I'd like to thank Net Galley for providing me with an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the fourth book in Lis Howell's Suzy Spencer Mysteries. I admit I have not read the previous three novels, which might have helped me understand the past relationships between some of the characters. But even without that knowledge, this was an enjoyable and entertaining cozy mystery read.
Suzy Spenser is a freelance TV producer who has settled with her two children in the small village of Tarnfield in northern Cumbria, not exactly the bustling metropolis of London she's used to. Over the course of her previous adventures (described in The Flower Arranger at All Saints, The Chorister at the Abbey, and The Death of a Teacher) she hooks up with quiet, local widower, Robert Clark, who works as an English professor at a nearby university. Central to their lives and the community where they live is the church, All Saints.
In The judge at Saint Jane's, Suzy becomes involved in the mysterious death of Deborah Arbiter who runs a hostel for women who have experienced domestic violence. No one is too sure what the 70-year-old lady was doing on the roof of Saint Jane's before she plummeted to her death. Was it just an unfortunate accident? Suzy isn't convinced after discovering a new friend, Ellie, has disappeared. And she as booked to stay at Deborah's hostel.
Soon Suzy and Robert are deep into the mystery. And the bodies are starting to pile up.
Once again, I would suggest reading the three previous novels if you're interested in investing yourself to a new cozy mystery series. But you can easily jump into the excitement with this book.