Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing Corp. for this opportunity to review “Murder Through the English Post.” All opinions and comments are my own.

Beryl Helliwell, the explorer half of our duo, is bored. Edwina Davenport, shy underwhelming Edwina however has been transformed as the series progresses (this is book #6). She’s the new village magistrate, while Beryl, globe-trotting Beryl, is at sixes and sevens. Luckily, Simpkins, their housemate comes up with a task for her to do. Picking plums on a farm that he owns. That’ll do for a while, probably. She’s becoming more and more accustomed to the country life here in Warmsley Parva. However -- time for a crime or two to brighten up the day!

Luckily, our author, Jessica Ellicott, has something in mind. Who is sending the poison pen letters to all and sundry in the little village? The ones that are completely, utterly untrue, to boot? Beryl gets one, and she laughs it off. But when their housekeeper Beddoes receives a letter, well, that does it. Time to get involved; even Constable Gibbs agrees. These kinds of letters can cause untold trouble in a tiny place like their village.

Oh, and there’s are side stories, as there always are. Our man Simpkins and his condiments food company needs some “faces” for his innovative campaign of “convenience foods” for the “modern working woman.” Guess who fills that bill? You got it. Readers will see how Edwina comes to enjoy this side of her personality, too, in this and also in her role as magistrate. And one mustn’t forget how Beryl is changing. Ms. Ellicott does a very good job of describing how she is becoming a rather “new Beryl,” more in tune with a quieter life.

The letters continue to go out. One recipient attempts suicide. And then another dies, from an asthma attack. Did distress from the letter bring on the attack? And all of a sudden, it’s apparent that some of the letters are telling the truth. And so now are we looking at someone killing to keep uncomfortable facts hidden?

I should also mention the “women are growing and getting stronger” scenes that the author has included as part of one of the side stories, which also leads to finding out a bit more of Beryl’s younger life. That’s never a bad thing.

“Murder Through the English Post” highlights the thorough detective work of the two “useful and respected associates,” as Edwina calls the two of them now. Their increasing experience in that area leads to a simple clue. Which leads Edwina to the full and complete story, and the unmasking of a murderer. How unassuming and yet complex does Jessica Ellicott make it for us, and thus, a solid entry in the series.

It is always enjoyable spending time with Edwina and Beryl in Walmsley Parva and every adventure with them is much anticipated. Book 6 in the series finds Edwina having taken up her post as village magistrate and Beryl at loose ends, beginning to miss her prior life. Things in the village seem quite staid until Edwina, on her first day as magistrate, must deal with a case involving a poison pen letter. Unfortunately, more letters appear in the village, with Beryl receiving one of her own questioning she and Edwina's living arrangements with gardener Simpkins. Edwina is convinced there is something very wrong in the village, as letters continue to appear, some being specifically written to create trouble, while others reveal truths about the recipients. Eventually a murder does occur and through careful piecing together of the clues, Edwina is able to discern who the rather surprising culprit is.

The mystery alone makes this an excellent book. However, add the rapport between Edwina and Beryl, the other eclectic residents of Walmsley Parva, Simpkins' venture into 'convenience foods,' Beryl's restlessness, and Edwina's progress towards writing her western novel, and you find that Murder Through the English Post is a delight to read, engaging and entertaining to the very end. This book, and the entire series, is one to read, get lost in, and savor in the process. I will very much look forward to the next installments in this series.

A cute England-set cozy in a small town that seems to be quite popular among the Brits with shows like Midsommar Murders. Apparently getting murdered in the English countryside is a big problem per their literature.

This one is set in post-World War II England, an unlikely pair of friends who solve murders - one American and one British. They have apparently won over the constable with their investigative skills and are tasked with solving who is sending poisoned pen letters, and in turn killing people.

This was a fun way to while away an afternoon, though I am not sure I would read the other five books in the series right away.

I had never heard of this series before I requested a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I found it an OK read, the mystery portion kept my interest. It may have been better if I had read the other 5 because I would have been more invested in the characters. I found the three main characters, who live together, to not be very interesting. Not much chemistry. The new reader is given enough information to have a basic idea of who the characters are and how they came to live together.

I think this is one of the best historical cozy series and it could be classified as "new golden age" in this case
New Golden Age is a type of traditional mystery that is inspired by the classic age of mysteries.
This novel is light mystery that deals with very serious topics like poison pen and how the social relationship in a village can be affected by malice.
Edwin and Beryl are fleshed out and relatable as usual but there's a more sombre tone and some important changes.
I liked how we get to know more about Beryl past and how she dealt with abusive men.
We learn something more about Edwina as well.
As for the mystery is complex and multilayered: there's a main plot, the poison letter, and there's the single stories usually related to the aftermath of WWI
The solution came as a surprise and the plot kept me guessing.
Even if it may sound a very serious story I had a lot of fun in reading this book and appreciated all the nuances and the style of writing.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Another winning entry into a delightful cozy mystery series set in a small English village between the wars. Edwina and Beryl were school chums and now share a home and a business venture. They are private enquiry agents (private investigators) and are very good at their job. They have come along way over six books and each visit is a pleasure.
This time there is discord in the village of Wlmsley Parva caused by a nasty series of poisoned pen letters being sent to many locals. Some are so bad that they lead friends to brawl in the street and another to attempt suicide. Time for Edwina and Beryl with the help of Constable Gibbs, Beddoes, their housekeeper and Simpkins, their gardener to stop the author of the missives. Words can kill just as sure as actions and in the course of investigating they find murder is afoot.
I enjoy spending time with Edwina and Beryl. Their friendship and humor are pitch perfect and leave me wanting to simply sit in a comfy chair by the hearth with a nice hot cuppa and chat with friends.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I'm a fan of this cozy series set in post WWI Walmsley Parma, England because it's just....fun . Beryl and Edwina are very different women on the surface- Beryl is an American who likes adventures and Edwina is a very proper woman who is now a magistrate- but they share an affinity for solving crimes with the encouragement of their friend Constable Doris Gibbs. This time out, someone is sending poison pen letters, which seems just annoying but it becomes more when people turn up dead. No spoilers from me as to how these three (and all their assorted friends) solve the case. There are good red herrings, good atmospherics, and the byplay is a hoot. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. As enjoyable for new readers as it was for me. I'm looking forward to the next one.

I didn't realize this was part of a larger series, and so those who have read prior books may feel differently.

While the book contained an okay mystery, I didn't feel a connection to the characters. The storyline, overall, wasn't as developed as I'd expect for this genre. Reading the books in order may have filled in some of the gaps.

This is the sixth in a series featuring the American adventurer, Beryl Helliwell, and her English friend, Edwina Davenport. The pair are now living in Edwina’s family home, the Beeches, in the English village of Walmsey Parva, along with longtime gardener Simkins (who is now also the owner of a large condiments company), and housekeeper Beddoes.

Edwina has just been named the village magistrate, and one of her first cases is that of two young men, longtime friends, arrested for street brawling. What led the two to fisticuffs was a poison pen letter, completely false, sent to one of the young men, and claiming his old friend had made terrible accusations about him. Soon after that, Edwina and Beryl find that several of these poison pen letters have been sent to villagers—including themselves—and causing all sorts of trouble. While Beryl and Edwina find their letter laughable, others in the village are distraught. When one of the recipients tries to kill herself, and it appears that another may have died as a result of hers, it’s time for Beryl and Edwina to get back to their private inquiry business.

I’ve always enjoyed a poison pen plot, with Dorothy L. Sayers’s Gaudy Night being the best I’ve ever read. I didn’t expect that Murder Through the English Post would rival that book, and my expectations were met. While this book was a pleasant enough way to pass a few hours, the characters didn’t come alive for me, and the plot felt under-developed. While I don’t think it’s necessary to read the other books in the series before this one, it would likely help make the lead characters feel more filled out.

This was a fun cozy set after WWI and before WWII. I really enjoyed its slice of village life and the poison pen mystery. There are a lot of characters, but I was able to follow along, even though I haven’t read the previous books.

Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

We'rIe on Book six and I love these characters and this cosy mystery series. It's beautifully written and once again I enjoyed how the author develops the characters and the relationships between them, I feel like a villager!

The poison pen storyline just felt a little too much for me. Too many? Too fast? Hmm... perhaps the next mystery will resonate better.

The back story development, with SImpkins, is great and an aspect I hope to read more of ( aligns with the entrepreneur in me). Perhaps some insights into those times.

With thanks to #Netgalley, Kensington Books and the author for my Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

First book I’ve read in this series and it was delightful. I especially love the cover. Kept me guessing to the end.

I chose to read this one purely based on the cover -it's so cute! There were a few too many characters in this one for me to keep track but overall it is a fun one for cozy mystery readers. I do but wish I had read the previous ones in series before this new one. Set in Southern England this one is a case for enquiry agents, Edwina and Beryl, to figure out!

This was soooo good! I swear these stories keep getting better and better. I love the positive changes happening to Beryl and Edwina simply by being together as friends and enquiry agents. They complement one another and are starting to exhibit each other's strengths. This mystery revolves around poison pen letters that are popping up and disrupting village life horribly. Tracking down the author of these toxic notes is not easy but Edwina and Beryl are determined to do so before more damage is done.

Poison is in the pen in Jessica Ellicott's latest mystery, "Murder Through the English Post." This time, Beryl and Edwina must investigate a rash of poison pen letters that may have caused a death.

Beryl, Edwina, and Simpkins continue to grow and their unconventional partnership is a delight. The flip side of that is that there is a LOT of introspection, mostly by Edwina, in this book, and it does cause it to drag in places. I'm very happy that Edwina is opening herself up to new experiences, such as becoming a magistrate, but I don't necessarily want to read an entire chapter of her inner thoughts about her life.

Pretty much everyone in the village gets a poison pen letter, some deserved, some not. Readers will probably figure out the solution before Beryl and Edwina, but this is an enjoyable visit to Walmsley Parva, and a great peek into post-WWI village life.

4/5 stars

I received an advance copy from Kensington Books, Kensington via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I was attracted to this book by the lovely red mail box on the cover, which I believe is pretty historic by now in the UK along with the equally red telephone box. I may be wrong but living now in Australia it is nostalgic for me anyway.

Murder Through the English Post is set in a village in England after the War. The two main characters are Beryl, an American adventuress, and Edwina, a very proper English lady. Despite their differences they are great friends and, rather boldly for the time, they work as a team of private investigators.

This is book six in the series and apparently in an earlier book they have won over the local police because Constable Gibbs asks them to investigate a flood of poison pen letters in the village. Some of the recipients are too fragile to receive such nastiness and there is a suicide and a death before Edwina cracks the case.

The book was nicely written although it tended to be over descriptive from time to time. I enjoyed the mystery and the characters. Altogether it was a really pleasant, easy read - just what I expect from a cosy.

This is the 6th in the Beryl and Edwina historical cozy mystery series. Life continues on in the English Village od Walmsley Parma for friends Edwina and Beryl.. Everyday life has been quiet for the two friends as Edwina starts her new position of Magistrate and Beryl the Adventuress, gets bored. Their Enquiry Business is soon back in business though, as poisoned pen letters with uncertain truths and suggestions of wrong doing are being delivered to various village residents.

This book did seemed more slanted to solving a mystery versus a murder mystery.A resident died about halfway through and it was not determined to be a murder until 80% into the book. A greater amount seemed ro be given to character growth, especially Beryl. While this book could be read as a stand alone, Beryl, Edwina. and Constable Gibbs all grow and have further development in each book of the series. While I would call this book " gentle" , I still liked it very much as a cozy mystery. To me, it showed the authors writing diversity within a cozy mystery.
I'd like to thank NetGalley. , Kensington Publishing and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book which publishes on 7/26/22

Secrets. Everyone has secrets. Small towns, despite their idyllic image, harbor many. In the case of the small English village of Walmsley Parva, the biggest is "Who's sending poison pen letters?"

It's been awhile since I've dropped in on Beryl, the adventure lover, more apt to be climbing a mountain than baking a pie, and Edwina, who seems to thrive on the sameness of her beloved small town. She's just taken a big step, however, especially for a woman of those times. In any case, they make the perfect team in their private inquiry business. In modern times, they'd be called private investigators.

This is set in the past, however, in England as it is still trying to recover from the wounds, both mental and physical, not to mention financial, in the post Great War era. Some in their village have been receiving poison pen letters sent composed of words and letters carefully cut out of magazines and pasted onto paper. Even Beryl has received one but, Beryl being Beryl, she simply shrugged and laughed it off.

The others? No. No one is laughing.

In fact, though the accusations made seem to be false, they are distressing and not only leading to fights and loud arguments but at least one suicide attempt has resulted. Edwina and Beryl almost lose their beyond-efficient housekeeper, Beddoes, over one, too, and ultimately begin looking into the matter. As Edwina says, small incidents can easily become big ones and create larger problems in small towns.

Who is sending the letters? Does someone have a grudge against that many people? But, wait. It gets worse. Someone dies, Cornelia, and a poison pen letter is found in her car. The kindly, retired doctor calls it death by asthma but, well, was their more? Could the letter have brought on the asthma attack? Was that victim's husband possibly a suspect, either of murder or at the very least, sending the letters? Why is Edwina so quick to suspect the town's new doctor? Could the nurse have done it? If so, to what advantage? Why the change of tone in the letters? Will Edwina make the next garden club meeting? Will Beryl learn to knit? Oh, never mind. That is a big no, at least for now. And, hmm, is romance in the air?

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit with Beryl and Edwina but would caution readers that the pace is far more relaxed and slower moving than the norm nowadays. There is a great deal of what I dubbed "mind talk" throughout as individually Beryl and Edwina think privately about, well, a multitude of things, from their unlikely friendship, to Simpkins' good luck and clever ideas to make a profit of his inherited business, and whether they really know their fellow villagers or not, among others. It actually was interesting to see their thoughts, most likely thoughts that wouldn't be included in the rush of a more dialogue heavy tome. It gives the book a classical feel, in a way. Although the 9th in the series, this installment is a solid standalone as you'll learn Beryl and Edwina's history as the chapters alternate viewpoints. Enjoy! Edwina would say have a cuppa tea and relax but Beryl, American that she is, would prefer coffee.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for letting me drop back into Beryl and Edwina's lives again after a time away. I won't make that mistake again. I want to see if that orchid worked!

Quaint village with a gossip problem. Poison pen letters striking fear and death

This book was not my preferred reading style. I had a difficult time getting into to. Stop start a few times and jumped around a lot. Too much narrative and not enough in the way the story unfolded to grab me

This series and author do have a following and I really wanted to like it. Just not for me

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for allowing me to read this new to me series

Murder Through the English Post: A Beryl and Edwina Mystery by Jessica Ellicott

Set in the English countryside after the First World War, a small village seems bent on self destruction after a series of anonymous letters are delivered to its residents. These letters contain lies about the recipients supposedly being spread by other members of the community. Will Beryl and Edwina be able to catch the sender before too much damage is done?

This is a slower mystery that you can cozy down with a cup of tea and read. I found the verbose descriptions akin to classic read. This is a book you’ll be able to put down but come back to like a cherished friend. This was my first Beryl and Edwina book and while I feel it works well as a stand alone, I think the first few chapters had me feeling like I was missing something because I didn’t already know who the characters were.

Overall I found it very cute. Who doesn’t love a good English countryside mystery?