Death at the Village Garden Party

Cotswold Curiosity Shop Mysteries #4

by Debbie Young

Bunting. Fairground rides. Music... Murder. What more could you want from a garden party?

Alice Carroll is happily settled in the Cotswold village of Little Pride, running her beloved Curiosity Shop and cautiously planning the next chapter with her partner, Robert. So when Robert buys the neighbouring Cold Bottom estate, Alice offers to help him win over its eccentric residents by reviving the village’s once-loved summer garden party.

But between grumbling fairground workers, gloomy villagers and a downpour that would dampen anyone’s bunting, the day doesn’t quite go to plan.

Then a guest stumbles into the marquee – and he’s dead before his body hits the ground.

Can Alice untangle old rivalries and strange secrets to find the killer? Or will Cold Bottom’s fresh start end in another funeral.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Contemporary

256 pages, Paperback

Published July 31, 2026

About the author

Hello dear readers!

I hope you will enjoy my warm, witty, feel-good contemporary fiction, full of English humour and heart, inspired by life in the Cotswold village which has been my home for over 30 years. I have three series of cozy mystery novels, a new standalone mystery, plus various short fiction, and I've written a couple of non-fiction books too.

NOVELS

My latest book is "Death at the Village Garden Party", launched on 31st July 2026. This is the fourth cosy mystery novel In my Cotswold Curiosity Shop series, which begins with "Death at the Old Curiosity Shop", moving from the city to the lively Cotswold village of Little Pride, Alice Carroll (50) discovers that nothing is quite what it seems in her new business enterprise. Each novel in this series has at its heart an intriguing item to be found in her bric-a-brac shop, and features eccentric characters, plenty of red herrings and lots of English humour.

My Sophie Sayers Village Mystery series begins with "Best Murder in Show". Originally envisaged as a seven-book series to run the course of a calendar year in the life of the idyllic English Cotswold village of Wendlebury Barrow, it continues to grow, with the most recent addition being Sophie Sayers' ninth outing, "Driven to Murder",

My Gemma Lamb Cozy Mystery series is a mashup of romantic comedy, gentle mystery and nostalgia for classic children's school stories but aimed at adults. It focuses on the intrigues among the teachers and visitors to the school, rather than the children. "Dastardly Deeds at St Bride's" (previously published as "Secrets at St Bride's"), and is followed by "Sinister Secrets at St Bride's" (formerly "Secrets at St Bride's"), Wicked Whispers at St Bride's", and "Artful Antics at St Bride's". Two further books will follow to complete the series of six, running the course of the academic year at St Bride's Boarding School for Girls.

I have also published a standalone cosy mystery, "The Importance of Being Murdered", based on the murder mystery event I wrote for my village amateur dramatics group. Several of the characters later appear in "Death at the Village Garden Party".

All of my novels are now available in ebook, paperback, hardback, and audio in English. There are also German language editions of Sophie Sayers' adventures and Italian translations of Gemma Lamb's.

SHORT FICTION

My series of comedy mystery novelettes, Tales from Wendlebury Barrow, is set in the same world as the Sophie Sayers Cozy Mysteries. The first, "The Pride of Peacocks", is available exclusively to members of my Readers' Club (visit my author website to claim your copy). "The Natter of Knitters" and "The Clutch of Eggs" are available in ebook and paperback. A Christmas special, "Christmas with Sophie Sayers", featuring festive short stories set in the same world, was published for Christmas 2023. Three more Sophie Sayers short stories appear in the charity anthologies, "Fate", "Everyday Kindness" and "The Little Shop of Murders". Look out for another one in the "Courage" anthology, coming in 2026!

My standalone novella, "Mrs Morris Changes Lanes", is a second-chance mid-life romantic comedy with a touch of magical realism, set in the Cotswolds in spring,

Earlier in my career, I published three themed collections of short stories, "Stocking Fillers", "Marry in Haste", and "Quick Change".

PLAYS

I've also now started writing scripts for murder mystery events, My debut play, "The Importance of Being Murdered", was premiered by Hawkesbury Drama Group in April 2025 ,and I've now turned it into a novel. My second play, "Murder at the Office", will be premiered by Hawkesbury Drama Group in April 2026. I plan to publish both play scripts for amateur drama groups to enjoy all over the world.

AWARDS

The first St Bride's novel was shortlisted for the 2020 Selfies Award given for the best independently-published fiction in the UK. The sixth Sophie Sayers novel was shortlisted f

Reviews

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t expecting a village garden party to end with a murder, but that’s exactly why Debbie Young’s Death at the Village Garden Party kept me reading. Boldwood Books, thank you, along with NetGalley, for the gifted ARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“What more could you want from a garden party?”

I always enjoy a cozy mystery that lets me settle into the setting before everything falls apart. Little Pride feels like one of those villages where everyone knows everyone, everyone has an opinion, and somebody is definitely keeping a secret.

Alice is one of those characters I genuinely like spending time with. She isn’t flashy, and she doesn’t act like she’s smarter than the police. She owns her curiosity shop, she’s excited about her future with Robert, and together they’re trying to make his newly purchased estate feel welcoming again by bringing back the old summer garden party. It sounded like such a good idea… until it wasn’t.

The party itself was probably one of my favorite parts. The bunting, tea, rides, neighbors catching up, and all the little village moments made it easy to picture being there. Then someone walks into the marquee and collapses before anyone can even figure out what’s happening. That scene completely changed the mood.

The mystery isn’t rushed. Debbie Young takes her time introducing the people of Cold Bottom, and honestly, that helped me understand why so many of them seemed determined to avoid Robert and his plans for the estate. There were plenty of suspects, a few surprises, and I never completely settled on one person.

I will say this is a slower cozy mystery. If you’re looking for constant action, this probably isn’t it. I actually didn’t mind because I enjoyed getting to know Alice, Robert, Wendy, and the wonderfully odd collection of villagers. Sometimes a quieter mystery is exactly what I’m in the mood for.

This series also works surprisingly well if you’re jumping in here. I could tell there was history between the characters, but I never felt lost.

Four stars felt right for me. It was charming, relaxing, and exactly the kind of book I’d reach for on a quiet afternoon when I want a mystery without a lot of darkness.

If you love small English villages, quirky neighbors, amateur sleuths, and mysteries that unfold at an easy pace, I think you’ll have a good time with this one.

Would you still go to the village garden party after hearing what happened… or would you stay home with a cup of tea instead?

[Mary Lawrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun easy read. Debbie Young is a new author to me, writing in a genre I rarely read, but that might have to change now! The latest in a series of cozy mysteries, but I found it works well as a standalone.

Alice recently moved to the small Cotswold village of Little Pride to live & run her small business, The Curiosity Shop. Her good friend & neighbour Robert is a successful businessman with a sideline in renovating & selling on heritage properties. She’s surprised to discover the scale of his success when he announces his latest purchase, Bunbury House, is the estate of the late Duke of Bunbury. He plans to revive the traditional village Garden Party for the estate workers living in the tied cottages in Cold Bottom as a way of introducing himself & his renovation plans. But Cold Bottom is not a very friendly place, as Alice discovers when she visits.

The garden party is very successful, with all the usual fairground fun - rides, coconut shy, stalls selling cakes, produce etc. The estate workers & their families all turn out, but are a bit intimidating to other visitors. The murder happens late in the day after everyone has left, but why it happened & who did it is not obvious. Alice, who is naturally observant of detail & curious about everything, feels compelled to put her mind to trying to help. Inevitably the reader joins her as the clues are uncovered, trying to solve it with her. Alice soon makes friends with Meg Windermere, the new police sergeant who recently moved to neighbouring Bunbury, a friendship that looks set to grow in future books.

It’s great fun & I really enjoyed reading this book. It’d make a good holiday read.

Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for an arc of this book which I am reviewing voluntarily. All opinions are my own.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Alice Carroll's partner, Robert, bought the Cold Bottom Estate, which wasn't far from her home in Little Pride, she vowed to help him with his plans for the locals, and the renovating of the manor into a wellness retreat. Resurrecting the once loved summer garden party was an idea they both thought would go down well with the locals, as well as the neighbouring communities. The day of the party, with rides, stalls for all who wanted to participate, a beer tent, a tea room and much more, Robert was more than happy with how things were going. It was when the meeting with the locals was to take place at 7 that evening, after the party had finished at 5, that things went horribly wrong.

Alice and Robert decided to investigate themselves to attempt to discover the murderer. But it was a baffling case; since the lord of the manor had passed, the locals/workers had been left to their own devices. Would Alice and Robert manage to make sense of the reticence of said locals?

Death at the Village Garden Party is the 4th in the Cotswold Curiosity Shop Mysteries by Debbie Young and I quite enjoyed it. An entertaining cosy mystery, with characters both good and bad. The location of the Cotswolds is once again beautifully described, with eccentric townsfolk popping into Alice's Curiosity Shop on a regular basis. Recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & Boldwood Books for my digital ARC to read and review.

[Paloma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice Carroll and Robert Praed are living up their romance in the beautiful village of Little Pride. He forgot to mention to Alice that he purchased Bunbury House, a sizeable village located in Cold Bottom after the passing of the last Duke of Bunbury. Robert seeks out Alice to help him get acquainted with and establish a means of communication with the community of Cold Bottom. They come up with the idea of reviving the Cold Bottom Garden Party so that the neighbors can start to know their new land owner. When the party is over, the town is invited to come see Robert's presentation about the future of their town. Only one visitor shows up and the group soon notices that a crossbow bolt is lodged between his shoulder blades. Soon, Alice finds herself helping out Detective Sergeant Windermere with this case while also figuring out why no one showed up for Robert. Could both incidents be connected?

I am a huge fan of Alice. She is so grounded, put together and is always so composed even when there is a killer on the loose. I don't know why Robert was being so aloof about the whole purchasing Bunbury House and then letting Alice know after the fact but only because he needed her help. I enjoyed Alice's mom coming over to help out. She is such a sweet woman and always finds a way to help. The whole situation with what was going on at Cold Bottom without Robert's knowledge was quite disturbing. It felt like the whole town was in on it for their own personal reasons. Another great story and I was happy to be back at Little Pride and the Curiosity Shop.
Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.

[Tracy Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alice Carroll, owner of the Curiosity Shop in Little Pride, knew her partner Robert was a wealthy man but even she was shocked when he purchased the newly vacant Banbury House and surrounding estate. Wanting to get off on the right foot with his new tenants in the small hamlet of Cold Bottom, Robert enlists Alice, her mum, Wendy, and friends Danny and Jack to help reinstate the Cold Bottom garden party. With beautiful weather and large crowds the day is a success until as a summer storm sweeps in a local resident collapses dead at their feet! Desperate to avoid any negative publicity the five friends begin their own investigation. Dealing with a hamlet full of silent tenants, unexplained hostility, and a major  restoration project about to begin can they discover the culprit before everyone's plans change?

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Boldwood Books, but the opinions expressed are my own. With a hamlet called Cold Bottom as the main location you'd hope this would be a fun and it absolutely was! A little different in its set up than previous books in the series it also links seamlessly with the author's standalone novel The Importance of Being Murdered meaning there was welcome information on what happened next to some of the Bunbury Players and local constabulary. There was a definite feel of justice being served here, as well as the main protagonists all on top form. I thoroughly enjoyed this and hope there will be more soon.

[Deborah Almada · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have come to enjoy this unassuming little series set in small village England. Alice is enjoying her Curiosity Shop in the Cotswold Village of Little Pride. She is also enjoying her growing relationship with her neighbor, the wealthy Robert of Bob Sponge fame. When Robert purchases the estate of the late Duke of Bunbury with thoughts of turning the estate into a conference center with health and wellness facilities, while allowing the tenants to remain in their homes and jobs, he asks Alice to help him with the transition and buying over the tenants. In order to do that, he plans on having a Village Garden Party as they did in years before but hadn't been done in 20 years! While the Party is well attended and enjoyed, when it comes time for the tenants to gather and hear about Robert's future plans, only one attends, and he is shot in the back with a crossbow as he enters the tent. What a disaster! Can Alice help Robert figure out what is going on in the Village of Cold Bottom? Who is the dead man, and why was he killed? Are the tenants opposed to the plan or just frightened? Can they figure out the real story of Cold Bottom? You will enjoy the read to the answers. Thanks to #Netgally, #BoldwoodBooks, and author for an opportunity to read. #DeathattheVilliageGardenParty #CoswoldCuriosityShopMysteries #DebbieYoung #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read "Death at the Village Garden Party" in exchange for my honest review.

This is book 4 in The Cotswold Curiosity Shop series but it is very well written and easy to follow, even if you have missed the previous books.

Alice Carroll own the Cotswold Curiosity Shop and is seeing Robert Praed. He has bought the late Duke of Banbury's Estate in Cold Bottom. He made his money in the Everlasting Sponge business. He plans to continue the tradition of holding a Garden Party for the estate workers. He also wants to share with them his plans to turn the pile into a Conference Centre with health and wellness facilities.

All are happy to attend the Garden Party and partake of the free food and beer. What could possibly go wrong at a Garden Party? As soon as the drinks run out everyone leaves, no one stays for the presentation Robert prepared about the Conference Centre. Excited to see someone arriving, they soon find that he has been shot with a crossbow and the search for the killer begins. Not easy in
Cold Bottom the grim little hamlet with rather unfriendly and unhelpful inhabitants.

The many interesting clues along the way and the intertwined lives and loves make for an exciting mystery for Alice, her mother and Robert to solve.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another enjoyable instalment in the Cotswold Curiosity Shop Mysteries, with Alice once again finding herself caught up in a local murder investigation. This time the action moves away from Little Pride and into the neighbouring village of Cold Bottom, where Robert has recently bought an estate.

I have to admit that the atmosphere of Cold Bottom immediately reminded me of the village from Hot Fuzz. The locals are cold, suspicious of outsiders and fiercely protective of their own, which gave the story a fun underlying feel while still keeping it firmly in cosy crime territory.

One thing I noticed was that I often found myself thinking that not a great deal had happened in a chapter. Yet somehow, by the time I reached the next one, the investigation had quietly moved forward. Rather than relying on constant dramatic twists, the story gradually builds through conversations, clues and village secrets, and before long the mystery has gathered plenty of momentum.

The mystery itself kept me engaged, the familiar cast continue to be delightful company, and I enjoyed seeing Alice navigate another tangled case. It may be a gentler paced cosy mystery, but it still delivers an entertaining puzzle and leaves me looking forward to Alice's next adventure.

Thank you again to NetGalley, Debbie Young and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death at the Village Garden Party is the fourth book in the Cotswold Curiosity Shop Series by Debbie Young. Even though I had not read the previous three books, I was easily able to follow along as enough background information was shared by the characters throughout the book. The story line was well thought out and organized (unlike some of the thoughts of the characters when they gave impulsive responses!) which made this an easy book to read.

The characters were varied and the Cotswold vernacular was ever-present which added to the entertainment level of the story. The characters were indeed characters, especially the residents of the hamlet, Cold Bottom. A favorite line from the book, which set the tone quite well, was "But if you were a Duke, would you want to be known as the Duke of Cold Bottom?" When I read this line, I developed high expectations for humor throughout the story and Debbie Scott delivered on that point!

A great cozy mystery set mainly on the picturesque estate of the Duke of Bunbury., filled with local color, intriguing characters, and a murder!

Thank you, Net Galley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Vintagebooklvr · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a bit more of a slow-paced cozies than I usually like--the murder doesn't happen until about 40% into the book--but it does let you get to know the characters, which is helpful if you have never read the series before like me. I also got to enjoy the events at the "old-fashioned" garden party which was fun to read about.

Alice Carroll, the owner of the local curiosity shop and amateur detective, wants to help her partner win over the local tenants in the small village attached to the estate he just bought. So they decide on throwing a garden party with rides that use to be so popular in the area. But the planned afterward community meeting to address the future is unattended except for a man who stumbles in with a cross-bow bolt in his back. It will be a challenge for Alice, Robert and a variety of other quirky characters to solve this mystery.

I did enjoy the characters and it had a good feeling like you expect out of a cozy. I wished it moved a little faster but overall a solid mystery.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Mihaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Boldwood Books, NetGalley and Debbie Young for the ARC.

It's a low-stake, cozy murder mystery book, the fourth in the series. It can be read as a standalone as well, as the author does tell you about the characters and things that happened in the other books.

The series revolve around Alice Carroll, a fifty year old sleuth who just bought Curiosity Shop from its previous owner. This book in particular is mostly about her life and relationship with Robert, who had bought the neighboring estate, and their plans to develop it. We get to learn about its history, its occupants, how it was before and how it could change.

The sleuthing is done on the downlow, neither of them pushing the police out of their way to get to the truth. Throughout the book, the action and dialogue are comparable to sitting with friends, gossiping and catching up.

It's a nice read, not much tension happening between acts, perfect if you need to relax and not worry about what might happen to the characters.

[Karen Stallman · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Death at the Village Garden Party” the 4th instalment in The Cotswold Curiosity Shop Mystery series by Debbie Young set in the Cotswold Village of Little Pride, England. In this instalment Robert buys the neighbouring Cold Bottom estate, Alice offers to help him win over its eccentric residents by reviving the village’s once-loved summer garden party. Alice’s mum shows up to help again and who knows maybe she will become a new resident in the village.

Bunting. Fairground rides. Music... Murder. What more could you want from a garden party?

The mystery is engaging, with clever twists keeping me on the edge. I enjoyed guessing and second-guessing the killer's identity.

Overall, this book is a must-read for fans of cozy mysteries and heartwarming fiction. Debbie's writing is engaging, and her characters are lovable and well-crafted. I highly recommend this charming novel and look forward to the next instalment.

I requested and received an advance readers copy from NetGalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Death at the Village Garden Party is the fourth book in Debbie Young’s Cotswold Mysteries series. Although it works reasonably well as a standalone, I couldn’t help feeling I was missing some of the background and relationships between the recurring characters. I suspect readers who have followed the series from the beginning would get much more from it.

My biggest issue was the pacing. It was almost halfway through the book before the murder actually took place, and the slow build-up made it difficult to stay engaged. I found myself waiting for the story to really begin.

Once the mystery finally got underway, I enjoyed it more, but even then it felt a little too cosy for my taste. There wasn’t enough suspense, misdirection or genuine sense of danger to keep me eagerly turning the pages. The mystery was pleasant enough, but it lacked the twists and red herrings that make a cosy crime novel truly gripping.

Overall, this is a gentle, easy read that will probably appeal most to established fans of the series, but I was left wishing for a faster-paced plot and a little more tension.

[Colin Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the latest in the Cotswold Curiosity Shop Mysteries, although it can readily be read as a standalone book. Alice is surprised to find that her close friend and neighbour Robert has bought the local manor house. The house with its tired tied cottages needs work, but Robert plans to update the house and create a restful retreat. To try to bring the workers in the tied cottages onboard he decides to revive the well loved summer garden party. Things go well until a murder occurs.
This is a slow paced gentle cosy mystery, concentrating on the characters rather than the actual murder. I enjoy this style of book, but others might prefer a faster pace. There are certainly some very strange characters living in the tied cottage hamlet, known as Cold Bottom - think of the TV series League of Gentlemen and you get the feeling. A nice read for a sunny afternoon in the garden or by the pool.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

[Jocelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

Very glad to be reunited with Alice Carroll of Little Pride after the first 3 books. Somehow she has a tendency to get in the middle of murders despite the low resident count of her small village. This time, it is a murder in Cold Bottom, a neighbouring village and her boyfriend Robert had bought over a duke’s estate.

I very much enjoyed reading about the estate, and having Alice’s mother stay and crochet in her shop of curiosities again. Their relationship is slightly tricky, as it is when parents suddenly are staying with adult children again.. and we have to tiptoe around them like we are kids even in our own house. I totally feel her pain.

The ending was a little abrupt and would have wanted some confrontation between Alice and the villains directly to make things more exciting. Otherwise I very much sped through the book in trying to find out who did it!

[Sarah Truckell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. 4 stars. This is the first book I’ve read by this author, so the first book I’ve read in this series. Although the main characters Alice and her partner Robert and the residents of Little Pride were new to me I soon got to know them and didn’t need prior knowledge of other storylines. Alice runs the Curiosity Shop in the village. Robert is a wealthy and successful businessman. He buys the estate of neighbouring Cold Bottom and sets out to win over the residents by reviving the summer garden party and then his plan is to tell them how is going to transform the estate. The garden party is a success with many attending. At the start of the evening residents’ meeting a figure stumbles into the marquee having been shot with a crossbow! A great cosy mystery as Alice sets out to solve the murder and work out what the mysterious goings on in Cold Bottom are.

[Elaine - Splashes Into Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a brilliant, hilarious but deadly mystery
With plenty of quirky characters and village history
Rival villages, secrets from the past
Romance and dramas, what a fun blast!

Alice runs the Curiosity Shop in Little Pride
But her sleuthing credentials she can't hide.
With her partner, Robert, now an estate owner, too,
There's so much more for them both to do.

Reviving the garden party after decades of none
Will they win over the estate workers when it is done?
Or will the unexpected bolt from the blue
Put an end to the chance for Robert's dreams to come true?

With old rivalries and secrets to be uncovered
And clues needing to be discovered
Visiting Cold Bottom could be filled with danger
Will the killer be from there or be a stranger?

What a great read, with laughter and romance
As well as a mystery to solve - well worth a chance!
For my copy of this book I say a huge thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.

[Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as an arc, this is my honest opinion.

I felt like the book started off slow and I found myself thinking when is someone going to die (morbid, I know) but perhaps that’s because this isn’t my usual genre to read. I’ve never read cozy crime before.

I liked Robert but it seemed like Alice brought up his wealth a lot, like okay we get it, he has money and you don’t.

The reasoning behind the death was also a bit of a cop out for me. I was expecting more besides a guy getting killed because two gangster villagers were growing weed and supplying it to the neighbours while using money and the drugs to keep people quiet. Felt like I was reading an episode of Eastenders.

I’m not sure if I’ll pick another book up but, I’m sure it’ll appeal to someone else! Unfortunately it just wasn’t for me.

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robert has purchased the late earl’s estate in the nearby village of Cold Bottom and is putting on an old-fashioned village garden party on the grounds. He wants to reassure his tenants that they aren’t being fired and evicted from their cottages. The villagers are an unfriendly lot and only one shows up to Robert’s presentation to the tenants. Unfortunately, he falls dead at the entrance with a crossbow bolt through his heart. Alice and Robert do some sleuthing, but Robert is a wealthy businessman with a reputation to uphold, so he is reluctant to do much.
The case is solved and Alice and Robert’s relationship seems solid. It’s fun to read a cozy mystery with a middle-aged sleuth and with older couples finding romantic partners. If you enjoy cozy mysteries set in country villages, you’ll enjoy this one.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Kelsiesinkandpages · Rating 4 out of 5]

If cosy crime is your thing, then this series is one you need to pick up.

Set amongst the charming villages of the Cotswolds, this is another wonderfully cosy whodunnit packed with quirky characters, village drama and a mystery that slowly unfolds. It has everything I look for in a cosy mystery – a gorgeous setting, a cast of characters that feel like old friends and just enough twists to keep you turning the pages.

This is the fourth book in the series, and one of the reasons I keep coming back is the pacing. Nothing feels rushed. You have time to settle into the story, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy trying to solve the mystery alongside the characters.

If you love slow-burn mysteries, charming village life and books that are perfect for an afternoon curled up with a cup of tea, this series is definitely worth adding to your TBR.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are a lot of background filling chapters to read before the death scene is reached, some details of which didn't really lead anywhere, and were not strongly enough presented to be convincing "red herrings". I thought that the characters could have been far more interestingly introduced to the reader.
Once the motive was known and the perpetrator's name had been addressed, the conclusion came very quickly. This was disappointing as there was so much more to say about the outcome.
I would have enjoyed this story more if much of the building detail was removed and more emphasis placed on the investigation and conclusion. The ending seemed rushed, unbelievable and a little weak of the characters being portrayed.

This book would be appealing to anyone who enjoys Cozy Mystery reads that while away an afternoon when you have nothing better to do.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

So happy to have received this ARC from NetGalley especially as I have already read and enjoyed the first three books in this series.
If you enjoy classic cozy mysteries with a strong sense of place, this is likely to be a satisfying read. Set in the picturesque Cotswolds, the novel combines village charm, quirky local characters, and a well-paced amateur investigation without becoming overly dark. It is the fourth book in the Cotswold Curiosity Shop Mysteries series, featuring Alice Carroll. I would recommend reading the preceding books (three) in this series first because they are delightful, but it is written so that new readers can follow the story without having read the first three.

[Miki Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alice's Beau Robert surprises her when he tells her he's purchased the local stately home which comes complete with it's own hamlet.- Cold Bottom. He decides to revive the tradition of the annual garden party in it's grounds. He tells the residents of Cold Bottom that he wants them to come for a presentation on what he will be doing with the house after the garden party. However only one person turns up and is killed as they enter the tent.
The residents of Cold Bottom are noticeable by their absence which makes investigating the murder difficult. When Alice receives a threat, she's left wondering if she's next.
An easy to read cosy crime.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although one of a series this cosy murder mystery set in the Cotswolds reads well as a stand alone.
Alice is helping Robert to bring back the Cold Bottom Garden Party at his newly acquired estate. This has not proved as easy as they had hoped, with unhappy villagers and complaining fairground workers and then to cap it all someone stumbles into the tea tent and drops dead.
Naturally Alice gets involved in trying to find out who is responsible, Robert tries his best to stay out of it, not succeeding very well though.
A good cosy read with a few twists and turns, my thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc

[Linda "Lilybug's Library" · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alice lives in Little Pride and the man she's dating Robert has bought a manor house in Cold Bottom. It turns out the people in Cold Bottom are as cold as the name. No one wants to talk to them, everyone seems nasty and unwelcoming. So Robert decided to throw a Village Garden Party. Big mistake!

The story feels very British in a beautiful, sweet way and is a lovely break from reality. I really enjoyed it and found myself very thankful I wasn't a Cold Bottom resident. Alice's mother is a lovely side character and always brings some wit and wisdom. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for allowing me an advanced reader copy.

[Sue Garland · Rating 4 out of 5]

DEATH AT THE VILLAGE GARDEN PARTY by DEBBIE YOUNG is an enjoyable and easy read which takes place between the Cotswold villages of Little Pride and Cold Bottom. Although this is the fourth novel in the series it can easily stand alone.
When billionaire Robert Paed buys the late Duke of Bunbury’s estate in Cold Bottom and decides to reinstate the famous annual garden party, he has no idea what he and his willing partner, Alice Carrol, will face! They expected having to deal with difficult villagers, bot not murder and buried secrets……
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Boldwood Books. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

[Mary C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alice Carroll is happy running the Curiosity Shop and her relationship with Robert. When Robert
purchases a neighboring estate planning on turning it into a health spa, Alice agrees to help him win over the villagers. Questions arise when a villager coming to attend a meeting about the future of the estate and village is murdered. Alice and Robert seek answers for the murder and how it relates to his plans for the estate. Delightful series with colorful characters.
#DeathattheVillageGardenParty #BoldwoodBooks #NetGalley

[Jess Robinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

To say I’m disappointed is an understatement, this had all the makings to become a great book and it fell so far flat. I started extremely intrigued and excited and then I just got bored. The waiting for the death to happen (45% of the way in) then the slow stagger to the reveal (which was really not that interesting) felt like a lifetime. Honestly surprised I finished it. It’s a no from me.
If you like a slow burn mystery this might be for you but I need more

[Alexia | Books4Dreamz · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s only one thing I love more than a cosy murder mystery : the chance to return to the lives of my favourite characters and reunite with them just in time for the next suspicious murder. Coming back to Alice, her mum, Robert and the rest of the gang in their charming Cotswolds village felt like coming home.

The latest instalment in the series was once again witty, cosy, and so much fun. I have to admit that I enjoyed this mystery a little less than those in the previous books, but I still loved following the overarching story of our favourite characters and their lives.

I’ll definitely keep reading, as I can’t wait to see where life—and murder—takes them next!

A huge thank-you to Boldwood Books for the gifted ARC.

[LittleRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just when Alice thinks she and Robert have that fresh start and try to become part of the local village, murder strikes again. Can these two ever catch a break without murder being involved? As long as they can out the killer and continue their new life in the Cotswolds, they’ll make it!

Another cute entry in this cosiest of cosy British mystery series. You just cannot beat a good British Cosy and this series delivers!