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Henry Fleming Investigates #1
Murder in Fulbridge Village: A 1920s Mystery
An English village fete. A shocking murder. A village full of secrets.
1920s Agatha-Christie-style whodunnit. Private detective Henry Fleming is visiting his friend, retired author Lily Riley, in the quaint English village of Fulbridge. Tragedy strikes when a villager is murdered, stabbed through the heart, in the village church. With no sign of a murder weapon, no obvious motive, and Fleming’s friend, Lily, accused of the terrible crime, it falls to him to prove her innocence and solve the baffling mystery.
This book follows British English spelling and usage.
Clean read: no graphic violence, bedroom shenanigans, or strong language.
1920s Agatha-Christie-style whodunnit. Private detective Henry Fleming is visiting his friend, retired author Lily Riley, in the quaint English village of Fulbridge. Tragedy strikes when a villager is murdered, stabbed through the heart, in the village church. With no sign of a murder weapon, no obvious motive, and Fleming’s friend, Lily, accused of the terrible crime, it falls to him to prove her innocence and solve the baffling mystery.
This book follows British English spelling and usage.
Clean read: no graphic violence, bedroom shenanigans, or strong language.
178 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2022
706 people are currently reading
246 people want to read
About the author
Jay Gill
17 books44 followersLet's start this off with an invitation to get a FREE story.
In this 1920s whodunnit, private detective Henry Fleming goes to Paris to unravel the mystery surrounding The Theft of the Kingsley Ruby.
All I need from you is an email address to send it to. Here's the link you need - https://www.jaygill.net/newsletter
Jay Gill was born in Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom. At aged 18, Jay moved to London where he worked in the printing industry, specialising in pharmaceutical leaflets and packaging. After years of commuting and working in this fast-paced environment, Jay moved back to Dorset with his family to enjoy the slower pace of life on the south coast. It was at this point that he carved out time to develop the detective thrillers that had been rattling around inside his head.
He lives with his wife and two daughters on the south coast of England, and though he loved the twenty-something years he spent in and around London, and the home counties, he feels settled and at peace in his native Dorset.
In this 1920s whodunnit, private detective Henry Fleming goes to Paris to unravel the mystery surrounding The Theft of the Kingsley Ruby.
All I need from you is an email address to send it to. Here's the link you need - https://www.jaygill.net/newsletter
Jay Gill was born in Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom. At aged 18, Jay moved to London where he worked in the printing industry, specialising in pharmaceutical leaflets and packaging. After years of commuting and working in this fast-paced environment, Jay moved back to Dorset with his family to enjoy the slower pace of life on the south coast. It was at this point that he carved out time to develop the detective thrillers that had been rattling around inside his head.
He lives with his wife and two daughters on the south coast of England, and though he loved the twenty-something years he spent in and around London, and the home counties, he feels settled and at peace in his native Dorset.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
January 24, 2023
Really enjoyed this first in the series. Sorry if you want foul language, sex and gore, this is a clean detective story. A retired police inspector has turned his skills private detecting. His dear friend needs to call upon his services when she is accused of her best friends murder. I recommend this book and hope that there are to be more on Audible
July 25, 2022
I loved the pace of village life back in the days when everyone knew each other. It was also very clear in my mind who the killer was, except of course it wasn't, although it was very satisfying. Now looking forward to the next in the series.
October 27, 2024
I'm not sure why I picked this to listen to because it looks like others I have tried before and thought were mediocre, and this was fairly average, as far as plot, but I did think the characters were interesting and well developed, the detective Fleming was likeable but I noticed some reviews thought he was arrogant and a mixture of other famous detectives, I liked him and the village and will listen to one more in this series at least. I think if I was reading this, it would most likely be the last one, but since I listened to it and the narrator did a great job (Sam Booth) I will definitely grab another one. This may have been average or a bit above but it held my interest the entire time and I didn't know 'whodunnit' so that sounds appealing, you might want to give it a go . 3.25*
I listened to this with my Audible subscription - it currently is part of the plus package, so no need to use a credit or pay to listen
I listened to this with my Audible subscription - it currently is part of the plus package, so no need to use a credit or pay to listen
December 29, 2022
A totally captivating read.
I have always enjoyed Jay's books. he has a unique way of writing that captures you totally.
This first book in the series of Henry Fleming investigates has been well worth the wait.
I have absolutely enjoyed reading it from the very first page to the last and no way did I guess the culprit.
Reading it reminded me of how I felt when I became captured into my first Agatha Christie book many years ago.
It's very rare I say that I am now looking forward to receiving the book version, so I can read and savour it again.
The storyline and plot is very cleverly written, also the characters and the descriptive of them and where the book is set in are so so good. You feel that you can see them, the village and everything in this fabulous storyline.
Altogether a wonderful enjoyable book well worth reading and I would certainly recommend this book, to those who like a really good murder mystery, with a bit more to it.
This is my honest unbiased review of a wonderful book.
I have always enjoyed Jay's books. he has a unique way of writing that captures you totally.
This first book in the series of Henry Fleming investigates has been well worth the wait.
I have absolutely enjoyed reading it from the very first page to the last and no way did I guess the culprit.
Reading it reminded me of how I felt when I became captured into my first Agatha Christie book many years ago.
It's very rare I say that I am now looking forward to receiving the book version, so I can read and savour it again.
The storyline and plot is very cleverly written, also the characters and the descriptive of them and where the book is set in are so so good. You feel that you can see them, the village and everything in this fabulous storyline.
Altogether a wonderful enjoyable book well worth reading and I would certainly recommend this book, to those who like a really good murder mystery, with a bit more to it.
This is my honest unbiased review of a wonderful book.
July 6, 2024
3.5 stars
A cozy murder mystery that was mostly well plotted.
The atmosphere of a small English village is captured perfectly!
I enjoyed it :)
A cozy murder mystery that was mostly well plotted.
The atmosphere of a small English village is captured perfectly!
I enjoyed it :)
July 25, 2022
Great Book
Just found a great new series to read. If you like a good mystery this book is for you !
Just found a great new series to read. If you like a good mystery this book is for you !
April 14, 2024
Господата детективи, които не са мрачни, угрижени и затиснати от грижите на живота, вселената и всичко останало, са толкова малко, че като срещнеш някой из литературните дебри, просто му ставаш фен до гроб. Така де, стига вече уморени, претоварени, пищящи на сън от зловещо птсд нещастници с иначе добре работещи умове. Затова запознайте се с господин Хенри Флеминг – красива сребърна лисица, елегантен, интелигентен, чаровен, даже умерено забавен, но най-вече твърде наблюдателен за свое собствено добро. Обикновено бива викан точно преди да се случи най-лошото, и въпреки, че не може да предотврати нищо – съдба, която споделя с прекрасния Еркюл Поаро, все пак бързо и експедитивно успява да разкрие и най-смущаващото престъпление тип затворена стая без никакви заподозрени.
Пред сър Флеминг се разкриват всякакви недопланирани престъпления в хотели, имения, църкви и на фона на прекрасната Венеция, които биха били почти перфектни, с обичайно един – единствен недостатък, който дори без ДНК, бази данни и проследяване на телефони може да се хване, ако сте надарени с онова особено детективско прозрение за какво всъщност се е случило. На Хенри му се отдава това да изгражда в съзнанието си всеки детайл, който обикновено необученият престъпен ум е сътворил в предложените му обстоятелства, и открива непасващото парченце пъзел, издаващо играта. Малко ми липсва наличието на Мориарти за този елегантен Холмс, или поне някоя прекрасна Адлър, но все пак хладният ум, разкриващ чуждите проблеми без кой знае колко лична драма е доста приятено четиво, каквото винаги предпочитам.
За съжаление Джей Гил изпадна в сериозна авторска криза точно като обяви пореднага книга за инспектор Флеминг, която трябваше да ни отведе в мрачно готическо имение с повече от смъртоносно проклятие миналата пролет, но засега новини на този фронт няма. Мога само да се надявам един от най-чаровните детективи с посребрени слепоочия и остър като бръснач ум да успее да получи нов книжен живот, защото по-тъжно нещо за един читател – ентусиаст като мен от зарязана поредица, която е била толкова добра, няма.
Пред сър Флеминг се разкриват всякакви недопланирани престъпления в хотели, имения, църкви и на фона на прекрасната Венеция, които биха били почти перфектни, с обичайно един – единствен недостатък, който дори без ДНК, бази данни и проследяване на телефони може да се хване, ако сте надарени с онова особено детективско прозрение за какво всъщност се е случило. На Хенри му се отдава това да изгражда в съзнанието си всеки детайл, който обикновено необученият престъпен ум е сътворил в предложените му обстоятелства, и открива непасващото парченце пъзел, издаващо играта. Малко ми липсва наличието на Мориарти за този елегантен Холмс, или поне някоя прекрасна Адлър, но все пак хладният ум, разкриващ чуждите проблеми без кой знае колко лична драма е доста приятено четиво, каквото винаги предпочитам.
За съжаление Джей Гил изпадна в сериозна авторска криза точно като обяви пореднага книга за инспектор Флеминг, която трябваше да ни отведе в мрачно готическо имение с повече от смъртоносно проклятие миналата пролет, но засега новини на този фронт няма. Мога само да се надявам един от най-чаровните детективи с посребрени слепоочия и остър като бръснач ум да успее да получи нов книжен живот, защото по-тъжно нещо за един читател – ентусиаст като мен от зарязана поредица, която е била толкова добра, няма.
October 3, 2023
"...within these pages you will find no graphic violence, bedroom shenanigans, or strong language."
-Authors note in the beginning of the book
You also won't find any emotion, personality, or anything memorable. Full disclosure, this is not my typical read so perhaps the writing style was just lost on me. It wasn't bad. I'd even call it quaint. But I felt it lacked a lot of substance. I felt like I was reading the script for a play based on the game "clue." The characters lines were there and the stage is set, but it's the actors that bring the characters to life; brings the emotion to the viewer. Reading the script and not seeing the play, however, leaves something to be desired.
The characters are very two dimensional and I felt no sympathy or care for any of them. The main character ultimately came off as somewhat arrogant, thinking he was the most clever man in the world. The flow of the book put me off a little too - the chapters were more a collection of brief scenes summarizing semi-important conversations without ever getting into any real depth. I say semi-important because in the overly drawn out final scene where the culprit is revealed, additional details from unwritten conversations are also revealed. Because of this, the reader really has little hope of being able to actually take a solid guess as to who the killer is, even with the few subtle context clues offered.
Again, it wasn't bad, just decidedly not my style. I'm used to reading books with a ton of grit and depth. I'm used to being transported and at no point in this book did that happen for me. The plot was there, but it felt like the outline of a potentially good book instead of a finished book. In the end, I can't really say that I particularly liked it or disliked it. Only that I'm confident that I'll completely forget it by the time I finish whatever book I pick up next.
-Authors note in the beginning of the book
You also won't find any emotion, personality, or anything memorable. Full disclosure, this is not my typical read so perhaps the writing style was just lost on me. It wasn't bad. I'd even call it quaint. But I felt it lacked a lot of substance. I felt like I was reading the script for a play based on the game "clue." The characters lines were there and the stage is set, but it's the actors that bring the characters to life; brings the emotion to the viewer. Reading the script and not seeing the play, however, leaves something to be desired.
The characters are very two dimensional and I felt no sympathy or care for any of them. The main character ultimately came off as somewhat arrogant, thinking he was the most clever man in the world. The flow of the book put me off a little too - the chapters were more a collection of brief scenes summarizing semi-important conversations without ever getting into any real depth. I say semi-important because in the overly drawn out final scene where the culprit is revealed, additional details from unwritten conversations are also revealed. Because of this, the reader really has little hope of being able to actually take a solid guess as to who the killer is, even with the few subtle context clues offered.
Again, it wasn't bad, just decidedly not my style. I'm used to reading books with a ton of grit and depth. I'm used to being transported and at no point in this book did that happen for me. The plot was there, but it felt like the outline of a potentially good book instead of a finished book. In the end, I can't really say that I particularly liked it or disliked it. Only that I'm confident that I'll completely forget it by the time I finish whatever book I pick up next.
June 11, 2023
3.5 stars
Quaint cozy mystery featuring retired Inspector Henry Fleming (now private detective), who visits his friend Lily Riley in the titular Fulbridge Village. On the evening of the village fete, Lily's friend Valerie is found murdered in the church, and the incompetent/inexperienced Inspector arrests Lily for the crime. It's up to Fleming to find the real murderer.
Overall, the mystery was fine. What I didn't care for was the overly dramatic Fleming - once he figures out who the murderer is, he gathers everyone up at the scene of the crime (the church) and reveals people's secrets. Or rather, he convinces people to reveal their own secrets. Although he correctly identifies the murderer, the manner in which he does so seems so amateur. Reminded me of the 16 year old boy in "Murder at the Spring Ball: A 1920s Mystery" by Benedict Brown, not a storied Detective Inspector of Scotland Yard.
At the beginning of the audiobook, the author makes a note that the book is a clean read: no graphic violence, bedroom shenanigans, or strong language. I thought that was interesting. (On Amazon, the book is categorized as a Christian book, which is interesting).
Quaint cozy mystery featuring retired Inspector Henry Fleming (now private detective), who visits his friend Lily Riley in the titular Fulbridge Village. On the evening of the village fete, Lily's friend Valerie is found murdered in the church, and the incompetent/inexperienced Inspector arrests Lily for the crime. It's up to Fleming to find the real murderer.
Overall, the mystery was fine. What I didn't care for was the overly dramatic Fleming - once he figures out who the murderer is, he gathers everyone up at the scene of the crime (the church) and reveals people's secrets. Or rather, he convinces people to reveal their own secrets. Although he correctly identifies the murderer, the manner in which he does so seems so amateur. Reminded me of the 16 year old boy in "Murder at the Spring Ball: A 1920s Mystery" by Benedict Brown, not a storied Detective Inspector of Scotland Yard.
At the beginning of the audiobook, the author makes a note that the book is a clean read: no graphic violence, bedroom shenanigans, or strong language. I thought that was interesting. (On Amazon, the book is categorized as a Christian book, which is interesting).
May 16, 2025
A small Village in England. A retired Detective from the London Met goes on a vacation to stay with his friend, a retired Author. She is financially set for life, no longer wishes to be in the lime light, or write more novels. She is a widow and has had a good marriage. She potters about the village, helping all, a friend, who is not wealthy has convinced her that her jams are amazing and that they should market them. It has all been set up and the author only agrees to do this as Val her friend needs money as her ex husband ascended with all their funds, and this may help her financially. The Inspector is invited to the village fete and meets the villagers, makes friends with some, when Val gets murdered inside the church Unfortunately the author gets the blame. The Inspector sets out to solve the murder, while having to deal with a young bumbling idiot of a policeman who locks up the Author. It is a who dun it, and one has to wait until the end to find out who DUN IT! It surprised me, and I like that. I listened on Audible books.
May 23, 2023
A bit of a disappointment. I kind of felt like it was a "poor man's Poirot" story but without the fun of discovery. Flemming was self-important and unimaginative. The book was set in the twenties I believe, but it could easily have been the fifties or sixties for all I could tell. That usually doesn't bother me, but I think what bothered me is that I actually noticed. I usually wouldn't have unless I ran across an anachronism.
I'll give the author kudos for writing a mystery I didn't solve early on... but then I'll take them back again because it felt like there weren't clues left TO follow and figure out. That may have been me.
Usually, I'd keep going in the series. After all, it was clean (thank you, Mr. Gill!) and it was logical. He's set up a series here, and I do love to plow through a series, but I don't know if I'm interested enough to do it.
I'll give the author kudos for writing a mystery I didn't solve early on... but then I'll take them back again because it felt like there weren't clues left TO follow and figure out. That may have been me.
Usually, I'd keep going in the series. After all, it was clean (thank you, Mr. Gill!) and it was logical. He's set up a series here, and I do love to plow through a series, but I don't know if I'm interested enough to do it.
October 6, 2022
Enjoyable
Retired police inspector Henry Fleming goes to visit his friend Lily whilst his garden is being sorted out in the charming village she retreated to having decided to eschew her career as a successful novelist. There seems to be many secrets and resentments behind the lovely facade. Following the village gets, a murder takes place and when his friend is arrested, Henry used his investigative skills to help her. Lovely cost mystery, which I enjoyed immensely and would recommend.
Retired police inspector Henry Fleming goes to visit his friend Lily whilst his garden is being sorted out in the charming village she retreated to having decided to eschew her career as a successful novelist. There seems to be many secrets and resentments behind the lovely facade. Following the village gets, a murder takes place and when his friend is arrested, Henry used his investigative skills to help her. Lovely cost mystery, which I enjoyed immensely and would recommend.
June 27, 2025
A decent start to a 1920s English mystery series. The characters are drawn well, and their inner selves emerge as the story goes along. I have a couple of quibbles: though the story is set in 1923 Englan, sometimes the language seems current American, and the resolution of the crime seemed a bit contrived. But on the resolution, its pretty hard to find something both original and logical in mystery stories, considering how many have been written.
I will be reading the second Henry Fleming Investigates mystery: "The Mystery of Watermeade Manor"
I will be reading the second Henry Fleming Investigates mystery: "The Mystery of Watermeade Manor"
July 21, 2025
3 stars
Henry Fleming Investigates, Book 1
Genre: Mystery
This was a sweet English Murder mystery set in the 1920’s. I love the detective. However, I wasn’t crazy about the friend he was visiting. It seemed the story went along nicely until she entered the scene. Then, I tended to find an excuse to put my book down and do something else. I’m happy to report that by the end of the book, this problem stopped. I am looking forward to reading, or listening to, the next book in this series.
Audible Plus
Henry Fleming Investigates, Book 1
Genre: Mystery
This was a sweet English Murder mystery set in the 1920’s. I love the detective. However, I wasn’t crazy about the friend he was visiting. It seemed the story went along nicely until she entered the scene. Then, I tended to find an excuse to put my book down and do something else. I’m happy to report that by the end of the book, this problem stopped. I am looking forward to reading, or listening to, the next book in this series.
Audible Plus
September 29, 2022
Clues came out only in the big reveal
Fleming is an ex Scotland Yard detective who is now in private life. His personality is not described in this book, though some history is hinted at. The plot involved a death in a church following a fair. But, the clues as to motive and means were only described in the big reveal at the end. A bland story, but I will probably try the next in the series.
Fleming is an ex Scotland Yard detective who is now in private life. His personality is not described in this book, though some history is hinted at. The plot involved a death in a church following a fair. But, the clues as to motive and means were only described in the big reveal at the end. A bland story, but I will probably try the next in the series.
August 1, 2023
Great mystery in the Agatha Christie tradition
A quick read but a good mystery very much in the tradition of Agatha Christie’s short stories. With some nicely written deductions a la Sherlock Holmes, retired police detective now turned private detective, Henry Fleming finds himself clearing a friend accused of murder and discovering the real culprit. A real nicely plotted mystery.
A quick read but a good mystery very much in the tradition of Agatha Christie’s short stories. With some nicely written deductions a la Sherlock Holmes, retired police detective now turned private detective, Henry Fleming finds himself clearing a friend accused of murder and discovering the real culprit. A real nicely plotted mystery.
May 19, 2025
Private detective Henry Fleming is visiting his friend Lily, a retired author. It seems that she is poised to go into business making jam with a well-known company. A friend of hers in the village is the one who put the deal together. The friend is a beautiful widodw who ends up murdered after the village fair.
When the police decide that his friend is the most likely suspect, Henry takes the case to see if he can't prove her innocence.
When the police decide that his friend is the most likely suspect, Henry takes the case to see if he can't prove her innocence.
May 21, 2025
A bit stilted both in the writing and the reading, although at least the narrator knew how to pronounce ’wondering’. I did work out who was the murderer about a third of the way through and had a thought of a better place for the murder weapon to have been hidden.
I wouldn’t rule out reading other books in the series, but not worth a full credit.
I wouldn’t rule out reading other books in the series, but not worth a full credit.
September 24, 2022
Perfectly mediocre. Nothing to criticize, nor anything to recommend. I did not find the main character engaging, although it was clear he found himself so. Typical little English village and inhabitants. I don't think there was enough here to draw me to the second in the line.
October 13, 2022
A new detective for me to follow
I have been reading several authors writing about the 1920s genre of mystery solving. They all revolve around a rich woman detective supported by an official police detective. This refreshing series focuses on a retired inspector.
I have been reading several authors writing about the 1920s genre of mystery solving. They all revolve around a rich woman detective supported by an official police detective. This refreshing series focuses on a retired inspector.
November 9, 2022
Enjoyable rather than great read. The village and its people were well drawn and interesting. The mystery felt a touch unfair and I didn't care for the ending. A decent Kindle Unlimited read and I'll try the next one.
November 23, 2022
A good British murder where the group is gathered for the quintessential revealing of the murderer. It all takes place in a small village in the English countryside. The characters are charming. The mystery is very good.
April 22, 2023
This book is great if you're looking for a really short, cozy, vintage 1920s, slightly-unbelievable whodunit set in the English countryside. It definitely delivered on what I was expecting and I ate it up! Can't wait to read more in the series.
May 23, 2023
Set in a lovely English village, we follow a P.I going to see his friend. However, things are not as they seem in this quaint, peaceful English village. At the village church, a citizen is stabbed and the village gossip soon turned to murder.
Must read!!
Must read!!
November 23, 2023
Cozy mystery. Ex police Office Henry Fleming visits his friend Lily in a beautifull village life. Soon there is a murder. An inadequate police office's view is that Lily is the culprit. Henry investigates
February 3, 2024
Simple short mystery
A very simple short novella length mystery. No padding out whatsoever. It's supposed to take place in the 1920s but there wasn't very much that put it in that time period. In fact, it felt very 1950s to me.
A very simple short novella length mystery. No padding out whatsoever. It's supposed to take place in the 1920s but there wasn't very much that put it in that time period. In fact, it felt very 1950s to me.
April 5, 2024
Henry Fleming takes a trip to Fulbridge Village to spend some time with an old friend, Lily. But trouble seems to follow Mr. Fleming where ever he goes. He soon finds himself trying to discover the true killer before Lily is sent away for murder.
May 31, 2024
I read the second book in the series first so I wanted to go back and read the first. I struggled to get into it because the setting and characters weren't that interesting to me. But once the mystery got going it was better. I liked the sort length.
December 29, 2024
This was an intriguing read, I don't normally read murder mysteries and this one was a bit simple. I would have enjoyed more clues but I felt the author really captured the little village atmosphere.
August 2, 2022
A pleasant read
Not my cup of tea, I prefer my stories with a bit more grit. I loved the Hardy stories so gave this a go, but way to tame for me.
Not my cup of tea, I prefer my stories with a bit more grit. I loved the Hardy stories so gave this a go, but way to tame for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews