A Body in the Village Hall: An Utterly Gripping Cozy Murder Mystery

A Kate Palmer Novel, Book 1

By: Dee MacDonald

Narrated by: Jane McDowell

Kate Palmer has relocated to Cornwall for a quiet life. Moving into picturesque Lavender Cottage with her sister, Angie, the little village of Lower Tinworthy should be the perfect place for their fresh new start. But within weeks of their arrival, there’s a death in the close-knit community....

A woman is found dead in the village hall, with her own kitchen knife next to the body, covered in blood. Kate, a practice nurse at the local medical center, begins to piece together the clues. Fenella was at the center of village activity, and there seem to be plenty of people who had reason to dislike her. But did any of them hate her enough to kill her?

As Kate gets drawn into life in Lower Tinworthy, she begins a close friendship with Detective Inspector "Woody" Forrest, who is near to retiring - and determined to crack his last case. Together, they set about solving the mysterious crime.

But when someone breaks into Kate’s home and leaves a warning note on her pillow, it becomes clear the murderer is prepared to do anything to keep their identity hidden.... Will Kate work out who’s responsible before she becomes the next victim?

If you love murder mysteries by Agatha Christie, Faith Martin, or Joy Ellis, then this novel will have you listening late into the night!

©2020 Dee MacDonald (P)2020 Bookouture

Annoying Angie

The American accent was wrong he almost sounded like a valley girl, but the word endings were too British. Aside from Angie and Kates inability to fight back, a good read.

A simple who done it mystery

This story was easy listening, but not particularly gripping. This book was nice for a change of pace, but lacked the suspense of other mysteries.

Great cozy mystery

I like the main character and enjoyed this first book in the series. Narrator was good, but was a little stilted at times. I am hoping her narration flows more effortlessly in the next book, as I will definitely be listening to more of this series.

Funny and appropriate

As a vital senior I am glad to read a mystery with an intelligent creative emotional and middle-to-later ager! I look forward to more.

Brilliant New Series!

If you like Betty Rowlands, especially her Melissa Craig series, then you'll like this first Kate Palmer book.

A good cozy mystery

After Dee MacDonald’s first book, this book was not special, but I enjoyed the character of Kate Palmer. I plan to complete the series. A good cozy mystery but not the outstanding work of The Runaway Wife.

Kate is a different kind of sleuth: fun

I find I love the "cozy" series of books, and this new series is no different. Characters are unique and fun. The mystery is well-laid-out.

Even with 2 murders in the book, there is no horrible gore. The story is the characters' interactions and relationships.

Good fun, and a good read

I've read worse...

The main character is an "enabler" who constantly whines about alcoholic sister she lives with.

Dull

This was a yawn. I've read/listened to several of Dee's books. The Runaway Wife and The Getaway Girs were excellent! The Silver Ladies of Penny Lane and The Golden Oldies Guesthouse were too, although the narrator seemed to swap two of the characters voices between books. I'll try her other friendship books but skip the who done its.

Characters grated on my nerves

Weak story, characters not believable, especially main female character. Her stupidity hard to take. will probably return.