| Title | : | Murder at Primrose Cottage (Flora Steele #3) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 268 |
| Publication | : | First published March 18, 2022 |
Cornwall, 1956: When Flora Steele sets off for a peaceful vacation with crime writer Jack Carrington in his little red Austin, the last thing she expects to find is a body at their pretty rental cottage!
Shocked by the discovery, inquisitive Flora joins forces with handsome Jack to find out how the poor man came to such an untimely end in the overgrown orchard of Primrose Cottage. They discover Roger Gifford was a man with plenty of friends and the villagers seem devastated by his sudden death…
So why was he murdered? And who has blood on their hands – his estranged wife Beatrice, his wayward younger brother Lionel, or the suspicious newcomer Mercy Dearlove?
The baffling case gets even more complicated when a second man is found dead and a set of puzzling clues lead them to an intriguing wartime mystery connected to Jack’s estranged father.
As old secrets emerge and Jack receives an unsettling letter, it seems the crime writer is in danger of a fate befitting his fictional characters. Will Flora be able to crack the case and save Jack? Or will this be one murder too many for Flora Steele?
Murder at Primrose Cottage (Flora Steele #3) Reviews
-
This is the third and most recent Flora Steele – Jack Carrington mystery in the series (each book can be read independently but best in order). These are light crime-suspense stories which are also good for teens.
Jack has planned a stay at Cornwall to write his new book and has invited Flora to come along. They drive to Treleggan Primrose cottage where they meet with the owner Roger Gifford. Roger uses this as a workplace on and off for his research and has let the place out this time. Flora has a restless night and early morning decides to take a walk. As she walks into the orchard right next to the cottage, she finds Roger lying dead. This is a small village and Roger was a much-liked person. Flora and Jack meet with his brother – Lionel, his estranged wife Beatrice and a woman Mercy who many find strange, but struggle to find the motive for the murder. There is more to follow, including Jack and Flora being threatened.
This is a light read which is well-paced, though as with the previous books the sleuthing and unravelling of the crime is simplistic.
Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture & the publisher for a free electronic review copy.
My rating: 3.5 / 5. -
Book 3 in this series in which Flora nearly succeeds in getting both herself and Jack killed. She really does need to be a bit more careful when she is pursuing a murderer.
The two of them are in Cornwall where Jack is supposed to be looking for ideas for his current book, and Flora is having a break after the trials she went through in Book 2. Unfortunately they discover a body almost immediately and their plans are tossed aside as Flora plunges into amateur detective mode. The story is set in the Cornish countryside in 1956 where the police were apparently not inclined to investigate too hard. Flora is determined to get justice for the victim herself.
I very much enjoyed the setting and the outings that the pair enjoyed to places I used to know well - Helston, the Lizard, Mullion Cove and the rest, all brought back many happy memories. I was aware of the history of many places along that coast line being used in preparations for D-Day and this was an interesting contribution to the story.
I am enjoying this series very much and hope the author continues to write them, plus I am looking forward to a developing relationship between our two main characters!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. -
A cozy British mystery set in Cornwall. Flora Steele, a bookshop owner, and her friend Jack Carrington, a crime novel author, travel to Cornwall to do research for the book Jack is working on. Soon after they arrive at Primrose Cottage in Cornwall where they will be staying during their trip, Flora finds the body of the cottage's owner in the orchard near the cottage. Roger Gifford, the dead man, had been well loved by his friends and had been the local bank manager before he retired. He'd been recently researching the history of Cornwall during the war. Flora wants to find out why Gifford was murdered and who did it. She begins investigating while she and Jack are doing their research on the book. There are some interesting developments, and Flora and Jack have been warned off the case by some strange occurrences.
An interesting mystery which delved into the past, finding some long hidden secrets. Sweet characters - I liked both Flora and Jack, as well as the witch, Mercy Dearlove and the housekeeper, Jessie.
Thanks to Bookouture through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on March 18,2022. -
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a review copy of this book.
Murder in Primrose Cottage is the third in the Flora Steele series of cosy mysteries by Merryn Allingham, which I have been following from the start. While this can be read as a standalone as the mystery is complete and we get enough background on the characters to follow their story as well, there are spoilers in terms of the victims in the previous books.
The series, set in 1950s England follows twenty-five-year-old Flora Steele who runs a bookshop which she inherited from her aunt, in the small Sussex village of Abbeymead. Also living in the village is Jack Carrington, a former reporter, and now writer of mystery novels, who is a recluse but emerges in the first book (and discovers a body) when his errand boy falls ill. The two have become good friends (and partners in solving crime) but while they are interested in each other, they don’t wish to take things further just yet, because of past heartbreaks. At the end of the previous book, Flora who hasn’t taken a holiday in ages had decided to accompany Jack to Cornwall where he is to do research for the first of a series of books he has undertaken to write. There they are to rent Primrose cottage, arrangements for which have been made by Jack’s agent.
They arrive at the cottage and meet Roger Gifford, their landlord who also lends them his housekeeper, Jessie Bolitho who is to keep house and cook for them. But the next morning when Flora goes out to explore the orchard behind the cottage, she finds Roger’s body, his throat slit. While Roger was generally a well-liked man, there were some who bore him grudges—his estranged wife and younger wastrel brother among them; also according to Jessie, he had an argument with the local ‘witch’ or peller Mercy Dearlove. The police have found Roger’s broken watch so believe it to be the work of a mugger, but Flora thinks otherwise. Meanwhile Flora and Jack also begin to visit different places in Cornwall, both of historical interest and those related to the war (which was more recent past in terms of when our book is set) in search of locations and background for Jack’s book, while he also deals with writer’s block of sorts, scrapping plots and tearing things up. But their trips and investigations into Roger’s death are clearly making the murderer nervous for they get targeted repeatedly. Will they manage to identify the killer before he gets them?
This was a fun instalment in this series, and I think my favourite of the books so far. What I loved about this book the most was its setting and the war background. The setting in Cornwall comes through really well in the book with all the locations that they explore including Helston where Flora Day is celebrated every year (a spring festival); Tintagel and its Arthurian Castle; Henry the VII’s Pendennis Castle and the Lizard (and also the numerous pasties they eat; Jessie provides some delicious fare as well). I also kept looking up these sites online as I was reading. Then, there was also the historical background of the war and Signals units in Cornwall to which part of their mystery relates, a part which also links back to Flora’s village (not a spoiler since we know this from the start). I enjoyed exploring Cornwall with Flora and Jack, and also learning about its role in the war, about which like Flora and Jack I didn’t know much (or rather anything).
The mystery itself was interesting, but more than suspects (which we do have a handful), it is the motivations that keep one guessing—is it something to do with Roger’s personal life and problems or his research (which focused on the war efforts in Cornwall); once one makes up one’s mind as to that though, then the whodunit wasn’t so much of a surprise since we did get hints, and one is able to somewhat work out what happened (though not all). But nonetheless, it was fun reading and seeing if one was thinking correctly.
Flora and Jack are likeable characters, and in this book, we get more of a look into Jack’s past—his estrangement with his parents—as we meet his father. The police I am beginning to accept in this series, as being the kind that only appears at the last minute, and invariably is on the wrong track in solving the murders they are faced with. Back in Abbeymead too there are some developments which connect up with events of the past books, and the effects of which I think we will see in subsequent books, as we have a new character introduced in the form of Sally, the niece of Alice who was cook at the Priory (the manor-house-turned-hotel). There was also a fun reference to Enid Blyton, the second time one has come up in this series which I enjoyed being a fan of Blyton.
A fun read overall, in which I very much enjoyed the setting and historical background.
3.9 stars rounded up to 4. -
Flora and her companion, crime writer Jack Carrington, had set out from Abbeymead for Cornwall – Treleggan to be exact – Flora combining a long-awaited vacation while helping Jack with research for his current book. Primrose Cottage was a beautiful little rental, with an overgrown garden which Flora knew she’d delight in working in and when owner Roger Gifford talked about his research while showing them the cottage, Flora felt things were right in their world. But later, while making her way through the long grass of the garden, Flora was shocked to come across a dead body…
With the police seemingly quiet on the murder front, Flora and Jack decided to incorporate investigating into their itinerary. Flora’s imagination ran riot, as was usual for her, and as they ventured through Cornwall, the danger they were drawing followed them. Was their housekeeper Jessie’s conclusion correct? Or did Mercy Dearlove have the answers? With clues pointing to the war twelve years prior, Jack and Flora had many more questions than answers.
Murder at Primrose Cottage is the 3rd in the Flora Steele Mystery series by Merryn Allingham and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The delightfully rugged countryside in and around Cornwall was a character in itself, add to the mix some eccentric but wonderful people in Treleggan and surrounds and the entertainment level was high. This is a great series, and I’m looking forward to #4 already. Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review. -
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to review Murder at Primrose Cottage. All opinions and comments are my own.
Bookseller Flora Steele is taking a trip to Cornwall with Jack Carrington, crime fiction writer (prominently featured in the other books in the series). Immediately before leaving Jack gets a note not to go. Well, that never stopped anybody, certainly not characters in a mystery series. So off they drive to Primrose Cottage, meet the landlord, and settle in for the evening in the lovely spot.
And next morning while Flora is taking an early stroll she stumbles across a body. It’s the landlord. That didn’t take long. Boy, that note wasn’t kidding! Was Jack supposed to be the target? Flora thinks that might be a possibility, so of course she wants to investigate.
Well, we have a suspect right off the bat – the village “peller,” or witch in the local dialect. That’s someone who had an ongoing quarrel with Roger the landlord. The book is set in the 50’s, but you really don’t get a sense of it from the reading, although I guess superstition was still very prevalent then. But villages do have their prejudices, as anyone that reads in the genre will know. Soon, though, there’s another suspect, Roger’s younger brother. And a mystery woman is dogging their steps. And we mustn’t forget the missing will, a missing wife, spy doings during WWII; lots to work with in Murder at Primrose Cottage.
The book provides a Cornwall travelogue, too. That’s always a plus in a historical mystery, the revealing of the locality.
Finally, after a pretty thorough investigation, secrets from the war are found to be at the bottom of everything. Flora has the reader alongside her as she carefully uncovers the reasons for why Roger had to be killed. Not without some peril.
I enjoyed Murder at Primrose Cottage, although I could have done without the scenes with the “peller.” I’m not a fan of plotlines that include any kind of supernatural forces at work. But Flora and Jack make a great team, and the author has a deft hand with describing the building of their relationship while making sure the mystery plot is handled first and foremost. -
Roger Gifford is dead and, despite being on vacation with boyfriend Jack Carrington, Flora Steele is determined to get behind what happened. Flora has already proved more than adept at solving murders and she is certain that she will discover who is responsible for Roger’s death. However, with at least three suspects, Flora has her work cut out for her.
Whether it is is Roger’s alienated wife, his brother or even someone new where Flora is vacationing she doesn’t doubt for one second that she will have success in finding answers she is seeking. However, not only is another body soon found, but things begin to tie in to Jack and his estranged father. Flora is a bookshop owner and Jack is a crime writer, so is this enough for this pair to prove successful at being amateur detectives yet again in order to solve the mystery that has somehow involved Jack and his past?
With excellent protagonists, a delightful setting and an intriguing mystery, Murder at Primrose Cottage is the delightfully engaging third book in the Flora Steele Mystery series. While this book can be read as a standalone novel, readers will no doubt enjoy reading the series in order and getting to know Flora and Jack as they flourish in their friendship and as their relationship grows all while solving the most surprising of crimes.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion. -
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Murder At Primrose Cottages' by Merryn Allingham.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Merryn Allingham, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 18th March 2022.
This is the third book I have read by this author. It is also the third book in the 'Flora Steele Mystery' series. I have previously read 'The Bookshop Murder' which is the first book in the series and 'Murder At The Pier' which is the second book in the series and which I highly recommend, although this can be read as a standalone.
I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis for this series stated that this series is 'Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Joy Ellis!.' I am a huge fan of all three of those authors so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Merryn and if this is half as good as 'The Bookshop Murder' and 'Murder On The Pier' it is sure to be a page turning read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of 30 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Gloucester and Cornwall, England 🏴, UK 🇬🇧. I always enjoy when books are set in the UK as I'm from Wales and have sometimes visited areas mentioned in the book. This makes it easier to picture where the scenes are set at times. I have in fact visited and holidayed in Gloucester and Cornwall on many occasions including this year and next year again so am looking forward to possibly recognising name places.
This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonists are Flora Steele ad Jack Carrington. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
Another fantastic success by Merryn!!! Absolutely devoured this book in one sitting!!
This book was extremely well written and I do believe alot of research went into it as everything linked correctly in with the era it was set in which was 1955. It is a real bug bear for me when I read a historical novel and the author hasn't done their research and gets basic information mixed up so well done Merryn!! It was very well written and I found the synopsis and the cover fitted the storyline perfectly, The descriptions were great and it really felt as if I was in the storyline along with Flora and Jack.
Well I must say this is yet another explosive book in an absolutely addictive series!!! The storyline was very interesting and very fast paced. I absolutely love the fact that the main characters (Flora) owns a Bookshop and Jack is an author. There is just something about a book where there is a lot of emphasis on books for me and this book was packed with them!! I really enjoyed that it was set in the past and the storyline really suited that. It really is a nice cozy mystery that will keep you guessing throughout. At no point did I suspect who was doing what or why so another huge well done there Merryn!!! I have read many a mystery and find that I am working out the killer/perp quicker every time and there's nothing worse than working out who did what when your need even half way through a book. I loved that this book is based in Gloucester and Cornwall as the atmospheres suit the book perfectly. Not only is this a suspense and action filled mystery but there was just the right amount of quirkiness, laughter and attitude to give it a nice mix!!! A fun, addictive, unputdownable cozy crime mystery.
Although this is the third book in the series I had absolutely no problems reading it without the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.
I am thoroughly invested in the characters and really enjoyed meeting Flora and Jack again both with their fantastic and quirky personality!!! In fact all of the characters had their own individual personalities which worked really well with each other. I am definitely looking forward to meeting Flora and Jack again and some more of the villagers. I really enjoyed meeting Jessie who was a lovely lady with a huge personality and I'd love to see her visit Flora in the Alls Well soon. Some of the characters I was glad to see the back of but what fun would there be if we got along with them all. A perfect mix of strong and realistic characters to make an addictive storyline.
Congratulations Merryn on yet an absolutely fantastic book in an absolutely epic series!! I am really looking forward to see what Flora and Jack get up to next!!! Here's to your next success 🥂
Overall an page turning, perfect mix of mystery, crime, suspense and quirkiness which kept me turning the pages late at night!! An explosive addition to an addictive series!!!
Genres covered in this novel include Suspense, Mystery, Thriller, Murder Mystery and Crime Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Helena Dixon, Agatha Christie, Dee MacDonald, Fliss Chester and anyone looking for a historic cosy mystery!!
378 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon or free on kindle unlimited (at time of review) which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
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4 Stars
One-Liner: Cozy mystery when you don’t want to tax your grey cells.
Jack and Flora are back again in the third installment of the series. The duo arrives in Cornwall to research Jack’s book and enjoy the sights in the country. However, Flora stumbles over a dead body right behind the cottage they rented, that too on the very next day of their arrival.
Now, Flora cannot resist a mystery, more so since the local police seem to be doing nothing. Jack wants to work on his book, though he manages to assist Flora and get some research done. When the reason for the crime forks into the past (the time of WWII) and the victim’s personal life, it’s up to Flora and Jack to find the actual cause of the crime and identify the killer.
Of course, the killer is on guard and has attempted to attack the duo more than once. The duo needs to keep themselves safe and unearth the killer. A tough task in a different country, isn’t it?
My Observations:
• It’s a small book (268 pages) and has a steady pace throughout. Moreover, it reads well as a standalone (and there isn’t too much information dump about the previous books).
• The writing in this one felt a little different (I found way too many adverbs), though the tone hasn’t changed.
• The characters are pretty much black and white. If you want layered and complex characters, this is not the book. But if you want something that adheres to the cozy mystery checklist, pick this book.
• The descriptions of places in Cornwall were beautiful. I enjoyed the scenic beauty of the locations.
• The mystery is neither strong nor weak. I guessed the killer more on instinct, though the clues confirmed my guess soon enough.
• There are no unexpected twists, no melodrama, or heavy stuff. There’s some progress in the personal track, but it’s limited to one character.
• The book ends with a sort of bait to keep the reader guessing about what the next book will be about, which I rather liked. The current case is complete, and the new one will start fresh in the next one.
To Sum up, Murder at Primrose Cottage is a good continuation of the series and works well as a breather between heavy reads. Pick it up if you want a cozy mystery that doesn’t require too much effort to read.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#NetGalley #MurderatPrimroseCottageAFloraSteeleMysteryBook3 -
It’s never a dull moment for our leading lady Flora and her companion, crime writer, Jack Carrington as they become embroiled in another murder case upon the discovery of a body on the grounds of their rental cottage whilst on vacation.
I have read some very intense books lately so it was nice to pick up this cozy mystery with a cuppa tea and some bickies and just sit back and enjoy being transported to 1956 Cornwell. I Ioved being reacquainted with Flora Steele and cohorts for this latest murder mystery which plays out well.
Murder at Primrose Cottage is a very enjoyable entertaining read and is such a great addition to this charming series, so If you love a good cozy mystery with some quirky and delightful characters, I highly recommend this one.
Thank you to Merryn Allingham, Bookouture and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of Murder at Primrose Cottage, which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
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Murder at Primrose Cottage is the third book in the Flora Steele Mystery series, set this time in Cornwall. Flora and Jack are comfortable in each other's company and are looking forward to their research stay in a Cornish village. Their relationship remains in the friendship zone, but there are hints of a possible romance. Finding a body means that the amateur sleuths led by Flora have to investigate, and the story is full of danger, suspects and twists.
I enjoyed the realistically created late 1950s ethos and the well researched Cornish connection with WW2, which gives the story depth and intrinsic interest. The suspense intensifies as the mystery deepens with a climactic ending.
A charming, well-written cosy mystery that is enjoyable and informative to read. I am eagerly anticipating the next book.
I received a copy of this book from Bookouture via NetGalley in return for an honest review. -
We are back with our bookseller and amateur sleuth Flora Steele and crime writing companion Jack Carrington. And there's never a dull moment when these two are around! Having left their sleepy Sussex village of Abbeymead for a vacation of sorts to another sleepy village in Cornwall, little did they expect to become embroiled in yet another murder mystery! Let alone discover the body in the grounds of their rental cottage! It seems trouble has a habit of following Flora around...or she has a knack for sniffing it out. Either way, the daring duo find themselves knee deep in investigations whilst taking in the beautiful sights that Cornwall has to offer.
The title itself conjours up an Agatha Christie mystery with the cover adding a touch of Midsomer Murders to the mix. And I love both - title and cover. The name "Primrose Cottage" is quintessentially English complete with cottage gardens, narrow lanes and gossipy villagers. Oh what a delight! It seems Abbeymead isn't all that far away at all.
At the end of the last book "Murder on the Pier", Jack had alluded to a trip to Cornwall on a research expedition for his next book in which his agent had secured a three book deal for. However, Jack is feeling somewhat bereft of any inspiration at all and although he packs his trusty Remington typewriter to make the journey with them, he doesn't envision much writing will take place. Flora, on the other hand, is brimming with excitement. So much history, so much to see and places to visit...surely Jack is bound to find inspiration in some of them.
But no sooner had they arrived but Flora stumbles upon their landlord's body the following morning before breakfast. The police are called and soon they are treating it as a mugging gone wrong. But of course Flora knows better. Roger Gifford, the dead man, was excited about his research into Cornwall's involvement during the war, and the secrets he has uncovered. And Flora thinks that it's this that has played a part in his murder. Maybe he uncovered one secret too many? Jack isn't so sure.
And then Gifford's brother, Lionel, turns up demanding papers his late brother had collated. What papers was he talking about? Gifford's research into the war in Cornwall? Or his will, maybe? Did Lionel hope to benefit from his more successful brother? Jack thinks this is more likely.
Flora, however, is intent on uncovering whatever it is Gifford had. And as the ideas come bursting from her mouth, Jack wonders if she should be writing a novel. I have to agree. Flora is certainly nothing if not imaginative. And it's hard not to be drawn into her enthusiasm. Though I do find her a little impetuous at times and not entirely careful either. Especially when she has a tendency not to share some of her suspicions with Jack for fear of him stopping her from investigating them. Although they are an unlikely duo - Flora and Jack - they do complement each other. She with her ideas and enthusiasm, and he with his logic and practicality.
Naturally, as with all tales involving Flora, things do go awry and they inevitably find themselves in danger. But can they recover themselves in time, uncover the truth and apprehend the murderer before it's too late? And will they stop dancing around the inevitable and admit to what readers can already see? The hint of romance is a subtle touch and adds a certain charm to their characters. I have come to love both Flora and Jack over these three books and look forward to meeting them again in coming tales that are bound to have them tangled up in yet another murder or three.
MURDER AT PRIMROSE COTTAGE, as with the rest of the series, is charming and enjoyable from beginning to end. I loved every minute of it. And this one delves into a mystery from WW2 involving a missing young man from Abbeymead and Jack's own father. Very intriguing and another pageturning mystery to while away the hours in a very enjoyable way.
Overall, MURDER AT PRIMROSE COTTAGE is a delightful addition to this fantastic cosy series that is always a delight to read. The stories are easy, fun and entertaining. Flora and Jack are a just as entertaining and the setting of the mid-50s English village adds a touch of Father Brown coupled with Miss Marple to it.
I thoroughly recommend this delightfully thrilling tale that takes us to Cornwall (always a favourite setting of mine), as well as the rest of the series. Each mystery is standalone and equally enjoyable. I look forward to reading "Murder at the Priory Hotel" next.
I would like to thank #MerrynAllingham, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #MurderAtPrimroseCottage in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at
https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/. -
"The mystery had grown too intriguing to be given up to the police."
That thought from main character Flora Steele could probably describe how many amateur sleuths feel, not just regarding the police but often about those who would also protect them. In this case, Flora, whose imagination is vivid -- I agree with Jack, she should be writing a novel -- also has a tendency to keep things from Jack and venture out alone into potentially dangerous situations, even after being warned away by the area witch. Oddly enough, though I wanted to sit Flora down and have a chat with her about common sense, I liked Flora and was immediately drawn into the story.
The plot has two main story lines, past and present, which seem to weave in and out of each other as the story progresses. Do remember, however, that police procedures and expectations were obviously much more lax in 1956, which is when the story takes place, than they are now. Let's just say, at one point I found myself wanting to yell at Flora and Jack not to disturb a crime scene as they merrily wandered about, forcing open a gate they were then sure the murderer must have used, possibly trampling the murderer's tacks, and later failing to report a break-in in a timely fashion. Yes, things have changed.
Bottom line, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am already looking forward to the next. If you like engaging mysteries, especially ones that take place in England, and have an interest in the history of the world wars, you will find this book an intriguing read. There's even the hint of romance. Author Merryn Allingham also has a way with words. I hope to read more of them soon.
Thanks NetGalley and Bookouture for letting me spend some time in the English countryside with Flora and Jack while they track down a murderer. -
So great to travel back in time
To 1956 and this murder mystery crime
Where bookshop owner Flora Steele
Attempts the truth to reveal.
She's on holiday with Jack Carrington
Planning lots of things to get done
Staying in the Primrose Cottage is great
Till their landlord meets his lethal fate . . .
They visit Cornwall to explore and more
But beware fate leaving surprises near your door
With talk of witches, spells and death, too,
What will Flora and Jack have to do?
In the Cornish village where they're staying
There seem to be secrets and things no one is saying
Can this intrepid duo crack the clues
And ensure the killer pays his dues?
Another intriguing community murder mystery
This time involving WWII and history.
Jack's Dad and what happened in the past
May all come together at last.
Get ready for secrets to be concealed
And links to folks from home finally revealed.
Can they survive to reveal what's true
And stay safe themselves in all they do?
I'm thoroughly enjoying this series and so
I really hope you'll also give it a go.
For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
A great 50's cosy mystery read and this is my honest review. -
It was the bookshop owner bit that drew me in first time around and this is my second read of the series. The books are fine as a stand alone, always a good thing.
Flora is accompanying Jake on his writing expedition. He has to write a book (he has promised his publisher) and Flora is there to make sure that research and helping him out to achieve this. She did not expect in rural Cornwall in a most picturesque setting to find a body. The body of the owner of the cottage brutally murdered just a few hours after they met.
Local detectives seem to be taking their own sweet time in linking the dots, finding suspects so Flora decides to pursue her own investigation into the case. Both Flora and Jake did not imagine it would take them to the post WWII years and a secret that had to be hidden at any cost - both of them were totally oblivious of what was happening but when a series of accidents could not be written off as mere coincidence they do realise it is imperative to find out who is behind the whole dangerous game.
This was a beautiful setting, very descriptive and though Flora and Jake are sometimes quite quirky it all dovetails very neatly into a very readable story. -
Flora and Jack are off together to Cornwall, Jack to write his book and Flora to research and relax, it should be a great time…until they stumble over a body at the home they have rented. Merryn Allingham has done it again in book three of this series, Murder at Primrose Cottage, the mystery is interesting and the characters are enjoyable!
With no one in the village having any idea why the victim was murder, Flora can’t resist starting to dig a little deeper. On the journey, there are fascinating historical tidbits built in from the war years and what followed. The time they spend in Cornwall allows them to bond to the neighbours and other villagers, seeing the friendships build and guessing who is and isn’t suspicious is such fun!
It is a delightful cosy mystery with twists and humour, I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward the next in the series! It’s a five out of five on the enJOYment scale and highly recommended!
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Bookouture through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in my review are completely my own. -
Murder at Primrose Cottage is the third book in Merryn Allingham's delightful Flora Steele Mystery series and it sees a change of scene for Flora as she and her partner in solving crime, Jack Carrington leave Abbeymead and her bookshop, the All's Well and head to Cornwall. Jack is contracted to write a book and needs to research the area and Flora accompanies him to help out and to have a much needed break following the emotional upheaval she has experienced over the last few years. Any readers joining the series at this point are quickly brought up to speed with the key points from Flora and Jack's past and so the novel can be read as a standalone – however, I do think it's more rewarding to read the novels in order, if possible.
This is a mystery series, of course and so it's not unexpected when Flora stumbles upon the body of their Cornish landlord, Roger Gifford on their first morning in Primrose Cottage, and after her initial shock at discovering the murdered man, Flora soon has plenty of theories as to who killed him and why. The village of Treleggan is obligingly full of rumours and suppositions and with the local police apparently assuming the murderer was a random mugger, it's left to an enthusiastic Flora and a rather more circumspect Jack to investigate.
I tend to be drawn to the darker end of crime fiction and yet remain totally captivated by this cosy mystery series. This is due, in no small part to the two main characters who complement one another perfectly. Flora is the more headstrong but there are moments here where it becomes clear that her recent frightening encounters make her more anxious than she perhaps would have been in the past. Jack is understandably concerned for her safety but one of the things I most love about his character is that although he wants to protect her, he never becomes overbearing or demands that she has to fall in with his wishes. It's often quite the contrary and he ends up accepting that her hunches may well be leading somewhere – even so, they are both wrong-footed at times as they try to figure out the motive that will reveal who the murderer is. I didn't work out who the killer was this time and thought the scene where their identity finally becomes known was particularly terrific; full of tense drama and emotion, I can't help thinking it signals the beginning of a change in Flora and Jack's relationship.
Change is certainly in the air throughout the book with the new setting just one example. The beautiful scenery is described so evocatively, perfectly capturing the wild essence of Cornwall in spring as the flowers start to bloom and the sense of time is further brought to life as the storyline results in the pair looking to the past for answers. Set in 1956, it's clear that this was a time of uncertainty, with people gradually starting to embrace the future yet still often bound by old beliefs and morals (without giving too much away, I absolutely loved the inclusion of a little local witchcraft...) and of course, still affected by their wartime experiences. By the end of Murder at Primrose Cottage, we are back in Abbeymead but with Jack seemingly uncertain about his future plans and more changes afoot in the village, I can't wait to find out what intriguing mysteries await this engaging pair next – and what that means for the undeniable spark that appears to be burning ever brighter between them. Murder at Primrose Cottage is a wonderful read; packed with warmth and humour but with a very real sense of danger running throughout the story, it's also a gripping mystery. I thoroughly recommend it. -
Once again, I find myself jumping into the middle of a series. Once again, doing so leads me to a whole new series and a new author to enjoy!
Flora and her companion, Jack Carrington, are off to Treleggan, Cornwall so Jack can do some research for his latest crime novel and Flora can get in some rest and relaxation. Those plans are sidetracked when Flora finds the landlord of the cottage they’ve rented dead in the cottage garden. A mystery needs unraveling, and Flora is determined to get to the bottom of it.
Flora Steele is a thoroughly likable heroine. She’s intelligent, adventurous (sometimes too much so for her own well-being), and generally pretty outspoken. She barely knew Roger Gifford, but she’s determined to see justice done for him, especially as it appears the local constabulary may not be doing such a great job. She and Jack work well together, and their banter is a lot of fun.
The story’s setting is wonderful. I’d now like to go visit Cornwall, please. I want to eat the food and meet the people and explore all the historical sites. The plot was well laid out, too. Allingham would give us a possible villain, and then they’d be taken suddenly and thoroughly out of the running. I love it when stories take turns that keep me guessing!
As for characters, I particularly appreciated Mercy Dearlove and how Flora related to her. Mercy seemed not to be very well liked in Treleggan, but Flora moved past local prejudice and reached out Mercy when she thought Mercy might have useful information. I daresay there may have been good feeling toward Flora on Mercy’s side, too. It’s a good reminder that just because someone is different doesn’t mean they’re bad.
Murder at Primrose Cottage is an easy read, and an enjoyable one. The mystery isn’t too easily resolved, the characters are well-written, and the setting makes me want to go there. I’ve found a new author and series to love. Five stars, because it’s just that much fun!
Disclaimer: I received an advance reader copy from Bookouture and Netgalley. All opinions here are mine, and I don’t say nice things about books I don’t actually like. -
Flora Steele has got another challenging case on her hands in Merryn Allingham’s riveting and entertaining new 1950s mystery, Murder at Primrose Cottage.
Flora thinks she is going off on a peaceful holiday with handsome crime writer Jack Carrington in the countryside to a lovely little cottage. Only, when they get to Primrose Cottage, they find themselves stumbling upon a dead body. Unable to resist a mystery, Flora and Jack begin to do some sleuthing of their own and discover that the dead man was Roger Gifford. Roger was very popular in the village and had plenty of friends – who are all shocked by his untimely demise – so how did his body end up in Primrose Cottage’s overgrown orchard?
Who could have possibly wanted Roger dead? And who could have murdered him? Could it have been his estranged wife Beatrice? Or his brother Lionel? Or might mysterious newcomer Mercy Dearlove have something to do with Roger’s murder? When a second man is found dead, this already challenging case gets even more complicated – especially as a puzzling set of clues end up leading Flora and Jack to an intriguing wartime mystery connected to Jack’s estranged father.
As long-buried secrets come to light which end up placing the crime writer directly in the line of fire, will Flora manage to solve this case in time and save Jack from danger? Or has Flora come up against a ruthless killer who will manage to outsmart her?
Merryn Allingham’s Murder at Primrose Cottage is a charming whodunnit packed with twists and turns, red herrings and exquisite period atmosphere that will make readers feel as if they are back in the 1950s. As always, Flora and Jack are a terrific double act and readers will enjoy seeing them unravelling the tangled threads of this case and trying to catch a killer before another body is found.
A fun mystery that is absolutely delightful, Murder at Primrose Cottage by Merryn Allingham is a must for historical cozy mystery fans.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. -
Cornwall, 1956: When Flora Steele sets off for a peaceful vacation with crime writer Jack Carrington in his little red Austin, the last thing she expects to find is a body at their pretty rental cottage!
Shocked by the discovery, inquisitive Flora persuades Jack that they have to find out how the poor man came to such an untimely end in the overgrown orchard of Primrose Cottage. They discover Roger Gifford, a retired bank manager, was a man with plenty of friends and the villagers seem devastated by his sudden death. The baffling case gets even more complicated when a second man is found dead and a set of puzzling clues lead them to an intriguing wartime mystery connected to Jack’s estranged father. As old secrets emerge and Jack receives an unsettling letter, it seems the crime writer is in danger of a fate befitting his fictional characters.
This is the third outing for Fiona & it could easily be read on its own. I just love Fiona who is like a dog with a bone, once she’s got her teeth into something she won't let go. I also love Jack the reclusive crime writer who gets dragged into investigating alongside Fiona. I also love how their relationship is growing & changing. This book sees the pair on a research & writing trip to Cornwall but they no sooner arrive than Flora stumbles across the body of their landlord. Flora is sure there’s more to the murder than a robbery, Roger's watch is missing. The pair travel around Cornwall with Jack seeking inspiration but trouble seems to follow them. Another well written mystery with plenty of twists & turns plus red herrings, there are suspects & also a twelve year old mystery. I was engrossed from cover to cover & look forward to more in the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read -
Flora Steele i Jack Carrington znowu na tropie! Tym razem nie w Abbeymead w hrabstwie Sussex, gdzie oboje mieszkają, Jack pisząc powieści kryminalne a Flora prowadząc swą księgarnię, lecz w Kornwalii.
Ledwo dotarli do kornwalijskiego Treleggan, gdzie agent Jacka wynajął dla nich uroczy domek, gdy właściciel Primrose Cottage, Roger Glifford, zostaje okrutnie zamordowany. Czy sprawcą mógł być brat Rogera, Lionel, cieszący się złą sławą niebieskiego ptaka, albo jego wiarołomna żona, Beatrice, których oboje Roger planował wydziedziczyć? A może zbrodnia ma coś wspólnego z nową pasją Rogera, byłego bankowca, który na emeryturze zajął się nieodległą historią Kornwalii? Minęło dopiero dwanaście lat od zakończenia wojny, w której kornwalijskie wybrzeże, najdalej na południe wysunięty skrawek brytyjskiego lądu, odegrało znaczącą rolę, szczególnie w przededniu lądowania aliantów w Normandii. W każdym razie wobec faktu, że lokalna policja nie bardzo sobie radzi z wyjaśnieniem morderstwa Rogera, Flora nie odpuszcza, a Jack, aczkolwiek bez entuzjazmu, jak zwykle wiernie jej towarzyszy w śledczych poczynaniach.
Największą atrakcją tego tomu była dla mnie Kornwalia, jej krajobraz, obyczaje i język, a także historia. Flora i Jack sporo podróżują i zwiedzają. Merryn Allingham udało się niejedno przekazać na temat lokalnej obyczajowości i mentalności, choćby poprzez ciekawą formę transkrypcji dialektu kornwalijskiego. A historia i znaczenie tego regionu podczas drugiej wojny światowej akurat zbiegły się z innymi moimi ostatnimi lekturami. Natomiast opisy zagadki kryminalnej, niebezpiecznych przygód bohaterów i sposobu rozwiązania intrygi nie za bardzo odbiegają w charakterze i stylu od tego, co przydarzyło się parze domorosłych detektywów w poprzednich tomach serii. -
Flora Steele bookshop owner and amateur sleuth is back on the case. Flora is on a much needed and well deserved vacation with boyfriend and crime writer, Jack Carrington. The escape to Cornwall takes an unexpected turn when they find a dead body at their rental cottage. But Flora doesn’t waste any time jumping on the case. Flora’s first question is “why was he murdered?” And her second question is “who murdered him?” But during the investigation, another body is found. As the investigation continues, Flora and Jack link the two murders together. But when old family secrets surface, Jack feels way too close to the victims and the suspects, it’s too much to handle. This whodunnit is absolutely captivating. I enjoyed this story very much, from the first page to the last. This murder mystery is both engaging and intriguing. I really enjoyed the conversations between Flora and Jack and the visit to Cornwall was absolutely perfect. I enjoy this author’s writing style so much. I flew through the pages and couldn’t bring myself to put it down until I found out whodunnit. The twists and turns of the story kept me completely enthralled. This was the perfect addition to the wonderful Flora Steele Mystery Series. Cozy mystery fans need to add this to their must read shelf and don’t pass it up. This story can also be read as a stand-alone novel, but I’m sure you would enjoy the entire series.
Thank you Merryn Allingham for yet another amazing addition to the Flora Steele Series. I enjoyed this story so much and I can’t wait to read the next installment in the serie. Absolutely fabulous. I highly recommend it. -
Flora and Jack are going to Cornwall for Jack to research for a mystery taking place there. The niece of Flora's friend Alice is going to take care of All's Well Bookstore for Flora while she is away. Just before they are to go, Jack comes by with a warning letter telling them not to go, but Flora still wants to go.
They drive to Treleggan and Primrose Cottage and meet the owner, Roger Gifford. He has hired Jesse to cook and clean and they settle in. The next morning, Flora finds Roger knifed with a knife from the cottage kitchen. Flora and Jack set out to find the murderer. Everyone in Treleggan seem to have liked Roger, and soon they have suspects in Roger's brother who always needs money, and his ex wife who is also financially strapped. Roger has been investigating the history that took place in the area during the war when there were several secret signal centers in the area. There is a supposed witch in the area whom the townsfolks don't trust and think may be the murderer, but Flora finds her benign and interesting. When Roger's brother Lionel is killed in the same way as Roger, Flora loses a suspect, but realizes that he must have found a clue in Roger's safe which had been broken into.
Flora suddenly figures out something, and convinces Jack go out to find a crucial clue. This adventure puts themselves in a very dangerous situation! The story is clever and gets very exciting.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for an ARC allowing me to give an honest review. -
The third in the Flora Steele Mysteries and the young bookshop owner has left her shop behind i the Sussex village of Abbeymead and embarked on a trip to Cornwall.
Accompanying her is Jack Carrington, crime writer, who needs to finish his latest novel otherwise his agent and publisher are gong to be further annoyed if it is delayed any further.
Renting a cottage from Roger Gifford, Flora is somewhat surprised to find him dead the following morning after their arrival in an overgrown orchard. His throat had been caught. The locals are devastated, he was well liked, popular and why would such a heinous crime happen in such a small village.
Roger was looking into something and it seems he got quite near the truth about events during the Second World War. However, Roger leaves behind a bitter ex-wife and a money grabbing brother, both with valid reasons for wanting Roger gone. Then the presence of mysterious women Mercy Dearlove spooks a number of the locals, could she have been the one?
When another body turns up and the mystery during the war leads them back to Abbeymead and Jack’s own father, it seems that it is not just one puzzle that is going to be solved when they find the murderer.
A light cosy crime read which gives you escapism in all its forms and even if like me you worked out “whodunnit”, it doesn’t really matter as it is always nice to see how we get to the solution. Clearly there is more to be had from Flora and Jack, they make for a pleasant diversion and like friendly faces jumping off the page. -
I really enjoyed The Bookshop Murder, the first in the Flora Steele series, last year.
Book 3 is just what you would expect from a period cosy mystery.
Flora and Jack have headed to Cornwall to research Jack’s next novel. Before they even leave for Primrose Cottage, Jack receives a letter warning them off.
Barely 24 hours into their trip, and Flora finds the body of their landlord, murdered in the Orchard at the back of the cottage.
There are plenty of suspects – estranged wives, greedy relatives and some mysterious research into local history that may have uncovered some dark secrets. There’s even a local witch and Flora has to decide if she is a help or a hindrance.
I found the Cornish backdrop quite nostalgic as I visited a lot of the locations in the book during my childhood. Mullion Cove especially was a great location. I found the details about the role Cornish villages played in WW2 really interesting.
Flora and Jack’s relationship is continuing to develop and I will be very interested to see how it develops in the further. There were definitely moments when they seemed closer. Flora is so good at reading Jack’s moods and Jack is so patient with headstrong Flora, they are clearly perfect for each other.
This is a great cosy mystery series!
Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for my advanced copy of Murder at Primrose Cottage
