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The Nosey Parker Mysteries #11
The Cornish Halloween Murder
A brand new cozy mystery to escape with this Halloween. Perfect for fans of Richard Osman and Rev Richard Coles. It’s (almost) Halloween in Penstowan, and strange things are afoot…
When a developer buys the abandoned convent and cottage hospital of St Ann’s on the edge of town, locals are aghast at his plans to turn the site into apartments. And when menacing voodoo-like dolls are found hidden inside the walls, it looks like the building’s past inhabitants are against it, too.
As the town prepares for the annual Bonfire Parade taking place on Halloween night, ex-police officer Jodie Parker finds herself in a world of witches and Wiccans, whispering voices and ghostly babies crying, as she tries to find out who’s behind the campaign to stop the development. Then one of the builders is found dead at the bottom of a staircase. Has a spectre from the convent’s past come back to take revenge on the living, or are Jodie and her husband, DCI Nathan Withers, looking for a killer of flesh and blood?
See what readers are saying about The Cornish Halloween Murder ‘Absolutely perfect cosy season reading’ ★★★★★
‘I cannot get enough of this’ ★★★★★
‘Exactly what I wanted from a Halloween cozy’ ★★★★★
‘I absolutely loved this’ ★★★★★
‘I'm not ashamed to say I read the whole thing in one sitting – I was hooked and couldn't stop turning the pages’ ★★★★★
‘The perfect cosy mystery to curl up with this Halloween… absolutely one to add to your autumn TBR!’ ★★★★★
‘Page turner and grabbed me from page 1. Twists and turns kept me creeped out’ ★★★★★
‘Witty and clever (as always) and made me laugh out loud’ ★★★★★
‘Each book is like meeting up with old friends’ ★★★★★
‘A delightful cosy’ ★★★★★
When a developer buys the abandoned convent and cottage hospital of St Ann’s on the edge of town, locals are aghast at his plans to turn the site into apartments. And when menacing voodoo-like dolls are found hidden inside the walls, it looks like the building’s past inhabitants are against it, too.
As the town prepares for the annual Bonfire Parade taking place on Halloween night, ex-police officer Jodie Parker finds herself in a world of witches and Wiccans, whispering voices and ghostly babies crying, as she tries to find out who’s behind the campaign to stop the development. Then one of the builders is found dead at the bottom of a staircase. Has a spectre from the convent’s past come back to take revenge on the living, or are Jodie and her husband, DCI Nathan Withers, looking for a killer of flesh and blood?
See what readers are saying about The Cornish Halloween Murder ‘Absolutely perfect cosy season reading’ ★★★★★
‘I cannot get enough of this’ ★★★★★
‘Exactly what I wanted from a Halloween cozy’ ★★★★★
‘I absolutely loved this’ ★★★★★
‘I'm not ashamed to say I read the whole thing in one sitting – I was hooked and couldn't stop turning the pages’ ★★★★★
‘The perfect cosy mystery to curl up with this Halloween… absolutely one to add to your autumn TBR!’ ★★★★★
‘Page turner and grabbed me from page 1. Twists and turns kept me creeped out’ ★★★★★
‘Witty and clever (as always) and made me laugh out loud’ ★★★★★
‘Each book is like meeting up with old friends’ ★★★★★
‘A delightful cosy’ ★★★★★
Audible Audio
First published September 24, 2026
About the author
Fiona Leitch
45 books501 followersFiona Leitch is a writer with a chequered past. She’s written for football and motoring magazines, DJ’ed at illegal raves and is a stalwart of the low budget TV commercial, even appearing as the Australasian face of a cleaning product called 'Sod Off'. After living in London and Cornwall she's finally settled in sunny New Zealand, where she enjoys scaring her cats by trying out dialogue on them. She spends her days dreaming of retiring to a crumbling Venetian palazzo, walking on the windswept beaches of West Auckland, and writing funny, flawed but awesome female characters.
The first book in her 'Nosey Parker' series of cozy mysteries set in Cornwall will be published by One More Chapter in January 2021, with books 2 and 3 following in February and March.
Her debut novel 'Dead in Venice' was published by Audible in 2018 as one of their Crime Grant finalists. Fiona also writes screenplays and was a finalist in the Athena Film Festival Writers Lab, co-run by Meryl Streep's IRIS company.
Fiona is represented by Lina Langlee at the North Literary Agency.
The first book in her 'Nosey Parker' series of cozy mysteries set in Cornwall will be published by One More Chapter in January 2021, with books 2 and 3 following in February and March.
Her debut novel 'Dead in Venice' was published by Audible in 2018 as one of their Crime Grant finalists. Fiona also writes screenplays and was a finalist in the Athena Film Festival Writers Lab, co-run by Meryl Streep's IRIS company.
Fiona is represented by Lina Langlee at the North Literary Agency.
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Cornish Halloween Murder
by Fiona Leitch is the eleventh book in the Nosey Parker Cozy Mystery series. A developer buys the abandoned convent and cottage hospital of St. Ann’s located on the edge of Penstowan in south Cornwall, England. The locals want a medical center, not the flats he is planning to build. Then, menacing dolls are found hidden inside the walls and the builder hires Jodie Parker Withers to investigate who left them. Meanwhile the town prepares for its annual Bonfire Parade that is taking place on Halloween night and lights are seen in the convent at night. When one of the builders is found dead, Jodie’s husband DCI Nathan Withers and his team join the investigation.
Jodie’s sense of humor and warmth continues to shine in this story. She is a likeable and friendly character with a need to investigate that I continued to connect with. She’s an ex-Metropolitan Police sergeant and still occasionally consults with the local police in Penstowan. She’s observants, trained, and has a strong sense of justice. However, she can be meddlesome, but well-meaning at times. Nathan is not as rigid as he was originally. The Parkers have influenced him over time. He is methodical, professional, patient, and grounded. He balances out Jodie’s impulsiveness, while respecting her insights. Shirley, Jodie’s mother, lives in an annex to the main house. She is hilarious as usual and loves to get involved in the local village drama. Daisy, Jodie’s teenage daughter, is practical and tends to spot clues. Their Pomeranian Germaine continues to add cuteness and stress relief at various times.
Readers are immediately drawn into the story as it blends light-hearted events with a warm family and a mystery to be resolved. However, it has a couple of subplots. One deals with the historical experiences of women who gave birth while under the case of the church. The other deals with attitudes of some men to women. As usual, Jodie has a catering job, and food plays a role in the family dynamic. There is even a recipe at the end of the book for a cake mentioned in the story.
This book has a great autumnal feel to it with the Halloween Bonfire Parade, unsettling dolls, and eerie local folklore. The character dynamics work well. There are a lot of characters, but if you’ve been reading the series, you will have met many of them before as neighbors and friends. Additionally, the set-up takes a while so it’s more of a slow-burn in the beginning.
Overall, this is an entertaining story with great characterization and atmosphere that quickly drew me into Jodie’s world. It was a fun, appealing, and delightful read with a solid mystery to unravel and humor sprinkled throughout. Relationships continue to play a major role in this series. A recipe is included at the end of the book. I recommend the series to those that enjoy the genre. It was a fun and relaxing read and I can’t wait for the next book featuring Jodie and her family and friends.
HarperCollins UK – One More Chapter and Fiona Leitch provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set September 24, 2026.
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My 4.34 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Jodie’s sense of humor and warmth continues to shine in this story. She is a likeable and friendly character with a need to investigate that I continued to connect with. She’s an ex-Metropolitan Police sergeant and still occasionally consults with the local police in Penstowan. She’s observants, trained, and has a strong sense of justice. However, she can be meddlesome, but well-meaning at times. Nathan is not as rigid as he was originally. The Parkers have influenced him over time. He is methodical, professional, patient, and grounded. He balances out Jodie’s impulsiveness, while respecting her insights. Shirley, Jodie’s mother, lives in an annex to the main house. She is hilarious as usual and loves to get involved in the local village drama. Daisy, Jodie’s teenage daughter, is practical and tends to spot clues. Their Pomeranian Germaine continues to add cuteness and stress relief at various times.
Readers are immediately drawn into the story as it blends light-hearted events with a warm family and a mystery to be resolved. However, it has a couple of subplots. One deals with the historical experiences of women who gave birth while under the case of the church. The other deals with attitudes of some men to women. As usual, Jodie has a catering job, and food plays a role in the family dynamic. There is even a recipe at the end of the book for a cake mentioned in the story.
This book has a great autumnal feel to it with the Halloween Bonfire Parade, unsettling dolls, and eerie local folklore. The character dynamics work well. There are a lot of characters, but if you’ve been reading the series, you will have met many of them before as neighbors and friends. Additionally, the set-up takes a while so it’s more of a slow-burn in the beginning.
Overall, this is an entertaining story with great characterization and atmosphere that quickly drew me into Jodie’s world. It was a fun, appealing, and delightful read with a solid mystery to unravel and humor sprinkled throughout. Relationships continue to play a major role in this series. A recipe is included at the end of the book. I recommend the series to those that enjoy the genre. It was a fun and relaxing read and I can’t wait for the next book featuring Jodie and her family and friends.
HarperCollins UK – One More Chapter and Fiona Leitch provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set September 24, 2026.
------------------------------
My 4.34 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Book eleven in this series is set at Halloween in Jodie Parker's home town of Penstowan, Cornwall. A builder is attempting to turn an old convent and cottage into an apartment block against the wishes of many of the townsfolk. Strange, spooky events occur within the old building culminating in the death of one of the builders. Jodie, now married to D.C.I Nathan Withers, helps in the investigation.
A clever mystery with lots of twists and turns and a very surprising conclusion. Lots of humour too and it is nice to watch the interactions between the family members. This is always a series worth following. Four stars.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
A clever mystery with lots of twists and turns and a very surprising conclusion. Lots of humour too and it is nice to watch the interactions between the family members. This is always a series worth following. Four stars.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
November 2, 2026
The Cornish Halloween Murder is the eleventh book in Fiona Leitch's series featuring former police detective - turned caterer Jodie "Nosey" Parker and her (fictional) Cornish hometown, Penstowan. I've obviously missed a couple of the more recent books from the series, as Jodie and D.C.I. Nathan Withers are now married!
Emotions are running high in Penstowan over the redevelopment of the former St. Ann's convent and hospital as apartments. Many of the locals would prefer that the site be retained for its former use as health and medical facilities, which are much-needed in the community. Jodie Parker's mother Shirley and daughter Daisy are both involved in the protest with Shirley's friend Jocasta, and Shirley tells them of her own past connection to the site. While she's visiting the protest with her dog Germaine, Liam Fossett, a young man who's worked on the building site tells Jodie that the workers have found a series of eerie rag dolls hidden in the cavities of old stud walls and in a chimney on site, and she's subsequently engaged to get to the bottom of the issue in her role as a private investigator by developer Tommy Devlin. Are the dolls a prank intended to frighten the superstitious work crew and delay the development, or are there darker forces at play, linked to the building's murky past as a home for unwed mothers?
As Halloween approaches, D.C.I. Nathan Withers and his team also become embroiled in investigations at the St. Ann's site, after an unpopular workman is found dead, having apparently fallen down the staircase in the old convent during the night. Everything comes to a head the night of Penstowan's Fireworks Night Parade - which this year coincides with Halloween - when an intruder is apprehended in the convent grounds, attempting to use the distraction of the parade and fireworks as cover.
The Cornish Halloween Murder is a fairly light cosy mystery, despite the rather dark backstory. At times I found the jokes a bit laboured, but the dialogue is well-pitched and the snippets of history of Cornish witchcraft were interesting. I enjoy the characters and setting sufficiently that I'll be returning to "fill in" the books I've missed when I'm in need of a lighter read. I'd recommend the book to any reader who enjoys cosy mysteries with pleasant characters and English village settings.
My thanks to the author Fiona Leitch, publisher HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter | Cliffhanger, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.
Emotions are running high in Penstowan over the redevelopment of the former St. Ann's convent and hospital as apartments. Many of the locals would prefer that the site be retained for its former use as health and medical facilities, which are much-needed in the community. Jodie Parker's mother Shirley and daughter Daisy are both involved in the protest with Shirley's friend Jocasta, and Shirley tells them of her own past connection to the site. While she's visiting the protest with her dog Germaine, Liam Fossett, a young man who's worked on the building site tells Jodie that the workers have found a series of eerie rag dolls hidden in the cavities of old stud walls and in a chimney on site, and she's subsequently engaged to get to the bottom of the issue in her role as a private investigator by developer Tommy Devlin. Are the dolls a prank intended to frighten the superstitious work crew and delay the development, or are there darker forces at play, linked to the building's murky past as a home for unwed mothers?
As Halloween approaches, D.C.I. Nathan Withers and his team also become embroiled in investigations at the St. Ann's site, after an unpopular workman is found dead, having apparently fallen down the staircase in the old convent during the night. Everything comes to a head the night of Penstowan's Fireworks Night Parade - which this year coincides with Halloween - when an intruder is apprehended in the convent grounds, attempting to use the distraction of the parade and fireworks as cover.
The Cornish Halloween Murder is a fairly light cosy mystery, despite the rather dark backstory. At times I found the jokes a bit laboured, but the dialogue is well-pitched and the snippets of history of Cornish witchcraft were interesting. I enjoy the characters and setting sufficiently that I'll be returning to "fill in" the books I've missed when I'm in need of a lighter read. I'd recommend the book to any reader who enjoys cosy mysteries with pleasant characters and English village settings.
My thanks to the author Fiona Leitch, publisher HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter | Cliffhanger, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.
October 23, 2026
The eleventh installment of the Nosey Parker Mysteries blends humor, warmth, and social commentary. It discusses important issues with respect and clarity. The dash of levity and suspense keeps the reader engaged throughout this intriguing story. The narrator masterfully brings the plot to life adding a layer of emotion and mystery. Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK Audio for my audiobook.
October 1, 2026
3⭐️
I think I just have to accept that cozy mysteries just aren't for me. Because this was actually a really good story! But I was just SO bored the entire time
The characters here was really well done I thought. They all had their own distinct voices but never felt like caricatures of themselves or like they were only there to serve the plot. Everyone was really fleshed out and they actually felt like they knew each other. The interactions between ?? her mom, Daisy and Nathan actually felt like a family's banter.
The story here was well done as well and I thought the concept of the woman's home gave the story a real-world feel. It wasn't just some silly small-town mystery
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I think I just have to accept that cozy mysteries just aren't for me. Because this was actually a really good story! But I was just SO bored the entire time
The characters here was really well done I thought. They all had their own distinct voices but never felt like caricatures of themselves or like they were only there to serve the plot. Everyone was really fleshed out and they actually felt like they knew each other. The interactions between ?? her mom, Daisy and Nathan actually felt like a family's banter.
The story here was well done as well and I thought the concept of the woman's home gave the story a real-world feel. It wasn't just some silly small-town mystery
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Want to Read
August 18, 2026ARC received! Thank you, One More Chapter!!
My favorite Cozy Mystery series getting a Halloween installment has made me absolutely giddy! I'll be getting to this special treat ASAP!
My favorite Cozy Mystery series getting a Halloween installment has made me absolutely giddy! I'll be getting to this special treat ASAP!
September 22, 2026
I have enjoyed a few titles from Fiona Leitch’s Cornish Murder series & was excited to see that this one was specifically written for ‘spooky season’.
When an old convent is due for demolition, work is held up, not by the smattering of protesters, but by the discovery of multiple ‘voodoo’ dolls hidden inside the old building. When a body is found & skeletons - in more ways than one- start appearing from the closets - Jodie and Nathan have a task on their hands getting to the bottom of the mystery.
I really love the settings of these books- living locally myself it’s great to see familiar locations popping up & I much prefer the books now that Jodie & Nathan & the family are a team. I do, however, find some of the enforced jollity and jokes a little ‘cringe’. This one had a great premise but after about five chapters things did feel a little repetitive and I struggled to stay focused.
Nevertheless a cosy Cornish Halloween crime story with a lot of smiles along the way is sure to be popular.
Many thanks to Net Galley and Harper Collins for the ARC.
When an old convent is due for demolition, work is held up, not by the smattering of protesters, but by the discovery of multiple ‘voodoo’ dolls hidden inside the old building. When a body is found & skeletons - in more ways than one- start appearing from the closets - Jodie and Nathan have a task on their hands getting to the bottom of the mystery.
I really love the settings of these books- living locally myself it’s great to see familiar locations popping up & I much prefer the books now that Jodie & Nathan & the family are a team. I do, however, find some of the enforced jollity and jokes a little ‘cringe’. This one had a great premise but after about five chapters things did feel a little repetitive and I struggled to stay focused.
Nevertheless a cosy Cornish Halloween crime story with a lot of smiles along the way is sure to be popular.
Many thanks to Net Galley and Harper Collins for the ARC.
November 13, 2026
Love this series for the super comfy/humorous/Jessica Fletcher in Cornwall feels!
If you're after a light-hearted mystery read then this whole series will fulfill :)
If you're after a light-hearted mystery read then this whole series will fulfill :)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another fab story to add to the Nosy Parker series, with a murderous Halloween mystery to solve, entwined with a different story about a convent where girls were brought to have babies in secret.
Creepy dolls appearing, nooses, and then a body! I enjoyed reading Jodie's adventures as a not-quite-police-officer with her DCI hubby, Nathan!
Creepy dolls appearing, nooses, and then a body! I enjoyed reading Jodie's adventures as a not-quite-police-officer with her DCI hubby, Nathan!
October 5, 2026
Another fun mystery, solved by Nosey and the gang! I loved the cold and cozy atmosphere of this book, and, as always, adored all the characters!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Jodie is hired to investigate a series of creepy dolls appearing at a controversial construction site, but the situation quickly escalates into something far more serious than a few scary dolls. When a body is discovered and Jodie becomes involved in the investigation, it soon becomes clear that there are plenty of people who had reasons to want the victim gone.
I always enjoy the Nosey Parker Mystery series. Jodie's relationships feel authentic, and the stories balance a solid mystery with a healthy dose of humor. This installment does an excellent job of creating a creepy Halloween atmosphere while centering the plot around a victim whose controversial views are sure to ruffle a few feathers.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I always enjoy the Nosey Parker Mystery series. Jodie's relationships feel authentic, and the stories balance a solid mystery with a healthy dose of humor. This installment does an excellent job of creating a creepy Halloween atmosphere while centering the plot around a victim whose controversial views are sure to ruffle a few feathers.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 2, 2026
Jodie 'Nosey' Parker is back - this time with a spooky case in an old convent. The building is due to be converted into housing, much to the consternation of the locals...but it turns out there's more going on than just a protest. Strange objects start turning up on site, and when there's a death it looks like the project might be shut down. Jodie is asked to investigate, and unearths some surprisingly dark secrets...
I love this series, it has rapidly become one of my favourite cosy crime series and it always seems to deliver. The setting in Cornwall is fantastic, anf this time we get to go to Boscastle (yay Witchcraft museum - a real place which is well worth a visit) and Bude. There are plenty of Jodie's asides and comments to the audience, which always make me smile; and as always there are some very current issues handled in the book - this time we look at teenage pregnancy and toxic masculinity among other things.
The case itself is genuinely quite dark at points - with stories of the convent-run mother and baby homes which were commonplace in the early-mid 20th century (some were still operating into the 1990s) and which were notoriously cruel in their practices. There are a couple of really moving stories presented in this book, and on the whole they're handled well. There are also some real spooky vibes here - with reports of witches and hauntings in the convent building; this was great for a Halloween read.
There were a couple of things I didn't love - the victim was something of a non-character in that we don't get to know him before he dies, only hearing about him in retrospect. The death itself was actually the more minor storyline, and the killer was in some ways the most obvious person it could have been, which was a shame.
But still, I had a great time. This was exactly the book I needed to spend my weekend with and I will absolutely be back for more.
- Thanks to NetGalley for granting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review -
I love this series, it has rapidly become one of my favourite cosy crime series and it always seems to deliver. The setting in Cornwall is fantastic, anf this time we get to go to Boscastle (yay Witchcraft museum - a real place which is well worth a visit) and Bude. There are plenty of Jodie's asides and comments to the audience, which always make me smile; and as always there are some very current issues handled in the book - this time we look at teenage pregnancy and toxic masculinity among other things.
The case itself is genuinely quite dark at points - with stories of the convent-run mother and baby homes which were commonplace in the early-mid 20th century (some were still operating into the 1990s) and which were notoriously cruel in their practices. There are a couple of really moving stories presented in this book, and on the whole they're handled well. There are also some real spooky vibes here - with reports of witches and hauntings in the convent building; this was great for a Halloween read.
There were a couple of things I didn't love - the victim was something of a non-character in that we don't get to know him before he dies, only hearing about him in retrospect. The death itself was actually the more minor storyline, and the killer was in some ways the most obvious person it could have been, which was a shame.
But still, I had a great time. This was exactly the book I needed to spend my weekend with and I will absolutely be back for more.
- Thanks to NetGalley for granting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review -
September 29, 2026
If you’re looking for a cozy mystery to get you into the Halloween spirit, this could be just the read for you. Nosey Parker is back, and this time she’s drawn into a mystery involving strange dolls, nuns and convents, with plenty of humor along the way.
This remains one of my favorite cozy mystery series and I’m always delighted to reunite with Jodie, Nathan and the rest of the gang. That said, this particular plot didn’t draw me in quite as much as those in previous books. The pacing felt a little slow, especially beyond the halfway point, when the story became somewhat repetitive. For me, tighter editing would have helped keep the mystery moving.
Even so, I was happy to spend more time in this world. There’s something so comforting about Jodie and her loved ones that returning to them always feels like catching up with old friends.
I’m already looking forward to my next visit with these much-loved characters and I hope there are more adventures on the horizon!
Huge thanks to HarperCollins UK for the gifted ARC of Book 11 in the Nosey Parker Cozy Mystery series.
This remains one of my favorite cozy mystery series and I’m always delighted to reunite with Jodie, Nathan and the rest of the gang. That said, this particular plot didn’t draw me in quite as much as those in previous books. The pacing felt a little slow, especially beyond the halfway point, when the story became somewhat repetitive. For me, tighter editing would have helped keep the mystery moving.
Even so, I was happy to spend more time in this world. There’s something so comforting about Jodie and her loved ones that returning to them always feels like catching up with old friends.
I’m already looking forward to my next visit with these much-loved characters and I hope there are more adventures on the horizon!
Huge thanks to HarperCollins UK for the gifted ARC of Book 11 in the Nosey Parker Cozy Mystery series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Fiona Leitch never fails to deliver a thoroughly entertaining read, and The Cornish Halloween Murder is another example of why I love her books and the Nosey Parker series. Abandoned nunnery, creepy dolls, and a dead body? Say no more. Her characters are quirky, memorable, relatable, and, most importantly, people you genuinely want to spend time with. (Also, she has a real talent for making side characters feel like they should have their own story and series.) While I love her characters, Fiona’s dialogue is one of my favorite things. It’s sharp, natural, and genuinely funny. Fiona never fails to entertain. If you haven’t tried the Nosey Parker series yet, you’re missing out. And if you already know Fiona’s books, you’ll know exactly what I mean.
October 4, 2026
Fall vibes: 4 - spooky but cozy!
Plot: 4.5 - absolutely love the characters and humor in these books. Finished it quickly because it's an easy read, but also because I just kept wanting to come back to it. The audiobook is amazing and the narrator is such a perfect fit.
Plot: 4.5 - absolutely love the characters and humor in these books. Finished it quickly because it's an easy read, but also because I just kept wanting to come back to it. The audiobook is amazing and the narrator is such a perfect fit.
November 9, 2026
Perfect cosy murder mistery book for this time of year! 🎃☺️ will be reading more from this author!
September 27, 2026
Taylor Swift mentioned, Corgi mention and it made me cry. That means this is a 5 star read in my books
October 14, 2026
Reading the Cornish murder series is my reading (or listening) comfort food.
October 30, 2026
Easy to read, entertaining and cozy (and at times a bit too cozy). A nice palate cleanser after reading horror and thriller books! Will try the Christmas book at a later date.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
An abandoned nunnery, creepy dolls that appear out of nowhere, and a dead body on Halloween night are at the center of a new mystery for ex-police officer Jodie Nosey Parker. The Cornish Halloween Murder is the eleventh book in the Nosey Parker Mystery series and, this time, Jodie is asked by a construction developer to investigate the strange appearance of old dolls on his construction site, formerly a convent. The investigation takes a darker turn when a body is found on the site on Halloween night during the Bonfire Parade, and Jodie is, once again, helping the police solve a homicide.
I love this series so much and The Cornish Halloween Murder is yet another gripping and entertaining read. As usual, Jodie manages to squeeze her way into the investigation and help her husband, DCI Nathan Withers, and his team solve the murder which was quite intriguing and the Halloween atmosphere added a sinister element to it. The story focuses also on other themes, such as the past cruel treatment of young women who found themselves in difficult situations and ended up in the care of the convent.
The usual cast of quirky and engaging characters is present and my all-favourite Shirley (Jodie’s mother) is as hilarious as always. And, of course, we can’t forget the adorable Pomeranian Germaine. Overall, The Cornish Halloween Murder is a thrilling and immersive read: there is a mysterious murder, delicious food, and fantastic characters… highly recommended!
I love this series so much and The Cornish Halloween Murder is yet another gripping and entertaining read. As usual, Jodie manages to squeeze her way into the investigation and help her husband, DCI Nathan Withers, and his team solve the murder which was quite intriguing and the Halloween atmosphere added a sinister element to it. The story focuses also on other themes, such as the past cruel treatment of young women who found themselves in difficult situations and ended up in the care of the convent.
The usual cast of quirky and engaging characters is present and my all-favourite Shirley (Jodie’s mother) is as hilarious as always. And, of course, we can’t forget the adorable Pomeranian Germaine. Overall, The Cornish Halloween Murder is a thrilling and immersive read: there is a mysterious murder, delicious food, and fantastic characters… highly recommended!
November 2, 2026
We are back in Penstowan with our favourite ex cop turned baker/amateur detective, Jodie Parker!
This series is a real treat for me and consistently good. I always know I'm in for a good time when I pick up one of these books and this one was no exception.
An old convent is being torn down to turn into 'affordable housing', but the locals are not happy. Protesters mar the work, but there also seems to be a supernatural element here - or at least someone wanting it to appear so. Are they just trying to chase them off or is something else going on? Jodie has been hired to find the truth, but it isn't long before a body appears.
It was honestly creepy, the vibes are amazing, the spooky thread running through this was on point. There were moments where it was more a ghost story than a murder mystery, which was wonderful as it managed to straddle the line without being too ridiculous. There were dark moments here, dark in plot and dark in unsettling tension as the promise of something lurking in this abandoned building. I mean, it had once been home to nuns! Of course it was going to be creepy and full of ghosts. More so when you add in the fact it was a home for unwed mothers, it was the perfect storm.
And then the dolls arrived.
The author knew what she was doing, by having dolls (poppets) fill the pages of this story. Honestly creepy and unsettling, they instantly lift the spooky factor. I loved as well, that the characters visited the Witchcraft museum, a real and wonderful place, the highlight of many trips.
Weirdly for me, the murder felt almost like an afterthought in this book. It happens about midway through, we don't really see the victim in life and while there is real investigating going on, there isn't really a sense of a good cast of suspects or motives.
But I didn't care. Because the focus was on the creepy elements, it was on the history of the Home and some pretty dark trauma that lurked in the past. There were still plenty of bodies and secrets just waiting to be unearthed, and I was surprised by how quickly the book was willing to dip into very dark topics. They certainly kept the pages turning.
Sometimes a murder mystery can be light on the murder, if the rest of the book is as engaging and as interesting as this one was. And I was captivated. It held it back from being a five star (along with a couple of unfortunate comments Jodie makes that are not in keeping with the rest of the book.) but I still loved this.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
This series is a real treat for me and consistently good. I always know I'm in for a good time when I pick up one of these books and this one was no exception.
An old convent is being torn down to turn into 'affordable housing', but the locals are not happy. Protesters mar the work, but there also seems to be a supernatural element here - or at least someone wanting it to appear so. Are they just trying to chase them off or is something else going on? Jodie has been hired to find the truth, but it isn't long before a body appears.
It was honestly creepy, the vibes are amazing, the spooky thread running through this was on point. There were moments where it was more a ghost story than a murder mystery, which was wonderful as it managed to straddle the line without being too ridiculous. There were dark moments here, dark in plot and dark in unsettling tension as the promise of something lurking in this abandoned building. I mean, it had once been home to nuns! Of course it was going to be creepy and full of ghosts. More so when you add in the fact it was a home for unwed mothers, it was the perfect storm.
And then the dolls arrived.
The author knew what she was doing, by having dolls (poppets) fill the pages of this story. Honestly creepy and unsettling, they instantly lift the spooky factor. I loved as well, that the characters visited the Witchcraft museum, a real and wonderful place, the highlight of many trips.
Weirdly for me, the murder felt almost like an afterthought in this book. It happens about midway through, we don't really see the victim in life and while there is real investigating going on, there isn't really a sense of a good cast of suspects or motives.
But I didn't care. Because the focus was on the creepy elements, it was on the history of the Home and some pretty dark trauma that lurked in the past. There were still plenty of bodies and secrets just waiting to be unearthed, and I was surprised by how quickly the book was willing to dip into very dark topics. They certainly kept the pages turning.
Sometimes a murder mystery can be light on the murder, if the rest of the book is as engaging and as interesting as this one was. And I was captivated. It held it back from being a five star (along with a couple of unfortunate comments Jodie makes that are not in keeping with the rest of the book.) but I still loved this.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Jodie Parker is asked to investigate the appearance of strange dolls that are found around an old convent that is in the process of being redeveloped. Are residents, upset at the work taking place, trying to scare off the developers, or is there something more sinister happening?
I cannot believe that The Cornish Halloween Murder by Fiona Leitch is book 11 in the Nosey Parker cozy crime series. I have enjoyed every single book in the series, but this is definitely my favourite. Each time I revisit Jodie and her family and friends it feels as if I'm spending time with friends, and catching up on their lives.
The initial investigation stems from a property developer uncovering strange dolls as they strip back an old convent that is being converted into flats. Local residents are unhappy as they feel that a medical centre would be more appropriate, so the developer isn't sure if the dolls have been planted to try to scare him and his builders off. I really found this whole aspect of the story unsettling. The dolls, or poppets, have links to witchcraft, and their description is extremely creepy.
During the investigation, a body is found in the convent. Jodie, along with her husband, a police detective, then has to figure out if the death is linked to the dolls. The ominous feeling intensifies as the building was locked, and CCTV shows no one entering or leaving.
There are a variety of themes that are interwoven to keep the reader guessing: balancing profit and need in property development, toxic masculinity, and the historical treatment of young single women who get pregnant. As I read, my feelings swung between dread, anger, and sadness. One scene in particular was immensely poignant, and shocking to consider that the events described took place only 50 years ago.
This is cozy crime, so there are some humorous moments to help lighten the tone, Jodie's mother is in classic form as usual, and I always enjoy the scenes involving her friend Debbie (a much underused character, in my opinion). While I thought the murderer became fairly obvious towards the end of the story, I did like the way everything was concluded.
If you enjoyed my review please check out my book blog, Reading For Leisure
https://readingforleisure.blogspot.com/
or follow me on:-
Twitter; @Debbie_Hart_UK
Instagram; @reading_for_leisure_blog
I cannot believe that The Cornish Halloween Murder by Fiona Leitch is book 11 in the Nosey Parker cozy crime series. I have enjoyed every single book in the series, but this is definitely my favourite. Each time I revisit Jodie and her family and friends it feels as if I'm spending time with friends, and catching up on their lives.
The initial investigation stems from a property developer uncovering strange dolls as they strip back an old convent that is being converted into flats. Local residents are unhappy as they feel that a medical centre would be more appropriate, so the developer isn't sure if the dolls have been planted to try to scare him and his builders off. I really found this whole aspect of the story unsettling. The dolls, or poppets, have links to witchcraft, and their description is extremely creepy.
During the investigation, a body is found in the convent. Jodie, along with her husband, a police detective, then has to figure out if the death is linked to the dolls. The ominous feeling intensifies as the building was locked, and CCTV shows no one entering or leaving.
There are a variety of themes that are interwoven to keep the reader guessing: balancing profit and need in property development, toxic masculinity, and the historical treatment of young single women who get pregnant. As I read, my feelings swung between dread, anger, and sadness. One scene in particular was immensely poignant, and shocking to consider that the events described took place only 50 years ago.
This is cozy crime, so there are some humorous moments to help lighten the tone, Jodie's mother is in classic form as usual, and I always enjoy the scenes involving her friend Debbie (a much underused character, in my opinion). While I thought the murderer became fairly obvious towards the end of the story, I did like the way everything was concluded.
If you enjoyed my review please check out my book blog, Reading For Leisure
https://readingforleisure.blogspot.com/
or follow me on:-
Twitter; @Debbie_Hart_UK
Instagram; @reading_for_leisure_blog
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Cornish Halloween Murder is the 11th book in the Nosey Parker series and is possibly one of my favourites so far.
A disused convent and hospital have been sold for development but strange things keep happening on the site and the builder asks Jodie to look into the mysterious appearance of creepy dolls that are being discovered in the building.
This is still definitely a cosy crime book but the plot lines were both slightly darker than is sometimes the case which made it a much more interesting read for me. Fiona Leitch successfully weaves together a plot involving toxic masculinity and the fate of some unmarried pregnant women who were given into the care of the Catholic Church 50 years ago into an intriguing mystery. The darkness of the plot is set against a warm background of Jodie’s family life where, although the members might disagree, there is never any doubt about the love that exists between them all.
Cosy crime and amateur detectives always suffer from a certain amount of suspension of belief as amateurs get involved with police matters but at least in this series, Jodie’s involvement has a bit of credibility with her background as a police officer. I love the relationship between her and her husband, D I Withers and the banter between all the members of the family provides a lot of humour through the book.
The Cornish setting is brilliantly realised as usual with the book being set in the midst of Penstow’s Halloween celebrations. My only niggle was the unexpected history towards the end of the book. I know that things might need to be explained to non UK readers but this particular infodump felt quite clumsy and I would have thought that it could have been better integrated into the story.
Apart from that minor gripe, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Although this is the latest book in a series, I feel that it could easily be read as a stand alone and definitely recommend it to any one who loves a cosy crime with a bit of an edge.
My thanks as always to Net Galley and the publishers for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
A disused convent and hospital have been sold for development but strange things keep happening on the site and the builder asks Jodie to look into the mysterious appearance of creepy dolls that are being discovered in the building.
This is still definitely a cosy crime book but the plot lines were both slightly darker than is sometimes the case which made it a much more interesting read for me. Fiona Leitch successfully weaves together a plot involving toxic masculinity and the fate of some unmarried pregnant women who were given into the care of the Catholic Church 50 years ago into an intriguing mystery. The darkness of the plot is set against a warm background of Jodie’s family life where, although the members might disagree, there is never any doubt about the love that exists between them all.
Cosy crime and amateur detectives always suffer from a certain amount of suspension of belief as amateurs get involved with police matters but at least in this series, Jodie’s involvement has a bit of credibility with her background as a police officer. I love the relationship between her and her husband, D I Withers and the banter between all the members of the family provides a lot of humour through the book.
The Cornish setting is brilliantly realised as usual with the book being set in the midst of Penstow’s Halloween celebrations. My only niggle was the unexpected history towards the end of the book. I know that things might need to be explained to non UK readers but this particular infodump felt quite clumsy and I would have thought that it could have been better integrated into the story.
Apart from that minor gripe, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Although this is the latest book in a series, I feel that it could easily be read as a stand alone and definitely recommend it to any one who loves a cosy crime with a bit of an edge.
My thanks as always to Net Galley and the publishers for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 30, 2026
This was such a fun Halloween mystery, with just the right combination of creepy, cozy, and downright entertaining.
Set in Cornwall around Halloween and Bonfire Night, the story follows a former police officer turned caterer who finds herself investigating a particularly unsettling mystery. Creepy dolls have been hidden inside a former convent hospital that is undergoing renovation, and things become considerably more sinister when one of the construction workers is murdered. What begins as an eerie discovery quickly turns into a full-blown murder investigation.
The old convent hospital provides a wonderfully atmospheric setting, and the author makes excellent use of its history and isolated, spooky feel. With strange dolls turning up, dark secrets coming to light, and Halloween in the air, it's hardly surprising that the question of whether something supernatural—or even witches—might be involved crosses the protagonist's mind.
One of my favorite aspects of the book is the humor. The banter between the main character and her DCI husband is terrific, and the interactions with the rest of the family add plenty of warmth and laughs. Their relationships feel natural, and the humor provides a welcome contrast to the darker elements of the mystery.
The townspeople are another highlight. There is a colorful cast of characters, each with their own quirks, secrets, and personalities, making the village feel like a real community rather than simply a backdrop for the murder. As the investigation unfolds, there are plenty of suspects and enough suspicious behavior to keep you guessing.
Overall, this is an atmospheric and entertaining mystery that delivers creepy dolls, a murder, family humor, intriguing characters, and a wonderfully evocative Cornish setting. It's an especially enjoyable choice for readers who like their mysteries with a touch of Halloween atmosphere, a little bit of possible witchcraft, and plenty of wit. A thoroughly enjoyable cozy-style mystery that kept me turning the pages to find out what was really going on.
Set in Cornwall around Halloween and Bonfire Night, the story follows a former police officer turned caterer who finds herself investigating a particularly unsettling mystery. Creepy dolls have been hidden inside a former convent hospital that is undergoing renovation, and things become considerably more sinister when one of the construction workers is murdered. What begins as an eerie discovery quickly turns into a full-blown murder investigation.
The old convent hospital provides a wonderfully atmospheric setting, and the author makes excellent use of its history and isolated, spooky feel. With strange dolls turning up, dark secrets coming to light, and Halloween in the air, it's hardly surprising that the question of whether something supernatural—or even witches—might be involved crosses the protagonist's mind.
One of my favorite aspects of the book is the humor. The banter between the main character and her DCI husband is terrific, and the interactions with the rest of the family add plenty of warmth and laughs. Their relationships feel natural, and the humor provides a welcome contrast to the darker elements of the mystery.
The townspeople are another highlight. There is a colorful cast of characters, each with their own quirks, secrets, and personalities, making the village feel like a real community rather than simply a backdrop for the murder. As the investigation unfolds, there are plenty of suspects and enough suspicious behavior to keep you guessing.
Overall, this is an atmospheric and entertaining mystery that delivers creepy dolls, a murder, family humor, intriguing characters, and a wonderfully evocative Cornish setting. It's an especially enjoyable choice for readers who like their mysteries with a touch of Halloween atmosphere, a little bit of possible witchcraft, and plenty of wit. A thoroughly enjoyable cozy-style mystery that kept me turning the pages to find out what was really going on.
October 12, 2026
ITA
Per questo volume, a tema Halloween, abbiamo Josie che viene assunta per indagare un fatto insolito: durante la demolizione di un vecchio monastero abbandonato, gli operai trovano delle bambole molto inquietanti. Chi le ha messe lì?
Inoltre, i locali dissentono da questo rinnovo: vorrebbero servizi invece che nuovi alloggi; il monastero, inoltre, è legato a una storia triste: negli ultimi anni di suo utilizzo, venivano portate delle ragazze nubili in stato interessante fino alla conclusione della gravidanza lontana da occhi e commenti.
Infine, a un certo punto, viene rinvenuto il corpo senza vita di uno degli operai: è stato un incidente? L'operaio in questione faceva parte della manosfera, un soggetto, quindi, odiato da molti.
Anche questa è stata una lettura piacevole con suggestioni, le maledette bambole, depistaggi e scene divertenti.
Comunque sia temo dovrò assistere una volta nella vita alle Bonfire nights.
Ho ricevuto una copia gratuita. Questa recensione contiene la mia opinione ed è pubblicata liberamente.
ENG
In this Halloween-themed volume, Josie is hired to investigate a strange occurrence: during the demolition of an old, abandoned monastery, workers find some very disturbing dolls. Who put them there?
Furthermore, the locals oppose this renovation: they’d prefer public services rather than new housing; the monastery is also tied to a sad history: in its final years of use, unmarried pregnant women were brought there to carry their pregnancies to term, far from prying eyes and gossip.
Finally, at some point, the lifeless body of one of the workers is discovered: was it an accident? The worker in question was part of the “manosphere,” a group therefore hated by many.
This, too, was an enjoyable read full of intrigue, those cursed dolls, red herrings, and amusing scenes.
Be that as it may, I fear I’ll have to attend the Bonfire Nights at least once in my life.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Per questo volume, a tema Halloween, abbiamo Josie che viene assunta per indagare un fatto insolito: durante la demolizione di un vecchio monastero abbandonato, gli operai trovano delle bambole molto inquietanti. Chi le ha messe lì?
Inoltre, i locali dissentono da questo rinnovo: vorrebbero servizi invece che nuovi alloggi; il monastero, inoltre, è legato a una storia triste: negli ultimi anni di suo utilizzo, venivano portate delle ragazze nubili in stato interessante fino alla conclusione della gravidanza lontana da occhi e commenti.
Infine, a un certo punto, viene rinvenuto il corpo senza vita di uno degli operai: è stato un incidente? L'operaio in questione faceva parte della manosfera, un soggetto, quindi, odiato da molti.
Anche questa è stata una lettura piacevole con suggestioni, le maledette bambole, depistaggi e scene divertenti.
Comunque sia temo dovrò assistere una volta nella vita alle Bonfire nights.
Ho ricevuto una copia gratuita. Questa recensione contiene la mia opinione ed è pubblicata liberamente.
ENG
In this Halloween-themed volume, Josie is hired to investigate a strange occurrence: during the demolition of an old, abandoned monastery, workers find some very disturbing dolls. Who put them there?
Furthermore, the locals oppose this renovation: they’d prefer public services rather than new housing; the monastery is also tied to a sad history: in its final years of use, unmarried pregnant women were brought there to carry their pregnancies to term, far from prying eyes and gossip.
Finally, at some point, the lifeless body of one of the workers is discovered: was it an accident? The worker in question was part of the “manosphere,” a group therefore hated by many.
This, too, was an enjoyable read full of intrigue, those cursed dolls, red herrings, and amusing scenes.
Be that as it may, I fear I’ll have to attend the Bonfire Nights at least once in my life.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank y0u to NetGalley and One More Chapter/Harper Collins for the eARC of The Cornish Halloween Murder!
11 books in this series and I am all caught up! We're back in Penstowan with Jodie 'Nosey' Parker and her unorthodox crew in the lead up to the towns Halloween celebrations. The old convent is in the process of being redeveloped and some townsfolk are less than happy at the new housing development plans. However, when incidents begin on happen on the building site and creepy dolls are found in the walls, Jodie is asked to investigate. Is it someone trying to halt the building work, or is there something more sinister at large?
Another fantastic instalment in the Nosey Parker series. I've loved every book this series and don't know what to do now that I'm all caught up (again!). This firmly got me in the Halloween and autumn mood and the setting really amped up the spooky atmosphere. Jodie's mum, Shirley, was on fine form again and I swear she gets funnier with every book.
It was really interesting to see a bit of shift in this book with the exploration of toxic masculinity and the emergence of the 'manosphere' in this book. I felt it was an interesting edition and made the book feel more 'real' as this is a very disturbing topic that is emerging in our society. Some of the other themes and topics explored in this book were also quite dark and poignant and were dealt with incredibly sensitively. In spite of this, this book still had the usual comedy and light-hearted moments. I did feel that the ending was quite predictable and was wrapped up quite quickly and this was perhaps not my favourite instalment in the series, but it was still an overall very enjoyable read.
Fiona Leitch has delivered another perfect cosy mystery that made me laugh and has left me wanting more!
11 books in this series and I am all caught up! We're back in Penstowan with Jodie 'Nosey' Parker and her unorthodox crew in the lead up to the towns Halloween celebrations. The old convent is in the process of being redeveloped and some townsfolk are less than happy at the new housing development plans. However, when incidents begin on happen on the building site and creepy dolls are found in the walls, Jodie is asked to investigate. Is it someone trying to halt the building work, or is there something more sinister at large?
Another fantastic instalment in the Nosey Parker series. I've loved every book this series and don't know what to do now that I'm all caught up (again!). This firmly got me in the Halloween and autumn mood and the setting really amped up the spooky atmosphere. Jodie's mum, Shirley, was on fine form again and I swear she gets funnier with every book.
It was really interesting to see a bit of shift in this book with the exploration of toxic masculinity and the emergence of the 'manosphere' in this book. I felt it was an interesting edition and made the book feel more 'real' as this is a very disturbing topic that is emerging in our society. Some of the other themes and topics explored in this book were also quite dark and poignant and were dealt with incredibly sensitively. In spite of this, this book still had the usual comedy and light-hearted moments. I did feel that the ending was quite predictable and was wrapped up quite quickly and this was perhaps not my favourite instalment in the series, but it was still an overall very enjoyable read.
Fiona Leitch has delivered another perfect cosy mystery that made me laugh and has left me wanting more!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Netgalley Review
Grab your favourite beverage and settle in for this gently spooky, Halloween mystery. Immediately I was drawn in by all the spooky goings on and was eager to see how it would all pan out.
The author guides us through the spooky investigation using long chapters that were occasionally split. We were therefore able to fully immerse ourselves in each part of the mystery before moving on.
There were lots of little things happening that kept my interest. I enjoyed the Halloween themed elements and the different turns that the investigation took. I enjoyed picking it back up at each reading session, eager to see how it would all come together.
There was a good flow between the chapters and a good pace to the overall story. We were slowed down by the different elements that kept popping up and the general conversations and thought processes that the characters had. I enjoyed these additions to the investigation and the little offshoots from the characters. I felt that it grounded the story well and added a realistic layer to the story that we, as the reader, could relate to.
The characters were great. Together they created a well balanced story that whilst touching on some dark, emotional themes, it didn't bring you down. It still retained that overall feeling of a cosy mystery.
Whilst this is part of a series, I quite happily read it as a standalone and thought that the characters felt 'whole'. I didn't feel like I had missed out on anything by not having read the others. I would quite happily read the other books in the series.
Finally we come to the settings. They were very atmospheric and brought the Halloween feel to life. Everything was set up well and made for an enjoyable read.
Overall a great Halloween themed read, perfect for cosy mystery fans who like a slightly darker read.
Grab your favourite beverage and settle in for this gently spooky, Halloween mystery. Immediately I was drawn in by all the spooky goings on and was eager to see how it would all pan out.
The author guides us through the spooky investigation using long chapters that were occasionally split. We were therefore able to fully immerse ourselves in each part of the mystery before moving on.
There were lots of little things happening that kept my interest. I enjoyed the Halloween themed elements and the different turns that the investigation took. I enjoyed picking it back up at each reading session, eager to see how it would all come together.
There was a good flow between the chapters and a good pace to the overall story. We were slowed down by the different elements that kept popping up and the general conversations and thought processes that the characters had. I enjoyed these additions to the investigation and the little offshoots from the characters. I felt that it grounded the story well and added a realistic layer to the story that we, as the reader, could relate to.
The characters were great. Together they created a well balanced story that whilst touching on some dark, emotional themes, it didn't bring you down. It still retained that overall feeling of a cosy mystery.
Whilst this is part of a series, I quite happily read it as a standalone and thought that the characters felt 'whole'. I didn't feel like I had missed out on anything by not having read the others. I would quite happily read the other books in the series.
Finally we come to the settings. They were very atmospheric and brought the Halloween feel to life. Everything was set up well and made for an enjoyable read.
Overall a great Halloween themed read, perfect for cosy mystery fans who like a slightly darker read.
September 28, 2026
The Cornish Halloween Murder by Fiona Leitch is a Nosey Parker novel. We join Jodie and her dog, Germaine, as they are off to the building site that had been St Ann’s Convent. There she hoped to convince her mother to come home. She was surprised to find her daughter, Daisy there was well, protesting. The building was half-demolished and had not been a pleasant place, so Jodie was not sure what the deal was. Oh, yeah, they wanted a needed medical center but the developer was building housing. Nathan, her husband and detective inspector, was bored as he had only a hit and run to investigate, so later that day, the developer approached Jodie with a case, he was all in. They were finding rag dolls all over the convent, hidden in the fireplace and in the walls. It was spooking his men. He wanted to know why. This led her down a rabbit hole of some disturbing things that happened at the convent and ended up with a murder. As she investigated she ran into some things she’d never seen before.
Jodie is an ex-London bobby who had returned to Cornwall with her daughter a became a caterer. There, she had met, “helped” on some investigations, and married her husband. He now welcomed her assistance, knowing he had no real choice. The potential murderers were plenty and at the same time, scarce. Included in the story was a fun description of the local Guy Fawkes celebration which welcomed in the holiday season and was a substitute for the American Halloween. It turned out to be a good mystery, with tentacle reaching out into the community in a surprising way. Good read.
I was invited to read The Cornish Halloween Murder by Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #HarperCollinsUKOneMoreChapter #FionaLeitch #TheCornishHalloweenMurder
Jodie is an ex-London bobby who had returned to Cornwall with her daughter a became a caterer. There, she had met, “helped” on some investigations, and married her husband. He now welcomed her assistance, knowing he had no real choice. The potential murderers were plenty and at the same time, scarce. Included in the story was a fun description of the local Guy Fawkes celebration which welcomed in the holiday season and was a substitute for the American Halloween. It turned out to be a good mystery, with tentacle reaching out into the community in a surprising way. Good read.
I was invited to read The Cornish Halloween Murder by Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #HarperCollinsUKOneMoreChapter #FionaLeitch #TheCornishHalloweenMurder
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Jodie "Nosey" Parker and the gang are back for another Cornish mystery!
We journey back to Penstowan amidst the town's Halloween festivities, and of course it wouldn't be a Cornish mystery without Jodie finding herself in the middle of something deadly...
When a local developer and his team are working on an abandoned convent, spooky things start to happen that seemingly cannot be explained, such as the appearance of witchy symbols, creepy dolls and sounds of crying babies. Taking a break from catering, Jodie is called in to investigate the spooky goings-on, and as her investigations proceed, an untimely death happens meaning Jodie teams up with husband, DCI Nathan Withers to crack the case. The mystery that unfolds is one full of twists and turns, plenty of red herrings and leaves you guessing up to the last minute.
We get the pleasure of the full Penstowan lineup including Nathan and his local police force colleagues, her teenage daughter Daisy, her hilarious mum, Shirley and old friends Tony and Debbie. The characters are all written so well; each has their own sense of humour and adds so much to the story and as a reader make you feel so invested. Fiona Leitch gets the balance of mystery, wit and story-telling perfect every time, and this mystery gets a solid 5 stars from me. It has everything you could want in a cosy mystery, and I'm not ashamed to say I read the whole thing in one sitting - I was hooked and couldn't stop turning the pages!
Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, NetGalley and of course Fiona Leitch for the opportunity to read and review this ARC - the Nosey Parker novels are, to me, the epitome of what a cosy mystery should be, so getting to read and review The Cornish Halloween Murder has been an absolute treat!
We journey back to Penstowan amidst the town's Halloween festivities, and of course it wouldn't be a Cornish mystery without Jodie finding herself in the middle of something deadly...
When a local developer and his team are working on an abandoned convent, spooky things start to happen that seemingly cannot be explained, such as the appearance of witchy symbols, creepy dolls and sounds of crying babies. Taking a break from catering, Jodie is called in to investigate the spooky goings-on, and as her investigations proceed, an untimely death happens meaning Jodie teams up with husband, DCI Nathan Withers to crack the case. The mystery that unfolds is one full of twists and turns, plenty of red herrings and leaves you guessing up to the last minute.
We get the pleasure of the full Penstowan lineup including Nathan and his local police force colleagues, her teenage daughter Daisy, her hilarious mum, Shirley and old friends Tony and Debbie. The characters are all written so well; each has their own sense of humour and adds so much to the story and as a reader make you feel so invested. Fiona Leitch gets the balance of mystery, wit and story-telling perfect every time, and this mystery gets a solid 5 stars from me. It has everything you could want in a cosy mystery, and I'm not ashamed to say I read the whole thing in one sitting - I was hooked and couldn't stop turning the pages!
Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, NetGalley and of course Fiona Leitch for the opportunity to read and review this ARC - the Nosey Parker novels are, to me, the epitome of what a cosy mystery should be, so getting to read and review The Cornish Halloween Murder has been an absolute treat!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When a developer buys the abandoned convent and cottage hospital of St Ann’s on the edge of town, locals are aghast at his plans to turn the site into apartments. And when menacing voodoo-like dolls are found hidden inside the walls, it looks like the building’s past inhabitants are against it, too.
As the town prepares for the annual Bonfire Parade taking place on Halloween night, ex-police officer Jodie Parker finds herself in a world of witches and Wiccans, whispering voices and ghostly babies crying, as she tries to find out who’s behind the campaign to stop the development. Then one of the builders is found dead at the bottom of a staircase. Jodie and her husband, DCI Nathan Withers are on the case
The eleventh book in the series & it’s still as fresh as the first & I feel like I’m catching up with old friends. I love Jodie & Nathan who work so well together & I’ve loved how their relationship has developed – one of the highlights of the series. This time they are drawn into the world of unmarried mothers & what happened in the not too distant past. Another engrossing cosy mystery with twists, turns & red herrings plus a good dash of humour. I was left guessing as to who the murderer was, which is always a plus. I also received the audiobook so was able to listen to the very good narrator as I did some housework & then curl up with the ebook. My only quibble with the audiobook was Nathan didn’t have a Scouse accent
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
As the town prepares for the annual Bonfire Parade taking place on Halloween night, ex-police officer Jodie Parker finds herself in a world of witches and Wiccans, whispering voices and ghostly babies crying, as she tries to find out who’s behind the campaign to stop the development. Then one of the builders is found dead at the bottom of a staircase. Jodie and her husband, DCI Nathan Withers are on the case
The eleventh book in the series & it’s still as fresh as the first & I feel like I’m catching up with old friends. I love Jodie & Nathan who work so well together & I’ve loved how their relationship has developed – one of the highlights of the series. This time they are drawn into the world of unmarried mothers & what happened in the not too distant past. Another engrossing cosy mystery with twists, turns & red herrings plus a good dash of humour. I was left guessing as to who the murderer was, which is always a plus. I also received the audiobook so was able to listen to the very good narrator as I did some housework & then curl up with the ebook. My only quibble with the audiobook was Nathan didn’t have a Scouse accent
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
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