It's another engaging instalment in this cosy mystery set in a country town with a dark past. I like the supernatural ethos in which the crimes and investigations occur; it gives the story a refreshing uniqueness. The discovery of human bones in a wild garden leads to a twisty tale that directly impacts Harriet, a detective in the murder investigation team. The mystery is intricately constructed with snippets from the past gradually informing current events. I like the characters, the dynamic between Harriet and her boss, Ben and the menacing mystery that prevails throughout.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

When decades-old human bones are discovered beneath the old glasshouse behind Foxglove & Hemlock, the local florist, DS Harriet March and DI Ben Taylor find themselves digging into Raven's Edge's murky past. As a frosty wind whips down the cobblestoned lanes of the village, the two detectives feel an ominous chill that has nothing to do with the weather…

The discovery coincides with the arrival of enigmatic novelist Iris Evergreen at Raven's Hollow, a gothic monstrosity of a mansion that's been sitting empty for years. Harriet is shocked to uncover a web of hidden secrets connecting the skeleton, Raven's Hollow and, most alarmingly, her own family history. Just as Harriet begins to piece together the puzzle, a heavy snowfall blankets the village. And there, half-buried in a snowdrift outside Raven's Hollow, lies another body – this one still warm. As sirens wail in the distance, Harriet realises with a shiver that this killer is anything but history.

I really enjoyed Marley's writing style and storytelling. She's a new (to me) author, and I'll be back for more of her mysteries. I don't read as many British authors, so this was a real treat for me! I enjoyed following Harriet and uncovering the story with her, and was surprised by twists and turns I didn't see coming. I highly recommend this if you enjoy British mysteries! 4⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

Murder at Raven's Hollow is the third English village cozy mystery in a series by Louise Marley. Due out 3rd Jan 2025 from Storm Publishing, it's 356 pages and will be available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free (at publication). The first books in the series are also currently available on KU.

It's told in a dual timeline scattershot format with glimpses of the past interspersed as they play into the current day (human remains discovered in the course of an abandoned greenhouse renovation). It's a hybrid village cozy and credible procedural with a likeable and competent lead investigative duo. The author does a great job with the setting, and there's a sort of creepy, gothic vibe to the village which is less than jump-scare territory and more vague uneasy dread.

The prologue scene is moderately terrifying and it takes a long while for the story to circle back around to resolution. There are twists and surprising interconnections aplenty and amateur armchair sleuths will likely not guess all the wrinkles before the end. The denouement and resolution are not 100% finished in this volume and strongly foreshadow at least one more book to come.

It's the third book in the series with developing characters, but it works well enough as a standalone, with the codicil that there will be slight spoilers from the earlier books if read out of order.

Four stars. Very well written and engaging story, well told. It would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, cozy(ish) procedural fans, or a nice binge/buddy read.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Murder at Raven’s Hollow intrigued me from the very beginning. The story kept me hooked, and I really enjoyed the way everything came together at the end!
I haven’t read any other books in the serious, and maybe if I had I wouldn’t have struggled to keep up with the characters. Each chapter is told from one character’s POV, and it varies between several different characters. I think it would’ve been helpful if each chapter listed whose POV we were reading.

Even with the POV confusion, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I thought it had good character development, and I found myself wanting to read the others in the series to know even more about them.

This was my first read by Ms. Marley, and I must say, she's made an impression. Slightly gothic while fully modern, just enough of a 'creepy' feel to things to keep me slightly on-edge while eagerly turning pages, Murder at Raven's Hollow is a convoluted, certainly entertaining read. I particularly enjoyed the occasional look back to 25 years prior, when one of the major incidents happened. This was nicely shadowed and only revealed near the very end. I also liked how relationships were strengthened in the story as events unfolded.

Well done.

I received an ARC; this is my honest review.

Thank you to @rachelsrandomresources for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve read the previous two books in this series and have really enjoyed both, this one sways just the same - if not more murderous and insane!

There was so much going on in this one, so many twists and secrets unveiled that had been kept for years and some revealed by pure accident. Harriett is our main character this time, we have met her in the others but this one reveals more about her history, family and hero father. There’s new and old bodies, new villagers and we meet some of the old regulars too and find out more about them.

As the secrets are revealed, others will do anything to keep them hidden and the story really picks up. I love Louise’s writing, so easy to read that I binged this in less than 24 hours whilst ill with the flu. I’m so looking forward to meeting more of the villages residents, and hope I’m not waiting too long for the next instalment. If you’re a fan of murder mysteries set in quaint villages, go check this series out.

bookscoffeebrews Book Review: Murder at Ravens
Hollow (An English Village Mystery #3)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Louise Marley @louisemarleywrites
Publisher: Storm Publishing @stormbooks_co
Thank you @netgalley for ARC

What a cozy English mystery and it was such a delight
to find a new series to read. Underneath a Victorian
Greenhouse in the village of Ravens Edge a bunch of
human bones are found. At the same time, novelist Iris
Evergreen moves to Raven’s Hollow a gothic mansion
that has been empty for years. Detectives Harriet and
Ben delve into the mystery. It seems as they
investigate, Harriet is finding out that some of these
secrets that may be connected to the bones might be
connected to her too. A winter storm comes in and
drops a bunch of snow in the village. Another body is
found just outside of Ravens Hollow. The two
detectives start to wonder if the killer is connected to
the bones that were recently found under the
greenhouse. It seems that Iris Evergreen is in Raven’s
Edge to look into her family roots and her father. She
starts to wonder if he could be the one buried under
the greenhouse. As characters past and present and
many town secrets come together, will they all be
connected. In the end it will be interesting to see who
will survive and who will the murderer may be? Not
everybody in this village is who you think they are.
The ending was a bit surprising, but it does link all the
characters together. I just feel the ending wasn’t quite
as complete as I thought it should be. But in all
honesty, this is a series and it may be that the next
book will complete the ending of this book I did enjoy
this book and I love a book that has cats in it. This was
a great find and such a surprise to find a new cozy
mystery for me to read.

#CozyMystery #EnglishMystery #CozyReads
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#BritishMystery #DetectiveSeries #MurderMystery
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A story where the past and present collide
With deaths, hidden truths and more besides!
Planning on restoring a greenhouse was the idea
Finding a buried body wasn’t the intention, that’s clear!

DS Harriet March and DI Ben Taylor are on the case
Looking for clues, anything seeming out of place.
There are family secrets and revelations, too,

Someone new comes to Raven’s Hollow to reside
She’s an author with a past she hopes to hide.
But she’s also searching for her Dad.
Surely that can’t trigger something bad?

A story that shows folks can be both good and bad,
Accidents can happen especially when folks are mad.
An enthralling read with twists and surprises
Along with family secrets no one previously realises!

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

Murder at Raven's Hollow by Louise Marley is a chilling and atmospheric cozy mystery that expertly weaves together past and present in the snow-draped village of Raven's Edge. The unearthing of a skeleton beneath a Victorian greenhouse sets the stage for a gripping investigation led by the determined DS Harriet March and DI Ben Taylor. As they delve deeper into the secrets of Raven's Hollow and its mysterious new resident, Iris Evergreen, the tension steadily builds. Louise Marley crafts an intricate web of family secrets, gothic intrigue, and small-town drama, keeping readers engaged until the final reveal. While the pacing occasionally lags in the middle, the richly drawn setting and compelling characters more than make up for it. A perfect read for fans of atmospheric mysteries with a dash of romance and plenty of twists.

This is my 1st time reading this author. I enjoyed the book and liked how she was able to tie all of the pieces together. The mystery kept me guessing.

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

Finally, we learn that twenty-five-year-old crimes have occurred in Raven's Edge. In this book, DS Harriet March plays the leading role. DI Ben Taylor is unravelling the crimes, but his romance with Milla Graham is on hold. A new character, Iris Evergreen, appears in the story. The story is full of twists and fun. I loved reading it.

When decades-old human bones are discovered beneath the old glasshouse behind Foxglove & Hemlock, the local florist, DS Harriet March and DI Ben Taylor find themselves digging into Raven's Edge's murky past. The discovery coincides with the arrival of enigmatic novelist Iris Evergreen at Raven's Hollow, a gothic monstrosity of a mansion that's been sitting empty for years. Harriet is shocked to uncover a web of hidden secrets connecting the skeleton, Raven's Hollow and, most alarmingly, her own family history.
Then another body is found in the village near to Harriet’s mother’s house
The third book in the series & whilst it could be read on its own I have to read series from the beginning as I love how the characters develop. I thoroughly enjoyed this book which had flashbacks to events of a quarter of a century ago. I really like both Ben & Harriet & love their working relationship & how they feed off each other. I also like the secondary characters who are also engaging. The case is interesting & I loved how all the loose ends, which seemed unrelated were gradually tied together. There are surprises, as well as twists & turns before everything is revealed. I look forward to the next in the series
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

The third book in this series is just as brilliant as the previous ones. Twists, turns and just as you think you’ve worked it out then there’s yet another twist! This keeps you guessing right to the end. When bones are found in the garden behind the florist Foxglove & Hemlock DS Harriet March and DI Ben Taylor find themselves looking into the murky past of Raven’s Edge and its residents, past and present. While this is going on novelist Iris Evergreen moves into Raven’s Hollow the gothic mansion that has been empty for years. A brilliant storyline, fantastic characters, atmospheric and full of mystery this is such a great read that I highly recommend. Thank you to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC

What a delight to discover this series!
From the first page, I fell in love with Raven’s Edge and its fabulous residents. The houses are all ancient, there’s that kind of eerie yet friendly atmosphere. After finishing the book, I dare say I love the series as much as I love Cormoran Strike’s adventures by Robert Galbraith, and that’s saying something!

The Blurb
Beneath the ruins of a Victorian greenhouse, a skeleton is unearthed – and with it, years of buried secrets in Raven’s Edge…

When decades-old human bones are discovered beneath the old glasshouse behind Foxglove & Hemlock, the local florist, DS Harriet March and DI Ben Taylor find themselves digging into Raven’s Edge’s murky past. As a frosty wind whips down the cobblestoned lanes of the village, the two detectives feel an ominous chill that has nothing to do with the weather…

The discovery coincides with the arrival of enigmatic novelist Iris Evergreen at Raven’s Hollow, a gothic monstrosity of a mansion that’s been sitting empty for years. Harriet is shocked to uncover a web of hidden secrets connecting the skeleton, Raven’s Hollow and, most alarmingly, her own family history.

Just as Harriet begins to piece together the puzzle, a heavy snowfall blankets the village. And there, half-buried in a snowdrift outside Raven’s Hollow, lies another body – this one still warm. As sirens wail in the distance, Harriet realises with a shiver that this killer is anything but history. The past and present have collided in Raven’s Edge, will DS Harriet March be the one to pay the price?

Relatable characters
I wanted to get on a plane and travel to Raven’s Edge – maybe not Raven’s Hollow – as soon as I started reading this book. I wanted to meet the barista of The Crooked Cookies, or whatever crunchy name the cafe has. All shops and restaurants in Raven’s Edge have a halloweenesk feel — something I can appreciate.

The characters draw you in. Harriet, of course, but Ben too, and Milla. Even Harriet’s bizarre mother, if only to tell her to please be a bit nicer to her special daughter. I think the somewhat wrought relationships in the book make it so relatable, and maybe that’s what made me think of the Strike series when I read it because Robin, but certainly Cormoran regularly has to deal with tiring family and personal relationships. Robert Galbraith’s books are a lot scarier, though. Murder at Raven’s Hollow belongs in the cozy mystery corner. It never got to the point that I felt the need to check if the front door was locked. Although I love, love, love the Cormoran Strike series, my nerves do get battered as you can read in my review of The Running Grave.

Number three
Maybe I fell in love with this series even before the first page. The cover is so cool. It oozes mystery and intrigues behind closed doors. As the third in a series, it can definitely be read on its own. Although if you are anything like me, you will swiftly move onto the first and second book. I must say that I thought the first book Murder at Raven’s Edge was far scarier. I listened to the audioversion and was actually glad to already know some of my favourite people made it to book three.

For me, this book is five out of five stars

Thank you, Storm Publishing, for providing Murder at Raven’s Hollow for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This is the third entry in Marley's English Village Mystery series but the first I have read. I didn't feel like this was an issue so can be read as a standalone book. There are plenty of twists and turns, red herrings and suspects will leave you guessing till the end and held my interest nicely, I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was the first book I have read in the series but it was fine as a stand-alone. Plenty going on all through it. Great backstory about lives of the detectives. Enough twists and turns to keep me guessing as it was hard to keep up with them all. Look forward to the next offering. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

This is the third in this series and the second book I have read by this author. The first book, Death at Ravens Edge, was engaging and so I started to read this one with high expectations. I was not disappointed and thought this book was better than the first.

The story starts off at a good pace with a short prologue of events from 25 years earlier. The following story entwines past and present incidents with murders, hidden bodies, deception and misdirection.

The main characters and their relationships are nicely developed. Overall, there is a nice balance of drama, intrigue and romance with some unexpected twists throughout. This story held my attention from the start and I am looking forward to further books in this series.

This is the first book that I have read by Louise Marley and I must admit, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Foxglove and Hemlock florist shop is housed in a once grand old house, the grounds are enclosed by forest and in the grounds, hidden, engulfed by creepers, bushes and trees, is an old , windowless glass house that the owners, Amelia Locke and Gabriel Fox, had decided to restore. When human bones were discovered buried in the glass house, it was too close to home for DS Harriette Marsh, she rented an apartment in the massive old house.
Harriett and her boss, DI Ben Taylor, started searching for missing persons in the cold cases in an attempt to find who the skeleton belonged to.
This story is written over two timelines but it flows beautifully, it is a very complex, complicated story that keeps you guessing, it had me gripped from beginning to end, several stories are intertwined including the young woman who had taken up residence at Raven's Hollow, a creepy, old gothic mansion, that woman was author Iris Evergreen, a woman who had secrets.
As the body count escalates, the intrigue in this mysterious old village and it's equally intriguing inhabitants draw you in.
The twists and turns continue, Harriette, her past, her family and her dead, hero father are drawn into the mystery and just when you think that the mystery has been solved, the story takes another flip.
I love how the author has illustrated with words the creepy, mysterious settings, but has managed to keep a cosy feel, likeable characters and interest until the last page, this story has suspense, intrigue and enchantment with a bit of romance thrown in for good measure.
Thank you Net Gallery for this ARC, my review is voluntary.

2⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of Murder At Raven’s Hollow.

Harriet has a very rare day off from her police officer job until she unearths human remains. She finds out that this was a murder and that it took place over two decades ago. But while she is investigating she finds out things about her own past that change everything she thought she knew.

This book is actually the third book in a series but I did not read the previous two books before reading this one. I do feel like it was difficult to connect either the characters and the writing style was not my favorite either. Overall I felt like the story was very drawn out and it jumped around too much for me.

Murder At Raven’s Hollow by Louise Marley is a contemporary cosy crime novel that I enjoyed. It is the third book in An English Village Mystery series but can be read as a stand-alone.
The village is a close-knit community with an eclectic mix of characters. They are realistic and provoke a variety of emotional responses from the reader – many are liked, one I decidedly did not (but this was a guided response by the author).
A normal autumnal day soon takes a mysterious turn as human bones are found under a glass house floor. Whose could they be? And how long have they been there? There appears to be three likely candidates from years ago. The police must work out just who it is.
We see that characters are not wholly black or white but a blend of grey. However, one character definitely has a black heart and has been manipulating others for years and without remorse.
A village community throws up some interesting relationships as characters find themselves sharing DNA which they were unaware of!
A character looked up to her father and followed in his footsteps. A surprising secret from the past is unearthed which leaves her questioning.
We see how our early lives affect us into adulthood. The truth lay dormant as it could not be faced and therefore a more palatable story was told.
Some characters just attract bad luck but the truth needs to be confronted.
I thoroughly enjoyed Murder At Raven’s Hollow. It was an entertaining novel. I did not always follow the links to the action. I think that was because I read a kindle copy. I think a paperback would have made following the action easier as one can flick backwards.
Murder At Raven’s Hollow would translate perfectly into the early evening cosy crime slot on television.
I received a free copy from Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.