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Birds of a Feather Mystery #1
The Rhyme of the Magpie
Listening Length: 8 hours and 29 minutes
The high-flying new Birds of a Feather mystery series from Marty Wingate begins as a British woman gets caught up in a dangerous plot when her celebrity father disappears.
With her personal life in disarray, Julia Lanchester feels she has no option but to quit her job on her father’s hit BBC Two nature show, A Bird in the Hand. Accepting a tourist management position in Smeaton-under-Lyme, a quaint village in the English countryside, Julia throws herself into her new life, delighting sightseers (and a local member of the gentry) with tales of ancient Romans and pillaging Vikings.
But the past is front and center when her father, Rupert, tracks her down in a moment of desperation. Julia refuses to hear him out; his quick remarriage after her mother’s death was one of the reasons Julia flew the coop. But later she gets a distressed call from her new stepmum: Rupert has gone missing. Julia decides to investigate—she owes him that much, at least—and her father’s new assistant, the infuriatingly dapper Michael Sedgwick, offers to help. Little does the unlikely pair realize that awaiting them is a tightly woven nest of lies and murder.
The high-flying new Birds of a Feather mystery series from Marty Wingate begins as a British woman gets caught up in a dangerous plot when her celebrity father disappears.
With her personal life in disarray, Julia Lanchester feels she has no option but to quit her job on her father’s hit BBC Two nature show, A Bird in the Hand. Accepting a tourist management position in Smeaton-under-Lyme, a quaint village in the English countryside, Julia throws herself into her new life, delighting sightseers (and a local member of the gentry) with tales of ancient Romans and pillaging Vikings.
But the past is front and center when her father, Rupert, tracks her down in a moment of desperation. Julia refuses to hear him out; his quick remarriage after her mother’s death was one of the reasons Julia flew the coop. But later she gets a distressed call from her new stepmum: Rupert has gone missing. Julia decides to investigate—she owes him that much, at least—and her father’s new assistant, the infuriatingly dapper Michael Sedgwick, offers to help. Little does the unlikely pair realize that awaiting them is a tightly woven nest of lies and murder.
9 pages, Audiobook
Published July 24, 2018
1227 people are currently reading
1070 people want to read
About the author
Marty Wingate
32 books695 followersUSA Today best-selling author Marty Wingate writes The First Edition Library series (Berkley) set in Bath, England, about the curator of a collection of books from the Golden Age of Mystery. Book one, The Bodies in the Library, concerns murder among an Agatha Christie fan-fiction writing group, and in book two, Murder Is a Must (October 2020), an exhibition manager is found dead at the bottom of a spiral staircase. Marty also writes historical fiction: Glamour Girls (Alcove Press, January 2021) follows Spitfire pilot Rosalie Wright through both the physical and emotional dangers of the Second World War. Marty writes two further mystery series: the Potting Shed books (Alibi) feature Pru Parke, a middle-aged American gardener transplanted from Texas to England, and the Birds of a Feather series (Alibi) follows Julia Lanchester, bird lover, who runs a tourist office in a Suffolk village.
Marty prefers on-the-ground research whenever possible, and so she and her husband regularly travel to England and Scotland, where she can be found tracing the steps of her characters, stopping for tea and a slice of Victoria sponge in a café, or enjoying a swift half in a pub.
Marty prefers on-the-ground research whenever possible, and so she and her husband regularly travel to England and Scotland, where she can be found tracing the steps of her characters, stopping for tea and a slice of Victoria sponge in a café, or enjoying a swift half in a pub.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 194 reviews
April 19, 2019
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Rupert, a famous birdman, and his daughter are still at odds after he married her mom's best friend only six months after the death of his wife. Then Rupert disappears without warning during the time one of his arch rivals was murdered near their rustic, get-away cottage. His daughter and Rupert's assistant discover the dead man and become entwined together in the mystery of the murder.
The characters are difficult to get to know and there is very little growth. I could not identify with them. The plotline did not move smoothly and slogged, dragging ever so slowly. It was clean, but not in the least bit captivating. At least that is my opinion.
As a cozy mystery, this book does not tickle my taste buds. So I would have rated it 2 1/2 stars, but rounded it up to a three. It appears to appease other readers. Such is the way of life.
The audible version of this book was read by Beverley A. Crick and available through Hoopla. I actually appreciated the deliverance by this narrator very much.
.
Rupert, a famous birdman, and his daughter are still at odds after he married her mom's best friend only six months after the death of his wife. Then Rupert disappears without warning during the time one of his arch rivals was murdered near their rustic, get-away cottage. His daughter and Rupert's assistant discover the dead man and become entwined together in the mystery of the murder.
The characters are difficult to get to know and there is very little growth. I could not identify with them. The plotline did not move smoothly and slogged, dragging ever so slowly. It was clean, but not in the least bit captivating. At least that is my opinion.
As a cozy mystery, this book does not tickle my taste buds. So I would have rated it 2 1/2 stars, but rounded it up to a three. It appears to appease other readers. Such is the way of life.
The audible version of this book was read by Beverley A. Crick and available through Hoopla. I actually appreciated the deliverance by this narrator very much.
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June 29, 2024
Resentful of her father’s hasty remarriage, impulsive Julia Lanchester flees her home and her job working for her father’s BBC Two nature show, A Bird in the Hand, to the English countryside; there, she takes a tourism post in Smeaton-under-Lyme, Suffolk. But her father, renowned bird expert Rupert Lanchester, doesn’t want to take no for an answer from his distraught daughter; he tracks her down to her cottage. After a failed attempted reconciliation, Rupert leaves Suffolk, but the ornithologist disappears the next morning.
Assisted by her replacement —Rupert’s straitlaced new assistant, Michael Sedgwick — Julia tries to track down her old man. What the pair finds instead a murdered corpse.
You don’t need to be a bird watcher or a cozy lover to enjoy The Rhyme of the Magpie, which could have been another twee meet-cute romance-cum-mystery, but instead oozes oodles of charm and a mystery with enough twists to keep you guessing. I never guessed who the murderer was, although readers will work out a subplot before Julia does. Still, that won’t detract from enjoying this first novel of a planned series by Marty Wingate; I can hardly wait for the sequel and the further adventures of the intrepid and clever Julia Lanchester.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group — Alibi in exchange for an honest review.
Assisted by her replacement —Rupert’s straitlaced new assistant, Michael Sedgwick — Julia tries to track down her old man. What the pair finds instead a murdered corpse.
You don’t need to be a bird watcher or a cozy lover to enjoy The Rhyme of the Magpie, which could have been another twee meet-cute romance-cum-mystery, but instead oozes oodles of charm and a mystery with enough twists to keep you guessing. I never guessed who the murderer was, although readers will work out a subplot before Julia does. Still, that won’t detract from enjoying this first novel of a planned series by Marty Wingate; I can hardly wait for the sequel and the further adventures of the intrepid and clever Julia Lanchester.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group — Alibi in exchange for an honest review.
December 3, 2020
This is a likeable cosy mystery. There's a lot of getting to know the characters as this is the first in a series and there were lots of red herrings in the mystery that got a bit much. But overall a lovely cosy read.
April 27, 2017
This is the first book in Marty Wingate's series, Birds of a Feather Mysteries. Julia Lanchester is set adrift after the unexpected death of her mother and the remarriage of her father to her mother's best friend only 6 month's later. She quits her job as her father's assistant and runs away from home. She left in a huff and has not spoken to him in a few months. Her father, Rupert Lanchester, is the host of the BBC show, A Bird in the Hand, designed to bring nature, specifically birds into the lives of everyone. He is also an ardent environmentalist. Julia has moved to Smeaton-under-Lyme where she has been hired to run the Tourist Information Centre. It is a quaint little town, owned by the Lord. When Rupert shows up and tries to mend fences with Julia, she dismisses him outright. When she gets a call from her step-mother that he is missing and he left his phone behind, she immediately forgets her grudge and sets out to find him. With the help of his new assistant, Michael, they head off to Marshy End to see if he is hiding out at the family's cottage. What they find is a dead body of a PR man. The company he is representing is trying to put up a wind farm that Rupert has been publicly fighting against and recently had an argument with the deceased. Rupert, it seems, is nowhere to be found. The police are now looking for him as well to question him. Did Rupert kill the man? Where is he hiding? Can Julia find him before the police do?
I found the beginning of the book a little slow moving. I know that there needs to be background given in a new series, but it took a long time to get into the story. I stuck with it and it did finally get better with several twists and turns. There were a lot of people with motive for the murder, so Julia got into a lot of situations trying to figure this one out. There were also a couple of side stories that gave some background to the characters, but seemed to be filler to the story. I have read the second one in this series and I liked it a lot more, so I know the writing gets better.
I found the beginning of the book a little slow moving. I know that there needs to be background given in a new series, but it took a long time to get into the story. I stuck with it and it did finally get better with several twists and turns. There were a lot of people with motive for the murder, so Julia got into a lot of situations trying to figure this one out. There were also a couple of side stories that gave some background to the characters, but seemed to be filler to the story. I have read the second one in this series and I liked it a lot more, so I know the writing gets better.
Want to read
October 12, 2025Mood/Seasonal Reading: May
August 13, 2024
3.75 stars
A great start to the series. I enjoyed trying to solve who the murderer was, but as usual with these types of books, I was not even close. I look forward to reading the next book sometime soon.
A great start to the series. I enjoyed trying to solve who the murderer was, but as usual with these types of books, I was not even close. I look forward to reading the next book sometime soon.
May 18, 2015
I have been a fan of Marty Wingate since the first of the Potting Shed Mysteries, The Garden Plot, and was delighted to have the opportunity to read the first book in the Bird of a Feather mysteries. I have always said that her books are "almost" as good as a trip to England. The Rhyme of the Magpie proved to be no exception.
Julia Lanchester's life has been in disarray since the remarriage of her famous birder father, Rupert. Not only did her father remarry within months of her mother's death but the woman he married was her mother's closest friend. Hurt and angry, Julia quit her job as his assistant on his BBC series and broke off all communication. She relocated and is settling into a new job as tourism director at a historic estate when her father shows up, seeking a reconciliation. Julia refuses but when her father goes missing, everything changes. Along with her father's new assistant, Michael Sedgwick, Julia discovers even more mysteries swirling about her father and his somewhat uncommunicative assistant.
The Rhyme of the Magpie is chock full of birding lore and ongoing environmental concerns about destruction of the English countryside. The characters are strong and likeable even though Julia brings new meaning to the word "stubborn". It was a very enjoyable and fast paced read. Thanks to netgalley.com and Alibi for an advance digital copy.
Julia Lanchester's life has been in disarray since the remarriage of her famous birder father, Rupert. Not only did her father remarry within months of her mother's death but the woman he married was her mother's closest friend. Hurt and angry, Julia quit her job as his assistant on his BBC series and broke off all communication. She relocated and is settling into a new job as tourism director at a historic estate when her father shows up, seeking a reconciliation. Julia refuses but when her father goes missing, everything changes. Along with her father's new assistant, Michael Sedgwick, Julia discovers even more mysteries swirling about her father and his somewhat uncommunicative assistant.
The Rhyme of the Magpie is chock full of birding lore and ongoing environmental concerns about destruction of the English countryside. The characters are strong and likeable even though Julia brings new meaning to the word "stubborn". It was a very enjoyable and fast paced read. Thanks to netgalley.com and Alibi for an advance digital copy.
October 26, 2019
This is also a cheat book I listened too while driving around Northern California on a business trip. I should give it more stars because it fit the bill perfectly for long drives between boring meetings but I can’t abide with female protagonists doing stupid things against advice and reason just to move a plot along. And no ones eyes change color based on their mood no matter how sexy you want your mysterious love interest to seem.
May 19, 2015
It started as a simple rhyme for children learning to count. Over the years, it seemed to be almost a guide to omens, depending on how many magpies in their “black-and-white court jester outfits” one might see at one time. For example, Julia Lanchester just knew her sister Bianca was pregnant again and would have a little boy because of the number of magpies seen that day. Now, however, the stakes were too high – Julia’s father had gone missing and left first one, then another message about the rhyme.
It had been less than 6 months after Julia’s beloved mother Anne’s passing when her father wed her mother’s best friend, Beryl. Furious with what seemed a betrayal of her mother’s memory, she refused to visit them. She had moved out of the house that had been home most of her life to get away from this betrayal and stopped working for her father, Rupert, as the associate producer for his nature program, A Bird in the Hand, on BBC. Julia had found a job in a completely new line of work for Lord Linus Fotheringill as the Tourist Information Manager; she also lived in the tiny Pipit Cottage on the Fotheringill estate in Smeaton-under-Lyme, Suffolk, England.
Many areas in Suffolk house breeding grounds for rare birds; Power to the People was a huge PR firm acting on behalf of the company trying to push through approval of a wind farm that would destroy the protected site of the stone curlews. Rupert Lanchester, Ornithologist was very much against any developments that would destroy areas where rare birds lived or bred, and he was working against the wind farm. During the heat of the controversy, Rupert goes missing, leaving a partial text behind for Julia and a brief note for his bride. Julia meets her father’s new associate producer, Michael Sedgwick, and they help each other reason out where Rupert might be while Michael learns more about the program and his new position from her. They go to check out Marshy End, the old family cottage often used as a holiday getaway or Rupert’s place to work out challenges for his work. That’s where they found the body of the spokesman for Power to the People, a man with whom Julia’s father had previously had very public arguments. And it was clear that the man did not die of natural causes. They had to find Rupert soon while they also wanted to prove his innocence…
Marty Wingate, author of the Potting Shed Mysteries, is also the author of The Rhyme of the Magpie, first in the “A Birds of a Feather” series. As an ‘armchair’ bird watcher, the name of this new series captivated me. Julia is, of course, my favorite person so far in this series. A serious, intelligent, and logical woman, she is the kind of woman that will succeed in almost any business endeavor she sets her mind on. Her creative talent is put to good use as a Tourist Information Manager. This combination of creativity and logic, as well as love for her father, is what she desperately needs to find him. Julia also has good insight into people, and is trying to understand Michael. She sees his lack of background, a mystery man who comes off sounding caring and sincere, while the facts don’t quite line up.
The cover art is gorgeous, colorful and attractive, reflecting the story itself. The plot is multi-layered and brought through to fruition completely and with excellence. It is satisfying to read a mystery for which there may be more than one suspect, a variety of plot twists, and a solution that keeps this reader guessing to the very end. Cozy readers looking for humor might be disappointed in this story, but bird enthusiasts and those who like their cozies to be filled with information on whatever the subject is will appreciate it. This novel is rich in descriptives of both the aged estate and the lands where various rare birds with a female sleuth who is intelligent and intuitive. I highly recommend this mystery to fans of Marty Wingate, English cozy mysteries, and challenging plots; it is the kind of tale that we who love cozy mysteries will stay up until all hours to read. I, for one, am looking forward to seeing how the series progresses!
With a grateful heart, I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for the purpose of an honest review. All opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.
It had been less than 6 months after Julia’s beloved mother Anne’s passing when her father wed her mother’s best friend, Beryl. Furious with what seemed a betrayal of her mother’s memory, she refused to visit them. She had moved out of the house that had been home most of her life to get away from this betrayal and stopped working for her father, Rupert, as the associate producer for his nature program, A Bird in the Hand, on BBC. Julia had found a job in a completely new line of work for Lord Linus Fotheringill as the Tourist Information Manager; she also lived in the tiny Pipit Cottage on the Fotheringill estate in Smeaton-under-Lyme, Suffolk, England.
Many areas in Suffolk house breeding grounds for rare birds; Power to the People was a huge PR firm acting on behalf of the company trying to push through approval of a wind farm that would destroy the protected site of the stone curlews. Rupert Lanchester, Ornithologist was very much against any developments that would destroy areas where rare birds lived or bred, and he was working against the wind farm. During the heat of the controversy, Rupert goes missing, leaving a partial text behind for Julia and a brief note for his bride. Julia meets her father’s new associate producer, Michael Sedgwick, and they help each other reason out where Rupert might be while Michael learns more about the program and his new position from her. They go to check out Marshy End, the old family cottage often used as a holiday getaway or Rupert’s place to work out challenges for his work. That’s where they found the body of the spokesman for Power to the People, a man with whom Julia’s father had previously had very public arguments. And it was clear that the man did not die of natural causes. They had to find Rupert soon while they also wanted to prove his innocence…
Marty Wingate, author of the Potting Shed Mysteries, is also the author of The Rhyme of the Magpie, first in the “A Birds of a Feather” series. As an ‘armchair’ bird watcher, the name of this new series captivated me. Julia is, of course, my favorite person so far in this series. A serious, intelligent, and logical woman, she is the kind of woman that will succeed in almost any business endeavor she sets her mind on. Her creative talent is put to good use as a Tourist Information Manager. This combination of creativity and logic, as well as love for her father, is what she desperately needs to find him. Julia also has good insight into people, and is trying to understand Michael. She sees his lack of background, a mystery man who comes off sounding caring and sincere, while the facts don’t quite line up.
The cover art is gorgeous, colorful and attractive, reflecting the story itself. The plot is multi-layered and brought through to fruition completely and with excellence. It is satisfying to read a mystery for which there may be more than one suspect, a variety of plot twists, and a solution that keeps this reader guessing to the very end. Cozy readers looking for humor might be disappointed in this story, but bird enthusiasts and those who like their cozies to be filled with information on whatever the subject is will appreciate it. This novel is rich in descriptives of both the aged estate and the lands where various rare birds with a female sleuth who is intelligent and intuitive. I highly recommend this mystery to fans of Marty Wingate, English cozy mysteries, and challenging plots; it is the kind of tale that we who love cozy mysteries will stay up until all hours to read. I, for one, am looking forward to seeing how the series progresses!
With a grateful heart, I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for the purpose of an honest review. All opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.
August 21, 2016
This was a nice start to a good series (I'm hoping). I really like Julia as the MC, she's smart and interesting and stubborn, but very caring. I loved the setting and would love to read more about the events Julia is planning to hold on the estate. I don't know much about bird or bird watching, but I enjoyed how the story pretty revolved and evolved around them. The mystery was curious and I was definitely surprised when I found out the culprit. I like the budding romance and am crossing my fingers this does not turn into any kind of love triangle-esque thing. I will definitely be continuing with this series and hope for even more character development (Julia is already changing a bit in this one).
Read
March 3, 2017This book took me quite a while to get in to. Like many that I have been reading lately. I may be losing my will to read. I hope not!
Finally, it took hold and I was not able to put it down. I seem to take some time to get into the books that are written about and in England. They have many names and many different things than we do and I find that I must think about it every time I read one. I will have to read them more often and keep them in mind.
Julia Lanchester worked with her father Rupert Lanchester on a BBC TV Show Called "Birds Of A Feather" right up to the time of her Mum's death. At which time, her father said about 6 months later that he was going to marry her Mum's best friend, Beryl. Julia thought that was too soon and moved out of the house and found another job with a tour agency in a neighboring Village and moved to a small cottage on their property.
This was a very good book and there were more than one murder to be solved. Julia was able to be involved in many problems and was able to get out of many with the help of the local police.
She found a love interest and hopefully she will still have Michael in the next book in the series which I have just ordered. The book is well written and kept my interested.
Finally, it took hold and I was not able to put it down. I seem to take some time to get into the books that are written about and in England. They have many names and many different things than we do and I find that I must think about it every time I read one. I will have to read them more often and keep them in mind.
Julia Lanchester worked with her father Rupert Lanchester on a BBC TV Show Called "Birds Of A Feather" right up to the time of her Mum's death. At which time, her father said about 6 months later that he was going to marry her Mum's best friend, Beryl. Julia thought that was too soon and moved out of the house and found another job with a tour agency in a neighboring Village and moved to a small cottage on their property.
This was a very good book and there were more than one murder to be solved. Julia was able to be involved in many problems and was able to get out of many with the help of the local police.
She found a love interest and hopefully she will still have Michael in the next book in the series which I have just ordered. The book is well written and kept my interested.
July 24, 2016
Rhyme of the Magpie is the first in a new cozy mystery series from Marty Wingate. Fans of her Potting Shed series will devour this latest offering.
Julia is a divorcee in her thirties who has run away from home. Rupert, her recently widowed father, has found a new wife too quickly for Julia’s grief to comprehend. Julia quits her job as assistant on her father’s famous BBC show and has settled into a new job, new cottage, and a new town. But when Julia’s father goes missing, she’s ready to forgive old grudges and do anything to solve the case, even working alongside Rupert’s attractive new assistant, Michael.
Julia is an emotional character, full of the ups and downs associated with a major loss but at times her emotions lead to rash decisions. Michael, who is level headed, makes a good spoil to her reckless behaviors. Julia tends to miss clues that are blatantly obvious to the reader but rather than ruin the story, her haphazard methods add suspense for the reader. The action is slow to start—stick with it, the author is forming the framework for a well-paced mystery. Romance is subtle to start but blooming at the conclusion. The use of the children’s nursery rhyme about magpies, while not unique, is charming and completely valid within the story.
Birds, bird watching, and nature are rampant throughout the novel and add rather than detract. Those with little to no knowledge of ornithology will not be distracted or left out of the loop. This novel was a great lazy day read. I will be watching for the second in the series. I can now officially say that I am a Marty Wingate fan.
The publisher and NetGalley provided me with a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.
Julia is a divorcee in her thirties who has run away from home. Rupert, her recently widowed father, has found a new wife too quickly for Julia’s grief to comprehend. Julia quits her job as assistant on her father’s famous BBC show and has settled into a new job, new cottage, and a new town. But when Julia’s father goes missing, she’s ready to forgive old grudges and do anything to solve the case, even working alongside Rupert’s attractive new assistant, Michael.
Julia is an emotional character, full of the ups and downs associated with a major loss but at times her emotions lead to rash decisions. Michael, who is level headed, makes a good spoil to her reckless behaviors. Julia tends to miss clues that are blatantly obvious to the reader but rather than ruin the story, her haphazard methods add suspense for the reader. The action is slow to start—stick with it, the author is forming the framework for a well-paced mystery. Romance is subtle to start but blooming at the conclusion. The use of the children’s nursery rhyme about magpies, while not unique, is charming and completely valid within the story.
Birds, bird watching, and nature are rampant throughout the novel and add rather than detract. Those with little to no knowledge of ornithology will not be distracted or left out of the loop. This novel was a great lazy day read. I will be watching for the second in the series. I can now officially say that I am a Marty Wingate fan.
The publisher and NetGalley provided me with a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.
August 10, 2016
This was a new author for me and I did enjoy the book.
After the unexpected death of her mother and the remarriage of her father to her mother's best friend 6 month's later, Julia Lanchester has run away from work and home. Julia worked as an assistant to her father, an environmentalist and birder. She left in a huff and hasn't spoken to him in months. When he shows up and tries to mend fences Julia grudgingly agrees to see him. When he and her car disappear she goes out to Marshy End with his new assistant they find the dead body of a man trying to get approval for a wind farm that would destroy the natural habitat of local birds and he father is no where to be found and now the police are looking for him also.
I found the beginning of the book a little slow going. Of course it could be that I had problems with the Julia character acting the way she was written. A 30+ year old woman running away so she didn't have to deal with problems reminds me of an ostrich sticking its head in the sand. She also seemed to be a kind of woe is me person which did get on my nerves a bit. If I wasn't reading this for a book challenge I might have put it down, which would have been a shame.
While the characters need to be filled out more because I had no sense of who any of the others really were except the MC, I found myself liking the story line and the twists and turns which gave more than 1 or even 2 motives for murder. I won't say more because you should read it.
I started to put the next book of the series on my list and Marty Wingate's other series only to find I have them already on my kindle. Happy days!
After the unexpected death of her mother and the remarriage of her father to her mother's best friend 6 month's later, Julia Lanchester has run away from work and home. Julia worked as an assistant to her father, an environmentalist and birder. She left in a huff and hasn't spoken to him in months. When he shows up and tries to mend fences Julia grudgingly agrees to see him. When he and her car disappear she goes out to Marshy End with his new assistant they find the dead body of a man trying to get approval for a wind farm that would destroy the natural habitat of local birds and he father is no where to be found and now the police are looking for him also.
I found the beginning of the book a little slow going. Of course it could be that I had problems with the Julia character acting the way she was written. A 30+ year old woman running away so she didn't have to deal with problems reminds me of an ostrich sticking its head in the sand. She also seemed to be a kind of woe is me person which did get on my nerves a bit. If I wasn't reading this for a book challenge I might have put it down, which would have been a shame.
While the characters need to be filled out more because I had no sense of who any of the others really were except the MC, I found myself liking the story line and the twists and turns which gave more than 1 or even 2 motives for murder. I won't say more because you should read it.
I started to put the next book of the series on my list and Marty Wingate's other series only to find I have them already on my kindle. Happy days!
March 15, 2015
Julia Lanchester is the daughter of the famous birder, Rupert
Lanchester. Rupert is the star of a BBC Nature series. Julia
quits her job in a dispute with her father. She feels he married
too soon following the death of her mother.
Julia takes a management position in the Tourist Information
Center in Smeaton-under-Lyme. This is a lovely English town
setting. Julia’s backyard affords us a look at some of the
area birds.
Then Rupert goes missing…. To where could he have
disappeared?? Did he go of his own accord or is foul play
involved as a threatening letter is found.
We get to travel to Marshy End . Rupert has a cabin there. Julia
and Michael Sedgwick, the replacement for Julia’s position
with Rupert, go to see if that is where her father is staying.
No Rupert instead they discover a body…. A dead body!!!
Great cast of characters with a lot of suspects. All the characters
were well-developed with each bringing their own flavor to the
story. Loved the chemistry between the main characters.
Mix together birding, rhyme, danger, intrigue, mystery, a well
plotted book with humor plus romance and this cozy mystery
gives you a captivating read.
Thank you to Net Gallery for this eBook. My opinion is my own.
Lanchester. Rupert is the star of a BBC Nature series. Julia
quits her job in a dispute with her father. She feels he married
too soon following the death of her mother.
Julia takes a management position in the Tourist Information
Center in Smeaton-under-Lyme. This is a lovely English town
setting. Julia’s backyard affords us a look at some of the
area birds.
Then Rupert goes missing…. To where could he have
disappeared?? Did he go of his own accord or is foul play
involved as a threatening letter is found.
We get to travel to Marshy End . Rupert has a cabin there. Julia
and Michael Sedgwick, the replacement for Julia’s position
with Rupert, go to see if that is where her father is staying.
No Rupert instead they discover a body…. A dead body!!!
Great cast of characters with a lot of suspects. All the characters
were well-developed with each bringing their own flavor to the
story. Loved the chemistry between the main characters.
Mix together birding, rhyme, danger, intrigue, mystery, a well
plotted book with humor plus romance and this cozy mystery
gives you a captivating read.
Thank you to Net Gallery for this eBook. My opinion is my own.
August 9, 2016
What a great book. Takes place in a quaint village called Smeaton-under-Lyme where Julie lives since quitting as her father's assistant on his nature show on BBC. She now works as a manager/tour guide for a large estate hoping to plan more events to draw the tourist in. Because her father (Rupert) married so quickly after her mother died she can't forgive him or his new wife, Beryl until Beryl calls to say Rupert is missing. Julie finally decides to investigate with the help of her father's new assistant Michael. Then they find out Rupert has been kidnapped and then Julie gets kidnapped and other interesting events start to happen. What and who is behind all of these strange things going on? You will have to read the book to find out. Too good to tell you anymore. This story moves at a nice pace with just the right amount of action. Great characters, a wonderful setting that will remind you a little of the Agatha Raisen books, a great mystery plus you get to learn all about Magpies which are considered one of the most intelligent animals in the world. Did you know that? I didn't. Will definitely continue with this series.
April 26, 2015
The first book in a new series by this author, and the first book I've read by her. I look forward to more in this series for sure.
This is a fast paced, active story that keeps you engaged from beginning to end. The main character, Julia, has issues with her father which have put a wedge between them, but she puts those on the back burner when she discovers he is missing--and finds herself working through them, realizing the error of her ways, as the story progresses.
I enjoyed the bird-watching information provided throughout the story, particularly as I hadn't heard of some of the birds included. Of course, there is the requisite murder to be solved, which Julia manages to do with the assistance of a new man in her life, Michael.
**I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**
This is a fast paced, active story that keeps you engaged from beginning to end. The main character, Julia, has issues with her father which have put a wedge between them, but she puts those on the back burner when she discovers he is missing--and finds herself working through them, realizing the error of her ways, as the story progresses.
I enjoyed the bird-watching information provided throughout the story, particularly as I hadn't heard of some of the birds included. Of course, there is the requisite murder to be solved, which Julia manages to do with the assistance of a new man in her life, Michael.
**I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**
June 5, 2021
#1 in the Birds of a Feather Mystery series
Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I'd rate this 3.5 stars if I could, but I'll round it up since it ended quite nicely and I do intend to continue with this series. This is a new-to-me author, and I enjoyed the book, despite my confusion here and there. The plot was a bit different from the usual cozy mystery since they were mostly focused on finding Julia's missing father rather than solving a murder. There was even a bit of romance (which is good). The story moved forward quickly and kept my interest throughout. The characters were well-rounded, with both attributes and flaws, making them seem more realistic. I rolled my eyes several times at Julia's attitude. Her character is what dropped my rating a bit since she is just OK and often frustrating. She is determined and caring about the environment. On the other hand, she is quick to judge and often impulsive, which bothered me quite a bit, especially when she jumped to conclusions, going immediately to anger without thinking things through. Michael is a good foil for her, also determined but with just a bit of underlying secrecy to make him more interesting. However, a little less secrecy and a lot more conversation would have avoided a lot of their problems. The cover is colorful, with a bird prominent and a knife less obvious. Very attractive and eye-catching.
Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I'd rate this 3.5 stars if I could, but I'll round it up since it ended quite nicely and I do intend to continue with this series. This is a new-to-me author, and I enjoyed the book, despite my confusion here and there. The plot was a bit different from the usual cozy mystery since they were mostly focused on finding Julia's missing father rather than solving a murder. There was even a bit of romance (which is good). The story moved forward quickly and kept my interest throughout. The characters were well-rounded, with both attributes and flaws, making them seem more realistic. I rolled my eyes several times at Julia's attitude. Her character is what dropped my rating a bit since she is just OK and often frustrating. She is determined and caring about the environment. On the other hand, she is quick to judge and often impulsive, which bothered me quite a bit, especially when she jumped to conclusions, going immediately to anger without thinking things through. Michael is a good foil for her, also determined but with just a bit of underlying secrecy to make him more interesting. However, a little less secrecy and a lot more conversation would have avoided a lot of their problems. The cover is colorful, with a bird prominent and a knife less obvious. Very attractive and eye-catching.
August 18, 2024
Still grieving the recent loss of her mother, Julia quits her job as her father's TV assistant and takes a job as a tourism coordinator not far from her family's summer cottage. But when Dad shows up on her doorstep looking a bit off, then disappears, Julia goes looking for him at the cottage. Instead of finding her father, she stumbles upon a dead body. The plot becomes quite tangled as new suspects keep turning up, and Julia can't help but notice a few key facts that incriminate former friends and lead her to question many of the people she grew up trusting.
As usual, I could have done without the romance in this book, but it was suitably mild. This book leans toward the thrilling rather than the cozy without pushing out of its genre, which is always exciting, though not quite what I was looking for today. I loved getting to meet all the characters and learn about their sordid histories, and the mystery was well laid out, letting me make some careful guesses alongside Julia to uncover the real perpetrator. The police were quite competent in this one too, which is a nice change. I was pleased to get to learn some interesting bird facts as I read, and I hope this will continue in book 2.
As usual, I could have done without the romance in this book, but it was suitably mild. This book leans toward the thrilling rather than the cozy without pushing out of its genre, which is always exciting, though not quite what I was looking for today. I loved getting to meet all the characters and learn about their sordid histories, and the mystery was well laid out, letting me make some careful guesses alongside Julia to uncover the real perpetrator. The police were quite competent in this one too, which is a nice change. I was pleased to get to learn some interesting bird facts as I read, and I hope this will continue in book 2.
May 4, 2019
Not a bad start to a new cozy murder series. The title refers to a counting rhyme that gives meanings to sightings of different numbers of magpies. Julia Lanchester has a new job, that of a tour guide working at a local estate in their TIC (Tourist Info Center) Formerly she worked for her father, a famous TV celebrity who hosts a science show aimed at understanding birds, animals, and the environment in particular. When her famous dad disappears, she enlists the help of Michael, her replacement on the TV show, to help her. Will they find him? Who killed the man trying to build a wind farm on an ecologically fragile piece of land? Will Julia and Michael become friends or more than friends? Only the magpies know.
January 15, 2022
What an enjoyable read! It took me a while to completely warm up to main character Julia because she’s imperfect. That’s the beauty of it, of course, that she’s perfectly imperfect, wonderfully real, and all heart. And she’s not the only endearing character. I look forward to spending more time with them all.
The setting, as in all Marty Wingate’s books, is lovely and so well-described that you can almost imagine every step, like a memory.
I appreciate the eco-conscious/nature theme. The mystery is good. There’s a touch of romance, too, a definite plus for me.
Beverly A. Crick’s narration is excellent.
Birds of a Feather cozy mysteries — I can hardly wait to start the next in series!
The setting, as in all Marty Wingate’s books, is lovely and so well-described that you can almost imagine every step, like a memory.
I appreciate the eco-conscious/nature theme. The mystery is good. There’s a touch of romance, too, a definite plus for me.
Beverly A. Crick’s narration is excellent.
Birds of a Feather cozy mysteries — I can hardly wait to start the next in series!
January 24, 2019
This was a reasonably good mystery. Fairly good characters and an interesting plot. I think I will probably try the next in the series at some point.
June 24, 2025
It was okay.
October 24, 2024
A good book and well worth a read. Will read more by this author.
February 4, 2016
3.5 stars
When I first picked up The Rhyme of the Magpie, I expected a typical English village mystery but this is a bit of an anomaly. Yes, it's set in an English village and it's a mystery but there the expectations go off the rails. The most obvious difference is that the sleuth is a newcomer to the village and, because of that, there are only a few villagers that we get to know. I miss that because the interweaving of villagers' lives is so often a large part of the story, even the core of the solution to the mystery.
Not only is the sleuth new to the area but the criminal activity is, in some ways, a step away from the village, meaning it isn't happening because of some element unique to the village. Also, there is hostility between two factions that could happen anywhere, the eternal fight between conservationists and those who value land development and other commercial enterprises over the preservation of habitats. In other words, there's a feeling of watching at a distance rather than being totally immersed. This is not a bad thing, just a caution that Ms. Wingate's story is not what you might normally anticipate.
Julia is a likeable woman and she's in the midst of making some critical changes in her life. Other than the mystery itself, I found this aspect of the story to be most interesting as she tries to find a way to fit into an environment so different from what she's used to. Although I didn't move to a new town, I did uproot my career after many years and started over so I had a lot of empathy for Julia. The other thing I like about her is that she's not inordinately reckless and, well, TSTL, another departure from so many mysteries of this kind.
Other characters, while not as well developed as Julia, are fleshed out enough so that I felt comfortable with them and I'm sure we'll get to know them better in future books. Michael is intriguing, as any potential love interest should be, and Vesta and Linus are a good introduction to the denizens of the village. All have their parts to play in the murder investigation and, wonder of wonders, the local police are competent, another difference from some amateur sleuth novels. When Rupert, Julia's TV celebrity dad, disappears and a body is found, the hunt is on for the missing man and a killer who has a gruesome touch. Are they one and the same?
All in all, this first in the series is a good effort and I'll be back when the second book comes out.
When I first picked up The Rhyme of the Magpie, I expected a typical English village mystery but this is a bit of an anomaly. Yes, it's set in an English village and it's a mystery but there the expectations go off the rails. The most obvious difference is that the sleuth is a newcomer to the village and, because of that, there are only a few villagers that we get to know. I miss that because the interweaving of villagers' lives is so often a large part of the story, even the core of the solution to the mystery.
Not only is the sleuth new to the area but the criminal activity is, in some ways, a step away from the village, meaning it isn't happening because of some element unique to the village. Also, there is hostility between two factions that could happen anywhere, the eternal fight between conservationists and those who value land development and other commercial enterprises over the preservation of habitats. In other words, there's a feeling of watching at a distance rather than being totally immersed. This is not a bad thing, just a caution that Ms. Wingate's story is not what you might normally anticipate.
Julia is a likeable woman and she's in the midst of making some critical changes in her life. Other than the mystery itself, I found this aspect of the story to be most interesting as she tries to find a way to fit into an environment so different from what she's used to. Although I didn't move to a new town, I did uproot my career after many years and started over so I had a lot of empathy for Julia. The other thing I like about her is that she's not inordinately reckless and, well, TSTL, another departure from so many mysteries of this kind.
Other characters, while not as well developed as Julia, are fleshed out enough so that I felt comfortable with them and I'm sure we'll get to know them better in future books. Michael is intriguing, as any potential love interest should be, and Vesta and Linus are a good introduction to the denizens of the village. All have their parts to play in the murder investigation and, wonder of wonders, the local police are competent, another difference from some amateur sleuth novels. When Rupert, Julia's TV celebrity dad, disappears and a body is found, the hunt is on for the missing man and a killer who has a gruesome touch. Are they one and the same?
All in all, this first in the series is a good effort and I'll be back when the second book comes out.
October 11, 2017
Interesting plot...well written despite the main character, Julia...she is portrayed as a scatterbrain even though she holds a professional position...she barges into places, confronts folks without much proof...that's why I only gave it 3 stars....it's the first book of this series so I ll definitely read another bird mystery
May 25, 2015
The cover and the title of this book caught my eye, so bright and cheerful and with a nursery rhyme as inspiration. I grabbed it up.
I know little about birds or birdwatching and I admit, they're not topics I'm keen on. I did wonder if that would affect my enjoyment of the book but happily it did not. While birds, not just magpies, are important to the story, Wingate manages to hit, for me anyway, just the right amount of information without going overboard. But the book is much more than birds; we get environmentalism, historical preservation, family relationships and dysfunction, romance, and of course, a mystery. Several mysteries actually as there's a dead man, a missing man, and even a kidnapping.
There were times when Julia behaved quite immaturely, especially where her family is concerned, and her sulking was annoying. But she begins to realize that things are not necessarily as she remembered them or believed them to be. She starts to change her perspective and to realize that she may have been wrong about some things, including her stepmother. I wasn't keen on the portrayal of her stepbrother and friend, Stephen, as he was so many gay man stereotypes rolled into one. I liked him, but I'd like to see more depth as right now he's mostly cardboard.
The romance with Michael, her father's new assistant, was enjoyable; he's patient with Julia but also knows how to poke her a bit and make her a little less stuffy. I did figure out his secret early on while Julia initially made an idiot of herself when she realized the truth. But again, she realizes she was wrong and apologizes. I very much enjoyed her growth in this book and loved seeing her gain more confidence in her skills at her new job as a tourism manager for an estate and it's village.
The secondary characters, including her co-worker Vesta and their boss Linus and Akash, Vesta's love interest, were interesting. They need a little more fleshing out but they all have potential. The story got very convoluted but most of it kept me guessing and Julia's involvement was entirely natural and believable. "The Rhyme of the Magpie" is a good start to a new series and I'm looking forward to the next one.
I know little about birds or birdwatching and I admit, they're not topics I'm keen on. I did wonder if that would affect my enjoyment of the book but happily it did not. While birds, not just magpies, are important to the story, Wingate manages to hit, for me anyway, just the right amount of information without going overboard. But the book is much more than birds; we get environmentalism, historical preservation, family relationships and dysfunction, romance, and of course, a mystery. Several mysteries actually as there's a dead man, a missing man, and even a kidnapping.
There were times when Julia behaved quite immaturely, especially where her family is concerned, and her sulking was annoying. But she begins to realize that things are not necessarily as she remembered them or believed them to be. She starts to change her perspective and to realize that she may have been wrong about some things, including her stepmother. I wasn't keen on the portrayal of her stepbrother and friend, Stephen, as he was so many gay man stereotypes rolled into one. I liked him, but I'd like to see more depth as right now he's mostly cardboard.
The romance with Michael, her father's new assistant, was enjoyable; he's patient with Julia but also knows how to poke her a bit and make her a little less stuffy. I did figure out his secret early on while Julia initially made an idiot of herself when she realized the truth. But again, she realizes she was wrong and apologizes. I very much enjoyed her growth in this book and loved seeing her gain more confidence in her skills at her new job as a tourism manager for an estate and it's village.
The secondary characters, including her co-worker Vesta and their boss Linus and Akash, Vesta's love interest, were interesting. They need a little more fleshing out but they all have potential. The story got very convoluted but most of it kept me guessing and Julia's involvement was entirely natural and believable. "The Rhyme of the Magpie" is a good start to a new series and I'm looking forward to the next one.
April 8, 2015
I have read both books in this author’s Potting Shed series and liked them, so I wanted to give this debut book in her new series a try. I’m glad I did, because as much as I liked those books, I enjoyed this one even more. The pacing of this book is better and I found it a quick and fun read. In the beginning, the main character, Julia Lancaster, seems a little stubborn as she refuses to accept that her father has remarried. However, as the reader learns more about the situation, it’s easier to understand Julia’s point of view. I soon came to enjoy the character very much.
I’m not a bird watcher, but I do enjoy watching birds at my backyard feeder, so I found the bird watching aspect of the story interesting. As mentioned, I like the main character. Julia is down-to-earth, which make her easy to relate to. I love the chemistry between her and Michael. Not everything runs smoothly in their growing romance, but I like that the misunderstandings they experienced weren’t allowed to continue too long and instead provided a realistic and entertaining romance that added interest to their investigation. The murder mystery itself is interesting with enough suspects and red herrings to keep the reader guessing and eager to find out what would happen next.
Readers who enjoy a cozy with an English setting as well as bird watchers, will want to read this charming book. I hope there is a sequel soon because I can see this series becoming one of my favorites.
I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Random House/Alibi. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
I’m not a bird watcher, but I do enjoy watching birds at my backyard feeder, so I found the bird watching aspect of the story interesting. As mentioned, I like the main character. Julia is down-to-earth, which make her easy to relate to. I love the chemistry between her and Michael. Not everything runs smoothly in their growing romance, but I like that the misunderstandings they experienced weren’t allowed to continue too long and instead provided a realistic and entertaining romance that added interest to their investigation. The murder mystery itself is interesting with enough suspects and red herrings to keep the reader guessing and eager to find out what would happen next.
Readers who enjoy a cozy with an English setting as well as bird watchers, will want to read this charming book. I hope there is a sequel soon because I can see this series becoming one of my favorites.
I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Random House/Alibi. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
April 22, 2015
Having thoroughly enjoyed the Potting Shed Mysteries by the same author I was looking forward to this book, the first in a new series.
It had me hooked from Chapter One.
The heroine, Julia,is a somewhat stubborn woman...I identified with that quite easily!
The hero,Michael, is somewhat bland but he tempers her stubbornness and they work well as a couple.
The main plot of the novel is the disappearance of Julia's father, a TV celebrity and famous ornithologist. Julia is at odds with him over his remarriage only six months after the death of her mother.
Sub-plots include murder, promoting a stately home to tourists and the building of a wind farm. Throw in a murder for good measure and just enough information on birds to keep you reading and you have a fun, summer read.
Throughout the book there is the thread of the Magpie Rhyme that most of us will recognise from childhood. It is important to Julia and her family, predicting, for example, not only the pregnancy of Julia's sister but also the gender of the baby.
Beneath the fun and mystery are several serious themes.
How soon is too soon to marry after the death of a spouse?
Is a wind farm more important than an eco habitat?
How can two siblings have such very different memories of their childhood and the relationship between their parents?
How far would you go in the name of professional jealousy?
I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next in the series.
I received an ARC from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
It had me hooked from Chapter One.
The heroine, Julia,is a somewhat stubborn woman...I identified with that quite easily!
The hero,Michael, is somewhat bland but he tempers her stubbornness and they work well as a couple.
The main plot of the novel is the disappearance of Julia's father, a TV celebrity and famous ornithologist. Julia is at odds with him over his remarriage only six months after the death of her mother.
Sub-plots include murder, promoting a stately home to tourists and the building of a wind farm. Throw in a murder for good measure and just enough information on birds to keep you reading and you have a fun, summer read.
Throughout the book there is the thread of the Magpie Rhyme that most of us will recognise from childhood. It is important to Julia and her family, predicting, for example, not only the pregnancy of Julia's sister but also the gender of the baby.
Beneath the fun and mystery are several serious themes.
How soon is too soon to marry after the death of a spouse?
Is a wind farm more important than an eco habitat?
How can two siblings have such very different memories of their childhood and the relationship between their parents?
How far would you go in the name of professional jealousy?
I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next in the series.
I received an ARC from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
May 19, 2015
The Rhyme of the Magpie by Marty Wingate is the first in her new series. I really enjoyed this book and will be looking forward to more in this series. As a fan of her Potting Shed mystery series, I was excited to find this book.
Julia Lanchester is a very down-to-earth woman but can be very stubborn and a little rash when her emotions are running high. Her father, Rupert, is a TV personality and ornithologist. She was his assistant before he remarried after her mother's death. This caused a rift between them because Julia, in her grief, could not accept this situation. She now lives in a small village and has become the manager of a Tourist Information Center in Smeaton-under-Lyme. She really does enjoy the new job and her little cottage and is beginning to feel very comfortable and at home.
She meets her replacement when her father goes missing, Michael Sedgewick, because he contacts her to see if she can help find her father. There was definite chemistry between them from the beginning. Michael is a very likable and interesting character with some secrets that Julia comes to find out as the story goes along. While looking for her father they find a dead body and the hunt begins, not only for her father but for a murderer.
The countryside details are so clear that I could see the landscape as I read. The plot moved along smoothly and steadily. The secondary characters were clearly drawn and were integral to the murder mystery.
I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley and the publisher, Alibi, in exchange for an honest review.
Julia Lanchester is a very down-to-earth woman but can be very stubborn and a little rash when her emotions are running high. Her father, Rupert, is a TV personality and ornithologist. She was his assistant before he remarried after her mother's death. This caused a rift between them because Julia, in her grief, could not accept this situation. She now lives in a small village and has become the manager of a Tourist Information Center in Smeaton-under-Lyme. She really does enjoy the new job and her little cottage and is beginning to feel very comfortable and at home.
She meets her replacement when her father goes missing, Michael Sedgewick, because he contacts her to see if she can help find her father. There was definite chemistry between them from the beginning. Michael is a very likable and interesting character with some secrets that Julia comes to find out as the story goes along. While looking for her father they find a dead body and the hunt begins, not only for her father but for a murderer.
The countryside details are so clear that I could see the landscape as I read. The plot moved along smoothly and steadily. The secondary characters were clearly drawn and were integral to the murder mystery.
I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley and the publisher, Alibi, in exchange for an honest review.
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