The Dartmoor Murders: The must-read cozy crime series

Stephanie Austin

Jun 2021 · Devon Mysteries Book 4 · Allison & Busby Ltd

About this ebook

When Juno Browne purchases a wardrobe to stock in her fledgling antiques store, she doesn't expect to find a dead body inside. And when the man she bought it from, rascally farmer Fred Crick, is found battered to death in his blazing cottage, the hunt for a double murderer is on. Despite the police struggling to connect the two deaths, this time Juno is resolved to ignore her impulse to investigate.
Until, that is, a stranger arrives who bears an uncanny resemblance to the dead man in the wardrobe. Determined to discover how his identical twin brother died and impressed by Juno's reputation in the local press as Ashburton's amateur sleuth, Henry tries to drag her into his quest to solve the mystery, with disastrous results.

Ratings and reviews

Devonshire, murder, murder-investigation, amateur-sleuth, law-enforcement, small-business, small-town, theft, rescue-animals, farm-animals, farm-equipment, antiques, organized-crime***** The first two bodies were recent, and Juno saw them both. Juno has a history of getting involved with murder investigations and on the wrong side of Detective Sergeant Cruella Deville (but not the others). Besides the murders, there have been fraudulent thievings from other shop owners as well as thefts of farm animal herds and large farm equipment happening in the district. Add in the business tenant from the pit, an attractive photojournalist from Australia, and a mostly absent love interest to round out this delightful tale. As this is the first I've read in the series, I can tell you that it works just as well as a stand alone. But this one is so good that I want the earlier ones, too. I requested and received a temporary digital ARC of this book from Allison & Busby via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

About the author

Stephanie Austin has enjoyed a varied career, working as an artist and an antiques trader, but also for the Devon Schools Library Service. When not writing she is actively involved in amateur theatre as a director and actor, and attempts to be a competent gardener and cook. She lives in Devon.