Murder at St. Saviour’s (Flora Steele #5) by Merryn Allingham

Murder at St. Saviour’s (Flora Steele #5) Reviews

• 
  Brenda

  When the curate, Lyle Beaumont, was found dead at the base of the belltower, Flora and Jack were shocked. A dreadful accident that he should fall to his death only a short time after being appointed to St Saviour's. The mix of people surrounding his body were the bell ringers who'd arrived for their usual practice of ringing the bells - Flora and Jack made a note of who they were when it was discovered to be murder.
  
  Inspector Alan Ridley was called to the small town of Abbeymead and being understaffed, asked Jack and Flora if they could help out as he was aware of their past successes, passing on to him anything they found that was relevant. The suspects were few, the frustrations many. But would they unearth the person who murdered the curate - they were putting themselves in danger in their search for answers.
  
  Murder at St Saviour's is the 5th in the Flora Steele Mystery series by Merryn Allingham and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The weather in Abbeymead was bitter, with icy cold winds and sleet making it all the more difficult to investigate. Flora and Jack make a good team, and their gentle relationship looks to be moving forward. Set in Sussex in 1957, the scenery sounds delightful. I'm looking forward to #6 already. Highly recommended.
  
  With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Phrynne

  Book five in the series and it has barely begun when Flora and Jack nearly fall over the first dead body in the bell tower of St Saviour's church. It turns out to be the curate who then turns out to not be who everyone thought he was. The mystery grows and when one of the suspects is murdered things become dangerous.
  
  I enjoyed reading about Flora and Jack's investigation and I liked that Inspector Alan Ridley swapped information with them from time to time. Both of our intrepid main characters were battered and bruised during the story, but nothing too serious. A few more steps were taken towards developing their relationship which was nice.
  
  Another very entertaining book in this series. I hope there will be many more.
  
  Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book
• 
  Srivalli Rekha

  Publication Date: 21st Nov 2022
  
  4 Stars
  
  One Liner: A comfort read
  
  1957, Sussex:
  
  Welcome to the Abbeymead village with Flora Steele, the owner of All is Well bookshop, and Jack Carrington, a (not-so) reclusive crime fiction writer, working together to solve yet another murder (or two).
  
  Lyre Beaumont, the new curate of St. Saviour’s church, is found hanging on the flagstone floor beneath the bell tower. No one seems to know what happened, but the mysterious note beside the dead body points to murder.
  
  With a bunch of suspects and more adding to the list, Flora and Jack have a tough time searching for information and identifying the killer. It doesn’t help that their sleepy village has been witnessing newcomers waltzing around. Flora thinks it cannot be a coincidence.
  
  The threat increases as the duo get closer to the truth. Can they solve the case without risking their necks? And, oh, what will they do with the latest developments in their relationship?
  
  My Thoughts:
  
  The book works decent as a standalone, but I recommend reading at least one of the previous works to have a better idea. Book 4 should be enough if you don’t want to read them all from the first.
  
  I love that the plot is compact and fits within 250 pages. The book starts slow but gains momentum after the first 25%.
  
  The book is also set in November (which is a little too cold in Abbeymead). It’s a good way to feel the full impact of the weather and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and warm muffins.
  
  The plot is simple enough, as it is usually in most books of the series. Flora and Jack talk to people, gather information, investigate, discuss the suspects and continue to deal with their daily life issues.
  
  The climax is cleverly done. It is a little different from other books and brings a refreshing change. Also, it’s good to see Inspector Ridley have a bigger role in this book.
  
  The ending upped the intrigue by 10x. I feel the next book has high stakes. It’ll be interesting to see how Flora and Jack handle the past, present, and future.
  
  To summarize, Murder at St. Saviour’s is an entertaining and comforting read if you like cozy mysteries with a touch of danger.
  
  Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
  
  #NetGalley #MurderatStSaviours
  
  P.S: Here’s a
  little piece of history. Though the timelines don’t match, you’ll understand why I shared it after you read the book. ;)
• 
  Lady Clementina ffinch-ffarowmore

  My thanks to Bookouture for a review copy of this book via NetGalley.
  
  Murder at St Saviour’s is the fifth entry in the Flora Steele series of historical cosy mysteries by author Merryn Allingham. Set in Abbeymead, a small (fictional) Sussex village in the 1950s, the series follows Flora Steele, a twenty-five-year-old woman who runs a bookshop the All’s Well, which has been left to her by her aunt Violet who’d brought her up after her parents’ death. Her partner in crime solving is Jack Carrington, journalist-turned-mystery-novelist who was something of a recluse till in the first book, his errand boy, Charlie Teague’s illness brought him to Flora’s bookshop where he found a body. By this point in the series, the local Inspector Alan Ridley has begun to work with Flora and Jack, using them as extra hands. On the personal front, Flora and Jack have acknowledged their feelings for each other, though they are taking things slowly.
  
  Murder at St Saviour’s opens with Flora waiting for Jack to pick her up to go watch a movie, while she’s also looking out for the new curate Lyle Beaumont, who is to fetch the rather expensive book he’d ordered. When the latter doesn’t appear, the two start out for the theatre only to hear the bell ring strangely at St Saviour’s. Jack wants to investigate and they arrive at the church to find the bell ringers also brought there by the strange bell (on a non-practice night), and the curate Lyle Beaumont dead—murdered! Soon it turns out (slight spoiler) that the man who claimed to be Lyle Beaumont was actually an impostor. The three bell-ringers (Dilys Fuller, the postmistress; Mr Preece, the butcher, and recent addition Harry Barnes who can’t quite get the hang of the job) are suspects but attention is turned to the fact that there are suddenly many strangers about the village, including Stephen Henshall, staying with Harry, and in the village to advise Sally Jenner and her partner Dominic at the Priory hotel. Also, a luxury car has been seen about the village and even knocked little Charlie Teague off the road; Flora encounters a third strange man, and a couple of other newcomers have recently moved in. The man pretending to be Lyle Beaumont had done badly by many people in his past life, any of whom could well have wanted to do away with him. But which of them did? As Flora and Jack start to investigate, they find that some of their suspects can be very nasty indeed, and their own lives could be in danger!
  
  I found this to be a very enjoyable entry in the series with an interesting mystery throwing up many lines of inquiry; a set of suspects and connections of whom anyone could have been the murderer; and the flavour and setting of a small country village (which of course impacts the way the mystery plays out, while we also follow developments in village life as always), with a couple of trips which Flora and Jack make, adding colour.
  
  Compared to previous entries, I thought the mystery in this one was front and centre with the other elements (like Flora and Jack’s relationship, developments in the village, and settings) adding to it, and this was something I really liked. I was engaged from the start, and enjoyed following Flora and Jack as they looked into the people involved whether it was the victim (whose identity we do learn early on) or suspects, as secrets and possible motives are revealed, though the answer seems to elude them. For a change Inspector Ridley and Flora and Jack are collaborating, but Flora still has an urge to beat him out, leading her to not always reveal everything they’ve found out. The solution when it was revealed was indeed a surprise (I hadn’t seen it coming; even though part of the motive becomes clear a little earlier), and readers aren’t the only ones surprised.
  
  The village atmosphere I thought was nicely done in the book, with gossip playing its usual role (in fact even when Jack is making some inquiries in London, it is gossip again that helps). Likewise, as everyone knows everyone else, strangers stand out like a sore thumb, and in this story, the village seems to be teeming with them, giving rise to talk and suspicion. Jack by now has lost his reclusive ways and fully immersed in village life, so he too, first considers the strangers.
  
  While the story is essentially set in Abbeymead, Flora and Jack travel to Dorset to make some inquiries, also visiting Lyme Regis, and with them we walk in the footsteps of the characters from Persuasion, and also see some of its famous fossils, which was fun.
  
  On the personal front, Flora and Jack are taking things forward but slow; we also get to see more of Jack’s father, get to know something of his mother’s whereabouts, and learn a little more of Flora’s past, opening up a new mystery which I think will be the case they will tackle next!
  
  This is a series I’ve been following from the start, and I’m looking forward to the next entry, which I’m sure will be out soon, for Allingham seems to be writing them faster than I’m reading them 😊
  
• 
  June Price

  When I last visited with Flora and Jack, I made a review comment that I was looking forward to my next visit. I not only wanted to know more about where their relationship was going but the area in which they live. In this book, my hopes were both addressed. The tension was upped, too, with both being in danger as they went about seeking answers. We also learn more about their families, quick bits of info that, naturally, made me want to know more.
  
  The mystery seems relatively simple at first. Who killed the new church curate? Who was he meeting in the bell tower? Did you know bell ringers had to be trained and it isn't as easy as it might seem? Why would anyone kill a church curate? But, wait. Mistaken identities, long standing grudges, family hostilities, power struggles, financial problems, "accidents", women's roles, and more come into play. I don't want to ruin your reading, so won't say much more about the plot aside from the fact I felt hopeful for Flora and Jack, who both emerge from this one a bit battered but hopeful, as they celebrated Christmas 1956 and the book came to a tantalizing end. I thoroughly enjoyed getting both perspectives as the plot moved along.
  
  Author Merryn Allingham did an excellent job sharing her own obvious love for the area. She moved the story along smoothly, often bringing in bits from past books to unify things, so to speak. I'll also note that, as always, her historic insight and ability to tie in things like Jane Austen send me off to research more than once. I love it when a book makes me not just think but strive to learn more.
  
  Thanks #NetGalley and #Bookouture for inviting me back into Flora and Jack's world. Loved every moment of it. 
• 
  Tahera

  This book was definitely more darker in tone and the case was one that proved very complicated and dangerous for both Flora and Jack. They almost didn't survive solving it!
  
  I received an e-Arc of the book from the publisher Bookouture and the author Merryn Allingham via NetGalley.
• 
  Melanie

  To me the Cardinal error of having an unfair mystery has been committed here… not even the sleuths got it.
• 
  Jen - Reviews

  Another enjoyable Flora Steele book. Awaiting the next one in the series.
• 
  StinaStaffymum

  I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Merryn Allingham's cosy mystery series MURDER AT ST SAVIOUR'S.
  
  It's November 1956 and Christmas is coming as Abbeymead prepares for the festive season. It's only been a couple of months since the unfortunate events that took place at the newly renovated and opened Priory Hotel from which they are still trying to recover. As for bookshop owner Flora Steele and crime writer Jack Carrington, who would love nothing more than snuggling up on this chilly night, are getting ready for an evening out at the cinema. Their plans, however, unfortunately fall by the wayside when they hear a single toll coming from the nearby St Saviour's bell tower. Feeling something is amiss, the dynamic duo make the frosty walk to the Norman church and make the most gruesome discovery. The newly arrived curate Lyle Beaumont is found dead on the floor with a single note in his hand.
  
  The police are called and the bumbling village constable Tring is all sixes and sevens as to what to do next. Jack's friend Inspector Alan Ridley is soon on the case but soon discovers that clues are hard to come by, especially as Beaumont was a newcomer to Abbeymead and few villagers seemed to know anything about him. Working alongside the inspector, Flora and Jack soon discover there is far more to this case than meets the eye. And unlike ever before, both of them appear to find themselves in danger than ever before.
  
  Investigations take Jack to London and the couple to a weekend in Dorset to learn more about their victim and who would want him dead. What they uncover is a treasure trove of secrets that could put any number of unknown newcomers in the frame - stolen identities, family hostilities, hidden grudges, sudden deaths and even fraud! And while asking questions puts both Flora and Jack in danger...it also brings them closer together.
  
  But it seems someone wants to silence the amateur sleuths permanently as they close in on the villain. Will they live to uncover the truth?
  
  MURDER AT ST SAVIOUR'S is the fifth in the Flora Steele series which has a taste of Agatha Christie in the form of Miss Marple and her own village of St Mary Mead. Although Flora is a lot younger than Ms Christie's elderly sleuth, she is just as dogged and with the same nose for uncovering the truth.
  
  I love Flora and Jack. They make a good team and their partnership is one of friendship and comfort as their relationship begins to move into something more and yet it doesn't overshadow the main story. It was also good to see the inspector back and taking on a bigger role in this story. As well as the inclusion of all the usual residents - Sally, Alice, Kate, Dilys as well as a few newcomers that pass through.
  
  This book, as well as the series, is perfect for fans who love cosy mysteries without the sex, gore and graphic detail of crime thrillers. Just a picturesque chocolate box village hidden in the English countryside with a murder or two on their doorstep every couple of months. Life in Abbeymead is reminiscent of life in Midsomer.
  
  Overall, a nice gentle easy read perfect for cosy mystery fans.
  
  I would like to thank #MerrynAllingham, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #MurderAtStSaviours in exchange for an honest review.
  
  This review appears on my blog at
  https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
  
• 
  Kelly

  I was drawn to this book by the lovely cover illustration, and I thought it looked and sounded like something that I would enjoy, so I was pleased to be approved to read and review it.
  
  I haven't read any of the other books in the series, but I liked this book a lot. Cosy mysteries are my go-to genre for a satisfying read, and this book certainly had the warmth and cosiness that I was hoping for. I was drawn into the village setting, and I liked the characters and found them relatable and endearing.
  
  The story itself was interesting, and I was able to read it in one sitting, which is something that I often like to do when reading a cosy mystery.
  
  I would definitely be interested in reading the other books in this series, and I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cosy mysteries. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for my opportunity to read and review this.
• 
  Kiki Brosnan (Bookworm_KikiB)

  You will like this book if: you love a character-driven, English cozy mystery series.
  
  Plot: Flora Steele, bookshop owner and sleuth, along with partner-in-crime and maybe-partner-in-more, Jack Carrington, happen upon a body at the bottom of St. Saviour’s bell tower. Together they nose into the personal affairs of small-town residents, longstanding and new alike, and chase down clues that might resolve the mystery of just who the dead man is, and who of his many enemies completed their mission. This is made all the more complicated when a second body crops up. Will they catch the person or persons responsible before anyone else gets hurt? The pacing of this mystery is textbook.
  
  Characters: There are no true character arcs, and we don’t get much out of any of the romantic relationships. I think because I didn’t read the other books in the series nothing was keeping me invested in the characters and their well-being. Though their need for gossip is relatable. I love that we grow to dislike the dead man, which I find important to keep mysteries like this cozy.
  
  Setting: A perfectly charming small-ish town with gossipy women. It’s set in winter, too, adding to a lot of the charm. I wish there had been more descriptions placing us alongside our characters, readers aren’t given very much information to picture most scenes.
  
  Conflict/Resolution: I was confused as to why Flora doesn’t want the police to solve this crime. Flora and Jack don’t take the time to fully explore one train of thought all the way through. In fact, they often forget about new evidence to explore for days at a time. The conclusion to the “whodunnit” fell flat for me. *Potential spoiler*: I wish there had been more breadcrumbs to make the final reveal more of a recap than an explanation.
  
  Writing: There’s a lot of dialogue, and I admittedly prefer more of a balance. Much of the dialogue is realistic, but some of it rambles and it seems like the author just wants to get information to readers. There are also so many references to food, most of which do not matter one bit and aren’t charming. I fell asleep twice while reading this book.
  
  Overall/Other notes: While the book is a standalone, I would recommend reading the others in the series before this one as there were quite a few references that I didn’t understand and a large cast of characters. Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture, and Merryn Allingham for a copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
• 
  Joanne D'Arcy

  For whom the bell tolls and it tolls unexpectedly in Abbymead and it draws Flora and Jack to church. Here they find the bell ringers, and the body of the curate, recently joined the church, fallen from the bell tower.
  
  Surely it must be a tragic accident. But something seems off to Jack and Flora and with past experience of discovering bodies and solving mysteries it seems that there initial thoughts may be true.
  
  It gets even more complicated when they discover the dead curate, isn’t really the dead curate and strange faces in the village start to make the duo question everyone and their motives. Then the lead suspect is found dead, is it one of these mysterious faces that is guilty or should they be looking closer to home.
  
  Alongside the investigating the relationship between the two main characters is developing and the gentle courtship adds to the gentle pace of these novels, despite the dead bodies! Of course there is much we don’t know about Flora and her background and it seems as this series progresses we are going to find out more if the ending of the book is anything to go by.
  
  Perfect series for those who want that Midsomer Murder vibe but set in in the past.
• 
  Karen Cole

  How lovely it is to return to the Sussex village of Abbeymead for the fifth book in the Flora Steele series. However, as much as I enjoy each visit, it has to be said that it isn't the safest place to go, and despite its quaint charms, it isn't long before yet another murder is committed. This time the victim is the new curate, Lyle Beaumont who appears to have been invited to the belltower of St Saviour's church – and subsequently to his death.
  Flora Steele and Jack Cunningham are among the first on the scene and so their joint instincts for sleuthing means they inevitably start investigating, despite the local police building a case of their own. There isn't really any reason for the pair to become involved but when one of her friends reminds her that murder is for the police to solve, she observes, "sometimes we get to hear things they don't." That's really the key to this reliably engaging series; we know that the murderer will be somebody in the relatively small cast of characters and the fun comes from following the clues to see if we can work it out before Flora and Jack.
  It's certainly a twisty mystery this time; the victim turns out to be a man with plenty of secrets and there are a number of people who may have had reason to kill him – indeed, some even openly admit they are happy to see him dead. It's not as straightforward as things may first appear, however, and I enjoyed being led this way and that before the reveal, which wasn't entirely unexpected because the clues are there. That doesn't mean the culprit is obvious; the list of potential suspects is long and with several new faces in Abbeymead, Flora and Jack are kept busy trying to figure out the truth.
  As the series progresses, it's as much a treat to follow the development of the recurring characters as it is to discover whodunnit – and why. Merryn Allingham perceptively captures the essence of a small village and both the sense of community that means people look out for one another and the gossipy, rather judgmental attitudes of locals resistant to change are described so well. The period details are excellent and the immersive authenticity of the series is particularly captivating in Murder at St Saviour's because events take place in the lead-up to Christmas.
  The inclement weather and the gradual preparations for the big day are effectively woven into the plot which takes on a decidedly sinister tone at times. This is a cosy mystery and is packed with wit and warmth but there is still a murderer at large, and there are some bruising encounters, proving once more, that solving crimes can be a dangerous business.
  The real highlight of this series, of course, is the relationship between Flora and Jack. It's such a pleasure to see the development of both characters as the series progresses and I love that their partnership so cleverly reflects the changing values of the times. They are products of a time when people were expected to conform but change is in the air, and the fiercely independent Flora epitomises that juxtaposition beautifully.
  Murder at St Saviour's really is a delightfully engrossing seasonal mystery, I highly recommend it.
• 
  Nina

  Ofiarami morderstw w Abbeymead w hrabstwie Sussex nie są na ogół rdzenni lub zasiedziali mieszkańcy lecz ludzie, którzy przybyli do wioski stosunkowo niedawno. Także wśród nich poszukiwani są sprawcy zbrodni, zarówno przez inspektora Alana Ridleya z Brighton jak i przez parę detektywów-amatorów, Florę Steele, właścicielkę lokalnej księgarni, oraz autora kryminałów, Jacka Carringtona,
  
  Tym razem zwłoki Lyle’a Beaumonta, nowego wikariusza (curate*), znalezione w wieży kościelnej, można by uznać za wynik nieszczęśliwego wypadku, gdyby nie poplamiony krwią list odkryty na miejscu wydarzenia, ślady podduszania na szyi ofiary oraz nade wszystko wątpliwości co do jego tożsamości. Owszem, był on skoligacony z zamożną rodziną Beamumontów z Lyme Regis w hrabstwie Dorset, ale nie był jej potomkiem lecz kuzynem Lyle’a, nazwiskiem Hugo Rafferty. Ostatecznie potwierdza ten fakt wizyta Jacka i Flory w Dorset, co notabene zawszy gdy detektywi ruszają w teren uatrakcyjnia dla czytelnika fabułę.
  
  Rafferty miał fatalną opinię wśród innych osób, które z rozmaitych powodów pojawiają się ostatnio w Abbeymead. A jest to ciekawe grono: wlaściciel dwóch zadłużonych londyńskich hoteli, nowy gospodarz lokalnego pubu, brat Lyle’a, piękna młoda dziewczyna, która okazuje się szwagierką najbogatszego z tych przybyszów, londyńskiego potentata w branży dużych domów towarowych … Jakie są ich powiązania z mieszkańcami wioski? Kto pierwszy wpadnie na trop zabójcy i sprawcy pożaru, w wyniku którego pojawiła się kolejna śmiertelna ofiara? Kogo tym razem sprowokuje dociekliwość Flory i Jacka? Jakie niebezpieczeństwa się z tym wiążą?
  
  Tak z grubsza wygląda piąta część serii z Florą Steele, autorstwa Merryn Allingham, z gatunku cosy crime. Jest to spokojna, mocno osadzona w realiach czasu i miejsca powieść kryminalna, bez fajerwerków i nadmiaru brutalności. Wyjątkowo zimna jesień w Sussex kończy się świętami Bożego Narodzenia i nadzieją, że romans Flory i Jacka wykroczy poza sferę przytulania i pocałunków.
  
  *Stanowiska w kościołach anglikańskich pod wieloma względami różnią się od funkcji w kościele rzymsko-katolickim. ‚Curate’ Beaumont został zatrudniony w Abbeymead, z polecenia znajomych, jako asystent niedomagającego na zdrowiu ‚vicara’ kościoła Św. Zbawiciela, o którym wierni mówią ‚wielebny’, czyli Reverend Hopkirk.
• 
  Lisa

  The story opens with new curate Lyle Beaumont falling to his death from the bell tower at St. Saviour’s. The bell ringers were on their way there for rehearsal. Another man, Stephen Henshall, a stranger to Abbeymead, was also on the scene. At first, this appears to be a tragic accident. But it soon turns out that the curate is not who he purported to be, and in fact, was not a curate at all. A note clenched in his hand suggests that perhaps his death was not accidental after all. What secrets did “Lyle Beaumont” hide that someone is now willing to kill to keep secret?
  
  I simply love visiting Abbeymead! Merryn Allingham gives us a charming village filled with interesting characters, and a good mystery to boot.
  
  Flora and Jack are in the thick of the investigation, and I love seeing them working together to solve the mystery. Their relationship is progressing, and while they may not be ready to commit for a lifetime, neither of them seems to be fighting their feelings any longer. That makes me happy, because I think they’re just adorable together. I also liked seeing more of Investigator Ridley on the case, and I liked that he brought our amateur sleuths into the loop as much as he could.
  
  There was no shortage of potential suspects. Turns out quite a few folks had reason not to like Mr. Beaumont-that-wasn’t, and they were open about the fact that his death didn’t grieve them too deeply. But which of them had the dead man offended enough that they were willing to kill over it? And kill more than once, as the primary suspect was found murdered, and Flora and Jack found themselves in harm’s way due to their digging.
  
  The nasty winter weather was almost a character in itself. Roads were treacherous, the chill was brutal, and it made me want to wrap myself up in a warm blanket while reading, even though the weather is much nicer here!
  
  Merryn Allingham has another winner here. Her historical detail is impeccable, her characters are likeable, hateable, or somewhere in between, and Abbeymead is a delight. Highly recommended for reading while curled up with a blanket, a cat, and a hot cup of cocoa.
  
  Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advance review copy. All opinions here are mine, and I don’t say nice things about books I don’t actually like.
• 
  Helen

  Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to review Murder at St. Saviour’s. All opinions and comments are my own.
  
  It’s 1956 in Sussex, home of bookseller Flora Steele and crime fiction writer Jack Carrington, and readers will once again find them plying their amateur detective side gig in Murder at St. Saviour’s, the fifth in the cozy mystery series penned by Merryn Alllingham. They’re off to the movies as the story begins, if the new curate will just come by and pick up the book he’s promised to collect from Flora’s bookstore. But he can’t collect it. Won’t ever be able to, ‘cause he’s dead. Flora immediately assumes “foul play,” clever clogs that she is. So of course, she and Jack begin investigating, good for us readers and bad for the eventual murderer.
  
  Author Allingham makes it easy for us by providing a descriptive array of suspects. There’s a lot of em, which livens up the proceedings and gives Flora and Jack a lot to work with. Come to find out the newcomer curate has quite the backstory, not one that a “man of the cloth” should have. So, who killed him? Was it one of the other new inhabitants of Abbeymead, or a longtime resident? And what about the visitors to the village -- we readers get to wonder about their motives, too. Jack’s determined to find out, and Flora’s not far behind.
  
  There’s a lot of travel in the book, and personal danger for both of our protagonists. And speaking of Jack and Flora -- their personal story is a part of the narrative, as it has been throughout the series. The author is moving it along, but it’s taking a while.
  
  Readers may go “of course” when Inspector Ridley (who flits in and out of the story, helping and hindering) explains the whys and wherefores as the book comes to an end; as so often happens, the past can come back to cause a whole lot of trouble. Murder at St. Saviour’s fits into the cozy genre nicely, and moves along with a good, page-turning pace. It should satisfy readers who enjoy a village mystery with well-rounded characters and just a bit of a twist.
• 
  Robin Loves Reading

  Bookshop owner Flora Steele hardly has time to define her relationship with crime writer Jack Carrington. The pair have solved several murders, and the more time they spend together, the more they are drawn to one another.
  
  When Flora and Jack were going to visit a church, they were shocked to discover that the new curate was dead, and he had a note in his hand. It seemed as if he was there to meet someone in the bell tower. With quite quite a few people there on the scene, it’s a question to Flora as to which one of them killed the curate. So Flora does what she does best - she starts talking to everyone that could have been present. she quickly finds out that they all had issues, and they all actually had a good reason for wanting the curate dead. Grudges, disagreements, money issues, and other things that make discovering who had a motive to kill the curate very unclear. And then as Flora gets even deeper into the situation, she finds out the curate isn’t who everyone thought he was in the first place. Flora wants to know what is going on, why he was killed and who did it.
  
  When the inspector approaches the scene, he actually encourages Jack and Flora to see whatever they can find out about the murder. Quite naturally, the closer they get to the right answers, the closer they find themselves to danger. Meanwhile, the question about their relationship and their future starts to become clearer.
  
  This is an enjoyable series, and this latest installment was a joy to read. I love the timeframe, which is mid 1950s in Sussex, and the setting seems quite lovely. And then when you factor in the relationship growing between Flora and Jack, it makes this book and series even that much better. With just the right level of intrigue, Murder at St. Saviour’s was a very entertaining read. If you love Agatha Christie��s Miss Marple, then this book would be a perfect fit for you.
  
  Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
  
  Please enjoy my YouTube video review -
  https://youtu.be/zyX70UpBulw
• 
  Annie

  Originally posted on my blog
  Nonstop Reader.
  
  Murder at St. Saviour’s is the fifth
  Flora Steele cozy mystery by
  Merryn Allingham. Released 21st Nov. 2022, it's 258 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free, as are the rest of the books in the series.
  
  I love small-town cozies, historical mysteries, and light British crime. This one ticked a lot of boxes for me. It's capably written with an intelligent and appealing female bookstore owner drawn into another investigation with her friend Jack when they're asked to assist the official investigation into a newly-appointed church curate's death. Flora and Jack, who functions as her sidekick here, seem to go directly from point to point with very few distractions or false clues. The action does move resolutely forward, and it never drags, so although simple, it's an enjoyable and engaging read. There is no bad language or triggering content and the climax and denouement were satisfying and included a few twists I didn't see coming.
  
  Four and a half stars. This is an enjoyable historical British cozy. Fans of the genre will find a lot to like here. Despite being the fifth book in the series it works well as a self-contained standalone. The series continues to go from strength to strength and with so many books extant currently, it would make a great choice for a binge/buddy read.
  Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
• 
  Tracy Wood

  It is 1956, Christmas is coming in Abbeymead and it's getting a bit chilly! All the more reason for bookshop owner Flora Steele to snuggle up with beau Jack Carrington as they get ready for an evening out. Unfortunately their plans change when they are drawn towards the local church of St Saviour's where Flora needs Jack for more than just warmth when they find a body on the floor of the belltower and their trip is cancelled.
  
  As a newcomer to the village few people seemed to know their victim meaning local police inspector, and Jack's friend, Alan Ridley finds clues hard to come by. He knows the two Abbeymead residents won't be able to resist looking into everything but it soon becomes clear there is far more to this case than anyone had imagined. The danger seems to be increasing by the day and both Flora and Jack feel their investigation is placing them in more danger than ever before. As they discover carefully hidden secrets and the year edges towards its end both wonder if they will actually see it.
  
  This was so good, the jeopardy was far higher than before with all the Abbeymead residents now as familiar and welcome as the two main protagonists themselves. The twist and turns were shocking in places and, although it didn't stray from its cosy nature, this book surprised me constantly. Flora and Jack are so good together and I love the setting of the 1950's and look forward to following them through the rest of the decade.
  
  I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. I loved this and highly recommend it as well as the rest of the series.
• 
  Janet

  Flora Steele, bookshop owner & crime writer, Jack Carrington are late setting out to go to the cinema when they hear a single bell peel from the village of Abbeymead’s church St Saviour’s. They dash to the church & the last thing they’re expecting to find is the curate, Lyle Beaumont, lifeless on the flagstone floor beneath the belltower, with a mysterious note in his hand. When Flora and Jack begin their sleuthing, they quickly realise all is not what it seems with the victim, and the certainty of the dead man’s identity becomes the first twist in the investigation. Then both Jack & Flora suffer an accident
  The fifth book in the series & yes it could be read on its own but the characters & relationships have developed throughout the series especially that of Jack & Flora. Another intriguing read & I must admit I didn’t work out the murderer but then neither did anyone else! I love Flora who’s like a terrier with a bone & just won’t let go, Jack is more laid back. I love the dynamics of their slowly evolving relationship, which does take a step forward. I also love the secondary cast of regular villagers, who we’ve got to know throughout the series. There were plenty of twists & turns as well as a few red herrings before all was revealed. A well written engrossing read which I thoroughly enjoyed & I was intrigued to know if Flora & Jack will follow up on the letter she received.
  My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
  
  
• 
  Caroline|Page~Turners

  Sussex, 1956: Flora Steele bookshop owner and amateur sleuth is on the case. Flora and crime writer Jack Carrington, arrive at the quaint St Saviour’s Church. Upon their arrival and to their surprise, they find the body of curate, Lyle Beaumont, under the belltower. He has a note clenched in his hand. Flora is saddened that Lyle is dead and her super sleuth talents immediately kick into high gear. There were many bell ringers at the church at the time of the murder, so how is it possible that no one saw anything? Flora and Jack jump into action and begin their investigation. But when one of the many suspects becomes the next victim, time is running out. Flora and Jack must find the killer before they find another dead body.
  
  This is the fifth installment in the amazing Flora Steele Mystery Series. I enjoyed this book so much. It was a quick read, with a fast paced storyline. The plot twists and turns were interesting and entertaining, and kept me engaged in the story. The characters were very likable and I enjoyed this wonderful addition to this series. This amazing read was well written and kept me guessing who the culprit was until the very end. I loved it! I definitely recommend this wonderful cozy mystery that can be read as part of the series or a stand-alone.
  
  Thank you Merryn Allingham for yet another wonderful addition to the Flora Steele Mystery Series. It was so enjoyable, I loved it and highly recommend it.
• 
  Emma's Things to Read

  This series has definitely become an auto-read for me. Murder at St Saviour’s is the fifth book in the Flora Steele Mystery Series and I have enjoyed every single one.
  
  This mystery is multi-layered and had me guessing all the way along. The hints are all there, but I still couldn’t quite pin it down, so it made for a very satisfying ending.
  
  Allingham has created a whole world in Abbeymead so you get to know the recurring characters as well as protagonists Flora and Jack.
  
  This mystery has a little bit of everything, and Flora and Jack have to work hard to piece everything together.
  
  The new curate is found dead at the bottom of the bell tower and the police believe he was pushed. Suspicion falls on village newcomer, Stephen Henshall, a businessman who has some secrets of his own.
  
  It’s hard to say too much without spoiling the mystery, but Flora and Jack’s investigations mean they are asking too many questions if the wrong people and find themselves in danger.
  
  Flora and Jack’s relationship continues to develop as they move from friendship to romance. With both of them struggling to commit – Flora has her own business to think about, and Jack still seems somewhat reluctant to completely immerse himself in village life – the village is desperately waiting for wedding bells.
  
  This ends with a real cliffhanger and Flora’s own family mystery – the fate of her parents. I, for one, will definitely be reading the next book to find out what happens next.
• 
  Elaine - Splashes Into Books

  If you enjoy reading a cosy murder mystery
  Set in an earlier period of history
  This 1950s should definitely appeal
  It's a great read, as I'm about to reveal!
  
  Flora Steele lives in the village of Abbeymead
  She's a bookshop owner who is determined to succeed.
  Often on the scene when there's been a crime
  With her 'boyfriend' Jack Carrington they try to solve it every time.
  
  For once the pair are going out on a date
  But Flora is waiting for a customer, running late.
  A toll of a church bell has them going to discover
  A body, dead on the floor - oh, no, not another!
  
  A note in the dead man's hand
  Makes this seem like a murder, carefully planned.
  Can Flora and Jack help to find the killer
  Discover for yourself in this cosy crime thriller!
  
  I really like how the villagers all play their part
  And visitors stand out, right from the start.
  There are plenty of twists and surprises galore
  As the victim's past we start to explore.
  
  Accidents, incidents, mysteries and danger
  Along with clues that point to a stranger.
  However there's a huge surprise in store
  But read it for yourself to learn much more!
  
  I've enjoyed every book in this series, including the previous four,
  And highly recommend them as I can't wait to read more!
  For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
  It's a thrilling mystery and this is my honest review.
• 
  Alison C

  There is a new curate in Abbeymead, and he has already annoyed bookseller Flora Steele by ordering an expensive, esoteric book and then failing to collect it. Novelist Jack Carrington, on the other hand, is jubilant about finishing his most recent book, and he wants to celebrate by taking Flora to the movies; before they can leave the bookstore, though, a sudden death intervenes - that of the new curate! As they begin to look into whether the death was an accident or murder, the couple discover that the curate was not at all who he seemed to be, and neither are a few other newcomers to town…. This is the fifth book in the Flora Steele cozy series, set in the mid-1950s in a, well, cozy English village. The relationship between Flora and Jack has reached a new level, but both are still more comfortable investigating crimes than each other, and the particular situation with the curate enables them to dive deeply into a convoluted set of circumstances and some rather dodgy people. I don’t know that it’s necessary to have read the previous four books in the series, but because it’s a light and pleasant setting, why not start at the beginning and enjoy the whole journey (to this point)? Mildly recommended.
• 
  loopyloulaura

  Flora and Jack find themselves embroiled in another murder when the new curate is found dead at the bottom of the church's bell tower. The police suspect one of the bell ringers but the curate was living under an asumed name...
  Murder at St Saviour's is the 5th book in the Flora Steele series. It is not necessary to have read the previous books although her personal relationship with Jack has developed over the earlier murder cases.
  The murder occurs in the first chapter so we are straight into the action. The curate Lyle Beaumont is found dead at the bottom of the bell tower but he had taken his cousin's identity. Flora and Jack need to unpick why Lyle was living a lie and who knew the truth.
  I enjoyed the historical and village setting although the pair do travel around to collect evidence and interview suspects. Flora and Jack uncover a host of secrets that put them in danger too but they are determined to find out the truth.
  Murder at St Saviour's is an enjoyable cosy murder mystery novel with a really easy to like main pair of sleuths.