balm for the soul.
Oh, and I love those few sentences thrown in that show us some small connections to the other series by Kim M. Watt and even give hints on when in those other series we currently are.
So I highly recommend this book. It is great.
I am one of the lucky ARC readers who got a free copy a little earlier for an honest review. That did not influence my opinion and / or review.
January 4, 2025
I am an ARC reader and this is an honest review.
I've been waiting for my next fix of Beaufort, Mortimer and the rest of the gang for a while and this fix didn't disappoint!
'Something In The Waters' is a well-planned mystery that had me guessing the reason for a village sinking right up until the end and had me reading up on environmental problems that I didn't know existed, but something that everyone should look up if they don't already know about it, it was an eye opener.
The book itself was brilliantly written, as always. Some of the characters' actions took me by surprise, which I loved, each book seems to unlock new qualities in characters' persona that make you smile and make you happy that a character is evolving, maybe becoming more brave, for example.
This book, as I've said, revolves around the possibility of the village of 'Toot Hansell' sinking underwater and how the W.I. and others (including one, often exasperated, caffeine-driven DI with her equally caffeine-driven, but unhelpful, invisible dog) need to find out why and save the village and the fae that live in and around the village from extinction.
It's a messy job, but someone's got to get their hands and feet very wet and muddy and the W.I., as usual, are not afraid to use their powers of persistence to get the job done.
I loved this unputdownable read, like all of Kim's other books, and had to find out how 'Toot Hansell' was going to get saved and the big question of why it needed saving in the first place.
Btw, I haven't mentioned Beaufort, Mortimer and friends, but they're obviously involved and Walter (my fav) is coming for the ride.
Don't miss out on a romp of a read!
I've been waiting for my next fix of Beaufort, Mortimer and the rest of the gang for a while and this fix didn't disappoint!
'Something In The Waters' is a well-planned mystery that had me guessing the reason for a village sinking right up until the end and had me reading up on environmental problems that I didn't know existed, but something that everyone should look up if they don't already know about it, it was an eye opener.
The book itself was brilliantly written, as always. Some of the characters' actions took me by surprise, which I loved, each book seems to unlock new qualities in characters' persona that make you smile and make you happy that a character is evolving, maybe becoming more brave, for example.
This book, as I've said, revolves around the possibility of the village of 'Toot Hansell' sinking underwater and how the W.I. and others (including one, often exasperated, caffeine-driven DI with her equally caffeine-driven, but unhelpful, invisible dog) need to find out why and save the village and the fae that live in and around the village from extinction.
It's a messy job, but someone's got to get their hands and feet very wet and muddy and the W.I., as usual, are not afraid to use their powers of persistence to get the job done.
I loved this unputdownable read, like all of Kim's other books, and had to find out how 'Toot Hansell' was going to get saved and the big question of why it needed saving in the first place.
Btw, I haven't mentioned Beaufort, Mortimer and friends, but they're obviously involved and Walter (my fav) is coming for the ride.
Don't miss out on a romp of a read!
April 10, 2025
I am an ARC reader and this is an honest review.
I've been waiting for my next fix of Beaufort, Mortimer and the rest of the gang for a while and this fix didn't disappoint!
'Something In The Waters' is a well-planned mystery that had me guessing the reason for a village sinking right up until the end and had me reading up on environmental problems that I didn't know existed, but something that everyone should look up if they don't already know about it, it was an eye opener.
The book itself was brilliantly written, as always. Some of the characters' actions took me by surprise, which I loved, each book seems to unlock new qualities in characters' persona that make you smile and make you happy that a character is evolving, maybe becoming more brave, for example.
This book, as I've said, revolves around the possibility of the village of 'Toot Hansell' sinking underwater and how the W.I. and others (including one, often exasperated, caffeine-driven DI with her equally caffeine-driven, but unhelpful, invisible dog) need to find out why and save the village and the fae that live in and around the village from extinction.
It's a messy job, but someone's got to get their hands and feet very wet and muddy and the W.I., as usual, are not afraid to use their powers of persistence to get the job done.
I loved this unputdownable read, like all of Kim's other books, and had to find out how 'Toot Hansell' was going to get saved and the big question of why it needed saving in the first place.
Btw, I haven't mentioned Beaufort, Mortimer and friends, but they're obviously involved and Walter (my fav) is coming for the ride.
Don't miss out on a romp of a read!
I've been waiting for my next fix of Beaufort, Mortimer and the rest of the gang for a while and this fix didn't disappoint!
'Something In The Waters' is a well-planned mystery that had me guessing the reason for a village sinking right up until the end and had me reading up on environmental problems that I didn't know existed, but something that everyone should look up if they don't already know about it, it was an eye opener.
The book itself was brilliantly written, as always. Some of the characters' actions took me by surprise, which I loved, each book seems to unlock new qualities in characters' persona that make you smile and make you happy that a character is evolving, maybe becoming more brave, for example.
This book, as I've said, revolves around the possibility of the village of 'Toot Hansell' sinking underwater and how the W.I. and others (including one, often exasperated, caffeine-driven DI with her equally caffeine-driven, but unhelpful, invisible dog) need to find out why and save the village and the fae that live in and around the village from extinction.
It's a messy job, but someone's got to get their hands and feet very wet and muddy and the W.I., as usual, are not afraid to use their powers of persistence to get the job done.
I loved this unputdownable read, like all of Kim's other books, and had to find out how 'Toot Hansell' was going to get saved and the big question of why it needed saving in the first place.
Btw, I haven't mentioned Beaufort, Mortimer and friends, but they're obviously involved and Walter (my fav) is coming for the ride.
Don't miss out on a romp of a read!
December 14, 2024
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.
I loved this book, it’s exciting a little bit scary and funny as well.
Toot Hansel is drowning. It’s raining continuously, well it is Yorkshire after all, but this is even worse than normal. Also the water supply to the village is being poisoned and is undrinkable.
Nellie the water sprite is missing from the local pond and no one knows where she’s gone not even the Dryad in the forest who is upset that humans are invading her forest as well as the tainted water is poisoning her trees.
The geese, swans, ducks and other waterfowl have turned feral and are attacking everything and everyone in sight.
Several elderly residents have also gone missing and are in serious danger if they can’t be found quickly from the flooding which is causing the village to sink.
Everything seems to link back to the new water bottling plant and spa but nobody can find out what is going on.
It’s time for the ladies of the Toot Hansel WI, the dragons of the Cloverly coven led by Beaufort scales, Mortimer and Amelia, as well as DI Adams and her invisible dog Dandy to take action.
I loved the book, it really is exciting and it’s wonderful to see ladies of a certain age who are often “invisible” taking action to save their homes and neighbours.
It’s also lovely to catch up with the dragons of the Cloverly coven once again who cherish their relationship with the village from long association but also with the residents whom they love.
I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it.
I loved this book, it’s exciting a little bit scary and funny as well.
Toot Hansel is drowning. It’s raining continuously, well it is Yorkshire after all, but this is even worse than normal. Also the water supply to the village is being poisoned and is undrinkable.
Nellie the water sprite is missing from the local pond and no one knows where she’s gone not even the Dryad in the forest who is upset that humans are invading her forest as well as the tainted water is poisoning her trees.
The geese, swans, ducks and other waterfowl have turned feral and are attacking everything and everyone in sight.
Several elderly residents have also gone missing and are in serious danger if they can’t be found quickly from the flooding which is causing the village to sink.
Everything seems to link back to the new water bottling plant and spa but nobody can find out what is going on.
It’s time for the ladies of the Toot Hansel WI, the dragons of the Cloverly coven led by Beaufort scales, Mortimer and Amelia, as well as DI Adams and her invisible dog Dandy to take action.
I loved the book, it really is exciting and it’s wonderful to see ladies of a certain age who are often “invisible” taking action to save their homes and neighbours.
It’s also lovely to catch up with the dragons of the Cloverly coven once again who cherish their relationship with the village from long association but also with the residents whom they love.
I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it.
December 20, 2024
Dragons, ladies of a certain age, cantankerous geese, and mysterious goings-on
Something is terribly wrong in the tiny Yorkshire village of Toot Hansell! The town is about to float away, the rain won’t stop and the water is undrinkable. The situation is dire with some villagers and the resident water sprite missing. Add in aggressive geese and the Women’s Institute (WI) members have their hands full. (As a Canadian, I know how terrifying geese can be!) The ladies fear it is all related to the village’s new multi-millionaire wellness guru’s resort. The WI and the dragons brave the drenching rain to sneak onto the property to investigate. Meanwhile, DI Adams with her companion demon dog, Dandy is pursuing her line of inquiry.
Did I mention the dragons? I adore the Cloverly dragons. They are approximately the size of Newfoundland dogs. High Lord Dragon, Beaufort Scales is their leader. The ladies of the WI are all a quirky bunch with very different personalities. You wouldn’t think that women of a certain age and the dragons would have much in common, but they do. They both know the necessity of tea and cakes in response to uncommon challenges. They are both determined to protect their friends and the village.
This is the 9th book in the Beaufort Scales series. It continues the hilarious hijinks of the rest of the series. It leaves you with that warm cozy glow of friendships and cake. I recommend settling down with a hot drink and a lovely cake to read this and others in the series. Prepare for laughter ahead!
Thank you to the author for a digital ARC.
Something is terribly wrong in the tiny Yorkshire village of Toot Hansell! The town is about to float away, the rain won’t stop and the water is undrinkable. The situation is dire with some villagers and the resident water sprite missing. Add in aggressive geese and the Women’s Institute (WI) members have their hands full. (As a Canadian, I know how terrifying geese can be!) The ladies fear it is all related to the village’s new multi-millionaire wellness guru’s resort. The WI and the dragons brave the drenching rain to sneak onto the property to investigate. Meanwhile, DI Adams with her companion demon dog, Dandy is pursuing her line of inquiry.
Did I mention the dragons? I adore the Cloverly dragons. They are approximately the size of Newfoundland dogs. High Lord Dragon, Beaufort Scales is their leader. The ladies of the WI are all a quirky bunch with very different personalities. You wouldn’t think that women of a certain age and the dragons would have much in common, but they do. They both know the necessity of tea and cakes in response to uncommon challenges. They are both determined to protect their friends and the village.
This is the 9th book in the Beaufort Scales series. It continues the hilarious hijinks of the rest of the series. It leaves you with that warm cozy glow of friendships and cake. I recommend settling down with a hot drink and a lovely cake to read this and others in the series. Prepare for laughter ahead!
Thank you to the author for a digital ARC.
December 21, 2024
What a treat reading the new Beaufort Scales book ‘Something In The Waters’ by Kim Watt. I lapped it up, excuse the pun, you’ll understand what I mean when you read it, which you absolutely must!
When Toot Hansell looked doomed, as the rain came down non stop, flooding the village, and the water became contaminated, it looked like the end for it. That was before the dragons’ came to the rescue Beaufort the High Lord, at the forefront, followed by Mortimer the timid but heroic younger dragon.
A lot of the Cloverly dragons’ came to the rescue in this delightful book in fact. However it wouldn’t have been the same without the wonderful, hilarious and stoic Toot Hansell WI ladies of a certain age, getting involved. Their characters are great all individual but with a long standing bond.
Along with the dragons they saved the day from a few very shady characters, rescuing Nellie the water sprite which saved the village from sinking, never to be seen again. A good bit of Dragon and WI teamwork.
Ooo and the added bonus of DI Adams and Dandy being part of it was perfect.
This is a great book to snuggle up with and relax while being throughly enchanted by the wonderful characters Kim continues to create.
If you enjoy cozy reads with a good helping of fantasy, and plenty of laughs, what are you waiting for go get it!
When Toot Hansell looked doomed, as the rain came down non stop, flooding the village, and the water became contaminated, it looked like the end for it. That was before the dragons’ came to the rescue Beaufort the High Lord, at the forefront, followed by Mortimer the timid but heroic younger dragon.
A lot of the Cloverly dragons’ came to the rescue in this delightful book in fact. However it wouldn’t have been the same without the wonderful, hilarious and stoic Toot Hansell WI ladies of a certain age, getting involved. Their characters are great all individual but with a long standing bond.
Along with the dragons they saved the day from a few very shady characters, rescuing Nellie the water sprite which saved the village from sinking, never to be seen again. A good bit of Dragon and WI teamwork.
Ooo and the added bonus of DI Adams and Dandy being part of it was perfect.
This is a great book to snuggle up with and relax while being throughly enchanted by the wonderful characters Kim continues to create.
If you enjoy cozy reads with a good helping of fantasy, and plenty of laughs, what are you waiting for go get it!
December 20, 2024
Thanks for the ARC here is my honest review.
It is so wet! It is raining here alot and it seems to never quite get light so reading this book was a bit scary. In Toot Hansell it’s raining and flooding with horrible smelly water but the streams and garden ponds are empty and there’s no water in the taps. Someone is wandering around in her slippers and someone else in his dressing gown but the WI can’t track them down. The geese are more feral than usual and have increased in number and have been joined by swans, ducks and even a couple of herons and Nellie seems to have gone missing. A nice man is delivering free bottles of water to everyone but is that all too good to be true. Thompson is also AWOL and Collins is on some training course. So, it’s up to the WI and their dogs, DI Adams, Dandy, some birds and sheep and of course a selection of dragons to sort it out. What a romp but I feel rather damp and left with some questions: Did Angelus, Martha and Primrose make it out ok? Did DI Adams get her car back? Does being bitten by a water sprite give you superpowers, like spiderman? What has Thompson been up to? What happens next in dragon politics? Hopefully Kim will answer these questions in her next book.
It is so wet! It is raining here alot and it seems to never quite get light so reading this book was a bit scary. In Toot Hansell it’s raining and flooding with horrible smelly water but the streams and garden ponds are empty and there’s no water in the taps. Someone is wandering around in her slippers and someone else in his dressing gown but the WI can’t track them down. The geese are more feral than usual and have increased in number and have been joined by swans, ducks and even a couple of herons and Nellie seems to have gone missing. A nice man is delivering free bottles of water to everyone but is that all too good to be true. Thompson is also AWOL and Collins is on some training course. So, it’s up to the WI and their dogs, DI Adams, Dandy, some birds and sheep and of course a selection of dragons to sort it out. What a romp but I feel rather damp and left with some questions: Did Angelus, Martha and Primrose make it out ok? Did DI Adams get her car back? Does being bitten by a water sprite give you superpowers, like spiderman? What has Thompson been up to? What happens next in dragon politics? Hopefully Kim will answer these questions in her next book.
December 14, 2024
The latest Toot Hansell tale is very much in line with the current English weather - rain, rain, more rain and floods. However, this is definitely not normal in a Yorkshire Dales village where the ponds are sinking and the water stinks. It made me shiver to know this was caused by unnatural events and the water sprite, Nellie, and her tiddy'uns are missing. There is also an invasion of geese (and ducks).
As ever we have the resourceful W.I. trying to solve the problem in spite of D.I. Adams, and with the invaluable assistance of Cloverly dragons. There is a dastardly villain to boot and we learn more about the politics and history of the dragons. Kim's descriptions are always a firm basis of her story as we are immersed in the feeling of the rain, the menace of an old forest, and the abilities of dragon to smell emotions and adopt camouflage.
(It was nice to see Lord Walter's kinder side in caring for Toot Hansell as that village cared for dragons in "the olden days" and protected them. Even if he might have enjoyed a goose when nobody was looking.)
As Kim said: there is a "space in the world for tea-drinking dragons and resourceful ladies of a certain age".
As ever we have the resourceful W.I. trying to solve the problem in spite of D.I. Adams, and with the invaluable assistance of Cloverly dragons. There is a dastardly villain to boot and we learn more about the politics and history of the dragons. Kim's descriptions are always a firm basis of her story as we are immersed in the feeling of the rain, the menace of an old forest, and the abilities of dragon to smell emotions and adopt camouflage.
(It was nice to see Lord Walter's kinder side in caring for Toot Hansell as that village cared for dragons in "the olden days" and protected them. Even if he might have enjoyed a goose when nobody was looking.)
As Kim said: there is a "space in the world for tea-drinking dragons and resourceful ladies of a certain age".
January 6, 2025
If John Brunner wrote a cozy mystery centered around women of an uncertain age and their dragon friends, that would be awesome! And also nothing like this, but it was fun to think about. This was a different awesome, with everyone being bad-ass and competent and saving he town. I seem to recall reading that this would be the last of the Beaufort Scales books for a while, and I can live with that: the stories have been varied enough to feel fresh and the characters have grown wonderfully and I'd rather leave it here where there's a world of potential rather than taking it on longer and lose interest. That said, I wouldn't complain about a short story giving DCI Maud's perspective on things: she's kind of an interesting background character who seems to have a full personality and fleshed out personal perspective on things that we have only had tiny glimpses of. Unless and until that happens, though, I'm excited to see what comes of the DI Adams series: the first few books have been really good and I don't feel the need to get up to look up various English baked goods to figure out what they could possibly be.
December 20, 2024
I am a fan of Kim M. Watt’s talking cats, so as a PSA to other ailurophiles, they only have a walk-on role in Something in the Waters. But never fear, the dragons play a significant role in solving the mysteries in the book. And the indomitable WI (which I learned is a national organization in Britain) and the slightly charming DI Adams continue to grudgingly work together to bring the bad guys (meant as gender neutral) to justice. This is one of the Toot Hansell books that does not leave the village and its immediate surroundings, so no need to google real towns for those of us not from the UK. Part of what I enjoyed about the book is that in addition to being a truly charming British mystery, it also has something important to say about the environment. Yet another element that felt real was there are degrees of badness in this book. Will I wait another year for the next Beaufort Scales book? Of course, although not happily. I received an advance review copy of the book from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 24, 2024
Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink. The residents of Toot Hansel find themselves needing wellies daily as the rain never seems to stop. Gardens are sinking, ponds and rivers are overflowing and Nellie, the sprite who controls the waters is missing! The ducks, geese, birds and other animals are on a rampage.
The women of the W.I. are suspicious of a new resident who bought the bottling factory and is delivering water for free. They begin to nose around and cause problems galore. Eventually word reaches poor beleaguered D.I. Adams and her invisible dog Dandy. She has her hands full trying to keep the W.I. members in line, the dragons out of the developing circus, and Dandy away from the coffee.
Did I mention there was cake, lots of cake? As usual Ms. Watts writes a wonderful story full of humor, magic, and lessons for us all.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from the author. This in no way impacted my review.
The women of the W.I. are suspicious of a new resident who bought the bottling factory and is delivering water for free. They begin to nose around and cause problems galore. Eventually word reaches poor beleaguered D.I. Adams and her invisible dog Dandy. She has her hands full trying to keep the W.I. members in line, the dragons out of the developing circus, and Dandy away from the coffee.
Did I mention there was cake, lots of cake? As usual Ms. Watts writes a wonderful story full of humor, magic, and lessons for us all.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from the author. This in no way impacted my review.
January 15, 2025
Suspense and smiles
The latest questions for the Toot Hansell Women’s Institute –
Will Miriam become a case study for archaeologists of the future?
Will Dandy’s propensity for theft result in his being unmasked to the world?
Will Nellie get her waterfowl under control, and does she really want to?
All is solved in the dragony side of the Toot Hansell universe, but not without much splashing, sliding in mud, and flinging of cake and sandwiches. Kim’s genius in writing is that she can develop suspense in having to know what is going to happen next without tension or heaviness. I invariably find myself smiling as each plot twist works out in a way that only the WI, dragons, and DI Adams could possibly dream up. You finish the book cheering on the ladies and associated Folk for having saved their village yet again from the dark side of the modern world. (And nobody gets hurt, mostly.)
The latest questions for the Toot Hansell Women’s Institute –
Will Miriam become a case study for archaeologists of the future?
Will Dandy’s propensity for theft result in his being unmasked to the world?
Will Nellie get her waterfowl under control, and does she really want to?
All is solved in the dragony side of the Toot Hansell universe, but not without much splashing, sliding in mud, and flinging of cake and sandwiches. Kim’s genius in writing is that she can develop suspense in having to know what is going to happen next without tension or heaviness. I invariably find myself smiling as each plot twist works out in a way that only the WI, dragons, and DI Adams could possibly dream up. You finish the book cheering on the ladies and associated Folk for having saved their village yet again from the dark side of the modern world. (And nobody gets hurt, mostly.)
December 12, 2024
I was sent this book as an ARC reader. I have always enjoyed Kim’s books, but this one is a bit special.
Kim creates a wonderful sense of atmosphere with her use of language. The village of Toot Hansel has a wonderful WI, who work with the local dragons to solve mysteries. But this time it’s the village itself- gradually flooding with the incessant rain, but with the actual water supply becoming contaminated that is in peril.There are aggressive waterfowl, missing sprites, uncaring entrepreneurs and weather. And a sense of how people (and dragons) can either come together to solve problems, or who allow their fear to become anger.
I’m not giving any spoilers, but this is a lovely book , with just the right mix of peril, humour and mystery. It could be read as a stand alone book, but the whole series of Beaufort Scales books is a magical read.
Kim creates a wonderful sense of atmosphere with her use of language. The village of Toot Hansel has a wonderful WI, who work with the local dragons to solve mysteries. But this time it’s the village itself- gradually flooding with the incessant rain, but with the actual water supply becoming contaminated that is in peril.There are aggressive waterfowl, missing sprites, uncaring entrepreneurs and weather. And a sense of how people (and dragons) can either come together to solve problems, or who allow their fear to become anger.
I’m not giving any spoilers, but this is a lovely book , with just the right mix of peril, humour and mystery. It could be read as a stand alone book, but the whole series of Beaufort Scales books is a magical read.
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