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Hill House Vintage Murder Mystery #2
The Body in the Kitchen Garden: A completely addictive and charming cosy murder mystery
Welcome to the idyllic village of Pudding Corner. Tea is poured, secrets simmer, gardens hide more than just weeds - and murder is blooming once again...
Pudding Corner is the enigmatic Lord Hugh Darlington has returned to his crumbling ancestral home after years away. With his fiancée, he plans to revive the grand Darlington Hall - and who better to help than vintage aficionado Daphne Brewster?
Daphne is enchanted by the estate's stained-glass windows, regal turrets, and sprawling kitchen garden. But amidst the overgrown greenery, she stumbles upon something far less a body. A body that nobody can identify.
As the shocking murder rocks the village, Daphne dusts off her sleuthing skills - despite the local PC's warnings to stay out of trouble. When Lord Darlington is attacked and a string of burglaries shakes Pudding Corner, it's clear that no one is safe.
With secrets buried deep and loyalties more tangled than ivy, Daphne must unearth the truth... before the killer strikes again.
Wickedly witty and brimming with twists as sharp as a pair of antique shears, The Body in the Kitchen Garden is a cosy crime story that will keep you guessing until the very last clue is uncovered. Perfect for fans of Richard Coles, C.L Miller and Ian Moore.
Pudding Corner is the enigmatic Lord Hugh Darlington has returned to his crumbling ancestral home after years away. With his fiancée, he plans to revive the grand Darlington Hall - and who better to help than vintage aficionado Daphne Brewster?
Daphne is enchanted by the estate's stained-glass windows, regal turrets, and sprawling kitchen garden. But amidst the overgrown greenery, she stumbles upon something far less a body. A body that nobody can identify.
As the shocking murder rocks the village, Daphne dusts off her sleuthing skills - despite the local PC's warnings to stay out of trouble. When Lord Darlington is attacked and a string of burglaries shakes Pudding Corner, it's clear that no one is safe.
With secrets buried deep and loyalties more tangled than ivy, Daphne must unearth the truth... before the killer strikes again.
Wickedly witty and brimming with twists as sharp as a pair of antique shears, The Body in the Kitchen Garden is a cosy crime story that will keep you guessing until the very last clue is uncovered. Perfect for fans of Richard Coles, C.L Miller and Ian Moore.
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First published April 3, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
April 21, 2026
**My thanks to Kensington Publishing for providing me with an advanced review copy via NetGalley**
2.5 stars
Unfortunately this book doesn’t live up to the debut it’s following, which is a real shame as I adored The Body in the Potting Shed last year and even gave a copy to a friend as a gift. It has the classic second-novel dilemma of trying to find a voice distinct enough from the first book but with the same flavor that made the first a success.
I did enjoy the book for the first eighty percent of so of the plot, though the culprit/s seemed patently obvious from very early on. I don’t mind being able to tell the conclusion so long as the journey to the protagonist piecing the mystery together is a good one, and I really like protagonist Daphne and her friends in Pudding Corner. The way they go about village life while a murderer skulks in their midst feels quite true to life and I genuinely enjoyed spending time in their community. However, everything fell apart in the denouement.
Firstly, when Daphne finally puts the pieces together, she makes the classic mystery novel protagonist gaffe of telling someone “I’ve figured it out! No, I won’t tell you what I figured out, I’ve got to rush off and confront someone very dangerous without telling you who it is, my suspicions, where I’ve put any evidence, or where I’m going. Ta-ta, now!” Then, the final chunk of the book is taken up by a number of exposition-dumps of the culprits’ childhoods, motivations, inner feelings, et cetera, in a way that completely stops the plot and which occur in the middle of a seemingly physically dangerous moment. Am I really to believe that Daphne and the culprit/s sit together for an hour-long chat about said culprit/s childhood insecurities leading to their present actions in the middle of a time-sensitive moment of danger? One of these info-dumps is told to Daphne while she and the teller are inside of a burning house—I mean a house that is actively on fire —and both persons are struggling to breathe due to the smoke. Maybe I’m overly sensitive due to personal loss, but smoke inhalation (among other physical harms) is treated so unseriously in this book to the point that I actually found it offensive.
Finally, Daphne’s husband James needs to do something really nice for Daphne in the next title, as he was AWOL in this one (even at important times) and never gives a reason for his absence.
TL;DR: The first eighty percent or so of this novel is your average Midsomer Murders’ episode, not a particularly brilliant one but certainly satisfying to consume along with your midweek dinner. The last twenty percent is a serious fumble, one I sincerely hope Sutton recovers from should she choose to write a third installment in this series.
2.5 stars
Unfortunately this book doesn’t live up to the debut it’s following, which is a real shame as I adored The Body in the Potting Shed last year and even gave a copy to a friend as a gift. It has the classic second-novel dilemma of trying to find a voice distinct enough from the first book but with the same flavor that made the first a success.
I did enjoy the book for the first eighty percent of so of the plot, though the culprit/s seemed patently obvious from very early on. I don’t mind being able to tell the conclusion so long as the journey to the protagonist piecing the mystery together is a good one, and I really like protagonist Daphne and her friends in Pudding Corner. The way they go about village life while a murderer skulks in their midst feels quite true to life and I genuinely enjoyed spending time in their community. However, everything fell apart in the denouement.
Firstly, when Daphne finally puts the pieces together, she makes the classic mystery novel protagonist gaffe of telling someone “I’ve figured it out! No, I won’t tell you what I figured out, I’ve got to rush off and confront someone very dangerous without telling you who it is, my suspicions, where I’ve put any evidence, or where I’m going. Ta-ta, now!” Then, the final chunk of the book is taken up by a number of exposition-dumps of the culprits’ childhoods, motivations, inner feelings, et cetera, in a way that completely stops the plot and which occur in the middle of a seemingly physically dangerous moment. Am I really to believe that Daphne and the culprit/s sit together for an hour-long chat about said culprit/s childhood insecurities leading to their present actions in the middle of a time-sensitive moment of danger? One of these info-dumps is told to Daphne while she and the teller are inside of a burning house—I mean a house that is actively on fire —and both persons are struggling to breathe due to the smoke. Maybe I’m overly sensitive due to personal loss, but smoke inhalation (among other physical harms) is treated so unseriously in this book to the point that I actually found it offensive.
Finally, Daphne’s husband James needs to do something really nice for Daphne in the next title, as he was AWOL in this one (even at important times) and never gives a reason for his absence.
TL;DR: The first eighty percent or so of this novel is your average Midsomer Murders’ episode, not a particularly brilliant one but certainly satisfying to consume along with your midweek dinner. The last twenty percent is a serious fumble, one I sincerely hope Sutton recovers from should she choose to write a third installment in this series.
April 26, 2026
This is another new author for me. I had thought this book was a first in a series, but it is actually book number two. That was definitely not a problem as this author is very heavy on the description, so you definitely won't feel lost. I really enjoyed Daphne, the main character, I found it a little hard to work around the fact that she was a wife and mother of three young children, not because a wife and mother wouldn't be that clever or observant, but even though there was some work evolved she had plenty of time to be away from home checking on things and going to meetings etc. While this story has a very good mystery (s) and a clever twist I did find the author a bit over the top with countryside descriptions and some emotional angst that at times actually draw you out of the story as it is unfolding. Some of the secondary characters are also a little over the top obnoxious, but in general, an intelligent MC, a fascinating mystery, and a twist make this book worth your time! Thanks to #Netgally, #Kensingtonbooks, and the author for an opportunity to read. #TheBodyintheKitchenGarden #HillHouseVintageMysteries #PaulaSutton #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader
October 26, 2025
2.5 stars
This, I will be honest, is quite disappointing. After reading the first book in this series, absolutely loving it and recommending it to anyone who would listen, I was excited to read the second instalment. Unfortunately, all the things that I loved so much about the first book just fell flat in this book.
The setting and the eclectic residents of Pepperbridge were great and I always enjoy Sutton's writing of the inhabitants and their idiosyncrasies. But I felt more connected to the setting in the first one and all the side characters introduced. The side characters in this book were flat and I knew their motive from basically the first 50 pages. The first book made you feel like you were truly their with the characters but the second one felt too light and less enveloping.
Daphne, as a detective, was somebody that I felt was missing in the crime genre. Leading with kindness and an open mind. I loved her conversations with the residents and her intelligence and compassion. While she still leads with kindness and compassion in this book I felt that the actual investigating was non-existent. Daphne was not in charge of the narrative in this book but just reacting to things happening around her. I can't think of anything in the book apart from the visit to the library where I truly felt she was being active in this novel. This book had a severe lack of deducting, which was incredibly disappointing.
The plot. Everything was just too obvious this time around. Normally I don't mind figuring out the motives and plots of mysteries but this was just way too obvious and easy. As I said earlier, it took me about 50 pages to suss out the new characters and the trajectory of the plot. I just really wish more time was spent in this book to pad it out and give time and detail to it.
Overall this was a big dip in quality after how amazing that first book was.
This, I will be honest, is quite disappointing. After reading the first book in this series, absolutely loving it and recommending it to anyone who would listen, I was excited to read the second instalment. Unfortunately, all the things that I loved so much about the first book just fell flat in this book.
The setting and the eclectic residents of Pepperbridge were great and I always enjoy Sutton's writing of the inhabitants and their idiosyncrasies. But I felt more connected to the setting in the first one and all the side characters introduced. The side characters in this book were flat and I knew their motive from basically the first 50 pages. The first book made you feel like you were truly their with the characters but the second one felt too light and less enveloping.
Daphne, as a detective, was somebody that I felt was missing in the crime genre. Leading with kindness and an open mind. I loved her conversations with the residents and her intelligence and compassion. While she still leads with kindness and compassion in this book I felt that the actual investigating was non-existent. Daphne was not in charge of the narrative in this book but just reacting to things happening around her. I can't think of anything in the book apart from the visit to the library where I truly felt she was being active in this novel. This book had a severe lack of deducting, which was incredibly disappointing.
The plot. Everything was just too obvious this time around. Normally I don't mind figuring out the motives and plots of mysteries but this was just way too obvious and easy. As I said earlier, it took me about 50 pages to suss out the new characters and the trajectory of the plot. I just really wish more time was spent in this book to pad it out and give time and detail to it.
Overall this was a big dip in quality after how amazing that first book was.
May 19, 2026
3⭐️
Such a cozy mystery! This is the second book in the Hill House Vintage Murder Mystery series. I haven’t read the first book but Paula’s writing and descriptions made it easy to understand the characters and the past storyline, the character guide was so helpful too. The murderer in the first book does get brought up so definitely read in order if you’re planning on reading this series!
Set in an English country side village called pudding corner, Daphne finds herself investigating robberies and deaths… again. Although I could guess how the story would unfold, it was still enjoyable. I felt like the first half of this book was slow then it picked up around the 40% mark.
Might go back and read the first book as I really enjoyed Paula’s writing style, heavy on the descriptions and a wonderful cosy modern miss Marple style mystery.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the arc of this book 🫶🏼
Such a cozy mystery! This is the second book in the Hill House Vintage Murder Mystery series. I haven’t read the first book but Paula’s writing and descriptions made it easy to understand the characters and the past storyline, the character guide was so helpful too. The murderer in the first book does get brought up so definitely read in order if you’re planning on reading this series!
Set in an English country side village called pudding corner, Daphne finds herself investigating robberies and deaths… again. Although I could guess how the story would unfold, it was still enjoyable. I felt like the first half of this book was slow then it picked up around the 40% mark.
Might go back and read the first book as I really enjoyed Paula’s writing style, heavy on the descriptions and a wonderful cosy modern miss Marple style mystery.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the arc of this book 🫶🏼
October 27, 2025
all in all, this book was OK. while the setting was something to get used to and tension is really attenuated by the lengthy descriptions of each act and scene, the writing was neat and left off with a great sentence on the localities of Pudding Corner and Pepperbridge (wonderful names for villages on the countryside!):
"some stayed for a season, some came for a reason, but many stayed for a lifetime."
"some stayed for a season, some came for a reason, but many stayed for a lifetime."
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I can say the narrator was very enthusiastic. It was a fine audiobook, I think the older generation will really adore this book and audiobook
Thank you to publisher and net galley
Thank you to publisher and net galley
February 5, 2026
"The Body in the Kitchen Garden ” the 2nd instalment in A Hill House Vintage Murder Mystery series by Paula Sutton set in Pudding Corner, a Norfolk hamlet full of quintessentially English charm. I enjoyed this story. What a great follow up to book one!
This time around Daphne is helping Lord Darlington and his fiancée revive the grand Darlington Hall. Daphne is enchanted by the estate’s stained-glass windows, regal turrets, and sprawling kitchen garden. But amidst the overgrown greenery, she stumbles upon something far less picturesque: a body. A body that no one can identify. With secrets buried deep and loyalties more tangled than ivy, Daphne must unearth the truth . . . before the killer strikes again.
The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and had plenty of twists to keep engaged right to the very end. I kept guessing and second-guessing myself but I was right on who the killer was.
I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends. I can’t wait for book two!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I requested and received an advance readers copy from NetGalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This time around Daphne is helping Lord Darlington and his fiancée revive the grand Darlington Hall. Daphne is enchanted by the estate’s stained-glass windows, regal turrets, and sprawling kitchen garden. But amidst the overgrown greenery, she stumbles upon something far less picturesque: a body. A body that no one can identify. With secrets buried deep and loyalties more tangled than ivy, Daphne must unearth the truth . . . before the killer strikes again.
The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and had plenty of twists to keep engaged right to the very end. I kept guessing and second-guessing myself but I was right on who the killer was.
I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends. I can’t wait for book two!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I requested and received an advance readers copy from NetGalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Nothing says “peaceful countryside reset” like uncovering a corpse in the herbaceous border. The Body in the Kitchen Garden wastes zero time reminding us that Pudding Corner might look like it sells artisanal jam and emotional stability, but beneath the wisteria is pure chaos. And honestly? I respect the commitment.
We’re back with Daphne Brewster, our vintage-loving, softly spoken menace to local law enforcement. After surviving The Potting Shed Murder, you’d think she’d get at least one season of calm. Absolutely not. Lord Hugh Darlington swans back into town after years away with his fiancée Helena, announcing plans to revive Darlington Hall like he’s the brooding lead in a BBC adaptation. Turrets. Stained glass. Kitchen garden. It’s giving Downton Abbey if someone misfiled a death certificate.
And then Daphne, who literally just came to assess antiques and maybe fluff some heritage cushions, finds a body in the glasshouse. An unidentified body. Just… there. Among the greenery. I cannot stress enough how rude it is to die in someone’s curated cottagecore fantasy.
Now we’ve got burglaries popping off around the village, Lord Darlington getting attacked, and everyone clutching their pearls while pretending they’re not absolutely thrilled something scandalous is happening. Pudding Corner runs on tea and gossip. This is their Super Bowl.
Let’s talk about Daphne, because she remains the emotional MVP. She’s not flashy. She’s not dramatically monologuing. She’s just quietly observing, asking gentle but devastatingly precise questions, and refusing to ignore that something smells off. It’s like if Miss Marple had Wi-Fi and a side hustle. I adore her. She leads with empathy, not ego. She actually cares about the why, not just the who.
But here’s where I need to lovingly scream into a throw pillow.
I clocked the direction of this mystery early. Not in a “I am Sherlock reborn” way. In a “sir, you are blinking suspiciously and I don’t trust it” way. The suspect pool isn’t a sprawling Agatha Christie chaos buffet. It’s more like a very curated dinner party where you already know who’s going to flip the table by dessert. I kept waiting for the rug to be yanked out from under me. The rug remained firmly in place. Tasteful. Predictable. Slightly smug.
And I don’t mind figuring things out. I love feeling clever. But I wanted at least one moment where I gasped so hard I scared my basset hounds. Instead, it was more of a slow nod like, yes, that tracks. The motivations are layered in, and we spend real time unpacking the backstory, which gives the crime emotional weight. It’s less about shock and more about buried grievances and tangled loyalties. That part works. It’s thoughtful. It’s human. It just doesn’t punch.
There’s also a shift here where Daphne feels more reactive than proactive. In book one, she felt like she was prying open secrets with determination and heart. Here, information often comes to her. Clues surface. Conversations conveniently reveal things. I wanted one more scene of her actively connecting dots and having that quiet, devastating realization moment.
That said, the atmosphere still slaps. Darlington Hall is dripping in history and slightly ominous vibes. The kitchen garden setting is lush and eerie in that polite English way. The village dynamics are still deliciously nosy. Everyone knows everyone’s business and pretends they don’t. It’s the kind of place where a raised eyebrow is basically a public accusation.
Emotionally, the ending leans into the why and how rather than a dramatic drawing room reveal. We sit with the consequences. We understand the hurt. It’s more reflective than explosive. Which fits the tone of the series. I just wanted one more jolt of chaos to match the aesthetic.
As a sequel, it doesn’t quite have the fresh spark that made The Potting Shed Murder such a delight. That first book felt like stumbling into a village scandal you weren’t prepared for. This one feels more settled. Comfortable. Like Pudding Corner has accepted that Daphne is just going to keep finding bodies and they might as well put the kettle on.
For me, it’s a solid three stars. I had a good time. I care about these people. I will absolutely show up for book three because I am now emotionally invested in Daphne’s inability to avoid horticultural homicide. But next time? I want the twist to emotionally body-check me while I’m rearranging my throw pillows.
Whodunity Award: Most Likely to Bury Generational Secrets Next to the Rosemary and Hope No One Starts Weeding
Huge thank you to Kensington Publishing, RBmedia, and NetGalley for the ARC and ALC. Nothing says self-care like a quiet English village, a suspicious aristocrat, and a body in the begonias. Always happy to accept advance copies that threaten my trust in quaint garden estates.
We’re back with Daphne Brewster, our vintage-loving, softly spoken menace to local law enforcement. After surviving The Potting Shed Murder, you’d think she’d get at least one season of calm. Absolutely not. Lord Hugh Darlington swans back into town after years away with his fiancée Helena, announcing plans to revive Darlington Hall like he’s the brooding lead in a BBC adaptation. Turrets. Stained glass. Kitchen garden. It’s giving Downton Abbey if someone misfiled a death certificate.
And then Daphne, who literally just came to assess antiques and maybe fluff some heritage cushions, finds a body in the glasshouse. An unidentified body. Just… there. Among the greenery. I cannot stress enough how rude it is to die in someone’s curated cottagecore fantasy.
Now we’ve got burglaries popping off around the village, Lord Darlington getting attacked, and everyone clutching their pearls while pretending they’re not absolutely thrilled something scandalous is happening. Pudding Corner runs on tea and gossip. This is their Super Bowl.
Let’s talk about Daphne, because she remains the emotional MVP. She’s not flashy. She’s not dramatically monologuing. She’s just quietly observing, asking gentle but devastatingly precise questions, and refusing to ignore that something smells off. It’s like if Miss Marple had Wi-Fi and a side hustle. I adore her. She leads with empathy, not ego. She actually cares about the why, not just the who.
But here’s where I need to lovingly scream into a throw pillow.
I clocked the direction of this mystery early. Not in a “I am Sherlock reborn” way. In a “sir, you are blinking suspiciously and I don’t trust it” way. The suspect pool isn’t a sprawling Agatha Christie chaos buffet. It’s more like a very curated dinner party where you already know who’s going to flip the table by dessert. I kept waiting for the rug to be yanked out from under me. The rug remained firmly in place. Tasteful. Predictable. Slightly smug.
And I don’t mind figuring things out. I love feeling clever. But I wanted at least one moment where I gasped so hard I scared my basset hounds. Instead, it was more of a slow nod like, yes, that tracks. The motivations are layered in, and we spend real time unpacking the backstory, which gives the crime emotional weight. It’s less about shock and more about buried grievances and tangled loyalties. That part works. It’s thoughtful. It’s human. It just doesn’t punch.
There’s also a shift here where Daphne feels more reactive than proactive. In book one, she felt like she was prying open secrets with determination and heart. Here, information often comes to her. Clues surface. Conversations conveniently reveal things. I wanted one more scene of her actively connecting dots and having that quiet, devastating realization moment.
That said, the atmosphere still slaps. Darlington Hall is dripping in history and slightly ominous vibes. The kitchen garden setting is lush and eerie in that polite English way. The village dynamics are still deliciously nosy. Everyone knows everyone’s business and pretends they don’t. It’s the kind of place where a raised eyebrow is basically a public accusation.
Emotionally, the ending leans into the why and how rather than a dramatic drawing room reveal. We sit with the consequences. We understand the hurt. It’s more reflective than explosive. Which fits the tone of the series. I just wanted one more jolt of chaos to match the aesthetic.
As a sequel, it doesn’t quite have the fresh spark that made The Potting Shed Murder such a delight. That first book felt like stumbling into a village scandal you weren’t prepared for. This one feels more settled. Comfortable. Like Pudding Corner has accepted that Daphne is just going to keep finding bodies and they might as well put the kettle on.
For me, it’s a solid three stars. I had a good time. I care about these people. I will absolutely show up for book three because I am now emotionally invested in Daphne’s inability to avoid horticultural homicide. But next time? I want the twist to emotionally body-check me while I’m rearranging my throw pillows.
Whodunity Award: Most Likely to Bury Generational Secrets Next to the Rosemary and Hope No One Starts Weeding
Huge thank you to Kensington Publishing, RBmedia, and NetGalley for the ARC and ALC. Nothing says self-care like a quiet English village, a suspicious aristocrat, and a body in the begonias. Always happy to accept advance copies that threaten my trust in quaint garden estates.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The gentle English village mystery is still going strong, 96 years after Miss Marple made her first appearance in the village of St. Mary Meade. Like Miss Marple, modern practitioners of the British village mystery- writers like Connie Berry, G.M. Malliet, and most recently Katarina Bivald – find the depths of human emotion and bad behavior in this idyllic setting. Sutton has updated the formula with the unusual move of having her detective be the only black woman in town.
Like her creator, Daphne Brewster is a vintage furniture and architecture enthusiast. (Sutton is a popular lifestyle influencer under the moniker @hillhousevintage). Indulging in the books or the Instagram posts finds the lucky reader or viewer drawn into a world of British Village porn, where all the rickety chairs are beautiful, the beds are covered with lovely, faded spreads, and the wallpaper is William Morris. This is more of a sidebar in the books, though Daphne owns a shop where she repurposes and sells old things and is finding it surprisingly lucrative.
Daphne has escaped London with her husband and adorable kids and cute dog to the village of Pudding Corner, where all seems peaceful, but, as any mystery reader knows, will be invaded by the horror of murder. Sutton does violate one unspoken rule – early on, she reveals the identity of the killer in book #1 – but as I’d read it myself I was able to move on. If you haven’t yet read The Potting Shed Murder you might want to pick that one up first.
It all starts innocently enough. Daphne is approached by the future lady of the local manor and asked to help her repurpose and reclaim enough rooms in the old place to turn it into an Airbnb that will ideally pay for the upkeep of the house. It’s Daphne’s dream job, and she can’t wait to dive in with the meek Helena, who is the unlikely fiancée of Sir Hugh Darlington, the owner of the manor.
Daphne and Helena work through the rooms, finding plenty to both repurpose and sell and they even make a start on stripping the walls. Meanwhile, all is not copacetic in Pudding Corner. One of the town stalwarts, general store owner (and inveterate keeper of facts about everyone in town), is found dead one morning after a fall from her ladder in the store. Her sister is sure it’s not an accident. Daphne is a good neighbor and keeps a watch on the sister, bringing her cake and tea, and trying to coax her back out into the world.
Meanwhile not only are there village youths hanging around on the village green and perhaps stealing things around town, but there also appears to be a homeless man in the area, something unusual in a remote rural village. Mysteriously, the homeless man is ultimately found dead in the garden of the manor house, where he had apparently been sleeping rough.
Daphne can’t help but be drawn into sleuthing – how can she leave the meek Helena on her own where there was a dead man in the garden? The local constable warns her off to no avail. So far, so traditional. The end of the novel is not traditional, however. It’s here that Sutton dives into the psychological underpinnings of the characters in the book, both fleshing them out as humans and providing motive. While I found this enjoyable, I almost felt Sutton should stick to one or the other: a traditional village cozy, or a psychological village cozy (with practitioners like PD James, Ruth Rendell, and Deborah Crombie, to name a few). I always find a change in tone an unsettling read. However, this is still a charming series, with a great setting and populated with terrific characters and specific details of village life. To be clear, I definitely want to read the next book. I’m also wondering how Daphne can stay in shape after eating so much cake. You might need a slice when you close the last page.
Like her creator, Daphne Brewster is a vintage furniture and architecture enthusiast. (Sutton is a popular lifestyle influencer under the moniker @hillhousevintage). Indulging in the books or the Instagram posts finds the lucky reader or viewer drawn into a world of British Village porn, where all the rickety chairs are beautiful, the beds are covered with lovely, faded spreads, and the wallpaper is William Morris. This is more of a sidebar in the books, though Daphne owns a shop where she repurposes and sells old things and is finding it surprisingly lucrative.
Daphne has escaped London with her husband and adorable kids and cute dog to the village of Pudding Corner, where all seems peaceful, but, as any mystery reader knows, will be invaded by the horror of murder. Sutton does violate one unspoken rule – early on, she reveals the identity of the killer in book #1 – but as I’d read it myself I was able to move on. If you haven’t yet read The Potting Shed Murder you might want to pick that one up first.
It all starts innocently enough. Daphne is approached by the future lady of the local manor and asked to help her repurpose and reclaim enough rooms in the old place to turn it into an Airbnb that will ideally pay for the upkeep of the house. It’s Daphne’s dream job, and she can’t wait to dive in with the meek Helena, who is the unlikely fiancée of Sir Hugh Darlington, the owner of the manor.
Daphne and Helena work through the rooms, finding plenty to both repurpose and sell and they even make a start on stripping the walls. Meanwhile, all is not copacetic in Pudding Corner. One of the town stalwarts, general store owner (and inveterate keeper of facts about everyone in town), is found dead one morning after a fall from her ladder in the store. Her sister is sure it’s not an accident. Daphne is a good neighbor and keeps a watch on the sister, bringing her cake and tea, and trying to coax her back out into the world.
Meanwhile not only are there village youths hanging around on the village green and perhaps stealing things around town, but there also appears to be a homeless man in the area, something unusual in a remote rural village. Mysteriously, the homeless man is ultimately found dead in the garden of the manor house, where he had apparently been sleeping rough.
Daphne can’t help but be drawn into sleuthing – how can she leave the meek Helena on her own where there was a dead man in the garden? The local constable warns her off to no avail. So far, so traditional. The end of the novel is not traditional, however. It’s here that Sutton dives into the psychological underpinnings of the characters in the book, both fleshing them out as humans and providing motive. While I found this enjoyable, I almost felt Sutton should stick to one or the other: a traditional village cozy, or a psychological village cozy (with practitioners like PD James, Ruth Rendell, and Deborah Crombie, to name a few). I always find a change in tone an unsettling read. However, this is still a charming series, with a great setting and populated with terrific characters and specific details of village life. To be clear, I definitely want to read the next book. I’m also wondering how Daphne can stay in shape after eating so much cake. You might need a slice when you close the last page.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ᯓ➤ Got this from NetGalley
❀𖤣𖥧𖡼⊱✿⊰𖡼𖥧𖤣❀
This book was a mess...
For the first quarter it tried the classic and true Agatha Christie - introducing everyone all at once and giving you massive bits of information about each character. Except the information WASN'T enough because who the hell were all those people and why are they all so annoying! It's like they held a competition of who is the biggest asshole and they put them all in one village.
The constant pov changes to explain what was happening in the background is basically the sure way to NOT have your "detective" do anything at all and just have moments of realization based on NOTHING (at some point during 80% we get a random biopic of Helena and Daphne just knew everything despite Henry singing about how he loved her?)
⁀જ➣ Yeah Daphne was mad annoying. They tried to give you this vibe that she is so good person (and I do think in her core she is especially seeing how much she cares about who she thought was a homeless man and the sister of the first victim)
But she was a shit detective! They make these jokes like she is a Miss Marple esc character but they literally couldn't be further apart. Miss Marple draws collisions because she sees beyond the bonds of the small communities of villages and pulling clues from everyone and working them together to EVENTUALLY get to the conclusion. Daphne? She just comes to conclusions out of thin air, basically thinks the sister of Nancy is out of it when she says her sister was murdered.
(+ All those questions she kept making that were so stupid...)
⁀જ➣ Honestly Nancy was such a bitch I was kinda glad she is the first victim. She is a snob and judges EVERYONE, and is generally the worst person ever + that notebook that has everyone's secrets? What a bitch for real.
⁀જ➣ If I am sad for anyone in this book it is the real Lord Darlington. He was someone who struggled and wanted to turn things around away from this shitty place and even to the end he was kind and a honestly to his core good person.
⁀જ➣ Helena was... Maybe the only character that was in line with the whole plot! Her actions could have been so much more DEEP if the clues were set up better.
And finally the ending!! After Daphne hasn't worked out next to nothing but Helena tells her everything. Henry getting everything in the end after Huw leaves him everything? That was the only "good" thing / ending for this book.
❀𖤣𖥧𖡼⊱✿⊰𖡼𖥧𖤣❀
This book was a mess...
For the first quarter it tried the classic and true Agatha Christie - introducing everyone all at once and giving you massive bits of information about each character. Except the information WASN'T enough because who the hell were all those people and why are they all so annoying! It's like they held a competition of who is the biggest asshole and they put them all in one village.
The constant pov changes to explain what was happening in the background is basically the sure way to NOT have your "detective" do anything at all and just have moments of realization based on NOTHING (at some point during 80% we get a random biopic of Helena and Daphne just knew everything despite Henry singing about how he loved her?)
⁀જ➣ Yeah Daphne was mad annoying. They tried to give you this vibe that she is so good person (and I do think in her core she is especially seeing how much she cares about who she thought was a homeless man and the sister of the first victim)
But she was a shit detective! They make these jokes like she is a Miss Marple esc character but they literally couldn't be further apart. Miss Marple draws collisions because she sees beyond the bonds of the small communities of villages and pulling clues from everyone and working them together to EVENTUALLY get to the conclusion. Daphne? She just comes to conclusions out of thin air, basically thinks the sister of Nancy is out of it when she says her sister was murdered.
(+ All those questions she kept making that were so stupid...)
⁀જ➣ Honestly Nancy was such a bitch I was kinda glad she is the first victim. She is a snob and judges EVERYONE, and is generally the worst person ever + that notebook that has everyone's secrets? What a bitch for real.
⁀જ➣ If I am sad for anyone in this book it is the real Lord Darlington. He was someone who struggled and wanted to turn things around away from this shitty place and even to the end he was kind and a honestly to his core good person.
⁀જ➣ Helena was... Maybe the only character that was in line with the whole plot! Her actions could have been so much more DEEP if the clues were set up better.
And finally the ending!! After Daphne hasn't worked out next to nothing but Helena tells her everything. Henry getting everything in the end after Huw leaves him everything? That was the only "good" thing / ending for this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2026
The Body in the Kitchen Garden is a charming, witty, and wonderfully atmospheric cozy mystery that brings all the delights of village life—gossip, eccentricity, and vintage flair—together with a satisfyingly twisty crime. Paula Sutton captures the essence of Pudding Corner so vividly that it feels like stepping into a warm, slightly chaotic hug… albeit one with a murder tucked among the dahlias.
Daphne Brewster is an irresistible lead: stylish, curious, and endlessly endearing in her determination to get to the bottom of things, even when the local police would much prefer she didn’t. Her love of antiques and all things vintage adds a lovely texture to the story, giving the mystery a unique aesthetic charm. She’s very much a modern Miss Marple—with better outfits and a sharper sense of humour.
The return of Lord Hugh Darlington to his crumbling ancestral home sets the perfect stage for trouble. The estate is beautifully described—stained glass, turrets, and a kitchen garden that should be idyllic but instead hides a body no one can identify. From that moment, the novel becomes a delightful tangle of secrets, burglaries, suspicious characters, and unexpected alliances. The pacing is brisk without ever losing the cozy feel, and the humour sparkles throughout.
What elevates the story is the warmth of the community. Pudding Corner is full of personality, from the nosy neighbours to the quietly observant shopkeepers, and their reactions to the unfolding drama add both charm and tension. The mystery itself is cleverly constructed, with twists that feel earned and clues that reward attentive reading. By the time the final reveal arrives, everything clicks into place with satisfying precision.
Witty, stylish, and full of heart, The Body in the Kitchen Garden is a delightful addition to the cozy crime genre—perfect for readers who love their mysteries with vintage charm, sharp humour, and a heroine you can’t help but root for.
With thanks to Paula Sutton, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Daphne Brewster is an irresistible lead: stylish, curious, and endlessly endearing in her determination to get to the bottom of things, even when the local police would much prefer she didn’t. Her love of antiques and all things vintage adds a lovely texture to the story, giving the mystery a unique aesthetic charm. She’s very much a modern Miss Marple—with better outfits and a sharper sense of humour.
The return of Lord Hugh Darlington to his crumbling ancestral home sets the perfect stage for trouble. The estate is beautifully described—stained glass, turrets, and a kitchen garden that should be idyllic but instead hides a body no one can identify. From that moment, the novel becomes a delightful tangle of secrets, burglaries, suspicious characters, and unexpected alliances. The pacing is brisk without ever losing the cozy feel, and the humour sparkles throughout.
What elevates the story is the warmth of the community. Pudding Corner is full of personality, from the nosy neighbours to the quietly observant shopkeepers, and their reactions to the unfolding drama add both charm and tension. The mystery itself is cleverly constructed, with twists that feel earned and clues that reward attentive reading. By the time the final reveal arrives, everything clicks into place with satisfying precision.
Witty, stylish, and full of heart, The Body in the Kitchen Garden is a delightful addition to the cozy crime genre—perfect for readers who love their mysteries with vintage charm, sharp humour, and a heroine you can’t help but root for.
With thanks to Paula Sutton, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
May 21, 2026
I enjoyed this quintessential English cozy mystery.
There was a lot going on and just when I thought I had it figured out, the author switches it up on me in a way that I didn't see coming.
The story starts with a death but then slows down as the author sets the scene and seems to forget about the accident. Don't worry the story does pick up and every thing gets wrapped nicely, if surprisingly. The story is told by multiple characters as there part in the situation is discovered but it is mostly told by Daphne as she befriends her client. She doesn't really do any investigating but it's more about being in the right place to learn clues that help piece together the thefts and the murder.
I liked the characters and thought Daphne was a great main character. She was not only capable but was also kind with it, an asset to village life and cozys in general, although she was missing the usual sidekick. Even through this is book two in the series, it does works as a standalone and I had no problems following along despite not having read the first book. A fact that I hope to rectify very soon and will be looking out for more books in the series..
Daphne is shocked to learn her friend has died, leaving behind a distraught sister. She hopes working at Darlington Hall will provide the distraction they both need, especially as the prodigal son Lord Hugh has returned and proves to be just as elusive as ever. At the same time the village teenagers are causing trouble, with the village up in arms over thievery. Some even going so far as to blame the homeless man seen in the area as being there ring leader. Daphne isn't so sure and when she finds him dead in the rundown greenhouse after attacking Hugh, she can't help but ask questions and look for clues. Was his death really an accident?
I liked the narrator. She helped well the story by having fun with accents and character voices. I would listen to her again.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
There was a lot going on and just when I thought I had it figured out, the author switches it up on me in a way that I didn't see coming.
The story starts with a death but then slows down as the author sets the scene and seems to forget about the accident. Don't worry the story does pick up and every thing gets wrapped nicely, if surprisingly. The story is told by multiple characters as there part in the situation is discovered but it is mostly told by Daphne as she befriends her client. She doesn't really do any investigating but it's more about being in the right place to learn clues that help piece together the thefts and the murder.
I liked the characters and thought Daphne was a great main character. She was not only capable but was also kind with it, an asset to village life and cozys in general, although she was missing the usual sidekick. Even through this is book two in the series, it does works as a standalone and I had no problems following along despite not having read the first book. A fact that I hope to rectify very soon and will be looking out for more books in the series..
Daphne is shocked to learn her friend has died, leaving behind a distraught sister. She hopes working at Darlington Hall will provide the distraction they both need, especially as the prodigal son Lord Hugh has returned and proves to be just as elusive as ever. At the same time the village teenagers are causing trouble, with the village up in arms over thievery. Some even going so far as to blame the homeless man seen in the area as being there ring leader. Daphne isn't so sure and when she finds him dead in the rundown greenhouse after attacking Hugh, she can't help but ask questions and look for clues. Was his death really an accident?
I liked the narrator. She helped well the story by having fun with accents and character voices. I would listen to her again.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
May 26, 2026
There’s something undeniably comforting about a classic English village mystery, especially amid baseball practices, laundry piles, and the eternal mystery of who left an empty milk carton in the fridge - again. The Body in the Kitchen Garden by Paula Sutton delivered exactly the kind of cozy, lightly dramatic listening experience that pairs perfectly with my everyday life filled with kids, chores and errands.
This second installment in the Hill House Vintage Murder series included all the familiar cozy mystery staples: a picturesque village, tangled secrets, eccentric characters, suspicious deaths, and of course social maneuvering. The atmosphere is charming, and although the pacing occasionally drifts, the story finds a satisfying rhythm with enough late twists to remain engaging.
The opening felt somewhat crowded with characters and perspectives, and parts of the mystery seemed a bit easier to solve than perhaps intended. Daphne is likable and compassionate, though she often relied more on instinct than investigation. Still, Sutton’s writing remained engaging even when the plot felt a bit uneven.
What truly elevated the experience to me was the narration. The narrator brought warmth, personality, and distinct voices that enhanced both the atmosphere and characters, making the audiobook format especially enjoyable for me.
Overall, I’d rate this around 3.5 stars. While it may not become a favorite cozy mystery series for me, it was still an entertaining, easy listen with enough charm to keep me interested in future installments. Fans of traditional English village mysteries and gentle amateur sleuthing will likely enjoy this one.
Many thanks to NetGalley and RB Media for providing me with an advanced audiobook copy in exchange for my honest review.
This second installment in the Hill House Vintage Murder series included all the familiar cozy mystery staples: a picturesque village, tangled secrets, eccentric characters, suspicious deaths, and of course social maneuvering. The atmosphere is charming, and although the pacing occasionally drifts, the story finds a satisfying rhythm with enough late twists to remain engaging.
The opening felt somewhat crowded with characters and perspectives, and parts of the mystery seemed a bit easier to solve than perhaps intended. Daphne is likable and compassionate, though she often relied more on instinct than investigation. Still, Sutton’s writing remained engaging even when the plot felt a bit uneven.
What truly elevated the experience to me was the narration. The narrator brought warmth, personality, and distinct voices that enhanced both the atmosphere and characters, making the audiobook format especially enjoyable for me.
Overall, I’d rate this around 3.5 stars. While it may not become a favorite cozy mystery series for me, it was still an entertaining, easy listen with enough charm to keep me interested in future installments. Fans of traditional English village mysteries and gentle amateur sleuthing will likely enjoy this one.
Many thanks to NetGalley and RB Media for providing me with an advanced audiobook copy in exchange for my honest review.
May 27, 2026
Looking for a summer beach/rainy day read? The Body in the Kitchen Garden has it all—fading aristocracy, resentful village folk, bourgie London transplants, mistaken identity, and murder. Daphne Brewster, a London transplant, owns a vintage shop in the delightfully named Pudding Corner. She soon finds herself tasked with helping the lady of the local manor convert part of her crumbling manse into an Airbnb (money’s tight, and needs must). But before Daphne can work her interior design magic, the cantankerous owner of the village grocery store is murdered and all hands point to a mysterious vagabond who’s been spotted on the lord’s property.
In the first half of the book, author Paula Sutton focuses on the quirks of the villagers—new and old. There are the usual cozy characters, although Daphne most definitely breaks the mold. She’s a black Londoner, from Croydon no less, married to a successful businessman with whom she shares three children. Because she has no true “place” within the ecosystem of Little Pudding, she’s the one villagers, old and new, spill their secrets to. And there are secrets and mixed up identities galore. We only become privy to these secrets and lies toward the end of the mystery, which makes the book feel a bit unbalanced. Having said that, Sutton’s ability to unmask her characters is uncanny—I’m still thinking about this part of the book days after reading it.
The Body in the Kitchen Garden is the second book in Paula Sutton’s Hill House Vintage Murder Mystery series. I’m definitely going to read Daphne’s first foray into sleuthing and look forward to her next adventure. Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for an ARC—and for the opportunity to review this cracker of a mystery.
In the first half of the book, author Paula Sutton focuses on the quirks of the villagers—new and old. There are the usual cozy characters, although Daphne most definitely breaks the mold. She’s a black Londoner, from Croydon no less, married to a successful businessman with whom she shares three children. Because she has no true “place” within the ecosystem of Little Pudding, she’s the one villagers, old and new, spill their secrets to. And there are secrets and mixed up identities galore. We only become privy to these secrets and lies toward the end of the mystery, which makes the book feel a bit unbalanced. Having said that, Sutton’s ability to unmask her characters is uncanny—I’m still thinking about this part of the book days after reading it.
The Body in the Kitchen Garden is the second book in Paula Sutton’s Hill House Vintage Murder Mystery series. I’m definitely going to read Daphne’s first foray into sleuthing and look forward to her next adventure. Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for an ARC—and for the opportunity to review this cracker of a mystery.
May 26, 2026
Received an audiobook arc from Netgalley and Macmillan Audio in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed book 1 a lot so I was excited for book 2. The format was the same. It was in third person omniscient point of view with a female narrator. However, I feel like the third person pov kinda ruin the book for me especially when we go into the back story of the characters.
While I enjoyed the mystery, it fell flat since Daphne was barely being an amateur sleuth and solving the case. It felt like we the audience was told the information instead of her figuring it out. There were long expositions of the other characters so we found out how they were connected and what they did. That's why I felt the third person pov fail the book bc I feel like Daphne didn't do much. Like anyone else can be an amateur sleuth and figure it out.
I also like book 1 more bc she was more involved compared to this case and we barely saw Minerva in this book yet they are supposed to be best friends. Also where is her husband?! It was more detached even though she is in the same town.
Overall, the narrator did a good job telling the story but I felt I needed more insight on Daphne's thoughts and what she is thinking. She didn't change her voice much compared to book 1. Even though it was in third person pov, we focus on different characters but they all sound the same. I honestly wish there was gardening aspect in the murder.
I enjoyed book 1 a lot so I was excited for book 2. The format was the same. It was in third person omniscient point of view with a female narrator. However, I feel like the third person pov kinda ruin the book for me especially when we go into the back story of the characters.
While I enjoyed the mystery, it fell flat since Daphne was barely being an amateur sleuth and solving the case. It felt like we the audience was told the information instead of her figuring it out. There were long expositions of the other characters so we found out how they were connected and what they did. That's why I felt the third person pov fail the book bc I feel like Daphne didn't do much. Like anyone else can be an amateur sleuth and figure it out.
I also like book 1 more bc she was more involved compared to this case and we barely saw Minerva in this book yet they are supposed to be best friends. Also where is her husband?! It was more detached even though she is in the same town.
Overall, the narrator did a good job telling the story but I felt I needed more insight on Daphne's thoughts and what she is thinking. She didn't change her voice much compared to book 1. Even though it was in third person pov, we focus on different characters but they all sound the same. I honestly wish there was gardening aspect in the murder.
June 22, 2025
A cosy murder mystery set in the English countryside.
The characters are for the most part entertaining, although personally the main characters husband annoyed me. He didn't seem engaged with his wife or their life. The sisters in the shop were fun, and while I would hate to know the sort of busy body know-it-alls that are dotted around the village, to read about them was a lot more fun.
It's not the most complicated of plots - the threads are all there and for the most part obvious to the reader, who is of course looking for these. I was able to work it out long before the characters did, and pick up on plot points. It isn't taxing, but it was an enjoyable, light read, that you probably won't remember in a few months.
A good chunk of this book is dedicated to exploring the motivation behind the crimes. We revisit the past, long before the murders, as well as the murders themselves. Usually, these books have the killer unmasked in the last few pages, but I enjoyed this longer, more leisurely look at the why and the how, really getting into their heads.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
The characters are for the most part entertaining, although personally the main characters husband annoyed me. He didn't seem engaged with his wife or their life. The sisters in the shop were fun, and while I would hate to know the sort of busy body know-it-alls that are dotted around the village, to read about them was a lot more fun.
It's not the most complicated of plots - the threads are all there and for the most part obvious to the reader, who is of course looking for these. I was able to work it out long before the characters did, and pick up on plot points. It isn't taxing, but it was an enjoyable, light read, that you probably won't remember in a few months.
A good chunk of this book is dedicated to exploring the motivation behind the crimes. We revisit the past, long before the murders, as well as the murders themselves. Usually, these books have the killer unmasked in the last few pages, but I enjoyed this longer, more leisurely look at the why and the how, really getting into their heads.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
June 25, 2025
This was a cozy murder mystery in a small town, where small thefts and burglaries are happening, finding dead body in the garden and accidental death that might not be that accidental. I didn’t know it’s a second book in a series but right from the start we have the prologue where we get enough information for the first book so it’s not confusing.
The writing is what you’d expect from a cozy mystery, it was slow paced and very descriptive. I liked Daphne, our MC, the book is mainly from her pov and her voice if I can call it so, is basically this patient soft voice retelling you a story and you just want to curl up on the coach with hot chocolate and listen to it.
It was too predictable for me, and the last 20% kind of lost me even more. I don’t mind the backstories of the characters but for some reason this one didn’t impress me. But it might impress you. I’d say it’s perfect if you want to read something and without spending too much time figure out what’s going on and just enjoy the vibes and the coziness.
Thank you NetGalley and Dialogue Books for the ARC! I appreciate it!
The writing is what you’d expect from a cozy mystery, it was slow paced and very descriptive. I liked Daphne, our MC, the book is mainly from her pov and her voice if I can call it so, is basically this patient soft voice retelling you a story and you just want to curl up on the coach with hot chocolate and listen to it.
It was too predictable for me, and the last 20% kind of lost me even more. I don’t mind the backstories of the characters but for some reason this one didn’t impress me. But it might impress you. I’d say it’s perfect if you want to read something and without spending too much time figure out what’s going on and just enjoy the vibes and the coziness.
Thank you NetGalley and Dialogue Books for the ARC! I appreciate it!
June 29, 2025
This is the second outing for Daphne Brewster, antique shop owner, in deepest rural Norfolk.
This time there is a spate of thefts and burglaries going on in the village blamed alternately on the local lads or the vagrant seen around the village.
Meanwhile there is a new lord of the manor with his girlfriend - a local resident - trying to do up the hall to begin taking B&B clients to start to restore its finances. Daphne’s expertise is required to dispose of some of its contents and to provide interior design input. After spending time at the hall she begins to suspect that the lord is not who he seems.
The death of the vagrant at the hall’s glasshouse - accident or murder? - and the continuation of the thefts leaves her with further questions.
It is a chance overheard comment from her friend, Nancy - dead after an accidental fall - which leads Daphne to suspect that there is to the situation than an imposter lord.
An enjoyable cosy murder story - easy to read, light and a good summer story.
This time there is a spate of thefts and burglaries going on in the village blamed alternately on the local lads or the vagrant seen around the village.
Meanwhile there is a new lord of the manor with his girlfriend - a local resident - trying to do up the hall to begin taking B&B clients to start to restore its finances. Daphne’s expertise is required to dispose of some of its contents and to provide interior design input. After spending time at the hall she begins to suspect that the lord is not who he seems.
The death of the vagrant at the hall’s glasshouse - accident or murder? - and the continuation of the thefts leaves her with further questions.
It is a chance overheard comment from her friend, Nancy - dead after an accidental fall - which leads Daphne to suspect that there is to the situation than an imposter lord.
An enjoyable cosy murder story - easy to read, light and a good summer story.
March 31, 2026
3.5 stars
Daphne Brewster is back for her second adventure.She and her family have moved to a village from London and she has integrated herself in quite happily, making new friends and starting a decorator refurbishing business.
She's approached by a woman who recently married the local toff Lord Darlington about helping her turn some of the rooms into rentable rooms.
Meanwhile all is not well in the village. One of the local business people was killed when they fell off a ladder stocking their store. There are kids gathering on the village green and the locals are suspicious about what they are up to. And, a vagrant has turned up and no one knows quite where he's from or what he's doing in the village but they are worried because of a recent spate of small burglaries.
The body count rises as Daphne tries to unravel this mystery. She is a likable and intelligent main character. I thought there was a bit too much exposition and backstory toward the end about some of the main characters but overall this is an entertaining and nicely paced read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Daphne Brewster is back for her second adventure.She and her family have moved to a village from London and she has integrated herself in quite happily, making new friends and starting a decorator refurbishing business.
She's approached by a woman who recently married the local toff Lord Darlington about helping her turn some of the rooms into rentable rooms.
Meanwhile all is not well in the village. One of the local business people was killed when they fell off a ladder stocking their store. There are kids gathering on the village green and the locals are suspicious about what they are up to. And, a vagrant has turned up and no one knows quite where he's from or what he's doing in the village but they are worried because of a recent spate of small burglaries.
The body count rises as Daphne tries to unravel this mystery. She is a likable and intelligent main character. I thought there was a bit too much exposition and backstory toward the end about some of the main characters but overall this is an entertaining and nicely paced read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 27, 2026
3.5 ⭐️rounded up.
many thanks and gratitude to NetGalley and RBmedia for providing me with an early audiobook copy of The Body in the Kitchen Garden by Paula Sutton in exchange for my thoughts and honest review.
this is the second book in a series and while i haven’t read the first book, i found this to be an enjoyable cozy mystery on its own. everything from the characters to the plot were written well, i had a fun time getting to know the main character, Daphne. she’s empathetic, stylish, curious, and persistent. i absolutely adore her and her humor, not to mention the interactions she has with the other characters…
this a cozy tale set in an even cozier village, Pudding Corner. i loved the charming community and the moments they contributed within the story. i always appreciate well thought out supporting characters; it adds depth and feels more realistic. this book has a sweetly crafted plot that is twisty, a bit predictable, but satisfying nonetheless. i definitely want to go back and read the first book while eagerly awaiting the third.
many thanks and gratitude to NetGalley and RBmedia for providing me with an early audiobook copy of The Body in the Kitchen Garden by Paula Sutton in exchange for my thoughts and honest review.
this is the second book in a series and while i haven’t read the first book, i found this to be an enjoyable cozy mystery on its own. everything from the characters to the plot were written well, i had a fun time getting to know the main character, Daphne. she’s empathetic, stylish, curious, and persistent. i absolutely adore her and her humor, not to mention the interactions she has with the other characters…
this a cozy tale set in an even cozier village, Pudding Corner. i loved the charming community and the moments they contributed within the story. i always appreciate well thought out supporting characters; it adds depth and feels more realistic. this book has a sweetly crafted plot that is twisty, a bit predictable, but satisfying nonetheless. i definitely want to go back and read the first book while eagerly awaiting the third.
June 13, 2025
The first thing about this book that I appreciated is the kind and gentle tone of voice of the narrator who takes you by the hand, guides you strolling through the streets and scenery of Pudding Corner, and makes sure you get to know all the ins and outs of its citizens. In Pudding Corner everything has its place and people are expected to stick to it...
Will you believe at 54% of the book I, of course, had it all figured out, of course! Clever me, thinking of myself as inspector Barnaby herself. Let me tell you: that, apparently, I am not which did not make me enjoy the book any less and expecting the third book in this series coming along with James probably wanting to strangle his lovely wife Daphne for going sleuthing again. Bring it on!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.
Will you believe at 54% of the book I, of course, had it all figured out, of course! Clever me, thinking of myself as inspector Barnaby herself. Let me tell you: that, apparently, I am not which did not make me enjoy the book any less and expecting the third book in this series coming along with James probably wanting to strangle his lovely wife Daphne for going sleuthing again. Bring it on!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a cozy murder mystery that takes place in England in the countryside! It is the second book in the series, although I have not yet read the first book, I was not lost or confused in any way. The audiobook was great, the narrator was Jane Ajia and she was easy to listen to and spoke each of the characters well. I enjoyed the twists and turns that accelerated the plot which I found clever. I also found myself chuckling to some of the dialogue which was witty and made the characters more personable. Everyone had a pretty distinct personality that I found well developed. I am interested in book 1 now to learn even more about the main character Daphne! She gave similar vibes to Miss Marple in the best possible way as the busy body town gossip. I finished this very quickly as I really wanted to know how it ended. Thank you NetGalley and Paula Sutton for this wonderful ALC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"The Body in the Kitchen Garden (Book 2 of Hill House Vintage Murder Mysteries)" by Paula Sutton is pretty classic British country estate trope mystery. I totally called it for the outcome from the beginning. There was a slight plot twist when one of my suspects wasn't as involved in all the crimes as I expected. However, the story was interesting, when it wasn't bouncing all over the place.
The story is primarily from Daphne's point of view. However, it would occasionally bounce around in time and/or character points of view. Having read it via the audio book, this was typical quite confusing when it would switch points of view. It felt a little like someone going off on a separate tangent then snap back to where they were in the story. Maybe if the narrator would have kept character voices when it was a different point of view it would have been more obvious when it changed.
The story is primarily from Daphne's point of view. However, it would occasionally bounce around in time and/or character points of view. Having read it via the audio book, this was typical quite confusing when it would switch points of view. It felt a little like someone going off on a separate tangent then snap back to where they were in the story. Maybe if the narrator would have kept character voices when it was a different point of view it would have been more obvious when it changed.
July 13, 2025
Many thanks to Netgalley and Dialogue books for the opportunity to read this.
Daphne is back and once againshe's caught up in a mystery when she discovers a body in the garden of a stately manor. Who is it and why did they die.
This is book 2 in the series. I havent read book 1 ye but I will because I really enjoyed it. I love a cosy mystery and even better when its set in my home county of Norfolk. The plot was simple but clever and the ending was perfect for the story, Especially the last scene with her husband. Daphne is a relatable and fun lead. I instantly warmed to her. The setting is so recogisable for the area its based. Village life, knowing each other's business so well covered. A brilliant sequel and I look forward to more.
Daphne is back and once againshe's caught up in a mystery when she discovers a body in the garden of a stately manor. Who is it and why did they die.
This is book 2 in the series. I havent read book 1 ye but I will because I really enjoyed it. I love a cosy mystery and even better when its set in my home county of Norfolk. The plot was simple but clever and the ending was perfect for the story, Especially the last scene with her husband. Daphne is a relatable and fun lead. I instantly warmed to her. The setting is so recogisable for the area its based. Village life, knowing each other's business so well covered. A brilliant sequel and I look forward to more.
July 22, 2025
This was a great, cosy mystery - very Miss Marple 'ish', except the sleuth in the story is much younger.
Set in the quintessential English village of Pudding Corner, Daphne Brewster is approached by the fiancee of Lord Darlington to help revive Darlington Hall. But before long, an unidentified body turns up in the Kitchen Garden and Daphne is once again caught up in a murder.
The story has everything you could want with a cast of eccentric and engaging characters, a typical quaint village setting and a twisty mystery to solve. I really enjoyed it. My only criticism is that finding it was the second in the series I was eager to read the first - but the author gives rather too much of the plot away regarding the first story even naming the killer. Never the less I look forward to reading more of Daphne's adventures in subsequent books.
With thanks to NetGalley, the author and publishers for this ARC copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
Set in the quintessential English village of Pudding Corner, Daphne Brewster is approached by the fiancee of Lord Darlington to help revive Darlington Hall. But before long, an unidentified body turns up in the Kitchen Garden and Daphne is once again caught up in a murder.
The story has everything you could want with a cast of eccentric and engaging characters, a typical quaint village setting and a twisty mystery to solve. I really enjoyed it. My only criticism is that finding it was the second in the series I was eager to read the first - but the author gives rather too much of the plot away regarding the first story even naming the killer. Never the less I look forward to reading more of Daphne's adventures in subsequent books.
With thanks to NetGalley, the author and publishers for this ARC copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I delighted in this Cozy Mystery! The little English village of Pepperbridge is the setting, with the cast of characters and their personalities that we can recognize from our own lives, whether in a little village, city, OR a corporate job (which often has those self same "characters" and thoughts of murder!!). I like Paula Sutton's writing style, but most of all I love that her main character, Daphne, has compassion, demonstrates caring in her interactions, as well as keen observations . Watch out for the ending... YOU will believe you have the murders solved... just as Daphne did... but there are some lovely twists in the tale. I received this book from GoodReads and enjoyed it so much; it was perfect for a 'reading snuggle'.
March 15, 2026
This was my first time meeting Daphne Brewster and visiting Pudding Corner. I immediately liked the characters and the location. I was a bit disappointed that so much was divulged about her previous book and the identity of the murderer - spoiler alert! Still, getting to know the characters was enjoyable. At one point during the reading I would have given this five stars, but I started to enjoy it less, then the long wrap up made me knock it down another star. However, I enjoyed the book enough to want to revisit Daphne and pudding corner.
I won an advanced reader copy of this book through NetGalley.
I won an advanced reader copy of this book through NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2.5 rounded up to 3 by the excellent narrator.
Definitely a cosy little murder mystery. I enjoyed the audio narrator, otherwise I definitely would not have finished this book.
I wanted to try something slightly different and I often find these type of books can be very witty and relatable.
Unfortunately for me, this fell a little short of what I was expecting.
I thought there was no build up of suspense and the plot twists were very predictable from early in the book.
The narration was excellent and really brought the characters to life.
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the alc 🎧
Definitely a cosy little murder mystery. I enjoyed the audio narrator, otherwise I definitely would not have finished this book.
I wanted to try something slightly different and I often find these type of books can be very witty and relatable.
Unfortunately for me, this fell a little short of what I was expecting.
I thought there was no build up of suspense and the plot twists were very predictable from early in the book.
The narration was excellent and really brought the characters to life.
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the alc 🎧
May 20, 2026
This book is held together almost entirely by vibes and narration.
The mystery is easy to solve early on, the characters are fairly thin, and the plot is pretty predictable from the start.
That said, I do love the setting and the cozy, quirky atmosphere of this town. There is something appealing enough there that I could see myself continuing the series for the vibes alone.
The real standout here is the audiobook narration. The performance absolutely carries the experience, with strong character voices and accents that add personality the text doesn’t always deliver.
Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the chance to listen to this title in exchange for my honest review.
The mystery is easy to solve early on, the characters are fairly thin, and the plot is pretty predictable from the start.
That said, I do love the setting and the cozy, quirky atmosphere of this town. There is something appealing enough there that I could see myself continuing the series for the vibes alone.
The real standout here is the audiobook narration. The performance absolutely carries the experience, with strong character voices and accents that add personality the text doesn’t always deliver.
Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the chance to listen to this title in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Disclaimer, I did not read book one before grabbing this one. While there were some parts that would have flowed better had I read book one, nothing felt too out of the loop. It is a pretty standard cozy mystery, which is not a bad thing! I did enjoy it. I had a clue who the murderer was, but sometimes that is nice in these sort of reads. The last bit felt like a constant info dump, it was a bit heavy to read.
The narrator was fun!
Thank you to Netgalley, Paula Sutton and RBmedia for the ALC!
The narrator was fun!
Thank you to Netgalley, Paula Sutton and RBmedia for the ALC!
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