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.

My favorite setting for a historical mystery. 1900's and in a book shop!

Hannah and her Aunt Violet, a suffragette, own a bookshop in Covent Garden. Even though due to the war, they have managed to stay open and of course, a murder happens!

Historical facts, engaging characters, including a wonderful cat, mystery and suspense. It does not get much better!

This is the fourth book in the Miss Merrill and Aunt Violet mystery series by Anita Davison.. They are set in the WWI era. This is truly one of my favorite historical cozies. Aunt Violet is a suffragette and has never married. One aspect that the author explores is life for women who did not want to fulfil the traditional duties of women at that point in history.
This book is set in November 1917. A number of robberies have happened in the area. The latest one ended in a murder. Hannah is driven to discover the murderer because the victim had been a client at their bookshop. This one did make me a bit angsty with both Aunt Violet and Hannah having “issues” with their intendeds. I am normally pretty good at getting bad vibes from the killer, but Anita Davison fooled me well. I gave this book 5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the free Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is the fourth book in this series but easily read as a standalone, and would by enjoyed by anyone interested in cozy mysteries or historical mysteries. The mystery itself was twisty and interesting although I did have the villain spotted it didn't affect my enjoyment. I have enjoyed getting to know the characters better and just to stop their romances seeming too staid and settled we have a little ripple in their relationships to jeep things interesting. Enjoyable as always. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is an entertaining cozy mystery and continuation of a series set in WW I London. Davison has broadened the mystery plot with additional actions going on with respect to the war, such as secret peace negotiations. Hannah's investigations leads her to other nefarious acts being committed, such as the theft of jewelry. The murder mystery is solved but it is a bit complex in the end.

What I like best about this series is the collection of characters. Hannah is a determined woman, much to the dismay of the men in her life. The female character aspect of the novel is enhanced by others, a female villain, a young woman who may take over a jewelry shop and an aggressive female reporter. I liked how Hannah's character related to them, showing her own strengths.

This is a good historical cozy mystery and an entertaining read. While it is the fourth in the series, it can be read on its own.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

"Murder in Covent Garden" by Anita Davison is a charming cozy historical mystery that transports readers to WW1. The story is quite engaging.

However, as the fourth book in a series, it does feel like something is missing if you haven't read the earlier books. While the mystery itself is enjoyable, some character relationships and backstory are a bit of a mistery to me, but not in a good way. It is my bad that I didn't read all the books.

Thank you NetGalley and the Publishers for the ARC.

After I read Murder at Midwinter Manor (Miss Merrill and Aunt Violet Mystery #3) (which I loved), I found myself wishing I could spend time with Hannah and Aunt Violet in their London bookshop. Thanks to book four, Murder in Covent Garden, I got my wish! What a wonderful historical mystery series. I love the setting of WWII London and what better place to be than a cozy bookshop.

The characters are wonderful – Hannah is our main star in this entry and even though she’s just a little impulsive, I can’t blame her – she’s on the hunt for truth and justice! She’s fearless and not afraid to defy the conventions of the time. Aunt Violet takes a little bit of a back seat in this investigation, but her suffragette heart is still a part of the story. I loved getting to see the side characters in the book shop come to life as well.

There’s a big reveal towards the end that had my mouth hanging open. While I had part of the resolution figured out, I certainly didn’t have all of it.

Lots of fun – solid mystery with lots of layers, wonderful characters, some light romance and delightfully cozy details.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Anita Davison for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Murder in Covent Garden coming out March 14, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I really love this series! Hannah Merrill and Aunt Violet are a fun duo. I loved the setting. There were definitely some new developments in this book. I loved the mystery. I would definitely check out more books in the series!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical cozy mysteries!

I enjoyed reading this cozy historical mystery, even though it’s book 4 in the series without having read any of the previous books.

I found I completely enjoyed the banter and humor between Hannah and her Aunt Violet. The story was very interesting with some twists, mixed in with some historical facts that take place during WW1.

Aunt Violet owns and runs her own Bookstore and Hannah also works there helping her aunt, while they both are amateur sleuths and help out the local constabulary with their inquiries, helping to solve yet another string of crimes and police corruption.

This story had a Agatha Christie level feel for the mix of story mystery and relationships between the characters.
I will definitely be adding the first three books in this series to my to be read list so, I can find out what happened in the previous mysteries and I adored the bookstore cat Bartleby.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Anita Davison delivers another delightful historical mystery in Murder in Covent Garden, blending intrigue, strong female leads, and a richly atmospheric wartime London setting. With a bookshop as the backdrop and a clever amateur sleuth at the helm, this novel is perfect for fans of cozy mysteries with a historical twist.

What I Loved:
1. A Clever, Determined Heroine: Hannah is a resourceful and intelligent protagonist, and her dynamic with Aunt Violet adds both charm and wit to the story.
2. A Richly Detailed Setting: Wartime London comes to life, from the bustling bookshop to the shadowy underworld lurking beneath Covent Garden’s glamour.
3. A Twisty, Engaging Mystery: The murder plot is layered with secrets and suspense, keeping the reader hooked until the very end.

Minor Con:
The pacing slows a little in the middle, and some clues feel slightly predictable for seasoned mystery readers. However, the well-developed characters and immersive setting more than make up for it!

Final Verdict:
Murder in Covent Garden is a must-read for lovers of historical mysteries, bookish settings, and amateur sleuths who refuse to back down. If you enjoy authors like Rhys Bowen or Jacqueline Winspear, you’ll love this one!

I really liked this book, which surprised me because I don't normally like reading historical cosy mysteries. This one was clever, funny, and full of quirky characters. It was a good story as well, with lots of twists and mix ups. I especially liked the description of London; I would love to visit the bookshop location! Thank you to NetGalleyfor providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is the first book I’ve read by Anita Davison and I enjoyed it. The writing style was very good and I enjoyed the historical aspect to the story. I love the fact the FMC runs a bookshop and I can’t resist a murder mystery. It definitely gives a similar feeling to Agatha Christie, so if you’re a fan of her books then I think you will enjoy this. I’d have given a higher rating, but it didn’t quite grip me as much as I’d hoped so it didn’t make me think ‘I need to keep reading’ but of course I did want to know what happened. I found the FMC likeable along with her aunt, Violet. I also liked the fact it was hard to predict the ending and it did take me by surprise, which makes a change as usually I’m able to guess the ending!

Hannah Merrill and Aunt Violet run a bookshop in the Covent Garden area of London, and although a fairly peaceful area, burglaries in local shops give cause for concern. When a shopkeeper is found dead, Hannah begins to look into the matter. She doesn’t entirely trust the police to investigate - especially as she saw one of them argue with the victim the day before. As she soon finds out, secrets abound, and the truth is far murkier than she could have imagined.

I love the continuing story of Hannah and her friends and family. We get to know the people she works with, and her loved ones, more and more as the series progresses. Aunt Violet is a law unto herself, and we never really know what she is up to. Her life is far more complicated than Hannah could ever know. I enjoy the relationships she has with her young workers. Their social status is different and it gives an insight into life in London for different types of people. Change is afoot, but there are still divides.

The period detail is wonderful and I enjoy finding out about London during the First World War. Hannah and Violet are ahead of their time and are determined to have independence, even if those around them are reluctant.

The story is fascinating, with a mix of danger, intrigue and romance. I loved it.

The Miss Merril and Aunt Violet series is one of my favourite historical series. I enjoy the mysteries and the suspense and I like that the protagonists are two independent women, a young woman and her aunt who owns a bookshop in Covent Garden.

In Murder in Covent Garden, a series of burglaries have the police running around in search of the thieves, until one burglary ends in murder. Hannah and her aunt Violet knew the victim, the owner of a jewelry shop near them who frequently visited their bookshop, so, of course, they involve themselves in the investigation of his murder, especially since Hannah had seen him just a few hours before his death arguing with a man who turns out to be one of the detectives involved in the investigation. Was he just the victim of a burglary gone wrong or his murder had nothing to do with it?

There are also other things keeping Hannah busy: a nosy and ambitious journalist who keeps popping up; the return of a man from her aunt’s past that could maybe put in trouble her aunt’s relationship with detective Aidan and her aunt herself who seems to be keeping secrets from her; and then her fiancé Darius who was once very supportive, but, now that they are engaged, he doesn’t seem to approve of her independence or her interest in solving murders.

Easily read as a stand-alone, Murder in Covent Garden is set in the summer of 1917. The war in Europe is in the backdrop, though very much present, with men being conscripted, war rationing, and even Hannah and Darius waiting for the end of the war to get married. While the mystery is intriguing and captivating, I also enjoyed all the personal drama in the protagonists’ lives. I am already looking forward to the next book in the series!

Murder in Covent Garden has everything we've come to expect from a Miss Merill and Aunt Violet Mystery - a crime to solve, Hannah determined to discover the truth, and of course, Aunt Violet being her usual enigmatic self in World War 1 era London.

This time Hannah manages to get her herself into all sorts of difficult situations, which she somehow manages to escape from, as well as more than her fair share of possible perpetrators. Again, the ending wasn't expected, and I always appreciate that.

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

I’m enjoying this mystery series that takes place in WWI London. Hannah works in her aunt’s bookshop while her boyfriend travels on mysterious intelligence missions. She sticks her nose in to investigate the death of a fellow shopkeeper who was found dead in his jewelry shop. Her assistants in the bookshop help her follow up clues while her Aunt Violet juggles a former beau with her present beau.

There were a couple of twists in the mystery that I hadn’t expected. I enjoyed the historic setting of wartime London. I look forward to the next entry in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Hannah and Aunt Violet are at work again at the book store. A dead man at the store around the corner has the looking into the case. The second in control from the jewelry store starts to control the family of the dead man. I recommend you read this book. Aunt Violet is a hoot.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Boldwood and leaving a review by my own accord.

Thank you to @rachelsrandomresources for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Another cosy mystery set in wartime London, and in a bookshop! I really liked the relationship between Hannah and her Aunt Violet, they really feed off each other and get involved even when they know they shouldn’t - well, more Hannah than Violet!

A robbery gone wrong is the premise for this novel, a good friend of theirs is found murdered after a robbery at his jewellery shop. There have been a number of burglaries around the area, but this is the first that has resulted in a death. As you know by now, Hannah can’t help herself but ask questions and try to find the culprit - often at great danger to herself. This time is no exception.

I really enjoyed this one, and as usual it was over far too quickly, I hope there’s more coming soon from Anita.

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

This is a Miss Merrill and Aunt Violet cosy mystery. The protagonist, Hannah, runs a bookshop with her Aunt Violet. When one of the bookshop’s customers is found dead, Hannah remembers that she saw him earlier that day, apparently in an argument with someone. Meanwhile, Inspector Farrell needs to figure out who is responsible for some recent burglaries. Hannah has her suspicions, but doesn't know who to tell.

I've read most of the previous books in this series, and I always enjoy them. A bookshop is one of my favourite backdrops for a cosy mystery, and these characters are always fun to read about. I find the characters humorous, and appreciate the bonds of love and friendship between them, especially Hannah and her Aunt Violet. Once again, I felt very much at home with the characters, and I read this latest instalment in one sitting.

If you enjoy cosy historical mysteries, I'd recommend this series. If you haven't read the previous books, I think this could be enjoyed as a standalone, but I'd recommend the previous books as well.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.