Suspicious Death in the Neighborhood
There is a suspicious death in the neighborhood for Melissa to deal with. This is an interesting episode that fans will love. The plot has some nice twists. The neighboring family that is dealing with the suspicious death is truly weird. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

Murder in a Country Garden, the twelfth and last novel in the Melissa Craig Cozy Mystery series, uses the beautiful spring Cotswolds setting as one of the central aspects of the story and reminds me a lot of the chocolate-box villages portrayed in Midsomer Murders. It's a story that is full of charm and works well as a standalone - it certainly isn't necessary to have read the previous instalments. The author is adept at moulding interesting characters that you really care about, an intriguing plot and the twists and turns throughout make for a satisfying tale. We also get more development of main protagonist Melissa which is exciting to see and book twelve is just as exciting as the rest of the series.

It's an engaging mystery with a menacing undertone and chilling atmosphere running through it, and this time the intrepid amateur sleuth investigates the deaths of a family of beekeepers. Importantly for a cozy there is no profanity, sexual liaisons or blood and gore, and the conclusion was unexpected and satisfying. Previously published as Sweet Venom, fans of Agatha Christie and MC Beaton should enjoy this as well as those who love to read cozies. A superb and highly entertaining addition to a popular and thoroughly enjoyable series; I am genuinely bereft to have come to the end of the journey with Melissa but it's encouraging to know that there is a new series of mysteries set in the lush Cotswolds coming soon from Ms Rowlands.

Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.

This is the first book I’ve read in the series but I believe Melissa, a crime writer, has been solving murders for 12 books now. This case follows the death of Aiden, a generally despised retired barrister. He has died from bee stings and, at first, it seems like an accident. However, Melissa digs a little deeper and starts to suspect otherwise. I can see why this is described as a ‘cosy murder story’ as the characters are gentle and the threat never feels real. It seems a bit like Midsummer Murders and the kind of book my mother would really enjoy.

This book is the last one in this series and this is a big issue as I loved Mel and her stories.
As usual it's a lovely mystery, enjoyable and entertaining.
I loved it as I loved the previous instalments.
Highly recommend!
Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

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

This was a bittersweet book as it's the last time that we will visit with Melissa Martin (formerly Craig) in Upper Benbury. It was great to visit once again with Mel, Joe, Iris, Sylvia and the others in the Village. It was like spending time with old friends.

This time Mel becomes involved when there is a suspicious death next-door where a beekeeper is found dead near his hives with multiple bee stings under his protective netting. Apparently, he was considered a bully and many people had cause to want him dead. Soon there is another person from the house stung in a similar way..... Coincidence or is someone killing off the members of this family. The sting comes very close to Mel's home during her investigating as she places her mother in danger.

There are a few surprises in this book which makes it a lovely send off to Melissa Martin. Worth 5 stars and more!

Another good read from Betty Rowlands. Easy charming cozy read. Looking forward to more from this author.

Mel, Joe and Sylvia are now all happily living in Hawthorne Cottage. It's late summer and everything is buzzing, especially the bees in Cold Wells Manor garden. What they don't know is that Aiden Cresney, the elder brother and owner of the house, has been stung to death by his own bees. When Mel visits to offer her sympathy to the widow, Caroline Cresney is grateful and leans on her for comfort. Sarah and Quentin Cresney also live in a wing of the house, but Caroline prefers to talk to Mel. A few days later, Sarah is also stung to death by bees. Quentin runs off to go and live with his former wife, Poppy, and Caroline needs Mel's comfort even more, left alone in a huge house. Mel wonders what would cause two people to be stung by normal honey bees, and learns that there's a naturally occurring chemical which smells like bananas which causes bees to get angry and sting. When a little pot of banana-scented cream is found in Sarah's garbage, wheels begin to turn.

The Cresneys are not people I feel sympathy for, as they are too needy. Aiden was a bully to his brother and his wife and I thought it was a good thing that he was out of their way. Mel is very clever to find the cream, but it causes her own life to be in danger. Joe is a good addition to the story as he's the voice of reason when Mel wants to investigate, but it doesn't stop her at all! I love this series and am happy that even though this is a last one written there are still more earlier one to enjoy.

Mel and Joe are back from their honeymoon and Sylvia has moved into the new addition they added for her. While Mel has written the last of her murder-mystery books, it seems murder and mystery are not yet done with her. When a neighbor who dabbles in beekeeping, is found dead from multiple bee stings, Mel provides support and to his young widow.

When the sister in law who also lives on the estate is also attacked by bees, it seems that it might be more than just a coincidence. Never one to let something go without looking deeper, Mel and Joe find themselves more involved than they thought they would be. But when Mel gets too close to figuring out what happened, she finds herself tagged for an attack as well.

Not quite as good as the previous book in the series, but still engaging and the method of murder was unique. Not quite 4 stars, but definitely a solid 3.5.

I never get tired of this series; this installment does not disappoint, either with the plot, or the development of the main characters, and there is always a twist - I hope this is not the final installment! Melissa is happily married to Joe, and her mother is happy in her newly built addition. Hopefully she won't find village life too boring.

I feel quite sad. This is the last in the Mel Craig series. I've been enjoying reading them over the last few months and now it has come to an end. Actually, that's not quite true, I missed book three in the series and will be going back to that. Even so, it seems to leave me feeling a bit emotional to get to the end. I suppose that there is a limit to how many bodies that Mel could fall upon and she is Melissa Martin by this book.
The storyline this time revolves around the seemingly accidental death of a local man after he was stung by his bees while beekeeping. After another similar death and details emerging about what kind of man the first victim was, it becomes clear to Mel and her new husband Joe that there might be something sinister at work here.
The manner of death in this story was a little unusual, being stung to death seems like a pretty horrid way to go! I have to admit that I didn't manage to solve this one. Not because I was blaming the wrong person, but simply because I hadn't a clue who had actually done the murder.
This was another great read and instalment in the Mel Craig series. I'm quite sad that it's come to an end, but I have really enjoyed reading them all.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

"A perfect country garden is full of flowers and gently buzzing bees... But the man lying dead beneath the trees can no longer see the beautiful scene.

Melissa Craig is thrilled that summer has arrived. She has decided to give up her career as an amateur sleuth and enjoy a quiet life in her beautiful cottage. The only digging in Melissa’s life now happens in her garden.

However, when a keen beekeeper is found dead, covered in multiple stings, her new resolve is tested. As she gets to know the family of the dead man, she realises he was no saint. Could someone have possibly wanted him dead? Could this be a very clever murder?

As Melissa starts to probe the victim’s friends and acquaintances, another member of the family is also stung to death. Who could have turned the bees against their keeper? And when will they strike again?

With the residents of Upper Benbury now fearful to open their windows to the summer air, and the police treating the deaths as accidental, Melissa must solve this case herself. To find the killer with the sharpest sting, she may have to delve deep into the hive...

If you can’t get enough of mysteries by Agatha Christie, P.D. James or Faith Martin, you will love this unputdownable mystery novel."

I've always thought English gardens and murder go hand in hand... that's what happens when you are an addict of Agatha Christie and Midsomer Murders...

Another great cosy crime book by Betty Rowlands. This is book number 12 and I eagerly looked forward to each new one since book 1. The background to each murder is delightful with a description of village life and characters. Over the 12 books Melissa has also changed and developed with her initial move to the country followed by her making of friends and romances. This book takes it all a step further which adds to the interest: and of course the solving of the murder is as always very entertaining. Thoroughly recommend not only this book, but also this series.

A well written murder-mystery with just what you want, and expect, from the busybody British wanna-be female detective.
The story is well written, the story arc proceeds exactly how it should and the character develop is delightful. I have not read any of the other Melissa Craig mystery series, but this one makes perfect sense as a stand alone. There are characters and circumstances that have obviously been visited before but Rowlands artfully explains them in just a sentence or two without losing the flow of the story.
I received a free copy of this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

When Aidan Cresney is attacked and killed by bees from hives in his garden it is thought that it is a terrible accident but is it? Melissa finds that he is not the family man they think he is. But matters then get worse for the family and Melissa feels she has to help them.
This is an enjoyable cosy mystery which is well written by Betty Rowlands.

A perfect summers day with a walk through the village seeing new neighbours. The scene is set for the perfect English village murder. A swarm of bees round the body it must be an accident. The family keeping to themselves leaves the village gossips a field day. You will be very happy to take a few hours in this village with an appealing cast of characters and test your skills of deduction.
I was given an ARC of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Another great read from the author. Melissa finds herself once again caught up in a mystery which leads not only her, but those closest to her, into the danger zone.

I love that these stories don’t feel too samey to me. The author still manages to surprise the reader with her ability to continue Melissa’s story seamlessly while at the same time giving her a new mystery to solve.

Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing a copy.

I really enjoyed this book and I would highly recommend it. It has a great story line, excellent main characters and it is a real page turner. I read this book in one sitting and the hours just flew by!

Thanks Netgalley and most importantly Betty Rowlands for another amazing Melissa Craig mystery. Can I ask when I can eagerly await Book 13

This is the final book in the series and I will be sad that it is the last of Mel Craig! I have really enjoyed this series and whilst this book could be read as a stand alone I would recommend reading the others to get a deeper knowledge of the characters and background.

This is a cosy, murder mystery set in the English countryside and is an easy and interesting read.

Thank you to netgalley for giving me an arc.

4 stars

Melissa “Mel” Craig has moved and made a new life for herself and her new husband, Joe. Her mother Sylvia now lives with them and they all seem to get along very well. Melissa is working on a new novel and has sworn to herself that she will not get drawn into any more detecting.

However, when an experienced beekeeper dies of bee stings and the police call it an accidental death, Melissa gets drawn – quite against her will – into an investigation. When another member of the same family dies in the same manner, Melissa is drawn even furter into the mystery. Somewhat on the sly, for she knows that Joe wouldn't approve.

This is an interesting tale. It is certainly an original idea for a book and I enjoyed the newness of it. It made me think. Some theories are posited that I'm not sure about, but it is entertaining reading and I enjoyed the book. The killer comes as somewhat of a surprise, for I did not consider them a suspect. I like Ms. Rowland's writing style. It is clear and easy to read. I will certainly read the next in this series.

I want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for forwarding to me a copy of this very good book for me to read,enjoy and review.