A gripping cozy mystery which I just couldn't put down. It had me guessing all the way through until the end. I loved this book and I hope there will be more to come. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I do like this series. I love Aunt Violet and how she encourages but also teaches Hannah to value her independence. However, she doesn’t entirely disregard social rules. I had to first ask what Violet was doing, and then Hannah. I thought both women were happy with their significant other, but now there was unhappiness. Thankfully, it was resolved but I was lost at first.

The mystery has several red herrings, but Hannah followed one of my biggest pet peeves. She put herself in danger without any backup or even a proper escape plan.

Overall, I rate this novel 4 out of 5 stars.

I really enjoyed this installment in the *Miss Merrill and Aunt Violet* mystery series! Even though I hadn’t read the first three, I had no trouble slipping into the world of Hannah and Violet and their charming bookshop in Covent Garden.

This book has everything I love in a cozy historical mystery; an atmospheric London setting, a suspicious death, and two women who refuse to let things go unexplained. The mystery is layered and well-paced.

Hannah and Aunt Violet make a brilliant investigative duo. If you’re a fan of Agatha Christie or Verity Bright, this is a series worth diving into. I’ll definitely be catching up on the previous books while I wait for the next one!

An enjoyable cozy and historical murder mystery! The setting is rich and immersive, the mystery is a page turner and the characters are likable with great chemistry

Another Miss Merrill and Aunt Violet mystery. I enjoyed this one just as much as the others. The characters are fun and the story was interesting enough to keep my attention. I found this book was perhaps a but slower than some of the others in this series, but it wasn't enough to significantly reduce my interest in the book. The final solution to the murder and thefts were not ones that I saw coming until the end.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

When jeweller Jacob Cornelis is murdered in his shop not far from Aunt Violet's bookshop, Hannah remembers seeing him shortly before his demise, in an intensive argument with another young man – who turns out to be one of investigating team. The police quickly assume that it's a burglary gone wrong. After all, several premises in the vicinity of Violet’s bookshop have reported burglaries in recent months. Poor Mr Cornelis must have surprised the culprits with his presence. Or is that assumption wrong?

Detective Inspector Aidan Farrell – Aunt Violet's love interest – is investigating the case, with he help of a young sidekick, and suddenly Hannah finds herself in a dilemma. The young man was seen arguing with Mr Cornelis, but doesn't apprise his boss of this small fact.

Hannah decides to pay her respects to the jeweller's step-daughter and wife, as he was a regular customer in her bookshop. But what starts out as a simple visit to convey condolences, leads to a much wider intrigue, as the jeweller had arranged marriage between the young woman and an associate of his. The associate's abrupt demeanor towards her doesn't endear him to Hannah, nor does the way he treats the late jeweller's staff.

And all the while, her Aunt Violet is going out with a Spanish gentleman, about whom she keeps shtum! Does it mean the end of Violet's unconventional relationship with Aidan? Piqued by her aunt's stubborn silence, Hannah finds herself being helped by the very man she's so curious about – in a place she shouldn't have been in the first place!

Is the fiancé involved in the jeweller's death? Or is something entirely different afoot here? Find out in the novel!

Murder In Covent Garden is yet another cleverly-plotted whodunit, with our intrepid sleuth, Hannah, and her wonderfully forthright Aunt Violet.

I've come to enjoy reading about these women's adventures – both, in their different ways, leading very unconventional lives. Both value their independence, which leads to Hannah's dilemma about her own fiancé, Darius, whose father wants them to marry, settle, and have children. It's not quite what Hannah envisages...

The plot takes you down a few fabulous rabbit holes, and gets Hannah into deep trouble in places where respectable ladies should not be found. Her adventure in that place was hilarious, and it involved a really intriguing twist.

As for the murderer, the conclusion is clever, and not quite what you expected.

Murder in Covent Garden is another enjoyable whodunit in this fabulous series, where we find the two fascinating women live their lives the way they want to. It was a time of great upheaval, both across Europe and within the women's rights movements. Things were changing. Against this dark backdrop, we have intriguing murders to solve. Well worth checking out!

Another great one in the series! Though don’t let it being a series give you pause if you haven’t started — join the fun at anytime! Hannah (Miss Merrill) just can’t keep to herself when suspicion is afoot, no matter how her fiancé Darius encourages her otherwise. With a string of burglaries occurring near the bookshop she owns with her Aunt Violet potentially lead to a murder, Hannah finds herself unable to resist her own investigation.

With the same characters we love and even some new ones (can we get a Penny Archie spin-off?!) this is another hit in the series.

It is 1917 and WWI is still raging with no signs of an end. Bookstore owners Hannah and Aunt Violet are two women well ahead of their times. They are also jolly good at solving murders and helping Violet’s gentleman, Aiden who happens to be DI in the Met. Whilst their assistance has been helpful before it comes with the chagrin of both Aiden and Hannah’s fiancé. You know, however, when a jeweller who happened to be one of the customers is murdered in his shop, Hannah is not going to be able to hold herself back.

She becomes doubly involved when she meets the step-daughter of the victim and Aiden expresses frustration at a series of burglaries in the Covent Garden area that has him flummoxed. One of the big questions is whether the murderer was part of the gang or if it was just a one-off. The more questions she asks, the more complex the web surrounding all the people. Who is a good guy and who is a villain? Hannah does not get it right all the time and when she gets it wrong, she really does a bang up job.

I have enjoyed this series because the two protagonists are such interesting characters. Not satisfied to fulfill the roles society has decided for them, they are plucky, intelligent and strong. The reader will cheer them on as I do. Five purrs and two paws up.

DNF for now

I've been trying to read this book since I downloaded it and I simply can't get into it. I am not sure why, I think perhaps the fact there are many characters introduced pretty quickly who aren't even actively in the story yet, like brothers who are off to war but have no other role (at this point). There is just something I find distracting about this book that doesn't allow me to lock in and really read it. I am going to give it 3 stars because I KNOW it is a book for someone and that a lot of people will eat this up in a few hours, I wish I was one of them! Perhaps I will be able to read it through at another point!

This book had a very interesting storyline. It was well thought through and had a number of threads which carried me through, There were also a number of unexpected twists which I enjoyed!

I hadn't read other is the series and can't claim to have connected well with any of them. For me there's a difference between curious and rash. Hannah gave the impression that she acts rashly and is fortunate that things turn out for the better.

My thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for my advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review

Anita Davison's 'Murder in Covent Garden' is a charming and entertaining contribution to her 'Miss Merrill and Aunt Violet Mysteries' series, during wartime London. Even for those readers who have not read the earlier books, this one holds its own, presenting a delightful combination of historical background, interesting mystery, and lovable characters.

The action takes place in busy Covent Garden, where Hannah Merrill and her feisty, independent Aunt Violet operate a bookshop. War is still raging, but in Covent Garden, life goes on, albeit with a recent burglary epidemic casting a shadow. When a local jeweler, Jacob Cornelis, whom Hannah had seen having a furious argument, is discovered dead in his store, apparently another casualty of a burglary, Hannah is suspicious right away. Her suspicions are further heightened when the policeman investigating the case turns out to be the same man she had seen fighting with Cornelis.
Spurred on by a keen sense of justice, Hannah, aided by the sometimes-unorthodox help of Aunt Violet, sets out to investigate for herself. This is a well-plotted mystery that explores a hidden world of theft, blackmail, and possibly sinister secrets beneath the colorful surface of Covent Garden.

Davison is brilliant at depicting wartime London. The period details, from rationing and air raid fears to the changing lives of women and the context of the suffragette movement (described by Aunt Violet), are integrated into the story so effectively that the reader feels transported into a rich and textured world. The power of the writer to recreate the looks and sounds of the period is especially impressive.

The novel's strength also lies in its characters. The no-nonsense and intelligent Hannah is a determined protagonist, and her chemistry with the fiercely independent Aunt Violet adds both charm and wit to the narrative. Their contrasting personalities and mutual passion for getting at the truth make them a compelling and fun duo to read about. The supporting characters are well-developed as well, adding depth of intrigue and suspicion to the unfolding narrative. Even Bartleby, the cat from the bookshop, brings a bit of character to the scene.

The mystery itself is nicely paced and makes the reader try to figure it out. There are sufficient twists and turns to keep suspense high, and the ultimate unmasking of the truth is rewarding, although some more experienced mystery readers may find one or two clues not too surprising. Yet, the emphasis is on the discovery process and the interesting interactions among the characters.

For fans of traditional historical mysteries with women protagonists, a richly detailed setting, and an intriguing whodunit, 'Murder in Covent Garden' is a must-read. It manages to capture the atmosphere of the Golden Age of detective fiction while providing a new and engaging tale based in the interesting context of World War I London. Readers who enjoy the works of Agatha Christie, Helena Dixon, and Verity Bright will probably find themselves well entertained by Anita Davison's latest work.

I always enjoy reading about Hannah and Aunt Violet and this was no exception. Best described as a cosy murder mystery, Hannah does her usual reckless sleuthing. Thanks to Netgalley.

This cosy mystery's main asset is the vivid historical context combined with the cosy setting of a bookshop in London. I found the writing pleasant, but I wasn't all that much invested in the investigation. A bit of mixed feelings in the end.

Murder in Covent Garden is a gem of a mystery perfect for fans of Maisie Dobbs, Phryne Fisher, or anyone who craves a well-plotted whodunit with heart.

The wartime setting adds emotional depth, and the cozy mystery elements keep it warm and familiar—even when the stakes are high. It’s a fast-paced, engaging, and thoughtful read with enough suspense to keep you guessing and enough charm to make you wish you could step inside the bookshop yourself.

If you love a cozy mystery steeped in historical atmosphere, rich character dynamics, and just the right amount of intrigue, Murder in Covent Garden is a must-add to your reading list.

A delightful, twisty read with a strong sense of place and a heroine you’ll want to follow through many more mysteries!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC of 'Murder in Covent Garden' by Anita Davison in exchange for my review.

An easy read book to while away a rainy weekend. Not my typical go to series in this genre, but a nice addition.

This was a fun cozy mystery!!! I haven’t read one in a while. This was so much fun! The mystery, the characters, the setting done really well. I highly recommend.

'Murder in Covent Garden' by Anita Davidson.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Loved this book. It kept me guessing right till the end. It's full of suspence, romance, adventures and murder. I wish I had an Aunt Violet, she's a incredible character. If you're a fan of cozy crime then give this book a read.

Even though its famous opera house has shuttered its doors for the war, Covent Garden remains one of the most exciting, bustling areas of London. It’s where Hannah Merrill and Aunt Violet have their bookshop and, in spite of the recent spate of burglaries in the area, it’s generally thought to be a good neighbourhood.
So Hannah is surprised when she sees a fellow shopkeeper – a jeweller named Jacob Cornelis – having a heated argument with a stranger. Especially when the next day Cornelis is found dead in his shop, apparently the victim of another burglary.
But what shocks Hannah more is when she meets the policeman supposedly there to investigate the crime. Because he is none other than the man who Hannah saw arguing with Cornelis the day before.
Hannah knows it’s up to her and Violet to investigate. But they don’t know they’re about to uncover a secret underworld of theft, murder and blackmail. And they must act fast, before the Covent Garden Killer strikes again…

Thanks to NetGallery UK, the publishers and the author for letting me read a copy in return for an honest review.

Hannah Merrill works wither Aunt Violet in her London bookshop. When a local jeweller is found dead following a heated argument with a stranger, it is up to the two ladies to get to the bottom of the mystery.
Set in London during WW1, this has been wonderfully written. It has plenty of pace and lively character. Overall an enjoyable historical cozy mystery.

Set in England during WWI, Hannah and her Aunt Violet own a bookshop but are always getting tangled up in murders and mysteries. This cozy mystery is the third in the series, which does not disappoint. Local burglaries are causing headaches for Aidan, Aunt Violet’s paramour and the police inspector. When a murder occurs during one of the burglaries at a local jewelry shop, Hannah attempts to get to the bottom of it to help Aidan. It’s always an enjoyable read. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.