A Bookish Puzzle

Chiltern Hills Mysteries #2

by Anthea Fraser

Previously published as Jigsaw

The little town of Buckford may be brimful of charm, with its quaint cobbles and bustling market. But it’s not without its dark side . . .

Rona’s in town, researching local tales and forgotten histories for a brand-new book. The townsfolk are happy to reminisce with her.

Except for frail old Edna Rosebury. There’s a secret weighing on her conscience. Something she saw one night and can’t forget.

A midnight tryst between a cheating couple. Edna kept it to herself, for the sake of a child she can’t — or won’t — name.

Is it a real memory — or just a figment of Edna’s wild imagination?

The deeper Rona digs, the more she fears it all links back to not one, but two mysterious local deaths.

A young girl, killed in a tragic accident, and a man stabbed in cold blood outside the King’s Head pub.

As Rona races to piece together the puzzle, a third victim drops dead on the streets of Buckford.

Someone out there is trying to erase every trace of their guilty secret. Including Rona herself?

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, British Literature

286 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2004

About the author

aka Vanessa Graham

Reviews

[Cybercrone · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not at all sure about this series and its main characters yet.

We'll see.

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nora Parish travels to another town to write several articles about its history. While she's there, one of the long time residents mysteriously dies, and it could have something to do with a murder that happened several years prior. Meanwhile her sister deals with her ex, and their father shows interest in another woman.
Another lovely story in this series. I'm so glad I discovered it, because I enjoy the authors style of writing, and really like the characters. Rona's husband and sister will need to grow on me though.

[Mrs VTJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Readable tosh, nice characters, bit unbelievable (a freelance journalist and an artist can afford two houses and appear very well-off??). Rattles along nicely, though. Entertaining.

[Janet Farnham · Rating 2 out of 5]

Consistency is important to me and when I see something that conflicts with an earlier statement it is like a jarring note in a piano concert. This story read like a rush-job to me...

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the second installment in the Rona Parish mystery series. In addition to the characters are developing and becoming more interesting, the actual mystery was a little more, for lack of a better word, mysterious than in the first book. Yet, once again, Rona stumbles into the solution without any proper sleuthing. She is simply a journalist who has gotten involved in the lives of the people she has come across in the course of the research she is doing for a series of articles. As a mystery lover, I’m not sure how I feel about this. On the other hand, I enjoyed the writing and getting to know the characters better and character development is one of the reasons I like to read a series. So maybe this series is one where its’s the journey and not the destination that is the important thing. The thing I liked the least is that there were too many threads hanging at the end of the book with regards to the series main characters (as opposed to some of the main characters who featured in this particular story and we are not likely to hear from again). All in all, I enjoyed the book and will probably continue with the Rona Parish mysteries.

[D · Rating 3 out of 5]

it’s not the writing, it’s the character

I’ll update when/if I finish. At chapter eight, I am so angry at Rona that I hardly want to finish. Apparently, she has no real ethics and limited intelligence in spite of being a well received author. She didn’t share something she should have in the first book, and now she’s doing the same.
Ok. Finished it. Apparently this is a placeholder. Lots of things introduced to be sorted out in the future. Rona continued in her selfish, secretive vein. However, other characters are enjoyable and well done to my POV. If I continue with the series, it will be for them, not Rona.

[Doug Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rona decides to write a series of articles on the town of Buckford, which is due to celebrate its eight hundredth anniversary. As she researches the town's history, she is approached by Beth Spencer about a more current issue: Beth's husband Alan is serving a prison sentence for a murder Beth is sure he didn't commit. Although Rona does not consider herself to be an "investigative reporter," she is persuaded to do some investigating. Meanwhile, her parents and twin sister are having relationship problems.

[MARK D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good English murder mystery

I can lose track of who is who in a book like this and it does have some interesting tense moments. I'm not English or British, but I learn a lot about locations and various cultural interests and traditions in a book like this. For example, a trifle is a dessert, not a small gift or item.

[valerie gosling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling

A really good book ,marvellous characters first-class plot developing slowly drawing you in and keeping you turning the pages really enjoyed reading this book highly recommend

[Antonia Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very interesting and sometimes spine-tingling mystery. I was surprised by the revelations made by some of the characters. This changed the whole sense of the mystery and the murders. This was a most excellent read!!!!!

[✎ᝰ. # ◞ ℋeather ✧. ✉︎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didnt enjoy this one as much, it felt like everything just happened suddenly at the end and was over like that. Would still recommend as a part of the series though, obviously not every good will be as good as the others!

[Julie A Morrissey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a Cosy Murder Story

Enjoyable (if that's right for a murder?!).
Nicely written, so that you soon fall into the villages where this story is based. Look forward to the next in the series.

[P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read

I enjoyed meeting Rona again on another mystery. The author has developed a good technique for Rona to encounter adventures in places other than her home town - being a journalist/writer gives her a good reason to travel.

[Jacqueline Whitington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as the description suggests a cozy mystery full of twists.

Very exciting, couldn't put it down. Totally unexpected ending. So looking forward to starting the next book in the series

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit disappointing. There seems to be a formula developing. The good- natured banter, and evasions, about risk get tiresome. Rona survives by good luck rather than good management and the end comes abruptly, as if the author has had enough. The various romance interests are also tiresome. I did want to know what happens, but most of these people are hard to like.

[Tonya Brum · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series, however, I do try to read them in order but must have gone wrong somewhere, Catherine Bishop is introduced it this book, but she was in the book I read previously and I was sure I read the first in the series not the third. I am so confused buy will read on. Great characters

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good read!

Filled with twists I didn’t see coming & I did not figure out the murderer until just before it was revealed. And what’s going to happen to Rona’s parents? I have to go read the next book to see!!

[Lexine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exciting ending

The back story is interesting and makes me want to read the next installment. Good plot. This is a fun read.

[Deb Mervold · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am enjoying this series with Rona Parish.

[Ann Hind · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book author has written lots of different books but really great reading.

[Hannah Benwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Standard enjoyable book.

[Emma Quarmby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from Anthea Fraser. I suspected completely the wrong person! Great twists.

[Charline Romine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Red Ink Pen

Murder most mysterious! Rona was researching for articles she was going to write and ran across information leading to a murder. Oh my!

[Robert Polhill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly put together and well thought out. Thoroughly enjoyed it and looking forward to the next book

[Snowy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m enjoying this book series. I love the descriptions and most of the characters, but can’t warm to Rona. She seems very selfish, doesn’t share information and Max seems too nice for her!

[Julie B · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Bookish Puzzle

Fraser tells a good story but she involves too many characters for me. I can’t keep track of who’s who. I hope her next book is more linear.

[Eleanor · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting ride all the way to the end.

No one is ever as they seem and who can blame us as we all have our own thoughts and emotions that we resolve to keep to ourselves.

[Cheryl Landmark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars

[Elainebowden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wondu

A cracking good read I really enjoyed this book the characters are really well written , I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cosy mystery series.

[Lavender · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.