Springtime for Murder

Sophie Sayers #5

by Debbie Young

When Bunny Carter, the old lady from the Manor House, is discovered in an open grave, Sophie Sayers is sure it’s a case of foul play. But when it comes to suspects, she’s spoiled for choice.

One of Bunny’s squabbling siblings from three different husbands?

Petunia Lot from the Cats Prevention charity, always angling for a legacy?

All these and more had motive and opportunity.

But which is to blame? And can Sophie and her boyfriend, village bookseller Hector Munro, stop them before they strike again?

A lively array of eccentrics joins the regular cast in this compelling story of family, friendship, love and loss.

While the story includes plenty of Debbie Young’s renowned wit and British humour, it’s also thoughtful and poignant, reflecting Sophie's growing wisdom, self-reliance and skill as self-appointed amateur village sleuth.

The fifth in a series which spans a Cotswold village year from one summer to the next.

Springtime for Murder may also be read as a standalone novel.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Ebooks, Audiobook, British Literature

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

Hello dear readers!

I hope you will enjoy my warm, witty, feel-good contemporary fiction, full of English humour and heart, inspired by life in the Cotswold village which has been my home for over 30 years. I have three series of cozy mystery novels plus various short fiction, and I've written a couple of non-fiction books too.

NOVELS

My latest book is "Death at the Village Christmas Fair", the third in my Cotswold Curiosity Shop Mystery series. The series begins with "Death at the Old Curiosity Shop", followed by "Death at the Village Chess Club". In this series, moving from the city to the lively Cotswold village of Little Pride, Alice Carroll (50) discovers that nothing is quite what it seems in her new business enterprise. Each novel in this series has at its heart an intriguing item to be found in her bric-a-brac shop, and features eccentric characters, plenty of red herrings and lots of English humour.

My Sophie Sayers Village Mystery series begins with "Best Murder in Show". Originally envisaged as a seven-book series to run the course of a calendar year in the life of the idyllic English Cotswold village of Wendlebury Barrow, it continues to grow, with the most recent addition being Sophie Sayers' ninth outing, "Driven to Murder",

My Gemma Lamb Cozy Mystery series is a mashup of romantic comedy, gentle mystery and nostalgia for classic children's school stories but aimed at adults. It focuses on the intrigues among the teachers and visitors to the school, rather than the children. "Dastardly Deeds at St Bride's" (previously published as "Secrets at St Bride's"), and is followed by "Sinister Secrets at St Bride's" (formerly "Secrets at St Bride's"), Wicked Whispers at St Bride's", and "Artful Antics at St Bride's". Two further books will follow to complete the series of six, running the course of the academic year at St Bride's Boarding School for Girls.

All of my novels are now available in ebook, paperback, hardback, and audio in English. There are also German language editions of Sophie Sayers' adventures and Italian translations of Gemma Lamb's.

SHORT FICTION

My series of comedy mystery novelettes, Tales from Wendlebury Barrow, is set in the same world as the Sophie Sayers Cozy Mysteries. The first, "The Pride of Peacocks", is available exclusively to members of my Readers' Club (visit my author website to claim your copy). "The Natter of Knitters" and "The Clutch of Eggs" are available in ebook and paperback. A Christmas special, "Christmas with Sophie Sayers", featuring festive short stories set in the same world, was published for Christmas 2023. Three more Sophie Sayers short stories appear in the charity anthologies, "Fate", "Everyday Kindness" and "The Little Shop of Murders". Look out for another one in the "Courage" anthology, coming in 2026!

My standalone novella, "Mrs Morris Changes Lanes", is a second-chance mid-life romantic comedy with a touch of magical realism, set in the Cotswolds in spring,

Earlier in my career, I published three themed collections of short stories, "Stocking Fillers", "Marry in Haste", and "Quick Change".

PLAYS

I've also now started writing scripts for murder mystery events, My debut play, "The Importance of Being Murdered", was premiered by Hawkesbury Drama Group in April 2025. The original playscript will be published later this year for use by amateur drama groups all over the world, and I'm also working on a novelisation.

AWARDS

The first St Bride's novel was shortlisted for the 2020 Selfies Award given for the best independently-published fiction in the UK. The sixth Sophie Sayers novel was shortlisted for the same award in 2021. My short story "The Alchemy of Chocolate", from "Quick Change", was a winning entrant to the April 2015 Stroud Short Stories competition, and as a result I was later invited to read it at the Cheltenham Literature Festival.

FREE EBOOK

Rec

Reviews

[Kam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book a lot, really liked the mystery and how it gathered momentum. Wasn’t too keen on the interactions between Hector and Sophie. To me it felt like something was missing.

[Georgia Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Springtime for Murder is one of seven books in this cosy mystery series. I started it thinking it was book 1 for some reason but I can confirm, having found out it wasn’t, that it can be easily read as a standalone, as, I believe, can the others in the series.

This tale starts with Bunny Carter, an elderly lady in the village of Wendlebury Barrow, being found lying in the bottom of an open grave. Sophie Sayers works in the village bookstore with her boyfriend Hector and is reluctantly sent to the scene from where she starts to investigate. There is no shortage of suspects though and the plot moves along nicely as Sophie questions everyone’s motives for being involved with Bunny and her daughter, Kitty.

There is a nice level of humour in the book, a couple of side issues for Sophie to deal with in the form of ladies she believes Hector may have his eye on and there are many cats.

Springtime for Murder was a pleasant, easy read with everything coming together in a satisfactory conclusion and I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys cosy mystery’s.

[Gretchen Bernet-Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful character-driven story bustling with good deeds, stray cats and unscrupulous characters. Sophie Sayers, an inquisitive newcomer to the village of Wendlebury Barrow in the Cotswolds, is settling into her role as bookshop café operator and amateur sleuth. She considers there is something suspicious going on when an elderly neighbour Bunny is found in an open grave in the church grounds. With the assistance of Hector, her boyfriend and boss, Sophie quizzes those first on the scene, young Sina and Tommy, and dear old Billy my favourite character. Sophie works her way through a series of events, encountering issues like addiction, aged care and unprincipled goings-on. I found it a comfortable read with a nice twist and touches of humour.

My thanks to the author for a copy I downloaded from a link in her newsletter.

[Rosemary Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to humor

Such a feel good book. The characters are so real you can almost hug them or throw something at them, depending on which one. A delightfully funny and thoughtful story.

[Marie (UK) · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is my first book by this author but definitely not my last. A warm inviting mystery with seemingly an obvious answer. Although I did work out the guilty party it was not my first guess. The characters and narrative were both well formed

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this one .

[Maureen Hetzel · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I finished the book I was tempted several times to just stop. It is hard to explain the atmosphere of a story. But my sense was that of engaging with a cast of cardboard characters, mounting lines but without spirit. My overall reaction was I was missing the spirit and energy I expect as I move through a book. The seemed just words.

[Ms Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great installment in the Sophie Sayers series.

Another great installment in the Sophie Sayers series, this time following the village through Easter time. More interesting characters, convoluted mysteries and continued developments in the relationships of the main players make this another page turner.

[Norma Bain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warm and witty

When I tell people I'm reading a Debbie Young book I tell them she writes "gentle murders". A contradiction in terms I know but they really are! They are funny, touching and beautifully observed. I can picture the village and its quirky inhabitants. Billy is my favourite!

[Julia Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a British cozy mystery, this is the book for you! Young’s writing is lightweight, with sweet characters, nasty bad guys, and some tangled mystery! Add to this a lovely British village, a dear Vicar, a retired doctor (the only doctor around), a huge manor house with a little old lady, a pair of bunny ears and a fur coat and you are in for a fun read.

At age 25, Sophie Sayers, finds herself living in the cottage her Aunt left her, working for the local bookseller as well as dating him, tutoring children after school and building relationships in her new life. Sophie has a fairly easy time fitting in, given the fact that her Aunt was so loved, people remember her from her visits as a child and her sweet disposition. On her way to work one day, Sophie spies a couple of children playing with a wheelchair in the church cemetery. Wandering over, she discovers that Ms. Bunny is laying at the bottom of a newly prepared grave unconscious and in a rather precarious position. Not sure of what else to do she immediately calls for the local retired doctor, after all by the time an emergency service gets there it could be too late and why would the police be needed?

As time goes on, Sophie realizes that several things do not add up. Why was Ms. Bunny wearing a mink coat when she is a huge advocate of animal protection? What in the world would she be doing wearing bunny ears? How did she get there when she does not have the strength on her own and the caregiver is agoraphobic? But who would want to hurt Ms. Bunny?

[Kirsty (BookBlogger) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Springtime for Murder by Debbie Young

Blurb

When Bunny Carter, the old lady from the Manor House, is discovered in an open grave, Sophie Sayers is sure it’s a case of foul play. But when it comes to suspects, she’s spoiled for choice.

One of Bunny’s squabbling siblings from three different husbands?

Petunia Lot from the Cats Prevention charity, always angling for a legacy?

All these and more had motive and opportunity.

But which is to blame? And can Sophie and her boyfriend, village bookseller Hector Munro, stop them before they strike again?

A lively array of eccentrics joins the regular cast in this compelling story of family, friendship, love and loss.

While the story includes plenty of Debbie Young’s renowned wit and British humour, it’s also thoughtful and poignant, reflecting Sophie's growing wisdom, self-reliance and skill as self-appointed amateur village sleuth.

My Opinion

This is a series that I have been dipping in and out of, I have had no issues following and so I would presume that they can all be read as standalones. Debbie Young has once again written an entertaining, cosy, mystery. I listened to this as an audiobook and as it was a relatively short book I finished it in one sitting.

Sophie Sayers is still relatively new to Wendlebury Barrow, and is trying to settle into the village whilst also trying her skills out as an amateur sleuth. What I have read so far of this series has been very enjoyable and I keep looking out for new books in the series to read.

Rating 4/5

[Alexandra Scherer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy Debbie Youngs Village Mystery. It is just the right sort of story one needs on a rainy sunday afternoon. Add a pot of tea and some cookies and the day is perfect.
Springtime for Murder is an entertaining cozy crime, which does not need deep thinking or high intelligence. It is an enjoyable read.
However, one or two times I found the story inconsistent. And I did not like the way towards the end, when the author introduced some new characters.
The result for me was like: "What the heck? Why do we need this person? This is a bit thin."
But we are looking at entertainment not at high literature. Therefore: if one looks for a few hours of blissful reading, some laughter and a happy end, I can recommend this book.

[Birgit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite entertaining, in a quiet and calm way. Unfortunately, this was the first of this series I've read from this author, and there were too many things from previous books left unexplained, so although this could be read as a standalone with the story still enjoyable, I would not recommend to do so.
The murderer was way too easy to be detected or suspected by the reader, with the actual solution at the end being a bit hastened, in my opinion, and not really leaving me satisfied - everything was too neat, too quaint, too much - or not enough? - of everything.
Still, I did like the plot, I did not hate the characters, so yes, still a nice book for putting up your feet if you have an hour or two of spare time.

[Bjørn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes predictability is a good thing… this is what I come here for :) In 2020, with the *gestures around* happening, this is the sort of read I need – sweet, but not too sweet; a bit silly (oh, Sophie) at times; the bad guy/gal being clearly a Bad Guy/Gal, so that I don't need to feel bad for them. I immediately bought book #6 and I'm pestering the author on Twitter about the 7th.

Minus one star, though, for inadequate research on The Special Herb. It's almost as if the author has never grown pot at home or something. Glad to help next time ;) I also felt quite sad at the end – I suppose it was inevitable, but I was hoping for a little miracle or four.

[L.C. Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. I do feel sorry for Sophie. She seems to think Hector is not only capable of cheating on her but worries he will the entire book long even though he has never given her reason to worry. She seems to have that idea all by herself. I do like her character though and seems to be finding her feet in his book and actually standing up for herself as people assume shes a silly girly girl when actually shes well educated. She is just a tad nieve for someone that traveled and was a teacher etc so I hope at some point her character stops being written as so innocent and unworldly because it does her a disservice.

[Jo Ullah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read nearly all of the series of Sophie Sayers Mysteries books and as the next in the series this one didn't disappoint. I feel I know all the characters like friends and so much enjoyed reading about Sophie's latest sleuthing escapade. Gentle and funny with well observed characters. This lovely book kept me company during the long dark evenings bringing some light into shade and a smile to push back the cold.

[JOHN ABBATE · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not for me.

There is lots and lots and lots of talking in this book but very little action. There is no character development and I had the feeling that the author thought the readers had all read the previous books. While the main character was likeable, she was all over the place. The ending came abruptly with several characters introduced at the very end. I can't say that I really enjoyed this book but I am sure others might.

[Helen Hollick · Rating 5 out of 5]

If a body is found at the bottom of an open grave wearing an Easter Bunny outfit - anyone would be immediately interested to find out more. Where? Why? How? Of course I'm not answering any of those questions as they would be spoilers, (so read the book to find out!) but I will say that this is yet another delightful read n the Sophie Sayers Series. It is a light, easy read, perfect for the Cosy Mystery Quick Read Genre.

[Dawn Brookes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another cosy gem from Debbie Young. Sophie Sayers is becoming a regular sleuth in Wendlebury Barrow! I thought at the beginning that Sophie was becoming a bit of a doormat, thankfully this wasn't the case and she finds herself growing in strength throughout this lovely book. This gentle series helps to pass the time on winter or summer days, and this is another one to snuggle down with.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too slow moving for me.

This is a cozy mystery. Unfortunately it unwound at the speed of the small village we like to believe in. Also, knew who did the deeds from the first one in chapter 1. Did like the village but no characters jumped out that I would like to meet. On the plus side, there was no foul language and no sex so is suitable for most.

[Jean Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A warm, interesting story. Some of the characters are wonderful while others can be quite annoying. I was left guessing who the bad guy was till near the end. There were a lot of comical parts that had me laughing throughout. The only thing I wasn't thrilled about was Sophie and Hector sleeping over at each other's houses, but nothing was explicit.

[May Soeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a nice cozy crime story 😊 Although Sophie is a little mad suspecting everyone of having killing tendencies from the beginning. She must have watched to many Midsomer Murders 😅 It is so nice to be introduced to more villagers and the story telling makes you feel like you are there in the village of Wendlebury Barrow. I had not guessed who the killer was 'till Sophie åut the pieces together 🤔

[Amie McCracken · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't find a word better for describing this book than fun. It had me giggling, biting my nails for the characters. I couldn't put it down and want to live in this tiny village if only to people watch and be a fly on the wall. This entire series is such an adventure.

[Kathleen A. Butler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as well written as the other books in the series

This story became bogged down as too many people discussed what was happening, and there was no action - just silly prattle. It wasn't believab!e.

[Pat Oatman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little slow starting but good fun in the long run.

My first of Debbie Young's books. I missed out on the background, but got caught up pretty quickly. Good word pictures and characters. Fun picturing some of the situations. The murder made for a pretty good mystery.

[Ellen Travers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommend

It took me a while to get hooked on this story. I do not know if I was not in the mood to be reading or not. Once I settled down and really paid attention to the story, I read the book in one afternoon. The ending of the book was a surprjse.

[marcia mccoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay

The characters come across as unsure of themselves. Bunny is the only one who seems to have any confidence. The story ran too long when they were at the Manor House trying to pin down the murderer.

[Rowena Onions · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm finished with this series! Every book is the same, I start off by enjoying the tale of the village residents... then along comes a silly murder and a rapid unbelievable solution. Its happened once too often now!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good cozy mystery.

Bunny Carter is found in a grave. Who could be behind this and why? Sophie Sayers is trying to find out what is going on in this small town.

This story was good and to the point. I recommend readings this if you are looking for a cozy murder mystery.

[phil aspinall/caroline aspinall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read

Love this series of books light hearted easy reading can't wait to read more you get a bit of mystery a bit of romance and a bit of humour .