Daphne Brewster's move - with her white husband and biracial kids - to the wilds of the English countryside and the quaint village of Pudding Corner has gone unexpectedly well. All three of her children love it there, and Daphne herself, as a black British woman, has found the adjustment easier than she expected, despite the alarming night time quietude of her immediate surroundings.

She loves their new home, and has even began a small business of her own in the village, customising and restoring furniture, that is in great demand. In the process, she has made friends with Minerva, a shy woman who is part of a Wiccan community in the woods. Minerva's son Silvanus soon becomes fast friends with the Brewster children.

Still, all this is about to go pear-shaped with the mysterious death of the populous school headmaster, Charles Pappleworth. Because in this safe little corner of the bucolic countryside, it turns out that Charles Pappleworth has been murdered!

When suspicion unexpectedly falls on Minerva, Daphne throws herself into Miss Marple-style amateur sleuthing, to her husband's immense dismay, and with some entirely unexpected consequences...

This is a charming and wholesome take with well drawn characters, great good humour, and a surprisingly long suspect list. A very enjoyable read. It gets 3.5 stars.

Daphne tells herself at the end of the book to never ever ever talk to strangers again, but how would that be possible in a village that was completely new to her and therefore everyone unknown to her after she left London?!

Don't be fooled by the low-key, toned down cover as this is a book bursting with secretive and yet quite colorful characters! Yes, there is death amongst the dahlia's, but there is so much more than that...

Good thing I saw on Goodreads that this is a first in a series. I honestly can't wait :)

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.