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Once More, With Murder: A Forensic Femmes Romystery
Not yet published
Expected 18 Aug 26It's 1959, and if a historic drought isn't bad enough, it turns out murder is terrible for tourism. All Detective Inspector Jack Penny wants to do with his summer is solve petty crimes and flirt with pretty tourists. Investigating twisted poisonings and confronting the specters of the past are not on his to-do list. Unfortunately, both arrive in the Cotswolds’ village of Buxton-on-the-Water on the same day… riding on the heels of Jack’s estranged wife.
Forensic expert Charlotte Buchanan lied. She said she wanted a country holiday to work on her next mystery novel, but in truth, she wants to say goodbye. Perhaps it’s ten years too late, but Charlotte is finally going to ask Jack Penny for a divorce. With a lifelong, incurable illness looming, she refuses to be a burden to him. She didn’t expect to be swept up in a murder investigation, and prolonged contact makes it difficult to keep her diagnosis a secret from the man she never stopped loving.
When the phantom poisoner strikes again, serving up another dramful of whiskey and two more bodies, Jack fights to put past traumas behind him to focus on his duty. Yet he is drawn to Charlotte like iron to a magnet, and as the pair strike sparks, Jack can’t help but be driven to dangerous distraction by the mystery of the woman he still desires.
Forensic expert Charlotte Buchanan lied. She said she wanted a country holiday to work on her next mystery novel, but in truth, she wants to say goodbye. Perhaps it’s ten years too late, but Charlotte is finally going to ask Jack Penny for a divorce. With a lifelong, incurable illness looming, she refuses to be a burden to him. She didn’t expect to be swept up in a murder investigation, and prolonged contact makes it difficult to keep her diagnosis a secret from the man she never stopped loving.
When the phantom poisoner strikes again, serving up another dramful of whiskey and two more bodies, Jack fights to put past traumas behind him to focus on his duty. Yet he is drawn to Charlotte like iron to a magnet, and as the pair strike sparks, Jack can’t help but be driven to dangerous distraction by the mystery of the woman he still desires.
260 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 18, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Jack, the detective inspector of a small town, has his flabbers fully gasted when his estranged wife, Charlotte, shows up after ten years to interrupt his dinner at the local pub. Too shocked to do anything but flee, he manages to avoid her until a murder throws them together.
This book is super cute and well-written. I loved that both characters, while fully competent and adept at their jobs and lives, get completely flustered when they’re together, still in love after all these years—though they try to hide it from each other. Fitz, Charlotte’s friend, sees right through both of them and is quietly judging on the sidelines, which had me giggling a lot.
One of the major parts I loved was the communication between them. They discussed their separation and the feelings around it and slowly learned to trust each other again. McRea writes really compelling dialogue and mature characters.
I also enjoyed how the mystery was put together. We've got all kinds of motives and suspects, and every one of them is equally believable.
Overall, this was a sweet, funny, and emotional romance story with a brilliant murder mystery to boot! This is definitely going on my Comfort Read list.
This book is super cute and well-written. I loved that both characters, while fully competent and adept at their jobs and lives, get completely flustered when they’re together, still in love after all these years—though they try to hide it from each other. Fitz, Charlotte’s friend, sees right through both of them and is quietly judging on the sidelines, which had me giggling a lot.
One of the major parts I loved was the communication between them. They discussed their separation and the feelings around it and slowly learned to trust each other again. McRea writes really compelling dialogue and mature characters.
I also enjoyed how the mystery was put together. We've got all kinds of motives and suspects, and every one of them is equally believable.
Overall, this was a sweet, funny, and emotional romance story with a brilliant murder mystery to boot! This is definitely going on my Comfort Read list.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was lucky enough to have an early chance to read this book, and can confidently say I haven't stopped thinking about it since! The characters are a brilliant mix of fun, unique and endearing, and the mystery at the heart of it all was very compelling.
By far my favorite part was the romance between the main characters, Charlotte and Jack. After their marriage turns to an estrangement, they're thrown back together to investigate a murder. Even after so much time apart, it's so clear they still love each other and the communication between the two was absolutely glorious.
If you're looking for a mix of cozy vibes, compelling mystery, and sweet romance, this is the book for you!
By far my favorite part was the romance between the main characters, Charlotte and Jack. After their marriage turns to an estrangement, they're thrown back together to investigate a murder. Even after so much time apart, it's so clear they still love each other and the communication between the two was absolutely glorious.
If you're looking for a mix of cozy vibes, compelling mystery, and sweet romance, this is the book for you!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a cozy book that you can't stop reading.
Kathrine McRea has created a puzzle detective that makes your mind wander to Father Brown and Midsomer Murders.
It takes place in the English countryside where you get to follow the development and process of the different characters in the mystery.
I found myself giving the different characters their own voices and dialects in my head after how the author wrote the dialogues.
I hope there will be more books where we get to continue following the characters as they solve new cases.
Det här är mysboken som man inte kan sluta läsa. Kathrine McRea har skapat en pusseldeckare som får tankarna att vandra till Father Brown och Midsomer Murders.
Den utspelar sig på den engelska landsbygden där man får följa de olika karaktärernas utveckling och process i mysteriet.
Jag kom på mig själv med att ge de olika karaktärerna egna röster och dialekter i mitt huvud efter hur författaren skrev dialogerna.
Jag hoppas att det kommer flera böcker där vi får fortsätta följa karaktärerna när de löser nya fall.
This is a cozy book that you can't stop reading.
Kathrine McRea has created a puzzle detective that makes your mind wander to Father Brown and Midsomer Murders.
It takes place in the English countryside where you get to follow the development and process of the different characters in the mystery.
I found myself giving the different characters their own voices and dialects in my head after how the author wrote the dialogues.
I hope there will be more books where we get to continue following the characters as they solve new cases.
Det här är mysboken som man inte kan sluta läsa. Kathrine McRea har skapat en pusseldeckare som får tankarna att vandra till Father Brown och Midsomer Murders.
Den utspelar sig på den engelska landsbygden där man får följa de olika karaktärernas utveckling och process i mysteriet.
Jag kom på mig själv med att ge de olika karaktärerna egna röster och dialekter i mitt huvud efter hur författaren skrev dialogerna.
Jag hoppas att det kommer flera böcker där vi får fortsätta följa karaktärerna när de löser nya fall.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Such cozy vibes! If you're looking for smart romance, exciting mystery, and beautifully wholesome yet complex characters, look no further. Just thinking about it I feel all snuggled into my couch with a cup of tea and a blanket.
Seriously though, Katherine's writing is such a pleasure to read. Intelligent, well thought-out and emotionally engaging. Jack and Charlotte's story is one of those that makes me believe the world can be a pretty great place (which is doubly impressive, given the title contains the word murder).
Seriously though, Katherine's writing is such a pleasure to read. Intelligent, well thought-out and emotionally engaging. Jack and Charlotte's story is one of those that makes me believe the world can be a pretty great place (which is doubly impressive, given the title contains the word murder).
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
*received an advance copy from author*
Once More, With Murder is an engaging cozy mystery with an intriguing plot and memorable characters. The peaceful village setting adds charm while hiding plenty of secrets. Detective Inspector Jack Penny is a smart and relatable protagonist who keeps the investigation interesting. The suspense builds steadily, leading to a satisfying conclusion. Overall, it is an enjoyable read for fans of classic British murder mysteries.
Once More, With Murder is an engaging cozy mystery with an intriguing plot and memorable characters. The peaceful village setting adds charm while hiding plenty of secrets. Detective Inspector Jack Penny is a smart and relatable protagonist who keeps the investigation interesting. The suspense builds steadily, leading to a satisfying conclusion. Overall, it is an enjoyable read for fans of classic British murder mysteries.
Review of advance copy received from Author
It’s like someone brought Agatha Christie back to life and asked her to write one more book! This has the feel of a classic whodunnit seamlessly blended with a second-chance love story. The chronic illness representation is beautifully and realistically portrayed. Excellently done.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews