The Ullswater Undertaking: The intriguing English cosy crime series

Lake District #10

by Rebecca Tope

Spring has brought many new beginnings into the world of florist Persimmon 'Simmy' Brown. Not only has her baby arrived, but she and her fiancé Christopher have moved to the historic village of Hartsop in the Lake District - and they still intend to say their vows before the height of summer.

But when a former acquaintance of Christopher's reminds him of a promise he made a decade previously, their lives soon take a sinister - and deadly - turn. Yet even with a young baby to consider Simmy cannot ignore her instinct to investigate, especially with the personal link to her soon-to-be husband. Ably assisted by her would-be detective friend Ben, can Simmy puzzle out this reckoning from the past and protect her family in time for the wedding bells to chime?

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime

320 pages, Paperback

Published December 16, 2021

About the author

Rebecca Tope is best known as the author of over twenty crime novels. She has also recently produced the e-book entitled 'The Indifference of Tumbleweed'. She has every intention of continuing with the murder stories, as well as a variety of other kinds of fiction.

She has experienced many different kinds of work in her time - running antenatal classes, counselling troubled couples and being an office girl for an undertaker, for example. There were also several years monitoring the output of dairy cows, as well as every sort of task associated with book publishing. In 1992, she founded Praxis Books, a small British press.

She lives surrounded by trees she has planted herself, tending her own sheep.

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Absolutely love this series but this one was quite difficult to get in to . Still good though.

[David Chadwick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read, an ending that wasn’t to obvious, well worth a read

[Robert Moffat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Much like Simmy's frustrations with Fabian, I found this book awkward to follow and difficult to like, much of which can be attributed to a poor quality of writing. The plot was overly busy and complex yet didn't have much depth and certainly wasn't captivating.

This book did however deliver on being well set and comforting. The Lake District roads, tourists and other specific quirks are aptly described and just as likable as in real life - a large part of what drew me to this book initially. I also found the joys and troubles of family life for Simmy, Christopher and Robin refreshing.

[JenniferB · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not her best in this series, plot was very convoluted, and some characters not sympathetic.

[Vicky Ball · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could've done without all the breastfeeding narrative and endless talking about going on bendy roads

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of Rebecca Tope's novels and have read all of them so far. I would hardly describe them as murder mysteries but rather as stories set around a small town community. Tope is good at creating characters that stay in the mind and that the reader wants to know more about. Each story in this series has been developmental. Time moves on and so do the lives of the characters. Much has happened since since the first story. I think this is the 6th in the series. I suspect that the series is a bit of a Marmite one. You either get hooked and can't get enough or wonder what the attraction is. I think each of the characters is set for a change of direction so I'm eager for the next installment.

[Leeanne McHarg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another enjoyable instalment in the Lakes District series, once again transporting you to this beautiful corner of the UK. I especially loved delving into the antique world in this one.

Simmy’s usual assistants shift a little in this mystery, with her fiancé Christopher taking on a much larger role while Bonnie steps back to look after the florist shop. Simmy has also welcomed her beautiful little baby into the world—such a lovely addition to the series—but in true Simmy fashion, she is completely neurotic at times!

As with all these books, I find myself enjoying the day-to-day lives of the main characters even more than the murder they’re investigating. Another cosy, character-driven read in a series that always feels like slipping back into familiar territory.

[Helen Birkbeck · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an area I know well and I really liked almost everything about the book, especially Simmy's coming to terms with motherhood and struggle to maintain her work identity, and all the characters were intriguing. But although the sense of a build-up to something exciting was done well, it was let down again by a rushed ending with very little about the murderer and why they really did it.

I also take exception to characters again saying that 'being "religious" is embarrassing in the modern world' We all have faith in something, whatever we might call it, so I think that is unworthy of the author.

[Vanessa Boyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just lovely. I was so excited to see this on he shelves of our library and as a treat to having nearly finishing my exams I read it in two days. My late mum introduced me to these books and I feel her with me when I read them which makes it even more special. I can’t wait for the next one

[dennis Waters · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed with this one. The baby things just going on and on and so much praise all through the book at how brilliant Ben is. Just didn’t enjoy it and will give further Tope books a miss for a while. It’s a pity because I love the Lake District and all the mentions of places I know well.

[Stephen Coleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite disappointed by this novel. Big plot and very complicated but the ending as a damp squib. When reading a series, you are automatically drawn to the next one. Anyone reading this one first would be put off the rest.

[Mrs Mary Curd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bit backward and forward, but a result nonetheless

[Tracy Masters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favourite so far

This in my opinion was the best in series to date. Characters more believable and maybe I'm getting used to the geography/wider Characters

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very busy enjoyable read.

[Ruth Armstrong]

Not my favourite book. Not sure I will read any more.

[Tandy Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

A series I have always enjoyed-the settings are the clincher for me and definitely engaging on grey January days

[Kathleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

An ok read, I was confused at the outcome, I wasn't entirely sure how it was reached but perhaps I'd switched off by then !

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

great story...

[Rowena Onions · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good addition to this series. It continues to work. Like all detective series you do have to realise that this is fiction and not worry about the main characters repeatedly falling over bodies!!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this series set in the beautiful Lake District, I worked out who did it quite quickly but that did not spoil the story for me.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read but it does help if you've read the earlier book about Simmy Brown.

[Theresa Dudley · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. Cant say much else really