Once Upon A Crime…
Nancy Hunter and her grandmother Jane Hunter run the Dedley Endings Bookshop, selling crime, thriller and mystery books, in a small, quiet Cotswold village where nothing ever happens…
That is, until the wealthy and reclusive Roth family open up their mansion for the first time in twenty years, inviting the people of Dedley End to a lavish engagement party.
While everyone is thrilled to finally look around the mansion on the hill, the festivities are quickly cut short when beautiful Lucy, recently married to young Harry Roth, is found dead after being pushed over the first-floor balustrade.
But who among the guests could have been capable of her murder – and why?
Nancy and Jane decide to investigate – after all, not only do they own a crime themed bookshop, they were also both named after famous literary detectives – but soon wonder if they’ve taken on more than they can handle. Especially when it seems the killer has worked out that they’re hot on their heels…
Can they catch the murderer before the murderer catches up with them? Or will there be a deadly ending to this story?
Join the unlikeliest detective duo for the killer opener of The Dedley End Mysteries series, by a major voice in women’s fiction.
My Thoughts
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Victoria Walters has become a favourite author of mine, so when I heard about her new book being a cosy mystery I simply couldn’t resist snapping up a copy to review.
As we are transported to the picturesque setting within the Cotswolds, we meet Nancy and Jane, a Granddaughter-Grandmother duo who run the Dedly Endings Bookshop within the small fictional village of Dedly End. This village is rather notorious for their lack of drama, something that the occupants have until now taken somewhat for granted as when the Mansion on the hill that has remained hidden from the locals is finally opened up to them, and before long their lives are changed in ways they would never have imagined.
Newlyweds Harry and Lucy Roth open up their home, inviting the other residents of the village to a lavish party Nancy is understandably excited to finally get to explore the house, and as her Grandmother Jane attends alongside it certainly turns into a night they will never forget for all the wrong reasons.
Young, and newly married Lucy is found dead soon after the party and the village is thrown into turmoil as it becomes apparent that someone that attended the party is capable of committing such a hideous crime. Nancy and Jane are far too curious to simply sit back and await answers, so they taken it upon themselves to launch their own investigation into Lucy’s murder – something that provides us with some truly hilarious moments alongside those that keep you on the edge of your seat throughout, the perfect combination!.
The characters within this story are vibrant and characteristic, all of them possessing their own unique voices and personalities that provide us with some wonderful dialogue throughout. With a captivating storyline that has you reading at every given opportunity, this is definitely one of my must read book recommendations!.
You can purchase a copy of this book by following the links below
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2SzAN4h
Apple: https://apple.co/3yJGkWE
About the Author
Victoria Walters writes up-lifting and inspiring stories. She’s the author of the bestselling GLENDALE HALL series, which continues with its third book HOPEFUL HEARTS at GLENDALE HALL in September, as well as two other standalone novels – SUMMER at the KINDNESS CAFE, and THE SECOND LOVE of my LIFE. She has been chosen for WHSmith Fresh Talent and shortlisted for two RNA awards. Victoria was also picked as an Amazon Rising Star, and her books have won wide reader acclaim.
Victoria is a full-time author. She lives in Surrey with her cat Harry, and loves books, clothes, music, going out for tea and cake, and posting photos on Instagram.
Find out more about Victoria by following on Instagram at @vickyjwalters, on Twitter at @Vicky_Walters or by visiting her blog at:https://victoria-writes.com/.
*Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources, Hera Books and Victoria Walters for providing me with a gifted copy of this book in return for my honest review. All thoughts are entirely my own and not influenced in any way.*
Victoria Wilks 