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Wootton Windmill #1
Murder at the Christmas Carols
A dead carol singer. Three women sleuths. Not your average village Christmas.
All Ellie Blix wants is to make it to New Year without any more disasters. She's juggling jobs and looking after a sick daughter. Then her mother-in-law moves in and won’t stop interfering.
It’s the week before Christmas in the snowy village of Lower Wootton. When Andrea Burdett, Ellie's estranged schoolfriend, collapses at the village carols, it quickly becomes clear she’s been murdered. Feeling guilty about the recent row she and Andrea had, and under suspicion herself, Ellie teams up with her daughter and mother-in-law to follow the clues and solve the mystery - much to the annoyance of Ellie's detective inspector ex-husband.
Then a second villager is found dead. Can the three Blix women find the killer and return the community to safety?
---
The books in this series are standalone mysteries and can be read in any order. They are intended as light-hearted reads.
'Izzie Harper has created the perfect cozy read - set in an idyllic village, with an intriguing mystery which the reader can sink their teeth into. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to see how the Blix women were going to solve this!' - Lisa Hall, author of Between You and Me.
'Warm, clever and charming, with a compelling mystery at its heart.' - Roz Watkins, author of The Devil's Dice.
All Ellie Blix wants is to make it to New Year without any more disasters. She's juggling jobs and looking after a sick daughter. Then her mother-in-law moves in and won’t stop interfering.
It’s the week before Christmas in the snowy village of Lower Wootton. When Andrea Burdett, Ellie's estranged schoolfriend, collapses at the village carols, it quickly becomes clear she’s been murdered. Feeling guilty about the recent row she and Andrea had, and under suspicion herself, Ellie teams up with her daughter and mother-in-law to follow the clues and solve the mystery - much to the annoyance of Ellie's detective inspector ex-husband.
Then a second villager is found dead. Can the three Blix women find the killer and return the community to safety?
---
The books in this series are standalone mysteries and can be read in any order. They are intended as light-hearted reads.
'Izzie Harper has created the perfect cozy read - set in an idyllic village, with an intriguing mystery which the reader can sink their teeth into. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to see how the Blix women were going to solve this!' - Lisa Hall, author of Between You and Me.
'Warm, clever and charming, with a compelling mystery at its heart.' - Roz Watkins, author of The Devil's Dice.
301 pages, Paperback
Published November 17, 2022
725 people are currently reading
396 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
November 24, 2022
One of those glorious, heart-warming, beautifully atmospheric books that lifts you and transports you directly into the book. Lovely, light humour, tons of emotion, and plenty of festive treats in this perfectly thrilling Christmas read for fans of Richard Osman.
February 24, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I will read more by this author..
July 17, 2025
Little Wootonville is everything you fantasize about for a small twee English village complete with historic buildings now converted to private homes or local tourist attractions: an oast house, a castle with a moat, and a flour windmill which has been owned by Ellie's family for generations, and where Ellie and her daughter Zoe live. It is located in Kent and near enough to Canterbury for two of the characters at one point to trot off to do a bit of quick sleuthing. That alone would have me reading at least the next book in the series, but it also had an excellent cozy mystery plot, charming characters, and it was set at Christmas time. Not that all in the series are set at Christmas.
It opens with Ellie stopping at the Village Carol Singing on her way between cleaning jobs (she owns a cleaning company) where they were stopped in front of her windmill. While listening to the songs and worrying about her daughter (sick with a fever), work load (several employees out sick) and facing the first Christmas since separating from her husband, a woman, Andrea, falls to the ground unconscious who was standing near her, soon declared dead. Andrea and Ellie had a falling out in their teens and had not spoken to each other since, at least not willingly. As information about Andrea and some secrets she was keeping comes to light, and as Ellie herself comes under suspicion when Andrea's death is declared murder by poisoning, Ellie, her daughter and her MIL (who has arrived to stay for a while) decide to work together to solve Andrea's murder. Along the way, may secrets are revealed and Ellie reaches a few understandings about herself and her decisions that help her move on with her life.
This is a nicely complex plot and while I did figure out the murderer, it wasn't until quite late into the book. I'm eager to read the next in the series so I can spend more time in Little Wootonville, of course.
It opens with Ellie stopping at the Village Carol Singing on her way between cleaning jobs (she owns a cleaning company) where they were stopped in front of her windmill. While listening to the songs and worrying about her daughter (sick with a fever), work load (several employees out sick) and facing the first Christmas since separating from her husband, a woman, Andrea, falls to the ground unconscious who was standing near her, soon declared dead. Andrea and Ellie had a falling out in their teens and had not spoken to each other since, at least not willingly. As information about Andrea and some secrets she was keeping comes to light, and as Ellie herself comes under suspicion when Andrea's death is declared murder by poisoning, Ellie, her daughter and her MIL (who has arrived to stay for a while) decide to work together to solve Andrea's murder. Along the way, may secrets are revealed and Ellie reaches a few understandings about herself and her decisions that help her move on with her life.
This is a nicely complex plot and while I did figure out the murderer, it wasn't until quite late into the book. I'm eager to read the next in the series so I can spend more time in Little Wootonville, of course.
November 21, 2022
A great cozy time that you will love. Set in the Village of Lower Wootton in Kent. Christmas festive celebrations are going full swing.
Ellie Blix is joining in the singing of Christmas Carols. The village Choir standing by the picket fence outside the Windmill Inn.
As the applause rings a thud behind her causes her to spin round. Andrea has collapsed. As Ellie calls out for help Dr Peters tries to revive her.
Andrea is dead, laying on the snow.
As you read on, as you will as the first chapter pulls you in, the setting is beautiful, a village with strong community, a butchers, bakers, and a lovely windmill. But all it not what it seems.
With a great story line, it reveals family secrets , you find yourself asking why did Sue have a grudge against Andrea ? Why is Finn, Andrea’s Son, back on the scene. Who is the mystery motorcyclist that was heard leaving Andrea’s by Ellie. you find characters you feel are so real you know them and the plot pulls you deeper into the story and you don’t stop reading until the end.
But what caused Andrea’s death ?
A really great read and the first in the series by Izzie Harper. You really will love this. Its only 99p as well from amazon https://mybook.to/aFcg
Thank you Izzie for keeping me up late, and i finished it in one read. a book i really enjoyed.
Ellie Blix is joining in the singing of Christmas Carols. The village Choir standing by the picket fence outside the Windmill Inn.
As the applause rings a thud behind her causes her to spin round. Andrea has collapsed. As Ellie calls out for help Dr Peters tries to revive her.
Andrea is dead, laying on the snow.
As you read on, as you will as the first chapter pulls you in, the setting is beautiful, a village with strong community, a butchers, bakers, and a lovely windmill. But all it not what it seems.
With a great story line, it reveals family secrets , you find yourself asking why did Sue have a grudge against Andrea ? Why is Finn, Andrea’s Son, back on the scene. Who is the mystery motorcyclist that was heard leaving Andrea’s by Ellie. you find characters you feel are so real you know them and the plot pulls you deeper into the story and you don’t stop reading until the end.
But what caused Andrea’s death ?
A really great read and the first in the series by Izzie Harper. You really will love this. Its only 99p as well from amazon https://mybook.to/aFcg
Thank you Izzie for keeping me up late, and i finished it in one read. a book i really enjoyed.
March 25, 2023
Almost a 4 star cozy mystery
I was fluttering between 3 & 4 stars, then realized i was struggling to come up with more positives, so i went to 3.
I liked how nearly all of the characters were written. Except Ellie. It took me a while to put my finger on why i didnt like her, but once I did, I was annoyed by her. She just really seemed to be a gossip, rather than someone trying to solve a murder. She told everyone everything. :| She shared private information about people's lives with total disregard for them. But then wouldn't tell Finn who his father was.
The answer to whodunit was only somewhat surprising. There were some hints, which were perfect.
I would have loved more closure between Finn and Luke, as well as Ellie and Dave, and I suspect there is more info (at least on the latter) in the next one, but I'll pass. The gossip is just too much for me and doesn't seem like something she should be doing while trying to solve a murder ~ not only does it put her in the line of fire by letting the murderer know what she knows, but it gives information to people who don't need it AND potentially hurts people (like telling about Debbie's husband or the unkindness of Sue before she learned more, just as two examples I can allude to without spoiling).
I was fluttering between 3 & 4 stars, then realized i was struggling to come up with more positives, so i went to 3.
I liked how nearly all of the characters were written. Except Ellie. It took me a while to put my finger on why i didnt like her, but once I did, I was annoyed by her. She just really seemed to be a gossip, rather than someone trying to solve a murder. She told everyone everything. :| She shared private information about people's lives with total disregard for them. But then wouldn't tell Finn who his father was.
The answer to whodunit was only somewhat surprising. There were some hints, which were perfect.
I would have loved more closure between Finn and Luke, as well as Ellie and Dave, and I suspect there is more info (at least on the latter) in the next one, but I'll pass. The gossip is just too much for me and doesn't seem like something she should be doing while trying to solve a murder ~ not only does it put her in the line of fire by letting the murderer know what she knows, but it gives information to people who don't need it AND potentially hurts people (like telling about Debbie's husband or the unkindness of Sue before she learned more, just as two examples I can allude to without spoiling).
December 8, 2022
Murder at the Christmas Carols
A really lovely well.written book which told a story that actually puts me in mind of a bouquet of barbed wire Starting with a murder victim the strands of her friends and relations were married together and the strands knitted together within a warm story until ultimately the name of the murderer was revealed an enjoyable read which made me stay up into the early hours waiting to descend the murderer was but yet not wanting the name to be revealed as it meant I had come to the end of the book.
A really lovely well.written book which told a story that actually puts me in mind of a bouquet of barbed wire Starting with a murder victim the strands of her friends and relations were married together and the strands knitted together within a warm story until ultimately the name of the murderer was revealed an enjoyable read which made me stay up into the early hours waiting to descend the murderer was but yet not wanting the name to be revealed as it meant I had come to the end of the book.
January 2, 2025
I DNF'd this book. I can totally see where most people would like this book but it's not for me. I was looking for a solid mystery but what I got was an OK mystery (might have gotten better if I would have read more but I'll never find out) and family drama that wasn't necessary. Husband cheated on the main character (this happened prior to the start of the book), daughter kept secrets from her mother (the cheated upon woman), and blah, blah, blah. This all made the main character seem 'less' than what she could have been.
October 26, 2025
Izzie Harper (2022) MURDER AT THE CHRISTMAS CAROLS
Kindle - Farthingloe Publishing
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 out of 5 stars
Amazon writes, "A dead carol singer. Three women sleuths. Not your average village Christmas. All Ellie Blix wants is to make it to New Year without any more disasters. She's juggling jobs and looking after a sick daughter. Then her mother-in-law moves in and won’t stop interfering. It’s the week before Christmas in the snowy village of Lower Wootton. When Andrea Burdett, Ellie's estranged schoolfriend, collapses at the village carols, it quickly becomes clear she’s been murdered. Feeling guilty about the recent row she and Andrea had, and under suspicion herself, Ellie teams up with her daughter and mother-in-law to follow the clues and solve the mystery - much to the annoyance of Ellie's detective inspector ex-husband. Then a second villager is found dead. Can the three Blix women find the killer and return the community to safety?"
=====
🎄♥️♥️♥️♥️🎄
=====
#IzzieHarper #MurderAtTheChristmasCarols #Book #Books #Read #Reads #Reading #Review #Reviews #BookReview #BookReviews #GoodReads #Kindle
Kindle - Farthingloe Publishing
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 out of 5 stars
Amazon writes, "A dead carol singer. Three women sleuths. Not your average village Christmas. All Ellie Blix wants is to make it to New Year without any more disasters. She's juggling jobs and looking after a sick daughter. Then her mother-in-law moves in and won’t stop interfering. It’s the week before Christmas in the snowy village of Lower Wootton. When Andrea Burdett, Ellie's estranged schoolfriend, collapses at the village carols, it quickly becomes clear she’s been murdered. Feeling guilty about the recent row she and Andrea had, and under suspicion herself, Ellie teams up with her daughter and mother-in-law to follow the clues and solve the mystery - much to the annoyance of Ellie's detective inspector ex-husband. Then a second villager is found dead. Can the three Blix women find the killer and return the community to safety?"
=====
🎄♥️♥️♥️♥️🎄
=====
#IzzieHarper #MurderAtTheChristmasCarols #Book #Books #Read #Reads #Reading #Review #Reviews #BookReview #BookReviews #GoodReads #Kindle
January 1, 2024
RA
Not a bad story, but clunky in its writing. When Ellie is overworked, pushed for time, and asked to help a neighbour in panic, did she still prioritise cleaning a school during the holidays? I didn't think the casual way the cleaner used her trust keys to access people's homes was acceptable. There was confusion over a vital clue being car or house keys or both. The geography was confusing as well: set in a village, but Ellie was driving her jeep around for HOURS, visiting houses she'd "never seen" in a village she grew up in! Putting aside these flaws (with some difficulty), the idea of three generations of female amateur sleuths was a good one, even if the windmill was a picturesque theft off Jonathan Creek.
Not a bad story, but clunky in its writing. When Ellie is overworked, pushed for time, and asked to help a neighbour in panic, did she still prioritise cleaning a school during the holidays? I didn't think the casual way the cleaner used her trust keys to access people's homes was acceptable. There was confusion over a vital clue being car or house keys or both. The geography was confusing as well: set in a village, but Ellie was driving her jeep around for HOURS, visiting houses she'd "never seen" in a village she grew up in! Putting aside these flaws (with some difficulty), the idea of three generations of female amateur sleuths was a good one, even if the windmill was a picturesque theft off Jonathan Creek.
December 13, 2024
Ellie Blix's estranged friend is murdered at the Christmas carols in the picturesque Kent village of Lower Wootton. Ellie feels guilty that she didn't make more effort to talk to the murdered woman, who had obviously been trying to talk to Ellie in the days before her death.
So, Ellie teams up with her daughter and mother-in-law to investigate and find the murderer. A very enjoyable cozy mystery, although I find it hard to know how Ellie could have fitted her sleuthing activities into her very busy working life.
I loved the setting in my home county of Kent and the unusual team of amateur sleuths. I look forward to getting to know more about the Blix family and their village neighbours in other books in the series.
So, Ellie teams up with her daughter and mother-in-law to investigate and find the murderer. A very enjoyable cozy mystery, although I find it hard to know how Ellie could have fitted her sleuthing activities into her very busy working life.
I loved the setting in my home county of Kent and the unusual team of amateur sleuths. I look forward to getting to know more about the Blix family and their village neighbours in other books in the series.
November 21, 2022
I was drawn straight into this fabulously atmospheric story – Ellie and her daughter and mother-in-law make a great team of sleuths and Izzie Harper captures their characters with wry humour. The plot has plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end – the perfect escape for a winter's evening. And if you don't long to spend Christmas in a village just like Lower Wootton once you've finished reading, I'll be amazed!
Read
December 14, 2022Kindle Unlimited ebook . I actually DNF’d this one, not because it was bad but because it was just so British and used words and phrases I just didn’t understand. I’ve read a lot of British works but for some reason this simple little book was just too hard to read. Also, it just didn’t really seem as cozy as I was looking for in a nice Christmas cozy read. Also, there were so many characters introduced very early on and it was hard to remember who was who
December 31, 2022
Such a fabulous “who done it” book set in a rural village in Kent UK. Lots of twists and turns. If you live in a village like me (I actually live in the village where the windmill is the main characters home) you will really love how Izzie has managed to get that real village feel. If you don’t live in a village, Izzie allows you to become so immersed in the story you will feel like a villager by the end of it. Best book I read in 2022
January 7, 2023
I really enjoyed this book - the characters are exceptionally well drawn and realistic, and the mystery has a satisfying resolution. I might have taken half a star off because at the start I found it a little difficult to sort out the characters in my mind - like meeting too many people at once at a party or starting a new job - but as the story went on the different personalities were well developed. Most were likeable in some way, which also helped.
December 26, 2023
This was an enjoyable first book in a series. When a local woman dies, Ellie along with her daughter and mother in law are determined to find out what happened. Andrea seemed to want to tell Ellie something before she died but it's all very mysterious especially as the two hadn't spoken for years.
I enjoyed the setting immensely along with the twists throughout. It makes me want to read more in the series.
I enjoyed the setting immensely along with the twists throughout. It makes me want to read more in the series.
December 12, 2022
I liked this first book in a new series. The setting of the English village , Lower Wootton, was one big draw for me when choosing this book. I liked the characters, especially Ellie. There were plenty of suspects, and I was fooled the whole time. I also liked the Christmas setting. I recommend this book!
December 17, 2022
Wonderful Mystery
This is the first book I've read by this author, and I am sure it won't be the last. I loved the story, the setting, android especially the trio of sleuths! I felt as if I were a part of Wooten, a member of the village - and that is definitely the mark of a good book! Can't wait for the next in the series.
This is the first book I've read by this author, and I am sure it won't be the last. I loved the story, the setting, android especially the trio of sleuths! I felt as if I were a part of Wooten, a member of the village - and that is definitely the mark of a good book! Can't wait for the next in the series.
December 21, 2022
Agatha Christie Would Be Proud
I don’t remember how I stumbled across this book but I am glad I did. It is well written and definitely holds ones interest. The characters are well developed and certainly human. This is the first in this series and I will be looking forward to future ones.
I don’t remember how I stumbled across this book but I am glad I did. It is well written and definitely holds ones interest. The characters are well developed and certainly human. This is the first in this series and I will be looking forward to future ones.
December 6, 2023
What a wild ride! This book took a while to grab my attention, but the moment we got into the swing of things I couldn't put it down, especially near the end when all was revealed! I had some theories in mind as to why the killer did what they did - I was super wrong and a bit concerned about why the person killed of Andrea in the first place... They need help, is all I'm saying.
Great read!
Great read!
June 18, 2024
Murder at the Christmas Carols
This book is a very entertaining beach read! It is a twisty mystery that keeps You guessing until the end! I enjoyed the lead character Ellie , she seems very real with starting and running a busy. She is even more real when dealing with her husband. A good read.
This book is a very entertaining beach read! It is a twisty mystery that keeps You guessing until the end! I enjoyed the lead character Ellie , she seems very real with starting and running a busy. She is even more real when dealing with her husband. A good read.
June 20, 2025
Murder at the Christmas Carols (The Wooten Windmill Mysteries Book 1)
I enjoyed this book. Lots to take in during the story. Lots of characters and very involved storyline. This just kept my mind alive and working hard to solve the murders and try to work out who was the murderer. Lovely ending on Christmas Day. I can recommend this first book off to read the next!!
I enjoyed this book. Lots to take in during the story. Lots of characters and very involved storyline. This just kept my mind alive and working hard to solve the murders and try to work out who was the murderer. Lovely ending on Christmas Day. I can recommend this first book off to read the next!!
December 11, 2022
Pleasantly surprising mystery!
This is my first read of this author. I am loving this. A great set of characters and back stories. Interesting mystery with a surprise ending. I will be following this series.
This is my first read of this author. I am loving this. A great set of characters and back stories. Interesting mystery with a surprise ending. I will be following this series.
December 17, 2022
Great
Over this cozy English village mystery. Its well written plot line has several twists and surprises. The characters are interesting and their relationships with each other and village life is often intriguing. Can't wait to find out what happens to all of them next.
Over this cozy English village mystery. Its well written plot line has several twists and surprises. The characters are interesting and their relationships with each other and village life is often intriguing. Can't wait to find out what happens to all of them next.
December 17, 2022
Wattsy
I've never read a book like this before but hey I thoroughly enjoyed it,i'm looking forward to reading the next one,I will definitely recommend this book to family and friends.
I've never read a book like this before but hey I thoroughly enjoyed it,i'm looking forward to reading the next one,I will definitely recommend this book to family and friends.
December 26, 2022
Comfy little story!
This was the perfect book for someone who wanted a Christmas mystery but nothing too deep or tangled. Yes, there's murder, but nothing too psychologically messed up or disturbing...if that makes any sense!
This was the perfect book for someone who wanted a Christmas mystery but nothing too deep or tangled. Yes, there's murder, but nothing too psychologically messed up or disturbing...if that makes any sense!
November 3, 2023
This is a new author and series for me. A small English village with lots of interesting history, people and mysteries. As in any small town, gossip runs wild, even in the local paper. Good storyline, and I am looking forward to Book #2 in this series.
December 27, 2023
A Fun Christmas Mystery!
A masterful who dunnit, great plot twists, wonderful characters—tons of Christmas spirit! The idyllic read for the season I was looking for! I’ll read mode from this author 😊
A masterful who dunnit, great plot twists, wonderful characters—tons of Christmas spirit! The idyllic read for the season I was looking for! I’ll read mode from this author 😊
January 11, 2024
Murder at the Christmas Carols
Good story although Ellie was a little too interested in the case itself. Dave was stupid to mess up with a so called friend. I was surprised who the killer was. I hope her and Dave get back together.
Good story although Ellie was a little too interested in the case itself. Dave was stupid to mess up with a so called friend. I was surprised who the killer was. I hope her and Dave get back together.
March 12, 2024
A lot of the book was about Ellie’s heartbreak of her husbands affair and their divorce. It’s not quite the Christmas story I was hoping for. The plot was okay but with so many characters at times it was confusing on who’s who.
June 2, 2024
First time read for me of this author. This also is first in a new series. I thought this was a great British Cozy mystery complete with a Christie style murderer reveal .Will definitely continue on with this series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews