Book 3 in this series in which Flora nearly succeeds in getting both herself and Jack killed. She really does need to be a bit more careful when she is pursuing a murderer.

The two of them are in Cornwall where Jack is supposed to be looking for ideas for his current book, and Flora is having a break after the trials she went through in Book 2. Unfortunately they discover a body almost immediately and their plans are tossed aside as Flora plunges into amateur detective mode. The story is set in the Cornish countryside in 1956 where the police were apparently not inclined to investigate too hard. Flora is determined to get justice for the victim herself.

I very much enjoyed the setting and the outings that the pair enjoyed to places I used to know well - Helston, the Lizard, Mullion Cove and the rest, all brought back many happy memories. I was aware of the history of many places along that coast line being used in preparations for D-Day and this was an interesting contribution to the story.

I am enjoying this series very much and hope the author continues to write them, plus I am looking forward to a developing relationship between our two main characters!

Another great book in this series.
When Flora and Jack go off on a working vacation, they are shocked to discover that their landlord has been murdered, and of course Flora happened to stumble across the body. Getting frustrated by the lack of effort of the police to solve this mystery, Flora becomes determined to find justice for him. Great story, enjoyable plot, and of course great characters. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is the first book I have read in this series, and I can’t wait to read more…mystery and intrigue…murders…mayhem…great setting adds to the story…the characters, for the most part, are likable…with a few horrible ones tossed in…murder and mayhem…friendship…a bookstore…love around the corner? These themes run throughout this book, and they make it a page turner…history…looking back…living in the present…I enjoyed this book…. This book was sent to me electronically for review by Netgalley…don’t skip this one…

"The mystery had grown too intriguing to be given up to the police."

That thought from main character Flora Steele could probably describe how many amateur sleuths feel, not just regarding the police but often about those who would also protect them. In this case, Flora, whose imagination is vivid -- I agree with Jack, she should be writing a novel -- also has a tendency to keep things from Jack and venture out alone into potentially dangerous situations, even after being warned away by the area witch. Oddly enough, though I wanted to sit Flora down and have a chat with her about common sense, I liked Flora and was immediately drawn into the story. The series is new to me, btw, but stands alone nicely.

The plot has two main story lines, past and present, which seem to weave in and out of each other as the story progresses. Do remember, however, that police procedures and expectations were obviously much more lax in 1956, which is when the story takes place, than they are now. Let's just say, at one point I found myself wanting to yell at Flora and Jack not to disturb a crime scene as they merrily wandered about, forcing open a gate they were then sure the murderer must have used, possibly trampling the murderer's tacks, and later failing to report a break-in in a timely fashion. Yes, things have changed.

Bottom line, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am already looking forward to the next. If you like engaging mysteries, especially ones that take place in England, and have an interest in the history of the world wars, you will find this book an intriguing read. There's even the hint of romance. Author Merryn Allingham also has a way with words. I hope to read more of them soon.

Thanks NetGalley and Bookouture for letting me spend some time in the English countryside with Flora and Jack while they track down a murderer.

Book 3 in the Flora Steele Mysteries. Get settled, comfy with this one because you will sit and devour this excellent book! A well written cozy which exposes some long ago hidden secrets. Strong characters. Great story plot. Thanks #netgalley and #Bookouture for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

A cozy British mystery set in Cornwall. Flora Steele, a bookshop owner, and her friend Jack Carrington, a crime novel author, travel to Cornwall to do research for the book Jack is working on. Soon after they arrive at Primrose Cottage in Cornwall where they will be staying during their trip, Flora finds the body of the cottage's owner in the orchard near the cottage. Roger Gifford, the dead man, had been well loved by his friends and had been the local bank manager before he retired. He'd been recently researching the history of Cornwall during the war. Flora wants to find out why Gifford was murdered and who did it. She begins investigating while she and Jack are doing their research on the book. There are some interesting developments, and Flora and Jack have been warned off the case by some strange occurrences.

An interesting mystery which delved into the past, finding some long hidden secrets. Sweet characters - I liked both Flora and Jack, as well as the witch, Mercy Dearlove and the housekeeper, Jessie.

Thanks to Bookouture through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on March 18,2022.

I really enjoyed The Bookshop Murder, the first in the Flora Steele series, last year.

Book 3 is just what you would expect from a period cosy mystery.

Flora and Jack have headed to Cornwall to research Jack’s next novel. Before they even leave for Primrose Cottage, Jack receives a letter warning them off.

Barely 24 hours into their trip, and Flora finds the body of their landlord, murdered in the Orchard at the back of the cottage.

There are plenty of suspects – estranged wives, greedy relatives and some mysterious research into local history that may have uncovered some dark secrets. There’s even a local witch and Flora has to decide if she is a help or a hindrance.

I found the Cornish backdrop quite nostalgic as I visited a lot of the locations in the book during my childhood. Mullion Cove especially was a great location. I found the details about the role Cornish villages played in WW2 really interesting.

Flora and Jack’s relationship is continuing to develop and I will be very interested to see how it develops in the further. There were definitely moments when they seemed closer. Flora is so good at reading Jack’s moods and Jack is so patient with headstrong Flora, they are clearly perfect for each other.

This is a great cosy mystery series!

Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for my advanced copy of Murder at Primrose Cottage

Cornwall in the 1950s is a beautiful county with wild moors, stunning beaches, and friendly locals. At least that's what Flora Steele and Jack Carrington thought as they began a working holiday to fulfil a writing assignment many miles away from their home village of Abbeymead. The countryside is as both imagined but finding a body in the orchard of the rented picturesque Primrose Cottage makes them look closely at their new neighbours.

With Jack needing to travel the county to gain a realistic background for his troublesome new novel Flora finds herself in a position to investigate why the  victim met their unenviable fate. Both are intrigued by the tentative links to a wartime mystery but as danger stalks them through the narrow lanes and deserted landscape can they discover who is planning to add them to the list of victims and why?

This is the third Flora Steele novel and although I have enjoyed the previous two this is the one which moves it into the ranks of eagerly anticipated cosy crime series. Set in Cornwall during the late spring of 1956 it is an atmospheric and beautifully written piece that I enjoyed thoroughly. Jack and Flora are familiar enough now to reader and writer alike that they boss a storyline which was fascinating both from a fictional and factual standpoint. I hadn't realised how vital Cornwall was to the war effort and found the research included by the author as fascinating as Jack!

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. This is a lovely book but with a few spoilers included I would recommend enjoying the first two as well if you can.

4 Stars

One-Liner: Cozy mystery when you don’t want to tax your grey cells.

Jack and Flora are back again in the third installment of the series. The duo arrives in Cornwall to research Jack’s book and enjoy the sights in the country. However, Flora stumbles over a dead body right behind the cottage they rented, that too on the very next day of their arrival.
Now, Flora cannot resist a mystery, more so since the local police seem to be doing nothing. Jack wants to work on his book, though he manages to assist Flora and get some research done. When the reason for the crime forks into the past (the time of WWII) and the victim’s personal life, it’s up to Flora and Jack to find the actual cause of the crime and identify the killer.
Of course, the killer is on guard and has attempted to attack the duo more than once. The duo needs to keep themselves safe and unearth the killer. A tough task in a different country, isn’t it?

My Observations:
• It’s a small book (268 pages) and has a steady pace throughout. Moreover, it reads well as a standalone (and there isn’t too much information dump about the previous books).
• The writing in this one felt a little different (I found way too many adverbs), though the tone hasn’t changed.
• The characters are pretty much black and white. If you want layered and complex characters, this is not the book. But if you want something that adheres to the cozy mystery checklist, pick this book.
• The descriptions of places in Cornwall were beautiful. I enjoyed the scenic beauty of the locations.
• The mystery is neither strong nor weak. I guessed the killer more on instinct, though the clues confirmed my guess soon enough.
• There are no unexpected twists, no melodrama, or heavy stuff. There’s some progress in the personal track, but it’s limited to one character.
• The book ends with a sort of bait to keep the reader guessing about what the next book will be about, which I rather liked. The current case is complete, and the new one will start fresh in the next one.

To Sum up, Murder at Primrose Cottage is a good continuation of the series and works well as a breather between heavy reads. Pick it up if you want a cozy mystery that doesn’t require too much effort to read.

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review. This was the first I’d read in the series, and that can either mean you have no idea who people are, or the author tells you everything about them all over again (which can be frustrating for anyone who has followed from the beginning). Happily, Merryn Allingham doesn’t do either of these, and manages to I think summarise just enough. Flora and Jack go down to Cornwall for him to write a new novel, and the morning after they arrive, Flora finds their landlord’s body in the orchard... I did work out whodunnit, so this wasn’t a super hard mystery - but it was quite an enjoyable read, pleasant characters and enough intrigue to keep you reading at a nice pace.

If you loved the previous two Flora Steele mystery book, you will not be disappointed in Flora and Jack’s third murder mystery adventure together. This time we find our crime busting sleuths heading to Cornwall together, so that Jack can research his next novel. But, before he can begin, they discover a body in the garden of their rented holiday home……. Desperate to solve the murder on their doorstep, Flora and Jack head off around Cornwall to try and uncover the truth, and in doing so, put their own lives in danger! Perfect!

Wow ladies and gentlemen! This is definitely one that shouldn't be missed! Third book in the series and just as enjoyable as the previous 2. The storyline kept me glued to my Kindle through the whole book! I definitely recommend reading this book!

Cottage Calamity....
The third in the Flora Steele Mystery series, set in the sleepy village of Abbeymead, and a really enjoyable follow up to the first two books in this most satisfying series of cosy mysteries featuring book shop owner Flora and, her now not so new acquaintance and crime writer, Jack Carrington. A short holiday is on the cards for the duo but at their rental cottage a shock awaits. The body they discover is the tip of a baffling iceberg and a catalogue of unimaginable events is about to be unleashed. Wholly entertaining with likeable protagonists in Flora and Jack and a colourful cast of supporting characters that develop nicely as the tale progresses. An easy, relaxing and most entertaining read.

Spunky Flora is at it again! Another dead body, this time in the garden of a rented cottage in Cornwall. Flora and Jack have traveled to Cornwall to research a novel Jack is writing. Unwittingly Flora and Jack stumble across a mystery surrounding WW2 activities and the death of a young soldier. Flora, as usual blunders in, placing her and Jack in peril. An exciting ending which leaves Flora and Jack’s relationship growing ever more closer.
The Cornish setting is inviting with colorful residents, Highly enjoyable.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this advance copy.