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Skegness Seaside #1
Deadly Chapel
She just got an invite to a wedding. Unfortunately, it is from her ex.
When Doris Cudlow attends her ex-husband's wedding, she's pretty sure it is a mistake.
Boy, is she right.
But it isn't until the bride disappears and her ex is on the run from the police that things really go downhill.
Doris teams up with her nosy landlady, and the duo turn detective to solve the mystery.
As Doris digs, she uncovers a web of lies along with a deadly secret.
What readers are
★★★★★ "Great Funny Female Sleuth"
★★★★★ "Fun First Book - Looking forward to More."
★★★★★ "Funny, charming, British Seaside Murder Mystery"
★★★★★ "Fast-paced and fun!"
★★★★★ "Page-turner Who-Dun-It"
Doris Cudlow stories are for readers who enjoy light-hearted, fun cozy mysteries. So grab a hot cup of tea and dive into this delicious book today.
When Doris Cudlow attends her ex-husband's wedding, she's pretty sure it is a mistake.
Boy, is she right.
But it isn't until the bride disappears and her ex is on the run from the police that things really go downhill.
Doris teams up with her nosy landlady, and the duo turn detective to solve the mystery.
As Doris digs, she uncovers a web of lies along with a deadly secret.
What readers are
★★★★★ "Great Funny Female Sleuth"
★★★★★ "Fun First Book - Looking forward to More."
★★★★★ "Funny, charming, British Seaside Murder Mystery"
★★★★★ "Fast-paced and fun!"
★★★★★ "Page-turner Who-Dun-It"
Doris Cudlow stories are for readers who enjoy light-hearted, fun cozy mysteries. So grab a hot cup of tea and dive into this delicious book today.
188 pages, Paperback
First published January 30, 2019
2256 people are currently reading
909 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
August 6, 2019
All I can say is "what was the writer on when he wrote this book?" It is stupid, pretty much defies explanation . To start with, when the groom is standing on the altar with the Rector when the bride starts her descent down the aisle from the BACK of the church, the lights suddenly go out and the bride disappears. When her body turns up, they arrest the groom for murder. Now, just how in the hell was he supposed to have done that? What is he, the Flash? Additionally, he was still in the church when the lights came on and she was gone. It boggles the mind, but I fear it came out of someone who did not have a mind.
Add to this the ludicrous b.s. at the newspaper office where employees that have been there for years and are summarily let go. No. reason, at least no logical one. Instantaneous, you're fired, get out, now. That may be the way the British do it, but that is not quite the way it is done in the U.S. Between unions and the National Labor Relations Board, that would be a no no.
And then, the journalists are told to ignore the abduction and murder of the bride to be and concentrate on a new hot dog that tastes like fish and chips. Now that's pushing it.
All, in all, I stopped reading it, scrolled to the end and gave it a one star, which is really didn't even deserve, and moved on to giving my review. I consider my time too valuable to be wasted on the inane meanderings of the author (and I use the word author loosely).
Well, looks like the Seaside Cozy Mystery books are permanently relegated to my "authors non grata list".
Add to this the ludicrous b.s. at the newspaper office where employees that have been there for years and are summarily let go. No. reason, at least no logical one. Instantaneous, you're fired, get out, now. That may be the way the British do it, but that is not quite the way it is done in the U.S. Between unions and the National Labor Relations Board, that would be a no no.
And then, the journalists are told to ignore the abduction and murder of the bride to be and concentrate on a new hot dog that tastes like fish and chips. Now that's pushing it.
All, in all, I stopped reading it, scrolled to the end and gave it a one star, which is really didn't even deserve, and moved on to giving my review. I consider my time too valuable to be wasted on the inane meanderings of the author (and I use the word author loosely).
Well, looks like the Seaside Cozy Mystery books are permanently relegated to my "authors non grata list".
November 9, 2020
Deadly Chapel is an entertaining, fast-paced cozy mystery, the first of the Skegness Seaside Mystery series.
I like the main character Doris Cudlow and her landlady, Mrs. Lincott. This series has potential. I plan to read the second book to see what happens next.
Rating: 3 1/2 Stars - rounded up.
P. S. The little people characters in Willie Wonka/Charlie and the Chocolate Factory are Oompa Loompas, not Munchkins (Wizard of Oz)
I like the main character Doris Cudlow and her landlady, Mrs. Lincott. This series has potential. I plan to read the second book to see what happens next.
Rating: 3 1/2 Stars - rounded up.
P. S. The little people characters in Willie Wonka/Charlie and the Chocolate Factory are Oompa Loompas, not Munchkins (Wizard of Oz)
August 18, 2019
This was a silly book. I'm all in favor of silly, but this bpook is ludicrous, as in inct5redibly stupid, and if you're going to be silly, please do so in a cut or clever way. really stupid just doesn't cut it.
I gave the author a lot of leeway and time before I arrived at this judgment. The heroine is a recovering alcoholic who also took drugs. Her job as a reporter makes no sense, nor do the details of the nurder crime committed during her ex-husband's wedding to his hoped-for new wife.
What finally set me off the deep end, after lots of terrbile dialogues and illogical interactions, was something that occurred in a subplot where the heroine and the rest of her acting class are auditioning for parts as Munchkins in a production of :"Charlie and The Choclate Factory."
Let that sink in for a minute. Pages and pages of this book have references of characters clamoring to be Munchkins in Willie Wonka. What the hell????? That's like saying Elaine, George, and Kramer are characters on Friends, or Bruce Springsteen sang the song "Jessie's Girl." The author beyyer hope no one tells the Oompa Loompas about this sloppy writing and editing.
I gave the author a lot of leeway and time before I arrived at this judgment. The heroine is a recovering alcoholic who also took drugs. Her job as a reporter makes no sense, nor do the details of the nurder crime committed during her ex-husband's wedding to his hoped-for new wife.
What finally set me off the deep end, after lots of terrbile dialogues and illogical interactions, was something that occurred in a subplot where the heroine and the rest of her acting class are auditioning for parts as Munchkins in a production of :"Charlie and The Choclate Factory."
Let that sink in for a minute. Pages and pages of this book have references of characters clamoring to be Munchkins in Willie Wonka. What the hell????? That's like saying Elaine, George, and Kramer are characters on Friends, or Bruce Springsteen sang the song "Jessie's Girl." The author beyyer hope no one tells the Oompa Loompas about this sloppy writing and editing.
December 12, 2019
I gave this story two stars because I finished it (I only give one star to books I can't finish). The premise was terrible, groom is at front of chapel with preacher, bride starts down the aisle from back, lights go out, bride disappears, body turns up, groom arrested for her murder. What are the police thinking with his alibi (the preacher and distance). Several times there was a comment about the bride's height/weight (can't remember now which it was), which did not match with the height/weight of the fiance. Don't get me started on how the MC was dragged to an audition of Willie Wonka's Chocolate Factory to audition for a part as a munchkin (really, a munchkin). Maybe the playwright wanted to combine Wonka and Oz. There's more but the book was so unmemorable that I can't think of them without going back and looking (not doing that).
Not a series I will continue with.
Not a series I will continue with.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2022
Different.
For me it took a few chapters to get into the book. The story is good. The plot line a true mystery that tests your little grey cells. My problem the characters.
The main character Doris is a woe is me, I divorced my husband because I was on drugs and an alcoholic, lost my job etc. Then there's the landlady and ex-husband, wasted space.
I usually get irritated when the author goes on and on with character descriptions but this book needed more. I have no picture of the characters in my minds eye. They could be green and purple stripes with orange and pink hair if someone wanted that image. I have the next book and I might read it since it's not a long and who knows the characters might develop.
For me it took a few chapters to get into the book. The story is good. The plot line a true mystery that tests your little grey cells. My problem the characters.
The main character Doris is a woe is me, I divorced my husband because I was on drugs and an alcoholic, lost my job etc. Then there's the landlady and ex-husband, wasted space.
I usually get irritated when the author goes on and on with character descriptions but this book needed more. I have no picture of the characters in my minds eye. They could be green and purple stripes with orange and pink hair if someone wanted that image. I have the next book and I might read it since it's not a long and who knows the characters might develop.
March 2, 2019
Wow, what a story. Doris gets invited to her ex’s wedding and she has to solve a murder. Impossible to stop reading. A bit of humour to brighten the day.
February 1, 2019
I loved this. Great start to a new series. Doris recently divorced has moved from London to a seaside town where everybody knows everybody else's business. She has a new job at the local paper. She gets an invite to her ex's wedding and gets roped into going and taking her landlady with her. While waiting for the wedding to start the lights go out. When they come back on the bride is missing. What has happened to the bride? This a well thought out story and very well written with twists. The characters are believable. Get a copy of this book. You'll be glad you did. I recommend it and I'm looking forward to the next book.
I voluntarily received a copy of this book and I'm voluntarily posting a review. My opinion is entirely my own.
I voluntarily received a copy of this book and I'm voluntarily posting a review. My opinion is entirely my own.
February 5, 2019
A Great 1st In A New Series
This is a 1st in a new cozy mystery series by N.C. Lewis. It's set in a small seaside village in England about a newly divorced woman who moved there for a job as a journalist at the local newspaper. Of course a murder occurs and she's one of the suspects. The writer does a great job of building up the characters and plotting out the story with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end. Looking forward to reading more books in the series!
This is a 1st in a new cozy mystery series by N.C. Lewis. It's set in a small seaside village in England about a newly divorced woman who moved there for a job as a journalist at the local newspaper. Of course a murder occurs and she's one of the suspects. The writer does a great job of building up the characters and plotting out the story with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end. Looking forward to reading more books in the series!
May 9, 2022
Doris Cudlow just got a new job at a newspaper. Unfortunately, she can't make it to work on time, and that's when she finds out there are changes ahead in the newspaper she works for that may make changes for her. Not to mention she received a wedding invitation in the mail -- from her ex-husband. When her landlady invites herself as Doris's guest, she has no choice but to go, even if she doesn't want to. That leads to seeing a bride disappearing, and a murder soon following. Now her ex-husband Toby is on the suspect list, and when he asks Doris for help, all she can do is say yes...
This is the first book in the series, and I really wanted to like it. Especially since I did like the cover. Unfortunately, that's the best thing about the book. Doris is boring. So boring that I really didn't care much about her...which doesn't matter, since we don't know much anyway. How tall is she? Color hair, color eyes? Thin, heavy, in-between? We don't know any of that. Pretty or plain? All we know is she married Toby right after college, and they were married ten years, so she's hitting forty pretty soon. She also has an old car and no savings, living in a small studio, and is willing to work selling hot dogs, if that's what it takes. Quite an interesting person, right? Wrong.
When Toby's bride goes missing, the inept police inspector thinks he did it. Even though when the lights went out the bride entered from the back of the church and the groom was standing in the front. Even though when the lights came back on the groom was still standing in the front of the church. Even though he has an alibi from the rector and the fact that he couldn't have been guilty, but never let that stand in the way of the truth, right? The entire plot is lost somewhere along the way, and I couldn't find it anywhere.
Plus the newspaper where Doris works -- people who have been there over ten years are told they have 30 seconds to get everything from their office because they're fired. Then when Doris is working on the murder, she's told to put that story on the back burner and write one on a new flavor of hot dog someone is working on. Seriously?
Doris is a recovering alcoholic but keeps beer and liquor in her home? Nope. Not believing that one. Then there's the audition. She auditions for a part in Willie Wonka as a munchkin. Has the author seen Willie Wonka? I think they might be thinking of The Wizard of Oz.
Sad to say, this book could have been so much better if Doris had something -- anything -- going for her that made me want to read another in this series. But even though the murderer was found, as we knew they would be, the ending didn't leave a comforting feeling that Doris has a bright future in front of her. Therefore, I really can't give this book a great rating, and I normally do love British mysteries. I gave it two stars because I finished it. Sorry.
This is the first book in the series, and I really wanted to like it. Especially since I did like the cover. Unfortunately, that's the best thing about the book. Doris is boring. So boring that I really didn't care much about her...which doesn't matter, since we don't know much anyway. How tall is she? Color hair, color eyes? Thin, heavy, in-between? We don't know any of that. Pretty or plain? All we know is she married Toby right after college, and they were married ten years, so she's hitting forty pretty soon. She also has an old car and no savings, living in a small studio, and is willing to work selling hot dogs, if that's what it takes. Quite an interesting person, right? Wrong.
When Toby's bride goes missing, the inept police inspector thinks he did it. Even though when the lights went out the bride entered from the back of the church and the groom was standing in the front. Even though when the lights came back on the groom was still standing in the front of the church. Even though he has an alibi from the rector and the fact that he couldn't have been guilty, but never let that stand in the way of the truth, right? The entire plot is lost somewhere along the way, and I couldn't find it anywhere.
Plus the newspaper where Doris works -- people who have been there over ten years are told they have 30 seconds to get everything from their office because they're fired. Then when Doris is working on the murder, she's told to put that story on the back burner and write one on a new flavor of hot dog someone is working on. Seriously?
Doris is a recovering alcoholic but keeps beer and liquor in her home? Nope. Not believing that one. Then there's the audition. She auditions for a part in Willie Wonka as a munchkin. Has the author seen Willie Wonka? I think they might be thinking of The Wizard of Oz.
Sad to say, this book could have been so much better if Doris had something -- anything -- going for her that made me want to read another in this series. But even though the murderer was found, as we knew they would be, the ending didn't leave a comforting feeling that Doris has a bright future in front of her. Therefore, I really can't give this book a great rating, and I normally do love British mysteries. I gave it two stars because I finished it. Sorry.
August 29, 2019
Deadly Chapel was an interesting debut novel by N. C. Lewis, published in eBook format. It is a fast and light read with an interesting protagonist, a plausible motive for solving the murder that forms the centerpiece of the book, and an intriguing villain revealed at the end. Indeed, I was very pleased with the discovery of the murderer’s identity, though in a sort of Agatha Christie-light fashion, Lewis doesn’t really plant the chain of evidence early in the book. There is some behavior by the murderer that seemed out of character, but that behavior was convincing for other reasons. Perhaps, we could say that the author had an alibi. Nonetheless, one is tipped early enough toward the climax that the reader is able to follow the thrill of the final chase.
Doris Cudlow is a would-be writer, biding her time as a reporter on a small newspaper in the seaside town of Skegness. Yet, circumstances are such that her position is threatened by her proximity to the police’s prime suspect in the ensuing murder. Instead of nabbing the expected exclusive, her editor-in-chief seems much more interested in firing her for not doing “softball” stories on local businesses to prop up corporate profits. Why is she so close to the story? She was there when the victim was abducted, prior to the murder, because the groom whose bride was killed happened to be her ex-husband Toby.
Doris may not be a Lord Peter Wimsey of a detective, but necessity is the mother of invention. Except for the final revelation of the murderer, the twists have adequate groundwork so that readers have no excuse. So, I see a lot of promise in this author. It was actually more satisfying than another mystery I read recently, but I won’t mention which one since folks tend to read these reviews over the years. I liked everything about this mystery except for that Agatha Christie-light ending. It would make a delightful one hour television mystery, though.
Doris Cudlow is a would-be writer, biding her time as a reporter on a small newspaper in the seaside town of Skegness. Yet, circumstances are such that her position is threatened by her proximity to the police’s prime suspect in the ensuing murder. Instead of nabbing the expected exclusive, her editor-in-chief seems much more interested in firing her for not doing “softball” stories on local businesses to prop up corporate profits. Why is she so close to the story? She was there when the victim was abducted, prior to the murder, because the groom whose bride was killed happened to be her ex-husband Toby.
Doris may not be a Lord Peter Wimsey of a detective, but necessity is the mother of invention. Except for the final revelation of the murderer, the twists have adequate groundwork so that readers have no excuse. So, I see a lot of promise in this author. It was actually more satisfying than another mystery I read recently, but I won’t mention which one since folks tend to read these reviews over the years. I liked everything about this mystery except for that Agatha Christie-light ending. It would make a delightful one hour television mystery, though.
July 30, 2019
A bit shambolic, a bit of a farce but entertaining
What a lighthearted read. Okay it might have been meant to be a serious cozy but it came out as the best of British farces. Great take off on the stiff upper lip etc and the characters are as quirky and zany as you could wish for. From our heroine (a recovering alcoholic and drug addiction journalist) who is trying to turn her life around to the quirky, nosy landlady who knows all there is to know about the town and it's residents whilst not being able to keep out of the action as it will provide fresh fodder to feed the ladies at bingo.
Moving to Skegness has her hoping to turn her life around. An invitation to her ex-husband's wedding has her vowing not to go. How is it that she ended up attending? Her landlady. A blackout, locked chapel, a missing bride, a body on the beach her new job gone, her ex accused of two murders and more. Can she work out who, how and why? And get the sausage roll loving police to take her seriously?
What a lighthearted read. Okay it might have been meant to be a serious cozy but it came out as the best of British farces. Great take off on the stiff upper lip etc and the characters are as quirky and zany as you could wish for. From our heroine (a recovering alcoholic and drug addiction journalist) who is trying to turn her life around to the quirky, nosy landlady who knows all there is to know about the town and it's residents whilst not being able to keep out of the action as it will provide fresh fodder to feed the ladies at bingo.
Moving to Skegness has her hoping to turn her life around. An invitation to her ex-husband's wedding has her vowing not to go. How is it that she ended up attending? Her landlady. A blackout, locked chapel, a missing bride, a body on the beach her new job gone, her ex accused of two murders and more. Can she work out who, how and why? And get the sausage roll loving police to take her seriously?
January 11, 2023
Doris Cudlow, a recovering alcoholic and drug addict, starts a new job as reporter in a small town on the coast of Britain, where the pooping seagulls seem to run the town. Terrible storms provide the only excitement.
Doris is about to start her second day on the job (late again because of over sleeping and car troubles) when the kindly man who hired her is fired along with Doris and half the other small staff. To add to the unpleasantness of her life, she has just received a wedding invitation to her ex-husband's wedding. She goes to the church on the big day but before the vows are said, the lights go out and they discover that someone has locked the door from the outside. When the lights go back on they discover that the bride has gone missing. The police inspector is quick to pick up Toby, the groom, for questioning but Doris knows the gentle Toby could not be a killer. She is helped by her landlady, Mrs Lintott, who also believes in Toby's innocence, to discover whodunnit.
A quick, enjoyable read!
Doris is about to start her second day on the job (late again because of over sleeping and car troubles) when the kindly man who hired her is fired along with Doris and half the other small staff. To add to the unpleasantness of her life, she has just received a wedding invitation to her ex-husband's wedding. She goes to the church on the big day but before the vows are said, the lights go out and they discover that someone has locked the door from the outside. When the lights go back on they discover that the bride has gone missing. The police inspector is quick to pick up Toby, the groom, for questioning but Doris knows the gentle Toby could not be a killer. She is helped by her landlady, Mrs Lintott, who also believes in Toby's innocence, to discover whodunnit.
A quick, enjoyable read!
March 11, 2019
Deadly Chapel
A new series whose main character is divorced, unemployed/underemployed and getting on her feet after fighting a drug and alcohol problem. Doris Cudlow is a step from down and out.
Her ex-husband is getting remarried (in the small town where she moved recently) and he wants her to attend. Seems he and the bride to be are inviting all of their 'exs'.
Her landlady is older, a member of the bingo club and plugged into the grapevine of knowledge.
What could go wrong???
Two murders, concealing a 'person of interest' and breaking and entering among other possibilities.
I really enjoyed the story line, not figuring out the ending is high on my list of priorities for a good read!
The plot was well thought through and the characters are complex-for the first story of a new series.
A new series whose main character is divorced, unemployed/underemployed and getting on her feet after fighting a drug and alcohol problem. Doris Cudlow is a step from down and out.
Her ex-husband is getting remarried (in the small town where she moved recently) and he wants her to attend. Seems he and the bride to be are inviting all of their 'exs'.
Her landlady is older, a member of the bingo club and plugged into the grapevine of knowledge.
What could go wrong???
Two murders, concealing a 'person of interest' and breaking and entering among other possibilities.
I really enjoyed the story line, not figuring out the ending is high on my list of priorities for a good read!
The plot was well thought through and the characters are complex-for the first story of a new series.
Read
May 5, 2020Meet Doris Cudlow, underemployed journalist, and recent divorcee from London. She's got a lot on her plate, trying to make a new life in the English seaside town of Skegness.
Throw in a nosy landlady, an invitation to her ex-husband's wedding and murder, and she's knee deep in a baffling mystery.
Perhaps the seaside town of Skegness is not as idyllic as it first seemed?
With wit, warmth, a little help from her landlady, Doris keeps digging. But when she ruffles feathers, things take an unexpected turn. Convinced the police are barking up the wrong tree, Doris puts her journalist skills to the test to untangle a dangerous web of secrets, lies and deceit.
As a newbie to town does Doris have what it takes to get to the bottom of this extraordinary murder mystery?
I don't think I read this.
Throw in a nosy landlady, an invitation to her ex-husband's wedding and murder, and she's knee deep in a baffling mystery.
Perhaps the seaside town of Skegness is not as idyllic as it first seemed?
With wit, warmth, a little help from her landlady, Doris keeps digging. But when she ruffles feathers, things take an unexpected turn. Convinced the police are barking up the wrong tree, Doris puts her journalist skills to the test to untangle a dangerous web of secrets, lies and deceit.
As a newbie to town does Doris have what it takes to get to the bottom of this extraordinary murder mystery?
I don't think I read this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2019
In Deep Deception
EWW Ms.Lewis you've done it again laugh out loud murder mystery full of intreage and humor as well as a heart and soul twist Doris mest every thing up in her marriage and courier now she's living in a small coastal town in a small bedsit starting a new job in a small newspaper office. With a wedding invitation in her pocket, the invitation to her ex husband's wedding. Most every one in town is betting on what's in that envelop, her landlady insists to know not allowing Doris out the door unless i'ts contents is know. What a start to her new life, could it be any worse. Pick up a copy of"Deadly Chaplel"find out how worse it became, you'll enjoy it I didn't put it asside until I started writing this review. 🤔😮🙄😉 Kat
EWW Ms.Lewis you've done it again laugh out loud murder mystery full of intreage and humor as well as a heart and soul twist Doris mest every thing up in her marriage and courier now she's living in a small coastal town in a small bedsit starting a new job in a small newspaper office. With a wedding invitation in her pocket, the invitation to her ex husband's wedding. Most every one in town is betting on what's in that envelop, her landlady insists to know not allowing Doris out the door unless i'ts contents is know. What a start to her new life, could it be any worse. Pick up a copy of"Deadly Chaplel"find out how worse it became, you'll enjoy it I didn't put it asside until I started writing this review. 🤔😮🙄😉 Kat
August 29, 2019
Always dreamed of moving to a seaside village?
Follow Doris, she has relocated to a picturesque seaside village and she's managed to snag her dream job of being a reporter at the local newspaper. Doris finally is on the right track but her fortunes are quickly turned by the tides of her new seaside home. Car trouble, running late for work, an ex-husbands invitation to his remarriage, new owner's at the newspaper, a murder at a wedding, and finally being fired from her dream job, what else can go wrong? The swift change of tides also make Doris realize she still loves her ex-husband...Follow along with Doris to see how she copes , turns everything around, and saves the day!
Follow Doris, she has relocated to a picturesque seaside village and she's managed to snag her dream job of being a reporter at the local newspaper. Doris finally is on the right track but her fortunes are quickly turned by the tides of her new seaside home. Car trouble, running late for work, an ex-husbands invitation to his remarriage, new owner's at the newspaper, a murder at a wedding, and finally being fired from her dream job, what else can go wrong? The swift change of tides also make Doris realize she still loves her ex-husband...Follow along with Doris to see how she copes , turns everything around, and saves the day!
March 1, 2022
This was a fun story. I started reading it because I needed something light while I waited for various appointments, but it quickly drew me in with its many strange and zany characters. Set at a newsroom, theater, hot dog stand, and boarding house, to name a few of the locations, you could never tell where the story would go next. But in a small town, any news is big news, so when a bride vanishes from her wedding and is fished out of the lake the next day, everyone thinks they know what happened. It's fun to watch them put pieces together in surprising (and mostly inaccurate) ways until the very end. I also loved how the postmaster and many of the townsfolk would place bets on the mail (and anything else they could think of). It was a fun, easy read. I quite enjoyed it.
September 1, 2019
This is a good read. Doris is a journalist who has divorced her husband and moved to a small seaside town for a new start. She gets an invite to her husband's wedding and life begins to spiral out of control. It gets really bad when the bride disappears at the wedding. Lewis weaves an interesting search for the bride and what happened to her. In addition, the characters are strong and clear, although Doris is a recovering drug addict/alcoholic don’t look for the focus to be on drug or alcohol addiction, the mystery is the story. Doris is a brave, strong, empowered woman who happens to have baggage.
September 17, 2019
I read a lot, and much of what I read is good. But when I opened Deadly Chapel, I was amazed! This book rocks! I was hooked by the first page, completely fell in love with the main character, and I will read every book in this series. Probably more than once. N.C. Lewis is my new favorite author.
By the end of the first chapter you want to grab the main character and take her out for a drink, because with everything she's gone through - she needs it!
One of N.C.'s best talents is crafting unforgettable, relatable characters. Where some books put me to sleep, this book woke me up!
Thank you N.C. Lewis!
By the end of the first chapter you want to grab the main character and take her out for a drink, because with everything she's gone through - she needs it!
One of N.C.'s best talents is crafting unforgettable, relatable characters. Where some books put me to sleep, this book woke me up!
Thank you N.C. Lewis!
October 22, 2019
This is an easy read. I don't agree with another reviewer: there's no suggestion the groom killed the lights so he could murder the bride. Her body wasn't found there and then but later, so the dousing of the lights is not connected with the time of death and never was. It's the reviewer who erroneously surmised this.
The issue I have (which reduced the number of stars) is that verisimilitude has been adversely affected by the use of many Americanisms: gas (petrol), bathroom (loo), movie (film) spring immediately to mind. If it's supposed to be Brits, they need to talk (and write) like Brits.
The issue I have (which reduced the number of stars) is that verisimilitude has been adversely affected by the use of many Americanisms: gas (petrol), bathroom (loo), movie (film) spring immediately to mind. If it's supposed to be Brits, they need to talk (and write) like Brits.
March 4, 2022
Cozy and sweet filled with some colorful characters
This being the first book in a series of mystery stories, I really enjoyed getting to know the village and the folk. Dolores moves from London to a seaside village filled with a cornucopia of characters and a gangster and a murderer. From her car, to the weather, to an exhusband's wedding all seems to her being in quite a tangle as the story continues. The author has a wonderful way of describing the scenes, characters and has a great sense of humor. The storyline is a twist of "who done it's" and the end was a surprise. I will continue to read this series and recommend it to everyone who needs a good story to read.
This being the first book in a series of mystery stories, I really enjoyed getting to know the village and the folk. Dolores moves from London to a seaside village filled with a cornucopia of characters and a gangster and a murderer. From her car, to the weather, to an exhusband's wedding all seems to her being in quite a tangle as the story continues. The author has a wonderful way of describing the scenes, characters and has a great sense of humor. The storyline is a twist of "who done it's" and the end was a surprise. I will continue to read this series and recommend it to everyone who needs a good story to read.
May 2, 2024
Doris Cudlow mystery:
Recovering alcoholic, newspaper reporter. She's invited to her ex-husband's wedding. (Toby Cudlow)
Marrying Norah Porlock who is murdered, actually prior to the wedding, but not determined immediately because *(Lucy Baxter)* impersonated her prior to the lights going out. She also murdered Leo Warrington, who was Norah's ex boyfriend.
Lucy, head of local newspaper, the Skegness Telegraph was laying off employees, but not showing it on the books because she was pocketing the money.
Norah found out about this as an auditor.
Ian Paddington was in charge of the newspaper.
Recovering alcoholic, newspaper reporter. She's invited to her ex-husband's wedding. (Toby Cudlow)
Marrying Norah Porlock who is murdered, actually prior to the wedding, but not determined immediately because *(Lucy Baxter)* impersonated her prior to the lights going out. She also murdered Leo Warrington, who was Norah's ex boyfriend.
Lucy, head of local newspaper, the Skegness Telegraph was laying off employees, but not showing it on the books because she was pocketing the money.
Norah found out about this as an auditor.
Ian Paddington was in charge of the newspaper.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2019
It's okay
The setting was not a pleasant location as described by the author. The characters were no one you would read like to be friends with. The story its self was not all that interesting but over all the read was somewhat entertaining. I guess the story fit the gentry as a cosy mystery. Your blood pressure will not raise as you read. No foul language or sexual content. "G" RATING
The setting was not a pleasant location as described by the author. The characters were no one you would read like to be friends with. The story its self was not all that interesting but over all the read was somewhat entertaining. I guess the story fit the gentry as a cosy mystery. Your blood pressure will not raise as you read. No foul language or sexual content. "G" RATING
March 12, 2022
I think it's good that everyone has different tastes. This was an easy book to read quickly. There were some really fun moments and there were some moments that I wondered if the author took a break before finishing the scene. I don't think I've ever given a bad review, because we do all have different tastes, different styles, and different viewpoints. If I don't like a book or author, I just don't finish the book and usually delete it from my library. Hats off to anyone who has the will and gumption to write a book to share with others. I think some readers will thoroughly enjoy this book.
May 5, 2022
This is dumb book with a dumb plot and dumb characters. The author should stick with her day job and leave the writing to those who know how to write; they clearly don't. The most egregious example of the author's lack of care for their audience is their reference to Alcoholics Anonymous 'councilors'. Even a minimal bit of research would have informed them that AA does not have 'councilors'; they have sponsors.
June 13, 2022
Deadly Chapel — N.C. Lewis (40 chapters) June 11, 2022
A woman gets an invitation to her’s ex-husband’s marriage and the bride disappears before the vows can be said.
A very quick complete read (don’t let the chapter count fool you!) I enjoyed the series, but not sure if I will continue it, as it looks like the stories get longer and longer as time goes on.
This was the perfect amount of story for me and I liked that I could read it in one setting.
Four stars.
A woman gets an invitation to her’s ex-husband’s marriage and the bride disappears before the vows can be said.
A very quick complete read (don’t let the chapter count fool you!) I enjoyed the series, but not sure if I will continue it, as it looks like the stories get longer and longer as time goes on.
This was the perfect amount of story for me and I liked that I could read it in one setting.
Four stars.
September 3, 2022
Small town mystery, with not very likeable but very stereotypical protagonists, and a plot that could have, in my opinion, done with a bit more "fleshing out". Then again, for me, the story being only 144 pages was good, as I will always try to finish a story, no matter how much (or not at all) I like it. I owe it to the author, especially in view of the fact that I could not write a story and publish it.
January 25, 2023
Deadly Chapel
This wasn't the best book that I've ever read, but it wasn't bad. Doris, the main character, gets an invitation to a wedding from her ex-husband, whom she had divorced several years earlier. Doris has moved to a new town and gotten a new job at the newspaper office in her town. You will have to read the rest for yourself. As I have said, the book is pretty good and I enjoyed it.
This wasn't the best book that I've ever read, but it wasn't bad. Doris, the main character, gets an invitation to a wedding from her ex-husband, whom she had divorced several years earlier. Doris has moved to a new town and gotten a new job at the newspaper office in her town. You will have to read the rest for yourself. As I have said, the book is pretty good and I enjoyed it.
August 11, 2019
Bland and colorless
The premise is interesting - a protagonist who is a recovering alcoholic -but this story could have been set in Iowa for all the mention of its supposed location in England. The twist at the end, while intriguing, felt like a cheat because there was so little character development.
Overall, disappointing.
The premise is interesting - a protagonist who is a recovering alcoholic -but this story could have been set in Iowa for all the mention of its supposed location in England. The twist at the end, while intriguing, felt like a cheat because there was so little character development.
Overall, disappointing.
August 17, 2019
Another entertaining 'cozy mystery' from NC Lewis, whose books always involve quirky characters. Very interesting to have a series set in the UK - they're almost always set in the USofA.
Looking forward to reading more about Doris Cudlow and her life in Skegness.
This is a genre that I keep for 'bedtime reading', when I want to wind down at the end of the day.
Looking forward to reading more about Doris Cudlow and her life in Skegness.
This is a genre that I keep for 'bedtime reading', when I want to wind down at the end of the day.
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