A Cornish clifftop, a sunny afternoon, a quaint little teashop… but wait a minute. Is that jam, or blood? Maddie Penrose is determined to find out!
Maddie Penrose is staying with her beloved grandmother, Nor, at her gorgeously idyllic Cornish farm. She’s looking forward to days helping out in Nor’s little teashop and evenings wandering down the cliff path to watch the sunset. But before Maddie has even finished serving up scones on her first morning, a man bursts through the Nor’s neighbour Clive has found a body in the field behind the teashop…
Maddie is straight to the scene, fancying herself as a bit of an Agatha Christie. But solving this mystery is far from a piece of cake. Her list of suspects is jam-packed with locals, with some a little too close to the newcomer renting out one of Nor’s barns is acting suspiciously, the victim’s boyfriend has disappeared without trace, and Clive isn’t really Maddie’s cup of tea either…
But the proof is in the pudding when there’s another murder – her prime suspect is dead. And when Maddie finds a backpack belonging to the first murder victim, her diligent notetaking and quick thinking leads her to discover that the killer will act again, and soon. Maddie is horrified to discover that it looks like she is their next target…
Can Maddie and Nor work as a team to piece together the puzzle? Or will murdering Maddie be the icing on the cake for the killer?
A totally addictive, witty and warm cozy mystery that will keep you reading late into the night, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, T.E. Kinsey and Verity Bright.
Entertaining cozy mystery with good puzzling mystery. I would need to read more books in the series as they comes out to fully get attached to the characters. But thats usually the case with mystery series. A bit of a quiet start but see the potential to be a binge feeling series.
I enjoyed this book. This is a quaint English cozy mystery, full of suspects to keep you guessing. There was a lot going on, with a number of motives, mysteries and deaths but it played out nicely and stayed entertaining. The story was well written and made it easy to imagine the country life and picture the trials and problems of a small village, where everybody knows everybody. I had no clue who the killer was and was surprised with who it turned out to be and especially with the twist on the motive. I liked the characters and while Maddie's quirk of having to write everything down, so she doesn't forget was interesting and helpful to begin with, however it did get annoying when she had to keep reading everything she had written back. I liked the relationship between her and her grandmother and of course it wouldn't be a cozy without the added fun of a cat or a budding romance with a police detective. I hope this is just the first of many books.
When life gets to much for Maddie, she moves in with her Grandmother for a much needed rest. Only to find out her grandmother might not be coping with her teashop quite as well as she says. With a run in with the local council and modernisation needed Maddie is busy planning new ways to bring much needed money. Unfortunately before she can start any improvements A neighbour bursts I go the tea shop carrying a gun and covered in blood. He quickly leads Maddie to a young womans body and despite the scene it's no accident. With no identification on her, Maddie soon finds herself caught up in trying to find out who she was and why she was killer. As the body count rises and even Maddie's own grandmother is taken in for questioning it seems that Maddie hasn't returned to such a small sleepy village. I liked the narrator. She made the story come to life and the hours fly by in the blink of an eye. I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Murder in a Cornish Teashop is the cutest cozy mystery as book one in a new series from Fliss Chester. In it, we find Maddie Penrose as a recent DFL (down from Londoner) to the Cornish countryside. She’s actually come to help out her aging and much-taken-for-granted grandmother, Nor with her teashop and lands.
Before she’s even met the neighbors, she witnesses a suspicious death, and her Miss Marple instincts start to work overtime. The local constabulary seems to be competent, but Maddie keeps having clues fall into her hands, often leading to her being in danger of being targeted by the actual murderer.
This adorably cozy mystery blends the new modern ideas that Maddie has brought with her from London to mesh with her grans’ old ways of this Cornish farming community. Maddie also begins to realize just how much the entire community depends on one another to survive. This doesn’t leave room for dealing with a murderer on the loose.
The precious way that Maddie started to refer to clue and other case notes as ingredients to solving a murder was unique. It folded nicely into the story, and helped to refresh the reader’s memory on what was already learned, even if it didn’t seem to have made any sense when it was learned.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for this audio ARC! I can’t wait for the rest of this series!
The new series from Fliss Chester has all the makings of a fabulous cosy series. A young woman returning to a Cornish village. A sparky gran. A handsome detective. A bakery/teashop. Murders. And it doesn't disappoint!
When the body of a visiting influencer is found buried under fallen stones, Maddie Penrose suspects it was no accident. With suspicious locals, and a mystery disappearance decades ago, Maddie has to untangle the web of secrets and uncover the killer, before the village picks up a bad reputation and destroys her dreams of turning her gran's tea shop business around.
When Fliss Chester is the author, you know you're in for quality storytelling, and the novel keeps you guessing right to the end. Maddie is a lovable character, and there are two of the best named cats I've found in cosy fiction. Such a fun read, and I can't wait to see more of this series.
Harrie Dobby narrates the audio and her voice suits the perkiness of Maddie Penrose while making it easy to distinguish between all the characters, making it so easy to listen to.
Murder in a Cornish Teashop by Fliss Chester is out on March 11 2026 from Bookouture.
Thank you to the author, the publisher Bookouture and Netgalley for a free ARC of the audiobook in exchange for a review.
In this charming mystery, Maddie Penrose’s peaceful stay at her grandmother Nor’s idyllic Cornish farm takes a sudden turn. While looking forward to helping out in the family teashop and enjoying sunset walks, Maddie’s plans are shattered on her very first morning when a neighbor discovers a body in the field right behind the shop. As my first-ever murder mystery, I have to say I am officially hooked! I absolutely loved following Maddie as she took the lead in playing detective, with her beloved grandmother Nor providing wonderful support throughout her progress.
The plot kept me guessing until the very end; while my suspicions shifted constantly as the story unfolded, I truly had no clue who the killer was until the final reveal. It is a wonderfully cozy and lighthearted story, and the narrator, Harrie Dobby, did a fantastic job of maintaining that warm atmosphere even amidst the investigation. The vivid descriptions of the landscape truly made me feel like I had traveled to Cornwall myself. Knowing this is the first in a series is the best news possible—I can’t wait to dive into the next one and follow Maddie on another adventure!
A huge thank you to Bookouture, Fliss Chester, and NetGalley for providing me with this uncorrected advance reader version.
"Murder in a Cornish Teashop” by Fliss Chester the first instalment of The Maddie Penrose mystery series set in the in the . What a great start to a new series. Author Fliss Chester is a new to me author but I had heard this was a good cozy mystery. This story follows Maddie Penrose, who is taking a break from her hectic life as a chef in London and escaped to her Grans farm and Teashop in the quaint town of Pendragon Creek, Cornwall.
But before Maddie has even finished serving up scones on her first morning, a man bursts through the door: Nor’s neighbour Clive has found a body in the field behind the teashop…
Can Maddie and Nor work as a team to piece together the puzzle? Or will murdering Maddie be the icing on the cake for the killer?
I enjoyed Fliss Chester’s writing style and the charming Cornwall setting. This was a quick, engaging read, and I'm looking forward to seeing how the series develops.
Recommended for fans of cozy mysteries, British settings, and amateur sleuths ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I requested and received an advanced readers copy from Publisher and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Finished this in one day and the narrator really made it. She nailed the cozy vibe and the tension, so you actually feel the emotions and characters dynamics, not just the plot.
It’s a classic cozy mystery (Cornwall hills, teashop, scones… and a body), but Maddie kept me interested: stubborn, a bit insecure at times, but brave and determined. She’s basically escaping the London work life and accidentally lands in a murder investigation at the first day in grandma's tea shop. Also: the grandma is great, supportive and smart, without being the usual annoying “quirky old lady” cliché.
I genuinely didn’t guess the killer until close to the end, which is a big win for this genre.
Small minus: sometimes Maddie felt a bit too shy/stuttery, but honestly that reads like “first book in a series” character building and she’ll probably grow tougher and more confident as it goes on.
If you like warm, witty cozies with a proper mystery and good audiobook performance, this one is a fun ride.
This review is for the audio version of the book, provided by NetGalley, and narrated by Harrie Dobby.
This was a solid cozy mystery.
Maddie has moved (temporarily? maybe?) in with her grandmother Nor, in the beautiful Cornwall countryside, to decompress a little and to help her grandmother get her teashop running more smoothly.
Her first day, though, finds her taking a witness statement and standing guard over the body of a young woman, found by her neighbor.
Maddie just can't help herself and she begins to poke and form her own theories and list of suspects, who then also turn up dead.
This was charming. I liked the character work for the most part. Grandma Nor was absolutely perfect, and I liked Maddie, but she seemed a little dull at points. She's undeniably brilliant and lovable, she's got great wit and sarcasm (which, honestly, she should use more often), and sometimes it felt like she was slowing the story down to a point where it takes you out of it.
Overall, this was pretty fun and I'd definitely read more of them.
I finished this book within a day. The cover, blurb and title immediately drew me in.
It’s a cozy mystery where Maddie leaves her London life to stay and help the grandma in Cornwall. While working her first day her grandmother’s neighbour busts in stating a body had been found. While the investigation was taken place other suspicious things had been going on and Maddie with a bit of help form her grandmother began their own investigation in to what happened and why.
This book was such an enjoyable listen, it had a plot that was easy to follow as well as characters. I liked the fact that it wasn’t predictable either, I had no idea who the killer was. In addition I liked that we were told why they did what they did, as it allows the reader a deeper insight.
The narrator of this book Harrie Dobby, kept me hooked. Her narration was amazing!
I’d love to read more my this author in the future as well as listen to further audiobooks but this narrator.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture audio for the ALC
I’m a sucker for a cozy mystery. I’m also a sucker for a cozy mystery series. I’m hopeful in future books to come, that there is more depth to the characters and reasons to love them and root for them. I just didn’t feel that with this book. When it comes to mysteries, I always want to feel as if the “whodunit” is there. Maybe as the reader I don’t guess it, but its still there. I did not feel this way with this book. I didn’t feel like I ever would have guessed or figured out the “bad guy” all on my own.
The narrator is listed as Harrie Dobby. It appears this narrator has a fairly big resume, which is great, however I questioned numerous times if it was an AI narrator.
I was invested in the book and couldn’t wait to have all my questions answered. However, there was more than once I noticed I just wanted it done, rather than getting the answers. Hopefully in the books to come there is more reason to be invested.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. Always appreciate the experience.
I was lucky enough to receive the ebook for review. Murder in a Cornish Teashop is exactly the kind of cozy mystery I sometimes crave: warm, lighthearted, and just twisty enough to keep the pages (or in my case, the audio) moving. The Cornish setting is charming, the teashop atmosphere feels inviting, and the mystery unfolds at an easy, comfortable pace that fits the tone of the story perfectly.
What really elevated this one for me was the audiobook narrator. Their performance brought the characters to life and added an extra layer of charm and personality to the story. The accents, timing, and warmth in the delivery made it feel like I was sitting right in the teashop, listening to the tale over a cup of tea.
If you’re looking for a relaxing, cozy mystery with a strong audiobook performance, this is a delightful way to spend a few hours. I’ll definitely be happy to return to this series for another visit to Cornwall.
I had so much fun with this cozy mystery! The story swept me away to charming Cornwall, and I could practically feel the sea breeze while trying to solve the case alongside Maddie. The mystery itself was smartly plotted and kept me guessing—I figured it out just a breath before Maddie did, which made the reveal super satisfying.
Maddie is such a sweet, easy-to-root-for heroine, and Nor absolutely brings the energy and fun. I also adore Tom and Maddie together—no enemies-to-lovers drama here, just a genuinely supportive duo I can’t help but cheer for. This book is the ultimate definition of a cozy mystery, and it left me ready to pack my bags for Cornwall ASAP!
Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture audio for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
A sweet Cornish delight! I devoured this story in one sitting Cannnot wait for book 2!
I requested this audiobook looking for a sweet cozy mystery, and I wasn't disappointed! The Cornish setting is beautifully described, making you feel like you’re right there in the teashop with Maddie and Nor. This was my first Fliss Chester book, but it definitely won't be my last. The characters are charming, the plot is engaging, and the atmosphere is perfectly cozy.
Murder in a Cornish Teashop is a wonderfully sweet read that balances a clever whodunnit with a lot of heart.
Cute cozy mystery with a bit of quirkiness, a no nonsense grandma, and the cutest cats.
I enjoyed how Maddie figured out who the murder was by looking at it all the information like it was a recipe. Small things she learned along the way created the “ah ha!” Moment. I also enjoy Crumpet and Toast, the two beloved cats ❤️
I listened to this book and the narrator did an ok job. I would have liked there to be greater voice change for the different characters, The pacing of the narration was good though.
Thank you to Bookouture via Netgallery for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Maddie has taken a break from her life as a chef at a fancy London restaurant and is helping out at her Gran's teashop. A woman is murdered at the neighboring farm and as Maddie turns into an amateur sleuth she keeps notes on everything that she's heard allowing her to solve the murder. I enjoyed this book, the story was engaging and moved along steadily. Maddie and Gran were a hoot and make a great sleuthing team. I liked Maddie keeping track of the clues and thinking of them as a recipe. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC
Thank you to NetGalley and @Bookouture for this ARC. Chef Maddie Penrose is burned out from her job in London and has decided to spend time with her grandmother and help run her teashop near their family's Cornish farm. Once she arrives, a man entires covered in blood and says a woman had died. After two more murders, Maddie helps piece together the case as well as say her grandma's teashop from the council. I love Chester's cozy mysteries though this a a new character to all. #MurderinaCornishTeashop #FlissChester #MaddiePenrose #Bookouture #March2026
Murder in a Cornish Teashop is a charming cozy mystery that was perfect to listen to while I worked on a jigsaw puzzle. Fliss Chester creates such a warm, comforting atmosphere, and I really enjoyed settling into this story!
I loved the relationship between Maddie and her grandmother, Nor. Gran reminded me a bit of a modern Miss Marple, which thrilled me as an Agatha Christie fan, and Harrie Dobby’s narration brought their dynamic to life beautifully.
I had fun following the mystery and am definitely looking forward to more adventures in this series!