What do you think?
Rate this book
Izzy Palmer Mystery #1.5
A Corpse in a Caravan
Izzy just wanted to get away from it all, but murder has a habit of following her, even on holiday.
Izzy Palmer retreats to a rainy caravan on the south coast of England to escape from her past. The campsite's eccentric inhabitants have other ideas though and she is quickly sucked into a world of middle-class scandals and petty jealousies.
After one of her neighbours is found dead, Izzy suspects foul play and begins to shake up the tiny community to see what truths will fall out.
A warm and witty murder mystery with a quirky but cunning sleuth. Izzy Palmer is part Miss Marple, part Bridget Jones.
"A Corpse in a Caravan" is a spolier-free, standalone Izzy Palmer novella which takes place after the events of her first novel "A Corpse Called Bob"
Praise for "A Corpse Called Bob"
"Really, really enjoyed this book. Izzy Palmer is a sparkler of a character, she almost fizzes off the page."
K Webster
"...a classic whodunit with a hilariously quirky heroine. I couldn't put this book down."
Lottie G
"Such an excellent book. Kept me guessing and kept me chuckling to myself right to the end."
MrsBee
- GenresMystery
62 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 20, 2020
261 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
Benedict Brown
50 books468 followersWriting has always been my passion. It was my favourite hour a week at primary school, and I started on my first, truly abysmal book as a teenager. So it wasn’t a difficult decision to study literature at university which led to an MA in Creative Writing. I spent a long time writing kids’ books, including funny fairy tales, dystopic adventures and serious issue-based YA, before switching to murder mysteries last year.
I grew up in a crime fiction family and spent a long time dreaming up the idea for my detective Izzy Palmer’s debut novel. A Corpse Called Bob is my first full-length book for adults in what is already becoming a long series.
I’m a Welsh-Irish-Englishman originally from South London but now living with my French/Spanish wife and slightly muddled daughter in Burgos, a beautiful city in the north of Spain. I write overlooking the Castilian countryside, trying not to be distracted by the vultures and red kites that fly past my window each day.
I grew up in a crime fiction family and spent a long time dreaming up the idea for my detective Izzy Palmer’s debut novel. A Corpse Called Bob is my first full-length book for adults in what is already becoming a long series.
I’m a Welsh-Irish-Englishman originally from South London but now living with my French/Spanish wife and slightly muddled daughter in Burgos, a beautiful city in the north of Spain. I write overlooking the Castilian countryside, trying not to be distracted by the vultures and red kites that fly past my window each day.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
August 14, 2020
Enjoyed the short mystery novel.
As a character, Izzy was thoroughly fun to read about. Her fascinations with all thingsunnatural, especially murder mysteries and the way she goes about solving her mysteries was a little surprising at first. But then that was the way the character was built and after that it was fun all theway. The story was a short read with a twist in the end. Liked it.
As a character, Izzy was thoroughly fun to read about. Her fascinations with all thingsunnatural, especially murder mysteries and the way she goes about solving her mysteries was a little surprising at first. But then that was the way the character was built and after that it was fun all theway. The story was a short read with a twist in the end. Liked it.
February 8, 2023
Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰
Another will written British 🏰 murder mystery friends relationships adventure thriller short story by Benedict Brown. (The Izzy Palmer Mysteries). Izzy is taking a vacation on the coast in a caravan of a friend. She makes friends with an older woman in the caravan next door. There is a big storm that night 🌙 and in the morning the woman 🚺 is found dead. Is it murder or suicide? Izzy uncovers the truth. I would recommend this novella to 👍 readers looking for a quick read. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or listening 🎶 to Alexa read books 📚. 2023 👒😊😡
I saw 👀 this author in a review thanks. Happy reading in 2023
Another will written British 🏰 murder mystery friends relationships adventure thriller short story by Benedict Brown. (The Izzy Palmer Mysteries). Izzy is taking a vacation on the coast in a caravan of a friend. She makes friends with an older woman in the caravan next door. There is a big storm that night 🌙 and in the morning the woman 🚺 is found dead. Is it murder or suicide? Izzy uncovers the truth. I would recommend this novella to 👍 readers looking for a quick read. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or listening 🎶 to Alexa read books 📚. 2023 👒😊😡
I saw 👀 this author in a review thanks. Happy reading in 2023
August 18, 2020
An Agatha Christie style mystery featuring a who dun it and why? Short, enjoyable and fun for all. 4.5 🌟
March 14, 2021
Rather unsatisfying compared to other Izzy Palmer books. The ending seemed a bit 'just throw it at one of the suspects doesn't matter'.
May 3, 2022
Izzy Palmer is in desperate need of a holiday, so she heads to the south coast of England. Her neighbor is an elderly lady who goes by the name of Birdy. She is very friendly and Izzy spends several hours talking with her. The next morning, Birdy is found dead and the local police call it suicide, but Izzy is sure she was murdered.
Who killed Birdy? Why was she killed? Izzy had only been there for a few days, so how can she figure out what really happened?
Benedict Brown has a wonderful short story with this Izzy Palmer adventure. It has the usual humor along with the impeccable logic.
Who killed Birdy? Why was she killed? Izzy had only been there for a few days, so how can she figure out what really happened?
Benedict Brown has a wonderful short story with this Izzy Palmer adventure. It has the usual humor along with the impeccable logic.
April 25, 2022
A charming and clever “whodunnit” which fits a lot into a novella
I read a lot of short books, and often end the book unsatisfied because the reading experience was more like some sketch notes for a novel rather than a book which uses the novella form in a way that makes the most use of it.. This 15000-word book shows how it should be done.
Journalist Izzy wants a bit of time away to get back to herself after experiences in previous books, and heads for a friend’s caravan on a small and supposedly quiet site. She tries to be a recluse but can’t help but be drawn into the social tensions of the other residents. As you might expect from the title, one of these characters winds up dead. As the only “outsider”, it falls to Izzy to puzzle her way through the lies and jealousies to work out who was the killer, and why.
All the characters in the small cast are well described and developed, and the atmosphere of the dreary caravan site is evocative. I enjoyed both the storytelling and the puzzle, and will keep an eye out for other mysteries by the same author.
I read a lot of short books, and often end the book unsatisfied because the reading experience was more like some sketch notes for a novel rather than a book which uses the novella form in a way that makes the most use of it.. This 15000-word book shows how it should be done.
Journalist Izzy wants a bit of time away to get back to herself after experiences in previous books, and heads for a friend’s caravan on a small and supposedly quiet site. She tries to be a recluse but can’t help but be drawn into the social tensions of the other residents. As you might expect from the title, one of these characters winds up dead. As the only “outsider”, it falls to Izzy to puzzle her way through the lies and jealousies to work out who was the killer, and why.
All the characters in the small cast are well described and developed, and the atmosphere of the dreary caravan site is evocative. I enjoyed both the storytelling and the puzzle, and will keep an eye out for other mysteries by the same author.
February 22, 2020
A mishmash of residents
A great little read that follows Izzy as she tries to get back her equilibrium from find a killer. She is addicted to mysteries, a bean pole in appearance and unfortunately has the unhappy personality that can't stay miserable even when she wants too. Her fellow caravan dwellers range from the secretive elderly to the cross dressing middle-aged. Each has their own secret and their own failings.
The trip to the caravan was to get away from the recent murder and get herself together. However even the gloom and the constant rain couldn't damp her natural optimistic nature. However finding her elderly neighbour dead, in a water filled caravan with slit wrists does send a shock wave through her. Can she use the methods employed by Agatha Christie to deduce the killer and the reason?
A great little read that follows Izzy as she tries to get back her equilibrium from find a killer. She is addicted to mysteries, a bean pole in appearance and unfortunately has the unhappy personality that can't stay miserable even when she wants too. Her fellow caravan dwellers range from the secretive elderly to the cross dressing middle-aged. Each has their own secret and their own failings.
The trip to the caravan was to get away from the recent murder and get herself together. However even the gloom and the constant rain couldn't damp her natural optimistic nature. However finding her elderly neighbour dead, in a water filled caravan with slit wrists does send a shock wave through her. Can she use the methods employed by Agatha Christie to deduce the killer and the reason?
August 20, 2020
I picked up this cozy mystery through a free email promotion. I was intrigued by the setting on the southeast coast of England. But I found the story just didn't have enough development. The series has potential but Brown should write a full sized cozy mystery, not just a novella, and give us some hooks, adventures, relationship drama, and red herrings. There isn't enough character development to get engaged. Most of this brief read is dedicated to the outing/revealing of the murderer by Izzy. She arrives at the caravan park and goes to one card game with the suspects before her neighbour is discovered dead the following morning. I don't think the people in the park, who she doesn't know at all, would allow her to question them like she's Poirot. It's just not believable.
June 18, 2025
A quick Izzy break
Novellas by their very length don’t give the author much time to develop characters and plot for a robust whodunit. The characters—each quirky and equally unique—were present in spades. It’s the length that didn’t allow a an intriguing plot line to develop. If it were a full length book, this would probably get 5 stars in my estimation because the locale and diversity of characters all provide for a good set up. As it is, it’s easy to read at arms length without scratching your head while trying to follow the clues.
Still, if you’re an Izzy Palmer fan, it’s part of her story and not to be skipped, even if you’ve finished the main series like I have.
Novellas by their very length don’t give the author much time to develop characters and plot for a robust whodunit. The characters—each quirky and equally unique—were present in spades. It’s the length that didn’t allow a an intriguing plot line to develop. If it were a full length book, this would probably get 5 stars in my estimation because the locale and diversity of characters all provide for a good set up. As it is, it’s easy to read at arms length without scratching your head while trying to follow the clues.
Still, if you’re an Izzy Palmer fan, it’s part of her story and not to be skipped, even if you’ve finished the main series like I have.
August 17, 2020
Not long enough.
After a blip in her personal life Izzy ends up in a rained out caravan park to lick her wounds never dreaming that her new friend would not live to see out the week.
As a modified closed circle mystery there was a lot of potential here. A suitably remote and dreary location, great characters that had motive and opportunity, disinterested police that jump to conclusions, and a sleuth that loves reading Agatha Christie. It had all the elements, but lacked the subtlety and nuisances I was hoping for. It was so rushed. Really disappointed 😞.
2 stars ⭐️
After a blip in her personal life Izzy ends up in a rained out caravan park to lick her wounds never dreaming that her new friend would not live to see out the week.
As a modified closed circle mystery there was a lot of potential here. A suitably remote and dreary location, great characters that had motive and opportunity, disinterested police that jump to conclusions, and a sleuth that loves reading Agatha Christie. It had all the elements, but lacked the subtlety and nuisances I was hoping for. It was so rushed. Really disappointed 😞.
2 stars ⭐️
May 11, 2020
Fun, enjoyable mystery novella
I loved this - a quick, enjoyable read which gives a lovely flavour of what’s in store in a full Izzy novel. Obviously a short story / novella is a very different form, but a great 100m sprint to show off Izzy’s wonderful character and the author’s ability to put together a clever mystery whilst providing fun along the way.
I loved this - a quick, enjoyable read which gives a lovely flavour of what’s in store in a full Izzy novel. Obviously a short story / novella is a very different form, but a great 100m sprint to show off Izzy’s wonderful character and the author’s ability to put together a clever mystery whilst providing fun along the way.
January 20, 2022
Good short mystery
I love the Izzy Palmer mysteries, but I wish this one had been longer. I wanted to know more about these interesting characters. Izzy did a wonderful job of figuring out who the killer was in a very short time. A Corpse in a Caravan was a good mystery and I am looking forward to the next book.
I love the Izzy Palmer mysteries, but I wish this one had been longer. I wanted to know more about these interesting characters. Izzy did a wonderful job of figuring out who the killer was in a very short time. A Corpse in a Caravan was a good mystery and I am looking forward to the next book.
June 19, 2022
I just love this series! This is another short but funny murder mystery. In this novella, it seems Izzy can't even get away on her own without a murder happening. This time while staying at Danny's caravan out in a more remote campground area. Love the introduction of characters and the interaction between them.
September 19, 2022
Waterlogged in a Caravan
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the Izzy Palmer series. Light with a funny way of finding out "who done it". This last book is a thinking solution. Using those "little grey cells" It's sad that the corps was one of the nice old girls!
A great read for a quick need.
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the Izzy Palmer series. Light with a funny way of finding out "who done it". This last book is a thinking solution. Using those "little grey cells" It's sad that the corps was one of the nice old girls!
A great read for a quick need.
April 14, 2020
Great read
Izzy Palmer books are fun to read. Hints are placed a long the way for readers to find but there is twist in the end. The stories remind me of Agatha Christie’s stories the character and the clues. Can’t wait to read the next Izzy story.
Izzy Palmer books are fun to read. Hints are placed a long the way for readers to find but there is twist in the end. The stories remind me of Agatha Christie’s stories the character and the clues. Can’t wait to read the next Izzy story.
June 6, 2020
Murder mystery
For a novella, this wasn't bad. The quirky character of Izzy is addicting. While murder mysteries are intrinsically sad, the quirky characters keep the reader amused
For a novella, this wasn't bad. The quirky character of Izzy is addicting. While murder mysteries are intrinsically sad, the quirky characters keep the reader amused
August 26, 2020
Fun short read
Izzy has taken a holiday in a very wet caravan! When a murder happens! This is another great Izzy Palmer story that I read really quickly! Not sure I'd want to go anywhere with Izzy as murders follow her! 😂
Izzy has taken a holiday in a very wet caravan! When a murder happens! This is another great Izzy Palmer story that I read really quickly! Not sure I'd want to go anywhere with Izzy as murders follow her! 😂
September 3, 2020
Roughly novella-sized, this was nicely set in a dismal winter caravan park in the rain, with tantalising allusions to books in the series which I have not read. I liked the quickly-sculpted social circle with all their issues and the way the plot was resolved.
January 6, 2021
This is the second book in the series that I have read and I loved them. Fast witty and compulsive reading. Izzy takes no prisoners but has a soft heart too. Can’t wait to read the rest in the series, go on treat yourself to a copy. You’ll be delighted you did.
February 26, 2022
Glam-Camping
It's not. Drab accommodations, abysmal weather for an escape to solitude and a peaceful getaway for Izzy. Quirky and odd neighbors in this damp uhh park have their secrets. One secret revealed is murder.
It's not. Drab accommodations, abysmal weather for an escape to solitude and a peaceful getaway for Izzy. Quirky and odd neighbors in this damp uhh park have their secrets. One secret revealed is murder.
March 20, 2022
A great quick read
An Izzy short...great little mystery. Now I finally understand the murder at the caravan reference in the later books! Love Izzy and although her normal crew were not involved in this book, the characters created in this short are just as interesting.
An Izzy short...great little mystery. Now I finally understand the murder at the caravan reference in the later books! Love Izzy and although her normal crew were not involved in this book, the characters created in this short are just as interesting.
January 13, 2023
I guess it is kinda hard to write a decent mystery in so few pages, but I think the author did a reasonable job of it. Nothing to get excited about but not dreadful. The victim's personality was a bit improbable; that was probably the worst feature.
March 5, 2023
very entertaining
This novel is a quick very entertaining read with human pathos, woes, eclectic personalities, rumours of passion, temper, mixed with a great solving of murder. Completely clean in all ways. A great short read.
This novel is a quick very entertaining read with human pathos, woes, eclectic personalities, rumours of passion, temper, mixed with a great solving of murder. Completely clean in all ways. A great short read.
April 5, 2023
Entertaining
This is another entertaining read in the world of Izzy Palmer. Based just along the coast from where I live, it's easy to picture the scenes and characters in this short story.
This is another entertaining read in the world of Izzy Palmer. Based just along the coast from where I live, it's easy to picture the scenes and characters in this short story.
March 30, 2020
Good read
This one is a quick read but extremely enjoyable. I can not wait for th next Izzy Palmer Mystery to be released.
This one is a quick read but extremely enjoyable. I can not wait for th next Izzy Palmer Mystery to be released.
August 20, 2020
Blah, blah. It was readable but BLAH!
September 21, 2020
Fun short story with a quirky cast of characters. Looking forward to more Izzy as heroine.
December 23, 2020
Fun and intriguing novella.
April 4, 2021
Short but interesting
Just a couple of hours a real bite sized mystery but still managed to be humorous and to have interesting characters.
Just a couple of hours a real bite sized mystery but still managed to be humorous and to have interesting characters.
September 9, 2021
Succinct, sad, yet oddly entertaining
Izzy tries to have a quiet holiday by herself - but alas, it’s not to be, as a neighbor in one of the other caravans turns up dead.
Izzy tries to have a quiet holiday by herself - but alas, it’s not to be, as a neighbor in one of the other caravans turns up dead.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews