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A Bloody Merry Murder: Hilarious cosy crime murder mystery for fans of Richard Osman and Motherland
She was desperate for more followers... they just wanted a nap.
Imagine relocating your family to a twee Cotswold village only for one of the fellow school mums and famous mumfluencer, Gemma, to be killed, live on Instagram. Anxiety-riddled Rowena is questioning her new life, when she meets born and bred Upper Huxleyan mum, Mary, who hoodwinks her into solving the case to save Gemma’s husband, Matthew, from a life in prison for a crime she is convinced he didn’t commit.
Together they embark on a mulled-wine-fuelled sleuthing adventure while navigating a busy social calendar, playground politics and sleep deprivation.
Follow this exhausted detective duo on a festive romp in the first case of the Anonymums series, for fans of Motherland and Richard Osman.
"Hilarious. Can't put it down."
"Brilliant, funny story."
"I was definitely gripped."
This book received many an accolade in the writing community prior to its
- longlisted for the 2024 Flash500 Novel Opening Prize
- shortlisted for the Killer Twist Pitch Prize organised by author Alessandra Ranelli
- longlisted for the Crime Writers Association Emerging Author Dagger prize
- shortlisted for the I Am Writing Competition in the Cosy Crime category
Together they embark on a mulled-wine-fuelled sleuthing adventure while navigating a busy social calendar, playground politics and sleep deprivation.
Follow this exhausted detective duo on a festive romp in the first case of the Anonymums series, for fans of Motherland and Richard Osman.
"Hilarious. Can't put it down."
"Brilliant, funny story."
"I was definitely gripped."
This book received many an accolade in the writing community prior to its
- longlisted for the 2024 Flash500 Novel Opening Prize
- shortlisted for the Killer Twist Pitch Prize organised by author Alessandra Ranelli
- longlisted for the Crime Writers Association Emerging Author Dagger prize
- shortlisted for the I Am Writing Competition in the Cosy Crime category
366 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 25, 2025
7 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 13, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
This was a fun read but I felt it was a bit too long and the amount of side characters confused me. I did enjoy the Gemma posts at the start of every chapter!
This was a fun read but I felt it was a bit too long and the amount of side characters confused me. I did enjoy the Gemma posts at the start of every chapter!
September 8, 2025
Of course, I loved it as I wrote half of it 😉! And the other half is even better!
If you are after a cosy season funny whodunnit, you won’t be disappointed.
Welcome to Upper Huxley, everyone!
If you are after a cosy season funny whodunnit, you won’t be disappointed.
Welcome to Upper Huxley, everyone!
September 4, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this hilarious, quirky and cosy crime book. The references to mother hood and the trials and tribulations both children and husbands put us through had me snorting with laughter whilst also trying to figure out ‘who did it’. I particularly enjoyed the Carol singing chapter…look out for this and ENJOY! Hilarious and gripping from start to finish with a particularly interesting nod to today’s social media and how out of depth with it we often feel. Highly recommend!
October 20, 2025
Not only did I love this version, but I loved the 57 versions of this book that came before, too! :D I’ve had the privilege of seeing those because I wrote the “other half”. I can honestly say that every time Emilie and I picked it up to do (YET MORE!) editing, we continued to laugh and we love “spending time” with the characters. Emilie never ceases to surprise me (and force me into sticky situations which, I hope, are funny when I have to try to get out of them). Of course I’m terribly biased but I love this book, the setting and the inhabitants of Upper Huxley - and it is my most heartfelt wish (and I think it’s safe to say, Emilie’s, too!) that you love it, too, even half as much as we do!!
October 21, 2025
This murder mystery is a mix of suspense and comedy: fast-paced, clever, and genuinely funny. What makes it even more special is that it’s written by two authors, each taking on one of the main characters. Their distinct writing styles bring extra depth and charm to the story, making the dynamic between the characters feel fresh and real. A perfect pick if you love mysteries with a playful edge!
November 9, 2025
Set in a picture-perfect Cotswold village just before Christmas, A Bloody Merry Murder begins with a bang when a well-known mumfluencer is killed live on Instagram.
What follows is a funny, festive mystery that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Two school mums, more used to playdates and PTA politics than police work, decide to clear an innocent man’s name and find the real culprit. Cue plenty of sleuthing between nativity plays, mulled wine and general festive chaos.
I really enjoyed the mix of humour and small-village drama in ‘Upper’ Huxley. The two main characters feel very real, juggling exhaustion, guilt and friendship as much as the murder plot itself. There’s a lovely warmth to the writing, and it pokes gentle fun at influencer culture and the pressures of parenting without becoming too cynical!
It’s the first book in The Anonymums series, and I can’t wait to see what Mary and Rowena get up to next! A great choice if you like your crime stories to have a side of laughter, with a festive setting that can be enjoyed at any time of the year!
What follows is a funny, festive mystery that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Two school mums, more used to playdates and PTA politics than police work, decide to clear an innocent man’s name and find the real culprit. Cue plenty of sleuthing between nativity plays, mulled wine and general festive chaos.
I really enjoyed the mix of humour and small-village drama in ‘Upper’ Huxley. The two main characters feel very real, juggling exhaustion, guilt and friendship as much as the murder plot itself. There’s a lovely warmth to the writing, and it pokes gentle fun at influencer culture and the pressures of parenting without becoming too cynical!
It’s the first book in The Anonymums series, and I can’t wait to see what Mary and Rowena get up to next! A great choice if you like your crime stories to have a side of laughter, with a festive setting that can be enjoyed at any time of the year!
November 2, 2025
An hilarious romp through a twee Cotswold village following bumbling sleuths Mary and Rowena who - realising an innocent local man has been accused of the murder of local mumfluencer Gemma - set out to identify the real culprit. This cosy mystery had me laughing out loud, puzzling at the twists and turns and reflecting on the pressures of parenthood and living your life online. I'm pretty bah humbug about Christmas but this even left me with a warm glow about the (ridiculously long) festive season. I can't wait to join the Anonymums on their next sleuthing adventure.
November 29, 2025
This cozy Christmas mystery set in the Cotswolds is an absolute treat. Our two mum-detectives juggle suspects and school runs with the kind of comic timing only parenthood can produce.
The narrative balances humour with a well-constructed investigation, offering a charming portrait of village life during the festive season.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel, and I warmly recommend it to anyone looking for a clever and delightful Christmas mystery!
The narrative balances humour with a well-constructed investigation, offering a charming portrait of village life during the festive season.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel, and I warmly recommend it to anyone looking for a clever and delightful Christmas mystery!
January 2, 2026
A great fun cosy murder mystery. The Anonymums, Mary and Rowe, are two accidental super sleuth mums who put their mum super powers to good use following a shocking murder in their Cotswolds village. Kept me guessing.
January 8, 2026
Fun satisfying mystery that never felt TOO stressful. Could use some pro editing (for the next book when they get a huge publishing deal) but it didn’t get in my way of enjoying the story. Delightful cast of characters, excellent sense of place.
November 30, 2025
Loved this. Festive and funny and clever. 5*
December 5, 2025
This book was such a fun read. It had that perfect mix of humour, heart, and mystery to keep me flipping pages way past bedtime. The characters felt like people you’d actually know — annoying “perfect” people , friends or yourself.
Honestly, it was a proper page-turner. I was entertained the whole way through and really invested in finding out who did it. It’s the kind of cosy mystery that makes you want to curl up with a blanket and keep reading until the very end.
Cannot wait for the next one
Honestly, it was a proper page-turner. I was entertained the whole way through and really invested in finding out who did it. It’s the kind of cosy mystery that makes you want to curl up with a blanket and keep reading until the very end.
Cannot wait for the next one
December 29, 2025
CW: murder, death, violence, blackmail, manipulation, cheating
A Bloody Merry Murder was a thoroughly enjoyable cosy mystery that introduces two bold new voices to the genre.
It delves into the darker side of influencing, specifically the sphere of mumfluencing and how this demands a constant pretence of perfection. Each chapter opens with a caption of a social media post, hilariously edited to hide the biting truth and anger that reveals the story behind the photo. It is a little touch that speaks to the care the authors are bringing to this topic – it is poking fun but with heart. Gemma’s life was dictated by reaching for more views and the bigger collaborations with brands that she chased. We can all understand that desire for validation, but the authors put a wry spin on this. Right from the opening scene, you know you’re in for a darkly delectable treat. It is a memorable and horrible set-up that then moves back to the mundane reality of these two mums, who become embroiled with this case.
Speaking of Rowena and Mary, I really enjoyed them as central protagonists. They had a great sense of humour that was woven into their voice, be that through irony or sharp observations. Each of them is driven by their love of their family but is also overwhelmed by the endless seeming list of trials and tribulations involved. In this case, there is a spark of something that ignites them. Each of their voices was distinctive and engaging & I loved seeing the jigsaw pieces fall into place for each of them. This book is such a testament to female friendship and the bonds it can cement in your life as a source of joy and strength. Neither Rowena nor Mary are perfect, but they’re messy in a way you can recognise and empathise with. I loved the Anonymums and cannot wait to keep reading their adventures.
The plot is well-constructured with a range of characters and clues to follow. You are gently led by the hand down various rabbit holes, with some hilarious anecdotes about influencing, smaller village living and even agents along the way. The stakes feel tangible and there are some excellent scenes of emotional vulnerability. It has a cosiness to the atmosphere, but you are also reminded of the darkness and the secrets hidden behind these perfect disguises and the very human cost of their actions.
A Bloody Merry Murder flips the script on the ‘happiest time of the year’ with a witty and wicked tale of deception, desperation and dogged pursuit of the truth.
A Bloody Merry Murder was a thoroughly enjoyable cosy mystery that introduces two bold new voices to the genre.
It delves into the darker side of influencing, specifically the sphere of mumfluencing and how this demands a constant pretence of perfection. Each chapter opens with a caption of a social media post, hilariously edited to hide the biting truth and anger that reveals the story behind the photo. It is a little touch that speaks to the care the authors are bringing to this topic – it is poking fun but with heart. Gemma’s life was dictated by reaching for more views and the bigger collaborations with brands that she chased. We can all understand that desire for validation, but the authors put a wry spin on this. Right from the opening scene, you know you’re in for a darkly delectable treat. It is a memorable and horrible set-up that then moves back to the mundane reality of these two mums, who become embroiled with this case.
Speaking of Rowena and Mary, I really enjoyed them as central protagonists. They had a great sense of humour that was woven into their voice, be that through irony or sharp observations. Each of them is driven by their love of their family but is also overwhelmed by the endless seeming list of trials and tribulations involved. In this case, there is a spark of something that ignites them. Each of their voices was distinctive and engaging & I loved seeing the jigsaw pieces fall into place for each of them. This book is such a testament to female friendship and the bonds it can cement in your life as a source of joy and strength. Neither Rowena nor Mary are perfect, but they’re messy in a way you can recognise and empathise with. I loved the Anonymums and cannot wait to keep reading their adventures.
The plot is well-constructured with a range of characters and clues to follow. You are gently led by the hand down various rabbit holes, with some hilarious anecdotes about influencing, smaller village living and even agents along the way. The stakes feel tangible and there are some excellent scenes of emotional vulnerability. It has a cosiness to the atmosphere, but you are also reminded of the darkness and the secrets hidden behind these perfect disguises and the very human cost of their actions.
A Bloody Merry Murder flips the script on the ‘happiest time of the year’ with a witty and wicked tale of deception, desperation and dogged pursuit of the truth.
February 3, 2026
“Mental note to add being questioned by the police on your first few weeks in a new village to my increasingly long list of reasons why this move may not be the magic answer to all our problems”
First of all, I loved the dedication. It feels like something I’d write 😂😂 the whole book feels relatable to me, minus the murder part 😂 you definitely get the village vibe. Having lived in a village until my mid 20s, I can totally relate to all things village. There’s no such thing as a secret in village life - when my dad was in hospital with a suspected heart attack, folk I went to school with messaged asking if he was okay 🤦🏻♀️
Rowena is new to Upper Huxley, and within a few weeks of moving, Instagram influencer Gemma is murdered live on Instagram. With the help of her new bestie Mary, the pair of them set out to solve Gemma’s murder.
I loved the relationship between Rowena & Mary, at times they might not agree with each other but they have each others back. That’s definitely how I feel with my girls 🥰
I had the right theory of what had actually happened but I did have the wrong person 😂😂 quite impressed I worked out what happened to Gemma. And I have to say I worked out about 100 pages in 💁🏻♀️💁🏻♀️
I loved this book and was so excited to see there will be another book by @the_anonymums_writers in 2027 🥰🥰🥰
First of all, I loved the dedication. It feels like something I’d write 😂😂 the whole book feels relatable to me, minus the murder part 😂 you definitely get the village vibe. Having lived in a village until my mid 20s, I can totally relate to all things village. There’s no such thing as a secret in village life - when my dad was in hospital with a suspected heart attack, folk I went to school with messaged asking if he was okay 🤦🏻♀️
Rowena is new to Upper Huxley, and within a few weeks of moving, Instagram influencer Gemma is murdered live on Instagram. With the help of her new bestie Mary, the pair of them set out to solve Gemma’s murder.
I loved the relationship between Rowena & Mary, at times they might not agree with each other but they have each others back. That’s definitely how I feel with my girls 🥰
I had the right theory of what had actually happened but I did have the wrong person 😂😂 quite impressed I worked out what happened to Gemma. And I have to say I worked out about 100 pages in 💁🏻♀️💁🏻♀️
I loved this book and was so excited to see there will be another book by @the_anonymums_writers in 2027 🥰🥰🥰
March 3, 2026
I started this book with really high hopes, but unfortunately I ended up having to DNF it. I don’t normally abandon books partway through — I usually push on — but this one just didn’t click for me, even after getting around 60% of the way through. I didn’t even reach the Christmas part of the story, as I believe I was still somewhere in October or November when I stopped reading.
For me, the pacing was the main issue. The story felt overly long and drawn out, and I struggled to stay invested. There were also a lot of side characters, which made it difficult to connect fully with the main storyline and keep track of who was who. I wanted to enjoy it, but overall it just didn’t hold my attention enough to continue.
For me, the pacing was the main issue. The story felt overly long and drawn out, and I struggled to stay invested. There were also a lot of side characters, which made it difficult to connect fully with the main storyline and keep track of who was who. I wanted to enjoy it, but overall it just didn’t hold my attention enough to continue.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews