Tag: #britishcozymystery

Book Tour/Feature Post and Book Review: Death at the Dog Show by Peter Boland


THE CHARITY SHOP DETECTIVE AGENCY MYSTERIES

Author : Peter Boland

December 5 – 13, 2023

Books ‘n’ All Promotions Book Tour

Today I am sharing my Feature Post and Book Review for DEATH AT THE DOG SHOW (The Charity Shop Detective Agency Book #3) by Peter Boland on this Books ‘n’ All Promotions Book Tour.

Below you will find a book description, my book review, and the author’s bio and social media links. Enjoy!

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Book Description

Dog-lovers, please note none of our furry friends die in this book.

It’s the day of the Christchurch Dog Show. The whole town is aquiver with excitement. The ladies of the Charity Shop Detective Agency are hoping to make lots of new furry friends.

After a very dramatic Best Biscuit Catcher competition, Fiona, Sue and Daisy, from the Dogs Need Nice Homes charity shop, come across a shocking scene. The dog show’s vet is performing CPR on a woman. The ladies rush over, but it’s too late.

Back at the shop, the ladies are shocked to learn that the poor woman was murdered. Someone injected Sylvia Steadman with something very nasty indeed. Then our silver sleuths uncover that Sylvia was the owner of ex-Crufts-winner Charlie. She must have had lots of very jealous competitors . . .

There’s barely time for elevenses. The charity shop detectives must roll up their sleeves — they have a killer to catch.

THE CHARITY SHOP DETECTIVES

Level-headed Fiona has found a quiet sanctuary volunteering at the local charity shop, Dogs Need Nice Homes. A charity shop that raises money for dogs in need of nice homes. And she’s found firm friendship with the strong-willed Partial Sue (she’s ever so partial to a cup of tea) and the kindly and surprisingly tech-savvy Daisy. Together, these ladies, with Simon Le Bon, Fiona’s scruffy-haired terrier cross, investigate murders as the Charity Shop Detective Agency.

THE SETTING

The lovely coastal town of Southbourne is, on paper, little more than a small suburb hemmed in by Bournemouth to the west and Christchurch to the north. But it’s home to the prettiest avenues lined with gorgeous Georgian homes which lead to a grass-topped cliff standing guard over a sweeping bay of blond sand, soft as Demerara sugar. Some say it’s also home to the best charity shops in the country. The ladies of the Charity Shop Detective Agency maintain that Dogs Need Nice Homes — though musty and more than a little cramped — is certainly number one. Well, they definitely solve the most crimes at least!

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202125048-death-at-the-dog-show?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=Pav1CejjD9&rank=4

ALSO BY PETER BOLAND

THE CHARITY SHOP DETECTIVE AGENCY MYSTERIES

Book 1: THE CHARITY SHOP DETECTIVE AGENCY

Book 2: THE BEACH HUT MURDERS

Book 3: DEATH AT THE DOG SHOW

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My Book Review

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

DEATH AT THE DOG SHOW (The Charity Shop Detective Agency Book #3) by Peter Boland is an entertaining cozy mystery once again featuring the three indomitable ladies of the Charity Shop Detective Agency. This cozy mystery can easily be read as a standalone.

Fiona, Partial Sue, and Daisy have a booth at the Christchurch Dog Show for their charity shop, Dogs That Need Nice Homes. The ladies notice a crowd gathering and witness the show’s veterinarian performing CPR on a woman. The ladies discover the dead woman who is attending is the owner of a former Crufts champion. After a visit from their detective friends, the ladies learn the death is a murder by injection and not natural as they first believed.

The ladies put on their detective hats and get to work sorting all the possible suspects and motives.

I liked the previous books in this series, but this is definitely my favorite. I enjoy the quirky individuality of Fiona, Partial Sue and Daisy and the backgrounds that each brings to the investigations. The plot is full of red herrings and twists that lead the ladies to several secondary crimes, but they doggedly (ha-ha) get back on track until they solve the main murder case and have the perpetrators apprehended. I was surprised in the end and satisfied with the conclusion. Being a huge dog lover, the bonus for me in this story is all the added canine characters. Overall, these cozy mysteries have endearing main characters and are intricately plotted amateur sleuth investigations.

I recommend this addition to the series for a delightful cozy mystery read.

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Author Bio

After studying to be an architect, Pete realised he wasn’t very good at it. He liked designing buildings, he just couldn’t make them stand up — a big handicap in an industry that’s partial to keeping things upright. So he became an advertising copywriter, the highlight of which was creating an ad featuring Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman. He then tried his hand at writing his own stories and quickly realised there’s no magic formula. You just have to put one word in front of the other (and keep doing that for about six months). It also helps if you can resist the lure of surfing and drinking beer in a garden chair.

Social Media Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeterBolandWriter/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PeterBoland19

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Peter%20Boland/author/B00J6P8O08

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/peter-boland

Book Review: Murder Unjoyful by Anita Waller

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

MURDER UNJOYFUL (Kat and Mouse Mysteries Book #5) by Anita Waller is the fifth and final book in this British cozy mystery series. While set in the holiday season around Christmas, the crime and its consequences are darker and less of a strictly cozy mystery than the others in the series. While the mystery can be read as a standalone, I feel the series should be read in order due to the continued evolution and connections of the main characters.

As Christmas approaches everyone at Connection is making their holiday plans until a new and urgent case arrives at their door. Nineteen years ago, Paul Fraser kidnapped and almost killed Julie Clark. She lived, but she was paralyzed and testified against him in court. The felon, who should have been locked up for life, has been paroled and has failed to report for his monthly check-in. He has disappeared and Julie and her husband are afraid he will return to kill the woman who put him in prison.

Connection is on the case with help from a protection firm to protect the family as they search for Paul Fraser. DCI Tessa Marsden and DS Hannah Granger are also searching for him as he begins to leave dead and wounded bodies in his wake. This case will need everything Connection and their friends have to offer and will take more than they could ever imagine.

This was an excellent end to the series. The mystery itself had me completely engrossed and I was continually surprised by the twists and turns it took before the solution. I was happy for all the ladies of Connection and the partners they have found over the series. That said, there are also some terribly sad occurrences in this book to some main characters that had me so upset, but no spoilers allowed. Everything was tied up in the end and you believe the changes that take place in all the characters lives are inevitable and proper.

I feel this is a great series and I can highly recommend it! Ms. Waller gives you intriguing mystery/crime plots that kept me turning the pages and wonderfully realistic characters that feel as though I should be able to visit them in person.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55921022-murder-unjoyful

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Author Bio

Anita Waller was born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire in 1946. She married Dave in 1967 and they have three adult children.

She has written and taught creative writing for most of her life, and at the age of sixty-nine sent a manuscript to Bloodhound Books which was immediately accepted.

In total she has written seven psychological thrillers and one supernatural novel, and uses the areas of South Yorkshire and Derbyshire as her preferred locations in her books. Sheffield features prominently.

And now Anita is working on her first series, the Kat and Mouse trilogy, set in the beautiful Derbyshire village of Eyam. The first in the series, Murder Undeniable, launched 10 December 2018, and the second in the series, Murder Unexpected, launches 11 February 2019.

The trilogy has now been promoted to a quartet following the success of the first book; she is currently working on book three, Murder Unearthed. Book four doesn’t have a title, a plot, a first sentence… but she remains convinced it will have!

She is now seventy-three years of age, happily writing most days and would dearly love to plan a novel, but has accepted that isn’t the way of her mind. Every novel starts with a sentence and she waits to see where that sentence will take her, and her characters.

In her life away from the computer in the corner of her kitchen, she is a Sheffield Wednesday supporter with blue blood in her veins! The club was particularly helpful during the writing of 34 Days, as a couple of matches feature in the novel, along with Ross Wallace. Information was needed, and they provided it.

Her genre is murder – necessary murder.

Social Media Links

Amazon page:   https://www.amazon.co.uk/l/B014RQFCRS?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1548251083&redirectedFromKindleDbs=true&ref_=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_6&rfkd=1&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&sr=8-6

Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/anitawaller2015/?ref=br_rs @anitawaller2015

Website:  www.anitamayw.wixsite.com/anitawaller

Twitter:   https://twitter.com/anitamayw @anitamayw

Feature Post and Mini Book Reviews: Murder Unearthed and Murder Untimely by Anita Waller

Hi, everyone!

Today I am sharing my Feature Post and Mini Book Reviews for book #3, MURDER UNEARTHED and book #4, MURDER UNTIMELY in the Kat and Mouse Mysteries series by Anita Waller. I am catching up in this fabulous series because I have been allowed to read book #5 by Bloodhound Books before publication and will be sharing a blog post for that book shortly.

Below you will find book descriptions, my mini book reviews, the author’s bio and social media links. I love this cozy British mystery series! Enjoy!

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Book Description

Kat and Mouse are back in the latest instalment of the bestselling Kat and Mouse Murder Mystery Series!

When DI Tessa Marsden is called to a road traffic accident, she is disturbed by the crime scene she must investigate. She now has a double murder to contend with; two dead girls from the same village.

Realising the murders aren’t linked, Marsden summons the help of the Connection Investigation Agency, run by Kat, a church Deacon, Beth, (known affectionately as Mouse), a computer expert, and Doris, Beth’s feisty grandmother. 

When it is discovered that one of the murdered girls was pregnant the case takes an unexpected turn.

Can DI Marsden, with the input of Kat and Mouse, solve the case before another body appears?

Meanwhile, the agency has been asked to track down the long lost son of Ewan Barker. Will Kat, Mouse and Doris find him and reunite him with his father? 

This might just be their toughest investigation yet…

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51203796-murder-unearthed?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=1DmInopmgB&rank=1

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Mini Book Review

MURDER UNEARTHED (Kat and Mouse Mysteries Book #3) by Anita Waller is another great addition to this series. This is a British cozy mystery series that is unlike any American cozy series that I have read, not just in the truly British turn of a phrase or word usage, but while it truly is a cozy, with the murder behind the scenes, it is still written in a gritty and realistic way. All of these books can be read as standalones, but I love reading them in order to keep track of the characters’ growth and continuing interactions.

All of the ladies of Connection, Kat, Mouse (Beth) and Nan (Doris) are wonderful characters that keep me returning for more adventures. I also enjoy the tie-in with the local police, DI Tessa Marsden and DS Hannah Granger. Ms. Waller gives you intricately plotted cases for the P.I.s and the police to solve separately and together. With two teenage girls missing on the same day, all of the ladies were very busy and I was quite satisfied with the solution.

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Book Description

Kat and Mouse are back in the latest instalment of the bestselling Kat and Mouse Murder Mystery Series!

Early one morning, in the grounds of Chatsworth, a body is discovered by one of the estate groundsmen. DI Marsden and DS Granger battle through snow-covered roads to begin their investigation.

Meanwhile, at the Connection Investigation Agency, Doris, Kat and Mouse are busy juggling their caseloads, while trying to show their new trainee receptionist the ropes.

When the police learn that the body belongs to Nicola Armstrong, a resident of the nearby village of Baslow, it soon transpires that Nicola was the mother of a child who disappeared ten years prior to her murder.

Soon, the Connection investigators are brought in to help but when a second body is found at Chatsworth, the case takes a disturbing turn.

Can the police and the female sleuths get to the truth before more life is lost? Or is the fate of those involved already sealed?

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52605622-murder-untimely?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=SHXOz0Ccru&rank=1

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Mini Book Review

MURDER UNTIMELY (Kat and Mouse Mysteries Book #4) by Anita Waller is a great addition to the series with some changes happening at Connection. This book can be read as a standalone, but all of the characters lives are as interesting and realistic as the mysteries and crimes, so I do recommend reading them in order for the greatest satisfaction.

Kat, Mouse and Nan have hired a new receptionist/investigative trainee, Luke. Luke fits right in with the ladies and loves the job as much as all of the ladies are happy with him. While DI Marsden and DS Granger work the cases of two murdered women, Doris takes Luke under her wing and oversees him on his first case for Connection.

Once again, Ms. Waller has written tightly plotted intertwining mysteries that kept me turning the pages. These books are cozies because the murders are behind the scenes, but everything else reads likes a realistic crime novel. The main characters are always intelligent and entertaining and the secondary characters keep me guessing. This is a must read series for me!

***

Author Bio

Anita Waller was born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire in 1946. She married Dave in 1967 and they have three adult children.

She has written and taught creative writing for most of her life, and at the age of sixty-nine sent a manuscript to Bloodhound Books which was immediately accepted.

In total she has written seven psychological thrillers and one supernatural novel, and uses the areas of South Yorkshire and Derbyshire as her preferred locations in her books. Sheffield features prominently.

And now Anita is working on her first series, the Kat and Mouse trilogy, set in the beautiful Derbyshire village of Eyam. The first in the series, Murder Undeniable, launched 10 December 2018, and the second in the series, Murder Unexpected, launches 11 February 2019.

The trilogy has now been promoted to a quartet following the success of the first book; she is currently working on book three, Murder Unearthed. Book four doesn’t have a title, a plot, a first sentence… but she remains convinced it will have!

She is now seventy-three years of age, happily writing most days and would dearly love to plan a novel, but has accepted that isn’t the way of her mind. Every novel starts with a sentence and she waits to see where that sentence will take her, and her characters.

In her life away from the computer in the corner of her kitchen, she is a Sheffield Wednesday supporter with blue blood in her veins! The club was particularly helpful during the writing of 34 Days, as a couple of matches feature in the novel, along with Ross Wallace. Information was needed, and they provided it.

Her genre is murder – necessary murder.

Social Media Links

Amazon page:   https://www.amazon.co.uk/l/B014RQFCRS?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1548251083&redirectedFromKindleDbs=true&ref_=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_6&rfkd=1&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&sr=8-6

Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/anitawaller2015/?ref=br_rs @anitawaller2015

Website:  www.anitamayw.wixsite.com/anitawaller

Twitter:   https://twitter.com/anitamayw @anitamayw