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Ellie Kent Mystery #2
What Child Is This?
"A well-crafted outsider’s view of Cotswolds village life that will appeal to mystery buffs." – Kirkus Reviews "A great find." – M.C. Beaton, author of the Agatha Raisin mysteries It's Christmas in the Cotswold village of Little Beecham . . . a season to celebrate with caroling, mistletoe, and mince pies. In this sequel to UNDER AN ENGLISH HEAVEN, newlywed American Ellie Kent is looking forward to her first English village Christmas, but a missing Oxford student and an abandoned baby soon draw her away from the fireside into danger. When a body is discovered on Boxing Day, Ellie comes to believe that all these events may be linked through a group of teenage girls who identify with Shakespeare's tragic Ophelia. The police scoff at her theory, so Ellie pursues her own investigation to identify their secret Hamlet, who may be a killer. "Not only is Alice Boatwright a good detective writer, but a first-class storyteller as well. A great find. – M.C. Beaton, author of the Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth mysteries Don't miss the first Ellie Kent mystery! 2016 winner of the Mystery and Mayhem Grand Prize for best mystery In UNDER AN ENGLISH HEAVEN, life brings the skeptical American Ellie Kent to a village in the Cotswolds as the vicar's new wife, but death keeps her guessing how long she'll be there.
259 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2017
913 people are currently reading
833 people want to read
About the author
Alice K. Boatwright
11 books184 followersAlice K. Boatwright is the author of award-winning mysteries and literary fiction. Her mysteries about the skeptical American Ellie Kent, who marries a handsome English vicar and moves to his Cotswold village, have generated an enthusiastic following. The stories draw on the author's own experiences as an ex-pat living in an English village – as well as her longstanding love of English culture, literature, and history.
The first book in the series, UNDER AN ENGLISH HEAVEN, won 2016 Mystery & Mayhem Grand Prize for best mystery; and WHAT CHILD IS THIS? (Book 2) has become a popular Christmas read. IN THE LIFE EVER AFTER (Book 3) was published in January 2024.
In August 2019, a new edition of Alice's first book, COLLATERAL DAMAGE, was released by Standing Stone Books in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. Winner of the 2013 bronze medal for literary fiction from the Independent Publisher Book Awards, COLLATERAL DAMAGE is three novellas about this divisive era told from the perspective of those who fought, those who resisted, and the family and friends caught in the crossfire between them.
Alice is also the author of a chapbook of stories about the San Juan islands, SEA, SKY, ISLANDS; and, in 2022, she established Firefly Ink Books to publish stories that families and friends can read together. The first book, MRS. POTTS FINDS THANKSGIVING, was released in August 2022.
After 10 years of living in England and France, Alice now makes her home in the Pacific Northwest, where she is active in the writing community as a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and PEN America. She is also the convenor for the North America chapter of the UK’s Crime Writers Association.
To keep up Alice’s latest activities, sign up for her newsletter at http://eepurl.com/cER4Cj
You can follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/aliceboatwright; Instagram at www.instagram.com/alicek.boatwright/ or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/alice.boatwr...
The first book in the series, UNDER AN ENGLISH HEAVEN, won 2016 Mystery & Mayhem Grand Prize for best mystery; and WHAT CHILD IS THIS? (Book 2) has become a popular Christmas read. IN THE LIFE EVER AFTER (Book 3) was published in January 2024.
In August 2019, a new edition of Alice's first book, COLLATERAL DAMAGE, was released by Standing Stone Books in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. Winner of the 2013 bronze medal for literary fiction from the Independent Publisher Book Awards, COLLATERAL DAMAGE is three novellas about this divisive era told from the perspective of those who fought, those who resisted, and the family and friends caught in the crossfire between them.
Alice is also the author of a chapbook of stories about the San Juan islands, SEA, SKY, ISLANDS; and, in 2022, she established Firefly Ink Books to publish stories that families and friends can read together. The first book, MRS. POTTS FINDS THANKSGIVING, was released in August 2022.
After 10 years of living in England and France, Alice now makes her home in the Pacific Northwest, where she is active in the writing community as a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and PEN America. She is also the convenor for the North America chapter of the UK’s Crime Writers Association.
To keep up Alice’s latest activities, sign up for her newsletter at http://eepurl.com/cER4Cj
You can follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/aliceboatwright; Instagram at www.instagram.com/alicek.boatwright/ or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/alice.boatwr...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
December 20, 2017
The setting is a Cotswold village at Christmas. A disappeared Oxford student, two murders, and an abandoned newborn baby push Ellie Kent to investigate. This is a decent mystery with enough holiday details to be festive. As Ellie starts making headway I was pushed to finish for the answers and solutions. Ellie is a newlywed and has only lived in the village for four months. This is the aspect of the story that didn't make a lot of sense. She is an American who met her husband, a vicar, the Christmas before in San Francisco. She is divorced, he is a widower. She is a non-believer, and he is an Anglican vicar. They are married in less than a year. Really? And it is her second murder case in this tiny village in 4 months - a total of 3 victims. Really?
It was not a surprise to learn the author is American. After the main character is American, and it wouldn't make sense for an English author to do that. I may read the first in the series because the second had good momentum.
It was not a surprise to learn the author is American. After the main character is American, and it wouldn't make sense for an English author to do that. I may read the first in the series because the second had good momentum.
July 3, 2020
This is the second Christmas story I've read this summer; don't ask me why.
Book 1 in this series, Under an English Heaven, was enjoyable even if the characterizations were a bit shallow. But in book 2, the problem seemed even more pronounced and I don't feel compelled to spend any more time with Ellie and the inhabitants of Little Beecham. It's a big drawback for a cozy mystery series when you can't enjoy the characters.
Book 1 in this series, Under an English Heaven, was enjoyable even if the characterizations were a bit shallow. But in book 2, the problem seemed even more pronounced and I don't feel compelled to spend any more time with Ellie and the inhabitants of Little Beecham. It's a big drawback for a cozy mystery series when you can't enjoy the characters.
February 9, 2020
Really enjoyed this second book in the Ellie Kent series and hope there are more to come.
June 25, 2018
I'd probably give this a solid 3.5. I found this book as I was looking for books set in the Cotswolds prior to my trip there. It's the second in the series, and I enjoyed the first one too.
This book takes place around Christmas, as you might surmise. A baby is left in the manger being used for the town Christmas play at the church, and Ellie notices the baby DURING the play. She quickly bonds to this little girl, who is called Rosie by the staff of the hospital in which she is placed.
There's a lot going on. Girls with herb tattoos done as a link with Ophelia's flower speech. Abandoned babies and a body found later. Christmas in a small Cotswold town and many icy drives that end up in ditches. I wasn't sure it all really connected, quite frankly. And the idea of teenage girls referring to themselves as "Juliets" or "Ophs", depending on whether they get what they want or not. Is this a thing in English classes these days? Ophelia certainly did not get what she wanted, but the idea put forward in this mystery is that Juliet did know how to get what she wanted, so it's more desirable to be like her. It's been a while since high school for me, but I feel like teenage girls can aspire higher than to be like Juliet. Any other literature lovers with thoughts on this?
As in the first book, the murderer's identity is pretty obvious, because he's a jerk. I enjoy these because they are the definition of a cozy mystery. They take place in a charming setting, there's not much blood and gore, the characters are mostly enjoyable, and it's a pleasant escape for a short time.
This book takes place around Christmas, as you might surmise. A baby is left in the manger being used for the town Christmas play at the church, and Ellie notices the baby DURING the play. She quickly bonds to this little girl, who is called Rosie by the staff of the hospital in which she is placed.
There's a lot going on. Girls with herb tattoos done as a link with Ophelia's flower speech. Abandoned babies and a body found later. Christmas in a small Cotswold town and many icy drives that end up in ditches. I wasn't sure it all really connected, quite frankly. And the idea of teenage girls referring to themselves as "Juliets" or "Ophs", depending on whether they get what they want or not. Is this a thing in English classes these days? Ophelia certainly did not get what she wanted, but the idea put forward in this mystery is that Juliet did know how to get what she wanted, so it's more desirable to be like her. It's been a while since high school for me, but I feel like teenage girls can aspire higher than to be like Juliet. Any other literature lovers with thoughts on this?
As in the first book, the murderer's identity is pretty obvious, because he's a jerk. I enjoy these because they are the definition of a cozy mystery. They take place in a charming setting, there's not much blood and gore, the characters are mostly enjoyable, and it's a pleasant escape for a short time.
April 13, 2019
Alice Boatwright has done it again: brought us another wonderful Ellie Kent mystery.
What Child Is This? is a hard-to-put-down story and I didn’t – I read it in one day. I was with Ellie every step of the way as she set about unraveling the mysterious disappearance of a village girl—an Oxford student—under suspicious circumstances. Like Ellie then, I was caught completely off guard by the arrival of an unexpected Christmas visitor to the parish; an event that knocked all prevailing explanations of the disappearance into a cocked hat.
But Ellie has a theory …
If you haven’t met Ellie Kent yet, it’s high time you did—give yourself a Christmas gift. You’ll love Little Beecham at Christmastime where the American Ellie—recently married to the Vicar—can’t seem to resist a good mystery and has a nose for rooting out criminals. I suspect you’ll also love the humor and curiosity with which Ellie approaches her first “full-English” Christmas in the village of Little Beecham.
What Child Is This? is a hard-to-put-down story and I didn’t – I read it in one day. I was with Ellie every step of the way as she set about unraveling the mysterious disappearance of a village girl—an Oxford student—under suspicious circumstances. Like Ellie then, I was caught completely off guard by the arrival of an unexpected Christmas visitor to the parish; an event that knocked all prevailing explanations of the disappearance into a cocked hat.
But Ellie has a theory …
If you haven’t met Ellie Kent yet, it’s high time you did—give yourself a Christmas gift. You’ll love Little Beecham at Christmastime where the American Ellie—recently married to the Vicar—can’t seem to resist a good mystery and has a nose for rooting out criminals. I suspect you’ll also love the humor and curiosity with which Ellie approaches her first “full-English” Christmas in the village of Little Beecham.
November 18, 2017
This beautifully written mystery is perfect for the holidays, or any day you want to spend reading about Christmas in an English village. The second in the Ellie Kent mystery series (Ellie Kent is a smart American who marries a sexy English vicar and moves back to the Cotswolds with him), this one starts with a Missing Person flyer but escalates when a newborn child is literally found in a nativity scene creche. Ellie, the one who finds the baby, feels responsible for the child's welfare, and all too soon she is following up leads. I won't give more away. :) The gripping mystery combined with all the lovely traditions of an English Christmas makes this novel a hugely enjoyable read. I highly recommend it.
January 2, 2018
This was a great story!
I enjoyed the story and would recommend it to all my family and friends. It was interesting and I liked the idea that it took place in England and at Christmas so I could learn some things that are different from American Christmas.
Read it it tells many things that I did not know about. It was educational!
I enjoyed the story and would recommend it to all my family and friends. It was interesting and I liked the idea that it took place in England and at Christmas so I could learn some things that are different from American Christmas.
Read it it tells many things that I did not know about. It was educational!
December 11, 2019
I enjoy following the seasons with my reading material. Many Christmas themed books are too sweet, or too cliche, in that way this book hit the right note. It's not too much of anything. The main character is an American woman turned amateur sleuth, newly married to a small town English vicar. The writing is good and the story moves along. There is a Shakespeare thread that creates interest but the chemistry between the characters is weak and I am not compelled to revisit them. The audiobook perfect for a plane, train or car ride with mixed ages... or for use as a reading palate cleanser before digging into your delicious holiday books.
December 4, 2017
The first thing I noticed when opening the package with three copies of Alice Boatwright’s new book What Child is This? were the Cotswold stones of the houses pictured on the cover. The honey color told me that the town shown is in the northern part of the region. But the towns described in her first novel, Under an English Heaven seemed closer to Oxford…so my sleuthing was getting me confused. And then I thought, “What am I doing? Just read the book!”
See, that’s what Ms. Boatwright does to the reader. Completely hooks her, or him, into her world. So much so that we become our own detectives…inadequate as we may be…or at least I am.
I have to say that this second offering from her pen is even better than her first, and I loved that book! Like a Shakespeare play (and I’m not kidding here) there are so many levels to What Child is This? that I simply reveled in the whole reading experience. There’s drama, tension, comedy, inside jokes, political commentary, psychology…just about everything one could want in a mystery novel. And the physical descriptions took me back there immediately! I was only in the Cotswolds once, but I wish I had read her novels before going. She has painted the perfect picture for us armchair tourists.
One final comment, Ms. Boatwright’s depiction of a rural English Christmas is simply marvelous. While we in New England think we have a lock on this precious holiday season, I am going to have to admit that her descriptions of Christmas in Little Beecham and the surrounding towns is perfect. I would love to spend a Christmas going to services at the Church of St. Michael and All Angels. It would be absolutely heartwarming…which is just how I felt throughout this book, serious and scary portions aside.
Go immediately to your bookstore or online service and buy What Child is This? It will be a great Christmas present to yourself. In fact, I’m giving two of them away myself.
See, that’s what Ms. Boatwright does to the reader. Completely hooks her, or him, into her world. So much so that we become our own detectives…inadequate as we may be…or at least I am.
I have to say that this second offering from her pen is even better than her first, and I loved that book! Like a Shakespeare play (and I’m not kidding here) there are so many levels to What Child is This? that I simply reveled in the whole reading experience. There’s drama, tension, comedy, inside jokes, political commentary, psychology…just about everything one could want in a mystery novel. And the physical descriptions took me back there immediately! I was only in the Cotswolds once, but I wish I had read her novels before going. She has painted the perfect picture for us armchair tourists.
One final comment, Ms. Boatwright’s depiction of a rural English Christmas is simply marvelous. While we in New England think we have a lock on this precious holiday season, I am going to have to admit that her descriptions of Christmas in Little Beecham and the surrounding towns is perfect. I would love to spend a Christmas going to services at the Church of St. Michael and All Angels. It would be absolutely heartwarming…which is just how I felt throughout this book, serious and scary portions aside.
Go immediately to your bookstore or online service and buy What Child is This? It will be a great Christmas present to yourself. In fact, I’m giving two of them away myself.
November 23, 2018
I really did like this book-taking a chance on reading the second book in the Ellie Kent series without reading the first; because I wanted to read it as a holiday mystery. But it actually worked fairly well as a stand-alone with enough background information to update the reader on what had taken place beforehand so that you weren't totally clueless.
December 1, 2018
WHEN WILL THE NEXT ELLIE KENT MYSTERY BE AVAILABLE?
I have enjoyed reading both UNDER AN ENGLISH HEAVEN and WHAT CHILD IS THIS. I only hope Alice Boatwright continues this series. She is an excellent writer. Without going into detail about her style of writing, both books are examples of her her expertise at her craft. I know when I read a story that is well written as these both are, I'm invested in the character's lives. I don't want the book to end. I feel that way about Ellie Kent and all the inhabitants of her English village.
I have enjoyed reading both UNDER AN ENGLISH HEAVEN and WHAT CHILD IS THIS. I only hope Alice Boatwright continues this series. She is an excellent writer. Without going into detail about her style of writing, both books are examples of her her expertise at her craft. I know when I read a story that is well written as these both are, I'm invested in the character's lives. I don't want the book to end. I feel that way about Ellie Kent and all the inhabitants of her English village.
February 21, 2019
This is a cozy- and it's a big 'meh' - there isn't anything special about it nor about the characters- I won't go out of my way to read another but if I need something at an airport or on a beach - sure.
December 7, 2021
The way the author got rid of the perpetrator was a little too pat; and, some of the details about babies is a little off …….. yet, as it’s a fiction story that’s allowed, I guess.
Though the mystery was interesting, this is not a title I’d recommend to some of my IRL reading friends.
Themes: person in authority grooms teenaged girls, kidnapping, LBGT.
Though the mystery was interesting, this is not a title I’d recommend to some of my IRL reading friends.
Themes: person in authority grooms teenaged girls, kidnapping, LBGT.
November 20, 2017
A thrilling mystery, a story of American Ellie Kent’s growing involvement in her new husband’s Cotswald community, and an evocation of English Christmas traditions. Enjoy the second of these beautifully written mysteries.
November 30, 2018
I couldn't put it down
I read both Ellie Kent books and thoroughly enjoyed them. I would recommend these books to any one who enjoys a good book.
I read both Ellie Kent books and thoroughly enjoyed them. I would recommend these books to any one who enjoys a good book.
October 15, 2019
An excellent Christmas mystery
Ellie is looking forward to her first White Christmas, but there is a missing girl, and consequently a chain of events which make this particular Christmas unlike any other.
A well written murder mystery set in The Cotswolds with lots of twists and turns.
June 26, 2022
When a promising Oxford student disappears much to her family’s distress, Eillie Kent, an American vicar’s wife, moved to the UK, with a habit of rooting out mysteries, is soon drawn into events. Two murders and an abandoned baby at the church only spur her on to investigate further despite the potential danger.
This is the second book in the author’s Ellie Kent series and, written from an American perspective but set in England, it is awash with slightly sardonic touches on the difficulties of an outsider fitting in. At times, this borders on the mildly scathing which is a shame and I do wonder if it might be better suited to an American audience.
This is a fun little mystery, cosy in nature and without gore or adrenaline. The culprit is rather obvious but the convoluted and entertaining tale is enjoyable all the same. If you’re after a quick and charming read, you could do far worse.
This is the second book in the author’s Ellie Kent series and, written from an American perspective but set in England, it is awash with slightly sardonic touches on the difficulties of an outsider fitting in. At times, this borders on the mildly scathing which is a shame and I do wonder if it might be better suited to an American audience.
This is a fun little mystery, cosy in nature and without gore or adrenaline. The culprit is rather obvious but the convoluted and entertaining tale is enjoyable all the same. If you’re after a quick and charming read, you could do far worse.
December 28, 2021
Great audiobook
April 6, 2023
Really enjoyed this mystery.
February 25, 2021
I'm in love with this series. Once again I listened on Audible and the narrator is excellent. I love the characters and the plots and there was a subplot that concluded in an unexpected manner for me. I cannot wait until book 3! If you love cozy mysteries you will love this.
December 6, 2017
An enjoyable, seasonal follow up to Under an English Heaven, the first Ellie Kent mystery. A good mystery, with good character development. Looking forward to the next one. Write quickly please, Ms. Boatwright!!
January 17, 2018
Ellie Kent is full of spunk. I couldn’t put down this second mystery as Alice Boatwright weaves an enticing tale with an engaging and well-paced mix of American and British language.
It’s Christmastime, and Ellie is settling into her life, newly married, an American living in her husband’s English countryside, and stepmother to a lovely young woman. Motherhood, step and otherwise, is a well-mastered theme throughout What Child is This. Moreover, this is a book filled with love. A missing child, an abandoned baby, and dreary winter days only serve to emphasize that as they contrast with the traditional forty days of Christmas. And despite police wishes to the contrary — and very real potential dangers — Ellie just can't seem to help but get involved.
I love the seasonal setting, and I appreciate Ellie’s conundrum as a not-exactly-religious vicar’s wife. I can’t wait for the next book to come out, no matter the season of its setting or the season of its release.
5 stars!
It’s Christmastime, and Ellie is settling into her life, newly married, an American living in her husband’s English countryside, and stepmother to a lovely young woman. Motherhood, step and otherwise, is a well-mastered theme throughout What Child is This. Moreover, this is a book filled with love. A missing child, an abandoned baby, and dreary winter days only serve to emphasize that as they contrast with the traditional forty days of Christmas. And despite police wishes to the contrary — and very real potential dangers — Ellie just can't seem to help but get involved.
I love the seasonal setting, and I appreciate Ellie’s conundrum as a not-exactly-religious vicar’s wife. I can’t wait for the next book to come out, no matter the season of its setting or the season of its release.
5 stars!
April 4, 2018
Sorta wish I had saved this for the Christmas season, but that’s too far away and there will be other books I’ll be craving by then. Ellie was not the suspect in this second in (I hope) a long series of mysteries with her as the star sleuth. She’s got a whole lot of American gumption in an otherwise sometimes-stuffy English village, and suffers the occasional anti-American slur with grace. I’m liking her more and more.
January 6, 2025
I enjoyed this second book in the Ellie Kent series. I like the fact that Ellie keeps getting drawn into mysteries despite herself. The little details about English village life are fun without being too cozy.
December 25, 2018
A wonderfully cozy mystery. A+
September 13, 2022
Love this series! If I can't live in Three Pines, I want to live in Little Beachum. :)
July 28, 2018
This book continues in the fine tradition of the first volume. It's about a charming, quaint, pleasant English village at Christmas time, with all that entails. Well, *mostly* pleasant.
As with the first volume, if you don't find life in rural England charming, this probably isn't your thing. It continues to unfold the English village and the people in it to the American foreigner. She continues to make good friends and help people, not with super detective skills, but by caring enough to listen. (And then she does have to think a bit.)
Like the first volume, the mystery is ok. It depends more on coincidence in the investigation than I'd like. I didn't think this was quite as enjoyable as the first one, perhaps because for me a lot of the enjoyment was just getting to know the people and the village, and I'd already done most of that. Unlike the first one, I also found the ending harder to believe. (It seems like there were simpler things the antagonist could have done, but then it wouldn't have been a "cozy" mystery with a happy ending, I guess.) But despite all that, I'll very likely read the next volume when it comes out (especially when it comes out on Kindle Unlimited, like the first two are now).
As with the first volume, if you don't find life in rural England charming, this probably isn't your thing. It continues to unfold the English village and the people in it to the American foreigner. She continues to make good friends and help people, not with super detective skills, but by caring enough to listen. (And then she does have to think a bit.)
Like the first volume, the mystery is ok. It depends more on coincidence in the investigation than I'd like. I didn't think this was quite as enjoyable as the first one, perhaps because for me a lot of the enjoyment was just getting to know the people and the village, and I'd already done most of that. Unlike the first one, I also found the ending harder to believe. (It seems like there were simpler things the antagonist could have done, but then it wouldn't have been a "cozy" mystery with a happy ending, I guess.) But despite all that, I'll very likely read the next volume when it comes out (especially when it comes out on Kindle Unlimited, like the first two are now).
August 29, 2018
A very good read ....
I really like the book and the series. The actual writing is very good. The plot moves along at a good pace. The characters are very human and continue to develop. I gave it 4 stars rather than 5 because, although well plotted, it is improbable that a person with no experience in crime, let alone a relative stranger, could worm the information from people that Ellie does. She is not the kind of person with whom people might share their precious secrets, nor does she seem like a modern day Jane Marp!e. However, she is portrayed as such despite all her own insecurities about herself and her new role in an English village. I also wonder what the author's own experience is with the life of clergy and clergy families. It is hard for me as a clergy widow to be convinced that a wife of a clergyman could function effectively without a better idea of the faith of her clergy husband. However, I do see that Ellie's character is evolving in her understanding of something very new and different for her. I will look forward to next in the series because of the quality of writing and consistency of detail within the books.
I really like the book and the series. The actual writing is very good. The plot moves along at a good pace. The characters are very human and continue to develop. I gave it 4 stars rather than 5 because, although well plotted, it is improbable that a person with no experience in crime, let alone a relative stranger, could worm the information from people that Ellie does. She is not the kind of person with whom people might share their precious secrets, nor does she seem like a modern day Jane Marp!e. However, she is portrayed as such despite all her own insecurities about herself and her new role in an English village. I also wonder what the author's own experience is with the life of clergy and clergy families. It is hard for me as a clergy widow to be convinced that a wife of a clergyman could function effectively without a better idea of the faith of her clergy husband. However, I do see that Ellie's character is evolving in her understanding of something very new and different for her. I will look forward to next in the series because of the quality of writing and consistency of detail within the books.
January 7, 2019
A superbly crafted story! What could be more evocative of Christmas but a child left in a manger and discovered by the pastor’s wife? But this story is so much more. In addition to the mystery of the child, there is the death of one young woman and another young woman is missing from her college. All of these searches are neatly intertwined with an interesting interpretation of Shakespeare’s Ophelia. Does one of her speeches reveal clues to each of the present-day mysteries?
The main character, Ellie Kent, is realistically portrayed, with acknowledged strengths and weaknesses. She is smart enough to involve the curmudgeon of a detective with her searches and hypothesis and he is beginning to respect her insights into his own investigations. The author also does a great job of creating the surrounding villagers and parishioners, intent on their Christmas decorations and celebrations while in the midst of media interest in the baby that was left in their church during Christmas services. And Graham, Ellie’s husband and the pastor, has a marvelously laid back and refreshing approach to Ellie’s investigations, creating a nice balance for her.
“ ‘But there must be something more we can do than simply listen.’
‘In my job, that’s what I do. I advise, I don’t solve,’ said Graham.
‘Really?’
‘Really.’
‘Hmm,’ said Ellie’…”
The main character, Ellie Kent, is realistically portrayed, with acknowledged strengths and weaknesses. She is smart enough to involve the curmudgeon of a detective with her searches and hypothesis and he is beginning to respect her insights into his own investigations. The author also does a great job of creating the surrounding villagers and parishioners, intent on their Christmas decorations and celebrations while in the midst of media interest in the baby that was left in their church during Christmas services. And Graham, Ellie’s husband and the pastor, has a marvelously laid back and refreshing approach to Ellie’s investigations, creating a nice balance for her.
“ ‘But there must be something more we can do than simply listen.’
‘In my job, that’s what I do. I advise, I don’t solve,’ said Graham.
‘Really?’
‘Really.’
‘Hmm,’ said Ellie’…”
December 27, 2017
A wonderfully delightful mystery set in a small English village. The book cover gives a feeling of age to the church and homes and sets the mood. The title can be taken literally. Ellie, from America and married to the pastor, finds a newborn baby in the creche (manger) at the Church. How does this child fit with the horrible murder of one young woman and the disappearance of another?
Ellie just can't let go of the mystery. Her path takes her to several quaint villages and she meets quite a few characters. Along the way we get learn how the English celebrate the 40 days of Christmas. I really like the use of the english terms that were used, and the details of the different traditions involved.
It was a really good mystery and there was enough twists and turns to keep the reader interested. The main characters were well done and I would like to see more of this series.
Thank you Goodreads and Author for the free book. It is a real treasure.
Ellie just can't let go of the mystery. Her path takes her to several quaint villages and she meets quite a few characters. Along the way we get learn how the English celebrate the 40 days of Christmas. I really like the use of the english terms that were used, and the details of the different traditions involved.
It was a really good mystery and there was enough twists and turns to keep the reader interested. The main characters were well done and I would like to see more of this series.
Thank you Goodreads and Author for the free book. It is a real treasure.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews