The Murder Mystery

Beth Haldane is a young widow, raising her son and doing the best she can in the upscale Dulwich Village. When she lands the assistant archivist job at Wyatt's, a highly regarded prep school in town, she thinks she's finally turned a corner. But when she finds her new boss, Alan Jenkins, stone dead on her first day there, she fears her time as assistant archivist – and maybe her freedom – may soon be at an end.

This is a fun start to the series! Beth is earnest and hard-working and likable. I really felt for her when she worried (not without reason) that the investigation seemed to be focusing on her as Jenkins' killer. She knew that, even though she'd been officially warned off sticking her nose in things, she had to try to clear herself.

The characters are delightful, ranging from thoroughly likable to downright creepy, and as Beth pokes around, she learns that more than one of them might have had a reason to want Jenkins dead. Small towns hold secrets, and Dulwich is no exception!

I liked the not-quite-romance between Beth and DI Harry York. It wasn't an instant attraction/insta-romance, but there was absolutely a spark there. I hope they get to know each other better in future books.

The pacing was good, and I never felt like I was slogging my way through the book. Quite the opposite. I read past my bedtime to find out what was going to happen next. And the ending surprised me! When we first met the killer, I did not peg that person as the one who'd knocked off Jenkins.

With a great small-town setting, a murder that's not heavy on the gory details, a hint of romance, and a heroine who takes action to defend herself (even if she tends to leap before she looks), The Murder Mystery is a mighty fine cozy. I really enjoyed it, and I've got to keep on with the series. Five stars for a good escapist read!