Kate and her sister have recently moved into the neighborhood, and Kate has gotten a part time job as a nurse in the health center. They are trying to settle in and form bonds in the community when Kate finds herself on the scene for two different murders. Of course being an amateur sleuth she decides to investigate a little.
This was a light, easy read, cozy mystery. Felt a little dry at times, but overall a fun read.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Sometimes I'm just in the mood for a nice comfortable murder and this book certainly delivered on that. Kate Palmer, our amateur detective finds herself first on the scene at not just one, but two murders. Of course, she can't help but investigate who is behind the murders and starts to poke her nose into the business of everyone in the community that's connected with the two victims. She also strikes up a friendship/early relationship with the police detective inspector who is on the case.
This book fits neatly into the murder in a British village genre. We have a middle-aged woman who has recently moved to the area. As a relative outsider, just arrived in this little corner of Cornwall, she's ideal to go poking around as she doesn't have any long-standing ideas about who the various members of the community are and as she does her investigating, we can find out about them all alongside her.
I have to admit that I hadn't solved this one. By the time the murder was revealed, there really was only one suspect left that could have done it, but I certainly can't lay claim to any skill in getting there myself. Kate did make a few leaps as she figured things out, but there was nothing too far fetched or unbelievable. Unless, that is you count how willing Woody, her detective friend is to let her go poking around. Then again, he clearly fancies her, so maybe he would just let her crack on.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read that kept me guessing until the end. It's not edge of the seat stuff, but sometimes you just want a murder that's a little bit more gentle. I'll definitely be checking out more in this series if and when they come out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

An easy read with a neat story and a simple conclusion. Nothing spectacular or jaw dropping nor bad. Perfect for fans of cozy mysteries, though not to the level of Christie. 3.5 stars

Kate Palmer has moved with her sister Angie to Cornwall for a quiet life. But it's anything but quiet.

At the village hall, during a WI event, a woman is found dead with her own kitchen knife beside her. It transpires that there are many people with reason to dislike the victim.

Kate, together with DI Woody Forrest, set about unravelling the mystery

When Kate Palmer and her sister move from London to a Cornish village the last thing they expected was to become involved in not one but two murders. Kate was employed in the Medical Centre as a part time nurse and while at a WI talk at the village hall a body was discovered and Kate called to see if she could help. As police investigate the murder Kate then finds another body on the beach while walking her dog. The bodies are mounting and so are the suspects leading to a dangerous situation for Kate.
A very enjoyable read to lose yourself in with many threads to unravel before the murderer is revealed.

Thank you so much for approving my request to read this book! The plot summary of this book was really great, and I was super excited to dive in. I am just dipping my toe into cozy mysteries and loved the idea of two sisters in this one! However, the book really fell flat for me. The writing, unfortunately, felt elementary in some spots, and I didn't think things like the characters' names or descriptions really fit their personalities or the "feel" of the book the author was going for. Although I didn't particularly love it, I am sure it is just fine for avid cozy mystery fans who are looking for a quick read. Thanks again for the opportunity to review it.

small-town, cornwall, law-enforcement, murder, murder-investigation, dogs, cosy-mystery

Kate and her sister (think: needs AA) move away from London to beautiful Cornwall and a lovely cottage (think fixer upper with bad floors and no central heat). Kate needs more money to keep things going so she takes a job as part time nurse in the local health clinic. While at a Women's Institute meeting (hoping to socialize sister away from the pub) Kate hears a scream and comes upon a recently sliced body in the kitchen. Then comes the CID man. But that's not the last body Kate finds. Lots of sleuthing, suspects, great characters, misdirections, red herrings, and more. LOVED it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Bookouture via NetGalley. Thank you!

Whilst i did enjoy this and it is an easy read it was not in the same cosy mystery category as agatha raisin for which it sounded like

The village adultress is found dead by nurse kate palmer in the village hall and she takes it upon herself to ask questions to locate the murder

Although this isn't my usual genre, i usually read psychological thrillers i enjoyed this book. Its an easy read and although there is a murder in it. its a more light-hearted story. So easy reading that i read in 2 sittings.Great book to curl up with in front of the fire on a rainy day. i will look to read more by this author.

I saw this become available on NetGalley and thought it sounded a little like Agatha Raisin. Who doesn’t love a light hearted whodunnit? This is exactly what this is, yes it’s not the best bit of fictional writing you will ever read, but it is easy, light reading.

Set in a seaside village in Cornwall, the story starts when the body of the wife of the village aristocrat, is found in the kitchen of the village hall during a WI meeting. Kate Palmer the new local nurse is at the meeting and tries to help the victim.

Kate, recently moved down to Cornwall with her boozy sister, decides to take it upon herself to become the Miss Marple of the village and try and discover who killed Fenella and why. She soon has a comprehensive list of suspects, thanks to all the villagers more than happy to share gossip. She carries our her probing via her role as the village nurse, but will she uncover the killer? Alongside the investigating she drums up a possible romance with the resident handsome American Detective Inspector.

It’s not Agatha Christie and there isn’t really any suspense or twists. But it was an easy, quick read and the start of a series that I am likely to pick up again. I received this free copy via NetGalley in exchange for this review. I give this 3.5/5 rounded up to 4.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. Good storyline, good characters and basically an enjoyable read. Roll on Book 2 with Kate a

This is a pleasant, light read. The large cast and main character help keep it interesting. It's cozy, so it's not terribly serious. It's little predictable, but works in the context of a cozy.

Thanks very much for the ARC for review!!

A fun, light hearted read, with likeable characters and a pretty setting. Just what the doctor ordered, I look forward to reading the next in the series.

Loved this book, the characters, the setting. A really special read!

**Thankyou Netgalley and publisher for approving my request**

I'm always happy to find a new cosy mystery series, and the Kate Palmer series does not disappoint. The main characters are interesting, the plot is well developed and it is set in beautiful Cornwall. There is also the beginning of a romance between Kate, who is the main character, and DI Forrest.

Murder In Seemingly Peaceful Village.....
Kate Palmer and sister Angie have relocated to a seemingly peaceful Cornish village. A departure from the hustle and bustle of London, Kate, a practice Nurse, is looking forward to a more sedate lifestyle. The last thing she expected was to become embroiled in murder and mayhem. Kate finds herself at the scene of two murders - dealing with dead bodies was most definitely not on her agenda. Naturally inquisitive, some would say interfering, Kate becomes determined to solve the crimes - much to the consternation of the perpetrator. With a likeable protagonist in Kate, a colourful cast of supporting characters, a potential love interest and a delightful setting this was thoroughly enjoyable, fully entertaining and exactly what I was craving for some gentle escapism. I am so looking forward to more in what I hope is a new series for this author and a promising departure from her already enjoyable existing catalogue.

A cosy murder mystery with a large cast of suspects. Interesting characters who interacted well and a lovely setting.

When an author feels the need to add a subtitle - An utterly gripping cozy murder mystery to the cover of a book entitled A Body in the Village Hall, I am automatically suspicious.

Nurse Kate Palmer is one of the first people on the scene when a local woman is found stabbed to death in the Village Hall. Fenelle Barker-Jones was the doyenne of Tinworthy and known for her serial affairs with local men. But who hated her enough to kill her. Kate believes because she is a nurse, she can ask in depth questions and probe suspects without them suspecting she is quizzing them.

She makes a list of suspects and then proceeds to tell everyone in town about her list. I really wanted to like this book, but Kate is the stereo typical dumb character who walks into the dark basement or in the woods against her better judgment. And yes she seeks out the murderer on a deserted cliff path along the ocean on a foggy night. Not an utterly gripped cozy murder mystery, sorry.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the eARC.
This book was just what the doctor ordered! What with Covid and staying at home, my appetite for mysteries with gruesome serial killers has definitely lessened and it was a real treat to read this sweet, charming and cosy book. Kate, a nurse and her sister Angie, a has-been actress, have moved from London to a cottage in Cornwall and adopted a dog. There's a murder at the Women's Institute and Kate finds herself drawn into sleuthing. She also
meets a very attractive police officer and after a second murder gets involved in the case as well as with him. It reminded me a bit of all the Agatha Christie books I read as a kid (which is how I learned English), and how enjoyable they were.
Definitely recommended!

My first Dee MacDonald, but definitely not my last! Charming, well written, with excellent character and an intriguing plot, I adored my visit to this charming Cornish village! What a perfect read with some tea/coffee biscuits/cookies, or Gin ( if you're like Kate's older sister Angie). I look forward to more books in this series and can't recommend it enough! I gobbled it up in a day and evening!!

I would like to thank Dee MacDonald, Bookouture and Netgalley for the impunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.