Murder at the Summer Fete by Victoria Walters #Review #DedleyEndMysteriesBook2

 

 Today we have the second in the cosy crime Dedley End Mysteries series by Victoria Walters,  Murder at the Summer Fete.  It was published on 17th March by Hera Books. You can read my review of the first in the series, Murder at the House on the Hill, here .

A fete worse than death…

After finding the killer of Lucy Roth six months ago, life has settled back to normal for bookshop owner, Nancy Hunter, and her grandmother, Jane. The annual Dedley End village fete is just around the corner, and Nancy is delighted when bestselling author, Thomas Green, agrees to launch his first new novel in ten years there.

But then a series of sinister events lead Nancy to realise someone is trying to sabotage their fete, so she, along with Jane and their journalist friend Jonathan, must turn detective to discover who isn’t at all thrilled about the return of Thomas Green.

When a body is discovered at the summer fete, the death scene mirroring that in Thomas’ latest bestseller, they realise that there’s another killer in Dedley End, but can they outsmart someone who appears to have pulled off the perfect crime?

The clues are right under Nancy and Jane’s noses, if only they can find them. Because the answers to life’s questions can always be found in a book…!

A twisty, unputdownable cozy mystery that fans of Richard Osman, S.J. Bennett and The Marlow Murder Club will love.

My Thoughts

Nancy's vocation as an amateur sleuth continues in this second novel and her friendship with Jonathan develops. With her grandmother, Jane, Nancy is fully engaged in the life of the village and finds herself in the centre of another murder mystery. I like the fact that she has a crime book shop as it gives her interest in ongoing crimes credibility and Jonathan's job as a journalist meshes well. 

    The mystery turned out to be more complicated than I was expecting, with one or two surprising turns. There was a feeling of real cozy crime about it when quite a variety of characters were introduced. The community is there to witness the later stages of the story and I could absolutely imagine it on the screen. The next in the series is foreshadowed with a thrilling discovery in the final chapter so there is a lot to anticipate!

In short: More sleuthing at Dedley End

     

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,

 

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/

You can read my reviews of Coming Home to Glendale Hall  here , New Beginnings at Glendale Hall  here, Hopeful Hearts at Glendale Hall here and Always and Forever at Glendale Hall here.

Book links:  Amazon UK  |  Apple Books |  Kobo 

Thanks to Victoria Walters, Hera Books and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour. 

Follow the rest of the tour!