If you enjoy cosy murder mysteries full of dangers and twists
This is one that really shouldn't be missed!
It starts with an interview or two
Taking place in Brabourne Gardens where there is a zoo.
There are protesters outside the gate on two sides
But it is inside where danger is lurking and hides.

Retired Detective Harry Powell applies for and gets a new role
Working as part of the security team at the gardens is his new goal
But he never dreamt that on the day of his interview
A visitor would be found murdered - you just know what he'll do!
He and Belinda are straight on the killer's tracks
Whilst endeavouring still to protect each other's backs.

It is gentle but enthralling, a book to relax reading
Whilst still being engaged and entertained - just what I was needing!
The main characters are well developed and easy to relate to,
Feeling like old friends known to both me and you.
The plot is full of twists, turns and clues
With a possible romance - that would be great news!

I'm really enjoying each book in this series and so
I highly recommend you also give it a go.
I believe this will work as a standalone, though you'll soon see
It may well tempt you to read the earlier books, like me!
For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
A highly entertaining read and this is my honest review.

Murder at the Gardens is the third book in Lisa Cutts' charming Belinda Penshurst village cozy series. Released 14th April 2022, it's 266 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free, as are the other books in the series.

This is such an engaging and fun series. The narrative is lighthearted, including an ensemble cast of oddball small-town characters. There are moments of genuine humor which surprised a giggle out of me. The author definitely doesn't take herself or her characters too seriously. For all that, it's well written and eminently readable.

There are admittedly some fairly silly and over the top developments and plot twists, but it's a village cozy, so it's really part of the whimsy. The "over the top" characters and dialogue were always on the right side of charming and didn't shade over into annoying or yank me out of my suspension of disbelief, so it was a fun read. As always, amateur sleuth Belinda, castle-dwelling, clever, and single minded, is determined to get to the bottom of the skullduggery infesting *her* village. 

Readers who enjoy very light village cozies such as the series by Merryn Allingham, Frances Evesham, and Clare Chase will find much to like with these books. There are 3 books currently extant in the series, making it a good candidate for a weekend binge series read.

Four stars. Charming, diverting, and well written.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Book 3 in the cozy mystery series with Belinda and Harry solving murders. This one is set in a botanical zoo, with lots of great characters and scenes. Fun read, and like that the two of them are slowly getting closer to each other. I like that they didn't jump into bed in book 1, but still.... Would highly recommend this series and author.

The action of the third book is set in Brabourne Gardens which also houses a wildlife sanctuary/zoo. Belinda Penshurst serves on the board of directors and uses her influence to make sure Harry Powell, a retired police detective and her good friend, gets the security officer job. What starts off as a good enough day for enjoying a visit to the gardens and zoo turns into mayhem and murder when the body of one of the zoo's regular visitor is found behind a coffee van just minutes after a near scare incident involving a child and a lions' enclosure. Having the zoo surrounded by two groups of protestors is not helping matters at all plus the appearance of Belinda's ex Ivan seems to also make things complicated on the personal front between Belinda and Harry. The murder of the visitor is followed by more murders and it is upto Belinda and Harry to figure out who is behind this before it turns into a PR nightmare which can result in the permanent closure of the zoo and gardens.

This book was totally action packed with incidents and murders occurring without a pause. I also felt it was a bit serious and darker in tone than the previous two books with less light hearted moments and banter between Belinda and Harry. I also like the fact that all three books have three vastly different immediate settings as the scene of action (all located within the main setting of Little Chalham) with new, temporary characters introduced to set the storyline in motion.

My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture and the author Lisa Cutts for the e-Arc of the book.

Belinda and Harry find themselves embroiled in another murder investigation, this time at Brabourne Gardens which houses a zoo. Harry takes on a role in security whilst Belinda is already on the board, More murders ensue...
Murder at the Gardens is the third book by Lisa Cutts to feature Belinda and Harry. I have read and reviewed book 1, Murder in the Village, but missed book 2 (time to go and read it!)
The main setting for this cosy murder mystery is in a zoo and there are some wonderful animal related incidents including dramatic rescues from enclosures. Belinda is on the board of the zoo whilst Harry takes on a security role but his first day doesn't go to plan with the discovery of a murder victim.
There is no graphic forensic detail and I enjoyed the cameraderie with their police friend Vince. The plot develops at a reasonable pace and there are several murders which reduce the number of suspects but I still had no idea who the killer was. The style and tone of the writing is light hearted and there is also gentle humour at the expense of Belinda's hapless brother Marcus.
I love the pairing of Belinda and Harry. She is passionate about animals and he is a retired police officer who once arrested her. The romantic tension between Belinda and Harry is intensified by the arrival of her former fiance Ivan. They haven't admitted their feelings to each other so Ivan's presence threatens to push them apart.
Murder at the Gardens is an entertaining and enjoyable cosy murder mystery and I look forward to the next one!

Murder at the Gardens is the third highly enjoyable outing in Lisa Cutts’ fantastic cozy crime series featuring amateur sleuth extraordinaire Belinda Panshurst.

Belinda loves nothing more than to take a stroll in Brabourne Gardens. As an animal lover, Belinda loves walking along the winding paths while listening to the excitement of visiting schoolchildren encountering the kind of wildlife they wouldn’t normally see in England. However, excitement gives way to shock, terror and alarm when a visitor is found strangled! Just who could have done such a thing? And will determined Belinda manage to figure out whodunnit?

Simon Carter was a man who wasn’t exactly well liked, but surely that wasn’t a good enough reason for killing him? There were certainly plenty of people at Brabourne Gardens who had very good reasons for strangling Simon. From anti-social owner Estelle Samuels, who seems very keen to keep her secrets firmly under lock and key to a jobsworth of a security guard – not to mention Belinda’s ex Ivan who was on the scene when the body was found! Belinda and retired detective Harry Powell have certainly got their hands full with their latest case.

As they get closer and closer to the truth, Belinda and Harry seem to have got the killer in their sights. But at Brabourne Gardens you never know what’s just around the corner and if the pair of them aren’t careful then they might just be the killer’s next victims…

Murder at the Gardens is another terrific cozy mystery by Lisa Cutts. Belinda Panshurst is as delightful as ever. She is a sleuth who is intelligent, methodical, human and somebody who never gives up even when the odds are stacked against her. There are plenty of twists and turns and shocking surprises in store in Murder at the Gardens and readers will be kept on the edge of their seats and guessing until the very last page.

Witty, entertaining and so much fun, Murder at the Gardens is a fabulous cozy mystery from Lisa Cutts fans of the genre will not want to miss.

A very lovely 'catch-up with old friends from A Belinda Penshurst Mystery.
This time the mystery is set around a local zoo and murders that take place in the middle of the gardens.
Belinda Penshurst just finds herself in the garden just when the murder happens. Belinda and her friend ex-detective Harry Powell get to do what they do best, uncover the culprit.
Things are aided and not by Belinda's dashing ex appearing on the scene.
So Belinda's mission this time is not only to solve a murder but to make a choice...
I enjoyed the book, the story, the setting, and the characters.
Looking forward to the next installment.

Enjoyable cosy crime. This is part of a series but I’ve not read any of the previous books and I don’t think you necessarily need to have read any of the previous books.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my review.

Another great book in this cozy mystery series and we find Belinda involved at the local zoo that she is a patron of. Harry also has a job there, largely down to a recommendation from Belinda. However the infamous ex Ivan makes an appearance to maybe try and woo Belinda back, before the murders start…

Great characters and humour throughout, this is a quick and entertaining read.

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

Likeable and quirky amateur sleuths are essential for a good cosy mystery, and Belinda and her retired police officer, friend Harry, fulfil this position eloquently. The third book in the Belinda Penshurst series is readable as a standalone. Set in a private Zoo, a lot is going on. Demanding customers, protestors and murder, of course. There's the hint of a love triangle, many suspects and plenty of false leads, which make this an entertaining mystery. I like the characters, settings and the well-thought plot.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Another fabulous instalment in this series!

The story takes us to Harry's new job working in security at the zoo. Of course, there are a handful of murders, as always seem to follow Belinda and Harry around.

The rapport between Harry and Belinda is just wonderful - their fondness for each other shows through in the writing and I was very upset when Ivan, Belinda's ex joined this story and was back in her life.

The ending was pleasing, and I cannot wait for the next book.

One day s complaining customer is found not alive. An amateur sleuth is on the scene to check it out. The victim had a reputation for causing trouble but Beth does not think that is a reason to find someone dead. With retired detective and Beth look into behind the scene learn that some of the staff are more like savage animals. If Beth keeps following in the killers tracks will she be next to end up dead? This a third part in the series would of liked to read the other 2'before this one to understand Beth backstory, but this was a good book and pretty quick read. Thanks to bookouture, netgalley and the author in exchange for a review.
Published April 12th 2022

I love love love the relationship of Belinda and Harry. Such a lovely socialite dragging a curmudgeon back into the world.
A difficult customer is found dead at Brabourne Gardens, a local private zoo. A beloved place to Belinda - of course she must discover what happened.
Not to mention cope with the small town, their endless gossip, her scheming brother always up for a quick money making scheme.
I am such a huge fan of this #cozymysteryseries. I cannot wait for the next!

This is the first book that I’ve read in Lisa Cutts’ Belinda Penshurst series, but it won’t be the last! I jumped at the chance to review this because I love M.C. Beaton’s Agatha Raisin series, and I was not disappointed here.

Belinda has used her connections at Brabourne Gardens, a local zoo, to help her tenant and possible love interest Harry get hired on there as a security guard (unbeknownst to Harry). Harry’s first day starts off with a bang, when a rather obnoxious zoo patron is found murdered. To make things even more interesting, Belinda’s ex, Ivan, is unexpectedly in town, there to see what can be done about competing groups of protestors at the Gardens, one wanting to keep the elephants there, one wanting to see the elephants rewilded. Ivan keeps popping up in close proximity to the crimes, and he seems unusually interested in Estelle, the owner of the Gardens. Could he be the murderer?

Murder at the Gardens was a really fun read! The interaction and chemistry between Belinda and Harry is wonderful – I am totally Team Harry, not Team Ivan. Doesn’t matter that they seem to be in different social strata (Belinda, who’s come into some money and lives in an actual castle, and Harry, the former police officer), they just click. I was hoping Belinda and Ivan didn’t get back together. (Spoiler: they didn’t. Huzzah!) I also liked the fact that Belinda and Harry are a little older than the main characters in many books. I’m a little older than I used to be, and it’s nice to read stories where the characters are close to my age.

Misdirection abounds. There are animals – sometimes on the loose, sometimes not. There’s humor, and intrigue, and that spark of romance I mentioned previously. This book has a little something for everyone. The plot was just twisty enough that the murderer’s identity came as a bit of a surprise.

Highly recommended if you’re a fan of cozy mysteries, particularly those of the British variety. I can’t wait to read more of this series!

Belinda Penshurst is back, and ready for another case!!

Excited happy dance!!!

Murder at the Gardens is the third book in the remarkable Belinda Penshurst Mysteries, this series just keeps getting better and better. I have adored this series from the first book and was instantly hooked. it’s one of those series that has you at the edge of your seat waiting for the next instalment – it’s addictive and you need a yearly fix! If you haven’t read the previous two in the series, don’t worry you can easily read these books as stand-alones, but these stories are so captivating and enjoyable I say go on read them, fill your boots!

This time around budding detective; Belinda and retired police detective Harry are once again thrown into the deadly goings-on at a private zoo. Harry starts his new job as a security guard, an easy-peasy job of checking fences, keeping doors closed making sure none feeds the lions or none steels the rare animals, sound easy right?

Wrong!

Everything that could go wrong, does go wrong. Protestors, children in the lion enclosure, ex’s coming out of the woodwork to cause trouble and oh yeah, a murder. Yup, just a regular day at the zoo!

Walk-in Belinda, who throws herself into the investigation with calming Harry by her side, they have to work together to find the culprit before they kill again – plus trying to figure out why her ex Ivan has suddenly popped back into her life again, does he want a reunion, a second go? Personally speaking, I didn’t take to him from the start!

I love the relationship between Harry and Belinda, they have a brilliant report with each other, it’s fun and full of humour. They get on like a house on fire, two peas in a pod – even though they don’t always read from the same page. They are firm friends – maybe more? They laugh and joke, and solve mysteries as all friends do.

Lisa Cutts has incredibly easily become one of my favourite cosy crime authors, I love her imaginative and feel-good, yet dramatic and gloriously fun writing.

Murder at the Gardens is another brilliant whodunnit, with a great cast of characters, a fabulous plot I loved following Belinda and Harry as they looked through the clues to find the answer – it’s like an episode of Midsummer Murders, it’s cosy, entertaining and incredibly enjoyable.

It’s gripping and addictively good, an absolute must-read!

In Murder at the Gardens things have taken a deadly turn on Harry’s first day at work. Can Belinda and Harry catch the killer?

I have to start by saying it was great to be back with Belinda and Harry! They make such a great team with their fun interactions and determination to get to the bottom of things. Whenever I pick up this series it feels like I’m catching up with friends, albeit ones who seem to attract deadly situations like magnets. As we are now on book three I do think that it might be best starting with book one in the series just so you get the full picture. Especially as you are missing out on getting to know Belinda, Harry and experiencing their escapades.

The story moved at a lovely pace and I was definitely intrigued as to who the killer could be. There’s a fair few suspects to choose from which always keeps things interesting. Along with a few red herrings dotted here and there that kept me on my toes too. The friendship between Belinda and Harry is a favourite of mine. It has been built up carefully over the three books. I just love the little snippets of humour that shines through whenever this pair are together. Not to mention the flickers of chemistry filled sparks. Although these hints of romance don’t overshadow the story just add an extra special charm.

Murder at the Gardens was another brilliant and entertaining addition to this series. I’m really hoping that I’ll get to catch up with Belinda and Harry again soon!

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'Murder At The Gardens' by Lisa Cutts.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Lisa Cutts, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous

Publication date 14th April 2022.

This is the third book I have read by this author. It is also the third book in the 'Belinda Penshurst Mystery' series but can be read as a standalone. I have read the first book which is called 'Murder In The Vilage' and the second which is called 'Murder At The Casrle' and would definitely recommend both.

I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and intriguing sounding synopsis and title. I am also a huge fan of Lisa and if this book is half as good as 'Murder In The Village' and 'Murder At The Castle' it is guaranteed to be a great read. The synopsis stated that 'Fans of M.C. Beaton, H.Y. Hanna or Emily Organ will love the Belinda Penshurst series!' I am a huge fan of M.C. Beaton so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. 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 45 chapters. The chapters are short to medium 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 Little Challam which is a fictional village in Kent, England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿, UK 🇬🇧. I always enjoy when books are set in the UK as I'm from Wales and have sometimes visited areas mentioned in the book. This makes it easier to picture where the scenes are set at times.

This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonists are Belinda Penshurst and Harry Powell. 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 in anything.

What an absolutely fantastic page turning editon to a riveting new series!!! Congratulations Lisa on a great success!!!

This book is very well written and very smooth and easy to read. The descriptions are vivid and helps you to really feel that you are in the middle of the village whilst everything is going on. The synopsis and cover suit the storyline perfectly.

The storyline itself is fast paced and there is always something going on to captivate your attention and keep you constantly turning the pages. It is such a smooth and easy read and I completely lost myself in the pages. Once I started it I just could not stop!!! I have lived this series from book one 'Murder In The Village' and even though I loved that book and also the second in the series 'Murder At The Castle' I just say this one is definitely my favourite so far. I am a HUGE animal lover so the setting and atmosphere was absolutely perfect!!! It is also very unique as I can't think of another murder mystery set in a zoo!! I really enjoyed the storyline and loved visiting Little Challham again and exploring more of the fantastic countryside as well as more of Belindas Castle and of course the new setting of Brabourne Zoological Gardens. This book is filled with suspense, red herrings, tension, friendship, a hint of romance, lots of animals and absolutely loads of laughter mixed in. A perfect combination for any successful cosy mystery. I had no idea who was doing what and am pleased to say that I was very surprised when the reveal was made. It is getting harder and harder to surprise me after reading so many crime books and there is nothing worse than working it all out by 50% so another congratulations on this Lisa!! I lam looking forward to seeing what adventure Belinda and Harry will go on next along with seeing how Harrys new job prospects go!!!

Although this is the third book in the series I had absolutely no problems reading it without the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.

Clear your schedules and get the tissues ready as you won't be able to put this book down and you'll have tears streaming from laughing!!!

I absolutely loved meeting Belinda and Harry again along with all the new characters and some old faces too. I was not only invested on the storyline but I also became even more invested in them than the first book. I am looking forward to seeing more of both Belinda and Harry again plus meeting more old and new faces. These characters are he type to stay with me for a while. I love that Belinda is such a strong woman, being female myself I enjoy seeing strong female leads in books. The fact that I love animals and run a rescue and that both Harry and Belinda are animal lovers definitely helped me engage with them both. I liken them to a pair of naughty school children. The type in primary school who bicker but really fancy each other and I really am looking forward to see what becomes of them. They both had me in stitches on several occasions, Belinda with some of the things she came out with and her attitude and Harry for just being Harry, bless him!!! I also enjoyed finally meeting the mysterious Ivan after reading about him in both previous books. I wasn't a huge fan of his but he did kind of come through in the end and Belinda and Harry's obsession with his forehead was absolutely hilarious!!! I also enjoyed meeting Malcolm, Belinda's brother, again who always makes me laugh with his hare brained schemes and ideas. I'm looking forward to seeing what he gets up to next along with Belinda and Harry. These characters have very quickly become close friends and each time I end one of Lisa's amazing books they stay with me for a long time. They are all extremely strong, likeable and realistic characters who work perfectly with the storyline.

I cannot remember the last time I laughed so much especially reading a crime book!!! Absolutely perfect 👌

Well done Lisa on an yet another absolutely fantastic book in what is an epic series. Here's to reading the next adventure 🍻 🥂!!

Overall a page turning, non stop, addictive, hilarious cosy mystery that is perfect for the beach or in front of a fire, a fantastic addition to a riveting series!!!


Some of my favourite quotes/parts in this book include the following:

😂 The part where Harry, James and a pasty are in Harry's car made me laugh out loud so many times 😂 😂 😂

🦒 "‘I remember how intrigued you were when you found out that a giraffe could kick the head off a lion,’he said with a chuckle. ‘I think your exact words were, “king of the jungle, my eye. It’s just a big pussy cat" ". Well I never knew that and had to Google it!!! Learn something knew every day!!!

😂 😂 " ‘They’re not rabid,’ said Harry, ‘merely dangerous. What is the police force coming to? It’s vital evidence and you’re waiting for what? The negotiator to talk the hyena into swapping it for a Kong toy filled with peanut butter?’‘Do you think that will work?’ said Vince, getting his notebook out of his pocket."

Genres covered in this book include Cosy Mystery, Crime Fiction, Mystery and Crime Thriller amongst others.


I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Emily Organ, Agatha Christie, Faith Martin, Helena Dixon, M.C. Beaton, H.Y. Hanna, Emily Organ and anyone looking for a fantastic, laugh a minute cosy mystery


266 pages.

This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon or free if you have kindle unlimited (at time of review) 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.

Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews

#MurderAtTheGardens #Bookouture #LisaCutts #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@LisaCutts @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86

https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86

https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?ref=bookmarks

https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__tn__=%2As-R

https://www.instagram.com/bookwormwhitlock86/

Another adventure with Belinda and Harry. I love these books - there’s always action and the tension between Belinda and Harry is always there. I’m always desperate for them to finally see sense and say how they feel. Lisa Cutts always reels me in with moments where ‘it has to happen now’ but there’s always someone or something that gets in their way. And never one to give too much away this book has been left with a hint that maybe it then may not.

Murder at the Gardens sees the local zoo have a rather disastrous few days. Having not even officially started his new job as deputy head of security Harry finds himself dealing not only with a murder but also the arrival of Ivan - Belinda’s ex fiancé. Could things really get any worse? The answer of course is yes and quickly.

Another must read book in this wonderful cosy crime series. Head off to Little Challham now and get swept up in yet another case.

Belinda Penshurst finds herself ready to solve another murder. This one takes place at Brabourne Gardens, a private zoo. Belinda's good friend Harry has taken a job at the zoo, and before long, a murder occurs, and Belinda is not about to sit back and let someone else solve the growing mystery.

Complicated by the fact that her ex, Ivan, is there, as well as disgruntled zoo employees only make discovering the murderer that much harder. The excitement starts early on when a child is dropped into a Lion enclosure. This terrifying action was the first thing in what proved to be awful events, and that included the murder of Simon, who was apparently not very well liked.

Then there is the complication of Ivan, Belinda’s ex. His sudden presence gives Belinda pause, and just might cause complications considering her growing attraction to Harry. Despite this conundrum, Belinda doggedly pursues the murderer, especially as she doesn’t want anyone else to lose their life.

With delightful banter, romantic confusion, the beautiful environment and more than one likely suspect, Murder at the Gardens is the thoroughly enjoyable third book in a very entertaining series.

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

Please also enjoy my YouTube video review - https://youtu.be/WX_zJMrgVzw

Belinda Penshurst amateur sleuth is back and on the case. While enjoying her time at Brabourne Gardens, the peacefulness of the Gardens is soon disrupted when a visitor is found strangled to death. Belinda is determined to find the culprit. Simon Carter, the victim, was know for being a trouble maker. But, murder, how can that be? Retired detective Harry Powell teams up with Belinda to investigate. They begin questioning the very unfriendly owner, Estelle Samuels. She is trying to avoid answering their questions, and she is definitely hiding something, but she isn’t the only one. There is also the over zealous security guard, did he have something to do with Simon’s murder? One of the suspects Harry and Belinda are investigating is Belinda’s ex, Ivan. He was there when the body was discovered. Belinda is determined to prove Ivan didn’t do it, but can she? She has to find the murderer before she becomes the next victim. I absolutely loved this book. This charming cozy mystery is a fabulous escape. This fast-paced story was so much fun and kept me guessing until the very end. This wonderful series, is filled with adventure, humor and believable characters. This is definitely a must read for every cozy mystery fan. Don’t pass up this wonderful whodunnit, I promise you’ll be hooked from the beginning.
Thank you Lisa Cutts for such a wonderful addition to the Belinda Penshurst Murder Mystery Series. This story was so engaging and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I highly recommend this book.