What do you think?
Rate this book
Much Winchmoor Mystery #1
Murder Served Cold
A quiet English village where nothing ever happens. Until… After her boyfriend runs out on her with the contents of their joint bank account, Kat Latcham has no choice but to return to the tiny Somerset village of Much Winchmoor, where she grew up. A place, she reckons, that is not so much sleepy as comatose, and she longs for something exciting to happen to lessen the boredom of living with her parents. But when she and her childhood friend, Will Manning, discover a body, and Will's father, John, is arrested for the murder, Kat suddenly realises she should have heeded the saying "be careful what you wish for”. Much Winchmoor is a hotbed of gossip, and everyone is convinced John Manning is guilty. Only Kat and Will believe he's innocent. When there's a second murder, Kat is sure she knows the identity of the murderer – and sets out to prove it. But in doing so, she almost becomes the murderer's third victim. Readers of Sue Grafton might enjoy the Much Winchmoor series of cosy murder mysteries spiked with humour and sprinkled with romance.
241 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 10, 2018
88 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
About the author
Paula Williams
7 books24 followersPaula Williams has been writing since she was old enough to hold a pencil but she's been making up stories since she was old enough to speak, although her early attempts were more of the "It wasn't me, Mum, honest. It was him" genre.
Her first 'serious' effort was a pageant she wrote at the age of nine to celebrate St George's Day. Not only was she the writer, but producer, set designer and casting director, which was how she came to have the title role. She also bullied and blackmailed her three younger brothers into taking the supporting roles, something they still claim to be traumatised by.
Many years later, this pageant became the inspiration for her first publishable short story, Angels on Oil Drums, which she sold to the UK magazine Woman's Weekly. Since then she's had over four hundred short stories and serials published in the UK and overseas. She also has a number of novels in large print which are available in libraries.
With the changing face of the magazine market, Paula now focuses her attention on her first love, crime fiction and is busy planning and writing a whole series of Much Winchmoor mysteries. She is a proud member of both the Crime Writers' Association and the Romantic Novelists' Association. She also writes a monthly column, Ideas Store, for the UK writers' magazine, Writers' Forum and for the last five years has written the pantomime for her local village Theatre Group. She still hasn't run out of things to write about and is waiting for someone to invent the thirty hour day.
She has two grown up sons, two beautiful daughters-in-law and three gorgeous grandchildren. She lives in Somerset with her husband and a handsome rescue Dalmatian called Duke who is completely bonkers and appears frequently on her blog. (The dog, not the husband!)
Her first 'serious' effort was a pageant she wrote at the age of nine to celebrate St George's Day. Not only was she the writer, but producer, set designer and casting director, which was how she came to have the title role. She also bullied and blackmailed her three younger brothers into taking the supporting roles, something they still claim to be traumatised by.
Many years later, this pageant became the inspiration for her first publishable short story, Angels on Oil Drums, which she sold to the UK magazine Woman's Weekly. Since then she's had over four hundred short stories and serials published in the UK and overseas. She also has a number of novels in large print which are available in libraries.
With the changing face of the magazine market, Paula now focuses her attention on her first love, crime fiction and is busy planning and writing a whole series of Much Winchmoor mysteries. She is a proud member of both the Crime Writers' Association and the Romantic Novelists' Association. She also writes a monthly column, Ideas Store, for the UK writers' magazine, Writers' Forum and for the last five years has written the pantomime for her local village Theatre Group. She still hasn't run out of things to write about and is waiting for someone to invent the thirty hour day.
She has two grown up sons, two beautiful daughters-in-law and three gorgeous grandchildren. She lives in Somerset with her husband and a handsome rescue Dalmatian called Duke who is completely bonkers and appears frequently on her blog. (The dog, not the husband!)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
November 16, 2018
This was a charming cozy mystery with a sprinkling of romance... I really love these books about small English villages, and I cannot figure out why everyone wants to leave... perhaps it is the fact that everybody knows everybody, or that everybody knows everybody else’s business? Or maybe it is the fact that people are constantly getting murdered??? This is the first book in what looks like is going to be a fabulous series!
Kat has returned home after a bit of a bump in her love life... not thrilled to be living with her parents again and finding it quite dull, Kat is ready for some excitement! And boy does she find it when her longtime friend Will and she run across a dead body... Will’s dad is the number one suspect, but Kat and Will do not believe that.... so Kat decides to put on her detective Hat and figure out who the real murderer is... but she better be careful because she is making dangerous people angry....
This book truly has everything you want from a cozy mystery; a charming setting and a cast of wonderful characters... The character development in this book was absolutely stellar, I felt as though I would no Kat if she were walking down the street... I also really love the fact that there were so many potential suspects, it really kept me guessing throughout... I also like the potential for romance, can’t wait to see where the next book in the series takes us!
Absolutely recommend to anybody who is a fan of cozy mysteries, this is A good one!
*** many thanks to the author and Rachelle for my copy of this book ***
Kat has returned home after a bit of a bump in her love life... not thrilled to be living with her parents again and finding it quite dull, Kat is ready for some excitement! And boy does she find it when her longtime friend Will and she run across a dead body... Will’s dad is the number one suspect, but Kat and Will do not believe that.... so Kat decides to put on her detective Hat and figure out who the real murderer is... but she better be careful because she is making dangerous people angry....
This book truly has everything you want from a cozy mystery; a charming setting and a cast of wonderful characters... The character development in this book was absolutely stellar, I felt as though I would no Kat if she were walking down the street... I also really love the fact that there were so many potential suspects, it really kept me guessing throughout... I also like the potential for romance, can’t wait to see where the next book in the series takes us!
Absolutely recommend to anybody who is a fan of cozy mysteries, this is A good one!
*** many thanks to the author and Rachelle for my copy of this book ***
November 17, 2018
4☆ A Fab New Cosy Crime Mystery with a good dash of romance and wit!
Murder Served Cold is the first book in a new cosy crime series, mixed with a a dash of romance.
I'm not going to discuss the plot as the blurb does a fabulous job giving you all the enticing details you need to pick up this exciting book.
The plot is compelling, has drama, gossip, mystery, secrets and intrigue, with a good dash of romance, wit and humour.
Everything you want from a cosy mystery.
It's very much a who done it type of mystery, as there are plenty of potential suspects to whittle away.
I love this type of cosy crime, as I really enjoy becoming a detective alongside the story, as events unfold and the pieces slot together to solve the murder mystery.
The Characters are very well developed, they are intriguing, likeable, strong and believable.
Paula has already laid down solid foundations for her characters, I can't wait to see how they develop throughout the series.
The pace flowed along beautifully, I really enjoyed the romance aspect. It made a nice change to get a lighter feel to the genre.
What I liked about Murder Served Cold was although there is a murder and it is a Crime Fiction, it's also a light hearted, fun read set in a beautiful village location.
It kind of reminded me of watching Murder She Wrote, Rosemary & Thyme or Miss Marple with my Nan and Grandad. I can see this being a tv series.
The only thing I didn't particularly like was the cover, I don't think it stood out enough. I'm not sure I would be drawn to it on a shelf. But again that is just my opinion. I love book covers and for me if I'm drawn to a cover I will pick it up and read it.
But i can't wait to see what's next in-store for this Charming new series!
So if you enjoy cosy crime Murder mysteries, then grab a warm blanket and a cup of hot chocolate and prepare to become a sleuth for the day!
Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/1...
Murder Served Cold is the first book in a new cosy crime series, mixed with a a dash of romance.
I'm not going to discuss the plot as the blurb does a fabulous job giving you all the enticing details you need to pick up this exciting book.
The plot is compelling, has drama, gossip, mystery, secrets and intrigue, with a good dash of romance, wit and humour.
Everything you want from a cosy mystery.
It's very much a who done it type of mystery, as there are plenty of potential suspects to whittle away.
I love this type of cosy crime, as I really enjoy becoming a detective alongside the story, as events unfold and the pieces slot together to solve the murder mystery.
The Characters are very well developed, they are intriguing, likeable, strong and believable.
Paula has already laid down solid foundations for her characters, I can't wait to see how they develop throughout the series.
The pace flowed along beautifully, I really enjoyed the romance aspect. It made a nice change to get a lighter feel to the genre.
What I liked about Murder Served Cold was although there is a murder and it is a Crime Fiction, it's also a light hearted, fun read set in a beautiful village location.
It kind of reminded me of watching Murder She Wrote, Rosemary & Thyme or Miss Marple with my Nan and Grandad. I can see this being a tv series.
The only thing I didn't particularly like was the cover, I don't think it stood out enough. I'm not sure I would be drawn to it on a shelf. But again that is just my opinion. I love book covers and for me if I'm drawn to a cover I will pick it up and read it.
But i can't wait to see what's next in-store for this Charming new series!
So if you enjoy cosy crime Murder mysteries, then grab a warm blanket and a cup of hot chocolate and prepare to become a sleuth for the day!
Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/1...
January 11, 2022
Favorite Quotes:
If spreading gossip was an Olympic sport, Elsie Flintlock would be a quadruple gold medallist. They had no need of super-fast broadband in this village. Elsie and her cronies were quicker than the speed of light.
Take your time, sweetheart… You don’t have to sample all the chocolates in the box to find the one that’s right for you. He’ll come along soon enough.
… that’s a pretty top you’re almost wearing. What was it before? A handkerchief?
Eddie says living with me at the moment is like living on the edge of an active volcano, just waiting for the next eruption.
My Review:
Paula Williams is off to an excellent start for her new cozy series with an engaging mystery and lovable heroine. I enjoyed her breezy and amusing writing style as well as getting to know the hapless Katie. Katie had hit a rough patch after an unfortunate string of bad luck in her love life and career – as she had lost both. Her cad of a boyfriend took off with her friend as well as her car, money, and treasured Dr. Who swag. The nerve! After the further indignity of losing her job, Katie was forced to suck it up and move back into her parents’ home with her London style fashion of purple hair and ripped jeans. She chafed at having to leave behind the freedom and anonymity of the big city to return to a small village of busybodies where the majority of the population liked nothing more than plopping down in the pub and imbibing in the amusing and intriguingly named beer of Ferret’s Kneecaps while spreading malicious gossip.
Katie meant well but she was a bit of an idiot. She was young and gullible as well as oblivious, self-involved, and impulsive; yet always surprised when people became antagonized with her when she couldn’t stop snooping, or follow directions, or pay attention. She also had a knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time but luckily she was also well-loved and indulged by her parents. Katie was a mess, yet I kind of adored her, as I was once very much like her as a plucky young adult - before I became old and jaded ;)
Score - I extracted a few colorful new additions to my Brit word list with oik, which is British slang for low class or obnoxious; and the phrase “what a tip,” which Mr. Google indicated was a dump or pile of rubbish.
If spreading gossip was an Olympic sport, Elsie Flintlock would be a quadruple gold medallist. They had no need of super-fast broadband in this village. Elsie and her cronies were quicker than the speed of light.
Take your time, sweetheart… You don’t have to sample all the chocolates in the box to find the one that’s right for you. He’ll come along soon enough.
… that’s a pretty top you’re almost wearing. What was it before? A handkerchief?
Eddie says living with me at the moment is like living on the edge of an active volcano, just waiting for the next eruption.
My Review:
Paula Williams is off to an excellent start for her new cozy series with an engaging mystery and lovable heroine. I enjoyed her breezy and amusing writing style as well as getting to know the hapless Katie. Katie had hit a rough patch after an unfortunate string of bad luck in her love life and career – as she had lost both. Her cad of a boyfriend took off with her friend as well as her car, money, and treasured Dr. Who swag. The nerve! After the further indignity of losing her job, Katie was forced to suck it up and move back into her parents’ home with her London style fashion of purple hair and ripped jeans. She chafed at having to leave behind the freedom and anonymity of the big city to return to a small village of busybodies where the majority of the population liked nothing more than plopping down in the pub and imbibing in the amusing and intriguingly named beer of Ferret’s Kneecaps while spreading malicious gossip.
Katie meant well but she was a bit of an idiot. She was young and gullible as well as oblivious, self-involved, and impulsive; yet always surprised when people became antagonized with her when she couldn’t stop snooping, or follow directions, or pay attention. She also had a knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time but luckily she was also well-loved and indulged by her parents. Katie was a mess, yet I kind of adored her, as I was once very much like her as a plucky young adult - before I became old and jaded ;)
Score - I extracted a few colorful new additions to my Brit word list with oik, which is British slang for low class or obnoxious; and the phrase “what a tip,” which Mr. Google indicated was a dump or pile of rubbish.
December 27, 2018
I chose Murder Served Cold when I was brousing Amazon because I just loved the title! This is the debut cosy crime novel written by Paula Williams and published by Crooked Cat Books. The story is set in the little village of Much Winchmoor.
Kat Latcham returns home after a disasterous love affair goes wrong.
She hopes something exciting will happen to lessen the boredom of living with her parents and working in her mother’s hairdressers and the local pub.
Something certainly does happen. She and her childhood friend, Will Manning, discover a corpse in one of the freezers of Will’s farm shop. Then, Will’s father, John, is arrested for the murder. The village of Much Winchmoor is such a hotbed of gossip, that everyone is convinced John Manning is guilty, except for Kat and Will, who believe he’s innocent.
Then there is a second murder and Kat is sure she knows the identity of the murderer so she sets out to prove it, with terrifying consequences.
Murder Served Cold is a great page turning murder mystery, laced with humour, romance. I very much enjoyed the book and look forward to further novels by Paula Williams.
Val Penny
Kat Latcham returns home after a disasterous love affair goes wrong.
She hopes something exciting will happen to lessen the boredom of living with her parents and working in her mother’s hairdressers and the local pub.
Something certainly does happen. She and her childhood friend, Will Manning, discover a corpse in one of the freezers of Will’s farm shop. Then, Will’s father, John, is arrested for the murder. The village of Much Winchmoor is such a hotbed of gossip, that everyone is convinced John Manning is guilty, except for Kat and Will, who believe he’s innocent.
Then there is a second murder and Kat is sure she knows the identity of the murderer so she sets out to prove it, with terrifying consequences.
Murder Served Cold is a great page turning murder mystery, laced with humour, romance. I very much enjoyed the book and look forward to further novels by Paula Williams.
Val Penny
November 21, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of reading this fun mystery novel from Paula Williams. Kat/Katie is an engaging and somewhat hapless main character and narrator who embroils herself in a murder case in her home village of Much Winchmoor. The writing is crisp and witty, and the story moves along at a cracking pace. It's a pitch perfect escapist read that keeps you guessing all the way to its conclusion. Highly recommended!
December 8, 2018
After her lousy boyfriend dumps her and cleans out their bank account, Kat Latcham has no choice but to move back home, not a fun prospect for this millennial. But with a murder happening soon after she arrives, the village of Much Winchmoor turns out not to be so boring after all — especially since she not only finds the body but knows the man who is the chief suspect. From working in her mother’s hair salon to tending bar to trying to prove a close friends’ father is innocent, Kat handles this adventure with energy and humor. I am a huge fan of mysteries set in the U.K. and I’m glad I found Paula Williams’ debut mystery.
February 14, 2019
A thoroughly enjoyable cozy crime story in a Somerset village, peopled with larger than life characters and a warm, funny, likeable amateur sleuth, Katie (Kat) Latcham. There's a bit of romance, plenty of humour and some twists and turns along the way. I'll be looking out for Kat's next adventure
November 11, 2018
Murder Served Cold is the first book in a series that promises to be fantastic!!!!
Kat has had to return home to her small village of Much Winchmoor after leaving her cheating ex, losing her job, and her home. This wasn’t something she wanted to do, but it was a necessity. She is hoping she won’t be here for long. The town is full of gossips, and Kat will also discover it’s a town full of secrets and a murder or two. She and her childhood friend, Will, discover a body. Not long after, his father is arrested for murder. Kat and Will know he didn’t do it, and they will do whatever it takes to prove his innocence.
Williams took her time in giving her readers the backstory building up to the mystery. In doing so, she created a list of suspects that kept me guessing who the murderer was. While this is a cozy mystery, Williams also did a great job of developing the character of Kat. I’m really going to love getting to know her more throughout the series. She also wrote with great detail and really depicted a glimpse of what it’s like to live in a small town where people know way too much about each other.
I’m so happy when I find a new series and a new author that I fall in love with, and I have found that in this series and in author, Paula Williams. Her writing is a lot like one of my very favorite mystery authors, Sue Grafton, but she also has a flair all of her own. I’m really looking forward to more of this series!!!!
Kat has had to return home to her small village of Much Winchmoor after leaving her cheating ex, losing her job, and her home. This wasn’t something she wanted to do, but it was a necessity. She is hoping she won’t be here for long. The town is full of gossips, and Kat will also discover it’s a town full of secrets and a murder or two. She and her childhood friend, Will, discover a body. Not long after, his father is arrested for murder. Kat and Will know he didn’t do it, and they will do whatever it takes to prove his innocence.
Williams took her time in giving her readers the backstory building up to the mystery. In doing so, she created a list of suspects that kept me guessing who the murderer was. While this is a cozy mystery, Williams also did a great job of developing the character of Kat. I’m really going to love getting to know her more throughout the series. She also wrote with great detail and really depicted a glimpse of what it’s like to live in a small town where people know way too much about each other.
I’m so happy when I find a new series and a new author that I fall in love with, and I have found that in this series and in author, Paula Williams. Her writing is a lot like one of my very favorite mystery authors, Sue Grafton, but she also has a flair all of her own. I’m really looking forward to more of this series!!!!
November 18, 2018
Murder Served Cold is the first book in the Much Winchmoor Murder series and I bloody loved it! And while I rarely review murder mysteries here, I do love a good Marple or Midsomer Murders, and this book fits in perfectly!
Katie (Kat) had return home after… well to put a none to finer point on it, was screwed over by her cheating rat faced ex, who needs to be tar and feathered! But in the process of restarting her life in “Nothing”- Much Winchmoor, and trying to make it up to her best mate Will, they find the body of the busybody of the town Marjorie Hampton dead in the freezer! Katie soon realizes life in the village is not quite as it seemed.
As I said before Murder Served Cold is brilliant! The pace of the book doesn’t lag and the writing keeps you addicted from the first chapter. When it comes to the characters, they are totally relatable and I have to admit, I was kept guessing on who the Murder was, as there were some many people with reasons to take the women out!
Paula Williams is a completely new author to me, but this series has just been added to my auto-buy! Murder Served Cold truly is exceptional was fantastic too read and I want to give you so many details and examples, but it will totally give away the book.
I 100% recommend it for everyone to read, which is why I give it 5 stars.
Katie (Kat) had return home after… well to put a none to finer point on it, was screwed over by her cheating rat faced ex, who needs to be tar and feathered! But in the process of restarting her life in “Nothing”- Much Winchmoor, and trying to make it up to her best mate Will, they find the body of the busybody of the town Marjorie Hampton dead in the freezer! Katie soon realizes life in the village is not quite as it seemed.
As I said before Murder Served Cold is brilliant! The pace of the book doesn’t lag and the writing keeps you addicted from the first chapter. When it comes to the characters, they are totally relatable and I have to admit, I was kept guessing on who the Murder was, as there were some many people with reasons to take the women out!
Paula Williams is a completely new author to me, but this series has just been added to my auto-buy! Murder Served Cold truly is exceptional was fantastic too read and I want to give you so many details and examples, but it will totally give away the book.
I 100% recommend it for everyone to read, which is why I give it 5 stars.
November 12, 2018
You know the kind of books that make you want to sit up all night and finish it and when you look up it is always, eerily, midnight? Murder Served Cold by Paula Williams is exactly the kind! There are very few books that I would trade my precious sleep for but this one just didn’t leave my hands! I had to know, you see, the who and the why of the crime. Sleep, yes, I do love it but not everyday you come across a book that you can get inside your blanket and have some me-time with.
So, without rambling on any further, let us get down to the deets, shall we?
Summary
Katie Latcham returns to her village after a stint with her boyfriend goes bad. Much Winchmoor is a small village where everyone knows what the other is up to and anything new hardly ever happens. But when a lady is found murdered in a farm house, things dramatically change for Kat. She is sure the real criminal is out there and is determined to find him/her. But as she progresses with her investigation, Kat doesn’t seem to realise that she is annoying the killer which could put her own life in danger.
Read the rest of my review here:
https://bookvue.wordpress.com/2018/11...
So, without rambling on any further, let us get down to the deets, shall we?
Summary
Katie Latcham returns to her village after a stint with her boyfriend goes bad. Much Winchmoor is a small village where everyone knows what the other is up to and anything new hardly ever happens. But when a lady is found murdered in a farm house, things dramatically change for Kat. She is sure the real criminal is out there and is determined to find him/her. But as she progresses with her investigation, Kat doesn’t seem to realise that she is annoying the killer which could put her own life in danger.
Read the rest of my review here:
https://bookvue.wordpress.com/2018/11...
November 10, 2018
This is a cosy mystery the way I like them. A small village filled with busybodies where gossip in on the daily menu. Suddenly a murder happens and of course they are all convinced they know the killer. But not everyting is what it seems. Will Kat find out the truth?
I love Kat. Although she lived in the city for a while, she is very innocent and naive. She truely believes that everybody is honest and that makes her an easy victim for being used. But she is also very persistent, stubborn and she does not give up easily. She made me smile very often as well.
A good story with a surprising outcome. If you are a fan of or new to the genre I would recommand it. It has all the ingredients needed to make it a very enjoyable read. 4 stars.
Thank you, Paula Williams and RachelsRandomResources.
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
I love Kat. Although she lived in the city for a while, she is very innocent and naive. She truely believes that everybody is honest and that makes her an easy victim for being used. But she is also very persistent, stubborn and she does not give up easily. She made me smile very often as well.
A good story with a surprising outcome. If you are a fan of or new to the genre I would recommand it. It has all the ingredients needed to make it a very enjoyable read. 4 stars.
Thank you, Paula Williams and RachelsRandomResources.
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
November 12, 2018
This is a great story from Paula Williams, a typical English village rocked by murder, told with plenty of wit and charm. I enjoyed watching the relationship between amateur sleuth Kat, reluctantly forced back home to live with her parents, and Will, her old school friend, develop and there is a great cast of supporting characters. Look forward to reading the next in the series!
June 2, 2019
Quintessential cosy crime!
As someone who was born and bred in Somerset, I loved the author's on point wit and observation, all cleverly woven into an enjoyable countryside mystery. The characters are so life-like, the banter so funny. Throw in a couple of red herrings and you have a really page-turning story!
As someone who was born and bred in Somerset, I loved the author's on point wit and observation, all cleverly woven into an enjoyable countryside mystery. The characters are so life-like, the banter so funny. Throw in a couple of red herrings and you have a really page-turning story!
December 18, 2018
A terrific page-turning story. Great characters and an intriguing mystery, but it was the writing style that drew me straight in and held my attention. The hopeless romantic in me really enjoyed the ending too!
March 17, 2021
This is definitely a classic cozy with a charming small english country village full of characters that have plenty of character and a good who done it mystery with a young smart coming into her own female protagonist.
August 2, 2019
Not much happens in the sleepy village of Much Winchmoor. The occasional pub lock-in, blue rinses at the local hair salon, and petty squabbles about day to day life. Until everything changes, when an incomer (someone with less than twenty years under their belt) is found in a rather dead state.
I loved this book, with its quirky humour, cast of delightful (and dubious) characters and its pithy one-liners. At its centre is the disillusioned Katie (Kat) whose initial ennui turns to gritty determination to find the perpetrator of the terrible crime. While the locals sup their pints of Ferret's and Kat tries to make amends with her old friend, Will, the reader is kept guessing to the very end. A couple of gems that made me laugh out loud: 'Or that I had to spend Saturday night with my parents watching an episode of Midsomer Murders that was so old, John Nettles was skipping around like a two-year-old.' And – 'a senior member of the Planning Department and a member of the Council's Planning Committee were tangled together like tights in a washing machine.' Genius. Highly recommended.
I loved this book, with its quirky humour, cast of delightful (and dubious) characters and its pithy one-liners. At its centre is the disillusioned Katie (Kat) whose initial ennui turns to gritty determination to find the perpetrator of the terrible crime. While the locals sup their pints of Ferret's and Kat tries to make amends with her old friend, Will, the reader is kept guessing to the very end. A couple of gems that made me laugh out loud: 'Or that I had to spend Saturday night with my parents watching an episode of Midsomer Murders that was so old, John Nettles was skipping around like a two-year-old.' And – 'a senior member of the Planning Department and a member of the Council's Planning Committee were tangled together like tights in a washing machine.' Genius. Highly recommended.
November 13, 2018
https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...
I loved this story and I thought Kat was fab character!
The plot is excellent, very well paced and the author has a great flow with the story that made it a book that was hard to put down! I was completely wrapped up in the story and read it in bed one evening, staying up to finish it.
I thought that the story was well planned out and I loved that it was not just a crime thriller or murder mystery, I also got a witty story in places that made me giggle at times and it also had quite a bit of romance thrown in, which for me, made it a very easy book to read!
Five stars from me for this one, I thoroughly enjoyed it and it is one I am very highly recommending!!
I loved this story and I thought Kat was fab character!
The plot is excellent, very well paced and the author has a great flow with the story that made it a book that was hard to put down! I was completely wrapped up in the story and read it in bed one evening, staying up to finish it.
I thought that the story was well planned out and I loved that it was not just a crime thriller or murder mystery, I also got a witty story in places that made me giggle at times and it also had quite a bit of romance thrown in, which for me, made it a very easy book to read!
Five stars from me for this one, I thoroughly enjoyed it and it is one I am very highly recommending!!
November 7, 2018
This is a murder mystery told by Katie (call me Kat), newly returned to her home village. It positively sparkles with gems of village life and I swear I know some of the characters. There are numerous dodgy goings-on and lots of people have the motive to get rid of the village trouble maker. It’s a very accessible, readable and humour-filled story and I enjoyed it immensely.
January 1, 2021
Fun and fast paced adventure with engaging characters and a twisty plot. Light hearted with a flavour of M C Beaton, and centred on the activities of the normally sleepy village of Much Winchmoor, which is shocked by the murder of one of its most well known, if not well liked, residents. If you like your crime with sparkling wit and a touch of romance, you can't go wrong with this one.
January 1, 2019
Good book!
This mystery was fun to read, had a good plot and memorable characters as well as a touch of romance. I highly recommend it to other mystery readers and look forward to reading more books in the series.
This mystery was fun to read, had a good plot and memorable characters as well as a touch of romance. I highly recommend it to other mystery readers and look forward to reading more books in the series.
October 12, 2019
I fell in love with cosy mysteries long ago when I discovered Agatha Christie. This novel is just as crisp, with just as much wit, but the humour is more contemporary. I loved it and hope I soon find time to read Paula Williams' next mystery.
November 12, 2018
Murder Served Cold is a fabulous start to a mystery series I am looking forward to reading throuh.
Paula Williams built up a wonderful backstory, and by doing this, she created many suspects, keeping me guessing from the beginning until the reveal. I absolutely loved the plot of this cozy mystery, and I love when mysteries keep you guessing. While I was able to come up with theories, I was surprised in the end, and I think that is a testament to fantastic writing.
I love the main character, Kat. She has her flaws, and truly believes everyone is good inside. Because of this, she is easily used, but she is also persistent and refuses to give in. She’s relatable and feels like a real person.
I’m really looking forward to seeing what happens in this series. I definitely recommend checking this one out.
*I received a copy of this book as part of a blog tour. All opinions are my own.*
Paula Williams built up a wonderful backstory, and by doing this, she created many suspects, keeping me guessing from the beginning until the reveal. I absolutely loved the plot of this cozy mystery, and I love when mysteries keep you guessing. While I was able to come up with theories, I was surprised in the end, and I think that is a testament to fantastic writing.
I love the main character, Kat. She has her flaws, and truly believes everyone is good inside. Because of this, she is easily used, but she is also persistent and refuses to give in. She’s relatable and feels like a real person.
I’m really looking forward to seeing what happens in this series. I definitely recommend checking this one out.
*I received a copy of this book as part of a blog tour. All opinions are my own.*
mystery
May 13, 2022Great mystery
I kid you not, this is a really great book. I haven't heard of this author before, but now I'll be on the lookout for another of her books.
Katie had left the nest to put her education to work. She found a job with a radio station, but lost it when she was made redundant. So she had to return home to live with Mum and Dad.
While looking for another job, she was working in her mother's beauty salon but managed to work a couple of days as a barmaid in the local pub. All of the characters in the town were well done. The murders were truly mysteries. There were clues (I figured it out rather quickly) but they weren't too obvious.
I don't particularly like series because I like to read lots of different genres, so I can't say I will read all of this series. But I do like this writer's style.
103
I kid you not, this is a really great book. I haven't heard of this author before, but now I'll be on the lookout for another of her books.
Katie had left the nest to put her education to work. She found a job with a radio station, but lost it when she was made redundant. So she had to return home to live with Mum and Dad.
While looking for another job, she was working in her mother's beauty salon but managed to work a couple of days as a barmaid in the local pub. All of the characters in the town were well done. The murders were truly mysteries. There were clues (I figured it out rather quickly) but they weren't too obvious.
I don't particularly like series because I like to read lots of different genres, so I can't say I will read all of this series. But I do like this writer's style.
103
December 20, 2020
I loved this cozy Murder mystery from the very first page. It was so easy to read, the characters were likeable and the authors sense of humour shone through on every page. I look forward to reading more by this author
March 5, 2021
Paula Williams is fast becoming one of my favourite crime authors. She writes with flair and her books are real page turners. Her characters jump off of the page and once you've picked the book up, you won't want to put it down. Highly recommended.
November 16, 2018
Murder Served Cold
by Paula Williams
Do you love a good British detective story?
The Good
This was a cozy wonderful mystery that had me intrigued and laughing. The change from the dead body to more police than Glastonbury - was classic.
If you love Agatha Christie, Rosemary and Thyme and those sorts of books/TV then you will enjoy this. Kat is a funky modern day nosey detective.
The Bad
This is a well-written mystery and I loved the way the bad killer got all cocky with his own POV in the middle.
The Ugly
Not much ugliness here. The closed knit community with the hair salon and pub worked really well. A good read!
4.2 Stars - I read this as part of a blog tour
by Paula Williams
Do you love a good British detective story?
The Good
This was a cozy wonderful mystery that had me intrigued and laughing. The change from the dead body to more police than Glastonbury - was classic.
If you love Agatha Christie, Rosemary and Thyme and those sorts of books/TV then you will enjoy this. Kat is a funky modern day nosey detective.
The Bad
This is a well-written mystery and I loved the way the bad killer got all cocky with his own POV in the middle.
The Ugly
Not much ugliness here. The closed knit community with the hair salon and pub worked really well. A good read!
4.2 Stars - I read this as part of a blog tour
November 23, 2018
Kat Latcham was working at a radio station in Bristol, sharing a nice flat with friend, and dating a handsome guy.
Then the falling economy cost her the job at the radio station, her boyfriend took off with her flatmate, and they even took her car and her treasured memorabilia.
She's now back in the little village of Much Winchmoor, living with her parents, working in her mother's beauty salon, and listening to the local gossip--which is currently mostly about her failed love life.
Then one of the local gossips mentions that Donald, the local pub owner, is looking for a new barmaid. Temporarily, since his wife is away on a cruise, but it'll get her out of working at the salon while she looks for a real job.
The gossip there is just as bad, and still about her love life, but at least she's not working for her mom. But she also has to mend fences with her childhood best friend, almost-a-brother Will Manning, whom on her last visit she had a huge fight with about her now ex-boyfriend.
And while they are talking, they head out to the farm shop, where they find Will's father John, dead drunk, and one of the more obnoxious local gossips, just dead. And not of natural causes.
For several reasons, John Manning seems like the obvious suspect, and is promptly arrested. But John has always been a very gentle man, and Kat doesn't believe it. She's the only one other than Will who doesn't. Even John at least briefly believes that he must have.
Soon Kat is getting reacquainted with the little town she had planned to never live in again, asking unwanted questions and getting people mad at her, and discovering unsuspected things about the village elders, her school friends, and even Will.
Initially I found it hard to warm up to Kat, but she grew on me. Less expectedly, so did some of her difficult neighbors, including the gossips. She's in some ways very naive, and too sure of her own brains, but she also really is smart, and tougher than expected, and quite resourceful. The ending is clever and satisfying.
This looks like the start of a series with real potential.
Recommended.
I received a free electronic galley of this book from the publisher, and am reviewing it voluntarily.
Then the falling economy cost her the job at the radio station, her boyfriend took off with her flatmate, and they even took her car and her treasured memorabilia.
She's now back in the little village of Much Winchmoor, living with her parents, working in her mother's beauty salon, and listening to the local gossip--which is currently mostly about her failed love life.
Then one of the local gossips mentions that Donald, the local pub owner, is looking for a new barmaid. Temporarily, since his wife is away on a cruise, but it'll get her out of working at the salon while she looks for a real job.
The gossip there is just as bad, and still about her love life, but at least she's not working for her mom. But she also has to mend fences with her childhood best friend, almost-a-brother Will Manning, whom on her last visit she had a huge fight with about her now ex-boyfriend.
And while they are talking, they head out to the farm shop, where they find Will's father John, dead drunk, and one of the more obnoxious local gossips, just dead. And not of natural causes.
For several reasons, John Manning seems like the obvious suspect, and is promptly arrested. But John has always been a very gentle man, and Kat doesn't believe it. She's the only one other than Will who doesn't. Even John at least briefly believes that he must have.
Soon Kat is getting reacquainted with the little town she had planned to never live in again, asking unwanted questions and getting people mad at her, and discovering unsuspected things about the village elders, her school friends, and even Will.
Initially I found it hard to warm up to Kat, but she grew on me. Less expectedly, so did some of her difficult neighbors, including the gossips. She's in some ways very naive, and too sure of her own brains, but she also really is smart, and tougher than expected, and quite resourceful. The ending is clever and satisfying.
This looks like the start of a series with real potential.
Recommended.
I received a free electronic galley of this book from the publisher, and am reviewing it voluntarily.
December 20, 2020
Much Winchmoor is a colourful West Country village populated by an assortment of lively characters. They tend to gather for a spot of gossip and some general busy-bodying at such distinguished local landmarks as the hairdressers and Winchmoor Arms public house. Much Winchmoor is full of life and good-natured hustle and bustle, until of course Marjorie is killed. Promptly followed by Doreen.
Kat Latcham is to become a self-appointed village sleuth, as assisted by Will. Just as she thought she'd escaped from the clutches of parochial country living, Kat is dumped (and robbed) by her unworthy boyfriend in London. That misfortune forces her to return to the village, penniless and dismayed. She tries her hand at various menial jobs, but she is really destined for greater challenges such as inadvertently becoming an amateur private investigator. It is Kat who narrates the story and I really enjoyed hearing about her exploits first-hand from her. She is well-fleshed out and likeable young lady.
Williams throws into the mix a few red herrings and there is yet another twist right at the end. I won't go into any spoilers so will stop here.
I am delighted to have discovered the Much Winchmoor Mysteries. I looking forward to reading the next one.
Kat Latcham is to become a self-appointed village sleuth, as assisted by Will. Just as she thought she'd escaped from the clutches of parochial country living, Kat is dumped (and robbed) by her unworthy boyfriend in London. That misfortune forces her to return to the village, penniless and dismayed. She tries her hand at various menial jobs, but she is really destined for greater challenges such as inadvertently becoming an amateur private investigator. It is Kat who narrates the story and I really enjoyed hearing about her exploits first-hand from her. She is well-fleshed out and likeable young lady.
Williams throws into the mix a few red herrings and there is yet another twist right at the end. I won't go into any spoilers so will stop here.
I am delighted to have discovered the Much Winchmoor Mysteries. I looking forward to reading the next one.
December 1, 2018
I loved this book. For the first in a series, the author has successfully managed to create a village with recognisable characters.
The story follows Katie, or Kat as she prefers to be known and her return to the village of Much Winchmoor, where she grew up. She is furious at having to come back to live with her parents, and the fact that the whole village seems to know that her partner has left her.
Whilst catching up her best friend Will, they find the body of the local misery dead, in Will’s freezer. Unfortunately for Will his father is considered the prime suspect, but Katie is having none of it. To ease the boredom of being back in the village she decides to make sure that the true murdered is caught. Even if this means putting her self in danger.
If you enjoy the Agatha Raisin series by M. C. Beaton, I think you will love this book. I can imagine this being a very successful series of books. Katie is a likable character and the village has lots of characters that can reappear in recurring books.
The story follows Katie, or Kat as she prefers to be known and her return to the village of Much Winchmoor, where she grew up. She is furious at having to come back to live with her parents, and the fact that the whole village seems to know that her partner has left her.
Whilst catching up her best friend Will, they find the body of the local misery dead, in Will’s freezer. Unfortunately for Will his father is considered the prime suspect, but Katie is having none of it. To ease the boredom of being back in the village she decides to make sure that the true murdered is caught. Even if this means putting her self in danger.
If you enjoy the Agatha Raisin series by M. C. Beaton, I think you will love this book. I can imagine this being a very successful series of books. Katie is a likable character and the village has lots of characters that can reappear in recurring books.
January 10, 2019
A new author for me and a good one – murder with a bit of romance and a decent plot.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews