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The Isle of Wesberrey #1
Holy Homicide
A remote island location, a hint of magic, a touch of romance ... a wonderfully written and heartwarming cozy mystery.'
Wrongdoers, it’s time to say your prayers!
Despite a serious cat allergy and her mother’s warnings of doom and disaster, Reverend Jessamy Ward is excited to return to her early childhood home on the Isle of Wesberrey. There she will take up her new role as parish priest of St. Bridget’s Abbey.
However, she should have heeded her mother’s warning for there are secrets waiting for her. Secrets that do not wish to be known. Secrets that will force her to question not only her vocation but her sanity too.
Worse yet, when her return coincides with a murder, could it be that she is the root cause?
Finding herself on rocky ground, can Jess uncover the killer, or will the unearthing of her own family’s secrets destroy her new life?
‘Funny, thrilling’ and a little bit spooky, this new mystery series had me from page one.’
‘Surprisingly heartwarming and enticingly written. I could almost taste the food being served.’
Wrongdoers, it’s time to say your prayers!
Despite a serious cat allergy and her mother’s warnings of doom and disaster, Reverend Jessamy Ward is excited to return to her early childhood home on the Isle of Wesberrey. There she will take up her new role as parish priest of St. Bridget’s Abbey.
However, she should have heeded her mother’s warning for there are secrets waiting for her. Secrets that do not wish to be known. Secrets that will force her to question not only her vocation but her sanity too.
Worse yet, when her return coincides with a murder, could it be that she is the root cause?
Finding herself on rocky ground, can Jess uncover the killer, or will the unearthing of her own family’s secrets destroy her new life?
‘Funny, thrilling’ and a little bit spooky, this new mystery series had me from page one.’
‘Surprisingly heartwarming and enticingly written. I could almost taste the food being served.’
157 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 4, 2022
1052 people are currently reading
315 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
May 28, 2021
I really wanted to like this book. The description made it sound like a modern-day Agatha Christie-esque novel, and the cover is intriguing. However, I have no idea how this book got so many high ratings, because it's barely readable. The plot is convoluted, the characters lack depth, and the story either drags or zooms along. I think the writer has potential to be better, but this is not a very good book.
March 9, 2023
A Charming British Island Mystery with a Sleuth Who's Too Thinly Sketched, So Far
My wife and I both began reading this series, because we saw it mentioned by another Goodreads friend. We're both fans of the genre and, as the editor of a publishing house myself, we're preparing to publish our first cozy mystery later in 2023. We love this genre.
We're also big fans of clergy as the central sleuths and, throughout our lives, we've enjoyed series as wide ranging as Father Brown and the Grantchester series that runs on PBS and we're eagerly awaiting the eighth season to start later this year. There are a number of clergy in our family, so we know this field intimately. All in all, the Gold Standard for us is Julia Spencer-Fleming's Episcopal priest Clare Fergusson, a complex and really wonderfully detailed character.
So, the first thing to say about this cozy series is: While it's 4-star fun, it's certainly not Julia Spencer-Fleming quality.
First, there are typographical flaws in the Kindle version, which I read, and worse flaws in the paperback version, which my wife read. Then, both Cress and Higgs live in England, where this novel is set on a fictional island. So, they have a feel for small-town British culture. But it would be helpful if they spent a few moments helping readers to understand the details they sketch. For example, they explain that the Rev. Jess Ward has inherited an "aga," which we assume refers to AGA, a retro style of Swedish cooker. There's a "Belfast sink," which we also had to look up. Just a few words of description would have helped.
Our main complaint is that, unlike Spencer-Fleming, we don't believe in this first volume that Jess really is the vicar of this parish. There are a couple of quick references to her making notes for a sermon. Two thirds of the way through the novel, there's a very brief reference to Jess pausing in prayer for what seems like a few seconds at most. These seem like pro forma references written into the plot by authors who don't understand what a vicar's parish life is all about. There's no ebb and flow of the liturgical cycles of parish life here and, so far, Jess doesn't do anything that resembles what a real vicar would do in a new parish. She doesn't make calls on home-bound parishioners. There's no daily schedule of prayer.
There also are some references to church architecture sprinkled through the book that do seem accurate, as if written by a well-meaning fan of such places, including a reference to a Green Man symbol worked into the interior design centuries ago. These handful of intriguing details are believable but about as personally compelling as a tour guide's summary.
One thing we love about the Grantchester series is that there's real activity in what seems like a believable parish, including homilies from the priest that relate to the plot. In Father Brown, Spencer-Fleming and Grantchester, we (with our family steeped in church and clergy culture) really do believe the main characters are clergy leading parish life.
In this case, however, at least in the first volume, Jess could have been almost any kind of professional assigned to the island. That's disappointing because supposedly Jess had a real calling to ministry. So where's that core part of her life? It's missing in the action of this fast-paced novel. My wife and I are continuing with the next volumes now because the cozy mystery plot and the island setting both were compelling, even if the main character is sadly two dimensional.
Finally, this is a classic cozy in which the plot really is all about the local characters. In terms of law enforcement, there's a local constable and then a full-fledged inspector who shows up when someone is murdered about a third of the way through the novel. And, wouldn't you know it? The handsome chief investigator is named Inspector Lovington, Jess is single and we think we know where this might be heading in future volumes.
We are giving this first volume 4 stars because it did convince us to start volume 2.
My wife and I both began reading this series, because we saw it mentioned by another Goodreads friend. We're both fans of the genre and, as the editor of a publishing house myself, we're preparing to publish our first cozy mystery later in 2023. We love this genre.
We're also big fans of clergy as the central sleuths and, throughout our lives, we've enjoyed series as wide ranging as Father Brown and the Grantchester series that runs on PBS and we're eagerly awaiting the eighth season to start later this year. There are a number of clergy in our family, so we know this field intimately. All in all, the Gold Standard for us is Julia Spencer-Fleming's Episcopal priest Clare Fergusson, a complex and really wonderfully detailed character.
So, the first thing to say about this cozy series is: While it's 4-star fun, it's certainly not Julia Spencer-Fleming quality.
First, there are typographical flaws in the Kindle version, which I read, and worse flaws in the paperback version, which my wife read. Then, both Cress and Higgs live in England, where this novel is set on a fictional island. So, they have a feel for small-town British culture. But it would be helpful if they spent a few moments helping readers to understand the details they sketch. For example, they explain that the Rev. Jess Ward has inherited an "aga," which we assume refers to AGA, a retro style of Swedish cooker. There's a "Belfast sink," which we also had to look up. Just a few words of description would have helped.
Our main complaint is that, unlike Spencer-Fleming, we don't believe in this first volume that Jess really is the vicar of this parish. There are a couple of quick references to her making notes for a sermon. Two thirds of the way through the novel, there's a very brief reference to Jess pausing in prayer for what seems like a few seconds at most. These seem like pro forma references written into the plot by authors who don't understand what a vicar's parish life is all about. There's no ebb and flow of the liturgical cycles of parish life here and, so far, Jess doesn't do anything that resembles what a real vicar would do in a new parish. She doesn't make calls on home-bound parishioners. There's no daily schedule of prayer.
There also are some references to church architecture sprinkled through the book that do seem accurate, as if written by a well-meaning fan of such places, including a reference to a Green Man symbol worked into the interior design centuries ago. These handful of intriguing details are believable but about as personally compelling as a tour guide's summary.
One thing we love about the Grantchester series is that there's real activity in what seems like a believable parish, including homilies from the priest that relate to the plot. In Father Brown, Spencer-Fleming and Grantchester, we (with our family steeped in church and clergy culture) really do believe the main characters are clergy leading parish life.
In this case, however, at least in the first volume, Jess could have been almost any kind of professional assigned to the island. That's disappointing because supposedly Jess had a real calling to ministry. So where's that core part of her life? It's missing in the action of this fast-paced novel. My wife and I are continuing with the next volumes now because the cozy mystery plot and the island setting both were compelling, even if the main character is sadly two dimensional.
Finally, this is a classic cozy in which the plot really is all about the local characters. In terms of law enforcement, there's a local constable and then a full-fledged inspector who shows up when someone is murdered about a third of the way through the novel. And, wouldn't you know it? The handsome chief investigator is named Inspector Lovington, Jess is single and we think we know where this might be heading in future volumes.
We are giving this first volume 4 stars because it did convince us to start volume 2.
December 6, 2022
A Bit Obvious
With Steve Higgs involved, I expected a bit more fun. Possibly expected a lot more fun and twisty turns. This is a typical cozy and Steve doesn’t do “typical” but I realize Penelope is probably the primary author, despite being listed second. I have a pet peeve with calling a female priest in the Church of England “Reverend” as a male priest would be “father” but that’s getting picky. Maybe I picked up the clue to the killer too easily as well as how the killer attempted to elude discovery, but it became a very slow read that I kept putting down. Generally, I like the characters in terms of how they are located in the village and how they relate to Jess - and there’s certainly good potential for later books to pick up the pace. Just disappointed that I didn’t find the typical Tempest, Albert or Patricia Fisher characters that I expected. Reverend just needs a pair of sausage dogs to keep up with!
With Steve Higgs involved, I expected a bit more fun. Possibly expected a lot more fun and twisty turns. This is a typical cozy and Steve doesn’t do “typical” but I realize Penelope is probably the primary author, despite being listed second. I have a pet peeve with calling a female priest in the Church of England “Reverend” as a male priest would be “father” but that’s getting picky. Maybe I picked up the clue to the killer too easily as well as how the killer attempted to elude discovery, but it became a very slow read that I kept putting down. Generally, I like the characters in terms of how they are located in the village and how they relate to Jess - and there’s certainly good potential for later books to pick up the pace. Just disappointed that I didn’t find the typical Tempest, Albert or Patricia Fisher characters that I expected. Reverend just needs a pair of sausage dogs to keep up with!
February 9, 2023
Interesting story and plot premise. Many of the characters were somewhat odd but that was their place in the story. Iy was enjoyable but I will try the second one in the series to see if it holds my interest.
Amazon synopsis:
Despite a serious cat allergy and her mother’s warnings of doom and disaster, Reverend Jessamy Ward is excited to return to her early childhood home on the Isle of Wesberrey. There she will take up her new role as parish priest of St. Bridget’s Abbey.
However, she should have heeded her mother’s warning for there are secrets waiting for her. Secrets that do not wish to be known. Secrets that will force her to question not only her vocation but her sanity too.
Worse yet, when her return coincides with a murder, could it be that she is the root cause? Finding herself on rocky ground, can Jess uncover the killer, or will the unearthing of her own family’s secrets destroy her new life?
Amazon synopsis:
Despite a serious cat allergy and her mother’s warnings of doom and disaster, Reverend Jessamy Ward is excited to return to her early childhood home on the Isle of Wesberrey. There she will take up her new role as parish priest of St. Bridget’s Abbey.
However, she should have heeded her mother’s warning for there are secrets waiting for her. Secrets that do not wish to be known. Secrets that will force her to question not only her vocation but her sanity too.
Worse yet, when her return coincides with a murder, could it be that she is the root cause? Finding herself on rocky ground, can Jess uncover the killer, or will the unearthing of her own family’s secrets destroy her new life?
January 5, 2023
While I enjoyed this book, it did not seem like Steve Higgs had much imput. It lacks his usual zaniness.
Reverend Jessamy Ward is sent to her childhood home, the Isle of Wesberrey, which is more to do with the fact that no one else wanted the posting as it is that she is long overdue for her very own church. When a shy female parishioner is murdered, Jess learns that her father was not exactly a saint. The victim believed that Jessamy was her sister!
Jess's hippy aunt still lives on the island and seems to be grooming Jess and their niece Freya as witches. Apparently there are always 3 girls in each branch of the family and one is a witch who will groom and pass on the role to an unmarried niece. Hmm. Maybe Freya won't have a happy ending with her new boyfriend, Dominic. But will Jess and the attractive police inspector Dave Lovington ever get together?
Reverend Jessamy Ward is sent to her childhood home, the Isle of Wesberrey, which is more to do with the fact that no one else wanted the posting as it is that she is long overdue for her very own church. When a shy female parishioner is murdered, Jess learns that her father was not exactly a saint. The victim believed that Jessamy was her sister!
Jess's hippy aunt still lives on the island and seems to be grooming Jess and their niece Freya as witches. Apparently there are always 3 girls in each branch of the family and one is a witch who will groom and pass on the role to an unmarried niece. Hmm. Maybe Freya won't have a happy ending with her new boyfriend, Dominic. But will Jess and the attractive police inspector Dave Lovington ever get together?
December 26, 2025
ugh, I really wanted to like this book. Trying to get through the first 80 pages was slow, the book only has 257!
There are parts where you think it's finally picking up, and then it falters again.
The entire book is kind of convoluted and can be a little hard to follow....but nothing is more annoying while reading a book than having a "word" split between two sentences. Who checked this book before it was printed? If it had only happened once, I'd have let it go, but it's repeated several times.
This Author might get better with time, and since this is the first book in this series, I'm hoping the characters develop with more dimension.
I'm assuming Penelope Cress wrote the book, but it also lists Steve Higgs, so I'm not sure who to blame!
There are parts where you think it's finally picking up, and then it falters again.
The entire book is kind of convoluted and can be a little hard to follow....but nothing is more annoying while reading a book than having a "word" split between two sentences. Who checked this book before it was printed? If it had only happened once, I'd have let it go, but it's repeated several times.
This Author might get better with time, and since this is the first book in this series, I'm hoping the characters develop with more dimension.
I'm assuming Penelope Cress wrote the book, but it also lists Steve Higgs, so I'm not sure who to blame!
May 26, 2023
I'm not sure why some writers think that women priests make interesting characters in murder mysteries (being a woman priest myself). I'm giving this novel three stars for effort, and I think that the next in the series have potential. I have a few quibbles about the actual "priestly" stuff, and I think the authors ought to have consulted someone in the business before publishing. What really bothered me was how small the font was. It's really, really small. I hope the publisher and the authors will change this in subsequent novels. It was hard to enjoy the actual activity of reading because of that.
February 2, 2024
In many ways this seemed like a book that I should like - first person detective story with a few quirks and a spot of magic. Right up my street.
But once again I had to stop reading after a few chapters because the dialogue was so stilted and unnatural.
I'm begging authors to recognise that most people use contractions in speech. A lot. Unlike these characters who all seem to aspire to talk like Data from Star Trek TNG. Who is a great character, don't get me wrong, but not a 21st century human being as these people are supposed to be.
It's such a pity as I think I might have enjoyed this series if only the dialogue hadn't grated more than a fondue chef.
But once again I had to stop reading after a few chapters because the dialogue was so stilted and unnatural.
I'm begging authors to recognise that most people use contractions in speech. A lot. Unlike these characters who all seem to aspire to talk like Data from Star Trek TNG. Who is a great character, don't get me wrong, but not a 21st century human being as these people are supposed to be.
It's such a pity as I think I might have enjoyed this series if only the dialogue hadn't grated more than a fondue chef.
December 4, 2022
Well told story
A story about selfishness, mistakes and secrets. How many of us have made selfish decisions and witnessed the fallacy in that or them? I know I've made so many bad decisions and mistakes in my life that sometimes I struggle to move forward from them. And then there's secrets. Some secrets can be just plain deadly. A very thought-provoking story that will leave the reader thinking hard about past decisions and maybe even encouraging others to think a bit harder to avoid a future tragedy. Brilliantly written!
A story about selfishness, mistakes and secrets. How many of us have made selfish decisions and witnessed the fallacy in that or them? I know I've made so many bad decisions and mistakes in my life that sometimes I struggle to move forward from them. And then there's secrets. Some secrets can be just plain deadly. A very thought-provoking story that will leave the reader thinking hard about past decisions and maybe even encouraging others to think a bit harder to avoid a future tragedy. Brilliantly written!
December 3, 2022
I throughly enjoyed this book. Jess the new Vicar to the Isle of Westberry is determined to make a good start at her new parish despite the concerns and warnings of her mother and great aunt. Apparently she comes from a line of special women who may or may not have psychic abilities. Jess doesn’t believe in those abilities but does believe in her duties as a priest to help keep an innocent parish member to be charged with murder.
I’m looking forward to reading the next books in this series.
I’m looking forward to reading the next books in this series.
December 7, 2022
A new female vicor and a murder.
Jessamine is a vicor at an island church as well as a sleuth. Her family has a history of witches, but she refuses to believe they have any psychic abilities. When a young woman is murdered, Jess decides to investigate. She puts herself in grave danger, but her friends rescue her and capture the murderer. Jess is a devout priest and a great sleuth who makes it easy to like her.
Jessamine is a vicor at an island church as well as a sleuth. Her family has a history of witches, but she refuses to believe they have any psychic abilities. When a young woman is murdered, Jess decides to investigate. She puts herself in grave danger, but her friends rescue her and capture the murderer. Jess is a devout priest and a great sleuth who makes it easy to like her.
June 1, 2023
I liked this book a bit more than I expected to. Although NOT an atheist, I have chosen not to attend church and was leery of being overwhelmed with Christianity. That was NOT the case at all. There was a sense of family, comradery, and love. The main character, Jess the Vicar, is a warm, helpful, and open-minded person who is very slow to judge, and quick to help. I was duly impressed by her. I definitely recommend this book.
November 11, 2022
What a great new series! Jess is a reverend who was given her home parish as her first assignment. Shortly after she arrives, one of her flock is murdered. Several threads unravel as Jess tries to find the murderer and many feathers get ruffled in the process. Engaging characters and a good storyline made this an interesting and fun read.
December 3, 2022
Disappointing.
So much promise not explored. Or, an editor savaged what could have been an enjoyable read. A bit narcissistic in the manner Jess trots here & there, trampling on the vulgar rendering of some of the ill-formed characters.
A book that certainly could have been better, if only the authors were better.
So much promise not explored. Or, an editor savaged what could have been an enjoyable read. A bit narcissistic in the manner Jess trots here & there, trampling on the vulgar rendering of some of the ill-formed characters.
A book that certainly could have been better, if only the authors were better.
January 25, 2023
Reminiscent of the Vicar of Debley
It's a quick read with a gaggle of interesting characters and a Vicar more a mixture of the Vicar of Debley meets Mrs. Fletcher. The storyline feels a little rushed to get all the main characters in and the mystery was no Agatha Christie plot, but it has lots of potential. Looking forward to the next installment.
It's a quick read with a gaggle of interesting characters and a Vicar more a mixture of the Vicar of Debley meets Mrs. Fletcher. The storyline feels a little rushed to get all the main characters in and the mystery was no Agatha Christie plot, but it has lots of potential. Looking forward to the next installment.
February 21, 2023
Entertaining and easy read cozy mystery.
I would recommend this book to lovers of cozy mysteries. The characters were well developed and the clues to the mystery were easy to remember and engaging. Perfect flowing storyline and I didn't guess who committed the murder! Can't wait to read the next book in the series.
I would recommend this book to lovers of cozy mysteries. The characters were well developed and the clues to the mystery were easy to remember and engaging. Perfect flowing storyline and I didn't guess who committed the murder! Can't wait to read the next book in the series.
July 5, 2023
This was a pleasant cozy mystery. I don’t remember reading a mystery about a lady vicar having a crush with a policeman. This proved to be more entertaining to me than the mystery about the murderer. I was about to follow that relationship easier than the vicar’s tracking down the murderer. There were too many characters and clues for me to follows the plot.
July 27, 2023
Surprise sleuthing
I was surprised at how good a story this was. The mystery was complex and the characters were so interesting. It is not a simple little book. I really liked the pacing of the book. Some interesting twists too! It really had me guessing. Cannot wait to read the next book.
I was surprised at how good a story this was. The mystery was complex and the characters were so interesting. It is not a simple little book. I really liked the pacing of the book. Some interesting twists too! It really had me guessing. Cannot wait to read the next book.
March 20, 2024
I'm very hopeful for this series. I love a good cozy mystery, but I also want intelligent dialog, characters with depth, and a mystery I can't unravel by the middle of the story. Good editing too. (I find all the mistakes...it's a bit of a curse.) This first book in the series was a pretty good cozy mystery but I'm expecting bigger and better things from the second book.
October 28, 2024
The jury is out on this one. Overall it was a good enough storyline, although at times the writing came across as a little inexperienced; there was an immaturity that may well develop as the series progresses. Whilst intrigued to find a little more depth about the family and the suggested secrets dotted about within this first book of the series I am in no rush.
October 17, 2025
I had to read the first book since I read the second book first, lol.
It was ok. I was definitely curious about Violet and Rachel. I totally guessed who the killer was.
It was ok. I was definitely curious about Violet and Rachel. I totally guessed who the killer was.
November 16, 2022
A vicar, a new parish, and a murder is quite a different scenario for a story but it's really entertaining, fun, and fast-paced. It left me wanting more, so I look forward to receiving soon the news that book 2 is being published!
December 12, 2022
Vicar of Wesberrey
First parish in a community she left as a 13 year old girl. The new vicar has trepidations about remaining as she learns family history amongst trying to solve a murder mystery.
First parish in a community she left as a 13 year old girl. The new vicar has trepidations about remaining as she learns family history amongst trying to solve a murder mystery.
January 1, 2023
Holy Homicide
Holy Homicide had a,smooth flowing narrative that made for a pleasant read but the plot was so weak I couldn't rate it more than a 3. I will not continue with the series.
Holy Homicide had a,smooth flowing narrative that made for a pleasant read but the plot was so weak I couldn't rate it more than a 3. I will not continue with the series.
February 25, 2023
Holy Homicide
Good book. Although the Anglican church has had female clergy for many years, I was still surprised. Entertaining book, but definitely a cozy. So obvious who is the murderer. And the story of her family.
Good book. Although the Anglican church has had female clergy for many years, I was still surprised. Entertaining book, but definitely a cozy. So obvious who is the murderer. And the story of her family.
March 16, 2023
More twisty fun
Another one of Steve Higgs twisty mysteries. This time it’s a member of the clergy and her friends and family to solve the murders on an island, to make things even more interesting.
Another one of Steve Higgs twisty mysteries. This time it’s a member of the clergy and her friends and family to solve the murders on an island, to make things even more interesting.
April 9, 2023
Homicide
Slow to start and a bit confusing to get to know who's who. I keep thinking of Dawn French and The Vicar of Dilbey finding a dead body. Will read another to see if I find them more palatable.
Slow to start and a bit confusing to get to know who's who. I keep thinking of Dawn French and The Vicar of Dilbey finding a dead body. Will read another to see if I find them more palatable.
May 10, 2023
New series New author
For a first in series it was a good story. It kept an even flow. The new vicor hasn't even been officially installed and she's already involved solving a murder.
I will definitely try the next.
For a first in series it was a good story. It kept an even flow. The new vicor hasn't even been officially installed and she's already involved solving a murder.
I will definitely try the next.
May 29, 2023
Second time reading this as I decided to catch up on the series. I spent some time looking up words and phrases of British talk. Not as funny as the Patricia Fischerseries, but still a nice way to spend the afternoon reading n
July 13, 2023
Interesting new series.
I wanted to read this book because of Steve Higgs as a co-author. I'm a great fan of his. This was an interesting, exciting read. I look forward to reading the next book.
I wanted to read this book because of Steve Higgs as a co-author. I'm a great fan of his. This was an interesting, exciting read. I look forward to reading the next book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews