Mõrv lillelaadal

Monica Noble #2

by Joyce Cato, Faith Martin, Nele Mikk (Translator)

Pastoriproua Monica Noble’i hobiks on kuritegude lahendamine.

Monica Noble on elevil, kui teda palutakse naaberküla lillevõistluse kohtunikuks, mis sest, et ta ei tee begoonial ja asaleal vahet! Kaaskohtunik, kirikuõpetaja James Davies nuusutab üht suurt õit ja kukub jalapealt surnult maha. Esialgu arvavad kõik, et ta sai südamerabanduse, aga kohalik perearst kahtlustab kuritegu ja kutsub politsei. Peagi järgneb teinegi mõrv, kui tapetakse üks peamistest kahtlusalustest. Monica püüab aidata peainspektor Jason Duryl need mõrvad lahendada ja tapja kiiresti tabada, enne kui kõrgeimat hinda peab maksma järgmine inimene.

See on teine raamat nauditavast krimilugude sarjast, mille huvitavad tegelased ja mõistatuslikud juhtumid hoiavad pinget viimase leheküljeni välja.

Täiuslik lugemisvara klassikaliste kriminaalromaanide austajatele.

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

234 pages, Paperback

First published October 30, 2015

About the author

Joyce Cato is a pen name of English author Jacquie Walton. She also writes under the pen names Jessie Daniels, Faith Martin and Maxine Barry.

Reviews

[Phrynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a note to say that this book has been released before under a different title and another pen name. If you are a fan of Joyce Cato be careful!

Luckily I had not read it before and I found it to be a very entertaining cosy mystery. The main character and amateur sleuth is Monica Noble, wife of the local vicar in a small English country town. Monica has a talent for picking up clues and solving crimes before the police do.

There were moments in the book when I was very glad Monica was there to sort things out because there were so many characters buzzing around the Flower Show I became totally confused. However everything became clear by the end and the murderer was the last person I suspected!

Altogether a nicely written and enjoyable cosy and I look forward to more in this series!

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Alan Cotterell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Joffe books for an ARC to read for an honest review.
This is the second book in the Monica Noble series, and i think even better thsm the first book. Not easy as the first one was superb.
The author has the knack of writing cosy, timeless stories set in picture postcard locations. There were a lot of characters and permutations of who could of killed who and why, but it was very well presented and laid out in such a way that it never felt a big muddle.
Definitly looking forward to the third book in the series.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

County Vicar Graham Noble and his wife Monica were headed to the Flower Show, where Monica was judging, among others. She was a little bemused as she really couldn’t tell one flower from the other, but was determined to do her best. During the process, another of the judges, Vicar James Davies dropped to the floor, quite dead. The shocked group immediately called for a doctor, suspecting a heart attack, but when his suspicions were aroused, the local constabulary were called in, including Chief Inspector Jason Dury.

There were immediate suspects as there were quite a few people in the judging tent, but it wasn’t long before one person was on the top of their list. But when they found him, he was also dead. What was going on? Who would kill a vicar and why? Would Monica be able to work out the suspicions she had, even against the wishes of the Chief Inspector?

The Flower Show Murder by Faith Martin was a great cosy whodunit which I really enjoyed. I like Monica’s character – the reluctant sleuth who seems to come to the correct conclusion even before the detectives. This one is the 2nd in the Monica Noble series, originally published as the Unholy Whiff of Death by the author’s pseudonym Joyce Cato. I’m looking forward to #3 and can highly recommend this one to fans of the genre.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monica Noble is the local vicar's wife. Monica and her husband Graham have been invited to judge the neighbouring village's flower show. The competition is fierce. Who would have thought that by the end of the afternoon, two people would be dead. Chief Inspector Jason Dury is on the case with the rest of his team. He needs all the help he can get to solve these murders. He is happy to have Monica on board to find out what happened and who was responsible.

I really like these cosy mystery reads. Although this is only the second book in 5his series, I have read several other books by the author. I like these who-did-it type mysteries. Trying to work out yourself before it's revealed to you what happened, and who the murderer was. Everyone was shocked when James, the local vicar suddenly dropped dead. Not so far away another murder occurs. The characters are well rounded and true to life. The plot is simple but effective. There books are easy to read ut hard to put down. They are so well written with a few twists to try and put you off the scent. A great little read.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Joffe Books and the author Faith Martin for my ARC in exchange for an honest.

[Helga · Rating 5 out of 5]

A twisty, pleasant and highly entertaining read!

Everyone is a suspect, everyone has a motive, everyone has an alibi.
One is the killer.

The judging is to begin. And in more ways than one.

A scientist and a vicar are murdered at the Caulcott Green flower show. The vicar collapses after smelling the roses and the scientist is killed by a blunt object. What is the motive? Is this the work of a single murderer or two different killers are in town?

Thanks to the author, Joffe Books and the NetGalley for my copy of the book.

[Gail C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in Faith Martin’s series featuring the vicar’s wife, Monica Noble. In this book, Monica and her husband have traveled to a nearby community to enjoy the annual fete and participate in judging the accompanying flower show as well as visit with James, the local vicar and his wife Wendy. Monica is particularly tuned in to the stresses Wendy has been experiencing for the past nine months as she grieves the death of their son and still strives to help James in his responsibilities, stresses Monica recognizes as being part of a vicar’s wife.
Monica, Graham, and James are all pressed into judging the flower show, even though Monica and Graham profess to know little about the flowers they have been assigned. Unknown to the show organizer, James has been pressured by the local business magnate to switch responsibilities so James is now judging the roses. As he bends over to breathe in the scent of a particularly lovely rose entry James falls to the ground and Graham, who rushes to his side, discovers he is dead.
Chief Inspector Dury, who was also investigator in the first book of the series, is once again called in to investigate this suspicious death. He is surprised and perplexed to arrive and discover Graham and Monica there, made more bothersome by his unspoken attraction to Monica. Monica, who married Graham several years after the death of her first husband, also feels a confusing pull toward Dury, although she is happily married to Graham.
As Dury investigates the murder, Carol-Ann, Monica’s teenaged daughter, who is intent on becoming a high fashion model wanders the fete in her mini-skirt and revealing blouse in search of a local photographer who was intrumental in another young woman becoming a super model. Carol-Ann’s behavior and the insights into her thought process are an excellent counterpoint to the investigation in to James’ murder as Carol-Ann exhibits the egocentricity of a teenager who is totally self absorbed and who hasn’t quite matured enough to make the wisest of choices.
Although the second in the series, this stands alone as a mystery and Martin does an excellent job of describing the emotional pull between Monica and Dury in a way that makes it possible to readily understand without having read the first book in the series. The book is reminiscent of the classic British mystery complete with the bucolic English village and inhabitants that are both individual and somehow classically British. Highly recommended for any reader who enjoys the classic British cozy mystery.
My thanks to Joffe Books and NetGalley for providing me with an Advanced Digital Read copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review,

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please note this book was first published as “UNHOLY WHIFF OF DEATH” under Faith Martin’s pen name JOYCE CATO.

Monica Noble and her husband, Vicar Graham Noble are asked to help judge flowers at the annual flower show in a small village not too far from their home. The Vicar there is a friend of the Nobles and they are looking forward to visiting with their friends again.

During the judging, Vicar James Davies sniffs a beautiful and drops dead immediately. At first, a heart attack was suspected... until the local doctor senses something different and the police are called.

Chief Inspector Jason Dury is called to investigate and he's surprised to see the Nobles, recalling how they all met in a previous murder case.

And then there's a second body found ... a man with his head bashed in.

With a smorgasbord of suspects to investigate, all who seem to have a motive, it will take Monica and the CI to sniff out the truth and stop the person responsible before another body falls.

Another well crafted mystery from this author! The main characters are finely drawn, secondary characters are unique, some quirky, lending an air of credibility to the story.

Many thank to the author /Joffe Books / Books n All Promotions / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime/mystery. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying these Monica Noble novels! Another gently (if I can use that term) written story set in a peaceful village that features an ingeniously orchestrated murder, not unlike those featuring the very calm and astute Miss Marple. Monica and her charming, married-later-in-life vicar husband are wonderful characters and their genuine deep love and trust of each other are often a soothing balm when compared to the machinations of those around them involved in the murders. Juxtaposing nicely against the Noble's good virtues is the secondary plotline featuring the self involved 16yo daughter of Monica, Carol-Ann, who is always scheming to use her model good looks to further her aims. As my grandmother would have said, she's a "right little hussy"!!
An entertaining afternoon read, I'm off the check out the next in the series.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

This is the second in the Reverend Graham and his wife Monica series. These are cozy mysteries that are very well written and plotted by the incomparable Faith Martin writing as Joyce Cato. This book was published before under another title.

When Graham and Monica get finagled into judging a neighboring village's annual flower show (they know next to nothing about flowers), Monica's daughter Carol Ann decides to tag along. She, of course, has an ulterior motive.

The day of the show dawns clear and very hot. During the judging, Graham's vicar friend falls dead. Poisoned. In comes Chief Inspector Jason Dury to begin an investigation.

Meanwhile, mini-skirted and barely dressed Carol Ann is trying to catch the eye of a famous photographer so she can become a super model. The girl is so self-centered that she doesn't even see what a mess she ia making of things.

Monica can't help but snoop into things herself in order to aid DCI Dury. When another murder takes place, this time one of the suspects, the plot thickens (so to speak), and the tension in the story ratchets up.

This is an enjoyable little mystery. It is relaxing to read with just the right amount of drama and tension to spend an afternoon in a quintessential English village, complete with eccentrics, egomaniacs and evil doers. I don't know how many novels Ms. Martin has written what with all her pen names, but each story is a gem. She is a fantastic writer and has a unique talent for creating cozy mysteries with interesting storylines.

I want to thank NetGalley and Joffe Books for forwarding this book to me so that I may, read, enjoy and review.

[Chautona Havig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have given this one five stars for cleverness but for one thing. As clever as the murder was, and as great as the red herrings were, the who (which I guessed pretty quickly) and the why (which is how I figured out the who--no other reason for that information to be there) really annoyed me. I get what the author did and why, and I can even respect the choice. I just cannot relate to it. Had it not been so brilliantly done, it might have even been three stars for me.

I'm still struggling with the excess of adverbs and with a series plot point. I really hope the author doesn't take things in that direction or I'll be super discouraged. On the other hand, the rest of the story was, as I said, excellently done. (Throwing in an adverb to fit the series. ;) )

[Triinu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Minu arvamuse leiab blogist https://triinuraamatud.wordpress.com/...

[Artemiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Minu mõtted on siin.

[Alyson Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the new Monica Noble series and was originally published as "Unholy Whiff of Death" under Faith Martin's pen name Joyce Cato. In this story Monica and her vicar husband Graham are asked to help out with the judging of the flower show at the annual fete to be held in a neighbouring village by James Davies, a fellow vicar and friend of Graham. It's one of those affairs where the whole village turns out for the various stalls and five a side football, and rivalry runs high between the gardeners and jam makers. Even the much loathed owner of a newly built chemical company gets involved, despite being made very unwelcome by the local squire and the many locals that he has upset. The author takes plenty of time to set the scene and introduce all the main characters over the course of the first few chapters so that by the time the action kicks off the reader has a good idea what each of them is about. And of course knows exactly who the murder victim should be. So of course it is most disappointing when the wrong person gets killed. And then another murder follows on shortly after. Before even the second body is discovered a local doctor has attended the scene and declared that foul play is involved. DCI Jason Drury is soon on the case, sifting through countless suspects and motives. I like the fact that he plays the main part in running the investigation and that much of the action centres on him and his sergeant. He is a very good detective and only needs that little extra help from Monica who has once more been out and about picking up little bits of information that witnesses would not normally divulge to the police. Although there were plenty of red herrings in amongst the well described characters, it was not difficult to guess the truth of the murders quite early on since this story was not particularly complex, but it was still satisfying to be proved correct at the end. An entertaining read. 4*

[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy of The Flower Show Murder, the second novel to feature vicar’s wife and amateur sleuth Monica Noble.

Monica and her husband are invited to judge the entries at the neighbouring parish’s annual flower show despite knowing little about flowers. Dutifully they accept the invitation and duly arrive to carry out the task only to witness the Reverend James Davies drop dead after inhaling the bouquet of a prize rose. When a second murder occurs Monica uses her conversational skills to help DCI Jason Dury catch the killer.

I enjoyed The Flower Show Murder which is a good old fashioned, cosy murder mystery with an intricate solution and plenty of suspects. As ever, the solution is intricate but self evident when explained as all the clues are there although, somehow, I never managed to put them together, too busy following Ms Martin’s many red herrings I think. Is it particularly likely? Of course not, but who cares when you’re absorbed in trying to solve a couple of murders?

The novel itself is quite slow to start, no murder on the first page here, setting the scene and introducing the various characters. I won’t say it’s tedious but the multiple points of view from characters whose relevance is unknown didn’t initially hold my attention. It was only when the investigation began, about a third of the way through the book that I started to get more involved.

The characters are simply there, not particularly developed beyond broad brush strokes but with the plot being the thrust of the novel it doesn’t matter. Monica is Ms Martin’s favourite protagonist a smart, attractive female with a strong understanding of human nature although she leaves the normal humour of this character to her headstrong teenage daughter, Carol-Ann.

The Flower Show Murder is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

[Joanna Larum · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second in the series of books featuring Monica Noble, the vicar's wife. This time the setting is a local village's Annual Flower show and Monica has been chosen as one of the judges. A fellow judge, James Davies, the vicar of the parish, is to judge the roses and bends to smell a delicious bloom. He promptly falls dead and the local doctor is sure that it was murder, not a heart attack. Chief Inspector Jason Dury attends and soon has a list of suspects, including a local incomer with a factory who has ambitions to be the country squire. However, when one of Jason's suspects is also murdered, Jason has to rethink. Monica, of course, lends him a hand, although he isn't sure what he feels about her or her 'meddling'.
This is a cosy mystery, although I did feel that there were slightly too many characters, as I managed to forget a few during the story and when they reappeared, I wasn't sure who they were. The whole thing is an easy read and very enjoyable and one wonders, yet again, at the range of humanity which is displayed in a village. The evil, the sweet, the egotistical and the ambitious etc are all on parade for our enjoyment. Another triumph for Ms Martin!

[Cherry London · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monica and Graham are faced with another murder mystery on their hands this time of their good friend and fellow Vicar, and of course, their daughter Carol Ann who thinks her actions have no consequences. I like the sneaky way in which the attraction of the Chief Inspector and Monica was slowly revealed, even Graham is aware of the Chief’s attraction to his wife. I don’t know where the author is going with this inclusion, we just have to wait and see. All in all the storyline is a good one, and the characters are okay, I’m not too sure about Carol-Ann’s, she gets on my nerve with her naive and disrespectful attitude. What I want to know if you were going to write the Chief Inspector in a growing attraction with Monica Why not leave her as a single Mom, why go putting that shadow of adultery over the story now. This is just my opinion folks don’t go bashing my head in now, the book makes an interesting and intriguing read.

[Nadishka Aloysius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monica Noble and her husband are thrown headfirst into a murder investigation as they judge a flower show...
Again, all the clues were there. This time I was able to connect the dots and I had an idea who the murderer was before the big reveal.
The interesting thing in this story is that everything takes place within a very short time period.
It would be nice if the author uses different devices in the next book... It will become boring if you know so and so are red-herrings because the spotlight is on them at the beginning...

[Helin Puksand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Selle raamatu valisin kaanekujunduse järgi, kuna raamatuklubi jaoks oli vaja lugeda raamatut, mille kaanel on lilled. Kuigi mulle tundus, et peaaegu kõigi raamatute kaantel on lilled, siis nii see siiski ei ole. Tegelikult kasutatakse lilli kaanepildil vähe. Aga kui on juttu lillelaadast, siis kajastub see muidugi ka raamatu kaanel. :)
Kui pastoriproua Monica Noble kutsutakse lillelaadale lilli hindama, siis muidugi toimub seal mõrv, tegelikult isegi kaks. Politsei kutsutakse kohale, aga muidugi jõuab lahenduseni just Monica Noble.
Tegemist on muhekrimiga, nii et selline kerge lugemine, kuid põnevust jätkus kuni lõpuni.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Flower Show murder By Faith Martin is the second book featuring the vicar’s wife and amateur sleuth Monica Noble. and was first published as “ Unholy Whiff of Death” and it was written under Faith Martin’s pen name Joyce Cato.

A year has passed, it's time for the Caulcott Green Village flowers show and fete. This is a loved fete and show and attracts lots of new visitors to attend. Monica Noble and her husband Reverend Graham Noble have been invited by their friend Rev. James Davies to each judge one of the flower competitions. This is an Honour for both of them especially as Monica does know the difference between a begonia from an azalea! This year the competition is at it's best with new visitors attending the fete must be at its best! Late afternoon Monica's fellow judge is found murdered. Then, a second murder quickly follows, this time a local scientist.

Chief Inspector Jason Dury and his team are called in to investigate the two murders. Monica Noble helps the local detective to solve the two murders and find the killer—quickly, before anyone else dies.

Will Chief Inspector Jason Dury and his team and the help on Monica Noble be able to find the killer before they strike again?

If you love an old fashion enjoyable cozy mystery, this is a series for you with its well described bunch of suspects throughout the book.

Many thank to the Joffe Books, the author Faith Martin Book, Netgalley for the digital copy to read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own

[Renee(Reneesramblings) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monica Noble is back! Her husband Graham( a vicar) and Monica are judging a flower show in a neighboring village. Monica proved in the first book of the series(The Vicarage Murder), that she has the uncanny ability to process clues and figure out whodunnit and why before the police. Her skills will be tested again, as it seems that not everyone attending the fair is interested in the flowers and it won't be long before murder unexpectedly becomes the main event.
With more potential suspects and motives than flowers, Chief Inspector Jason Dury( he was introduced in the first book)will rely on Monica's help to solve these perplexing crimes. One again, the author creates well-developed characters, and while I had my suspicions about the identity of the killer(s), I wasn't 100% sure until the reveal.
Faith Martin certainly knows how to write a cozy mystery and her books always remind me of one of my favorite shows, Midsomer Murders. Idyllic villages are picture-perfect to look at, but underneath there is a whole lot more going on. If you enjoy this type of mystery, I recommend The Flower Show Murder(you don't have to read the first book to understand what is going on).
I received a DRC from Joffe Books through NetGalley.

[Javier · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The flower show murder" is the second book in the Monica Noble series, and as much as I enjoyed the first one I didn't find this one as good. It's your average murder mystery, cozy village, lots of suspects and an amateur detective that solves the crime. I found it a bit slow paced at the beginning (the murder takes place halfway through) and then all the investigation happens in one afternoon, so it got a bit monotonous. Also, Carol Ann's plot was sooo embarrasing I cringed everytime time she came on the scene.

Maybe it's just me, but I find a bit disconcerting not being able to date when the story is happening. Sometimes it reads as it may be set in the 80s, early 90s by some descriptions or some character thinking (someone says that the best thing a girl can aspire for in life is to marry a rich guy), but then you get a mention of the Internet or Beyonce, and you think whaaat???

Anyway, 2,5/5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and Joffe Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Ruth Matheson · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the second book of the series, we find the vicar and his wife Monica Noble embroiled again in not just one but two murders at the flower show in a nearby parish where they have both been asked to be judges. When their friend and local vicar suddenly drops down dead, it is initially thought to be a heart attack however the doctor fears foul play and the police are called in. Meantime another body is discovered and this one is definitely a murder victim.
Featuring Chief Inspector Jason Dury again, he is not averse to hearing Monica's theory on the case as she helped so much in the previous one. Add to that a wayward teenage daughter, the archetypal Major along with the Lady of the parish and lots of jealousy, and you have a great country cosy murder novel. Already looking forward to the next one!
Thanks to Joffe Books for the ARC to review.

[Paraphrodite · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

I thought this one was better than the first book The Vicarage Murder, probably because the cast of characters was more fully developed and distinctive? I still don't understand why the author persists in that weird connection between Monica and Chief Inspector Jason Dury though.

At the end of the day, it's again Monica who put all the pieces together. I did have a suspicion on who the murderer was very late in the book, but it wasn't until Monica explained everything that I could see how it was done. But the fact that I was interested enough to try and figure out the culprit did mean this was a much better read for me personally.

[writer... · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #2 in Faith Martin's Monica Noble series.
Features a crime solving vicar's wife, British country village settings and it's ambience.
In this case it's the summer fete with games, food and the villagers showing off green thumbs in the annual flower show competition. Unfortunately it becomes a time for unsettled accounts to be settled.

[Cidney · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Reverend Graham Noble and his wife Monica are friends with the Reverend James Davies and his wife Wendy who live in the nearby village of Caulcott Green and today is their village fete and flower festival. It all starts off well, good turn out, everyone enjoying themselves except for Ross Ferris the local loaded owner of the new chemical factory which is across the way from Sir Hugh's house and they are already opponents as is virtually the entire village. At the end of the festival two people will be dead, the Reverend James Davies and Gordon Trenning a scientist who worked at the chemical factory and had tried to patent his new device only to discover the disreputable owner of the factory Ross Ferris has already registered it in his name and about to make a very very large sum out of it. He is distraught.

Monica and Graham are friends of the Detective Chief Inspector Jason Drury who arrives with a team to investigate the sudden death of James Davies and shortly after the murder of Gordon Trenning. The plot line was sound if a little laboured but it was still an enjoyable reasonable length of time read, well it's the second book I've read today in my busy schedule, coughing quietly here as I'm already prepared for christmas and having nothing better to do today...!

[Nelda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good enough mystery with enough characters to keep you guessing as to "whodunit." There is the man everyone hates, Ferris--boss of a nefarious lab, and Gordon Trenning, Malvin Cook, and Sir Hugh, who all have good reason to want Ferris dead. Also, there are many side characters to make it more confusing. Unfortunately, if you will, Ferris is not the one who gets killed; instead, it's the local vicar, friend of Graham Nobles. Once again, in this Monica Nobles series, Monica and Graham Nobles play key roles in solving the flower show murders. Or, at least Monica does. Chief Detective Jason and new sidekick Flora (I forget their last names) are also on the case. Once again, there is a bit of electricity between Monica and Jason, which is a little weird and totally unnecessary considering the strong marriage between Monica and Graham. Does this adulterous-seeming lust bode something interesting in the final book of the series? I'm hoping not.

[SD · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book and the one before it are a true slow burn. The first third we are given all of the backstory and background. The middle third is the murder and the final third is the resolution. When Monica Noble summarizes her theory to the police, fully asking for them to tear it apart, we are right there with her.

In this story, not only is she dealing with death but also the machinations of her teen daughter, who in her teen brain lands on an idea and doesn’t let go until forced. Also, like in book 1, she sees things that help pull the clues together without knowing what they mean.

The Graham-Monica-Jason triangle (I say loosely) is interesting. I am curious where this will go, if it goes. My thoughts have landed on a few possibilities. During Monica’s summation of her theory, she brings up points about the life of a vicar’s wife’s life that are thoughtful, insightful, and could be food for thought for future storylines, especially for the G-M-J triangle.

[Monique S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written, witty and sometimes sarcastically humerous tale of madness and murder. It reminded me a little of Agatha Christie in the respect of how the crime and the surrounding cicumstances are constructed, making Monics Noble a kind of female Hercule Poirot with a kind of specialle pre-programmed grey cells. You could - of course - also just call it female intuition.

The characters are all nicely worked out and believable, especially if you have lived in the English coutrside for a while, like I have. For people, who have not had that experience the whole cast may seem surreal, but believe me, the chraterisations are all done with a lovingly tongue in cheek humour.

I really enjoyed reading this.

[ron bennion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monica Noble

Excellent story, must confess it had me beet, I thought it was one of two people from about chapter four, totally wrong.
I think the twist in the story was brilliant, took me completely by surprise, just wondering how many stories there can be there,
I will of course get the next book in the series (The manor house murder) but just wondering how many more murders a
vicar's wife can solve and the amount she's in the story would it not be better to have it as Chief Superintendent Jason Dury
mystery, I mean if she turns up at any moore than 3 tragedies!!!!!.
Nevertheless brilliant story.

[Neill Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A strange event at the Flower Show

When Ross Ferris, an industrial promoter with a bit of a shady reputation and a dominating personality, moved into the Cotswold neighborhood of Monica and Graham , her clerical husband, , the controlling relationship he had with his employees resulted in very toxic atmosphere. When a judge at the local Flower Show was poisoned and another employee of Ferris was also killed it created an air of suspicion falling on Ferris’s laboratories. As the evidence is examined the perpetrator of the crimes becomes evident and the local Chief Inspector finds the vicar’s wife to be an excellent sleuth.