Murder Before Evensong (Canon Clement, #1) by Richard Coles

Murder Before Evensong (Canon Clement, #1) Reviews

• 
  K.J. Charles

  I like Richard Coles a lot on the radio, but let's be real, this would not have been published if it wasn't by a famous person, still less with the amazing blurbs by other famous people on the back. It really just isn't that good.
  
  Not *bad*, I should say, just not terribly good. Best parts are definitely the bits about being a vicar and there's some nice writing. The Vicar of Dibley type setting is entertaining; the canon himself is rather bland but has potential. But the cast is overblown and not terribly distinct en masse, and includes a bunch of people who play no part in the story at all (why did we need the brother?), the plotting is woefully underdone (it's the kind of murder where anyone could have done it so you have to pick by motive), the murderer unconvincing, and the motive even less so.
  
  Also, huge props to the editor who saw the dialogue line "Why would anyone murder Bob?" and inserted a tidy comma to make it "Why would anyone murder, Bob?" despite Bob not being in the conversation due to having been, er, murdered. (Quoted from memory and name changed to avoid spoilers.)
  
  File under "will doubtless read the sequel when I see it in the charity shop".
• 
  Alison

  Canon Daniel Clement is Rector of Champton, a small village with its own stately home owned by Bernard de Floures. The most exciting thing to happen in Champton is the argument as to whether the church should install a lavatory or a buttery for the flower arrangers, then Bernard de Floures' alcoholic cousin is found by Daniel, murdered in one of the pews, with a pair of secateurs no less! But no sooner have the press departed to pastures new and the village returned to some sort of normality, than another body is found floating in the lake.
  
  Oh dear, obviously I read a completely different book to all the celebrities who have written glowing endorsements of this book.
  
  First, when exactly was this book set, I'm sure if I could be bothered to piece together the clues I could work it out, late 1980s/early 1990s? There is no indication (that I can see) as to when it is set, which is hugely discombobulating to the reader who imagines it must be present day.
  
  Second, this was like some nineteenth century novel that you got forced to read at school, billed as a funny detective story. There was an interminable amount of detail about the life of a rector, the prayers, the ceremonies, and a lot in Latin which meant nothing to me. In addition, frankly there are absolutely no clues whatsoever to help the reader guess the murderer and the identification of the murderer comes out of left-field. Half of Daniel's (and his mother's) thoughts went straight over my head, too obtuse and loaded with religious terminology.
  
  I was hoping (given The Reverend Richard Coles' past life and amusing anecdotes) for something like Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club books, but featuring a rector, alas it was not to be. I kept reading right to the end but the style didn't change. I don't think I will be requesting the next book.
  
  I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
• 
  Susan

  Author Richard Coles is well known in the UK for being a previous member of The Communards and also for appearing on many television shows as a witty and companionable guest, so I was keen to read his first mystery and I was delighted that I found it a really enjoyable read.
  
  This is very much a cosy mystery, with the central character, Canon Daniel Clement, Rector of Champton St Mary, with echoes of St Mary Mead, and a cast of characters which includes the Big House and Lord de Floures, as well as Daniel’s widowed mother and his actor brother. This is set within living memory of the Second World War, (from television shows mentioned, I put it at the early Eighties, but I may be wrong,) and the village housed many of the Free French, who have left their mark behind.
  
  The plot involves changes suggested by Daniel, of putting a lavatory into the church, which is stoutly resisted by the flower guild (though why women, when we so often lack appropriate toilet amenities in public spaces, would do so was beyond me). The local dissent allows Coles to introduce the characters and then a murder occurs, which Daniel becoming involved in the investigation.
  
  I think the author has been quite clever in allowing lots of scope to extend the series and I am sure that I will follow this one as it was good fun and well written. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
  
  
• 
  Cat

  Wow, was this bad!
  
  I’m pretty sure I read most of this book without actually reading it, because I couldn’t bother. Most of the story is about the daily occurrences of the parish and there is no crime investigation. Sure, murders do happen, but, contrary to what I thought, this is not a story where the vicar, rectory, or whatever, investigates them. He just stays there, doing what he normally does, until the last chapters of the book, where he has a certain, I don’t know, realisation?, and he knows exactly who the murderer is. And I can assure you it is nearly impossible to guess in this instance. It could be anyone from this cast of indistinguishable characters, or no one, because there doesn’t seem to be any discernible motive.
  
  There is a motive, however, and, when I thought my eyes couldn’t roll anymore, after the reverend’s sudden realisation of who the murderer is, they still rolled some more as I read about the motive for the murders.
  
  It was bad. I already mentioned the indistinguishable characters, but what about the poor dialogues? They were terrible.
  
  I was expecting a cozy mystery where the reverend would play detective. A funny one, considering that I laughed in the first page with the “lavatory-gate” thing. But that was it. I feel mislead.
  
  I think this will be a series. At least there should be a following book. Guess who won’t be reading that one?
• 
  Fiona

  This is very enjoyable. For those of us who enjoy listening to and watching Richard Coles (now ex Rev), it’s not a surprise to read such an intelligently written, warm and funny book. This is the first of a series apparently. For a first attempt at writing crime fiction, I think it’s pretty good. There were perhaps too many characters introduced initially but I suppose it was important to set the scene and introduce us to Daniel Clement (I can’t see him as anyone else but the author), his parish and work. I am sure much of it will be based on his own experiences and certainly Daniel Clement’s personality is very reminiscent of Richard Coles’ own. I laughed out loud a few times. I didn’t guess whodunnit, although that didn’t surprise me as I was still trying to work out who was who. I enjoyed reading it and will look forward to reading the second in the series. Happy retirement, Richard! If this is how you’re going to spend it, lucky us!
  
  With thanks to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Ltd for a review copy.
• 
  Gary

  A cosy crime novel by ex Communards musician Reverend Richard Coles. This was a decent read and a solid start to the Canon Clement series that left me thinking that it has a lot more to offer. We get a good insight into the characters and the novel was well written making it an entertaining read.
  
  The Rector of Champton, Canon Daniel Clement is lives with Audrey, his widowed mother and his two dachshunds, Cosmo and Hilda in the Rectory. The big news in the parish is the announcement of a new toilet in the church which seems to cause more rumpus than anyone expected.
  
  But talk soon focuses on the murder of Anthony Bowness when he is discovered dead at the back of the church, stabbed in the neck with a pair of secateurs, This is the start of further deaths in the community as the police race to catch the killer.
  
  I feel fairly confident that I will as the characters grow on me the novels will continue to improve.
  
  I would like to thank both Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Lisa *OwlBeSatReading*

  Murder most pleasant, thank you very much, Reverend Richard for the entertainment, and, surprisingly, the education I received from your novel.
  
  To coin a new genre, Murder Before Evensong is ‘Teapot Fiction’ at it’s finest. A super-mix of characters, and a beautifully written plot that kept me guessing right to the very end.
  
  Overall, a satisfying whodunnit, perfect for fans of the other Richard! (Mr Osman!)
  
  Marvellous stuff, will definitely be reading the next instalment when it comes out.
• 
  what.heather.loves

  "Eventually Daniel rose from his stall, the dogs uncurling from his feet, and walked them down the aisle to where he had discovered Anthony's body. The crime scene had been cleaned by the specialist team; they had done such an excellent job that an ghouls in search of bloodstains would have to use their imagination. They would, of course, and the murders would enter local folklore, generate tales of dogs refusing to go into church, or birds no longer singing in the trees around the bath house."
  
  In the rural parish of Champton, Reverend Daniel Clement presides over his small and close-knit flock. The presence of the de Floures family and estate, with Champton House, looms large in the life of the village as does his domineering mother, Audrey, who moved into the rectory with him when she was widowed. Disputes over small, but important issues, such as the loss of pews in the Church to provide 'loos' are conteious, with battle lines drawn. Entering his church before Evensong one evening, with his two sausage dogs, Hilda and Cosmo, Daniel is horrified to discover the body of the churchwarden and family archivist, Anthony de Floures. The police and press descend on Champton, but it's Daniel who knows residents and the potential suspects best. Will he help catch the killer?
  
  I must admit to feeling disappointed with this book, it was not what I expected. I found it slow, with unwanted detail in some areas (which I assumed would relate to the case, but in fact didn't) and not enough detail to make the identity of the killer, revealed in a rush near the end, matter. There was a lot of book before the first murder occurred and parish life did not seem unduly interrupted by it. I struggled to relate to the bland protagonist, Daniel, and found the plethora of weakly-drawn, supporting characters to be caricatures of elderly villagers and eccentric, landed gentry. There was a lot of ecclesiastical language, as might be expected, but which would have benefited from a glossary and I gave up looking up the numerous Latin phrases. I didn't like that the historic period it was written about was entirely unclear (only identified as 1988 more than halfway into the book when Daniel's mother watches Celine Dion win Eurovision in the TV), felt this was a missed opportunity for nostalgia and context. Ultimately this novel didn't work for me, unfortunately. I didn't find it humerous (as is usually the case with cosy crime), there was little mystery and investigation, it was slow and bogged down in ecclesiastical language and process and ultimately I struggled to care about the characters.
• 
  Connor Hansford

  Well written but more 'diary of a country parson' than murder mysteries. There weren't any clues and so little emphasis on the suspects that by the end I had forgotten who they were.
• 
  Kathy

  Started off with big smile as the canon brought up the topic of installing a much needed lavatory in the cathedral in the face of overwhelming opposition due to the ingrained belief of the congregation that the historic building must not be sullied. From that moment of hope that this would be a book filled with humorous interactions the story line went downhill. The ladies of the community ruled and the canon had only his two dogs as friendly companions.
  There will be blood shed soon enough, but why? I'm not so sure I was able to understand the answer. The canon's widowed mother Audrey seems to know a thing or two, but it was a job discerning who was behind murder and mayhem in the small community.
  
  Loan from Friend - Thank you!
• 
  Kate

  I am a big fan of 'cosy' crime and Richard Coles and so I was really excited to hear about this novel, especially as I adore Richard Osman's books. Comparisons are inevitable and unfortunately they don't do Murder Before Evensong any favours. I like Coles' writing - he's a witty, personable writer - but in my opinion the style holds up the story and the narrative is overly verbose. It feels like a series of interludes and chatter - one long paragraph on a biscuit tin description, for instance. There are some interesting characters that I warmed to and the village feel is great. Hopefully, the next book in the series will tighten things up.
• 
  Elisa Santos

  Gostei bastante deste cozy Mistery. O facto de ser passado entre as décadas de 80 e 90 do século passado empresta-lhe um charme que gosto. O Cónego é engraçado e as personagens da pequena aldeia de Champton são das que ficam na mente tal como a mãe dele. Que senhora!
• 
  Judith van Wijk

  Enjoyable enough, but no page turner
• 
  Janette

  I was really looking forward to reading this book. I like the author, Richard Coles and am always on the look out for a new crime series so this book based around the Rector of a small English village sounded perfect. It was a bit disappointing though.
  Canon Daniel Clement was a likeable main character but I couldn’t quite see him as a solver of murders. As always in this type of novel, there were a host of other characters from the nearby Lord of the Manor to the women who run the flower arranging. The most memorable of these was probably Audrey, Canon Clements mother who definitely has her own opinions about what is going on and misses nothing. Most of the other characters were sadly, pretty forgettable.
  The book started well and the initial murder was sufficiently well carried out to spark my interest but then the book really sagged. The story wasn’t bad but there was just so much detail that the plot became bogged down. The story was set in the late eighties and this was primarily established by many updates about what Daniel and his mother were watching on TV. There was just too much incidental information that did nothing to give us extra information about the characters or the plot.
  I think that the character of Daniel and the setting have scope for development but this first book in the series really didn’t work for me.
• 
  Kathryn

  This is not going to be a comprehensive review, but then, this isn’t a comprehensive novel.
  
  * When is this book set? There is no reference to time here at all, and it was more than half way through before I could pin point ‘mid eighties’. A disclaimer at the start with something along the lines of ‘words that were prevalent at the time’ would have been a good way to do this, because there are a range of slurs used through, including g***y, that really doesn’t feel necessary.
  
  * conversations really felt stilted in places. Beautiful descriptions, but stilted conversations that felt… well, pointless.
  
  * flashes of inspiration, but on the main, dull. I didn’t care for any of the characters (except maybe Nathan?) - took me 3 weeks to read, and normally this would have been 2 days max.
• 
  Stephen Robert Collins

  This is set in 1988 with it's TV shows such as Tenkio and To The Manor Born. It has lot of twists and wonderful divinity style murder along with lots of hummers religious jokes. Only a Vicar could get it right. The only problem is that I saw Coles as the Canon. Lot of rabbiting and woof woof.
  This is the first of series because he leaves The Bishop 's questions unanswered. I love that this set in the 1980s no Internet, no www no mobile phones just old ladies gossip.
• 
  Annette

  This book, written by Reverend Richard Coles and heavily promoted on Tv by the author could be described as a cosy mystery.
  It is about a country Rector in the 1980s, Daniel Clement, who looks after the parish of Champton St Mary.
  When there is a murder in his church, Daniel gets involved in trying to find out who the killer is.
  I really wanted to like this novel as Richard Coles is a charming and entertaining celebrity who has done a good job of making readers aware of the book. However there were far too many characters, particularly in the first part of the story and despite the fact I’m a big crime and mystery reader, I just could not get my head around them all.
  The writing style was very pedestrian with far too much needless description- I believe a good editor might have been able to remedy this somewhat.
  The action was very slow- the murder did not occur until about a third of a way through the novel and the big reveal of “whodunnit” left me thinking who was the actual character that had committed the crime ? The person was just one of many and I could barely remember them.
  The last part of the book was so uninspiring I just skim read most of it.
  Richard Coles is definitely not the next Richard Osman in the crime mystery genre and unfortunately I will not be rushing out to buy his next book.
  Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my arc.
• 
  Sally

  I really wanted to love this book but sadly I found my mind went for a little walk about often while reading it. Set In 1988 which I had to google to find this out! Far too many characters and many I couldn’t distinguish from each other. I had no chance of guessing who the killer was and even went it was revealed I still wasn’t sure who they were. I remembered their name but I couldn’t remember anything about them. I felt descriptions of characters was lacking and that made it harder for me to remember who they were. Lots of story lines in the book I felt were set up ones for future books as they weren’t relevant for this story. Maybe the next book will be better but sadly this one left me disappointed.
• 
  Michaela

  ..I dont know what to say. I love Reverend Richard Coles with all my heart and have been a fan of him for quite a few years now. However this was disappointing. To me, the murder plot felt subdued and unimportant in comparison to other happenings in Daniel Clement's story. The ending and the murderer just felt empty and I just overall wished there was much more love towards the murder aspect of this book - seeing as it is the title of the book.
• 
  Kathryn

  I will equate this to a Marvel origin story. Slow to start because its setting everything up and introducing us to the characters and their back story. On the whole very enjoyable and I liked the links to the church, Latin sayings and the life of a rector. I thought the reasons for the murders slightly strange but wasnt expecting it to be the person it was. A good first novel and will read the second if there is one
  
  My thanks to net galley the publisher and author.
• 
  Zarina

  This is sadly no Thursday Murder Club. Excellent concept and hilarious opening but after that just so very dull. Murder takes yonks to actually take place, there is zero characterisation, and it just felt like a slog to finish, honestly. Such a shame as this was one of my most anticipated books of the year
• 
  Kirstie May

  A thrilling, modern take of police man/vicar detective crime story like Chesterton's Father Brown stories.
  Thoroughly enjoyed Reverend Coles first foray into writing a crime novel, with great characters, brilliant plotlines and twists, and a great backstory of manor houses and staff/lord's who live there. Would highly recommend
• 
  Maria

  
  https://marcadordelivros.blogspot.com...
• 
  Bridget

  The village of Champton is the home of Canon Daniel Clement; he is at the Rectory there as is his mum, Audrey. The peace is disturbed when Daniel makes known his intention to put a lavatory in the church. Then Anthony Bowness, cousin to Bernard de Floures, the patron of Champton, is found dead, stabbed in the neck with a pair of secateurs.
  
  The novel is set in the Spring and opens with a sermon; the reader is engulfed in a throng of individuals immediately. I didn’t guess whodunnit as I struggled to remember who everyone was, though this hasn't put me off from continuing the series, so far. I appreciated the part Audrey played who was wonderful and wicked. Of course Daniel's dachshunds, Cosmo and Hilda deserve a mention. The wry humour dotted hither and thither really contributed to my enjoyment of Murder Before Evensong. Highly recommended.
  
  I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Orion Publishing Group via NetGalley at my request and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
• 
  Renita D'Silva

  Warm and witty
• 
  Mª João Monteiro

  Finalmente! Apesar de ter alguma empatia para com o protagonista, o enredo pareceu-me confuso. Tenho impressão de que a culpa é minha porque ando cansada e pouco concentrada, mas o crime só acontecer depois do primeiro quarto do livro não é impressão. Confundi personagens, baralhei-me e voltei atrás imensas vezes, adormeci a meio de inúmeras páginas, por isso dou 3 estrelas para assumir parte da culpa. Não foste tu, fui eu. 😜😑