A traditional old school murder mystery set in an English village in the 1970s. This scored higher on charm and nostalgia than on originality but was okay to pass the time.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review the book.

As usual in my reviews I will not rehash the plot or publisher's blurb - instead I recommend that you read this for yourself.

This is the first book in a new series featuring "Maisie Cooper", the main character in this novel. The book is in the classic "cosy murder mystery" genre, and is set during the 1970s, a decade I remember well. It was interesting to realise how much social attitudes, communication and behaviours have changed since then (well it was 50 years ago I guess!). The book triggered several personal memories - I was reminded of my Dad's car (the model is mentioned!), and I'd forgotten the chaos brought about by the recurring power cuts.

There are some interesting characters - some of whom will recur in future books I think. Maisie is very likeable and has had an interesting life, and the other characters were well thought out and believable.

I liked the writing style, and the dialogue felt realistic too. The plot featured several red herrings, and I didn't guess the ending (as I often do), so bonus marks for that.

An excellent start to a series that I will follow with interest.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

Murder at Church Lodge by Greg Mosse is a delightful British cosy crime novel that weaves an engaging tale of mystery, secrets, and a small village with a dark underbelly. The novel's charming protagonist, Maisie Cooper, is drawn back to the picturesque village of Framlington after receiving a cryptic message from her brother, Stephen. However, upon her return, she discovers that her brother has been brutally murdered.

One of the standout features of this book is Mosse's engaging writing style. He masterfully brings the village of Framlington to life with vivid descriptions and a cast of well-developed and intriguing characters. The village setting is quintessential, with its gossiping residents, quirky personalities, and hidden agendas, all of which add layers of complexity to the mystery.

As Maisie delves deeper into the investigation, the story is skilfully peppered with red herrings and near misses, keeping readers on their toes and engaged until the very end. The plot's progression is cleverly crafted, making it an absorbing read for mystery enthusiasts. The slow-burning romance between Maisie and local policeman Jack adds a sweet and heartwarming touch to the story. Their chemistry and history together make their evolving relationship a captivating subplot that adds depth to the narrative.

Murder at Church Lodge is a compelling and enjoyable cosy mystery with a well-crafted plot, relatable characters, and a touch of romance. Greg Mosse's storytelling draws readers into the heart of a small village hiding dark secrets, making it a captivating read for fans of the genre. Despite a few minor quibbles, the novel is a strong start to what promises to be an engaging series.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book brought back many memories of life in the 1970s. Not all bad. An interesting well-written book. REcommended.

Murder at Church Lodge is the first Maisie Cooper book in Greg Mosse’s new murder mystery series.
In short, Maisie’s brother reaches out for help, so Maisie immediately leaves Paris to return to the village of Framlington to help him only to find out she’s too late he’s dead, he’s been murdered! Frustrated by the police’s slow investigation she starts her quest in finding out who murdered him and why. It’s not going to be as straightforward as she hoped as the deeper she digs the more sinister the situation becomes…people did odd things when there were secrets they were obliged to conceal!
It’s a well written, typically English, old school murder mystery with lots going on to chew over…it’s definitely an easy read which was something I needed as a refresh after reading a copious amount of tough, gritty crime thrillers, so noting that the publisher was Hodder and Stoughton I guessed it would be a good read too.
Big thanks to Greg Mosse, Hodder and Stoughton and NetGalley for this eARC which I chose to read in return for my honest review.

I enjoyed this book very much mainly because it is set near to where I live. It is set in the early 1970s and I liked the period detail of that time especially in terms of social mores, manners and culture. Maisie hasn't seen her brother since their parents died quite tragically. He lived in a litlle village near Chichester and her life was in Paris. Stephen is found dead in what at first seems to be an accident. However, increasingly it appears that Stephen was murdered but why? Maisie knew very little about her brother's life in the village and as we meet various residents and find out more about his life we eventually discover why he was murdered and who did it. There are lots of red herrings and various villagers could have been responsible so it does keep you guessing unti the end. I thoroughly enjoyed this book so thanks go to Netgalley for the opportuity to read and review it.

This classic cosy crime novel is the first in a series, bringing Maisie back to a quiet English village where she has been summoned by the brother she's not seen for years, only to discover he has been murdered. Inevitably, the village and its inhabitants have plenty of secrets which Maisie has to get to the bottom of.
In a 1970s world with no mobile phones or social media but plenty of power blackouts, it's an interesting setting and premise and Maisie proves a very able sleuth.
The classic Agatha Christie-style ending of having the suspects all in the same room at the end as the case and clues are summarised had me leafing back through the book to realise what I'd missed.
It's a gentle, nostalgic story, written well, and would transfer easily to the TV screen, especially early on a Sunday evening.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.

Excellent series debut. Set in Chichester during the 70's this easy reading mystery provides a detailed picture of life in rural England juxtaposed with Maisie's idealised reminiscing over her exotic life in Paris.
Cleverly written with a twisting plot. Highly recommended.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

Slow to start but as the pace picked up I was engrossed in Murder at Church Lodge by Greg Mosse. Maisie was an engaging lead character who became caught up in trying to solve her brother's death without behaving recklessly or assuming that she knew better than the police. The village ensemble comprised characters I hope we will get to know better as the series progrsses.

Maisie is back in Framlington, the little West Sussex village she grew up in, attending her brother Stephen’s funeral.
Her brother had contacted her out of the blue for help before he was murdered, she starts her own investigation as she feels the p9lice investigation is going too slow,
A gripping British cosy crime mystery with plenty of red herrings.
With a village full of eccentric characters, everyone is a potential suspect.
It’s gently paced rather than action packed, which is part of it’s charm.
Hope it’s the first of a series of books involving Maisie Cooper.
Thanks @gregmosse, @hodderbooks & @netgalley for the eARC

After reading this I was really pleased to see that it’s the start of a series. Wonderful news. Maisie is called back to her home town by her brother but when she gets there he’s dead. And it turns out to be murder! And the policeman looking after the case is someone she kissed back in school. He’s never forgotten her but it takes her a while to remember him. There’s also been a robbery. But where are the stolen goods. I loved the twists and turns in this book and can’t wait for the next one

Murder at Church Lodge is a cosy mystery with a lot of heart that sucked me in from page one and kept me guessing until the end. So what’s it about?

Maisie Cooper left her home village in England years ago and lives happily in Paris. When her estranged brother, Stephen, leaves her a garbled voice mail suggesting that she needs to return to the village to see him urgently, she instantly packs a bag. But by the time she arrives, Stephen is dead, and the postmortem proves that he’s been murdered.

As Maisie sets about arranging the funeral and sorting out his affairs, she discovers more than she bargained for. The village is harbouring a dark secret and Maisie makes it her mission to uncover the facts, and the culprits.

I loved the author’s engaging and witty writing style. He beautifully weaves an intriguing plot against a vividly described backdrop of ‘sleepy’ village life - greedy landlords, shady retired business men, the local gossip, little old ladies, the focal point of the village shop, all of whom are very well developed as individual and interesting characters. And all with motives that me guessing.

As a romance fan, I enjoyed the sweet, slow burn ‘will they won’t they’ storyline between Maisie and the local policeman Jack, who has held a candle for her since they were teenagers.

Murder at Church Lodge is a gripping and enjoyable read, full of red herrings, near misses, a dash of romance and a very
clever ending. I can’t recommend it enough. Fans of Richard Osman will want to snap this one up quickly!

3.3 Stars
One Liner: A mixed read

Maisie Cooper left her village and her brother many years ago. She had been in Paris, enjoying life as a tourist guide. But when she receives a message from her brother Stephen, Maisie decides to come down for a holiday. However, she is shocked to find out that Stephen had died before she reached the village.
With the local police and the Special Branch interested in her brother, Maisie realizes she should find out the truth. People don’t want to tell her things (or those who do leave a lot of gaps), and soon a second death crooks the village.
Maisie will not stop until she knows what happened.
The story comes mainly from the third-person POV of Maisie, with a few scenes from Sergeant Jack’s Wingard POV.

My Thoughts:
The premise and cover were enough for me to request this book right away. I loved the dark-ish vibes of the plot while knowing it will still be a small-town cozy mystery set in a village in England.
The prologue is intriguing and sets the stage for the plot to develop. Stephen has many faults and is in no way a likable character. However, we see that he had a few redeeming qualities, which weren’t enough to save his life.
Maisie is intriguing enough, though it’s hard to relate to her. I blame this more on the narration than the characterization. The writing doesn’t do justice to the character.
My biggest issue is the lack of clear indication about the period the story is set in. I thought it was a contemporary cozy in the present time. But soon, I realized it was from when we had no mobile phones or internet. Then at 47%, we see the year 1972 mentioned in the newspaper. This may not be an issue for UK readers as they can guess the timeline based on the references to power cuts and the oil crisis. However, it isn’t a period I’m familiar with, and the references were lost on me. I could only guess it to be after WWII.
The pacing is slow and detailed, a little too detailed with a lot of 'tell'. While some red herrings are good, the plot, as such, feels unnecessarily convoluted. There’s a lot of information, investigation, and guesswork to fit into a single week.
Sergeant Jack Wingard’s POV was a bore. I should have empathized a little with him, but the way it’s written makes it hard to take his side. He sounds whiny whenever he thinks of Maisie. Not just his POV, even the scenes with Maisie sound odd and off. The side characters are interesting enough, but none of them stand out. They do their bit to keep the plot going.
Furthermore, there isn’t enough chemistry between Maisie and Jack. I know this is the first book in the series, but the subplot can’t be so slow. At the least, the conversation should have happened before the book ended. And I can only hope there won’t be a love triangle.
The action scenes were well done. Maisie is no damsel in distress. She can save herself and even attack if required. At the same time, she is not fearless or ready to handle any situation. The combination of vulnerability and self-defense skills work well together.

To summarize, Murder at Church Lodge is a decent start to a new cozy mystery series. It’s promising but falls short (mainly due to the writing style). The blurb for book two is interesting, so I’ll check it out when the copies are available.
Thank you, NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

When Maisie returns to her home town in the countryside she is devastated to discover that her brother has been murdered. Desperate for answers, she begins an investigation herself.

A brilliant cosy mystery with plenty of twists and turns.

I absolutely adored Maisie as a character. She was strong, fearless and inquisitive - everything that you could want in a protagonist. I can't wait to see more from Maisie in the next book.

Both the English village and the 1970s time period made for the perfect setting. It gave a very Golden Age crime feel. The lack of modern technology allowed the story to focus on the plot and characters.

There were some incredibly tense moments where I couldn't read quickly enough to find out what would happen. This book will definitely keep you hooked until the last page.

Thank you NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Maisie left the picture-perfect village of Framlington years ago & is living in Paris. But when her brother Stephen asks for her help out of the blue she soon finds herself back among the windy lanes and open green fields. But it's not the family reunion she hoped for - upon arrival she learns that she's too late. Stephen is dead. And not just dead - murdered. Frustrated by the slow police investigation headed up by handsome Sergeant Wingard, Maisie determines to start asking questions herself. Then another death rocks the community.
A new author to me & a new series, it was a well written cosy mystery, it started slowly but the pace built as did the tension. The characters had depth & were well portrayed, I really like Maisie & will be interested to see how her character develops. There are plenty of suspects & the village has a good mix of characters. I also loved that the author gave a true feeling of the early 1970's with power cuts & miners' strikes. There were twists & turns as well as red herrings. A thoroughly enjoyable mystery
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

An enjoyable read but lacked depth. Maisie, who's brother had been murdered went around asking lots of questions, but the reader didn't get any real feel for the characters except Hillary and Maurice, the neighbours.
There was the usual final reveal with all the characters together. It was as though the plot had been detailed to the nth degree and the characters used to fill the gaps eg. June was murdered early onto get her father involved then totally ignored.
I may have been a bit harsh in my review but as a first effort I suspect the next book will be much better.

This is a new intriguing cozy series. There's a lot of tropes in common with the classic cozy mysteries but Maisie and the characters are very original and I loved them.
A bit slow at the beginning it kept me reading as I was involved in the story and wanted to know what was going to happen and discover the uncountable secrets behind the murder.
It's a solid mystery, the mystery never takes the backseat and the plot flows and kept me turning pages.
I couldn't guess the culprit and thoroughly enjoyed this story.
Can't wait to read a new one.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Maisie Cooper hasn't seen her brother in years. So it's a surprise when he gets in touch out of the blue. But when she returns to the village they grew up in, she discovers that he's dead. Not just dead - murdered. As Maisie investigates, she starts to uncover a sinister mystery at the heart of the perfect little village. Why is everyone so reluctant to answer her questions? Is the murder connected to the recent Cathedral robbery? What was her brother going to tell her before his untimely demise.

Set in the 1970s - Oh I do like a cosy mystery, and this one does not disappoint. Maisie has travelled from Paris to Framlington in Sussex to see her brother Stephan who she hadn't seen for years. But when she gets there, she finds out that Stephan had been murdered. Maisie decides to try and get to the bottom of her brother's murder. The story references some of the things that actually too place in the 70s. I quite enjoyed this first book in a new series, and I will definitely be looking out for the next installment.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HodderStoughton and the author #GregMosse for my ARC of #MurderAtChurchLodge in exchange for an honest review.

With an enticing prologue, the reader is drawn into a close-knit community and the secrets of its inhabitants. This is a historical cosy mystery written in a classic style with an enigmatic amateur sleuth and a village full of suspects. It is detailed and gently paced. Full of intrigue and secrets rather than action and suspense. Maisie is a complex and likeable character, but the pacing and the details make this story less engaging than I hoped for. I like the main protagonist and the village setting, which is believable.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Overall 3.75*
The setting is a village in England in the early 1970's and had I not lived through the era, I'd have placed the timeline earlier - not sure if it was the writing which did this as the events were correct. The story overall jogged along at a reasonable pace occasionally becoming a bit bogged down. Good story and some interesting facts especially about the Arabic.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC to review.