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The Village Detectives #1
The Art of Murder: The Village Detectives, Book 1
Welcome to the beautiful English village of Inkbury. Tucked deep in the North Wessex Downs, its only claim to fame is the picturesque riverside that once appeared in a Richard Curtis movie. That is, until the murder…
Former stand-up comic Juno Mulligan has been suffering a serious sense-of-humour failure. Not only has she lost the love of her life, but she’s having to relocate to the (admittedly idyllic) village of Inkbury to watch out for her elderly mother, who she’s genuinely worried might be marrying a wife-killer.
She hopes that her old friend, disgraced-journalist-turned-novelist Phoebe Fredericks can help her crack the case of whether her mother’s perma-tanned, iceberg-smiled, three-times-a-widower fiancé is hiding a murderous past.
But before they have a chance, the local art dealer washes up distinctly dead in the village’s famous river. His lover is in the frame, but Juno and Phoebe suspect that there is a deeper secret… One that relates to Phoebe’s own past and Juno’s present.
Will the unofficial Village Detective Agency solve the mystery before the killer strikes again? In sleepy Inkbury, as they soon discover, living one’s best midlife can be murder.
An utterly gripping cozy crime mystery, from million-copy bestselling Fiona Walker, guaranteed to absolutely delight fans of Richard Osman, Janet Evanovich and the Reverend Richard Coles.
Former stand-up comic Juno Mulligan has been suffering a serious sense-of-humour failure. Not only has she lost the love of her life, but she’s having to relocate to the (admittedly idyllic) village of Inkbury to watch out for her elderly mother, who she’s genuinely worried might be marrying a wife-killer.
She hopes that her old friend, disgraced-journalist-turned-novelist Phoebe Fredericks can help her crack the case of whether her mother’s perma-tanned, iceberg-smiled, three-times-a-widower fiancé is hiding a murderous past.
But before they have a chance, the local art dealer washes up distinctly dead in the village’s famous river. His lover is in the frame, but Juno and Phoebe suspect that there is a deeper secret… One that relates to Phoebe’s own past and Juno’s present.
Will the unofficial Village Detective Agency solve the mystery before the killer strikes again? In sleepy Inkbury, as they soon discover, living one’s best midlife can be murder.
An utterly gripping cozy crime mystery, from million-copy bestselling Fiona Walker, guaranteed to absolutely delight fans of Richard Osman, Janet Evanovich and the Reverend Richard Coles.
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Published May 20, 2024
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May 27, 2024
EXCERPT: Since her abrupt departure from journalism, Phoebe had turned to a life of crime, the corpses piling up.
Channelling her rage into writing detective novels under a pen name, she'd now plotted multiple dastardly deaths to vex her two amateur sleuths, a 1920s society hostess and her chaperone. Recently, she'd added dark 1980s crime thrillers to her oeuvre and was even toying with gothic Victorian mysteries to avenge her bloodlust. Her imaginary worlds were like holiday destinations now, into which she escaped to find peace by restoring order.
The books had been successful enough for her to scrape a living, a positive outcome from a period of depression so deep she'd almost lost sight of the surface, when career and medical crises had coincided, cash and marriage ones chasing them cruelly quickly.
Plotting a murder every six months or so had been terrific therapy.
ABOUT 'THE ART OF MURDER': Welcome to the beautiful English village of Inkbury. Tucked deep in the North Wessex Downs, its only claim to fame is the picturesque riverside that once appeared in a Richard Curtis movie. That is, until the murder…
Former stand-up comic Juno Mulligan has been suffering a serious sense-of-humour failure. Not only has she lost the love of her life, but she’s having to relocate to the (admittedly idyllic) village of Inkbury to watch out for her elderly mother, who she’s genuinely worried might be marrying a wife-killer.
She hopes that her old friend, disgraced-journalist-turned-novelist Phoebe Fredericks can help her crack the case of whether her mother’s perma-tanned, iceberg-smiled, three-times-a-widower fiancé is hiding a murderous past.
But before they have a chance, the local art dealer washes up distinctly dead in the village’s famous river. His lover is in the frame, but Juno and Phoebe suspect that there is a deeper secret… One that relates to Phoebe’s own past and Juno’s present.
Will the unofficial Village Detective Agency solve the mystery before the killer strikes again? In sleepy Inkbury, as they soon discover, living one’s best midlife can be murder.
MY THOUGHTS: Quirky characters, a small English village, a suspicious death - and we have Fiona Walker's entry into the cosy-mystery genre. Overall, it's not too bad, a bit OTT in places but still an enjoyable, humorous read.
There is a group of characters who are somewhat larger than life - Juno, her mother Judy, and Judy's boyfriend Dennis. Their constant use of cringeworthy pet names - Pusscat, Boppa and Doobee - grated on the nerves after a while. I liked Phoebe much better, although even she was an acquired taste.
The third member of the Village detectives after Phoebe and Juno, is Mils, the local pub landlord and bikie, who likes nothing better than pretending to be a corpse for Phoebe's entertainment.
The plot is quite slow moving and complex with multiple threads: the death of Si; Juno's suspicion that Dennis is a serial killer and that her mother will be next; the moving of Judy into a retirement complex along with the associated decluttering of her possessions; Phoebe's novel; and Phoebe's relationship with her husband. There's also a burglary at the local antique store, possible art fraud, Juno's impending grandmotherhood, and a dozen other little threads woven in.
Sometimes I found it quite overwhelming, and the main thread of Silas's death seemed to get lost in everything else that was going on. The police play a very minor role, in fact are hardly seen at all, and the mishandling of evidence that the Village Detectives found left me wincing!
If you like slap-dash comedy, then The Art of Murder is bound to appeal. Although I did enjoy this more than not, I do appreciate quite a bit more subtlety than is to be found here.
⭐⭐⭐
#TheArtofMurder #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: Fiona Walker is the author of eighteen novels, from tales of flat-shares and clubbing in nineties London to today’s romping, rural romances set amid shires, spires and stiles. In a career spanning over two decades, she’s grown up alongside her readers, never losing her wickedly well-observed take on life, lust and the British in love. The Art of Murder is her first foray into the murder-mystery genre.
Fiona lives in Warwickshire, sharing a slice of Shakespeare Country with her partner Sam, their two daughters and a menagerie of animals.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Boldwood Books via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Art of Murder by Fiona Walker for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Channelling her rage into writing detective novels under a pen name, she'd now plotted multiple dastardly deaths to vex her two amateur sleuths, a 1920s society hostess and her chaperone. Recently, she'd added dark 1980s crime thrillers to her oeuvre and was even toying with gothic Victorian mysteries to avenge her bloodlust. Her imaginary worlds were like holiday destinations now, into which she escaped to find peace by restoring order.
The books had been successful enough for her to scrape a living, a positive outcome from a period of depression so deep she'd almost lost sight of the surface, when career and medical crises had coincided, cash and marriage ones chasing them cruelly quickly.
Plotting a murder every six months or so had been terrific therapy.
ABOUT 'THE ART OF MURDER': Welcome to the beautiful English village of Inkbury. Tucked deep in the North Wessex Downs, its only claim to fame is the picturesque riverside that once appeared in a Richard Curtis movie. That is, until the murder…
Former stand-up comic Juno Mulligan has been suffering a serious sense-of-humour failure. Not only has she lost the love of her life, but she’s having to relocate to the (admittedly idyllic) village of Inkbury to watch out for her elderly mother, who she’s genuinely worried might be marrying a wife-killer.
She hopes that her old friend, disgraced-journalist-turned-novelist Phoebe Fredericks can help her crack the case of whether her mother’s perma-tanned, iceberg-smiled, three-times-a-widower fiancé is hiding a murderous past.
But before they have a chance, the local art dealer washes up distinctly dead in the village’s famous river. His lover is in the frame, but Juno and Phoebe suspect that there is a deeper secret… One that relates to Phoebe’s own past and Juno’s present.
Will the unofficial Village Detective Agency solve the mystery before the killer strikes again? In sleepy Inkbury, as they soon discover, living one’s best midlife can be murder.
MY THOUGHTS: Quirky characters, a small English village, a suspicious death - and we have Fiona Walker's entry into the cosy-mystery genre. Overall, it's not too bad, a bit OTT in places but still an enjoyable, humorous read.
There is a group of characters who are somewhat larger than life - Juno, her mother Judy, and Judy's boyfriend Dennis. Their constant use of cringeworthy pet names - Pusscat, Boppa and Doobee - grated on the nerves after a while. I liked Phoebe much better, although even she was an acquired taste.
The third member of the Village detectives after Phoebe and Juno, is Mils, the local pub landlord and bikie, who likes nothing better than pretending to be a corpse for Phoebe's entertainment.
The plot is quite slow moving and complex with multiple threads: the death of Si; Juno's suspicion that Dennis is a serial killer and that her mother will be next; the moving of Judy into a retirement complex along with the associated decluttering of her possessions; Phoebe's novel; and Phoebe's relationship with her husband. There's also a burglary at the local antique store, possible art fraud, Juno's impending grandmotherhood, and a dozen other little threads woven in.
Sometimes I found it quite overwhelming, and the main thread of Silas's death seemed to get lost in everything else that was going on. The police play a very minor role, in fact are hardly seen at all, and the mishandling of evidence that the Village Detectives found left me wincing!
If you like slap-dash comedy, then The Art of Murder is bound to appeal. Although I did enjoy this more than not, I do appreciate quite a bit more subtlety than is to be found here.
⭐⭐⭐
#TheArtofMurder #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: Fiona Walker is the author of eighteen novels, from tales of flat-shares and clubbing in nineties London to today’s romping, rural romances set amid shires, spires and stiles. In a career spanning over two decades, she’s grown up alongside her readers, never losing her wickedly well-observed take on life, lust and the British in love. The Art of Murder is her first foray into the murder-mystery genre.
Fiona lives in Warwickshire, sharing a slice of Shakespeare Country with her partner Sam, their two daughters and a menagerie of animals.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Boldwood Books via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Art of Murder by Fiona Walker for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
April 21, 2024
"Juno endured another pang of sentimentality, wondering how it was possible to to come home and yet still feel homesick."
This has all the ingredients of a book I would enjoy - small English town, cast of colorful characters, and two women / soon -to-be-friends who end up in the middle of what could be a simple accident - or murder. There was even some good humor thrown in from time to time.
But ultimately, this one didn't do much for me. It felt really long and took me more than a week to get through (which is long for a mystery). Maybe because the chapters felt really long? There was a lot revolving around the pop art movement and rock bands that didn't click for me - not to mention, it included real with made-up, which was more confusing than anything to me. Also - there is a map but I read it on kindle and I couldn't enlarge it, but that would have been helpful to see details on.
I liked Phoebe a lot in terms of her inner rage and need for solitude, and I liked Juno okay. It didn't help that Juno's mother was named Judy, and I would end up realizing I'd mixed them up (I don't understand, of all the names, writers end up picking names that not only start with the same letter but same length). Also, for the first 80% of the book, I thought Phoebe was really mad at her husband and then everything is hunky-dory at the end when Felix comes back, or so it felt to me. I just felt like I'd misunderstood her emotions and their relationship for a while.
The ending would have been really clever had I not felt like the middle 3rd of the book was so slow. Also what DID Si say when he died? Was it 'merde' or 'murder' or something else? That piece wasn't answered, and I was left wishing it had been.
This has all the ingredients of a book I would enjoy - small English town, cast of colorful characters, and two women / soon -to-be-friends who end up in the middle of what could be a simple accident - or murder. There was even some good humor thrown in from time to time.
But ultimately, this one didn't do much for me. It felt really long and took me more than a week to get through (which is long for a mystery). Maybe because the chapters felt really long? There was a lot revolving around the pop art movement and rock bands that didn't click for me - not to mention, it included real with made-up, which was more confusing than anything to me. Also - there is a map but I read it on kindle and I couldn't enlarge it, but that would have been helpful to see details on.
I liked Phoebe a lot in terms of her inner rage and need for solitude, and I liked Juno okay. It didn't help that Juno's mother was named Judy, and I would end up realizing I'd mixed them up (I don't understand, of all the names, writers end up picking names that not only start with the same letter but same length). Also, for the first 80% of the book, I thought Phoebe was really mad at her husband and then everything is hunky-dory at the end when Felix comes back, or so it felt to me. I just felt like I'd misunderstood her emotions and their relationship for a while.
The ending would have been really clever had I not felt like the middle 3rd of the book was so slow. Also what DID Si say when he died? Was it 'merde' or 'murder' or something else? That piece wasn't answered, and I was left wishing it had been.
March 25, 2025
I loved Fiona Walker’s books back ‘in the day’, but stopped reading her as I just didn’t have the time or focus for her book-bricks and I was so excited to find she’d written a series of what I hoped to be short, snappy cosy mysteries! Sadly, this one was so slow and rambling I had to force myself to keep reading it. A speed-read through to the conclusion made me regret spending my hard earned pennies on it. Still, that’s my opinion and plenty others loved it.
April 20, 2024
A cozy mystery set in a picturesque village best known for its appearance in a Richard Curtis film. Until murder overshadows its storied claim to fame. Thrilling!
August 6, 2024
Unfortunately, like a Walmart version of the Thursday Murder Club
May 20, 2024
A cozy mystery, this one takes place in a small English village. Juno, a widow from the US, returns to her hometown to be closer to her aging mother, and along with her friend Phoebe, discovers a dead man. This novel contains the usual cast of quirky, original characters, and concludes with a (to me) surprise perpetrator.
I have read so many of Fiona Walker's other books and loved them, but this is the first mystery written by her and I was a bit underwhelmed☹ While the book contained all the prerequisites needed for a cozy mystery, it also had a slow reading flow to it and took too long to get through, unlike her other novels which I just devoured. It wasn't bad, it just didn't work completely for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I have read so many of Fiona Walker's other books and loved them, but this is the first mystery written by her and I was a bit underwhelmed☹ While the book contained all the prerequisites needed for a cozy mystery, it also had a slow reading flow to it and took too long to get through, unlike her other novels which I just devoured. It wasn't bad, it just didn't work completely for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
April 21, 2024
The Art of Murder by Fiona Walker is a lively, smoothly written cozy mystery. It takes place, as any good English mystery should, in a small English village. Not a very rural locale: it has been gentrified almost out of recognition. So while the river and the land and some of the old (now highly prized) houses look the same, there are no upscale cafés selling pricey brioches and cappucinos.
Our detectives are a pair of middle-aged women (moving rapidly toward what is euphemistically referred to as "older"). Phoebe Fredericks lives with her film director (indie art films that of course don't make a profit) is a former glamor celebrity who has, for reasons undisclosed been "cancelled" and is struggling to support herself (and her husband) writing murder mysteries under the nom de plume "Dorothy De'ath." She is a grouchy, quick-tempered woman who has survived not only the loss of fame but also cancer and worries about her husband's many attractive assistance. Said husband, Felix, is currently way filming while Phoebe attempts to churn out another mystery. She finds plotting various deaths and creating killers a welcome distraction from her loneliness and anxiety. Her daughters, available via Zoom, are her other great joy.
Enter Juno Mulligan, former stand up comedian who has also faded from her brief moment of success and (also former) acquaintance of Phoebe. Plump and jolly, she is a striking contrast to taciturn Phoebe and of course the two become partners in solving a village murder that happens soon after the book begins.
There were many charming moments in this book. I found the writing uneven but always serviceable and often enjoyable. There were moments when I had to push myself to continue, dry patches, but not too many and I was drawn into the story and solving the crime. The end was satisfying--I didn't guess the killer but couldn't complain of any deception on the part of the author. It made sense. And that's something I like in a mystery.
So: the characters are on the stereotyped side but I became very fond of them. And while I found the book over cute at first, I became involved and grew to like the characters and enjoy the style.
Altogether, a fun experience.
Full disclosure: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Our detectives are a pair of middle-aged women (moving rapidly toward what is euphemistically referred to as "older"). Phoebe Fredericks lives with her film director (indie art films that of course don't make a profit) is a former glamor celebrity who has, for reasons undisclosed been "cancelled" and is struggling to support herself (and her husband) writing murder mysteries under the nom de plume "Dorothy De'ath." She is a grouchy, quick-tempered woman who has survived not only the loss of fame but also cancer and worries about her husband's many attractive assistance. Said husband, Felix, is currently way filming while Phoebe attempts to churn out another mystery. She finds plotting various deaths and creating killers a welcome distraction from her loneliness and anxiety. Her daughters, available via Zoom, are her other great joy.
Enter Juno Mulligan, former stand up comedian who has also faded from her brief moment of success and (also former) acquaintance of Phoebe. Plump and jolly, she is a striking contrast to taciturn Phoebe and of course the two become partners in solving a village murder that happens soon after the book begins.
There were many charming moments in this book. I found the writing uneven but always serviceable and often enjoyable. There were moments when I had to push myself to continue, dry patches, but not too many and I was drawn into the story and solving the crime. The end was satisfying--I didn't guess the killer but couldn't complain of any deception on the part of the author. It made sense. And that's something I like in a mystery.
So: the characters are on the stereotyped side but I became very fond of them. And while I found the book over cute at first, I became involved and grew to like the characters and enjoy the style.
Altogether, a fun experience.
Full disclosure: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 15, 2025
DNF’d at about 30%. Too much time introducing characters. Phoebe might have been interesting as a murder-mystery writer but Juno was annoying. Too many books to read…
August 27, 2025
An outrageous amount of name dropping, both fictional and real life.
April 14, 2026
Ok story but l was confused a lot. Listened to audiobook. There were a lot of characters and the narrator barely changed voices in between. Constantly rewinding to figure out who was talking. If l read another l will look for the book.
May 23, 2024
Old friends
Loved catching up with old friends from the nineties in their cozy mystery era. For Fiona Walker fans who are also surprised to realise their 20’s weren’t 10 years ago.
Loved catching up with old friends from the nineties in their cozy mystery era. For Fiona Walker fans who are also surprised to realise their 20’s weren’t 10 years ago.
July 11, 2024
There is a heavy dose of quirk to this story, from its characters to the dialogue. If you don't mind that, then you'll likely enjoy this story of two women who grow to like and rely on each other over the course of this cozy mystery.
Middle-aged stand-up comic Juno Mulligan is returning to the small, picturesque village of Inkbury some years after her beloved partner's death and the atrophying of her humour. She's also concerned for her elderly mother, Judy, whom Juno is afraid is involved with a murderer, as he's a three-times-widower.
Juno hopes that disgraced journalist, old friend, and creator of multiple mystery series, Phoebe Fredericks, can help her investigate Dennis. She also enlists the help of her son, whom Juno feels is drifting through his life.
Before much looking into Dennis's life can happen, a local art dealer turns up drowned, and though his lover Oscar is suspected, Juno and eventually Phoebe agree that it seems implausible that he’s the killer, considering all the things the dead man, Silas, had been getting up to. The two, with the help of Mil Winterbourne, Phoebe's friend and pub owner, begin delving into Dennis', Silas' and Oscar's past, discovering family connections, addiction, and a stolen painting.
The writing was a little choppy, at first, but I still enjoyed this first entry in the “Village Detectives series. Juno is ebullient, and such a contrast to the much taller and world-weary Phoebe. Their different approaches to sleuthing complemented each others’ characters well, though they kind of stumbled into solving the crime. The story was still satisfying, and I liked the two main characters, so I'm looking forward to the next entry.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Boldwood Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.
Middle-aged stand-up comic Juno Mulligan is returning to the small, picturesque village of Inkbury some years after her beloved partner's death and the atrophying of her humour. She's also concerned for her elderly mother, Judy, whom Juno is afraid is involved with a murderer, as he's a three-times-widower.
Juno hopes that disgraced journalist, old friend, and creator of multiple mystery series, Phoebe Fredericks, can help her investigate Dennis. She also enlists the help of her son, whom Juno feels is drifting through his life.
Before much looking into Dennis's life can happen, a local art dealer turns up drowned, and though his lover Oscar is suspected, Juno and eventually Phoebe agree that it seems implausible that he’s the killer, considering all the things the dead man, Silas, had been getting up to. The two, with the help of Mil Winterbourne, Phoebe's friend and pub owner, begin delving into Dennis', Silas' and Oscar's past, discovering family connections, addiction, and a stolen painting.
The writing was a little choppy, at first, but I still enjoyed this first entry in the “Village Detectives series. Juno is ebullient, and such a contrast to the much taller and world-weary Phoebe. Their different approaches to sleuthing complemented each others’ characters well, though they kind of stumbled into solving the crime. The story was still satisfying, and I liked the two main characters, so I'm looking forward to the next entry.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Boldwood Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.
May 11, 2024
Juno Mulligan is moving to from America Inkbury, a small English village. A widowed, aging former stand up comic she’s moving to be closer to her mum (dating a possible three times wife murderer) and her directionless adult son. She has plans to befriend 90s icon, cancelled journalist now crime novelist, Phoebe Fredericks. Which is helped by them finding a body in the river that Juno is convinced is a victim of murder. She steamrollers Phoebe, and local pub landlord Mil, to help her play detective. Could her mother‘s boyfriend be the culprit?
I found this rather slow to start, there’s a lot of introducing us to the cast of characters. In this early section I wasn’t sure I liked the two main characters. It was nearly a quarter of the way through that the murder occurred and things started to get interesting. Then I found myself drawn into the murder, and village life. The characters grew on me, women in their fifties who are not your typical main characters, who have interesting back stories and a love of Brit pop (which I share). It seems like a set up for a series of books, going for the cosy crime fans (the Thursday murder club fans). It was different enough and enjoyable enough and I found the story nicely plotted. I would read future stories in this series.
3.5 rounded up to 4
I found this rather slow to start, there’s a lot of introducing us to the cast of characters. In this early section I wasn’t sure I liked the two main characters. It was nearly a quarter of the way through that the murder occurred and things started to get interesting. Then I found myself drawn into the murder, and village life. The characters grew on me, women in their fifties who are not your typical main characters, who have interesting back stories and a love of Brit pop (which I share). It seems like a set up for a series of books, going for the cosy crime fans (the Thursday murder club fans). It was different enough and enjoyable enough and I found the story nicely plotted. I would read future stories in this series.
3.5 rounded up to 4
April 18, 2024
Recently widowed Juno Mulligan is reluctantly returning to her childhood home in the village of Inkbury from New York. A stand-up comic in her former life, she is about to become far more intimately involved in her mother's life than she's ever wanted to be! Also, now living in the small village is novelist Phoebe Fredericks, who, Juno is absolutely sure, can help solve all her problems!
When a local resident is murdered almost under their noses, they recruit local publican and Phoebe’s devoted friend Mil to help them discover whodunnit. As they both enthusiastically and reluctantly begin to investigate, Juno has to face another loss while Phoebe battles with her latest novel and other equally confusing matters. Can they also work together to solve this murder or will the killer strike again before that can happen?
This is the first outing for the Village Detectives in Fiona Walker's new series, and overall, I enjoyed it. Not quite a cosy but also not a thriller it straddles the two sub-genres throughout and although Juno took a bit of getting used to, especially as she cries alot about inconsequential things, I was cheering for her by the end. The mystery itself was entertaining and moved at a fair pace, but the subplot with Juno’s mother grated on me, I'm afraid. Phoebe I loved and for me she made the book along with Mil's reactions to her writing crime fiction, and they are the main reasons for my rating and why I will be on the lookout for the second book.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Boldwood Books, but the opinions expressed are my own. A good series starter, which is definitely worth giving a chance. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
When a local resident is murdered almost under their noses, they recruit local publican and Phoebe’s devoted friend Mil to help them discover whodunnit. As they both enthusiastically and reluctantly begin to investigate, Juno has to face another loss while Phoebe battles with her latest novel and other equally confusing matters. Can they also work together to solve this murder or will the killer strike again before that can happen?
This is the first outing for the Village Detectives in Fiona Walker's new series, and overall, I enjoyed it. Not quite a cosy but also not a thriller it straddles the two sub-genres throughout and although Juno took a bit of getting used to, especially as she cries alot about inconsequential things, I was cheering for her by the end. The mystery itself was entertaining and moved at a fair pace, but the subplot with Juno’s mother grated on me, I'm afraid. Phoebe I loved and for me she made the book along with Mil's reactions to her writing crime fiction, and they are the main reasons for my rating and why I will be on the lookout for the second book.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Boldwood Books, but the opinions expressed are my own. A good series starter, which is definitely worth giving a chance. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
April 20, 2024
Set in the village of Inkbury, Juno moves back to keep an eye on her elderly Mother.
Soon things take a dramatic turn with a murder and Juno begins to investigate with her friend Phoebe.
I enjoyed the setting of the book and I found the characters quite interesting.
I just found this book a bit slow and I wasn’t rushing to read it like other books I have recently read. However this is the first book in the series and I think as the series continues it will get better.
I did not work out the murderer until it was revealed in the book which I found a positive as sometimes if I guess too early it spoils the book.
Thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Fiona Walker for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
Soon things take a dramatic turn with a murder and Juno begins to investigate with her friend Phoebe.
I enjoyed the setting of the book and I found the characters quite interesting.
I just found this book a bit slow and I wasn’t rushing to read it like other books I have recently read. However this is the first book in the series and I think as the series continues it will get better.
I did not work out the murderer until it was revealed in the book which I found a positive as sometimes if I guess too early it spoils the book.
Thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Fiona Walker for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
May 11, 2026
I enjoyed the first in this new series. Juno is moving back to England after years in NYC to care for her elderly mother Judy. Judy is dating Dennis and Juno is sure that he killed his three previous wives who all died in suspicious circumstances. Her old school chum Phoebe, aka Freddy, has also recently returned to the area. She is a writer who has a series of mystery novels written under a pen name while her husband Felix is a filmmaker. While Felix is off filming on location he asks friend and local pub owner Mil to keep an eye on Phoebe who tends to forget to eat while she is writing. With Phoebe and Juno getting reacquainted over lunch at the pub, they witness a fight between local antique dealers Oscar and Sy before Sy is found by the women floating face down in the canal. Their attempts to revive him fail and the police claim that it was an accident since Sy was drunk but the women aren't so sure. Juno, Phoebe and Mil decide to start the Merde Squad to investigate Sy's death themselves. They are sure that a recent break-in at the antique store is related to Sy's death and they have plenty of suspects. A local woman and her children are suspects because the woman was having an affair with Sy and he recently broke it off. She suspects that she was just being used as an alibi for the night of the break-in because Sy staged the break-in to get an insurance payout. Dennis is Juno's number one suspect because he used to work with Sy's father Nigel before they had a falling out. She is convinced that Dennis killed Nigel years ago and has now killed Sy over some paintings. Phoebe thinks that Oscar is guilty and that he might have poisoned Sy when the autopsy comes back showing high levels of drugs in Sy's system when he died. In the end it turned out to be Sukey who was guilty. She is a local declutter specialist helping Judy empty out her house in preparation for a move. She was the daughter of a rock star and an artist who were both part of the arts scene in 90's London and who both died young from drugs. Her mother had an affair with Nigel and he kept a lot of her paintings when she died. Some have become valuable and Sukey was sure that they were lost to her forever until she saw one in Sy's shop. She confronted him and poisoned his vape when he wouldn't give it back to her. I look forward to the next in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2025
This took me *ages* to start & finish reading! 😅
It was July’s Happily Ever After Book Club pick-but not the one I voted for & not one I’d usually read. 👀
I’m always open to diversifying my TBR though, so I gave it a go. 🙃
Unfortunately, I was right-it’s just not for me! 🫥
The writing, setting & character descriptions & overall plot are all good. 👍🏽
BUT, between the brief description of the murder, at the start & the reveal of who the murderer was (which WAS surprising!), at the end, I *struggled* to stay interested! 🫠 It just felt like a lot of travelling around the village, chatting to people & character info dumps. 🤷🏽
The characters were nice enough, but not relatable (for me) & I’m not into the art scene at all or the britpop scene enough to understand/find those references interesting either. 🫤 Also, having a dual POV mostly didn’t make sense to me. 😐
I was expecting to find it an easy, cozy, funny read, with some action & intrigue-but it just didn’t do it for me, sadly! 😬
It was July’s Happily Ever After Book Club pick-but not the one I voted for & not one I’d usually read. 👀
I’m always open to diversifying my TBR though, so I gave it a go. 🙃
Unfortunately, I was right-it’s just not for me! 🫥
The writing, setting & character descriptions & overall plot are all good. 👍🏽
BUT, between the brief description of the murder, at the start & the reveal of who the murderer was (which WAS surprising!), at the end, I *struggled* to stay interested! 🫠 It just felt like a lot of travelling around the village, chatting to people & character info dumps. 🤷🏽
The characters were nice enough, but not relatable (for me) & I’m not into the art scene at all or the britpop scene enough to understand/find those references interesting either. 🫤 Also, having a dual POV mostly didn’t make sense to me. 😐
I was expecting to find it an easy, cozy, funny read, with some action & intrigue-but it just didn’t do it for me, sadly! 😬
May 29, 2024
Fiona Walker is an author I haven't come across before. When I saw the cover for The Art of Murder I was drawn to see what it was about. After checking the blurb, I was certainly curious about this cosy mystery, set in the village of Inkbury.
Juno,Phoebe, and Mil are a refreshing trio. After a local resident is murdered, Juno and Phoebe recruit Mil, the local pub owner, and Phoebe's devoted friend to assist their 'investigation'.
I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated that the characters were of a more mature generation. So many books concentrate on younger people that this created a story I was so interested in.
The setting of Inkbury was described well. I imagined a beautiful village whose claim to fame is the river. That is, until a murder is committed. Characters that are relatable and a mystery that has humour interwoven throughout. This is a fabulous start to a series that I shall certainly be on the lookout for the next instalment.
Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for the gifted ebook in exchange for my honest review.
Juno,Phoebe, and Mil are a refreshing trio. After a local resident is murdered, Juno and Phoebe recruit Mil, the local pub owner, and Phoebe's devoted friend to assist their 'investigation'.
I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated that the characters were of a more mature generation. So many books concentrate on younger people that this created a story I was so interested in.
The setting of Inkbury was described well. I imagined a beautiful village whose claim to fame is the river. That is, until a murder is committed. Characters that are relatable and a mystery that has humour interwoven throughout. This is a fabulous start to a series that I shall certainly be on the lookout for the next instalment.
Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for the gifted ebook in exchange for my honest review.
May 24, 2024
The Art of Murder by Fiona Walker is an outstanding cozy mystery based in the idyllic village of Inkbury, a beautiful location famous for its glittering river, unspoilt and clear. That is however, until the local art-dealer is found bobbing about on the surface, very much un-alived
I utterly adore the protagonist Juno Mulligan. She left my eyes streaming and my sides aching and the relationship between her and her bestie Phoebe Fredericks is an absolute blast. They decide to get their heads together to investigate the fiancee of Juno's mother who they suspect has nefarious plans up his sleeve, but all is upended when the body is found in the river. Two fantastic protagonists, one body and potentially two villains? What will our intrepid heroines discover?
A briliant cozy that had the perfect balance of mystery and comedy, loved it!
Thank you to Boldwood Books and the author Fiona Walker for this delightful ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
I utterly adore the protagonist Juno Mulligan. She left my eyes streaming and my sides aching and the relationship between her and her bestie Phoebe Fredericks is an absolute blast. They decide to get their heads together to investigate the fiancee of Juno's mother who they suspect has nefarious plans up his sleeve, but all is upended when the body is found in the river. Two fantastic protagonists, one body and potentially two villains? What will our intrepid heroines discover?
A briliant cozy that had the perfect balance of mystery and comedy, loved it!
Thank you to Boldwood Books and the author Fiona Walker for this delightful ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
April 6, 2026
The Village Detectives & The Art of Murder is a charming cozy mystery set in the sleepy English village of Inkbury. Fiona Walker’s first foray into crime fiction brings us two very different friends who somehow make the perfect detective duo. Phoebe is guarded, sharp, and carries secrets from her past. Juno is vivacious, chaotic, and throws herself into everything headfirst. They shouldn’t work together. But they do, completely.
The mystery itself is engaging, the village atmosphere is cozy without being saccharine, and there’s a warm humor running through the whole book that keeps things light even when the plot thickens. Mil, the pub landlord with a talent for playing dead, is a highlight.
If you’re a Miss Marple fan, this will feel familiar and fresh at the same time. It’s not a perfect book. The middle slows down a little and some threads take too long to come together. But the characters carry it, and by the end I was already curious about book two.
@livros100fim
The mystery itself is engaging, the village atmosphere is cozy without being saccharine, and there’s a warm humor running through the whole book that keeps things light even when the plot thickens. Mil, the pub landlord with a talent for playing dead, is a highlight.
If you’re a Miss Marple fan, this will feel familiar and fresh at the same time. It’s not a perfect book. The middle slows down a little and some threads take too long to come together. But the characters carry it, and by the end I was already curious about book two.
@livros100fim
August 7, 2024
I’ve been loving Fiona Walker’s books for many years but I think this one is my least favourite. This is probably due to it being a murder mystery, which isn’t one of my favourite genres. I’m not going to go into the plot as others have already said it but I’m not sure I will read another one in the series (which I assume it’s going to be)
May 6, 2024
The Village Detectives and The Art of Murder is the first in Fiona Walker's The Village Detectives Series featuring Juno, Phoebe and Mils (who I think deserves his own POV). This is the first mystery book for the author, who has previously written romances (this is not a romance).
This is quite a complex storyline, as the author is doing a lot with this book. We have the storyline of the murder, the storyline of the book Phoebe is currently writing, and our two main characters, Juno and Phoebe, both have back stories which are so complex I did wonder if this wasn't the first book in the series after all. However, having read the author's notes, it seems both of the female characters have been written about before, and while it's not necessary to have read either book, this does account for their well-rounded and complex characters.
I really enjoyed the storyline for Phoebe's book - indeed - I'd have quite liked a little 'ending' for that book as well in the final concluding pages. It takes a lot to entangle more than one plot line in a story, and it's done very well. Indeed, as the conclusion nears, the little 'tells' reveal themselves to be very well planted. I didn't know who the culprit was. I also always think that writing about authors can be problematic, but Fiona accomplished the task very well. Mind, the thought of cold coffee/tea was a bit gross. I always warm mine up, no matter how embroiled I am.
There are many references to the 1990s which some readers might not entirely 'click' with. The music references were not a problem, aside from the Agadoo one, which I found a little annoying. Equally, the art references from the 1990s somewhat passed me by, but I think the author did a very good job of making the art details both relevant and understandable.
This is not exactly a fast read, but it's not slow either - and it is very enjoyable as the storyline builds in complexity to the eventual 'big reveal.'
I know this says it's perfect for fans of Osman, but I would counter that as I'm not an Osman fan (sort your tenses out, Osman)- this is a much more rewarding read, and the mystery is particularly well-plotted.
I look forward to reading more of this series and seeing what they become embroiled in next.
This is a high 4 stars - more like 4.5.
This is quite a complex storyline, as the author is doing a lot with this book. We have the storyline of the murder, the storyline of the book Phoebe is currently writing, and our two main characters, Juno and Phoebe, both have back stories which are so complex I did wonder if this wasn't the first book in the series after all. However, having read the author's notes, it seems both of the female characters have been written about before, and while it's not necessary to have read either book, this does account for their well-rounded and complex characters.
I really enjoyed the storyline for Phoebe's book - indeed - I'd have quite liked a little 'ending' for that book as well in the final concluding pages. It takes a lot to entangle more than one plot line in a story, and it's done very well. Indeed, as the conclusion nears, the little 'tells' reveal themselves to be very well planted. I didn't know who the culprit was. I also always think that writing about authors can be problematic, but Fiona accomplished the task very well. Mind, the thought of cold coffee/tea was a bit gross. I always warm mine up, no matter how embroiled I am.
There are many references to the 1990s which some readers might not entirely 'click' with. The music references were not a problem, aside from the Agadoo one, which I found a little annoying. Equally, the art references from the 1990s somewhat passed me by, but I think the author did a very good job of making the art details both relevant and understandable.
This is not exactly a fast read, but it's not slow either - and it is very enjoyable as the storyline builds in complexity to the eventual 'big reveal.'
I know this says it's perfect for fans of Osman, but I would counter that as I'm not an Osman fan (sort your tenses out, Osman)- this is a much more rewarding read, and the mystery is particularly well-plotted.
I look forward to reading more of this series and seeing what they become embroiled in next.
This is a high 4 stars - more like 4.5.
September 17, 2024
Rollicking fun
A very funny and entertaining mystery with unforgettable characters. Thoroughly enjoyable with a lotvof warmth and heart. The main characters are well drawn, and their friendships are believable even at high farce.
A very funny and entertaining mystery with unforgettable characters. Thoroughly enjoyable with a lotvof warmth and heart. The main characters are well drawn, and their friendships are believable even at high farce.
February 12, 2025
An entertaining series launch - 3 1/2 stars
February 10, 2026
Took a while to get into this one, not sure if it wasn't just my headspace not concentrating long or hard enough. Now I've finished it I've realised I enjoyed it, a different kind of flow to it than the usual crime books I've read. Looking forward to reading the next one.
March 10, 2026
4🌟 (Audible)
Pretty entertaining + sufficiently complicated murder mystery! I plan to read more in the series.
Pretty entertaining + sufficiently complicated murder mystery! I plan to read more in the series.
March 19, 2025
2.5 stars. Struggled to get into book due to way it kept switching between main characters, but ploughed on and fortunately it improved as it went along, so will try next in series
June 9, 2025
I was so worried during the initial introduction to Juno (so sorry I doubted the character!), but I ended up loving her and her interactions with Phoebe and Mil. Phoebe was an intriguing main character, and her slight grumpiness paired well with the more goofy personalities of Juno and Mil. The mystery itself was well done, if a bit “who done it.” I found this to be an enjoyable and light read.
May 3, 2024
The characters are delightful, but I got lost in the plot and local interests. I feel certain that the target audience will love it. Unfortunately that does not include this Midwesterner. But it does seem to be a lot of fun.
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected digital galley from Boldwood Books via NetGalley. Thanks, anyway.
#TheVillageDetectivesBk1 #BritishCozyMystery #Humorous
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected digital galley from Boldwood Books via NetGalley. Thanks, anyway.
#TheVillageDetectivesBk1 #BritishCozyMystery #Humorous
May 18, 2026
DNF 55%
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