As friends, the boisterous and brash American Beryl couldn’t be less alike than the prim and proper British Edwina. But as sleuths in an England recovering from the Great War, they’re the perfect match . . . 1920: Flying in the face of convention, legendary American adventuress Beryl Helliwell never fails to surprise and shock. The last thing her adoring public would expect is that she craves … that she craves some peace and quiet. The humdrum hamlet of Walmsley Parva in the English countryside seems just the ticket. And, honestly, until America comes to its senses and repeals Prohibition, Beryl has no intention of returning stateside and subjecting herself to bathtub gin.
For over three decades, Edwina Davenport has lived comfortably in Walmsley Parva, but the post–World War I bust has left her in dire financial straits and forced her to advertise for a lodger. When her long-lost school chum Beryl arrives on her doorstep—actually crashes into it in her red motorcar—Edwina welcomes her old friend as her new roommate.
But her idyllic hometown has a hidden sinister side, and when the two friends are drawn in, they decide to set up shop as private inquiry agents, helping Edwina to make ends meet and satisfying Beryl’s thirst for adventure. Now this odd couple will need to put their heads together to catch a killer—before this sleepy English village becomes their final resting place . . .
more
I’ve now read the first three books in Jessica Ellicott’s series and i think i’m up with her, meaning i have to wait for her to write her next one. ARGGGGH! If you’ve read any of my reviews, you know i’m hooked on historical, English lady sleuths, but i’m picky. This series definitely made the cut. Taking place “between the wars” in a small English village, a gentile, penniless English women is amazed and delighted when her school chum, a wild-ass American adventuress, shows up in her life to rent a room from her — but actually moves into her life. Seemingly as different as they can be, the two women bolster and enhance the best in each other and get involved in lots of mysteries. The series has a touch of melancholy as an overhang of the first world war, but still pulls the reader into the wonderful personalities of these two amazing women. The mysteries are suspenseful enough to propel the pace, but mostly it’s the Beryl and Edwina show! Give it a try.
Absolutely delightful. Readers will fall in love with this intrepid new pair of sleuths as they sniff out the secrets hiding just beneath the surface of even the most unassuming English village.
You’ll love this delightful new series about two ladies of a certain age who refuse to let Society’s expectations hold them back from bringing a killer to justice. The very British Edwina and the too American Beryl are a wonderfully mismatched pair who will keep you turning pages until they solve the crime.
Most enjoyable. Looking forward to next in series
This was yet another “new-to-me” author and I enjoyed the book very much! The main characters were fun, endearing, and very believable! The plot was easily followed and the ending, both surprising and very satisfactory. I definitely recommend this book and look forward to reading more of the series.
I couldn’t put it down. Right from chapter 1, I loved the main characters and how they balanced each other. Loved the village setting and the many little secrets and twists that came to light. Looking forward to more adventures with these two ladies.
Two women “of a certain age” finding their way in the post WWI world of England.
One a rather impoverished lady. One a world traveler, weary of it all.
Together they form a powerful team to explore wrongs in their little village.
Despite pig-headed men, it might be said!
Cleverly done.
I look forward to more adventures.
Murder in an English Village. The first book I’ve read in this series and I love it. A delightful series about two ladies of a certain age. The very British Edwina (Ed) and the too American, Beryl are so wonderfully mismatched as friends. They are fun, funny and very enjoyable. I do recommend this book and will be reading more in this series!
the beginning of Beryl and Edwina, keep them coming.
Loved it it was a rump though and tiny English village, with and American woman before her time, I’d like to see her here and now, she would so fit!
Cozy English mystery
You’ll fall in love with genteel Edwina and gregarious Beryl, a quirky pair of sleuths who pool their respective talents and doggedly get the job done. Great fun from start to finish, murder has never been so adorable!
When Edwina’s funds get low enough, she starts advertising for a boarder. Fortunately for her, Beryl sees it. The two women, though very different, are boarding school friends, and this new living arrangement suits them both. But Beryl’s presence in Edwina’s small village creates some gossip, which Beryl fuels by hinting that the two women are actually employed by His Majesty. When someone tries to kill Edwina, the two realize there is a secret to uncover. What might it be?
This book perfectly transports us back to 1920 and the English countryside. The repercussions of World War I are still there, and it is a fascinating look at how the war affected the rest of life. The British Edwina and American Beryl are very different, and their differences can be fun, yet they make a good detecting pair, and we feel the depth of their friendship. The plot is strong, keeping us surprised until the end.
Very nice start to (hopefully!!!) a new cozy series set in post-WWI rural England, with two longtime friends – Beryl the famous adventuress and Edwina the quiet spinster – as our lead heroines. The mystery was very well-written (lots of suspects!!!) and I really enjoyed the setting. Absolutely recommend to fans of English cozies! A+
Murder in an English Village by Jessica Ellicott was an enjoyable historical cozy mystery.
The writing is descriptive as readers are introduced to Beryl, American advenutress, and Edwina, British woman of a higher social class, and the village of Walmsley Parva after WWI. Beryl and Edwina met in school and then drifted apart. Now Beryl is looking for some quiet in her life and Edwina needs some monetary help as England is recovering during the post war era.
The story is smoothly paced and well written and there was actually more than one mystery to be solved in this book. I did find that a couple of times during the story I stopped reading because I was questioning their common sense as they continued to split up during their “investigation”. However, the characters were well developed and Walmsley Parva was a fine example of village life in England during it’s WWI recovery.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own. My rating is 3.5 stars.