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More Than Murder: The unputdownable, intriguing and witty, first book in this new cosy murder mystery series: 1
“A wonderful debut. Julia and Frankie are hilarious, and More Than Murder is a real page-turner.” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Antony Johnston, bestselling author of The Dog Sitter Detective series.
"Occasionally a book comes along that is soooo engaging that you literally can't put it down ... More Than Murder is exactly that (book.)" ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cosycrimemystery.com
“It’s sharp, funny, and fun—the perfect cosy crime! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sharon Fallows, Tales Before Bedtime
TWO ESTRANGED SISTERS. ONE DISAPPEARING BODY.
A witty, cosy mystery packed with twists, turns and tea!
When her flamboyant and spirited half-sister, Frankie, returns to Little Clarsden to claim her share of Rose Cottage, left to them by their Aunt Lucy, she is met with a frosty reception from Julia, who still harbours an old grievance. In an attempt to mend their fractured relationship, the sisters attend a murder mystery weekend at the grand country house of the Medfield estate in the rolling hills of Somerset.
After the first evening’s supper, a “poisoned dart” “kills” one of the guests. In the classic whodunit style of a country house mystery, the game of tracking down the “killer” is afoot.
The playful intrigue takes a sinister turn when the sisters discover a real body hidden in a secret passage. When the body disappears before anyone else can see it, no one believes it ever existed..
Amid the glamour and intrigue of the other guests and the actors slipping in and out of character, it’s difficult to distinguish between fact and fiction. Nothing and no one is as they seem.
With the body count rising and two murders to solve, our sharp-witted, sleuthing sisters set aside their differences, determined to unravel the tangled clues of the murder mystery, track down the real killer, and uncover the truth.
With laugh-out-loud banter, a hint of danger, and a twist even Agatha Christie would admire, can Julia and Frankie catch the culprit before the murder weekend becomes their last?
Witty and charming characters and a plot with more twists and turns than a country road, More Than Murder is a delightful blend of humour, mystery and the classic country house crime, perfect for fans of Richard Osman, M.C. Beaton and Benjamin Stevenson.
More Than Murder is the first book in this cosy crime series.
"Occasionally a book comes along that is soooo engaging that you literally can't put it down ... More Than Murder is exactly that (book.)" ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cosycrimemystery.com
“It’s sharp, funny, and fun—the perfect cosy crime! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sharon Fallows, Tales Before Bedtime
TWO ESTRANGED SISTERS. ONE DISAPPEARING BODY.
A witty, cosy mystery packed with twists, turns and tea!
When her flamboyant and spirited half-sister, Frankie, returns to Little Clarsden to claim her share of Rose Cottage, left to them by their Aunt Lucy, she is met with a frosty reception from Julia, who still harbours an old grievance. In an attempt to mend their fractured relationship, the sisters attend a murder mystery weekend at the grand country house of the Medfield estate in the rolling hills of Somerset.
After the first evening’s supper, a “poisoned dart” “kills” one of the guests. In the classic whodunit style of a country house mystery, the game of tracking down the “killer” is afoot.
The playful intrigue takes a sinister turn when the sisters discover a real body hidden in a secret passage. When the body disappears before anyone else can see it, no one believes it ever existed..
Amid the glamour and intrigue of the other guests and the actors slipping in and out of character, it’s difficult to distinguish between fact and fiction. Nothing and no one is as they seem.
With the body count rising and two murders to solve, our sharp-witted, sleuthing sisters set aside their differences, determined to unravel the tangled clues of the murder mystery, track down the real killer, and uncover the truth.
With laugh-out-loud banter, a hint of danger, and a twist even Agatha Christie would admire, can Julia and Frankie catch the culprit before the murder weekend becomes their last?
Witty and charming characters and a plot with more twists and turns than a country road, More Than Murder is a delightful blend of humour, mystery and the classic country house crime, perfect for fans of Richard Osman, M.C. Beaton and Benjamin Stevenson.
More Than Murder is the first book in this cosy crime series.
- GenresCrime
285 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2025
17 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 9, 2025
This is a fun and entertaining cosy crime book from a debut author.
If you would like to read my full review please visit my blog at:
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If you would like to read my full review please visit my blog at:
https://leftontheshelfbookblog.blogsp...
May 1, 2025
This is a fun mystery that kept me entertained from the very start.
Julia and Frankie’s relationship is strained so what could be better than a murder mystery weekend to bring them together?!?
Trying to know who is who, who’s lying, who’s acting, with nobody who they say they are - this is certainly a mystery the two sisters will need to work together on.
Putting their differences and history aside for the weekend we’re treated to a fun romp through a country house, complete with ‘bodies’ a plenty.
March 29, 2026
Julie has been retired for 92 days, in that tine she has moved into Rose cottage in Little Clarsden in Berkshire. Joined a bridge group, a dominoes group, and the WI. She has also volunteered at a local animal sanctuary and read 33 Agatha Christie novels. She likes the village and the narrow High Street that boasts a butcher, a newsagents and Post Office, and Alfred’s general store, which is like a Tardis, stocked with everything. She now siting at her desk trying to think of something to write.
Rose Cottage was left to her by her aunt Lucy, with certain conditions in her will, which are that Julie lives in the cottage for 12 months with her sister Frankie. If one sister decides to leave, the other sister inherits the cottage. Also, if one of them fails to live at the cottage within three months of her death, the cottage passes to the other sister. The three months are now nearly up. Frankie was last heard of in Thailand will she show up? Julia has a mixture of emotions whirling round her head. She doesn’t want to lose Rose Cottage but spending a year with her flamboyant half-sister is quite a different matter. Julia still harbours an old grievance. Will she ever forgive her? Never.
Julie awakes to an almighty crash from downstairs, picks up a vase and prepares to defend herself, but ends up showering Frankie with water. Then as always, an altercation occurs. Frankie, early Sixties is a free spirit. She has meandered through life enjoying herself, but wonders, where does she actually belong. Can Julie manage 12 months of Frankie.
The day of the autumn fete dawns and Julie and Frankie head off to the village green. Frankie decides to visit Madam Zoltar who doesn’t tell her that good fortune will be coming her way, but that she is in danger, when Frankie asks ‘what sort of danger? Madam Zoltar says ‘murder’. However, despite Madam Zoltar dark warning Frankie wins the raffle which turns out to be a murder mystery weekend at the grand Medfield House Estate in the rolling hills of Somerset.
The estate has been owned by the same family since Victorian times, passing to Arthur Quinten thirty years ago. When he died Charles Quinten became the new owner. Charles is like a sloth with attitude and has no interest in the estate. The event is being organised by Kirsty Taylor, whose lives locally. Kirsty has also assumed the role of director. Unfortunately, disaster has struck the lead character who has been taken away by ambulance. Charles agrees to step in.
They sisters have decided to work together to solve the crime as their best chance of winning. As they assemble in the drawing room they meet the other guests, Mrs Robertson and Simon Henson from Chealsea, Laura Harding, mid-thirties, Jack Standed, twenties, late Major Hamilton, Professor Arbara and Miss Scully. Also from the US, Larry and Sarah Reynolds.
After the first evening’s supper, a “poisoned dart” “kills” one of the guests. In the classic whodunit style of a country house mystery, the game of tracking down the “killer” is on. After everyone has retired, the sisters return to the scene of the crime to attempt to see if they can suss out the killer. But they are not the only ones to be scouring the house for clues. Then the sisters find a real dead body in a secret passage. However, when they report their finding of a body it is not there. But now they are looking for a real murderer, although none of the guests take them seriously until a second murder occurs.
With interesting characters, this is a truly teasing mystery that kept me turning the pages. I am looking forward to the next book. Recommended.
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Reviewer: Lizzie Sirett
Rose Cottage was left to her by her aunt Lucy, with certain conditions in her will, which are that Julie lives in the cottage for 12 months with her sister Frankie. If one sister decides to leave, the other sister inherits the cottage. Also, if one of them fails to live at the cottage within three months of her death, the cottage passes to the other sister. The three months are now nearly up. Frankie was last heard of in Thailand will she show up? Julia has a mixture of emotions whirling round her head. She doesn’t want to lose Rose Cottage but spending a year with her flamboyant half-sister is quite a different matter. Julia still harbours an old grievance. Will she ever forgive her? Never.
Julie awakes to an almighty crash from downstairs, picks up a vase and prepares to defend herself, but ends up showering Frankie with water. Then as always, an altercation occurs. Frankie, early Sixties is a free spirit. She has meandered through life enjoying herself, but wonders, where does she actually belong. Can Julie manage 12 months of Frankie.
The day of the autumn fete dawns and Julie and Frankie head off to the village green. Frankie decides to visit Madam Zoltar who doesn’t tell her that good fortune will be coming her way, but that she is in danger, when Frankie asks ‘what sort of danger? Madam Zoltar says ‘murder’. However, despite Madam Zoltar dark warning Frankie wins the raffle which turns out to be a murder mystery weekend at the grand Medfield House Estate in the rolling hills of Somerset.
The estate has been owned by the same family since Victorian times, passing to Arthur Quinten thirty years ago. When he died Charles Quinten became the new owner. Charles is like a sloth with attitude and has no interest in the estate. The event is being organised by Kirsty Taylor, whose lives locally. Kirsty has also assumed the role of director. Unfortunately, disaster has struck the lead character who has been taken away by ambulance. Charles agrees to step in.
They sisters have decided to work together to solve the crime as their best chance of winning. As they assemble in the drawing room they meet the other guests, Mrs Robertson and Simon Henson from Chealsea, Laura Harding, mid-thirties, Jack Standed, twenties, late Major Hamilton, Professor Arbara and Miss Scully. Also from the US, Larry and Sarah Reynolds.
After the first evening’s supper, a “poisoned dart” “kills” one of the guests. In the classic whodunit style of a country house mystery, the game of tracking down the “killer” is on. After everyone has retired, the sisters return to the scene of the crime to attempt to see if they can suss out the killer. But they are not the only ones to be scouring the house for clues. Then the sisters find a real dead body in a secret passage. However, when they report their finding of a body it is not there. But now they are looking for a real murderer, although none of the guests take them seriously until a second murder occurs.
With interesting characters, this is a truly teasing mystery that kept me turning the pages. I am looking forward to the next book. Recommended.
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Reviewer: Lizzie Sirett
April 28, 2025
I was so lucky to be given an advanced copy of More Than Murder, and it quickly became one of my favourite books of 2025 (so far!).
Author Jayne Chard has spent a career in TV and film, and the pacing and cleverness of her debut murder mystery novel uses all of those skills.
In a nutshell, the book goes like this:
Julia lives in the quaint little English village of Little Clarsden, in the home she inherited from her aunt – Rose Cottage. There’s just one catch.
The will stipulated that both Julia and her estranged sister Frankie must live in the house together for one year before it becomes rightfully theirs.
Should either sister leave before the time is up, the house automatically transfers to the other.
Julia isn’t worried, that is, until the flamboyant Frankie breezes back into town to claim her share of Rose Cottage.
These two sisters could not be more different, so the chances of them surviving each other are slim to say the least.
But they decide to put their differences aside and genuinely make a go of things. And that begins when one of them wins a Murder Mystery Weekend at the stately Medfield estate.
As it turns out, this is the moment that will either make or break their relationship – they just don’t know it yet!
It's clever, it's laugh-out-loud funny, and it's charming from beginning to end. Huge thumbs up!
Author Jayne Chard has spent a career in TV and film, and the pacing and cleverness of her debut murder mystery novel uses all of those skills.
In a nutshell, the book goes like this:
Julia lives in the quaint little English village of Little Clarsden, in the home she inherited from her aunt – Rose Cottage. There’s just one catch.
The will stipulated that both Julia and her estranged sister Frankie must live in the house together for one year before it becomes rightfully theirs.
Should either sister leave before the time is up, the house automatically transfers to the other.
Julia isn’t worried, that is, until the flamboyant Frankie breezes back into town to claim her share of Rose Cottage.
These two sisters could not be more different, so the chances of them surviving each other are slim to say the least.
But they decide to put their differences aside and genuinely make a go of things. And that begins when one of them wins a Murder Mystery Weekend at the stately Medfield estate.
As it turns out, this is the moment that will either make or break their relationship – they just don’t know it yet!
It's clever, it's laugh-out-loud funny, and it's charming from beginning to end. Huge thumbs up!
April 29, 2025
“We live in a fantasy world, a world of illusion. The great task in life is to find reality.”
More Than Murder follows estranged sisters Julia and Frankie, who take part in a murder mystery weekend at a Somerset mansion, hoping to mend their fractured relationship. But the intrigue turns deadly when they stumble upon a real corpse and realise there’s a killer on the loose. Can the sisters set aside their differences and solve the mystery before they become the next victims?
More Than Murder is set to be the first in this witty cosy crime series, and is obviously written by an author who knows how to set a scene and unravel a mystery (evident through Jayne Chard’s amazing BBC producer background!). Once I was hooked into this debut, I really enjoyed it and read pretty much all of it in one sitting!
We mainly follow sisters Frankie and Julia, but are introduced to an array of intriguing characters who are all on their own agendas and hiding their own secrets. The plot is witty, cleverly written and makes for a charming read. I am definitely intrigued to see where this series goes next.
Thank you so much to Jayne Chard and Hannah for sending me this advanced copy of More Than Murder to read and review. My opinions are my own.
More Than Murder follows estranged sisters Julia and Frankie, who take part in a murder mystery weekend at a Somerset mansion, hoping to mend their fractured relationship. But the intrigue turns deadly when they stumble upon a real corpse and realise there’s a killer on the loose. Can the sisters set aside their differences and solve the mystery before they become the next victims?
More Than Murder is set to be the first in this witty cosy crime series, and is obviously written by an author who knows how to set a scene and unravel a mystery (evident through Jayne Chard’s amazing BBC producer background!). Once I was hooked into this debut, I really enjoyed it and read pretty much all of it in one sitting!
We mainly follow sisters Frankie and Julia, but are introduced to an array of intriguing characters who are all on their own agendas and hiding their own secrets. The plot is witty, cleverly written and makes for a charming read. I am definitely intrigued to see where this series goes next.
Thank you so much to Jayne Chard and Hannah for sending me this advanced copy of More Than Murder to read and review. My opinions are my own.
March 27, 2026
This was a fun, cosy mystery that had me thoroughly entertained from start to finish. Plus who doesn't love a big Agatha Christie type reveal!
Two estranged sisters are forced back together when their aunt leaves them an equal share of her cottage... with conditions. Hoping to mend their fractured relationship, the pair take part in a murder mystery weekend in Somerset, where the game of sleuthing soon becomes very real.
I really enjoyed the writing style in this book. It is descriptive and sets the scene perfectly, so you feel like you are part of the story. The sisters were equally flawed in their own right but bounced off eachother well, which was quite realistic and nice to read. However I do think Frankie's personality shone a bit more on the page. I was a bit surprised that she did most of the investigating, whilst (die-hard Agatha Christie fan) Julia took more of a backseat until the big reveal.
Overall, this was a decent debut that I would recommend. It definitely takes you on a rollercoaster of suspicion. Even though my first culprit was right, i second guessed everyone a lot.
Two estranged sisters are forced back together when their aunt leaves them an equal share of her cottage... with conditions. Hoping to mend their fractured relationship, the pair take part in a murder mystery weekend in Somerset, where the game of sleuthing soon becomes very real.
I really enjoyed the writing style in this book. It is descriptive and sets the scene perfectly, so you feel like you are part of the story. The sisters were equally flawed in their own right but bounced off eachother well, which was quite realistic and nice to read. However I do think Frankie's personality shone a bit more on the page. I was a bit surprised that she did most of the investigating, whilst (die-hard Agatha Christie fan) Julia took more of a backseat until the big reveal.
Overall, this was a decent debut that I would recommend. It definitely takes you on a rollercoaster of suspicion. Even though my first culprit was right, i second guessed everyone a lot.
April 29, 2025
A cosy, murder mystery in classic whodunnit fashion with added wit and charm!! The relationship between the sisters is stilted at first but the development over time is lovely to read! I think I suspected every single person and have motive and reason, but I was all wrong! This is written in third person narrative so admittedly I did struggle with the jumping from character to character but there weren’t so many that I was overwhelmed or confused, however, this is a personal preference and nothing whatsoever to do with the story. Jayne’s writing and description made me feel as if, I too were at Medfield estate, trying to solve a crime. Overall this was a delightful read and the Shakespeare quotes were a lovely touch!
March 30, 2026
More Than Murder by Jayne Chard
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A great cosy crime debut!
A steady descriptive start gives us a feel of Julia and helps set the scene when Frankie arrives.
The more I read the more I enjoyed it and wanted to read more.
The murder mystery weekend added an element of fun to the proceedings, with trying to work out if it was clues for the fake murder or the real one.
I feel I'm a bit of Julia and a bit of Frankie mixed together 😂
I received a gifted copy of this book. This is my honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A great cosy crime debut!
A steady descriptive start gives us a feel of Julia and helps set the scene when Frankie arrives.
The more I read the more I enjoyed it and wanted to read more.
The murder mystery weekend added an element of fun to the proceedings, with trying to work out if it was clues for the fake murder or the real one.
I feel I'm a bit of Julia and a bit of Frankie mixed together 😂
I received a gifted copy of this book. This is my honest review.
August 27, 2025
The first of a new series in the humorous cozy crime genre aka M.E. Beaton's Agatha Raison novels - full of quirky characters, lots of suspects, a profusion of misleading red-herrings, a fast-paced plot all building to a surprise ending. What's not to like?
Looking forward to the next Julia and Frankie adventure.
Looking forward to the next Julia and Frankie adventure.
May 3, 2025
An excellent cosy read playing on some of the tropes of murder mysteries and golden age crime, a great start to a new series that will be loved by fans of the Thursday murder club series 4.5* from me
December 8, 2025
Julia and Frankie, two warring sisters in their sixties, have finally been reunited by their cunning Aunt Lucy. The old lady has left them both a half share in Rose Cottage, but only if they can live in it together. To build bridges, they set off on a murder mystery weekend at a Somerset mansion. Soon, they realise that a real murder has taken place - but nobody will believe them. The siblings are forced to turn sleuth together.
Written in the third person omniscient style, the story bubbles with humour. We are introduced to a vast cast of characters and learn a great deal about them. I have to admit that I was unable to solve the murder, so hats off to our plucky amateur detectives when they face down the killer!
Written in the third person omniscient style, the story bubbles with humour. We are introduced to a vast cast of characters and learn a great deal about them. I have to admit that I was unable to solve the murder, so hats off to our plucky amateur detectives when they face down the killer!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews