Assigned to St. Clement’s Church in an inner-city borough just outside Hackney in London, Reverend Annabelle Dixon brings an enthusiasm and drive to her clerical position that baffles her mentor, Father John, but which soon gains her fans and admiration. Annabelle is not your typical vicar, but her strengths prove to serve her, and those around her, very well.When Annabelle plans to meet her … to meet her longtime friend, Sister Mary, a Catholic nun visiting from West Africa, at a local café, little does she know that she will soon find herself embroiled in a mystery of deadly design. Their meeting place is awash with horror, with Sister Mary standing in the middle, shaking, her hand over her mouth and a dead woman at her feet.
Armed only with a note, a disappearing dart, vague hints, and a love of cake, this quick-thinking, quick-footed holy woman must gather the clues, pacify a detective, and find the real perpetrator before both she and her friend wind up in jail.
Part Sherlock, part Father Dowling, Annabelle is a new kind of detective – one who sees the truth in the most unlikely places. If you love solving puzzles, then this suspense-filled, endearing, cozy mystery is just for you. Enjoy following our amateur sleuth as she careers around London. It will have you guessing until the very end!
Interview with the Author
Q – So, what makes the Reverend Annabelle Dixon series special?
A – Annabelle. When I set out to write these books, I wanted to create a series that featured a heart-warming, smart, sometimes ditzy, ultimately good protagonist that we all undisputedly adore. I love mysteries so there was no question this character was going to be involved in solving them and I set it in the Cornish countryside, right at the end of England, where I have fond memories of vacations as a child.
But it is Annabelle around whom the series revolves – her humanity, her empathy, her big heart – that makes the series so special. With her sometimes partner, sometimes antagonist, Inspector Mike Nicholls, they create some fun and drama as the small town mysteries unfold with humor and intrigue.
If you enjoy the TV series, The Vicar of Dibley, Miranda, or Midsomer Murders, you will find something to enjoy in the Reverend Annabelle cozy mysteries.
Q – In what order should I read the books?
A – If you do want to read them in order, I’d suggest the following sequence:
– Death at the Café (prequel)
– Murder at the Mansion
– Body in the Woods (coming soon)
Q – Why should readers give these books a try?
A – Because the Reverend Annabelle series is a gentle, but colorful romp through the wealthy, isolated English countryside, a place that is picturesque and peaceful on the outside but one filled with amoral and snobbish eccentrics with all kinds of vices.
Annabelle is a fun, uncomplicated character who is soulful, devout, smart and funny with penchant for cake. Both Jamie and I are English and we feature many English countryside rituals, institutions and customs in these stories.
Ultimately, readers who enjoy gentle pacing with a plot that twists and turns, features much fun, drama, quintessential Britishness, and, of course, small town murder all the way to the end will get a kick out of this series. It will make you laugh and you will, I hope, become invested in the characters and be rooting for them to come out on top.
As a bonus, each book features recipes of the yummy treats that are featured in the book.
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The Reverend Annabelle is looking forward to a visit with her childhood friend, Sister Mary. What should have been an enjoyable reunion becomes a murder investigation. Now both these women of the cloth are suspected of killing not one but two women in order to steal priceless jewels. Reverend Annabelle can’t convince DI Cutcliffe that someone is trying to implicate Sister Mary for the crime. I love our cake loving Reverend Annabelle. She’s a fascinating character. She’s intelligent and feisty. She will always fight for the innocent. Her methods may be unconventional but you can’t argue with the results. I’m a fan of the Reverend. She’s just starting on her journey and I can’t wait to see what will happen next. If there is trouble, our crime fighter will be involved.
I have read and loved all the books so far in the Reverend Annabelle series. If you like books that are well written….without multiple errors…..with well-developed characters, and a story line that will keep you interested right to the end, you will love Alison Golden’s books. I have read all of her books and have not been disappointed in any of them. I recommend this author and all of her books without hesitation or reservation.
I thouroghly enjoyed every book written by this author. I started reading Annabelle Dixon and enjoyed it greatly, then read the author:’s other series also.
Review:
4 stars
I have purchased a copy of the England based series The Reverend Annabelle Dixon Cozy Mysteries: Books 1-4 (The Reverend Annabelle Dixon Series Boxset) by Alison Golden and this review was given freely. An eclectic mix of colorful characters, mysteries and murder set in England that contain a bit of romance and ends with some popular dessert recipes.
Death at the Café:
5 stars
I have purchased a copy of the England based series The Reverend Annabelle Dixon Cozy Mysteries Book 1: Death at a Cafe by Alison Golden and this review was given freely.
Starts a bit slow with a history lesson but is ultimately intriguing, complex and action packed with a dynamic and outspoken Reverend Annabelle Dixon who finds herself in the middle of multiple murders and a mystery which she solves despite the interference of the police.
Murder at the Mansion:
4 stars
I have purchased a copy of The Reverend Annabelle Dixon Cozy Mysteries Book 2: Murder at the Mansion by Alison Golden and this review was given freely.
Down to earth colorful characters,small town rumors, vivid and at times flowery descriptions, a elaborate murder mystery, and a hint of romance.
Trouble arises when Annabelle Dixon goes to Woodlands Manor to welcome Sir John Cartwright to the Upton ST. Mary Parish only to find him dead in his bedroom with a arrow in his heart and a mysteriously disappearing girl necessitating the involvement of the local laid back, mischievous Constable Jim Raven and Truro’s Inspector Mike Nicholls.
Body in the Woods:
4 stars
I have purchased a copy of The Reverend Annabelle Dixon Cozy Mysteries Book 3:Body in the Woods by Alison Golden and this review was given freely.
Eclectic characters like the outspoken Phillipa, the socially awkward anthropologist Dr.Robert Brownson, the easily irritated Inspector Nicholls, and the dessert loving, curious and at times persistent Reverend add color to the pages filled with rambling descriptions and conversations,multiple mysteries which are entwined with multiple love triangles, a murder, and a love match.
When eight year old Dougie Dewar trips over a skeleton in the woods of Upton ST. Mary, Detective Mike Nicholls tries to keep the quick witted Reverend Annabelle away from the investigation but town gossip situates her perfectly to solve the twenty year old murder case.
Grave in the Garage:
5 stars
I have purchased a copy of The Reverend Annabelle Dixon Cozy Mysteries Book 4: Grave in the Garage by Alison Golden and this review was given freely.
Suspenseful and action packed involving a few twist, puppies, and some surprises. As Reverend Annabelle laments the reduction in church funds and her friendship with Inspector Mike deepens, Phillia’s matchmaking escalates, and the village of Upton ST. Mary experiences another murder as well as a secret gambling ring.
Horror in the Highlands:
5 stars
I have purchased a copy of The Reverend Annabelle Dixon Cozy Mysteries Book 5: Horror in the Highlands by Alison Golden and this review was given freely.
Vivid descriptions, an eclectic group of colorful characters, and a series of oddities and mysteries fill the pages of this cozy mystery where Reverend Annabelle visits her brother Roger and niece Bonnie on the island of Blodraigh, Scotland where she finds herself having to solve the murder of pub owner Harry Anderson without the help of the police while isolated on a small island in the midst of a severe storm. Things escalate when a chance email results in a surprise visit from Inspector Mike.
A good story. Reverend Annabelle in her early career makes a wonderful character.
I received a copy of this book as a gift. I am leaving my honest review.