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Churchill & Pemberley #4

Trouble in the Churchyard

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Something sinister is stirring in the churchyard. And it’s even spooking the sexton.

Who’s been tampering with the graves at St Swithun’s? Elderly sleuths Churchill and Pemberley reluctantly embark on a macabre investigation. However, events escalate when the village philanthropist is shot dead.

Generous Mr Butterfork was one of the most popular people in Compton Poppleford, why would someone murder him? The detective duo is on the case until a charming art gallery owner steals Churchill’s heart. She’s brought to her senses by a night-time fright in the churchyard and manages to unearth some long-buried secrets. But just as Churchill and Pemberley think they’ve solved the murder, they’re in for the biggest surprise of all…

294 pages, Paperback

First published June 19, 2020

246 people are currently reading
106 people want to read

About the author

Emily Organ

72 books654 followers
Emily Organ is the author of over thirty historical cozy mysteries set in Victorian and 1920s England. Her bestselling series include the Penny Green Victorian Mysteries, the Augusta Peel Mysteries, and her newest Emma Langley Victorian Mysteries, in which a plucky widow teams up with former reporter Penny Green. She also writes the Churchill & Pemberley cozy mysteries, featuring two spirited senior sleuths. Emily’s books combine warmth, wit, and a love of history, inspired by her fascination with London’s past. 

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5 stars
353 (55%)
4 stars
187 (29%)
3 stars
87 (13%)
2 stars
12 (1%)
1 star
2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
29 reviews
June 30, 2020
Terrifically Funny!

I just love this Popplewood series. They are well written, have great place lives, and are fall-out-of-the-chair-laughing funny.
I learned while reading the first book that I could not read these on the plane or anywhere else with a lot of people. I got the giggles so bad my plane seatmate was glaring at me. I hated to have to wait to finish reading the book, but I opted to be courteous.
I am thrilled each time a new book in this series comes out.
Profile Image for Richard.
Author 30 books50 followers
October 15, 2020
Another fun and charming adventure for the dynamic duo. I gobble this series quite a bit for the banter between our two protagonists, and this kept me going cozily for many evenings. The love interest for Churchill was a treat; and I won't tell you how that goes, of course. I particularly liked some of the wacky English character names in this one. (The supply of unread volumes in the C & P series is limited, so I have the next C & P volume queued up but am restraining myself for a while and reading something else between, so I don't gobble it too quickly and have nothing left for a rainy winter. )
Profile Image for Andrew McAuley.
Author 5 books4 followers
July 23, 2020
Excellent 4th instalment in the funny cosy crime series.


Recommended reading for anyone who enjoys light hearted humour sprinkled over miss Marple style crime. Great stuff, eagerly await the next one.

As with the others in the series, the book is heavy on conversation and light on description/setting, but it suits the characters to take over the majority of the book. The main characters are well defined if predictable. I found this instalment to be slightly less funny than the previous ones (3rd is the best), but enjoyed it all the same. Suitable reading for anyone over about age 11 I'd say as the content is mild and language easily readable, but I think it is targeted toward and more enjoyed by adults.
Profile Image for Kathie Frobe.
122 reviews
June 30, 2020
Churchill and Pemberley triumph once more

Emily Organ is one of my favorite authors. Her lady detectives grow increasingly more charming as they uncover who's behind mysterious occurrences in the local graveyard and the shocking murder of their little village's benefactor. Humor and touching character development are depth to the tale.
Profile Image for Amanda Jane.
1,337 reviews9 followers
July 12, 2020
A jolly romp in Dorset.. tea and cakes anyone?

Mrs Churchill and Miss Pemberly find themselves in the thick of it again as they are asked to investigate some odd incidents in St Swithun's churchyard by the sexton Mr Grieves. It's not one they're keen on as the strange happenings are occurring at night.

With the village fayre bringing lots of new faces into Mrs Churchill's path she finds herself being flirted with by Mr Pickwick the new gallery owner, treated by Mr Butterfork and meeting Lady Darby as Oswald wins a rosette.

Their investigation takes a turn when the generous Mr Butterfork is murdered and robbed and the criminal escapes through the churchyard, but Churchy and Pembers find plenty of evidence for the frustrated Inspector Mappin.

As the duo dare themselves to enter the churchyard late at night and terrify themselves half to death, it's a wonder they don't finally quit but even when it appears that Mappin has all but beaten them to it Mrs Churchill proves herself a top notch detective and solves a closed case on top.

It's Agatha Christie with a comedic twist that will have you chuckling as you relax into their latest adventure.
Profile Image for Celest.
715 reviews8 followers
October 20, 2022
Crime Solving Dueo Did it Again

Mrs. Churchill hasn't gotten any less obnoxious, but maybe it's just a cover for her crime solving genius, along with her partner Miss Pemberley and their Detective Dog, Oswald. The cast of characters in this mystery were all very different personalities and not very suspicious at all. Turned out there were thieves, murderers, and innocents in the mix. Churchill's wrap up at the end disclosed some interesting details about the case that I didn't see coming. Very well done, Emily Organ. Now on to book number five.
247 reviews1 follower
September 15, 2022
RA

A really fun read, as usual with Churchill and Pemberley. But why all the jarring Americanisms? "Sundown" and at one point (being tipsy is no excuse) Churchill, a stout British lady of the early twentieth century, actually uses the phrase "Darn it." Good clean fun, like this series, should be British through and through. Don't you agree, pedantic Penders?
Profile Image for Cathy Martin.
55 reviews
September 19, 2025
Trouble in the Churchyard was my first introduction to writer Emily Organ and her delightful characters, Mrs. Churchill and Ms Pemberley. I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy mystery set in England and am excited to read more of Ms. Organ's work in the future! A wonderful entertaining read that keeps you turning pages and gives a surprise twist at the end!
2 reviews
August 11, 2020
Good clean fun cozy mystery!

Good clean fun cozy mystery! The two main female detectives have an engaging and comical relationship while solving crimes in an English village during the 1930's.
166 reviews1 follower
August 12, 2020
Love These Two Old Ladies

These two old ladies are a blast. I really love them. Miss Marple meets Jessica Fletcher for sure except they have that hilarious way of stumbling into the truth. Every mystery reader should read this series.
86 reviews
August 19, 2020
An old fashioned Agatha Cristie style tale

I love these two old dears and their dog. No matter how much you think you know when, where , who etc there is always a twist. Love it. Can’t wait for the next one.
732 reviews2 followers
September 11, 2020
Delightful

Ms. Organ writes such delightful dialogue between the two lead characters that the storyline is secondary. This time around you have funny happenings in a graveyard and a murder. Are the two incidents connected? Read his our two intrepid sleuths save the day.
15 reviews
September 13, 2020
Excellent characters with tea and cake

An excellent series of books, strong characters, old school who dunnit feel with plenty of twists and a love of cake too. A great read without all the unnecessarily over intense bits that spoil so many detective novels. Would recommend.
Profile Image for Jacqueline.
699 reviews11 followers
April 21, 2021
A good cozy to delight

MS. Organs Penny Green series remains my favorite among her work. However the wit and fun in reading the Churchill and Pemberley series also delights. On to book 5. I can't wait.
64 reviews
May 2, 2021
The adventures continue

Another amusing and puzzling mystery for the two lady detectives. Great fun to read and well put together plot. Insurance facts slightly inaccurate but that is being pedantic from a retired insurance man!
335 reviews2 followers
June 29, 2020
Another delightfully quirky case for sleuths Churchill and Pemberley filled with humour and the demise of many a baked goodie.
5 reviews
July 15, 2020
Excellent

What a fun book. It was well written, funny, witty, had a good story and was an interesting read. I love this series and this one did not disappoint
16 reviews
July 20, 2020
Fun read

Clean cosy murder mystery. Lots of interesting characters which add to the small village setting. The twists and turns make it fun.
710 reviews2 followers
July 30, 2020
The fourth book in the series, Which was totally different from the others. Mr Churchill was completely hoodwink by another man she had eyes for. This book had a good ending.
Profile Image for Kathy Holm.
256 reviews3 followers
August 1, 2020
Trouble in the Churchyard

Loved the story and the humor was priceless...and so many twist and turns in the story...I would have never figured out to had done the deed of murder💓
292 reviews1 follower
November 21, 2020
Another good read. Love this series of books. Ideal for escapism during these difficult times. Just started #5.
451 reviews1 follower
January 30, 2021
Trouble in the Churchyard

The author seems to get better at storytelling as the books keep coming. This one holds your interest to wonder "what is next"
1 review
February 18, 2021
Fancy that

Another amusing read from Emily Organ, taking who dunnits back to more simplistic times enabling readers to ride along with the story
112 reviews
August 31, 2021
Another funny mistery

I love the Churchill and Pemberley mysteries, funny. Another murder mystery to solve. And once again it was the last person I expected.
1 review
November 26, 2021
Entertaining jaunt

An easy and entertaining read. A few nice twists and turns I wasn’t expecting and really love the two main characters
238 reviews
April 27, 2022
Thrives and murder

Heartbreak for Churchill resolves after she and Pemberly solve cases of theft and murder. The whimsical humor in this book is half the fun. Recommended
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews

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