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Bunburry #10

Sinners and Saints

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Miss Marple meets Oscar Wilde in this new series of cosy mysteries set in the picturesque Cotswolds village of Bunburry.

Harold Wilson, police sergeant in the picturesque Cotswolds village of Bunburry, loathes Alfie McAlister. Alfie is handsome, popular, a self-made multimillionaire - and worst of all, he and his friends Liz and Marge are much better than the police at catching villains. But Sergeant Wilson loathes one person even more - Bunburry's vicar, Philip Brown - and is thrilled by the chance of locking him up for a local crime. When Reverend Brown refuses to defend himself or produce an alibi, it's up to the Bunburry Triangle to uncover what's going on.

129 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 26, 2021

119 people are currently reading
149 people want to read

About the author

Helena Marchmont

41 books188 followers
Helena Marchmont is a pseudonym of Olga Wojtas, who was born and brought up in Edinburgh. She was encouraged to write by an inspirational English teacher, Iona M. Cameron. Olga won a Scottish Book Trust New Writers Award in 2015, has had more than 30 short stories published in magazines and anthologies and recently published her first mystery Miss Blaine's Prefect and the Golden Samovar.

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5 stars
393 (40%)
4 stars
343 (35%)
3 stars
198 (20%)
2 stars
25 (2%)
1 star
4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
Profile Image for ♡ Sonja Rosa Lisa ♡  .
5,212 reviews648 followers
April 25, 2025
Der zehnte Band dieser gemütlichen Krimireihe hat mir sehr gut gefallen. Dieser Band ist ruhig, es gibt keine Toten, nur einen verwüsteten Biohofladen. Verdächtigt macht sich ausgerechnet der Pfarrer, doch Alfie, Liz und Marge können das nicht glauben. Zeitgleich taucht ein fremder Mann in Bunburry auf, der Ähnlichkeit mit dem Pfarrer aufweist...
💛 Ich mag ja grundsätzlich Geschichten, die sich irgendwie um Rätsel aus der Vergangenheit drehen. Vielleicht hat mir deshalb dieser Band so gut gefallen. Ich mochte das Geheimnisvolle, das Rätselraten und Ermitteln, die Charaktere, das Setting,...
Es hat für mich einfach alles gepasst. 💛
Profile Image for Julie.
706 reviews13 followers
December 1, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ = Quite Good.
Audio.
#10 in the Bunburry series.
No,there isn’t a great deal happening but what you do get is a gentle country life mystery experience.Very Midsomer Murder in style. All the characters are fabulous.
Profile Image for Arliss.
610 reviews
September 28, 2021
I use these Bunburry novellas, and the very similar Cherringham and Mydworth series, as palate cleansers both during and after heavier reads. There novellas are all just about the fun and they all deliver. Alfie, Liz and Oscar are all a delight to read. Oddly, starting in “Sinners and Saints” Marge has suddenly become incredibly annoying. She is both shrill and foolish. The author dramatically altered her character and I’m hoping she changes it back. Otherwise, this was a lovely little mystery and I enjoyed the read.
Profile Image for Mo.
1,913 reviews193 followers
February 22, 2024
This was not much of a mystery.

Pro - no Betty in this one 😊
Con - lots of Harold Wilson 😢
Profile Image for Ivonne Rovira.
2,572 reviews256 followers
January 27, 2024
Yes, this tenth novella in this fun cozy series does feature the unassuming vicar Philip Brown, but there are plenty of sinners to go around. We learn a lot more about Reverend Brown, but I won’t reveal any of it, as it would spoil this charming tale.

An inorganic farm store sells produce and runs a bit of a tea shop on the outskirts of Bunburry; however, after a long-haired oddball arrives, it’s vandalized. The stranger looks remarkably like Reverend Brown, and the village’s hard-drinking idiot sergeant wants desperately to get poor Brown. Enter the Bunburry Triangle — London transplant Alfie McAllister and his two elderly friends, Marge Redwood and Liz Hopkins — plus Liz’s great-niece, Constable Emma Hollis. They solve the crime, foiling the dreadful Sergeant Harold Wilson. I know, I know: This synopsis does make the story sound twee, but I promise it’s not! Please read and find out for yourself.
1,444 reviews5 followers
January 7, 2024
3 stars for the actual mystery. 4 stars for the great narration. Still loving the characters. Nice short read.
Profile Image for Bethany.
876 reviews20 followers
September 1, 2021
I still have very little sympathy or regard for Sergeant Wilson.
We get more insight into him in this book as we actually get a section from his POV. And it could be played as making him a bit more sympathetic, but my dislike of him is more informed now. Before he was a bit of a caricature, you know the incompetent police officer that always has to be in a cozy to give the amateurs' a reason to poke their noses into ongoing criminal cases. But he's not only a bad police officer, but a less than ideal person overall. He flat out refuses to take responsibility for his actions and plays the victim card when the consequences for HIS choices and decisions come to fruition.
Other than the sergeant I'm glad Alfie isn't pining over Betty in this one. Thank you for moving on. And it was nice to get to know more about the Vicar.
This book isn't so much about the mystery/ crime as it's about the relationships and the dynamics of the people involved. Which is fine, I don't read/listen to these books for the mystery. (I mean for the most part they are very predictable.) I have other books for that. But these are enjoyable short stories I can listen to for a couple hours while doing chores and the like.
I really hope they do not change the narrator. I think Nathaniel does a great job and it would not be the same if they changed out now. (Sorry I just get really paranoid. Another series I was listening to switched narrators and now I cannot continued. I tried and couldn't do it. Bring back the original narrator I tell you.)
So Recommended? Sure especially if you've come this far into the series. But like I said the mystery isn't the main focus here.
Buy/Borrow? I've been purchasing the audio books although I may start getting the actual books. But I think this should be between you and your wallet and if you've invested in the series.
Profile Image for Connie.
417 reviews2 followers
February 6, 2023
Hahahahaha. As always, the Bunburry series charms and delights. The characters and stories develop from novel to novel and the plots thicken. The Bunberry Triangle and the Bunberry Parallel both help to solve the crime. Sergeant Wilson is his usual obstreperous self.

There are enough well drawn characters in the idyllic town in the Cotswolds (and outside of it) to keep us entertained into the future. This particular novelette was one I had previously missed in the series. It was great to catch up on the backstory of local green advocate and priest, Father Philip, as he is caught up in the confusion surrounding an incident in a local farm market.

Perfect for a rainy day or as an escape from the hideousness of everyday news. Thank you Helena Marchmont. I hope you let those awkward lovers unite sometime soon.
Profile Image for Tania Rook.
496 reviews
December 1, 2025
It's hard to be a farmer. I mean, it just is. But it's even harder when you set up a little shop to give you a bit of additional income and then someone comes and trashes it. Even worse when it's Bunburry's priest in drag. I mean, that's a lot.

It's also not what happened. You don't need a Bunburry Triangle if the goings on are all straightforward. This one is about family, more specifically family relations that aren't necessarily rose-coloured. Alfie is contemplating finding his father and has complicated feelings about what that means, so time to look at it from a different perspective, prying into someone else's sordid past.

And the new character for this episode is Lavender Gin. i mean, Harredassa, obviously. But also Lavender Gin. Somewhat ironic given Harredassa doesn't drink.
Profile Image for Susanne Tz.
138 reviews6 followers
May 14, 2022
Ich mag Cosy Crime, und Bunburry sowie seine Bewohner sind sympathisch. Dennoch scheint mir die Serie so langsam etwas auf der Stelle zu treten.

Es gibt keine Charakterentwicklungen, keine Beziehungen, keine Änderungen. Nur die Verbrechen, was in diesem Fall nur ein kleiner Diebstahl war und entsprechend keine Spannung aufkam.

Kein spannender Fall und dazu auch noch sonst nichts neues - da ist es ganz gut, dass das Buch nur 144 Seiten hat. Grad so das richtige, um beim Arzt oder im Bus die Wartezeit zu überbrücken; ein paar Seiten dahinplätschernde kleine Geschichte, auf die man sich nicht gross konzentrieren muss.

Aber ich glaube, ich sollte mich nun von der Serie lösen, es wird langweilig.
Profile Image for Kataklicik.
950 reviews18 followers
October 2, 2021
Audiobook : Spotify.
Read by Nathaniel Parker.

What? No one dies in this one? 😜

I think this offering is more a development of the Bunburry village characters than it is of a mystery. Sure, there is a case to be solved but it felt more of an aside compared to the insights given into Sergeant Wilson and the Vicar. I initially rated this 3 stars but decided for 4 because it was refreshing that the story looks into other Bunburry folk rather than just concentrating on the Bunburry Parallels (and one Other). Looking forward to more stories!

Plus : Nathaniel Parker is brilliant.
164 reviews1 follower
March 5, 2021
Bunburry and Yoga?

These short stories from a place in the Cotswolds are quick and funny and delightful. I have read each with joy following the inhabitants in their daily activities. Each book in this series add a bit more to the place and
those who live there. The books are
stand alone stories but I have loved
following along and watching the
Bunburry happenings!
12 reviews
March 17, 2021
Summers and Saints

I chose this rating because it's the rating I give to all Bunbury mysteries. The only thing I don't Kris the name Bunbury Triangle. It should be Bunbury Amateur Detectives, then they can include Oscar and Emma and be BAD. I tell family, friends, and acquaintance about these books. Sometimes even strangers
746 reviews2 followers
May 1, 2021
Cute

Ms. Marchmont writes such entertaining and witty stories and charming characters that keeps you coming back for more. This book centers on Banburry's vicar and a major secret he holds. There is also a vandalism that Alfie and Emma need to handle in their inimitable way. Very enjoyable story.
762 reviews5 followers
September 12, 2021
Lukijana Nathaniel Parker.
Kylläpä olikin Nathanielilla taas kunnon eläytymistä eri ääniin ja murteisiin, kun henkilögalleria laajeni tässä kirjassa. Pidin tästä, hienovaraista huumoria ei oltu unohdettu ja Alfin ja Emman paraabeli oli taas iskussa. Monta käännettä tässä mukavassa kertomuksessa. Englantilaisen maaseudun kuvaus on kaunista.
Profile Image for E.D..
8 reviews1 follower
September 25, 2021
A bit abrupt...

I understand that writing a series can be a bit trying at times. Perhaps Ms. Larchmont should give Bunburry a pass for awhile and start a new series. This book was tired and short and the ending was like suddenly falling off the edge of a gully, it came so abruptly. I look forward to more of Ms. Marchmont's work because she really is very good.
Profile Image for Pinky.
1,682 reviews
December 29, 2021
Charming Bunburry mystery that introduces a new relative of the Vicar and some hiking at a neighboring organic farm shop. Alfie’s finally ready to redecorate/update a bit of Aunt Augusta’s cottage. The psychedelic wallpaper and hallelujah chorus doorbell will stay but the bathroom may get a makeover. We’ll see what happens next.
Profile Image for Chautona Havig.
Author 276 books1,845 followers
November 19, 2025
There are too many to review, thanks to Goodreads' not-working sidebar, so I'm copying and pasting a series review on each one:

Marchmont has created a delightful village, hilarious characters, and interesting mysteries that kept me buying the next to find out what's up in the Cotswolds. An absolute delight.
6 reviews
February 28, 2021
Poor story

Too short why do people like this? I really can't understand it . I want depth and a feeling of satisfaction. Instead an author who her "book" off in a day. Nice work if you can get it.
63 reviews1 follower
March 19, 2021
I love a good visit to Burberry

I had a tough week at work and didn’t sleep a wink this week

I finally turned off the computer and thoroughly enjoyed Saints and Sinners in one sitting
Profile Image for Teddi.
1,278 reviews
April 18, 2021
I think I'm done with this series. Some of the characters are getting on my nerves and it's all getting a bit repetitive. And the perpetrator of the crime in this one didn't even show up until the end. That is really annoying.
Profile Image for Chrissy.
105 reviews9 followers
June 6, 2021
Quick cozy mysteries are like my chocolate.

Another engaging, quick read. Alfie seemed a bit behind the mystery curve on this one, but played the role of a good friend. And I am always amused by the spunk and wisdom of Liz and Marge.
Profile Image for Lisa Campbell.
117 reviews14 followers
October 17, 2021
Getting a bit nervous about the timing of subsequent audiobooks. Pretty invested in the ongoing story lines, and would like some resolution, particularly the identity of Alfie’s parents, and how they get rid of that awful policeman (he is unredeemable).
Profile Image for Iris.
60 reviews
November 12, 2021
I came across this audiobook by scrolling for a new audiobook and I came across Sinners and Saints. I enjoyed it very much, I did not like her boss too much sexist comments but everything else was very nice. I did not want it to end but i was very happy with this audiobook.
4 reviews
September 19, 2023
Another triumph in a very entertaining series

Perfect entertainment as always from Bunburry village and intelligent and funny dialogue and situations all the way through. Love this series so much.
Profile Image for Homerun2.
2,743 reviews19 followers
February 27, 2021
Fun series of mystery shorts featuring an English village and recurring cast of characters.
14 reviews1 follower
March 5, 2021
A fun book

It was interesting with a twist.
It had a lot of new characters that added to the character of the book.
Profile Image for Leserling Belana.
606 reviews2 followers
May 3, 2021
Loved it as much as the others in the series. Pity there is no audio version, and the next one will only be released in June this year.
1 review
August 23, 2021
Weak and poor

What great characters the author has created over the past books,then almost destroyed them all with a plot and story so weak.
A great disappointment.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews

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