Julia Lanchester is happily settled into her newly refurbished cottage with her boyfriend, Michael Sedgewick. Both are thriving in their jobs, Michael as personal assistant to Julia's celebrity TV ornithologist father, and Julia as the tourist manager for the Fotheringill estate. The problem is that they are both working every available hour. On the eve of taking off on a getaway weekend, both Julia and Michael receive a cryptic email from Julia's ex-husband, Nick Hawkins, asking for a meeting. Independently, they decide not to deal with it until returning. After all, Julia has heard nothing from Nick since he took off to St.Kilda to follow his passion for "vagrant" birds and solitude. They both turn off their phones, only to turn them on to many messages. Nick's body has been found on the Fotheringill estate, dead in a derelict summerhouse. Naturally, the police want to talk to them, in the person of the formidable DI Tess Callow. Upon returning they find the village overrun with the press and the assumption that Michael must have killed Nick. Michael decides to move out and step away hoping that it will protect Julia from the press invasion. Instead, Julia ends up trying to do both of their jobs, resulting in predictable exhaustion and added stress. And the press will not stop hounding her, especially one very strange and aggressive woman.

Every Trick in the Rook has the characters I loved in the first two books; the villagers, Lord Fotheringill and Julia's loving family. There are welcome additions; Gwen, a widow, and her daughter, Tennyson. Tennyson has a pet rook named Alfie who quickly becomes a character in his own right. I confess to having little interest in birds but if I had known how intelligent rooks are, I might have felt differently. I am now searching for Esther Woolfson's Corvus, a book that Marty Wingate mentions as her inspiration for Alfie. I had not connected with Julia as a character so much before but now I feel I have more insight into what makes her tick. Every Trick in the Rook is a delightful read with a satisfying puzzle.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Alibi for an advance digital copy in return for an honest review.

RATING- 4.5 Stars

Every Trick in the Rook
A Birds of a Feather Mystery
By Marty Wingate

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from the publisher in connection with NetGalley in return for my review. Copyright © 2017 Laura Hartman

Julia Lanchester is juggling work and her personal life just like many of us do. She is excited to get away from the tourist bureau for a weekend with her boyfriend Michael. Things have been busy for her, planning events in and around the Fotheringill estate, the most popular place to visit in the village.

She and Michael head out and disconnect from everything for a wonderful few days. They spot unusual birds and enjoy each other until the hotel notifies her of an urgent phone call.

The news opens the cage on crazy – turning a relaxing weekend into an abrupt return to reality. Julia’s ex-husband has been found murdered. Even worse, he was on the Fotheringill property. Why has he returned to a place he didn’t like from the isolated island he retreated to when they divorced?

The local constable has questions for Michael and Julia, surely they are not suspects! They are questioned and released, but Julia is warned to keep her nose out of the investigation. She has good intentions, but just can’t seem to let the questions about her ex-husband’s arrival and murder go. Will this put her in the crosshairs of the killer?

Wingate spins a great cozy mystery. It has all the elements that keep loyal cozy readers interested and turning pages. This series is exceedingly interesting to nature and bird lovers. One of my favorite characters is avian – a super smart rook named Alfie. He flies in and out of the plot at the most interesting times. The little girl he lives with is also very interesting. Her name, Tennyson, is as complex and fascinating as the child. I hope both of them show up in later books.

This is the third book in The Birds of a Feather Mystery series. It works perfectly well as a stand-alone mystery as I have not read the previous two books in the series. I did read one of Wingate’s Potting Shed Mysteries and thoroughly enjoyed it. If you are a fan of cozy mysteries or mysteries in general, I highly recommend checking out one or both of Marty Wingate’s series. I am willing to bet you will come back for more.

Every Trick in the Rook by Marty Wingate is the third in Ms. Wingate's A Birds of a Feather mystery series and was a great addition to this series. Although it is the third in the series, I do believe that it could be read as a standalone as Ms. Wingate makes sure to give a little of each character's backstory in this book.

Ms. Wingate introduced three new characters to the village, Gwen, her daughter Tennyson and Alfie, Tennyson's rook. I adored Alfie and enjoyed learning about rooks. it was fun to see Alfie play a major role in discovering the killer. The pace of the plot was steady with a liberal amount of clues sprinkled about as I read. I was shocked that I actually guessed correctly who the murderer was before the reveal because I almost never figure that out with one of Ms. Wingate's books. The characters are developing well and it was enjoyable getting to know them better in this book. I would love to visit the village and meet all of these delightful characters.

Once again an entertaining and engrossing story set in England. The Rook of the title is a smart and capable character. As a bird it is more intelligent than many of the people involved. The story revolves around a murder on the Lord's estate, and the impact on Julia and her romance. First of all, it is a good murder mystery with lots of clues and potential. Then again it is a great tale of many eccentric English people and how they interact. The whole process of solving the crime is fascinating and fun.

This is a very enjoyable series. Great characters and plot.
This one includes a marvelous rook who offers important assistance.
I highly recommend this for a good read.

Every Trick in the Rook is the second book I've read in this series by Marty Wingate.
Julia Lanchester is a great character. Her colorful personality adds a fun twist to the series.
I loved the addition of Tennyson and Alfie to the series.
They add a quirky touch to book and it truly makes it a fun read.
Julia is settling into her life, however, when a murder strikes close to home, literally, it sends her life into a downward spiral.
Separating from her boyfriend Michael is too much to bear, leaving her no choice but to actively investigate.
Before long, Julia is discovering secrets and soon finds herself face to face with the killer.
I enjoyed every minute of this book.
The author captivated me with the different twists and turns, making this book impossible to put down.

Every Trick in the Rook: A Birds of a Feather Mystery
By Marty Wingate
Alibi
March 2017

Review by Cynthia Chow

The ever-busy Julia Lanchester has finally managed to carve out a weekend away from her job as the manager of Smeaton-under-Lyme’s tourist information center to spend a weekend away with her boyfriend Michael Sedgwick. It’s a shame that upon their return they find Detective Inspector Tess Callow, greeting them with the news that Julia’s ex-husband has just been found in the summerhouse of Hoggin Hall. Although they’d been divorced for three years, it’s been five years since Julia last saw Nick Hawkins, which is why she hesitated to respond to the email he sent the previous Thursday. It’s an act she regrets when Julia discovers that Michael had received a similar email, and that he was seen on Friday at the place where Nick was found dead.

The daughter of BBC television celebrity ornithologist Rupert Lanchester, a crime involving Julia’s ex-husband and current boyfriend makes her a target of gossip and a media sensation. With an onslaught of tabloid scandal “reporters” stalking out Julia’s home and work, Michael decides that the best solution to keep her out of the limelight is for him is to move out of their cottage, leave town, and step away from his work as Rupert’s personal assistant and Foundation manager. Unwilling to appear needy or vulnerable, Julia’s compulsive work habits have her doing two full-time jobs and the work of four when her own two assistants take leave. It’s a manic endeavor that could succeed only if Julia gives up sleep and adds on four extra hours to the day, but her overwhelming guilt at not mourning Nick and involving Michael in scandal prevent her from admitting defeat.

Intent on bringing Michael back and restoring their briefly attained happiness, Julia is determined to learn why Nick suddenly returned in her life, why he contacted Michael, and how Nick’s Avian Institute of Learning may have led him to tiny Smeaton-under-Lyme. It has Julia questioning his coworkers and sister, while also forcing her into examining her marriage to such a distant and cold man. Julia’s loving sister and bird-focused father share supportive advice, but far more instrumental help comes in the form of a clever and very anti-paparazzi rook named Alfie. His precocious companion, a ten year-old aspiring ornithologist, adds yet another layer of charm and sanity to Julia’s overwhelming duties. Relentless in fulfilling her far-too-many responsibilities, Julia somehow maintains her sense of humor even as she borders on spiraling out of control. Alfie dive-bombing and scattering reporters is almost enough to cheer up her day, although nothing can make up for the gap left in her life by Michael’s absence. Clever writing and delightful local characters continue to make this a very entertaining and charming series, with avian lore sprinkled throughout as a bonus.

Every Trick in the Rook is the third installment of Marty Wingate's Birds of a Feather mystery series. Julia Lanchester, manager of the Tourist Information Center for the Fotheringill Estate, is swamped with the amount of work preparing for the Farmers' Market as well as the Smeaton's Summer Supper, and is at a point of exhaustion. If not for the special weekend she has planned with her main man Michael, she would have reached the end of her rope. A few days by the sea should work wonders.

But it is not a few days that they have as both her father, famed ornithologist Rupert Lanchester, and Detective Inspector Tess Callow leave messages for them to call immediately. When the calls are returned, Julia and Michael learn of the murder of Julia's ex-husband, Nick Hawkins. They quickly return to Sudbury for not only a briefing, but also questioning concerning the murder.

Once the "journos" get wind of the death, Julia and Michael, and all associated with them, become a focus for tabloids and dark news tactics. This leads to Julia and Michael separating, with Michael attempting to pull the "journos" away from Julia. However, this only serves to place Julia in further danger.

With a cast of interesting characters, including a little girl and her pet rook (an amazingly intelligent member of the crow family) this third installment is as fresh and fast paced as its predecessors. It kept you guessing all along and flipping pages until the tense climax. Marty Wingate has done it once again with a page-turning mystery that fans of this genre will relish. I do recommend this book!

I have read all of Marty Wingates books and loved them and this one didn't disappoint! I think this is the best one yet! I love the way Marty writes her books, being so descriptive about things that you can imagine yourself actually being there! I didn't guess who the killer was either! Can't wait for the next release, thank you for letting me read and review this book.

I have read all of Marty Wingate's books, I enjoy reading about Julie Lancaster's life in a small village, it comes to life when you're reading and its never boring. I think it's the best book so far. I had a small incline who the killer could have been but wasn't too sure as she wasn't mentioned throughout the book very much and I didn't know what her motive would have been. Thank you for letting me read and review this bee ok, can't wait for her next book.

Julia and Michael are going along just fine. They even manage to get away for a weekend, but the weekend is interrupted by the death of Julia's ex-husband Nick, she has unresolved emotional issues. The tabloid press comes after them and things start to fall apart,
The rook from the title is a real character and so is his friend Tennyson. The room, Alfie, plays a role in finding the murderer.
I identified with Julia when she ends up taking on both the TIC job full time and her old job, because things have been a bit overwhelming with my work recently. I like all the characters. I have enjoyed past installments of this series and wholeheartedly recommend this book.

This is the third book in the Birds of a Feather cozy mystery series by Marty Wingate. I have read a book from Marty's other series, Potting Shed Mystery, but this is my first book from this series. I thought this was an enjoyable little mystery. The setting, a small English village, was great. I loved the look at life in a small village. It seems so nice and cozy.

Julia Lanchester is trying to go on a weekend getaway with her boyfriend, Michael Sedgwick. Her father is Rupert Lanchester, a famous ornithologist, and Michael works as his assistant. Unfortunately, their holiday is cut short when the dead body of Julia's ex husband turns up at the estate where she works. Julia has to contend with suspicion falling on her and Michael, as well as aggressive tabloid journalists bent on making her life hell.

This was a nice book. The bird facts were interesting. I really liked the introduction of the young girl, Tennyson, and her rook, Alfie. A rook is a large bird, like a raven, and Alfie is very smart. He ends up playing a role in solving the mystery. This is not the best cozy mystery I have read, but it is an enjoyable way to spend an evening.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley

The third book in Wingate's Birds of a Feather mystery series. Although they could be read out of order, I recommend starting with the first book to get more detail on Julia's back story.

In this book Julia is busy in her role as the manager of the Tourist Information Center in the estate and village of Smeaton-under-Lyme and happy in her relationship with Michael (assistant to her celebrity ornithologist and television personality father Rupert.) The two are away on a weekend trip when they find out Julia's ex-husband has been found murdered on the estate and because he appeared to be there to meet with Julia and/or Michael, the media soon has them under suspicion. Michael distances himself from Julia and Rupert to remove the negative attention and publicity and Jules finds herself on her own as she tries to clear herself and Michael.

I liked this third book--particularly the inclusion of two new characters--one human and one feathered. Tennyson is a young girl who has dreams of being an ornithologist and Alfie is an exceptionally intelligent rook. It looks like they will be added to the cast of reoccurring characters in this series which I look forward to. I did feel that the mystery in this book was very obvious early on--even for a cozy mystery, but there was great charm and interesting bird facts so there was pleasure in reading even if it didn't challenge me at all in the mystery department. Looking forward to the next book.

Julia Lanchester is stretched to the max. She works for an estate as the tourist liaison. She runs the tourist office, leads tours and also helps her father a noted ornithologist.

Julia lives with her significant other, Michael. Michael is a producer for her father's television show. Both of them are very happy with life as it is. That is about to change.

The body of Julia's former husband is found on the grounds of the estate. He has been murdered.

The characters in this book are wonderful. The estate and village are populated with people who are entertaining as well as interesting. The sense of community is so strong it is nearly another character. The police officers are involved with the villagers and it is evident they are a caring force. Most of the police business involves Julia. Not only has her former husband been murdered but several events seem to be threats on her life.

Julia, Michael and her family and friends are very strong characters. All of them are likable.
There is a young girl who has trained a very bright bird, many people who manage their small businesses to be the best they can be for the estate.

For me, the star of the story is Alfie. He is a rook. That is a member of the crow family.
Alfie shows the ability of a rook to learn and reason. Rooks are capable of facial recognition as well as problem solving. Alfie is a wonderful character who adds a great deal to the story.

The plot moves forward at a good pace. Julia puts clues together and follows the trail. I liked the fact that she does not knowingly put herself in jeopardy. The police presence is not made to appear silly or inept.

This is a really well done mystery. It is part of a series, but I have not read the other books and it was easy for me to follow along. This is the first book I have read by Ms Wingate. I will look for more books by her.

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are my own.

Julia Lanchester is the manager for the local tourist office in her charming British village. Her boyfriend, Michael, is busy as a personal assistant to Julia’s father, an ornithologist. Julia and Michael decide to take a weekend vacation. When Julia’s ex-husband is murdered, and Michael is seen near the scene of the crime, the press descends and truth takes a backseat to the lies the press publishes. Michael decides to leave hoping the press will leave Julia alone. Can Julia find the truth before Michael is arrested on the basis of lies?
This was a good mystery with great characters and a beautiful setting. I thought the character Alfie was quirky, yet endearing. What turned me off was the plot took too many pages to complete. I figured out who the culprit was before the big reveal. I was finished with the book before the book was finished with itself. But, if you like mysteries about bird lovers set in the English countryside, this may be for you.

I have really enjoyed the relaxing absorption of several of Marty Wingate's 'Potting Shed Mysteries' in the past - definitely a cut above the usual formulaic books of the cosy crime genre. However I found it harder to engage with her characters in this new book from her 'Birds of a Feather' series, or perhaps with the bird-related setting, which seems less rural, more glamorous and rather contrived here. The central character is once again strong, about forty and definitely female with a devoted, loving partner, but her wilful disregard of simple safety precautions in the pursuit of the murderer are irritatingly silly and frustrating. I can understand the annoyance of the police, family and friends in trying to keep her from doing herself harm, rather than focusing on solving the mystery. Rather disappointing to feel distracted by daft detail and unexplained leaps of conclusion in what is usually a warm hug of cosiness from this lively author.

I enjoy Marty Wingate books. She writes your traditional small village British cozy with flair and understanding. This is book 3 in the Birds of a Feather series and Julia and Michael are living happily together until her ex shows up dead on the estate. Between keeping the village publicity center running and helping out her dad with his birding project Julia is busy. When someone isn't happy with her investigating murder she hurries to find the killer before they succeed in killing her too.

This is a wonderful book to read. The birding facts, hint of romance, along with the incredible crime-solving rook, "Alfie," add up to a thoroughly enjoyable escape!

Julia's life is going well. She's organizing events and bringing tourists to town and she's living with Michael, a man she loves. She should have known it was too good to be true. When they find a dead man in the unused summer house on the castle property, she wonders why he was there but she should be wondering who he was. It was her ex-husband...

Alibi and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you). It will be published March 7th.

When the press descend on Julia and Michael, he decides to leave for a while and take a break. He thinks that will keep the journalists away from Julia. He's mistaken. And Juliet is afraid he might not be back. As it is, as long as the case hasn't been solved, she can't ask him to come back. Since they are looking at them both as suspects, she decides she better look for the actual killer.

Ms. Wingate always peppers her stories with weird characters. That makes the story interesting and fun to read. I mean, how often does the ex-wife to keep the ashes of her long gone husband by his sister? And who's to guess that the weird journalist might be a new partner with her gay brother? Or that her ex-husband had such a strange girlfriend?

As you live through events, watch relationships rise and fall, and work out who the killer is, you're well entertained. I especially loved the rook that was in the story. He was her protector and she needed one. This one is the best one I've read in this series. Ms. Wingate does it right.

The third book in the series does not disappoint. I loved the new characters especially Alfie. The story gives a glimpse of Julia's life before the TIC and Michael. I enjoyed the mystery and suspense in this one and getting to know the characters better. Can't wait for the next book!