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Pippa Parker Mysteries #1
Murder At The Playgroup
Pippa Parker never wanted to move to the chocolate-box village of Much Gadding in the first place. When she meets the locals, she’s absolutely sure. There’s just one problem; she’s 8 months pregnant.
The village is turned upside down when Barbara Hamilton, pillar of the community, is found dead at Gadding Goslings playgroup. No one could have murdered her except the people who were there. The police suspect all of them, including Pippa herself…
With a baby due any minute, and hampered by her toddler son, can Pippa unmask the murderer? Will Much Gadding return to normal? And does anyone in Much Gadding even know what normal is?
Murder At The Playgroup is the first cozy mystery featuring Pippa Parker, mum and amateur sleuth, and set in the quiet but eccentric English village of Much Gadding.
The village is turned upside down when Barbara Hamilton, pillar of the community, is found dead at Gadding Goslings playgroup. No one could have murdered her except the people who were there. The police suspect all of them, including Pippa herself…
With a baby due any minute, and hampered by her toddler son, can Pippa unmask the murderer? Will Much Gadding return to normal? And does anyone in Much Gadding even know what normal is?
Murder At The Playgroup is the first cozy mystery featuring Pippa Parker, mum and amateur sleuth, and set in the quiet but eccentric English village of Much Gadding.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 5, 2017
87 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
About the author
Liz Hedgecock
96 books180 followersI grew up in south London, did an English degree, and then took forever to start writing. The stories started to grow longer...and then the murders began!
I tend to write Victorian mysteries of a not-too-scary nature. I've somehow managed to have 3 separate Sherlock Holmes-themed series (why make things easy?). I also co-wrote the Caster & Fleet mystery series with Paula Harmon, and my Maisie Frobisher Mysteries series is a spinoff from that.
I write a modern cozy mystery series, Pippa Parker Mysteries, and my newest series, The Magical Bookshop, is a cozy mystery series with a touch of fantasy and magic.
Visit my website for book info, links to stories, and my blog, in which I ramble on about all sorts of things. Hope to see you soon.
I tend to write Victorian mysteries of a not-too-scary nature. I've somehow managed to have 3 separate Sherlock Holmes-themed series (why make things easy?). I also co-wrote the Caster & Fleet mystery series with Paula Harmon, and my Maisie Frobisher Mysteries series is a spinoff from that.
I write a modern cozy mystery series, Pippa Parker Mysteries, and my newest series, The Magical Bookshop, is a cozy mystery series with a touch of fantasy and magic.
Visit my website for book info, links to stories, and my blog, in which I ramble on about all sorts of things. Hope to see you soon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 16, 2021
What a cute story. Lots of fun great main character!! Was introduced to Pippa in short story "School's Out" and after reading that,just knew I would have to read more!!
It was amazing to see how her mind works. Liz did a wonderful job creating this family and weaving in the Sherlockian mind for her lead star!!
I think you'll enjoy this light hearted, fun cozy little mystery book. So go ahead, get comfy and prepare to be entertained.......P/
It was amazing to see how her mind works. Liz did a wonderful job creating this family and weaving in the Sherlockian mind for her lead star!!
I think you'll enjoy this light hearted, fun cozy little mystery book. So go ahead, get comfy and prepare to be entertained.......P/
June 14, 2017
This is my first cozy mystery and it was a great way to be introduced to the genre. The writing is light hearted and fun, the characters feel genuine and behave believably and the central mystery is compelling.
The author does a wonderful job of painting the picture of village life as Pippa Parker moves into her new home. As someone who has lived in a small English village there are so many staples that are absolutely nailed here, from the busy local pub to the gossiping neighbours and the power hungry old ladies. I can totally picture this quaint little village in all it's glory.
I loved the relationship between Pippa and Freddie (her toddler son). It creates a lot of fun dialogue and adds to the light tone. This is balanced by Pippa's relationship with her husband, which is fraught with ups and downs as they await their second child. This added a touch of realism and brought the whole story back down to earth. There are several side characters that are also fun in their own way, I particularly enjoyed the librarian.
My only complaint is a backhanded compliment, I wish the book was longer! The ending felt like it came too soon, but a large part of that was due to how much I was enjoying the book. Already looking forward to the sequel!
The author does a wonderful job of painting the picture of village life as Pippa Parker moves into her new home. As someone who has lived in a small English village there are so many staples that are absolutely nailed here, from the busy local pub to the gossiping neighbours and the power hungry old ladies. I can totally picture this quaint little village in all it's glory.
I loved the relationship between Pippa and Freddie (her toddler son). It creates a lot of fun dialogue and adds to the light tone. This is balanced by Pippa's relationship with her husband, which is fraught with ups and downs as they await their second child. This added a touch of realism and brought the whole story back down to earth. There are several side characters that are also fun in their own way, I particularly enjoyed the librarian.
My only complaint is a backhanded compliment, I wish the book was longer! The ending felt like it came too soon, but a large part of that was due to how much I was enjoying the book. Already looking forward to the sequel!
May 23, 2017
This is a great short read with a wonderful MC, full of spunk and pregnancy. What a combination! Nothing keeps Pippa down but during this entertaining lighthearted murder mystery, her nerve is tested repeatedly. New to the village, struggling to fit in to her new home and minus her husband for most of the time, she makes her mark by throwing herself into the local playgroup. Little did she know she would walk in the footsteps of Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot and Sherlock Holmes - all cleverly mentioned throughout the story. Loved the way the story skipped along. Very well done, Liz Hedgecock.
July 21, 2024
Entertaining mystery listening
This kindle e-book novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book 1 of 6
Liz Hedgecock is one of my favorite authors. I have listened to a number of books and series.
Pippa and Simon have moved back to the town where he grew up. They have rented a cottage. She joins a playgroup. On the second meeting there is a murder. Pippa helps the police solve the murder.
I would recommend this series and author to reader of family and friends relationships mystery novels. 2024
This kindle e-book novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book 1 of 6
Liz Hedgecock is one of my favorite authors. I have listened to a number of books and series.
Pippa and Simon have moved back to the town where he grew up. They have rented a cottage. She joins a playgroup. On the second meeting there is a murder. Pippa helps the police solve the murder.
I would recommend this series and author to reader of family and friends relationships mystery novels. 2024
January 14, 2021
An excellent cosy murder mystery which is a fun read. Provided you are totally prepared to suspend your disbelief and just go with the flow, then you can enjoy this book. I look forward to reading more in this series.
November 5, 2022
I found Liz Hedgecock through her other series, which I devoured, so decided to give this a go. Short, snappy and irreverent, highly enjoyable lazy day read. Will be reading the others
May 21, 2017
Pippa Parker takes her place among good company. I have no doubt she will be on the same bookshelves as Miss Marple, Agatha Raisin, Rosemary and Thyme and a host of other women sleuths who have called the cozy villages of England their home. But Pippa stands apart from them in that she is also mother to an adorable toddler, with another one on the way.
Sure, there are female leads in detective stories that are married or have children. But usually those children are school aged, college, or already adults living on their own. And it's rare to have the children actually having enough of an impact on the main character that you know they're not just background noise. Little Freddie is a force of nature unto himself, with the powers of beans and toast at his command and the uncanny ability that all toddlers have to need the bathroom at the worst possible time. Although it is hard at times to gauge just how old Freddie is supposed to be, going on the varying levels of speech and awareness. But I know that children develop differently, and I personally know children who can go from sounding very much like they're in the early stages of speech, to suddenly dropping clear concise sentences. Children are always a challenge to portray in literature, even when actual parents are writing the story. It's going to be down to the reader to decide how believable Freddie is. For my part I can say that his characterization is consistent enough to be plausible.
While her husband wages war in the boardroom, Pippa is settling into the town where he grew up but she barely knows anyone. The monotony is broken when she visits the local playgroup and meets with the other parents of Freddie's future playmates. As if being weeks away from giving birth isn't bad enough, a murder takes place at, to no one's surprise, the playgroup.
It's always a challenge to keep the reader from guessing who the killer is and Liz does a great job of keeping you in the dark until late in the story. However it wasn't too hard to guess who the victim was going to be. As the first book in the series that takes place in the real world, there are so many ways to set up the main plot of a cozy murder mystery that won't make the reader roll their eyes. My eyes never rolled once. I have no doubt that Pippa Parker, her family, Marge, Lila, and a retired cop turned librarian will find their places in the hearts of readers.
My only regret was that I didn't write this review a couple of days earlier for Mother's Day.
Sure, there are female leads in detective stories that are married or have children. But usually those children are school aged, college, or already adults living on their own. And it's rare to have the children actually having enough of an impact on the main character that you know they're not just background noise. Little Freddie is a force of nature unto himself, with the powers of beans and toast at his command and the uncanny ability that all toddlers have to need the bathroom at the worst possible time. Although it is hard at times to gauge just how old Freddie is supposed to be, going on the varying levels of speech and awareness. But I know that children develop differently, and I personally know children who can go from sounding very much like they're in the early stages of speech, to suddenly dropping clear concise sentences. Children are always a challenge to portray in literature, even when actual parents are writing the story. It's going to be down to the reader to decide how believable Freddie is. For my part I can say that his characterization is consistent enough to be plausible.
While her husband wages war in the boardroom, Pippa is settling into the town where he grew up but she barely knows anyone. The monotony is broken when she visits the local playgroup and meets with the other parents of Freddie's future playmates. As if being weeks away from giving birth isn't bad enough, a murder takes place at, to no one's surprise, the playgroup.
It's always a challenge to keep the reader from guessing who the killer is and Liz does a great job of keeping you in the dark until late in the story. However it wasn't too hard to guess who the victim was going to be. As the first book in the series that takes place in the real world, there are so many ways to set up the main plot of a cozy murder mystery that won't make the reader roll their eyes. My eyes never rolled once. I have no doubt that Pippa Parker, her family, Marge, Lila, and a retired cop turned librarian will find their places in the hearts of readers.
My only regret was that I didn't write this review a couple of days earlier for Mother's Day.
January 25, 2020
I loved reading this book up until the penultimate chapter. Quite a few laughs and a very interesting plot, although I found the ending rushed and unsatisfactory.
Pippa is a lovable character (for 90% of the story), the support players are good, and the humour remains unforced, although the toddler is a bit confusing: barely speaking and then, occasionally, expressing himself in complex sentences, while he’s still in diapers. Whatever. The baddies are convincing, except for one whom I felt sorry for.
The author does a good job of turning the tables on quite a few situations at the very end, although the mystery is solved mostly behind the scenes. In fact, the most interesting thing is an ethical dilemma, hinted at but ultimately bulldozed over in an effort to make Pippa look clever. She declares herself a great fan of Agatha Christie, Miss Marple, and other classic literary sleuths. She should perhaps follow the lead of Poirot instead, a shrewd investigator who applies heart and compassion to his work, instead of just chasing personal acclaim.
Despite that, I think the book is worth reading. Even pace, good character development, and congratulations to the editor: one of the most error-free I’ve read in a long time.
Pippa is a lovable character (for 90% of the story), the support players are good, and the humour remains unforced, although the toddler is a bit confusing: barely speaking and then, occasionally, expressing himself in complex sentences, while he’s still in diapers. Whatever. The baddies are convincing, except for one whom I felt sorry for.
The author does a good job of turning the tables on quite a few situations at the very end, although the mystery is solved mostly behind the scenes. In fact, the most interesting thing is an ethical dilemma, hinted at but ultimately bulldozed over in an effort to make Pippa look clever. She declares herself a great fan of Agatha Christie, Miss Marple, and other classic literary sleuths. She should perhaps follow the lead of Poirot instead, a shrewd investigator who applies heart and compassion to his work, instead of just chasing personal acclaim.
Despite that, I think the book is worth reading. Even pace, good character development, and congratulations to the editor: one of the most error-free I’ve read in a long time.
May 30, 2017
Author Liz Hedgecock’s delightfully funny, impulsive, feisty heroine Pippa Parker is the mother of a toddler and eight months pregnant to boot. She is also a dyed in the wool city girl whose workaholic husband has moved her from her beloved London to the small, rural and odd village of Much-Gadding.
The locals are not at all sure of what to make of her, or she of the. Her not so helpful, snarky mother in law is for certain to be avoided and the house missing hubby has arranged for is the size of a thimble. Needless to say, Pippa is not happy. When Barbara, a local pillar of the community is found dead at the community playgroup Pippa has just joined is murdered, what else is a girl to do but turn sleuth to clear the one friend she’s managed to make.
Fast paced, funny, fun, I couldn’t stop turning the pages or trying to guess who done it until the end. I loved the quirky cast of character’ Pippa meet up with as she settles into small town living. I hope this is one of many Pippa Parker mysteries. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and highly recommend
The locals are not at all sure of what to make of her, or she of the. Her not so helpful, snarky mother in law is for certain to be avoided and the house missing hubby has arranged for is the size of a thimble. Needless to say, Pippa is not happy. When Barbara, a local pillar of the community is found dead at the community playgroup Pippa has just joined is murdered, what else is a girl to do but turn sleuth to clear the one friend she’s managed to make.
Fast paced, funny, fun, I couldn’t stop turning the pages or trying to guess who done it until the end. I loved the quirky cast of character’ Pippa meet up with as she settles into small town living. I hope this is one of many Pippa Parker mysteries. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and highly recommend
May 8, 2017
Pacey, entertaining whodunnit in the classic style
Pippa is juggling moving house, pregnancy, village politics, a toddler, an annoying mother in law and an absent husband. On top of this, she finds herself embroiled in a murder. But she's too feisty to let any of that distract her from investigating the mystery for herself. With delightful characterisation and a well structured plot, the pace of this book was excellent. I found it hard to put down and was kept guessing right to the end. I loved this book and if you like Rebecca Tope or Ann Granger, you'll really enjoy this. Am looking forward to the next in the series.
Pippa is juggling moving house, pregnancy, village politics, a toddler, an annoying mother in law and an absent husband. On top of this, she finds herself embroiled in a murder. But she's too feisty to let any of that distract her from investigating the mystery for herself. With delightful characterisation and a well structured plot, the pace of this book was excellent. I found it hard to put down and was kept guessing right to the end. I loved this book and if you like Rebecca Tope or Ann Granger, you'll really enjoy this. Am looking forward to the next in the series.
July 9, 2020
A cute and wonderful story - Murder on the Playgroup is the epitome of a cosy mystery. It has everything - a quaint setting, a sympathetic, fragile but still compelling MC and an easy to solve mystery that is still fun to read about.
My only issue with this is that, while the who and how were fairly straightforward (called it as soon as the character appeared - which I don't mind because it is a cosy mystery) the motive is not given until the big reveal. This is annoying and took only a little enjoyment off. The ending is quite sudden but all in all I enjoyed it. Looking forward to reading more in this series.
My only issue with this is that, while the who and how were fairly straightforward (called it as soon as the character appeared - which I don't mind because it is a cosy mystery) the motive is not given until the big reveal. This is annoying and took only a little enjoyment off. The ending is quite sudden but all in all I enjoyed it. Looking forward to reading more in this series.
May 10, 2018
In "Murder at the Playgroup", Liz Hedgecock presents a funny and touching cozy novel, with a delightful protagonist. What makes Pippa Parker such a compelling character is how fragile, yet persistent she is. It's Pippa, more than the murder mystery itself, the reason why I liked this book so much. It'll be a pleasure to read the next instalments of the series and see what's next for the character.
January 7, 2019
An enjoyable read
An eight months pregnant would-be detective with a toddler in tow - who’d have thought a protagonist like that could be so appealing? I was enamoured from the first pages of this well written and cleverly constructed story and look forward to the next in the series. Now I have discovered this author I will take a look at other series written by her as I enjoy her style. A real bit of escapism.
An eight months pregnant would-be detective with a toddler in tow - who’d have thought a protagonist like that could be so appealing? I was enamoured from the first pages of this well written and cleverly constructed story and look forward to the next in the series. Now I have discovered this author I will take a look at other series written by her as I enjoy her style. A real bit of escapism.
August 24, 2021
Pippa Parker moves to a new small village even though she didn't want to. She is very startled when she finds a pillar of the community has been found dead at the playgroup. Pippa is eight months pregnant and also has a toddler but decides that she has to solve this mystery but can she do it in time? She knows nobody could have committed the murder other than the people that were at the playgroup. And she catch the murderer and put the village back to normal?
September 19, 2022
A nice wee story, the heavily pregnant mum has her 2 year old, a move to a cottage to wee for them and all by herself has to sort it out, while hubby gets home weekends. She finds herself in a strange wee village and tries to make friends at playgroup, instead she blunders into a murder,and is determined to solve it before the birth.
May 6, 2018
Really enjoyed this, 8 month pregnant Pippa solves the murder, along with sorting out her new house, husband working away and a young child to entertain. Not mentioning a potentially difficult Mother in law living close by. Will be reading more in this series.
December 26, 2018
Interesting characters and good mystery
Temporary home. New village. Husband away for work all week. Eight months pregnant. A murder. A rather negative mother-in-law. A lot of problems to solve all at once. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Temporary home. New village. Husband away for work all week. Eight months pregnant. A murder. A rather negative mother-in-law. A lot of problems to solve all at once. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
December 29, 2018
An interesting mystery
Definitely a longer read than I was expecting, which was nice. Good twist at the end. Lots of Pippa and her toddler. I most just felt sorry for her near the end because of her crazy MIL. Poor Pippa!
Definitely a longer read than I was expecting, which was nice. Good twist at the end. Lots of Pippa and her toddler. I most just felt sorry for her near the end because of her crazy MIL. Poor Pippa!
January 13, 2019
Loved reading about PP and how she's trying to settle into village life - very reminiscent of Agatha Raisin 😉. The denouement appeared to be just a tad too sudden seemingly from nowhere - otherwise I loved the story.
October 22, 2023
I really enjoyed this one. It was cosy but different, it was refreshing reading about a mom who is also pregnant being the detective. I really connected with the main character, and i was happy with the ending. Can't wait to read the others in the series.
January 20, 2024
An amusing cosy highlighting the perils of the local playgroup. I enjoyed the story up until the end, where everything went from meandering along to moving at warp speed, although it really didn't need to. Still, I shall look out for the next in the series.
November 15, 2025
I now get why the hisband/partner is estranged or divorced, it's because they could be a pain or just plain irrotating. This book just shows you why. I loved the story it was very enjoyable and the mystry was good also. I want to read the next in the series.
January 2, 2019
Great fun
I didn't guess the murderer, although it was a little protracted for my liking. Good job.
Will read others in series.
I didn't guess the murderer, although it was a little protracted for my liking. Good job.
Will read others in series.
January 10, 2019
Enjoyed this book. It was an easy read and addictive.
July 31, 2020
Lovely book, easy to read with quite the twist! Will keep you guessing to the end!
June 23, 2022
Very enjoyable
A quick light read with a few chuckles thrown in.
A quick light read with a few chuckles thrown in.
February 4, 2023
Who killed Barbara Hamilton and why or why not??? Pippa figures things out while giving birth!!! I enjoyed this story and recommend the book.
August 13, 2023
Funny, amusing read, very quick read but confused about the ending ? It happens suddenly no lead up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2023
Great story, great main characters and a twist at the end
June 18, 2024
really enjoyed this book - perfect if you are looking for a cosy crime! Looking forward to reading the rest of the series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews