Murder at Abbeymead Farm (A Flora Steele Mystery #6) by Merryn Allingham
Genre: Cosy mystery
Read: 12th May 2023
Published: 16th May 2023
★★★★ 4 stars
DESCRIPTION:
Amateur detective duo Flora Steele and Jack Carrington have gained a reputation for crime-solving. But will they be able to untangle the latest baffling murder in the cosy village of Abbeymead?
Sussex, 1957: When Flora and Jack hear that Percy Milburn – a newcomer to the area who has ruffled more than a few feathers with his grand plans for modernising Abbeymead – is missing, they’re determined to find him. But after scouring the village, Flora is shocked to discover the body of the poor man in the cellar of a crumbling farmhouse.
Percy’s murder is tragic but not unexpected, as his ambition had made him many enemies within the small, rural community. Flora and Jack get stuck into the case, but they’re sent on a wild goose chase around the village. Whoever is behind the death has taken careful steps to cover their tracks…
Was it Miss Minnie Howden, the nervous housekeeper who loved Percy? Sir Frederick Neville, the owner of the farm Percy was trying to buy? Or Colin Palmer, made rich by Percy’s death? Did any of the suspects dislike Percy enough to end his life?
The amateur detective duo finds themselves outfoxed at every turn, unable to find any concrete clues. When their prime suspect is murdered, Flora and Jack have their work cut out to find the culprit. But the clever killer has pulled the wool over their eyes and is reeling them ever nearer to danger.
Will this case finally bring Flora and Jack closer together? And can they unravel the mystery before they’re led like lambs to the slaughter?
A completely addictive cozy crime novel set in the fictional Sussex village of Abbeymead. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Joy Ellis!
MY THOUGHTS:
The delightful Flora Steele and Jack Carrington are back as this series continues to entertain us from the sleepy village of Abbeymead in rural Sussex. And once again they become embroiled in another murder mystery on their hands...this time with baffling proportions. I'm guessing they will soon have a bodycount to rival Midsomer!
Abbeymead, April 1957: Since the discovery of a body in her bookshop the All's Well the previous summer, Flora Steele has had several murder mysteries fall into her lap and that she has insisted on solving...with the help of her dashing crime writer/sleuth Jack Carrington. And this time it's no different.
Recently befriending newcomer Percy Milburn to the village, Flora is among the minority who like Percy. His plans for a nearby farm which he intended to turn into a hostel to enable those less affluent to afford to holiday in such a delightful village had locals raging. They didn't want any hostel cheapening or decimating their quiet village with riff-raff. So when he calls a meeting to discuss the plans in the village hall and then fails to attend, Flora is concerned. There is no way Percy would miss this opportunity to sell his idea to the villagers. So why didn't he?
Putting her thinking cap on, Flora began a process of elimination. Where was Percy last seen? Or rather, where was he supposed to be and also failed to show? A discussion of plans with the vendor at the abandoned farm at which Percy was a no-show. Or was he? Flora knows Percy wouldn't have ditched his plans so therefore something must have happened to him. And when she and Jack discover his remains in barrel of cider in the cellar of the old farmhouse, she is both shocked and dismayed. But she isn't surprised. Because she knew something had stopped Percy from attending both meetings at which his presence was expected. The question is - who?
And then a new buyer is miraculously found for the old farm...who has plans to build a new hotel, of which Abbeymead has no need. So what is really at play here? And whose palms are being greased to make this sale happen?
This case has Flora and Jack similarly stumped. Enquiries take Jack to London where he does a little digging of his own, uncovering from rather unsettling surprises. Meanwhile, back in Abbeymead, someone seems to have it in for Flora as her bookshop is broken into yet again this time all her stock is not only vandalised but decimated. And then the rowan tree her aunt had planted in the front yard of their cottage which held special meaning to her is destroyed during the night. Who is after Flora? And why?
MURDER AT ABBEYMEAD FARM is the sixth book in this entertaining cosy series which is a cross between Agatha Christie's Miss Marple and Father Brown. Each one is a standalone mystery with a backstory that continues to evolve over time. As with each of the books, it is fun entertaining and a quick light read with plenty of twists. Though not my favourite of the series, it is still just as entertaining and just as much fun...and I cannot wait to rejoin Flora and Jack next time. Though I hope Flora isn't as troubled as she appeared in this one and soon makes peace with the news of her friend's upcoming wedding and that of her past.
I would like to thank #MerrynAllingham, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #MurderAtAbbeymeadFarm in exchange for an honest review.
MEET THE AUTHOR:
Merryn lives in a beautiful old town in Sussex with her husband. When she’s not writing, she tries to keep fit with adult ballet classes and plenty of walking.
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