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Beryl and Edwina Mystery #5
Murder in an English Glade
American adventuress Beryl Helliwell and reserved Brit Edwina Davenport may seem an unlikely pair, but they have reinvented themselves in the lean years following World War I as private enquiry agents. Now they've been engaged to stage a faux investigation--until murder makes it all too real...
When a member of the Walmsley Parva upper crust, Constance Maitland, seeks to hire Beryl and Edwina for a sham investigation into an alleged dalliance by her sister-in-law Ursula to quell potentially scandalous accusations by an unstable cousin, it is with mixed feelings that they agree to pose as guests at her home, Maitland Park. Edwina is uncomfortable with the ruse, but Beryl is eager to escape tension with their feisty housekeeper and hobnob with bohemians as the Maitland family hosts an artists colony.
But when the painter suspected of having an affair with Ursula is found strangled beside his easel in a glade, the pretense turns into a genuine murder enquiry. With Maitland Park overrun by artists, every guest--not to mention family member--is now a suspect.
Beryl and Edwina must determine if they are dealing with a crime of passion or if there are more complex motives in play, which may include the family cigarette business, cutthroat artistic competition, or secrets from the war years. In any case, the intrepid sleuths will not leave until they have smoked out the real killer...
When a member of the Walmsley Parva upper crust, Constance Maitland, seeks to hire Beryl and Edwina for a sham investigation into an alleged dalliance by her sister-in-law Ursula to quell potentially scandalous accusations by an unstable cousin, it is with mixed feelings that they agree to pose as guests at her home, Maitland Park. Edwina is uncomfortable with the ruse, but Beryl is eager to escape tension with their feisty housekeeper and hobnob with bohemians as the Maitland family hosts an artists colony.
But when the painter suspected of having an affair with Ursula is found strangled beside his easel in a glade, the pretense turns into a genuine murder enquiry. With Maitland Park overrun by artists, every guest--not to mention family member--is now a suspect.
Beryl and Edwina must determine if they are dealing with a crime of passion or if there are more complex motives in play, which may include the family cigarette business, cutthroat artistic competition, or secrets from the war years. In any case, the intrepid sleuths will not leave until they have smoked out the real killer...
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Published October 26, 2021
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About the author
Jessica Ellicott
16 books832 followersJessica Ellicott loves fountain pens, Mini Coopers, and throwing parties. She lives in northern New England where she obsessively knits wool socks and enthusiastically speaks Portuguese with a shocking disregard for the rules of grammar.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
October 27, 2021
Edwina Davenport and Beryl Helliwell don’t know quite what to make of it when they are hired to conduct a fake investigation. Constance Maitland wants them to pretend to investigate her sister-in-law so her cousin will shut up about the affair she is sure the sister-in-law is having. The Maitlands are hosting an artist colony, providing the perfect cover for Edwina and Beryl to slip in and observe. But they’ve only been there a few hours when a dead body turns up. Is their fake investigation involved?
It is always a pleasure to revisit these friends and business partners during the early 1920’s. Edwina and Beryl are very different and come from different backgrounds, but they complement each other so well, and I love seeing the growth in their characters. The suspects are just as strong. We don’t quite see as much of the other series regulars, but I did enjoy the scenes they got. The plot is strong with plenty to keep us engaged. I did feel the ending was a bit rushed, and one aspect wasn’t completely resolved. As always, there’s gentle humor throughout the book that makes it just that much more delightful. This book will please fans of the series. If that isn’t you yet, you should fix that today.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
It is always a pleasure to revisit these friends and business partners during the early 1920’s. Edwina and Beryl are very different and come from different backgrounds, but they complement each other so well, and I love seeing the growth in their characters. The suspects are just as strong. We don’t quite see as much of the other series regulars, but I did enjoy the scenes they got. The plot is strong with plenty to keep us engaged. I did feel the ending was a bit rushed, and one aspect wasn’t completely resolved. As always, there’s gentle humor throughout the book that makes it just that much more delightful. This book will please fans of the series. If that isn’t you yet, you should fix that today.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
November 10, 2022
RATING: 3 STARS (2021, Kensington)
It took me awhile to get to Murder in an English Glade (Book 5), and then once I started it, it took me even longer to finish. Beryl and Edwina skipping off to an art colony in the village should be my jam, but I found it slow. Edwina is working on her novel, letting self doubt plague her, and keeping it a secret from everyone but Beryl. American Beryl does not seem to get Bedoes role as a housekeeper, and keeps getting in her way by helping her. She has aggravated Bedoes to the point of her want to quit. It is perfect timing when Charles sends a friend from the art colony to hire Beryl and Edwina. They are hired to look like detectives but actually detect.
It took me a month to read this! I was reading it on my eReader so kept it as my bedtime book. Though that might have been a bad decision as I tended to red a page and then listened to my audiobook (of the day) instead. I just found the story slow and the case to me was not as interesting. In saying that, I am looking forward to the next book, as this is still a can’t wait to read series.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
It took me awhile to get to Murder in an English Glade (Book 5), and then once I started it, it took me even longer to finish. Beryl and Edwina skipping off to an art colony in the village should be my jam, but I found it slow. Edwina is working on her novel, letting self doubt plague her, and keeping it a secret from everyone but Beryl. American Beryl does not seem to get Bedoes role as a housekeeper, and keeps getting in her way by helping her. She has aggravated Bedoes to the point of her want to quit. It is perfect timing when Charles sends a friend from the art colony to hire Beryl and Edwina. They are hired to look like detectives but actually detect.
It took me a month to read this! I was reading it on my eReader so kept it as my bedtime book. Though that might have been a bad decision as I tended to red a page and then listened to my audiobook (of the day) instead. I just found the story slow and the case to me was not as interesting. In saying that, I am looking forward to the next book, as this is still a can’t wait to read series.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
February 14, 2025
2.75 stars (Audible Plus Catalog). Very complicated "whodunnit" for a cozy mystery + after 5 books, now there is a secret profession for one of our protagonists?
October 25, 2021
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to review Murder in an English Glade. All opinions are my own.
Edwina and Beryl, the proprietors of the Davenport and Helliwell Private Enquiry Agency are back in their fifth adventure in this one, set in and about the lovely village of Warmsley Parva, where an astonishing number of bodies have a nasty habit of turning up. This case is slightly different; they’ve been asked by the lady owner of one of the nearby large estates to disprove some rather unpleasant allegations about the lady in question’s sister-in-law. Since Beryl is in hot water at home, this comes as a welcome diversion. So off they go to the estate, where a Girl Guides convocation and an Artists’ Colony do is taking place. All at the same time. Need I say that nothing is going to be easy about this?
Well, well. We soon have a murder. Edwina wants to stay out of it. Beryl has other ideas. By a happy turn of affairs, they are brought “semi-officially” into the case (we know from early earlier books that Constable Gibbs doesn’t like them to meddle).
There’s lots of suspects – the obvious one, of course. And then there’s another dead body, which throws everything awry. Our dogged duo is on the case, so all will be resolved satisfactorily, of course.
I didn’t enjoy this one as much as others in the series. Took a long time to get to the meat of the story and was too full of the self-examinations of our two heroines. I like Beryl and Edwina, but I’m not their shrink and don’t need every little detail of the whys and wherefores of their psyches played out for me. After a few chapters of this, I found myself skimming later passages, my interest lagging.
But they do apprehend a murderer and they can go home, happily. Ready for another adventure, and I’ll be along for that one.
Edwina and Beryl, the proprietors of the Davenport and Helliwell Private Enquiry Agency are back in their fifth adventure in this one, set in and about the lovely village of Warmsley Parva, where an astonishing number of bodies have a nasty habit of turning up. This case is slightly different; they’ve been asked by the lady owner of one of the nearby large estates to disprove some rather unpleasant allegations about the lady in question’s sister-in-law. Since Beryl is in hot water at home, this comes as a welcome diversion. So off they go to the estate, where a Girl Guides convocation and an Artists’ Colony do is taking place. All at the same time. Need I say that nothing is going to be easy about this?
Well, well. We soon have a murder. Edwina wants to stay out of it. Beryl has other ideas. By a happy turn of affairs, they are brought “semi-officially” into the case (we know from early earlier books that Constable Gibbs doesn’t like them to meddle).
There’s lots of suspects – the obvious one, of course. And then there’s another dead body, which throws everything awry. Our dogged duo is on the case, so all will be resolved satisfactorily, of course.
I didn’t enjoy this one as much as others in the series. Took a long time to get to the meat of the story and was too full of the self-examinations of our two heroines. I like Beryl and Edwina, but I’m not their shrink and don’t need every little detail of the whys and wherefores of their psyches played out for me. After a few chapters of this, I found myself skimming later passages, my interest lagging.
But they do apprehend a murderer and they can go home, happily. Ready for another adventure, and I’ll be along for that one.
September 26, 2022
I really loved it! I really enjoyed both the story and the characters in this book. The mystery had many possible suspects. I honestly did not know who the murderer was until the very end. Many of the characters had secrets that they were hiding, making for an interesting plot. This book was different from the others in the series because the main setting was away from the Beeches, which is Beryl and Edwina's home. I was okay with that although I did miss Simpkins, Crumpet and Beddoes, although they did make appearances in the story. I have grown to love all of the main characters and am a bit sad that I have now read all of the books in this series. I hope that the author writes another book very soon!
August 12, 2023
This is just a nice cozy mystery to read. Edwina & Beryl are invited to an artist colony not far from where they live. They are called upon to investigate a domestic inquiry, but soon their investigation turns to murder. These two ladies are coming into their own as inquiry agents and even the local constabulary is warming up to them. I like the setting of the time after The Great War & like the ladies different styles and personalities.
July 18, 2023
This one had a lot going for it! Not only did we get a mystery with all the pieces lined up for us (and lots of red herrings to obscure that line), but the character development was excellent. My problems with what the author was doing to Edwina in the last book seems to be settling down some. Which is a relief. I want her to be a strong woman who knows her own mind. I want her to shake off her mother's ridiculous expectations. I don't want her to become a Beryl copycat in the process. She's just not Beryl! And if you homogenize the characters, then one of them is redundant and should be eliminated.
At first, I was a bit annoyed (and had it marked down as 4 stars) that the end felt a smidge rushed, but then I realized... It's part of the story! It needed to be. That's actually a plot point! GENIUS. So five stars it is.
I nearly got tricked in this one. There was definitely a possible motive that would've meant I was totally wrong on the whodunnit side, and that had me unnerved. I almost changed my mind about it all. Glad I didn't, but whoeeee!
As always, Barbara Rosenblat is great. Her only weakness seems to be when she does very small children. And considering the wide variety of accents she can pull off, that's amazing!
For general market fiction, the series is mostly clean. I recall few if any foul words (at least in this book) and while characters may choose to behave in ways that I personally don't think are right, they're usually barely mentioned and never shown on the page.
At first, I was a bit annoyed (and had it marked down as 4 stars) that the end felt a smidge rushed, but then I realized... It's part of the story! It needed to be. That's actually a plot point! GENIUS. So five stars it is.
I nearly got tricked in this one. There was definitely a possible motive that would've meant I was totally wrong on the whodunnit side, and that had me unnerved. I almost changed my mind about it all. Glad I didn't, but whoeeee!
As always, Barbara Rosenblat is great. Her only weakness seems to be when she does very small children. And considering the wide variety of accents she can pull off, that's amazing!
For general market fiction, the series is mostly clean. I recall few if any foul words (at least in this book) and while characters may choose to behave in ways that I personally don't think are right, they're usually barely mentioned and never shown on the page.
June 26, 2022
Beryl and Edwina are private inquiry agents and they were asked to join a house party, where the head of the family was hosting an art colony. The women were sent there to observe if there was a liaison between the Duke's wife and an artist. The artist turned up dead by strangulation. Who is the murderer? There are many people to choose from: especially one artist, a model, the Duke and the eccentric cousin (the one that started the rumor about the affair). The Countess was hosting the girl guides also and her cousin was a big help, teaching them tying knots, first aid, making jam and sewing on buttons. One Girl Guide found the dead body of the artist, she had a crush on him. Beryl found an unexpected friend, he drew pictures of her during the war. Edwina didn't know about him before and she was suspicious of him. The pictures were sold to be put inside cigarette packages for the Duke's cigarette company. The women were having a hard time finding evidence that someone committed the murder. Beryl was on her way to teaching the Girl Guides how to cook over a campfire. She noticed three crows in the trees looking at the murder scene, it gave her goosebumps and stopped to check it out. She found the eccentric cousin dead, she had been strangled with her scarf. Now they had another murder to investigate. This book is a little slow, but I enjoy the characters and the time in history, after World War I. I think anyone would enjoy this series. It's entertaining and fun to see how Beryl and Edwina solve the crime.
January 2, 2022
3.5 stars
Beryl and Edwina are called upon to assist the wealthy Constance Maitland in a sham investigation into the supposed improper conduct of her sister-in-law Ursula with a member of the artists colony staying at Maitland Park. This investigation comes at the perfect time as Beryl's offer to help the new maid Beddoes with cleaning nearly caused Beddoes to quit! Beryl is excited about visiting the artists colony but none too thrilled about her cover story of guest speaker to the Girl Guides also staying at the Park. Edwina has agreed to pose as a model for her friend Charles but almost leaves in a hurry when she encounters some of the scandalous goings-on of some of the artists. Beryl convinces Edwina to stay but there isn't much to base their investigation on. Even Beryl considers giving up until one of the Girl Guides discovers the dead body of one of the artists lying in the glade. With Constable Gibbs on the job, this murder is likely never to be solved, therefore Beryl thinks she might just do a little clandestine investigating on her own in spite of Constable Gibbs threatening the private detectives if they stick their nose in. However, Edwina soon discovers what it means to work for the upper crust and it could cost Constable Gibbs her job if Beryl and Edwina won't help. The trick is soothing ruffled feathers all around and finding a way to obtain permission to investigate from both Constable Gibbs and Constance Maitland. The more they get to know the artists, the more complicated the case becomes as the pair uncover giant egos, back room deals and one lovestruck teenager. When another body turns up, the friends are shocked as that person was their chief suspect. Now they have to start over! Can they solve this one before they're pressured into picking someone who is not a member of the Maitland family?
This series is such a delight. It's cozy but has a lot of history behind it. The mystery wasn't so interesting to me as some of the others. At least not to begin with. I thought I knew who the murderer was and why. It seemed kind of obvious that it was one of two people. Then Beryl and Edwina had the one of same suspects in mind so I thought for sure it was the other one. I turned out to be wrong both times. I had to stay up late to see the outcome of the investigation. I never guessed who or why. The clues really aren't there. I wasn't crazy about the cigarette company fortune and all the commentary about cigarettes and the future of cigarette companies. I would rejoice if these people went out of business! I learned something new though, about cigarette cards. I didn't know anything about that and I'm not sure I've ever come across one in an antique shop.
What really shines in this story is the character development. Edwina has come a long way since we first met her. She's become more bold thanks to Beryl's influence and her success solving crimes. Her latest endeavor, as a novelist, seems to be giving her further confidence. I believe Charles is the only one who sees her as she really is. Charles, too, is blooming. He has hidden depths he hasn't shown Edwina yet and he's really not such a nerd after all. I can't wait to watch him blossom further and come out of his shell now he's been accepted by the artists colony at Maitland Park. His choice of friends leaves a lot to be desired though. Beryl has grown up a bit. She's uncomfortable being the foreigner and the lone egalitarian American. She was raised much in the same way as Edwina, to have servants wait on her, but has grown more accustomed to fending for herself. I relate to both these ladies. Like Edwina, I'm cautious and rely on traditions and history. Like Beryl, I'm independent and would go mad living Edwina's life. Beryl means well but she's impulsive and that sometimes gets her into trouble. Here we see her slowing down and starting to consider how she appears to her friend and considering Edwina's feelings. Beryl is forced to confront her notions of "home" and what that means, for the first time. These two ladies are unlikely friends but good for each other. They were both so lonely before Beryl crashed into town.
I missed the residents of Walmsley Parva. We see Prudence only once, thank goodness. Constanble Gibbs plays a large role in this book. Her character development is quite good as well. Here she shows her vulnerable side and appears more human. She's better developed and not just a villainish police woman bent on thwarting Beryl and Edwina. She's actually right that they're just civillians (nosy spinsters) and she truly wants to solve the cases she's given but she's the ONLY one on the job. I'm not sure why she doesn't call the higher-ups but it makes for a better story of course, to have the nosy spinsters doing the sleuthing. In this case we're dealing with the upper crust who don't want the police interfering and causing a scandal. The investigation feels a bit repetitive at times and could have been reduced to narrative rather than repeating dialogue.
The Maitland family are not very pleasant people. Constance Maitland hires Beryl and Edwina and then treats them like hired help. She's not very sympathetic or understanding of her distant relative, Cressida, who may or may not suffer from paranoia and delusions. Constance cares about her servants only so much as they affect her - her routine, her meals. She could care less about them as people who are scared they will be murdered. Cressida is REALLY starchy and old-fashioned in her morals. She's super tough on the Girl Guides and suspects Constance's sister-in-law Urusula of having an affair and then confronts the woman with her nasty accusations. I think she's just old-fashioned and overly concerned with matters that shouldn't concern her but I don't see evidence of paranoia and delusions. Edwina notices things no one else does, why shouldn't Cressida? Constance is nice enough about her brother and his new, young wife. Hubert is an affable gentleman, lazy and unconcerned with running the household. He adores his wife, Ursula, who seems lovely but may be having an affair with one of the artists. Ursula doesn't seem like one who would cause a scandal by having a public affair. Even if she married her husband for money, what does she get out of the affair with an artist? Louis Beck may be a famous, wealthy and influential artist but I'm betting Mr. Maitland has more money and Ursula knows that and knows what she would lose if he divorced her.
That said, Louis Beck is a slimeball. He's too arrogant for his own good. He thinks he's charming and good looking and normally he does seem to be able to charm the ladies, but our sleuths are too astute for that. Edwina is shocked by Louis's painting a nude model out in the open! He's on her hit list now. Beryl knows the type too well. However, young Janet, a teenage Girl Guide, seems to be smitten. While I disagree with Beryl's assesment of Janet as a child incapble of rational thought, I do think Janet's teenage hormones and romantic sensibilities MAY have caused her to do something she shouldn't have. Several something, maybe. I don't trust Louis's motive in involving her in his painting. The Girl Guides should be off limits. If I were Janet, I would resent Cressida's intrusion into my private life and even the strict ideas of the Girl Guides. Helpful is a relative term and these girls seem to be nuisances. Could Janet merely be trying to be helpful or did Louis seduce her? Where does that leave Ursula? What about Tuva, his lovely model? Tuva, a former dancer from Sweden, before an tragedy left her disfigured, has no inhibitions about her body and more than happy to pose nude. Or maybe it's the money that drives her. Or perhaps merely being with artistic types again that drives her. At any rate, she is beautiful and graceful but not a very likable person. I find her very cold and unemotional about anything not involving dancing. Could she be having an affair with Louis and killed him when she discovered his affair with Ursula and his seduction of Janet?
Roger Hazeldine, an old aquaintance of Beryl's, is also an arrogant, sleazy man. Beryl knows him from the war years but she isn't saying how. He also nearly ran Edwina off the road in his motorcycle and therefore, she wants him to be a murder suspect. He was riding with Ursula-the very married Ursula. Are they having an affair? Roger hated Louis and was jealous of the other man's success. Louis Spencer Spaulding, a friend of Charles's, is not very nice either. Spencer seems shady and he was a huge rival of Louis's possibly both professionally and personally. Spencer has a good reason to want Louis out of the picture. How far will he go to get what he wants? What is with these artists? They all have huge egos and view women as objects. The men are jealous of each other and were spotted fighting. Does that make one of them a murderer? Perhaps Spencer and Roger teamed up to elimiate a rival?
I wouldn't say this series is a favorite but I do enjoy it a lot and recommend it to historical cozy mystery fans. In this case, I especially enjoyed reading about a lovely English summer when it was a rainy winter night here. I know what the future might have in store for Edwina and I'm curious to see where the author takes the story next, if she goes with that original idea or comes up with something new.
This was my last read of 2021!
Beryl and Edwina are called upon to assist the wealthy Constance Maitland in a sham investigation into the supposed improper conduct of her sister-in-law Ursula with a member of the artists colony staying at Maitland Park. This investigation comes at the perfect time as Beryl's offer to help the new maid Beddoes with cleaning nearly caused Beddoes to quit! Beryl is excited about visiting the artists colony but none too thrilled about her cover story of guest speaker to the Girl Guides also staying at the Park. Edwina has agreed to pose as a model for her friend Charles but almost leaves in a hurry when she encounters some of the scandalous goings-on of some of the artists. Beryl convinces Edwina to stay but there isn't much to base their investigation on. Even Beryl considers giving up until one of the Girl Guides discovers the dead body of one of the artists lying in the glade. With Constable Gibbs on the job, this murder is likely never to be solved, therefore Beryl thinks she might just do a little clandestine investigating on her own in spite of Constable Gibbs threatening the private detectives if they stick their nose in. However, Edwina soon discovers what it means to work for the upper crust and it could cost Constable Gibbs her job if Beryl and Edwina won't help. The trick is soothing ruffled feathers all around and finding a way to obtain permission to investigate from both Constable Gibbs and Constance Maitland. The more they get to know the artists, the more complicated the case becomes as the pair uncover giant egos, back room deals and one lovestruck teenager. When another body turns up, the friends are shocked as that person was their chief suspect. Now they have to start over! Can they solve this one before they're pressured into picking someone who is not a member of the Maitland family?
This series is such a delight. It's cozy but has a lot of history behind it. The mystery wasn't so interesting to me as some of the others. At least not to begin with. I thought I knew who the murderer was and why. It seemed kind of obvious that it was one of two people. Then Beryl and Edwina had the one of same suspects in mind so I thought for sure it was the other one. I turned out to be wrong both times. I had to stay up late to see the outcome of the investigation. I never guessed who or why. The clues really aren't there. I wasn't crazy about the cigarette company fortune and all the commentary about cigarettes and the future of cigarette companies. I would rejoice if these people went out of business! I learned something new though, about cigarette cards. I didn't know anything about that and I'm not sure I've ever come across one in an antique shop.
What really shines in this story is the character development. Edwina has come a long way since we first met her. She's become more bold thanks to Beryl's influence and her success solving crimes. Her latest endeavor, as a novelist, seems to be giving her further confidence. I believe Charles is the only one who sees her as she really is. Charles, too, is blooming. He has hidden depths he hasn't shown Edwina yet and he's really not such a nerd after all. I can't wait to watch him blossom further and come out of his shell now he's been accepted by the artists colony at Maitland Park. His choice of friends leaves a lot to be desired though. Beryl has grown up a bit. She's uncomfortable being the foreigner and the lone egalitarian American. She was raised much in the same way as Edwina, to have servants wait on her, but has grown more accustomed to fending for herself. I relate to both these ladies. Like Edwina, I'm cautious and rely on traditions and history. Like Beryl, I'm independent and would go mad living Edwina's life. Beryl means well but she's impulsive and that sometimes gets her into trouble. Here we see her slowing down and starting to consider how she appears to her friend and considering Edwina's feelings. Beryl is forced to confront her notions of "home" and what that means, for the first time. These two ladies are unlikely friends but good for each other. They were both so lonely before Beryl crashed into town.
I missed the residents of Walmsley Parva. We see Prudence only once, thank goodness. Constanble Gibbs plays a large role in this book. Her character development is quite good as well. Here she shows her vulnerable side and appears more human. She's better developed and not just a villainish police woman bent on thwarting Beryl and Edwina. She's actually right that they're just civillians (nosy spinsters) and she truly wants to solve the cases she's given but she's the ONLY one on the job. I'm not sure why she doesn't call the higher-ups but it makes for a better story of course, to have the nosy spinsters doing the sleuthing. In this case we're dealing with the upper crust who don't want the police interfering and causing a scandal. The investigation feels a bit repetitive at times and could have been reduced to narrative rather than repeating dialogue.
The Maitland family are not very pleasant people. Constance Maitland hires Beryl and Edwina and then treats them like hired help. She's not very sympathetic or understanding of her distant relative, Cressida, who may or may not suffer from paranoia and delusions. Constance cares about her servants only so much as they affect her - her routine, her meals. She could care less about them as people who are scared they will be murdered. Cressida is REALLY starchy and old-fashioned in her morals. She's super tough on the Girl Guides and suspects Constance's sister-in-law Urusula of having an affair and then confronts the woman with her nasty accusations. I think she's just old-fashioned and overly concerned with matters that shouldn't concern her but I don't see evidence of paranoia and delusions. Edwina notices things no one else does, why shouldn't Cressida? Constance is nice enough about her brother and his new, young wife. Hubert is an affable gentleman, lazy and unconcerned with running the household. He adores his wife, Ursula, who seems lovely but may be having an affair with one of the artists. Ursula doesn't seem like one who would cause a scandal by having a public affair. Even if she married her husband for money, what does she get out of the affair with an artist? Louis Beck may be a famous, wealthy and influential artist but I'm betting Mr. Maitland has more money and Ursula knows that and knows what she would lose if he divorced her.
That said, Louis Beck is a slimeball. He's too arrogant for his own good. He thinks he's charming and good looking and normally he does seem to be able to charm the ladies, but our sleuths are too astute for that. Edwina is shocked by Louis's painting a nude model out in the open! He's on her hit list now. Beryl knows the type too well. However, young Janet, a teenage Girl Guide, seems to be smitten. While I disagree with Beryl's assesment of Janet as a child incapble of rational thought, I do think Janet's teenage hormones and romantic sensibilities MAY have caused her to do something she shouldn't have. Several something, maybe. I don't trust Louis's motive in involving her in his painting. The Girl Guides should be off limits. If I were Janet, I would resent Cressida's intrusion into my private life and even the strict ideas of the Girl Guides. Helpful is a relative term and these girls seem to be nuisances. Could Janet merely be trying to be helpful or did Louis seduce her? Where does that leave Ursula? What about Tuva, his lovely model? Tuva, a former dancer from Sweden, before an tragedy left her disfigured, has no inhibitions about her body and more than happy to pose nude. Or maybe it's the money that drives her. Or perhaps merely being with artistic types again that drives her. At any rate, she is beautiful and graceful but not a very likable person. I find her very cold and unemotional about anything not involving dancing. Could she be having an affair with Louis and killed him when she discovered his affair with Ursula and his seduction of Janet?
Roger Hazeldine, an old aquaintance of Beryl's, is also an arrogant, sleazy man. Beryl knows him from the war years but she isn't saying how. He also nearly ran Edwina off the road in his motorcycle and therefore, she wants him to be a murder suspect. He was riding with Ursula-the very married Ursula. Are they having an affair? Roger hated Louis and was jealous of the other man's success. Louis Spencer Spaulding, a friend of Charles's, is not very nice either. Spencer seems shady and he was a huge rival of Louis's possibly both professionally and personally. Spencer has a good reason to want Louis out of the picture. How far will he go to get what he wants? What is with these artists? They all have huge egos and view women as objects. The men are jealous of each other and were spotted fighting. Does that make one of them a murderer? Perhaps Spencer and Roger teamed up to elimiate a rival?
I wouldn't say this series is a favorite but I do enjoy it a lot and recommend it to historical cozy mystery fans. In this case, I especially enjoyed reading about a lovely English summer when it was a rainy winter night here. I know what the future might have in store for Edwina and I'm curious to see where the author takes the story next, if she goes with that original idea or comes up with something new.
This was my last read of 2021!
October 26, 2021
Murder in an English Glade is the very charming 5th installment in Jessica Ellicott's Beryl and Edwina Mysteries. When Walmsley Parva's two favorite enquiry agents are summoned to a local artists' colony to investigate a potentially adulterous situation, things heat up quickly when one of the artists turns up dead! Was he killed because of his possible affair? Was it related to the Great War? Beryl and Edwina are on the case! Lots of suspects, and lots of fun! A+++
August 17, 2022
Best one so far. Continued problems with proofreading, though -- as in substituting the word "tenant" for the correct "tenet."
April 10, 2022
English Edwina and American adventurer Beryl have joined forces to form a detective agency when they are asked to visit a local country house and pretend to investigate the rumored affair of the lady of the house with an artist visiting the new artists' colony on the grounds. They are pretending only to put an end to some malicious gossip coming from within the wealthy family. But when Beryl finds the artist's dead body on the grounds, it's clear that more than pretense is afoot.
January 2, 2024
Love this series! Really do! One of my favorites! Got the next book and cannot wait to start it! This one, well, it was my first that wasn’t a five star. 🤔 It was fun and we had a new setting, lots of growth in our gals. There was almost too much going on. By the time we got to the end, we were looking at a resolution that hadn’t even been hinted at till near the end. Very good, but not my fave.
February 15, 2024
This series might be my favorite historical cosy mystery. I love following Beryl and Edwina on their sleuthing missions, and see them grow as human beings and friends. Charles really got to me this time.
October 29, 2021
Another case solved by Beryl and Edwina! These two lady sleuths, with their contrasting yet complimentary personalities, make a perfect duo in solving mysteries in the small English countryside town of Walmsley Parva. Charming and delightful, this series has truly become one of my favorites.
June 22, 2023
Enjoyable, but I had a hard time distinguishing between characters and staying focused on the story. A pleasant enough read, though.
October 5, 2021
This is an interesting book.
It is the fifth in a series and that made it difficult for me. I would have appreciated a little more background and explanation of past events and past relationships.
The time period is between the World Wars. Edwina and Beryl live in a very small village and they have opened a personal investigation agency. They seem to find employment in the most unusual places.
They are asked to pretend to investigate at an artist’s retreat. They will be at the largest estate in the area. The family is not of the nobility, but they are of the wealthy class.
Since they can use the money, they accept the pretend job. Both women expect this to be a very easy time.
They are supposed to be investigating a possible case of adultery but in reality there is no case. That is until there is a murder.
I liked the mystery. It is well done and the red herrings add a great deal to the mystery. The reader is taken on a good journey. We learn about art, and artists and artist’s models. And we also learn about the changing class system. World War I made the entire English population look at things in a brand new light.
The characters are well done. Edwina and Beryl are completely developed. The secondary characters are important to the plot. And all of them are interesting.
I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are completely my own.
It is the fifth in a series and that made it difficult for me. I would have appreciated a little more background and explanation of past events and past relationships.
The time period is between the World Wars. Edwina and Beryl live in a very small village and they have opened a personal investigation agency. They seem to find employment in the most unusual places.
They are asked to pretend to investigate at an artist’s retreat. They will be at the largest estate in the area. The family is not of the nobility, but they are of the wealthy class.
Since they can use the money, they accept the pretend job. Both women expect this to be a very easy time.
They are supposed to be investigating a possible case of adultery but in reality there is no case. That is until there is a murder.
I liked the mystery. It is well done and the red herrings add a great deal to the mystery. The reader is taken on a good journey. We learn about art, and artists and artist’s models. And we also learn about the changing class system. World War I made the entire English population look at things in a brand new light.
The characters are well done. Edwina and Beryl are completely developed. The secondary characters are important to the plot. And all of them are interesting.
I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are completely my own.
February 3, 2022
It's always fun spending time with Beryl and Edwina in post-WWI Walmsley Parva, and each book in the series is eagerly awaited. Murder in an English Glade is the 5th book in the series and finds Beryl and Edwina invited to a country manor, Maitland Park, to conduct a fictional investigation. Resident at the home is an artists' colony as well as a Girl Guides group. While conducting the supposed investigation, one of the subjects of the investigation is murdered. Edwina and Beryl are subsequently asked to assist the local police with the investigation in an attempt to keep the household staff from leaving. The investigation explores relationships among the various members of the artist's colony, the observations and activities of the Girl Guides, secrets from the war and several of the artists' involvement in painting cigarette cards. That's quite a lot and the author does an excellent job weaving it all together while keeping the reader constantly guessing whodunnit.
Beryl and Edwina are wonderful characters. They've known each other since school and have found themselves residing together at Edwina's family estate. Beryl's American mannerisms alongside Edwina's English upbringing make for a very enjoyable read - no mystery required! This story goes a bit more into Beryl's activities during the war and she is quite surprised to find someone she worked with during the war participating in the artists' colony. His presence creates a bit of strain between Beryl and Edwina, as Beryl is not ready to divulge the relationship to Edwina. In the meantime, Edwina's character continues to develop as she is busy on her own posing as an artist's model for local attorney Charles, whom Beryl avows is in love with Edwina. There is a fair share of humor as well - Beryl's attempts to help the housekeeper clean Edwina's home, Constable Gibbs and her brass band, and Beryl's trying to train the Girl Guides.
The author does a great job placing the reader in the setting. While reading it is very easy to 'see' the estate, envision the activities of the household, the actions of the artists and models, and the Girl Guides working on their next badge. One can easily follow the workings of Edwina's and Beryl's minds as they solve the murder at hand.
There is so much to like about this book! I highly recommend Murder in an English Glade, and the entire series. You definitely need to become part of Beryl and Edwina's world!
Beryl and Edwina are wonderful characters. They've known each other since school and have found themselves residing together at Edwina's family estate. Beryl's American mannerisms alongside Edwina's English upbringing make for a very enjoyable read - no mystery required! This story goes a bit more into Beryl's activities during the war and she is quite surprised to find someone she worked with during the war participating in the artists' colony. His presence creates a bit of strain between Beryl and Edwina, as Beryl is not ready to divulge the relationship to Edwina. In the meantime, Edwina's character continues to develop as she is busy on her own posing as an artist's model for local attorney Charles, whom Beryl avows is in love with Edwina. There is a fair share of humor as well - Beryl's attempts to help the housekeeper clean Edwina's home, Constable Gibbs and her brass band, and Beryl's trying to train the Girl Guides.
The author does a great job placing the reader in the setting. While reading it is very easy to 'see' the estate, envision the activities of the household, the actions of the artists and models, and the Girl Guides working on their next badge. One can easily follow the workings of Edwina's and Beryl's minds as they solve the murder at hand.
There is so much to like about this book! I highly recommend Murder in an English Glade, and the entire series. You definitely need to become part of Beryl and Edwina's world!
October 27, 2021
Murder In An English Glade is the fifth book in the Beryl and Edwina Mystery series by Jessica Ellicott.
Constance Maitland has heard nothing but good things about Davenport and Helliwell Private Enquiry Agents and digression in handling their investigations. Mrs. Maitland asks them to run a fake study of her sister-in-law Ursula. Constance’s cousin, Cressida, has commented how Ursula is having an affair with artist Louis Langdon Beck. Beck will be attending an artist colony on the Maitland estate. Constance wants Edwina and Beryl to appear to investigate these allegations and report that they found no truth to these accusations. Their cover stories are that Beryl is to help the Girl Guides earn badges in various skills, and Edwina will be a model for Charles, her legal advisor and friend. Beryl and Edwina have barely started their interviews when Girl Guide Janet comes running to Beryl, telling her that she has found Beck dead in the glade. When Constable Doris Gibbs arrives and begins her investigation, she tells Edwina and Beryl to stay out of her analysis in no uncertain terms.
Edwina heads off to see Constance to find out if she wants Edwina and Beryl to end their interviewing. Instead, she asks that Edwing and Beryl find the killer of Beck, or she will go over Gibb’s head. For personal reasons, Gibbs agrees with Edwina that they can help with the investigation. They will find no shortage of suspects.
I always enjoy my visits to Walmsley Parva to see what Edwina and Beryl are doing. The story is well-written and plotted. There were enough red herrings that I was kept guessing until the end of the book. The characters are well-developed, engaging, and believable.
I will be looking for the next book in this exciting series.
Constance Maitland has heard nothing but good things about Davenport and Helliwell Private Enquiry Agents and digression in handling their investigations. Mrs. Maitland asks them to run a fake study of her sister-in-law Ursula. Constance’s cousin, Cressida, has commented how Ursula is having an affair with artist Louis Langdon Beck. Beck will be attending an artist colony on the Maitland estate. Constance wants Edwina and Beryl to appear to investigate these allegations and report that they found no truth to these accusations. Their cover stories are that Beryl is to help the Girl Guides earn badges in various skills, and Edwina will be a model for Charles, her legal advisor and friend. Beryl and Edwina have barely started their interviews when Girl Guide Janet comes running to Beryl, telling her that she has found Beck dead in the glade. When Constable Doris Gibbs arrives and begins her investigation, she tells Edwina and Beryl to stay out of her analysis in no uncertain terms.
Edwina heads off to see Constance to find out if she wants Edwina and Beryl to end their interviewing. Instead, she asks that Edwing and Beryl find the killer of Beck, or she will go over Gibb’s head. For personal reasons, Gibbs agrees with Edwina that they can help with the investigation. They will find no shortage of suspects.
I always enjoy my visits to Walmsley Parva to see what Edwina and Beryl are doing. The story is well-written and plotted. There were enough red herrings that I was kept guessing until the end of the book. The characters are well-developed, engaging, and believable.
I will be looking for the next book in this exciting series.
September 15, 2021
Set in 1920s rural England, this clever and witty book, the fifth in the series, is splendid in every way. It is charming, brilliant, funny (I literally laughed out loud at descriptions at times), clean and cozy, yet unpredictable and twisty turny. I just love this author's writing. She has such a knack for developing quirky characters and weaving stories beautifully while etching atmosphere into the reader's mind. Not only are there mysteries, social class differences and impacts of post war but also romantic interests.
American Beryl and Brit Edwina have formed a private enquiry agency and are asked by Constance to feign an investigation undercover. Maitland Park hosts an artist colony so the women pose as an instructor and an artist. One of them also tries her hand at modeling. But the posing becomes the real thing when murder enters the scene. The mysteries, deception and secrets are well done but to me the women's characters are equally fascinating. Though their personalities are very different from one another, they are complementary. The reader is able to watch the personal growth of Beryl and Edwina which is enjoyable and at times relatable.
Talk about tremendous fun! If you seek a historical fiction/mystery series, you definitely should read these books which are well worth your time. They will surely get under your skin, in a good way. The book cover is apt and accurately reflects what is contained inside.
My sincere thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this delightful book. I very much anticipate number six and wonder what is in store?!
American Beryl and Brit Edwina have formed a private enquiry agency and are asked by Constance to feign an investigation undercover. Maitland Park hosts an artist colony so the women pose as an instructor and an artist. One of them also tries her hand at modeling. But the posing becomes the real thing when murder enters the scene. The mysteries, deception and secrets are well done but to me the women's characters are equally fascinating. Though their personalities are very different from one another, they are complementary. The reader is able to watch the personal growth of Beryl and Edwina which is enjoyable and at times relatable.
Talk about tremendous fun! If you seek a historical fiction/mystery series, you definitely should read these books which are well worth your time. They will surely get under your skin, in a good way. The book cover is apt and accurately reflects what is contained inside.
My sincere thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this delightful book. I very much anticipate number six and wonder what is in store?!
July 13, 2021
{Thanks to NetGalley and Kengington Books for the gift of an eARC in exchange for an honest review.}
Beryl and Edwina, now running a private enquiry business in the small town of Walmsley Parva, are invited to stay at the local manor in order to pretend to investigate the suspected relationship between the new wife of the much older lord of the manor and a visiting artist. Their employer is certain there is no such relationship going on, but wants to appease an eccentric family member who may not be entirely sane. Between an artists’ colony and a Girl Guides’ camping trip occurring on the manor grounds, there are many suspects around when the suspected lover turns up dead.
This is the fifth novel in the Beryl and Edwina Mysteries series. I “read” the first two as audiobooks and loved the two detectives as well as the quirky townspeople of Walmsley Parva, so I jumped on the chance to read an eARC of this instalment. I wasn’t disappointed, as Murder in an English Glade has all the elements I grew to love - a solid mystery, distinctive characters, and a English village setting - while also deepening the emotional bonds between the characters. Reading these novels really feels like getting to know these characters almost like real people as they grow and develop. I especially enjoyed seeing how both Beryl and Edwina are beginning to think of the Beeches - Edwina’s house - as “home” more because of the people in it than because it is the place they live. (I love the found family trope, and this series is getting closer and closer to it with every book.)
There is also fun character development in Constable Gibbs, something happened in book four to make her much more willing to collaborate with Beryl and Edwina. The hints of romance between Charles and Edwina continue to develop, and we are given a much clearer understanding of Edwina’s views on romance and marriage.
The voice and rhythm of the narration is very distinct, and I absolutely love it. I was afraid that by reading rather than listening, I would lose that specific cadence, but it is right there on the page. The third-person point of view alternates between Beryl and Edwina seamlessly, and each character shows unique thought processes and gifts (not to mention flaws) that make them always interesting.
The mystery felt less complex than in earlier books, or perhaps I am getting better at deciphering the clues, but if I had to say one negative thing about this novel it is that I guessed the culprit much too early for my taste. Nevertheless, I really enjoy this series and these characters, and this did not detract from my pleasure.
Beryl and Edwina, now running a private enquiry business in the small town of Walmsley Parva, are invited to stay at the local manor in order to pretend to investigate the suspected relationship between the new wife of the much older lord of the manor and a visiting artist. Their employer is certain there is no such relationship going on, but wants to appease an eccentric family member who may not be entirely sane. Between an artists’ colony and a Girl Guides’ camping trip occurring on the manor grounds, there are many suspects around when the suspected lover turns up dead.
This is the fifth novel in the Beryl and Edwina Mysteries series. I “read” the first two as audiobooks and loved the two detectives as well as the quirky townspeople of Walmsley Parva, so I jumped on the chance to read an eARC of this instalment. I wasn’t disappointed, as Murder in an English Glade has all the elements I grew to love - a solid mystery, distinctive characters, and a English village setting - while also deepening the emotional bonds between the characters. Reading these novels really feels like getting to know these characters almost like real people as they grow and develop. I especially enjoyed seeing how both Beryl and Edwina are beginning to think of the Beeches - Edwina’s house - as “home” more because of the people in it than because it is the place they live. (I love the found family trope, and this series is getting closer and closer to it with every book.)
There is also fun character development in Constable Gibbs, something happened in book four to make her much more willing to collaborate with Beryl and Edwina. The hints of romance between Charles and Edwina continue to develop, and we are given a much clearer understanding of Edwina’s views on romance and marriage.
The voice and rhythm of the narration is very distinct, and I absolutely love it. I was afraid that by reading rather than listening, I would lose that specific cadence, but it is right there on the page. The third-person point of view alternates between Beryl and Edwina seamlessly, and each character shows unique thought processes and gifts (not to mention flaws) that make them always interesting.
The mystery felt less complex than in earlier books, or perhaps I am getting better at deciphering the clues, but if I had to say one negative thing about this novel it is that I guessed the culprit much too early for my taste. Nevertheless, I really enjoy this series and these characters, and this did not detract from my pleasure.
October 29, 2021
Murder in an English Glade by Jessica Ellicott is an entertaining mystery as much about the relationship between the two friends, Beryl And Edwina as it is about solving a mystery. It is a very convoluted story: The ladies are hired by a woman to come and investigate an affair that is NOT happening, basically to silence a cousin who is a little off balance. Who is going to turn down a visit to an English county house, even if it is part of an art colony and will be filled with people Edwina considers to be, at the very least, odd. The good news is that Charles, her friend, local attorney, and amateur watercolorist, will be in residence. It isn't very long before the affair is disproven as the man in question has been killed. Now Constance, the person who had originally hired them, has now switched their focus to discovering the murderer.
The story, which takes place in the 1920s, is exemplary of that time and that alone makes it entertaining. It was a time of great change for the English, after the Great War and before the next one. A woman's place in society was changing as well as mores, a typified by the changes in schools of art. Ellicott does a brilliant job in bringing that all to life as well as working with her characters to be part of the change that is coming. Her characters are alive and breathing and rethinking everything they believe to be the norm. It is wonderful to read such a compelling novel. Then, there are the murders. The plot is clever and the tangential stories are woven into the main story flawlessly. People all have different personalities and Ellicott has done of masterful job of getting them on to the written page. It is the first of this series I have read, although the others are on my radar, and it won't be the last.
I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Murder in an English Glade by Kensington Books, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #kensington #jessicaellicott #murderinanenglishglade
The story, which takes place in the 1920s, is exemplary of that time and that alone makes it entertaining. It was a time of great change for the English, after the Great War and before the next one. A woman's place in society was changing as well as mores, a typified by the changes in schools of art. Ellicott does a brilliant job in bringing that all to life as well as working with her characters to be part of the change that is coming. Her characters are alive and breathing and rethinking everything they believe to be the norm. It is wonderful to read such a compelling novel. Then, there are the murders. The plot is clever and the tangential stories are woven into the main story flawlessly. People all have different personalities and Ellicott has done of masterful job of getting them on to the written page. It is the first of this series I have read, although the others are on my radar, and it won't be the last.
I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Murder in an English Glade by Kensington Books, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #kensington #jessicaellicott #murderinanenglishglade
October 23, 2021
It's always fun to spend time with Edwina and Beryl in the English village of Walmsey Parva. When Beryl upped stakes and showed up at Edwina's home one day their lives took a major turn. They has a knack for investigation and that has led them to become private enquiry agents. Money is still tight for them but life isn't dull.
Feeling the pinch and needing a case..any case will do. When wealthy local, Constance Maitland offers them a fake case involving her sister-in-law, Ursula, Edwina isn't keen but Beryl talks her into it. After all, Beryl is the more adventurous of the two so off they go to the family manor, Maitland Park and the resident artist colony. Sounds like fun until it isn't. Their play actin investigation soon becomes all too real when the artist suspected of dallying with Ursula is found dead in the glade Beryl and Edwina will really earn their crust by conducting an honest to goodness murder investigation complete with a list of suspects longer than an arm. Add to that what the motive might be - lots of choices there, too. Love, jealousy, hate, greed, skeletons in closets. What started out as a lark is now a very serious business.
Beryl and Edwina are a fun pair and the mysteries they solve are very well written. The period of the years between the wars when so much is changing socially and the setting of a small English Village is perfect. The mysteries are full of enough humor, clues and red herrings to keep the reader engaged to the last page.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Feeling the pinch and needing a case..any case will do. When wealthy local, Constance Maitland offers them a fake case involving her sister-in-law, Ursula, Edwina isn't keen but Beryl talks her into it. After all, Beryl is the more adventurous of the two so off they go to the family manor, Maitland Park and the resident artist colony. Sounds like fun until it isn't. Their play actin investigation soon becomes all too real when the artist suspected of dallying with Ursula is found dead in the glade Beryl and Edwina will really earn their crust by conducting an honest to goodness murder investigation complete with a list of suspects longer than an arm. Add to that what the motive might be - lots of choices there, too. Love, jealousy, hate, greed, skeletons in closets. What started out as a lark is now a very serious business.
Beryl and Edwina are a fun pair and the mysteries they solve are very well written. The period of the years between the wars when so much is changing socially and the setting of a small English Village is perfect. The mysteries are full of enough humor, clues and red herrings to keep the reader engaged to the last page.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
March 5, 2023
This is one of my auto-read favourite series' for a number of reasons.
First, I love that this author writes strong female characters really well. Even when a female character is "a bad guy" (figuratively speaking) she is written with intelligence, capability and reality and I love that and think we all need more role-models of how smart and strong women actually are in our books.
Edwina and Beryl are the quintessential "opposites attract" as both friends and crime-solving partners in their detective business. They are very different in personality but this works fully to their advantage in their investigations as they can trade off tasks depending whether the "brash, American barge right in" or the "understated, ultra-polite British low-key" approach is more appropriate to any given situation. They have one of each and it works well for them and entertains the reader thoroughly.
This author does a good job coming up with new murders for our intrepid pair to solved in their small town of Walmsley Parva, and I also love the quirky, busy-body-filled small British town setting that offers plenty of oddball supporting characters and fun small-town situations.
Format note: the completely spectacular Barbara Rosenblat narrates the audio versions of this series and she brings her incredibly talented ability to really make every character sound unique and have a separate personality, so if you like audio format I highly recommend listening to the books in this series. Rosenblat brings everything to the next level with her talent!
First, I love that this author writes strong female characters really well. Even when a female character is "a bad guy" (figuratively speaking) she is written with intelligence, capability and reality and I love that and think we all need more role-models of how smart and strong women actually are in our books.
Edwina and Beryl are the quintessential "opposites attract" as both friends and crime-solving partners in their detective business. They are very different in personality but this works fully to their advantage in their investigations as they can trade off tasks depending whether the "brash, American barge right in" or the "understated, ultra-polite British low-key" approach is more appropriate to any given situation. They have one of each and it works well for them and entertains the reader thoroughly.
This author does a good job coming up with new murders for our intrepid pair to solved in their small town of Walmsley Parva, and I also love the quirky, busy-body-filled small British town setting that offers plenty of oddball supporting characters and fun small-town situations.
Format note: the completely spectacular Barbara Rosenblat narrates the audio versions of this series and she brings her incredibly talented ability to really make every character sound unique and have a separate personality, so if you like audio format I highly recommend listening to the books in this series. Rosenblat brings everything to the next level with her talent!
November 3, 2021
I love this series! I admit that I was first drawn to it because Barbara Rosenblatt is the reader of the audiobooks. Her on-point presentation only serves to highlight great characters and some rather interesting mysteries.
I like the way the regulars keep evolving. It is a great change from the cookie-cutter books where we find ourselves still in the same situations by book 24 that we were in book 1. Not so here!
This latest addition to the series not only brings a few twists and turns mystery-wise, but it provides some character growth, not to mention a bit of the hidden history of at least one of our favorite characters.
Beryl & Edwina are interesting ladies of a certain age and in a certain age. Their experiences bring about some food for thought when it comes to how people are affected by life. While Edwina is coming to terms with life in an English Village, Beryl is becoming aware of how her preconceived notions of life as an American Adventuress are not always in tune with folks who are from a totally different background. You could almost call their evolution as a coming-of-age story.
I definitely recommend this series and this book if you are looking for a cozy mystery. And, if you enjoy Barbara Rosenblatt's work, definitely grab the audio version! They are delicious!
I like the way the regulars keep evolving. It is a great change from the cookie-cutter books where we find ourselves still in the same situations by book 24 that we were in book 1. Not so here!
This latest addition to the series not only brings a few twists and turns mystery-wise, but it provides some character growth, not to mention a bit of the hidden history of at least one of our favorite characters.
Beryl & Edwina are interesting ladies of a certain age and in a certain age. Their experiences bring about some food for thought when it comes to how people are affected by life. While Edwina is coming to terms with life in an English Village, Beryl is becoming aware of how her preconceived notions of life as an American Adventuress are not always in tune with folks who are from a totally different background. You could almost call their evolution as a coming-of-age story.
I definitely recommend this series and this book if you are looking for a cozy mystery. And, if you enjoy Barbara Rosenblatt's work, definitely grab the audio version! They are delicious!
August 23, 2021
Murder in an English Glade by Jessica Ellicott is a wonderful cozy mystery that takes place 1920s England and is the fifth book in the delightful series: Beryl and Edwina Mystery.
I love this series and this is an excellent addition. The push/pull, opposites attract combination of outgoing and vibrant American Beryl and the quiet/reserved Edwina really make this series fun.
I also enjoy the time period of post-WWI. A lot of pivotal changes occur as society is changing rapidly, and I love to see how this is reflected in the balance of old and new.
Once again this duo is pulled into a murder/mystery when being initially roped into an investigation…only this one ends in one of the suspects being murdered. Now it is just more then detective work on shady activity…now it is a murder investigation. Plenty of culprits, an intriguing plot, and hijinks ensue.
I look forward to the next book from this author.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Kensington for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.
I love this series and this is an excellent addition. The push/pull, opposites attract combination of outgoing and vibrant American Beryl and the quiet/reserved Edwina really make this series fun.
I also enjoy the time period of post-WWI. A lot of pivotal changes occur as society is changing rapidly, and I love to see how this is reflected in the balance of old and new.
Once again this duo is pulled into a murder/mystery when being initially roped into an investigation…only this one ends in one of the suspects being murdered. Now it is just more then detective work on shady activity…now it is a murder investigation. Plenty of culprits, an intriguing plot, and hijinks ensue.
I look forward to the next book from this author.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Kensington for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.
June 14, 2021
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
We follow two super sleuths, Edwina and Beryl hoping to uncover a possible affair but we don't expect them to be on the hunt to discover who murdered not one, but TWO individuals at Waitland Park. Everyone at Maitland Park has a motive but Beryl and Edwina work together flawlessly to uncover the real culprit!
This is my first time reading a Jessica Ellicott book although "Murder in an English Glade" is the 5th book in this series. This book works great as a stand alone but there were a few parts in the book where I was confused about the characters and their relationships with one another. But this point should not steer you away from this wonderful mystery. I would also like to mention that I had to be SUPER focused when reading this book and even took notes (I wanted to try to solve the mystery on my own - I was waaay off). This is definitely not a "pass the time" kind of book but overall a fun read!
We follow two super sleuths, Edwina and Beryl hoping to uncover a possible affair but we don't expect them to be on the hunt to discover who murdered not one, but TWO individuals at Waitland Park. Everyone at Maitland Park has a motive but Beryl and Edwina work together flawlessly to uncover the real culprit!
This is my first time reading a Jessica Ellicott book although "Murder in an English Glade" is the 5th book in this series. This book works great as a stand alone but there were a few parts in the book where I was confused about the characters and their relationships with one another. But this point should not steer you away from this wonderful mystery. I would also like to mention that I had to be SUPER focused when reading this book and even took notes (I wanted to try to solve the mystery on my own - I was waaay off). This is definitely not a "pass the time" kind of book but overall a fun read!
July 26, 2021
This is the fifth in the Beryl and Edwina Historical cozy mystery series. The story takes place in the English Village of Walmsey Parva. The two friends, Edwina, the reserved good mannered English Lady and Beryl the adventure seeker have been very successful with the Inquiry Agengy they have established.
On this Inquiry they are hired by the Maitland family to do a faux investigation of an illicit affair of a family member as alleged by an unbalanced distant cousin.While a highly unusual request they take on the case.The in takes place at the Maitland Estate and Park which also consists of an Artist Colony and Girl Guide camp.
The murder was solid and the road to discovery of the murder perfect. The murderer was one of my two "suspects" , but for a very different motive.
I really enjoyed the further character development of the two friends and how they are becoming even deeper friends. Also we learned more about Constable Gibbs, the only constable in Walmsey Parva and a female who was way ahead of her time. Character development within the series is one of the reasons I love cozy mystery series.
Thanks to the author, NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book. The release date is 10/26/21
On this Inquiry they are hired by the Maitland family to do a faux investigation of an illicit affair of a family member as alleged by an unbalanced distant cousin.While a highly unusual request they take on the case.The in takes place at the Maitland Estate and Park which also consists of an Artist Colony and Girl Guide camp.
The murder was solid and the road to discovery of the murder perfect. The murderer was one of my two "suspects" , but for a very different motive.
I really enjoyed the further character development of the two friends and how they are becoming even deeper friends. Also we learned more about Constable Gibbs, the only constable in Walmsey Parva and a female who was way ahead of her time. Character development within the series is one of the reasons I love cozy mystery series.
Thanks to the author, NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book. The release date is 10/26/21
August 26, 2021
Jessica Ellicott’s Beryl and Edwina Mystery series is another gem uncovered by my wonderful bookworm mother. This light and interesting mystery series pairs an English Lady of manor with an American adventurer and fun ensues. This is book five in the series but reading the previous ones isn’t required to enjoy it. You will probably want to go back and read them though, they are awesome!
Off to an artist’s retreat, under false pretenses (posing as educator and artist rather than investigators), Beryl and Edwina find themselves with a dead body at their feet once more. Is it related to the mystery they are supposed to be there investigating or something else entirely? This cast of suspects is smaller than the previous novels but I enjoyed them and the artistic flair woven through the novel, it includes some fascinating historical bits too!
There is lots of banter and bounce between the two leading ladies and I read the book straight through. With twists and red herrings, this one keeps the reader guessing to the end! So if you’re looking for a good cosy mystery, don’t miss out! It!s a five out of five on the enJOYment scale!
Off to an artist’s retreat, under false pretenses (posing as educator and artist rather than investigators), Beryl and Edwina find themselves with a dead body at their feet once more. Is it related to the mystery they are supposed to be there investigating or something else entirely? This cast of suspects is smaller than the previous novels but I enjoyed them and the artistic flair woven through the novel, it includes some fascinating historical bits too!
There is lots of banter and bounce between the two leading ladies and I read the book straight through. With twists and red herrings, this one keeps the reader guessing to the end! So if you’re looking for a good cosy mystery, don’t miss out! It!s a five out of five on the enJOYment scale!
October 26, 2021
I’ve read every book in this series and have found, that with each ensuing story, I enjoy it more and more. While this story can be read standalone, you will miss the growth of the characters.
Beryl and Edwina are hired to conduct a fake investigation. While it troubles them to do so, the individual hiring them is part of the higher class. Constance Maitland can provide entry to a new type of client.
The intrepid ladies join an artist’s colony and Girl Guide Camp to conduct this unreal investigation but, much to their surprise (but not ours as this is, after all, a murder mystery), a death occurs. The question is, who is the perpetrator?
The ladies turn the fake into real and investigate this crime. Along the way, more and more history of the two is revealed, one to the other and also to the reader. In addition to the great whodunnits, it is the growing depth of these individuals that keeps me glued to the series.
I was provided a digital advance reader copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley.
Beryl and Edwina are hired to conduct a fake investigation. While it troubles them to do so, the individual hiring them is part of the higher class. Constance Maitland can provide entry to a new type of client.
The intrepid ladies join an artist’s colony and Girl Guide Camp to conduct this unreal investigation but, much to their surprise (but not ours as this is, after all, a murder mystery), a death occurs. The question is, who is the perpetrator?
The ladies turn the fake into real and investigate this crime. Along the way, more and more history of the two is revealed, one to the other and also to the reader. In addition to the great whodunnits, it is the growing depth of these individuals that keeps me glued to the series.
I was provided a digital advance reader copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley.
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