A sinister cult. A body in the woods. A mystery more devious than Annabelle’s diet… parish.When she hears of strangers moving into a house on the edge of the village, Annabelle decides to pay these new residents a visit. What she finds is a quirky cult, and a ritual that sends her fleeing into the woods…where she promptly trips over a dead body!
Local police make a hasty arrest, but Annabelle is convinced they have the wrong man. And she decides a murder investigation is just the thing to keep her mind off the absent Inspector Nicholls. But with an entire cult full of suspects, can Annabelle unravel the killer’s identity, before they strike again?
Killer at the Cult is the latest entry in the Reverend Annabelle Dixon series. If you like quaint English towns, mysterious characters, laugh-out-loud humor, and a touch of sweet romance, then you’ll love Alison Golden’s deliciously humorous storytelling.
Buy Killer at the Cult today and prepare to be charmed.
This book includes recipes for some of Annabelle’s favorite treats:
– Lovely Lemon Tart
– Pious Plum and Almond Crumble
– Reformed Rhubarb Flan
– Soulful Sconesmore
FUN SERIES!
I’m always a fan of this series because Rev. Annabelle is an admirable character. Even though she’s still somewhat young, she takes her calling seriously. She always puts the needs of her parishioners and others before herself. She can’t seem to help her own self when it comes to her sweet tooth, a possible crush on the local police detective and stumbling upon mysteries and the occasional dead body. This installment finds the Vicar attempting to discover all she can about the new neighbors at the end of the road. Everyone seems so scared of them because they are so different and say they are part of a cult. With the good Detective out of town, that leaves way too much free time for Rev. Annabelle to try and befriend these new neighbors. That is until she once again meets up with the unexpected – another dead body. That is just the invitation Rev. Annabelle needs to get involved in this mystery! Only the best Detective is away. Will the other Detective be as tolerant of the Vicar? Another great addition to the series! I was provided an ARC of this book by the author. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.
Very good Reverend Annabelle Dixon Cozy Mystery with humor and a lot of suspense.
“No, thank you, Katie,” she said patting her stomach. “I’m trying to be good.” Katie laughed. “You’re a vicar, Reverend. You can’t not be good.”
Rev. Annabelle Dixon cares for her community… even the people who aren’t part of her Upton St.Mary parish. Until there’s rumors of a small communal “cult” living just on the edge. Housing a small group of people who seem “harmless”, Annabelle is determined to make them feel welcome, until someone at the house is murdered, and the vicar is not going to accept the police arresting someone on heresay evidence, even if he threatened the leader because his daughter chooses to live with them instead of home; where she should be.
Annabelle has her detractors, the police in particular; and without her friend Inspector Mike to bolster her unique ways of investigating, they seem to try to thwart her inquiries. And the story takes twists and turns that would discourage anyone…but the vicar.
Alison Golden tells a rocking good story as we again get to be by her side in this unique setting. As a retired minister, I may “get” Annabelle in a different way than others, but the truth is right in front of the reader: the sixth book of the series joins the first five as a great read. Highly Recommended 5/5.
[disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily reviewed it]
Delightful story. The reverend is wonderful. I found the first few chapters a bit slow. Persevere. The rest of the story more than makes up for it. You might take a shortcut to the solution, but you don’t want to skip the ending.
I received a copy of this book as a gift. I am leaving my honest review.
The protagonist Annabelle is smart, observant, likable, and determined. The mystery is full of twists and turns to keep the readers involved in the story and solving the murder right along with Annabelle. This is an entertaining book that I recommend to cozy mystery fans.
Killer at the Cult – a review by Rosemary Kenny
Alison Golden is the Queen of the Cozy Mystery, never more so, than when she weaves another engaging story around her wholesome, hearty female vicar, the Reverend Annabelle Dixon, (whom I must admit to visualising as a kind of Dawn French’s Vicar of Dibley, crossed with Agatha Christie’s great rural female sleuth, Miss Jane Marple. Like the latter, she’s guaranteed to trip over a body (as in this great novella), or unveil some un-neighbourly shenanigans and murderous mischief wherever she goes.
While helping to prepare a village childrens’ play, she becomes aware of mutterings about strangers and outsiders bring evil and immorality to lure villagers of the path to righteousness.
Naturally Annabelle’s curiosity and a determination to find out the truth about their newcomers, leads her to investigate – and a peaceful stroll in the nearby woods along her way, leads to a shocking discovery. What has Annabelle found?
What happens when the huge bonfire party takes place?
Can Annabelle restore peace and justice to all?
Read The Killer at the Cult by Alison Golden to find out the sensational truth about ‘whodunnit’?
Readers who enjoy the crime solving adventures of Reverend Annabelle Dixon and Inspector Mike Nichols in Upton St. Mary, Great Britain as much as I do will love their new adventures in “Killer at the Cult” by Alison Golden and Jamie Vougeot. For those who have never met Reverend Annabelle and Inspector Mike, this book will introduce them to you and when you finish the book, you will want to read more of their adventures. Reverend Annabelle Dixon is the Vicar of St. Mary’s Church in the town of Upton St. Mary in Great Britain and Deputy Inspector Mike Nichols is her friend and the police officer assigned to help the town with any crimes that occur there. When Reverend Annabelle sees two strange women trying to give out flowers to the residents of her town as the residents try to avoid them, she wants to find out more about these women. She introduces herself to them and learns that they live together with others in the big house at the end of town. Julia, about 50 and carrying a rabbit in her pocket, and Sally, about 20, invite her to dinner to meet the rest of their group. She goes to their house and finds it very run down inside and outside. She meets Margaret, an older woman, who keeps to herself and does not come to dinner, and Theo who tells her that they are the Brotherhood of Saint Petrie, asking her if she ever heard of Saint Petrie. Reverend Annabelle becomes very uncomfortable, realizing that they are worshiping a saint she never heard of and also realizes that she is in the presence of a cult. She starts to leave but they all insist she stay for dinner. She wishes Inspector Mike would be with her, but he has gone to a meeting in another town and does not know where she is. When they sit down for dinner, she sees how Theo controls the other members of the group and how they all follow him, screaming and banging on the table and calling out Saint Petrie’s name. As she goes to leave after dinner, they beg her to stay, telling her they will have a ceremony to Saint Petrie in their backyard. They all change into costumes and even put make-up on her face. She stays, is frightened by the goings on in the dark yard and tries to leave. On her way to her car she trips over a body. Readers will want to know whose body did she trip on and what has happened to this person. I could not put the book down until I finished it and am sure other readers will have the same experience.
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the cozy mystery Killer at the Cult (A Reverend Annabelle Dixon Cozy Mystery Book 6) by Alison Golden and this review was given freely.
Not for everyone as this is a predominantly dark and sinister novel with vivid descriptions, a theme of Nazi sympathizer/holocaust, two murders and scenes depicting the life of the Petrie Brotherhood including rites. Preparation for the children’s congregation’s play Joseph’s Multicolored Dreamcoat, Annabelle and Mike’s progressing romance and Reverend Annabelle’s dieting bring balance and a sense of lightness. When Reverend Annabelle welcomes Upton Mary’s newest residents, she finds herself frustrated when Detective Mike Nicholls is out of town and investigating detectives minimize her attempts to help the investigation.
I love Annabelle! She is an intelligent woman with a heart of gold and a nose for trouble. Killer At The Cult is full of twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end. I was pleased to see Annabelle and Mike move their relationship to the next level. They are so perfect for each other. If you like a well-written page-turner, then this is the book for you. I encourage you to read the entire series.
Another great adventure for Reverend Annabelle Dixon. I am so enjoying this series. Lots of twists and turns to keep your interest. I will admit that I love a good mystery. Add a cute british village, a vicar and a little romance and you have me hooked. Can’t wait for more.
I was gifted this book with the understanding that I would leave an honest review.
This was the 1st book I’ve read by Ms. Golden and I liked her style of writing. The main character, Reverend Annabelle is very open minded and involved in the lives of her fellow villagers. This leads to mystery solving, humor, unexpected twists & turns and a slow moving romance. It got a little dark but a good read all in all.
Reverend Dixon is a fun character and I enjoy her books.
Love the characters and the series.
Loved this new book with the Reverend Annabelle. It has a murder, a little mystery and a little romance. Very enjoyable read. I was given a free ARC by the author. My review is freely and honestly given
How could a cult have moved into the English countryside of Upton Saint Clair? The townsfolk are suspicious, so Annabelle Dixon the Vicar of the village decides to investigate for herself just who these individuals are. The author, Alison Golden, has written another delightful cozy of colorful characters, a most unusual murder and a touch of romance all keep me coming back to read the antics of the Reverend Annabelle Dixon. I received an ARC of this book for my honest review.
I am really enjoying these stories. The small village vicar who solves the murders, what could be better. Oh, her beau is not making his feelings known. This is a delightful story that draws you in and keeps you there until the end. I am looking forward to reading even more of the series.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I did figure out who did it but missed the clues as to why. Nice job with the wrap up.
I love that the vicar is a young female. I also love that she realizes that she can be a female and have hopes and reams like any other person. Being a vicar should not stop her.
Annabelle Dixon as a vicar reaches out to new residents in the village. Question that kept coming to mind when reading this story is why is it her job or the just the job of a vicar to reach out to new people. Should we not all be doing that.
I know that I have read another one in the series in the way past. I will have to find it and reread it.
This is my honest and freely given review. I did receive an ARC book.
The Reverend Annabelle Dixon books form a very enjoyable cosy mystery series, and this is probably the best in the series so far.
The writing is as good as I would expect from this author with great descriptions of the characters and locations, an interesting mystery, with a surprise culprit, and a couple of other story lines to keep the interest. First there is Annabelle’s burgeoning romance with her detective friend and a play she is directing with local schoolchildren.
I received an advance copy of the book, but have voluntarily reviewed this book.
Rev. Annabelle has her hands full trying to corral the children to put on a production of The Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. Wisely, although all children have different costumes, most sing in the majority of the songs – bopping their heads and humming when they forget the words.
The man whom she is fond of is off at a police training institute, leaving her alone with a mess of murder and mayhem – and notice from a few of the fans of her detective.
Much ado and many conflicts on the murderous front, and a church secretary who i full of the spirit – or something.
In the end, Annabelle asks what more he could want. She has :Life, love, God, and dogs.
And cats. Don’t forget the cats.
A fun Kindle Unlimited read!