Berit Gardner has set up shop in the small, rundown village of Great Diddling. She hopes to write another novel. Unfortunately, she's stuck, so her literary agent sends Sally to help assist Berit. But the women soon find themselves in the middle of a murder mystery. No one in the village is safe from suspicion. Can Berit solve the mystery before someone else dies?
I like the literary theme. Old books and old women are the stars of the story!
The book is a bit slow though. It plods along and doesn't move very fast.
Also, I didn't connect with any of the characters except one of the main suspects Eleanor. I want to read a book about her!

**My thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an advanced review copy via NetGalley**

2.5 stars

An ode to books and booklovers disguised as a small-town English murder mystery, this book failed to grip me despite the many things it has going for it. I simply failed to care much about any of the characters, from our novelist-turned-detective to the murder victim to the various suspects about town, with one exception. A pair of elderly ladies running a café caught my interest about halfway through the novel, and their scenes and backstory were genuinely interesting.

I feel a little guilty about how little I cared about every other part of this book, because on paper there’s nothing wrong with it. The writing was competent, detailed without being pedantic or overly flowery, and the cast was a varied mix of personalities. The crime itself was cleverly done and difficult to figure out, and the ultimate culprit a satisfying reveal. But something about it—most probably the narrative voice—just failed to click with me, and I found it hard to recall details from the story even a week after reading it. Maybe it was just the wrong time, or maybe it really did lack narrative character.

You may like this book if you enjoy: Scandinavian murder mysteries, British murder mysteries, small town shenanigans, unpleasant rich people getting their just desserts, the book as fetish object, or bookish culture overall.

The Murders in Great Diddling by Katarina Bivald is great entertainment for so many reasons. This is a book with cozy mystery vibes – i.e. an English village, a myriad of unusual characters, and minimal gore. But, that’s where the similarities end. It’s much more fleshed out than a standard cozy mystery. It’s more descriptive, there’s more character development, and it has a much more involved story and plot(s).

This is a well-written and humorous mystery with good characters. They’re a bit quirky but not over the top (it’s easy to imagine that they could really exist). And don’t overlook the setting! A comfortable and quaint village in inland Cornwall that’s just a bit rundown and desperately in need of tourists to bolster their economy.

Now, toss in the main characters – Berit, an author struggling to write her next mystery book, Sally, Berit’s new assistant who has been foisted on Berit by her agent, and Ian Ahmed, a Detective Inspector trying to make sense of the murder that has occurred during the village tea party held at the grand manor owned by Daphne, an elderly and wealthy book aficionado. Then there are the more unsavory characters, including, but not limited to, Reginald Trent, Daphne’s nephew.

There’s so much going on in this book, including a book festival designed to bring positive attention to Great Diddling. How the residents managed to organize and make it happen in two weeks is just one of the highlights of this book.

My only complaint (and it’s a minor one) is that the book ran a bit too long and there was some redundancy. But, this is forgivable, because it is such an enjoyable book. Now my fingers are crossed that this is the start of a series. If so, I’m all in! NetGalley provided an advance reader copy.

If you’re into cozy mysteries with a quirky twist, The Murders in Great Diddling by Katarina Bivald is definitely worth checking out! The story centers around Berit Gardner, a best-selling mystery writer who moves to the quaint, rundown village of Great Diddling to find some inspiration for her next book. What she doesn’t expect is to get caught up in a real-life murder mystery! The village is full of eccentric characters who are harboring their own secrets and stories. When an explosion at a tea party in Tawny Hall kills a local man, Berit teams up with DCI Ian Ahmed to uncover the truth. The dynamic between Berit and Ian is so fun to watch as they try to solve the case in a town FULL of secrets.

Bivald does a great job of creating a charming, atmospheric setting that feels like a character in itself. The plot is a bit of a slow burn, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. It’s not just about the murder mystery, though. The book also celebrates the love of books and the power of storytelling, which adds a nice touch.

Overall, The Murders in Great Diddling is a delightful read that’s perfect for a cozy afternoon! (What better time than fall time!) It’s got humor, mystery, and a cast of characters that will keep you entertained from start to finish! If you love a good cozy mystery with a bit of charm and wit, this one’s for you!

Berit Gardner, a Swedish novelist, is experiencing a case of writer's block and moves to the small village of Great Diddling. With a book deadline looming, her frustrated editor sends out her daughter to help out as an assistant. Disaster strikes the village tea party as an explosion rocks the library of the manor hosting the event, killing a local man. The police are brought in on the case, but Berit feels that solving this mystery is just the thing she needs to get her writing back on track. I have enjoyed Katarina Bivald's other novels and felt that this one was a treat as well. Just keep in mind that these aren't especially speedy reads but they are worth your time.

There’s a certain charm that comes with books set in England… old estates with sprawling gardens, tea time with crumpets and clotted cream, it’s the stuff of dreams.

The characters and plot line are interesting, and I can’t imagine any of them could be the murderer.

You can’t help but be obsessed with Bernie, an author with writer’s block, and DCI Ahmed, who is in charge of the investigation. Both are incredibly observant and just good people.

I loved this book from beginning to end. It was the perfect thing to wind down with each evening, and the townspeople of Great Diddling started feeling like friends and acquaintances of my own.

So many great bookish quotes too, such as… “To count as a plot things have to happen for a reason; one thing has to lead to another. When things just happen here and there, the whole thing is disjointed, episodic. Incomprehensible. Not dissimilar to life itself.”

Time to add Katarina Bivald’s books to my “read all these books” list ❤️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When a murder mystery is set in a small village where the characters are wonderfully quirky, they all have secrets and love books, I'm in!

Berit Gardner has come to Great Diddling looking for inspiration for her next book. But when a death occurs at Tawny Hall (Daphne Trent's home) and Daphne's nephew Reginald Trent was killed, everything changed. Detective Chief Inspector Ian Ahmed is on the case and so it begins.

I truly hope that Berit Gardner and Inspector Ahmed will be reunited for book two and beyond--it would make a great series!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this copy of The Murders in Great Diddling. It was a joy to read and I highly recommend it!

I also listened to the audio book. It was narrated by Helen Lloyd and she did a terrific job.

The small, rundown village of Great Diddling is full of stories―author Berit Gardner can feel it. The way the villagers avoid outsiders, the furtive stares and whispers in the presence of newcomers… Berit can sense the edge of a story waiting to be unraveled, and she's just the person to do it. In fact, with a book deadline looming over her and no manuscript (not even the idea for a manuscript, truth be told), Berit doesn't just want this story. She needs it.

Then, while attending a village tea party, Berit becomes part of the action herself. An explosion in the library of the village's grand manor kills a local man, and the resulting investigation and influx of outsiders sends the quiet, rundown community into chaos. The residents of Great Diddling, each one more eccentric and interesting than any character Berit could have invented, rewrite their own narrative and transform the death of one of their own from a tragedy into a new beginning. Taking advantage of Great Diddling's new notoriety, the villagers band together to start a book and murder festival designed to bring desperately-needed tourists to their town. What they couldn't have predicted is how the new story they've begun to tell will change all their lives forever.

i honestly did not like this book, i really tried to dont get me wrong but it felt like it was going on and on for years and years, also theres way too much details on things i dont find that important and then not enough details for things that should have been explained better

I really enjoyed this book. I always love a mystery in a small town with a great cast of quirky characters. It's really well paced, and the mystery is engrossing, but not overly complicated or convoluted. The author did a great job of introducing each character and letting you get to know them, without slowing down or dragging out the action.

I have read this author before and therefore knew she could write a great tale, but had no idea how that would translate into mysteries; thankfully, she does an excellent job [I was silly for worrying] with this genre and this was a thoroughly enjoyable read for me.

Berit Gardner is my new spirit animal, and while I don't really want to solve murders [EEK!!], except as the armchair detective I am, and I don't want to write books [I have tried and am complete rubbish at it], I do strive [and am committed to] to be as curmudgeonly as possible [LOL], I would love an assistant [as does Berit once she gets over the "intrusion"], and books REALLY are everything to me [with about 5-6 people ;-) ] and I see the importance of sharing [hoarding is great, but sharing is even better, especially if they are completely taking over your quality of life] and reading them [READ BANNED BOOKS!!!!!!!!!].

The mystery [for me] was very good [I honestly never saw this person coming {I was really fixated on someone else - they SO could have been the killer} and was an excellent red herring; even thinking about it later and knowing what I missed, I had a hard time seeing it. SO excellent], it was a very well-written and had a very satisfying [and slightly ambiguous] ending, which is all us mystery-readers can hope for. It was also really sad in parts; what people will do...smh.

I really enjoyed most of the side characters [there will always be those who rub you the wrong way, even if they are not supposed to LOL] as well and am looking forward to them being fleshed out more should there 1. be a book two and 2. they stay in Great Diddling [crossing ALL MY FINGERS AND TOES there is one!!].

Berit is my new favorite character [I honestly want to be her when I grow up], I love how everything wasn't repeated a billion times [what a glorious thing to read a book by an author who realizes her readers aren't 5 and don't need beat over the head with the same information over and over again - just fantastic], and I finished this book and just sighed because 1. it was over [I didn't have full-blown book hangover, but it was close and I was sad I had to leave that world] and 2. just how satisfying reading it had been [for me].

I am not sure I have listened to Helen Lloyd before, but I sure hope to again - what an absolute treat her narration was. She reads exceptionally well [especially considering there is a rather large cast in this book] and the way she reads really adds to the overall book and made it even more enjoyable. I highly recommend this audiobook [as well as the book].

Thank you to NetGalley, Katarina Bivald, Poisoned Pen Press, and Dreamscape Media for providing both the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.

Such a great read! Highly recommend this one.

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I liked the idea of this cozy murder mystery. However, I do feel like the story was just weighed down too much with description. It felt like the murder was in the background when it should have been the main focus. The story just felt too slow for me and I just didn't enjoy it.

I hope others love this one.

Katarina Bivald's "The Murders in Great Diddling" is a delightful mystery that combines wit and whimsy with a touch of suspense. Set in a quaint English village, the novel follows an amateur sleuth as she unravels a series of enigmatic murders. Bivald's writing is sharp and engaging, creating a charming atmosphere that brings the small-town setting to life. The characters are endearing and the plot is cleverly constructed, making for an entertaining and satisfying read. Fans of cozy mysteries will find this book a delightful addition to the genre.

Katarina Bivald is herself a Swedish author, making this book even more fun. Unlike Berit, Ms. Bivald remains happily at home in Sweden, just outside of Stockholm.

Many of the best cozy mysteries take place in an out-of-the-way village. From the earliest days of Miss Marple and Miss Silver, amateur sleuths have been digging up the roots of crime in small hamlets. Inevitably, what seems like a sleepy town is actually full of personal intrigue and even scandal.

I assumed The Murders in Great Diddling would hew pretty close to this pattern. The story follows Berit Gardner, a Swedish author who moves to the eponymous village in search of character inspiration - or at least a clear mind. Almost as soon as she arrives, a local man dies in a fiery explosion at a village tea party. Pretty soon, she’s digging into the village and its inhabitants, only to find that things are much stranger in Great Diddling than they appear on the surface…

…Which sounds exactly like the blurb of so many other British cozy mystery stories. Remote village? Check. Introverted, creative, and observant protagonist? Check and check. Hidden depths? You got them. When I picked up The Murders in Great Diddling, I expected nothing more than a competent traditional / cozy mystery. (Thanks to NetGalley for the gift review copy!)

To my surprise, Katarina Bivald has imbued her story with a bit more edge than I expected. Berit’s role as an author and Bivald’s unique take on village inhabitants make for a more meta mystery (though still a reasonably traditional one).

The author, detecting

It’s somewhat surprising, perhaps, that there aren’t many novelist-detectives in fiction. There’s Jessica Fletcher, of course, and more recently we’ve seen Ernest Cunningham and Eleanor Dash. (Journalists are more common, likely because they have an easy way to get involved in murder investigations and an easy excuse for their questions.) But overall, we don’t see that many authors investigating murders - even though cozy mystery protagonists can otherwise range from small-business owners to doctors to pensioners and vacationers.

It’s a shame, because the right kind of author, written well, can seem almost naturally predisposed to investigate the people around her. Bivald’s Berit Gardner is one such author, constantly monitoring those around her to understand their stories and mine their characters. Not only that, her profession allows her to observe from a distance and ask an odd question or two without really ringing any alarm bells. And her research allows her familiarity with investigative techniques and odd facts without the needs for specific explanations each time.

It makes for an intriguing investigation, one that almost feels Marple-like, where you’re watching a people-master at work. Berit pretty quickly picks up on some of the oddness in the village, but only brings it up or acts on it if she deems it necessary. She may explain to the police officer charged to solve the case, or to her assistant if necessary. But often, the clues are just there, in people’s behavior or dialogue, inviting you to pick them up as Berit does. It’s a nice change of pace from the more frenetic heroines we sometimes see in modern mysteries.

A village apart

Of course, Berit’s observational powers would be lost in a village with nothing to hide. But Bivald’s Great Diddling is full of secrets - and unlike in other mystery novels, we get to ride along with the inhabitants as they try to cover them up. In this, it reminds me of The Curtain-Twitcher’s Book of Murder, another new crime novel with a fun format. (I will do my best in this section not to spoil any of the mysteries! Please bear with vagueness as a result.)

It’s not just that the villagers in Great Diddling have secrets. It’s that there are layers of deception, with some deceptions more orchestrated that others. Relatively early in the novel, the town council decides that the murder could actually put their village back on the map. Quickly, a book-and-murder festival is born, with the entire village banding together to host (and trick) tourists for a literary extravaganza. Underneath this high-level orchestrated deception are layers of others, and Bivald allows the perspective to shift so we can see (and sympathize with) each one.

The result is a story with a smattering of dramatic irony and an intriguing relationship with the truth. At several points, we know more than any of the investigative protagonists, and the investigative story is richer for it. Berit herself is a far cry from more moralistic Golden Age sleuths - she’s interested in learning stories, not passing judgement on them. There are moments where the revelation of truth - at the wrong time, or in the wrong way - causes more harm than good. At the same time, the truth is clearly important, especially in the case of uncovering a murderer. Bivald walks a thin line between “humans are interesting in all their colors” and “the truth is a prerequisite for true happiness”.

Reader’s rating and review (⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️✨)

The Murders in Great Diddling is a fun and well-written traditional mystery with a surprising narrative edge. I personally enjoyed Berit the author as an investigator, as well as the ensemble cast of fun, morally light grey visitors. Some good snark as well, including observations about literary festivals and the job of writing. You’ll probably know if this is in your sweet spot - it’s definitely in mine. Three and a half stars.

Read this if...

“Author detective” sounds fun and intriguing

You like stories with layers of intersecting intrigue - but that still don’t take themselves too seriously

You immediately laughed at the fact that the village is called Great Diddling - there’s more where that came from

Skip this if...

You want clear moral boundaries in your mysteries

You appreciate a mystery where every deduction is clearly laid out at the point of inference

You’re not the in the mood to read something “bookish” - Bivald loves her references

The Murders in Great Diddling was published on August 13, 2024.

*This will count for my book with at least 4 different POV characters for the 52 Book Club challenge.

Berit is experiencing writer’s block when a murder occurs in her small English village. An author and a relatively newcomer to the village, she is able to read people well, as she tells DC Ahmed as he investigates. The village decides to throw a book festival using the murder as PR. A unique mystery, filled with books and red herrings. Recommended. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Some of the best mysteries cozy or otherwise take place in small English country towns. I would say that this novel has cozy undertones but it also has some language making it a little edgier than your standard cozy. The main character, author Berit Gradner, needed a change of pace to get back her writing mojo so she got a cottage in Great Diddling (you will never guess what the name means). The town has all the bits that small Cornish town should have including a manor house. Another thing that small towns have is secrets, and this one is no different. The only thing that is not a secret is just how much the locals despise Reginald Trent, not even his aunt Daphne is fond of him. It is no wonder that he ends up being the victim.
Once the beginning pieces of the plot are laid down, the story really goes off with quite a bang. Oh and what a bang it was, giving everyone a bit to gossip about. Being that this is a small town there is no local constabulary which means that Detective Inspector Ian Ahmed is not a local and not likely to get any real answers from the townsfolk, unless he is interested in gossip. What DI Ahmed does learn is that Trent was a wheeler dealer and described in such a way that made it easy to sympathize with the business owners that he was threatening. Penny Elmer referred to Trent as a snake and others thought of him as a bully, but no one thought of him as particularly brilliant.
The other characters in the story are absolutely brilliant (as in amazing), I would go as far as to say bloody brilliant. The story is given by multiple points of view, not just the sleuth, or even the sleuth and the Detective Inspector. Each of them has a secret or two and they are pretty good at improvising. Imagine turning a murder into a tourist event featuring mystery books and writers. It is a little macabre but also very original and the townsfolk are 100% behind the idea. Berit has her work cut out for her as she takes on the task of following clues and asking questions. She has a quiet way about her and some quirky habits. I especially like that she lays down flat on the floor (at home) to get a different perspective because don’t things look different from the floor. Berit’s new assistant Sally, aka her agent’s inexperienced daughter, is not entirely sure what to think of the new boss, the town, or the sleuthing. Sally was sent by her mom to make sure that Berit is writing her next novel. The only thing Berit has been writing down in her journal is the clues that she has uncovered. This was a highly enjoyable story and the multiple points of view kept it interesting. So grab a cup of tea, use the good china if you have it or find a seat in the garden because this story will capture your attention.

This was a cute story with interesting characters. I enjoyed the setting and liked looking at a murder through the lens of a writer. I thought there were so many eccentric characters and liked seeing how they attempted to change the narrative.

I went into this book thinking it was going to be a quick, cozy mystery. That is not what this is. It actually started off great and I loved the idea of an author and her assistant helping the police solve a murder that happened at a tea party they were attending. It reminded me of Murder, She Wrote in that sense and I loved that show growing up. I think one of the problems with this book is that it delved too deep into the lives of some of the side characters and then totally derailed when it started focusing on the town and its idea to hold a book festival in order to boost tourism. That whole part could have been a whole book separate from the murder mystery. Then the book would have been shorter and could have stayed on track and not left me skipping to the end just to find out who the murderer actually was. I guess I just prefer my murder mysteries to be shorter and stay focused on solving the murder and throwing in a few red herrings every once in awhile. I'm not sure what this book is but in the end I just wanted the time I spent reading this book back. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.