This was not my type of book and I was very disappointed in it.
I had such high hopes for this boo

A cosy mystery without the twee. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review. #MurderInTheOrchardAmelissaCraigMysteryBook6 #NetGalley

Murder in the Orchard is the 6th book in the Melissa Craig mystery series. And, once again, I found myself swept into Mel’s life , with her many and varied friends, and her breathtaking surroundings. As always, the description of the English countryside is simply the cherry on the top.

The story starts out with a simple murder (if murder can ever truly be simple) of an absolutely despicable man. Over the years he has hurt many people by his actions and words so, as a result, there are a number of suspects, including his own wife. It will be a simple matter of ferreting out the murderer. However, there are some twists to the story that are unexpected and they make the whole investigation much more convoluted.

As with all the previous Mel Craig books there are a number of interesting characters involved in this story. But, even so, this time the story felt a bit flat to me. Maybe it’s because Mel’s good friend, Iris, isn’t as active as she usually is. Or, maybe because Mel’s personal relationship with a police detective is somewhat shaken. In any case, although I enjoyed Murder in the Orchard, it isn’t one of my favorites in the series. But, the Mel Craig mysteries continue to be one of my favorite cozy mystery series. I will give it 3 *s but it really should be 3.5.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

Well-plotted British cozy mystery. Murder in the Orchard, book 6 in the Melissa Craig Mystery series, features wonderful characters who are pleasantly realistic. When Melissa begins to dig into a mysterious death, the plot thickens and the story picks up.

As a lover of all things British, I highly recommend this book to readers (and watchers) of Agatha Raisin stories.

First published in May 1996 as Malice Poetic.

This is book 6 in the Melissa Craig Series and this series goes from strength to strength.

In this tale, Melissa again finds herself in the middle of another mystery while she is at a writers retreat. As usual, for Melissa, her writing is put on the back burner, while she investigates. There’s a few suspects and we have the return of the marvellous Gloria, the cleaner, Melissa’s next door neighbour Iris, an artist and vegetarian, and of course, Ken, the Police Officer boyfriend.

As always Betty Rowlands creative writing brings the mystery to life and it works well in this thoroughly enjoyable cosy mystery. There are the usual surprises and I’m already looking forward to the next in the series...

I would like to thank the Author/the Publishers/NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for a fair and honest review

Book 6 in the Melissa Craig series.
Melissa goes to a retreat at Miles Haughan’s Uphanger Learning Centre to have peace to concentrate on her new novel and to see if she would like to take her relationship further with DCI Ken Harris. Miles Haughan has been receiving threatening poems but the police do not take them seriously until murder is committed. Melissa is a good central character who makes her own investigations but must watch she does not become too close when another murder occurs.
I was given an ARC of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This series is becoming a firm favourite for me, characterisation is first rate and you quickly come to view the characters as friends. Description of setting is wonderful and it's so easy to get drawn into the plot, fast paced with plenty of twists and turns to keep you interested and guessing.
These books may be classed as "cosy mysteries" but they are exceedingly well written and would hold their own against others in the crime genre.

This is a series of stories which is fast becoming a firm favourite of mine. Melissa Craig once more finds herself embroiled in investigating a murder close to her home. She has a knack of being in the thick of things before she even realises.

Her continuing relationship with Ken is lovely. I didn’t like it when she got involved with someone else a few books earlier in the series, so I’m happy she is once more on track.

Melissa is a lovely character to follow, and her friendship with her next door neighbour, Iris, brings so much more to the storyline. I look forward to future cases involving her.

Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing a copy.

Mel Craig decides to spend a retreat at a nearby educational site, in order to think about the future of her romance with DI Harris and to finish her latest book. She soon finds the tyrannical owner of the facility murdered and tries to link the death with a set of haiku poems that were sent to him. She's aided by a veteran reporter who has the room next to hers. Was it the owner's beleaguered wife? the gardener? one of the office staff? someone from his past? Many possible suspects.
This sixth book in the Melissa Craig series seemed a bit short to me. It was over before I knew it, and it seemed as though perhaps there could have been a bit more elaboration on the numerous possible suspects. Though her neighbor Iris was peripherally involved, I missed having her more a part of the story, as she's such a complex character. Still a good read, but I wished for more.

This is number 6 in the Melissa Craig Series. I had never read one before but now I am hooked..
I love the main character Melissa Craig, she is an author of mysteries. She is taking a retreat for authors when the owner of the retreat is killed. She immediately starts looking into the murder against the advice of her boyfriend DCI Kenneth Harris. But Melissa is fond of the owner's wife Verity and grounds guy Martin. But then another author Ben is also killed.
This book was just delightful to read.

I found a new cozy series!

First of all I should state I have not been a huge fan of cozy mysteries, but I am opening up to them more and I am glad because I could have missed out on this one.

Set in England Melissa Craig, a mystery novelist, decides to go to a “writer’s retreat”. She is immediately drawn into a mystery. The character Melissa was a very entertaining and intelligent protagonist. Sometimes amateur sleuths can be annoying, but not so here. She is a well developed character. Secondary characters also helped with the theme and pace of the novel.

The book is fast paced with twists leading to the climax of the story and then the unexpected ending. I didn’t quite figure out whodunnit and that added to my enjoyment.

Although this is the sixth book of the series I had no difficulty with reading and can be a standalone novel. I loved that the author was able to accomplish continuing the series with new readers jumping aboard midway and not getting lost. There was not a lot of backstory to catch the reader up. This is skillful on the author’s part.

I am definitely going to read the previous books in the series. 4 1/2 stars.

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Another enjoyable read from Ms. Rowlands. As our author/sleuth is hiding from her distractions so that she can write her new book, she stumbles upon another murder. The peace and quiet that she was craving is exactly the opposite of what she gets. Her accommodation in a converted stable is perfect for an author's retreat, the meals at the main house are wonderful but the staff are a bit on the odd side.

The most recent murder victim had more enemies than friends. There are many possible murderers. While the police are searching, the killer strikes again and is Melissa going to be the next victim?

Another great book in the Melissa Craig mystery series. I have really come to love this author and highly recommend Betty Rowlands’s books. Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for letting me read this advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

Another enjoyable instalment of the Melissa Craig Mysteries. I've read all of them so far and Melissa is an engaging sleuth and memorable character. There is a definite flavour of the early Nineties in this series, but it adds to the ambience and authenticity
. 
Melissa is worried about her relationship with  Detective Chief Inspector Ken Harris., is she ready for the commitment he seeks? The chance to visit a writers' retreat seems the perfect opportunity to take time out and decide what she wants. Things, of course, do not go to plan and she finds her investigative skills are needed.

Conspiracy, lies, murder and secrets provide a difficult mystery for the intrepid crime writer to solve and bring her into close contact with the very person she was avoiding. The plot is particularly twisty, with several people having excellent motives for murdering the victim and it takes all her skill and strength of character to discover the truth.

An entertaining, retro story, for everyone who enjoys authentic English murder mystery.

I received a copy of this book from Bookouture via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

‘This book is part of the "Melissa Craig" series but can be read as a stand alone. These are some of my favorite mysteries as they have all the enjoyable elements of a fun mystery read , fast paced and engaging to the last page. . I highly recommend this book for all who enjoy cozy mysteries. The charcters are all very likable, the protagonist Melissa Craig is believable and a great sleuth.

Melissa “Mel” Craig is a quite well known mystery writer who goes on a writer’s retreat at Uphanger Estate. A murder occurred of a writer she was asked to work for and she is soon involved in the investigation. The police officer is Ken Harris, who happens to be Mel’s love interest. They work together well in investigations and soon the suspects are many as more murders occurs.

I enjoyed this re release and its Christmas time theme. The retreat location is described so pleasing that you want to visit . The story is fast paced with a well plotted mystery that is delightful to the end. I enjoyed reading this very much and do recommend the entire series.
Thank you for the ARC which does not influence my review.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. Another great book in the Melissa Craig series, thoroughly enjoying them.

Every new installment in this series is better than the previous one. This one was no exception and I really loved it.
It was engaging and entertaining, well written as usual and with a very good plot.
I like how the characters evolve and I liked the characters in this book, well written and very human.
I look forward to reading the next instalment.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this ARC

I received this ARC via Netgalley and the publisher in return for an honest review. This is the 6th book in the series and easily read as a stand-alone. Mel Craig, mystery writer, is suffering a bit of writers block. Given a chance to take a writer's retreat at the Uphanger Learning Center, she finds the environment to be not what she'd expected. The husband owner, Stewart Haughan, is a thoroughly unlikeable man, who treats his wife and the Center staff with equal disdain and condescension. When he's found dead, Mel finds herself with feelings of concern for his beleaguered wife, the local handyman and the staff who are all under suspicion. Mel's good friend, DI Ken, returns to investigate and is not pleased to find Mel on the spot. Add a second murder and background plots that go back for years - all the makings of a good cosy 'who-done-it'. While these are re-releases of the original series, the lack of modern technology didn't impinge on my enjoyment of the story and I enjoyed the return to Mel and her world.

This is the 6th book in the mel craig series but could be read alone.

As I have read most of the other books I really enjoy the characters and their development. Although it appears that iris will be leaving the future books which is a shame!

The books were originally published in the 90s and this does show - the technology and occasional view points seem outdated but over all the murder mystery and plot was great.

Whilst this is a cosy murder mystery series this particular set of murders was rather gruesome however I enjoyed the plot.

I would recommend this series and will be seeking out the next instalment.

Rereleased and retitled this 6th book in the Melissa Craig series is another winner. I am a fan of these cosy mysteries and enjoy following our heroine’s adventures, finding bodies and mysteries wherever she goes. This time Mel is at a writers retreat when the body count begins to stack up and it’s a race against time to solve the case, and get her friendly Policeman to take her seriously before she joins the list.