50 year old Alice Carroll is staring over. Her partner of 25 years has decided he no longer wants to be with her and is planning to travel the world. Alice decides to move to a small village in the Cotswold's and sets up an appointment to see a cottage that used to be a curiosity shop. She falls in love and immediately buys it. Then she is made redundant from the museum she worked at, so has to find a new job. She moves into her new home, and is getting ready to sell off or dispose of all the stock left behind when she gets a visit from the owner of the local paper. He informs her that the cottage is zoned for a store and she can't use it as solely residential. Not only that, but the lovely paddock next door with the donkeys that she loved is being developed as homes for rich city dwellers that want a quiet country home. When one of the workers at the site is found half buried in a compost heap in the allotments, Alice realizes that living in Little Pride might not be the quiet, minimalist life she envisioned.

Death at the Old Curiosity Shop is the first book in what I hope will become a new cozy mystery series. I enjoyed meeting Alice and her BFF, Danny. Both worked at the museum together and their expertise comes into play with the mystery and motive in this one. I also liked meeting some of the locals and hope to meet more in future books. They are a quirky bunch and several of them made me laugh. The mystery seemed straight forward and I was sure I had it figured out, but I was wrong. There were twists that I didn't see coming. I thought the story was well written and plotted and although a lot of the book was taken up meeting the characters and learning about the setting, the mystery was a good one. I am looking forward to seeing what is next for Alice, Danny, her friends and her neighbour, Robert. Maybe some romance in the offing.

In this new cozy mystery series by Debbie Young, readers join Alice Carroll at Curiosity Cottage, a beautiful trinket shop in Little Pride in the Cotswolds, as she is ready to live a new minimalist life as an independent woman post-break-up. Ready to sell the remaining stock and set up her own business, Alice had no idea that the villagers would be so attached to Curiosity Cottage and would put up a fight against her plans. When a dead body appears in a neighboring compost heap, Alice realizes that Little Pride and its inhabitants have a lot going on under the surface, and she is now at the heart of a murder mystery. A brilliant addition to the cozy village mystery genre, the location of Little Pride is charming in its small-town mentality (which presents some interesting obstacles for Alice) and beautiful Cotswolds setting. The characters really bring the setting and the mystery to life, so readers will love working with Alice to unscramble the village and its inhabitants to catch a killer in this fun new mystery novel. Following Alice in her first venture in store ownership and as a detective, cozy mystery readers will love this first book in a new series.

This was a delightful book to read and full of the joys of village life, from the gossips to the self appointed heroes to the nosy neighbours and the great friendships.

I really liked the character of Alice who finds herself in quite the pickle from the moment the book starts. From her relationship to her home to her car and her job. I like the way that Alice was relatable and funny, not someone who would be a pristine model of a person. Danny was also a shining light for me, I love the banter they share and how they have each others backs always.

It was an easy read for me, with seamless writing and enough twists and turns to keep me interested. There was quite the abrupt ending when some things got solved but not really investigated and other things are left unsolved. I wonder if this is the start of a brand new series that will hold bits and pieces over into next books?

Apart from that, the only thing I would change about this book was the title. There was no murder at all. Dastardly plots and villains aplenty but no-one kicked the bucket. Mischief and Mayhem in the Old Curiosity Shop?

I'd like to read more from this author and will keep my eyes out for more in this series!

Thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and Debbie Young for the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

**spoiler alert** Giving it 4 stars because it took too long to build up to the main event and it wasn’t even an actual death, so the titles kinda misleading.

Otherwise, the book is very interesting and well developed.

When Alice arrives in a little Cotswold village called Little Pride, she thinks it’s the perfect place to start her new life hoping to convert an old bookshop into a living premises. She soon thwarted by the local people as they wish the bookshop to continue as it is, however, that soon has a spanner in the works when the body is discovered within the shop.
This was a relatively quick and easy read, though I did not think it was as good as previous books by the author. Whilst this book was a new series, hopefully subsequent books now that we have been introduced to the character will be much more fulfilling.

Death at the Old Curiosity Shop is a delightful start to a new cozy mystery series. Full of all the drama and secrets of small-town life, combined with Alice's strength, curiousity, and determination to make a fresh start in this new phase of her life, give this mystery so many layers for readers to explore. I loved it!

An enjoyable cosy crime mystery set in a quaint Cotswold village. The characters were well written especially Alice, the former museum assistant turned antiques shop owner. Though the ending was a bit abrupt I realised there would be more of Alices adventures to come.

Overall, I very much enjoyed this cosy mystery. It was unusual for the investigation to start mid-way, but I didn't mind because it made sense to take the time to set up the lead character's backstory: a mature and relatable woman. The smalltown and cottage ambiance really makes for a whimsical decor. The plot was fresh and interesting, although not overly compelling. All in all, I'm looking forward to the next installment!

Enjoyed this one very much, another great British cozy suspense from author Debbie Young. Never disappoints, highly recommend!

3.5 stars - I always like a cosy mystery at this time of year, I enjoyed the small town vibes and the select group of characters as I found I was suspicious of them all. It was easy to recall who was who, and the writing style flowed. It was also refreshing to have a protagonist who was in their 50s, with the cast familiar ages. I did find the killer to be an obvious choice and despite the murder, the plot didn’t have a strong sense of urgency. I was a little disappointed that it took until halfway for the murder to take place and the ending was a little rushed. A huge thank you to Boldwood Books for sending me a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A cute cozy mystery centered around a small antique/curiosity shop. This book took a while to get going and then when it did the mystery wasn’t really all that exiting. I had an idea of the murderer from the first bit of the book and my thoughts turned out to be correct. There were a couple attempts at misdirection but they didn’t really work for me and I kept coming back to the same solution. This would be a good book for someone looking for something quick and light but I found it a bit lacking.

I received an advanced copy from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

My attention came and went from this book, I would call it more cozy than mystery. The mystery itself didn't really come into play until over halfway through the book. However the writing was well done and the characters were interesting. I was just expecting more of a mystery than I received and don't feel as if I was the target demographic as such. If you are looking for a cozy novel with elements of intrigue this would be great for you! 3.5 Stars

Debbie Young’s Death at the Old Curiosity Shop opens her latest cozy mystery series in the perfect setting: the enchanting village of Little Pride in the Cotswolds. When Alice Carroll, newly single, moves to Little Pride to start fresh, she takes over Curiosity Shop, filled with eclectic antiques and odd trinkets. But her quiet life is short-lived—locals are reluctant to let go of the shop’s past, and a body soon surfaces in a neighbor’s compost pile, complicating her plans for a fresh start.

Young’s narrative is rich with a palpable love for English village life, deftly portraying Little Pride as both charming and a bit unpredictable. Each chapter brings readers deeper into this fictional Cotswold village, where local fairs, quirky personalities, and tightly woven friendships draw Alice further into a mystery simmering beneath the town’s genteel facade. This isn’t a place where secrets stay hidden for long; everyone knows one another, and the gossip flows as freely as the tea.

Beyond the murder mystery, Young does a wonderful job exploring the warmth of community and the importance of connections in times of change. Her characters are full of humor and eccentricities, adding layers of charm and complexity to the story. Little Pride’s villagers feel like neighbors you’d know—each has their own quirks and loyalties that add depth to the town’s lively social tapestry.

It's refreshing to have a story told around people who are not in their 20s and 30s. Instead, we have Alice looking for a job in the latter part of her work life, her neighbour taking care of his granddaughter and overall avoiding the typical clichés.

For anyone who loves the Cotswolds and the idea of an English village with secrets, Death at the Old Curiosity Shop is a delight, filled with atmosphere and wit. This cozy mystery will leave readers eager to revisit Little Pride and its wonderfully peculiar residents.

If you're a fan of cozy mysteries, check out Debbie Young's latest novel, Death at the Old Curiosity Shop. Set in the charming Cotswold village of Little Pride, this book introduces us to Alice Carroll, who is looking to start fresh after a breakup. She moves into Curiosity Cottage, a quaint former bric-a-brac shop, only to find herself entangled in a local mystery when a body is discovered in her neighbor's compost heap.

I liked meeting Alice and her bestfriend Danny. They both worked at the museum until Alice was made redundant. Alice, is a warm and relatable character. Her curiosity and determination make her a natural sleuth, and she quickly becomes involved in the village’s mysteries.

The author nicely blends humor, intrigue, and a touch of romance, making this book a delightful escape. The picturesque setting and quirky and endearing villagers add to the charm, while the plot keeps you guessing until the very end. The ending felt kind of abrupt and loose to me, otherwise it was fun to read and I can't wait for more of this world.

This looks to be a great start to a promising series. Cozy mystery lovers check this!

This book is a wonderful start to a brand new cozy mystery series! We follow Alice as she navigates her adult life fresh from a breakup after 25 years. Due to various circumstances surrounding her, she finds herself in a new place meeting many new people and tries to form new friendships and bonds therein. There is also the potential for a new romance too as is pretty common in this genre, but we don't see it fully develop here. There's the promise of more to come!

The pace is pretty easygoing, so if you're looking for something that won't cause anxiety or goes too quick, this is definitely the place. It certainly lives up to the genre's initial promise of something cozy you can settle into. It also has a lesson or two to teach, as Alice's plans don't always come to fruition. Many can stand to learn this lesson too, as sometimes life doesn't go the way we expect but that it can lead us down paths far better for us mentally and physically. She also learns she's capable of far more than she'd ever thought before, having been thrust into this new life and mostly on her own.

"Death at the Old Curiosity Shop" gets 4 stars out of 5! It was very entertaining, a fun and peaceful start to a new series I'm excited to continue when the sequel releases next year.

Thanks for NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC.

I jumped at the chance to read this book, which is the latest in Debbie Young‘s new Cotswald mystery series

50-year-old Alice splits with her longtime partner who decides he wants to travel the world and this leaves her homeless. So she buys an old shop in a small Cotswold village, hoping to turn it into a cosy home. Unfortunately during this time she loses her job and then finds out that the shop was sold to a cheaply due to a clause in which says it has to remain a shop.

The story bimbles on rather like a pleasant but leisurely Sunday walk it’s not until some way into the story before we get our murder victim.

I suspect, however, this is one of those awkward first books and that the stories after this will be much more enjoyable

Thanks must go to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review

If contemporary cosy crimes are what you read
This is certainly one that you need!
The first in a series that is new,
A fun read I highly recommend to you.

Moving to live in the village of Little Pride
Alice Carroll believes she’s found the perfect place to reside.
A change of role, a new home, too,
A life full of change she is going through.

Assumptions made prove to be so wrong
From who lives where and to whom they belong.
With village characters to get to know
To a murder mystery to solve as along you go.

Friendships new and old are there to see,
Perhaps they’ll help solve the mystery?
A small community with surprises, too,
Make me look forward to more in this series to view!

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

Death at the Old Curiosity Shop by Debbie Young is a delightful cozy mystery that transports readers to the charming Cotswold village of Little Pride. Alice Carroll, newly single and ready for a fresh start, finds herself the owner of Curiosity Cottage, a quaint former shop. What begins as a simple plan to sell off leftover stock and settle into her new minimalist lifestyle soon turns complicated when the quirky villagers of Little Pride prove resistant to her changes—and a murder mystery drops right on her doorstep.

The discovery of a body buried in a neighbor’s compost heap adds a thrilling layer to the small-town charm, as Alice finds herself entangled in the investigation. Young masterfully balances the lighthearted atmosphere of village life with the intrigue of a whodunit, weaving in colorful characters who each add their own flavor to the story. The picturesque setting and lively community create a vivid backdrop for the mystery, and Alice’s fresh perspective as an outsider offers an entertaining entry point into the village’s hidden secrets.

With a satisfying mix of humor, mystery, and a touch of suspense, Death at the Old Curiosity Shop is a cozy escape perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and Fiona Leitch. While the plot unfolds at a leisurely pace, the engaging characters and charming setting make it an enjoyable read from start to finish. Alice’s sleuthing debut hints at more exciting adventures to come in this promising series.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'Death At The Old Curiosity Shop' by Debbie Young.

Such a gorgeous, easy, fun cosy mystery that had me hook, line and sinker!!! Well done Debbie on yet another absolutely addictive cosy mystery!!

I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVED this fantastic cosy murder mystery!! Such an absolutely brilliant start to what is guaranteed to be an addictive series!! I mean SERIOSULY Debbie WHEN is the next book in this 'The Cotswold Curiosity Shop Mysteries' coming out??? I looked on Amazon but it doesn't say!! I hope you are editing it as I type this because I need more of Alice and The Curiosity Shop in my life now!! I mean, just look at that absolutely amazing eye catching cover!! If that alone doesn't make you want to grab a copy then continue reading!! I really did love reading this book which took place in such a brilliant environment. I mean who doesn't love looking around curiosity shops and I loved "seeing" Alice setting it back up ready to reopen discovering new items with her. It wasn't just the shop that I loved but also exploring Little Pride, getting to know the community who live there and seeing the other businesses running. I felt like I had disappeared on holiday for a few hours. It was a shame it was only a few hours but that's how long it took me to zoom through the pages after not being able to put it down. I genuinely felt like I was in the storyline and I was devastated to come to the end and have to "unpack my suitcase", leave Little Pride and return to dreary rainy Wales. In this brilliant book we meet Alice Carroll who has had to move out of her house after her partner Steven decided he wanted to go find himself in India just after they had payed their last payment on their mortgage. If that wasn't enough for her she then loses her job at the museum after they made her redundant. She finds the perfect house for her in Little Pride but after buying it she discovers that her estate agent and her ex who was a lawyer and did the conveyancing for her failed to mention the fact that The Curiosity Shop has to legally be run as a business unless the council agreed to a change-of-use application. Along with that all the villagers are also determined to keep The Curiosity Shop going. Alice has no choice to open the shop. With the help from her friend and colleague Danny they get the shop up and running and after a few learning curves business is going well. However, when a body is found buried in her neighbours compost heap, the donkeys she fell in love with behind her home disappear, she discovers there is going to be new buildings where the donkeys were plus more Little Pride does not seem to be the perfect place to be. Alice was previously the museums Victorian specialist and was known as the museums sleuth so she is determined to discover the killer. Will Alice ever be able to settle in Little Pride? Will she discover who the killer is before they kill again? Grab your copy of this explosive start to what promises to be an addictive series now. I promise that you will not regret it!! With a storyline filed with mystery, humour, danger, friendship, murder, donkeys, stunning settings, twists, curios and much more what are you waiting for?? The storyline is multi-layered with mystery upon mystery and action upon action to keep the reader completely absorbed throughout without a moment to get bored. I went to put the book down at one point to do some washing but each time I went to put it down something happened and I just HAD to know what was going to happen next! In the end I completely devoured the book in one sitting of several hours and I was left needing more. I was absolutely gobsmacked by so many reveals that my jaw completely dropped. I was not expecting those twists at all Debbie so a MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS!! After I have read hundreds of crime books it is getting harder and harder to surprise me but you managed it hook, line and sinker!!! This book is truly one of those fantastic finds that you can read absolutely anywhere from the beach to in front of a fireplace. It doesn't matter where you read it because of Debbie's evocative writing skills you are guaranteed to be swept away to the beautiful village of Little Pride in no time!!! I loved that although this book is predominantly a murder mystery it also made me laugh so many times. Its perfect when you find a book like that that even when the storyline has death in it it still makes you laugh and lightens the mood!!!


Do not pick this up until you have cleared your schedules as you will not be able to put it down!!

I absolutely LOVED meeting Alice and getting to know her throughout this fantastic story. Alice is a strong, fierce and independent woman who is determined to make a new life for herself. Debbie does a fantastic job of building up the characterisation of Alice along with the villagers and other 50% of the book is dedicated to Alice settling in, sorting the shop out, meeting new villagers and building up the picture of Little Pride which I absolutely loved. Debbie then weaved the murder in and we continue getting to know the villagers. I was intrigued by Alice and the fact that she worked in a museum which I thought was fascinating. I really connected with her and became invested in her immediately and I truly cannot wait to meet hr again in the next book to see what she gets up to next and how she gets long at the Old Curiosity Shop. There was a wide range of characters in the storyline and I loved getting to know the community of Little Pride. We have Danny who is Alice's best friend and was her colleague who I really liked getting to know and "seeing" him help Alice, Danny's partner is Martin but Alice is not a fan of him and neither was I. Moving on to the villagers we have Andrew Gloster who is the editor of the 'Little Pride Parish News' which is like gospel to the villagers, Maudie Frampton who is an elderly lady with a fierce attitude, the horrid Terrence Bolt who is Alice's neighbour and is determined to build his housing estate by her shop, Suki Price who owns the 'Suki's Stores' and loves to gossip, Coralie who is a hairdresser and owns 'Coralie's Curls' who I really liked and Robert Sponge who is also Alice's neighbour. These are just some of the fantastic characters you will get to meet when you pick up this brilliant book and dive into Little Pride. Every single character as their own uniqueness along with flaws, quirks, strengths and weaknesses. However, many of them seem to use different names and hiding secrets so it is difficult to know who to rust. The fact that Debbie cares about her characters shines out of the pages with her fantastic character development. I am completely invested in each of the characters and Debbie portrayed village life and the characters perfectly. I live in a small village myself and Debbie has got it spot on, especially the gossip being rife! Alice and the rest of the characters have very quickly become like friends that I look forward to catching up with and Debbie's fantastic and evocative writing skills really make them jump out of the pages and come to life in front of the reader. Every one of her characters are well developed, strong and most importantly realistic!! I am looking forward to meeting them all again in the next book in this fantastic series and seeing how friendships and relationships with all the other characters develop. I'm really looking forward to seeing what all these fantastic and memorable characters get up to in the not so distant future!!!

Congratulations Debbie on yet another absolutely addictive book and an amazing start to what promise to be an addictive series!!! Here's to many more successes 🥂

Overall an addictive cosy mystery set in a stunning area that you won't be able to put down!!

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Death at the Old Curiosity Shop is the first in a promising new series from Young. Being the first I've read by this author it was a brilliant introduction to her writing style and a was a fantastic little story to boot!

Without further ado it was time to pack our suitcase and head off to the village of Little Pride tucked away in the glorious Cotswolds.

I always love to make new friends and meet new faces, so an impromptu visit to the Curiosity Shop was needed. The characters were diverse in range. I found myself immediately forging a connection with Alice and hope she will be one of the recurring characters throughout the series.

Death at the Old Curiosity Shop is an easy to read cosy mystery. I flew through the book in an afternoon with the whole 'just one more chapter' losing its way.

An enjoyable and addictive read