Book Review - Murder Under The Mistletoe by Liz Fielding

 The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: Murder Under The Mistletoe

Author: Liz Fielding

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Joffe Books

Publication Date: 7th November 2023

Rating: 4 Stars

MEET ABBY FINCH. SHE’S THE BUSY MUM OF THREE, AN EXPERT GARDENER AND THE STAR OF YOUR NEW FAVOURITE COZY MURDER MYSTERY.

Abby Finch arrives at the old church hall armed with festive mistletoe and holly, ready to decorate. But within moments of her walking through the door, tragedy strikes . . .

Edward Marsh reaches to test the antique star at the top of the tree. There’s a fizz and the lights go out.

Abby hears the sickening thud of a body hitting the floor. When the lights turn back on, Edward is dead.

It soon becomes clear it was no accident.

The real victim should have been Gregory Tatton. Dapper silver fox. Popular with the ladies of the seniors’ lunch club. A known blackmailer . . .

Abby is desperate to find out the truth, but putting herself in danger isn’t on her Christmas wish list.

Who’s been naughty? Who’s been nice? Who’s hiding the fact they’re a murderer?

Having previously read some of Liz Fielding's romances, I was curious to see how she would take to writing cozy mysteries. 

I needn't have worried, this was a very enjoyable story, that had me scratching my head as to who the killer was, while definitely being convinced  that there was one person who was truly despicable. 

There are plenty of red herrings, and some twists to keep you on your toes. 

I hadn't realised before I had downloaded this that it is in fact the second book in a series.  I do think it can be read as a standalone, but there were definitely mentions of what happened in the first book, which it would have been nice to know the details of, but equally didn't for me detract from the clearly new crime and case that was occurring in this story. 

I enjoyed getting to know Abby Finch and her family, and seeing how she is moving on with her life.  I like how she is part of the community, and her amateur detecting with her best friend was fun to read.  I am though rather intrigued as to some of the details of why Gregory thought he could blackmail Abby - but unsure whether it refers to things that were made clear in the first book... or a hint of some other reveal in a future book! 

A really delightful story, that I could barely put down for the second half of it.  I'll definitely keep a closer eye out for more books in this series. 

Thank you to Joffe Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.