This is the second book in the Beryl and Edwina Mystery #2 series. I had not read book 1, but that did not hinder my reading experience. Beryl and Edwina, have been friends forever. Other characters and residents of Walmsley Parva are Minnie Mumford, Prudence Rathbone, Mrs. Plumptree, Mr. Scott, Minnie and Prudence. Minnie and Prudence are very gossipy. Since they had solved a case previously, they are told they should open an inquiry business. A detective agency of sorts. The character development was quite nice and the English country side setting was a bit different for me, and very lovely. I have added this series to my cozys to follow list. I am giving this a solid 4 star review.

Edwina and Beryl have done it again. A really fun mystery that kept me engaged the whole time. I didn’t figure out who the murderer was before the reveal at the end, which is always a plus in a mystery. I also learned a lot about pigeon racing (which I had never heard of before).

I’m looking forward to the next installment.

I didn't get the chance to review this earlier since I apparently never downloaded the galley but I finally was able to read it and it was absolutely fantastic. Beryl and Edwina are just absolutely charming with some laugh out loud lines. The village itself is lovely with realistic views on post-war living. There's a few mysteries in this one that are tied up nicely. I can't wait until the next book in the series is out!

Murder Flies the Coop is the second Beryl and Edwina cozy set in Welmsley Parva, England after the First World War. Edwina, who is having trouble with her finances, has been joined by her venturesome school friend Beryl, known world wide for her adventurous escapades and many ex husbands; together they have already solved one village crime and are persuaded to set up an investigations agency. The local vicar, an avid pigeon racer, has asked for their discretion in finding where the racing clubs treasurer and its finances has disappeared. The unlucky man turns up murdered, but the ladies get another client to find her missing jewelry. Jessica Ellicott writes with a thorough feel for the intrigues and jealousies of village life. Enjoy this period piece mystery.

Thanks to @netgalley and @kensingtonbooks for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

“I’m afraid such publicity leads me to conclude you’ve had a shocking influence on me, Beryl. Edwina picked up her knitting once more, a mischievous smile spread across her face. “I could not be more pleased.”

The second installment in the Beryl and Edwina Mystery series was an absolute hit for me – I loved it even more than the first! I loved seeing the relationship develop between the two friends. They really bring out the best in each other and have so much affection for one another, it brought a smile to my face many times throughout the book. I just love them! Beryl brings out a looseness, a “wild side” (so to speak) in Edwina, and Ed has a calming effect on her friend, serving as her moral compass. They couldn’t be more different, yet live and work together in delightful harmony.

The two sleuths once again find themselves investigating a strange disappearance in their sleepy Kentish village, only this time it’s in a professional capacity. Funds are tight, so the ladies decide to embark on a career as professional private inquiry agents. They prove themselves more than capable, and even have a pretty good time along the way.

The novel’s setting of post-WW1 England is really well done. I love the insights into just how much the war has affected everyone who lived through it, and of course the village of Walmsley Parva has just the right amount of charm and quirky characters. Beryl and Edwina are quickly becoming some of my favorite fictional characters. The plot line, while solid and entertaining, is secondary to my enjoyment of this series thanks to the fantastic character development. I can’t wait to see what’s next for these two smart, charming detectives!

Funds are tight again for old school friends and living companions, Edwina Davenport and Beryl Helliwell. On the surface, the two make a very odd couple: Beryl a brash, much-married and divorced American globe-trotter, and Edwina, a spinster who has lived in sleepy Walmsley Parva all her life. But the two formed a strong friendship at their shared boarding school, and they live comfortably together. Beryl, in particular, is enjoying being part of village life after never belonging anywhere. Edwina's shortness of funds is nothing new, but Beryl's ex-husbands are slow sending her alimony checks. On the strength of solving a murder in Murder In An English Village, the two decide to set up an investigation agency.

Their first client is the Vicar, who is president of the local pigeon-racing club. The club treasurer has gone missing, along with several prize pigeons and the club funds. The Vicar is hoping Beryl and Edwina can find him, discreetly, and get the funds and pigeons back. The two search for him at his workplace, boarding house and discover his body at his pigeon loft. It's clearly murder, and there is no shortage of suspects; extra-marital affairs, missing jewelry, coal miner unrest and changes in social mores all play a part in this fast-paced, clever mystery.

Jessica Ellicott has a deft hand with characters and a humorous way of skewering class distinctions. The notion that a tradesman is somehow socially superior to a coal miner may seem strange to us but not in an English village in the 1920's, despite all the changes brought by WWI. Walmsley Parva has more than the requisite number of eccentrics, all vividly portrayed.

I look forward to more adventures of these "ladies of a certain age." Thanks to Net Galley and Kensington for an advance digital copy. The opinions are my own.

Lifelong friends Beryl and Edwina are still trying to figure out how to earn more income when they hit on the idea of opening an enquiry agency. And their first case comes from the local vicar. It seems a member of the local pigeon racing club has vanished, along with club funds and several birds. Did the man take off with everything? If so, can Beryl and Edwina find him?

It was wonderful to be visiting this dynamic duo again in 1921 England. Beryl and Edwina are such opposites, but their differences really make them a great team, and the third person narration from their points of view show cases that perfectly. I'm loving watching Edwina come out of her shell. I don't feel we are getting quite as much character development for Beryl, or I'm just not seeing it, but that is a minor complaint. The mystery is strong and manages to bring in some issues from the time period in an organic way without lecturing us. There are some good twists and surprises to the story and a logical climax. The entire thing is wrapped in a sense of fun that comes from Beryl and Edwina themselves, who are enjoying their new vocation.

What a delightfully odd couple. Beryl is an American adventuress who has been looking for a change of pace. She has moved in with her former classmate, Edwina, a very proper British lady, in the village of Walmsley Parva. After hanging out their shingle as private inquiry agents and finding that they are pretty good at investigating, another investigation comes their way.
Pigeon fanciers race their birds and now the club president, who is the vicar, needs help. The club treasurer seems to have flown to parts unknown with the club funds. Beryl and Edwina find the location along with his corpse. The murderer is on the run and the talented duo better solve the case before they put themselves in peril.
The time period just after WWI was the Golden Age of mysteries with sleuths like Miss Marple, Tommy and Tuppence Beresford, all solving crimes in English Villages from one end of Britain to the other. Beryl and Edwina can rightfully take a spot in that group. The characters are well developed and the pace is in keeping with the setting. The mystery is satisfying with enough twists, turns and red herrings to keep me guessing. Now I'm ready for the third entry.

Thanks Kensington Books and netgalley for this ARC.

This mystery seems quite the puzzle but these ladies know how to get to the secrets in a roundabout way. Can't wait to read the next book.

I received an ARC for an honest review of this cozy mystery. While I liked Beryl and Edwina, unfortunately the story could not hold my attention. Someone else may love this novel even if it was not my cup of tea.

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Beryl and Edwina might seem like an odd couple of investigators (and friends) but they are terrific in this historical cozy. Set just after WWI in the village of Walmsley Parma and written in a wry, sly style, this one is a mild send up of the townspeople as well as a pretty nifty mystery. Pigeon racing is quite the thing and Lionel Cunningham, the treasurer of the local club has gone missing, along with funds and birds. Hah! Our pair find him under his own coop. Now they're looking for missing jewels, at sabotage at the coal mine, and murder. Never doubt that these two ladies of a certain age will figure out what's happened, even with the red herrings. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. I very much liked the first book but don't worry if you haven't read it- Ellicott fills you in with the back story. This was terrific and now I'm looking for the third.

Murder Flies the Coop is the second in the series by Jessica Ellicott, featuring Beryl Helliwell and Edwina Davenport, one an erstwhile explorer and the other a middle aged English lady. Both have unique characteristics they bring to the fore in the stories, in their new found venture as “enquiry agents.” This time our intrepid duo are after a scofflaw who’s absconded with funds and some prized pigeons. That seems easy enough -- but then murder becomes involved. And our ladies are into the thick of it.

The author weaves an entertaining tale, pleasant reading for a couple of afternoons or two. Edwina is slowly coming into her own, getting more assertive as the book goes along. Beryl remains her headstrong, world traveler self. Both characters are well rounded and complete, and Ms. Ellicott knows how to bring them to life. Outside influences are well represented, with the village full with the usual colorful cast of denizens and its usual wonderful English setting. Beryl and Edwina cross hill and dale to discover the circumstances of the crime, and it’s a lovely romp across the English countryside. I look forward to further adventures -- perhaps Miss Davenport has an admirer on the horizon?

What a great English cozy mystery. We have Beryl Helliwell and her friend/coworker in the private investigation business, Edwina Davenport. A missing man who is the Pigeon racing club president, and these two ladies investigating starts the story on a fairly fast pace. When the missing man is found dead they start looking for clues. There are missing jewels, money, and birds. I really enjoyed reading this novel and while it was slow at times, the ending was very well written.

Thank you to netgalley as well as the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 outof 5 rounded up to 5

This book has all the ingredients of a solid cozy mystery.
Unfortunately it did not hold my attention.

This second adventure for odd couple Beryl and Edwina doesn't disappoint. We first met the two unlikely friends when Beryl Halliwell, oft-married American adventuress and long-ago schoolmate of Edwina Davenport, became a lodger of Edwina's and saved her from financial peril.

Beryl is flamboyant, flirtatious, street smart, fearless, and unconventional. Edwina is British, reserved, intelligent, and decorous. But after a successful outcome to their first investigation, they decide to form a private detective agency, a rarity for two women in 1920's England. There is genuine affection between the two, and we see that they are good for each other. Beryl encourages Edwina to loosen up and live a little, and Edwina helps take a bit of the rough edge off of Beryl.

Their first professional case comes when the local vicar asks them to check into the disappearance of the treasurer of the local pigeon racing club. The club assets disappeared with him. But this is not a simple lost and found: it soon becomes a murder inquiry complete with a jewel theft, multiple marital secrets, and numerous detours.

This series is great fun with lots of humor and great characters. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in return for my honest review.

Murder Flies the Coop is the second book in Beryl and Edwina Mystery series but can be read as a standalone.
First book in the seriea that I have read and had no issues with getting into the story as previous references as clearly explained.
Money is tight for former school friends and current roomates so when the local vicar turns to these two ladies for help to find out what happned to the pidgeon club treasurer who has disapeared into thin air they eagerly accept.
I found differences in character between two ladies quite refreshing and hilarious. Also littme village is abound with quirky chatacters. Even though not familiar with pidgeon racing I found it very interesting.
Especially well written with a clever story good set of characters and a good dose of humor this is a true treat for mystery lovers.

I received an ARC, via Netgalley, in return for this honest review. Yah - they're back! This is the second in a new series and I really enjoy it. Set after the Great War in England, American adventuress Beryl Helliwell and 'properly English' Edwina Davenport are living in Edwina's family home. Money's a bit tight and, after solving a previous murder that brought them back into contact, Beryl convinces Edwina to investigate a missing local man and the money of the long-distance pigeon racing club. Turns out that short-distance racing is for 'working class' and 'long-distance' is for upper middle class men. Who knew? In the course of their investigation, they discover the missing man's body and the adventures take off from there. Beryl and Edwina are a great duo -with contrasting personalities and approaches. Ms. Ellicott does a great job of endowing each of them with distinctive characteristics while still showing how they are able to work well together. It's an excellent series and I look forward to reading the next installment.

I love this series and I loved this book.
The historical settings is well researched, the cast of characters is funny and likeable.
The plot was a bit slow at the beginning but it kept me hooked and guessing till the end.
Ifound really interesting the mix of comedy of manner, mystery, and social criticism.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC

Murder Flies The Coop is the second book in the A Beryl and Edwina Mystery series.

This is becoming one of my favorite series. The main characters, Beryl Helliwell and Edwina Davenport are a wonderful duo, even if they might be as different as night and day, they work very nicely together. In addition, there is a wonderful collection of personalities that make up the residents of Walmsley Parva. Some of the residents are Minnie Mumford, owner of the local tearoom, Prudence Rathbone, owner of a candy shop and postmistress, Mrs. Plumptree, owner of a boarding house and Mr. Scott, a greengrocer. Minnie and Prudence are the village gossips and they pride themselves on knowing what is going on in the village.

Simpkins, Edwina’s gardener, convinces Edwina and Beryl, that based on their solving a murder the previous autumn, that they should open a private inquiry business and he knows the Vicar Lowenthorpe would probably hire them. What with monies being tight with Beryl and Edwina they decide that may be a way to help solve their financial difficulties. They meet with the vicar and he informs them that Lionel Cunningham, the treasurer of the local racing pigeon club has gone missing, some pigeons he was to be taking to a race and club money have also gone missing. They get a retainer from the vicar and they are in business. Beryl and Edwina start by interviewing the owner of the mine where Cunningham works as a payroll clerk, a Mr. Eccelestone-Smythe. Next, they set out for the allotment where Cunningham has his pigeon coop. As they are about to leave his coop, something tells Beryl to look under the coop and there is the body of Cunningham.

Beryl and Edwina soon get a second client when Mrs. Eccelestone-Smythe to ask to search for some of her valuable jewelry she had given to Cunningham for safekeeping. This also sheds new light on who might have wanted Cunningham dead. They need to look over the members of pigeon racing club and the coal mine where the victim worked, which has been having problems with sabotage.

The story is well-told and plotted with plenty of red herrings and twists and turns. Beryl and Edwina will also provide the reader with quite a few chuckles, especially Beryl.

I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this lovely English country series.