Book Description:
Nurse Kate Palmer is Cornwall’s answer to Miss Marple! But when a body turns up in her own garden can Kate solve the crime? Or is the murder a bit too close to home?
Kate Palmer is stunned when she wakes up one morning to discover the body of a man in the beautiful garden of Lavender Cottage. She’s spent the last few years renovating her cozy, clifftop cottage with its gorgeous views of the sparkling Cornish sea. And a death right under her nose is more than a little unsettling…
When Woody Forrest, Kate’s new husband and the village’s retired detective inspector, takes a closer look he realises the victim is none other than Frank Ford – Woody’s old nemesis. Now, Frank is lying dead amongst the daisies… strangled with Woody’s blue police tie.
Kate is certain the man she loves is not a murderer and is determined to prove his innocence. But who would want to kill Frank and frame Woody? As Kate investigates, Frank’s family seem to be the obvious suspects. Could it be Jason Ford, the youngest son, who has an odd obsession with birdwatching? Sid Kinsella, the angry father-in-law? Or Sharon Mason, the troublesome daughter?
When another member of the Ford family bites the dust while Woody is tending his allotment, it’s clear the killer is determined to bury Woody’s reputation. But when a chance conversation on Bluebell Road provides Kate with a clue, she must find a woman named Rose, who could hold the answers Kate is looking for.
But Kate needs to dig up the truth – and fast! – before poor Woody is thrown behind bars. Can she solve the case and save her husband before it’s too late?
If you love murder mysteries with a brilliant cast of characters, twisty plots and plenty of red herrings, A Body at Lavender Cottage will have you hooked until the very last page! Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Joy Ellis.
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'A Body At Lavender Cottage' by Dee Macdonald.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Dee MacDonald, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 7th November 2022.
This is the fifth book I have read by this author. It is also the sixth book in the 'Kate Palmer' Mystery series but can be read as a standalone. I have previously read 'A Body In Seaview Grange' (book 2 in the series) , 'A Body At The Tea Rooms' (book 3 in the series), 'A Body At The Altar' (book 4 in the series) and 'A Body On The Beach' (book 5 in the series). which I highly recommend.
I was originally drawn to this book by its stunning eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that 'If you love murder mysteries with a brilliant cast of characters, twisty plots and plenty of red herrings, A Body at Lavender Cottage will have you hooked until the very last page! Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Joy Ellis.' I am a huge fan of all three of those authors so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Dee and if this is half as good as 'A Body In Seaview Grange', 'A Body At The Tea Rooms', 'A Body At The Altar' and 'A Body On The Beach' it is sure to be a page turning read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of 41 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Cornwall, England 🏴 , UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture. I have actually been on holiday to Cornwall on several occasions so am looking forward to seeing if I recognise anywhere that Dee has based the book on.
This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonist is Kate Palmer. The benefits of third person perspective are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
Well done Dee on another successful cosy mystery!!! This book is very smoothly written with vivid descriptions which really help you see what's going on around you as well as the storyline. The blurb and the cover compliment the novel perfectly.
I absolutely LOVE this series and have become so invested in it, always reading the books in one sitting!!
The plot really sucked me in and I really enjoyed curling up on the sofa and getting dragged into this cosy mystery. I was so absorbed I read it in one sitting. The storyline was realistic which I always prefer as it makes it more enjoyable to read when you can see that it is something that could happen. This book is well constructed and traditional and what starts off as one murder becomes quite multi layered with all the characters backgrounds coming out. It was a very compelling read. I would never have guessed who did what and I was completely shocked by the mega twist. An absolutely fantastic read filled with suspense, mystery, twists and much more (I can't say much more as I don't want to spoil it for future readers) Congratulations Dee, it is getting harder and harder to surprise me and you did just that!!! This book has got to be the most heart racing ones in the series with Woody and Kate under threat and suspicions!!! AN absolutely spine tingling, heart racing page turner!!! If you have never read any books in this fantastic series then pick up your copy today!!
Although this is the sixth book in the series I would have had absolutely no problems reading it without the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.
I loved meeting all the characters again who are a delightful mix of personalities with intriguing backgrounds and each one was very compelling. They have become like friends to me since I've started this series and I enjoy learning more about them each time. I really enjoyed the main characters of Kate, Woody and Angie and think they really work well together as a team, well Kate and Woody but I also enjoyed Kate and Angie relationship develop and am looking forward to see where it leads in the next book. I have mixed feelings with Fergus but he has definitely got a HUGE personality. I am certainly looking forward to reading more Dee McDonald's books especially the first which I still haven't got around to and any further books in this series. These characters really do make a huge impact, jumping out of the page and making you want to see what they get up to next!! A great team who I cannot wait to meet again!!
Congratulations Dee on another successful book, keep up the fantastic work and I look forward to meeting Dee, Woody, Angie and Fergus again!! Here's to your next success 🥂
Overall an intriguing, page turning and compelling cosy mystery that is perfect for Agatha Christie, Faith Martin Verity Bright and Claire Chase fans and will have you up until you have finished it.
Genres covered in this novel include Mystery, Cozy Culinary Mystery, Thriller, Cosy Mystery, Police Procedural, Cozy Crafts & Hobbies Mystery, Cozy Animal Mystery and Crime Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Agatha Christie, Joy Ellis, Faith Martin, Clare Chase, Verity Bright and anyone who enjoys a good mystery by the fire.
273 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle, free on kindle unlimited and £7.99 in paperback via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
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Author Bio:
Aged 18, Dee arrived in London from Scotland and typed her way round the West End for a couple of years before joining BOAC (forerunner of British Airways) in Passenger Services for 2 years and then as a stewardess for 8 years.
She has worked in Market Research, Sales and at the Thames TV Studios when they had the franchise.
Dee has since relocated to Cornwall, where she spent 10 years running B&Bs, and only began writing when she was over 70!
Married twice, she has one son and two grandsons.
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Buy Link:
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