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Cozy Mystery Starter Set - Six Books
A six-book collection of cozy mystery A Secret Killer - A Julia Blake Cozy MysteryJulia Blake runs a cleaning business. She also has an uncanny knack for discovering murdered people. In this story Julia visits one of her clients, a genealogist called Hugo Barnes.Hugo has uncovered a family secret during the course of his work. He tells Julia that the client won’t be happy about the secret he’s discovered. Julia finds Hugo’s dead body the next day.She makes her own investigations into Hugo’s death and soon discovers that his assistant, Dinah, and his brother, Gilbert, have strong motives for killing him. Julia also finds out who the last client of Hugo’s was. Did they have a motive to kill Hugo too? And who is the man who’s been watching Julia’s house?A Lesson In Deceit - A Julia Blake Short Cozy MysteryIn this story, Julia travels to Edinburgh University to visit her son, Sam. It’s not long before she stumbles upon a dead body. Julia is happy to leave the murder investigation to the police – until her son becomes one of their suspects. Julia has no option but to get herself involved, despite the danger she puts herself in.The Death Planner - A Storage Ghost MurderGrace Abrahams helps ghosts – particularly those who were murdered. She meets the ghosts at storage locker auctions. Grace meets Jenny Lorrimer. Jenny was strangled by the lead of her headset. Grace finds out that Jenny was an events planner and she was murdered at a wedding that she’d organised.Grace delves further and discovers two suspects – Jenny’s sister and Jenny’s best friend. A shock discovery leads her down a different route.A Lonely Death - A Pearl And Derek Mystery Derek Quill is an elderly gent who can see the ghosts of murdered people. With the help of his ghostly friend, Pearl, he finds out who killed them. In his first investigation, Derek meets the ghost of Eric Malone. Derek knows Eric from his school days.Eric bullied Derek mercilessly back then and now he’s asking for Derek’s help. Derek soon discovers that Eric never changed his bullying ways and there is more than one person who could be a suspect.Playing At Murder - A Butterworth MysteryA short murder mystery story It’s always been a dream of Connie Butterworth’s to be a private investigator. Now that she’s retired, she makes that dream a reality and sets herself up as an investigator. With reluctant help from her sister-in-law, Sable, Connie takes on her first client.What starts out as a simple case of tracking down a missing person soon turns into an intriguing case of deception, phone hacking and murder.A Ghost In The Store - A Ruby And Nessa MysteryRuby Laurel is a ghost hunter. She locates ghosts who are haunting places – or people. In this first story, Ruby is called upon to investigate a haunting in a supermarket. She soon discovers the ghost of a young woman called Mary Jackson. How is Mary connected to the supermarket? And why is she haunting it?Ruby’s investigation is made more difficult by the arrival of her troublesome younger sister, Nessa. Will Nessa help, or hinder, the investigation?
436 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 6, 2019
957 people are currently reading
464 people want to read
About the author
Gillian Larkin
273 books110 followersI'm an avid fan of mystery stories. I started reading Agatha Christie novels at an early age. My favourite fiction detective is Poirot, I love his fussy ways and his attention to small details. I love the TV series, 'Murder She Wrote' and have watched every episode. I like working out who the killer is, and what the clues are.
I live near Leeds, Yorkshire, which is in the north of England. My two daughters live with me and they are understanding about my passion for mystery shows! I've now discovered 'Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries'.
I've been wanting to write my own mystery stories for years - and now I finally have.
You can visit my website, and connect with me. To get a free pdf copy of 'A Different Shade of Death', sign up to my newsletter.
You can also follow me at my Amazon author page.
I live near Leeds, Yorkshire, which is in the north of England. My two daughters live with me and they are understanding about my passion for mystery shows! I've now discovered 'Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries'.
I've been wanting to write my own mystery stories for years - and now I finally have.
You can visit my website, and connect with me. To get a free pdf copy of 'A Different Shade of Death', sign up to my newsletter.
You can also follow me at my Amazon author page.
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
April 24, 2020
Overall - 3.5 stars!
A secret killer - 4.5 stars
A lesson in deceit - 4 stars
The death planner - 2.5 stars
A lonely death - 3 stars
Playing at murder - 4 stars
A ghost in the story - 3 stars
A secret killer - 4.5 stars
A lesson in deceit - 4 stars
The death planner - 2.5 stars
A lonely death - 3 stars
Playing at murder - 4 stars
A ghost in the story - 3 stars
April 8, 2020
A mix of stories
Six stories, a mix of characters who surprisingly, manage to solve the mysteries they were hired to resolve. The last was a ghost story mystery. Different from the others with its paranormal twist. Shorter too. The Connie and Sable one by far the most unlikely duo, but strangely, very appealing too. Retired, sisters in law with no experience at being PIs, who almost die while solving their first case...pro bono. I enjoyed their interactions as only the elderly, comfortable in their own skin, are less concerned with what others think of them. Connie was smart, but not forceful and Sable was strong and capable. The only negative really was more around the way someone from the UK would describe things versus myself. I kept feeling like a word was missing here and there and that I wasn't quite sure what she meant. I still got caught up in the story so not completely distracting.
Six stories, a mix of characters who surprisingly, manage to solve the mysteries they were hired to resolve. The last was a ghost story mystery. Different from the others with its paranormal twist. Shorter too. The Connie and Sable one by far the most unlikely duo, but strangely, very appealing too. Retired, sisters in law with no experience at being PIs, who almost die while solving their first case...pro bono. I enjoyed their interactions as only the elderly, comfortable in their own skin, are less concerned with what others think of them. Connie was smart, but not forceful and Sable was strong and capable. The only negative really was more around the way someone from the UK would describe things versus myself. I kept feeling like a word was missing here and there and that I wasn't quite sure what she meant. I still got caught up in the story so not completely distracting.
May 3, 2020
This is an honest review and this was a free read. I listened to it while I drive to and from work. There were a couple when books which held a bit of who did it. I think the writer improves with each book.I liked that I could maintain the flow and didn't have 5o look for more books to listen to. They also held so hummor always a bonus in my opinion. .
June 14, 2020
Cute, quick reads
Simply written, cute stories. I didnt think they were 'well-written' for the most part, and kind of seemed as if the characters were also kind of simple-minded at times. Okay for a light read but didnt keep me up at night wanting to get to the end.
Simply written, cute stories. I didnt think they were 'well-written' for the most part, and kind of seemed as if the characters were also kind of simple-minded at times. Okay for a light read but didnt keep me up at night wanting to get to the end.
June 29, 2020
Worth it
I enjoyed this little book taster of the various series from Gillian Larkin, some more so than others. I have left reviews for each of the books, as I downloaded them too. I would recommend this book as a light quick read for each story / novella.
I enjoyed this little book taster of the various series from Gillian Larkin, some more so than others. I have left reviews for each of the books, as I downloaded them too. I would recommend this book as a light quick read for each story / novella.
October 11, 2020
Great short stories!
These are a loosely related group of stories that can be read individually or as a group. Well thought out characters who solve the problem quickly and completely. Enjoyable reads!
These are a loosely related group of stories that can be read individually or as a group. Well thought out characters who solve the problem quickly and completely. Enjoyable reads!
February 10, 2021
Totally Engaging
I loved each story. Such a great variety and all were engaging. I especially loved that the slueths were not all young bakers or knitters. A trope that I am tired off. And those that had ghosts were especially fun!
I loved each story. Such a great variety and all were engaging. I especially loved that the slueths were not all young bakers or knitters. A trope that I am tired off. And those that had ghosts were especially fun!
March 11, 2022
Absorbing!
This series was a perfect bed time read! Each book was a good escape from the day! Well written, concise and the storylines were easy to capture your involvement in the characters and their predicaments!!
This series was a perfect bed time read! Each book was a good escape from the day! Well written, concise and the storylines were easy to capture your involvement in the characters and their predicaments!!
September 29, 2022
Cosy mystery started set.
An interesting, delightful set of stories. I hope you believe in ghosts because some of the stories are about ghosts. They also include a very good mystery murder story with unexpected twists and turns
An interesting, delightful set of stories. I hope you believe in ghosts because some of the stories are about ghosts. They also include a very good mystery murder story with unexpected twists and turns
March 30, 2020
These were really good stories
April 6, 2020
Great little collection of short stories. Fun and interesting plots, and very likeable characters.
June 12, 2020
Easy read
Easy quick read but little depth. Enjoyed as did not need to concentrate hard so filled my time. Lots of loopholes
Easy quick read but little depth. Enjoyed as did not need to concentrate hard so filled my time. Lots of loopholes
September 11, 2020
I enjoy the stories the characters are fun
The was well done and characters are realistic thank you
Working together to solve the mystery .
Is fresh air in these times thank you
The was well done and characters are realistic thank you
Working together to solve the mystery .
Is fresh air in these times thank you
October 18, 2020
Very Good Mysterys
This collection was very interesting and easy to read. It kept my interest and I really enjoyed reading these stories
This collection was very interesting and easy to read. It kept my interest and I really enjoyed reading these stories
November 22, 2020
Easy
These were easy fun reads. Not to heavy, but fun. I liked the plots which kept me engaged. These are good short reads.
These were easy fun reads. Not to heavy, but fun. I liked the plots which kept me engaged. These are good short reads.
February 9, 2021
Half of these are good.
February 16, 2021
Enjoyable stories to read.
April 4, 2021
Interesting
Some what of a different book. Ex b book wax enjoyable. Appreciated the shortness of each book so. That knows taste was necessary
Some what of a different book. Ex b book wax enjoyable. Appreciated the shortness of each book so. That knows taste was necessary
February 4, 2022
Leuke verhalen, niet veel diepgang maar dat hoeft ook niet altijd.
September 26, 2025
Great stories. I enjoyed reading this mystery series. I would recommend these books to others.
November 28, 2020
light & easy read! I really enjoyed them!
March 15, 2020
A great set of six cozy mysteries
This was a great set. I want to read more of each different set of books. I don’t usually like paranormal, but these were good.
This was a great set. I want to read more of each different set of books. I don’t usually like paranormal, but these were good.
February 24, 2020
Wonderful stories!!
Give stars for these heartwarming stories by Gillian Larkin! Each was an individual story on its own. Lively, intriguing, and in just the right places even humor! Loved it!!!
Give stars for these heartwarming stories by Gillian Larkin! Each was an individual story on its own. Lively, intriguing, and in just the right places even humor! Loved it!!!
February 18, 2020
Ghost Abound
Six stories of various lengths done in the concept of the living helping the dead find peace. Whether murdered or betrayed the dead want answers and the guilty brought to accountability.
With a wide variety of characters, from surly ghost to unsure living helpers to an unusual missing person case for new private investigators (the only story that has no ghost). There is something for everyone.
If you not read a cozy mystery before, try this boxed set and find out why they are so popular.
Six stories of various lengths done in the concept of the living helping the dead find peace. Whether murdered or betrayed the dead want answers and the guilty brought to accountability.
With a wide variety of characters, from surly ghost to unsure living helpers to an unusual missing person case for new private investigators (the only story that has no ghost). There is something for everyone.
If you not read a cozy mystery before, try this boxed set and find out why they are so popular.
December 5, 2021
Well this has been a bedtime read with my kindle for ages, finally finished it last night, this morning. It's okay but six books took some reading, although none of them are overly long. The best one was the first where a girl who owned a junk shop with her brother could see ghosts. She is helped by the ghosts to find out who murdered one of them, a sort of psychic detective. It get's a bit unbelievable but then this is a ghost book, and all is well in the end. In fact obviously all is well in all of the books in the end, but then I suppose ghost hunters are a niche group and whatever the outcome all is well! It did seem as if there were more than 6 books in the set though! And I think I've done reading ghost books for now, am just off to delete from my kindle.
January 24, 2020
Interesting. Most of the stories involved people able to see and converse with ghost. Pleasant reading. Well written but kind of bland. No suspense - nothing to say turn the page until you get to end. In a way it makes you a little jealous that you can't see ghosts. It might make life a little more pleasant.
October 22, 2019
Great books!
The beginning stories of several series. Believable characters and interesting scenarios. I absolutely enjoyed each book. A must read for everyone.
The beginning stories of several series. Believable characters and interesting scenarios. I absolutely enjoyed each book. A must read for everyone.
November 24, 2019
Fun and lively. Really enjoyed them.
Great fun reads. Will be fun to find more by Gillian. Great for rainy days and lazy afternoons. Thank you
Great fun reads. Will be fun to find more by Gillian. Great for rainy days and lazy afternoons. Thank you
December 10, 2019
Cosy mystery
This was okay. Liked 3 of the 6 stories. The Butterworth a d cleaning lady don't recall name at this moment.
This was okay. Liked 3 of the 6 stories. The Butterworth a d cleaning lady don't recall name at this moment.
February 1, 2020
English mystery
Fun read really enjoyed it was neat reading the English dialogue. The pi in the last book proves she is just a number.
Fun read really enjoyed it was neat reading the English dialogue. The pi in the last book proves she is just a number.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews