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.

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.