Death Comes to Dartmoor

Devon Mysteries #6

by Stephanie Austin

When Juno Browne returns to the gorgeous town of Ashburton after a brief holiday with her cousin Brian, she's relieved to find that no one has been murdered in her absence. But it's not long before Sandy Thomas, the local reporter, is brutally slain. And Olly, Juno's young friend, has accidentally caught the killing on camera. Property developer Alastair Dunston, with whom the victim had been having an affair, is an obvious suspect. But the police investigation cannot link him to her murder ... it seems that Juno's amateur sleuthing services will be called upon once again.

Genres: Crime, Fiction

352 pages, Hardcover

Published January 19, 2023

Reviews

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great mystery read in this series. I enjoy these books very much as they are so easy to settle into.

[Joana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly I enjoyed this story.
The crime is about dog theft and it is with this premise that this book starts.

[Charlotte Burt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving this series, and it's getting even better. This time Juno has gotten herself caught up with a spate of dog thefts that have been going on after the annoying journalist who plagued her so much in previous books was found dead.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolutely stellar addition to the Juno Browne series. Enjoyed every page, felt every emotion, and could not put it down.

Juno cannot resist a mystery, and when someone who she knows is killed, of course she starts looking into it. I wasn't expecting the dog angle to play out the way it did, but of course she went all in on that, because those dogs are her life. I appreciated the fact that for once she decided to get out and call the police rather than confront anyone herself, even if it did end up going pear shaped at the last moment.

I loved that we got to see Juno mourning her relationship with Daniel, and I'm glad she called him out on not being over Claires death. He needed to hear it, and she needed to say it. I'm going to miss the descriptions of Lottie charging around on her lead every time she sees Juno, but I definitely think it's for the best. I'm hoping she does take Mike up on that drink in the next book.

I loved Ricky and Morris getting involved with the sleuthing this time, even if it just made Juno anxious to watch - at least now she knows how everyone else feels every time she admits she's been up to something. They clearly enjoyed putting their acting skills to use, and I do love how excited they always get to dress up Juno.
I was happy to see Lady Margaret return to, I thought she was a hilarious old bag the last time we saw her, and this time she's endeared herself to me even more, with the care she has for her dogs, her concern for Juno, and how she just gave Juno the stuff in her attic after Juno refused payment. She's a crafty old woman and I love it.

The mystery was solid, I had no idea what was really going down until we met Adil - I didn't pick up on the dogs and the builders being tied together until almost the end. It was a good mystery to follow, I was constantly wondering who had killed Sandy and set the whole thing off, and I'm glad she finally got her justice.

Overall a great read, couldn't put it down, can't wait to get my hands on the next book.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5

[Sandra Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do Enjoy this series of books.
Based around where I live , added bonus of giving me ideas for walks . Cosy with an edge as they say

[Andrew Lawston · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't my usual sort of thing, that's the first and most obvious thing to say.

So this is apparently book 6 in a series of mysteries about a 30-something unlucky in love amateur sleuth who runs an antique shop in Devon. She has a cat and gay best friends and walks dogs for people and you know, so far, so cosy. But as per the cover, and the beautiful but undeniably bleak setting of Dartmoor, everything turns out to be a tad darker than you might expect from the basic setup.

Look, I don't really know how I came to own this book, but as I'm toying with the idea of writing something suitably remote and murdery, I zipped through it as a bit of a palette cleanse from the densely literary SF I've been reading lately.

It's all enjoyable enough, but... you can almost see the plot construction lines showing as each body shows up precisely on cue to raise the stakes, and the eventual plot is dutifully signalled in a throwaway comment about a local newspaper article in the opening chapter. It's a whodunnit with literally one suspect, and I found myself about half a chapter ahead of Juno Browne throughout most of the book in terms of working out what was going on. But... I sometimes got the impression I was supposed to be? Characters wander in and out of the narrative - the lad whose implausibly quirky new hobby is responsible for finding the first body is mentioned precisely once more in the story - and probably if you read the whole series you'd give that a pass because they presumably reappear in the next book, but... you know?

This is obviously a genre book, and it's the sixth in a series, so you have to judge it on its own merits, but I found it tonally disparate enough to be a bit confused as to what genre it was supposed to fit into. Cosy mystery addicts will find it a bit rich, while the sort of people who like thrillers set on remote moorland will find it all a bit twee.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death Comes to Dartmoor is the 6th in the Juno Browne series of mysteries set in and around the town of Ashburton in Devon and immediately had my heart racing with a woman being chased through the woods by an unidentified assailant and then found dead and buried under leaves in the wood. Of all of the novels so far this one has been the best in my opinion as it evoked such a strong response from me. I have mentioned in previous reviews of this series that the genre of cosy crime is not quite right for this as the subject matter is far from cosy and although not as gritty or brutal as some descriptions could be Stephanie Austin introduces some hard hitting crimes.

Juno, now single again, returns to Ashburton following a holiday to discover that while she was away nothing untoward happened and no more bodies were discovered but as soon as she is back the body of a local journalist is found dead in the woods and the chase and burial is found to have been recorded on a camera left in the woods by Olly to capture the nocturnal activities of the woodland animals. Juno and Olly return to the spot where the camera was hidden to locate the body they see being dragged on the film and thus begins another investigation.

All the old characters are included building further on their characteristics and relationships which all add to the charm of these stories which is juxtaposed against the world of murder, people smuggling and slavery and a gang involved in dog kidnapping and blackmail. (For anyone like me who would might be put off by this i would say that all the dogs happily survive the ordeal and it’s the humans who have the hard time.)

This was a thoroughly enjoyable story with just the right balance between unpleasant happenings, comic interludes, vile people getting their justice desserts and the triumph of decent human beings over those who prey on other’s vulnerabilities.

[Carol Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was great to get 'Juno Browne' (Domestic Helper,Dog Walker and Antique Shop Owner) back into my life, be it only for a couple of weeks.
Stephanie Austin writes an amazing Crime/Mystery Novel and I have not failed to enjoy every one of them. This one had the same excellent story line based around the murder of a local journalist who we have met in previous books. I found it quite heart wrenching as she gave us some very detailed accounts of dog kidnappings and illegal immigrant smugglers all diligently researched and presented.
It was exciting,emotional, educational and thoroughly gripping.
A slight hint of a new romance for Juno on the horizon but we shall have to wait for the next in the series to find out more....

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining fluff about thirty something antique shop owner - dog walker - cleaner Juno Browne (the 'e' is apparently important) who, it seems is the local version of Miss Marple, an analogy which is made by one character as if hammering home a point... Browne has evidently been mixed up in at least five serious cases before this, the sixth in the series which sees her involved in dog napping and modern slavery. How contemporary! All facetiousness aside these are issues that do plague many rural areas and Austin explores them with a light touch whilst bringing home to her readers that they are very real and serious.

Being far more familiar with Exmoor, Dartmoor is an area that is hopefully to be explored further and Austin is a nice introduction to it.

[Elizabeth Ducie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Juno Browne has a reputation for finding dead bodies, and for getting involved in investigations, even when she's not wanted or needed. And in the sixth of the Devon Mysteries series, she's at it again. A local journalist is found dead, and a young boy accidentally records the murder on his badger-cam. Juno is soon deeply involved, putting herself, and her friends, in danger. And at the same time, she's trying to get over her lost love. Another great tale from Stephanie Austin: well-written, easy to read, and for Devon folk, full of references to places we can recognise. Highly recommended.

[Diane Singleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read. Brilliant stories, bit scary in places, as I read at night before I sleep!!!
Dog napping was a bit awful. I can relate to the relationship of Juno and Daniel. Bit like mine at times! Stephanie is a greater story teller. Loved all the books so far. Easy to read, some fun as well as some serious stuff. I need a lottery win so I can go back to UK and head down to Devon. Looking for to No. 7!

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Juno is a relatable and intersting character and this last instalment in this series was a good read that kept me turning pages.
The solid mystery is full of surprises and kept me guessing, I was glad to catch up with the characters.
I liked it and hope that the romantic part will be solved in the next book.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

[Freida Pursell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Breathtaking novel

I liked the story lines in the series. I can't say I disliked the protagonist's actions but she scared me with her daring and I had to stop reading for awhile to catch my breath. Great series.

[Radella Hardwick · Rating 4 out of 5]

The joy of this series is the supporting cast and watching their lives trundle on in amongst the murders.

I was absolutely delighted to finally see Chloe on the page. And happy to have my suspicions that the handsome stranger was bound to be a victim disproved.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series. The author weaves the setting into the story so well you feel you're there! This story involves dognapping and of course murder.

[Theresa Dudley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. 2 crimes together. This one is definitely my favourite

[Shamilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really good, slowed down abit in the middle but great overall

[Tanja · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book from the series. I laughed and cried equally. Looking forward to the next installment.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had to skip the bit on Syrian slaves being trafficked. Too gruesome and close to home.

[Damian Herman · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books keep getting better and better.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I check my gate every day now thanks very much stephanie

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent start, which continued throughout. A unique murder story that doesn't use a detective as the protagonist.
Will definitely look to read other books by this author

[Pam Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my usual read but surprisingly really enjoyed it. Moved along quickly and I enjoyed the writing style.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this .

[Grace Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best one yet!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an entertaining read with likeable characters. Juno Browne is the main character and gets herself involved in discovering the identity of a murderer. There are a number of lively characters in the story that all adds to the enjoyment of this story. The search for the murder involves a number of different illegal operations by the culprits and some dangerous situations for Juno. Juno is quite fearless and jumps in where others may hang back. This is the first book I had read in the series but it didn’t hinder my enjoyment. There are some lovely descriptions of the Devon countryside and villages. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Liz Elmont · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. A kind of gentle crime novel in the style of Agatha Christie. A bonus that I too live in the West Country. Can’t wait to read more of Stephanie Austin’s novels.

[P.J. Skinner · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best so far. I love the cast of characters, but sometimes I feel the mystery in these books is too secondary for my taste. This tale starts with the death of a local journalist and is complicated by a spate of dognapping in Ashburton and environs. Juno is in at the deep end as usual as she struggles to cope with heartbrake and the demands of her day job. Great fun.

[Ella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite getting annoyed with the main character for some of her actions it was still hard to put down. Quick to read and nice to read about more local places.