Death at the Village Chess Club

Cotswold Curiosity Shop Mysteries #2

by Debbie Young, Willow Nash (narrator)

With her Curiosity Shop open for business, Alice Carroll is finally settling into life in the picturesque Cotswold village of Little Pride. But then her old life comes knocking… Alice’s ex boyfriend, Steven, who dumped her to travel the world, has run out of money and asks Alice to sell off his collection of chess sets.

Alice decides to host a tournament to showcase the boards, and her plan seems to be working. That is, until chess pieces begin to mysteriously disappear. And when a body is discovered outside the tournament, Alice realises that the victim was a pawn in another, far more dangerous game.

As the host of the event, Alice is eager to help the police investigate. She doesn’t know why anyone would be interested in stealing random chess pieces, let alone willing to kill for them, but she’s determined to find out. Can she solve the case before someone else gets hurt?

Or will this be one gambit too far for Alice?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy, Cozy Mystery, Audiobook, Fiction, Contemporary, Crime

Audible Audio

Published March 3, 2025

About the author

Hello dear readers!

I hope you will enjoy my warm, witty, feel-good contemporary fiction, full of English humour and heart, inspired by life in the Cotswold village which has been my home for over 30 years. I have three series of cozy mystery novels plus various short fiction, and I've written a couple of non-fiction books too.

NOVELS

My latest book is "Death at the Village Christmas Fair", the third in my Cotswold Curiosity Shop Mystery series. The series begins with "Death at the Old Curiosity Shop", followed by "Death at the Village Chess Club". In this series, moving from the city to the lively Cotswold village of Little Pride, Alice Carroll (50) discovers that nothing is quite what it seems in her new business enterprise. Each novel in this series has at its heart an intriguing item to be found in her bric-a-brac shop, and features eccentric characters, plenty of red herrings and lots of English humour.

My Sophie Sayers Village Mystery series begins with "Best Murder in Show". Originally envisaged as a seven-book series to run the course of a calendar year in the life of the idyllic English Cotswold village of Wendlebury Barrow, it continues to grow, with the most recent addition being Sophie Sayers' ninth outing, "Driven to Murder",

My Gemma Lamb Cozy Mystery series is a mashup of romantic comedy, gentle mystery and nostalgia for classic children's school stories but aimed at adults. It focuses on the intrigues among the teachers and visitors to the school, rather than the children. "Dastardly Deeds at St Bride's" (previously published as "Secrets at St Bride's"), and is followed by "Sinister Secrets at St Bride's" (formerly "Secrets at St Bride's"), Wicked Whispers at St Bride's", and "Artful Antics at St Bride's". Two further books will follow to complete the series of six, running the course of the academic year at St Bride's Boarding School for Girls.

All of my novels are now available in ebook, paperback, hardback, and audio in English. There are also German language editions of Sophie Sayers' adventures and Italian translations of Gemma Lamb's.

SHORT FICTION

My series of comedy mystery novelettes, Tales from Wendlebury Barrow, is set in the same world as the Sophie Sayers Cozy Mysteries. The first, "The Pride of Peacocks", is available exclusively to members of my Readers' Club (visit my author website to claim your copy). "The Natter of Knitters" and "The Clutch of Eggs" are available in ebook and paperback. A Christmas special, "Christmas with Sophie Sayers", featuring festive short stories set in the same world, was published for Christmas 2023. Three more Sophie Sayers short stories appear in the charity anthologies, "Fate", "Everyday Kindness" and "The Little Shop of Murders". Look out for another one in the "Courage" anthology, coming in 2026!

My standalone novella, "Mrs Morris Changes Lanes", is a second-chance mid-life romantic comedy with a touch of magical realism, set in the Cotswolds in spring,

Earlier in my career, I published three themed collections of short stories, "Stocking Fillers", "Marry in Haste", and "Quick Change".

PLAYS

I've also now started writing scripts for murder mystery events, My debut play, "The Importance of Being Murdered", was premiered by Hawkesbury Drama Group in April 2025. The original playscript will be published later this year for use by amateur drama groups all over the world, and I'm also working on a novelisation.

AWARDS

The first St Bride's novel was shortlisted for the 2020 Selfies Award given for the best independently-published fiction in the UK. The sixth Sophie Sayers novel was shortlisted for the same award in 2021. My short story "The Alchemy of Chocolate", from "Quick Change", was a winning entrant to the April 2015 Stroud Short Stories competition, and as a result I was later invited to read it at the Cheltenham Literature Festival.

FREE EBOOK

Rec

Reviews

[Marygrace Depp · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5⭐️ rounded up

I received this book for free for an honest review.

This book was a very fast read, I read it basically in two days on flights for work.

I liked the thinking outside the box for why the murders happened and how everything was figured out.

My biggest complaint with this book is that the main characters do not act their age. I felt like in some instances they were acting like middle schoolers when they are indeed about 50 or so years old. A lot of the conversations and mindsets could have been fixed with an adult conversation. So that was something that kept taking me in and out of the book throughout the whole book since I would forget their age and then it would make me slightly irritated.

I also wished the murder took place earlier on, it doesn't actually occur until around 50% into the book which made everything feel rushed towards the end.

[Deborah Almada · Rating 4 out of 5]

Debbie Young brings us an interesting mystery from Little Pride, a cozy English village. I really enjoyed this MC of a certain age who is clever and has a great sense of self. Out March 3rd.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was definitely a fun mystery. I enjoyed the comfy small village English setting. Alice is an interesting character at an interesting time in her life, but she is realistic, earnest, and has a good sense of humor. This is the first time I have read this author. Though this is the second book in the series, it was definitely easy enough to pick up. What I enjoyed most about this series besides a lovely cast of characters was the fact that our MC is smart, doesn't try to do too much, involves the police but also definitely adds her part to our mystery without doing anything ridiculous. If you like chess, it will just add to your enjoyment of this interesting mystery. I will definitely visit Alice in Little Pride again! Thanks to #Netgally, #BoldwoodBooks, and the author for a chance to read. #DeathattheChessClub #DebbieYoung #CostwoldCuriousityShopMystery #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

[Michaela Wright · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love a good mystery story but this was not one of them.

[Toni Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an avid reader of cosy crime I naturally gravitated to both the cover and name of 'Death At The Village Chess Club'. The book as a whole perfectly encompasses the genre and to put it simply - it's exactly what you'd expect it to be ... but better.

Debbie Young's writing style is so clean and polished that the reader is able to enjoy every page of the book. Her character's are well developed, memorable and very easy to root for. I haven't quite put my finger on it yet but there was also something about the setting (the Cotswolds village of Little Pride) that felt so familiar and easy to get swept up in. The real magic though is in the pacing. The story just flows and before I noticed I was already on 87% and a little upset I didn't have much time left in Little Pride with Alice and the others. Where other authors easily get distracted by building suspense or throwing in needless red herrings, Young just doesn't. She gets on with the story with no filler, no fluff and certainly no feelings of trying to make up a work count.

As the second book in the series I was a little apprehensive that I wouldn't be able to jump straight in but all the factors mentioned above made it so easy and so enjoyable regardless. Although I would have loved to have read the first instalment of The Cotswold Curiosity Mysteries before the second there were clear explanations of what I'd missed and the story was so well developed that it is strong enough to stand alone. Most of all I'm pleased to say that having an advanced copy of this novel has allowed me to discover a new author and a new world that I can't wait to watch her grow.

For anyone who is new or a novice to this style of mystery I would say it's a brilliant place to start and would make a perfect holiday/travel book to enjoy on a long journey or even the beach.

[Karen Stallman · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Death at the Village Chess Club” the 2nd instalment in The Cotswold Curiosity Shop Mystery series by Debbie Young set in the Cotswold Village of Little Pride, England. What a great follow up to the series. She doesn’t know why anyone would be interested in stealing random chess pieces, let alone willing to kill for them, but she’s determined to find out. Can she solve the case before someone else gets hurt?

Or will this be one gambit too far for Alice?

I devoured Debbie's latest novel, which expertly combines cozy mystery and heartwarming storytelling. Alice's character shines, and I'm eager to see her relationship with Bob Sponge unfold in future instalments.

The traditional romance and blossoming friendship between Alice and Bob feels authentic and, with the misunderstandings adding a touch of humor. The mystery is engaging, with clever twists keeping me on the edge. I enjoyed guessing and second-guessing the killer's identity.

Overall, this book is a must-read for fans of cozy mysteries and heartwarming fiction. Debbie's writing is engaging, and her characters are lovable and well-crafted. I highly recommend this charming novel and look forward to the next instalment.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I requested and received an advance readers copy from NetGalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Alexia | Books4Dreamz · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fan of both the Cotswolds and cozy mysteries, Death at the Village Chess Club was the perfect choice for my first ARC (Advanced Reading Copy) review. After a long, exhausting month, I was looking for something comforting and engaging—and this book delivered exactly what it promised: a classic cozy mystery true to its genre.

Despite not having read the first book in the series or any of Debbie Young’s previous works, I had no trouble diving in. The author skillfully fills in the blanks, making this an enjoyable standalone read. The premise is intriguing, the characters are charming, and the chess element at the heart of the mystery adds a unique touch. I also appreciated the subtle hint of romance, which has me eager to follow the next installment to see how the protagonist’s relationship with her wealthy but kind neighbor unfolds.

For cozy mystery lovers, this book has all the essential ingredients: a picturesque village, an endearing community, an easy-to-follow mystery, and a satisfying, feel-good ending. If you're in the mood for a light yet engaging read, Death at the Village Chess Club is a delightful choice.

[quinnster · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is really getting going. I like reading about Alice settling into the village even if it feels like she's steamrolled sometimes. I wish she wasn't often focused on her childlessness and I wish Steven would just fully go away, but I'm enjoying this series.

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the series, I was excited to catch up with Alice and help her unravel another mystery.

Set in the stunning Cotswolds we find ourselves back in the fictitious village of Little Pride where Alice's 'Cotswold Curiosity Shop' is up and running. When ex Stephen comes calling asking her to help sell his chess sets, she has no idea what awaits when she opens the door to unit 976.

It's an enjoyable and engaging cosy crime mystery. The plot is solid and the characters are great.

[Fanny · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

[Tracy Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great second book in what promises to be an excellent cosy series.

[Jenna (readinginjennaland) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new to me cozy mystery set in Cotswold, England. Alice runs a curiosity shop there when her ex-boyfriend asks her to sell his chess collection. She sets up a chess club event at the local school when one of the attendees is found dead in the parking lot. Alice and Danny start to investigate the crime.

I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. I liked the writing and the shenanigans that the characters were in. I can't wait to read more of this series.

[nomihey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this instalment improved on basically every aspect of the first book (which I also did enjoy). I thought the mystery was more engaging and already knowing the main characters made the setting feel cosily familiar. I thought the chess-set up was a fun idea. Loved that Danny was more present in this book than in the first one as well.

I did think that the miscommunication between Alice and Robert was unnecessary but it wasn't too bad.

Though, did not one ever tell Tilly when talking about stranger danger that people might, you know, lie to try to get her to go with them?

I see the next one is Christmas-themed so it's going on my TBR for sure!

[Elizabeth Sirett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice Carroll has now settled into her new cottage in the picturesque Cotswold village of Little Pride after splitting with her long-time partner Steven. Their split was amicable. Steven wanted to travel to India on a motorbike, living the minimalist life. They sold their house and split the proceeds. Unfortunately, Steven’s conveyancing skills were not too good. Nell Little the previous owner of the cottage who had retired to a care home, had run a Curiosity Shop there for many years, and Alice discovered that she was not allowed to turn the cottage to purely residential. Missed that did you Steven?

However, Alice has made the best of it and come to enjoy running a curiosity shop, buying in goods from the locals and selling them on.

Then Alice receives a call from Steven, who it appears has not quite made it to India but is in France and he has run out of money. It appears that when in France it would be wrong not to play a bit of roulette! Oh, dear! The reason for the call is that Steven wants Alice to go to the storage place where all his belongings are and locate 20 Chess Sets and sell them and send him the money. He doesn’t want much does he?

Despite Alice clearly stating as he knows that she knows nothing about chess, he just says ‘wire me the money as soon as you can’. So along with her lodger Danny who she used to work with at the museum and not without some difficulty they locate the chess sets. Some of them are really beautiful and exotic and others quite plain.

Realising the space they will take up; Alice comes up with the idea of a village chess club to showcase them. And after talking with Nell Little who used to compile the Little Pride Parish News, decides to take that on giving her access to more advertising of the chess sets. Having reached agreement with the school headmaster world-weary Mr Montgomery Wright to hold a chess afternoon to show them to potential buyers and agreeing to pay him a commission of10% on the sales, it’s all systems go.

And it goes off really well. And good to see children learning to play chess instead of computer games, until leaving the school grounds, teacher, Jack Dauntless, Alice and Danny find a dead body, and it doesn’t look like natural causes.

Regardless of their successful afternoon, they are all upset. Even more so when they start to sort the remaining chess sets and find pieces missing. Reeling from these shocks a further one is delivered when Alice’s mother arrives.

So, there we have it, a dead body, missing chess pieces and Alice’s mother. And Alice’s neighbour Robert who reading between the line’s I suspect Alice may have taken a fancy to. But does Robert have a fancy for her?

Alice muses on why anyone would be interested in stealing random chess pieces, let alone willing to kill for them, but she’s determined to find out. Can she solve the case before someone else gets hurt?

A terrific read with a tantalising mystery, and lots of interesting characters. I so enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one. Soon please. Most highly recommended.
-------
Reviewer: Lizzie Sirett

[Joanne Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Debbie Young’s Death at the Village Chess Club is a delightful and cleverly plotted cozy mystery set in the charming Cotswold village of Little Pride. With an intriguing premise, an engaging amateur sleuth, and just the right amount of suspense, this book is a perfect treat for fans of classic village whodunits.

A Clever Mystery with a Chess-Themed Twist
Alice Carroll, owner of the Curiosity Shop, is settling into her new life when her ex-boyfriend, Steven, turns up, broke and looking to sell his chess set collection. Hoping to help, Alice organizes a chess tournament to showcase the sets, but things take a sinister turn when pieces go missing—and then a body is discovered. Suddenly, Alice finds herself at the center of a far more dangerous game than she ever anticipated.

A Smart and Determined Sleuth
Alice is a fantastic protagonist—curious, resourceful, and determined to uncover the truth. As an amateur detective, she balances a keen sense of observation with an endearing mix of wit and warmth. Her role as the tournament host naturally places her at the heart of the mystery, and her interactions with the local police and village residents add to the novel’s charm.

A Picturesque Yet Mysterious Setting
The Cotswold village of Little Pride is beautifully depicted, with its quaint charm providing the perfect backdrop for a cozy mystery. Young skillfully captures the dynamics of a small community, where gossip spreads fast, and everyone seems to have secrets. The chess tournament setting adds a unique and intellectual twist to the traditional village mystery formula.

A Well-Paced Plot with Plenty of Twists
The story unfolds with a steady pace, balancing lighthearted moments with genuine suspense. The mystery itself is cleverly woven, with plenty of red herrings and twists to keep readers guessing. The stolen chess pieces seem like a harmless prank at first, but as Alice digs deeper, she realizes the stakes are far higher than she imagined.

Final Verdict
Death at the Village Chess Club is a delightful, intelligent, and thoroughly enjoyable cozy mystery. With its charming setting, intriguing plot, and a strong, likable heroine, Debbie Young delivers a book that will keep readers hooked until the final move. Fans of Agatha Christie-style mysteries and village whodunits will love this one.

[Swapna Peri · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Agatha Christie had a soft spot for teapots and vintage chess boards, she might've cooked up something like Death at the Village Chess Club by Debbie Young. Set in the delightfully twee Cotswold village of Little Pride—a place so cozy it probably smells like lavender and freshly baked scones—this mystery doesn’t just check the cozy crime box. It checkmates it. 🕵️‍♀️♟️☕️

Enter Alice Carroll, our fifty-something heroine with a curiosity shop and a knack for sniffing out more than just dusty knick-knacks. Having swapped city chaos for village charm, Alice finds herself roped into organizing a chess tournament. Why? Because her broke ex-boyfriend Steven shows up, dragging a suitcase full of fancy chess sets and the world’s worst timing. 🙄💔

What starts as a harmless board game bonanza at the local school turns into a crime scene faster than you can say “en passant.” Chess pieces vanish, secrets bubble up like a pot of overboiled jam, and—plot twist—a dead body pops up in the school parking lot. Let’s just say, this isn’t your average pawn-to-queen-four situation. 🚨🧩💀

Debbie Young’s writing is like your favorite cup of English breakfast—warm, comforting, and with just the right amount of zing. The villagers? Quirky as a cupboard full of mismatched mugs. The setting? So charming it might just inspire a spontaneous scone bake-off. And Alice? She’s witty, wonderfully nosy, and juggles crime-solving with the same grace she probably uses to dust off rare bookends. 🕰️📚

The mystery itself doesn’t bolt out the gate—it stretches its limbs, pours a cuppa, and then hits its stride like a caffeinated corgi chasing a tennis ball. Red herrings, curveballs, and “aha!” moments aplenty await the armchair sleuth. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out—bam! Another twist sneaks in wearing tweed and a polite smile. 🤯🐟

By the end, you'll be grinning like someone who found the last lemon drizzle slice at the village fête. Death at the Village Chess Club is a whimsical whodunit with a board-gamey twist that even non-chess nerds can enjoy. It’s a welcome installment in the Cotswold Curiosity Shop series, perfect for anyone who likes their murder mysteries served with charm, chuckles, and a biscuit on the side. 🍪🕵️‍♂️📖

[David Marvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last time I sat down to play chess was with my oldest son. Unfortunately, there was a murder. Mine. He was in 5th or 6th grade and had joined the chess team. He picked up the game quickly and later won his elementary school tournament. 


Wanting to be a supportive dad, I offered to play him. My father had taught me chess as a kid, and although I really never took to the game I figured, “He's a child. I'll go easy on him.” And it was easy. For him. He checkmated me in three moves. 


Death at the Village Chess Club involves the more typical murder found in crime novels. Alice agrees to sell her ex-husband's collection of chess sets in her curiosity shop. Some of them are exquisitely beautiful, more like pieces of art than actual game pieces to play with. Others are more plain and durable. Still attractive, but intended for use rather than display. 


She and her friends decide to hold a chess tournament/sale at the village high school. Their goals are threefold: get attention from chess aficionados who might purchase some of the more expensive sets, raise money for the school, and encourage students to take up the game. All three goals are met, and the day is quite successful. 


Of course, finding a dead body in the parking lot did put a damper on any celebrations. Once Alice becomes the next target for the killer, the mod is definitely ruined.


Alice is a very winsome character. Strong minded and determined, she intends to make this small village in the Cotswolds her home. She throws herself into the community, her shop welcoming to all, editing the local paper herself, and solving the occasional murder. Alice is intelligent, warm, funny, and humble. She takes suggestions from others, giving them credit, and makes those suggestions come to life. 


Being in my fifties myself, I enjoy reading about characters who've seen a bit of life. Alice is certainly not old at age 50, but divorce after a long marriage will add age to anyone's years. Debbie Young creates a very likeable cast of characters, puts them in the middle of a very cozy village, and involves them in a complicated mystery. All in all, a very delightful read.

[Poppy H · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid example of a cozy mystery.

This is my second Debbie Young book, the first being the previous one in this series. It was shaping up to be a 4-star review until the end, where two things let me down. But let’s start at the beginning.

Death at the Village Chess Club is the second book in the Alice's Cotswolds Curiosity Shop series. This time, Alice's ex-husband asks her to sell his chess sets, and she decides to promote an event at Little Pride Elementary School. By the end of the day, a mysterious dead biker is discovered in the parking lot, sparking Alice's curiosity.

I enjoyed all the cozy elements of the story. It’s an easy read, Alice has a funny outlook on life, and the chess elements are a nice addition. Having liked the first book in this series, I was excited to read the second installment and learn more about Alice. Unfortunately, the ending disappointed me to the point where I’m unsure if I’ll continue with the series.

The ending itself was fine, but two things stood out as problematic. First, the phrase "karate-chop" a bike/scooter was used in a non-sarcastic way. When I read fiction, I want to escape reality and immerse myself in a different world. Moments like this, where characters say or do something implausible, pull me right back to reality.

Second, there was a political comment near the end, brushed off as a "funny remark" but still political. While I happen to agree with the sentiment, it felt unnecessary to the story and broke the cozy atmosphere of Little Pride.

Triggers in this book are very mild, and one involves a spoiler. In my opinion, it doesn’t require a warning. However, if you feel differently after reading, please reach out, and I’ll add mild warnings in future reviews.

I would recommend this book to fans of cozy mysteries. While it’s not strictly necessary to read the first book to enjoy this one, I’d suggest starting with it for a more complete experience.

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldbook Books, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Death at the Village Chess Club will be released on March 3, 2025. #DeathattheVillageChessClub #NetGalley

[Alyson Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice Carroll, aged 50, split with her lawyer partner Steven who she had been with since her university days and relocated to the village of Little Pride whilst simultaneously being made redundant from her job as Victorian expert at the Broadwick City Museum. An overlooked clause in the sale contract of her new home meant she had to continue running the business now known as Alice’s Cotswold Curiosity Shop and, aided by her best friend Danny from the museum, also now lodging with her after splitting with his partner Martin who spiked Alice’s drink, she finds she has become surprisingly good at it. When her globetrotting ex-boyfriend Steven starts to run out of money, having only got as far as France, he asks Alice to liquidate some of his assets, starting with his chess set collection. Alice thinks it would be a great idea to use the school hall to display them for sale and start a chess club, and teacher Jack Dauntless agrees to help her and Danny, raising some money for her shop and the school into the bargain. Then events become rather strange. A sinister message daubed in ketchup, a night-time intruder, missing chess pieces and a dead body in the school car park all signal that someone is desperate to get their hands on the chess sets at any cost, and so Alice, together with Danny and the welcome addition of her mother Wendy, sets out to solve another murder.
There is lots of wit and charm in this lovely follow up to book one as Alice settles into life in Little Pride, even becoming the new editor of the parish magazine. Danny still provides support as Alice’s best friend and her relationship with her mother becomes stronger than it has been for years, whilst it seems her love life might finally be looking up. With a great village setting and some very likable quirky characters such as Nell and Maudie, this is a nice easily enjoyable cosy crime story and I look forward to book three.

[Mary Polzella · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book falls into the category of what some might call a 'cosy mystery '. Alice lives in the Cotswald village of Little Prise and runs a curiosity shop, selling an assortment of interesting goods. Her ex is now off living the good life overseas and asks her to sell the muThis book falls into the category of what some might call a 'cosy mystery '. Alice lives in the Cotswold village of Little Pride and runs a curiosity shop, selling an assortment of interesting goods. Her ex is now off living the good life overseas and asks her to sell off the multiple chess sets he has in storage, which he purchased as a hobby over the years. Alice and her friend Danny decide to host a chess event at the local school in the hope of raising some money for the school and finding some buyers for the chess sets. Although the event goes well, by the end of the night some pieces from one set are missing and the alleged thief is found murdered without the chess pieces on him. With the police investigating the crime and Alice concerned the locals may think she is involved, she becomes determined to solve the mystery.

Unfortunately, while the storyline was sweet and the characters likeable, overall I was disappointed with the book. It was simplistic and the story moved along far too quickly to feel satisfying. The character development lacked any real depth and they didn't seem to react realistically in some situations . The mystery itself unravelled too easily and quickly and the plot was underdeveloped so it didn't challenge the reader. I've read a number of cosy mysteries and while I have an appreciation for this genre, I felt this one was disappointing overall

Thanks to netgalley for my opportunity to read and review this book.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Death at the Village Chess Club is the second Cotswold Curiousity Shop cozy mystery by Debbie Young. Released 3rd March 2025 by Boldwood Books is 234 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The first book in the series is also currently available on KU.

This is a fun character driven village cozy set in "Little Pride", a fictive village somewhere in the Cotswolds. It's full of the whimsical slightly eccentric secondary characters, hidden motives and secrets, and over-the-top motivations which keep cozy readers turning pages. Obviously it would never fly in real life, and the main characters often seem to be fresh out of middle school instead of their actual ages/supposed maturity levels. It's within the acceptable parameters for a village cozy however; no harm, no foul.

Four stars. The language is clean and there's no questionable content. With two books extant in the series and a third due out in Aug 2025 (available on kindle unlimited), it would be a good candidate for a weekend binge or buddy read.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Shan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gem of a cozy mystery. Alice runs a curiosity shop she took over from an older woman who retired, and to help out her financially strapped ex she organizes a sale of his collection of chess sets. One of the sets attracts the attention of a mysterious biker. There's a murder, but in the finest cozy tradition the victim isn't anyone we like. There are some other events that might be scary in other books but here they're actually kind of warm and fuzzy.

It's an English village mystery, with a handsome billionaire neighbor who may or may not become Alice's romantic interest, a helpful lodger, a local paper that needs a new editor, and another neighbor who doesn't seem to like Alice much (maybe because of whatever happened in book #1, which I haven't read). The chess club of the title is newly created at the local school, which is hosting the sale and in return will get a couple of sets for the kids to use. Alice's mother shows up unexpectedly and adds to the warmth and humor of the story. Bellringers, a graveyard, a cute kid, a green sports car - this book has everything.

I enjoyed it a lot. I haven't read the first book in the series but this stood on its own pretty well. I'm curious whether the first one expands on the story of the ex, and there are a few references to the previous murder, but nothing too spoilery as far as I can tell. The audiobook narration is excellent.

This is another of my interstitials (is that the right word?) between chapters of War and Peace, which I'm reading at the pace of a chapter a day this year. It was a good choice for that.

[Agatha Marplewood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alice has recently moved to the small village of Little Pride, and with her ex-partner, Steven, now off traveling the world, she is happily getting on with her life, running her curiosity shop.

Then Steven calls from France, seemingly already out of money, and asks Alice if she would sell some of his collections to generate more cash for him.

Alice duly obliges, unearths all of his chess sets (about 20 in total), and decides to hold a village chess event to generate buzz and showcase the more expensive sets.

Everything is going great until one of the visitors steals a number of chess pieces before winding up dead in the school car park.

Nobody knows who he is, why he stole the chess pieces, or, more importantly, why anybody would want to kill him.

After all, this is just a cheap replica chess set...or is it? It's time for Alice to do a little sleuthing and get to the bottom of the mystery.

---------------------------------------

Death at the Village Chess Club is a really fun and lighthearted, cozy mystery that moves along at a great pace with very likable characters.

The central plot was easy to follow, had plenty of twists, and although I had an idea about where it was going, I couldn't guess the ultimate outcome, which kept it engaging.

It is one of those lovely Sunday morning reads, and get a big thumbs up. I'm already looking forward to the next novel in Debbie Young's Cotswold Curiosity Shop Mysteries.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read Death at the Village Chess Club in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Shaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Debbie Young for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Death at the Village Chess Club coming out March 3, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

With her Curiosity Shop open for business, Alice Carroll is finally settling into life in the picturesque Cotswold village of Little Pride. But then her old life comes knocking… Alice’s ex boyfriend, Steven, who dumped her to travel the world, has run out of money and asks Alice to sell off his collection of chess sets.

Alice decides to host a tournament to showcase the boards, and her plan seems to be working. That is, until chess pieces begin to mysteriously disappear. And when a body is discovered outside the tournament, Alice realises that the victim was a pawn in another, far more dangerous game.

As the host of the event, Alice is eager to help the police investigate. She doesn’t know why anyone would be interested in stealing random chess pieces, let alone willing to kill for them, but she’s determined to find out. Can she solve the case before someone else gets hurt?

Or will this be one gambit too far for Alice?

I’m really enjoying this author’s writing. This is a fun series. I’m not super into chess, but I thought it was an interesting idea for a plot. I love cozy mysteries and this book is ideal for me. Alice is a really fun character. I love her quaint town and the characters in her life. I loved the mystery! I would definitely read more books in this series!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries!

[Kirsty (BookBlogger) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death at the Village Chess Club by Debbie Young

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Alice Carroll is finally settling into life in the picturesque Cotswold village of Little Pride. But then her old life comes knocking… Alice’s ex boyfriend, Steven, who dumped her to travel the world, has run out of money and asks Alice to sell off his collection of chess sets.

Alice decides to host a tournament to showcase the boards, and her plan seems to be working. That is, until chess pieces begin to mysteriously disappear. And when a body is discovered outside the tournament, Alice realises that the victim was a pawn in another, far more dangerous game.

As the host of the event, Alice is eager to help the police investigate. She doesn’t know why anyone would be interested in stealing random chess pieces, let alone willing to kill for them, but she’s determined to find out. Can she solve the case before someone else gets hurt?

Or will this be one gambit too far for Alice?

My Opinion

Another great book by Debbie Young. Death at the Village Chess Club is the second book in the Cotswold Curiosity Shop Mysteries and whilst it could be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading the books in order. Debbie Young has written a cosy mystery that was easy to enjoy. The residents of Little Pride are all welcoming so I am already looking forward to my next visit.

Rating 4/5

[Drficticity · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 2 of the Cotswolds , curiosity shop series.

You do not need to have read the first one to pick this up, a picturesque country location, a cozy mystery and a likeable protagonist, all good things here. At least for me, I love this genre. I really appreciate Debbie Young's style of cozy books.

The book is gentle whodunnit, with a hint of millionaire romance, surely recommended to the fans of genre. Only issue for me that I find the pace abit slow. Otherwise great book solid 3.5/5

With her Curiosity Shop open for business, Alice Carroll is finally settling into life in the picturesque Cotswold village of Little Pride. But then her old life comes knocking… Alice’s ex boyfriend, Steven, who dumped her to travel the world, has run out of money and asks Alice to sell off his collection of chess sets.

Blurb : Alice came to this village in the first book with alot now with her shop finally set, she gets a call from her ex who's out travelling to arrange some funds for him by selling his collectible chess sets. Alice decides to host a tournament to showcase the boards, all was going good until chess pieces begin to mysteriously disappear. And when a body is discovered outside the tournament.

As the host of the event, Alice is eager to help the police investigate. She doesn’t know why anyone would be interested in stealing random chess pieces, let alone willing to kill for them, but she’s determined to find out. Can she solve the case before someone else gets hurt?

[Ariana Ochoa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Debbie Young’s second book in the Cotswold Curiosity Shop Mystery series did not disappoint! Having never read the first book in this cozy mystery series, I had no idea what I was missing!

The book is centered on Alice, an antique shop owner, who is tasked with selling her former partner’s chess sets. When tragedy strikes at a local school where she is auctioning off her vintage chess sets, she is flung into this mystery alongside her friend Danny and her mother who happened to arrive on the same day. To make matters worse, the granddaughter of Alice’s neighbor Robert (a dashing millionaire who happens to be single) is kidnapped and is ransomed off in exchange for an inexpensive chess set. Is there more to this chess set than meets the eye?

This book was such an interesting read and worked well as a standalone book. The characters were equally interesting and there is even a glimmer of romance in Alice’s future. Alice’s mom reminded me of Miss Marple as she was often in the background knitting and observing others. If you are an avid chess player or a cozy mystery lover, then you will enjoy this book.

Many thanks to the author and NetGalley for the ARC. This review was voluntary and all thoughts are my own.

[Paloma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whomever said chess wasn't deadly, they obviously haven't read Death At The Village Chess Club.

Cotswold village if Little Pride always prided itself on being calm and quiet. Until new comer Alice Carroll of Alice's Cotswold Curiosity Shop came to shake the chess pieces. Her ex-boyfriend Steven, who is traveling and needs cash fast asks her to sell his large collection of chess games. Alice knowing nothing about the game or it's value seeks the advice of her lodger Danny, her billionaire neighbor Robert, the local school principal and teacher to use the school to get kids interested in chess while she sells some chess boards and donates money to the school. It all seems to be running perfectly smooth, until some chess pieces go missing at the sale and a player ends up dead at the schools parking lot. Who would steal and kill for pieces of the Isle of Lewis chess set that are made of cheap plastic and cost less than 100 pounds? Apparently several people are interested in this set and are willing to kills, break in, steal nd kidnap for them.

Find out what value these plastic pieces hold that will make bad people so interested in Little Pride village and Alice's shop.

Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this sweet, quaint and cozy murder mystery.

[Kati · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I really like Little Pride and the village life in general, it's very nice. But Alice herself? She gives me a whiplash. The illogical jumps in her conclusions, getting from A to Y just because they're parts of the same alphabet, are mind-boggling.

And then there were moments like when she blamed herself for the biker's death, that it was her selling the chess sets that caused it, but when the school chess guy assured her that it wasn't her fault, she blew up, all, how dare he even suggest it was her fault, she knew it was not! The author always finds a way to turn anything a man does into a problem. And naturally we got more "mansplaining" and a dig at Trump because of course, of course.

Also, the author completely ret-conned Alice's childless status from book 1. There she said that Steven didn't want kids and Alice agreed and then she hit menopause and it was too late. In this book, though, she made Alice infertile and claimed that she and Steven tried repeatedly, even IVF. I mean - what? Maybe I wouldn't have noticed but I read the books one after another and it really threw me off because what was shrugged off in the first book was made a big deal in this one.

[meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second installment in Debbie Young's The Cotswold Curiosity Shop Mysteries series follows our protagonist Alice Carroll, who is caught up in a sinister game of theft and murder all linked to the collection of chess sets she had been selling at her store for an ex. Set in the quaint village of Little Pride, the novel explores the challenges Alice will have to face in order to keep her shop running successfully while winning over the hearts of the villagers and maybe, just maybe, finding love again. With an interesting cast of characters and a gripping story, this cozy mystery hooks you in right from page one and keeps you guessing until the very end!
I quite enjoyed the book and adored Alice and Danny's friendship. The plot was intriguing and brought out punches and twists at just the right time, and Alice's Curiosity Shop is the perfect setting for most of the story to unfold. Debbie Young is a masterful author and I love how unique and well developed every character is. Tilly especially is a sweetheart and I look forward to reading more about the people of Little Pride and Alice's adventures in the future. 3.5/5

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death at the Village Chess Club is book 2 in the Cotswold Curiosity Shop Mystery series by Debbie Young, but is easily read as a standalone.

Deaths at the Village Chess Club is written in first person from the point of view of Alice, a woman who is rebuilding her life after her husband leaves her to live a minimalist, travelling lifestyle, after 25 years of marriage.

Alice’s ex contacts her to ask her to sell his collection of chess sets because he’s running out of money. Alice agrees, and she organizes an event to show off and sell the collection. After the sale, as she she and her friends find the body of a man as they leave the event she had organized to sell the sets.

This was my first book by Debbie Young, and I really enjoyed her writing style. The book was a quick, easy read, and kept my attention throughout.

Like most cozy mysteries, thee was a fair sized cast of characters to serve as suspects so the author was able to keep me guessing. I think one of my favourite things though was the obvious attraction Alice’s neighbour had for her, but which she seemed clueless about.

I really enjoyed the mystery, and the characters in this book and recommend it to other cozy mystery lovers. I will be checking out other books by the author.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.