Wicked Whispers at St Bride's

Gemma Lamb #3

by Debbie Young

Gemma Lamb is ready for an uneventful term at St Bride’s, she’s had enough of dastardly deeds and sinister strangers.

However, she’s barely back at school before:

- Unlucky in love Oriana is sneaking around at odd hours
- Handsome Joe is keeping secrets
- Militant Mavis feels a scandal is brewing

It’s all a bit much, so when a stranger appears, Gemma thinks she’s had enough. But this stranger isn’t so sinister, instead he looks rather too familiar. If Gemma can’t get him away from the school the whispers and scandal his presence could unleash may just close St Bride’s doors for good.

Gemma's joined forces with her colleagues to save the school in the past, but this time she's going to have to do it on her own . . .

Genres: Mystery, Cozy, Cozy Mystery, Audiobook

210 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 4, 2022

About the author

Hello dear readers!

I hope you will enjoy my warm, witty, feel-good contemporary fiction, full of English humour and heart, inspired by life in the Cotswold village which has been my home for over 30 years. I have three series of cozy mystery novels plus various short fiction, and I've written a couple of non-fiction books too.

NOVELS

My latest book is "Death at the Village Christmas Fair", the third in my Cotswold Curiosity Shop Mystery series. The series begins with "Death at the Old Curiosity Shop", followed by "Death at the Village Chess Club". In this series, moving from the city to the lively Cotswold village of Little Pride, Alice Carroll (50) discovers that nothing is quite what it seems in her new business enterprise. Each novel in this series has at its heart an intriguing item to be found in her bric-a-brac shop, and features eccentric characters, plenty of red herrings and lots of English humour.

My Sophie Sayers Village Mystery series begins with "Best Murder in Show". Originally envisaged as a seven-book series to run the course of a calendar year in the life of the idyllic English Cotswold village of Wendlebury Barrow, it continues to grow, with the most recent addition being Sophie Sayers' ninth outing, "Driven to Murder",

My Gemma Lamb Cozy Mystery series is a mashup of romantic comedy, gentle mystery and nostalgia for classic children's school stories but aimed at adults. It focuses on the intrigues among the teachers and visitors to the school, rather than the children. "Dastardly Deeds at St Bride's" (previously published as "Secrets at St Bride's"), and is followed by "Sinister Secrets at St Bride's" (formerly "Secrets at St Bride's"), Wicked Whispers at St Bride's", and "Artful Antics at St Bride's". Two further books will follow to complete the series of six, running the course of the academic year at St Bride's Boarding School for Girls.

All of my novels are now available in ebook, paperback, hardback, and audio in English. There are also German language editions of Sophie Sayers' adventures and Italian translations of Gemma Lamb's.

SHORT FICTION

My series of comedy mystery novelettes, Tales from Wendlebury Barrow, is set in the same world as the Sophie Sayers Cozy Mysteries. The first, "The Pride of Peacocks", is available exclusively to members of my Readers' Club (visit my author website to claim your copy). "The Natter of Knitters" and "The Clutch of Eggs" are available in ebook and paperback. A Christmas special, "Christmas with Sophie Sayers", featuring festive short stories set in the same world, was published for Christmas 2023. Three more Sophie Sayers short stories appear in the charity anthologies, "Fate", "Everyday Kindness" and "The Little Shop of Murders". Look out for another one in the "Courage" anthology, coming in 2026!

My standalone novella, "Mrs Morris Changes Lanes", is a second-chance mid-life romantic comedy with a touch of magical realism, set in the Cotswolds in spring,

Earlier in my career, I published three themed collections of short stories, "Stocking Fillers", "Marry in Haste", and "Quick Change".

PLAYS

I've also now started writing scripts for murder mystery events, My debut play, "The Importance of Being Murdered", was premiered by Hawkesbury Drama Group in April 2025. The original playscript will be published later this year for use by amateur drama groups all over the world, and I'm also working on a novelisation.

AWARDS

The first St Bride's novel was shortlisted for the 2020 Selfies Award given for the best independently-published fiction in the UK. The sixth Sophie Sayers novel was shortlisted for the same award in 2021. My short story "The Alchemy of Chocolate", from "Quick Change", was a winning entrant to the April 2015 Stroud Short Stories competition, and as a result I was later invited to read it at the Cheltenham Literature Festival.

FREE EBOOK

Rec

Reviews

[Steph Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of this book with thanks to the author, Boldwood Books and Rachel Gilbey at Rachel’s Random Resources blog tours. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*

This third book in the Gemma Lamb cosy mystery series finally answers some of the bigger questions Gemma had about the staff at St Bride’s and uncovers some of their oldest secrets.

What I really like about these books is that while each has a mystery to solve, the author doesn’t fall into the ‘Midsomer Murders’ trap of introducing a small community and then murdering them one-by-one in story after story, which would get especially silly here with such a small pool of very distinct suspects/victims to draw from! Instead, the focus is on gentler mysteries – a missing student and some suspicious staff absences here – and we can really get to know the staff as the series progresses. And they really are brought to life, from Gemma and Joe, to Oriana, Hairnet and Max Security (my favourite, other than McPhee the cat, of course!).

I have to admit that Miss Harnett’s behaviour baffled me a bit in this story. I love her character, with her warmth for the girls and staff under her care, and her placid all-knowing demeanour, but felt a lot of worry and drama would have been avoided if she had simply told her staff a little of what was going on. It seemed a bit unusually irresponsible of her… until it becomes clear that she has a history of bafflingly bad decisions!

I really hope that this isn’t the last book in this series, as they are such lovely, cosy reads, with a little bit of gentle mystery, a little bit of clean romance, some memorable characters and an air of nostalgic Britishness. They are fantastic for a quick, easy read on a cold evening and made me remember my old Enid Blyton obsession fondly, and I could definitely read many more tales of St Bride’s.

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

[Jess siekmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just another perfect easy winter read 3.5 rounded up to 4 ⭐️

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Debbie's work for a little while now. In fact I have been a fan ever since I had the good fortune to take part in the blog tour for 'Dastardly Deeds At St. Bride's' earlier this year. Since then I have read and loved 'A Sinister Stranger At St. Bride's, which is the second book in the series. When I heard that Debbie was due to release the third book in the series I knew that I had to grab a copy at the earliest opportunity. Well ladies and gents the wait is over because the third book in the series is called 'Wicked Whispers At St. Bride's' and it was released on 14th November 2022. It's another cracker of a read, which I thoroughly enjoyed reading but more about that in a bit.

As soon as I started reading,, I felt as though I had been reunited with old friends in the form of the teachers and pupils of St. Bride's. It soon became clear that I wasn't going to be doing anything other than reading for the rest of the day as I knew that I wouldn't be able to put the book down. I must be psychic because that's exactly what happened. My Kindle wasn't exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I just couldn't bear to miss a single second of the story. The more of the story I read, the more I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to turn. I became so wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time and just how quickly I was getting through the book. All too quickly I reached the end of 'Wicked Whispers At St. Bride's' and I had to say goodbye to the staff and the pupils of St. Bride's. I found 'Wicked Whispers At St. Bride's' to be a gripping cosy mystery that kept me guessing.

'Wicked Whispers At St. Bride's' is superbly written but then I have come to expect nothing less from Debbie Young. Debbie has one of those easy going writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. In fact reading one of Debbie's books feels more like a chat between friends rather than reading an actual book. I hope that makes sense. For me, the story hit the ground running and maintained a steady pace throughout. You can tell that Debbie really cares about her characters through the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. She makes her characters seem just as real as you and I. I love the way in which Debbie combines the drama and the humour. On several occasions I had to chuckle out loud at something I had just read. The characters had their eccentricities but that made them all the more appealing. I loved the way which Debbie makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action.

In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Wicked Whispers At St. Bride's' and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will definitely be reading more of Debbie's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

[Alyson Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s the start of the new term after Christmas and everyone at St. Bride’s School for Girls is hoping for a quieter and less eventful time after the previous one which saw the violent return of Gemma Lamb’s ex-boyfriend and also a fraudster in their midst. First on the school’s agenda is the teaching of a new set of life skills (the girls already learn very useful lessons such as how to place a bet on the Grand National and how to mix cocktails). This term they will be becoming adept at board games, chess and poker, all essential for the perfect dinner guest. However it’s not long before Gemma has lots to worry about. Joe and Oriana are sneaking off together and Gemma fears she may be losing her shamed national cyclist/female PE instructor impersonator to another woman. Then another stranger turns up at the school, confiding his identity in Gemma and requesting help researching his father. Finally a ransom note delivered to Gemma’s pigeon hole has everyone fearing that a girl may have been kidnapped. Will anyone get a happy ending?
The eccentric and rather splendid cast of teachers are all present and correct, including Oriana Bliss, head of maths and little-known daughter of Headmistress the Hairnet, McPhee the school cat and Max Security, the omnipresent protection officer, as more secrets are revealed about the staff in a story with a real feel-good factor, lots of humour and a great ending. This series gets better and better with each new story and I do look forward to reading more about these incredibly likeable characters. 5*

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have I mentioned recently how much I am loving these St Brides books. I am completely and utterly hooked and they are barely having a chance to land on my kindle before I am reading the next one. I really hope there will be more to this series than just these first three books.

There is certainly a few gently mysteries for Gemema Lamb to look into this time, why is someone cutting things from the local newspaper, just what stories is being hidden, and just what exactly is the stranger she ends up having tea with on the first weekend of term really up to?

Not to mention one of the pupils being front and centre of a really touching in the end storyline, although it had me worried at one point.

And I loved catching up with Hairnett, Joe and Oriana especially, as we learn more about all of their pasts and presents.

This book and the whole series, just feels as though it is like a Malory towers for grown ups with just a tad more intrigue, and i just love everything about them.

More please.... after all I couldn't put this one down, and couldn't get enough of it, so definitely want more!

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[L.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gemma has settled into life at the school but finds herself alone when the girls and staff all take advantage of the next exeat. Even Joe (with whom she hoped to spend more time) has plans that do not include her. And he seems rather over-friendly with Oriana too, which leaves Gemma wondering about their relationship.
So, when a stranger arrives at the empty school asking what could be very awkward questions for the headmistress (Hairnet), Gemma seizes the opportunity to steer the stranger away from the school and ends up enjoying a delicious afternoon tea at the infamous Doilies in town. She agrees to help him find out about his father rather than let him meet Hairnet and ask her about it (Gemma knows Hairnet’s secret and doesn’t want to put her in a difficult and embarrassing position of being exposed.)
Back in the staffroom, Gemma grows increasing concerned about Joe and Oriana, and also questions why sections of the local newspaper have been cut out. What is it that is being kept from them all? Does the stranger – Oliver – have anything to do with it? Do Joe and Oriana?
Gemma’s curiosity is distracted when one of the girls disappears and can’t be found on school grounds. Life at St Brides is getting more and more mysterious by the day.

This book is certainly packed with intrigue, but it’s also more focused on Gemma’s relationship with Joe. She spends a lot of time second-guessing events, all of which lead her to incessant introspection as she reflects on their relationship. This aspect of the story stunts the flow for me, and while there are mysteries to solve, Gemma is more of an accidental bit-player in their resolution. The story around Hairnet and her daughter seemed a little far-fetched and I couldn't imagine a parent keeping that secret from their child, especially given the circumstances of living at St Brides. Not as fast-paced as book two, but still completely engaging and addictive.

I hope there is more to come from St Brides.

[Helen Hollick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoy Ms Young' writing: interesting characters, intriguing plots, nice little twists and turns along the way. Slightly disappointed that this one was a 'mystery' not a _murder_ mystery (because the author is highly skilled at keeping a 'who-dun-it' element well hidden for the reader to work out) although the plot twist in this story was an enjoyable surprise.

I also confess that my favourite stories are Ms Young's excellent Sophie Sayers series, which are wonderfully written, keep you guessing and have a lovely touch of humour. (Nice to see Sophie and Hector appear as 'extras' in this story though!) Partly, my personal preference is because I've never been a great fan of school-based stories - probably because I hated school, whereas 'Sophie' is set around a bookshop - bookshop v school? No contest! *laugh*. It's a testament to the author's skill as a writer, though, that even given my non-fondness for school stories I enjoy her St Brides adventures very much!

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wicked Whispers At St Brides by Debbie Young is the third marvellous instalment of the Gemma Lamb Cosy Mystery series. It is equally engaging and amusing as the previous two books.
There is the theme of family. St Brides functions as a family but we also need our own blood family. There is a very inventive way for some to spend time with theirs.
Secrets kept for years, eventually have a way of being unearthed. There are some surprising but very welcome revelations.
We witness old loves and new loves as spring is in the air.
St Brides is due an overhaul to bring it into the twenty first century – what could it be?
The three stories, so far, in the Gemma Lamb series have all been totally delightful, engaging, light-hearted entertainment and I have loved them all.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

[Jane Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full of mild cosy-styled mysteries, Gemma, teacher of English at St Brides, finds her sleuthing skills put to the test as she tries to find out what's between Joe and Oriana, what the mysterious stranger wants with information about the school founder and the whereabouts of one of her charges. It's best to read the previous books to get to know the characters, as this story reveals more about the lives of the headmistress and her staff. It's a simple plot, but the characters are vividly depicted and bring the story to life.

I like the characters and setting.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

[Donna OBrien · Rating 4 out of 5]

You just never know

Until you know. All the whispers and omissions create a lot of anxiety and sleeplessness for Gemma. On top of all the strangeness going on the new fire warden hasn't even read the handbook. How is Gemma supposed to hold a fire drill and get to the bottom of the real problem? A quirky Eden like sanctuary is the perfect backdrop for Young's cozy mysteries. At St Birds almost anything can happen and Miss Barnett is always in charge even if Gemma doesn't agree with her. A quaint cozy mystery with an ending you won't expect and another nice surprise is your reward for enjoying this book.

[Georgina Candy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve really enjoyed getting to know Gemma, Joe, Oriana and Hairnet throughout these 3 books and hope there will be more. Each is a good story on its own that can be read as a standalone, but they’re such good easy reads you may as well read the series.

In this story, there seems to be more secrets than ever before, and twists and revelations galore! I did think that Gemma did get a bit too involved in this one, and definitely overthought everything which led to a few dubious decisions along the way. This didn’t detract from the story though and we did meet some new and old faces a bit more this time round.

A great series of cosy mysteries that I hope continues, well worth a snuggly Sunday read.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Gemma Lamb Cozy Mystery Series but reads well as a standalone.

This is my first foray in to St. Bride’s School for Girls but it certainly won’t be my last. Some great characters which had me chuckling out loud & the antics the girls get up to, well…. And as for the staff…
I’m not going to regurgitate the plot, what’s the point? Enjoy this book for what it is - Malory Towers for grown ups with a bit of St. Trinian’s thrown in for good measure.

An easy to read, feel good story with humour aplenty. Recommended.

[Elva Cartwright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whispers at St Bride’s Solve this Cozy Murder Mystery from Debbie Young over Christmas.

I always enjoy the way that Debbie Young writes about St Brides Boarding School. This one was no exception!! All was solved with the parentage of Ociana. Miss Barnett came clean so did the bursar. We had a disobedient child in Veronica. Miss Lamb had to sort out Veronica, with a very good outcome. Poker features quite large too. Now I have your interest, you can read the book to get the full story. Thank you Debbie Young. x

[Kati · Rating 3 out of 5]

The characters were as likable as ever but there was too much retconning going around for my liking, regarding Joe's past and the school mistress'. Yes, before, they weren't perfect, they made mistakes, big ones (especially Joe) but that made them human. Now, with the retcons, they all seem so very... pristine.

[Fiona · Rating 2 out of 5]

An enjoyable read. I found it a little annoying at times as I hadn't realised there has been a previous book written. At times it referred to what had happened previously but to be honest I felt it was unnecessary.  I would have enjoyed it more if it didn't mention anything, as it was information that didn't really tie in with the story. But this is just my thoughts. 

[Lorraine Joad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great trip to St Bride’s.
It’s always a pleasure to catch up with Gemma and the teaching staff at St Bride’s and to find out the next mystery to be solved. Great fun.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books were so much fun, I hope there are more.

[elaine hodge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice reading

Nice characters easy reading enjoyed the book. The story line was easy to follow. Enjoyed the author writing. Will read more of her books.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love these books about St Brides, a school for girls whose parents are wealthy. In this book English teacher Gemma Lamb becomes very suspicious of her fellow teachers Oriana and Joe. They keep going off together, whispering in corners and there are articles being cut out of the local paper. Then a journalist named Oliver turns up. I think that the characters are brilliant and the school, plus other locations are described really well. I love Debbie Young’s style of writing. Really hoping there is more in this series to come! Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook - Hoopla

[Rowena Onions · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just jolly (hockey sticks) good fun!