Book five in the series and it has barely begun when Flora and Jack nearly fall over the first dead body in the bell tower of St Saviour's church. It turns out to be the curate who then turns out to not be who everyone thought he was. The mystery grows and when one of the suspects is murdered things become dangerous.

I enjoyed reading about Flora and Jack's investigation and I liked that Inspector Alan Ridley swapped information with them from time to time. Both of our intrepid main characters were battered and bruised during the story, but nothing too serious. A few more steps were taken towards developing their relationship which was nice.

Another very entertaining book in this series. I hope there will be many more.

As Flora and Jack continue to get closer, they again find themselves assisting police with solving another murder. Lots of twists and turns, starting with the victim, make for another page turning mystery.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'Murder At St Saviour's' by Merryn Allingham.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Merryn Allingham, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous

Publication date 21st November 2022.

This is the fifth book I have read by this author. It is also the fifth book in the 'Flora Steele Mystery' series. I have previously read 'The Bookshop Murder' which is the first book in the series, 'Murder At The Pier' which is the second book in the series, 'Murder At Primrose Cottage' which is the third book in the series and 'Murder At The Priory Hotel' which is the fourth book in this series and all of them I highly recommend, although this can be read as a standalone.

I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis for this series stated that this series is 'A delightful cozy crime novel, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Joy Ellis!' I am a huge fan of all three of those authors so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Merryn and if this is half as good as 'The Bookshop Murder', 'Murder On The Pier', 'Murder At Primrose Cottage' and 'Murder At The Priory Hotel' 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 32 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 Sussex, 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. I have in fact visited and holidayed in Sussex on many occasions including this year and next year again so am looking forward to possibly recognising name places.

This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonists are Flora Steele ad Jack Carrington. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists 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.

Another fantastic success by Merryn!!! Absolutely devoured this book in one sitting!!

This book was extremely well written and I do believe alot of research went into it as everything linked correctly in with the era it was set in which was 1955. It is a real bug bear for me when I read a historical novel and the author hasn't done their research and gets basic information mixed up so well done Merryn!! It was very well written and I found the synopsis and the cover fitted the storyline perfectly, The descriptions were great and it really felt as if I was in the storyline along with Flora and Jack.

Well I must say this is yet another explosive book in an absolutely addictive series!!! The storyline was very interesting and very fast paced. I absolutely love the fact that the main characters (Flora) owns a Bookshop and Jack is an author. I always look forward to meeting them and am gutted to come to the end of each book as they have become like friends to me. There is just something about a book where there is a lot of emphasis on books for me and this book was packed with them!! I really enjoyed that it was set in the past and the storyline really suited that. It really is a nice cozy mystery that will keep you guessing throughout. At no point did I suspect who was doing what or why so another huge well done there Merryn!!! I have read many a mystery and find that I am working out the killer/perp quicker every time and there's nothing worse than working out who did what when your need even half way through a book. I loved that this book is based in Sussex as the atmosphere suit the book perfectly. Not only is this a suspense and action filled mystery but there was just the right amount of quirkiness, laughter and attitude to give it a nice mix!!! One of the most addictive series I've ever read!!! Looking forward to the next adventure!!

LOVE, LOVE, ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK AND LOVE THIS SERIES!!!! 😍 😘 ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ WELL DONE MERRYN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!! DID I MENTION I LOVED IT???!!!!!

A fun, addictive, unputdownable cozy crime mystery. Clear your schedules as you won't be able to put this book down!

Although this is the fifth 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.

I am thoroughly invested in the characters and really enjoyed meeting Flora and Jack again both with their fantastic and quirky personality!!! This pair have become like family/friends to me and I always look forward to meeting them again. I have loved watching their relationship develop throughout this series and always look forward to seeing where it goes. In fact all of the characters had their own individual personalities which worked really well with each other. I am definitely looking forward to meeting Flora and Jack again and some more of the villagers. Some of the characters I was glad to see the back of but what fun would there be if we got along with them all. A perfect mix of strong and realistic characters to make an addictive storyline.

Congratulations Merryn on yet an absolutely fantastic book in an absolutely epic series!! I am really looking forward to see what Flora and Jack get up to next!!! Here's to your next success 🥂

Overall a page turning, perfect mix of mystery, crime, suspense and quirkiness which kept me turning the pages late at night!! An explosive addition to an addictive series!!!

Genres covered in this novel include Cozy Animal Mystery, Suspense, Mystery, Thriller, Cozy Culinary Mystery, Crime Thriller, Cozy Crafts & Hobbies Mystery, Police Procedural, Murder Mystery, Cozy Mystery and Crime Fiction amongst others.

I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Helena Dixon, Agatha Christie, Faith Martin, Joy Ellis, Verity Bright, Clare Chase, Dee MacDonald, Fliss Chester and anyone looking for a historic cosy mystery!!

273 pages.

This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon, free on kindle unlimited and £7.99 on paperback (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

#MurderAtStSaviours #FloraSteeleMystery #Bookouture #MerrynAllingham #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour #MurderAtThePrioryHotel

@MerrynAllingham @MurderAtStSaviours @FloraSteeleMystery @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/

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/34299953-kirsty-bookworm86

https://mobile.twitter.com/kcmw86

If you enjoy reading a cosy murder mystery
Set in an earlier period of history
This 1950s should definitely appeal
It's a great read, as I'm about to reveal!

Flora Steele lives in the village of Abbeymead
She's a bookshop owner who is determined to succeed.
Often on the scene when there's been a crime
With her 'boyfriend' Jack Carrington they try to solve it every time.

For once the pair are going out on a date
But Flora is waiting for a customer, running late.
A toll of a church bell has them going to discover
A body, dead on the floor - oh, no, not another!

A note in the dead man's hand
Makes this seem like a murder, carefully planned.
Can Flora and Jack help to find the killer
Discover for yourself in this cosy crime thriller!

I really like how the villagers all play their part
And visitors stand out, right from the start.
There are plenty of twists and surprises galore
As the victim's past we start to explore.

Accidents, incidents, mysteries and danger
Along with clues that point to a stranger.
However there's a huge surprise in store
But read it for yourself to learn much more!

I've enjoyed every book in this series, including the previous four,
And highly recommend them as I can't wait to read more!
For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
It's a thrilling mystery and this is my honest review.

Set in a Sussex village in 1956, this cosy mystery has two likeable amateur sleuths, bookshop owner Flora and crime writer Jack. There is also a distinctive cast of characters in the village who bring this mystery to vibrant life. I have read all the books in the series, but this is readable as a standalone mystery. The mystery of who the recently deceased curate is forces Flora and Jack into a complex investigation with many suspects and even more false leads. The author creates a suspenseful story which increases as the village is beset with unexplained incidents and Flora and Jack's investigations put them in danger.

I like the story's historical setting, characters, and the dynamic between Flora and Jack.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

As Jack Carrington comes to pick up Flora Steele at her bookshop to go to a film, she is worried that the new curate has not come by to pick up the book he ordered on funerals. As they head out, they hear the church bell ring a single peal. They then head for the church where they find Dilys the postmistress, Mr. Preece, the butcher, Harry Barnes, and a man Flora didn't recognize standing and looking down on the curate spreadeagled on the floor. As Flora and Jack begin their investigations, they soon find that the curate is not the man whose name he is using!

As they continue to investigate, the main suspect is found dead. Then, Flora is injured by a falling bookcase in her shop and discovers that several have been tampered with. When Jack heads to London to try to find out more, he is knocked down by a car! Are Flora and Jack getting too close to the learning the culprit? Will they live to find the culprit?

Flora and Jack are likeable amateur detectives, and the plot is quite complicated and clever.

I’m sorry, I just couldn’t get into this book. I would read a couple of pages and get bored. I had no interest in the characters whatsoever. I read about 50% of the book, but it was becoming a chore. I see it has had some really good reviews, so I assume it’s because I haven’t read the first few books. Again, I’m so sorry I didn’t like it and would like to send apologies to the author. Im sure it’s just me and wish her every success with the book.

Flora Steele, local bookstore owner, is heading out for a movie night with local author Jack Carrington, already slightly delayed they hear the bell in the bell tower ringing, but it is not the normal time and the right way …. Curious they check it out to find the body of the newly arrived curate. Accident or murder, and if murder who would want a curate out of the way.
Off go the 2 on another adventure, one that will definitely put them in harm’s way.

Sussex, 1956: Flora Steele bookshop owner and amateur sleuth is on the case. Flora and crime writer Jack Carrington, arrive at the quaint St Saviour’s Church. Upon their arrival and to their surprise, they find the body of curate, Lyle Beaumont, under the belltower. He has a note clenched in his hand. Flora is saddened that Lyle is dead and her super sleuth talents immediately kick into high gear. There were many bell ringers at the church at the time of the murder, so how is it possible that no one saw anything? Flora and Jack jump into action and begin their investigation. But when one of the many suspects becomes the next victim, time is running out. Flora and Jack must find the killer before they find another dead body.

This is the fifth installment in the amazing Flora Steele Mystery Series. I enjoyed this book so much. It was a quick read, with a fast paced storyline. The plot twists and turns were interesting and entertaining, and kept me engaged in the story. The characters were very likable and I enjoyed this wonderful addition to this series. This amazing read was well written and kept me guessing who the culprit was until the very end. I loved it! I definitely recommend this wonderful cozy mystery that can be read as part of the series or a stand-alone.

Thank you Merryn Allingham for yet another wonderful addition to the Flora Steele Mystery Series. It was so enjoyable, I loved it and highly recommend it.

I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Merryn Allingham's cosy mystery series MURDER AT ST SAVIOUR'S.

It's November 1956 and Christmas is coming as Abbeymead prepares for the festive season. It's only been a couple of months since the unfortunate events that took place at the newly renovated and opened Priory Hotel from which they are still trying to recover. As for bookshop owner Flora Steele and crime writer Jack Carrington, who would love nothing more than snuggling up on this chilly night, are getting ready for an evening out at the cinema. Their plans, however, unfortunately fall by the wayside when they hear a single toll coming from the nearby St Saviour's bell tower. Feeling something is amiss, the dynamic duo make the frosty walk to the Norman church and make the most gruesome discovery. The newly arrived curate Lyle Beaumont is found dead on the floor with a single note in his hand.

The police are called and the bumbling village constable Tring is all sixes and sevens as to what to do next. Jack's friend Inspector Alan Ridley is soon on the case but soon discovers that clues are hard to come by, especially as Beaumont was a newcomer to Abbeymead and few villagers seemed to know anything about him. Working alongside the inspector, Flora and Jack soon discover there is far more to this case than meets the eye. And unlike ever before, both of them appear to find themselves in danger than ever before.

Investigations take Jack to London and the couple to a weekend in Dorset to learn more about their victim and who would want him dead. What they uncover is a treasure trove of secrets that could put any number of unknown newcomers in the frame - stolen identities, family hostilities, hidden grudges, sudden deaths and even fraud! And while asking questions puts both Flora and Jack in danger...it also brings them closer together.

But it seems someone wants to silence the amateur sleuths permanently as they close in on the villain. Will they live to uncover the truth?

MURDER AT ST SAVIOUR'S is the fifth in the Flora Steele series which has a taste of Agatha Christie in the form of Miss Marple and her own village of St Mary Mead. Although Flora is a lot younger than Ms Christie's elderly sleuth, she is just as dogged and with the same nose for uncovering the truth.

I love Flora and Jack. They make a good team and their partnership is one of friendship and comfort as their relationship begins to move into something more and yet it doesn't overshadow the main story. It was also good to see the inspector back and taking on a bigger role in this story. As well as the inclusion of all the usual residents - Sally, Alice, Kate, Dilys as well as a few newcomers that pass through.

This book, as well as the series, is perfect for fans who love cosy mysteries without the sex, gore and graphic detail of crime thrillers. Just a picturesque chocolate box village hidden in the English countryside with a murder or two on their doorstep every couple of months. Life in Abbeymead is reminiscent of life in Midsomer.

Overall, a nice gentle easy read perfect for cosy mystery fans.

I would like to thank #MerrynAllingham, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #MurderAtStSaviours in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to review “Murder at St. Saviour’s.” All opinions and comments are my own.

It’s 1956 in Sussex, home of bookseller Flora Steele and crime fiction writer Jack Carrington, and readers will once again find them plying their amateur detective side gig in “Murder at St. Saviour’s,” the fifth in the cozy mystery series penned by Merryn Alllingham. They’re off to the movies as the story begins, if the new curate will just come by and pick up the book he’s promised to collect from Flora’s bookstore. But he can’t collect it. Won’t ever be able to, ‘cause he’s dead. Flora immediately assumes “foul play,” clever clogs that she is. So of course, she and Jack begin investigating, good for us readers and bad for the eventual murderer.

Author Allingham makes it easy for us by providing a descriptive array of suspects. There’s a lot of em, which livens up the proceedings and gives Flora and Jack a lot to work with. Come to find out the newcomer curate has quite the backstory, not one that a “man of the cloth” should have. So, who killed him? Was it one of the other new inhabitants of Abbeymead, or a longtime resident? And what about the visitors to the village -- we readers get to wonder about their motives, too. Jack’s determined to find out, and Flora’s not far behind.

There’s a lot of travel in the book, and personal danger for both of our protagonists. And speaking of Jack and Flora -- their personal story is a part of the narrative, as it has been throughout the series. The author is moving it along, but it’s taking a while.

Readers may go “of course” when Inspector Ridley (who flits in and out of the story, helping and hindering) explains the whys and wherefores as the book comes to an end; as so often happens, the past can come back to cause a whole lot of trouble. “Murder at St. Saviour’s” fits into the cozy genre nicely, and moves along with a good, page-turning pace. It should satisfy readers who enjoy a village mystery with well-rounded characters and just a bit of a twist.

Flora Steele, bookshop owner & crime writer, Jack Carrington are late setting out to go to the cinema when they hear a single bell peel from the village of Abbeymead’s church St Saviour’s. They dash to the church & the last thing they’re expecting to find is the curate, Lyle Beaumont, lifeless on the flagstone floor beneath the belltower, with a mysterious note in his hand. When Flora and Jack begin their sleuthing, they quickly realise all is not what it seems with the victim, and the certainty of the dead man’s identity becomes the first twist in the investigation. Then both Jack & Flora suffer an accident
The fifth book in the series & yes it could be read on its own but the characters & relationships have developed throughout the series especially that of Jack & Flora. Another intriguing read & I must admit I didn’t work out the murderer but then neither did anyone else! I love Flora who’s like a terrier with a bone & just won’t let go, Jack is more laid back. I love the dynamics of their slowly evolving relationship, which does take a step forward. I also love the secondary cast of regular villagers, who we’ve got to know throughout the series. There were plenty of twists & turns as well as a few red herrings before all was revealed. A well written engrossing read which I thoroughly enjoyed & I was intrigued to know if Flora & Jack will follow up on the letter she received.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

A delightful and charming cozy murder mystery series! Fear not, you can pop in on any in the series and you will not feel lost. Very well done and fun to read!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!

This series is improving with each new instalment and this one is the best and most entertaining so far.
A slow burning story that ends with a bang and promises a very tense and exciting next novel.
This novel is a bit slow at the beginning and gets faster after some chapters. I read it quite fast and the complex plot surprised me even if I was able to guess the culprit but not all the reasons.
I loved the descriptions and the sense of the places. I also loved how the weather became part of the story and added a sense of darkness and cold.
The characters are becoming a sort of friends that you meet and catch up with them. Their arc was interesting and I liked the evolution of Flora and Jack relationship.
A good mystery, can’t wait to read the next
Many thanks to Bookouture, all opinions are mine.

This is a new series to me and a new author but will be reading more from her. This was an engaging, intelligent and intriguing murder mystery that I found totally absorbing. and lost sleep finishing. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I received this advance reader copy via Netgalley and Joffe Books, in return for an honest review. A fun cozy with three unexpected, middle-aged sleuths investigating deaths in their small English village. The women all work at the same charity shop and decide to solve the inexplicable murder of a local octogenarian who frequented the shop. Some slow bits in the middle but the ending resolved things well.

4 Stars
One Liner: A comfort read

1957, Sussex:
Welcome to the Abbeymead village with Flora Steele, the owner of All is Well bookshop, and Jack Carrington, a (not-so) reclusive crime fiction writer, working together to solve yet another murder (or two).
Lyre Beaumont, the new curate of St. Saviour’s church, is found hanging on the flagstone floor beneath the bell tower. No one seems to know what happened, but the mysterious note beside the dead body points to murder.
With a bunch of suspects and more adding to the list, Flora and Jack have a tough time searching for information and identifying the killer. It doesn’t help that their sleepy village has been witnessing newcomers waltzing around. Flora thinks it cannot be a coincidence.
The threat increases as the duo get closer to the truth. Can they solve the case without risking their necks? And, oh, what will they do with the latest developments in their relationship?

My Thoughts:
The book works decent as a standalone, but I recommend reading at least one of the previous works to have a better idea. Book 4 should be enough if you don’t want to read them all from the first.
I love that the plot is compact and fits within 250 pages. The book starts slow but gains momentum after the first 25%.
The book is also set in November (which is a little too cold in Abbeymead). It’s a good way to feel the full impact of the weather and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and warm muffins.
The plot is simple enough, as it is usually in most books of the series. Flora and Jack talk to people, gather information, investigate, discuss the suspects and continue to deal with their daily life issues.
The climax is cleverly done. It is a little different from other books and brings a refreshing change. Also, it’s good to see Inspector Ridley have a bigger role in this book.
The ending upped the intrigue by 10x. I feel the next book has high stakes. It’ll be interesting to see how Flora and Jack handle the past, present, and future.

To summarize, Murder at St. Saviour’s is an entertaining and comforting read if you like cozy mysteries with a touch of danger.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

The series continues and doesn’t disappoint. Flora and Jack are at it again (I’m beginning to think Abbeymead is not a safe place to live). This was definitely a cozy mystery and was just what I needed to take me away to another time away from the complexities of today.

Another awesome mystery in this series. I love the characters in these books. Watching Flora and Jack find their way romantically puts a little fun into the mystery. As always the plot is capturing, takes a few turns, and kept me reading all day. I did have a hunch who the killer was, but the why eluded me.
Great story, can be read as a read alone. Highly recommend.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A single chime of a church bell ring draws Jack Carrington and Flora Steele to St. Savior’s. There they find the new curate, Lyle Beaumont, lying dead at the base of the belltower, a mysterious note in his hand.

Flora and Jack are charming characters. These amateur detectives who make no bones about being in competition with Inspector Ridley to find the murderer. What they find are stolen identities, hidden grudges, and family hostilities all leading to a number of suspects. Asking questions puts both Flora and Jack in danger—and draws them closer together.

A charming cozy village mystery set in the 1950s that was just so fun to read. I haven't read any of the other books in the series, but I liked this so much that I will be going back to read the earlier books.