dachshunds, new-beginnings, new-series, new-to-me-author, small-business, small-town, antiques, upcycle, unpleasant-neighbors, local-gossip, local-law-enforcement, sly-humor, amateur-sleuth, Norfolk, suspense, falsely accused, contemporary, secrets, lies, bullies*****

An unusual and interesting cozy with a very nice MC and family, an equally nice falsely accused, and half a village of sneaky secret holders. The victim was just about to break out of his rut when he was struck down. Then the suspects started crawling out of the woodwork! Good read.
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected digital galley from Kensington Publishing | A John Scognamiglio Book via NetGalley. Thank you!
Avail May 27, 2025 #ThePottingShedMurder by Paula Sutton #HillHouseVintageMurderMysteryBk1
@KensingtonPublishing #CozyMystery

(3.5 rounded down) This was a sweet, cozy murder mystery that made some interesting authorial choices that I don’t usually see in cozies - different character perspectives (including those of suspects) and a main character/detective who is extremely empathetic and kind. I also loved the setting in this - a small village in the English countryside. Clearly, Paula Sutton lives in one herself, and she really brings it to life with her descriptions. Overall, I found this to be a bit too much of a slow burn. The book was a little too long and the writing could be repetitive and a bit overwrought. It took about 50 pages before the mystery of the story really gets going. It’s also an easily solvable mystery, but I don’t view that as a negative, really. If you go into this knowing what to expect, you’ll have a fun, easy time with this. I also read this while watching the new tv adaptation of “The Marlow Murder Club” & the two were a perfect pairing.

I had fun and thoroughly enjoyed this well plotted and compelling mystery. Lovely setting, quirky and lovely characters, a solid mystery.
I hope there's going to be another book by this author soon.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

The Potting Shed Murder, the first Hill House Vintage Murder Mystery, had been highly anticipated by me as I've followed the author, Paula Sutton, on Instagram for quite a while. Mixing her love of all things vintage with a penchant for writing an entertaining cozy murder mystery, Ms. Sutton has created what I very much hope is just the first in a long series of books featuring amateur sleuth Daphne Brewster. When the headmaster at her childrens' school is found murdered in his potting shed and a local gypsy is suspected of the crime, Daphne discovers more secrets hidden behind the closed doors of Pudding Corner than she ever imagined. 5 stars, and I've already preordered the next in the series!!!