It's summer time in Saxford St Peter and they are holding an open gardens competition. There are also weddings coming up, and Viv's son's fiancée, Stevie, has come to help with the planning. Her presence has tongues wagging about a 25 year old death that was closed as an accident, but most people in the village think she was murdered. The dead woman was Stevie's aunt. Local obituary writer Eve Mallow is curious about the death, and with her curiosity, begins to ask questions. While on the garden tour, Stevie has a frightening flashback picturing a body lying broken at the foot of a flight of stairs in one of the houses, but not the one she was found in. Shortly after that, Cleo, a woman that is not very well liked, is found dead in her own garden. She has been bludgeoned and drowned in her own fountain. Stevie is the main suspect due to a rumor that Cleo was responsible for her aunt's death 25 years earlier, and Stevie not forgiving her. To help Viv and in turn, Stevie, Eve gets a publication to purchase Cleo's obituary, giving her permission to nose around and ask questions. With Eve and her crew sure that the two deaths are connected, they get to work, observing, sneaking around and asking questions. With a victim who has a lot of enemies, will they determine who killed Cleo now and Honor 25 years ago?

Mystery on Meadowsweet Grove is the 12th Eve Mallow Mystery, but I have only read a handful and have no problem enjoying these stories. Each book has a self-contained mystery, but there is character development along the way. I do love the setting of the small village, the pub, the tea shop and all the paths they walk on. The characters are great. Eve is smart, observant and able to get people to open up to her. Her fiancé is a retired police detective, so he helps her out in her investigations. Her neighbours and group of friends that keep her apprised of all the comings and goings in the neighbourhood are a great bunch and I love their messages and calls to each other. This is a complicated mystery due to the cold case that is connected to the murder. There are a lot of characters, but I was able to sort them all out and keep up with all their comings and goings. Of course, Eve's dachshund, Gus is adorable. He gets lots of walks while Eve is out listening for clues and information. With several suspects, many clues, including some red herrings, I was kept guessing right to the end. With a satisfying ending, I smiled as I closed this book. Another great addition to this series. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, especially those set in a small village in the UK, then I recommend you pick up this book, or better yet, the first in this series.

Favorite Quote:

Perspective was everything. One person’s idol was another’s villain.

My Review:

This was a busy and cleverly contrived story with a plethora of story threads and a confounding mystery that the little pea in my brain was hard-pressed to solve on its own. I always enjoy Ms. Chase’s writing style and original characters, the story was easy to follow and held my attention while prickling my curiosity.

The murder victim was not well liked, by anyone anywhere. She was guilty of shady practices and many villagers had good reason for doing her in. I wondered if it would lead to a similar situation as Murder on the Orient Express, but alas, Ms. Chase has bested me yet again.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW





Yet another page turning, fantastic adventure with Eve, Gus and Robin!!! If you have never read any books in this epic series you are missing out!!!



Another addictive beauty by the very talented Clare!! One of the things I absolutely adore about Clare's books is that each and every time she creates stunning areas which come to life thanks to her fantastic evocative writing skills. The storyline itself is a fast paced cosy mystery that kept me guessing all the way through. It is filled with tension, suspense, murder, red herrings galore and everything you could ask for in an action packed addictive mystery. I had no idea who the killer was so a huge congratulations to Clare!!!! I enjoyed that it wasn't really a case of just one mystery but how several linked smoothly and everything was tied up nicely at the end, I hate loose ends!! This is yet another of Clare's books that every time I tell myself I will just read one more chapter I never actually manage to as something always happens that means I just have to read another and then another until before I know it I have devoured the whole book in a manner of hours and each book in this series is just the same!! I love the fact that Clare conjures up new locations and different events in each one of her books in this series ensuring the reader always has something new and fresh to sink their teeth into and each book manages to be just as good, if not better, than the previous ones!! I really enjoyed going on this adventure with Eve and investigating with her. Clare portrays village life perfectly and the community within them in each and every one of her books which makes them even more realistic. I absolutely love reading Eve's obituary at the end of each book and she captivates the personality of the victim absolutely perfectly. I think it is a lovely unique touch and gives a summary of what we learned about them through the story serving as a reminder.


Clear your schedules as once you've picked this up you won't be able to put it down!!



These amazing characters are all realistic, strong and an eclectic bunch to say the least. It was really fun learning all of their different characteristics, personalities and backgrounds. I absolutely love meeting them in each of these books in this fantastic and addictive series. They have become like friends to me and I find myself missing them as soon as I have closed the pages. When I "meet" them again it is like they have never been away.



Congratulations to Clare Chase on yet another absolutely successful and addictive page turning murder mystery. This is why when I want an addictive cosy mystery which I can read anywhere I hunt your books down and why you are in my top 5 cozy mystery author list!. Here's to you're next success 🥂



Overall an absolutely compelling, addictive and page turning gothic cosy mystery that is perfect to read on front of the fire.


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Book twelve sees the return of amateur sleuth Eve and her side kick Gus and the charming community of Saxford St Peters for another cosy mystery that she's Eve in the thick of things yet again.

One of my favourite things about this series is the characters and how through her writing the author brings them to life of the page.

Another enjoyable edition to the series.

This is the 12th book in this cosy mystery series. All the usual characters appear and are as involved as ever. I did think it would've been good to have a few more characters and perhaps this is why this one didn't grab me as much as the other's. It just lacked something for me this time. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

There’s always something new and exciting, like a character, a happy event, or something in Eve’s life.
This is one of my favorite aspects, as each book is better than the previous and very entertaining.
The start of this book add something my bucket list, as I love gardening and view an open garden day in an English village as paradise on Earth.
It would be better if no-one is murdered but, as this is a mystery, it’s part of the game and finding the culprit is what you expect.
Eve will investigate, write an obituary, and the balance of the universe will be reestablished at the end of the story.
Another whodunit with plenty of secrets, twists, red herrings, and a very satisfying solution.. Another novel by Ms Chase that kept me reading till late in the night.
Read it and have fun.
Many thanks to Bookouture for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Twenty five years ago, a young woman tragically died,
Stevie was a child then, but just what had she spied?
She has a flashback of the body at the foot of the stair
But not at the house where she was found lying there.

Later, the woman suspected by locals of being involved then
Is found in her garden pond, has the perpetrator struck again?
Is Stevie's flashback and the death linked in some way?
The initial death was ruled an accident - though that's not what locals say!

Stevie has returned to the village after so many years
To marry her beloved and put aside any rumours or fears.
But she's also the chief suspect, or so the lead policeman seems to say
Can Eve help prove he's wrong and help Stevie celebrate her wedding day?

All the folks living on Meadowsweet Grove now
Seem linked to the past death somehow.
Can Eve and her friends help the police to uncover
If the death back then and today have any links to discover?

A fascinating page turner read with a great community, too,
That kept me guessing all the way through.
I really enjoy escaping into this brilliant read
And hope it'll prove a book that you also need.

For my copy of this book I say thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.

I'm back for the twelfth outing of amateur detective and obituary writer, Eve Mallow. This time Eve is looking into the death of Cleo Marbeck, who was accused of killing a young woman by the name of Honor twenty-five years ago, only to end up dead herself during an open garden event.

It's so nice to be back with Eve and her friends. These characters really make this series, with their warmth and camaraderie, plus they're always there to encourage Eve with her amateur sleuthing and lend a hand on the way.

I especially enjoyed the cold case aspect to this story, which I found added an extra bit of intrigue and made the killer a bit more difficult to guess.

A must if you're looking for a light-hearted mystery with a puzzling mystery and a likeable sleuth, then I'd highly recommend it.

Loved this 12th entry in the Eve Mallow Mystery series. Eve, with a lot of help from friends and neighbours is trying to solve the murder of Cleo Marbeck, but discovers that the identity of the murder is found in past events and another suspicious death.

I enjoyed the latest adventure with Eve, Robin and their band of like-minded sleuths. Gus, the dog, finds he is taking lots of walks as Eve investigates a murder during the open gardens event that has its roots in the past. I like Eve's investigative methods, utilising her role as an obituary writer to ask pertinent questions and her network of village contacts. The mystery is full of drama and poignancy, and whilst there is only a small group of suspects, they all have motives and secrets they want to keep hidden. It's an escapist and immersive read with complex characters and a twisty mystery. The Suffolk setting is well-described, and the story uses sensory imagery to enliven the characters, events and locations.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

The twelfth book in the series and I have read the previous two books.

As usual there is a murder, the local police detective is hopeless, and Eve decides to investigate the case herself. There are two clever things about this series. Firstly Eve is an obituary writer which gives her the perfect excuse to be interviewing friends and relations of the deceased. Secondly her partner has contacts in the police force which helps her gain insider knowledge.

I wished the author had not begun the book with a prologue - I prefer not to know at the outset who is going to die and when. It makes the event when it occurs to be rather dull. That's just me though and the book itself was very readable. Eve takes a sound logical approach to her investigating, uses a large group of friends to help and tries never to put herself into danger. Three stars.

Mystery on Meadowsweet Grove by Clare Chase is an Eve Mallow mystery and a good one. So many mysteries, at least lately, seem to have deep roots in the past. This was no exception. It was very convoluted with curious relationships and behavior, some of it extraneous to the murder at hand. Plus, the involvement of several generations. Eve and the gang have taken to hiding in a bird watching blind to follow the behaviors of folks they suspect. As always, there are red herrings and mistaken assumptions as well has people trying to protect ones they suspect. Eve is very clever in her questioning of possible suspects under the guise of writing an obituary on the deceased. Good thing those deceased have a bit of fame or she’d never be able to sell any of them. It’s handy to have Robin both in town and out of hiding, although he is sometimes busy with his new career as a gardener. What a good book.

Eve has gotten over her divorce, although she cannot totally regret the marriage as it gave her her twins. She has found peace in this small costal town and enjoys her life and her friends. She is a comfortable character and easy to read. I felt like this book could have done with a little editing, but maybe I’m just getting old! Thankfully she has Greg at the police department to feed her information as it is readily agreed by all that DI Palmer is a fool so they had to pick up the slack.
Good story. Terrific characters. Well worth one’s time! Thanks Clare Chase!

I was invited to read Mystery on Meadowsweet Grove by Bookoutre. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Bookoutre #ClareChase #MysteryOnMeadowsweetGrove

Eve Mallow is an obituary writer, but that is just the tip of the iceberg as to what she does. Because of wanting to write great tributes, Eve looks into the backgrounds of those she writes about, often finding herself doing a fabulous job as an amateur sleuth So, Eve has proved Show more than adept at solving murders. However, in this latest outing, the original murder took place a quarter of a century ago, and comes to mind due to a flashback of a young woman about to marry.

The young woman, Stevie, who has had the flashback, is the fiancé of Eve’s best friend’s son. Eve’s friend Viv has been in many of the books in this engaging series. As Eve is interested in knowing about the long ago murder, a current murder takes place. So Eve goes about trying to solve both murders. She is wondering if Stevie’s flashback is connected to the current murder, so quite naturally Eve is determined to do more than simply write the upcoming obituary.

But, that is not why Eve is in Sanford St. Peter. She is there as it is open gardens day. Going from enjoying the beautiful gardens as well as to see who will win the offered prize for the village’s best garden, to solving murders, is exactly Eve’s specialty. Eve, and her dear friend Robin - a former police officer now gardener - further grow their close relationship by assisting the police and working to solve the murders.

Twelve books in and this series has never lost traction. Instead, each story, and Eve’s delightful approach to solving murders, is just the exact cup of tea one needs when it comes to enjoying a light read, and one that is impossible to put down.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

I always look forward to the newest book in this series, and this one didn’t disappoint.
When an open garden event in Eve’s village becomes a murder scene, Eve and her friends need to find the killer sooner rather than later, her best friends soon to be daughter in law, Stevie, is a prime suspect. Cleo has been found dead in her garden, the garden event was her idea and many in the village are participating despite the fact that she’s known as a rather cutthroat, not always scrupulous businesswoman. Once Eve discovers that Cleo has always been suspected of having a hand in the death of a young woman years ago, whose death was ruled an accident by the police, the race is in to put together all of the puzzle pieces before Stevie’s wedding is ruined.
All of the regular characters from the previous books make an appearance, I would read the books in order if possible to enjoy how their stories and connections grow. With a lot of suspects, and multiple motives I did have to page back occasionally to remind myself who was who, and how they were connected , but due to time constraints right now I could often only read in 10 or 15 minute chunks of time. I think a hot cup of tea or glass or wine and a comfortable spot to read and focus on the story for an hour would have helped, but I still enjoyed it. The story revolves around an observation made in the book, figuring out the motives depends on perspective. We’re treated to a lot of twists and turns as possible motives are discovered and change, I didn’t anticipate the end. There’s a lot going on beneath the surface in this beautiful seaside village!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advance copy.

obituary-writer, pet-dog, Dachshunds, amateur-sleuth, local-law-enforcement, cozy-mystery, ex-cop, small-town, journalist, friendship, local-gossip, Suffolk, PTSD, flashbacks, infidelities, secrets, lies, unpleasant-victims, suspicion, suspense*****

The first death was 25 years ago and was a suspicious death where a small child found the body and was haunted by it. The new corpse is that of an unpleasant businesswoman and brings back the flashbacks and sense of horror to the young woman now grown and planning her wedding. Eve and Robin feel a need to assist the police investigation, but quietly and in their own way. The tale is twisty and there is danger, a hidden tunnel, and far too many infidelities clouding the way. Another winner in the Eve Mallow series!
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from Bookouture via NetGalley. Thank you!

Saxford St Peter is having an open gardens day! Everyone in Saxford is delighted when jeweller Cleo Marbeck suggests a prize for the village’s best garden. Twenty-five years ago, Honor a young woman fell to her death in Cleo’s house, and rumours soon resurface about Cleo’s part in the tragedy. Eve’s best friend Viv is hosting Stevie, her son’s fiancée, ahead of the wedding. On the open garden day, Stevie has a horrible flashback: the memory of a woman lying at the bottom of a staircase. But she sees it in a totally different house from the one where Honor died. Hours later Cleo’s body is found, hit with a garden ornament & drowned in her own pond. Eve is convinced the flashback has triggered the crime… and when the police turn their sights on Stevie, she’ll have to work fast to solve the case and save the wedding.
The twelfth outing for Eve & her close friends, whilst it could easily be read on its own I love how the relationships between Eve, Robin, Viv, Simon & even Moira have developed throughout the series, so I’d recommend reading in order – the relationship are what for me makes this series raise its head over the parapet. Eve is desperate to investigate & knows the perfect way is to be the obituary writer but knows Cleo isn’t famous enough for Icon to cover her death so Eve pitches to a regional publication & on winning the pitch can start to delve. There are plenty of suspects who all seem to have something to hide especially when links are found to Honor’s death. There are twists, turns, red herrings & surprises before all is revealed. A well written cosy mystery whilst not my favourite of the series it was still a very good book
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

This is book 12 in this series. I would recommend reading these in order. I had not read the previous ones. There’s a lot of layers to this mystery and a lot going on. I think I would have liked it better if I had read the previous ones

Things are moving along in everyone's life. I like the characters and the setting. The close friendships are great. The mystery kept me guessing and I look forward to more in the series.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review

The story starts enticingly with an inaugural open garden event in the village of Salford St Peter. Cleo Marbeck is the charismatic, glamorous, wealthy organiser who attracts rumours and a hint of scandal involving a death. Cleo is found murdered in her garden. The story unfolds by going back to events a week earlier. I was hooked from short prologue and keen to read on.

This is the 12th book in the Eve Mallow series and it’s nice to see the central characters from the village supporting Eve in solving this latest murder. As with previous books, the core characters and their relationships are well developed. The village, cottages and surrounding areas are carefully described. I would have welcomed a simple map illustrating the positions of key landmarks as I got a little lost on occasions on where cottages were in relation to other features such as the stables, the bird hide and the estuary walks.
 
The plot is good with some clever misdirection, lots of suspects and motives. There is though a rather bewildering range of characters with various linkages between them. I did have to make a list of who was who and their relationship to others. All does become clear in the end.
 
Overall, an enjoyable read and I look forward to the next instalment.

Can not believe that this is book 12 in the series! To keep a series this fresh is unusual but that’s what Chase has managed to achieve. I love all the minor characters snd the rural feel of the story. This storyline I think is her best yet. Read it!