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And Then There Was the One
From Martha Waters, the author of the “enchanting” (Entertainment Weekly) Regency Vows series, a new historical romance set in 1930s England with a murder mystery twist.
In a quaint village in the Cotswolds, Georgiana Radcliffe has accidentally become an amateur detective after helping solve four murders in a single year. When the chairman of the village council turns up dead, everyone agrees with the official ruling of a heart attack, but Georgie can’t help but suspect that the council chairman is a fifth victim. Now, murder tourists are flocking from around the country, in hopes of becoming sleuths themselves.
Along with her reporter friend, she reaches out to a famous London detective for assistance in ascertaining why they have become a magnet for murder. But the fancy detective is simply too busy—or can’t be bothered—to help, and instead dispatches his secretary, Sebastian Fletcher-Ford—a posh womanizer who, truthfully, is just trying to get out of his hair, much to practical, no-nonsense Georgie’s dismay. But as they investigate in the charming Buncombe-upon-Woolly—with plentiful scones, sheep on the village green, and murder tourists at every turn—Georgie finds that her previous assessment of Sebastian may have been wrong, and rather than solving a murder, she may be solving for love instead.
In a quaint village in the Cotswolds, Georgiana Radcliffe has accidentally become an amateur detective after helping solve four murders in a single year. When the chairman of the village council turns up dead, everyone agrees with the official ruling of a heart attack, but Georgie can’t help but suspect that the council chairman is a fifth victim. Now, murder tourists are flocking from around the country, in hopes of becoming sleuths themselves.
Along with her reporter friend, she reaches out to a famous London detective for assistance in ascertaining why they have become a magnet for murder. But the fancy detective is simply too busy—or can’t be bothered—to help, and instead dispatches his secretary, Sebastian Fletcher-Ford—a posh womanizer who, truthfully, is just trying to get out of his hair, much to practical, no-nonsense Georgie’s dismay. But as they investigate in the charming Buncombe-upon-Woolly—with plentiful scones, sheep on the village green, and murder tourists at every turn—Georgie finds that her previous assessment of Sebastian may have been wrong, and rather than solving a murder, she may be solving for love instead.
352 pages, Paperback
First published October 14, 2025
79 people are currently reading
14869 people want to read
About the author
Martha Waters
9 books1,649 followersMartha Waters is the author of To Have and to Hoax and To Love and to Loathe. She was born and raised in sunny South Florida and is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. By day, she works as a children's librarian, and loves sundresses, gin cocktails, and traveling. Sign up for her newsletter for periodic book news and reading & travel recs: http://tinyletter.com/marthawaters
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 314 reviews
October 18, 2025
This is an extremely lighthearted historical romance that is also a sendup of the cozy mystery genre. Set in 1930s rural England, Georgie, inadvertent amateur sleuth, has started to think that four murders in one year is really quite a lot. There have been so many in her small English town that "Murder Tourists" have begun to show up. When another body shows up, Georgie is convinced it is connected, despite the fact that it's been deemed death by natural causes. So, she calls in celebrated private detective Delacey Fitzgibbon ... who send his charming, brainless assistant, instead.
Sebastian is blond, good-looking, and effortlessly connects with the entire town while Georgie simmers with rage. Despite the fact that she hates him, the two of them just happen to make a great detecting duo, and begin the tedious work of following up on leads, taking interviews, engaging in a little B&E, and all of the other things amateur sleuths do in cozy mysteries.
The book knows exactly what tropes it's engaging with, and makes sure you as the reader also know you know it knows. The mystery is actually really well-constructed, the romance is as fun as the best black cat/golden retriever romances can be (yes, we hear plenty about Harriet Vane and Peter Wimsey, who just might be the OG black cat/golden retriever couple, no?), and the whole book is just so stinking cute you can even forget that our characters' HEA is going to involve a world war in just a few years!
And I can't let this go without mentioning it - as someone who is a member of a group chat entitled "Tennis Thirst Traps," I would be remiss if I didn't tell you that Martha Waters 100% understand the tennis player appeal. Sebastian may be a himbo, but he knows how to wear a set of tennis whites (and Georgie knows how to appreciate it).
4-Word Summaries:
Meg: Tennis whites, I presume?
Laine: Now this is COZY.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
Sebastian is blond, good-looking, and effortlessly connects with the entire town while Georgie simmers with rage. Despite the fact that she hates him, the two of them just happen to make a great detecting duo, and begin the tedious work of following up on leads, taking interviews, engaging in a little B&E, and all of the other things amateur sleuths do in cozy mysteries.
The book knows exactly what tropes it's engaging with, and makes sure you as the reader also know you know it knows. The mystery is actually really well-constructed, the romance is as fun as the best black cat/golden retriever romances can be (yes, we hear plenty about Harriet Vane and Peter Wimsey, who just might be the OG black cat/golden retriever couple, no?), and the whole book is just so stinking cute you can even forget that our characters' HEA is going to involve a world war in just a few years!
And I can't let this go without mentioning it - as someone who is a member of a group chat entitled "Tennis Thirst Traps," I would be remiss if I didn't tell you that Martha Waters 100% understand the tennis player appeal. Sebastian may be a himbo, but he knows how to wear a set of tennis whites (and Georgie knows how to appreciate it).
4-Word Summaries:
Meg: Tennis whites, I presume?
Laine: Now this is COZY.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
September 21, 2025
Sweater-obsessed himbo meets Eldest Daughter Syndrome-suffering sleuth and they bond (and kiss and maybe more) all because a quaint English village is absolutely riddled with murder. Is it Agatha Christie levels of twisty whodunnit? No. Is it cute and light and serviceably perplexing? Yes ma’am.
Oh, and there’s a beagle named Egg.
Oh, and there’s a beagle named Egg.
June 12, 2025
I received a free copy of, And Then There Was The One, by Martha Waters, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Georgiana Radcliffe, never planned on being a detective, but she has solved four murders already. The Cotswold is not as safe as it used to be. Georgiana is quite busy solving murders, this is a nice cozy mystery.
October 11, 2025
This author's way with characters continues to be For Me (TM). For this particular book, it's kind of neither fish nor fowl, so I'm not sure that it will please everyone. It's not quite mystery enough to be a full on cozy mystery, nor is it quite romance enough to be a typical historical romance. For me, I love both mystery & romance, so coupled with characters I was invested in, the kind of nebulous genre worked. Not sure if this will be a series, but if so, I'd read more
October 22, 2025
And Then There Was The One. This one sounded so cute and fun, it was on my TBR for months after hearing the clever play on Agatha Christie’s title, so I got to it as soon as it came out and it ended up being just okay overall for me. This is a cozy mystery meets historical romance, set in the 1930s in rural England. I have read this author before, her historical romances worked for me in the past, but maybe since I just read a really fun cozy mystery series and this just not hitting on the same level for me.
Georgie is 25ish and her small hometown has recently seen 4 murders in the past year, that she helped solve all (thank you very much). A bit of an amateur sleuth, when another body shows up dead Georgie is convinced it is tied to the other cases. But when others tell her the person died of natural causes, well she isn’t having it and calls in a much-celebrated private detective to come assist…but he sends his assistant Sebastian in his place! They get off to a bad star and this very much gives black cat x golden retriever vibes!
Like I mentioned, I just read a really fun cozy mystery series and this one just didn’t quite hit the same as I hoped. Overall it was fine, I just wasn’t super invested in the romance or the mystery part. Maybe I’d try it again later on cause it could have just been me right now fresh off another cozy mystery.
Georgie is 25ish and her small hometown has recently seen 4 murders in the past year, that she helped solve all (thank you very much). A bit of an amateur sleuth, when another body shows up dead Georgie is convinced it is tied to the other cases. But when others tell her the person died of natural causes, well she isn’t having it and calls in a much-celebrated private detective to come assist…but he sends his assistant Sebastian in his place! They get off to a bad star and this very much gives black cat x golden retriever vibes!
Like I mentioned, I just read a really fun cozy mystery series and this one just didn’t quite hit the same as I hoped. Overall it was fine, I just wasn’t super invested in the romance or the mystery part. Maybe I’d try it again later on cause it could have just been me right now fresh off another cozy mystery.
October 7, 2025
Fun cozy mystery romance. Nothing ground breaking but I did enjoy it.
May 17, 2025
4⭐️
I really enjoyed how this book leaned into and also poked fun at cozy murder-mystery tropes. The entire atmosphere of the quiet village with growing Agatha Christie type fangirling was great. I enjoyed the supporting cast of characters as well, and everyone we got to meet in the charming villages.
I've got to say, I think Sebastian was my favourite, he was just the most lively character of the bunch. At first I was a little nervous I would hate him, because from the moment he stepped off the train he was a lot. But I think Martha Waters did a good job of showing who he really was behind the unruffable playboy facade. I do wish this leaned more heavily on the romance? It sort of felt like an afterthought. Georgia is still barely tolerating Sebastian until like 65% of the way through? I wasn't even entirely sure she had real feelings for him until the end.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
"There really was something to be said for a romantic subplot in a mystery after all."A cozy murder-mystery set in the 1930s Cotswolds, this is different from Martha Water's other historicals but I thoroughly enjoyed! Buncombe-upon-Woolly has had four murders in the last year- when the fifth murder occurs, local amateur sleuth Georgie decides to call in an expert. Except the famous detective Georgie writes to sends his assistance instead- enter Sebastian.
I really enjoyed how this book leaned into and also poked fun at cozy murder-mystery tropes. The entire atmosphere of the quiet village with growing Agatha Christie type fangirling was great. I enjoyed the supporting cast of characters as well, and everyone we got to meet in the charming villages.
I've got to say, I think Sebastian was my favourite, he was just the most lively character of the bunch. At first I was a little nervous I would hate him, because from the moment he stepped off the train he was a lot. But I think Martha Waters did a good job of showing who he really was behind the unruffable playboy facade. I do wish this leaned more heavily on the romance? It sort of felt like an afterthought. Georgia is still barely tolerating Sebastian until like 65% of the way through? I wasn't even entirely sure she had real feelings for him until the end.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
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November 17, 2025This was a fun read! Lots of enjoyable characters (any sequels planned? I’d love more of Mr Radcliffe, Abigail, and Tom) and so much amusing poking at detective novel tropes. Now that I’m thinking about it, this had a feel of the novel ‘Fear Stalks the Village’ by Ethel Lina White too. I thought the murder itself was clever and didn’t guess the murderer. I think the cellar interlude may have been my favorite. Sebastian is really charming! I liked him more and more. I liked Georgie better at the beginning. Not sure what changed with her exactly. I love that she is a gardener. Ernest the Sheep was so funny!
Note: There is an open-door scene in this that I wasn’t expecting and was offputting for me personally. It would be easy to skip.
Note: There is an open-door scene in this that I wasn’t expecting and was offputting for me personally. It would be easy to skip.
October 22, 2025
Martha Waters has officially become one of my favorite authors. Whether it's historical, contemporary/holiday, or mystery romance, it's basically guaranteed to her trademark charm and humor. And Then There was the Other was a hoot from start to finish. Some of the townspeople gave me Gilmore Girls vibes and the romance between Georgie and Sebastian was electric. An absolute delight! I can't wait to read what she brings us next...regardless of genre.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.
July 9, 2025
If you told me I’d be swooning over a murder mystery set in a sleepy 1930s English village full of nosy neighbors and murder tourists… I’d say, “Sign me up.”
And Then There Was One is exactly what I hoped for - sharp, witty, and full of charm. Georgie is the perfect kind of heroine: smart, grounded, and absolutely over the nonsense of everyone around her. I loved the mystery angle, but what really made this shine for me was the banter and slow-burn chemistry between Georgie and Sebastian.
Martha Waters absolutely nailed the cozy historical vibe while still giving me a little thrill of suspense. If you like your whodunnits with a healthy dose of sarcasm, heart, and a reluctant investigative duo, definitely give this one a read!
Expected Release Date: 10/14/2025
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the early access. All thoughts in this review are my own.
And Then There Was One is exactly what I hoped for - sharp, witty, and full of charm. Georgie is the perfect kind of heroine: smart, grounded, and absolutely over the nonsense of everyone around her. I loved the mystery angle, but what really made this shine for me was the banter and slow-burn chemistry between Georgie and Sebastian.
Martha Waters absolutely nailed the cozy historical vibe while still giving me a little thrill of suspense. If you like your whodunnits with a healthy dose of sarcasm, heart, and a reluctant investigative duo, definitely give this one a read!
Expected Release Date: 10/14/2025
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the early access. All thoughts in this review are my own.
November 9, 2025
It’s good with a great vibe and fun banter, absolutely worth the read, but it also feels like three books worth of cozy murder mystery themes and build all fast-forwarded into one book. Began a little back-footed, thinking I’d missed more in a series, but no, this is a singular book. Still, the Cotswolds setting was delightful and the characters are perfectly charming. Again, great vibes! I liked it, but I also feel like I got cheated out of more, especially a stronger romantic arc.
On a completely positive note, I highly recommend the audiobook. Billie Fulford-Brown narrated excellently and I didn’t want to stop listening to her fantastic voice. She had me checking what other audiobooks I had to hand with her attached.
* I received a free copy from the publisher
On a completely positive note, I highly recommend the audiobook. Billie Fulford-Brown narrated excellently and I didn’t want to stop listening to her fantastic voice. She had me checking what other audiobooks I had to hand with her attached.
* I received a free copy from the publisher
May 14, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
I wanted to like this much more than I did. It was cute and a very quick read, but ultimately it didn't do much for me. I didn't connect with the characters, and found the mystery to be unsatisfying. I think the author used too many Nancy Mitford references as well, it moved beyond homage to what felt a bit like cribbing. I enjoy her Regency Romances more.
I wanted to like this much more than I did. It was cute and a very quick read, but ultimately it didn't do much for me. I didn't connect with the characters, and found the mystery to be unsatisfying. I think the author used too many Nancy Mitford references as well, it moved beyond homage to what felt a bit like cribbing. I enjoy her Regency Romances more.
October 14, 2025
*3,5
I liked this book, but I think by juggling the romance and murder-mystery plots, both ended up not reaching their full potential.
The murder mystery was very lukewarm; especially since all of the “official” crimes had already happened and apparently been solved as well. I don’t know if it’s due to how many Agatha Christie’s books I’ve read (especially this year) but I figured out the motive in the first chapter, and the biggest clue to the mystery was laid out in a very obvious way (to me). Still, the final chapters, with them actually unraveling the plot and the twists, was entertaining.
The romance plot was not my favorite, I don’t think there was enough development in their relationship within the book.
With all that being said, if this turns out to be the beginning of a series with Georgie and Sebastian, I will definitely check out the next one.
*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy. all opinions are my own.
I liked this book, but I think by juggling the romance and murder-mystery plots, both ended up not reaching their full potential.
The murder mystery was very lukewarm; especially since all of the “official” crimes had already happened and apparently been solved as well. I don’t know if it’s due to how many Agatha Christie’s books I’ve read (especially this year) but I figured out the motive in the first chapter, and the biggest clue to the mystery was laid out in a very obvious way (to me). Still, the final chapters, with them actually unraveling the plot and the twists, was entertaining.
The romance plot was not my favorite, I don’t think there was enough development in their relationship within the book.
With all that being said, if this turns out to be the beginning of a series with Georgie and Sebastian, I will definitely check out the next one.
*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy. all opinions are my own.
May 19, 2025
This was a refreshing genre mix of cozy murder mystery with a romance subplot. The only thing this novel was missing for me was a hook and some suspense - it had an intriguing and unique plot, but it was a very casual read.
I like Georgie, quietly confident and sure of herself but grumpy. Oh look, is it me? The romantic aspect of Sebastian and Georgie’s relationship I think could have taken more development, but I appreciated the friendship that was slowly built amidst the teasing due to their differences. Sebastian has such golden retriever energy that even when he’s annoying, you can’t help but love him.
Martha Waters is becoming one of those authors that I’ll always read whatever she releases! Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for the ARC!
I like Georgie, quietly confident and sure of herself but grumpy. Oh look, is it me? The romantic aspect of Sebastian and Georgie’s relationship I think could have taken more development, but I appreciated the friendship that was slowly built amidst the teasing due to their differences. Sebastian has such golden retriever energy that even when he’s annoying, you can’t help but love him.
Martha Waters is becoming one of those authors that I’ll always read whatever she releases! Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for the ARC!
October 14, 2025
1930's Cotswolds with a very adorable premise. There have been so many murders in this little village that there are actually murder tourists. Georgie Radcliff has lived here all her life and has solved 4 murders. when there is a 5th that she can't prove is a murder, she asks for help from a famous detective. When his handsome, charming assistant shows up, Georgie is not happy. However, Sebastian proves his mettle as they investigate together. All of the side characters are well written, the mystery is interesting, and Georgie, a curmudgeon and Sebastian, an insecure charmer, make a wonderful couple. Full of humor, the reader must be patient with Georgie as she Sebastian teaches her how to get what she wants, instead of what she thinks others need. I hope this is a series as I want to see what becomes of all the potential couples.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the EARC. This is my honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the EARC. This is my honest review.
October 22, 2025
Super cute historical romance with a true crime plot! This book felt like it was written for me! Loved the small town feel and it made me miss Downton Abbey a whole lot. I related a lot to the two murder tourist ladies, visiting a small town and trying to learn all the crime details that you can lol.
Hotshot ‘detective’ Sebastian from London turned out to be such a lovely love interest after showing that his woman magnet persona was just a shield for his insecurities. Oh also he I loved that he couldn’t stop eating and talking about food lol
I didn’t see it coming who was responsible for the murders so that’s a plus!
Hotshot ‘detective’ Sebastian from London turned out to be such a lovely love interest after showing that his woman magnet persona was just a shield for his insecurities. Oh also he I loved that he couldn’t stop eating and talking about food lol
I didn’t see it coming who was responsible for the murders so that’s a plus!
November 6, 2025
This was a cute cozy mystery! I enjoyed my time watching the local town sleuth solve these mysterious deaths. The addition of the romance never felt like too much and they felt like reluctant partners in crime most of the time.
Truthfully, this story just didn't pull me in all that much and was a very surface level read. I still thought it was great though and do think this book is something others would enjoy.
If you are looking for a short sweet mystery, I suggest this one! It'll have you trying to solve the case alongside our main characters.
Thank you Atria Books for the ARC and finished copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Truthfully, this story just didn't pull me in all that much and was a very surface level read. I still thought it was great though and do think this book is something others would enjoy.
If you are looking for a short sweet mystery, I suggest this one! It'll have you trying to solve the case alongside our main characters.
Thank you Atria Books for the ARC and finished copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 10, 2025
thanks to NetGalley for the eARC
⭐️=3.75 | 😘=4.5 | 🤬=2 | 16/17+
summary: small English town in the 1930s where a suspicious amount of murders are happening that our heroine is very adept at solving. they hire a fancy detective from London to help figure out why there’s so many murders but his assistant comes instead and just so happens to be a handsome dashing flirtatious man and she’s grumpy and they solve the mystery together and can you tell where this is going
thoughts: 3 star mystery, 4.5 star romance, so a 3.75 star average. does it make sense that these people would fall in love in a week? well no! was my disbelief successfully suspended such that i didn’t really care? well yes! simply giggling and kicking my feet at every possible opportunity—i always fall for a grumpy woman and a flirty sunshine man, and Martha Waters totally nailed that dynamic with these two. like it’s just a classic duo and it eats every time and it’s very well-executed, especially considering how quick the timeline is.
the mystery is like……. fine? I do like how it very much engages with the golden age of detective fiction era that it’s playing off of, but like overall it’s just… fine?? but like with the romance on top as a sweet treat this is really really fun!! also i love that the main two characters are the token straight couple in this book like that’s so fun
⭐️=3.75 | 😘=4.5 | 🤬=2 | 16/17+
summary: small English town in the 1930s where a suspicious amount of murders are happening that our heroine is very adept at solving. they hire a fancy detective from London to help figure out why there’s so many murders but his assistant comes instead and just so happens to be a handsome dashing flirtatious man and she’s grumpy and they solve the mystery together and can you tell where this is going
thoughts: 3 star mystery, 4.5 star romance, so a 3.75 star average. does it make sense that these people would fall in love in a week? well no! was my disbelief successfully suspended such that i didn’t really care? well yes! simply giggling and kicking my feet at every possible opportunity—i always fall for a grumpy woman and a flirty sunshine man, and Martha Waters totally nailed that dynamic with these two. like it’s just a classic duo and it eats every time and it’s very well-executed, especially considering how quick the timeline is.
the mystery is like……. fine? I do like how it very much engages with the golden age of detective fiction era that it’s playing off of, but like overall it’s just… fine?? but like with the romance on top as a sweet treat this is really really fun!! also i love that the main two characters are the token straight couple in this book like that’s so fun
November 2, 2025
4.5 stars. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, everything Waters writes is just delightful. She has a way of making any setting she chooses seem whimsical and heartfelt without it being over the top. I just get the warmest feeling reading her books. This one is no different. A cozy murder mystery rom-com mashup with a lovely cast of characters. Georgie is prickly and relatable and her and Sebastian’s banter is truly top-notch. Two gripes with the novel are that it was a little slow to start (until about the 20% mark) and that I really wanted an epilogue. As always, can’t wait to see what Waters does next!
October 16, 2025
This was cute, I liked it. The romance was funny. Georgie is very serious and when she meets Sebastian she’s like, wow he’s dumb and always hungry but he keeps flirting with her and loving how smart she is, he says things like “you’re very lovely in your thinking”
Definitely a cozy mystery, the popularity of Agatha Christie at the time is a running theme
Definitely a cozy mystery, the popularity of Agatha Christie at the time is a running theme
abandoned
October 21, 2025DNF @ 15%
As much as I enjoy shows like Father Brown, I think I'd much prefer to watch my cozy mysteries and not read them. I really couldn't get into this one, and I realized it was killing my motivation to read at all.
As much as I enjoy shows like Father Brown, I think I'd much prefer to watch my cozy mysteries and not read them. I really couldn't get into this one, and I realized it was killing my motivation to read at all.
November 17, 2025
1934. Cotswolds.
Multiple murders in her small village have turned Georgie into quite the successful amateur detective. But when the situation gets a bit more complicated, she writes to famous London detective for help.
In his stead, said famous detective sends his assistant, the dashing, and suspected himbo, Sebastian. After a fraught and flustered initial meeting, Sebastian gets Georgie to agree to one week to prove himself useful.
As Sebastian and Georgie investigate, she realizes he may be more that an, admittedly startlingly pretty face, meanwhile he’s so gobsmacked by her competence you can see him falling from the jump. Georgie’s competence IS quite compelling and Sebastian is absolutely an “I love my girl’s brain” guy.
A+ secondary characters. Excellent slow burn.
Very fun (despite the murderer at large bit) mystery romance. Nice to have Waters back in historical.
I tandem read audio/digital. Both are excellent.
Thanks to Waters and Simon & Schuster for the ARC.
Multiple murders in her small village have turned Georgie into quite the successful amateur detective. But when the situation gets a bit more complicated, she writes to famous London detective for help.
In his stead, said famous detective sends his assistant, the dashing, and suspected himbo, Sebastian. After a fraught and flustered initial meeting, Sebastian gets Georgie to agree to one week to prove himself useful.
As Sebastian and Georgie investigate, she realizes he may be more that an, admittedly startlingly pretty face, meanwhile he’s so gobsmacked by her competence you can see him falling from the jump. Georgie’s competence IS quite compelling and Sebastian is absolutely an “I love my girl’s brain” guy.
A+ secondary characters. Excellent slow burn.
Very fun (despite the murderer at large bit) mystery romance. Nice to have Waters back in historical.
I tandem read audio/digital. Both are excellent.
Thanks to Waters and Simon & Schuster for the ARC.
November 2, 2025
2.5 stars. This book was a deeply silly take on the cosy murder mystery á la Agatha Christie, set in a quaint and quirky English village turned up to eleven called Buncombe-upon-Woolly (a name that was mentioned roughly 50 times and will probably come back to haunt me in my dreams) where mysterious deaths are piling up. I'd say that this was definitely more romance than mystery and it didn't feel historical at all (it's supposed to be set in the 1930s or so but in the beginning I thought we were in the present because everyone behaved like quirky modern-day people). The story definitely knew how silly it was though, which was vital for it to work. I couldn't help picturing the love interest guy like Gilderoy Lockhart 😭 (he's also blonde and ridiculous). So if you've ever dreamed of explicit Gilderoy Lockhart smut, there's a treat in the last quarter of this book waiting for you 😬🫠 I listened to this on audio, and while I think the narrator fit the overall vibe very well, the voices she gave to the male characters made them sound like parodies (WHY do audiobook narrators keep distorting their voices in laughably awful ways when voicing characters of a different gender??). What I do absolutely love and want to give flowers to tho is the cover, which made me pick up this book in the first place.
November 23, 2025
going up there with “the most wonderful crime of the year” by ally carter as a book that is the Most Connor it could be. a charming village beset by murders in the english countryside? an all too clever, delightful, and unlikely duo solving it? A ROMANTIC SUB-PLOT (which, since it’s Martha Waters, is really also just plot)? 10/10 perfection, Martha does it again. I am DELIGHTED.
June 16, 2025
If the sleepy English small town of Buncombe-Upon-Wooly is known for anything- it’s charming sheep-themed pubs. But after four murders and a fifth unexplained death in the span of one year, amateur sleuth Georgie Radcliffe decides to get to the bottom of the string of murders.
She calls upon a legendary London detective who sends his assistant in his stead: Sebastian Ford Fletcher. Sebastian, a posh and flashy playboy and Georgie, serious and stubborn, clash the instant they meet. She finds him infuriating but is also irresistibly drawn to his dreamy looks and unflappably sweet nature.
As this grumpy sunshine duo team up to solve the latest mysterious death and try to uncover a possible connection between them, Georgie begins to see past his superficial facade to the truly intelligent and thoughtful person beneath it.
Filled with an abundance of witty banter, a loveable plucky female lead, a classic murdery mystery storyline, and a wonderfully quaint setting, this slowburn romance is a scrumptious mix of historical fiction and cozy mystery. Known for her Regency Vows series, Waters’ newest novel set in the 1930’s English countryside, shines brilliantly.
Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing me with a complimentary advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
She calls upon a legendary London detective who sends his assistant in his stead: Sebastian Ford Fletcher. Sebastian, a posh and flashy playboy and Georgie, serious and stubborn, clash the instant they meet. She finds him infuriating but is also irresistibly drawn to his dreamy looks and unflappably sweet nature.
As this grumpy sunshine duo team up to solve the latest mysterious death and try to uncover a possible connection between them, Georgie begins to see past his superficial facade to the truly intelligent and thoughtful person beneath it.
Filled with an abundance of witty banter, a loveable plucky female lead, a classic murdery mystery storyline, and a wonderfully quaint setting, this slowburn romance is a scrumptious mix of historical fiction and cozy mystery. Known for her Regency Vows series, Waters’ newest novel set in the 1930’s English countryside, shines brilliantly.
Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing me with a complimentary advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 10, 2025
Time of DNF: 26%
unfortunately i’m in a season of dnfing, otherwise i’m certain i could’ve finished this book since it was a pretty short & quick read but I didn’t really feel gripped by the story or its characters, and a lot of the mystery novel references felt like just that and didnt really touch me personally (perhaps i’m not enough of a fan of agatha christie or other classic mystery authors) so I had to sadly make the call but I loved the cover and I just wish the premise would’ve worked a bit better for me
it was my first time reading this author’s work and though I didn’t fall in love, I would definitely check out more of her regency romances bc those might be closer to the vibe I like
thank you so much to netgalley and atria books for this arc to review!
unfortunately i’m in a season of dnfing, otherwise i’m certain i could’ve finished this book since it was a pretty short & quick read but I didn’t really feel gripped by the story or its characters, and a lot of the mystery novel references felt like just that and didnt really touch me personally (perhaps i’m not enough of a fan of agatha christie or other classic mystery authors) so I had to sadly make the call but I loved the cover and I just wish the premise would’ve worked a bit better for me
it was my first time reading this author’s work and though I didn’t fall in love, I would definitely check out more of her regency romances bc those might be closer to the vibe I like
thank you so much to netgalley and atria books for this arc to review!
May 27, 2025
DRC from Edelweiss and Atria Books / Simon & Schuster
Cozy mystery with adultery, red herrings, and romance. Takes place in the 30’s in a small England town. Georgie has become famous for helping to solve the rash of murders plaguing the small town. The local constables are not happy sharing the limelight with her. So when the fifth death occurs and everyone thinks it is a heart attack, Georgie is not convinced. Along with her reporter friend Arthur, they decide to write to a famous London detective for help. His assistant comes instead. Along with helping the duo solve the crime, he also changes Georgie.
Fun, quirky characters, nice setting, plot moves along nicely.
Cozy mystery with adultery, red herrings, and romance. Takes place in the 30’s in a small England town. Georgie has become famous for helping to solve the rash of murders plaguing the small town. The local constables are not happy sharing the limelight with her. So when the fifth death occurs and everyone thinks it is a heart attack, Georgie is not convinced. Along with her reporter friend Arthur, they decide to write to a famous London detective for help. His assistant comes instead. Along with helping the duo solve the crime, he also changes Georgie.
Fun, quirky characters, nice setting, plot moves along nicely.
October 7, 2025
What a delightful surprise! From the very first chapter, I was hooked by the lively mix of mystery and charm. The characters were so fun and interesting. Each one felt distinct, and their interactions brought a spark to every scene. I loved how the story kept me guessing, but not in a dark or heavy way. Instead, it had this light, clever, and almost playful tone that reminded me of Agatha Christie, but with a brighter, more modern flair.
Sebastian Fletcher-Ford fascinated me from the start. I loved how this author gave us these small glimpses of his thoughts and reactions to Georgie. It made me wonder what was going through his mind without ever feeling manipulative or secretive. His dynamic with her added another layer of intrigue that perfectly complemented the mystery itself. It made every scene between them even more enjoyable.
Overall, this book was an absolute delight. The pacing, the wit, and the steady unraveling of the mystery made it impossible to put down. It was smart and entertaining without ever losing its warmth or humor. I came for the whodunit vibe and stayed for the clever writing and charming characters. I loved every minute of it.
Single POV
Safe
Triggers
Steam
Sebastian Fletcher-Ford fascinated me from the start. I loved how this author gave us these small glimpses of his thoughts and reactions to Georgie. It made me wonder what was going through his mind without ever feeling manipulative or secretive. His dynamic with her added another layer of intrigue that perfectly complemented the mystery itself. It made every scene between them even more enjoyable.
Overall, this book was an absolute delight. The pacing, the wit, and the steady unraveling of the mystery made it impossible to put down. It was smart and entertaining without ever losing its warmth or humor. I came for the whodunit vibe and stayed for the clever writing and charming characters. I loved every minute of it.
Single POV
Safe
Triggers
Steam
October 23, 2025
And The There Was The One by Martha Waters is a cozy mystery, slow-burn historical romance that I truly enjoyed from start to finish.
The story is set in the village of Buncombe-upon-Woolly in the Cotswolds, which has recently gained a reputation for becoming a hot spot for murder. Our fmc is Georgiana "Georgie" Radcliffe, an amateur sleuth who has already accidentally helped solve four local murders. When the chairman of the village council turns up dead, ruled officially as a heart attack, Georgie doesn't believe it. Convinced it’s the fifth suspicious death in a year—a streak so impressive it has attracted "Murder Tourists"—Georgie reaches out to a famous London detective for assistance.
Instead of the detective she hoped for, Georgie gets Sebastian Fletcher-Ford: the detective's secretary. Sebastian is charming, impeccably dressed, and incredibly exasperating and he immediately clashes with Georgie’s no-nonsense personality. The bulk of the novel follows this pair as they investigate, interviewing the villagers and inevitably engaging in entertaining, witty banter.
What truly makes And Then There Was The One so good (in my opinion) is the exceptional chemistry between Georgie and Sebastian. The opposites attract dynamic between Georgie, the grounded heroine who feels responsible for her entire village, is the perfect foil for Sebastian, the charming rogue who gradually reveals layers of intelligence and sincerity beneath his handsome façade. Their working partnership quickly turns into a slow-burn romance, where every look and sharp retort builds tension.
While the mystery has plenty of twists to keep you guessing, it's the romance that gave this book the extra push it needed to make it what I was looking for. I also appreciated her including "murder tourists" as side characters in this book as it gave it a bit of humor....even if Georgie hated them invading her village.
Ultimately, this book is a great historical romance that has a solid story, interesting main characters, and a wonderful supporting cast. If you're looking for a book that will make you laugh, keep you guessing, and leave you feeling entertained, pick this up immediately. I'll definitely be picking up more books by Waters in the future.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
The story is set in the village of Buncombe-upon-Woolly in the Cotswolds, which has recently gained a reputation for becoming a hot spot for murder. Our fmc is Georgiana "Georgie" Radcliffe, an amateur sleuth who has already accidentally helped solve four local murders. When the chairman of the village council turns up dead, ruled officially as a heart attack, Georgie doesn't believe it. Convinced it’s the fifth suspicious death in a year—a streak so impressive it has attracted "Murder Tourists"—Georgie reaches out to a famous London detective for assistance.
Instead of the detective she hoped for, Georgie gets Sebastian Fletcher-Ford: the detective's secretary. Sebastian is charming, impeccably dressed, and incredibly exasperating and he immediately clashes with Georgie’s no-nonsense personality. The bulk of the novel follows this pair as they investigate, interviewing the villagers and inevitably engaging in entertaining, witty banter.
What truly makes And Then There Was The One so good (in my opinion) is the exceptional chemistry between Georgie and Sebastian. The opposites attract dynamic between Georgie, the grounded heroine who feels responsible for her entire village, is the perfect foil for Sebastian, the charming rogue who gradually reveals layers of intelligence and sincerity beneath his handsome façade. Their working partnership quickly turns into a slow-burn romance, where every look and sharp retort builds tension.
While the mystery has plenty of twists to keep you guessing, it's the romance that gave this book the extra push it needed to make it what I was looking for. I also appreciated her including "murder tourists" as side characters in this book as it gave it a bit of humor....even if Georgie hated them invading her village.
Ultimately, this book is a great historical romance that has a solid story, interesting main characters, and a wonderful supporting cast. If you're looking for a book that will make you laugh, keep you guessing, and leave you feeling entertained, pick this up immediately. I'll definitely be picking up more books by Waters in the future.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 4, 2025
This was a delightful read! It might be one of my new favorite Martha Waters books! I loved the genre mashup, the bucolic setting, and the humorous situations.
Georgie lives in a small village in the Cotswolds, and everything is going fine until there were 4 murders in the past year. When a fifth death happens, she and her friend Arthur, an investigative journalist, band together to see if they can connect the crimes. They call in a famous detective, but they get his secretary, Sebastian instead, and he is flighty and ridiculous. Can Georgie and Sebastian, amateur sleuths, get to the bottom of the issues in this small town? And will they see more in each other than originally meets the eye?
This book was such a fun time. Georgie and Sebastian perfectly offset each other. She is so smart, but pretty grumpy. He is hilarious and outrageous. I was laughing out loud at his antics. They really brought out the best in each other. I loved the setting of Georgie's small village and its cozy murder vibes. All of the side characters brought depth to the story. I would love more from this time period from Martha Waters. This was adorable!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ebook in exchange for my honest review!
Georgie lives in a small village in the Cotswolds, and everything is going fine until there were 4 murders in the past year. When a fifth death happens, she and her friend Arthur, an investigative journalist, band together to see if they can connect the crimes. They call in a famous detective, but they get his secretary, Sebastian instead, and he is flighty and ridiculous. Can Georgie and Sebastian, amateur sleuths, get to the bottom of the issues in this small town? And will they see more in each other than originally meets the eye?
This book was such a fun time. Georgie and Sebastian perfectly offset each other. She is so smart, but pretty grumpy. He is hilarious and outrageous. I was laughing out loud at his antics. They really brought out the best in each other. I loved the setting of Georgie's small village and its cozy murder vibes. All of the side characters brought depth to the story. I would love more from this time period from Martha Waters. This was adorable!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ebook in exchange for my honest review!
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