Book: Mystery at Southwood School
Author: Clare Chase
Pub Day: Nov 10th 2022
About the Book:
Eve Mallow’s going back to school! But when a former student is murdered, Eve must discover who taught her a deadly lesson…
Eve Mallow is delighted when she’s asked to cater Founders’ Day at Southwood School. It’s the best – and most secretive – school for miles around, and Eve can’t wait to see what it’s really like. But when she arrives, the atmosphere is far from scholarly. Natalie Somerson, ex-pupil and professional gossip, is the guest of honour, but nobody seems to want her there… especially when her speech stirs up an old scandal about a secret love affair. So why was she invited?
The next morning, Natalie is found dead in a locked attic room. To make matters worse, Eve’s boyfriend Robin becomes the police’s prime suspect. Determined to prove his innocence, Eve starts to investigate everyone with a stake in the school. Is it the prudish principal, worried about Natalie’s influence? Her former teacher, whose life Natalie made miserable? Or the head girl, who seemed to hate Natalie one day and adore her the next?
When strange letters arrive at the school and Eve finds a bottle of Natalie’s perfume in the most unexpected place, she senses time is running out to save Robin’s good name. Eve had better study her suspects and unmask the real killer… before they give her a fatal mark!
An utterly delightful and page-turning English cozy mystery, perfect for fans of Frances Evesham, J.R. Ellis and Agatha Christie.
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Mystery At Southwood School' by Clare Chase.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Clare Chase, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 10th November 2022
This is the sixth book I have read by this author. It is also the ninth book in the 'Eve Mallow Mystery' series but it can be read as a standalone. I have previously read 'Mystery At The Old Mill ' which is the fourth book in the 'Eve Mallow Mystery' series, 'Mystery At The Abbey Hotel' which is the fifth book in the 'Eve Mallow Mystery' and 'Mystery At The Church' which is the sixth book in the 'Eve Mallow Mystery' series, 'Mystery At Magpie Lodge' which is the seventh book in the series and 'Mystery At Lovelace Manor' which is the eighth book in the 'Eve Mallow Mystery' series and which I would highly recommend.
I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is 'A completely gripping English cozy mystery, perfect for fans of Frances Evesham, J.R. Ellis and Betty Rowlands.' I am a huge fan of Faith Martin and Betty Rowlands so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Clare Chase and if this is half as good as 'Mystery At The Abbey Hotel', 'Mystery At The Old Mill', 'Mystery At The Church', 'Mystery At Lovelace Manor'and 'Mystery At Magpie Lodge' 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 a prologue and 52 chapters. The chapters are short in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Suffolk and Southwood School, 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 visited Suffolk on several occasions so am looking forward to seeing if I recognise anywhere that Clare has based the book on.
This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonist is Eve Mallow. 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 on anything.
Yet another page turning, fantastic adventure with Eve, Gus and Robin!!! If you have never read any books in this epic series you are missing out!!!
This book is very well written making it a lovely smooth read. The atmosphere and vivid descriptions are perfect for the plot and helps give that cosy feeling while reading. The synopsis and cover suited the storyline perfectly. I'm looking forward to reading more of Clare Chase's books including any prior to this one that I have yet to read.
The storyline itself is an addictive cosy mystery that kept me guessing all the way through. It is filled with tension, suspense, murder, red herrings galore and a sprinkle of romance. I had no idea who the killer was so a huge congratulations to Clare!!!! It is getting harder and harder to surprise me with the amount of crime books I read but you definitely managed it. There were so many potential suspects and each one of my guesses were way out!! I enjoyed that it wasn't really a case of just one mystery but how several linked smoothly and everything was tied up nicely at the end, I hate loose ends!! I really enjoyed going on this adventure with Eve and investigating with her. Clare portrays village and school life perfectly and the community within them in each and every one of her books which makes them even more realistic. I absolutely love reading Eve's obituary at the end of each book and she captivates the personality of the victim absolutely perfectly. I think it is a lovely unique touch and gives a summary of what we learned about them through the story serving as a reminder. I loved the atmosphere at Southwood School and Clare portrays school life and those that reside and go there perfectly. . This book was absolutely filled with surprises and another fantastic addition to the addictive 'Eve Mallow Mystery' series.
Clear your schedules as once you've picked this up you won't be able to put it down!!
Although this is the eighth book in the series I 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.
The characters were all realistic, strong and an eclectic bunch to say the least. It was really fun learning all of their different characteristics, personalities and backgrounds. I absolutely love meeting them in each of these series. They have become like friends to me and I find myself missing them as soon as I have closed the pages. When I "meet" them again it is like they have never been away. I love Eve and of course Gus and I really enjoyed meeting them again along with Robin and Viv. I find Eve to be slightly eccentric which I enjoyed the most about her. She has such a large personality which is unforgettable. I always love her interactions with Viv and the both of them together always make me giggle at some point. I have absolutely loved watching Eve and Robin's relationship grow and develop and I'm looking forward to seeing how it continues to grow. This book goes to show just how much Eve cares for him when he is in danger of being sentenced to murder!! I also enjoyed meeting all the new characters who all had such strong personalities although I could not stand Viv's mother in law Sabina and found her to be a snob!! I won't go into any further detail about her or several other characters as I don't want to give anything away. Regardless, if you love them or hate them they all come together to make this novel yet another amazing success by Clare! I cannot wait to read what Eve, Robin and Gus get up to next!!
Congratulations to Clare Chase on another successful and addictive page turning murder mystery. This is why when I want an addictive cosy mystery which I can read anywhere I hunt your books down. Here's to your next success 🥂
Overall an absolutely compelling, addictive and page turning gothic cosy mystery that is perfect to read on front of the fire.
Genres covered in this novel include Mystery, Suspense, Cozy Crafts & Hobbies Mystery, Cozy Culinary 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 cosy mysteries, Faith Martin, Agatha Christie, Frances Evesham, J.R. Ellis and Betty Rowlands.
300 pages.
This book is just £2.99 to purchase on kindle, free on kindle unlimited and £8.99 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
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.
You can find Clare's website and blog at www.clarechase.com
Social Media
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ClareChase_
Website: www.clarechase.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clarechaseauthor/
Bookouture email signup: https://www.bookouture.com/clare-chase
Purchase Link
Amazon: https://geni.us/B09ZVN1MJZsocial
Audible:
Listen here: http://ow.ly/g50k50LsYZE
Thanks so much for this wonderful write-up, Kirsty! I'm so happy that you enjoyed the book! 😀