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Village Mysteries #1-6
The Complete Village Mysteries, Books 1-6
Get six beautifully-written, witty and highly entertaining English cozy mysteries in one box set!
The Colonel might be retired — but when murder strikes in the village he always rises to the challenge.
MEET YOUR NEW FAVOURITE SLEUTH — At the grand old age of 55, the Colonel is a retired army officer and expert at finding trouble in the most peaceful of places. He may have hung up his uniform, but his sharp mind and even sharper instincts are still on top form. Living in the picturesque Dorset village of Frog End, he’s traded battlefields for bowls on the village green, but when a murder happens, he’s on the case faster than a military salute.
Still grieving the loss of his wife Laura, and missing his grown-up children, the Colonel shares his pretty thatched cottage with his loyal companion, scrappy tomcat Thursday (who’s definitely the real boss). Together, they’re the village's unlikely detective duo, solving mysteries with military precision and a touch of dry wit.
THE SETTING
Welcome to Frog End — with its beautiful village green, imposing Norman church, and lively old pub. A charming slice of the English countryside, complete with thatched cottages, village fetes and more twists than a country lane. In a place where everyone knows your name — and your business — life is anything but dull. Whether it’s a murder mystery or a missing pie, don’t worry — the locals will figure it out before the kettle boils. Especially when the Colonel is on the case!
The Colonel might be retired — but when murder strikes in the village he always rises to the challenge.
MEET YOUR NEW FAVOURITE SLEUTH — At the grand old age of 55, the Colonel is a retired army officer and expert at finding trouble in the most peaceful of places. He may have hung up his uniform, but his sharp mind and even sharper instincts are still on top form. Living in the picturesque Dorset village of Frog End, he’s traded battlefields for bowls on the village green, but when a murder happens, he’s on the case faster than a military salute.
Still grieving the loss of his wife Laura, and missing his grown-up children, the Colonel shares his pretty thatched cottage with his loyal companion, scrappy tomcat Thursday (who’s definitely the real boss). Together, they’re the village's unlikely detective duo, solving mysteries with military precision and a touch of dry wit.
THE SETTING
Welcome to Frog End — with its beautiful village green, imposing Norman church, and lively old pub. A charming slice of the English countryside, complete with thatched cottages, village fetes and more twists than a country lane. In a place where everyone knows your name — and your business — life is anything but dull. Whether it’s a murder mystery or a missing pie, don’t worry — the locals will figure it out before the kettle boils. Especially when the Colonel is on the case!
1103 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 5, 2025
239 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Mayhew
31 books120 followersMargaret Mayhew was born in London and her earliest childhood memories were of the London Blitz. She began writing in her mid-thirties and had her first novel published in 1976. She is married to American aviation author, Philip Kaplan, and lives in Gloucestershire.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 8, 2025
Colonels cost murder mysteries
The Colonel wants to move from London. He doesn't want to move near h u a son and wife, as he would find his life taken over, even though it would be meant for his own good. He goes to see a nice new property, with no looking after needed but instead falls for an old dilapidated cottage once noticed and admired by his deceased wife. He buys it, gets it restored to modern but original proportions then has to deal with a jungle of a garden. Here he is lucky enough to find a good neighbour and friend, who introduces him to gardening in Easy stages, introduces him to village life and is an easy listener for him to talk to.
Once we get through that come the murders. The Colonel is looked on to solve them quietly, not always giving The police his findings.
Very easy reading. Well rounded characters, whom you can easily see in your minds eye. Would definitely read more by this author.
The Colonel wants to move from London. He doesn't want to move near h u a son and wife, as he would find his life taken over, even though it would be meant for his own good. He goes to see a nice new property, with no looking after needed but instead falls for an old dilapidated cottage once noticed and admired by his deceased wife. He buys it, gets it restored to modern but original proportions then has to deal with a jungle of a garden. Here he is lucky enough to find a good neighbour and friend, who introduces him to gardening in Easy stages, introduces him to village life and is an easy listener for him to talk to.
Once we get through that come the murders. The Colonel is looked on to solve them quietly, not always giving The police his findings.
Very easy reading. Well rounded characters, whom you can easily see in your minds eye. Would definitely read more by this author.
August 5, 2025
My heart broke on the last passage. I cried. THURSDAY, oh man. I just cried!
One of the most enjoyable series of Cosy Mysteries I have had the pleasure to read this year. Hats off to Margaret Mayhew on creating such an immersive environment where I felt like part of the family of Frog's End. I want more, but my heart is still too sore from loosing dear, wonderful, quite old Thursday. (as my own cat is loosing her sight at 10 years old, this hit me hard.)
If you are into action packed mysteries, then this in not going to be your cup of tea. I loved the slow story telling of the Colonel, how he got on with living at Frog's End and all the people he meets and how gardening was what saved his old age.
Loved it!
One of the most enjoyable series of Cosy Mysteries I have had the pleasure to read this year. Hats off to Margaret Mayhew on creating such an immersive environment where I felt like part of the family of Frog's End. I want more, but my heart is still too sore from loosing dear, wonderful, quite old Thursday. (as my own cat is loosing her sight at 10 years old, this hit me hard.)
If you are into action packed mysteries, then this in not going to be your cup of tea. I loved the slow story telling of the Colonel, how he got on with living at Frog's End and all the people he meets and how gardening was what saved his old age.
Loved it!
June 15, 2025
I really enjoyed these books, without giving too much away, they are all standalone stories in their own right plus they are not all about murders and the police case either, they are based around the brilliant characters and the stories that happen around them, an easy read and not too long either, depending on time available and how quick a reader you are it's possible to read a book a day
May 21, 2025
A series for which five stars just aren’t enough
Character driven stories which really got me caring about the characters. I stayed up late to finish and was then sorry that I’d finished.
Character driven stories which really got me caring about the characters. I stayed up late to finish and was then sorry that I’d finished.
May 30, 2025
a nice read
I spent a few hours reading this series and enjoyed it. The twists and turns are good and keep you guessing.
I spent a few hours reading this series and enjoyed it. The twists and turns are good and keep you guessing.
July 3, 2025
I liked this series
I enjoyed this series very much. Likeable characters and good murder mysteries. I hated for the series to end. Always enjoy 60 something sleuths
I enjoyed this series very much. Likeable characters and good murder mysteries. I hated for the series to end. Always enjoy 60 something sleuths
September 11, 2025
enjoyable series
Enjoyable series I wish there were more. Great characters and an relaxing atmosphere. A great series for an evening read.
Enjoyable series I wish there were more. Great characters and an relaxing atmosphere. A great series for an evening read.
September 13, 2025
Very enjoyable series
I very much liked the chatacters.
The plot twists were unexpected and fun.
The resolutions were all unique.
Excellent fun!
I very much liked the chatacters.
The plot twists were unexpected and fun.
The resolutions were all unique.
Excellent fun!
December 7, 2025
Wonderful series
I am very glad I read this series. They were very good stories. I love how Thursday was an important character. Thank you for not having him die in the story!
I am very glad I read this series. They were very good stories. I love how Thursday was an important character. Thank you for not having him die in the story!
November 19, 2025
Wonderful Series
I fell in love with the residents of Frog Pond. I will miss them and make a return visit in the future. I would love to find some more books like this!!
I fell in love with the residents of Frog Pond. I will miss them and make a return visit in the future. I would love to find some more books like this!!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews