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Libby Sarjeant #2
Murder at the Laurels
The second in the Libby Sarjeant Murder Mystery Series.
Could it have been murder? When old Eleanor Bridges dies on her birthday at The Laurels nursing home, no-one except her niece, Fran Castle, suspects anything. But when the will goes missing, and Fran's newly discovered relatives appear to be doing everything in their power to obstruct investigations, she enlists the help of herfriend Libby Sarjeant. Together they uncover sinister events in the past, greed and elements of witchcraft, all of which provide a multiplicity of motives, and it isn't until a second body is discovered that the murderer is unmasked.
Could it have been murder? When old Eleanor Bridges dies on her birthday at The Laurels nursing home, no-one except her niece, Fran Castle, suspects anything. But when the will goes missing, and Fran's newly discovered relatives appear to be doing everything in their power to obstruct investigations, she enlists the help of herfriend Libby Sarjeant. Together they uncover sinister events in the past, greed and elements of witchcraft, all of which provide a multiplicity of motives, and it isn't until a second body is discovered that the murderer is unmasked.
352 pages, Paperback
First published May 21, 2007
90 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 18, 2016
Time taken to read - 4 days on and off
Pages - 368
Publisher - Accent Press Ltd
Blurb from the back cover
Steeple Martin amateur detective Libby Sarjeant's friend, and sleuthing partner, psychic investigator Fran Castle, suspects that there is something suspicious about the death of her aunt in a nursing home. When Fran's long-lost relatives turn up and seem either unconcerned or obstructive, Libby and Fran are sure something is wrong, particularly as the will is missing.
As usual Libby needs little persuasion to start investigating, even if she doesn't see herself as Miss Marple. They discover surprising links to Fran's own past but, as murders multiply and the police take over, can the amateur sleuths keep on the trail?
My Review
Fran gets a call out of the blue to visit her aunt for her upcoming birthday, giving her a chance to see her friend Libby. However Eleanor dies and Libby and Fran can't help but think something isn't right and the relatives make them even more suspicious. Libby has gotten involved with murder before and Fran has psychic abilities that soon get the ladies wrapped up in a who done it.
This is a relatively easy read, book two in a series although I must admit I hadn't read the first and don't feel I lost anything as previous events are referred to. It reminded me very much of a murder she wrote cozy murder mystery style tale. There is murder, skulduggery, violence, lies, deception, relationships and secrets galore but nothing gory or too out there.
The pace goes along nicely, the characters have relationships building and not wholly focused on the murder and who done it. I would like to see more of Fran's psychic abilities and wonder if they featured more in the first book. I think I would read more of these tales, an enjoyable 3/5 for me. If you like crime and murder stories without the gore and gunk, these will be perfect for you.
Pages - 368
Publisher - Accent Press Ltd
Blurb from the back cover
Steeple Martin amateur detective Libby Sarjeant's friend, and sleuthing partner, psychic investigator Fran Castle, suspects that there is something suspicious about the death of her aunt in a nursing home. When Fran's long-lost relatives turn up and seem either unconcerned or obstructive, Libby and Fran are sure something is wrong, particularly as the will is missing.
As usual Libby needs little persuasion to start investigating, even if she doesn't see herself as Miss Marple. They discover surprising links to Fran's own past but, as murders multiply and the police take over, can the amateur sleuths keep on the trail?
My Review
Fran gets a call out of the blue to visit her aunt for her upcoming birthday, giving her a chance to see her friend Libby. However Eleanor dies and Libby and Fran can't help but think something isn't right and the relatives make them even more suspicious. Libby has gotten involved with murder before and Fran has psychic abilities that soon get the ladies wrapped up in a who done it.
This is a relatively easy read, book two in a series although I must admit I hadn't read the first and don't feel I lost anything as previous events are referred to. It reminded me very much of a murder she wrote cozy murder mystery style tale. There is murder, skulduggery, violence, lies, deception, relationships and secrets galore but nothing gory or too out there.
The pace goes along nicely, the characters have relationships building and not wholly focused on the murder and who done it. I would like to see more of Fran's psychic abilities and wonder if they featured more in the first book. I think I would read more of these tales, an enjoyable 3/5 for me. If you like crime and murder stories without the gore and gunk, these will be perfect for you.
May 29, 2016
Libby Sarjeant's friend Fran Castle hears of the death of her long estranged Aunt Eleanor's death. When she visits The Laurels nursing home where her aunt died Fran gets some very disturbing impressions. Fran has learned to trust her psychic impressions and they are reinforced when she meets her relations who seem unaffected by Aunt Eleanor's death and reluctant to answer her questions.
Fran and Libby are soon on the trail and their instincts are confirmed when it proves that Eleanor was murdered. Can they work out who the murderer is when the police seem puzzled. I listened to the audio book version of this book and for me the audio versions work better than the books. The characters are interesting and the book well plotted . This is an interesting series and will appeal to anyone who likes cosy mysteries with a touch of the supernatural.
Fran and Libby are soon on the trail and their instincts are confirmed when it proves that Eleanor was murdered. Can they work out who the murderer is when the police seem puzzled. I listened to the audio book version of this book and for me the audio versions work better than the books. The characters are interesting and the book well plotted . This is an interesting series and will appeal to anyone who likes cosy mysteries with a touch of the supernatural.
November 11, 2011
At times it feels as if I'm reading a children's book (The Five spring to mind). I have overlooked the blushing and fiddling parts and still enjoyed the book as such.
September 7, 2025
When I started reading this, I didn’t think I’d enjoy it as much as the first one but it grew on me. Maybe it was the move away from the community theatre scene in book 1, which is a big part of my life, that made me wary but in fact I found the characters grew in me. It’s been a few months since I read the first book so I did struggle to remember what had happened, which is referenced a few times in this book, but it didn’t really make a difference to this plot. Here we find the “psychic”, Fran, drawn into a mystery when her aunt by marriage, Eleanor, is smothered at her Retirement residence, The Laurels. She has no claim on Eleanor’s blood relatives or on the will (which has disappeared) but she has had one of her “moments” when she realized the Eleanor didn’t die naturally. Roping in Libby Serjeant, the two are soon hot on a trail but whose? The same cast of Steeple Martin characters are in this book, and we see the introduction of Guy, the art dealer Libby works with, who takes a great shine to Fran. What I enjoy about Libby and Fran is that they don’t think they’re smarter than the police. They remark several times that they ought to butt out and leave the investigation to the police. What this does for me as reader of many mysteries, is recognize that amateurs (even with special skills) are still amateurs and do not have the facilities of the police. Also, this means they are much less likely to get into precarious situations where they put themselves in danger. Each woman constantly lets everyone know her she’s going and who she’s seeing so there are no nasty surprises. To me, prone as I am to anxiety, this removes the worry that characters whom I like are suddenly going to be bumped off or something. I really enjoyed this and am looking forward to book 3.
April 12, 2024
"Could it have been murder? When old Eleanor Bridges dies on her birthday at the Laurels nursing home, no one except her niece Fran Castle suspects anything. But when the will goes missing, and Fran's newly discovered relatives appear to be doing every thing in their power to obstruct investigation, she enlists the help of her friend Libby Sarjeant.
"Together they uncover sinister events in the post: greed and elements of witchcraft, all of which provide a multiplicity of motives and it isn't until a second body is discovered that the murderer is unmasked."
~~back cover
To be honest, I didn't enjoy the first book in this series all that much, and after wading through 55 pages of this one, I found I didn't have the strength to go on with it.
"Together they uncover sinister events in the post: greed and elements of witchcraft, all of which provide a multiplicity of motives and it isn't until a second body is discovered that the murderer is unmasked."
~~back cover
To be honest, I didn't enjoy the first book in this series all that much, and after wading through 55 pages of this one, I found I didn't have the strength to go on with it.
May 30, 2017
I listened to this on Audiobook and really enjoyed it. I love these mysteries. They’re packed with character and humour, with enough of the paranormal to make me love them. They’ve also got all the mystery and intrigue with none of the gore or grim detail.
This is the second book of the series and focuses on the mystery surrounding the death of Fran’s aunt Eleanor. The old lady’s death doesn’t seem surprising until Fran starts seeing visions, which are repeatedly corroborated by the police, witnesses and family members. Add to that a whole raft of family secrets and you have a gripping story full of colourful, likeable characters, and just enough romance thrown in.
This is the second book of the series and focuses on the mystery surrounding the death of Fran’s aunt Eleanor. The old lady’s death doesn’t seem surprising until Fran starts seeing visions, which are repeatedly corroborated by the police, witnesses and family members. Add to that a whole raft of family secrets and you have a gripping story full of colourful, likeable characters, and just enough romance thrown in.
December 19, 2025
A very long slog- this novel went on and on with very little to keep me engaged. Lots of relatives- a death in a nursing home that was really a murder and lots of people vying for a piece of the inheritance. Also, the reader, Julia Berry assumed a high squeaky voice for one of the main characters that sounded like a six year old girl and was extremely annoying to listen to. Adult women who speak in little girl voices are noxious to me and having to endure this for 11 hours was more than I ever wa t to endure again.
July 30, 2017
Better than the first
I'm sure part of the reason I liked this better than the first book is because I read the first. It's so much easier picking up on the story when you know the characters going in. I would still like more descriptions of the village and surrounding area. The setting was one of the reasons I chose the first in this series. I am looking forward to the next book
I'm sure part of the reason I liked this better than the first book is because I read the first. It's so much easier picking up on the story when you know the characters going in. I would still like more descriptions of the village and surrounding area. The setting was one of the reasons I chose the first in this series. I am looking forward to the next book
January 17, 2018
I picked this up not realising it is a part of the series. There are a lot of references to people who are not part of the central plot, that are perhaps interesting to someone following the series but not otherwise. In fact it was most confusing. That said, the book was an interesting read. A kind of present day Agatha Christie. The plot was good and despite the psychic references, it was easy to follow. I wouldn’t mind picking up more of the series after my reading challenge is done.
August 15, 2023
I really struggled with this book finding it tedious - endless cups of tea and glasses of wine; it was such a slow story. I did read to the end to see who was the murderer but found that by the end it didn't really work for me, the motives of why people behaved as they did just didn't feel realistic. I think I liked Fran, but found Libby annoying, so won't be reading any more of this series.
November 20, 2018
Second in the series. A cosy crime in which Libby Serjeant and her Steeple Martin friends delve into the death of Fran’s elderly aunt Eleanor, which took place at The Laurels, a nearby nursing home. Red herrings fly about all over the place, but it was a light, easy read.
July 29, 2018
Characters
Characters individual story line are a great backdrop to the main story lovely book great read and now book 3 next
Characters individual story line are a great backdrop to the main story lovely book great read and now book 3 next
April 26, 2019
I’ve read a couple of books in this series and whilst they are not the most intricate plots there is something about them that draws you in. Great for holidays reads
September 7, 2019
Can barely remember it.
December 10, 2019
Great Follow up story
A great follow up story to the first book in the series. Two meddling ladies who get themselves involved in murder cases.An enjoyable read.
A great follow up story to the first book in the series. Two meddling ladies who get themselves involved in murder cases.An enjoyable read.
February 6, 2022
How many meals can two women eat? The plot revolves around constant eating and drinking. Pretty confusing and unbelievable plot. I actually skipped the last page. Not for me.
April 19, 2023
Lots of rambling text and even worse - it felt more like a soap opera than a murder mystery. I don't think I will read any more of Cookman's books.
June 30, 2023
DNF which is rare for me. Characters unoriginal and whilst I enjoyed the plot of the first book, I just couldn't be bothered to get to the plot this time round.
August 28, 2014
In "Murder at the Laurels", Lesley Cookman combines murder, embezzlement and a past affair into a tension-packed mystery. It begins with the murder of Eleanor Bridges at the Laurels Nursing Home. No one suspects foul play except her niece Fran Castle who senses a suffocating darkness in the room where she died. With a short list of culprits and no obvious motive Fran enlists the sleuthing skills of her friend Libby Sarjeant to help unmask the murderer.
I found the action and intensity of the plot builds slowly , heating up when Libby 's insatiable curiosity is aroused and she begins nosing around for information as Fran digs for clues from her aunt's greedy relatives. With every twist and turn Lesley Cookman cleverly shifts suspicion from one character to another until the puzzle has you stumped and only in a startling conclusion is the killer unveiled. Skilfully she weaves a story filled with clues like a missing will, a slice of witchcraft and a flashback to 1964 that tantalizes the reader's interest.
Lesley Cookman's characters like the plot are well-developed, funny,likeable and very normal. Libby Sarjeant, a Miss Marple-ish type sleuth is an obsessive smoker plagued by a complex about her appearance and skittish about her romantic affair with Ben Wilde. She's a persistent meddler who wants the best for her friends whether it means searching for clues to a crime or matchmaking. Her reluctant partner Fran Carter, a psychic is unsure about using Libby's talent for ferreting out information. She's stuffy and reserved in contrast to her outgoing friend, although she has a nose for detail. Haunted by a bad divorce she's insecure about any kind of involvement with a man until Guy Wolfe, the charming artist and gallery owner sweeps her doubts away.
I enjoyed visiting Libby and Steeple Martin in this second murder mystery and won't hesitate to buy the next book in the series.
I found the action and intensity of the plot builds slowly , heating up when Libby 's insatiable curiosity is aroused and she begins nosing around for information as Fran digs for clues from her aunt's greedy relatives. With every twist and turn Lesley Cookman cleverly shifts suspicion from one character to another until the puzzle has you stumped and only in a startling conclusion is the killer unveiled. Skilfully she weaves a story filled with clues like a missing will, a slice of witchcraft and a flashback to 1964 that tantalizes the reader's interest.
Lesley Cookman's characters like the plot are well-developed, funny,likeable and very normal. Libby Sarjeant, a Miss Marple-ish type sleuth is an obsessive smoker plagued by a complex about her appearance and skittish about her romantic affair with Ben Wilde. She's a persistent meddler who wants the best for her friends whether it means searching for clues to a crime or matchmaking. Her reluctant partner Fran Carter, a psychic is unsure about using Libby's talent for ferreting out information. She's stuffy and reserved in contrast to her outgoing friend, although she has a nose for detail. Haunted by a bad divorce she's insecure about any kind of involvement with a man until Guy Wolfe, the charming artist and gallery owner sweeps her doubts away.
I enjoyed visiting Libby and Steeple Martin in this second murder mystery and won't hesitate to buy the next book in the series.
November 7, 2011
First Line: "How many more do you want, then?" Libby Sarjeant pushed a wisp of damp, rusty coloured hair off her brow.
Middle-aged actress come investigator Libby Sarjeant has settled down to life in the village of Steeple Martin. Her small cottage suits her. She sells oil paintings to a local gallery, and it looks as though her romance with Ben is taking a turn for the better. If only life was as smooth for her friend, Fran Castle.
Fran, who lives in London and is a bit clairvoyant, has been working occasionally for an estate agent to "spook test" old properties. When her aunt, Eleanor Bridges, dies in the Laurels nursing home, Fran becomes concerned. It seems that old Eleanor may have written a new will, and everyone who thinks they have a chance at an inheritance is acting very strangely. Fran feels that something just isn't right, and when she tells her friend Libby about her feelings, Libby is all for plunging directly into an investigation of their own.
Murder at the Laurels is the second entry in the Libby Sarjeant series. Libby may be busy with her painting, and she's not about to ignore her sex life, but she's still compelled to know what's going on. She keeps prodding Fran until she's brave enough to start checking into a thing or two. After all, Libby thinks, Fran is related to these people. If she doesn't have the right to know, who does?
I enjoy this series for Cookman's characterizations and for her depiction of life in a small English village. Even if it seems as though Libby and Fran are playing detective until the real policemen get all the details sorted, both women are good hearted and work with the investigators whenever they believe they've found a clue.
If you're in the mood for a light, fun mystery set in one of those perfect English villages, Murder at the Laurels may be just your cup of tea.
Middle-aged actress come investigator Libby Sarjeant has settled down to life in the village of Steeple Martin. Her small cottage suits her. She sells oil paintings to a local gallery, and it looks as though her romance with Ben is taking a turn for the better. If only life was as smooth for her friend, Fran Castle.
Fran, who lives in London and is a bit clairvoyant, has been working occasionally for an estate agent to "spook test" old properties. When her aunt, Eleanor Bridges, dies in the Laurels nursing home, Fran becomes concerned. It seems that old Eleanor may have written a new will, and everyone who thinks they have a chance at an inheritance is acting very strangely. Fran feels that something just isn't right, and when she tells her friend Libby about her feelings, Libby is all for plunging directly into an investigation of their own.
Murder at the Laurels is the second entry in the Libby Sarjeant series. Libby may be busy with her painting, and she's not about to ignore her sex life, but she's still compelled to know what's going on. She keeps prodding Fran until she's brave enough to start checking into a thing or two. After all, Libby thinks, Fran is related to these people. If she doesn't have the right to know, who does?
I enjoy this series for Cookman's characterizations and for her depiction of life in a small English village. Even if it seems as though Libby and Fran are playing detective until the real policemen get all the details sorted, both women are good hearted and work with the investigators whenever they believe they've found a clue.
If you're in the mood for a light, fun mystery set in one of those perfect English villages, Murder at the Laurels may be just your cup of tea.
January 22, 2015
This was another fun, engaging cozy read from this author, and her depiction of the quirky characters and life in a small English village were well-done. One thing I found very interesting and humourous was the liberal amount of drinking and eating in pubs the characters indulged in at every opportunity! :)
Libby was once again likeable, funny, a bit eccentric and quite normal for a middle-aged woman with some self-esteem and self-image issues. She drank, she smoked, and she indulged her insatiable curiousity by poking her nose into affairs that didn't really concern her. But, her heart was in the right place. She wanted to help her friend, Fran, find out who murdered Fran's aunt Eleanor. Fran herself was an interesting character, a bit psychic and more reserved than Libby. It took a fair amount of prodding by Libby to finally persuade her reluctant friend to investigate her aunt's death.
There were plenty of twists and turns in the plot and every suspect had a plausible motive for murdering the old woman, making it difficult to determine who the culprit was and in turn making for a clever, well-written mystery.
For fans of the cozy mystery genre, I would highly recommend this series.
Libby was once again likeable, funny, a bit eccentric and quite normal for a middle-aged woman with some self-esteem and self-image issues. She drank, she smoked, and she indulged her insatiable curiousity by poking her nose into affairs that didn't really concern her. But, her heart was in the right place. She wanted to help her friend, Fran, find out who murdered Fran's aunt Eleanor. Fran herself was an interesting character, a bit psychic and more reserved than Libby. It took a fair amount of prodding by Libby to finally persuade her reluctant friend to investigate her aunt's death.
There were plenty of twists and turns in the plot and every suspect had a plausible motive for murdering the old woman, making it difficult to determine who the culprit was and in turn making for a clever, well-written mystery.
For fans of the cozy mystery genre, I would highly recommend this series.
June 17, 2014
When I want to get into the 'twee murder mystery' frame of mind I always pick up Lesley Cookman. Her characters are likeable and funny, but also verging on caricature.
The plot for Murder at the Laurels is very traditional. Libby's friend Fran has an estranged aunt via marriage, who promptly cops it, leaving a small number of suspects. Aunt Eleanor lives in a care home, and immediately the owner of the home and two nurses are considered 'in on it'.
Having worked in a care home I was concerned at how care assistants would be portrayed. We don't have a good 'rap' in the media but I was pleasantly surprised by Cookman characters.
I was easily drawn in to the story, and I felt for the characters. Also, I didn't work out who the murderer was. Suspicion changed from person to person as the story progressed.
The reason that I only gave this three stars is because I missed the theatrical side of the story. The last novel was set heavily in the local theatre and I enjoyed that because of my own experiences at amateur theatre. However, it looks like the next one will take place at a pantomime, so I look forward to reading more of this series.
The plot for Murder at the Laurels is very traditional. Libby's friend Fran has an estranged aunt via marriage, who promptly cops it, leaving a small number of suspects. Aunt Eleanor lives in a care home, and immediately the owner of the home and two nurses are considered 'in on it'.
Having worked in a care home I was concerned at how care assistants would be portrayed. We don't have a good 'rap' in the media but I was pleasantly surprised by Cookman characters.
I was easily drawn in to the story, and I felt for the characters. Also, I didn't work out who the murderer was. Suspicion changed from person to person as the story progressed.
The reason that I only gave this three stars is because I missed the theatrical side of the story. The last novel was set heavily in the local theatre and I enjoyed that because of my own experiences at amateur theatre. However, it looks like the next one will take place at a pantomime, so I look forward to reading more of this series.
June 11, 2013
This is the second of Lesley Cookman's Libby Sarjeant (with a J) books I've read, and I've enjoyed it very much. In this one we get to know Libby's friend and 'remote viewer' Fran a lot better. As always, Lesley handles a huge cast with great deftness. Every character is different and recognisable, the way our personal friends are. Each person, or couple, has their own story which winds through the main thread of the murder and 'whodunnit.' As the book is written mostly in dialogue this is a remarkable skill. In fact with all these separate plot threads the weaving resembles a colourful and intricate carpet. I'm enjoying Libby's relationship with Ben, and Fran's tentative steps back into the world of dating. That's two I've read and enjoyed. 'Murder by the Sea' awaits.
February 5, 2019
The second book in the series. This time an aunt of Fran's dies at a nursing home called The Laurels. At first all seems normal -- death is not unexpected amongst the elderly -- but soon it's anything but normal. The death is declared to be a murder and Libby Serjeant and Fran investigate.
They are an engaging pair of sleuths with relatively normal friends, the usual problems of 50-something women, and a lot of curiousity.
I will read the next in the series and look forward to their further adventures...
They are an engaging pair of sleuths with relatively normal friends, the usual problems of 50-something women, and a lot of curiousity.
I will read the next in the series and look forward to their further adventures...
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March 7, 2013Could it have been murder? When old Eeanor Bridges dies on her birthday at The Laurels nursing home, no-one except her niece, Fran Castle, suspects anything. But when the will goes missing, and Fran s newly discovered relatives appear to be doing everything in their power to obstruct investigations, she enlists the help of her friend Libby Sarjeant. Together, they uncover sinister events in the past, greed and elements of witchcraft, all of which provide a multiplicity of motives, and it isn t until a second body is discovered that the murderer is unmasked.(less)
Book #2
Book #2
June 29, 2012
The second in this series and I am pleased to see all the characters wfrom the first book are again present. This time the murder that needs solving brings with it background knowledge about Fran - again with flashbacks to the past as well as old and new romances. Good second novel which I read in a day.
December 29, 2014
Have become hooked on the series and find myself delighted with characters as they stumble from murder to murder. There are many plot twists which kept me guessing to end. Look for a series of fun characters this is the author who provides.
November 10, 2017
Good mystery, with Fran having her visions and remembering parts of her childhood she had forgotten, and realising her uncle had been murdered by her Aunt, many years ago, then the aunt is murdered in the nursing home she now lives in. Libby ropes a reluctant Fran into investigating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2014
Cookman has well developed characters and a story which moves at appropriate pace. Couple of slow places so 4 1/2 stars rather than 5.
December 8, 2014
Slow starting but really picks up as mystery develops. As another reviewer stated never saw ending coming. Good twists with characters developing as story progressed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews