I enjoyed this cosy crime book although there’s probably two things that would have improved my enjoyment:
1. It’s the second in a series and although it’s a stand alone story I would have liked to get to know the characters better by reading the books in order.
2. It’s set at Christmas whilst I read it in mid summer over the course of some very hot days.

Having said that, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to others. Thank you to net galley and the publishers for an advance copy.

Book review: Mince Pies and Murder by Judy Leigh. Thank you to Boldwood Books and to NetGalley for the gifted ARC.

Morwenna Mutton returns in fine form in this festive, sharp-witted cozy mystery set against the charming but murder-prone backdrop of Seal Bay. Judy Leigh balances humor, family tension, and a tangle of red herrings in a way that keeps you engaged while never losing sight of her quirky, determined protagonist. I’ve read every Morwenna book and this one might be my favorite yet—not just because of the mystery, but because of what it reveals about Morwenna’s internal world and her complicated ties to the people around her.

The murder itself is deliciously absurd—author Pawly Yelland dead mid-party, clutching both a champagne flute and a mince pie. His many feuds and sharp tongue guarantee a buffet of suspects, and Morwenna wastes no time diving in. Leigh weaves the holiday atmosphere in with a growing unease: creepy Christmas cards, the unsettling Santa lurking at windows, and layers of secrets among Seal Bay’s residents. The tone is cozy but never stale—Leigh respects the intelligence of her readers and keeps the emotional stakes high.

I loved the family moments most, especially between Morwenna and her granddaughter Elowen, whose sass is unmatched. The character list and glossary are a nice touch—Seal Bay is a full world, and I appreciated the reminders. Lamorna’s late-in-life romance added heart to the story, and Morwenna’s reactions to it were among the most honest and touching parts of the book.

This is a mystery, yes, but it’s also about aging, autonomy, and the desire to still matter. Leigh never lets her characters slip into caricature. Instead, they’re vibrant, messy, and alive—like any real community. As Morwenna says, “You never know what people are really capable of until they’ve had a sherry or two.”


“Sometimes, the people who look the most harmless are the ones you should watch closest.”

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Morwenna Mutton is smart and obviously in great shape for her age. I marvel at the idea that not only does she find swimming in frigid water great fun but there's an entire group of residents who join her. Not her own mother, mind you. Nope, no polar plunges, so to speak, for Lamorna. Ex-husband Ruan is drawn to the water, yes, but seems to prefer boating atop it. In any case, Morweena is fiercely protective of her family. Her moments with granddaughter Elowen, who remains feisty and self-centered, are frequently a hoot. There are a lot of characters to take in, some important, some just passing through. Kudos to the author, by the way, for including not only a glossary but a characters list with a brief description at the beginning. I found that most of the terms used were easy to figure out but did need to refresh my memory on characters. Wait till you meet Lady Elizabeth.

Overall, the side characters are likable, even the seemingly cranky ones, and it was fun to revisit Seal Bay again and spend some time boating. As for the murder, it does put a damper on the holiday festivities. The Christmas party sounds both interesting and chaotic with people roaming the Pengellen's manor home seemingly at will. That gives us a long list of suspects. Heck, could it have been an accident? Good thing the local police were actually at the party (in costumes, no less) although Morwenna, in her usual way, manages to do some snooping before they can even get to the scene. And all this before the random visits from the sinister Santa and not so jolly Santa Claus cards sent to some.

That's about all I'm going to say about the plot, it's a complicated one with twists and turns but, hey, we get to watch a couple relationships bloom at the same time, so it isn't all bah humbug and whodunit. Watching Morwenna fret over mother Lamorna's budding romance was both sweet and sad, especially given her own confused feelings. Thanks #BoldwoodBooks and #NetGalley for the early invite to catch up on the doings in Seal Bay and among Morwenna's friends and family. After that ending, definitely looking forward to Leigh's next in this series.