This is book number 9 in the very enjoyable series featuring Hector Munro (aka romantic novelist Hermione Minty), the owner of bookshop Hector’s House in Wendlebury Barrow, and his partner and girlfriend Sophie Sayers who also runs the shop’s tearoom. Just home from their holiday in Scotland, Hector reminds Sophie of her promise to learn to drive if he learns to swim, and it appears to be not a moment too soon as a customer informs them that the local bus service is to be cut altogether. The aptly named Highwayman Buses have already doubled their prices and become increasingly unreliable due to a list of outrageous excuses, and now pensioners, jobseekers, workers and schoolchildren will be hopelessly stuck without public transport. Unsurprisingly the residents of Wendlebury Barrow are outraged and decide to protest but soon one of their number is found dead on the village’s bus. Time for Sophie to do a bit of unofficial sleuthing to solve a murder and save the bus route!
This is a charming mystery in a series involving some very likeable characters including Hector and Sophie, their somewhat eccentric fellow villagers and this time a real treasure of a character from another series by this author. A quick and easy cosy crime read.

I wouldn't normally jump into a series at the ninth book but this one appealed and it was easily enjoyed having not read the previous books, yet.

What I loved most about this cozy mystery was the humour. The murder itself was quite peculiar and the events leading up to it were quirky as the villagers banded together to protest against the cancellation of their local bus service.

I enjoyed Sophie as the main protagonist and I found her to be refreshing and intelligent. She handled a lecherous driving instructor, and a murder suspect with aplomb.

The small village setting added charm to the storyline and it was easy to get to know the local characters. I liked the eccentricities of the people and I could relate to their protesting to save their bus service. Villages and rural areas are constantly having to fight to save basic services like post offices, banking and public transport so I could easily imagine the feelings of the villagers and how riled up they could get about important matters.

This is a very entertaining and engrossing murder mystery and a new series to me that I want to explore from the beginning.

Cozy mystery involving a little town and a "failing" bus route. I enjoyed the little town feel, the mystery and all of the characters. All of the side characters were interesting as well.

I did not realize this was a series until 75% into the book so I will be circling back eventually to read all of the rest.

he book "Driven to Murder" is a wonderful addition to the British cosy mystery genre, set in the picturesque village of Wendelbury Barrow in the Cotswolds. Although it is the eighth book in the series, it can be enjoyed as a standalone novel without reading the previous books.

Author Debbie Young has done an excellent job of introducing the characters and the setting of Wendelbury Barrow, making it easy for new readers to catch up with the story. The characters, especially the protagonist Sophie Sayers, are well-crafted and endearing, and the bookshop adds to the overall cosy ambience of the novel.

The plot revolves around the mysterious death of Janice Boggins, who dies under mysterious circumstances while riding the bus. Sophie Sayers, the local bookshop owner, decides to investigate the death and the bus company's actions, leading her to uncover a complex web of secrets and lies.

Young's portrayal of village life is spot on, depicting how the residents resist change and face challenges while still managing to maintain their charm and quirkiness. The murder mystery is intriguing and keeps readers engaged as they try to solve the complex circumstances surrounding Janice Boggins' death.

However, the book does have some minor flaws. For instance, the plot takes a while to get going, with the mystery not beginning until halfway through the book. Additionally, the book focuses a bit too much on Sophie learning to drive, which could have been condensed. Lastly, the unanswered question of why Janice Boggins stole the ring can be frustrating for some readers.

Despite these minor flaws, "Driven to Murder" is a satisfying and easy trip to the Cotswolds that mystery lovers will enjoy.

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This was such a fun read! Driven to Murder is a very cozy read that I jumped right into, and is just what you might be needing during this dreary season!

This is the ninth book in this series, and I have not read the other eight, BUT I don’t think this pulled away from the book. Debbie Young was able to get me, a new reader, up to speed on all the characters and the town right off the bat. I really loved that I didn’t feel left behind coming late to the series, but also I didn’t feel that she was forcing too much information at me at the beginning. So in summary of that: You can read this book without reading the beginning of the series, but this book was so fun that you might as well just start from the beginning!

I wish it jumped into the action a little earlier than it did, since the mystery doesn’t occur until about halfway through the book and then seems to go very fast. I also enjoyed Sophie as a character during the investigation since it seemed like she didn’t necessarily want to be involved, but the clues just kept coming to her so she had no other choice but to solve the murder.

I really enjoyed this book, and will definitely need to go back and read the previous books! I liked Sophie as a character, and Hector took me a little bit to like but towards the end he grew on me as well. Who knows maybe I will like him better if I read the other books, we will just have to read and find out!

In the charming village of Wendelbury Barrow in the Cotswolds, the atmosphere is anything but tranquil as the local bus service faces an uproar from the eccentric villagers due to its departure. The situation takes a dark turn when a mysterious death occurs on the bus, prompting Sophie Sayers, the owner of the local bookstore, to delve into the peculiar circumstances surrounding both the death and the bus company's antics.

As the eighth installment in the series, I must admit I'm fashionably late to the Driven to Murder party. However, the author skillfully introduces the characters and the quaint setting, making the book accessible as a standalone or enjoyable for those following the series. I appreciated the investigation led by the amiable main character, Sophie, and the cozy ambiance enhanced by the presence of the bookshop.

My only qualm lies in the excessive focus on Sophie's driving lessons. While pivotal to some aspects of the plot, I felt this could have been condensed. The mystery takes a while to unfold, not making its appearance until well past the halfway point. Additionally, the lingering question of why Janice Boggins stole the ring left me slightly frustrated. Was it a mistake, financial troubles, or perhaps the actions of an elderly kleptomaniac? The motive remained elusive, and that bothered me throughout.

Nevertheless, the overall experience was satisfying, offering an effortless journey to the Cotswolds with its cozy atmosphere and engaging characters.

“Driven to Murder” by Debbie Young proves to be a delightful addition to the cosy crime genre, tailor-made for fans of M C Beaton’s beloved series. Set in the picturesque Cotswold village of Wendlebury Barrow, the novel skillfully blends the charm of a small community with a compelling mystery. The uproar caused by the local bus route’s discontinuation adds a unique twist to the narrative, making it both relatable and engaging.

The characters, especially the determined Sophie Sayers, are well-crafted and endearing. Young effortlessly captures the essence of village life, portraying the residents’ resistance to change and the challenges they face. The murder mystery unfolds with intrigue, keeping readers on their toes as they try to unravel the perplexing circumstances surrounding Janice Boggins’ demise.

Sophie’s instinctive launch into her own investigation injects the story with a sense of urgency and determination. The author seamlessly weaves humor into the narrative, balancing the gravity of the situation with lighthearted moments. As the plot unfolds, the reader is taken on a journey through the idyllic setting, encountering unexpected twists and turns.

“Driven to Murder” earns its four-star rating by delivering a cozy atmosphere, well-developed characters, and a cleverly constructed mystery. Debbie Young’s novel is a delightful escape into the world of Wendlebury Barrow, leaving readers eagerly anticipating Sophie Sayers’ next adventure.

Driven to Murder by Debbie Young

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Change is coming to Wendlebury Barrow – and not everyone is happy about it…

When the local bus company announces it will be stopping its route through their quaint Cotswold village, the people of Wendlebury Barrow are up in arms. Not least Sophie Sayers, whose driving lessons with her boyfriend Hector get off to a bumpy start.

But the locals’ peaceful protests against the decision turn deadly when a body is discovered on the Number 27. No one can work out how Janice Boggins met her demise, let alone how the driver didn’t notice. While the police wait for the post mortem results, Sophie immediately suspects foul play, and launches her own investigation.

Can she solve the murder before another passenger is hurt?

My Opinion

The Sophie Sayers series is one that I always enjoy coming back to read. Wendlebury Barrow always seems like such a welcoming place even with all of the bodies that have been found. This is a lovely cosy murder mystery series, the books are relatively short and so are very easy to squeeze in when you have a few hours spare.

This is a great series to get stuck into, but if you don't have the time this could easily be read as a standalone. I would highly recommend reading something by Debbie Young, everything I have read so far has been delightful.

Rating 4/5

Driven to Murder is a cozy British mystery set in the Cotswold village of Wendelbury Barrow. The local bus service is pulling out of the village and most of the (quite eccentric) villagers are up in arms. Suddenly, one of the villagers dies while riding the bus under mysterious circumstances. Local book shop proprietor, Sophie Sayers decides to investigate the death and the bus company shenanigans.
This is the 8th book in this series, so I am definitely late to the party. The author did a superb job of introducing the characters and familiarizing the reader with the setting so that it can be a stand alone or read in the series. I enjoyed the investigation, found Sophie to be a likable main character, and thought that the book shop added to the cozy ambiance.
I felt like too much of the book was centered on Sophie learning to drive. While some of the plot hinged on it, I felt it could have been condensed. The mystery didn't start until over halfway through. The other thing that bothered me was the unanswered question of why Janice Boggins stole the ring. Was it a mistake? Was she having financial difficulties? Was she just an old lady kleptomaniac? Did she have a grudge against Carol? It really bugged me that we never find out why.
Overall a satisfying and easy trip to the Cotswolds.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me to read this eARC. All opinions are 100% my own

Checking all the boxes for a British cozy mystery, this is book 9 in the series, and a fun one to jump into, if you haven't read any of them before! For the village, the bus is more than just a means of transport, it's their way to connect to one another, and the thought of loosing it brings everyone together in typical village fashion. But there is more going on than meets the eye and in between driving lessons (really it's about time Sophie learned, as she lives in the country), Sophie will spend time with the villagers and learn quite a bit she didn't know, and of course unmask the killer before the police, in typical cozy device! A charming quick read, this series is perfect for a little breath of escapism!

🚌Entertaining enough, though implausible🏘🌄

3.5-4🌟 stars
Though, for me, the characters just couldn't compare with M.C. Beaton's quirky village residents in her Agatha Raisin murder mysteries that I've seen it compared with, I enjoyed this gentle village mystery focusing on the threatened end of a bus route through a rural Cotswold community where so many rely on this last available public transportation to surrounding towns. The threatened loss of services to neglected rural residents resonated with me as it's not just an issue in Great Britain!

It did take almost half the story to build up to the suspicious death of one of the protesting residents, not leaving much time for Sophie's amateur sleuthing. I found poor Norman the former bus driver the most sympathetic character and liked the way his part of the story came out. The end had several surprises and, though explained, they seemed most unlikely. If you can suspend disbelief and just go along for the ride, it's an entertaining, light story and I would not mind reading more in the series, this being my first venture into the Sophie Sayers mysteries.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

This latest book in the series does not disappoint. A cosy murder mystery with a book shop central to the story, set in a pretty rural village- perfect ingredients for a delightful read. Readers familiar with Debbie Young’s St Brides series will enjoy seeing the two coming together at the end of this book - a nice touch. Sophie and Hector are great characters, and I particularly like the humour young Tommy adds to the tale. I’m looking forward to the next instalment of this series!

This is the 9th book in the Sophie Sayers cozy mystery series. I haven’t read any others, but the author did a great job making the quirky village and its characters come to life. It took awhile for the murder to actually happen, but I liked that it gave me more time to get to know the villagers and understand the surroundings. Once the poor lady was found super glued to a bus seat (?!?!) the craziness ensued. I really loved Hector and Sophie’s relationship, and the fact that their home base is their bookshop is heartwarming. The local villagers are a riot; my favorite is Carol who makes up her own words for things. I will say that the ending was a little abrupt for my liking, but I plan on going back and starting at the beginning of the series. 4⭐️

It was an agreeable read overall. It was definitely more a character-driven than a plot-driven mystery in my opinion, I guess I wanted a little bit more of investigating. But the characters are quite pleasant and the Cotswolds atmosphere is definitely one I enjoy very much.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

I am coming to this series very late in the game - this is the first I have read. Having not read the previous 8 books prior to picking this one up I obviously do not have all the background on the characters, but I thought the author did a great job of making sure that readers like myself would still be able to enjoy the book. It was easy to get a feel for the characters and the village of Wendlebury Barrow. As with most cozy mysteries it takes a little while to get to the actual mystery but that worked really well here because it helped me to become familiar with all the players (and possible suspects). It took me a little to start to like Hector and understand why Sophie was dating him - he wasn't very nice to her during their first driving lesson especially after he basically forced her to let him teach her. But he did grow on me as the story went on. I appreciated that this wasn't another cozy mystery where the amateur sleuth is constantly being reprimanded by the police for getting involved. Most of what Sophie finds out kind of just lands in her lap, she just needs to be clever enough to piece everything together. As for the big bad villain here, I'm not sure I really understood their motive or why they thought killing innocent people would help their company. The lead up to the big reveal and Sophie's interactions with the other characters was much more enjoyable than the actual resolution to the mystery. I will definitely be going back to read the previous books and am looking forward to the next in the series!

A lovely cozy read! This is number 8 in the set and the first one I have read however I really enjoyed it!! The character development was fun, the story line all made sense and the twists were fab! I didn’t see the end coming but I didn’t know what to expect to be fair!! I’m a huge fan of a cozy murder and throughly enjoyed reading this! Will look out for the other books in the series :) Thank you so much for allowing me an advanced copy to read for my review.

This series just keeps getting better. Just loved this! Lovely cozy mystery. Love the characters and the plot. Can't wait to read more. Great read.

“Driven to Murder” was much too twee for my tastes. There was a lack of depth to the characters, maybe because this book is one of a series. And the plot was fairly silly as well. I won't be reading any more books by Debbie Young.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

I enjoyed this book. The plot and characters were interesting. I didn't guess exactly what happened very early. It was engaging and kept me reading.

bookseller, Cotswolds, small-town, small-business, Y/A-only-means-no-gratuitous-erotica, situational and verbal-humor, writers, wry-humor, partners, local-gossip, situational-humor, local-law-enforcement, unpleasant-neighbors*****

Wonderful escape read! Fun characters, wonderful details, picturesque descriptions all make for a great cosy. The transport company is eliminating the bus route through the village and that is making everything and everyone upset. Then an unpleasant neighbor is found dead and superglued to her seat and it all gets even crazier. Loved it!
I requested and received an EARC from Boldwood Books via NetGalley. Thank you!