What do you think?
Rate this book
The Meadowfield Bookshop Mysteries #3
The Fatal First Edition
A book launch, a murder, and a fifty-year-old drowning...
As Ellie and Maggie prepare to officially reopen Meadowfield Books, the buzz of their launch event Meadowfield’s least romantic man, Benjamin Brown, is launching his first romance novel. The book’s debut is raising more eyebrows than hearts, but it’s Peter Cookson’s sudden return that truly steals the spotlight. Nervous, evasive, and clutching secrets from an old drowning in the village pond, Ellie is unsettled by her father's return, especially when he clashes publicly with Benjamin at the book launch.
When Benjamin is found dead, all fingers point to Peter, whose past and present are shrouded in suspicion. Determined to protect her father, Ellie digs into the truth—but what she uncovers ties Benjamin’s strange literary ambitions to an unsolved tragedy from Peter’s youth. With tensions rising and time running out, Ellie must unravel the mystery before her family is torn apart forever.
Can Ellie solve the case and keep the bookshop’s grand opening from being overshadowed by scandal—or will Meadowfield’s dark secrets claim another victim?
Other books in the
The Last DraftThe Plot ThickensThe Fatal First EditionThe Final Chapter Club
When Benjamin is found dead, all fingers point to Peter, whose past and present are shrouded in suspicion. Determined to protect her father, Ellie digs into the truth—but what she uncovers ties Benjamin’s strange literary ambitions to an unsolved tragedy from Peter’s youth. With tensions rising and time running out, Ellie must unravel the mystery before her family is torn apart forever.
Can Ellie solve the case and keep the bookshop’s grand opening from being overshadowed by scandal—or will Meadowfield’s dark secrets claim another victim?
Other books in the
The Last DraftThe Plot ThickensThe Fatal First EditionThe Final Chapter Club
- GenresCozy MysteryMysteryCozy
398 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 15, 2025
243 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Agatha Frost
72 books592 followersAGATHA FROST, an Amazon bestselling author, has written over thirty mystery novels. She lives in the North West English county of Lancashire with her two cuddly beagles and one cat.
When Agatha isn’t writing, she loves reading head-scratching mysteries and thrillers, coffee, baking, and exploring her local countryside on long dog walks.
From a young age, Agatha devoured the great British murder mystery books and television shows, ample inspiration for her Peridale Café and Claire’s Candles series. She loves writing about family women who juggle their ordinary village lives with the challenges of amateur sleuthing.
Add in some good food, close friends and family, cute pets, and plenty of twists and turns, and you have a classic Agatha Frost mystery.
Sign up to the newsletter at www.agathafrost.com
When Agatha isn’t writing, she loves reading head-scratching mysteries and thrillers, coffee, baking, and exploring her local countryside on long dog walks.
From a young age, Agatha devoured the great British murder mystery books and television shows, ample inspiration for her Peridale Café and Claire’s Candles series. She loves writing about family women who juggle their ordinary village lives with the challenges of amateur sleuthing.
Add in some good food, close friends and family, cute pets, and plenty of twists and turns, and you have a classic Agatha Frost mystery.
Sign up to the newsletter at www.agathafrost.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 2, 2025
In the first two books in the series Ellie and her grandmother were focused on getting her grandmother’s bookstore refurbished and re-opened. Finally, as this book opens, the grand reopening has arrived, and the store is filled with numerous townspeople. They're even planning their first author event with a local boring man, when things go awry. Suddenly, there's another murder in town that seems linked to a 1970s cold-case, and it turns out Ellie's father is the chief suspect in both the current and old murder.
This is definitely my favorite of the series. I liked getting to meet Ellie's father, and her mother was actually less annoying in this book. I found both the cold case and the current mystery interesting, and will definitely pick up the next in the series.
This is definitely my favorite of the series. I liked getting to meet Ellie's father, and her mother was actually less annoying in this book. I found both the cold case and the current mystery interesting, and will definitely pick up the next in the series.
April 29, 2025
"The Fatal First Edition" is book #3 in the "Meadowfield Bookshop Mysteries" by Agatha Frost.
With the renovations complete, Ellie and Maggie are reopening the bookshop with a book launch by an unlikely author. Things don't go as planned as the book shipment never arrived, a murder occurs and echoes of a fifty year old drowning are once again at the forefront. Fingers are being pointed at Ellie's father, Peter but Ellie thinks he is being framed.
The events of 1975 played heavily into the actions of present day but figuring out exactly who was pulling the strings and manipulating the various suspects wasn't clear cut. They all had secrets and either by threat or guilt, they weren't overly willing to talk.
Ellie and Maggie searched through an early manuscript of the missing book for clues that were supposedly included that would explain the events of 1975 but that was a slow going and frustrating process.
I do like the core characters here, though both Carolyn and Penny can be exhausting. The relationship between Ellie and Daniel was tested a bit but her focus was rightly focused on her dad.
As for who was ultimately responsible? That wasn't really surprising but getting there took some interesting turns before the truth was revealed.
Overall an interesting cozy mystery read but I did find a few typos that included a couple of characters being referred to by different names and a few spots where a specific word was clearly missing from a sentence.
With the renovations complete, Ellie and Maggie are reopening the bookshop with a book launch by an unlikely author. Things don't go as planned as the book shipment never arrived, a murder occurs and echoes of a fifty year old drowning are once again at the forefront. Fingers are being pointed at Ellie's father, Peter but Ellie thinks he is being framed.
The events of 1975 played heavily into the actions of present day but figuring out exactly who was pulling the strings and manipulating the various suspects wasn't clear cut. They all had secrets and either by threat or guilt, they weren't overly willing to talk.
Ellie and Maggie searched through an early manuscript of the missing book for clues that were supposedly included that would explain the events of 1975 but that was a slow going and frustrating process.
I do like the core characters here, though both Carolyn and Penny can be exhausting. The relationship between Ellie and Daniel was tested a bit but her focus was rightly focused on her dad.
As for who was ultimately responsible? That wasn't really surprising but getting there took some interesting turns before the truth was revealed.
Overall an interesting cozy mystery read but I did find a few typos that included a couple of characters being referred to by different names and a few spots where a specific word was clearly missing from a sentence.
April 18, 2025
Charming village mystery
Against the backdrop of the bookshop finally opening, Ellie tirelessly works to solve a fifty-year-old whodunit. In the course of her investigations, we learn about all the local residents involved in the drowning and the (unrelated?) robbery that long-ago night. Meanwhile Ellie's father, the suspect in the 1975 pond drowning, is charged with the latest pond drowning, of the original victim's brother, an accountant who just so happens to have written a romance novel cryptically revealing the identity of the original culprit.
Full of twists and turns, this village tale features characters who vividly come to life throughout its course, as well as a brilliant and satisfying denouement that intriguingly sets the stage for future village adventures.
Against the backdrop of the bookshop finally opening, Ellie tirelessly works to solve a fifty-year-old whodunit. In the course of her investigations, we learn about all the local residents involved in the drowning and the (unrelated?) robbery that long-ago night. Meanwhile Ellie's father, the suspect in the 1975 pond drowning, is charged with the latest pond drowning, of the original victim's brother, an accountant who just so happens to have written a romance novel cryptically revealing the identity of the original culprit.
Full of twists and turns, this village tale features characters who vividly come to life throughout its course, as well as a brilliant and satisfying denouement that intriguingly sets the stage for future village adventures.
April 27, 2025
2.5⭐️
I feel like I might need a break from Agatha Frost. I’ve enjoyed her books in the past but recently her books are just not hitting. I felt like Ellie’s personality really changed in this book, she came across as a lot more inconsiderate of her friends and commitments. It seemed out of character and made it difficult to really enjoy the book.
I feel like I might need a break from Agatha Frost. I’ve enjoyed her books in the past but recently her books are just not hitting. I felt like Ellie’s personality really changed in this book, she came across as a lot more inconsiderate of her friends and commitments. It seemed out of character and made it difficult to really enjoy the book.
June 1, 2025
Great characters and can’t put down story
Great cozy mystery with wonderful characters a bit of a puzzle along with murder and mystery. I choose a cozy because while there is always a murder it’s more about the characters and the story than a grisly murder and this one ticked all the boxes. Well done and I’d choose it again
Great cozy mystery with wonderful characters a bit of a puzzle along with murder and mystery. I choose a cozy because while there is always a murder it’s more about the characters and the story than a grisly murder and this one ticked all the boxes. Well done and I’d choose it again
July 19, 2025
Enjoyable Small Town Mystery
Book 3 of Agatha Frost’s new “Meadowfield Bookshop” series is very enjoyable. I enjoyed getting to know Ellie, Maggie, and Daniel better. The new characters, especially Ellie’s father Peter and Mrs. Winchester, were interesting. The plot had surprising twists and turns that kept my interest. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
Book 3 of Agatha Frost’s new “Meadowfield Bookshop” series is very enjoyable. I enjoyed getting to know Ellie, Maggie, and Daniel better. The new characters, especially Ellie’s father Peter and Mrs. Winchester, were interesting. The plot had surprising twists and turns that kept my interest. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
May 3, 2025
Good book
Another good addition to the series. In this book Ellie has to discover the real killer in n a 50 year old cold case that her father was accused of. Lots of twists and turns.
Another good addition to the series. In this book Ellie has to discover the real killer in n a 50 year old cold case that her father was accused of. Lots of twists and turns.
May 5, 2025
Good read
I liked it. I like Ellie’s relationship with Oliver, I enjoyed the Carolyn was more normal this time as was Aunt Penny. And I really like Daniel, he is so kind and patient. All in all a great read with the bonus of Peter coming back.
I liked it. I like Ellie’s relationship with Oliver, I enjoyed the Carolyn was more normal this time as was Aunt Penny. And I really like Daniel, he is so kind and patient. All in all a great read with the bonus of Peter coming back.
May 21, 2025
I liked this book, but not as much as I enjoyed the two earlier books in the series. The plot had a few good twists, but it seemed to a bit too drawn out. Still, I am looking forward to the next book to learn how things are going for Maggie, Ellie, Daniel, Peter, and Caroline.
June 23, 2025
Another great mystery
I enjoyed this book with all the different twists and turns. Kept me guessing. Every time I thought I knew who did it, another clue was given. Hope the next book is as god.
I enjoyed this book with all the different twists and turns. Kept me guessing. Every time I thought I knew who did it, another clue was given. Hope the next book is as god.
June 27, 2025
Very cozy mystery
Entering this cozy village is delightful. Full of charming and quirky characters and of course many secrets which can lead to murder. Reading it is a wonderful way to spend a quiet time for youself.
Entering this cozy village is delightful. Full of charming and quirky characters and of course many secrets which can lead to murder. Reading it is a wonderful way to spend a quiet time for youself.
July 8, 2025
Review
This series is getting better. The plot was a little hard to follow with a lot of new characters involved. I really like the characters of Ellie, Maggie and Daniel. Looking forward to the next one.
This series is getting better. The plot was a little hard to follow with a lot of new characters involved. I really like the characters of Ellie, Maggie and Daniel. Looking forward to the next one.
April 20, 2025
Great
Again I loved this book. It kept me in suspense. Love it. It’s crazy that the past effects the future
Again I loved this book. It kept me in suspense. Love it. It’s crazy that the past effects the future
April 23, 2025
Mystery at its best.
A very involved mystery, but it will keep you guessing. Multiple characters to keep track of as the story progresses. Just remember, " Lose lips, sink ships"
A very involved mystery, but it will keep you guessing. Multiple characters to keep track of as the story progresses. Just remember, " Lose lips, sink ships"
April 26, 2025
Enjoyed
More twists and turns than a stock car rally. Cozy mystery thy name is Agatha Frost. Thank you, cannot wait for next read.
More twists and turns than a stock car rally. Cozy mystery thy name is Agatha Frost. Thank you, cannot wait for next read.
May 15, 2025
An intriguing mystery! I really enjoyed this book. I would have loved more of Ellie and Daniel, and it was disappointing to see her being late or missing dates with him (and her family)
May 21, 2025
this is the first book that I have read from Ms. Frost. this was different but a little too long - good on the details.
May 31, 2025
Totally enjoyed it! This is a well written and has well developed characters. The story is catching and with the strong characters makes for a very enjoyable read. Great Reading Everyone!
June 12, 2025
mystery solved
I liked that a 20-year old cold case was finally solved. It was interesting reading and I like a happy ending.
I liked that a 20-year old cold case was finally solved. It was interesting reading and I like a happy ending.
June 16, 2025
Intricate Mystery
This book was very detailed. Lots of twists and turns. It was darker than I thought it would be. Well written and good character development.
This book was very detailed. Lots of twists and turns. It was darker than I thought it would be. Well written and good character development.
July 9, 2025
Elegant and lovely
This high quality, lovely and elegant cozy mystery is loaded with lots of interesting sleuthing. I'll definitely read more series by this author.
This high quality, lovely and elegant cozy mystery is loaded with lots of interesting sleuthing. I'll definitely read more series by this author.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews