Thank you NetGalley for approving me for this book. A good read that I definitely enjoyed and am glad to have been able to read.

Rina Martin, is a cozy detective that is a bright of fresh air. I love the mystery in this one it kept me guessing. I highly recommend and have to my cozy groups.


#MURDERATTHEWILLOWS #NetGalley

This is book 8 in the Rina Martin series, I have not read any of the previous books.. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had. I did like the characters but there seemed to be so many. Rina is an interesting character and seems to well developed. The trail leads Rina to a series of shocking secrets, stretching back over twenty years. And a murderer who has unfinished business . . . Can this amateur sleuth catch the killer before it’s too late? I think I'll find a couple of the previous books and then re-read this story. I do like the fact that Rina is an older woman with lots of friends in this small British village.

What a great book. The plot was enticing and kept you on your toes. Visually you were able to imagine the scenes and the venues. Many twists and turns, lovingly put together.

I received an advance copy for my honest review, thanks Netgalley.

This title was part of a series. I was able to follow along but I would suggest reading the previous books before starting this one. With that being said, I will be reading more from this author.

The storyline has a lot of twists and turns that make this a page TRUE turner.

Great read!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I recently finished reading Murder at the Willows by Jane A. Adams, and I must say it was a cracking good read. The story begins with the mysterious death of famous artist Elaine, who appeared to have passed away peacefully in her sleep while clutching a blue flower. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that something more sinister is afoot.

Elaine’s grandson hires Rina to investigate the case, leading her down a rabbit hole of shocking secrets stretching back over twenty years. As Rina delves deeper into the investigation, she soon realizes that there is more than meets the eye.

What I loved about this book was the excellent writing. As well as the well-paced plot that had plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. The characters were also likable, well developed, and realistic. Which added to my enjoyment.

Additionally, despite being part of a series, Murder at the Willows held up well as a standalone novel. Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging mystery with memorable characters and an intriguing plot.

**ARC Via NetGalley**

An easy to read cosy murder mystery.

I hadn't read any of the other books in the series and think that would help however it was easy to follow along.

Thank you for the arc.

Rina Martin plays a sleuth on TV. Now, she gets to play a sleuth in real life, too. Famous artist Jean Hammond has passed away in the the garden of her home, the Willows. But something's wrong with the scene. Rina and a host of neighbors and police begin an investigation that uncovers secrets from the past. They might just solve a cold case, too.
I definitely recommend starting this series at the beginning. This novel is not a standalone book. While the author shares some details of their backstories, it wasn't enough. I felt lost from page one.
However, I did enjoy the multi-layered mystery. And many of the characters are likable. Many characters have also suffered trauma, which makes this series different from most cozy mysteries.
I would like to read the entire series.

An overall good read, a great plot in a lovely setting with a host of interesting, likeable unique characters.
Definitely a must if you're a fan of Miss Marple. This was my first read in the series and I'm looking forward to going back to the start.

Princess Fuzzypants here: I love it when a book catches my fancy early and never lets up. This book certainly did that. A famous, elderly artist is found dead in her garden by her adopted son. She is old and has been in poor health so no one even thinks it is anything but natural… except for a few things that a young girl who knew her well thought was out of place. It soon becomes evident that something is definitely out of place and not only was she murdered but hers was part of a bigger serial murder scheme.

I do not want to give away too much and let the reader enjoy putting the puzzle pieces together. All I will say is there is an old murder that still has some big questions. It involves children who have been abused by adults in their lives and how the support of some caring people can make the difference between decent human beings and monsters.

All the characters work together to investigate and protect each other. They are a wonderful cast of quirky and memorable people. It is well written and paced with a very exciting finish. This would make a great summertime read. Five purrs and two paws up.

I want to start by saying I did not realize when I requested to read Murder At The Willows on Net Galley that it was #8 in the series. I struggled getting through this book and I'm not sure if it's because I read out of order in a series or not. I felt like overall, it was a slow burn for me. I don't think I will be getting into the other books in the series.

Meet Rina Martin, a retired actress with a taste for tea, gardening and crime solving. She played a TV sleuth for years, but now she has to do it for real. There’s something strange about the scene . . . Famous artist Jean appears to have passed peacefully in her sleep as she rested against a tree in the garden of her home, the Willows. Her legs are outstretched, hands tenderly clutching a small blue flower. But upon closer inspection, things don’t add up. Where is Jean’s trusty walking stick? Why did she choose to slumber on the ground when there is a comfortable lounge chair nearby? Where did that blue flower come from? . . . not from her garden, that’s for sure. The clues soon point to murder. Jean was beloved by the community, who would do such a thing? Her grandson is determined to uncover the truth and hires Rina to investigate.The trail leads Rina to a series of shocking secrets, stretching back over twenty years. And a murderer who has unfinished business. I really enjoy this character…..sort of a cross between Jessica Fletcher and Miss Marple. For a cozy this story had some pretty thrilling twists and turns before arriving at a totally satisfying ending. I highly recommend this series and this one in particular. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy for review.

I did not realize when I requested to read Murder At The Willows on NetGalley that it was #8 in the series. I mention this because it did have some impact on my enjoyment of the read. Some book series you can drive right in anywhere. This book was full of seemingly unrelated characters who knew each other well and I had a hard time keeping them separate initially. It was a little like being invited to a party and you're the only one that doesn't know everyone.

Outside of this, I found the subject matter and the whole vibe of the story something I enjoyed. An artist is found dead in her garden. At first it looks like natural causes, but then detectives realize it is another murder in a series. I enjoyed the writing and the setting, as well as the storyline. I think, though, before proceeding in this series, I would start at the beginning. Those who are already familiar with these characters will, I'm sure, find much enjoyment in this book.

Thanks to NetGalley, Jane Adams, and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion. For me it was 3.5, but rounding up for the above stated reasons.

Great new series. Loved the twists and turns in this interesting plot. Set in a coastal town which has more than its fair share of misfits.

It had been a lovely service, Rina Martin thought. Not like some where it was obvious the celebrant had never met the deceased and been briefed by relatives who had also probably not seen the dead person in years. The vicar had been a personal friend, had known Jean Hammond all the time she had lived in that rambling old place a couple of miles outside Frantham. Everyone who'd spoken their piece had related personal memories or performed music she had loved or - and this was the first time Rina had witnessed this happening in church - had simply raised a glass to their lost friend, usually accompanied by some elaborate toast. One had stood out for her, the wish that Jean's journey should be a joyful one. Rina had liked that.

ABOUT 'MURDER AT THE WILLOWS': Meet Rina Martin, a retired actress with a taste for tea, gardening and crime solving.

She played a TV sleuth for years, but now she has to do it for real.

There’s something strange about the scene . . . Famous artist Jean appears to have passed peacefully in her sleep as she rested against a tree in the garden of her home, the Willows. Her legs are outstretched, hands tenderly clutching a small blue flower.

But upon closer inspection, things don’t add up. Where is Jean’s trusty walking stick? Why did she choose to slumber on the ground when there is a comfortable lounge chair nearby? Where did that blue flower come from? . . . not from her garden, that’s for sure.

The clues soon point to murder. Jean was beloved by the community, who would do such a thing? Her grandson is determined to uncover the truth and hires Rina to investigate.

The trail leads Rina to a series of shocking secrets, stretching back over twenty years. And a murderer who has unfinished business . . . Can our favourite amateur sleuth catch this killer before it’s too late?

MY THOUGHTS: Murder at the Willows is #8 in the Rina Martin series, but the first that I have read. What a wonderful series I have been missing out on! I had no trouble with relating to the characters, and events in past books are only vaguely referred to. It seems that each book is a complete mystery.

Rina is a wonderful character, sharing her home with several other theatrical people. Although Rina is the main character, she doesn't actually feature any more predominantly than several other characters like Ursula and Mac.

In the prologue the police arrive at a house where Miles Cunningham is sitting on his steps covered in blood with a knife. He tells the police "It is all my fault". Inside are the bodies of his wife and his two children as well as their boarder William. He went to prison and died there never revealing what had actually happened.

Miles was an acquaintanc of Jean's, and a good friend to Rina, helping her navigate a difficult time in her life. Rina's curiosity is piqued when similarities are found in the deaths of several other acquaintances of Miles' and Jean.

This is an engaging mystery, populated by relatable and interesting characters. I look forward to reading more titles from this series.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.1

#MURDERATTHEWILLOWS #NetGalley

I: #JaneAdams @joffebooks

T: #JaneAdams @JoffeBooks

#contemporaryfiction #cosymystery #crime #friendship #mystery

THE AUTHOR: Jane Adams was born in Leicestershire, where she still lives. She has a degree in Sociology, and has held a variety of jobs including lead vocalist in a folk rock band. She enjoys pen and ink drawing, martial arts and her ambition is to travel the length of the Silk Road by motorbike.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Joffe Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Murder at the Willows by Jane Adams for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

You have to love a Rina Martin story, with her house full of a cast of eccentric theatricals living near the seaside and a tame Detective to make sure the wrongdoers come to justice. Jane Adams writes these really well and I am always happy to find a new one..

I struggled getting through this book. It was the first one I read in the series so I think that was why I struggled with it. But it was a good read. I’m looking forward to going back and reading the others in the series.
Thank you NetGalley, Joffee Books and Jane Adams for the ARC!

I just reviewed MURDER AT THE WILLOWS by Jane Adams. #MURDERATTHEWILLOWS #NetGalley

If you like the cozy crime thrillers of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple character then you will love this!

Rina Martin, retired actress of a TV Detective series, likes to drink tea whilst pottering around the garden.

Once she hears about a death of a local woman she is determined to find out what REALLY happened and starts to get a wee-bit nosey…….

Meet Rina Martin, a retired actress with a taste for tea, gardening and crime solving.

She played a TV sleuth for years, but now she has to do it for real.

There’s something strange about the scene . . . Famous artist Elaine appears to have passed peacefully in her sleep as she rested against a tree in the garden of her home, the Willows. Her legs are outstretched, hands tenderly clutching a small blue flower.

But upon closer inspection, things don’t add up. Where is Elaine’s trusty walking stick? Why did she choose to slumber on the ground when there is a comfortable lounge chair nearby? Where did that blue flower come from? . . . not from her garden, that’s for sure.

The clues soon point to murder. Elaine was beloved by the community, who would do such a thing? Her grandson is determined to uncover the truth and hires Rina to investigate.

The trail leads Rina to a series of shocking secrets, stretching back over twenty years. And a murderer who has unfinished business . . . Can our favourite amateur sleuth catch this killer before it’s too late?

Loved it. Will recommend to others.

Setting the Scene: In the 8th book in Jane Adams' Rina Martin series, Rina and others in her circle are faced with the death of a well-loved and well-known artist living in their community. At first blush, Jean's death is the result of a failing heart, and at the age of 90, it is not unexpected. Even the coroner rules it a natural death, but things just are not adding up. Unsatisfied with the findings, but unable to say exactly why, Jean's grandson seeks Rina's help to look more closely at her death. Rina isn't really sure where to begin, except of course to talk with DI MacGregor ("Mac"), and as things unfold, it seems there may be more suspicious deaths, all related in some way to 20 year old murders.

What I Thought: I am not a fan of jumping into the middle of an ongoing series. I want to start at the beginning and get to know the characters, watch them grow and develop. Often, not doing so prevents me from fully enjoying a book mid-series. However, I found it very easy to slip into Rina's world and pick up on the relationships that exist today, with glimpses of their origins. The characters are likeable, with just enough quirk to make them interesting, sometimes endearing. The mystery is solid, with lots of twists and turns, though the reveal was early, in my estimation, it did not detract from the search nor from the various schemes at play. This is an easy to read book and a series I will visit again.