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Ding Dong Bell
Woodstock, March 1950. Jean Penrose, a young tutor at Woodstock House, is found drowned in Fair Rosamund's Well on the grounds of Blenheim Palace. The police call it an accident. Hester Croft calls it murder.
Jean was clever, beautiful, and cruel — a collector of secrets who played games with the people around her. Now she's dead, and half of Woodstock had reason to want her that way.
Hester Croft, a sharp-minded woman with a dark past of her own, and her oldest friend Gertie Bundle, the irrepressible landlady of The Old Pyed Bull Inn, begin asking questions the police won't. But in a town preparing for the Palace's grand public opening, powerful people want this matter closed — quickly and quietly.
As Hester and Gertie pull at the threads of Jean's little games, they discover that the secrets she kept weren't just scandalous. They were dangerous. And the person who silenced her isn't finished yet.
But Jean's death has stirred something in Hester too. Old memories, a family darkness she has spent thirty years trying to outrun. To find the killer, she may have to confront the one thing she fears most. Herself.
Ding Dong Bell is the first mystery in the Woodstock Mysteries series — cosy crime with a sharp edge, set in 1950s Oxfordshire.
Jean was clever, beautiful, and cruel — a collector of secrets who played games with the people around her. Now she's dead, and half of Woodstock had reason to want her that way.
Hester Croft, a sharp-minded woman with a dark past of her own, and her oldest friend Gertie Bundle, the irrepressible landlady of The Old Pyed Bull Inn, begin asking questions the police won't. But in a town preparing for the Palace's grand public opening, powerful people want this matter closed — quickly and quietly.
As Hester and Gertie pull at the threads of Jean's little games, they discover that the secrets she kept weren't just scandalous. They were dangerous. And the person who silenced her isn't finished yet.
But Jean's death has stirred something in Hester too. Old memories, a family darkness she has spent thirty years trying to outrun. To find the killer, she may have to confront the one thing she fears most. Herself.
Ding Dong Bell is the first mystery in the Woodstock Mysteries series — cosy crime with a sharp edge, set in 1950s Oxfordshire.
218 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 28, 2026
22 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
AG Barnett
36 books115 followersAG Barnett lives in Oxfordshire with his wife, daughter, three ridiculous spaniels, and four frizzle chickens.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 15, 2026
What a welcome addition to the historical mystery genre are Gertie Bundle and Hester Croft! And A.G. Barnett has chosen an excellent way to introduce them, in Ding Dong Bell. Great plot, excellent setting, a touch of pathos... the author has got it all wrapped up in an intriguing story of tragedy (in more ways than one) and evil and cover-up. Looking forward to more from these two ladies.
March 8, 2026
"Ding Dong Bell" is book #1 in "The Woodstock Mysteries" by A.G. Barnett.
Despite the murder happening near the beginning, it took me a while to get into this book. It wasn't that it was a period piece, I just didn't warm to the characters. I suspected early on who was responsible and why. For me, it only got interesting about half way through as things got more complicated.
Gertie Bundle and Hester Croft were walking Hester's dog Argos in the village of Woodstock, England in 1950 when they come across the body of Jean Penrose (a young tutor). The police think it was an accident but Hester believes it was murder.
Gertie and Hester seemed to be an odd pair of fifty-something women. Hester, though intelligent, also had a darkness to her that was eventually explained but I just couldn't warm to her. Gertie was more likable but they both seemed to push each others buttons at times. Together they ask questions the police won't and try to sort out the gossip, rumors and secrets to uncover the truth and catch a killer.
Now that I've read the first book of this series and gotten to know the characters a bit, perhaps the next book in the series will draw me in more quickly.
Overall, a good read but a bit on the dark side for a cozy mystery. JMO 3/5 stars.
Despite the murder happening near the beginning, it took me a while to get into this book. It wasn't that it was a period piece, I just didn't warm to the characters. I suspected early on who was responsible and why. For me, it only got interesting about half way through as things got more complicated.
Gertie Bundle and Hester Croft were walking Hester's dog Argos in the village of Woodstock, England in 1950 when they come across the body of Jean Penrose (a young tutor). The police think it was an accident but Hester believes it was murder.
Gertie and Hester seemed to be an odd pair of fifty-something women. Hester, though intelligent, also had a darkness to her that was eventually explained but I just couldn't warm to her. Gertie was more likable but they both seemed to push each others buttons at times. Together they ask questions the police won't and try to sort out the gossip, rumors and secrets to uncover the truth and catch a killer.
Now that I've read the first book of this series and gotten to know the characters a bit, perhaps the next book in the series will draw me in more quickly.
Overall, a good read but a bit on the dark side for a cozy mystery. JMO 3/5 stars.
April 1, 2026
Very good first in series!
This is a new series for this author and this is a new author to me. I have not read any of his other books but I'm going to have to as I really like his writing. The story is focused on two older ladies that have been friends for years in the small Oxfordshire town of Woodstock. He Hester Croft and Gertie Bundle come across a body while out on their walk. But if the tutor Jean died by accidentally drowning as the police believe, who pulled her out of the well? And where did the bloody knife at the scene come from? Lots of twists to keep the reader interested and an ending you won't see coming.
I received a copy of this book from the author. This is my honest, voluntary review.
This is a new series for this author and this is a new author to me. I have not read any of his other books but I'm going to have to as I really like his writing. The story is focused on two older ladies that have been friends for years in the small Oxfordshire town of Woodstock. He Hester Croft and Gertie Bundle come across a body while out on their walk. But if the tutor Jean died by accidentally drowning as the police believe, who pulled her out of the well? And where did the bloody knife at the scene come from? Lots of twists to keep the reader interested and an ending you won't see coming.
I received a copy of this book from the author. This is my honest, voluntary review.
March 1, 2026
This is a sound mystery grounded in a gossipy small town eight miles from Oxford. The death of a young woman without a conscience threatens to overshadow the grand opening of Blenheim Palace, so the police are in a hurry. They definitely don't want the case complicated by two – ahem – elderly ladies. Too bad.
I noticed a certain amount of repetition throughout and felt this had a steadying effect: familiarity; solidity; routine. Things may happen but other things stay the same, always. The chalk-and-cheese friendship of the two women was well-drawn and both contributed to the solving of the case, Hester's intellect balanced by Gertie's heart.
A series worth following.
I noticed a certain amount of repetition throughout and felt this had a steadying effect: familiarity; solidity; routine. Things may happen but other things stay the same, always. The chalk-and-cheese friendship of the two women was well-drawn and both contributed to the solving of the case, Hester's intellect balanced by Gertie's heart.
A series worth following.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Set in Woodstock in 1950, the town is waiting for Blenheim Palace to open for visitors, but this doesn’t stop Hester and Gertie entering the park via a side gate to take their usual morning walk. However, it is not usual to find a body of a young woman beside the well. When the police arrive Gertie is able to tell Inspector Wallace who she is. A lovely cosy mystery where the two women outsmart the police.
My thanks to AG Bennett for this arc copy.
My thanks to AG Bennett for this arc copy.
March 7, 2026
An Interesting Read
I will say that this was a very good book. It moved quickly and never lost my interest. I will also say that the two ladies were somewhat - I’m not sure what to call it. Some of it may seem unrealistic to some degree but definitely doesn’t take away from the enjoyment. I will be looking for the next in this series if there is one.
I will say that this was a very good book. It moved quickly and never lost my interest. I will also say that the two ladies were somewhat - I’m not sure what to call it. Some of it may seem unrealistic to some degree but definitely doesn’t take away from the enjoyment. I will be looking for the next in this series if there is one.
March 12, 2026
Great characters
Barnett has really come along. This book has complex, interesting characters. It has a tight plot. It has suspenseful pacing at the end, with a satisfying finish. Bravo
Barnett has really come along. This book has complex, interesting characters. It has a tight plot. It has suspenseful pacing at the end, with a satisfying finish. Bravo
Review of advance copy received from Author
1950. Gertie Bundle and Hester Croft are out walking her dog in the grounds of Blenheim Palace when they discover a body. That of 24 year-old Jean Penrose. Tutor to thirteen year old Lily Taverner. They decide to ask questions while Inspector Wallace investigates.
An entertaining and well-written historical novel. A good start to this new series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
An entertaining and well-written historical novel. A good start to this new series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 4, 2026
really enjoyed the mystery and the characters, also interesting to be reminded of the attitudes of that time.
March 18, 2026
Totally enjoyed it! This is a well written and has well developed characters. The story is catching and with the strong characters makes for a very enjoyable read. Great Reading Everyone!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews