What do you think?
Rate this book
The Secret Garden Murders
A murder in a locked garden. A village full of secrets. Can DCI Oldroyd find a killer who has vanished into thin air?
When a woman is found strangled in the locked garden of historic Bishop Hewick Hall in Yorkshire, DCI Jim Oldroyd needs to solve a seemingly impossible murder. The only door was bolted from the inside and the kitchen garden walls are too high to climb. If no one could enter or leave, how did the killer commit the crime and escape?
As Oldroyd and his team investigate the victim’s past, they discover Clarissa Morden wasn’t the kind elderly woman she appeared. Instead, she was a ruthless blackmailer who kept coded records of her neighbours’ darkest secrets. Her list included a local cabinet maker, the Bishop Hewick Hall manager and even her next-door neighbour—suddenly it seems as if half the village has a motive for murder.
When a second body is discovered in the local river, it seems this quiet corner of Yorkshire may never be the same again. Can Oldroyd unlock the secret of the impossible locked garden murder and find the culprit? Or will the killer strike again in this tranquil village to keep their secrets hidden…
When a woman is found strangled in the locked garden of historic Bishop Hewick Hall in Yorkshire, DCI Jim Oldroyd needs to solve a seemingly impossible murder. The only door was bolted from the inside and the kitchen garden walls are too high to climb. If no one could enter or leave, how did the killer commit the crime and escape?
As Oldroyd and his team investigate the victim’s past, they discover Clarissa Morden wasn’t the kind elderly woman she appeared. Instead, she was a ruthless blackmailer who kept coded records of her neighbours’ darkest secrets. Her list included a local cabinet maker, the Bishop Hewick Hall manager and even her next-door neighbour—suddenly it seems as if half the village has a motive for murder.
When a second body is discovered in the local river, it seems this quiet corner of Yorkshire may never be the same again. Can Oldroyd unlock the secret of the impossible locked garden murder and find the culprit? Or will the killer strike again in this tranquil village to keep their secrets hidden…
277 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 20, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Book 13 in the Yorkshire Murder Mystery series.
A body is found in a walled garden with a locked padlock on the outside and firmly bolted on the inside. As D.C.I Oldroyd says it is not a locked room mystery but a locked garden mystery. As he and his team set to work looking for the murderer they begin to find that not everyone in the village is what they seem to be. Could this be the mystery which defeats Oldroyd's detective skills?
The pacing of the story is slow and steady but never misses a trick. The descriptions of the Yorkshire Dales and the local towns and cities make me nostalgic. I only lived in Leeds for about three years but remember it all so well. Oldroyd and his team work in a beautifully cohesive manner and he is obviously a very effective boss. If you want to read a quietly effective but still intriguing police procedural in a lovely setting this is for you.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
A body is found in a walled garden with a locked padlock on the outside and firmly bolted on the inside. As D.C.I Oldroyd says it is not a locked room mystery but a locked garden mystery. As he and his team set to work looking for the murderer they begin to find that not everyone in the village is what they seem to be. Could this be the mystery which defeats Oldroyd's detective skills?
The pacing of the story is slow and steady but never misses a trick. The descriptions of the Yorkshire Dales and the local towns and cities make me nostalgic. I only lived in Leeds for about three years but remember it all so well. Oldroyd and his team work in a beautifully cohesive manner and he is obviously a very effective boss. If you want to read a quietly effective but still intriguing police procedural in a lovely setting this is for you.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When a woman is found strangled in the locked garden of historic Bishop Hewick Hall in Yorkshire, DCI Jim Oldroyd needs to solve a seemingly impossible murder. The only door was bolted from the inside and the kitchen garden walls are too high to climb. As Oldroyd and his team investigate the victim’s past, they discover Clarissa Morden wasn’t the kind elderly woman she appeared. Instead, she was a ruthless blackmailer who kept coded records of her neighbours’ darkest secrets. Then a second body is discovered in the local river.
The thirteenth book in the series & I was lucky to also receive a copy of the audiobook as well as the ebook. I thoroughly enjoyed the book & the narrator brough it to life & I found myself drawn in & loved the mix of listening & reading. My housework certainly seemed to be finished much quicker than normal! An intriguing case & I was kept guessing. I love Jim & look forward to more in the series
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
The thirteenth book in the series & I was lucky to also receive a copy of the audiobook as well as the ebook. I thoroughly enjoyed the book & the narrator brough it to life & I found myself drawn in & loved the mix of listening & reading. My housework certainly seemed to be finished much quicker than normal! An intriguing case & I was kept guessing. I love Jim & look forward to more in the series
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
September 14, 2026
The Secret Garden Murders by J. R. Ellis is a highly recommended cozy mystery/procedural for the right reader featuring a locked garden rather than room.
In the village of Bishop Hewick in North Yorkshire 70 year-old Clarissa Morden bought a ticket to visit the historic Bishop Hewick Hall run by a trust and managed by June Kendal, Clarissa is later found dead, strangled, and neatly laid out on a bench in a locked, walled kitchen garden that is off limits to the public. She is found by gardeners Richard Cooke and Jenny Brown. DCI Jim Oldroyd and his team are on the case. The biggest hurdle is how did the perpetrator enter and leave the walled garden. The door to it requires a key, yet the key is found in the lock on the garden side and the door was bolted from the inside and the walls are too high to climb. How did the killer leave?
As the team is trying to figure this out, they soon discover something even more sinister from Clarissa's neighbor. Apparently the old woman was blackmailing people, multiple people, throughout the village. In her cottage they find detailed records she kept on everyone she was watching along with a secret notebook written in a code of her extortion victims. Now the team needs to try and break the code to find out who her victims were along with trying to figure out the walled garden conundrum.
This is an even-paced mystery where the investigation proceeds at a thoughtful, reliably deliberate speed. There is some suspense along the way, especially when the body of a young woman who thought she had figured out who the killer was is found dead in the river. Clearly the village is full of more secrets than one would expect. The setting, in a small village and at Bishop Hewick Hall adds atmosphere and some tension as the potential suspect could be anywhere and the blackmail list gives even more people a motive to eliminate her.
Each chapter opens with the description, history and location of a famous garden in various estates, which was an interesting addition but added nothing to the plot. It will be interesting to those who enjoy traveling to visit famous gardens. Alas, that is not for everyone. The pace does proceed a bit too slowly at times and certain points within the narrative are repetitious. Even if the investigation felt plodding at times, the clues are logically followed up on, eventually, and the ending is satisfying. 3.5 rounded up when required.
The Secret Garden Murders is a good choice for fans of cozy mysteries and large garden enthusiasts. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
https://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2026/...
In the village of Bishop Hewick in North Yorkshire 70 year-old Clarissa Morden bought a ticket to visit the historic Bishop Hewick Hall run by a trust and managed by June Kendal, Clarissa is later found dead, strangled, and neatly laid out on a bench in a locked, walled kitchen garden that is off limits to the public. She is found by gardeners Richard Cooke and Jenny Brown. DCI Jim Oldroyd and his team are on the case. The biggest hurdle is how did the perpetrator enter and leave the walled garden. The door to it requires a key, yet the key is found in the lock on the garden side and the door was bolted from the inside and the walls are too high to climb. How did the killer leave?
As the team is trying to figure this out, they soon discover something even more sinister from Clarissa's neighbor. Apparently the old woman was blackmailing people, multiple people, throughout the village. In her cottage they find detailed records she kept on everyone she was watching along with a secret notebook written in a code of her extortion victims. Now the team needs to try and break the code to find out who her victims were along with trying to figure out the walled garden conundrum.
This is an even-paced mystery where the investigation proceeds at a thoughtful, reliably deliberate speed. There is some suspense along the way, especially when the body of a young woman who thought she had figured out who the killer was is found dead in the river. Clearly the village is full of more secrets than one would expect. The setting, in a small village and at Bishop Hewick Hall adds atmosphere and some tension as the potential suspect could be anywhere and the blackmail list gives even more people a motive to eliminate her.
Each chapter opens with the description, history and location of a famous garden in various estates, which was an interesting addition but added nothing to the plot. It will be interesting to those who enjoy traveling to visit famous gardens. Alas, that is not for everyone. The pace does proceed a bit too slowly at times and certain points within the narrative are repetitious. Even if the investigation felt plodding at times, the clues are logically followed up on, eventually, and the ending is satisfying. 3.5 rounded up when required.
The Secret Garden Murders is a good choice for fans of cozy mysteries and large garden enthusiasts. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
https://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2026/...
October 20, 2026
This was a pretty good mystery. I think I would have enjoyed it more if it was the first book in the series. The writing was crisp and the plot was compelling. It was, however, a little predictable and i figured out the killer pretty early. An entertaining read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I grew up loving The Secret Garden, so of course this title caught my attention. And I love books that feature elderly characters, especially when they have a few skeletons in their closets!
This was my first book by J. R. Ellis, and I haven't read any of the other books in this series.
We have an elderly woman found murdered in a locked garden, with seemingly no way for the killer to have gotten in or out. Sounds interesting, right? Well, it gets better when we find out this sweet little old lady wasn't so sweet after all. She was blackmailing people all over the village! Apparently, she had made quite a few enemies.
I really liked the premise and trying to figure out how the murder happened. I also enjoyed the setting and the fact that there were so many possible suspects.
My biggest issue was the pacing. If you've read any of my reviews, you know I am NOT a fan of slow burns. And this one was definitely slower than I would have liked. There were times I just wanted everyone to get on with it already! I don't mind a little character development, but I don't need every little detail when there's a murder to solve.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Colin R. Campbell, and I thought he did a great job. His narration fit the story well, and I enjoyed listening to him.
Overall, I enjoyed the mystery and thought the locked-garden concept was clever. I just wish the story had moved a little faster. If you enjoy traditional British murder mysteries and don't mind a slower pace, I think you'll appreciate this one more than I did.
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
This was my first book by J. R. Ellis, and I haven't read any of the other books in this series.
We have an elderly woman found murdered in a locked garden, with seemingly no way for the killer to have gotten in or out. Sounds interesting, right? Well, it gets better when we find out this sweet little old lady wasn't so sweet after all. She was blackmailing people all over the village! Apparently, she had made quite a few enemies.
I really liked the premise and trying to figure out how the murder happened. I also enjoyed the setting and the fact that there were so many possible suspects.
My biggest issue was the pacing. If you've read any of my reviews, you know I am NOT a fan of slow burns. And this one was definitely slower than I would have liked. There were times I just wanted everyone to get on with it already! I don't mind a little character development, but I don't need every little detail when there's a murder to solve.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Colin R. Campbell, and I thought he did a great job. His narration fit the story well, and I enjoyed listening to him.
Overall, I enjoyed the mystery and thought the locked-garden concept was clever. I just wish the story had moved a little faster. If you enjoy traditional British murder mysteries and don't mind a slower pace, I think you'll appreciate this one more than I did.
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
October 21, 2026
Secrets and blackmail
I listened to this on Audible with Kindle Unlimited and initially was a little surprised as we have a new narrator for this book, which isn't a positive or a negative, just different and it took a little while to get used to the differences in the characters.
We have previously had a locked room mystery with Jim, this one is a locked garden and whilst it stumps his team, it doesn't stump Jim.
A great mystery once I got past the "new voice"
I listened to this on Audible with Kindle Unlimited and initially was a little surprised as we have a new narrator for this book, which isn't a positive or a negative, just different and it took a little while to get used to the differences in the characters.
We have previously had a locked room mystery with Jim, this one is a locked garden and whilst it stumps his team, it doesn't stump Jim.
A great mystery once I got past the "new voice"
Review of advance copy
The Secret Garden Murders is a wonderfully atmospheric mystery that captures everything readers love about classic British crime fiction. J. R. Ellis brings the Yorkshire Dales to life with vivid descriptions, making the setting feel as important to the story as the characters themselves. The secret garden at the heart of the novel adds an intriguing layer to the investigation, while the historical elements blend seamlessly with the modern-day mystery.
Detective Chief Inspector Oldroyd once again proves to be an engaging lead. His calm, thoughtful approach to solving crimes is refreshing, and his deep connection to Yorkshire gives the investigation an authenticity that makes the story even more compelling. The supporting cast also adds warmth and depth throughout the novel.
The pacing is well balanced, beginning with a strong hook before gradually building tension toward a satisfying conclusion. There were plenty of twists and red herrings that kept our reading group discussing different possibilities without ever feeling overly complicated.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its atmosphere. Ellis creates a vivid sense of place, and the Yorkshire landscape, together with the beautifully described garden, makes it easy to become completely immersed in the story.
The only minor observation from our discussion was that readers new to the series might have appreciated a slightly fuller reintroduction to some recurring characters, as this is the thirteenth instalment. A few moments of dialogue also felt slightly formal, though this suits the tone and setting of the novel.
Overall, The Secret Garden Murders is an engaging, intelligently plotted mystery with memorable characters, a rich sense of place, and a satisfying conclusion. We would happily recommend it to readers who enjoy traditional British detective fiction with strong atmosphere and thoughtful storytelling.
Recommended for: Fans of British crime fiction, police procedurals, cosy mysteries with depth, and readers who enjoy richly developed settings.
Detective Chief Inspector Oldroyd once again proves to be an engaging lead. His calm, thoughtful approach to solving crimes is refreshing, and his deep connection to Yorkshire gives the investigation an authenticity that makes the story even more compelling. The supporting cast also adds warmth and depth throughout the novel.
The pacing is well balanced, beginning with a strong hook before gradually building tension toward a satisfying conclusion. There were plenty of twists and red herrings that kept our reading group discussing different possibilities without ever feeling overly complicated.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its atmosphere. Ellis creates a vivid sense of place, and the Yorkshire landscape, together with the beautifully described garden, makes it easy to become completely immersed in the story.
The only minor observation from our discussion was that readers new to the series might have appreciated a slightly fuller reintroduction to some recurring characters, as this is the thirteenth instalment. A few moments of dialogue also felt slightly formal, though this suits the tone and setting of the novel.
Overall, The Secret Garden Murders is an engaging, intelligently plotted mystery with memorable characters, a rich sense of place, and a satisfying conclusion. We would happily recommend it to readers who enjoy traditional British detective fiction with strong atmosphere and thoughtful storytelling.
Recommended for: Fans of British crime fiction, police procedurals, cosy mysteries with depth, and readers who enjoy richly developed settings.
October 15, 2026
I was kindly provided an audio ARC of The Secret Garden Murders by J.R. Ellis via NetGalley, and I want to express a big thank you for the opportunity to listen to this early!
I only discovered after finishing that this is actually book thirteen in the Yorkshire Murder Series, but I had zero issues jumping straight into the story. The author does a great job explaining the necessary context, so you definitely don't need to read the previous twelve books to follow along.
The initial premise was right up my alley: a classic impossible murder involving a woman found dead inside a locked, walled garden in a picturesque Yorkshire village. On paper, it sounds like the ideal cozy murder mystery. Unfortunately, my issues with the book started pretty early on.
First, there was a massive cast of characters to keep track of. To make matters worse, the point-of-view shifted constantly— multiple times within a single chapter. Because I was listening to the audiobook format, these rapid POV jumps without clear visual breaks made it incredibly confusing to figure out whose perspective I was following at any given moment. Reading a physical copy or eBook might have spared me a lot of that frustration.
Beyond the format issues, the narrative itself lost its way. What started as a straightforward locked-room investigation involving a blackmailing victim quickly spiraled into a tangled web of separate crimes, multiple victims, and entirely different perpetrators. Instead of deepening the mystery, all these added side plots made the story feel cluttered and overwhelming.
The Secret Garden Murders has all the classic British mystery elements that fans of the series will likely devour, but between the chaotic POV shifts in the audio version and the over-complicated plotlines, it just wasn't the right fit for me personally.
I only discovered after finishing that this is actually book thirteen in the Yorkshire Murder Series, but I had zero issues jumping straight into the story. The author does a great job explaining the necessary context, so you definitely don't need to read the previous twelve books to follow along.
The initial premise was right up my alley: a classic impossible murder involving a woman found dead inside a locked, walled garden in a picturesque Yorkshire village. On paper, it sounds like the ideal cozy murder mystery. Unfortunately, my issues with the book started pretty early on.
First, there was a massive cast of characters to keep track of. To make matters worse, the point-of-view shifted constantly— multiple times within a single chapter. Because I was listening to the audiobook format, these rapid POV jumps without clear visual breaks made it incredibly confusing to figure out whose perspective I was following at any given moment. Reading a physical copy or eBook might have spared me a lot of that frustration.
Beyond the format issues, the narrative itself lost its way. What started as a straightforward locked-room investigation involving a blackmailing victim quickly spiraled into a tangled web of separate crimes, multiple victims, and entirely different perpetrators. Instead of deepening the mystery, all these added side plots made the story feel cluttered and overwhelming.
The Secret Garden Murders has all the classic British mystery elements that fans of the series will likely devour, but between the chaotic POV shifts in the audio version and the over-complicated plotlines, it just wasn't the right fit for me personally.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Secret Garden Murders is a wonderfully engaging cosy‑crime mystery with all the elements that make this genre so satisfying: a picturesque Yorkshire village, a locked‑room puzzle, and a community brimming with secrets. From the moment Clarissa Morden is found strangled inside a garden no one could enter or leave, the story hooks you with its impossible setup and keeps you guessing right alongside DCI Jim Oldroyd.
The locked‑garden premise is especially fun — the bolted door, the high walls, the eerie stillness of the scene — and it sets the tone for a mystery that feels clever without ever becoming convoluted. As Oldroyd and his team dig into Clarissa’s past, the layers peel back to reveal a woman far more complicated than her kindly reputation suggested. The discovery of her coded blackmail records adds a delicious twist, suddenly giving half the village a motive and turning this quiet corner of Yorkshire into a hotbed of suspicion.
The atmosphere is charming yet tense, with the historic Bishop Hewick Hall providing a perfect backdrop for secrets to simmer. And when a second body appears in the river, the stakes rise just enough to remind you that even the most tranquil villages can hide darkness.
Oldroyd’s steady, thoughtful approach to the investigation makes him a pleasure to follow, and the supporting cast adds colour without overshadowing the mystery. It’s a classic whodunit with modern warmth — the kind of book you settle into with a cup of tea and happily lose an afternoon to.
Clever, cosy, and thoroughly enjoyable. A great addition to the series and a treat for fans of traditional British mysteries.
With thanks to JR Ellis, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
The locked‑garden premise is especially fun — the bolted door, the high walls, the eerie stillness of the scene — and it sets the tone for a mystery that feels clever without ever becoming convoluted. As Oldroyd and his team dig into Clarissa’s past, the layers peel back to reveal a woman far more complicated than her kindly reputation suggested. The discovery of her coded blackmail records adds a delicious twist, suddenly giving half the village a motive and turning this quiet corner of Yorkshire into a hotbed of suspicion.
The atmosphere is charming yet tense, with the historic Bishop Hewick Hall providing a perfect backdrop for secrets to simmer. And when a second body appears in the river, the stakes rise just enough to remind you that even the most tranquil villages can hide darkness.
Oldroyd’s steady, thoughtful approach to the investigation makes him a pleasure to follow, and the supporting cast adds colour without overshadowing the mystery. It’s a classic whodunit with modern warmth — the kind of book you settle into with a cup of tea and happily lose an afternoon to.
Clever, cosy, and thoroughly enjoyable. A great addition to the series and a treat for fans of traditional British mysteries.
With thanks to JR Ellis, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
October 23, 2026
The Secret Garden Murders by J. R. Ellis is a well-crafted police procedural that combines an engaging investigation with an interesting cast of characters. The mystery unfolds in a way that kept me interested, while the investigative elements give the story a grounded feel that fans of the genre are likely to appreciate.
One of the strengths of this novel is its characters. They add depth to the investigation and help make the story more than simply a puzzle to solve. The police procedural format also lends itself well to the narrative, allowing the investigation to develop while keeping the reader engaged with the unfolding events. I could easily imagine this story being adapted for television, where the investigation, characters, and gradual revelations could translate particularly well to the screen.
The audiobook was another highlight for me. The narrator was excellent, delivering the story in an engaging and clear manner that helped bring the characters and investigation to life. Good narration can make a significant difference in a procedural, especially when there are multiple characters and details to follow, and this performance added to my enjoyment of the book.
Overall, The Secret Garden Murders is a well-executed police procedural with interesting characters and an excellent audiobook performance. I enjoyed the experience. Fans of police investigations should find plenty to appreciate.
Thanks to Netgalley and Brilliance Audio for this ALC. This is my honest review.
October 23, 2026
What a delight to return to Yorkshire with DCI Oldroyd in The Secret Garden Murders by J. R. Ellis, particularly in audiobook form!
This is a wonderfully paced locked-garden mystery involving a secret blackmailer, plenty of suspects and a solution that kept me guessing right until the end.
The narration was particularly impressive. With such a large cast of characters, it takes real skill to give everyone a distinctive voice, and the narrator did a fantastic job. Male and female characters, Yorkshire accents, London accents and even a South African accent were all handled beautifully.
As someone born very close to the area where the story is set, hearing those familiar Yorkshire accents was an absolute pleasure. They brought an extra layer of authenticity and warmth to the listening experience.
I also loved the snippets of Yorkshire history at the beginning of each chapter. They added a lovely sense of place and made the setting feel even more special.
There were a few pronunciations that initially caught my attention, but nothing that ultimately detracted from such an accomplished performance.
An engaging mystery with excellent narration, memorable characters and a setting that felt wonderfully familiar. A thoroughly enjoyable listen!
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is a wonderfully paced locked-garden mystery involving a secret blackmailer, plenty of suspects and a solution that kept me guessing right until the end.
The narration was particularly impressive. With such a large cast of characters, it takes real skill to give everyone a distinctive voice, and the narrator did a fantastic job. Male and female characters, Yorkshire accents, London accents and even a South African accent were all handled beautifully.
As someone born very close to the area where the story is set, hearing those familiar Yorkshire accents was an absolute pleasure. They brought an extra layer of authenticity and warmth to the listening experience.
I also loved the snippets of Yorkshire history at the beginning of each chapter. They added a lovely sense of place and made the setting feel even more special.
There were a few pronunciations that initially caught my attention, but nothing that ultimately detracted from such an accomplished performance.
An engaging mystery with excellent narration, memorable characters and a setting that felt wonderfully familiar. A thoroughly enjoyable listen!
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
YORKSHIRE MURDER MYSTERIES:
Source: NetGalley and BrillianceAudio.
THE SECRET GARDEN MURDERS, #13, Audiobook - An enjoyable, immersing read with interesting story lines and characters. The narrator Colin R. Campbell gave an excellent performance adding to the story along with having a soothing voice. Length: 5 hours, 35 minutes. 4*
THE OTLEY MURDERS, #11, AUDIOBOOK - A new to me author who reminds me of the writing style of Agatha Christie. An interesting book with good characters and story lines set at a good pace. I did not appreciate the last chapter, which was a lecture disguised as conversation between man and wife. It was delightful to hear infrequent use of mild cursing; no vulgar language. The narrator Michael Page does an excellent job with his reading and the various characters. He is clear and easily understood. Length: 8 hours, 26 minutes. 4*
MURDER IN YORK, #12, AUDIOBOOK - I enjoyed the historical bits included in the story and their incorporation into the story was not distracting but informative. The characters are interesting and the story lines immersing and set at a good pace. Clean. The narrator Michael Page does an excellent job with characters and voices, and is easily understood. Length: 7 hours, 53 minutes. 4*
Source: NetGalley and BrillianceAudio.
THE SECRET GARDEN MURDERS, #13, Audiobook - An enjoyable, immersing read with interesting story lines and characters. The narrator Colin R. Campbell gave an excellent performance adding to the story along with having a soothing voice. Length: 5 hours, 35 minutes. 4*
THE OTLEY MURDERS, #11, AUDIOBOOK - A new to me author who reminds me of the writing style of Agatha Christie. An interesting book with good characters and story lines set at a good pace. I did not appreciate the last chapter, which was a lecture disguised as conversation between man and wife. It was delightful to hear infrequent use of mild cursing; no vulgar language. The narrator Michael Page does an excellent job with his reading and the various characters. He is clear and easily understood. Length: 8 hours, 26 minutes. 4*
MURDER IN YORK, #12, AUDIOBOOK - I enjoyed the historical bits included in the story and their incorporation into the story was not distracting but informative. The characters are interesting and the story lines immersing and set at a good pace. Clean. The narrator Michael Page does an excellent job with characters and voices, and is easily understood. Length: 7 hours, 53 minutes. 4*
October 30, 2026
The 13th book in The Yorkshire Murders series.
When Clarissa Morden, a seventy something long time resident of Bishop Henwick receives an invitation to meet someone in the walled gardens at the Hall, she buys a ticket to the hall and uses the key she’s been given to enter the “secret garden”, a former walled kitchen garden. But the meeting isn’t quite what one might expect, and of the two people in attendance only one leaves.
It’s the following morning before anything amiss is uncovered, only when the gardeners who are revamping the vegetable plots cannot access with their key is the alarm raised. Having gained access, they find someone, who at first glance, is sleeping, dead in a rickety old bench.
It’s not long before Oldroyd and his team are called in to untangle the facts surrounding this discovery.
With the list of suspects growing - just how the murderer exited the scene is playing on Oldroyd’s mind.
I always thoroughly enjoy J R Ellis books. The characters are warm and engaging. The little snippets of information relevant to the subject of the book (in this case gardens in Yorkshire m) are always of interest and make me want to get in the car and check some of them out. It’s a unique idea and a lovely touch.
When Clarissa Morden, a seventy something long time resident of Bishop Henwick receives an invitation to meet someone in the walled gardens at the Hall, she buys a ticket to the hall and uses the key she’s been given to enter the “secret garden”, a former walled kitchen garden. But the meeting isn’t quite what one might expect, and of the two people in attendance only one leaves.
It’s the following morning before anything amiss is uncovered, only when the gardeners who are revamping the vegetable plots cannot access with their key is the alarm raised. Having gained access, they find someone, who at first glance, is sleeping, dead in a rickety old bench.
It’s not long before Oldroyd and his team are called in to untangle the facts surrounding this discovery.
With the list of suspects growing - just how the murderer exited the scene is playing on Oldroyd’s mind.
I always thoroughly enjoy J R Ellis books. The characters are warm and engaging. The little snippets of information relevant to the subject of the book (in this case gardens in Yorkshire m) are always of interest and make me want to get in the car and check some of them out. It’s a unique idea and a lovely touch.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
One of a series of cosy crime novels based in Yorkshire. It starts with an elderly woman being killed in a walled garden of a stately home, with the entrance to the garden locked from the inside and no other visible exit.
On the plus side, the book has a reasonably good plot. This is in places improbable, but no more so than most crime novels. Unfortunately the writing lets the book down. The style and narration and conversational exchanges are rather leaden and plodding; some things are said more than once, sometimes in almost the same words (for instance, do we really need to have two explanations of what a cold frame is?); the characterisation is simplistic; and in places the obvious is unnecessarily spelt out instead of the reader being trusted to understand things. Chapters mostly open with a description of another garden: this is not relevant to the story, and I found it an irritating distraction.
Editing could have removed many or all of these weaknesses. This felt like an early draft of a novel that needed substantial improvement.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me have a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
On the plus side, the book has a reasonably good plot. This is in places improbable, but no more so than most crime novels. Unfortunately the writing lets the book down. The style and narration and conversational exchanges are rather leaden and plodding; some things are said more than once, sometimes in almost the same words (for instance, do we really need to have two explanations of what a cold frame is?); the characterisation is simplistic; and in places the obvious is unnecessarily spelt out instead of the reader being trusted to understand things. Chapters mostly open with a description of another garden: this is not relevant to the story, and I found it an irritating distraction.
Editing could have removed many or all of these weaknesses. This felt like an early draft of a novel that needed substantial improvement.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me have a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I always enjoy returning to J.R. Ellis’s Yorkshire Murder Mysteries, and this was another great one! Give me a seemingly impossible murder in a locked garden, a quaint Yorkshire village full of secrets, and DCI Oldroyd trying to sort it all out, and I’m all in.
I especially love how Ellis lets his mysteries unfold. The pacing is definitely on the slower, more thoughtful side, but there are plenty of suspects, secrets, twists, and red herrings along the way. Oldroyd remains one of my favorite things about this series—intelligent, levelheaded, and overall just a genuinely likable guy.
The narrator did an excellent job, giving just the right amount of emotion and energy and distinct enough character voices that I never had trouble keeping everyone straight.
Another clever and atmospheric mystery from an author I can pretty much always count on to keep me engaged and motivated in guessing who actually dunnit. 🖤
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest review! 🎧
#TheSecretGardenMurders #JREllis #YorkshireMurderMysteries #AudiobookReview #BrilliancePublishing #NetGalley
I always enjoy returning to J.R. Ellis’s Yorkshire Murder Mysteries, and this was another great one! Give me a seemingly impossible murder in a locked garden, a quaint Yorkshire village full of secrets, and DCI Oldroyd trying to sort it all out, and I’m all in.
I especially love how Ellis lets his mysteries unfold. The pacing is definitely on the slower, more thoughtful side, but there are plenty of suspects, secrets, twists, and red herrings along the way. Oldroyd remains one of my favorite things about this series—intelligent, levelheaded, and overall just a genuinely likable guy.
The narrator did an excellent job, giving just the right amount of emotion and energy and distinct enough character voices that I never had trouble keeping everyone straight.
Another clever and atmospheric mystery from an author I can pretty much always count on to keep me engaged and motivated in guessing who actually dunnit. 🖤
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest review! 🎧
#TheSecretGardenMurders #JREllis #YorkshireMurderMysteries #AudiobookReview #BrilliancePublishing #NetGalley
October 29, 2026
"The Secret Garden Murders" is book #13 in the "Yorkshire Murder Mystery" by J R Ellis.
An elderly woman is found murdered in a walled garden locked from the inside. How did the killer escape and why would someone want to kill an old lady? It's another seemingly impossible case for DCI Jim Oldroyd and his team to solve but it quickly becomes clear that the victim was a skilled blackmailer. So many suspects to choose from with secrets ranging from affairs, to those lying about their qualifications on resumes and more.
The twists kept coming as alibis were sorted and a coded notebook belonging to the victim revealed many secrets to the investigators. The quiet village would never be the same if these came out but whoever was behind the murder - and most likely a second murder - had to be taken into custody.
I changed my mind as to who was behind the murders a couple of times before the reveal. The aftermath of the capture was also quite revealing!
J R Ellis has a unique way of drawing readers into his complex stories but also letting us see inside of all the characters. An interesting English cozy mystery!
An elderly woman is found murdered in a walled garden locked from the inside. How did the killer escape and why would someone want to kill an old lady? It's another seemingly impossible case for DCI Jim Oldroyd and his team to solve but it quickly becomes clear that the victim was a skilled blackmailer. So many suspects to choose from with secrets ranging from affairs, to those lying about their qualifications on resumes and more.
The twists kept coming as alibis were sorted and a coded notebook belonging to the victim revealed many secrets to the investigators. The quiet village would never be the same if these came out but whoever was behind the murder - and most likely a second murder - had to be taken into custody.
I changed my mind as to who was behind the murders a couple of times before the reveal. The aftermath of the capture was also quite revealing!
J R Ellis has a unique way of drawing readers into his complex stories but also letting us see inside of all the characters. An interesting English cozy mystery!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4* Intrigue, murder and blackmail in the English countryside.
This has excellent could-be killers; a whole host of characters that turn out to be victims; some decent detecting; and tea, cake and biscuits, making it very English.
For someone so seemingly innocuous to be exposed for what they were, and to drag 'innocents' into their web, was pretty well done. We didn't get to find out a lot about the 'spider's past and motivations - not necessarily financial - which was a tad irritating, but they got what they deserved. How does someone so hateful live with themselves?
Some of the 'filler' aspects of the tale, such as the repeated praise of a certain female detective; the mumsy/dadsy stuff with the baby; the talk of diets and all the open-garden build-up was a bit boring and could've been edited out. Still, overall it was a decent enough murder-mystery that spawned organic parts, adding to the intrigue.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for my reading pleasure.
This has excellent could-be killers; a whole host of characters that turn out to be victims; some decent detecting; and tea, cake and biscuits, making it very English.
For someone so seemingly innocuous to be exposed for what they were, and to drag 'innocents' into their web, was pretty well done. We didn't get to find out a lot about the 'spider's past and motivations - not necessarily financial - which was a tad irritating, but they got what they deserved. How does someone so hateful live with themselves?
Some of the 'filler' aspects of the tale, such as the repeated praise of a certain female detective; the mumsy/dadsy stuff with the baby; the talk of diets and all the open-garden build-up was a bit boring and could've been edited out. Still, overall it was a decent enough murder-mystery that spawned organic parts, adding to the intrigue.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for my reading pleasure.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I very much enjoyed The Secret Garden Murders, a locked garden variation of the locked room mystery. An elderly lady from the small village is found murdered in the secret garden (a walled garden for growing vegetables and fruit), and the gate is securely locked from the inside. It turns out that the nice little old lady was actually a cold, conniving blackmailer. After her death, Det. Oldroyd and his team find her blackmail book with a wide range of suspects for her murder.
The gardens of the area form a background running through the whole story. Each person being blackmailed has their own story, but which one was fed up with paying for silence?
It was great fun when how the murderer entered and exited a locked walled garden was revealed! Always fun to learn something new.
This book works well as a stand-alone, but it’s a very enjoyable series.
Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for the ARC.
The gardens of the area form a background running through the whole story. Each person being blackmailed has their own story, but which one was fed up with paying for silence?
It was great fun when how the murderer entered and exited a locked walled garden was revealed! Always fun to learn something new.
This book works well as a stand-alone, but it’s a very enjoyable series.
Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The story begins with an impossible crime! This peaked my interest which was what helped me through the first 1/3 of the book which was very difficult to follow. A lot of names in each paragraph sometimes the small sometimes the surname, it was like the author tried too hard to paint a world of people for future books. Unfortunately this made the plot move slowly and a bit superficially. A lot of the characters could have had more depth and the plot more twists and turns if the focus was on the story rather than the setting. Also I found some of the characters or their relationships resemble more images projected in the 1950s properness or soap drama. I loved the one killer, I think that character had more depth than most.
I want to thank NetGalley and the author and publishers for a free advanced copy.
I want to thank NetGalley and the author and publishers for a free advanced copy.
October 20, 2026
DCI Oldroyd returns for another fantastic instalment in the Yorkshire murder mystery series , and it doesn’t disappoint.
An older lady is found dead in the secret garden at Bishop Hewick Hall .
The death is a seemingly impossible murder , the door to the garden is bolted from the inside .
The walls are far too high for anyone to scale them to escape , so how can the murderer have left the scene ?
Oldroyd is a lover of the locked room mystery , now he’s got himself a locked garden mystery to solve .
There are a number of suspects and then another murder to solve so the team has got its work to cut out to find the culprit.
This series is full of amiable characters and full of hooks to reel the reader in .
The writing is excellent and it makes the pages fly by .
A great cosy mystery series , looking forward to the next book.
An older lady is found dead in the secret garden at Bishop Hewick Hall .
The death is a seemingly impossible murder , the door to the garden is bolted from the inside .
The walls are far too high for anyone to scale them to escape , so how can the murderer have left the scene ?
Oldroyd is a lover of the locked room mystery , now he’s got himself a locked garden mystery to solve .
There are a number of suspects and then another murder to solve so the team has got its work to cut out to find the culprit.
This series is full of amiable characters and full of hooks to reel the reader in .
The writing is excellent and it makes the pages fly by .
A great cosy mystery series , looking forward to the next book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
J.R. Ellis’s Yorkshire Murder Mystery series is just a pure delight. Now, don’t take it that these are cheezie. Not in the least. The mysteries are always top notch and can hang with the biggest thrillers.
What makes this series stand out is the incredible characters and the heart with which they are written. The relationships are fun. The characters are people that you would really like to know. If for no other reason than they are so chaotic at times.
This is the old school locked room, um, locked garden mystery. The ending of the book was absolutely brilliant.
If you haven’t checked out this series, this is as good of place to start. You will not be disappointed.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
What makes this series stand out is the incredible characters and the heart with which they are written. The relationships are fun. The characters are people that you would really like to know. If for no other reason than they are so chaotic at times.
This is the old school locked room, um, locked garden mystery. The ending of the book was absolutely brilliant.
If you haven’t checked out this series, this is as good of place to start. You will not be disappointed.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
October 20, 2026
J.R. Ellis writes great well-crafted crime fiction that is entertaining and very enjoyable. I’ve read all thirteen in the series. This book does not disappoint. It’s a locked garden, rather than locked room mystery. It has DCI Jim Oldroyd foxed until he borrows a gardening book and reads about heating the walls of Walled Gardens in times past.
The story unfolds as the female murder victim’s life in the village is revealed. She herself has provided the police with a long list of suspects in a coded journal. There’s a village full of diverse characters with “not well kept” secrets and shady dealings, which cloud and confuse the investigation. Don’t be mislead by the red herrings. DCI Oldroyd has his “light bulb” moment which clarifies the situation and solves the crimes.
Highly recommend
The story unfolds as the female murder victim’s life in the village is revealed. She herself has provided the police with a long list of suspects in a coded journal. There’s a village full of diverse characters with “not well kept” secrets and shady dealings, which cloud and confuse the investigation. Don’t be mislead by the red herrings. DCI Oldroyd has his “light bulb” moment which clarifies the situation and solves the crimes.
Highly recommend
October 21, 2026
When an old lady is murdered in a walled garden of a stately home DCI Jim Oldroyd is baffled. The only entrance/exit to the garden was through a locked door and the door was locked with the key still in the lock and a bolt drawn on the inside. But as the police investigate they discover Clarissa Morden was not the sweet little old lady she appeared to be, and there were several people in the small village of Bishop Hewick who had reason to want her dead. Maybe too many.
I thoroughly enjoyed this - it kept me guessing right to the end, there is just the right amount of personal detail of the characters to develop alongside the murder.
Available on Kindle Unlimited.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
I thoroughly enjoyed this - it kept me guessing right to the end, there is just the right amount of personal detail of the characters to develop alongside the murder.
Available on Kindle Unlimited.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
October 31, 2026
The thirteenth book in the series featuring DCI Oldroyd and his team presents the detective with a real puzzle. A woman has been murdered in a locked walled garden, but there is no sign of any exit point for the killer so how did they escape ? When the team discover that the murdered woman is a blackmailer, the suspect pool becomes wider.
This novel has many of the traditional elements evident in the previous novels but I was disappointed by this novel. I felt there were a lot of extraneous elements which padded out the story eg the open garden event organised by Oldroyd’s partner. I wonder if another murder would have helped the narrative or perhaps a threat to one of the investigation team? I know the next novel is coming in 2027 and hopefully it will be back to a five star level.
This novel has many of the traditional elements evident in the previous novels but I was disappointed by this novel. I felt there were a lot of extraneous elements which padded out the story eg the open garden event organised by Oldroyd’s partner. I wonder if another murder would have helped the narrative or perhaps a threat to one of the investigation team? I know the next novel is coming in 2027 and hopefully it will be back to a five star level.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I've found this series a bit hit and miss but I really enjoyed this one. It is a tale of blackmail and murder set in the walled garden of a stately home. I particularly enjoyed the little snippets of info at the start of chapters about various walled gardens around Yorkshire and I may even visit a few. The Yorkshire settings of the series is one of the main attractions for me and I know lots of the places mentioned.
This is an interesting and fun locked room/garden mystery with an abundance of suspects which I tried (and failed) to figure out as I listened. There were a couple of nods to Agatha Christie along the way which made me smile.
I enjoyed the narration by Colin R Campbell.
This is an interesting and fun locked room/garden mystery with an abundance of suspects which I tried (and failed) to figure out as I listened. There were a couple of nods to Agatha Christie along the way which made me smile.
I enjoyed the narration by Colin R Campbell.
October 25, 2026
The Secret Garden Murders by J.R. Ellis
The Yorkshire Murder Mysteries Book 13
Narrator, Colin R. Campbell
I love this series because although it is primarily a police procedural it is calm and almost like a cozy although maybe not quite. I like all the characters and have come to know them through the series. I especially like the fact that Andy and Stef have matured into shared parenting but I wonder where their storyline is headed. Only the future will tell. This is a series that you need to start at the beginning to really appreciate.
As always the narrator is excellent.
Thanks to NetGalley
The Yorkshire Murder Mysteries Book 13
Narrator, Colin R. Campbell
I love this series because although it is primarily a police procedural it is calm and almost like a cozy although maybe not quite. I like all the characters and have come to know them through the series. I especially like the fact that Andy and Stef have matured into shared parenting but I wonder where their storyline is headed. Only the future will tell. This is a series that you need to start at the beginning to really appreciate.
As always the narrator is excellent.
Thanks to NetGalley
October 22, 2026
A death in a walled garden and the door locked from the inside. The team have to find the killer and how they got out of the garden. This is not quite cosy mystery and not quite thriller I falls somewhere in between. I enjoyed the story even though some clichés were thrown in. But all in all an enjoyabme read with not much in the way of bad language or unnecessary violence. With a touch of family life thrown in for good measure.
With thanks to the author and Thomas and Mercer for the opportunity to read this book.
With thanks to the author and Thomas and Mercer for the opportunity to read this book.
October 28, 2026
Perhaps a little different from previous investigations
Nevertheless a thoroughly enjoyable read. I always look forward to the little gems at the start of each chapter. The writing, as with every Yorkshire Mystery, is accessible, empathetic and engaging. This story highlights the repercussions of crime and its effect on individuals, families and communities. The personal lives of the characters always brings additional context and interest.
Please John Ellis keep writing your stories they are a real tonic along with the essential philosophies at their heart. Thank you
Nevertheless a thoroughly enjoyable read. I always look forward to the little gems at the start of each chapter. The writing, as with every Yorkshire Mystery, is accessible, empathetic and engaging. This story highlights the repercussions of crime and its effect on individuals, families and communities. The personal lives of the characters always brings additional context and interest.
Please John Ellis keep writing your stories they are a real tonic along with the essential philosophies at their heart. Thank you
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is the latest installment of the Yorkshire Murder Mysteries which is a series I've read and enjoyed before.
The newest book does not disappoint. It's twisty, with lots of interesting characters and potential killers, and an intriguing denouement.
I love the setting behind a fictional heritage garden. It brought in some recognisable elements from RHS gardens and was just fun.
Due to be published on 20 October. Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC
The newest book does not disappoint. It's twisty, with lots of interesting characters and potential killers, and an intriguing denouement.
I love the setting behind a fictional heritage garden. It brought in some recognisable elements from RHS gardens and was just fun.
Due to be published on 20 October. Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I picked this up because I'd loved The Secret Garden as a kid, and it turned out to be a wonderful nod to old school mysteries in the vein of Agatha Christie and Murder, She Wrote. The pacing is deliberately slow, giving you room to sit with each new character and dig into their background to see who might have had a motive. That's what I enjoyed most: getting to know the town where the murders took place and piecing together the clues right alongside the detectives.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews