Another delightful book in this enjoyable series. Flora and Jack pair up to solve murders, based in a pretty village and set in the 1950s. The story unfolds at a good pace, and the historical setting is truly depicted. I really enjoyed reading about this period, it seemed particularly restful.
This could easily be read as a stand alone novel.

When the curate, Lyle Beaumont, was found dead at the base of the belltower, Flora and Jack were shocked. A dreadful accident that he should fall to his death only a short time after being appointed to St Saviour's. The mix of people surrounding his body were the bell ringers who'd arrived for their usual practice of ringing the bells - Flora and Jack made a note of who they were when it was discovered to be murder.

Inspector Alan Ridley was called to the small town of Abbeymead and being understaffed, asked Jack and Flora if they could help out as he was aware of their past successes, passing on to him anything they found that was relevant. The suspects were few, the frustrations many. But would they unearth the person who murdered the curate - they were putting themselves in danger in their search for answers.

Murder at St Saviour's is the 5th in the Flora Steele Mystery series by Merryn Allingham and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The weather in Abbeymead was bitter, with icy cold winds and sleet making it all the more difficult to investigate. Flora and Jack make a good team, and their gentle relationship looks to be moving forward. Set in Sussex in 1957, the scenery sounds delightful. I'm looking forward to #6 already. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

You will like this book if: you love a character-driven, English cozy mystery series.

Plot: Flora Steele, bookshop owner and sleuth, along with partner-in-crime and maybe-partner-in-more, Jack Carrington, happen upon a body at the bottom of St. Saviour’s bell tower. Together they nose into the personal affairs of small-town residents, longstanding and new alike, and chase down clues that might resolve the mystery of just who the dead man is, and who of his many enemies completed their mission. This is made all the more complicated when a second body crops up. Will they catch the person or persons responsible before anyone else gets hurt? The pacing of this mystery is textbook.

Characters: There are no true character arcs, and we don’t get much out of any of the romantic relationships. I think because I didn’t read the other books in the series nothing was keeping me invested in the characters and their well-being. Though their need for gossip is relatable. I love that we grow to dislike the dead man, which I find important to keep mysteries like this cozy.

Setting: A perfectly charming small-ish town with gossipy women. It’s set in winter, too, adding to a lot of the charm. I wish there had been more descriptions placing us alongside our characters, readers aren’t given very much information to picture most scenes.

Conflict/Resolution: I was confused as to why Flora doesn’t want the police to solve this crime. Flora and Jack don’t take the time to fully explore one train of thought all the way through. In fact, they often forget about new evidence to explore for days at a time. The conclusion to the “whodunnit” fell flat for me. *Potential spoiler*: I wish there had been more breadcrumbs to make the final reveal more of a recap than an explanation.

Writing: There’s a lot of dialogue, and I admittedly prefer more of a balance. Much of the dialogue is realistic, but some of it rambles and it seems like the author just wants to get information to readers. There are also so many references to food, most of which do not matter one bit and aren’t charming. I fell asleep twice while reading this book.

Overall/Other notes: While the book is a standalone, I would recommend reading the others in the series before this one as there were quite a few references that I didn’t understand and a large cast of characters. Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture, and Merryn Allingham for a copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookoutre for an e-galley of this novel.

I kept trying to find that level of engagement that would make this a special reading experience for me, but it just wasn't there. I have never read any other book in this series and it is not normally a problem for me to drop into a series at any point. This time I couldn't make any connection with the characters and had to actually keep reminding myself of who the victim was and how the crime happened. Not really a ringing endorsement.

Flora and Jack are on the case after the new curate is found dead in the church bell tower. This is their toughest case yet with an ending I never suspected. Highly recommend.

When I last visited with Flora and Jack, I made a review comment that I was looking forward to my next visit. I not only wanted to know more about where their relationship was going but the area in which they live. In this book, my hopes were both addressed. The tension was upped, too, with both being in danger as they went about seeking answers. We also learn more about their families, quick bits that, naturally, made me want to know more.

The mystery seems relatively simple at first. Who killed the new church curate? Who was he meeting in the bell tower? Did you know bell ringers had to be trained and it isn't as easy as it might seem? Why would anyone kill a church curate? But, wait. Mistaken identities, long standing grudges, family hostilities, power struggles, financial problems, "accidents", women's roles, and more come into play. I don't want to ruin your reading, so won't say much more about the plot aside from the fact I felt hopeful for Flora and Jack, battered but hopeful, as they celebrated Christmas 1956 and the book came to a tantalizing end. I thoroughly enjoyed getting both perspectives as the plot moved along.

Author Merryn Allingham did an excellent job sharing her own obvious love for the area. Once a history major, always a history major, I guess. She moved the story along smoothly, often bringing in bits from past books to unify things, so to speak. I'll also note that, as always, her historic insight and ability to tie in things like Jane Austen send me off to research more than once. I love it when a book makes me not just think but strive to learn more.

Thanks #NetGalley and #Bookouture for inviting me back into Flora and Jack's world. Loved every moment of it.

Book 5 in the series….Brilliantly unsettling, with characters so deftly woven that you never quite know who – if anyone – you can trust. Another riveting and powerful murder mystery from this talented author.
There's something about the way the author writes that makes the words flow easily, and the pages turn themselves! Can’t wait for the next book!

I really enjoy this series and always look forward to the next in the series. This newest entry didn’t disappoint. It was an interesting mystery, a nice twist at the end, and always good to catch up with the characters. I particularly enjoyed seeing Flora and Jack figure out how to deal with their new relationship, and I will await the next book!

I was drawn to this book by the lovely cover illustration, and I thought it looked and sounded like something that I would enjoy, so I was pleased to be approved to read and review it.

I haven't read any of the other books in the series, but I liked this book a lot. Cosy mysteries are my go-to genre for a satisfying read, and this book certainly had the warmth and cosiness that I was hoping for. I was drawn into the village setting, and I liked the characters and found them relatable and endearing.

The story itself was interesting, and I was able to read it in one sitting, which is something that I often like to do when reading a cosy mystery.

I would definitely be interested in reading the other books in this series, and I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cosy mysteries. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for my opportunity to read and review this.

I've just recently discovered this series and finished the four published books earlier in the week. They were a mixed bag for me but there was something about them that made me want to keep reading. I could wish that Flora showed a bit more common sense and didn't rush into danger without thought (a common trope in murder mysteries, doing nothing to show women in a positive light - grr!) and that she and Jack would stop behaving as though they were in competition with the police. And I could wish but that they allowed their relationship to develop without acting like teenagers. BUT. The books got under my skin, and I have always wanted to read more.

Murder at St Saviour's is the fifth book in the series and is certainly the best in terms of the storytelling and plot arc. I feel that Merryn Allingham has got better and better in managing the pace of the book. And Jack and Flora are much more believable, rounded characters. In terms of the murder mystery, though, it was poor. Neither our duo, nor the police had a clue what was going on, although I was convinced (correctly) that I knew who the murderer would turn out to be from very early on. And I never try to solve murder mysteries as I'm reading them.

However, I would recommend this series, and particularly this book, whole-heartedly. And I'm looking forward to the next installment. Might that take us across the Channel...

A Plethora Of Suspects,,,
The fifth in the Flora Steele Mystery series, set in the sleepy village of Abbeymead, and a really enjoyable follow up to the first four 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. Finding the curate dead on the church floor below the bell tower is certainly a shock for the duo - but what is the mysterious note that he’s clutching? The body is the start of a baffling mystery with a plethora of suspects, a catalogue of unexplained events and where nothing is quite as it seems. Wholly entertaining once again 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

Reads like Agatha Christie at times…murder and mayhem…characters who come alive on the pages. This talented author has written a cannot put down whodunit. Accidents keep happening…the suspects die. This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. Thanks to the publisher for the copy. Red herrings…surprise ending…secrets…friendship…curl up in a cozy chair with a cup of steaming herbal tea…get lost in the 50’s.

It is 1956, Christmas is coming in Abbeymead and it's getting a bit chilly! All the more reason for bookshop owner Flora Steele to snuggle up with beau Jack Carrington as they get ready for an evening out. Unfortunately their plans change when they are drawn towards the local church of St Saviour's where Flora needs Jack for more than just warmth when they find a body on the floor of the belltower and their trip is cancelled.

As a newcomer to the village few people seemed to know their victim meaning local police inspector, and Jack's friend, Alan Ridley finds clues hard to come by. He knows the two Abbeymead residents won't be able to resist looking into everything but it soon becomes clear there is far more to this case than anyone had imagined. The danger seems to be increasing by the day and both Flora and Jack feel their investigation is placing them in more danger than ever before. As they discover carefully hidden secrets and the year edges towards its end both wonder if they will actually see it.

This was so good, the jeopardy was far higher than before with all the Abbeymead residents now as familiar and welcome as the two main protagonists themselves. The twist and turns were shocking in places and, although it didn't stray from its cosy nature, this book surprised me constantly. Flora and Jack are so good together and I love the setting of the 1950's and look forward to following them through the rest of the decade.

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 loved this and highly recommend it as well as the rest of the series.