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Vera Calloway Cozy English Village Mysteries #1
The Spy Who Loved Tea
Everyone in Lark’s End thinks Vera Calloway is a sweet old woman with a knitting bag, a fondness for tea, and an overfed cat named Watson.
Everyone is wrong.
When Major Barnaby collapses face-first into his prize petunias at the village fête, the police see a tragic heart attack. Vera sees a professional hit. And after forty years in the Service, she knows the difference.
Now someone is buying up village land, blackmailing locals, and eliminating obstacles. Vera should leave it to the authorities.
Unfortunately, the authorities are useless.
Armed with knitting needles, spycraft, and one deeply judgmental ginger tabby, Vera sets out to save Lark’s End before the killer strikes again.
Retired spy? Perhaps.
Finished? Not even close.
Everyone is wrong.
When Major Barnaby collapses face-first into his prize petunias at the village fête, the police see a tragic heart attack. Vera sees a professional hit. And after forty years in the Service, she knows the difference.
Now someone is buying up village land, blackmailing locals, and eliminating obstacles. Vera should leave it to the authorities.
Unfortunately, the authorities are useless.
Armed with knitting needles, spycraft, and one deeply judgmental ginger tabby, Vera sets out to save Lark’s End before the killer strikes again.
Retired spy? Perhaps.
Finished? Not even close.
107 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2026
About the author
Leighann Dobbs
240 books1,906 followersUSA Today bestselling author, Leighann Dobbs, discovered her passion for writing after a twenty year career as a software engineer. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband Bruce, their trusty Chihuahua mix Mojo and beautiful rescue cat, Kitty.
Her book "Dead Wrong" won the "Best Mystery Romance" award at the 2014 Indie Romance Convention.
Her book "Ghostly Paws" was the 2015 Chanticleer Mystery & Mayhem First Place category winner in the Animal Mystery category.
Her book "Dead Wrong" won the "Best Mystery Romance" award at the 2014 Indie Romance Convention.
Her book "Ghostly Paws" was the 2015 Chanticleer Mystery & Mayhem First Place category winner in the Animal Mystery category.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 19, 2026
With a briskly paced plot and Ms. Dobbs' descriptive writing, this new series has started off very well. A protagonist that is a "woman of a certain age" with the intelligence earned from years of service for an unnamed agency and the independence needed to survive retirement in a small village that thrives on gossip and tea, Vera Calloway proved in this short story that appearances can be deceiving. I look forward to more adventures with Vera Calloway.
August 13, 2026
Easy, fast, fun read!
Author captured my attention from the beginning and kept the intrigue going to the end setting the stage for the next book.
Author captured my attention from the beginning and kept the intrigue going to the end setting the stage for the next book.
June 29, 2026
Vera Calloway is exactly who they had in mind when they made the shirt .." underestimate me...that'll be FUN!" Seems like a sweet, dottering old lady with a knitting bag...with a few unusual things inside, like a HEAVY Victorian door knocker, lock pic set. Her cat, Watson is a very untypical, typical cat. I love everything this author has written and this series will be my new fave!! Just a joy to read!
June 28, 2026
see note
Amazon synopsis:
Everyone in Lark’s End thinks Vera Calloway is a sweet old woman with a knitting bag, a fondness for tea, and an overfed cat named Watson.
Everyone is wrong.
When Major Barnaby collapses face-first into his prize petunias at the village fête, the police see a tragic heart attack. Vera sees a professional hit. And after forty years in the Service, she knows the difference.
Now someone is buying up village land, blackmailing locals, and eliminating obstacles. Vera should leave it to the authorities.
Unfortunately, the authorities are useless.
Armed with knitting needles, spycraft, and one deeply judgmental ginger tabby, Vera sets out to save Lark’s End before the killer strikes again.
Retired spy? Perhaps.
Amazon synopsis:
Everyone in Lark’s End thinks Vera Calloway is a sweet old woman with a knitting bag, a fondness for tea, and an overfed cat named Watson.
Everyone is wrong.
When Major Barnaby collapses face-first into his prize petunias at the village fête, the police see a tragic heart attack. Vera sees a professional hit. And after forty years in the Service, she knows the difference.
Now someone is buying up village land, blackmailing locals, and eliminating obstacles. Vera should leave it to the authorities.
Unfortunately, the authorities are useless.
Armed with knitting needles, spycraft, and one deeply judgmental ginger tabby, Vera sets out to save Lark’s End before the killer strikes again.
Retired spy? Perhaps.
June 29, 2026
This is a new series for author Leighann Dobbs. So, what happens when a sweet old lady notices the stealth moves at a reception. You’ll have to read this book to find out.
What I like is that most people assume Vera Calloway is a sweet old woman and can’t possibly know what is going on. They are happy to think her life revolves around knitting and her overfed cat, Watson.
Nothing could be farther from the truth. I was entertained as Vera’s background was revealed. This story is told by Vera.
I cannot wait for the next in the series.
I was given an advanced copy and these are my opinions.
What I like is that most people assume Vera Calloway is a sweet old woman and can’t possibly know what is going on. They are happy to think her life revolves around knitting and her overfed cat, Watson.
Nothing could be farther from the truth. I was entertained as Vera’s background was revealed. This story is told by Vera.
I cannot wait for the next in the series.
I was given an advanced copy and these are my opinions.
August 8, 2026
When I saw Leighann Dobbs had another book out, I wondered which series it went to, so of course I had to check it out. I saw it was a new series and decided to KU-borrow it. I’m so glad I did! I absolutely love Vera’s character and how she’s this seemingly-sweet, innocent older lady but she’s really bad to the bone and a retired operative in England.
She definitely knew how to deal with a killer and wasn’t afraid to take care of the situation. I wonder if she’ll ever take the good constable into her confidence about who she really is. At least the mystery at hand was taken care of, but who knows what’s coming down the road. I’m definitely reading the next book.
She definitely knew how to deal with a killer and wasn’t afraid to take care of the situation. I wonder if she’ll ever take the good constable into her confidence about who she really is. At least the mystery at hand was taken care of, but who knows what’s coming down the road. I’m definitely reading the next book.
July 29, 2026
Superb!
I like tea and scones since I was a kid.
But being a spy in the middle of the Cold War, that's another kind of thing.
I lived during that period practically during my childhood all the way to university and the row of dictatorship that razed the middle South of South America. But I've never been a spy! (Sniff!!).
Monica Beltrami, Montevideo, Uruguay.
Uruguay is a little country between Argentina and Brazil.
Thank you, Ms. Dobbs.
I like tea and scones since I was a kid.
But being a spy in the middle of the Cold War, that's another kind of thing.
I lived during that period practically during my childhood all the way to university and the row of dictatorship that razed the middle South of South America. But I've never been a spy! (Sniff!!).
Monica Beltrami, Montevideo, Uruguay.
Uruguay is a little country between Argentina and Brazil.
Thank you, Ms. Dobbs.
August 4, 2026
Vera is wonderful!
If Emma Peel retired in a cozy cottage in a charming village, this would be her story. Undercover spy, elderly but intelligent heroine, bossy cat, authorities who are initially oblivious but rouse to action. Great! I dislike books where everyone is stupid except the main character, this author has a cast of credible characters. I particularly enjoyed the casual spy tips. I also take my knots seriously
If Emma Peel retired in a cozy cottage in a charming village, this would be her story. Undercover spy, elderly but intelligent heroine, bossy cat, authorities who are initially oblivious but rouse to action. Great! I dislike books where everyone is stupid except the main character, this author has a cast of credible characters. I particularly enjoyed the casual spy tips. I also take my knots seriously
September 27, 2026
impossible not to route from Mrs. Vera Calloway
I thoroughly enjoyed the character development and of course the incredible Vera. I know there will be more stories and more adventures and more recognition that being elderly doesn’t mean you’re useless. I hope I can be like her when I grow up. I’m only 76. Well written, enjoyable to read and nicely tied up with all the options for future ones.
I thoroughly enjoyed the character development and of course the incredible Vera. I know there will be more stories and more adventures and more recognition that being elderly doesn’t mean you’re useless. I hope I can be like her when I grow up. I’m only 76. Well written, enjoyable to read and nicely tied up with all the options for future ones.
June 27, 2026
Good start to new series
Very well written story as told by the main character. I like the spy aspect and how it starts with just Vera in this first book. I look forwarded to the introduction of other past associates, like Finch, who has worked with her in the past, and to new friends and/or associates she finds as she continues her investigation.
Very well written story as told by the main character. I like the spy aspect and how it starts with just Vera in this first book. I look forwarded to the introduction of other past associates, like Finch, who has worked with her in the past, and to new friends and/or associates she finds as she continues her investigation.
July 13, 2026
Quite a delightful surprise
This book was really a good read! Funny bits and interesting pieces of info that says the author has a source of knowledge about military protocols that makes interesting reading. It was a short book so the plot unravelled quickly and simply but I was ok with that.
This book was really a good read! Funny bits and interesting pieces of info that says the author has a source of knowledge about military protocols that makes interesting reading. It was a short book so the plot unravelled quickly and simply but I was ok with that.
July 19, 2026
Very good book. Short and concise. Only 107 pages. No long and drawn out story line or pages and pages of unnecessary backstory. Mrs. Calloway is a retired MI6 special agent whose uses the "cover" of a Miss Marple type personality who sits and knits and drinks tea and carries on conversations with her cat Watson, but who solves the mystery without compromising her "Miss Marple" persona.
August 6, 2026
Great start for a new series! Can’t wait for the next.
Vera Calloway, retired MI6, lives a quiet life in a quiet little village with her cat and her knitting. One days at the village fete she witnessed a murder made to look like a heart attack. Why was the Major killed? And what else is going on? All her senses are on alert and we are instantly drawn into the story
Vera Calloway, retired MI6, lives a quiet life in a quiet little village with her cat and her knitting. One days at the village fete she witnessed a murder made to look like a heart attack. Why was the Major killed? And what else is going on? All her senses are on alert and we are instantly drawn into the story
Review of advance copy received from Author
Omg! This was the best!!! I couldn’t put it down! I loved everything about it - Vera, her background, her retirement, her village, her thought processes, the name of the book! Just one question - when is #2 coming out🤣🤣🤣
July 1, 2026
The spy, who loved tea
This was a great new cozy mystery. The main character was engaging, thoughtful, and brave.. I enjoyed the book and I am looking forward to the next book in the series
This was a great new cozy mystery. The main character was engaging, thoughtful, and brave.. I enjoyed the book and I am looking forward to the next book in the series
July 4, 2026
Vera Calloway Book 1
Loved the book. Adore the author. Good words. Excellent character descriptions. I am 70 and see myself in "Mrs. Calloway". Besides the intelligence and physical ability, however. Give me more!
Loved the book. Adore the author. Good words. Excellent character descriptions. I am 70 and see myself in "Mrs. Calloway". Besides the intelligence and physical ability, however. Give me more!
July 10, 2026
Surprising
This was not the story I expected. I thought Mrs. Callaway would be a sweet little old lady who stumbled over clues. Instead, she' A combination of Miss Marple and Mrs. Pollifax. A very enjoyable book. I look forward to the next in the series.
This was not the story I expected. I thought Mrs. Callaway would be a sweet little old lady who stumbled over clues. Instead, she' A combination of Miss Marple and Mrs. Pollifax. A very enjoyable book. I look forward to the next in the series.
July 28, 2026
Such fun!
I love that the main character is former special ops, and now close to 80 years old. Still sharp and ready for action. A great story. Witty writing. Looking forward to the next book!
I love that the main character is former special ops, and now close to 80 years old. Still sharp and ready for action. A great story. Witty writing. Looking forward to the next book!
September 16, 2026
Super
Leigh Ann Dobbs always writes fun, good books and I have read quite a few of them, but this was by far the best and most fun of all. May she write many, many more of the Vera Calloway books!!!!!!
Leigh Ann Dobbs always writes fun, good books and I have read quite a few of them, but this was by far the best and most fun of all. May she write many, many more of the Vera Calloway books!!!!!!
June 25, 2026
Loved It
I can’t wait for the next installment of this new series. Mrs. Calloway is a delight!! Just the type of cozy mystery I love.💖
I can’t wait for the next installment of this new series. Mrs. Calloway is a delight!! Just the type of cozy mystery I love.💖
July 2, 2026
Different but fun
July 17, 2026
I liked this story very much. As an old lady myself, I especially love it when the main character is old but cunning and capable.
July 21, 2026
Really cute novella to start a new series. I can't wait to see what Vera gets up to next!
August 1, 2026
hired killer
Good fast read. The cat that knew nothing but his want for food. Be careful of old people they didn’t get old and not learn anything.
Good fast read. The cat that knew nothing but his want for food. Be careful of old people they didn’t get old and not learn anything.
August 4, 2026
Great storyline
There are a dew clues that are a little bit obvious. For the most part quite a good read. I confess that I stayed up late to finish it.
There are a dew clues that are a little bit obvious. For the most part quite a good read. I confess that I stayed up late to finish it.
September 7, 2026
just my cup of tea
Great fun and how I’d love a retirement like Vera’s. Anything English is a good read, especially with a mystery involved. Enjoy with a cup of tea and a biscuit!
Great fun and how I’d love a retirement like Vera’s. Anything English is a good read, especially with a mystery involved. Enjoy with a cup of tea and a biscuit!
September 13, 2026
wonderfully exciting
Couldn’t put this down. Vera is soon to become my favorite character in a smart who dunnit series. Can’t wait!
Couldn’t put this down. Vera is soon to become my favorite character in a smart who dunnit series. Can’t wait!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Spy Who Loved Tea is the first book in the Vera Calloway Cozy English Village series by Leighann Dobbs.
This was such a fun book! I love Vera Calloway, unassuming ex-spy.
Major Barnaby falls down dead, and the police think it's a heart attack, but Vera knows better, knows it's a hit.
I enjoy the setting of Lark's End.
Watson the cat was such a great character too !
Vera is such a well written, complex character.
Such a fun mystery murder that I really enjoyed.
This was such a fun book! I love Vera Calloway, unassuming ex-spy.
Major Barnaby falls down dead, and the police think it's a heart attack, but Vera knows better, knows it's a hit.
I enjoy the setting of Lark's End.
Watson the cat was such a great character too !
Vera is such a well written, complex character.
Such a fun mystery murder that I really enjoyed.
July 15, 2026
enjoyable
This is a promising cozy mystery with an intriguing lead character I would like to know more about. She’s definitely a strong heroine with an interesting background. Look forward to reading more.
This is a promising cozy mystery with an intriguing lead character I would like to know more about. She’s definitely a strong heroine with an interesting background. Look forward to reading more.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews