Murder Lost and Found

Sophie Sayers #7

by Debbie Young

Sophie Sayers is ready for a glorious summer, but when a dead body is found in the village school's lost property cupboard the summer holidays take an unexpected turn.

Even more shocking is when the body suddenly goes missing! The police think the villagers are mistaken and without a body, refuse to investigate....

But with the village school facing the threat of closure, Sophie is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery. But first she needs to find out who the dead person is, before she can start to find the killer!

Perfect for fans of M C Beaton's Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth series.

Readers LOVE Debbie Young!

"I have just finished Best Murder in Show, and I just could not put it down. A totally enthralling read from cover to cover. Very well written.” – Bryan Stace, South Africa.

“Sophie Sayers is the perfect antidote to these difficult times. A Cotswold version of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency.” – Sue Myers

“What a great series of books, funny, interesting characters and good stories. Perfect for a winter’s evening, curled up by the fire.” Mrs Glenda T Barnett via Amazon.

“I just read your Sophie Sayers novels. I loved them. The characters were very likeable and I enjoyed getting to know them. I can’t wait for the next installment.” – Caroline Burston via Facebook

“Thank you for the gift that is Sophie Sayers. These books have been my lifeline to home over the last year especially.” – Laura Bonnici, expat living in Malta

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Romance, Audiobook, Fiction

Kindle Edition

Published May 23, 2021

About the author

Hello dear readers!

I hope you will enjoy my warm, witty, feel-good contemporary fiction, full of English humour and heart, inspired by life in the Cotswold village which has been my home for over 30 years. I have three series of cozy mystery novels plus various short fiction, and I've written a couple of non-fiction books too.

NOVELS

My latest book is "Death at the Village Christmas Fair", the third in my Cotswold Curiosity Shop Mystery series. The series begins with "Death at the Old Curiosity Shop", followed by "Death at the Village Chess Club". In this series, moving from the city to the lively Cotswold village of Little Pride, Alice Carroll (50) discovers that nothing is quite what it seems in her new business enterprise. Each novel in this series has at its heart an intriguing item to be found in her bric-a-brac shop, and features eccentric characters, plenty of red herrings and lots of English humour.

My Sophie Sayers Village Mystery series begins with "Best Murder in Show". Originally envisaged as a seven-book series to run the course of a calendar year in the life of the idyllic English Cotswold village of Wendlebury Barrow, it continues to grow, with the most recent addition being Sophie Sayers' ninth outing, "Driven to Murder",

My Gemma Lamb Cozy Mystery series is a mashup of romantic comedy, gentle mystery and nostalgia for classic children's school stories but aimed at adults. It focuses on the intrigues among the teachers and visitors to the school, rather than the children. "Dastardly Deeds at St Bride's" (previously published as "Secrets at St Bride's"), and is followed by "Sinister Secrets at St Bride's" (formerly "Secrets at St Bride's"), Wicked Whispers at St Bride's", and "Artful Antics at St Bride's". Two further books will follow to complete the series of six, running the course of the academic year at St Bride's Boarding School for Girls.

All of my novels are now available in ebook, paperback, hardback, and audio in English. There are also German language editions of Sophie Sayers' adventures and Italian translations of Gemma Lamb's.

SHORT FICTION

My series of comedy mystery novelettes, Tales from Wendlebury Barrow, is set in the same world as the Sophie Sayers Cozy Mysteries. The first, "The Pride of Peacocks", is available exclusively to members of my Readers' Club (visit my author website to claim your copy). "The Natter of Knitters" and "The Clutch of Eggs" are available in ebook and paperback. A Christmas special, "Christmas with Sophie Sayers", featuring festive short stories set in the same world, was published for Christmas 2023. Three more Sophie Sayers short stories appear in the charity anthologies, "Fate", "Everyday Kindness" and "The Little Shop of Murders". Look out for another one in the "Courage" anthology, coming in 2026!

My standalone novella, "Mrs Morris Changes Lanes", is a second-chance mid-life romantic comedy with a touch of magical realism, set in the Cotswolds in spring,

Earlier in my career, I published three themed collections of short stories, "Stocking Fillers", "Marry in Haste", and "Quick Change".

PLAYS

I've also now started writing scripts for murder mystery events, My debut play, "The Importance of Being Murdered", was premiered by Hawkesbury Drama Group in April 2025. The original playscript will be published later this year for use by amateur drama groups all over the world, and I'm also working on a novelisation.

AWARDS

The first St Bride's novel was shortlisted for the 2020 Selfies Award given for the best independently-published fiction in the UK. The sixth Sophie Sayers novel was shortlisted for the same award in 2021. My short story "The Alchemy of Chocolate", from "Quick Change", was a winning entrant to the April 2015 Stroud Short Stories competition, and as a result I was later invited to read it at the Cheltenham Literature Festival.

FREE EBOOK

Rec

Reviews

[Les Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book in the series disappointing, that does go to say you will, it’s that the story bored me.

[mrsljgibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would firstly like to say a big thank you to the author for including me in her launch team and for very kindly forwarding me a copy of this book, for my Kindle, in return for an honest review.
At the beginning of the year I read a short novella from this author that was also from the Sophie Sayers series and I absolutely devoured and loved it.
This book is number 7 in the series but can also be read as a stand alone and I can’t wait to go back and read some of the older books and see how it all started.
Murder Lost And Found was originally supposed to be the last in the series but by popular demand an 8th book is now being written!! Book 8 will take place in Scotland when Sophie takes Hector to meet her parents.
This book marks the end of Sophie’s first year in the village, the whole series runs for a year, from one Summer to the next. It features all the leading characters from the previous books, along with a few brand new ones, who were wonderful.
I really did love this book, it was a wonderful story and so easy to read, I didn’t want to put it down until I had finished it!
I absolutely love Sophie, she’s so down to earth and I really enjoyed getting to know her.
Overall it was a great, enjoyable read, in a great setting with excellent writing and a wonderful plot. And now I can’t wait to read the next book.....

[Holly Hurst · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this series but there was a lot of gaslighting happening that I didn’t enjoy this time

[Annie (is so far behind 😬) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this falls firmly into the 3.5/5* bracket, although I did enjoy it a lot and had no trouble following the story even though it's No 7 in the series. It was well done, but surprised me at how short it seemed, making it a nice easy read. I'm taking off half a star for the slightly shameful disparaging of Ella and Sophie about the missing dead body, alluding that they may have imagined it. If no one else, at least Hector should not have indulged in it as he's supposed to care so much about Sophie. Surely a bit of support wouldn't go amiss? The builders also seemed to be slightly out of place, used for the express purpose of riling up Ella, and then faded out.

There was also the murderer's confession during a staff meeting rather than to the police.

Anyway, that's probably the only niggle I have with it as I enjoyed it otherwise and although it's probably a bit lighter of a cosy than I normally would like, I'd definitely pick up another in the series if they went on sale.

Possibly better if you start from the beginning and get the full arc of character building, too. Overall, though, not a bad way to spend an afternoon!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the eARC to read and review. All opinions are strictly my own.

[Fanny · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not sure what I feel about this book. I found the early parts of the story annoying. When everyone puts down Sophie and Ellie that a dead body was seen/found, come on the police wouldn’t make fun of a report of a corpse or threaten a caller. What kind of boyfriend patronizes his girlfriend into thinking she was hysterical, and seeing things. The meeting where the killer confesses validated the earlier part. #MurderLostandFound #NetGalley

[Monica Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, it is always so nice to go for a little outing back to Wendlebury to visit with Sophie! After reading the other books in this series, it felt like being with an old friend. That said, this book could be read as a standalone as well.

Sophie finds a dead body in a cupboard when she visits her friend Ella. Then the body disappears..... Sophie doesn't really have time to think about this too much as Hector has taken on an intern - a very attractive one at that. Between trying to sort things out at home and figure out the mystery of the missing body (did she imagine it all along?), Sophie has her hands full.

This book reminds me a bit of a gentle Agatha Christie or something along those lines. It is easy and relaxing reading, no swearing or adult activities described (but are alluded to), and sometimes, it is just what you want and need.

4.5 stars from me.

[Kirsty (BookBlogger) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder Lost and Found by Debbie Young

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Sophie Sayers is ready for a glorious summer, but when a dead body is found in the village school's lost property cupboard the summer holidays take an unexpected turn.

Even more shocking is when the body goes missing. Without a body, the police refuse to investigate. That’s just not good enough.

Sophie is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery. She needs to find out who has died and nab the culprit if she’s going to save the village school from the threat of closure.

My Opinion

Firstly, I have to warn people to avoid this school, well any school where a body is found in the lost property cupboard.

This is the seventh book in the series, and as I am reading the series out of order I can confirm that it is possible to read this book as a standalone. This was a wonderful story to read. It was a nice, quick, easy read. I am already waiting for when I can read the next book in this series.

Rating 4/5

[Julie Cordiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Debbie Young’s books are uplifting and heartwarming with gentle humour, and this one is no exception. The atmosphere of a quaint village is again conveyed so well in this seventh book in the cosy mysteries series; this time, as the title suggests, the murder is complicated by some mysterious events relating to the body, which keep you guessing. I devoured this book, which introduces the local primary school as a new location and brings more enjoyment with the further adventures of Sophie, Hector and the other well-drawn characters in the village. Debbie’s observational writing is a joy to read.

If you want pure escapism and witty storytelling, then I can definitely recommend the Wendlebury Barrow series of books. I was delighted to receive an advance copy and this is an honest review.

[Lucienne Boyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's amazing what you find in school lost property cupboards – and when Sophie Sayers finds a dead body it heralds the start of the latest lovely mystery in the Sophie Sayers series – especially when it turns out that lost property stays lost and the body has disappeared! The book is written with Debbie Young’s usual kind humour, and she certainly has a way with a simile. As usual, there’s a lot going on in the village, not least boyfriend Hector’s roving eye, threatening letters, and a sartorial disaster. Will it all come out right in the end? I certainly enjoyed finding out!

Disclosure: I was a beta reader for this book.

[M.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder Lost and Found continues the Sophie Sayers Cosy Mysteries.

It’s the summer holidays, the school is empty of children, but while the caretaker and office manager try to ensure the school is prepared for the start of term, strange happenings take place.

I really enjoy this collection of stories. They’re light-hearted and a quick, pacy read, and I felt this one was particularly strong with the mystery of the lost property cupboard and the strange notes, making poor Sophie doubt herself, even while she contends with change at Horace’s bookshop.

A fun and entertaining read. Bring on book 8.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy.

[Dawn Probert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I’m late to the party as this is the 7th book in the series but it was so good it could be a stand alone and I didn’t realise there was a series before it. The characters were funny, Sophie and Hector run a bookshop, tea room and community hub together. When Sophie and her friend Ella find a dead body in the lost property cupboard at the local primary school they are wrong footed when they go back and discover it’s disappeared. They doubt themselves and allow themselves to be cajoled into not believing themselves. This was a good book. I will enjoy reading more of these cozy mysteries.
Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Beth Stevenson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I find these books easy and somewhat comforting to read, but by book seven, I'm quite frustrated with how boring Sophie Sayers' character is. She has few interesting traits (either good or bad), and I'm not convinced she has any talent of her own, just rides off other people's ideas. Maybe this is the point and I'm missing something! The books are also very contrived, and everything needs to be explicitly explained, which can interrupt flow. I'm very glad that the illicit hooch storyline is seemingly over, though, because that was just bizarre, and it made me cringe every time it was mentioned in the other books.

All of this being said, I will probably finish the series!

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun, quirky read from Debbie Young, I guess it could be classed as a cozy mystery.

Sophie and her friend Emma discover a body in the lost property room at the local school. Then the body disappears!

Sophie is also having some jealousy issues when her boyfriend Hector who owns the local bookshop takes on a young woman to help out, who is attractive and very keen.

I haven’t read any of the previous books but I think I will be looking out for these as this was such a fun read.

Thanks must go to Boldwood and Netgalley for the electronic ARC provided to me.

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was filled with mysteries and humor from a village set in the Cotswolds.

Sophie and Hector are getting into the Summer mood. Hector decides to expand his bookshop and Sophie goes to help her friend at the local school.

A dead body appears but it's soon a disappearing dead body. Honestly, where could it have gone? And, who is it?

This is a gentle series that just is so appealing to read. Do give it a try!

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun, entertaining read perfect for a dismal afternoon! Even though this is book 7, that did not diminish it at all, just makes me want to find and read the earlier ones in series. Fun characters, wonderful details, picturesque descriptions all make for a great cosy. Loved it!
I requested and received an EARC from Boldwood Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

[Elva Cartwright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder Lost and Found: (A Sophie Sayers Cozy Mystery Book 7) Debbie Young

I am finding these books very amusing as well as very intriguing with all the explanations and information that happens when Tommy is about. All the character’s are so different and some are outrageous!! I giggle and sometimes laugh out loud. I definitely recommend these books to anyone who loves reading.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this one

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute cozy mystery

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook - Hoopla

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Kaija · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lukijana Mary Woodvine.
Vaikka juoni oli mielenkiintoinen, oli tarina jotenkin tylsähkö ja vähän sekavakin. Lopun syyllisen ratkaiseminen taas tapahtui lähes sormia napsauttamalla.