Scared to Death

Cherringham #27

by Matthew Costello, Neil Richards

When classic horror movie star Basil Coates becomes the victim of a series of scary pranks, the local police put it down to a crazed fan. Just pranks, after all ...

But with Halloween only days away, the spectre of murder suddenly visits the ghostly Coates mansion on the hill outside Cherringham - and Jack and Sarah find themselves caught in a mystery worthy of Basil’s spookiest roles ...

Set in the sleepy English village of Cherringham, the detective series brings together an unlikely sleuthing English web designer Sarah and American ex-cop Jack. Thrilling and deadly - but with a spot of tea - it's like Rosamunde Pilcher meets Inspector Barnaby. Each of the self-contained episodes is a quick read for the morning commute, while waiting for the doctor, or when curling up with a hot cuppa.

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Crime, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Detective

158 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2017

Reviews

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 2 out of 5]

American television writer Matthew Costello and British TV producer Neil Richards have apparently been collaborating on a cozy mystery series for a while now. I never felt that I was at a loss with this novella even though I was clearly coming into a novella in the middle. But I never much enjoyed Scared to Death, which wasn’t the least bit scary. That’s forgivable. What’s not was that the book was not the least bit suspenseful. What is was, was predictable: By chapter 6, I’d figured out the why, and soon after, I figured out who.

Retired NYPD copper Jack Brennan and Sarah Edwards, a British web designer turned sidekick, ply the private detective trade in the Cotswold town of Cherringham. But they’re a cliché, as is their relationship. Predictable plot, charmless protagonists, I won’t be back for more.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, »be« by Bastei Entertainment, and Bastei Lübbe AG in exchange for an honest review.

[Daniela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Matthew Costello - Cherringham - Tod zur Geisterstunde
eBook - 132 Seiten

Hmm, Grusel? Spannung? Gänsehaut? - Fehlanzeige.
Genau das habe ich erwartet, als ich die Beschreibung des Buches und der gesamten Reihe gelesen habe…
Und genau das habe ich beim Lesen leider nicht gefunden.
Es war nicht gruselig, nicht spannend und Gänsehaut hat sich nicht mal ansatzweise gezeigt.
Die Story ansich ist gut geschrieben, lässt sich schnell weglesen.
Um mit den Charakteren warm zu werden, bräuchte es ein paar Seiten mehr.
Auch die Stimmung im Herrenhaus - das für Grusel stehen soll - kam leider nicht sonderlich authentisch rüber.
Für mich daher leider nur magere 3 Sterne.

* digitales Rezensionsexemplar von NetGalley & beEbooks

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cherrington-scared to death by matthew costello and neil richards.
When classic horror movie star Basil Coates becomes the victim of a series of scary pranks, the local police put it down to a crazed fan. Just pranks, after all ...
But with Halloween only days away, the spectre of murder suddenly visits the ghostly Coates mansion on the hill outside Cherringham - and Jack and Sarah find themselves caught in a mystery worthy of Basil’s spookiest roles ...
A absolutely fantastic read with great characters. I really enjoyed this book. Could see it as a movie or mini series. 5*. Highly recommended.

[Karen Plummer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, this was fun! Jack and Sarah are asked to look into a series of increasingly scary pranks taking place at the mansion of an old horror movie star. Are the pranks just pranks or do they have a more serious intent? Each prank is from one of the actor's old films and seems to require someone with special effects experience to pull off. The suspects include the actor's beautiful wife, his best friend, his daughter, his biographer, or is it someone else from his past? Halloween in Cherringham was never so scary.

[Kataklicik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook : Scribd.
Read by Neil Dudgeon.

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Cherringham cosy crime series can be a bit lightweight for its own good. The writing is serviceable and approachable but the mysteries themselves are somewhat basic and the characterisation can be pretty perfunctory (partly as a result of the novella format of the stories)

If you can't spot the murderer and motive fairly early on in this one then you're probably skim reading it. There is fun to be had with the Hammer Horror influences though, as a cast of aging horror film actors feature in a haunted mansion setting.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this was a quick easy read, I found it to be lacking in the mystery and thriller part. Typical horror movie actor Basil Coates is having all sorts of pranks at his house, nothing crazy and no one has gotten hurt. Yet. Typical pranks seen in horror movies, snake, cryptic writing, bloody bath etc... nothing too exciting. Suddenly after one prank of a wicker man was set on fire, everyone rushes into the house to suddenly find Basil dead on the floor. Now the two detectives who have been looking into these pranks begin looking around to see who worked on all his movies, who made the props and surprise surprise they find one man still alive, and his son who’s also in special effects. They quickly go speak with both, and find out that it was Basil himself who hired them to set up the pranks, he was trying to get the spotlight on himself again. After talking with them, the two detectives suddenly know the whole story and now who killed Basil and once again no surprise taken from one of his best movies the mummy returns. Just felt that this book you could expect or foresee what was going to happen, no twist or turns nothing to keep you reading.

[Martha Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the Cherringham stories so far but this has been my fav I think. Course, had it all figured out way before the end but the joy in the reading is seeing if one is correct in assumptions.

My most noteworthy desire is to see Jack & Sarah quit wasting years & become a couple and continuing with their detective work. They are a delight to read about with such a quaint area as the Cotswold as an endearing backdrop.

This particular saga, filled with old horror actors, old props, an eerily wicked old house right at Halloween and all the drama is chilling and a danged good story.

Would love to have seen these put into a tv show. Put me in mind of good clean tv fun with enough melodrama and fun to make it a good clean family show. Along the lines of Murder She Wrote. Never ending watching fun.

[Niken Widyastuti · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extremely quick mystery read. Well, I think I read it in one sitting. I don’t know whether it was because the story was short, or very captivating, or both. Probably both.

I really enjoy this kind of story. True to its advertising (mystery book), short, to the point, yet full of ‘meat’ and very compelling. I actually imagining this book, well this series, as a TV series. I would love to watch them, and I’m not TV watcher.

I was provided a complementary copy by the author / publisher through NetGalley, but this in no way influenced my thoughts or opinions.

[Eileen Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another in the very successful Cherringham series of novels.
This one set around Halloween, with frights galore and the inevitable murder.
Each chapter is a stand alone "fright", until the final shock.
Great read and sure to be a hit each Halloween!
Highly recommended.
N.B. At least "Cosy" is spelt correctly - sorry to be pedantic!

I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher be-ebooks via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.

[Laurie Beemer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super fast quick read that has the reader wondering what actually is happening, is it real is it a horrible prank, or is it paranormal? Sarah and Jack have a great relationship that helps them trust each other and help them solve their many mysteries, friends, more than friends? Thank you NetGalley and Matthew Costello for allowing me to read this ARC and write a honest review.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished in one Sitting

Easy to read and follow. Strong story line, great characters make this COZY a favorite read. It is intelligently written and kept me guessing until the end. Lots of little twists and red herrings to keep one guessing. I loved it! Will read more from the authors!

[Gea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have not read any other books in this series, and I did find the authors employ rather different writing style, with the characters talking themselves in and out of situations....rather foolishly in some instances. A very quick read and lacking an interesting plot.

[Morgan Rutherford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a bad addition to the Cherrington series.

I enjoyed the pace of this story. I wanted a short read that would keep me guessing till the end. This fit the bill quite well. Always like returning to Cherringham and Jack and Sarah as they solve a mystery.

[Neely Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

An actor from wonderful old horror films lives in an old Victorian house nearby. Jack and Sarah are called when strange events start occurring at the house just before Halloween. Prankster or something deadlier?

[Kathy Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved the latest Cherringham episode, perfect for a cup of tea and a nice cosy autumn afternoon at home.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Great Cherringham mystery

This one was really good. Imaginative and scary-al
In one. Started off good and built up to a great ending.

[Deborah Butman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good mindless read

This is one in a fun mystery series with interesting settings and characters. I've read all of them. Great bedtime reads.

[Roo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely installment

[Sherry McWilliams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story. It is entertaining and interesting. Loved Jack and Sarah. Planning to read more of this series.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

#27 ♥️

[Janet]

Although the title in this entry in Goodreads is in German, the book IS in English.

[Meggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a typical Cherringham fast developing mystery. I liked it.

[Donna P. Bowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Excellent!!

I really am enjoying this series! Love Sarah & Jack's interactions. The slight hint of more than just friendship. The sublime mysteries.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0

[Janet Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spell binding

Good plot with excellent scene description. Always fun to follow these characters through their adventures. Have now read 27 short books.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do really enjoy these easy reads

[Nancy Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable! Loved it!

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good entertainment while doing chores. Not actually scary which was fine with me.

[Maria Laru · Rating 5 out of 5]

Koukuttavia lyhyitä kertomuksia. Pitää lukea ne mitkä on julkaistu heti peräjälkeen välipalaksi raskaampien tarnoiden väliin.