An English Garden Murder: An utterly addictive English cozy mystery

Katie Gayle

Apr 2024 · Bookouture

About this ebook

Meet Julia Bird: recently single, reluctantly retired, and… an amateur sleuth?

 

Julia Bird has left London for a fresh start in a picturesque Cotswolds village, and the rustic charm and cosy fireplaces of her little cottage are everything she’d hoped for. But when she tears down the old garden shed to make way for a chicken coop, she unearths much more than she’d bargained for… the body of a young woman, apparently buried for decades, thrusting Julia into a baffling mystery.

 

With only one copper on the case in Berrywick, Julia decides to solve the who and whodunnit herself, taking her wayward puppy Jake along for the ride. And so begins a whirlwind tour of the village – from the dotty 90-year-old to the delightful doctor and the village gardener, it seems everyone has something to hide.

 

Soon, Julia is convinced she has discovered the killer’s identity, until Jake, a true Labrador, finds a new love of the local lake’s waterfowl and instead ends up catching her chief suspect… drowned. Back at square one, with potential culprits galore, Julia – newly nicknamed the Grim Reaper – despairs at ever solving the murders.

 

But as Julia ruffles feathers village-wide, the clock is ticking. There is someone in the village who has killed twice already. Will they be prepared to make it third time lucky to keep their secret safe?

 

This totally addictive page-turning cozy mystery is perfect for fans of M.C. Beaton, Faith Martin and Betty Rowlands.

 

Readers love An English Garden Murder:

 

‘There just aren't enough stars for this one, so I can only give it FIVE!! I'm so looking forward to the next book in the series!!’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

‘I absolutely LOVED this… Julia Bird was an amazing and lovable character… Once I started it, I couldn't stop until I had finished it. I will definitely be on the lookout for the second novel in this series!’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I loved this very English murder mystery, so reminiscent of Agatha Christie… I loved everything about this book.’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

‘Fabulous… addictive… a witty and delightful crime novel full of delicious red herrings, rural mischief and bucolic charm that is impossible to put down.’ Bookish Jottings

‘Oh my, I loved Julia Bird… she is a delight!. I can’t wait for the next one! Please don’t let it be long! It’s a five out of five on the enJOYment scale and highly recommended!’ MoongloTexas ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Really entertaining… I simply couldn't put the book down… Julia's life in the countryside with her newly adopted dog Jake was too enjoyable… I cannot wait to read for Julia Bird's next adventure!… five stars!’ Tropical Girl Reads Books ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Brilliant!… I really warmed to Julia and especially Jake, her errant puppy and loved the village life…’ Broadbean’s Books ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I loved this first book in a new cozy, English countryside series and hope it continues for a very long run…’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I really enjoyed this… heartwarming… always entertaining read.’ Jen Med's Book Reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

‘I loved this book! I am always thrilled to find a new cozy mystery/series to get stuck into and I thoroughly enjoyed this one…’ A Wordy Woman ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

‘I'm pretty sure I want to be Julia Bird when I retire. Charming little cottage in a village in the Cotswolds in England? Check! Best friend who works as a librarian? Check! Time to finally learn how to bake and cook delicious food? Check! Insta-love with an adorable chocolate lab puppy? Check! Distinguished village Doctor who could be mistaken for Sean Connery?… I really enjoyed this brand-new cozy mystery.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

‘A delightful mix of humour & mystery.’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ratings and reviews

This was a great book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the setting. The characters were well developed and she had me guessing right to the end. I really didn't want this story to end.

Good, not great. Enjoyed the setting; mystery itself was good with a slight twist. Strongly resent yet another homosexual relationship in the mix. Becoming overly common in fiction nowadays.

the book was griping but the end very dull and disappointing ....I appreciate the clarity with which plots were explained and the timeline precise and crisp