A good book. Well written with great characters and a good plot. The storyline flows and the mystery is enjoyable. I highly recommend.,

"Miss Marple meets Oscar Wilde in this new series of cosy mysteries"

As soon as I read this tag line, I knew I had to pick it up as Miss Marple is one of my favourite characters. This book really did live up to its genre and gave me all the cosy vibes whilst I was reading it. This is one of the best cosy mysteries I've read so far but I do want to delve deeper into the genre. Helena Marchmont will definitely be someone I pick up again after enjoying this one so thoroughly!

I really enjoyed this short story- it reminded me a little of a mix of Columbo with a bit of Miss Marple added into the mix.

I was completely stumped and didn't guess the way the story was going.

Recommended.

This is a delightful cozy mystery. I loved the village of Bunbury and all the townspeople we meet in the story. Allie makes a great central character and it was interesting seeing the mystery unfold from his viewpoint. The references to Agatha Christie were fun. I’m hoping to join Liz, Marge, and Alfie again as they solve another case. A clean story with no foul language.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

5 stars
I accidentally came across this ARC and thought I would try it. I enjoy the cozy, British, small village type mysteries. And this story perfectly aligns with those traditional mystery readers who loved Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple.
A quick, enjoyable, short read. I have pre-ordered the other 2 I found out on Amazon… what more can I say!
Thank you NetGalley and publisher, be ebooks, for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This book was such an unexpected treat! I have a soft spot for this genre, and most of the time it rewards me for its loyalty. Its length belies the quality of the tale. It does not take too many words to draw a very clear picture of the people in the small town of Bunburry. The writing was really very good, there is a lacing of humour through most of the lines (a trait I very much appreciate) and the people are very realistic. Alfie is in town to look at the house his aunt bequeathed to him. He does not have any memories with the aunt and the whole situation seems surreal to him. There are a lot of flashbacks which layer the story with enough fodder for future tales. I am actually eagerly looking forward to the next books in the series just to get better acquainted with the people in town.

There is an accident before he arrives and Alfie sets out to figure out the story behind it, and he gets a lot of help from his aunt's friends while he gets more involved in the daily life around him. For those who have a chance to get their hands on this book and look favourable at this genre, do check it out for a few chuckles and time well spent.

A novella that exudes cosiness and humour. Just like a warm hug in winter. Looking forward to the next instalment.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. We have a new Miss Marple character. Great cosy mystery and absolutely loved all the characters.

Loved this book. Was like an episode of a sitcom. Just about the right length.

The characters of Marge and Liz were just quirky enough without being over the top. Had the classic good looking male character and 2 murders to boot in the first episode.

Looking forward to the next book....

A simple but engaging story of amateur sleuthing, great cast of lovely characters and a wonderful setting. The plot builds nicely and you are easily and quickly drawn into the at times, humorous tale of murder in a small village.
Would definitely read more y this author.

A good cozy and a start of new promising series.
The plot is good and keep you guessing, the cast of characters is likeable and you can see the see for some interesting developments. I loved the description of the surrounding and the village atmosphere.
It was a fast and entertaining read.
There's a lot of potential in this series and I look forward to reading the next instalment.
Recommended.
Many thanks to be ebooks and Netgalley.

Helena Marchmont's Bunburry - Murder at the Mousetrap is a delightful trip to the English countryside, where a mysterious death taints Agatha's Amateurs annual production of The Mousetrap. Newcomer Alfie McAlister has inherited his late Aunt Augusta's cottage in Bunburry, and is quick to immerse himself in the happenings of the village. A nice cozy, and a quick read, and it leaves room for more mysteries in the future. A+

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy of Bunburry—Murder at the Mousetrap by Helena Marchmont, for review.

This is a very charming book. It's the word that most seems to capture the writing style and story. It's light, and easy to zip through in a couple of hours, even with interruptions. Most of the characters are quirky, charming and humorous.

The story is simple: Alfie has left the hustle and bustle of London to go to the Cotswolds village in Bunburry, where his aunt has left him a house. He doesn't seem too interested in staying more than a couple of days, but gets pulled into a murder mystery, or two!

The mood of the book reminds me very much of the 'Flower Shop Mystery' TV movies with Brooke Shields, or the 'Murder She Baked' TV movies with Alison Sweeney: meaning there's a mystery, sometimes a murder, yet you're charmed by the characters, the beautiful scenery, and quick pace of the story. Mysterious and super cute, all at the same time.

In 'Bunburry', I do think the conclusion came rather quickly, but perhaps that was necessary—it was a short book, after all (just over 100 pages). There's a glossary of the book's characters at the beginning, but it is unnecessary since it's such a straightforward story. You don't need to go back to the glossary to remind yourself who's who, as it's easy to follow.

It's beautifully written, light, and a fun read. You do feel like you're in the midst of this cozy village, sort of like you're a part of the story and you know the characters.
I'd definitely recommend it.

"A pessimist is never disappointed."

I like that line in Helena Marchmont's Bunburry - Murder at the Mousetrap. It's very relatable to my philosophy in life, whether accidentally or on purpose. It is, however, not the only line in Marchmont's book that I like because...

I like them all!

I've only read a pair of cozy mysteries, that I remember, and they and I did not get along well. Things are definitely looking up now that I've read this. I adore this, absolutely adore it! I could not love it more!

(I should say here, before you think "hmm, that seems a little extra... they must be paying her to say that"... no, I am not being paid to say this. I honestly mean every word. Though I did receive an advance copy through NetGalley and Bastei Entertainment in exchange for an honest review, and this is my honest review.)

Bunburry is a tiny, fictional town in the Cotswolds of England (where I want to go) which is famous for it's fudge. The fudge, to be fair, plays a minor role in the story. Far bigger is the AA. Not Alcoholic's Anonymous, as main character Alfie McAlister thinks first, but Agatha's Amateurs. Every year, for charity, a small, unique band of Bunburrians (idk, maybe that's what they'd be called?) puts on a production of Agatha Christie's "The Mousetrap." This year, as Alfie arrives, having inherited his Aunt Augusta's cottage, there has been a death... a death which adorable busybodies Liz and Marge quickly decide is murder.

Murder!

But, as they say, whodunit?!

You'll have to read the book to find out. And you really should read the book to find out. Really. Just go read the book, it's on sale tomorrow (September 1, 2018) so you really don't have any excuses, do you? No.

Now that I've given you a plot summary, here are the reasons I love this book and think you should read it too...

This is the first book in a series (yay!) so a portion of it is world-building of sorts. But what a good world it is! The village of Bunburry is idyllic, one with lots of secrets and unique characters. I want to live there, murdered amateur directors aside. There is a mix of young and old, the characters ranging from hard-working young married couples with some marital problems to the very elderly with some medical problems. The plot is typical but not so much that it's tired. It keeps the story moving and helps introduce the cast of characters I want to spend time with. It's a quick read, as cozy mysteries seem to be, so saying to much risks giving something away and, as I said, I really need everyone to read this book with me!

One last thing I'd like to say is this... are male leads a thing in cozy mysteries? Because it struck me as unique that Alfie McAlister, a man, is the lead in this story. Unique in a good way, for sure. Alfie is the perfect character to get me interested and there are so many questions about his story that are unanswered that I will, without a doubt, read more of the Bunburry series!

Thanks to the author, Bastei Entertainment, and NetGalley for introducing me to this world!

This book is for mystery lovers of the 'cosy' persuasion who enjoy a gentle, completely non-graphic murder. Bunburry is a village in the Cotswolds and Alfie, newly arrived from London, soon finds himself acquainted with a charming local pub, delicious fudge, amateur theatrical society and some colourful locals. This is a book that will appeal to Miss Marple/Agatha Christie fans. It is told with warmth and humour, a lovely, cosy read.
Thank you Netgalley and 'be ebooks' for the opportunity to review this book.

The first in a series of cosy mysteries set in the Cotswolds village of Bunburry, 'Murder at the Mousetrap' is a short but engaging, engrossing, fun read which kept me reading in one sitting. It really is thoroughly enjoyable. Nicely plotted but mainly character driven - with a warm and wonderfully eccentric cast and a hugely likeable protagonist in Alfie. I'm absolutely looking forward to the next instalment.

This was a really light, humorous, easy to read, cosy murder mystery.

The plot was fairly simple but the jokes running through and the characters made me want to continue to read,

This is the first in the series and it was at times frustrating as there are hints as to what has happened in Alfie's past - the author was clearly setting up for the next book! I didn't think there was the need for the character outlines at the beginning, I thought the use of the word 'policewoman' was old fashioned - particularly as this is referred to later on in the book, it just read odd to me. The characters are well created so I didn't think this was necessary.

Overall, I really enjoyed this cosy mystery and would recommend.

Thank you to netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

What a lovely lovely book! I am awestruck that this writer won a New Writers’ award only three years ago. My only criticism is that it was too short. I wanted it to be twice as long, I enjoyed it so much. However, the author judged the length perfectly.

Alfie inherits his aunt’s cottage upon her death. He lives in London but used to stay with his grandparents in Bunburry thirty years earlier. Ms Marchmont skillfully drips bits of back-story into the novel. It’s done in a natural way and never feels artificial. In the same way, we learn that something awful happened between James and his girlfriend, Vivien, recently – but we don’t know what. Oh, it is so well done!

I think the aspect that made this “cozy” book stand out is the portrayal of Alfie’s Aunt Augusta. She’s dead before the book opens and Alfie barely remembers her, but the other inhabitants of the village loved and admired her. So far, so stereotypical, you might think. Then Alfie takes possession of her cottage: “The parlour walls were covered in a psychedelic nightmare of pink, purple, black and white swirls”. The spare bedroom walls “… were covered in melting rhombuses outlined in grey, brown and orange. Aunt Augusta would have no need to take mind-altering substances – sitting in front of the wallpaper for five minutes would be hallucinogenic enough.” Alfie thinks he should lock the cottage up and sell it but then he finds the master bedroom is “a haven of tranquillity”. Those quotes just don’t do justice to the way Marchmont builds up the contrast.

Then, of course, there’s Aunt Gussie’s book collection. It was so – niche, let us say – that the executors took it to a charity shop in Cheltenham rather than dare to donate the books to a local shop. “That last one she was reading, it made Fifty Shades of Grey look tame.”

Alfie makes friends with some local women of his age but there is no romantic engagement yet. That’s another aspect I thought Marchmont handled very well. It could have been tempting to start a love affair between Alfie and one of the women but that would have been premature and curtailed options for the next book.

The publisher very kindly let me have a free copy of this book for review. I shall happily buy any further ones in the series without any incentive – only please make them longer!
#BunburryMurderAtTheMousetrap #NetGalley

This review will be posted on Amazon.co.uk on publication date

This is the first in a new cozy mystery series and I'm so glad I found it! It's well written and I loved the characters! I immediately fell in love with the village and can't wait for the next book to visit again!

I kept thinking as I read it that I could definitely see this as a TV series. It's that good!

This is such delightful old-fashioned whodunnit.

Set in England, it shows that innocent little viilage of Bunbbury is not so innocent at all. Alfie has inherited a charming cottage from his aunt Gussie and as soon as his comes to claim his inheritance he gets involved into investigating possible murder along with two elderly ladies as his sidekicks.

Quiant setting, eccentric and quirky characters and well plotted mystery,all needed ingredients for can't put it down read.
It doesn't get better than that.