Death at the Abbey

Kipper Cottage Mysteries #1

by Jan Durham

A cliff-top murder. A clever canine. A seaside sleuth.

After the death of her husband, Liz McLuckie has taken early retirement and moved to Whitby, a picturesque fishing town on the North Yorkshire coast. She thinks the renovation of two ramshackle fishing cottages will take her mind off things, but soon discovers Whitby isn’t quite the peaceful retreat she imagined.

When she discovers the body of a local Professor near the medieval Abbey, Liz reluctantly finds herself at the centre of a murder investigation. The post mortem reveals death by drowning. So how did he get onto the clifftop? And why did he have a fish in his pocket?

Liz follows the trail of the murderer, and many red herrings - both literal and metaphorical - in the company of her friends, including an almost-reformed burglar, a disgraced archaeology student and Nelson the bull terrier - the ugliest (and bravest!) dog in Yorkshire.

Death At The Abbey — Book 1 in the Kipper Cottage Mystery series. Perfect for fans of Stella Cameron and Frances Evesham.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Audiobook, Fiction, British Literature, Crime, Cozy

213 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 27, 2022

About the author

Welcome to Kipper Cottage! I write the Kipper Cottage cozy crime series set in Whitby, featuring amateur sleuth Liz McLuckie and her motley assortment of friends - and of course Nelson, the bravest bull terrier in Yorkshire.

I’d love to live in Whitby (all that sand, sea and fish and chips!) but actually live just outside Edinburgh with my husband, three kids, a one-eyed whippet and a fat black pug. I began my writing career as an advertising copywriter, and have since had novels published by Random House and HarperCollins. I also write for tv.

I enjoy psychological thrillers and crime fiction of all kinds, from the coziest of cozies to the blackest of noirs. I love talking to my readers, so please do get in touch with me via my website – kippercottagemysteries.co.uk - or on Instagram - kippercottagemysteries

Thank you for reading my books!

Reviews

[Shauna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unlike most of the reviews so far on Goodreads, I actually bought this on Kindle as I was intrigued by the title.
It started off well. The main character seemed interesting and likeable but as the story unfolded I was finding it less and less believable. It relied heavily on a combination of factors, the willingness of suspects to be drawn into conversation by the sleuth and the incompetence of the police.
I can see why readers enjoyed the book, I did, but I think the best bit about it was the superb setting and how well the author brought Whitby to life.

[Deacon Tom (Feeling Better) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just Okay

This book was pretty ordinary, and really didn’t push me with exciting parts.

The characters were enjoyable, and they help move the story along.

I lightly recommend.

[Tahera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death At the Abbey is the first book in a new cozy mystery series. I haven't read anything previously by the author Jan Durham but I got a chance to read the first two books in this series and I enjoyed both of them. I liked the setting, the characters were interesting, quirky, original and fleshed out well while the mystery and plot was nicely conceived with enough red herrings which didn't let on who the culprit was until right at the end. Nelson, the bull terrier stole the show.

I received an e-Arc of the book from the publisher Inkubator Books and the author Jan Durham via NetGalley.

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely book to read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end. I curled up in my chair to read and just couldn't put it down. The storyline was fabulous and kept you guessing, with some nice twists and turns and revelations. A well written murder mystery and lovely descriptive especially of Whitby. Reading it reminded me of the happy times spent there. Even better when you get a really good murder mystery and lots of other things thrown in. Fabulous read.
This is my honest unbiased review of a arc book received with thanks from Booksprout.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the death of her husband, Liz McLuckie has taken early retirement and moved to Whitby She thinks the renovation of two ramshackle fishing cottages will take her mind off things, but soon discovers Whitby isn’t quite the peaceful retreat she imagined. Whilst walking her dog Nelson she discovers the body of a local Professor near the medieval Abbey, Liz reluctantly finds herself at the centre of a murder investigation. The post mortem reveals death by drowning. So how did he get onto the clifftop? And why did he have a fish in his pocket? Then there’s another murder.
The first book I’ve read by the author & the first in a new series – I thoroughly enjoyed it & read it in a sitting finishing at 2am. I really liked Liz who wasn’t in the first blush of youth she was mature, level headed with a very inquisitive streak. We also met some of her friends & I loved the dynamics between them. Then there's the new police inspector who takes an instant dislike to Liz & everyone else. There were plenty of red herrings & twists & turns, I didn’t work out who the murderer was & it came as a surprise. I loved the descriptions of Whitby (one of my favourite places) & look forward to moe books in the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Widowed Liz McLuckie has retired early from her job as an A & E nurse and has moved to Whitby, a fishing community, in Yorkshire where she has bought a couple of shabby and neglected cottages - Kipper Cottage and Gull Cottage - she is renovating. Out walking her dog, Nelson, an English bull terrier Nelson becomes fascinated by a pile of old clothes on the grounds of the town's Abbey, only the soiled garments turn out to be a corpse.

This was a superb beginning to a new series by Jan Durham which captured my attention because of the Whitby setting. I enjoyed being in the pockets of Liz as she puzzled over clues and irritated DI Flint the local detective. Well written and intriguing with some colourful characters and great descriptions of community life and the locale. Now for book two!

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Inkubator Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet with a well executed mystery and a likeable main character - can't really ask for more from a cosy mystery.

I like how there's usually a more sombre tone to British cosies than American ones.
This one has a tang of grief and loss to it, and it's handled in a way that gives the book depth rather than weighing it down.

I will absolutely return to this series. Really lovely premise - and I quite like the town of Whitby. It makes a very nice background, vampires or no vampires. 😏

[Beachcomber · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cosy mystery set in Whitby, a loveable dog, friendly band of sleuths… lots to like about Durham’s opener to the Kipper Cottage series. A decent mystery with good characters, it will appeal to those who like a quick and well paced story, and I look forward to reading the next in the series, Death at Neptune Yard.

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers Inkubator Books, in return for an unbiased review, with apologies for the delay in providing this.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cliff-top murder. A clever canine. A seaside sleuth.

This cozy mystery will hold you in its grip and keep you turning the pages. The mystery, suspense, twists and turns will have you sitting on the edge of your seat waiting to find out what happens next. It's well written, flows smoothly from page to page and you find it hard to stop reading. Mystery fans won't want to miss out on this one.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A complex, suspenseful plot with tension so thick that it felt palpable. Wonderful characters with depth and substance. I was immediately drawn in and held captive from beginning to end.

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so. #DeathattheAbbey #NetGalley

[Mary Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable light read. Liz is widowed and living in Whitby with her dog Nelson. While walking Nelson one morning, she discovers a dead body in the grounds of the abbey. Of course, she can't help but get involved in her own investigation despite the best efforts of the local police to warn her off.

This is a cozy read. There's no graphic descriptions and I read it quite quickly. I like Liz, still grieving for her dead husband , although she is a bit of a nosey parker. Her gang of friends are also decent characters and the standout one for me is Tilly, with her different style of dress and her not so normal background. I felt it was a decent hook as the first book in a series goes and I will read the next to see what more situations Liz and Nelson can get themselves into.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bertha Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Newly widowed Liz McLuckie looking for peace and quiet, has taken early retirement from her job as an ER nurse and decides to move to Whitby, a small fishing community, where she buys a couple of dilapidated cottages to renovate them. What she didn't count on was discovering a corpse on the grounds of the town's Abbey.
An excellent start to a new series by Jan Durham, an author I haven't read until now, but who has managed to attract my attention.
Very well written, with well-developed characters and a story set in a real town on the North Yorkshire coast, Death at the Abbey manages to captivate the reader. I recommend it to readers of any age.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in atmospheric Whitby, North Yorkshire, a body is discovered on the top of a cliff. However, the body has ties to the sea. What at first appears to be a pile of clothes is discovered by Liz who has moved to Whitby to start life anew. She is renovating two charming fishing cottages and discovers she enjoys sleuthing in her recent retirement. With the help of her friends she sifts through layers of clues.

The gorgeous cover takes me back to evocative Whitby with its lovely abbey and 199 steps, fish market, kippers and stunning location. The author retains many true details including the geography and incorporates the fascinating myth of the Ælfflæd girdle to add to the mystique and charm of this cozy mystery.

Though enjoyable, I was not invested in the characters (though Iris is intriguing!) nor riveted to the story. I like that Liz is not an obnoxious young twenty something and the way the author utilizes the setting. Perhaps the second in the Kipper Cottage Abbey series will reveal more about the characters.

My sincere thank you to Inkubator Books and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this book.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming mystery set in a small English seaside town. Liz has moved to Whitby after her husband’s death and bought two cottages to renovate one for rent and one to live in. As she’s going for one of her morning walks with her dog Nelson he happens upon a dead body. She becomes involved in the investigation as she somehow feels connected because she found the man. After a couple run ins with the local and most disagreeable DI there might be a bit of competitiveness involved too.
Lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing. I really did not even suspect the ending it was wonderfully enigmatic. A host of interesting and off beat characters in the small town make up the supporting cast. The only teeny drawback is some of the British English colloquialisms. With a little help from google I made it through. Definitely would recommend!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

If there’s one thing that I like doing, it’s discovering new authors. Jan Durham is a new author for me. I read the synopsis for ‘Death At The Abbey’ and it certainly sounded like the sort of story I would enjoy. I was so right too because I flipping well loved ‘Death At The Abbey’ but more about that in a bit.
I loved the character of Liz McLuckie and I warmed to her from the very start. She is a middle aged lady, who has been through the emotional mill of late. Her husband sadly passed away and she decides to make a fresh start somewhere and she takes early retirement to do so. She and her adorable sounding dog move to Whitby and a cottage by the sea. Liz is a retired Accident & Emergency nurse. She may no longer be a nurse, but she still has an inquisitive nurse’s mind and if something doesn’t seem right to her then she will investigate further and won’t settle until she gets a satisfactory answer. I say that from experience as both of my parents were nurses and they were exactly the same. So in a way, a nurse is a detective in their own way. Liz finds a body at Whitby Abbey and she undertakes her own investigation with a little help from her friends.
I was drawn to this book by the bright and breezy looking cover. As soon as I read the synopsis I knew that I would enjoy the story because it sounded like just my kind of read and the story is set in a place that holds special memories for me- Whitby. To say that reading ‘Death At The Abbey’ became addictive is like saying that this Ginger Book Geek likes cake- in other words a huge understatement. I would pick the book up only intending to read a couple of chapters to pass the odd half hour but I would become so wrapped up in the story and in the lives of the characters that I would still be sat there reading over an hour and several chapters later. I soon got to the end of ‘Death At The Abbey’ and I had to say a temporary farewell to Liz and her friends. I found ‘Death At The Abbey’ to be an interesting and fun read, which kept my attention throughout and kept me guessing.
‘Death At The Abbey’ is well written. I love the fact that Jan’s writing style is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. In fact reading this book felt more like a chat between friends rather than reading a book. I hope that makes sense. Jan certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and drawn you into what proves to be a compelling and interesting story. For me, the story hit the ground running and maintained a fairly gentle pace throughout which just enhanced my enjoyment of the story. Jan cares about her characters and this shines through in the very realistic way in which she describes them. The characters seem just as real as you and I. I love the way in which Jan makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story themselves. That’s how I felt at any rate.
In short, I adored reading ‘Death At The Abbey’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I look forward to reading much more of Jan’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board has to be 5* out of 5*.

[Frankie · Rating 5 out of 5]

How much do I love this book??

THIS MUCH……(I say holding my arms out wide, looking like a rather scruffy scarecrow LOL)

I was incredibly excited about this book, so much of it appealed to me from the moment I laid eyes on the cover with the cover image of Whitby Abbey emblazed on the front. Set in my beloved Yorkshire with a woman and her motley crew heading up the investigation, it is the first book in this new series plus – and very importantly – we have a Bull Terrier having a starring role (for those who know me, already know of my deep love of these dogs) so I knew just by those few things alone I jumped at the chance to read this book and I am so pleased that I did and I have a feeling that The Kipper Cottage Mysteries is going to be hugely addictive reading, I can’t wait for book two.

I haven’t read Jan Durham’s books before this (why not, I am constantly asking myself??) I loved her easy to read writing style. Death at the Abbey is an incredibly easy book to read, I am not the fastest reader but even I was flying through this book. The words were flying off the page, it’s incredibly immersive and I was completely addicted to it.

As much as I would love to, I am not one of those readers that can sit in a chair and read for hours on end (life gets in the way) but I was completely hooked with this book I was reading it at every opportunity; while waiting for the kettle to boil, standing in the garden waiting for the dogs to do something at 5am, propping it on the windowsill as I washed the dishes (not advisable) and then in those brief moment when I had two minutes for myself I jumped straight back in.

I thoroughly enjoyed this, it’s fun and engaging, the setting is absolutely stunning (I may be biased hailing from Yorkshire) but you really can’t get any better or more atmospheric setting than that of the stunning Whitby. I love the twisty and compelling mystery, there are a few red herrings and misdirections which will keep you on your toes and makes sure to compel you to keep turning the pages.

This has some wonderful characters, they are a mixed bunch eclectic and intriguing, each bringing their own magic to the story, you wouldn’t believe that this odd botch of people could work so well together but they do. I liked Liz instantly, I loved that she isn’t a youngster but a woman who has lived and lost, a woman who is trying to find peace in her new life only to become embroiled in a murder mystery – and what a fabulous mystery!! I love, love, love Nelson the dog!!

To say that I simply loved this book is a massive understatement, there aren’t enough words in my limited vocabulary to fully express just how much I adore this book. It really is such good fun, it makes me think of Midsummer Murders crossed with Mis Marple, it’s intriguing and light-hearted with added drama.

[Steph Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of this book with thanks to the author, Inkubator Books and Zoé of Zooloo’s Book Tours. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*

What struck me most about this highly enjoyable cosy mystery book (first in a series!) was how real it all felt.

The main character, Liz, has aches and pains, makes social missteps which make her vow to change her entire personality for the better, can’t resist poking her nose into anything interesting that might be happening, and has believable relationships with her friends and acquaintances. Even her potential romances avoid the ‘convenient sub-plot’ route by remaining stubbornly inconvenient. And her rescue dog, Nelson, is both utterly adorable and completely believable too – sticking to demanding walks and treats over helpfully turning up unlikely clues.

The side characters are fascinating, with so much potential in this and future mystery plots. Especially Tilly and the unpleasant DI Frost, who I loved and loved to hate respectively.

In terms of the mystery, I was kept guessing right up to the reveal – which doesn’t happen often to me – and yet have to concede that all of the clues were there for the solving. Always the most satisfying kind of mystery read, when that happens!

Well-written and extremely relatable (with regards to Liz and Nelson, not the murders!), I look forward to reading more from this series and author in the future. And am keeping my fingers crossed that Liz gives in and lets Nelson on the bed for good: he’s such a good boy!


‘When she turned the corner of the church, she saw Nelson about twenty metres away, standing over something that lay between the headstones. She thought at first it was a pile of old clothes, but as she ran towards him over the soggy, uneven ground, she quickly revised her opinion.
‘Nelson! Come here!’
He ignored her, continuing to prod the prone man with his nose. He nuzzled his cheek, trying to revive him. Liz stifled a curse and ran to catch hold of the dog.
‘Stay still, for heaven’s sake.’ As she bent to clip Nelson on his lead, he jumped up and licked her full on the lips. ‘Ewwww!’ She wiped her mouth with her sleeve, grabbed the bouncing dog by the scruff of his neck and finally managed to clip him on the lead.
‘Come away.’
She hauled Nelson further off and stared at the man on the ground. She knew a dead body when she saw one.’

– Jan Durham, Death at the Abbey

Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death at the Abbey by Jan Durham is a new to me murder mystery, pat of the Kipper Cottage series. It takes place in the town of Whitby (fictional) in North Yorkshire. Liz MacLuckie had moved here following the death of her husband and had bought two cottages with the intention of living in one and renting out the other as a holiday let. Refurbishing is harder than she thought. Five months past she had adopted a dog from the shelter: an English bull terrier, who made sure she was wake at 6:20 each morning so they could go for a walk. In was on such a walk that her discovered, and shared with her, a dead body up in the cemetery on the grounds of the ruins of the abbey. In her former life and an A & E nurse, she had seen many bodies and knew this one had been dead only an hour or so. When she said that to the detective who had arrived, it did nothing to endear her to the woman. Liz suspected there was more to it than met the eye.

I enjoyed this new series and I especially liked Liz. She has all the foibles of a human and yet was strong and progressive. The way she approached things, including the refurbish and the murders, was straightforward and courageous. The only thing she didn't approach that way was her possible interest in a new man. Her friends, Tally and her partner, Mags, were friends, as well as the owners of a coffee shop that she frequented. She, Tilly, a young policeman named, Kevin, and his father, Benedict, got together weekly to play Mahjong. They were all food friends and enjoyed the game, the food, and the company. That is a different twist. Also the way Liz "adopted" a young archeologist who was proving helpful in the refurbishment show the kind of person she is: friendly and open. It was a good mystery and although highly illegal and unethical, showed just how creative people could get to earn a buck. All-in-all, a very good read.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Death at the Abbey by Inkubator Books, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #inkubatorbooks #jandurham #deathattheabbey

[Alyson Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liz McLuckie is a widow and former A&E nurse who has retired early to Whitby, buying the run-down pair of Kipper and Gull Cottages to renovate. She lost her husband to Mark from cancer 5 years ago and now lives alone in Kipper Cottage whilst working on it together with her rescue English Bull Terrier Nelson. She plays mah-jong with her friend Benedict from the Historical Society, local café owner Tilly and Benedict’s son DC Kevin Ossett who is struggling to cope with his new and very difficult boss DI Flint. Walking Nelson at the famous Abbey grounds one morning they stumble over the body of Professor Ian Crowby, a historical archivist. Flint and Kevin arrive to take charge of the scene which is later shown to be death by drowning. It’s not long before Liz finds the clues which demonstrates it was murder in the Abbey. Then a valuable medieval artifact is found to be missing from the Abbey Museum. Could there be a connection to the murder? When Tilly falls under suspicion for the theft (due to her previous career of breaking and entering), she and Liz decide to investigate the crimes themselves, even if it does mean bribing Kevin for information with numerous excellent sausages rolls! It seems there was much more to the professor and other people in the town than they realised but can they unravel the truth before anyone else gets hurt?
This new cosy mystery series is warm and engaging, and features some wonderful and very likable characters, not least Tilly, Liz herself, Liam, Kevin and of course Nelson who really steals the show! It’s well written, easy to become immediately engrossed in, and is full of vivid descriptions of the people and the famous town of Whitby with all its wealth of history and buildings. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and can see this becoming a favourite series of mine very quickly. I am looking forward to reading book 2, Death at Neptune Yard, very soon. 5*

[June Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

A man is dead. Murdered. Main character Liz McLuckie finds the body. Why was the body wet with briny water, not to mention why was there a fish in his pocket? How did a drowned person wind up being found high above the nearest body of water? What was his connection to the other town citizens? What secrets lurk behind the closed doors of picturesque Whitby?

I found the story line, the hook, if you will, intriguing. How does a missing religious relic play into the whole? Liz is beginning to feel open to people and new experiences five years after her husband's death, Although of retirement age, Liz is definitely energetic and even handy with tools. Her friend's personalities didn't seem fully characterized, normal in a first book in a series, but intriguing. Liz's constant companion, however, is Nelson, a brave, and protective bull terrier she adopted. Nelson was the star of the book as far as I was concerned but, well, I'm a sucker for dog characters anyway.

Bottom line, although I found it slow paced at first, once I caught on to the rhythm of the story line, I began to enjoy the book more and more. The pace definitely picks up as Liz begins to encounter more and more clues, which seems to irritate the local detective, DI Flint, putting herself in danger. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for introducing me to Liz and Nelson. I'm looking forward to spending some more time with them as I get to know Whitby.

[Lynsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is so much great crime fiction coming out from, or set in the north east at the moment - Mark Richards, J.R. Ellis, L J Ross, Glenda Young etc but Jan Durham is sure to be named alongside them now! ‘The Death at the Abbey’ is more a cozy mystery a la Miss Marple or Agatha Raisin and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I love that there is more crime books that have older characters as the main protagonist and Liz is great! Recently retired and relocated to Whitby she has bought two cottages next door to each other and plans to live in one and rent the other out. Accompanied by her bulldog Nelson she comes across a body whilst walking in St. Marys churchyard and is soon immersed in finding out what happened to the poor man!

Apart from Liz there are a merry bunch of fellow detectives who all play Mahjong together. I must say that I have a soft spot for Tilly though. Growing up in Scarborough with a wannabe hippy for a mother we used to go on trips to Whitby and trawl through all the alternative shops and then go for a fish supper! She was also Glaswegian hence the ‘supper’. Tilly made me remember those happy days, so thank you Jan!

Jan seems to manage to bottle the essence of Whitby and sprinkle it over her pages, as whilst reading the book I was managing to picture everything so very clearly. I honestly can’t wait to see how Jan deals with ‘Goth Week’ in a future book in the series as I feel that one might be a hoot.

This is the first in the series but the second book is already been published and I know what my weekend reading is going to be!

[Nicola Hancock · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s no messing around with this one as you come across the dead body by the time you finish chapter one. I was so excited with everything that was presented to me. I loved getting to know Liz I loved getting to imagine the cottages and all the smells and most importantly I want a Nelson of my own. There was so many characters with brilliant personalities and I especially liked Tilly and even the detective Flint as horrid as she came across. The author gives pieces of the characters all whilst revealing more about Liz. I loved this.

It was wonderful to see a female lead renovating two cottages. I loved her determination to not only figure out the murder but also track down what happened to the missing item. I loved nelson so much and his hate of a certain character. Every single chapter was extremely fast paced. Although it was quite slow in-between solving a mystery and the quirks of the renovation it was extremely enjoyable. I loved how relationships unfolded and secrets came to life and all the second guessing I was doing to get to the answers before the big reveal.

This is definitely one you can finish in a day. For a short crime murder mystery it was epic. Loved every moment of this, loved the character, the plot, the writing style. I wonder if this will be the last we see of Liz or whether another mystery in another book will follow. This author is well talented. If you want a cosy read set in Whitby in Yorkshire this is definitely for you.

[Caley Gredig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death at the Abbey by Jan Durham introduces us to Liz McLuckie in the Kipper Cottage Mystery series. Liz is a middle-aged widow has recently moved to Whitby, Yorkshire, England and purchased two cottages that she s in the process of renovating them to then use one as a rental. She has also recently adopted a bulldog, Nelson, from the RSPCA. On an early morning walk with Nelson at the old Abbey, Liz comes across a body. The police quickly determine that it is murder.

As with all first in series books, the author is tasked with creating a setting that the reader can visualize from the descriptions on the page, a cast of characters for the reader to become invested in, and a plot line that while presenting clues has enough twists and red herrings so as not to give up the killer and motive too soon. This author has accomplished all that and more. Within in this book, each of the characters introduced are multidimensional and many are shown to have potential motives for the murder as the plot unfolds. The ending was a complete surprise but totally believable killer and motive. I look forward to more installments in this series to see what the future has in store for Liz and her friends.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Inkubator Books and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Donna Morfett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liz McLuckie has moved to Whitby to try and get over the death of her husband, and decides to renovate two cottages.
When she walks her dog, she finds a man dead at the top of the cliffs.
From there she discovers there's a lot more to the mystery of the dead man, and when another man turns up dead, Liz wonders if there's a link.
Unfortunately she's in no place to investigate, especially as the new boss at the local police station is fierce!
Liz and her loyal pooch Nelson, a bull terrier who I am in love with already, accidentally stumble across more clues as they go about their business.
Liz was a strong woman despite everything she'd been through. I was rooting for her throughout. She also had a great, supportive group of friends.
Bit sad that Benedict seems to be off limits, maybe in future he won't be.
My favourite character was Niall, and it was lovely that Liz gave him a chance and took him under her wing, and they both gave each other much needed company.
This is a cozy easy, quick read. That doesn't mean it's lacking in anything. I loved that even the names were fun.
I will be looking out for future books by Jan though, mostly to see if Benedict and Liz get together.

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Former nurse and widow Liz McLuckie has moved to Whitby in Yorkshire along the coast. On her morning walk with Nelson, her rescue shelter bull terrier, he leads her to a body of a man. The victim is a professor, who advises local museums, and he had secrets. Liz and her three mah-jong game players, one a young Detective Constable Ossett, get involved in the murder. His superior, Detective Inspector Flint, transferred only 6 weeks ago and takes a dislike to Liz and is not very supportive of those working under her. Perhaps because of these things, Liz becomes rather obsessed with the murder and does some unwise things that could hurt people, but she has many good qualities that make her likeable. The other characters in Whitby also make me hope there is a book two. Author Durham brings a quick reading, present-day mystery that combines Saint Aelffaed, Saint Cuthbert, faith, grief, artifacts and antiques and a brave, hero dog. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death at the abbey by Jan Durham.
A Kipper Cottage Cozy Mystery Book 1.
After the death of her husband, Liz McLuckie has taken early retirement and moved to Whitby, a picturesque fishing town on the North Yorkshire coast. She thinks the renovation of two ramshackle fishing cottages will take her mind off things, but soon discovers Whitby isn’t quite the peaceful retreat she imagined.
When she discovers the body of a local Professor near the medieval Abbey, Liz reluctantly finds herself at the centre of a murder investigation. The post morton reveals death by drowning. So how did he get onto the clifftop? And why did he have a fish in his pocket?Liz follows the trail of the murderer, and many red herrings - both literal and metaphorical - in the company of her friends, including an almost-reformed burglar, a disgraced archaeology student and Nelson the bull terrier - the ugliest (and bravest!) dog in Yorkshire.
This was a very enjoyable read. Great story and characters. I'm looking forward to the next book. 5*.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love cozy mysteries. I'm not ashamed to admit it. Lately I have been keeping my mind off the real life issues in the world by watching lots of murder mysteries, so this book was just perfect for me at this time.

Set in a small fishing town in the UK, its very different for me as most of the mysteries I read are American, and set in a beachside town or something like that.
Main character Liz is walking her dog when the pair stumble across a body. Even though she shouldn't get involved in the investigation, Liz soon finds herself in the middle of it all.

I loved the way the town is described. It sounds like a place I'd enjoy visiting (as long as there were no dead bodies of course 😂)
I've never read anything by this author before but I definitely will again as I really like the characters, and the way they interact. It was a story that kept me guessing and I found it very enjoyable to read.

This is book 1 in the Kipper Cottage Mystery series, and book 2 is available right now too. If you like a good murder mystery/cozy mystery then check this one out. It's great!

[Bookishdays · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to Whitby, in Yorkshire, a lovely small coastal town, with the summer tourists and friendly local residents. This is Liz McLuckie's new home, an ex-nurse and a recent widow, who bought two cottages, one to live in and the other to rent. She is starting the renovations, when walking her loyal dog, Nelson, they found a dead body near the Abbey.

This is the beginning of a mystery to Liz, because she can't stop trying to discover what really happened to that man, and why he was killed. Along with her group of friends, Tilly, Benedict and Kevin, they are involved in the investigation of a stolen antique relic of the local museum.

I loved this cosy mystery! There are funny characters and a classic vibe of the old whodunit books. Grab a cup of tea and enjoy this lovely book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

The excellent start for a new cozy series featuring a great MC, Liz, and a great and lovely dog, Nelson.
i read this book in one setting as it's a page turner I couldn't put down. There's a lot of twists, humour, suspects, and some very funny moments.
I loved the cast of characters and I hope there's going to be a HEA on the romantic side.
The mystery is solid, full of twists and turns, and the solution came as a surprise.
I can't wait to read the next novel and I hope this is going to be a very long series.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Caroline Venables · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this author and the first in a new series. I love the cosy crime genre so am always looking for new series to read, so was over the moon to read this.

The book is set in Whitby where Liz McLuckie has retired too following the death of her husband. She is looking to start a new chapter of her life, with her dog Nelson. However her new way of life is interrupted when she finds a body whilst out dog walking.

I really like the character of Liz, being an ex nurse she is level headed and unflappable. She makes a good sleuth as she and some new friends find themselves involved in the investigation.

A great debut and I can not wait to read Book 2.