Obituary writer and amateur sleuth Eve Mallow wins a raffle prize for a hotel stay at the exclusive Abbey Hotel. Tensions and relationships between the staff, owner and guests are fraught and a murder ensues. Eve is called upon to write the obituary, but will she also catch the killer?
Mystery at the Abbey Hotel is the fifth book to feature Eve Mallow. It works as a stand alone novel as there are no spoilers about the murders in previous books. Her relationships with other village characters are easy to understand. However, if you like to trace character development then I would suggest reading the books in order.
The Abbey Hotel is an exclusive hospitality venue and Eve is lucky enough to win a half price visit. This presents her with a wealth of new characters to interact with and later suspect as potential killers. Motives are crucial to the unravelling of the murder. Eve needs to investigate personal and business reasons that may have contributed to the crime.
There are no forensic details or graphic descriptions and this set of books fall firmly in the cosy murder mystery category. The style of writing is quite natural and easy to read.
Eve needs to use her inquisitive nature and journalistic skills to find the killer. She is ably assisted by her dachshund Gus and has made firm friendships in the vilage. Her simmering romance with ex police officer Robin develops over the course of the book which gives a warm happy feeling by the final chapter.
Eve Mallow’s stay at the luxurious Abbey Hotel takes a turn for the suspicious when the owner is murdered – leaving Eve surrounded by suspects!Saxford St Peter is Eve Mallow’s beloved home, but she can’t resist the chance to spend a weekend in the nearby Abbey Hotel, famed for its glamorous owner Debra Moran and an array of celebrity guests. For a confirmed people-watcher like Eve, it’s perfect: she can observe the rich and famous while sipping tea in the gardens, her faithful dachshund Gus by her side.But her relaxing break takes a shocking turn when Debra is found lying dead in the shadowy woods around the hotel. One of Eve’s fellow guests didn’t come to the Abbey for fine food and delightful décor – but to kill.When the investigation gets underway, Eve finds herself trapped with a wide range of suspects. Could it be Debra’s new friend Harper, who inherits everything? Her ex-husband Chester, still seething over their messy divorce? Or her estranged sister Amelia, who came hoping for reconciliation, only for Debra to shut the door in her face?As Eve roams the hotel, searching for clues and hunting down alibis, she uncovers a whole host of secrets. But can she find the truth before the killer brings her holiday to a deadly end?A completely unputdownable page-turner, perfect for fans of Faith Martin, Agatha Christie and Joy Ellis.
Author Bio:
Clare Chase writes classic mysteries. Her aim is to take readers away from it all via some armchair sleuthing in atmospheric locations.Her debut novel was shortlisted for Novelicious’s Undiscovered Award, as well as an EPIC award post-publication, and was chosen as a Debut of the Month by LoveReading. Murder on the Marshes (Tara Thorpe 1) was shortlisted for an International Thriller Writers award.Like her heroines, Clare is fascinated by people and what makes them tick. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked in settings as diverse as Littlehey Prison and the University of Cambridge, in her home city. She’s lived everywhere from the house of a lord to a slug-infested flat and finds the mid-terrace she currently occupies a good happy medium.As well as writing, Clare loves family time, art and architecture, cooking, and of course, reading other people’s books.
Eve Mallow makes a new friend at her winter party and is looking forward to his hosting the next party in the new year. But the second party never happens as the old mill is burned down with Harry inside. Eve discovers that Harry was actually an agony aunt with a forceful style that led to legions of fans but also enemies: could he have given the wrong advice and revenge is the motive? She is called upon to write his obituary and begins to investigate his murder…
Mystery at the Old Mill is the fourth book to feature Eve and the village of Saxford. However, it works perfectly well as a stand alone novel as there are no spoilers about previous books.
The style of writing is easy to read and there are no gruesome forensic details so I would definitely describe this as a cosy murder mystery. The focus is on the investigation by amateur Eve assisted by former police officer Robin and her dachshund Gus. There are plenty of suspects for Eve to question so the mystery is sustained well over the course of the book.
Eve remains a very likeable character and comes across as determined rather than nosey. Her ex continues to stir up her dismay and I felt a little sad that we didn’t meet her children at Christmas. She has good friends in the village and, as I’ve said before, this would make a perfect Sunday night TV drama series.
Mystery at the Old Mill is a classic and enjoyable murder mystery novel with a strong lead character and entertaining plot.
When the calm of Saxford St Peter is disrupted by a deadly fire at the Old Mill, amateur sleuth Eve Mallow finds herself investigating a most surprising mystery!
Everyone in Saxford St Peter is desperate to know more about Harry Tennant, the newcomer who owns the Old Mill. He usually keeps himself to himself, but he’s finally invited the villagers round for drinks, and Eve Mallow isn’t the only one looking forward to having some questions answered.
But two days before the party, a terrible fire sweeps through the mill, and Harry is found dead. When Eve passes the burned remains of his beautiful house, she can’t resist the call to investigate. Especially when it turns out quiet, charming Harry was living a double life as the famous advice writer Pippa Longford. Eve has to wonder what revelations were contained in the letters he received… and whether one of them was worth killing for.
Accompanied by her reliable dachshund sidekick Gus, Eve starts digging. She soon realises Harry was at the centre of a web of lives – and lies. There’s an uncle desperate to inherit, two women who thought they were his one and only, not to mention everyone who shared their darkest secrets with him. Was one of those strangers much closer to home than Harry knew? And can Eve untangle the truth before she finds herself face to face with a killer?
A completely charming page-turner, perfect for fans of Faith Martin, Agatha Christie and Betty Rowlands.
Author Bio:
Clare Chase writes women sleuth mysteries. After graduating from London University with a degree in English Literature, Clare moved to Cambridge and has lived there ever since. She’s fascinated by the city’s contrasts and contradictions, which feed into her writing. She’s worked in diverse settings – from the 800-year-old University to one of the local prisons – and lived everywhere from the house of a Lord to a slug-infested flat. The terrace she now occupies, with her husband and teenage children, presents a good happy medium.
As well as writing, Clare loves family time, art and architecture, cooking, and of course, reading other people’s books.
Obituary writer Eve Mallow is setting up for the village fair when a murder happens right in front of her. Verity Nye was a high profile diver, engaged to Rupert Seagrave who is preparing to take over the family estate.
Who could have wanted Verity dead? Someone from her fiance’s family trying to protect the property, someone from her charity dive team or a secret from her past…?
Mystery at Seagrave Hall is the third book in the Eve Mallow series: I have previously reviewed Mystery on Hidden Lane and Mystery at Apple Tree Cottage. There are no spoilers about the previous books so this would work well as a standalone novel.
Eve continues to be a down to earth and likeable character. Firmly established in her new home and village, she is enjoying life away from her feckless ex, working in a tea room in between writing magazine articles. Once again her inquisitive skills are put to the test as she determines to write Verity’s obituary and solve her murder too.
Like a classic Sunday night murder drama series, there are plenty of suspects, motives, clues and misdirections to keep the plot entertaining. The setting of a traditional English village and country house feels comfortable and familiar, probably from my ill-spent youth reading Agatha Chrisite novels!
The mystery itself is sustained until the very end and I had no idea of the culprit or motive. Clare Chase’s style of writing is relaxed and pleasant despite the murderous plot!
It’s Eve Mallow’s first visit to the local village fair. But amidst the booths, stalls, tables and tents lurks something darker… A mysterious fall means a new case for amateur detective Eve!
The charity fair at Seagrave Hall is a key date in the Saxford St Peter calendar – a chance for the villagers to nose around the house and grounds and cross paths with the rich and famous.
New resident Eve Mallow is particularly excited by this year’s special guest: the explorer Verity Nye, who is engaged to the heir to the Hall. Eve loves Verity’s determination, and she can’t wait to meet her.
But when they talk, Verity hints that she has something troubling on her mind. So after the festive mood is tragically interrupted by Verity’s fall from a third-floor window, Eve can’t be sure that it’s an appalling accident. Especially when one small boy claims he saw someone behind her…
Soon Eve finds herself tasked with writing Verity’s obituary. As she dusts off her notebook and begins her interviews alongside her trusted dachshund sidekick Gus she realises she has a fine array of suspects before her. Could it be a corrupt charity manager, the distraught fiancé, or jealous cousin Cora? And can Eve find out before her questions cause the killer to turn on her?
A charming and gripping page-turner, perfect for fans of Faith Martin, Agatha Christie and Betty Rowlands.
Author Bio:
Clare Chase writes women sleuth mysteries. After graduating from London University with a degree in English Literature, Clare moved to Cambridge and has lived there ever since. She’s fascinated by the city’s contrasts and contradictions, which feed into her writing. She’s worked in diverse settings – from the 800-year-old University to one of the local prisons – and lived everywhere from the house of a Lord to a slug-infested flat. The terrace she now occupies, with her husband and teenage children, presents a good happy medium.
As well as writing, Clare loves family time, art and architecture, cooking, and of course, reading other people’s books.
Eve Mallow has now settled into the village of Saxford after the murderous experience in book 1 of the series, Mystery on Hidden Lane.
Ashton Foley, bad boy made good, returns home to the village to support the church roof fund and see his mum. He asks Eve to write about him but she is back to business as usual as an obituary writer when he is found dead. His mum asks Eve to investigate in order to protect her lover who never got on with her son, but this puts Eve in danger…
This book continues the gentleness of the series despite the content of murder and drug trafficking/grooming! The village characters spring to life in the same way as in Agatha Christie and MC Beaton books, producing plenty of suspects and potential motives.
I felt that this was a less personal book in terms of Eve’s character. We saw little of her relationship and emotions with her ex husband and children compared to the first book. Her love interest Simon has moved on but she is developing a solid friendship with retired police officer Robin.
The pace of Mystery at Apple Tree Cottage is reasonably fast despite the cosy feeling of the narrative. Eve is a fun and interesting lead character and it is easy to get carried along with her escapades. Overall, a very enjoyable murder mystery!
Obituary writer and amateur sleuth Eve Mallow is enjoying life in sleepy Saxford St Peter – until a mysterious murder lands right at her door…
It’s spring in Saxford St Peter – time to get back in the garden, listen to the birds, and take gentle strolls in the woods. But for some, it’s the season for murder.
Eve Mallow is relishing the gentle pace of the village until a new arrival stirs everyone up. Ashton Foley is back: a teenage tearaway turned interior designer to the stars. He’s mad, bad and dangerous to know, but charming too – as Eve herself can testify – and every house in Saxford opens its doors to him.
So when he’s found murdered in the woods near his mother’s home, Apple Tree Cottage, there’s no shortage of suspects. A jealous husband? A spurned lover? Or has someone from his past life caught up with him?
The police soon hit on a simple solution, and arrest his mother’s partner Howard. Ashton always hated him, and he bears all the marks of a recent fight. But Ashton’s mother, miles away in New Zealand, is convinced he’s innocent, and enlists Eve’s help to prove it.
There’s just one problem. Eve saw Howard sniffing around Apple Tree Cottage on the morning of the murder, and she’s fairly sure he’s guilty, too…
An unputdownable page-turner, perfect for fans of Faith Martin, Agatha Christie and Betty Rowlands.
Author Bio:
Clare Chase writes women sleuth mysteries. After graduating from London University with a degree in English Literature, Clare moved to Cambridge and has lived there ever since. She’s fascinated by the city’s contrasts and contradictions, which feed into her writing. She’s worked in diverse settings – from the 800-year-old University to one of the local prisons – and lived everywhere from the house of a Lord to a slug-infested flat. The terrace she now occupies, with her husband and teenage children, presents a good happy medium.
As well as writing, Clare loves family time, art and architecture, cooking, and of course, reading other people’s books.
Family: lots of wider family events including a christening for my cousin’s son, and my niece and nephew stayed over for 2 nights during half term. We had a family photo shoot with Mum and Dad and all their grandchildren which was lovely (here are my three looking almost angelic)
Work: completely unexpectedly, I now have 7 jobs! The school where I invigilate exams needed a temporary food technician so I have been enjoying a new experience! Two days after that, one of the schools where I clerk asked me to do some admin office work as I did for them last summer. Busy, busy me!
Days out: oh dear. Apart from the trip to Fleet for the photos and to Chinnor for the christening, we haven’t really been anywhere Our weekends have been spent catching up with chores and doing the kids’ homework!
Books: I managed to equal last month’s total! Click on any of the book covers to read my review:
Food: no experiments or new recipes (except for my winter veg soup which I actually made before Christmas) but I have made my chickpea dhal again as I was craving it.
Our weekends have been spent catching up with chores and doing the kids’ homework!
