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Yellow Cottage Vintage Mysteries Series (Historical Cozy Crime Box Set 1-3) | Three charming 1930s murder mysteries with a witty woman sleuth
514 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 2, 2026
About the author
J. New
53 books222 followersClaim your FREE book at www.jnewwrites.com
WRITER OF BRITISH MYSTERIES. Historical, contemporary, paranormal, cozy, humorous. Featuring memorable protagonists, their unusual side-kicks and an eclectic ensemble of supporting cast members. They usually include spirits (all varieties) a little bit of magic, a spot of romance and copious amounts of tea. At regular intervals they involve steam trains and sometimes bicycles.
SERIES:
THE YELLOW COTTAGE VINTAGE MYSTERIES, traditional English whodunits with a twist, set in the 1930s. Known for their clever humor as well as the interesting slant on the traditional murder mystery.
THE TEA & SYMPATHY series featuring Lilly Tweed, former newspaper Agony Aunt, now purveyor of fine teas at The Tea Emporium in the small English market town of Plumpton Mallet. Along with a regular cast of characters, including Earl Grey the shop cat.
THE FINCH & FISCHER series featuring mobile librarian Penny Finch and her rescue dog Fischer. Follow them as they dig up clues and sniff out red herrings in the six quintessential English villages and hamlets that make up Hampsworthy Downs.
Jacquie was born in West Yorkshire, England. She studied art and design and after qualifying began work as an interior designer, moving onto fine art restoration and animal portraiture before deciding to pursue her lifelong ambition to write.
WRITER OF BRITISH MYSTERIES. Historical, contemporary, paranormal, cozy, humorous. Featuring memorable protagonists, their unusual side-kicks and an eclectic ensemble of supporting cast members. They usually include spirits (all varieties) a little bit of magic, a spot of romance and copious amounts of tea. At regular intervals they involve steam trains and sometimes bicycles.
SERIES:
THE YELLOW COTTAGE VINTAGE MYSTERIES, traditional English whodunits with a twist, set in the 1930s. Known for their clever humor as well as the interesting slant on the traditional murder mystery.
THE TEA & SYMPATHY series featuring Lilly Tweed, former newspaper Agony Aunt, now purveyor of fine teas at The Tea Emporium in the small English market town of Plumpton Mallet. Along with a regular cast of characters, including Earl Grey the shop cat.
THE FINCH & FISCHER series featuring mobile librarian Penny Finch and her rescue dog Fischer. Follow them as they dig up clues and sniff out red herrings in the six quintessential English villages and hamlets that make up Hampsworthy Downs.
Jacquie was born in West Yorkshire, England. She studied art and design and after qualifying began work as an interior designer, moving onto fine art restoration and animal portraiture before deciding to pursue her lifelong ambition to write.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 31, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Cosy Mystery Trilogy That Grows Stronger with Every Book
When I picked up The Yellow Cottage Vintage Mysteries, I was simply looking for an enjoyable cosy mystery. What I discovered was so much more. Across these three books, J. New has created a wonderfully immersive world filled with memorable characters, cleverly layered mysteries and genuine emotional depth. Rather than peaking early, this is a trilogy that grows stronger with every instalment.
One of J. New's greatest strengths is the ability to keep crucial pieces of each mystery hidden in plain sight. Every clue is there, carefully woven into natural conversations and everyday moments, yet it's only when Ella begins to connect the threads that the full picture emerges. The revelations never feel forced or unbelievable; instead, they are beautifully executed and completely rewarding, making you want to revisit earlier chapters to see everything you missed.
The paranormal element, which feels more prominent at the beginning of the trilogy, settles beautifully into the background as the series progresses. Rather than driving the story, it adds a subtle layer of atmosphere that gives the books a unique identity among cosy mysteries. Even Phantom, the mischievous ghost cat, becomes such a natural part of village life that you almost forget he's a ghost at all. He's simply one of the family.
What impressed me most was the emotional journey. J. New has an extraordinary ability to move seamlessly between humour, warmth, heartbreak and those unforgettable moments that leave you staring at the page. One chapter can have you smiling at the antics of familiar characters, while the next delivers a quiet, emotional scene or a single line of dialogue that lands with astonishing impact. Those moments stay with you long after you've finished reading.
Perhaps the trilogy's greatest achievement is Ella herself. Watching her grow from a grieving young widow into a confident, compassionate and determined investigator has been a genuine pleasure. Her development feels completely natural, and by the end of the trilogy she is a very different woman from the one we first met, without ever losing the qualities that made her so likeable.
The supporting cast are equally memorable. Aunt Margaret's wisdom, Mrs Shaw's warmth, Pierre DuPont's charm, Jerry and Ginny's unwavering support and, of course, Phantom all contribute to making the Yellow Cottage feel like somewhere you'd happily return to again and again. Every character has a purpose, every relationship feels authentic, and by the end of the trilogy they feel more like old friends than fictional characters.
By the final pages, I realised I was no longer reading just for the mysteries. I was reading to spend time with Ella and the people around her. That, for me, is the mark of exceptional storytelling.
The trilogy concludes beautifully, bringing together its mysteries and character arcs while leaving one final surprise that had me reaching immediately for The Riviera Affair.
If you enjoy cosy mysteries with engaging characters, cleverly constructed plots, subtle paranormal touches and plenty of heart, I can't recommend The Yellow Cottage Vintage Mysteries highly enough. It's a series that keeps giving until the very final page—and then leaves you eager for the next adventure.
When I picked up The Yellow Cottage Vintage Mysteries, I was simply looking for an enjoyable cosy mystery. What I discovered was so much more. Across these three books, J. New has created a wonderfully immersive world filled with memorable characters, cleverly layered mysteries and genuine emotional depth. Rather than peaking early, this is a trilogy that grows stronger with every instalment.
One of J. New's greatest strengths is the ability to keep crucial pieces of each mystery hidden in plain sight. Every clue is there, carefully woven into natural conversations and everyday moments, yet it's only when Ella begins to connect the threads that the full picture emerges. The revelations never feel forced or unbelievable; instead, they are beautifully executed and completely rewarding, making you want to revisit earlier chapters to see everything you missed.
The paranormal element, which feels more prominent at the beginning of the trilogy, settles beautifully into the background as the series progresses. Rather than driving the story, it adds a subtle layer of atmosphere that gives the books a unique identity among cosy mysteries. Even Phantom, the mischievous ghost cat, becomes such a natural part of village life that you almost forget he's a ghost at all. He's simply one of the family.
What impressed me most was the emotional journey. J. New has an extraordinary ability to move seamlessly between humour, warmth, heartbreak and those unforgettable moments that leave you staring at the page. One chapter can have you smiling at the antics of familiar characters, while the next delivers a quiet, emotional scene or a single line of dialogue that lands with astonishing impact. Those moments stay with you long after you've finished reading.
Perhaps the trilogy's greatest achievement is Ella herself. Watching her grow from a grieving young widow into a confident, compassionate and determined investigator has been a genuine pleasure. Her development feels completely natural, and by the end of the trilogy she is a very different woman from the one we first met, without ever losing the qualities that made her so likeable.
The supporting cast are equally memorable. Aunt Margaret's wisdom, Mrs Shaw's warmth, Pierre DuPont's charm, Jerry and Ginny's unwavering support and, of course, Phantom all contribute to making the Yellow Cottage feel like somewhere you'd happily return to again and again. Every character has a purpose, every relationship feels authentic, and by the end of the trilogy they feel more like old friends than fictional characters.
By the final pages, I realised I was no longer reading just for the mysteries. I was reading to spend time with Ella and the people around her. That, for me, is the mark of exceptional storytelling.
The trilogy concludes beautifully, bringing together its mysteries and character arcs while leaving one final surprise that had me reaching immediately for The Riviera Affair.
If you enjoy cosy mysteries with engaging characters, cleverly constructed plots, subtle paranormal touches and plenty of heart, I can't recommend The Yellow Cottage Vintage Mysteries highly enough. It's a series that keeps giving until the very final page—and then leaves you eager for the next adventure.
August 1, 2026
Firstly, thank you to dp books for a copy of this omnibus edition of the first three books in the Yellow Cottage Vintage Mysteries series to read and review.
Set in the 1930’s all three stories contain an easy to read and follow British style whodunit murder mysteries, a spectral cat sidekick, many a pot of tea partaken in, and a satisfying ending. While some of the characters and settings are the same in each book, each book could very easily be read as a standalone, as well as part of the series as a whole.
Book One: An Accidental Murder starts off with the reader meeting POV character Ella and her introducing us to her ghost cat Phantom and telling us the how’s and why’s of her buying The Yellow Cottage, and all that comes along with it. From there a series of events leads Ella to take it upon herself to investigate the death of a little girl whose ghost she meets on a train ride home. The investigation puts her own life at risk but sees Ella honing her paranormal and crime solving detective skills.
Book Two: The Curse of Arundel Hall starts off with the reader getting some more back story into Ella’s childhood and family life. We learn more about the Yellow Cottage and the Island Ella calls home alongside her as she researches the place. Yet again there is a series of events that put Ella in the middle of a muder investigation, this one involving an old curse, old friends and false identities.
Book Three: A Clerical Error starts with Ella receiving a shocking surprise phone call that, you guessed it, sets off a series of events that has Ella in the middle of another murder investigation. She leads this investigation in an official capacity on behalf of Scotland and has to not only not let her friendships with the suspects cloud her judgement, but push to the back of her mind the growing turmoil and intrigue “that phone call” has caused.
Some parts of the stories were predictable, but there were some good twists in there as well. All in all I very much enjoyed reading these three books and give them each a Four out of Five rating.
Set in the 1930’s all three stories contain an easy to read and follow British style whodunit murder mysteries, a spectral cat sidekick, many a pot of tea partaken in, and a satisfying ending. While some of the characters and settings are the same in each book, each book could very easily be read as a standalone, as well as part of the series as a whole.
Book One: An Accidental Murder starts off with the reader meeting POV character Ella and her introducing us to her ghost cat Phantom and telling us the how’s and why’s of her buying The Yellow Cottage, and all that comes along with it. From there a series of events leads Ella to take it upon herself to investigate the death of a little girl whose ghost she meets on a train ride home. The investigation puts her own life at risk but sees Ella honing her paranormal and crime solving detective skills.
Book Two: The Curse of Arundel Hall starts off with the reader getting some more back story into Ella’s childhood and family life. We learn more about the Yellow Cottage and the Island Ella calls home alongside her as she researches the place. Yet again there is a series of events that put Ella in the middle of a muder investigation, this one involving an old curse, old friends and false identities.
Book Three: A Clerical Error starts with Ella receiving a shocking surprise phone call that, you guessed it, sets off a series of events that has Ella in the middle of another murder investigation. She leads this investigation in an official capacity on behalf of Scotland and has to not only not let her friendships with the suspects cloud her judgement, but push to the back of her mind the growing turmoil and intrigue “that phone call” has caused.
Some parts of the stories were predictable, but there were some good twists in there as well. All in all I very much enjoyed reading these three books and give them each a Four out of Five rating.
August 18, 2026
Accidental Murder - 3.5⭐️
What a lovely introduction to Ella and how she fell headlong into her first mystery. It’s cozy, has humour (yes, including the title) and is just an all around fun, easy read. I found the denouement of this novella a little bit rushed. That said, I rushed right into the next book, so still a happy reader.
The Curse of Arundel Hall - 3.5 ⭐️
There were a few mysteries to be solved in this one and Ella makes some new friends. We get to see more of the life that Ella is building and her special talents bring about a discovery that has her digging into the history of her cottage. With that and a murder to solve, she has a lot on her plate.
I think I had hoped for more about the curse and maybe some additional new discoveries at Arundel Hall.
Although the mysteries are all solved in time, this one does end with a little bombshell cliffhanger.
A Clerical Error - 3⭐️
More interesting characters introduced in this story and the mystery unfolded in an unexpected way.
There were a few too many times that a phrase like this, “…it would be a while until I recognized the significance” was used.
I was disappointed in the way the cliffhanger from the last book was resolved. It seemed like there could have been a lot more done with that.
Overall, a good set of cozy mysteries that were enjoyable and an easy read.
What a lovely introduction to Ella and how she fell headlong into her first mystery. It’s cozy, has humour (yes, including the title) and is just an all around fun, easy read. I found the denouement of this novella a little bit rushed. That said, I rushed right into the next book, so still a happy reader.
The Curse of Arundel Hall - 3.5 ⭐️
There were a few mysteries to be solved in this one and Ella makes some new friends. We get to see more of the life that Ella is building and her special talents bring about a discovery that has her digging into the history of her cottage. With that and a murder to solve, she has a lot on her plate.
I think I had hoped for more about the curse and maybe some additional new discoveries at Arundel Hall.
Although the mysteries are all solved in time, this one does end with a little bombshell cliffhanger.
A Clerical Error - 3⭐️
More interesting characters introduced in this story and the mystery unfolded in an unexpected way.
There were a few too many times that a phrase like this, “…it would be a while until I recognized the significance” was used.
I was disappointed in the way the cliffhanger from the last book was resolved. It seemed like there could have been a lot more done with that.
Overall, a good set of cozy mysteries that were enjoyable and an easy read.
August 9, 2026
The Yellow Cottage Vintage Mysteries by J. New were such a wonderfully cosy collection of mysteries and a really enjoyable reading experience.
I couldn't put these books down and ended up reading all three in just 24 hours! I loved how the story continued throughout the books and how we got to spend more time with the characters. With each book, you really get to know them, which made me feel much more invested in their lives and their individual journeys.
The mysteries themselves were fun and easy to follow, with that lovely cosy feel that makes you want to curl up and keep reading. There was something so comforting about the whole series, and it really reminded me of Murder, She Wrote, which is definitely a compliment from me!
Overall, this was a lovely cosy mystery series that I thoroughly enjoyed. The continuation of the characters across all three books was one of my favourite aspects, and I would happily pick up more from this author.
A solid 3-star read for me and perfect for anyone who loves cosy mysteries, familiar characters, and a good old-fashioned whodunnit.
I couldn't put these books down and ended up reading all three in just 24 hours! I loved how the story continued throughout the books and how we got to spend more time with the characters. With each book, you really get to know them, which made me feel much more invested in their lives and their individual journeys.
The mysteries themselves were fun and easy to follow, with that lovely cosy feel that makes you want to curl up and keep reading. There was something so comforting about the whole series, and it really reminded me of Murder, She Wrote, which is definitely a compliment from me!
Overall, this was a lovely cosy mystery series that I thoroughly enjoyed. The continuation of the characters across all three books was one of my favourite aspects, and I would happily pick up more from this author.
A solid 3-star read for me and perfect for anyone who loves cosy mysteries, familiar characters, and a good old-fashioned whodunnit.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews