Bloodshed on the Boards is the second in the Morwenna Mutton cosy mysteries. I've read the first book in the series.

I very much enjoyed this second book in the Morwenna Mutton series. Now that we know all about Morwenna and her family and why Morwenna first turned her hand to sleuthing, I feel the storyline flowed much better. I could fully invest in the mystery and how she would solve it. (I often find this with a cosy mystery series). And this one was a really entertaining and well-thought-out mystery - cosy it may well be, but I do like my mysteries to have a very good backstory, and this addition to the series certainly does.

I will certainly be reading more of the series and would recommend it to fans of the genre and to those who are already Judy Leigh fans. It was highly enjoyable.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy.

My Review: I love Judy Leigh/ Elena Collins and am so excited to have read this latest release with Morwenna Mutton uncovering another crime. I have the digital, paperback and audible of Bloodshed on the Boards and the narration on the audible is superb. Jilly Bond is as much Morwenna Mutton as Judy Leigh is. They both bring her to life perfectly.
It was so good, so funny and very clever. I can just imagine this series being televised.
The story surrounds a play, and Daniel, someone Morwenna’s mum was close to once upon a time. The interaction between Lamorna and her great grandchild Elowen is cute. Tamsin, Morwenna’s daughter seems the only ‘sensible’ one.
The clues and tiny nuggets of information that are casually hidden in the pages are weaved in perfectly. I had a fair few laugh out loud and chuckles to myself. A 5 star recommended read.

I have read a few of this authors books and always enjoy them although this is the first of her morewenna mutton mysteries series that I have read and didn’t realise that this one was the second in the series and hadn’t read foul play at seal bay beforehand although this didn’t detract from enjoying this story as it could be read as a standalone but will go back and read the first one.

This was a great who done it mystery with a cosy crime feel and set against the fabulous backdrop of Cornwall. I loved the Cornish language interwoven into the story and also how this author writes about the older generation creating fabulous characters that the reader can warm too. Morwenna was such a strong and interesting character with bags of energy and a zest for life.

I was on the blog tour with Rachel's Random Resources

http://ramblingmads.uk/2024/04/14/blog-tour-bloodshed-on-the-boards-judy-leigh/

Seal Bay residents welcome a travelling theatre company to the village, with excitement building as opening night approaches. Morwenna Mutton, local librarian and wild swimmer finds her investigative skills in demand again when one of the cast dies on stage. Was it natural causes or did someone have cause to help the death along? As Morwenna delves deeper into the case, it becomes apparent that it’s not going to be a short suspect list.

I loved the Cornish setting and the beautiful descriptions of the locality. The use of local language was also fascinating. The women in Morwenna’s family are wonderful, from her elderly but sprightly mother, to her young granddaughter. The strength shown by each of them gave the story an extra special element.

Morwenna is truly unique. At a time when most women would be happy to take it easy, she is intent on taking on more. Her work and family are important to her, but it is her determination to solve a mystery that makes her stand out. She is feisty and unrelenting. She puts herself in peril again and again, never stopping to consider the danger.

A great mystery with a fantastic leading lady.

4.5*
Bloodshed on the Boards is the second outing for Morwenna Mutton and the residents of Seal Bay. Morwenna is a lively, eccentric and determined lady in her early sixties. She has a full life, loves wild swimming and riding her electric bike, working part time at the library and helping out at the family’s tearoom. When it comes to her sleuthing instincts she doesn’t give up until she discovers the truth. Which is what happens when a travelling theatre group arrive in Seal Bay.

Lamorna, Morwenna’s mother, had been feeling a bit down lately but when the travelling theatre company arrives and she has a visit from
Daniel Kitto, actor, owner and director of the theatre company, her spirits lift considerably. They knew each other from way back and she always had a soft spot for him.

When Daniel collapsed on stage as the first performance was coming to a close, the police class it as a natural death due to a heart attack. Morwenna’s suspicious were aroused however when she realised how unpopular Daniel was with most of the cast and how many of them stood to gain from his death. But Morwenna’s investigations were putting her and her family at risk.

'Daniel rolled his eyes and tottered forward, grasping Arthur, ready for his final soliloquy. ‘I die — leaving behind all I love, my country, my son Arthur, my heir… I go to meet my queen Igraine in the afterlife. But I have given you the best part of me, O Cornweal, home of my ancestors…’ His voice became weak. ‘I will depart now with the promise that I will always…always…’ He fell to his knees, an arm extended. The audience held their breath. ‘always love…’ Then he was still.

He didn’t move.'

I can really picture the scene. I like the addition of the theatre and the company, expanding the pool of suspects…and a good number of red herrings. And of course, the setting and the individualistic characters are wonderfully realised. Well written with an enjoyable mystery. I really like the fact Judy Leigh peoples her books with more mature characters and Morwenna is one of my favourites. I have my fingers crossed for her and Ruan, although it looks like there might be another romance on the horizon.

The Mutton maids – all four generations of them – return in the second in this series of cosy Cornish mysteries.

While her mother, daughter and granddaughter are busy with old flames, work and a budding acting career respectively, Morwenna continues to swim in the icy cold waters of Seal Bay, ride her new electric bike around town, help out in the library and tea rooms, and avoid thinking about her ex with the help of a dashing new suitor. Until one of the travelling actors dies on stage and Morwenna can’t resist digging into the suspicious death, even when danger is threatened to herself and her loved ones.

I’m really enjoying this mystery series. It’s full of Cornish charm, in both setting and characters, but it is main character Morwenna Mutton that keeps drawing me back in. It’s refreshing to follow an older, female sleuth who is more focused on her own health and interests and looking after family than on romantic endeavours (although she does have her fair share of admirers!), and I really relate to her natural curiosity when things don’t seem right. Although I don’t think I would be as brave as Morwenna is when it comes to death threats and convenient ‘accidents’!

The mystery element of the plot kept me guessing right up until the culprit was revealed and the ultimate denouement thoroughly blindsided me too – I was too busy being cross with Morwenna for swanning off on her own with a suspect to notice all the clues! And for being so resistant to the lovely Ruan’s lovelorn loyalty – I know I’m not usual a fan of the romance, but I really am rooting for them to sort themselves out. And for little Elowen to get her dog, of course. She definitely needs an Oggy 3!

If you like cosy mysteries with a great sense of family and community running through them, then you should dip into Seal Bay. I’m sure Morwenna has many more mysteries in her future and I am thoroughly looking forward to diving into them with her… from my safe, dry, warm reading nook!

This is a strong mystery with enough twists and red herrings to keep it entertaining. But its strongest point is the characters, family and sense of community that is interwoven throughout the story. The Cornish setting is beautiful and the local vibes very much make it stand out as a distinct place. I got a little bit lost in the beginning keeping straight the characters but I figured it out without destroying the flow much.

Morwenna did one of the things that annoys me about amateur detectives: going off with a suspect alone even though she had taken some precautions. This is a pet peeve of mine so it lessened my enjoyment of the story at the very end.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

Four generations of the Mutton clan,
A returning love and theatrical plan,
A death no one else seems to find strange
Till Morwenna collects clues to rearrange!

A mermaid, King Arthur and swims in the sea,
Suspicions, suspects and a killer running free.
Can Morwenna the evidence piece correctly together -
Or will the killer remain free forever?

A hated man dies performing on stage,
The cast and crew seem on the same page.
His death means for them the shows carry on
Perhaps they’re too happy that now he has gone?

Another enthralling Cornish cosy crime thriller
With Morwenna Morton seeking the killer.
I really enjoyed it from beginning to end
And have no hesitation as this read I highly recommend!

For my copy of this book I say thank you
As I share with you this my honest review.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'Bloodshed On The Boards' by Judy Leigh.
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Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Judy Leigh, Rachel's Random Resources, Book And Tonic, Boldwood Books, Poison & Pens and The Bold Book Club.

Publication date 11th April 2024

This is the first book I have read by this author but it most definitely will not be my last! It is also the second book in Judy's 'A Morwenna Mutton' series but can be read as a standalone.

This novel consists of 33 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

Well done and thank you Judy on, and for, an absolutely amazing cozy mystery and a fantastic start (for me) in what promises to be an addictive series!!! This book is very smoothly written with vivid descriptions which really help you see what's going on around you as well as the storyline. The blurb and the cover compliment the novel perfectly.

I absolutely LOVED this book and cannot wait to read previous and future books in this series!!

I may have never read any of this authors books prior to this one but after sinking my teeth into this cracking and intriguing mystery I cannot wait to get stuck into the previous book and future books!! Judy's amazing and evocative writing skills really brought everything to life all throughout the story ensuring I could see the characters, the surroundings and feel everything the characters were feeling. In this cracking book we are taken to Seal Bay in the stunning location of Cornwall. I absolutely LOVE books that are set in Cornwall. I went on holiday to Cornwall last year and missed it before I read this book but OMG Judy has made me want to jump in the car and go straight back now!!! Judy's evocative writing skills ensures the readers are absolutely sucked into the stunning storyline with the atmosphere and characters coming to life all around them. I absolutely fell in love venturing back into Cornwall and Judy's vivid descriptions are absolutely perfect and evocative. I am just glad that I am returning to Cornwall next month otherwise I would be looking at holiday booking sites by now!! I became so invested in this book that it actually felt like going on a holiday and I absolutely dreaded coming to the end where I had to unpack my suitcase and get back to reality. However, when I return to Cornwall, unlike in this book The Spriggan Travelling Theatre Company will not be there!! However, in this page turner we do get to see them as they are in Seal Bay for a performance of King Arthur, Cornwall style of course!! The man who owns the theatre company is also Lamorna's old flame Daniel Kitto!! Lamorna's hopes rise when Daniel promises to move to Seal Bay. However, when there is a murder Lamorna's hopes are dashed due to the victim being Daniel! Daniel was not the most popular person so there are many suspects for Morwenna to look into. What was the reason Daniel was killed? Will Morwenna find the killer before they get away? Is Morwenna in danger? Well, pick up this absolutely fantastic page turner today to find out for yourself!! With a storyline ram packed with drama, action, murder, family, friends, a stunning location, afternoon teas, a gorgeous cat, romance and everything you could ask for in a cozy crime mystery you wont regret it!! I love the fact that Judy includes a Cast List and Glossary at the beginning of the book which I thought was a very nice and thoughtful touch so Thank You Judy for that!! The book is fast paced with one thing happening after another and I absolutely devoured it in one sitting. Every time I told myself just one more chapter it ended in a way that I just had to read one more and before I knew it I had devoured the whole book around in one sitting. I was walking around with my kindle glued to my hand as I just could not put it down!! Judy's fantastic evocative writing skills really bring the surroundings and characters to life and it makes you feel that you are standing right next to them throughout. I absolutely loved everything about this book and I am so pleased that I can go back and read the first book in this series!! All of the characters are realistic, have their own unique personalities, strengths and weaknesses and are all very well developed. Grab your copy of this fantastic book and discover for yourself how great this book is and trust me, you will not regret it and if your anything like me you will find a new author whose work you will fall in love with!! The storyline was realistic which I always prefer as it makes it more enjoyable to read when you can see that it is something that could happen. It is well constructed and traditional and what starts off as one mystery becomes quite multi layered with all the characters backgrounds coming out. It was a very compelling read and I would never have guessed who did and was hiding what and I was completely shocked by the mega twists. An absolutely fantastic read filled with suspense, mystery, twists and much more (I can't say much more as I don't want to spoil it for future readers) Congratulations Judy, it is getting harder and harder to surprise me and you did just that!!! I loved the addictive storyline and the fantastic characters and I really am looking forward to getting stuck into the rest of your books which I am off to add to my Amazon wish list as soon as I have finished this review!! With a fantastic storyline, unforgettable characters and twists and turns this book is perfect to devour in front of a fire on a winters day or relaxing on the beach under the sun!

Although this is the second book in the series I had absolutely no problems reading it without reading the first book which is called 'Foul Play At Seal Bay' and is one I'm looking forward to going back to and reading. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.

I absolutely LOVED meeting and getting to know all these refreshing new characters (for me as it is the first book I have read in this series) who are a delightful mix of personalities with intriguing backgrounds and each one was very compelling. Each and every character is realistic, well defined and leapt out of the pages at me every turn of a page!! Our main protagonist is 62 year old Morwenna who I absolutely loved but we also get to meet many members of her fantastic family including her 82 year old Mum Lamorna, 28 year old daughter Tamsin and 6 year old Granddaughter Elowen. Each of them had their own unique personalities, were all a breathe of fresh air and I just adored them all. I must admit though one of my favourites just had to be Brenda the cat!! I am a huge animal lover and run my own cat rescue called Golden Oldies Cat Rescue and Hospice (you can find me on social media if interested) so any books that contain animals is always a huge bonus for me and this has the bonus of having a cat which made me very happy!! I absolutely loved our main protagonist Morwenna who is just absolutely amazing and a strong female lead. I am always a fan of strong female protagonists in books being female myself and I was surprised at how quickly it was for me to think of Morwenna more as a friend than a fictional character, along with several other characters. I absolutely loved getting to know many of these characters and Judy's vivid and evocative descriptions makes it feels like the reader is standing next to Morwenna and meeting her and the other characters for yourself. I really cannot wait to get to meet many more of them again on my next visit in the first book in the Morwenna Mutton Mystery series which is called Foul Play At Seal Bay, as well as the future books in this series. I loved watching the way they all interacted with each other and seeing them change as individuals as well as relationships between characters throughout the storyline. Judy ensures that you really get close to them feeling everything that they are feeling and seeing everything that they are! Congratulations Judy on creating a fantastic collection of unique, varied, realistic and memorable characters who I am looking forward to meeting over and over!

Congratulations Judy on an absolutely fantastic and successful cosy mystery and I cannot wait to get stuck into more books in this promising series especially the first book to meet some of these amazing characters from the start!!! An absolutely perfect introduction to this series for me and I would like to welcome you to my favourite author club!! Here's to many more successes!!

Make sure you read to the very end of the book to read the first chapter of Judy's 'Foul Play At Seal Bay' which is the first book in this series and which promises to be just as amazing as this book and is one I'm definitely looking forward to reading myself!!!

Overall a quirky,fun, page turning, intriguing murder mystery that will keep you hooked!

314 pages.

This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle, free with Kindle Unlimited and £9.99 in paperback via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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3.2 Stars
One Liner: A nice read

The Spriggan Travelling Theatre Company arrived in Seal Bay and is all set to perform the Cornish version of King Arthur. Morwenna and the townsfolk are excited.
The stage is set, and the play is in progress when the actor and director, Daniel Kitto, falls dead for real. Turns out that Daniel has many enemies, and his death could benefit many actors from the theatre company.
Though the police have closed the case, calling it a natural death, Morwenna is determined to find the truth. Soon, her investigation takes her on dangerous paths. Can the sexagenarian librarian and amateur sleuth expose the killer without getting killed?
The story comes in Morwenna’s third-person POV.

My Thoughts:
The book starts a few months after the end of the previous one. It should work as a standalone, though there are a few references to that case. Nothing that connects with this mystery, though.
There are many characters to track (villagers and the actors), so it might be better to read book #1 first (not that I remember all of them, but I could get into the flow without difficulty).
The pacing is slow, which I expected. However, there is some sort of plot development to keep the story going. We also have Morwenna’s personal track to follow, so the story doesn’t drag.
The mystery is well done and keeps the reader guessing. There are a couple of red herrings and twists, though everything falls into place by the end.
I enjoyed the family dynamics in the first book. This had similar elements, though I didn’t find it as endearing as before. It could be due to some decisions Morwenna takes, which seem odd. Don’t want to reveal any spoilers, but the general vibe I get from her is of someone who is bored despite her active lifestyle and wants to latch on to this mystery. She seemed a bit too possessive about the case (this is MY case vibes).
PC Jane doesn’t get much space, which is another issue for me. I like her stability and determination. The police have almost no role until the end. While this is not uncommon in the genre, there are enough instances for the police to be involved, and Morwenna can still solve the case.
I love how the FMC is a 60+ woman who bikes her way through the hills and Seal Bay roads. However, I don’t particularly like her indecisiveness. Yeah, it is necessary for the subplot. Yet, I can’t help but say that if she allotted 10% of her sleuthing time to truly explore her feelings, things would be a lot better. This is a personal preference. I’m not a fan of indecisive characters.
Elowen is a treat to read. She is 6+ in this book and knows her mind (learn from her!). The kid wants a dog, a Labrador, and will take every opportunity to ask for one. Such an adorable sweetheart!
Lamorna, Tamsin, and the side characters are well done. Some are not rounded, but that’s fine. They do the job. We still have the ghost subplot as strong as ever. I will read book three if it deals with the ghost. I hope it does since we have a lead here.

To summarize, Bloodshed on the Boards is a nice mystery with interesting characters and a great setting. The story has its merits, though I have the same feeling as I did with book one.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

This is the second in a series of cosy mysteries set in the Cornish village of Seal Bay, featuring Morwenna Mutton as the protagonist. I read the first book in this series, Foul Play at Seal Bay, last year, and I enjoyed it, so I was looking forward to reading this.

I really enjoyed reading about Morwenna again, and from the first few pages, this book made me smile. I found the characters fun, quirky and endearing, and the Cornish setting felt like a little escape for me. In this book, I felt as though I got to know Morwenna better and began to connect with her a little bit. She seems to have a strong bond with some of the other characters, like Lamorna, Tamsin and Elowen, and that resonated with me. I enjoyed the humour throughout the book, and there were some moments when the characters and their behaviour made me chuckle.

Morwenna actually reminds me a little bit of M.C. Beaton’s Agatha Raisin, but I think she is a little bit warmer and kinder. I would recommend this series to cosy mystery fans. Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, Rachel's Random Resources, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

"Bloodshed on the Boards" by Judy Leigh is a thrilling and engaging mystery that transports readers to the charming seaside town of Seal Bay, where the arrival of a traveling theatre troupe brings more than just entertainment.

At the heart of the story is Morwenna Mutton, a spirited sexagenarian librarian with a penchant for wild swimming and amateur sleuthing. When tragedy strikes on the opening night of the Cornish version of King Arthur, Morwenna's curiosity is piqued, and she embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind the untimely death of actor and director Daniel Kitto.

Leigh skillfully weaves together elements of mystery, intrigue, and small-town charm, keeping readers guessing until the very end. As Morwenna delves deeper into the circumstances surrounding Daniel's demise, she uncovers a web of secrets and motives, leading her on a perilous journey where danger lurks around every corner.

What sets "Bloodshed on the Boards" apart is its richly drawn characters and vividly depicted setting. From the quirky residents of Seal Bay to the eccentric members of The Spriggan Travelling Theatre Company, each character leaps off the page with personality and depth. Leigh's attention to detail brings the seaside town to life, evoking a sense of nostalgia and warmth that envelops the reader from start to finish.

As Morwenna races against time to unravel the mystery, the stakes are raised, and the tension mounts, culminating in a thrilling and satisfying conclusion. "Bloodshed on the Boards" is a testament to Leigh's skill as a storyteller, delivering a gripping tale that will keep readers eagerly turning pages until the very end.

In conclusion, "Bloodshed on the Boards" is a must-read for fans of cozy mysteries and amateur sleuths. With its captivating plot, endearing characters, and charming setting, it's a delightful and entertaining read that will leave readers eagerly awaiting Morwenna Mutton's next adventure.

Morwenna Mutton is an eccentric and clever sixty-something that I love as I think the more you age the more you get the right to be eccentric and don't care about what other think about you.
I was glad to catch up with her and the cast of quirky characters. I liked them in the first instalment in this series and loved in this second one.
This is a well done and highly entertaining cosy mystery: there's the right level of mystery, small town vibe, weird characters that never take the front seat and makes the mystery an accidental part of the plot.
I love Judy Leigh's storytelling and style of writng and this solid and fast paced novel kept me hooked and being surprised.
Can't wait for the next one, this one is highly recommended.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for this arc, all opinions are mine.

I have been a fan of Judy and her work for a while now. I have read and thoroughly enjoyed each and every book that she has released to date. I must admit that at the moment I have a particular soft spot for Judy's cosy crime series, featuring the legendary character of Morwenna Mutton. I read and loved the first book in the series, which is called 'Foul Play At Seal Bay' and it was released in August 2023. Since then I have been (im)patiently waiting for the second book in the series to be released. Well ladies and gents, the wait is over because the second book in the series is called 'Bloodshed On The Boards' and it was released on 11th April 2024. I thought that the first book in the series was good but 'Bloodshed On The Boards' is even better. I LOVED 'Bloodshed On The Boards' but more about that in a bit.

I was drawn to 'Bloodshed On The Boards' by the fact that I saw Judy's name on the cover of a book that I knew I hadn't read yet. When I started reading the story itself, I quickly realised that I wouldn't be doing anything other than reading for the rest of the afternoon because I knew that I wouldn't be able to put the book down. So it proved to be. I was drawn into the story from the start. My Kindle wasn't exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I couldn't bear to miss a single second of the story. I had my own suspicions as to what was going to happen and of course I had to keep reading to see if I was anywhere near the truth or if I had wandered off in the opposite direction. The more of the book that I read, the more I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to turn. I was so wrapped up in the story and in the lives of the different characters that I didn't realise just how quickly the time was passing and the speed with which I was getting through the book. All too quickly I reached the end of 'Bloodshed On The Boards' and I had to say goodbye to Morwenna and the rest of the characters. I found 'Bloodshed On The Boards' to be an unputdownable, page turner of a read, which certainly kept me guessing.

'Bloodshed On The Boards' is superbly written but then I have come to expect nothing less from Judy Leigh. Judy has an easy going writing style that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. In fact reading one of Judy's books often feels more like a chat between friends rather than reading a book. Judy grabs the reader's attention from the start and draw them into what proves to be one heck of a story. Judy's love for her characters shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. She makes her characters seem just as real as you and I. In fact Judy makes the characters seem so real that I ended up feeling as though they were friends of mine rather than characters in a book. I love the way in which Judy makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action. That's how I felt anyway.

In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Bloodshed On The Boards' and I would definitely recommend the book to other readers. I look forward to reading much more of Judy's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

A cosy mystery set in a Cornish village. Morwena
Makes an interesting sleuth in a take of various twists and turns. An interesting set of villagers are well portrayed and I’m sure we will hear more of them in consequent storylines

The Mutton women and their friends and family are mostly “proper” Cornish, with their vocabulary of regional words for which there is a handy glossary. Four generations, all fiercely independent: Lamorna, her daughter Morwenna and her granddaughter Tamsin who run the local Proper Ansom Tearoom and Tamsin’s young daughter Elowen. Morwenna also works at the local library with her friends Louise and Donald, both of whom also join her in wild swimming together with young PC Jane Choy and the Lifeboat knitters Barb and Susan Grundy. The Spriggan Travelling Theatre Company, led by Daniel Kitto, has arrived in Seal Bay to perform a Cornish version of King Arthur. Daniel is an old boyfriend of Lamorna and will be retiring to the town where he spent his youth. It soon becomes clear he is not well loved by his fellow actors, particularly as he is set to pull out of financially backing the troupe. Everyone is excited for opening night but it’s not long before it all goes wrong as Daniel (Uther Pendragon) does far more than “break a leg”. As Morgan le Fey stabs him in the play, he falls down in a pool of fake blood but he never gets to finish his final speech before Queen Guinevere declares him dead. The paramedics think he had a heart attack and although the police in the form of the rather incompetent DI Rick Tremayne are happy that his death was from natural causes, Morwenna is not so sure. There are a number of people who benefit from Daniel’s death, and so once again Morwenna undertakes a bit of sleuthing.
It's great to see all the main characters from book one returning, with one obvious exception (you’ll need to read the book to find out what happened) and also lovely to see how much Morwenna and her ex-partner Ruan still care for each other. This is a cosy crime story with some gentle sleuthing, full of twists and turns, and even a little romance, although things do turn pretty hair-raising at times for Morwenna. The inhabitants of Seal Bay are charming, vibrant and humorous and there is plenty to love in this thoroughly engrossing story. Morwenna makes a great lead character and I am keen to read more in this lovely series.

Bloodshed on the Boards by Judy Leigh is a Morwenna Mutton Mystery – in fact, book two in the series. I read and enjoyed the previous one – Foul Play at Seal Bay – and was looking forward to catching up with everyone again.
It’s April. We catch up with Morwenna (62) and her family, with nice reminders of who everyone is. Morwenna likes swimming in the sea with her friends (the SWANs) and has a new electric bike and a busy life with work and the odd bit of sleuthing when necessary.
There’s her daughter Tamsin (28) and her granddaughter Elowen (6), who is a brilliantly funny character, very authentic. Morwenna’s mum Lamorna (82) lives nearby, as does Morwenna’s ex Ruan. There’s a gorgeous cat called Brenda too and even the cat jumps out of the page and is right there in front of your eyes. Judy Leigh has such a wonderful talent for bringing all her characters to life.
We are back in Seal Bay in Cornwall for another murder mystery. The Spriggan Travelling Theatre Company arrive in the area and are performing the Cornish version of King Arthur. One of them is Daniel Kitto (82), who is Lamorna’s old flame! He owns the theatre company and is promising to move to Seal Bay, rekindling Lamorna’s hopes of them getting back together.
But then… there’s a murder!!!
I don’t want to tell you any more of the story, because I’d recommend you read this wonderful book yourself and discover all its joys as it unfolds…
I have read lots of Judy’s books in all three genres she writes as (one as Elena Collins) and have loved all of them. As well as the humour and wit in her novels and the fabulous characters and stories, her settings are excellent too. In the Morwenna Mutton series, Seal Bay comes to life with its coast, all the little shops around and the people who live and work in the area. It’s all so easy to picture and you feel like you are there, right in with all the action. Having said that, I’m just popping into the Proper Ansom Tearoom for a pot of tea and a scone…

As a fan of Leigh’s novels about women of a certain age, when I found out she was writing a cozy murder mystery series, also with women of a certain age, I was thrilled. My regular readers know that I really enjoyed the first Morwenna Mutton book, and I’m thrilled that her publisher, Boldwood Books, is so generous with allowing me to read more of Leigh’s books. Now, this book was released yesterday, so my apologies for this being a day late, but it won’t be (as we American say) a dollar short, I’m sure. So, this time Morwenna finds murder even though no one else was even the slightest bit suspicious of the death. I mean, seriously, older men die all the time of heart attacks, especially octogenarians like Daniel Kitto. Thankfully, her skeptical imagination takes hold and although we’re all ready for this close-up, obviously the murderer would prefer Morwenna stay out of the theater altogether!

Usually, I have a bit of a hard time keeping track when there are many people in a story. However, what I like about Leigh’s extensive cast of characters (in this case, both literally and figuratively) is that Leigh really knows how to make them all very distinctive. Obviously, I’ve got the main ones all figured out with this second book, as well as most of the minor ones. That we get a whole new group of people with the travelling theater company was a touch worrying for me. But I shouldn’t have been concerned, because as I already said, Leigh has a knack of making them each their own individuals. She also gives them distinguishing names that help us tell who is who. Granted, I’m not sure I’m pronouncing all of the names correctly (is it mor-WEE-na, mor-WIN-eh, or something else?), but that’s neither here nor there.

In this book we get a bit more about some of the minor characters, like Morwenna’s ex, her mother, and her granddaughter. The latter was terribly fun and she made me smile quite a few times – I remember how insistent young children can be, so that tracked perfectly. I’m also glad that Morwenna now has a partly motorized bicycle, because I was worried those hills might be too much for her. Silly, I know, but when you read a series, you do tend to get emotionally attached to the main characters, that is if it is done right. Mind you, I was hoping I’d get a touch more about Ruen, Morwenna’s ex-husband, but I’m guessing Leigh is holding back with him for future episodes. I did like the budding romance between Morwenna and Barnaby (from the previous book), and I also appreciated how Leigh is treading lightly with this aspect of the story, and letting Morwenna discover for herself what kind of a romantic relationship she wants in her life, if any.

As for the plot, this isn’t the most twisty story I’ve ever read, but there are a couple rabbit holes that Morwenna does go down, and thankfully, one of them proves to be very useful to discovering the murderer. What Leigh does instead, is slowly reveal things about the various characters in order to either cast light or shadow on each of them. You know, sort of like the old peeling away each layer of the onion to get to the center. This also means that some characters that feel very minor to begin with, end up having more importance in solving the murder. Also, kudos to Leigh in her pacing with this novel, including one harrowing car chase that did raise my blood pressure a bit. Mind you, I think the police were a bit too lenient with Morwenna’s nosing in on the investigation, but that is partly explained by the fact that the authorities weren’t even considering Daniel’s death as suspicious until Morwenna began digging about.

So, what’s my bottom line here? Because this book made me smile several times, and I did almost choke up at one point, I think I’ll once again very warmly recommend this second installment. For all this, I think it deserves 4.75 stars out of five (I really should get a graphic for that rating, but until I do… the five star graphic will have to suffice).

Bloodshed On The Boards is an engaging, cosy mystery set in Cornwall with a believable cast of characters and a charming amateur sleuth in Morwenna. Everyone is excited when the travelling theatre comes to town, but not all the drama is fictional. Morwenna is soon investigating a suspicious death, which puts her family in danger. The plot is twisty, the investigation immersive, and this story contains a lovely mix of humour, poignancy and romance. I love the dynamic between Morwenna and her family and friends, the theatrical setting and the gentle romance that contrasts with the intriguing mystery.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.