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A Midnight Murder
Not yet published
Expected 14 Sep 26Discover the BRAND NEW instalment in Kate Wells' addictive cozy mystery series. From the BESTSELLING author of A Christmas Murder. Praise for Kate
'A complex and intriguing murder mystery set in beautiful British countryside where the farm animals are as demanding as the local residents. Kept me guessing all the way to the end.' T A Williams
'An original setting and clever plot. Had me hooked from page one.' E.V. Hunter
'A tantalising corkscrew of a plot ... featuring a plucky quartet of very different women working together to uncover the truth about a series of dreadful crimes...' Debbie Young
'I loved this rollercoaster of a book! It was stylish, pacy and gripping, with engaging characters. I rooted for Jude the sleuth from the first page. It's a hugely supenseful story, compelling, well-crafted and cleverly calculated.' Judy Leigh
'A cryptically clever cosy mystery that will transport you to the beautiful Malvern Hills. I couldn’t put it down!' Jessica Bull
'A complex and intriguing murder mystery set in beautiful British countryside where the farm animals are as demanding as the local residents. Kept me guessing all the way to the end.' T A Williams
'An original setting and clever plot. Had me hooked from page one.' E.V. Hunter
'A tantalising corkscrew of a plot ... featuring a plucky quartet of very different women working together to uncover the truth about a series of dreadful crimes...' Debbie Young
'I loved this rollercoaster of a book! It was stylish, pacy and gripping, with engaging characters. I rooted for Jude the sleuth from the first page. It's a hugely supenseful story, compelling, well-crafted and cleverly calculated.' Judy Leigh
'A cryptically clever cosy mystery that will transport you to the beautiful Malvern Hills. I couldn’t put it down!' Jessica Bull
348 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 14, 2026
About the author
Kate Wells
53 books43 followersLibrary of Congress Authorities: Wells, Kate, 1959-
Senior technical instructor of dyeing and printing, Royal Coll. of Art, London
Senior technical instructor of dyeing and printing, Royal Coll. of Art, London
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Its New Year’s Eva and Jude Grey, Marcus, Lucy and Noah are going to The Lamb to celebrate the arrival of the New Year, despite the blistering cold weather. Lucy is heavily pregnant and is looking forward to a last night out before the birth of her and Noah’s much awaited baby.
Welcomed into the warmth of the Pub, they discover the Merebrook family, a local family with wealth and scandal attached, are also attending the party. They prove to be a spoilt, unpleasant family with which to share their table; entitled, fractious and impolite they dampen the fun of the evening. To complete a somewhat difficult evening, a surprise proposal sets off the complex issues of dislike within the Merebrook family.
When they all troop outside to welcome in the New Year over glowing firepits, a scream rends the festive atmosphere when a man, a member of the Merebrook party, is found dead; stabbed three times in the back.
As Jude, Bini and Sami, the best of Malvern’s Police force, are present they immediately set about securing the scene, which leads to another complex murder in Malvern. As the days pass, Jude finds as an Honorary Detective, the case is fascinating, not just because it is a local family of wealth and entitlement but because of the history of family and an unsolved murder.
She firmly believes the tragic family history is connected to this latest murder but as the various avenues are discovered and investigated, the amount of people who could have killed Danny Howell continues to grow to the point until a chance conversation lets the final pieces of the jigsaw fall into place.
A Murder at Midnight from Kate Wells is wrapped up in village life, a complex mix of characters and a cold case murder where the killer was never found, apparently disappearing or also murdered.
Once again, a riveting cozy murder from Kate Wells could A Midnight Murder be the final book in the The Malvern Mysteries, as the final chapters draw to close with some heartwarming conclusions. Guess we will have to wait and see what the future holds for Jude Grey and her delightful family and friends.
Welcomed into the warmth of the Pub, they discover the Merebrook family, a local family with wealth and scandal attached, are also attending the party. They prove to be a spoilt, unpleasant family with which to share their table; entitled, fractious and impolite they dampen the fun of the evening. To complete a somewhat difficult evening, a surprise proposal sets off the complex issues of dislike within the Merebrook family.
When they all troop outside to welcome in the New Year over glowing firepits, a scream rends the festive atmosphere when a man, a member of the Merebrook party, is found dead; stabbed three times in the back.
As Jude, Bini and Sami, the best of Malvern’s Police force, are present they immediately set about securing the scene, which leads to another complex murder in Malvern. As the days pass, Jude finds as an Honorary Detective, the case is fascinating, not just because it is a local family of wealth and entitlement but because of the history of family and an unsolved murder.
She firmly believes the tragic family history is connected to this latest murder but as the various avenues are discovered and investigated, the amount of people who could have killed Danny Howell continues to grow to the point until a chance conversation lets the final pieces of the jigsaw fall into place.
A Murder at Midnight from Kate Wells is wrapped up in village life, a complex mix of characters and a cold case murder where the killer was never found, apparently disappearing or also murdered.
Once again, a riveting cozy murder from Kate Wells could A Midnight Murder be the final book in the The Malvern Mysteries, as the final chapters draw to close with some heartwarming conclusions. Guess we will have to wait and see what the future holds for Jude Grey and her delightful family and friends.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"A Midnight Murder by Kate Wells” the final instalment in the The Malvern Farm Mystery series. This is the first book I have read in the series and by this author, if you love mysteries set England this is for you! I plan on going back and reading the complete series
Fireworks, family feuds… and a fatality
I liked the dynamics between the investigative team, Jude and how they played off each other. I loved the farm setting with the sheep and other animals as well as the side characters, it has made me want to read the series from the beginning.
The mystery was really interesting, well plotted, and had just enough twists to keep you engrossed and wanting to know what happens next. I was sad to see this was the last book in the series but at the end of Murder at Midnight is a sample of a new mystery by Kate Wells which I have pre-ordered already. It sounds intriguing and I can’t wait to read it.
I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.
I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Boldwood Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Fireworks, family feuds… and a fatality
I liked the dynamics between the investigative team, Jude and how they played off each other. I loved the farm setting with the sheep and other animals as well as the side characters, it has made me want to read the series from the beginning.
The mystery was really interesting, well plotted, and had just enough twists to keep you engrossed and wanting to know what happens next. I was sad to see this was the last book in the series but at the end of Murder at Midnight is a sample of a new mystery by Kate Wells which I have pre-ordered already. It sounds intriguing and I can’t wait to read it.
I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.
I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Boldwood Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
At the New Year's Eve party that the pub, Jude is dismayed to find herself seated beside the quarrelling family who live in the biggest house in town. It's an uncomfortable dinner for her, but when they leave the building to see the fireworks, they leave the most objectionable member of the family behind. After just a few minutes, a scream is heard from inside, and Danny is found dead of stab wounds. Jude assists Binnie with her investigation, but she's worried that Binnie is not well, still suffering from migraine headaches. She lets Jude know that she's thinking of leaving the police force.
I understand from the writer's afterword that this is the last book in this series. I'll miss reading about the lambs, as that was very enjoyable. Glad that everything wound up so nicely, with baby lambs and a niece born. A very good series. Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the advance copy.
I understand from the writer's afterword that this is the last book in this series. I'll miss reading about the lambs, as that was very enjoyable. Glad that everything wound up so nicely, with baby lambs and a niece born. A very good series. Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Jude and her family and friends are at a New Year’s Eve party and get seated at a table with the Merebrooks, the local rich family with snobbish, rude attitudes. The daughter becomes engaged during the party, but it’s short-lived when her fiance is murdered that same night. With many suspects and motives, the police and Jude are busy.
I love reading about Jude’s farm, her sweet animals, and the quiet farm life she has built. The Merebrooks have a dark history with the disappearance of the mother years before after her lover was murdered.
This is a lovely cozy mystery with a complex mystery and a peaceful village and farm setting. I loved the characters and the setting.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC.
I love reading about Jude’s farm, her sweet animals, and the quiet farm life she has built. The Merebrooks have a dark history with the disappearance of the mother years before after her lover was murdered.
This is a lovely cozy mystery with a complex mystery and a peaceful village and farm setting. I loved the characters and the setting.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is the third book I have read by this author which is part of the "Malvern Mysteries" series. I think it is the best so far, although it seemed to go a little slow at times. Once again Jude displays her amazing deductive skills while dealing with all the farm chores, pregnant sheep and a pregnant sister. She's what makes the books worth reading.
All the suspicious characters were truly unlikable, and I couldn't figure out who was responsible until revealed dramatically at the end. Overall, a well-written mystery
I obtained an advance copy of this book via NetGalley.
All the suspicious characters were truly unlikable, and I couldn't figure out who was responsible until revealed dramatically at the end. Overall, a well-written mystery
I obtained an advance copy of this book via NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Gripping from start to finish. This is the 8th in a series. I haven't read any of the previous books in the series, although I have now downloaded them all to read as was so impressed by this book. Although knowing the full back story would have been useful, this didn't impact on my enjoyment of the book. I look forward to reading the rest. Highly recommended. I was lucky enough to read an advance copy and leave this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews