Aug 16, 20235 min read

Murder At The Village Fair by Helena Dixon. Review

Updated: Aug 18, 2023

Book: Murder at the Village Hall

Author: Helena Dixon

Pub Day: August 10th 2023

Book Description

Kitty Underhay is riding a carousel… with death. Summer 1935. Enjoying a belated honeymoon visiting her new husband Matt’s family in the rolling Yorkshire hills, Kitty strolls through a village fair. But when Kitty persuades Matt to visit the fortune teller’s tent, the lovebirds are shocked to find the body of Madame Zaza slumped over her crystal ball, pearl necklace askew and a half-drunk cup of tea at her elbow. After predicting so many of the villagers’ misfortunes, how did she not foresee her own murder? From a pompous old colonel to a reticent reverend and a dodgy village doctor, Kitty soon feels like half the village had a motive for murder. But with more suspects than tarot cards, she and Matt are no closer to finding the culprit. Madame Zaza had been a part of the community’s life for decades and discovering a photograph album of the villagers through the years gives Kitty and Matt the breakthrough they’ve been searching for. Kitty is soon hot on the killer’s trail when her sleuthing puts her in terrible danger. Will her lucky stars align, or is her life line about to run out? An utterly sensational and addictive Golden Age murder mystery. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, T.E. Kinsey and Lee Strauss.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'Murder At The Village Fair' by Helena Dixon.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Helena Dixon, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous

Publication date 10th August 2023

This is the eighth book I have read by this author. It is also the thirteenth book in the 'Miss Underhay' series but can be read as a standalone. I have previously read 'Murder On The Dance Floor', 'Murder At The Wedding', 'Murder In First Class', 'Murder At Elm House', 'Murder At The Country Club', 'Murder At The Charity Ball' and 'Murder At The Beauty Pageant' which I would highly recommend.

This novel consists of a prologue and 25 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 was very well written and I do believe some research went into it as everything linked correctly in with the era it was set in. It is a real bug bear for me when I read a historical novel and the author hasn't done their research and gets basic information mixed up so well done Helena!! It was very well written and I found the synopsis and the cover fitted the storyline perfectly, The descriptions were great and it really felt as if I was in the story.

Yet another hugely successful addition in this fantastic series by the very talented Helena!! The storyline was very interesting and fast paced. Helena completely emerges the reader into the storyline and as always Helens evocative writing skills brings the atmosphere, sights sounds and characters to life ensuring the reader is completely sucked into the storyline seeing and feeling everything the characters are. I really enjoy the fact that this series is set in the past and the storyline really suited that. It really is a nice cozy mystery that will keep you guessing throughout. At no point did I suspect who was doing what or why so a huge well done there Helena!!! I have read many a mystery and find that I am working out the killer/perp quicker every time and there's nothing worse than working out who did what when your need even half way through a book. Not only is this quite a suspense and action filled mystery but there was just the right amount of quirkiness, laughter and romance to give it a nice mix!!! It is one of those books that once I started it I just could not put it down and devoured it in several hours!! A fun, addictive, unputdownable cozy crime mystery. This is a fantastic series and if you have never read any of Helena's previous books then you are definitely missing out. I, personally, would like to add that I think each storyline has got better and better which is a very rare thing for a series.

Although this is the thirteenth 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 am really become invested in all of these amazing characters since the first book I read in this fantastic series and I really enjoy meeting Kitty and her fantastic and quirky personality each and every time!!! In fact all of the characters have their own individual personalities which worked really well with each other. They have all become like a family to me and I always hate saying goodbye to them at the end of the book. I am looking forward to meeting them all again in the next 'episode' of Mrs Bryant's adventures which I'm sure will be just as exciting as this one!! I also adore the fact that we get to see more of not only Bertie the dog who made an explosive entrance in 'Murder In First Class' (so make sure you don't miss out on that amazing page turner!) but we also have another animal addition in the form of a gorgeous kitten called Rascal from book 11 in this fantastic series 'Murder At The Beauty Pageant'. I also absolutely loved Matt's Aunt Effie who we get to meet in this book, such a larger than life character!! A fantastic group of characters for yet another fantastic addition to an addictive series!!! Here's to meeting them all again in the next book 🥂!!!

Well done Helena on yet another fantastic success and here's to the next addition to an addictive page turning series 🥂!!!

Overall a perfect mix of mystery, crime, romance, laughter and quirkiness which kept me turning the pages late at night!!

286 pages.

This book is just £2.99 to purchase on kindle, free on kindle unlimited and £7.99 in paperback (at time of review) 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

Helena Dixon splits her time between the Black Country and Devon. Married to the same man for over thirty-five years she has three daughters, a cactus called Spike, and a crazy cockapoo. She is allergic to adhesives, apples, tinsel and housework. She was winner of The Romance Prize in 2007 and Love Story of the Year 2010 as Nell Dixon. She now writes historical 1930's set cozy crime.