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Devon Mysteries #1
Dead in Devon
Juno Browne is a self-appointed Domestic Goddess. From cleaning to dog-walking to caring for the elderly, she flits around the picturesque village of Ashburton in her trusty van ready to turn her hand to anything. Despite warnings to the contrary, she ventures into the shady world of antiques dealing when she takes on a new client, Old Nick, who has a reputation for conducting business by the back door. When Juno prevents two menacing thugs from giving Nick a beating, it's clear one of his deals has gone horribly wrong - and it isn't long before Nick is found dead. As the police search for answers starts to stall, Juno begins her own investigation. But when one of her suspects is killed and Juno is herself the subject of unwanted attention, she must piece the puzzle together before she becomes the next victim.
9 pages, Audiobook
First published June 20, 2019
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463 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
September 28, 2019
This is engaging crime fiction from Stephanie Austin set in the small town of Ashburton in Devon where Juno Browne runs her own business turning her hand to whatever her clients require of her, from dog walking, cleaning, and meeting the needs of the likes of the elderly Maisie with her uncontrollable terrier, Jacko. She lives with her landlords, Adam and Kate, struggling financially but loving what she does as she drives around the district in her van. She has been offered full time work by Ricky and Morris, providers of theatre costumes for productions, she has turned this opportunity down, partly because she couldn't stand being around them all the time, although they are good friends, but she likes the variety and independence of what she does.
So when the elderly Mr Nickolai, a Russian antiques dealer asks for her help in cleaning many of his antiques, she accepts the job, despite being warned of his criminal activities and his time spent in prison in the past because she likes Nick with his wickedly mischievous eyes. The book begins with Juno turning up at Old Nick's, shocked to discover that he has been murdered. The story then goes back in time to Juno's work with Nick, becoming interested in antiques, encountering the likes of Paul who helps restore items, the sinister Albert Evans and the menacing, villainous Russian criminal thugs that Juno refers to as Vlad and Igor, not knowing their real identities. Juno desperately wants to know what happened to Nick, despite the obstacles and dangers that emerge. She finds herself under the close scrutiny of the police, when she discovers another murdered dead body, partially submerged in a fish pond.
The more I read of this book, the more it grew on me, Juno is a enterprising character, with plenty of warmth, who goes out of her way to help her friends and clients, even when they are not very nice, like Verbena Clarke. What made this a great read for me was the wide range of quirky supporting characters, like the gay couple, Ricky and Morris and their love of gossip, Juno's friend, the artist Sophie Child, and the cantankerous Maisie. This is a light and entertaining read, set in the fabulous location of Devon, where all sorts of intrigue, murder and mayhem lurks. Many thanks to Allen and Busby for an ARC.
So when the elderly Mr Nickolai, a Russian antiques dealer asks for her help in cleaning many of his antiques, she accepts the job, despite being warned of his criminal activities and his time spent in prison in the past because she likes Nick with his wickedly mischievous eyes. The book begins with Juno turning up at Old Nick's, shocked to discover that he has been murdered. The story then goes back in time to Juno's work with Nick, becoming interested in antiques, encountering the likes of Paul who helps restore items, the sinister Albert Evans and the menacing, villainous Russian criminal thugs that Juno refers to as Vlad and Igor, not knowing their real identities. Juno desperately wants to know what happened to Nick, despite the obstacles and dangers that emerge. She finds herself under the close scrutiny of the police, when she discovers another murdered dead body, partially submerged in a fish pond.
The more I read of this book, the more it grew on me, Juno is a enterprising character, with plenty of warmth, who goes out of her way to help her friends and clients, even when they are not very nice, like Verbena Clarke. What made this a great read for me was the wide range of quirky supporting characters, like the gay couple, Ricky and Morris and their love of gossip, Juno's friend, the artist Sophie Child, and the cantankerous Maisie. This is a light and entertaining read, set in the fabulous location of Devon, where all sorts of intrigue, murder and mayhem lurks. Many thanks to Allen and Busby for an ARC.
December 29, 2022
An excellent debut, I really enjoyed this murder mystery set in the village of Ashburton, on the edge of Dartmoor. Juno Browne is an enterprising, likeable main character, always willing to help out her friends, & her supporting cast is a lot of fun: does Inspector Ford have a twinkle in his eye? All the dogs were wonderful.
Juno seems to be a jill-of-all-trades, dog-walking, cleaning, running errands & general dogsbody duties, so it's really no surprise when Old Nick calls on her services to help in his antiques shop. She takes him up on his offer, despite advice to the contrary, & becomes quite fascinated with the trade, merrily learning the ins & outs until Nick is bludgeoned to death: that might put a dampener on anyone's enthusiasm. Nick's dodgy dealings with shady characters brings the underworld a bit to close for Juno's comfort.
I'm looking forward to reading the next Juno Browne adventure.
Juno seems to be a jill-of-all-trades, dog-walking, cleaning, running errands & general dogsbody duties, so it's really no surprise when Old Nick calls on her services to help in his antiques shop. She takes him up on his offer, despite advice to the contrary, & becomes quite fascinated with the trade, merrily learning the ins & outs until Nick is bludgeoned to death: that might put a dampener on anyone's enthusiasm. Nick's dodgy dealings with shady characters brings the underworld a bit to close for Juno's comfort.
I'm looking forward to reading the next Juno Browne adventure.
November 9, 2020
First book in a series, cover somewhat misleading....and although the protagonist is interesting, defending herself very successfully from three attacks is more than unbelievable....as is her naivety...
July 24, 2024
Fun murder mystery set (obviously) in Devon. Juno Browne works a series of jobs from dog walking to shopping for a grumpy elderly lady, and has been contacted by a new client, Old Nick, who wants her to help him prepare his stock of antiques for sale. Juno finds herself intrigued by the antiques business and becomes fond of Old Nick despite his shady reputation, but before long she is dragged into a murder investigation and realises she is in danger herself…
I really enjoyed this story - sitting at the more serious end of the ‘cosy mystery’ spectrum, it has a very likeable (if inordinately reckless) protagonist and a sound plot with some well-hidden clues and red herrings. There are a number of interesting secondary characters, some of whom will undoubtedly return in the series, and the Devon setting with picturesque towns and sweeping moorland is an added plus.
3.5*, rounded up because I found this really entertaining.
I really enjoyed this story - sitting at the more serious end of the ‘cosy mystery’ spectrum, it has a very likeable (if inordinately reckless) protagonist and a sound plot with some well-hidden clues and red herrings. There are a number of interesting secondary characters, some of whom will undoubtedly return in the series, and the Devon setting with picturesque towns and sweeping moorland is an added plus.
3.5*, rounded up because I found this really entertaining.
August 25, 2023
This was a brilliant cozy mystery book. It had everything, murders, mysteries and intrigue. A new author for me and I'm definitely going to read more of hers.
November 20, 2023
I thought this was a good start for a mystery series. Enjoyable, with an intelligent storyline and it will be interesting to see how the main character develops over time. Loved the setting of Devon and I think the antique store has potential for future adventures.
March 26, 2021
I’m currently listening to the third in the series and I’ve enjoyed them all. The plots are well written, the Devon setting is atmospheric and plays a genuine part in the plot: the author seems to know the area well. I’d rate these above most of the cosy crime novels. I like the lead character, Juno Browne and I have no problem in buying into her life and character, as well as the supporting cast. Having read (listened) to the next one and being in the middle of the third, I’d say that they improve- the plot in this one is more fanciful than the others, but I’d suggest reading/ listening in order.Mary Woodvine reads the books and she seems to me to be exactly right. I hope for many more of these and I’ll be interested to try whatever Stephanie Austin writes, based on these
December 27, 2023
I absolutely LOVED this book!! Juno is such an interesting, well thought out character, I love her! The character development certainly has me hooked enough to want to know what happens to them all next! Bravo!
May 6, 2020
Fun small-town mystery with bonus dog-walking, antiques dealing and a couple of dead people.
July 13, 2025
This was a great little murder mystery, which was made extra special, being set in Devon. It was actually really nice to recognise the villages and towns featured in the story.
The book was an easy read and although I did suspect who the killer was a few chapters before it was revealed, it wasn't 100% obvious nor was it so out of the blue that it wasn't believable. The motives also made sense.
I would definitely read more of Stephanie Austin's work.
The book was an easy read and although I did suspect who the killer was a few chapters before it was revealed, it wasn't 100% obvious nor was it so out of the blue that it wasn't believable. The motives also made sense.
I would definitely read more of Stephanie Austin's work.
September 12, 2020
Pleasant interlude between harder mysteries. Well read by Lisa Coleman. I loved the title domestic goddess for the main character whose a bit quirky and fun.
January 5, 2021
A really good cosy mystery set in a town just up the road from me. I can't wait to get my hands on the next one in the series.
October 17, 2024
Enjoyable murder mystery, set in Ashburton
August 2, 2021
Juno Browne ist eine Haushaltsgöttin, so steht es an ihrem Wagen. Doch sie kümmert sich nicht nur um die Sauberhaltung der Wohnungen ihrer Kunden, sie führt auch Hunde aus und was sonst so anfällt. Der Antiquitätenhändler Old Nick fordert ihre Dienste an, allerdings soll sie ihm beim Säubern und Polieren seiner Waren helfen. Old Nick hat nicht den besten Ruf und ausgerechnet Juno muss ihn tot in seiner Wohnung auffinden.
Der Krimi ist sehr schön atmosphärisch geschrieben, auch die Charaktere werden sehr gut eingeführt. Ich habe mich in dem Setting sehr wohl gefühlt und es wurde richtig spannend. Meine Verdächtigungen, wer der Täter sein könnte, wechselten und es dauerte ziemlich lange bis ich dem wahren Täter auf die Spur kam. Die Charaktere sind einprägsam, so dass man sich schnell wieder in einen weiteren Band der Reihe einfinden kann.
Ein richtig schöner Krimi zum Entspannen, mit einer sympathischen Detektivin.
Der Krimi wurde mir als kostenloses Rezensionsexemplar zur Verfügung gestellt.
Der Krimi ist sehr schön atmosphärisch geschrieben, auch die Charaktere werden sehr gut eingeführt. Ich habe mich in dem Setting sehr wohl gefühlt und es wurde richtig spannend. Meine Verdächtigungen, wer der Täter sein könnte, wechselten und es dauerte ziemlich lange bis ich dem wahren Täter auf die Spur kam. Die Charaktere sind einprägsam, so dass man sich schnell wieder in einen weiteren Band der Reihe einfinden kann.
Ein richtig schöner Krimi zum Entspannen, mit einer sympathischen Detektivin.
Der Krimi wurde mir als kostenloses Rezensionsexemplar zur Verfügung gestellt.
June 23, 2022
I was cross with myself for buying this book, it wasn't until I began reading it and getting deja vu that I realised I had read this a couple of years ago. I didn't rate it then and I didn't rate it now.
This is the incredible tale of a young girl called Juno Browne, a domestic goddess according the the sign on the side of her van, she is running a general all round handy woman business, which includes dog walking, cleaning and sorting out junk. She received a phone call one day from an old foreign gentleman called Nick who runs an antique/junk shop in the village. In Devon.
She takes on the job of helping him clean objects to sell online or at auction and she begins to be fond of the old boy. Then a few short weeks later she enters his flat to see him being beaten up by two "russian" men who run off when she takes a picture of them and begins to shout "police" into the phone. She doesn't call the police because Nick doesn't want her to.
Shortly after she turns up to work at Nick's and discovers him battered to death on the living room floor. The police seem to think she may be the one to have done him in as he has left his flat, his shop and all its contents to her. From then it begins to be a little unbelievable. She encounters Nick's greedy grubby grown up children, mind you Nick had not been what you would have called a good parent, the russians and several other local people could have been the murderer.
She gets attacked so many times and rendered unconscious that I had lost count, miraculously she is fine after each attack. Everyone seems to be hell bent on breaking into Nick's and rummaging through his stuff to search for something important. Or so it seems.
I really lost interest at this point as it is just so unbelievable. I cannot understand why she didn't report any of these attacks to the police, any of the break-ins, the attack on the hill where she is saved by a dog biting one of the russians, and all the other attacks. And. Right at the end she finds the object which is being sought and then goes off to confront the murderer, for that is what he is, alone and then he tries to murder her. So no surprise there at all is there. I can't make my mind up whether she is just stupid or thinks she is better than anyone else at solving murders. Unbelievable. All I hope now is that I don't go down with dementia and buy the flaming book again. Come to think of it I didn't buy it, I exchanged it for another book at the book swap. Best not to go to the book swap for a while. Like another two years, in case..
This is the incredible tale of a young girl called Juno Browne, a domestic goddess according the the sign on the side of her van, she is running a general all round handy woman business, which includes dog walking, cleaning and sorting out junk. She received a phone call one day from an old foreign gentleman called Nick who runs an antique/junk shop in the village. In Devon.
She takes on the job of helping him clean objects to sell online or at auction and she begins to be fond of the old boy. Then a few short weeks later she enters his flat to see him being beaten up by two "russian" men who run off when she takes a picture of them and begins to shout "police" into the phone. She doesn't call the police because Nick doesn't want her to.
Shortly after she turns up to work at Nick's and discovers him battered to death on the living room floor. The police seem to think she may be the one to have done him in as he has left his flat, his shop and all its contents to her. From then it begins to be a little unbelievable. She encounters Nick's greedy grubby grown up children, mind you Nick had not been what you would have called a good parent, the russians and several other local people could have been the murderer.
She gets attacked so many times and rendered unconscious that I had lost count, miraculously she is fine after each attack. Everyone seems to be hell bent on breaking into Nick's and rummaging through his stuff to search for something important. Or so it seems.
I really lost interest at this point as it is just so unbelievable. I cannot understand why she didn't report any of these attacks to the police, any of the break-ins, the attack on the hill where she is saved by a dog biting one of the russians, and all the other attacks. And. Right at the end she finds the object which is being sought and then goes off to confront the murderer, for that is what he is, alone and then he tries to murder her. So no surprise there at all is there. I can't make my mind up whether she is just stupid or thinks she is better than anyone else at solving murders. Unbelievable. All I hope now is that I don't go down with dementia and buy the flaming book again. Come to think of it I didn't buy it, I exchanged it for another book at the book swap. Best not to go to the book swap for a while. Like another two years, in case..
August 25, 2021
Juno Browne ist die Haushaltsgöttin. Sie ist selbständig und eine Allrounderin. So ist sie tätig als Hundesitterin, als Putzhilfe, geht für ihre älteren Kunden Einkaufen etc. Eigentlich ist sie vollkommen ausgelastet. Doch als der alte Nick, ein Antiquitätenhändler, ihr einen Job anbietet, sagt sie zunächst zu. Doch schon bald ist sie nicht nur in Nicks krumme Geschäfte verwickelt, sondern auch in einen Mord.
Dies ist der Auftakt einer neuen cozy crime Reihe. Juno war eine sehr symphatische Protagonistin, ich habe sie gern bei ihren Ermittlungen begleitet. Der Schreibstil war sehr angenehm zu lesen und die Geschichte eignet sich hervorragend für einen verregneten Nachmittag auf der Couch. Für meinen Geschmack hätte es ein bisschen mehr Spannung sein können und leider bin ich ziemlich flott dem Mörder auf die Schliche gekommen. Dennoch hat mir die Geschichte gefallen. Ich werde die Reihe im Auge behalten.
Dies ist der Auftakt einer neuen cozy crime Reihe. Juno war eine sehr symphatische Protagonistin, ich habe sie gern bei ihren Ermittlungen begleitet. Der Schreibstil war sehr angenehm zu lesen und die Geschichte eignet sich hervorragend für einen verregneten Nachmittag auf der Couch. Für meinen Geschmack hätte es ein bisschen mehr Spannung sein können und leider bin ich ziemlich flott dem Mörder auf die Schliche gekommen. Dennoch hat mir die Geschichte gefallen. Ich werde die Reihe im Auge behalten.
June 20, 2020
3+ I listened to this on audio and liked the narrator. Some of the events are a little non realistic, but anyway, it's very enteraining.
January 12, 2025
2.5*-3*
Cleaning goddess turned into amateur sleuth!? In the village of Ashburton in Devon, Juno Browne drives around in a van with her credentials emblazoned.
She is in the employ of local villagers through walking their dogs, doing their gardening, cleaning their homes etc.
As such we meet some warm, likeable and quirky characters such as Maisie & her single-minded dog, Jacko, an employer, Verbina, two gossipy gays Ricky & Morris, who feed Juno, as she neglects to…and then there’s Chloe who is overseas, cruising.
Chloe rings Juno as she’s staying on the high seas longer, intent on “spending her children’s inheritance”. The humour is evident. Good on her I say!
Juno’s newest employer, Old Nickolei, was the antiques dealer. But he’s dead, found by Juno in the opening pages. So we have a whodunnit in a village with intriguing characters who flavour the plot. Good start.
Interesting, yet it seems a little stagnant soon after we meet these characters though we have the back story of Juno’s employment to add to the plot. So how did she come to work for Old Nick?
Juno was employed to clean his antiques and here she meets Paul who restores antique items & paintings etc. Fascinating to read. But…Juno has a romantic liaison with him, a married man, soon after she finds Old Nick beaten to death!?
That’s odd! Weird. Immoral; the wife is pregnant. Juno may have found this out after the interlude? But it’s too soon after finding their employer dead! Are they in on this murder together? Something very fishy here. Stagnation dissipates though.
Indeed my suspicion of Paul heightens further at this point; he’s conning her! That’s it! It’s probably got something to do with an antique, I noted.
Juno had become an independent investigator… and she tells things to Paul, not the police! Why? But the police are already suspicious of Juno since she had been dismissed from her cleaning employment to Verbina. Why? Apparently some expensive jewellery suddenly disappeared.
However since Juno is the supposed protagonist-narrator (in quite the conversational style), it’s hard to assume she’s the guilty jewellery theft, let alone a murderer. I don’t like narrators as the antagonists but I’m sure it’s not Juno. It’s Paul! I’m convinced.
But…Juno found the body & also was the cleaner in Verbena’s house! Later she also finds another dead body, Bert. A suspect! It seems a tad too coincidental by now. And I’m a bit bored. It’s not gripping me enough.
Though Juno is going off on her own to find out what happened to Nick, it does seem to reflect that’s she’s, in fact, innocent. We learn that she’s a compassionate character at least, but I’m sorry, that liaison with Paul just nags me. Talking of which…
Paul diminishes in the plot which is a clue. Think he’d returned to his wife. Russian thugs rise up in the plot though. But they’re not that exhilarating really. It’s to throw you off the tail of the murderer. But there’s more to this & Old Nick I think. He was involved in crime we later learned.
And we also learn that the divorced employer, Verbena, has daughters whose father encourages them to steal from their mother!! Verbena tells Juno that what she has “is really his”! Thug of a father too!
So it seems that one daughter, Amelia, took the £15,000 earrings & only returned them after her mum got the police involved. Verbena was too embarrassed & rather than tell the truth, she sacks Juno!
It took the plot on a tangent for a while and led us astray, so the author thought, until we discover this. Paul is still no 1 on my list.
In between, and prior to Nick’s death, Juno went to an antique show etc also. It’s here that she learns that Nick has a criminal past which is further reinforced by the police. You suspect for a bit that they’re involved.
Along the way Juno meets up with the two Russian thugs, Vlad & Igor. They threaten her but she seems undeterred?! She’s saved by Duke, the dog. He bites them & off they flee. A suspenseful & humorous scene.
There’s a will read & Juno inherits Nick’s flat! Mmmm. His two, somewhat estranged children, Helena & Richard, hang in the wings too. There’s some humorous interaction which adds intrigue to the plot. Trying to suggest a reason to murder their father? I doubt it. Losing interest here.
Juno cleans the flat but left the “thorough blitzing” until the last chapters; of course we know she’ll find something.
Juno had already discovered a Russian Madonna icon & convinced herself that Vlad was connected to Nick’s murder, but still the puzzle remained. Not for me. Criminal activities only. More on this would add to the plot.
During the cleaning blitz, Juno discovers lumpy objects in flour/powder which heightens the pace & suspense…at last. I sit up! A resurrection of interest.
This becomes the key…3 rings…diamonds, emeralds & rubies! Verbena’s? “You dusty old man” says Juno.
The sugar sifter is next! It was crusty, & inside an object revealed itself, along with the reason Nick had been murdered and by whom. Oh surprise surprise! No it wasn’t.
I’d guessed that at the start. Paul, the restorer who romanced Juno …. for a reason! A little collection of Japanese figurines are finally found after the flat had been turned upside down a few times during this plot.
They’d disappeared but Old Nick had hidden it. Hence he was killed, denying he’d even seen the figurine.
How many times had Nick’s flat been broken into, and Juno being attacked, concussed, etc without reporting to the police, was the flaw in this plot for me. It grated.
With the added fact that I knew who ‘dunnit’ the plot just didn’t keep my interest alive. I just read on to confirm the fact. And that scene!
Knowing that the killer tells all to Juno at the end, in detail, and she’s just listening without realising she’ll be the next victim, which is so obvious, just deflated the reader & plot further!
They even hug, he sobs & then tells her that he “feels good” sharing how he ‘accidentally’ killed Nick but he just can’t tell the police! Get out of there Juno, now!!!!
But no, she is oblivious to reality; blinded by his supposed love! Juno suddenly is a victim, finding that the killer is upon her, trying to crush her windpipe! Really? She thought he’d give himself up? And she wasn’t in danger? This was too much.
This is not a technical police investigation at all but a fair to good attempt for a first novel using an everyday villager to find out the whodunnit aspect. So you’d expect Juno to go about things differently and conned in the process… but not this reader! It was too clear.
It’s not an intense plot, not gripping or plausible enough. Though at the end, when Juno runs through the brambles trying to escape, it finally adds some intense suspense! She’s saved but gets “severely reprimanded” by the police for going it alone.
But not too much since she is the one who discovered the murderer after all, and the villagers were somewhat joyous. Their domestic goddess-come-investigator, wins them over. That has a nice touch I suppose.
Juno takes over Nick’s storeroom, but didn’t want to live in the flat.
The killer was arrested & Juno felt conflicted in the weeks that followed. His “exploding heat of violence” and confession etc & the many solicitor phone calls revealed more about his dark nature. I wasn’t surprised.
I’m assuming that the follow-up books will continue in a similar style.
Easy reading, light, slow but mostly uninspiring when the murderer was worked out early on. Loss of interest & somewhat boring. Though it gained some momentum at the very end. A bit too late really. I’m hovering between 2*-3*
The characters are likeable, as is the Devon village setting and the narration by the protagonist also.
Amateur sleuth who is a cleaner, gardener, dog walker etc was different but a little too much when she goes it alone, gets attacked too often, survives & doesn’t report to the police.
The underworld art criminals & hit men could have been fleshed out much further.
Cleaning goddess turned into amateur sleuth!? In the village of Ashburton in Devon, Juno Browne drives around in a van with her credentials emblazoned.
She is in the employ of local villagers through walking their dogs, doing their gardening, cleaning their homes etc.
As such we meet some warm, likeable and quirky characters such as Maisie & her single-minded dog, Jacko, an employer, Verbina, two gossipy gays Ricky & Morris, who feed Juno, as she neglects to…and then there’s Chloe who is overseas, cruising.
Chloe rings Juno as she’s staying on the high seas longer, intent on “spending her children’s inheritance”. The humour is evident. Good on her I say!
Juno’s newest employer, Old Nickolei, was the antiques dealer. But he’s dead, found by Juno in the opening pages. So we have a whodunnit in a village with intriguing characters who flavour the plot. Good start.
Interesting, yet it seems a little stagnant soon after we meet these characters though we have the back story of Juno’s employment to add to the plot. So how did she come to work for Old Nick?
Juno was employed to clean his antiques and here she meets Paul who restores antique items & paintings etc. Fascinating to read. But…Juno has a romantic liaison with him, a married man, soon after she finds Old Nick beaten to death!?
That’s odd! Weird. Immoral; the wife is pregnant. Juno may have found this out after the interlude? But it’s too soon after finding their employer dead! Are they in on this murder together? Something very fishy here. Stagnation dissipates though.
Indeed my suspicion of Paul heightens further at this point; he’s conning her! That’s it! It’s probably got something to do with an antique, I noted.
Juno had become an independent investigator… and she tells things to Paul, not the police! Why? But the police are already suspicious of Juno since she had been dismissed from her cleaning employment to Verbina. Why? Apparently some expensive jewellery suddenly disappeared.
However since Juno is the supposed protagonist-narrator (in quite the conversational style), it’s hard to assume she’s the guilty jewellery theft, let alone a murderer. I don’t like narrators as the antagonists but I’m sure it’s not Juno. It’s Paul! I’m convinced.
But…Juno found the body & also was the cleaner in Verbena’s house! Later she also finds another dead body, Bert. A suspect! It seems a tad too coincidental by now. And I’m a bit bored. It’s not gripping me enough.
Though Juno is going off on her own to find out what happened to Nick, it does seem to reflect that’s she’s, in fact, innocent. We learn that she’s a compassionate character at least, but I’m sorry, that liaison with Paul just nags me. Talking of which…
Paul diminishes in the plot which is a clue. Think he’d returned to his wife. Russian thugs rise up in the plot though. But they’re not that exhilarating really. It’s to throw you off the tail of the murderer. But there’s more to this & Old Nick I think. He was involved in crime we later learned.
And we also learn that the divorced employer, Verbena, has daughters whose father encourages them to steal from their mother!! Verbena tells Juno that what she has “is really his”! Thug of a father too!
So it seems that one daughter, Amelia, took the £15,000 earrings & only returned them after her mum got the police involved. Verbena was too embarrassed & rather than tell the truth, she sacks Juno!
It took the plot on a tangent for a while and led us astray, so the author thought, until we discover this. Paul is still no 1 on my list.
In between, and prior to Nick’s death, Juno went to an antique show etc also. It’s here that she learns that Nick has a criminal past which is further reinforced by the police. You suspect for a bit that they’re involved.
Along the way Juno meets up with the two Russian thugs, Vlad & Igor. They threaten her but she seems undeterred?! She’s saved by Duke, the dog. He bites them & off they flee. A suspenseful & humorous scene.
There’s a will read & Juno inherits Nick’s flat! Mmmm. His two, somewhat estranged children, Helena & Richard, hang in the wings too. There’s some humorous interaction which adds intrigue to the plot. Trying to suggest a reason to murder their father? I doubt it. Losing interest here.
Juno cleans the flat but left the “thorough blitzing” until the last chapters; of course we know she’ll find something.
Juno had already discovered a Russian Madonna icon & convinced herself that Vlad was connected to Nick’s murder, but still the puzzle remained. Not for me. Criminal activities only. More on this would add to the plot.
During the cleaning blitz, Juno discovers lumpy objects in flour/powder which heightens the pace & suspense…at last. I sit up! A resurrection of interest.
This becomes the key…3 rings…diamonds, emeralds & rubies! Verbena’s? “You dusty old man” says Juno.
The sugar sifter is next! It was crusty, & inside an object revealed itself, along with the reason Nick had been murdered and by whom. Oh surprise surprise! No it wasn’t.
I’d guessed that at the start. Paul, the restorer who romanced Juno …. for a reason! A little collection of Japanese figurines are finally found after the flat had been turned upside down a few times during this plot.
They’d disappeared but Old Nick had hidden it. Hence he was killed, denying he’d even seen the figurine.
How many times had Nick’s flat been broken into, and Juno being attacked, concussed, etc without reporting to the police, was the flaw in this plot for me. It grated.
With the added fact that I knew who ‘dunnit’ the plot just didn’t keep my interest alive. I just read on to confirm the fact. And that scene!
Knowing that the killer tells all to Juno at the end, in detail, and she’s just listening without realising she’ll be the next victim, which is so obvious, just deflated the reader & plot further!
They even hug, he sobs & then tells her that he “feels good” sharing how he ‘accidentally’ killed Nick but he just can’t tell the police! Get out of there Juno, now!!!!
But no, she is oblivious to reality; blinded by his supposed love! Juno suddenly is a victim, finding that the killer is upon her, trying to crush her windpipe! Really? She thought he’d give himself up? And she wasn’t in danger? This was too much.
This is not a technical police investigation at all but a fair to good attempt for a first novel using an everyday villager to find out the whodunnit aspect. So you’d expect Juno to go about things differently and conned in the process… but not this reader! It was too clear.
It’s not an intense plot, not gripping or plausible enough. Though at the end, when Juno runs through the brambles trying to escape, it finally adds some intense suspense! She’s saved but gets “severely reprimanded” by the police for going it alone.
But not too much since she is the one who discovered the murderer after all, and the villagers were somewhat joyous. Their domestic goddess-come-investigator, wins them over. That has a nice touch I suppose.
Juno takes over Nick’s storeroom, but didn’t want to live in the flat.
The killer was arrested & Juno felt conflicted in the weeks that followed. His “exploding heat of violence” and confession etc & the many solicitor phone calls revealed more about his dark nature. I wasn’t surprised.
I’m assuming that the follow-up books will continue in a similar style.
Easy reading, light, slow but mostly uninspiring when the murderer was worked out early on. Loss of interest & somewhat boring. Though it gained some momentum at the very end. A bit too late really. I’m hovering between 2*-3*
The characters are likeable, as is the Devon village setting and the narration by the protagonist also.
Amateur sleuth who is a cleaner, gardener, dog walker etc was different but a little too much when she goes it alone, gets attacked too often, survives & doesn’t report to the police.
The underworld art criminals & hit men could have been fleshed out much further.
September 27, 2025
Really enjoyed this - great book! I couldn’t put it down and sat for longer than I would normally to find out what happened next! I live locally to Ashburton and in fact my Dad was born there so that added to my interest in this story and my enjoyment of it. So well put together, really great characters and plenty of intrigue, twists & turns along the way. I eventually figured out who the murderer must be, but only because I had run out of other suspects (and I was pretty near the end by then too!). It was a fitting ending though and all the loose ends tied up nicely (which I do like!).
Highly recommend this book and can’t wait to read the next in the series!
Highly recommend this book and can’t wait to read the next in the series!
March 6, 2024
Good read, made me a little scared!!
July 10, 2024
A really enjoyable read. I went into this for the novelty of it being based around the area where I grew up, but was quite quickly drawn into the story! I like Juno as a character, despite making some questionable (read: reckless and potentially unrealistic) decisions, she makes a great protagonist. This is a light-hearted murder mystery with a similar ‘quaint’ vibe to The Thursday Murder Club series. Would recommend.
August 21, 2025
I was recommended this series this summer. I was told it was reliable, comfortable, and cozy. I feel that is a good description for this book.
March 18, 2025
A little light relief to brighten the grey skies of January. Having just returned from hols in the area it was a jolly jape to enjoy even if it didn't punish the brain-cells to much.
Toast
Toast
February 19, 2023
Was a good debut. It took a while to get going and I'm not sure I've ever encountered someone as unlucky as Juno, and someone who makes so many silly decisions. I have the second to read so will continue the series.
September 29, 2019
Stephanie Austin knows how to spin a gripping yarn. Based on its cover, you might think 'Dead in Devon' will be another undemanding cozy in the style of an Agatha Raisin caper; you'd be wrong, of course. 'Dead in Devon' offers layers of depth and grit that the lighter fair don't hope to reach. The mystery itself was fairly well-plotted - I had sussed out the murderer early on, but the circumstances and reason were a surprise; they shouldn't have been, as there were a good amount of breadcrumbs scattered for me to sort out. There were plenty of suspects, a well-crafted curmudgeonly police detective in the guise of Inspector Ford, and just enough violence and suspense to keep you reading, without ever going over the top. Stephanie Austin is an author I'll keep on my reading wish list until I've checked off all of her books. This was a quality read! Four and a half out of five stars.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for this honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for this honest review.
June 15, 2021
3.5 stars
October 31, 2019
Loved this book so much!
I can’t pinpoint exactly why, but I was hooked on this book instantly. I loved Juno, the lead character, and I loved Old Nick.
I desperately wanted to keep reading to see where their new partnership/friendship lead.
This book didn’t disappoint me at all. Although I have to say there is a character who’s part in the story is cut short too quickly for my liking, but obviously that forms the plot for the rest of the book.
I’d have loved to have seen how things could have developed had they stuck around a little longer!
There are a couple of occasions where I laughed out loud at lines said by Nick and Juno. Nick said something in response to being told to remove his rugs from his flat as they posed a trip hazard - I can’t quite remember what he said, and unfortunately I didn’t highlight it so I could go back to it, but it did make me giggle!
As did Juno’s comment referring to a man with a bald head... “I felt an overwhelming urge to tap him on the head with a spoon”. It probably tickled me more than it should have, but there you go!
I digress!
No part of this book was slow or an effort to read, yet it wasn’t rushed either. The pace was perfect, and nothing was left unexplained.
The culprit was exactly who I thought it was going to be, although, I doubted my belief on several occasions, as there were many other possibilities throughout.
I totally, absolutely, recommend this book!
This is Stephanie Austin’s first book, and it is definitely one to be proud of. I could clearly picture it all in my mind as if it were real. I almost feel like I’ve just watched it on the tv, it was that real for me!
I shall be looking out for her future work and cannot wait to get my hands on her next book.
As a little side note - i was interested to read in the ‘about the author’ section, that Stephanie’s previous varied career has clearly come into play when writing this book.
Fantastic!
I can’t pinpoint exactly why, but I was hooked on this book instantly. I loved Juno, the lead character, and I loved Old Nick.
I desperately wanted to keep reading to see where their new partnership/friendship lead.
This book didn’t disappoint me at all. Although I have to say there is a character who’s part in the story is cut short too quickly for my liking, but obviously that forms the plot for the rest of the book.
I’d have loved to have seen how things could have developed had they stuck around a little longer!
There are a couple of occasions where I laughed out loud at lines said by Nick and Juno. Nick said something in response to being told to remove his rugs from his flat as they posed a trip hazard - I can’t quite remember what he said, and unfortunately I didn’t highlight it so I could go back to it, but it did make me giggle!
As did Juno’s comment referring to a man with a bald head... “I felt an overwhelming urge to tap him on the head with a spoon”. It probably tickled me more than it should have, but there you go!
I digress!
No part of this book was slow or an effort to read, yet it wasn’t rushed either. The pace was perfect, and nothing was left unexplained.
The culprit was exactly who I thought it was going to be, although, I doubted my belief on several occasions, as there were many other possibilities throughout.
I totally, absolutely, recommend this book!
This is Stephanie Austin’s first book, and it is definitely one to be proud of. I could clearly picture it all in my mind as if it were real. I almost feel like I’ve just watched it on the tv, it was that real for me!
I shall be looking out for her future work and cannot wait to get my hands on her next book.
As a little side note - i was interested to read in the ‘about the author’ section, that Stephanie’s previous varied career has clearly come into play when writing this book.
Fantastic!
June 15, 2025
I really enjoyed this book! I picked it up as the author is fairly local to me, and I've been to Ashburton and Dartmoor plenty of times, so I thought it would be nice to read something set there and see if I recognised any places. I went into the book not expecting too much, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much it drew me in and got me invested in the characters and the town.
Juno was a delightful character to follow - she's in her 30's, she's not rich, she's a hard-working and friendly and determined to do the right thing, and apart from a couple of moments, she is mostly sensible with her choices, which is refreshing after the past few books I've read had teen or younger protagonists.
The cast of surrounding characters was fun too - I adore Ricky and Morris, they are my favourite couple, and Adam and Kate were lovely as well.
Paul was interesting, although I admit that I did judge Juno for sleeping with him after she found out he was married, but that's just my personal ethics, and it did lead to a more interesting story overall.
Old Nick was an interesting character; his general attitude was a little entitled and he was clearly a greedy bastard, and while I don't think he deserved his ending, it was understandable that this is how he ended up.
The mystery was a great one - I was kept guessing the whole time, and each time I thought I had nailed who it could be, I ended up being proven wrong - until the very end when it turned out I had been right the whole time!
This book is definitely a 4.5 rounded up to five for me - I hated Juno's decision in the last chapter to confront the murderer, especially by herself after she'd already escaped a (different) killer. The person had already killed someone in cold blood, and yet she went alone to confront them, not even considering that they might kill her once she confirmed she knew about it.
Overall a great book though, and I can't wait to immediately dive into the next one.
Juno was a delightful character to follow - she's in her 30's, she's not rich, she's a hard-working and friendly and determined to do the right thing, and apart from a couple of moments, she is mostly sensible with her choices, which is refreshing after the past few books I've read had teen or younger protagonists.
The cast of surrounding characters was fun too - I adore Ricky and Morris, they are my favourite couple, and Adam and Kate were lovely as well.
Paul was interesting, although I admit that I did judge Juno for sleeping with him after she found out he was married, but that's just my personal ethics, and it did lead to a more interesting story overall.
Old Nick was an interesting character; his general attitude was a little entitled and he was clearly a greedy bastard, and while I don't think he deserved his ending, it was understandable that this is how he ended up.
The mystery was a great one - I was kept guessing the whole time, and each time I thought I had nailed who it could be, I ended up being proven wrong - until the very end when it turned out I had been right the whole time!
This book is definitely a 4.5 rounded up to five for me - I hated Juno's decision in the last chapter to confront the murderer, especially by herself after she'd already escaped a (different) killer. The person had already killed someone in cold blood, and yet she went alone to confront them, not even considering that they might kill her once she confirmed she knew about it.
Overall a great book though, and I can't wait to immediately dive into the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2021
Inzwischen habe ich Cosy Crime für mich entdeckt und ich muss sagen, hier hat mich die Annotation echt neugierig gemacht, so dass ich einfach wissen wollte, was es mit Juno Browne und dem alten Nick auf sich hatte.
Das Cover ist passend – ein bisschen mysteriöse Stimmung, dunkle Farben.
Der Schreibstil hat mich wirklich überzeugt. Spannend, catchy und sehr flüssig führt uns in ein kleines Dorf in Dartmoor, England.
Als Reinigungskraft die einiges mehr auf dem Kasten hat, als uns zu Beginn vielleicht weisgemacht werden will, sieht und hört Juno viel. Viel mehr als man vielleicht ahnen würde. Und so ist es auch kein Wunder, dass sie dann den Mord an Mr. Nickolai, diesem alten grantligen Antiquar, aufdecken will. Ein grummliger Typ, der aber einen Narren an Juno gefressen hat und sie zu einer der wenigen Dorfbewohnern gemacht hat, die er näher an sich heranlässt.
Juno ist clever, witzig und stark. Mir gefiel sie als Prota sehr gut, denn sie macht durchs Buch hinweg eine schöne Entwicklung durch, so dass sie am Ende mutig und stark doch über ihren Schatten springt und das Antiquariat übernimmt und zu was ganz Besonderem macht.
Die Nebenpersonen haben mir auch gut gefallen. Seien es Ricky und Morris, oder Kate und Adam. Selbst eine arrogante, frühere Auftraggeberin geben der Geschichte eine schöne Prise britischem Humor und dieses Cosy-Crime Feeling.
Stephanie Austins Schreibstil hat mir sehr gut gefallen, so herrlich Britisch, und ich hoffe, dass die weiteren Juno Browne Bände auch noch erscheinen werden bei Harper Collins Deutschland.
Das Cover ist passend – ein bisschen mysteriöse Stimmung, dunkle Farben.
Der Schreibstil hat mich wirklich überzeugt. Spannend, catchy und sehr flüssig führt uns in ein kleines Dorf in Dartmoor, England.
Als Reinigungskraft die einiges mehr auf dem Kasten hat, als uns zu Beginn vielleicht weisgemacht werden will, sieht und hört Juno viel. Viel mehr als man vielleicht ahnen würde. Und so ist es auch kein Wunder, dass sie dann den Mord an Mr. Nickolai, diesem alten grantligen Antiquar, aufdecken will. Ein grummliger Typ, der aber einen Narren an Juno gefressen hat und sie zu einer der wenigen Dorfbewohnern gemacht hat, die er näher an sich heranlässt.
Juno ist clever, witzig und stark. Mir gefiel sie als Prota sehr gut, denn sie macht durchs Buch hinweg eine schöne Entwicklung durch, so dass sie am Ende mutig und stark doch über ihren Schatten springt und das Antiquariat übernimmt und zu was ganz Besonderem macht.
Die Nebenpersonen haben mir auch gut gefallen. Seien es Ricky und Morris, oder Kate und Adam. Selbst eine arrogante, frühere Auftraggeberin geben der Geschichte eine schöne Prise britischem Humor und dieses Cosy-Crime Feeling.
Stephanie Austins Schreibstil hat mir sehr gut gefallen, so herrlich Britisch, und ich hoffe, dass die weiteren Juno Browne Bände auch noch erscheinen werden bei Harper Collins Deutschland.
October 4, 2021
Juno Browne ist eine Art "Mädchen für alles", sie sittet Hunde, putzt Wohnungen und hilft ab und zu bei ihren Freunden aus, die einen Kostümladen betreiben. Eines Tages bittet der alte "Old Nick" um Hilfe in seinem Antiquitätenladen und Juno nimmt den Auftrag gern an. Als der alte Herr eines Tages aber Tod im Laden liegt und auch noch heraus kommt, dass er Juno den Laden vererbt hat, beginnt die junge Frau zu ermitteln-nicht ahnend, dass sie sich bald in den Kreisen von erzürnten Erben und der Antiquitäten-Mafia wiederfindet!
Der Krimi beginnt eigentlich ziemlich ruhig und bis zum Mord vergeht einiges an Zeit. Dennoch habe ich das Buch von Anfang an sehr gern gelesen den der Schreibstil ist sehr locker-leicht zu lesen und Juno war mir von Beginn an sehr symphatisch! Dazu kommt das urige Städchen mit all den teils skurrilen Einwohnern! So lässt die Autorin den Leser erst einmal Land und Leute kennen lernen und das Buch strahlt eine Gemütlichkeit aus!
Als der Krimi dann beginnt macht es Spaß mitzuermitteln, und der Täter ist nicht so schnell ersichtlich, da in alle möglichen Richtungen ermittelt wird! Es hat mir sehr viel Spaß gemacht mit der symphatischen Juno auf Mördersuche zu gehen, und ich hoffe das noch weitere Teile mit dieser symphatischen Hobby-Ermittlerin folgen!
Der Krimi beginnt eigentlich ziemlich ruhig und bis zum Mord vergeht einiges an Zeit. Dennoch habe ich das Buch von Anfang an sehr gern gelesen den der Schreibstil ist sehr locker-leicht zu lesen und Juno war mir von Beginn an sehr symphatisch! Dazu kommt das urige Städchen mit all den teils skurrilen Einwohnern! So lässt die Autorin den Leser erst einmal Land und Leute kennen lernen und das Buch strahlt eine Gemütlichkeit aus!
Als der Krimi dann beginnt macht es Spaß mitzuermitteln, und der Täter ist nicht so schnell ersichtlich, da in alle möglichen Richtungen ermittelt wird! Es hat mir sehr viel Spaß gemacht mit der symphatischen Juno auf Mördersuche zu gehen, und ich hoffe das noch weitere Teile mit dieser symphatischen Hobby-Ermittlerin folgen!
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