A fun, cosy murder mystery with some great characters. This is the third in the series but could be read as a standalone as they discuss previous cases.

Overall, a quick easy read.

Thank you for the advanced reader copy.

Murder at Maple Grange by Jane Bettany is a gripping cozy mystery that weaves intrigue and suspense into a small-town setting. When Violet Brewster receives a mysterious jewellery box from a recently deceased resident of Maple Grange, she is drawn into a web of secrets and danger. As suspicious events escalate, including the attempted murder of Phyllis’s best friend, Violet is determined to uncover the truth. With a mix of suspense, clever twists, and well-developed characters, this book is a must-read for fans of cozy mysteries with a dark edge.

Lovely cosy mystery, great setting, cracking characters! More of the same, if it's not too much to ask.
Am catching up on all the reviews I haven't left over the year, so sorry this is late, but my thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the reading copy.

Violet is surprised when she is left a beautiful box following the death of Phyllis Gibson, someone who she nearly knew. But when Phyllis' friend Maureen, tells Violet that she had become worried that someone was out to kill her just before she died. Then Maureen is pushed off her balcony, it becomes more apparent that something more sister is going on.
This was a lovely cosy mystery. The story had a good pace and easy flow to it. I liked the characters, who were well rounded complete with some quirks. Overall and enjoyable tale which is perfect for a summer read.

The third outing for Violet but the first read for me and can be read as a standalone as I have done. It a well written cosy mystery with strong characters and a good paced story. The twists & turns kept me reading and I wasn't able to work out the villain which is always good. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Book 3 in the Violet Brewster mystery series
In this book Violet inherits a jewellery box which comes as a surprise to her. She decides to investigate as feels something is not quite right
I’m loving getting to know all the characters in the fictional village of Merrywell
Thanks @bettanyjane @hqstories & @netgalley for the perfect cozy mystery

The story begins with four young girls in the mid-1950s; a tragic event sets the scene for a twenty-first-century mystery. Violet meets some old friends at the retirement village when she receives an unexpected bequest. The story flows well, with believable characters and a relatable setting. I guessed what would happen, but the twists and false leads are good, and it's an engaging story.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

This series’ latest installment was a true pleasure to delve into. The depth of the characters and the complexity of the plot were remarkable. The compelling mystery kept me conjecturing.
It receives my full recommendation.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Violet Brewster has just finished a project at local retirement village Maple Grange, when she learns that one of the residents, Phyllis Gibson, has passed away suddenly. Violet is surprised that Phyllis left her a beautiful jewellery box in her will. When she goes to collect it, Maureen Bond, Phyllis’s best friend, tells Violet that Phyllis had become paranoid during her last days, and was convinced that someone was trying to kill her. When Maureen is pushed off her balcony, it becomes clear that something ominous is happening at Maple Grange.
The third outing for Violet & another well written, engrossing cosy mystery. Whilst it could easily be read on its own I’m thoroughly enjoying getting to know Violet but also some of the other residents of Merrywell. Strong characters, a well paced story, twists & turns had me reading this book in two sittings & an added bonus was I didn’t work out who the villain was
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

You can't help but be charmed by the village of Merrywell and it's community.

Book three in the Violet Brewster series which sees Violet unexpectedly inherit a jewerly box from a former customer that sees her plunged into the sinister goings on at Maple Grange and some amateur sleuthing is required.

I must admit I was really taken with the residents of Maple Grange I could see them clearly in the writing and development of the story.

This is a lovely village-set cosy mystery with a very well written main character. I have read the others in the series, but it would not be necessary to read them in order. Very good plot, but the first chapter did perhaps give the motive away.

Book 3 in the Violet Brewster Mystery Series.

Back to the sleepy Derbyshire village of Merrywell we go in this next instalment of this lovely series. Once again I was hooked from that intriguing prologue and flew through it in 2 sittings. And I had no idea who "did it" I love these books and look forward to seeing what Violet gets caught up in next time!

Violet Brewster has just finished a project at local retirement village Maple Grange, when she learns that one of the residents, Phyllis Gibson, has passed away suddenly.

Violet is surprised that Phyllis left her a beautiful jewellery box in her will. When she goes to collect it, Maureen Bond, Phyllis’s best friend, tells Violet that Phyllis had become paranoid during her last days, and was convinced that someone was trying to kill her.

When Maureen is pushed off her balcony, it becomes clear that something ominous is happening at Maple Grange. Violet is certain that the clues lie within the jewellery box. As the dangerous occurrences continue, can Violet find who is responsible before anyone else gets hurt?

This cosy mystery is the third book in the Violet Brewster series. In this instalment, Violet inherits a pretty jewellery box in the will of someone she knew, which comes as a surprise to her. She has a feeling that something isn't quite right, and decides to investigate the situation further.

I've read all of the books in this series so far, and I love how the author brings the characters and setting to life. I've become somewhat fond of the fictional village of Merrywell and its residents, I always enjoy the references to the Derbyshire locations that I'm familiar with too.

A cosy mystery like this is my ideal type of book to relax with, and this was a light, entertaining read with some surprising twists. I've enjoyed all of the series so far, and I hope to read more about Violet and the residents of Merrywell in future.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

3.5 stars

The third book in this series is a welcome return to the Derbyshire area and Violet Brewster. Once more, Jane Bettany proves that she can write an engaging protagonist who is fallible, personable and, above all else, genuine. I always feel that a cosy mystery in a small town/village setting requires strong characters, because the settings are usually quiet. And this book has many strong characters. And one thing I think many cosy mystery series do well is return to characters, even if it's to tie them to the new mystery briefly, and this book does just that. Reading this, I was reminded of the first book in the series, and how much fun it was when Violet interviewed the residents of the village about their memories.

Some of the new characters we meet in this book are what I think of as a delightful trope, a group of active, clever, and fun elderly woman. They all reside in a retirement community and they are wonderful in this story. And it's the contrast of the dark nature of the mystery against their vibrancy at, and times, vulnerability that make this mystery more engaging.

While I enjoyed the setup of this mystery and much of the investigation, I have to say the conclusion let me down. Not the reveal of the culprit, which I found surprising and clever, but the drawn out moments of explanation and the scenes where Violet faces the culprit. It felt too removed from the rest of the story and almost caperish, which is not the tone I've come to enjoy in this series so far.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for providing a copy of this book for an honest review.

Video link will be added soon.

First one of these I've read and found it very enjoyable.. Violet is a very likeable character and easy to like. I love the idea of The Memory Box too. An easy read but that is not a bad thing, reading should, after all be pleasurable. A perfect by the pool holiday read

Suspicious Circumstances..
The third outing in the Violet Brewster series of mysteries and a murder in a retirement home once again brings out the sleuth in Violet. With residents dropping like flies, and under more than suspicious circumstances, Violet determines to get to the bottom it. Another enjoyable and engaging instalment with a likeable protagonist, a colourful and credible cast of characters and a well imagined setting.

Murder at Maple Grange is the delightful third installment of the Violet Brewster mystery series. Violet has just completed a project at Maple Grange, a luxury retirement village, when she hears that one of the residents has passed away and has left a gorgeous jewelry box for Violet in her will. When Violet goes to collect the box, Maureen, another resident at the village, shares that she believes the death was actually murder. While Violet doesn't initially believe Maureen, she finds herself forced into investigating after someone pushes Maureen off her balcony. Who is trying to kill the residents of Maple Grange? And can Violet find the killer before they strike again?

Murder at Maple Grange is a fun cozy with a satisfying mystery. I continue to enjoy the characters and love the charming setting of Merrywell. I already can't wait to follow in Violet's next adventures.

Violet is once again pulled into a murder simply because she wants to help an friend and client who lives in a retirement community. The cast and setting are marvelous and the mystery more than satisfying.

Violet has just finished do a film of rememberance at the elderly home of Maple Grange, when she finds one of the women she interviewed was killed. Meeting with some of the others there, there is a dark overcast of more violence to come. A good story and kept me guessing who was the killer. Would recommend.

The owner of Merrywell's new videography business, Violet Brewster, has recently completed a nostalgia project about life in the 1950's and 60's requested by some of the residents of Maple Grange, a nearby retirement village. So she isn't surprised to receive a call from their head of resident services, Dawn Pilcher, what she learns however, does surprise and sadden her.

When she returns to Maple Grange to collect the jewellery box bequeathed to her by one of the stars of her short film she is asked by another resident, aware of her previous successes, to find the person responsible for her death. Not convinced she is needed Violet is forced to reconsider after an attack raises doubts about the safety of all remaining elderly residents and the reputation of the retirement village itself. As the danger increases will Violet work out what is happening and who else is in danger or will she find herself top of the killer’s list?

The third book in this entertaining and fun cosy series doesn't disappoint at all with main protagonists who are now familiar enough to revisit as friends. Violet is a likeable, fallible, investigator and I enjoy her discussions with the local police detective and other Merrywell residents alike. Hopefully there will be many more chances to visit Merrywell again the future.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, HQ/HQ Digital, but the opinions expressed are my own. This is a great read as are the two previous books in this new cosy series.