Murder in Merrywell is an entertaining cosy mystery, and the first in a new series by Jane Bettany, author of the wonderful D.I. Isabel Blood series.

While the cover image rather confusingly depicts the village of Castle Combe in Wiltshire, Murder in Merrywell is actually set in an eponymous fictional town in Derbyshire, somewhere in the vicinity of real life Rowsley.

Recently-divorced former journalist Violet Brewster has recently relocated from London to Merrywell, and is engaged by the local parish council to make a short video depicting the history of the village and the memories of local residents. Before long, Violet stumbles upon a 40-year-old mystery, the sudden disappearance of local woman Helen Slingsby in 1982. Violet's interest in the matter certainly stirs up some ill-feeling, as she receives more than one anonymous message imploring her to stop asking questions.

When an elderly resident of the village, who had recently given Violet an interview for her film, is found murdered in her cottage, it becomes apparent that someone is willing to kill to protect a long-held secret. Can Violet solve the 40-year-old mystery and finish her film, before she becomes the next victim?

Jane Bettany establishes an evocative Derbyshire setting, which is why the Cotswolds image on the cover of the book seemed jarring. The characters are varied and interesting, from Violet herself to the supporting cast of local residents, who range from helpful to pompous to downright interfering. The narrative achieves a convincing cosy-mystery style, somewhat of a departure from Bettany's darker Isabel Blood police procedural series. As readers of cosy mysteries expect, the underlying mystery plot is balanced with light humour, village life and the prospect of future romance between Violet and widowed joiner Matthew Collis.

I'd highly recommend Murder in Merrywell to lovers of cosy mysteries and evocative rural village settings.

My thanks to the author, Jane Bettany, publisher HQ, HQ Digital and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Murder in Merrywell by Jane Bettany is an enticing start to a new cozy mystery series. The story revolves around Violet Brewster, an amateur sleuth who has recently moved to the peaceful village of Merrywell. However, her hopes of embracing the quiet village life are shattered when she becomes entangled in a decades-old mystery surrounding the disappearance of Helen Slingsby.

As Violet delves into the mystery, she finds herself unable to uncover any trace of the missing woman. Yet, as she interacts with the villagers, she senses an underlying sinister presence beneath the village’s seemingly idyllic facade. When a villager is found dead in their own home, Violet becomes convinced that the murder is connected to Helen’s disappearance. She becomes determined to solve this forty-year-old mystery before more harm befalls Merrywell.

Bettany’s writing style makes for an easy and fast-paced read, keeping readers engaged with plenty of twists and turns throughout the narrative. The setting of the English village adds a charming and authentic atmosphere to the story, drawing readers into the world of Merrywell. The author skillfully introduces likable characters, though I struggled a little with Violet’s portrayal. At times, her character feels a bit overwhelming, but it will be interesting to see how she develops throughout the series.

Overall, Murder in Merrywell is an entertaining and gripping English cozy mystery. The book boasts a lovely cover and promises a delightful reading experience. With its engaging plot and compelling characters, it leaves readers eagerly anticipating more from this talented author.

**ARC Via NetGalley**

Fun, engaging cozy with memorable characters and secrets anplenty. Looking forward to the next installment.

I found this novel to be a bit tedious at times, there was a lot of unnecessary detail about what people where eating and drinking. I’m aware that the author was just setting the scene, and this story definitely felt like it was the beginning of a series. Intriguing at times, but written in an Agatha Christie, Miss Marple kind of way, where none of the characters are too grief stricken or perturbed about the murder in the village. Our main character, Violet, is inquisitive in quite an annoying fashion, and is not the easiest character to like. This one was quite enjoyable, but if it does become a series, I will be hesitant to read the next instalment. Thanks to Netgalley and HQ for an Arc of this novel.

3⭐️— as always, if it is claimed as a cozy mystery, it will always have a way to my heart. Whether it was because of the storyline, the stupidity on the stupidity of when it comes to the solving the mystery, the culture, or the sarcasm. For the first book I read from this author, it wasn’t that much disappointing but it could be written much more. It took place in Scotland, especially in Merrywell which why do the cozy mysteries always take place anywhere in England LMAO.

It happened when Violet decided to open her business in Merrywell focusing on making memories in a box or sort of. While she was making documentaries in video form, she unexpectedly come to terms with where the mystery about Helen in Merrywell unfolded. Due to her curiosity, she tried to pick up the pieces together and she even tried to ask for help from her ex-husband but get turned down because it was 35-40 years in the past. As time goes by and one unexpected event of murder happens in Merrywell when she tried to dig into the past, leading to the surprising story that steers the connection between the recent murder and the disappearance of Helen.

Issue from my POVs:
①The Knowledge of Merrywell; (1)famous for its bakery, (2)nice and quiet place, (3)small town → gossip spread around easily [walls have ears] → when it comes to village gossip, it can be hard to decipher fact from fiction.
②Brazilian coffee has the strongest blend (?)
③Plant symbolism, → Soleirolia soleirolli plant known as a plant that everybody could send to the enemy without hesitation
④Animal Symbolism → someone who has a memory like an elephant means that they are having a great memory of remembering
⑤Doctor - patient confidentiality, it was no secret anymore as much as like your secret safe with me in a human normally a possible way. Or almost the same as what happened in Italy stays in Italy sort of thing
⑥Looks can be deceiving baby
⑦Adore doing something but sometimes doesn’t admire the result, it happened to a few people like some people love to read but do not like to write v.v. → in this case is someone who loves baking but doesn’t like to eat the one she was making
⑧Parents instinct → whatever happened to the children, they would most like to blame themselves first and question what was wrong in their education or anything they did. For example, Matthew and his parent
⑨Few of Scotland Idiom or British? keep things under your hat → keep secrets under your own radar
⑩Money is the source of the problem, when was it doesn’t??

The Characters, I had few suspects when it comes to the murderer and who did what happened to Helen. However, if I was reading this in one sitting, I would probably guess it right. However, because I wasn’t when the suspect turned out to be that person. I was like “Um.. OK, who is he/she? and why I was confused”. The characters in this book have their own loving way to my heart, also I love Violet’s eagerness to solve the mystery. It makes me want to read more about her story in the next book as this book will be known as the first book of the series. Also, the author has a great job making the reader, me, especially guess suspicious acts on every character in the book!

The Storyline, it was wonderful in a well-good manner of writing. She possibly has her own style of writing because I was captivated and sometimes forgot that this is supposed to be a cozy mystery book LMAO. She also adds some culture of the village, Scotland, and the baking! It was mesmerizing in its own way to my heart. Oh, I do love the flowchart Violet make for solving the mystery 5W + 1H, way to go mam!

Overall, I did enjoy this book even though the ending and a few suspicious people were too much to understand. It almost feels like a merry-go-round and round but in a sense good enough. It was confusing but putting two and two together in the story would be good enough for guessing about it. Also, it might not be relatable but some villages always have their own dark past and this dark past just unfolds 40 years-ish later? Damn… I’m in for the mystery. The business Violet had is inspiring and unknown type, it would be awesome to have that, don’t you think?

Some odds things I gather:
➊The one who discovered the body → umm, how and it just doesn’t make sense in a logical way of discover a body
➋This doctor-patient confidentiality that passing the secret between doctor and patient that Helen discovered, umm it just wrong in a bad manner way. Because I know it might happen all the time but come on, what’s the point to bring that up and just spreading it out suddenly in the same time that happened to be at a fast pace??
➌Unfinished act between some characters in the book is odd enough because the book just ended like that and it feels like in a rush of finishing.

Thoroughly enjoyed this gripping, easy-to-read cosy crime, the first in a new series from Jane Bettany. Violet Brewster is a feisty, likeable heroine, with a taste for good coffee and delicious cakes and a head for solving crime. Nice, too, to have a female main character who's a little older...!
Violet is confident and capable and won't take no for an answer but there's a vulnerability to her too, which we see in the scenes with her ex-husband, which I thought were very believable and very nicely drawn.
I did wonder about Matthew and whether there might be a romance brewing there! (no pun intended). I do hope so, as I look forward to reading more about him - and the other fascinating characters - in the next book. Love the Derbyshire setting too. I could almost see the hills and the stone walls.
Above all, this was a novel that kept me wondering and it had that 'just one more chapter.' effect!
Great stuff - more please!

It's always rewarding to read a book with a familiar setting, and this one is set in the Peak District, an area I like and know well. Violet is a newly divorced resident of Merrywell; she embarks on a new life and career. While making a community memory film, she is asked to help with a historical mystery, which grips her and leads her into danger. The setting is rural and easy to visualise, the characters are varied and full of secrets, and the plot gradually draws readers into the mystery. I like the immersive quality of this story and the intelligent and likeable protagonist.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

A delightfully quaint English Manor Mystery.

Sometimes there is nothing better than curling up with a good book on and a hot mug of tea. And that is exactly what this book feels like.

Bettany has created a masterful cozy mystery heroine in her new Violet Brewster series, and I must say, I am a huge fan. The town of Merrywell is a cut from any British Murder mystery TV series, much like Midsommer Murders. And Violet, while similar to some other famous English lady sleuths, has a vibrancy of spirit that keeps the story grounded and lovely.

With some interesting plot turns, and a possible romantic interest (?) this first in the series proves to be a delightful page turner.

I loved this first entry in the Violet Brewster series, and the small village of Merrywell provides the perfect setting for solving the mystery of a woman who has been missing for forty years.

This is the first a in a new cozy series and there's a lot of potential and it promises to become a favorite.
Violet is well rounded and likeable characters, the quaint village and the fleshed out characters are interesting and I liked them.
I liked the idea of creating video of interviews with common people and loved how this was about memories of the past.
The mystery is solid, a cold case which is affecting the present and causing grief and death.
I enjoyed the plot and the solution.
I hope to read a new story soon.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

Promoted as a cozy mystery, I actually found this novel to be slightly more than that. Set in the village of Merrywell, newcomer Violet Brewster investigates a decades old disappearance.
I found that I drifted in and out of this novel. At times I was thoroughly engaged and then my interest waned a little. Well written but a few too many characters for my liking, I never really felt that I got to know any of them.
Well written and I would not be averse to reading future Stories.


Thanks to NetGalley and HQ Digital for providing me with an Advance Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

The first in what will undoubtedly be a series of cozy mysteries, Murder in Merrywell is a romp of a mystery, with ex-journalist Violet Brewster as it's incorrigibly curious investigator, and a cast of villagers equal parts kind and suspicious populating the town, this is a quick and satisfying read.

A fabulous cosy crime mystery set in the quiet country village of Merrywell.
Ex journalist and amateur sleuth Violet Brewster has moved from London and settled in Merrywell.
She has started a new business venture “The Memory Box” and is commissioned by the village parish council to produce a community video for the village.
It’s while she is interviewing locals of their recollections of Merrywell she discovers about Helen, a missing person who disappeared from the village 40 years ago.
Violet’s investigative skills come into play as she tries to find out what happened to Helen.
Well written with lots of strong characters.
I enjoyed getting to know Violet Brewster and it seems she just can’t help but get involved when there is a mystery to be solved.
Reminiscent of Midsummer Murders or Miss Marple
Look forward to next title in the series - Murder at the Book Festival
Thank you to @JaneBettany @Hqstories & @netgalley for the advance eARC

A very enjoyable introduction to Violet Brewster, an ex-journalist who has recently moved to the village of Merrywell in the Peak District.

She is told about a missing person by one of the villagers (they have been missing for 40 years) and, unsurprisingly for an ex-journalist, decides to investigate further. Her missing person investigation soon becomes a murder mystery, which Violet is convinced is connected to the missing person in some way.
What follows is a well paced, cozy mystery with interesting characters and plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing.

Jane Bettany does a very good job of introducing Violet and setting the scene to what I hope will be many more books in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy in return for an honest review.

Murder in Merrywell by Jane Bettany.
Violet Brewster mystery book 1.
Ex-journalist Violet Brewster is keen to make a good first impression in her new community, having just moved to the small village of Merrywell. When Violet hears about the mystery of Helen Slingsby, who disappeared from the village forty years earlier, she decides to help uncover what happened. But despite Violet’s best efforts, she can find no trace of the missing woman.
As Violet talks to the other residents, it becomes apparent that something sinister is lurking beneath the village’s idyllic exterior.
When a villager is found dead in their home, Violet becomes convinced that the murder is connected to Helen. Did Helen ever really leave Merrywell? Who in the village is hiding something? And can Violet finally solve this forty-year-old mystery before someone else gets hurt?
Did enjoy this book. I loved Violet and how she was. Gripping. 5*.

Ex-journalist & divorcée Violet Brewster is keen to make a good first impression in her new community, having just moved to the small village of Merrywell in the Peak District. When Violet hears about the mystery of Helen Slingsby, who disappeared from the village forty years earlier, she decides to help uncover what happened. As Violet talks to the other residents, it becomes apparent that something sinister is lurking beneath the village’s idyllic exterior. When a villager is found dead in their home, Violet becomes convinced that the murder is connected to Helen.
A new author to me & a new series, a well written book with strong characters & I look forward to seeing how they develop in future books. The pace is slow to begin with but with a new series there's the scene setting & introduction of characters, I enjoyed getting to know Violet & the villagers. There were twists & turns & I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery. A good start to the series
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Good start to a new series! I was worried this might be too long, but everything unfolds at just the right speed and before I knew it, I was at the end. The mystery was intriguing and had plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing, not not so many as to overwhelm you. Also, I love when a MC recognises that they did a poor job “solving” the mystery.

I don't usually read Cosy Crime. I chose this book because I love the author's DI Isobel Blood Series. And I'm so glad I did! I really enjoyed getting to know Violet and the rest of the occupants of Merrywell. I look forward to reading more from this ballsy amateur sleuth.

Solid cosy country village mystery that I enjoyed. I especially liked the main character, Violet, who is engaging. I think the characters here will grow as the series goes on.

When I read the description of this book, that it was a cosy mystery set is a small English village, I jumped at the opportunity to read it. I adore cosies with that setting, because you know you're going to have amazing settings and interesting characters. It also means the interactions between the characters are deeper, due to the closeness of the community. And, I would love to live in a village like that.

This book does provide the settings and the community closeness, as Merrywell is a village where everybody seems to know everybody. While these elements were well done, I thought a lot of the dialogue felt rigid. It didn't have the comfortable feel of a cosy mystery - it didn't feel natural. But, many of the characters are engaging, including the protagonist, which you do need in a cosy. Plus, she's an undeniable snoop. Another big element all cosies must have. So, it's a mix of me for the cosy elements of this book.

For the mystery, I thought it was solid. The twists seemed a bit foretold in a way. But I did like the way the mystery evolved from a humble question into something of a larger scale. That does start to draw you into the mystery more and more, as more characters are introduced or suspected. The author does well to draw many suspects out of a small community.

I think this first book in what, I suspect, will become a series, will draw many readers in as they get to learn more and more about Merrywell and the people who live there. I would read the next in the series.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book for an honest review. All comments are my own.