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Helen & Martha Cozy Mystery #1
Two Birds with One Stone
It’s a beautiful summer and the busy village of Marsden-Lacey, England, has murder on its mind. Someone just whacked everyone’s least favorite villager, Sir Carstons, on his villainous head. That’s when American expats, paralegal Martha Littleword and book expert Helen Ryes, find themselves knee-deep in Yorkshire murder. Spirited empty-nesters, they throw their newbie detective hats into the ring, only to discover that a murder mystery can quickly turn from adventurous lark into personal peril.
With a dash of Southern charm and humor, and the help of a few quirky villagers, the girls just might survive. They’ll also have to figure out how to handle the local catch-of-the-day, Piers Cousins, and the cantankerous Chief of Police, DCI Johns. Will they or won’t they? If they do, they might solve a murder, or two, along with a hundred-year-old mystery involving a Brontë sister and a famous piece of English history.
With a dash of Southern charm and humor, and the help of a few quirky villagers, the girls just might survive. They’ll also have to figure out how to handle the local catch-of-the-day, Piers Cousins, and the cantankerous Chief of Police, DCI Johns. Will they or won’t they? If they do, they might solve a murder, or two, along with a hundred-year-old mystery involving a Brontë sister and a famous piece of English history.
246 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 30, 2014
473 people are currently reading
399 people want to read
About the author
Sigrid Vansandt
11 books27 followersMy fate was happily sealed when I tried my hand at writing for the first time in second grade. Many years later, I picked the bug up again and tried to write about what I know: good friends, art, antiques, and small towns.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
February 2, 2020
I really enjoyed these two characters, Martha and Helen who met by chance in England and soon became best friends investigating a murder--not with the chief inspector's blessing, of course. The fun thing was that they were both Americans from the South. Helen didn't have much of a sense of adventure at first, and Martha was the one who wouldn't take anything from anyone as she showed a hooligan who tried to mug her. Although sometimes even muggers can reform and be handy items to have around when there's a killer on the loose.
I was really surprised at the killer reveal, and the showdown was exciting. There had been quite a bit of good suspense throughout the book, as the third person narrative was able to present the different characters and their actions, even the thoughts of the then-unknown killer. I was glad to see that I'll be able to use my Kindle Unlimited to read the rest of the books, because I'm anxious to see what else these crazy friends get into.
I was really surprised at the killer reveal, and the showdown was exciting. There had been quite a bit of good suspense throughout the book, as the third person narrative was able to present the different characters and their actions, even the thoughts of the then-unknown killer. I was glad to see that I'll be able to use my Kindle Unlimited to read the rest of the books, because I'm anxious to see what else these crazy friends get into.
October 12, 2020
Sorry, but this was another one of those, “I so wanted to love it” books. With Martha Littleword and Helen Ryes, it felt like it was going to be a “Rosemary and Thyme” type cozy mystery. I loved R&T! Sadly, this wasn’t to be.
The writing was all tell, tell, tell. I felt like I got the backstory of every single person within a page of introduction. And not subtle backstory, it was boom, straight in your face. “Louis Devry stood six feet tall and weighed about 190 pounds. His sandy blond hair was trimmed short in a conventional manner for men and he looked to be in his mid-forties.” (p.56) Wow, that’s a perfect description if it were for a dating sight.
Nothing was subtle, there were no surprises, and the story lacked any tension. The scene in hospital, which I’m assuming was to be humorous, was just annoying. They acted like the hospital was going to call the police and have them arrested for being there after visiting hours. Sigh….
By page 150 I just skipped to the end to see who the killer was. Even that failed to make it interesting.
I was, and will forever be, perplexed by the line on p. 40, “The lack of tassels on his shoes was a clear indicator of no wife.” Say what now? I always thought it was more a lack of a wedding ring. Who knew men’s shoes could be an indication of marital status.
The writing was all tell, tell, tell. I felt like I got the backstory of every single person within a page of introduction. And not subtle backstory, it was boom, straight in your face. “Louis Devry stood six feet tall and weighed about 190 pounds. His sandy blond hair was trimmed short in a conventional manner for men and he looked to be in his mid-forties.” (p.56) Wow, that’s a perfect description if it were for a dating sight.
Nothing was subtle, there were no surprises, and the story lacked any tension. The scene in hospital, which I’m assuming was to be humorous, was just annoying. They acted like the hospital was going to call the police and have them arrested for being there after visiting hours. Sigh….
By page 150 I just skipped to the end to see who the killer was. Even that failed to make it interesting.
I was, and will forever be, perplexed by the line on p. 40, “The lack of tassels on his shoes was a clear indicator of no wife.” Say what now? I always thought it was more a lack of a wedding ring. Who knew men’s shoes could be an indication of marital status.
August 7, 2020
I hope that the paper version has better editing than the kindle version. Between the poor punctuation, grammar, spelling, and formatting, topped with a sappy storyline, I couldn't finish this one.
February 15, 2016
This was very good. But predictable. I enjoyed the southern characters in England.
February 4, 2016
If you like mysteries ensconced in the England countryside, then you'll find something you like in this book. I've been on a Sherlock Holmes kick lately, so I decided to give this book a try. It was okay, but could've been better with more of a stinger for the ending. In other words, I think I enjoyed the story, with all its teas and fireplaces and English countrysides and vernacular more than I did how the story turned out. I enjoyed the context and culture, but the plot of the story left me short-handed.
Apparently, the two main characters in this book also show up in a series of other mysteries. No thanks. I'm not that attracted to two middle-aged women who have seen better days. Although, the dialogue is interesting, with the author from Arkansas and her fascination with British stories.
Like a good Holmes piece, some parts of this novel left me feeling, "Yes, that's how life should be enjoyed."
Apparently, the two main characters in this book also show up in a series of other mysteries. No thanks. I'm not that attracted to two middle-aged women who have seen better days. Although, the dialogue is interesting, with the author from Arkansas and her fascination with British stories.
Like a good Holmes piece, some parts of this novel left me feeling, "Yes, that's how life should be enjoyed."
September 23, 2016
This book is the first in the series and I was captivated by the first page. We are taken to a scene during 1855. Only first names are used...until...the title of a popular novel of it's day is noted. Next chapter, we are still in England but it is modern days and we are introduced to two ladies that are somewhat dissatisfied with their lives. One is a Paralegal and the other is a cataloger of libraries and collections...they have in common...both being from a Southern state in the U.S.A. Next we are back in 1855 and looking at relationships of dear friends and a secret to be kept.
This book takes us to the secret only a hundred plus years apart. This time there is murder afoot and the ladies bond together not only to discover the criminal but to save the 'secret.'
This book had humor and very likable characters. The culprit did surprise me, but, upon reflection was very apt.
I look forward to reading the next volume in the series.
This book takes us to the secret only a hundred plus years apart. This time there is murder afoot and the ladies bond together not only to discover the criminal but to save the 'secret.'
This book had humor and very likable characters. The culprit did surprise me, but, upon reflection was very apt.
I look forward to reading the next volume in the series.
September 24, 2020
I'm not sure why I bothered
Somewhere in here, there might be a good book, but it's well buried. The two characters with the most potential to be fun are minor ones primarily used as plot devices. It is highly possible that part of my dislike was caused by the words "SCENE BREAK" appearing prominently before every, well, scene break. I can't decide if the author intended to alert the readers to a change of scene or if it was an editor's note to an especially stupid typist preparing the manuscript for the printer. Either way, it was quite annoying. Almost as annoying as the author referring to her 40 year old characters as girls half the time. Or maybe it's sentences like "Martha sprayed perfume on her neck she had found in her pocket", or "The doctor checked them out medically and literally". Anyway, to put it more succinctly - don't bother.
Somewhere in here, there might be a good book, but it's well buried. The two characters with the most potential to be fun are minor ones primarily used as plot devices. It is highly possible that part of my dislike was caused by the words "SCENE BREAK" appearing prominently before every, well, scene break. I can't decide if the author intended to alert the readers to a change of scene or if it was an editor's note to an especially stupid typist preparing the manuscript for the printer. Either way, it was quite annoying. Almost as annoying as the author referring to her 40 year old characters as girls half the time. Or maybe it's sentences like "Martha sprayed perfume on her neck she had found in her pocket", or "The doctor checked them out medically and literally". Anyway, to put it more succinctly - don't bother.
December 8, 2019
3.5 rounded up. A pleasant little cozy mystery set in a Yorkshire village. A few things bothered me as I read. First, the continual use of the word “girls” to describe Helen and Martha collectively....not just once but over and over. These are middle-aged professional women. Not girls. Also, why the use of “scene break” when moving from one location or action to another? Most authors simple allow some extra space between paragraphs and figure the readers are smart enough to catch on to the change in action, location, time, etc. Also noticed more than a few editing needs. Hopefully a good editor will eventually clean these up.
All that aside, it was a good read and a nice break from some more serious stuff on my reading list.
All that aside, it was a good read and a nice break from some more serious stuff on my reading list.
February 7, 2020
Good Characters and Story But the Writing Could Have Been Better
I actually enjoyed the characters and the story but was driven completely bonkers by the authors need to inject the words "Scene Change" every few paragraphs!!! It was totally unnecessary and incredibly irritating. I would like to read the next book in the series but I'm afraid that those pesky unnecessary words will be in the next book as well and I honestly couldn't handle it if that was the case.
I actually enjoyed the characters and the story but was driven completely bonkers by the authors need to inject the words "Scene Change" every few paragraphs!!! It was totally unnecessary and incredibly irritating. I would like to read the next book in the series but I'm afraid that those pesky unnecessary words will be in the next book as well and I honestly couldn't handle it if that was the case.
July 11, 2016
Nothing special
For some unknown reason I kept going back trying to remember who w as Helen and who was Martha. ..and it did not really matter! Expected more. She has better books.
For some unknown reason I kept going back trying to remember who w as Helen and who was Martha. ..and it did not really matter! Expected more. She has better books.
August 2, 2016
Couldn't get into it, even as light reading.
January 3, 2020
I found the characters unlikeable, the plot unbelievable, and the book to be a waste of time to finish.
October 9, 2020
A great zany murder mystery. All the characters are likeable and the plot basically possible – but improbable things happen (think Pink Panther movies.) Helen and Martha are Americans living in a small village in England. Martha, a paralegal, has been there for several years and Helen, a rare books conservator, has just arrived on a special project for the local book museum. Although it is featured in the beginning and there are glimpses of it through the book, none of the main characters realizes that there is an extremely rare hand written book by Charlotte Bronte in their midst. On her way to work, Martha gets attacked by a young man who tries to steal her purse – but Martha has been taking karate lessons and handily clobbers the robber. On the same day, a local bigwig on the museum board gets “whacked” and the fun starts. The two women wind up working together to help find the murderer. Other local characters become involved in the story as the murders – or attempted murders increase. The local police inspector is not a bumbler, but is hampered by the antics of “helpers” – but the more he sees of Martha’s spunk the more interested he becomes. A fun read if you like friendly if a bit oddball characters.
March 7, 2021
Unread shelf project 2021: book 28.
Oy veyyyy. This book was a HOT MESS. The editing was almost nonexistent, which resulted in poor use of punctuation as well as VERY awkwardly constructed sentences.
The story/plot itself was decent which is why I’m giving this 3/5 stars. My Grammar Queen self is throwing a tantrum internally, though, and demands that I share my rating based on editing (1/5 stars — I spent much of my time reading this, mentally rewriting the sentences).
I just... it felt like the author didn’t even reread her writing. I can’t even. I know there are editors for a reason — but I did a better job of editing my own writing when I was a college freshman. It’s possible.
Anyway.
I did like the two main characters, Helen and Martha, and I’d love to see more of their antics. As long as I knew that the editing had improved, that is...
Oy veyyyy. This book was a HOT MESS. The editing was almost nonexistent, which resulted in poor use of punctuation as well as VERY awkwardly constructed sentences.
The story/plot itself was decent which is why I’m giving this 3/5 stars. My Grammar Queen self is throwing a tantrum internally, though, and demands that I share my rating based on editing (1/5 stars — I spent much of my time reading this, mentally rewriting the sentences).
I just... it felt like the author didn’t even reread her writing. I can’t even. I know there are editors for a reason — but I did a better job of editing my own writing when I was a college freshman. It’s possible.
Anyway.
I did like the two main characters, Helen and Martha, and I’d love to see more of their antics. As long as I knew that the editing had improved, that is...
August 22, 2022
Unbelievable characters, stilted dialog, too-convenient situations, and muddy circumstances conspire with abominable punctuation, abhorrent grammar, and a serious lack of proofreading to deliver a book not worth the time.
Characters are not clearly defined; one could almost substitute one for another with no change in meaning. The women make friends, and fall in love/like/lust with almost no interpersonal interaction. The author makes a great point of the nationality of the two "main" characters, yet it has no bearing on the story at all.
I only made 23 notations for grammar, punctuation, or logic, but those 23 were far from all.
Characters are not clearly defined; one could almost substitute one for another with no change in meaning. The women make friends, and fall in love/like/lust with almost no interpersonal interaction. The author makes a great point of the nationality of the two "main" characters, yet it has no bearing on the story at all.
I only made 23 notations for grammar, punctuation, or logic, but those 23 were far from all.
May 2, 2018
An enjoyable tale of sleuthing.
Two Birds With One Stone takes place in Marsden-Lacey, England where two women from Arkansas, USA, meet and almost immediately find a dead body at the reception desk at The Grange—a relatively new site for collecting artistic treasures. They soon become engaged as a team in trying to solve a series of murders while being targeted by the presumed murderer. This book develops a friendship, contains some potential romance, and introduces law abiding and less scrupulous characters as the first book in the series.
Two Birds With One Stone takes place in Marsden-Lacey, England where two women from Arkansas, USA, meet and almost immediately find a dead body at the reception desk at The Grange—a relatively new site for collecting artistic treasures. They soon become engaged as a team in trying to solve a series of murders while being targeted by the presumed murderer. This book develops a friendship, contains some potential romance, and introduces law abiding and less scrupulous characters as the first book in the series.
August 10, 2018
The pen is mightier than the sword - sometimes!
A good plot but did I really like it. No, it just seemed to lack something. A hidden manuscript, a little boy and a killer on the loose. Two middle aged women (one a widow and the other a divorcee) forge a friendship amidst murder and mayhem. Who is killing the local society members and why? What is everyone looking for apart from the killer? The characters just seemed a bit "off". Nothing I can put my finger on but I really didn't click with any of them.
A good plot but did I really like it. No, it just seemed to lack something. A hidden manuscript, a little boy and a killer on the loose. Two middle aged women (one a widow and the other a divorcee) forge a friendship amidst murder and mayhem. Who is killing the local society members and why? What is everyone looking for apart from the killer? The characters just seemed a bit "off". Nothing I can put my finger on but I really didn't click with any of them.
June 10, 2018
This was a great first of series book with enjoyable characters and a good plot. Lots of possibilities for another book.
Two American women working in England become acquainted and become friends and cohorts in solving the mystery of a death, then two, plus a shooting, and while they're at it, become interested in two English gentlemen. A bit silly at times but it never lost it's enjoyability.
Two American women working in England become acquainted and become friends and cohorts in solving the mystery of a death, then two, plus a shooting, and while they're at it, become interested in two English gentlemen. A bit silly at times but it never lost it's enjoyability.
March 20, 2021
This was a fun book to read, I really liked the characters and even though I thought I knew who done it, I was lead down a red herring path and was pleasantly surprised to be lead in several different directions by the author. I loved it when I got to the end, and realized I'd been fooled ! That is what makes reading a mystery worthwhile. I will be following this series and reading more adventures with Marsden and Lacey !
September 11, 2017
Sigrid Vansandt is a welcomed newcomer to my bookshelves!
Two Birds With One Stone, the first of 4 books in the Marsden-Lacey Mystery series, was difficult to put down and challenging to solve.
The realistic actions and dialogue imagined and written by the author for her cast of characters brought the story to life for me.
Highly, highly recommend.
Two Birds With One Stone, the first of 4 books in the Marsden-Lacey Mystery series, was difficult to put down and challenging to solve.
The realistic actions and dialogue imagined and written by the author for her cast of characters brought the story to life for me.
Highly, highly recommend.
July 22, 2020
This book was fun to read!
I chose this book only because Helen and Martha are the names of my mother and her sister and l thought that was cute. The story was good,though, and held my interest till the end. There were a few linguistic problems that had been overlooked but not enough to be distracting. I like the characters and will read more about them.
I chose this book only because Helen and Martha are the names of my mother and her sister and l thought that was cute. The story was good,though, and held my interest till the end. There were a few linguistic problems that had been overlooked but not enough to be distracting. I like the characters and will read more about them.
December 28, 2017
Loved the setting and the differences in the two women that made them just click. Can't wait to get more on the other characters like Perigrine and Alistair. They seem to add to the mystery as much as helping solve it.
November 9, 2017
Not a bad little mystery. It's kind of rough around the edges, but it's the first in the series. I don't ask for much from cozy mysteries anyway, just that they entertain me and this one did. I will certainly continue reading them.
February 1, 2020
Fun read
Aninteresting entertaining enjoyable read. Light stuff, but keeps interest with sufficiently in-depth characters. A hint of background romance without being intrusive (not a romance fan). Recommend for light read.
Aninteresting entertaining enjoyable read. Light stuff, but keeps interest with sufficiently in-depth characters. A hint of background romance without being intrusive (not a romance fan). Recommend for light read.
August 4, 2020
I found the potential of the plot promising, but not achieved. There were a number of sloppy editing errors, and it was annoying to have the two main characters referred to, repeatedly, as "girls" when they are professional young women. I will not waste my time with another by this author.
February 21, 2023
The ladies are delightful. Two Southern Belles making a difference in a small English village. They are outgoing, funny, making a difference in their community, and attracting men. What can be more fun than that.
May 27, 2017
Good
this book is one full of mysteries that lead to murder of three different men and you keep reading to see see who did it.
this book is one full of mysteries that lead to murder of three different men and you keep reading to see see who did it.
October 6, 2017
Very good, surprising ending and funny
March 6, 2020
Loved it!
What a great book! Really good story, well written, great characters, and I really enjoyed the whole book. This is a wonderful whodunnit suitable for all ages!
What a great book! Really good story, well written, great characters, and I really enjoyed the whole book. This is a wonderful whodunnit suitable for all ages!
September 9, 2020
This book was great due to the characters the author developed. The mystery had me going never thinking the person responsible was not even thought of....by me....
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews