Death Before Dessert

A Vanessa Harrington Cozy Mystery

By: A.E. Radley

Narrated by: Claire Storey

When she finds herself between jobs and out of her rented accommodation, Clara Harrington decides to take a break and stay with her beloved, yet eccentric aunt in the sleepy village of Picklemarsh, England.

Vanessa Harrington is an award-winning crime novelist with an impressive back catalogue. When it comes to crime, and murder, there’s not a lot that Vanessa doesn’t know.

Clara’s hope for peace and quiet is shattered when, on her first night at Chadwick Lodge, the local town councillor is murdered, falling face down into his dessert.

Finding herself in the middle of one of her books, Vanessa happily takes on the task of uncovering the murderer and drags Clara along with her.

Join the Harringtons as they investigate the murder, question suspects, and uncover that not all is as it seems in picturesque Picklemarsh.

This cozy mystery is brought to you by Lambda-winning author A.E. Radley.

©2020 A.E. Radley (P)2020 A.E. Radley

A Delight

_Death Before Dessert: A Vanessa Harrington Cozy Mystery_ by A.E. Radley recieves four stars from me. I found it delightful.

This was an audio book, so first the reader. For this recording Claire Storey did an ekccellent job with this text. I enjoyed her reading greatly. At times, I wondered is it the writing, the story, or the reading that I am connecting to. I'm sure all, but the reading was great. I loved her interpretation of the main character, Clara. I can recommend Storey as a reader. You'll enjoy her work.

The book
The story moves along at a good pace.

I think it is difficult to talk about Vanessa without thinking of Mrs. Marple. They are very similar, both are senior citizens, both very active in life, both living in small towns in England. However, Radley creates a different character with Vanessa. First, Vanessa is a author of mystery novels (honestly a trope I'm kind of tired of), whereas Mrs. Marple's career is unknown to me. Vanessa lived in London then moved to the country. I think Mrs. Marple's intellegnce is different than Vanessa's. Vanessa is clever, but she's spent her life looking at mysteries whereas Mrs. Marple simply observes life in St. Mary Mead and makes her mind up from there.

I think Vanessa is a strong character in her own right. I think the interaction between her and her niece is excellent. One can get a feel that they are related, they are close, yet Vanessa isn't her mother, which for me allows for a different kind of relationship.

Clara is also a strong character who at first glance my come across as weak. She's just had a break up and her life is in shambles at the beginning. She presents as lacking confidence (well with women at least). Yet, she eventually pulls herself together. This is also a part of the investigation.S Initially, she doesn't want to participate; she thinks it is a bad idea. Then as it moves, she finds herself enjoying it and really participating.

The duo investigators are great together.

I really liked her internal dialogues about romance and her crushes.

In terms of LGBTQ+, this novel fits really well.

Recommended: Do you like a good cozy? this is for you. Are you not sure if you like a good cozy, this is a good one to read.

A good mistory

Well written, well narrated, no WLW at all only a small hint... But I enjoyed it.

Very Cute

Once again Claire Storey does the perfect narration. Very cute murder mystery, easy read for something light.

5 stars

This is an entertaining mystery with an interesting plot and engaging characters. I hope there's another book with these characters.

Excellent!!!!!

An absolutely entertaining and enjoyable story! A.E. Radley delivers yet another fantastic story and Claire Storey delivers a perfect performance and brings every scene to vivid life. Would love to have an audible series very soon. Well Done!

A Party of Death

A break in the country is what Clara Harrington while visiting her eccentric aunt. When a murder happens on her first night in the village her crime writing aunt drags her along to investigate. A village mystery with a little bit of romance. Fun and quirky characters. Great performance. Recommend.

Yay Cozy Mystery With Queer Characters!

I truly enjoy cozy mysteries for the escape they give me from the real world. Thank you AE Radley for giving us a fun cozy with a lesbian main character. And I loved Aunt Vanessa. I wish I had an aunt like her!

Cozy murder mystery - charming and clever

So much fun and with a bonus meeting of two kindred spirits. Hope Audible will bring any sequels to the listening audience for cozy mysteries and also fans of A E Radley. Highly recommended for relaxing listening!

Death Before Dessert

This was such a fun cozy mystery. The town and characters were fantastic! Aunt Clara was definitely entertaining. Can’t wait for more from this series. The narration was nice loved the accent. Just wish it was a bit more clear.

Cozy

I love a good cozy mystery, but I love queer ones even more! I loved this book because I'm only a few years older than Clara and woof, we have the same type. I've never identified more with a portrait
protagonist in a romance story, and the mystery was very fun. The twist isn't all that shocking, I figured it out before the end of the book, but I don't think that's a negative. Cozy mystery is supposed to be low stakes and not anxiety inducing.

If you're a lesbian, this book makes you feel the warm fuzzies straight women get from cozy mysteries, I think. It's made for us, from the meddling match making Aunt V (who may or may not be asexual) to the embarrassing meet-cute of Felicity, and the verbal lashing of a homophobe (who DOES NOT get forgiveness and it's cathartic as hell, if I'm frank).

I want more Clara and Aunt V, seriously, Aunt V is the best 70 year old spry, meddling, loud, fun, tea guzzling woman I wish raised me.