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Death Under the Hammer
Not yet published
Expected 23 Oct 26How well do you really know your neighbours?For auctioneer Felicia Grant, it should have been the simplest of jobs — a routine pre-Christmas valuation in a quiet, picture-perfect cul-de-sac.
But when she discovers two of her clients stabbed to death in their festively decorated sitting room, Felicia finds herself in the frame for murder.
With the real killer still at large, she must race to clear her name. Because in this deceptively cosy little street, everyone has something to hide…
Cosy crime readers are loving E.C. Another brilliant adventure in this excellent series' ★★★★★
‘Ideal for fans of Richard Osman’s books… this murder mystery will keep you guessing as the bodies stack up! Full of red herrings, twists and turns, wonderful characters and fabulous houses.’ ★★★★★
‘Set in the historic town of Stamford, this murder set in the antiques trade is a brilliantly plotted mystery.’ ★★★★★
‘A thoroughly enjoyable cosy murder mystery… I’m looking forward to the next book already!’ ★★★★★
‘Mystery and intrigue… written by a talented and gifted author.’ ★★★★★
‘An absorbing murder mystery… Lots of interesting information about Antique auctions was a added bonus.’ ★★★★★
Cover illustrated by local Stamford illustrator Katie Cardew. Discover more at www.katiecardew.com
But when she discovers two of her clients stabbed to death in their festively decorated sitting room, Felicia finds herself in the frame for murder.
With the real killer still at large, she must race to clear her name. Because in this deceptively cosy little street, everyone has something to hide…
Cosy crime readers are loving E.C. Another brilliant adventure in this excellent series' ★★★★★
‘Ideal for fans of Richard Osman’s books… this murder mystery will keep you guessing as the bodies stack up! Full of red herrings, twists and turns, wonderful characters and fabulous houses.’ ★★★★★
‘Set in the historic town of Stamford, this murder set in the antiques trade is a brilliantly plotted mystery.’ ★★★★★
‘A thoroughly enjoyable cosy murder mystery… I’m looking forward to the next book already!’ ★★★★★
‘Mystery and intrigue… written by a talented and gifted author.’ ★★★★★
‘An absorbing murder mystery… Lots of interesting information about Antique auctions was a added bonus.’ ★★★★★
Cover illustrated by local Stamford illustrator Katie Cardew. Discover more at www.katiecardew.com
391 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 23, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Death Under the Hammer
by E. C. Bateman is the fourth book in the Stamford cozy mystery series. This one takes place in Lincolnshire, England in the historic town of Stamford and features auctioneer and amateur sleuth Felicia Grant. It’s Christmas time which is a big deal in the town. What should have been a routine antique valuation turns into a bad dream when Felicia discovers two of her clients stabbed to death while she was upstairs valuing jewelry. Naturally, Felicia becomes the prime suspect. To clear her name, she needs to investigate a neighborhood full of secrets.
The characterization is well done. Felicia is competent, smart, feisty, and resilient. While she balances her time at the family auction house with raising her teenage son, Algernon, she seemed to spend most of her time clearing her name in this novel. Algernon played only a minor role in this book. Felicia’s ex-husband, Dexter, is affable, outgoing, unreliable, and fame-seeking. However, despite their separation, he maintains a friendly and supportive relationship with Felicia. Cassandra is Felicia’s supportive best friend and the mayor of Stamford. The police vary from belligerent and rigid to respectful, level-headed, and practical.
The author does a great job of creating an atmospheric, picturesque, and festive setting as well creating a high-stakes trope of having the main character framed for the murder. However, while this should have made it feel fast-paced and urgent, the story seemed to meander with so many secrets amongst the neighbors of the murdered couple. There are plenty of red herrings in the story arc, but readers who pay close attention to the details can piece together the clues and discover the antagonist.
Overall, this is a fun and entertaining novel with good worldbuilding and atmosphere.
HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and E. C. Bateman provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for October 23, 2026.
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My 3.26 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon.
The characterization is well done. Felicia is competent, smart, feisty, and resilient. While she balances her time at the family auction house with raising her teenage son, Algernon, she seemed to spend most of her time clearing her name in this novel. Algernon played only a minor role in this book. Felicia’s ex-husband, Dexter, is affable, outgoing, unreliable, and fame-seeking. However, despite their separation, he maintains a friendly and supportive relationship with Felicia. Cassandra is Felicia’s supportive best friend and the mayor of Stamford. The police vary from belligerent and rigid to respectful, level-headed, and practical.
The author does a great job of creating an atmospheric, picturesque, and festive setting as well creating a high-stakes trope of having the main character framed for the murder. However, while this should have made it feel fast-paced and urgent, the story seemed to meander with so many secrets amongst the neighbors of the murdered couple. There are plenty of red herrings in the story arc, but readers who pay close attention to the details can piece together the clues and discover the antagonist.
Overall, this is a fun and entertaining novel with good worldbuilding and atmosphere.
HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and E. C. Bateman provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for October 23, 2026.
-------------------------------------
My 3.26 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Book 4 of Stamford Mysteries
How well do you really know your neighbours? For auctioneer Felicia Grant, it should have been the easiest of jobs - a routine pre-Christmas valuation in a quiet, picture-perfect cul-de-sac. But when she discovers two of her clients stabbed to death in their festively decorated living room, Felica finds herself in the frame for murder. With the real killer still at large, she must race to clear her name. Because in this deceptively cosy little street, everyone has something to hide.
I liked Felicia Grant, the auctioneer who was wronglyl in the frame for murder. The story is set around Christmas time. We get twists and red herrings along the way in this well-written and atmospheric read. This is just the second book in the series that I've read. I did feel there was something to this story that I couldn't quite place. This book can be read as a standalone.
Published 23rd October 2026
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter and the author #ECBateman for my ARC of #DeathUnderTheHammer in exchange for an hoest review.
How well do you really know your neighbours? For auctioneer Felicia Grant, it should have been the easiest of jobs - a routine pre-Christmas valuation in a quiet, picture-perfect cul-de-sac. But when she discovers two of her clients stabbed to death in their festively decorated living room, Felica finds herself in the frame for murder. With the real killer still at large, she must race to clear her name. Because in this deceptively cosy little street, everyone has something to hide.
I liked Felicia Grant, the auctioneer who was wronglyl in the frame for murder. The story is set around Christmas time. We get twists and red herrings along the way in this well-written and atmospheric read. This is just the second book in the series that I've read. I did feel there was something to this story that I couldn't quite place. This book can be read as a standalone.
Published 23rd October 2026
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter and the author #ECBateman for my ARC of #DeathUnderTheHammer in exchange for an hoest review.
Currently Reading
September 23, 2026ARC received. Thank you, Cliffhanger! I love this series!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Auctioneer Felicia Grant, has a routine pre-Christmas valuation in a quiet, picture-perfect cul-de-sac.
But when she discovers two of her clients stabbed to death in their festively decorated sitting room, Felicia finds herself in the frame for murder.
The fourth book in this cosy mystery series set in Stamford. I really like Felicia, she’s returned to her home town & runs the family’s action house alongside her father Peter. There are plenty of twists & turns as well as red herrings, there’s also an underlying thread throughout the series. I loved how Cassandra helped, with mixed results, the police are stumped at first but Pettifer & Winters eventually have a break through. However it’s Felicia who works things out. I was left guessing but I did suspect who the villain was but I didn’t work how why. A well written murder mystery which I thoroughly enjoyed & look forward to more as there are still unresolved threads
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
But when she discovers two of her clients stabbed to death in their festively decorated sitting room, Felicia finds herself in the frame for murder.
The fourth book in this cosy mystery series set in Stamford. I really like Felicia, she’s returned to her home town & runs the family’s action house alongside her father Peter. There are plenty of twists & turns as well as red herrings, there’s also an underlying thread throughout the series. I loved how Cassandra helped, with mixed results, the police are stumped at first but Pettifer & Winters eventually have a break through. However it’s Felicia who works things out. I was left guessing but I did suspect who the villain was but I didn’t work how why. A well written murder mystery which I thoroughly enjoyed & look forward to more as there are still unresolved threads
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews