Murder Under the Mistletoe by Liz Fielding
Series: Maybridge Murder Mysteries #2
Sub-genre: cosy mystery
Release date: 7 Nov 2023
Publisher: self-published
Format: ebook and print
Length: 288 pages
RRP: $5.99 (ebook); $43.25 (print)
I loved Liz Fielding’s romances; I’ve read them for years. IMHO one of her most beautiful romances is Redeemed by Her Midsummer Kiss from 2022. It’s drenched in sunshine, set in a beautiful garden, and richly romantic. When she branched into cosy crime, I was sure she’d be fabulous in this new genre. And she is—read on.
I do think I should have started the new series with #1, Murder Among the Roses , where Abby Finch’s family and some of the locals in the Cotswold village of Maybridge are introduced.
However, here’s what I deduced: Abby’s a mum of three, a fabulous gardener with her own business, and dreams of winning at the Chelsea Flower Show. She was widowed in #1 when her husband was murdered in his family’s garden (having impregnated another woman first). Initially Abby was the chief suspect, but the murder was solved. Now I really have to go back and read it.
You know these English country villages. Someone else is sure to die soon, aren’t they?
When Abby takes some foliage to decorate the church hall for a Christmas lunch she spots her beloved elderly teacher, Edward Marsh, climbing to the top of the Christmas tree to fiddle with some lights and test the star. Suddenly there’s a horrifying fizz and the lights go out. Poor Edward crashes out of the tree and sadly dies.
It seems like a dreadful accident at first. But is it really?
There’s another older man swanning around called Gregory Tatton. He appears to be a user, taking full advantage of the flattery and attention of the women clustering around him to ask for outrageous—and often expensive—‘favours’. Like a beautiful hand-knitted jumper, or a decadently rich chocolate cake weekly, or a croissant delivered every morning. For free.
He even hits on Abby to come and look at his garden for a tidy up and renovation. For free, because they’re ‘friends’, and he wouldn’t want any gossip to come out about Abby, would he? Hmm …
Gregory had insisted he’d be the one to adjust the star in the tree, but Edward jumped the gun and snuck up to spite him. So, was the electrical issue targeted at Gregory? Is it foul play?
Of course it is. And then there’s another murder.
Abby gets tangled up in the hunt for the killer, despite being desperate to keep her family out of harm’s way. Turns out she’s a pretty good sleuth by now, even with the surprising twists to the tale.
This was such fun to read. Thanks to watching years of Midsomer Murders , I thought I’d be great at picking murderers, but no. Enjoy!
reviewed by Malvina
A review copy of this book was provided by the author.
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