BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'Mystery At The Church' by Clare Chase.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Clare Chase, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous

Publication date 4th August 2021.

This is the third book I have read by this author. It is also the sixth book in the 'Eve Mallow Mystery' series but it can be read as a standalone. I have previously read 'Mystery At The Old Mill ' which is the fourth book in the 'Eve Mallow Mystery' series and 'Mystery At The Abbey Hotel' which is the fifth book in the 'Eve Mallow Mystery' which I would highly recommend.


I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is 'A completely unputdownable page-turner, perfect for fans of Faith Martin, Agatha Christie and Betty Rowlands.'. I am a huge fan of Faith Martin and Agatha Christie so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Clare Chase and if this is half as good as 'Mystery At The Abbey Hotel' and 'Mystery At The Old Mill' it is sure to be a page turning read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).

This novel consists of a prologue and 43 chapters. The chapters are short in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

This book is based in a fictional town based in Suffolk, UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture. I have actually visited Suffolk on several occasions so am looking forward to seeing if I recognise anywhere that Clare has based the book on.

This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonist is Eve Mallow. The benefits of third person perspective are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out on anything.


This book is very well written making it a lovely smooth read. The atmosphere and vivid descriptions are perfect for the plot and helps give that cosy feeling while reading. The synopsis and cover suited the storyline perfectly. I'm looking forward to reading more of Clare Chase's books including any prior to this one. This book can easily be read as a standalone and anything that has happened prior is described in just the right amount of detail.

The storyline itself is a lovely cosy mystery that kept me guessing all the way through. I had no idea who the killer was so a huge congratulations to Clare!!!! It is getting harder and harder to surprise me with the amount of crime books I read but you definitely managed it. I enjoyed that it wasn't really a case of just one mystery but how several linked smoothly and everything was tied up nicely at the end, I hate loose ends!! I really enjoyed going on this adventure with Eve and investigating with her. The book was filled with crime, mystery, murder, red herrings and some suspense. I also believe that Clare portrayed village life perfectly and the community within them.

The characters were all realistic, strong and an eclectic bunch to say the least. It was really fun learning all of their different characteristics, personalities and backgrounds. I love Eve and of course Gus and I really enjoyed meeting them again along with Robin and Viv. Eve felt to me to be slightly eccentric which I enjoyed the most about her. I also enjoyed meeting all the new characters who all had such strong personalities although I could not stand the way several of the male actors were towards women.

Congratulations to Clare Chase on another successful and addictive page turning murder mystery. Welcome to my favourite author list and I cannot wait to see what Eve and Gus get up to next!!!

Overall an absolutely compelling and page turning cosy mystery that is perfect to read on front of the fire.


Genres covered in this novel include Mystery, Suspense and Crime Fiction amongst others.

I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of cosy mysteries, Faith Martin and Agatha Christie.

259 pages.

This book is just £2.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon or free on Kindle Unlimited which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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Eve Mallow, part-time obituary writer and also an amateur sleuth, is excited when her village, Saxford St. Peter, is chosen as the location of a television drama. Eve was excited to hang around the set, even if it is only to bring trays of yummy cupcakes from Monty's teashop, one of her favorite haunts. Eve soon finds herself delivering more than cupcakes. In fact, when the director, Rufus Beaumont, is discovered murdered, Eve happened to be there while picking up the teashop's trays. Eve had just spoken to Rufus, especially after someone delivered Wolfsbane flowers to him, and these flowers are deadly poisonous. The flowers were accompanied by a note, which Eve had a chance to glance at while talking to Rufus.

Is it any coincidence that Rufus is soon found dead? Eve and beloved dachshund Gus are on scene, along with Robin Yardley behind the scenes. Robin is Eve's good friend and likely romantic prospect, and they are going to get to the bottom of Rufus's murder. However, Robin has a situation going on that prevents him and Eve being seen together publicly, but Eve keeps him informed of the people she speaks to. Also, Robin has a history as a former police detective, so he also has inside informaton. Will what Eve learns and what Robin shares with her be enough for her to solve the murder?

As always, Eve knocks heads with Detective Inspector Palmer, who is getting pretty tired of the coincidences that keep Eve involved in solving murders. Nonetheless, with Eve preparing to write Rufus's obituary, she is free to talk to everyone who has been at the set while the rehearsals for the television set had been underway.

It turns out that Rufus had an agenda with at least one of his cast members, so that raises concerns, and there are other things that begin to come to light that prove that more than one person had major issues with Rufus. Will Eve be able to suss out the facts and find the killer before anyone else - including her - loses their life?

Mystery at the Church is a delightful cozy mystery story and a great additon to an enjoyable series. I love Eve, her friendships, her role as a parent to adult twin children, and her growing relationship with Robin. I also love her powers of deduction, even if she has a penchant for getting into trouble. I am very much looking for the next installment in this engaging series.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Wow this author raises the bar with every book. Each one of hers I read I am convinced is the best one yet. Packed with twists, this is a wonderful mystery. Don't miss this one.

Mystery at the Church is the sixth instalment in the Eve Mallow Mystery series set in Saxford St Peter, Suffolk. When a television film crew descend on the picture-perfect English village the residents are all recruited to play extras in the TV Mini-series entitled Last of the Lindens. Eve is purely there to deliver delicious baked goods to keep the actors energised, but that soon changes when Rufus Beaumont, the director, is found dead; luckily the body is discovered right when Eve is on one of her runs collecting the trays to take back to Monty’s teashop. She had just spoken to Rufus a few minutes earlier after someone had handed him a bunch of Wolfsbane flowers delivered to him specially. The poisonous blooms had been accompanied by a note, which Eve had stolen a cheeky glance at while the two were talking. Eve and close friend Robin Yardley begin to investigate alongside daschund Gus and they must ascertain whether the flowers had anything to do with Rufus’ untimely murder.

Eve and Robin work the case together but from separate angles as they cannot be seen in public together due to an ongoing situation. Will amateur sleuth Eve and former police detective Robin both be able to put their skills into action and prove that two heads are better than one? This is such a compelling, gripping and whimsical cosy mystery by an author who is at the top of her game and is superbly executed in terms of both the plot and cast of idiosyncratic characters. It's immersive and twisty with that small-town community feel where everyone knows each other’s business and gossip runs rife with the way the story is cleverly woven making it a pure unadulterated joy to read. It has every ingredient required for a brilliant cosy: humour, an engrossing mystery, engaging, quirky characters and plenty of surprises. A captivating, charming and thoroughly entertaining read and another solid addition to the series. Highly recommended.

4.5 Stars
Eve Mallow is looking forward to her fifteen minutes of fame when Saxford St Peter is chosen as the location for a new drama series. A devoted people-watcher, Eve is thrilled to learn that TV stars are just as glamorous and tempestuous as she’s always imagined. But then someone delivers a bouquet of wolfbane flowers to the director Rufus Beaumont, making Eve worry that some of the rivalries she’s noticed are deadly serious. And when Rufus’s body is found in the church where the funeral scene took place, it’s clear that someone’s out for the kill in real life. Eve and dachshund Gus have been on the ground from the start, and now they’re on the case aided b the elusive gardener Robin & Montys café owner Viv.
This is the sixth outing for obituary writer & budding cake baker Eve, it could easily be read on its own but starting from the beginning builds a lovely picture of the village & villagers. I love Eve who can’t help herself from getting involved in the murders & I love how she wheedles information from people whilst working on her obituaries. I also love the slow burn, secret romance between Eve & Robin & of course Gus is ever present & saes the day in this book. There are twists & turns, plenty of red herrings & once again I didn’t work out who the murderer was. I look forward to more books in this lovely series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

This is an excellent cozy series and this is the best instalment I read so far.
A complex and gripping story, full of twists and turns, that I read in an afternoon as I couldn't stop reading.
I love Golden Age mysteries and this book features a number of tropes of the mysteries of that era:: a limited number of suspects in a restricted environment, the importance of timetables and the strained relationships full of secrets.
i loved every moment of this story discovering secretes, possible motives, false alibis.
Eve and Gus are as lovely as usual. Eve is a very clever woman who is able to connect details and discover secretes.
The characters are well thought and interesting, there's a lot of care in describing the psychology of the possible suspects and of the victims.
The mystery is solid, no plot hole, and the solution came as a surprise.
I can't wait to read the next instalment.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This is my second Eve Mallow book and it was nice to see Gus again!
I like stories that feature the ins and outs of the film industry so this was interesting. The plot did twist and turn with a great number of red herrings strewn across the path.
A good read.

“Mystery At The Church” is the sixth in the Eve Mallow series by Clare Chase, and the first novel I’ve read by her. “Cozy crime” is the in-thing these days, and Clare Chase is an expert in the genre.
When an actor is murdered on a film set where part-time detective Eve Mallow is playing an extra, she and her dachshund Gus are on the case in no time.
You can tell that the author really loves writing these books as her enthusiasm for the characters and their adventures comes over very strongly in the narrative.
The setting is depicted well and the characters are adorable. I really enjoyed this book as it was a nice ochange from the more hard-hitting crime stories that I usually read. I look forward to the next instalment in Eve Mallow’s exciting life, and I shall be reading the preceding novels in the meantime.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for allowing me to view an advanced reading copy of this title.

This is a book which is the part of a cozy crime series featuring obituary writer and part time sleuth Eve Mallow.

It is the first of the series that I have read and I enjoyed the characters and the well described lovely setting although felt that the book would be definitely be even better understood if I had read previous ones and knew more of the character back story.

That having been said I thoroughly enjoyed the fast paced romp in the village and the careful detection being done despite the famous faces involved at a film being made in the village and the interference of the not so well meaning local policeman.

Definitely one to delve into and I will be looking to read the first five and looking forward to reading book 7 when available to continue to discover more about the characters and the area.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Eve finds herself immersed in yet another murder.
As an extra on the set of Rufus and Isla's new production, Eve and her neighbors have an up close seat to the gossip, tense relationships and extra marital affair. Their village is practically bursting with gossip - especially since homegrown Dot has a supporting role. Until Rufus is found dead in the church, splayed out for his last photo op.
Eve is hired to write his obituary - granting her a reason to research not only Rufus' life but also discover motive and the murderer.
Trying to keep Gus out of the weeds, her relationship with Roger quiet, and stay out of the DI's way, Eve finds herself juggling a great deal of information.
Humor, realistic characters, small village life - very enjoyable read.

Mystery at the Church by Clare Chase
Pub Date 4 August 2021
Mystery at the Church can be read as a standalone, but if you wish to read the five prequels to this series first, you can find them all on Amazon (Kindle Edition), presently at £1.99 each.
Book 1 Mystery on Hidden Lake
Book 2 Mystery at Apple Tree Cottage
Book 3 Mystery at Seagrove Hall
Book 4 Mystery at The Old Mill
Book 5 Mystery at The Abbey Hotel
Synopsis of Book 6 Mystery at the Church
When a TV drama crew descends on sleepy Saxford St Peter, Eve Mallow joins the excited throng of extras in a funeral scene. But then a real body is found… and Eve gets a starring role as sleuth!
Eve Mallow is looking forward to her fifteen minutes of fame when Saxford St Peter is chosen as the location for a new drama series. A devoted people-watcher, Eve is thrilled to learn that TV stars are just as glamorous – and tempestuous – as she's always imagined.
But then someone delivers a bouquet of poisonous flowers to the director Rufus Beaumont, making Eve worry that some of the rivalries she's noticed are deadly serious. And when Rufus's body is found in the church where the funeral scene took place, it's clear that someone's out for the kill in real life.
Eve and dachshund Gus have been on the ground from the start, and now they're on the case, interrogating the suspects one by one. Is it the devastating diva whose relationship with Rufus was far from professional? The cameraman who caught Rufus doing something he shouldn't? Or the groupie groundskeeper who's in the background of every shot? One thing's for sure – Eve must catch the killer before she stars in their next murderous production…
My Review
The author welcomes us to the lovely Suffolk countryside in this the 6th instalment of the Eve Mallow series. In this story, the occupants of Saxford St Peter are joining the set of a tv mini-series, "Last of the Lindens", as extras. During filming breaks, dishing out the cakes is Eve, at her inquisitive best, and she is provided with unrestricted opportunities to watch each cast and crew member. But, unfortunately, murder is never far away.
For me, the success of this charming series is the way the author portrays her characters; they are well developed with great personalities, some vibrant, some tormented, others devious with a touch of menace; who could ask for more?
Mystery at the Church is another charming, cosy mystery murder in this delightful series with bodies, suspicion, and suspects aplenty.
I want to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and author Clare Chase for a pre-publication copy to review.

Clare Chase invites her readers back deep into the beautiful Suffolk countryside with book number 6 in the Eve Mallow series. This time around it’s lights, camera,action as residents from the village of Saxford St Peter are joining the set of the tv mini series “Last of the Lindens” as extras. Filming is taking place on the Watcher’s Wood site and the place is abuzz with excitement. Directed by Rufus Beaumont, member of the Beaumont acting dynasty and produced by his long term business partner Isla Quinn, the tv cast boasts well known BAFTA winning actress Dot Hampshire and rising star Saskia Thomas. Despite being in the presence of celebrities it’s really only shopkeeper and local gossip Moira (surprise, surprise) who appears starstruck whilst Eve, part time obituary writer/amateur super sleuth and Viv, owner of Monty’s tea shop are taking it all in their stride. During breaks in filming, dishing out cakes courtesy of said tea shop, the naturally curious Eve is provided with ample opportunity to scrutinise each cast and crew member to her hearts content. Is this group of luvvies one big happy family or are there petty jealousies, bruised egos and long held rivalries simmering away behind the scenes? With Eve in the thick of the action you can rely on her to draw the right conclusions! This woman does not miss a trick, her inbuilt danger detecting radar triggered when Rufus is discovered to be the recipient of some poisonous flowers, precipitating a tragic turn of events that once again sees Eve crossing swords with her nemesis DI Palmer. She’s the (wolfs)bane of his life but we wouldn’t want her any other way!

So if you’re a newcomer to the world of Eve Mallow then you’re in for a treat. If like me you’ve been a fan from day one then how reassuring and exciting it is to be back on familiar territory. This popular genre of crime fiction is awash with memorable super sleuths and Eve Mallow earns her place up there with the best of them. The success and appeal of this series hinges on the characters who live and work in this small but perfectly formed village, their comings and goings the source of much amusement and entertainment, complimenting the crime element without ever detracting from the main business in hand.

Kickstarting Eve’s latest round of sleuthing with the discovery of a dead body draws the reader immediately into the heart of another nigh on impossible to solve mystery. Clearly I’m nowhere near as talented as Ms Mallow because six books in and I’ve yet to string all the clues together and uncover the culprit! Clare Chase manages to tie me up in knots EVERY single time! With dachshund Gus acting as a silent witness to his mistress’s conversational style interrogation tactics, as well as a sounding board for Eve’s developing theories as usual she is spoiled for choice when it comes to potential suspects. It quickly transpires thespians are an insecure bunch thanks to the fickle nature of the industry where you can be feted and adored one moment and relegated to minor roles the next. An unfavourable word from the mouth of those with influence can ruin the most promising of careers so all eyes are on both of the female cast members. However you can’t discount the behind the cameras crew members, one of two of whom act rather dubiously nor the custodian of Watcher’s Wood who seems to have an unhealthy obsession with these starlets. It may already be curtains for one unfortunate soul but is the killer waiting in the wings to perform an encore? As Eve digs deeper into the backgrounds of these characters working in this cut throat industry she opens the lid on a Pandora’s box of secrets to reveal more than a few surprises. Red herrings are in abundance as Clare Chase lays a meandering trail of clues that ultimately lead to dead ends. How frustrating! Will Eve, dicing with danger, strike lucky for a sixth time in a row, outwit the likes of DI Palmer and deserve a standing ovation for her role in apprehending the killer? This woman knows how to hog the limelight and my money’s always on her to come up trumps!

In every review of this series so far I’ve waxed lyrical about both the wonderful, warm friendly characters who populate the pages, and the location in which these crimes take place. Quite honestly I’ve run out of superlatives!Returning to Saxford St Peter always feels like a privilege, a home from home where I can relax, catch up with the gossip and soak up the atmosphere. I can tickle my tastebuds with descriptions of Viv’s sweet temptations, breathe in the salty air whilst admiring the wildlife and traipsing through the sand dunes and above all peer over Eve’s shoulder as she methodically combs through the latest piece of evidence. I’ve grown to love many of the residents of this village community ( more of Moira please!) and value their virtual friendship so why do I feel that this latest mystery lacks a certain spark? Could it be that familiarity breeds contempt? After all I have been a loyal follower of Eve’s from her first outing so to feel my enthusiasm for Eve’s sleuthing adventures waning fills me with disappointment. The formula that up until now has kept me thoroughly entertained is in my opinion running out of steam and dare I say all the characters, apart from Gus, seem a bit less vibrant than when I first clapped eyes on them. With Eve’s romance destined to forever remain clandestine, I wonder whether the time has come for Eve and Gus to retire gracefully and head off into the sunset? I’d like to imagine them somewhere else, maybe setting up her own detective agency, free to embrace her relationship with “you know who”without fear of prying eyes or wagging tongues. As a huge fan of the marvellous Ms Mallow I don’t want to lose my affection for this amateur detective but I feel like she’s become firmly stuck in a rut. Sometimes you can have too much of a good thing (a bit like Viv’s mouthwatering cakes!)and maybe that’s the case here. Obviously my thoughts are those of someone who knows this series inside out so don’t let these minor criticisms stop you from enjoying what on the whole is an utterly charming series. I have no idea if another book featuring Eve and Gus is on the horizon but if there is I’ll be ready and waiting for Eve and the regulars to return refreshed and back on sparkling top form.

My thanks as always to the publisher Bookouture and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.

While I appreciate other readers may find this cosy mystery very much to their taste, unfortunately, it was not to mine. When I found myself doing other things to avoid reading any more of this book I had to acknowledge that this book was not for me. Life is too short to read books you don't enjoy and while I'm sure the author deserves every success I need to remember that cosy mysteries are not for me.

Wow! Book six already and with absolutely NO signs of flagging. Obviously usual series rules apply for backstory and character development reasons, although the main story is self-contained.
This time out, resident of Saxford St Peter, obituary writer Eva Mallow adds another string to her bow. That of TV extra. Yes, they're filming in the village. A TV drama to boot. And Eve, along with Gus, are getting in on the action. But it wouldn't be much of a story if things didn't take a dark turn and, in this case, not long after receiving a poisonous bouquet, director Rufus Beaumont is found dead.
And so Eve once again puts on her obituary hat. Which also allows her to investigate the murder too. A nice little sideline she has developed since she lost faith in the local police force, specifically her nemesis DI Palmer. Aided, as usual, by Robin with whom she is now acting on the feelings she has developed for him. As she starts to chip away at Rufus's life, his work, his family, public and private persona, the finger of suspicion starts to point in many directions. Has she bitten off more than she can chew with this one? But then there's another death and the stakes get much much higher...
I love this series. It really has everything I need to make a good book a great read. Cracking characters - both main and extras, set in a wonderful place, acting out a well plotted and executed storyline, all delivered in a no nonsense, no waffle or padding way which means that the book gets on with itself very well indeed. I also love the quirk that our amateur sleuth is an obituary writer which gives her carte blanche to ask questions of those close to the victim. Novel indeed!
We also visit Monty's tearoom with it's quirky mismatched tea sets and yummy cakes. Please don't start this book hungry!
I also love the direction the author is taking with Eve's personal life. I wish her well :)
All in all, a cracking addition to an already well impressive series. Roll on next time.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

I seem to have missed one or two episodes in this series but that was not a problem. Eve is still writing obituaries and sleuthing so when the director of the TV series she is casted for as an extra gets killed in an old church she is quick to propose writing his obituary. This of course gives her the opportunity to investigate his murder for which there are candidates enough.
Candidates who, one by one, get killed themselves. With some help and protection from her lover Robbin in the end she finds out the real culprit.

Another charming read in this enjoyable series.
I want to thank Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Once again I found this mystery series set in a small village with Eve and her little dog taking the lead, an enjoyable read. Being an extra in the movie added a third dimension (ie in addition to being an obituary writer and investigator of local murders) so the reader could enjoy these many and varying perspectives.

The storyline is intriguing and unsurprisingly as Eve digs just a little under the surface (in the guise of compiling the obituary) much is revealed I found the motivation behind the murders just a little more intriguing in this book in the series.

With thanks to #NetGalley, Bookcouture and the author, Clare Chase, for my free advanced reader copy to review in exchange for an honest opinion.

An interesting premise of murder in a film sets. The narrative is engaging and the suspense tight with all the threads tied up. The characters and their misgivings are slowly revealed through the different versions leading to the finale.

This is the 6th book in the series but can be read as a standalone. I have only read the first book but was aware enough of the back story. The characters are fully developed throughout and new characters introduced so wasn't an issue that I hadn't read the previous ones.

This was a cosy murder mystery but took me a little while to get into. The style was interesting with the murder happening then going back in reverse - I didnt think it needed it.

Overall a cosy murder mystery and I'd read more in the series.

Thank you for the arc.

Eve and her side kick Gus are back in another cosy murder who done it mystery set in the beautiful setting of Saxford St Peter!!

Eve always seems to find herself in the thick of it where she goes drama seems to follow and she can't help but put her own investigative traits to action and do a bit of sleuthing!!

I have followed this series since book three and so far they have all been as good as the last, it's great to reconnect with all the regulars, this series never fails to delight me.

It is full blown excitement to have a TV crew filming in the small sleepy village of Saxford St Peter. Celebrities abound and
the village people are also taken in as extras for various scenes. Life is very exciting and full at the moment. It takes a turn
when one of the celebrities are killed and the whole film crew and village are under scrutiny.

Eve and her daschund Gus both keen detectives are able to find out much more than the detectives on the case. Eve has been on the
TV site, has befriended many of those working there and her keen skills are much better than the oafish Detective Palmer whom we
have seen in action before.

Altogether a well put together cozy mystery murder. Bodies, suspicion galore, lots of suspects and a winding trail.

A good stand alone in the series.