Note: Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and author Louise Marley for the advanced reader copy of this book. What follows is my unbiased review of the book.

Murder at Raven’s Hollow is the third book in author Louise Marley’s An English Village Mystery series. Despite not having read earlier books in the series, I had no issue following the characters here.

There’s an old greenhouse of sorts in the woods behind where D.S. Harriet March lives in the town of Raven’s Edge. The owners of the property have set their eyes on restoring this antique glass house to its former glory. Unfortunately, as they are cleaning the area inside the old house, they stumble across a skeleton. At first, they think it’s animal bones, but they turn out to be human.

As D.S. March and D.I. Ben Taylor investigate the decades-old mystery, they look back nearly thirty years into missing persons cases. This dates back to when Harriet’s father was on the force. They find out he investigated the case of a missing police officer and wrote off his disappearance to running away with a lover. As they look into that officer’s background, everything seems to contradict what is in the official report, putting Harriet on the defensive.

At the same time, there’s a new resident in town. Famous novelist Irene Evergreen has ties to the town and has moved into Raven’s Hollow, a mansion that belonged to her ancestors at one time. Her great-grandfather is the stuff of legends in the area, having gone out for a walk one day and seemingly disappeared off the face of the Earth. Soon after moving in, someone breaks into Raven’s Hollow and nearly kills Iris. She manages to defend herself, but in the process, she kills the intruder. Afraid that events in her past will mean the police won’t believe her story, she dumps the body out on the road, hoping he will be written off as the victim of a hit-and-run.

These seemingly unrelated cases actually are, but it means that Harriet is about to learn some uncomfortable truths about her family and childhood.

It took me a while to really get into Murder at Raven’s Hollow. The story jumps around between different time periods, and at times this made it hard to figure out what was going on. It was also hard to follow in terms of the descriptions of the people involved. The body was discovered where Harriet lives now, which I thought, at first, was the home that was being depicted in the flashbacks. It wasn’t, however, and it was only once I finished the book that I understood that I had two people confused.

The mystery here is good, though. I didn’t guess what actually had happened at all, although there were many clues. Harriet is an interesting character, but she retreats into herself when she’s not working and doesn’t have a wide circle of friends outside of her job. Perhaps there’s a reason for it, though. She’s living in the shadow of her deceased police officer father who was a hero in town when he saved three people from drowning, although it cost him his own life. He died when she was young, so all she has of him is the larger-than-life reputation. Her mother, meanwhile, seems to be the most selfish woman on the planet, only wanting her daughter around when it can benefit her. It makes it hard to maintain relationships with people when you’re taught that love is transactional.

Iris also makes a compelling character as she’s trying to learn the truth about her own family. There are ghosts in her past and she seems to carry many burdens that weigh her down. Despite being a famous author, she rejects the limelight and is afraid of tabloids delving too far into her past. She also shies away from relationships, but Raven’s Edge has a way of drawing people in with its quirkiness and soon finds herself involved with a local bookseller.

I did like Murder at Raven’s Hollow and gave it four stars. I had a little bit of trouble following it and getting into it, but once I did it drew me right in. If I’d read the earlier books I might have had an easier time following the characters, but I didn’t feel like I was missing out on much by not having read them. The characters are interesting and the setting is quirky and fun enough that I wanted to visit this eerie town.

Book Review: Murder at Raven's Hollow by Louise Marley

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Hey everyone! I just finished Murder at Raven's Hollow by Louise Marley, and I have to say, it was such a delightful read! I dove into this cozy mystery expecting a chill evening, and boy, did it deliver on all fronts.

So, the story kicks off with a bang—or should I say a bone? Underneath an old Victorian greenhouse, a skeleton is discovered, sending local detectives DS Harriet March and DI Ben Taylor on a wild journey through Raven's Edge's shadowy past. Just when you think you've got it all figured out, the plot thickens with the arrival of a mysterious novelist named Iris Evergreen. She's taken up residence in the eerie Raven's Hollow mansion, which has been sitting empty for ages. Harriet soon finds herself unearthing family secrets that are as tangled as the weeds in the greenhouse.

As if things weren't already suspenseful enough, a snowstorm rolls in, and another body turns up—this one still warm! Talk about keeping you on your toes! The way this author weaves together past and present is brilliant; it had me second-guessing everything until the very last page.

What I loved most about this book is how well it stands on its own. Even though it's part of a series, I had no trouble getting into the story or connecting with the characters. Harriet and Ben are super likable, and their dynamic adds an extra layer of charm to the narrative. The pacing was spot-on, and the writing was so engaging that I found myself lost in this quaint village filled with intrigue.

Overall, Murder at Raven's Hollow is a gem for fans of cozy mysteries. If you're into stories that blend suspense with charm and a dash of romance, definitely give this one a read! I can't wait to see what Louise Marley comes up with next!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

Thank you, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for letting me review this book.

Murder at Raven’s Hollow by Louise Marley is the third book in this cozy murder mystery, An English Village Mystery. This had twists after twists. I love that! It had me at the first page and I enjoyed the entire ride!

When DS Harriet March discovers human bones under the old glasshouse, behind the local florist, this causes a web of hidden secrets to become uncovered. The web of secrets includes the arrival of Iris Evergreen, the novelist. When, DS Harriet begins to piece the puzzle together, a heavy snowfall blankets the village. But now there is a freshly dead body found.

Is the original killer of the decade’s old human bones, and now this other body found, still alive and well? The past and present merge together, even uncovering DS Harriet’s own family past. Is the killer after Harriet? Will they find out who the killer is before it’s too late?

The best part of this was the shock factor of what Harriet has to go through. I was shocked and couldn’t put this book down, multiple times. It was fascinating, and I cannot wait to read the other two books in this series! Get ready for shock factor and twists that will make your eyes go wide open!

This is the 3rd book in the series but it can be read as a standalone. I really struggled to get into this one. Great characters but it just felt that for most of the book it just wasn’t making much sense. Eventually it all joins up and things start to make sense and its then that the book becomes more enjoyable, but not enough to get the 4th star from me.

Murder at Raven's Hollow is the third book in the English Village Mystery series, and I enjoyed it just as much as the first two. It's a complex, intricate mystery with an interesting setting that feels very atmospheric. This is an engaging mystery that held my attention from beginning to end.

In this edition of the series, the author weaves a captivating story filled with intrigue and well written characters. I liked how this one focused more on Harriet, and we got to know more about her and her past. For Harriet, this case is both professional and personal. This adds another level to the story.

I truly feel like this could be read as a
standalone even though I do suggest reading the first two books as they are also excellent.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Murder at Raven's Hollow was an intriguing, atmospheric read that kept me hooked with its mix of mystery and dark family secrets. The discovery of the skeleton beneath the Victorian greenhouse immediately drew me in, and the eerie vibe of Raven's Edge was the perfect setting for the unfolding investigation. DS Harriet March is a compelling protagonist, and I appreciated her determination to uncover the truth, even when it hit too close to home.

The plot itself was well-paced, and the addition of Iris Evergreen, the mysterious novelist, added an extra layer of intrigue. I liked the connection between the past and present, and how Harriet's family history was tied to the secrets buried in the village. The suspense was palpable, especially with the arrival of a fresh murder just as the mystery was beginning to unravel.

That said, while the story was engaging, there were moments where the pacing felt uneven, and some of the secondary characters didn't feel as fully developed as I would have liked. The resolution, too, was satisfying but not entirely unexpected. Despite these few minor flaws, it was an enjoyable read for anyone who loves a good, moody mystery with a dash of gothic atmosphere. I’d definitely recommend it to fans of classic whodunnits with a modern twist.

I see that this is the third book in the series. I have not read the first two but found no difficulty in reading it as a standalone. But I may have to go back and read them because I am anxious for the next one to see where the characters go from here. It was that compelling. A famous writer returns to the village with a huge amount of emotional luggage although sparse in furniture. She has some dark secrets that she wants to keep secret but events are going to overwhelm her and she will have to confront them. And with her arrival, deeper and darker secrets are about to be revealed when a body is found.

This had so many twists and unexpected revelations, it was a joy to read and almost impossible to put down. The characters are all flawed and that makes them fascinating. Even once I had twigged to the biggest secret in the book, it was still able to surprise and delight me. Five purrs and two paws up.

I enjoyed the previous books in this series, and it was good to return to the same rural English village of Raven's Edge and meet some of the same, familiar, characters. As a series progresses, some of these familiar characters, you discover, have become not just acquaintances, but friends to enjoy meeting up with again.

No spoilers, but buried bones and buried secrets form the main part of this mystery plot that has to be unravelled by our police detectives as the investigation digs deeper. (Pun intended!)

The author takes her characters on an intriguing journey which should interest and entertain readers who like to get engrossed in a good murder mystery.

My only slight disappointment was that this was a mystery for the characters, not the reader, as the plot and outcome is made obvious quite early on - so a good story but my personal enjoyment for this genre is working out 'whodunit'.

There were a few red herrings, a couple which didn't seem to reach a conclusion, and maybe the plot was a tad far-fetched in places but so what? I was still engrossed and thoroughly enjoyed my visit to this charming (if somewhat murderous, LOL) English village.

This is the third in the series and it does stand alone, so if you haven't read the other two it doesn't matter - but I'd suggest starting at the begining in order to get to know the characters as they develop.

I reviewed this on Amazon.co.uk

Murder at Raven’s Hollow by Louise Marley is a delicious cosy mystery with Gothic undertones perfect for curling up with.

DS Harriet March and DI Ben Taylor are no strangers to gruesome surprises in their line of work. But even they find themselves perturbed by the morbid discovery of decades-old bones found behind the local florist’s greenhouse. As they begin to dig deep into the past of Raven’s Edge, they cannot shake off this feeling that something even more chilling is about to come their way. With enigmatic novelist Iris Evergreen coming to the village to take over Gothic monstrosity Raven’s Hollow, things get even spookier for Harriet when she makes a shocking discovery connecting the skeleton and her own family…

With a snowfall blanketing the village making life even more difficult for Harriet and Ben, their investigation is further derailed by another body found in a snowdrift outside Raven’s Hollow. The past and present have collided in the most menacing way possible. Can a killer with a dangerous vendetta be brought to justice? Or will a murderer with a determination to keep the past dead and buried go to desperate lengths to keep old sins hidden from sight?

Louise Marley certainly knows how to write an enjoyable mystery that keeps readers on the edge of their seat and with Murder at Raven’s Hollow, she has penned an unpredictable, chilling and exciting tale where the pages just turn themselves. So gripping that it’s an absolute struggle to put it down, Murder at Raven’s Hollow is a fantastic cosy mystery by Louise Marley perfect for Faith Martin and Joy Ellis fans.

This is the 3rd book in An English Village Mystery by Louise Marley. DS Harriet Match and DI Ben Taylor characters delve into the troubled past her mind racing with questions. As the past unfolds, creating a narrative that keeps us engaged from the beginning to the end. This is a mystery with police procedural elements with a touch of suspense. If you enjoy mysteries books that linger in your mind, then you will love this book. I can't wait to read book #4. Highly recommended!

Interesting and enjoyable mystery. It's book three in the series, and while I haven't read the first two books in the series, I didn't have too much trouble following along. My attention was easily captured, and held, by the characters, the plot, and the location - I've always wanted to visit an English village. If I never see one in person, I love that I can visit one within the pages of a book. There are some dual-timeline moments, which are seamlessly added for some backstory, and help to enrich the story without bogging it down. And I really like the cover.
Highly recommend

Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

Murder At Raven's Hollow is the third book in a series. Having not read the others, I found it worked very well as a standalone.

D.S. Harriet March and D.I. Ben Taylor are investigating a murder after human bones are discovered at Raven’s Hollow under the ruins of an old greenhouse. I found the book brought the village and scenes to life very vividly, and the characters were unique and interesting. March’s mother in particular, a raging narcissist, was one of my favourite characters.

The mystery is indeed intriguing and I enjoyed the plotting as the connections between the various characters in the village are gradually revealed.
Murder At Raven's Hollow is a decent cozy mystery that I enjoyed reading, but not special enough to make me seek out the other books in the series.

My thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for giving me a free copy of this book. All my reviews are 100% honest and unbiased, regardless of how I acquire the book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this book and read it in one day. I loved the twists in this book. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline. I would definitely recommend this book.

I didn't discover this series until I came across the third book, and what a twisted, intricate plot it was! I absolutely loved it! While this story can be enjoyed on its own, it also brings back familiar characters like DI Ben Taylor, Milla, and DS Harriet March, along with the influential Graham family, which made the backstory even more engaging for those in the know. Plus, the mysteries are truly captivating, making it well worth reading on its own.

This is the third book in this mystery series set in the fictional English town of Raven’s Edge. It is readable as a standalone mystery. Detective Sergeant Harriet March is not happy when bones are discovered under the local florists’ greenhouse. This is close to home as she lives in the flat she rents from her florist friends, Gabriel and Amelia. When DS March and Detective Inspector Taylor delve into the mystery, things get more complex as it ties in secrets in Harriet’s family’s past as well as Iris Evergreen, newly transplanted novelist living at Raven’s Hollow mansion. Lots of interesting twists and turns to this story and worth the time and enjoyment of reading it.

I jumped into this series at this book, by accident! I now realize why I was confused and had a bit of trouble following some things in the book. Even with that I still really enjoyed the book and how have to go back and read books 1 & 2 to see what I missed.

#MurderatRavensHollow
#NetGalley

The local flower shop in Ravens Edge Foxglove & Hemlock are undergoing some renovation in their back garden and whilst digging around in the raised beds, bones are discovered! At first they thought there were the bones of a dead dog but in actual fact there are human remains!

DS Harriet March called it in and soon it is discovered that the remains have a connection not only to a cold case but to Harriet’s family! It was great to see more from Harriet in this book as she comes to terms with her family’s past and at times put her life on the line.

i adore the setting of Ravens Hollow and honestly akin it to the Midsomer Murder TV show, I can’t wait to see where this series goes especially if Harriet has a potential love interest.

Ravens Hollow is the third in Marley's English Village Mystery series. Each book in the series reads as a standalone.

It kicks off from the opening pages when human bones are located beneath the greenhouse of the local florist, and with a body being found in the snow later on in the book the action doesn't let up.

Told across dual timelines, Marley takes us on a gripping, yet mysterious cosy crime thriller centred in the fictitious village of Raven's Edge.

March and Taylor are both fantastic characters and are fast becoming favourite characters whose continued stories I look forward to reading.

An enjoyable, engaging and thoroughly enjoyable read.

I rather enjoyed reading Murder at Raven’s Hollow by Louise Marley I had difficulty putting the book down as I needed to learn more about the characters, how they are connected and what happened. I found that the sections of past memories gave small details of what occurred and reflecting hints to think about. No red herrings but small twists which keeps a reader guessing. Near the end I was completely surprised, stunned and stumped of who did what and who was behind certain events. A cliffhanger leaving a reader with unanswered questions and waiting with baited breath on what will happen next

The discovery of old bones beneath a greenhouse brings DS Harriet March her latest case. The fact that the greenhouse is in the grounds of the flat she rents from her florist friends Gabriel and Amelia makes it even more of a problem. How long have the bones been there? And who might be hiding secrets from the past? As Harriet and her partner DI Ben Taylor delve into the mystery, it becomes clear that some secrets may be better left buried.

I loved the magical references to the village and the slightly spooky atmosphere around it. This is a complex tale, full of twists and turns, as we get to know the people involved. Novelist Iris Evergreen is especially mysterious. But what could she have to do with the village? I found her fascinating. I liked Harriet too. She has a strength and sense of purpose. When it became clear her own family history was entwined with the history of the village, it gave the story an extra spark.  I loved the mystery, but also the joy. Well written and engaging.