Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy of this cozy mystery.

It's 1956. Flora Steele owns a book shop in a small village. Her friend has purchased the Priory Hotel and is holding a grand opening on a hot September day. Flora has volunteered to help out and when the guests have started to arrive, an up-and-coming rock band named Tutti-Frutti comes on stage. But just as the female singer picks up the mic, she falls dead. Is it her heart condition, or was she electrocuted? Flora and her friend, Jack Carrington begin to investigate.

I wish I had read the previous books, because there were many references to other cases they had solved (this is the fourth book in the series). I was also surprised at the reference to Frisbee, and checked out the date it was released in the US, which was a year later than the date of the book.

I am a huge fan of this series, even though this book did not work for me as well as the others before. Somehow, it felt very repetitive. I have a high tolerance for coincidences, but this was pushing it a little, even for me and the logic of the murder and it's resolution at times completely escaped me. Still, I shall read on and see what's in store for Jack and Flora. I was a bit excited about the ending, though. Finally.

The Priory Hotel on the outskirts of Abbeymead has had a chequered past, at least recently, and so most of the villagers are looking forward to it finally reopening as a high class establishment once again. With her friend, Jack Carrington, local book shop owner, Flora Steele is excited to help ready the hotel for its re-opening, especially as her friend Sally Jenner is one of the new owners. 

As they begin to relax and enjoy the day, listening to the speeches and preparing to tuck into head chef, Alice Jenner's, sumptuous desserts one of the entertainers collapses in front of them. Although the local police are sure it is an unfortunate accident nothing can convince Flora and Jack it is anything but murder and once again set out to prove it. Nothing is clearcut however, and with a large number of potential suspects they will definitely have their work cut out!

This series seems to have always been around, even though this is only book 4. Once again Jack and Flora are satisfying main protagonists with a supporting cast who are an eclectic and realistic addition to the plot. My only bugbear is the location of the murder, which has been the same for two out of the four storyline so far. Hopefully there will be a new place of interest in book five.

Once again, despite the regular murder site, the mystery was multi faceted with a selection of red herrings to hinder the reader and investigators alike. Without spoilers the ending was very satisfying and I am looking forward to seeing what happens next.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. I enjoyed this very much but would recommend starting at the beginning of this very good series.

Once again I found Flora and Jack. make for an interesting leading couple. I'm unsure if it was the setting (The Priory Hotel was featured in an early book in the series), the repetitive commentary or the implausibility of some of the story elements, but it meant this one just didn't engage me as much as the previous one.

It was a steady, gentle cosy read with this unlikely duo - who knows where they'll go next?

My thanks to #Netgalley, Bookouture and the author for my honest opinion in exchange for my Advance Reader Copy

Glad things are moving forward in the character's lives. The murder kept me guessing and love the setting. The 2 MC have a good relationship with the police for solving crimes.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This mystery is set in a small English village (I’m sure you’ve heard of that before) in the 1950s (what is a little different). Flora Steele, a bookshop owner and amateur detective, with her friend crime writer Jack Carrington attend the grand re-opening of the upscale Priory Hotel owned by Flora’s friend. Of course, a murder occurs. This time is it the female lead singer of a rock-and-roll band.

I have read an untold number of mysteries set in the 1920s and 1930s so the 1950s is a nice break. And there is a different feeling that the author conveys quite well. I haven’t read any others in this series—this is the fourth—but there is no reason you need to. There are plenty of twists and turns. It was enough to keep this avid mystery reader satisfied. If you want a cozy read but something that is a little different, grab a copy. I doubt you’ll be disappointed.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for an ARC in return for an honest opinion.

This cozy mystery is set in an English village in 1957. This is the fourth book in this series but the first one for me. Bookshop owner Flora Steele and her good friend, crime writer Jack Carrington attend the re-grand opening of the Priority hotel which is owned by Flora's good friend Sally. When The female singer of the band Sally hired dies suddenly it puts a quick end to the grand opening. Sally begs Flora to help find the murderer so she can reopen her hotel. Although I personally did not care for the writing style, this was a nice cozy with lots of red herrings. Thanks for the advance copy netgalley!

Flora and friend Jack are once again pulled into a murder investigation, this time to help a friend. Sally has invested everything into "The Prior" hotel and restaurant, but a murder could force her to lose it all. Suspects abound and Flora fears this mystery may go unsolved. Delightful.

This is the 4th instalment of the Flora Steele mystery books, and was my first!

The story sets out in 1957 Sussex at the Priory Hotel’s grand reopening. The reopening takes a turn of events when one of the bands members who are scheduled to play, suddenly dies! With the main police inspector away on other business Flora & Jack take the investigating into their own hands to crack down on what really happened that afternoon.

Frustratingly this book took me soo much longer to read than I wanted! I just found it far too easy to put down. The story didn’t grip me like I hoped it would and the style of writing just wasn’t for me.

It’s certainly the type of “cosy” book which you could curl up with on the sofa on a winters evening.

I loved the historical setting of the book, and the whole “whodunnit” mystery, but I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would.

Thank-you to Bookouture & NetGalley for the ARC of this book!

Abruptly Terminated…
The fourth in the Flora Steele Mystery series, set in the sleepy village of Abbeymead, and a really enjoyable follow up to the first three 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. The reopening of the Priory Hotel in the village is much anticipated by all and promises to be a wonderful day out. Unfortunately the grand day is abruptly terminated - along with the singer of the band. With the local constabulary being less than astute, Flora and Jack take up the challenge of finding a killer but when another death occurs are they putting themselves in danger? Wholly entertaining with likeable protagonists in both Flora and Jack and a colourful cast of supporting characters that develop nicely as the tale progresses. A relaxing and escapist read and a worthy addition to this enjoyable series.

Another enjoyable entry in this series. Flora and Jack are involved in another mystery as they try to help a friend, and they also start to deal with their deepening relationship. As always with this series, the mystery itself is well done, and regular readers of the series will enjoy catching up with some of the recurring characters from the village. You could read this as a stand-alone, but the story will make much more sense if you’ve at least read the preceding one or two books. I look forward to the next in the series, particularly to see what the ending means for Flora and Jack.

Join Flora Steele – bookshop owner, bicycle-rider, and amateur detective – as she faces her most puzzling case yet! This book keeps you guessing until the very end.
It’s very well written and definitely worth a read. Started this book and could not stop reading it until I'd finished!! Every time I thought I had things sussed, along came another surprise!!

This is the fourth in the Flora Steele mysteries, and the best yet. When the lead singer of the rock and roll group, Tutti Fruiti is murdered at the grand opening of the Priory Hotel, owned by Flora’s friend Sally and Dominic, Sally’s new love interest, Flora and Jack get roped in to help solve the murder. What follows is mystery, uncovered secrets, lies and murder!
The story keeps you guessing until the end, with plenty of red herrings along the way. You don’t need to have read the previous Flora Steele books, as this is a stand alone story, however if you like a cosy crime story, set in an English village in the 1950’s, then this will be right up your street! I look forward to reading the next book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️