In the lean years following World War I, brash American adventuress Beryl Helliwell and prim and proper Brit Edwina Davenport form a private inquiry agency to make ends meet, hoping that crime does indeed pay . . . The latest occurrence to disturb the peace in the quaint English village of Walmsley Parva hits rather too close to home—in fact, the prime suspect has taken up residence in Edwina’s … up residence in Edwina’s potting shed. Her elderly gardener Simpkins has been secretly sleeping there after a row with his disreputable brother-in-law and housemate, Hector Lomax.
When Hector is found murdered in the local churchyard, Constable Gibbs comes looking for Simpkins, who was last seen arguing with his kin in the pub the night before. Based on the sad state of her garden, Edwina has grave doubts that the shiftless Simpkins could muster the effort to murder anyone. The two sleuths throw themselves into weeding out suspects and rooting out the real killer.
But this is no garden variety murder. The discovery of a valuable ring, a surprise connection to Colonel Kimberly’s Condiment Company, and a second homicide all force Beryl and Edwina to play catch-up as they relish the chance to contain the culprit . . .
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Walmsley Parva is facing yet another murder. It’s now June of 1921, and the body of Hector Lomax has been found in the graveyard. Hector was not a well-liked or respected man in town, and that holds true for Simpkins, Edwina’s elderly gardener. Simpkins was Hector’s brother-in-law, and they shared a house, so naturally, he becomes a suspect in Hector’s death. However, that isn’t the only surprise the day has in store for Simpkins and, by extension, Edwina and Beryl. It quickly becomes clear the pair of friends need to get to the bottom of what is happening for their own sake as well as that of Simpkins. Can they do it?
I love this duo. Edwina and Beryl complement each other perfectly, and with the book’s excellent use of limited third person, we get to know both of them. The growth in them continues here as well. The rest of the cast is just as strong. I did feel the plot got a little sidetracked in the middle, but I was always entertained and the book ramps up again for a logical climax. Since the story is set in 1921, we get an interesting look at the changes that were going on in the larger society at the time. I had never given these changes much thought, but I enjoy seeing how the characters are reacting to them. If you haven’t started this series yet, you really should. If you are already a fan, you’ll love our third visit with Beryl and Edwina.
Historical novel, with might be a little clumsy use of history in it
This was a relaxing bit of cozy mystery.
Edwina and Beryl are up to their old tricks and using their unique skills to unravel a murder mystery in their quaint English village. Meanwhile, their gardener has mysteriously come into a fortune and has no idea why.
A truly delightful return to Walmsley Parva, this is the best so far in the series. Beryl and Edwina are the perfect enquiring team as their personalities and strengths complement each other. It’s an amazing journey watching Edwina and Beryl evolve as as individuals, influenced by each other. Jessica Ellicott writes so vividly you can see yourself walking through the town with them. They are fiercely loyal to their friends and go above and beyond to help Simpkins and the townsfolk. A great mystery with some really surprising twists and an ending you couldn’t even imagine. Definitely can’t wait for the next book.
Women Sleuths Post WWI Britain
This is the third book in a wonderful cozy mystery series set in post-WWI England. The time period is very important as women and the ‘lesser classes’ had just gotten a small taste of freedom during the war and were not going to hand it back. The mystery is very good and has the reader following the clues as the investigation proceeds. It is a very nice period piece that doesn’t dress up the times or stand on any political soapbox. Nicely done! I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.
Murder Cuts the Mustard is the third adventure featuring Beryl and Edwina, best friends and co-owners of Walmsley Parva’s only inquiry agency, and it’s just as charming as the first two! When Hector, Simpkins’ brother-in-law, is found murdered in the church graveyard the ladies are on the case to discover who killed him. And when Simpkins discovers he’s inherited a fortune from a recently deceased mustard tycoon and Walmsely Parva is invaded by the aforementioned tycoon’s gold digging widow and her solicitor, Edwina and Beryl must step in and help the elderly gardener before something nefarious happens to him, too! The Beryl and Edwina mysteries are such a pleasure to read, and Ms. Ellicott always includes very interesting historical tidbits – many of which I’d hadn’t previously know! A+++
MURDE CUTS THE MUSTARD is the entertaining third book in the post-World War I era series featuring former adventuress Beryl and her finishing school chum Edwina. This time around Edwina’s gardener becomes the prime suspect in his ne’er do well brother-in-law’s murder. Beryl and Edwina put on their investigative thinking caps to clear his and another villager’s names and unmask the real killer, all while the body count continues to rise.
I enjoy historical mysteries so Beryl and Edwina adventures are right up my alley. The 1921 setting highlights the changing British society still dealing with the ramifications of WWI. Don’t get me wrong, though, it sticks to the light hearted cozy standard with a quaint village setting, endearing characters, and “off screen” violence. Beryl and Edwina could not be more different from one another, and they balance each other well. The supporting characters are not quite as likable, but that is intentional. After all, murder suspects need not be nice.
In addition to the main murder mystery, there is a subplot dealing with an unexpected windfall that seems odd at first but plays out well in the end of the tale setting up a potential twist for future books. The pace is somewhat slow yet steady throughout. I did not figure out whodunit until close to the end.
Overall, MURDER CUTS THE MUSTARD is a charming, fun escapade. Recommended to fans of historical and cozy mysteries.
I received an ARC of this title through NetGalley from Kensington Publishers and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.
Murder Cuts The Mustard is the third book in the Beryl and Edwina Mystery series.
This is one of my favorite series set shortly after WWI in the quaint little village of Walmsley Parva. Beryl and Edwina have known each other since childhood and have recently met again with Beryl stopping in Walmsley Parva and meets up once again with Edwina. After solving their first murder, Beryl suggests that they start a private inquiry agency. Edwina being a private person has her doubts, but Beryl is finally able to convince her. At first glance, Beryl and Edwina might seem an unlikely duo, Beryl being a free-spirit and Edwina is one to follow the life most women followed during the years following the war. But they end up being a very effective duo.
The story begins with Edwina’s, less than energetic gardener, Simpkins, engaged in an argument with his brother-in-law, Hector Lomax. The disagreement is over Simpkins late wife’s wedding ring that Simpkins claims Lomax has stolen. The next morning the body of Lomax is found in the graveyard next to the church. Simpkins becomes the prime suspect until Constable Gibbs learns that Frank Prentice was found, intoxicated, near where the Lomax body was discovered and who had also had an argument with Lomax the previous evening. Jack Prentice, Frank’s boy, comes to Beryl and Edwina asks to hire them to find evidence to clear his father’s name. Jack is their newspaper boy and runs errands for Edwina and Beryl and they agree to try and find Lomax’s killer.
A subplot to the story centers on Simpkins. Edwina and Beryl become concerned when a solicitor from London arrives in town wanting to speak with Simpkins. Their fears are put to rest when they learn that Simpkins has received a rather large inheritance and is now a man of means. Simpkins has been left the controlling interest in Colonel Kimberly’s Condiment Company by Colonel Kimberly. Simpkins is aware of the company’s product but has no idea as to Colonel Kimberly is.
Ms. Ellicott once again provides us with a well-written and plotted story with enough red herring to have kept me guessing until the end. She also provides us with an interesting cast of supporting characters, in addition to the wonderful Edwina and Beryl.
I very much looking forward to the next book in this very enjoyable series.
Beryl, a Yank and Edwina, a Brit share a house in Walmsly Parva and act as private inquiry agents in their not so innocent village. who knew there would be so much to investigate? This time almost literally in their own back yard. Their case involves the death of their gardeners brother in law. It turns out that their gardener has been sleeping in their garden shed and the police come searching for him as he was las seen having a dust up with the dead man. Is it a simple case of a family row or is there much more to uncover? Yes, there is much for Beryl and Edwina to suss out but I’m going to stay mum as I don’t want to give anything away. If you are new to this delightful series, no worries, this one can be read as a stand alone but be warned, you will, I’m certain, want to play catch up with the other books. It will be reading time very well spent.