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The Chiltern Hills Mysteries #4
A Bookish Killer: A gripping English cozy mystery full of twists
Cozy up with a cup of tea and discover an utterly irresistible mystery, set amid England’s picture-perfect Chiltern Hills.
Meet Rona Parish — a biographer with a knack for solving baffling mysteries — and Gus, the adorable Golden Retriever who’s never far from her side.
When Rona’s in the doldrums, there’s only one thing for it. Shopping. So she heads to Tarlton’s jeweller’s for a spot of much-needed retail therapy.
A charming music box soon catches her eye. But the moment she lifts the lid, letting its haunting melody fill the air, things take a shocking turn. The young woman beside Rona turns deathly pale — then faints dead away!
She is Freya Tarlton. The youngest, most cosseted member of the wealthy Tarlton clan. Rona could have sworn it was the music that triggered her. But why?
Freya soon confides that she’s being disturbed by vivid dreams. Dreams that she’s being watched by a shadowy figure, night after night.
Freya begs Rona to unravel the meaning behind her nightmares. But the deeper Rona digs, the more she suspects Freya’s dreams are not dreams at all — but fragments of some long-buried truth.
Because in a town like Marsborough, reputation can be everything. Old families keep old secrets.
And one of them might just be worth killing for . . .
Fans of Faith Martin, M.C. Beaton, Richard Osman, the Reverend Richard Coles and Betty Rowlands are sure to be enchanted by these charming mysteries, set in the beautiful Chiltern Hills.
Please note, this book was previously published as A Family Concern.
Readers ADORE the Chiltern Hills
‘A classic British cozy.’ Booklist
‘A decent puzzler with surprises popping up at respectable intervals.’ Kirkus Reviews
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Rona is completely lovable!’ Mia, Goodreads
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘One of those books that I couldn’t put down but didn’t want to finish.’ Ruth, Goodreads
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Fraser has a knack of pulling the reader into the world she has created . . . absolutely compelling.’ Amazon reader
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Intricate and so well-constructed . . . a perfect candidate for a long binge or a buddy read.’ Annie, Goodreads
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A twisty story that kept me guessing and surprised me often.’ Annarella, Amazon
MEET THE SLEUTH
Spirited Rona Parish may be happily married — to handsome but noisy illustrator Max — but she won’t give up her independence. To her parents’ dismay, Rona still goes by her maiden name and insists on her own unconventional way of living. Max vacates the couple’s townhouse on weekdays, allowing Rona to write, and sleuth, in peace — without any distractions. Unless you count Gus, her bouncy and devoted golden retriever — and the occasional visit from Rona’s chaotic twin sister, Lindsey.
Meet Rona Parish — a biographer with a knack for solving baffling mysteries — and Gus, the adorable Golden Retriever who’s never far from her side.
When Rona’s in the doldrums, there’s only one thing for it. Shopping. So she heads to Tarlton’s jeweller’s for a spot of much-needed retail therapy.
A charming music box soon catches her eye. But the moment she lifts the lid, letting its haunting melody fill the air, things take a shocking turn. The young woman beside Rona turns deathly pale — then faints dead away!
She is Freya Tarlton. The youngest, most cosseted member of the wealthy Tarlton clan. Rona could have sworn it was the music that triggered her. But why?
Freya soon confides that she’s being disturbed by vivid dreams. Dreams that she’s being watched by a shadowy figure, night after night.
Freya begs Rona to unravel the meaning behind her nightmares. But the deeper Rona digs, the more she suspects Freya’s dreams are not dreams at all — but fragments of some long-buried truth.
Because in a town like Marsborough, reputation can be everything. Old families keep old secrets.
And one of them might just be worth killing for . . .
Fans of Faith Martin, M.C. Beaton, Richard Osman, the Reverend Richard Coles and Betty Rowlands are sure to be enchanted by these charming mysteries, set in the beautiful Chiltern Hills.
Please note, this book was previously published as A Family Concern.
Readers ADORE the Chiltern Hills
‘A classic British cozy.’ Booklist
‘A decent puzzler with surprises popping up at respectable intervals.’ Kirkus Reviews
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Rona is completely lovable!’ Mia, Goodreads
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘One of those books that I couldn’t put down but didn’t want to finish.’ Ruth, Goodreads
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Fraser has a knack of pulling the reader into the world she has created . . . absolutely compelling.’ Amazon reader
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Intricate and so well-constructed . . . a perfect candidate for a long binge or a buddy read.’ Annie, Goodreads
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A twisty story that kept me guessing and surprised me often.’ Annarella, Amazon
MEET THE SLEUTH
Spirited Rona Parish may be happily married — to handsome but noisy illustrator Max — but she won’t give up her independence. To her parents’ dismay, Rona still goes by her maiden name and insists on her own unconventional way of living. Max vacates the couple’s townhouse on weekdays, allowing Rona to write, and sleuth, in peace — without any distractions. Unless you count Gus, her bouncy and devoted golden retriever — and the occasional visit from Rona’s chaotic twin sister, Lindsey.
- GenresMystery
281 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 11, 2026
177 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 12, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed the first three books in this series and pre-ordered this one. However, in this fourth outing the focus was on the personal lives of the characters and, while there was a mystery, it lacked much of the crime element.
February 16, 2026
Web of Secrets
Anthea Fraser outdid herself with 'A Bookish Killer'.
One English village, filled with family and friends whose relationships intertwine into a web of secrets and lies. Try as you might to separate these silky strands and discover who spun them and where they lead; you'll find some strands are re-spun breaking the path that leads to the killer.
Anthea Fraser outdid herself with 'A Bookish Killer'.
One English village, filled with family and friends whose relationships intertwine into a web of secrets and lies. Try as you might to separate these silky strands and discover who spun them and where they lead; you'll find some strands are re-spun breaking the path that leads to the killer.
February 21, 2026
The Music Box
What a story! Several plot lines going at once and a girl with nightmares. My very favorite sentence in this book, “Then, before Rona realized what was happening, the girl’s eyes closed and she slid bonelessly to the floor.” How descriptive! The reason why was the purpose of the whole story! Enjoy reading this mixed up story.
What a story! Several plot lines going at once and a girl with nightmares. My very favorite sentence in this book, “Then, before Rona realized what was happening, the girl’s eyes closed and she slid bonelessly to the floor.” How descriptive! The reason why was the purpose of the whole story! Enjoy reading this mixed up story.
February 12, 2026
Another great story
I have become quite attached to Rona and her family. This was a problem that she got entwined in accidentally and strangely did not actually solve although she discovered relevant information. It is as much about family relationships as it is about murder.
I have become quite attached to Rona and her family. This was a problem that she got entwined in accidentally and strangely did not actually solve although she discovered relevant information. It is as much about family relationships as it is about murder.
February 24, 2026
Awesome book. I love this series. The characters are well developed and the story lines are engrossing. You think you have it figured out, and then you realize that you on the totally wrong track. Highly recommend, and I can’t wait for the next one in the series to be published.
March 8, 2026
Intriguing
More relationship trials for Rhona and her family, as she looks for a new work project a friend asks for her help and once again Rhona finds herself involved in a murder mystery. Such an entertaining ,enjoyable series.
More relationship trials for Rhona and her family, as she looks for a new work project a friend asks for her help and once again Rhona finds herself involved in a murder mystery. Such an entertaining ,enjoyable series.
February 27, 2026
great story
A good read right to the end, well worth a read, just loved the way its set out and is in touch with reality, you wont be disappointed.
A good read right to the end, well worth a read, just loved the way its set out and is in touch with reality, you wont be disappointed.
March 5, 2026
i feel like the series slowly lost its crime aspect, it was a really good mystery but the murder reveal just felt so sudden and i didnt like how it developed
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews