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Some Very English Murders #1
Small Town Shock
The isolated and rural farming county of Lincolnshire, England is a place you come from - not move to.
Except for Penny May. She’s tired of the stress of her job in London, and it’s time for an early retirement. In an effort to reclaim the exuberance of youth that she once had, she gets a funky hair style, a classic motorcycle - and a dog with “issues”.
Dog ownership is harder than she expected, but she won’t give up. To avoid postmen, people in hats, people with bags and all the other dogs in the world, she has to walk in lonely places at lonely times … it’s almost inevitable that she stumbles across a dead body, really.
It might not be the most conventional way of settling into a new community, but the locals open up to her, and soon she’s involved in the investigation. But her need for justice brings her into conflict with Drew, the local blacksmith who’s been helping her with dog training, and Cath Pritchard, the detective constable. Is her need for friendship stronger than her need to find the killer?
And will she ever be able to walk her dog in daylight?
This is a clean read suitable for all; it’s a standalone novel with no cliffhanger, and the mystery is fair-play and solved.
“Some Very English Murders” can be enjoyed in any order but you may prefer to follow them chronologically.
Except for Penny May. She’s tired of the stress of her job in London, and it’s time for an early retirement. In an effort to reclaim the exuberance of youth that she once had, she gets a funky hair style, a classic motorcycle - and a dog with “issues”.
Dog ownership is harder than she expected, but she won’t give up. To avoid postmen, people in hats, people with bags and all the other dogs in the world, she has to walk in lonely places at lonely times … it’s almost inevitable that she stumbles across a dead body, really.
It might not be the most conventional way of settling into a new community, but the locals open up to her, and soon she’s involved in the investigation. But her need for justice brings her into conflict with Drew, the local blacksmith who’s been helping her with dog training, and Cath Pritchard, the detective constable. Is her need for friendship stronger than her need to find the killer?
And will she ever be able to walk her dog in daylight?
This is a clean read suitable for all; it’s a standalone novel with no cliffhanger, and the mystery is fair-play and solved.
“Some Very English Murders” can be enjoyed in any order but you may prefer to follow them chronologically.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 30, 2015
341 people are currently reading
344 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
February 5, 2019
A good start to this series. I'm still trying to figure out the mc; at times she reminded me of Agatha Raisin, and yet she is not quite like her. Loved her rescue dog, a wanna-be-ferocious Rottweiler that is actually an exuberant sweetie. A good mystery set in a very small village in Lincolnshire, England. 3.5*
January 31, 2017
I WANTED TO BURY HER IN HER BACKYARD
Penny has moved to Lincolnshire from London. She had been on the edge of a health crisis from the stress in her life. She hopes that her early retirement will allow her to return to a happier time in her life.
Shortly after she moves into her cottage, she goes to a rescue site and acquires a dog. Penny knows nothing about dogs. She went with the thought of finding a small, manageable and cheerful dog. She finds a Rottweiler, Kali, who is cheerful but hard to handle.
While walking her dog, she discovers a dead body.
Now, Ms Brooke writes really well. I loved her humor and her descriptive phrasing. She is able to provide the atmosphere and feel of the area. I felt immersed in Lincolnshire.
I got sick of Penny. She had been a successful woman in a high paying position. So, evidently moving to a village has sucked every brain cell out of her head.
Her choice of a dog is a large and powerful dog and she does not even know how to walk that dog.
She blunders around insulting the people she meets. She openly accuses people of being involved in murder. This is a village where everyone she meets will be her neighbor. It never seems to occur to her that living in a village means courtesy should come into relationships.
I am sorry, but I got 2/3 through and simply had to stop. I wanted to slap someone.
I will repeat. Ms Brooke is a talented author, but I do believe that her main character should be someone I would like to get to know, not bury in the back yard.
Penny has moved to Lincolnshire from London. She had been on the edge of a health crisis from the stress in her life. She hopes that her early retirement will allow her to return to a happier time in her life.
Shortly after she moves into her cottage, she goes to a rescue site and acquires a dog. Penny knows nothing about dogs. She went with the thought of finding a small, manageable and cheerful dog. She finds a Rottweiler, Kali, who is cheerful but hard to handle.
While walking her dog, she discovers a dead body.
Now, Ms Brooke writes really well. I loved her humor and her descriptive phrasing. She is able to provide the atmosphere and feel of the area. I felt immersed in Lincolnshire.
I got sick of Penny. She had been a successful woman in a high paying position. So, evidently moving to a village has sucked every brain cell out of her head.
Her choice of a dog is a large and powerful dog and she does not even know how to walk that dog.
She blunders around insulting the people she meets. She openly accuses people of being involved in murder. This is a village where everyone she meets will be her neighbor. It never seems to occur to her that living in a village means courtesy should come into relationships.
I am sorry, but I got 2/3 through and simply had to stop. I wanted to slap someone.
I will repeat. Ms Brooke is a talented author, but I do believe that her main character should be someone I would like to get to know, not bury in the back yard.
February 11, 2022
Penny is tired of the rat race. She has retired (semi she hopes) to rural Lincolnshire. Everyone knows her as the Londoner. They also seem to know each other's business. It sounds quirky and quaint, but not I think if you have things to hide and value your privacy!
Penny is a bit brash. She has not learnt the policy of thinking and speaking, it just comes out of her mouth. She acts first and thinks of the consequences later. All with genuinely good intentions and in this case, coming across a dead body in a field, Penny thinks she gets first dibs on finding who the killer is.
The local Police constabulary seem very kind, very patient with her poking about in what is obviously police business but other than a gentle warning or two, she is left on her own and hence she tries and succeeds in uncovering the actual murderer.
Told in a light hearted vein, this was slightly different to the other English village murder mysteries I've read. Different but interesting.
Penny is a bit brash. She has not learnt the policy of thinking and speaking, it just comes out of her mouth. She acts first and thinks of the consequences later. All with genuinely good intentions and in this case, coming across a dead body in a field, Penny thinks she gets first dibs on finding who the killer is.
The local Police constabulary seem very kind, very patient with her poking about in what is obviously police business but other than a gentle warning or two, she is left on her own and hence she tries and succeeds in uncovering the actual murderer.
Told in a light hearted vein, this was slightly different to the other English village murder mysteries I've read. Different but interesting.
July 3, 2019
"Very English murders indeed"
This satisfies all the cravings. Well-written. A bit of fun. A mystery that needs some unravelling. It might not be out of the top drawer, like a Christie masterpiece, but it will prove an entertaining read for those who love cozy mysteries.
This satisfies all the cravings. Well-written. A bit of fun. A mystery that needs some unravelling. It might not be out of the top drawer, like a Christie masterpiece, but it will prove an entertaining read for those who love cozy mysteries.
February 23, 2018
New author and new series for me! A great example of a well crafted english cozy!
January 4, 2017
This book puts the cozy in cozy mystery, and kind of forgets about the mystery. It's more of a slice of life story with a corpse in it.
Very obviously written by a dog lover with firm opinions about dog training, this book is about a stressed city mouse moving to the country to get a fresh start and try to become someone she likes better. She adopts a dog, gets a new haircut, and trips over a dead body.
However, this isn't much of a mystery. It feels more like a sendup of the mystery genre - the protagonist has high hopes of her qualities as a detective, but no actual skills or clues. She fumbles break-in attempts, jumps to wild conclusions, and digs for gossip with all the subtlety of an overenthusiastic Rottweiler. The police show up shortly with an ASBO, which is pretty realistic.
The mystery is mostly something that happens in between the dog training, and the dog training is a dog trainer's best effort at writing someone who knows nothing about dogs while at the same time trying to impart valuable information about dogs - well meaning, but hardly natural. I did like the dog, though. One of the most realistic and well-characterized dogs I have seen in a book.
The townsfolk were pretty distinctive, too. I liked how well the protagonist got along with other women, warts and all, and tried hard to make friends and find a place in the community. Good setup for a village-based mystery series.
So, pick this book up if you really like dogs and care more about characterization and introspection than mysteries and detective work.
Very obviously written by a dog lover with firm opinions about dog training, this book is about a stressed city mouse moving to the country to get a fresh start and try to become someone she likes better. She adopts a dog, gets a new haircut, and trips over a dead body.
However, this isn't much of a mystery. It feels more like a sendup of the mystery genre - the protagonist has high hopes of her qualities as a detective, but no actual skills or clues. She fumbles break-in attempts, jumps to wild conclusions, and digs for gossip with all the subtlety of an overenthusiastic Rottweiler. The police show up shortly with an ASBO, which is pretty realistic.
The mystery is mostly something that happens in between the dog training, and the dog training is a dog trainer's best effort at writing someone who knows nothing about dogs while at the same time trying to impart valuable information about dogs - well meaning, but hardly natural. I did like the dog, though. One of the most realistic and well-characterized dogs I have seen in a book.
The townsfolk were pretty distinctive, too. I liked how well the protagonist got along with other women, warts and all, and tried hard to make friends and find a place in the community. Good setup for a village-based mystery series.
So, pick this book up if you really like dogs and care more about characterization and introspection than mysteries and detective work.
August 15, 2016
Started out well enough, but devolved pretty quickly. The heroine feels compelled to solve a murder simply because she discovers the body, jumps to conclusions without evidence and makes baseless accusations. Also wasn't a fan of the local cop sharing info she shouldn't be sharing. My favorite character was the dog.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2016
Stupid meddlesome cow stumbles through a country village, annoying everyone with her nosiness. Blergh.
December 28, 2016
Couldn't finish. Went to 62%, but it is just incredibly dull/boring, and totally ridiculous!
April 27, 2022
While walking her dog-hating Rottie in a secluded area, new country transplant Penny stumbles over a dead body and is immediately drawn into the mystery of the man's murder.
Oh, the humour in this story! So many escaped snickers! I'm so glad I wasn't reading in public - people would have feared for my sanity. And the best part is that none of it felt forced as though the author had thought "Oh, better put a funny bit here." It all flowed together organically.
I was honestly surprised by the number of people who disliked Penny. Yes, she's clueless and abrasive, but she's out of her element. Her life has completely turned around and everything is new to her. That's the point to her. As far as Cath goes - she did have loose lips, but we often read of tidbits coming from official sources in other stories and I've never seen the disdain shown as much as it is in these reviews. Should Cath have given up as much information as she did - of course not - but she did and the story was better for it. I also liked the edging around romance. The character of Drew holds much potential for future stories and yet, maybe not. I do like that the author didn't lock into a romance and also didn't exclude the possibility.
Looking forward to more Some Very English Murders. And other works by this author, too.
Oh, the humour in this story! So many escaped snickers! I'm so glad I wasn't reading in public - people would have feared for my sanity. And the best part is that none of it felt forced as though the author had thought "Oh, better put a funny bit here." It all flowed together organically.
I was honestly surprised by the number of people who disliked Penny. Yes, she's clueless and abrasive, but she's out of her element. Her life has completely turned around and everything is new to her. That's the point to her. As far as Cath goes - she did have loose lips, but we often read of tidbits coming from official sources in other stories and I've never seen the disdain shown as much as it is in these reviews. Should Cath have given up as much information as she did - of course not - but she did and the story was better for it. I also liked the edging around romance. The character of Drew holds much potential for future stories and yet, maybe not. I do like that the author didn't lock into a romance and also didn't exclude the possibility.
Looking forward to more Some Very English Murders. And other works by this author, too.
July 28, 2019
Issues, lies and shocks
A great lowdown read. Characters that build as you read until they come alive before your eyes. From the burnt-out, stressed out former film producer to the dog that thinks every human wants to feed her and every dog is a threat. A great plot of jealousy, infidelity, small town gossip and shocking murder.
Retirement isn't what she thought it would be, neither is her dog. Wonderful with people but a right pain with ons. That's why she has to walk her when other dogs aren't around and that why she discovered the body in the field. A farmer killed by electrocution. But how? Add in new friends, family secrets, affairs, a friendly police officer, a possible new male friend and training herself and her dog. Can they find out how someone was killed before threats to her and others become real?
Loved the scenes with the biscuit and the cake - it enabled a lighter note to enter and lift the mood.
A great lowdown read. Characters that build as you read until they come alive before your eyes. From the burnt-out, stressed out former film producer to the dog that thinks every human wants to feed her and every dog is a threat. A great plot of jealousy, infidelity, small town gossip and shocking murder.
Retirement isn't what she thought it would be, neither is her dog. Wonderful with people but a right pain with ons. That's why she has to walk her when other dogs aren't around and that why she discovered the body in the field. A farmer killed by electrocution. But how? Add in new friends, family secrets, affairs, a friendly police officer, a possible new male friend and training herself and her dog. Can they find out how someone was killed before threats to her and others become real?
Loved the scenes with the biscuit and the cake - it enabled a lighter note to enter and lift the mood.
February 4, 2021
Can';t say I didn't give it a chance, but when you find that you are disliking the heroine more and more as the pages go by, most of what you are reading is mundane and when what could be said about the aforesaid heroine is "how to lose friends and alienate people?" and better still "if she had half a brain she would qualify as a full fledged moron", it is hard to say anything good about the book.
As you read, you can pretty much figure out why her "friends?" from London do not reach out to her. There is obnoxious and then there is OBNOXIOUS.
In any case, I got more than half way through and just could not take any more of her being unable to mind her own business but spending most of her time minding others, insulting, accusing and just in general being the aforesaid obnoxious and I just quit reading.
Needless to say, I will not be reading anything further in this series or by this author.
As you read, you can pretty much figure out why her "friends?" from London do not reach out to her. There is obnoxious and then there is OBNOXIOUS.
In any case, I got more than half way through and just could not take any more of her being unable to mind her own business but spending most of her time minding others, insulting, accusing and just in general being the aforesaid obnoxious and I just quit reading.
Needless to say, I will not be reading anything further in this series or by this author.
November 12, 2021
Although the plot was good, the police procedural bits left an enormous amount to be desired!! A 45yr tv worker, retired, left London to live in Lincolnshire (I did recognise it but not the police station, unless they've moved it), finds a dead electrocuted body of a hated farmer whilst out walking her rescue dog a 5st rottweiler. She'd only been there a week!
But it was the police bits which sent me into a spin, she befriends the police constable, or was she a detective, then police officer Cath starts revealing all the details of the crime scene, how he was murdered, all his family and friends (he had none) background ...... As if. She would have been suspended immediately.
So suspending my belief, I actually liked Penny and Drew and Cath and Kali (the rottie dog who she began to bond and train), and the humour, and wouldn't be at all surprised if I read another one with Penny as the main character! Must be mad!
But it was the police bits which sent me into a spin, she befriends the police constable, or was she a detective, then police officer Cath starts revealing all the details of the crime scene, how he was murdered, all his family and friends (he had none) background ...... As if. She would have been suspended immediately.
So suspending my belief, I actually liked Penny and Drew and Cath and Kali (the rottie dog who she began to bond and train), and the humour, and wouldn't be at all surprised if I read another one with Penny as the main character! Must be mad!
March 25, 2022
Corpse in the Mud
No profanity - or none I can remember
No blood and gore
No sex
5 stars for description of Rottweiler needing training
4 stars for ending - In my opinion the main character figured it out too easily.
Setting: Nowadays - England
Plot no spoilers:
Penny has not only retired to a small town, but she has also acquired a relatively young and strong Rottweiler. Although friendly to people, because she cannot trust her dog around other dogs, Penny chooses dog-walking pathways that others wouldn't normally prefer. It's on one of these walks that her dog gets away and heads straight into a muddy area occupied by a recently electrocuted local man.
There are electric fences nearby, but none of them would hold a fatal charge. Police are stumped. Locals, who are wary of strangers, speculate. Penny investigates. (sigh)
The premise of the newcomer and dog is a good one. I appreciated the several instances of humor injected into the story. Would I read a sequel? Maybe.
I've read other books by Issy Brooke, so hold out hope that others in the series will be more believable.
No profanity - or none I can remember
No blood and gore
No sex
5 stars for description of Rottweiler needing training
4 stars for ending - In my opinion the main character figured it out too easily.
Setting: Nowadays - England
Plot no spoilers:
Penny has not only retired to a small town, but she has also acquired a relatively young and strong Rottweiler. Although friendly to people, because she cannot trust her dog around other dogs, Penny chooses dog-walking pathways that others wouldn't normally prefer. It's on one of these walks that her dog gets away and heads straight into a muddy area occupied by a recently electrocuted local man.
There are electric fences nearby, but none of them would hold a fatal charge. Police are stumped. Locals, who are wary of strangers, speculate. Penny investigates. (sigh)
The premise of the newcomer and dog is a good one. I appreciated the several instances of humor injected into the story. Would I read a sequel? Maybe.
I've read other books by Issy Brooke, so hold out hope that others in the series will be more believable.
April 27, 2019
A Change of Venue
I'ts hard enough when you decide to make a change in the the middle or later years of your life, more so when you move from active city and fast paced life style to a more rural, smaller paced city or town. The last thing you need is a large dog and the finding of a dead body,but that's how Penny her what was to be calmer , slower , relaxing new life actually started of as in no less than the first week in her new home. Caracters of the most memorable kind were found around each corner. This cozeymystery is at times frightening, comical and endearing .Issy Brooke certainly gives us readers an outstanding read.🙄🤔☺😉😊😏 Kat
I'ts hard enough when you decide to make a change in the the middle or later years of your life, more so when you move from active city and fast paced life style to a more rural, smaller paced city or town. The last thing you need is a large dog and the finding of a dead body,but that's how Penny her what was to be calmer , slower , relaxing new life actually started of as in no less than the first week in her new home. Caracters of the most memorable kind were found around each corner. This cozeymystery is at times frightening, comical and endearing .Issy Brooke certainly gives us readers an outstanding read.🙄🤔☺😉😊😏 Kat
Read
November 20, 2020This is the first in the series and the first time reading this author. The main character is Penny. Penny has just retired and moved to a small town out in the country and she has gotten a dog. While walking her dog she finds a dead body. This seems to start everything off. While she is trying to figure out who did it , she is also trying to figure out how to train a dog and meet people in her new town. She ends up getting a LEAVE TOWN letter and now she has to figure it out or maybe lose her life. Can she do it ?
July 7, 2021
🐾 ten out of ten
I really enjoyed this authors style of writing , I will be reading more from her in the future . Crime and mystery is my genre and this book is classed as a cosy mystery so I wasn't sure what to expect , I was gladly surprised. The characters are all people that remind you of someone you once met and then there's the best character .... a 4 legged best friend to bring a bit of sparkle . I'm pleased I tried something a bit different from my norm I'm looking forward to the next 1 🐾
I really enjoyed this authors style of writing , I will be reading more from her in the future . Crime and mystery is my genre and this book is classed as a cosy mystery so I wasn't sure what to expect , I was gladly surprised. The characters are all people that remind you of someone you once met and then there's the best character .... a 4 legged best friend to bring a bit of sparkle . I'm pleased I tried something a bit different from my norm I'm looking forward to the next 1 🐾
January 6, 2017
Loved reading this book and am looking forward to starting the 2nd one. A little like the Agatha Raisin books but set in Lincolnshire with Penny, just moved from London and her rescue dog Kali. Penny turns amateu sleuth when she discovers a dead body while walking Kali.
Really easy to read but with twists and turns in the story which keep you guessing who did it to the end.
Off to buy the rest in the series.
Really easy to read but with twists and turns in the story which keep you guessing who did it to the end.
Off to buy the rest in the series.
February 10, 2021
Definitely a dog owner!
As I read this first book in the series, I was thinking that the author has *got* to be a dog owner! I was correct. Descriptions of Kali in the book are spot-on as to what a Rottweiler cross (Rottie mixed breed) would do. I laughed at the description of the noises the dog makes...ours does too! By the way, this is a good English mystery and a main character who can't help herself, and gets involved......even though she shouldn't. Great Cozy!
As I read this first book in the series, I was thinking that the author has *got* to be a dog owner! I was correct. Descriptions of Kali in the book are spot-on as to what a Rottweiler cross (Rottie mixed breed) would do. I laughed at the description of the noises the dog makes...ours does too! By the way, this is a good English mystery and a main character who can't help herself, and gets involved......even though she shouldn't. Great Cozy!
June 3, 2018
Penny May decides she has had enough of her job and 'retires' to the Lincolnshire country. It doesn't take her long for her and her uncontrollable dog to find a body.
Unfortunately I disliked Penny May from quite early in the book - annoying, rude, and she blunders through her 'investigation'. Two stars because I did finish it
Unfortunately I disliked Penny May from quite early in the book - annoying, rude, and she blunders through her 'investigation'. Two stars because I did finish it
August 29, 2018
Just a great story. Penny has retired to the countryside and adopted a dog. just what you should do if your previous work was causing you to get stressed all the time right? Well until your dog finds a dead body and your old instincts start kicking in.
Can you work out who the murderer is before Penny and the police?
A wonderfully well written story with great characters.
Can you work out who the murderer is before Penny and the police?
A wonderfully well written story with great characters.
May 31, 2019
Fun Read
Enjoyed the tale and premise. A little simple and an easy read. A woman and her dog. Fell in love with Kali and could identify having adopted an Irish Wolfhound myself-not having the massiveness of Kali, but a learning experience just the same. A fun romp through another country. Enjoyable. At some point will follow up with next in series.
Enjoyed the tale and premise. A little simple and an easy read. A woman and her dog. Fell in love with Kali and could identify having adopted an Irish Wolfhound myself-not having the massiveness of Kali, but a learning experience just the same. A fun romp through another country. Enjoyable. At some point will follow up with next in series.
September 25, 2019
Eh, it was long and drawn out. I kept going and suffering for some form of hope to grab my attention or entertain me at all, and not out me to sleep every time I Morden the book. I finally have up. It was simply just say too slow for my personal taste. And really, a Dottie is not that hard to control!
August 25, 2020
Perfectly English Cozy
If you are a cozy reader and an Anglophile you will like this book. You may notice a nod to MC Beaton with the successful 40 something from London and the confrontational rambler we find in Ed. It seems every small English village has an angry rambler, and a killer!
If you are a cozy reader and an Anglophile you will like this book. You may notice a nod to MC Beaton with the successful 40 something from London and the confrontational rambler we find in Ed. It seems every small English village has an angry rambler, and a killer!
May 7, 2021
Frustrated with Penny
I was disappointed. It took me a long time to finish the story because I stopped reading so many times when I got fed up with the portrayal of the main character. I kept reading just to see if she was going to stop being pig headed and stupid in her utterances and behaviour. She didn't, hence the disappointment.
I was disappointed. It took me a long time to finish the story because I stopped reading so many times when I got fed up with the portrayal of the main character. I kept reading just to see if she was going to stop being pig headed and stupid in her utterances and behaviour. She didn't, hence the disappointment.
January 1, 2024
Overall, I enjoyed the book but this is the first time in all my reading that the "hero" of the story annoyed me -- not enough to make me quit reading but enough to where I almost hoped she would be murdered as well..
It's the first book to a series so I hope she has some character development in later books.
It's the first book to a series so I hope she has some character development in later books.
September 2, 2017
Three and a half
The whole star thing is very iffy. Three? Four? The dog and crazy dog lady better than average. Plot about average. I love England, especially restrained love interest. Recommend to any cozy lover unless you expect steam.
The whole star thing is very iffy. Three? Four? The dog and crazy dog lady better than average. Plot about average. I love England, especially restrained love interest. Recommend to any cozy lover unless you expect steam.
March 23, 2018
Quite enjoyable
I quite enjoyed this, although I felt that Some of it did stretch the imagination a bit the way Penny went about questioning the various suspects. Overall not too bad.
I quite enjoyed this, although I felt that Some of it did stretch the imagination a bit the way Penny went about questioning the various suspects. Overall not too bad.
April 22, 2019
Nice easy read
Enjoyable read . Definitely a cozy mystery. Nice characters possibly veering in the future towards romance but not to much in this one. I think it's got the feel of a scarlet cove mystery so if that's your thing you should enjoy this.
Enjoyable read . Definitely a cozy mystery. Nice characters possibly veering in the future towards romance but not to much in this one. I think it's got the feel of a scarlet cove mystery so if that's your thing you should enjoy this.
June 7, 2019
Small Town Shock
Enjoyed reading this book loved the characters Kali the rottweiler made me think about my own dog and much I had to learn about pets also love a good mystery where you have to keep reading to the end because you don't want to put it down.
Enjoyed reading this book loved the characters Kali the rottweiler made me think about my own dog and much I had to learn about pets also love a good mystery where you have to keep reading to the end because you don't want to put it down.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews