I do love this historical cozy mystery series so much and this most recent installment was fun to read and figure out. Nothing can stop Cressida Fawcett, and I love that she goes nowhere without her pug. If you enjoy series like Her Royal Spyness and Verity Bright’s mysteries series, you are sure to enjoy this series, too! You don’t need to read them in order, as they can stand alone, but reading them in order is more fun, I think!

Thank you for my copy and for making me part of the tour.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Fliss Chester for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Death in an English Village coming out April 8, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I really love this series! I forgot to upload my review. This is an instant read author for me! I love her historical books. Cressida is a really fun and smart character. I loved the quaint English countryside setting. There were some fun progressions in the book.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy historical mysteries!

Sussex, 1926: The Honorable Cressida Fawcett (Cressy, to her friends) is at the family manor with her pub Ruby and Ruby’s six mischievous puppies. She’s chasing down a pair of escapees when she stumbles upon the body of Bob, the Fawcett’s long time Gardner, floating in a stream.

Cressy immediately suspects murder, in part because Bob is clutching a coin, worth about £1000 (in today’s money, that’s almost £80,000 / $100,000), possibly part of the legendary Saxon hoard. Did Bob locate the missing gold that the local historical society has been looking for? And did one of them kill him to get it? Everyone has a motive, of course, from the reverend wanting the Church roof repaired to the couple running a sanctuary for war horses. Helping Cressy in her investigation as always is her best friend Lady Dorothy Chatterton along with Dotty’s brother Alfred, Lord Dealafield (finally officially Cressy’s beau?).

I adore Cressy! I love how she is independent, but yet still a product of her time. The puppies naturally were adorable, as well as how Dotty and Alfred supported Cressy in her investigation.

Highly recommended! I’m so looking forward to the next one! I received a copy of this book through NetGalley.Com which I voluntarily reviewed.

Finally!!! Another Cressida Fawcett book is out! Get ready for some murder and puppy love with Ruby's six new pups.
Cressida is searching for Ruby when she discovers a dead body in the water. There are a bunch of twists and turns as she works to discover the killer. And her budding romance with Alfred is picking up some speed.
I can't wait to see what Cressida gets herself tangled up in next. Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
#Death|nAnEnglishVillage #FlissChester #NetGalley #Bookouture #BooksOnTour #BookLove #Bookstagram #NewBook #ILoveBooks #BooksSetInEngland #CozyMystery

The Honourable Cressida Fawcett is greatly saddened by the murder of her family’s gardener, Bob. The tragedy takes a sinister turn especially when the location of Bob’s body is found. It was discovered near the supposed burial site of a legendary treasure. Fueled by determination, Cressida will do her best to uncover the truth behind Bob’s untimely death.

As she is accompanied by her pug Ruby and her rambunctious puppies, Cressida is visiting her parents. When she ventures out with the dogs she stumbles upon Bob’s lifeless body. As she delves deeper into the investigation, secrets point to much more. Cressida, known for her amateur sleuthing skills, is the perfect person to unravel the mystery.

Despite the puppies’ antics, Cressida remains determined in her pursuit of answers. However, she soon discovers that Bob’s death is far more complex than she could have imagined. As she investigates further, she becomes convinced that the person the police suspect is not the actual killer. Cressida’s mission becomes twofold: to clear the wrongfully accused and to find the real perpetrator.

This captivating series continues to enthrall readers with its intriguing twists and turns. Time might just be running out for Cressida to solve her latest case. This cozy mystery series offers an excellent escape for those who enjoy intrigue as Cressida’s adventures engage her in one thrilling escapade after another.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Death In An English Village is the seventh book in which the Honourable Cressida Fawcett finds herself solving a murder with the help of her pug Ruby. This time the murder is close to home, at her parents’ mansion in Sussex, and the victim is their gardener Bob. Initially it seems that Bob died of natural causes while eating his lunch, but Cressida is not so convinced, especially because she found him clutching in his hand a gold coin that could be linked to a missing Anglo-Saxon hoard which the local historical society is actively looking for. While everyone thinks that the killer is his wife Marianne, Cressida is convinced of her innocence and is determined to prove it with the help of her best friend Dotty and her brother (and Cressida’s possible future husband) Alfred, and DI Andrews and DS Kirby also arrive from London to help.

I quite enjoy this series. It is set in the 1920s and it features intriguing mysteries and a cast of engaging and likable characters. Cressida Fawcett is a wonderful protagonist. A young woman who loves her independence and is opposed to marriage, although a charming and understanding Alfred seems to be making huge steps in changing her mind; she is a fantastic interior designer and her two big loves are her puppy Ruby and her car, a Bugatti. She lives in London, but she is back to her parents’ house to introduce them to Ruby’s puppies, who create havoc among the staff and hilarious scenes in the story. The mystery left me guessing until the end, but Cressida’s investigative skills prove that she is an amazing sleuth. I can’t wait for her next investigation!

I only 'met' Cressida Fawcett in the previous book (6), from author Fliss Chester. I really enjoyed Cressida as the main character, as well as the supporting cast, the plotting, the settings and dialogue. All of it!
I settled in with a pot of tea, a coverlet, and my pup, read to turn the first pages of the new seventh entry - Death in an English Village. Cosys always make me feel like I am catching up with old friends!

Cressida heads home for a visitor with her parents. And that's where she finds the body...

Although she is part of the upper crust, Cressida is keen on helping the local constabulary find out who the culprit is. This isn't the first time she's helped them. She's smart, curious, and determined. I liked puzzling over the clues with her.The customs, mindsets, expectations and rules of the time period, 1926, are part of the setting - and the plot. There were a number of choices for the 'whodunit'. Chester gives us that and some red herrings on the way.

Cosy mysteries are my 'get away from it all, escapist' reads. Death in an English Village was just that!

The plot, as always in these books, is very clever, and this book impressed me once again. There was a lot that kept me turning the pages – treasure hunting, great red herrings, and some lovely twists in the plot. I really liked the novel’s take on the country house/small town murder mystery trope.

The novel was a real puzzle you could sink your reading teeth into – it all came together piece by piece. It was good old-fashioned crime writing with an individual style. I really felt anchored to the town and time period too as there were some wonderful details here. I also loved the fact that we were allowed under the skin of the suspects – what a tangled weave!

I’ve been a fan of these books for quite a while. I’ve read four of the seven books and enjoyed every minute of seeing Cressida’s story unfold alongside the mysteries. I think she is a modern thinker and very level-headed – much more than simply being of the upper classes, which has made me root for her all the way through. If you’re looking for a historical murder mystery that will keep you up reading with great characters, I can recommend it.

Cressida is home to show off her pug's new darling puppies who in their mischief, find the gardener dead in a stream clutching a sandwich and a gold coin that maybe from the fabled Saxon hoard supposedly buried somewhere in the area. Then a noted historian comes with promises to tell people where the hoard is only to die the next morning. The police believe the murderer is Cressida's family's cook but she refuses to believe it. But how far back in time will she have to look for the right motive?

Cressida's pug Ruby is cute but of course her puppies are just adorable. But they aren't the only fun group there. Cressida and her cohorts are an entertaining group. Plus a good mystery with plenty of red herrings and suspects makes this a winner.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

Death in an English Village is actually the 7th book in the series (I can’t believe it either!) and still a firm favourite of mine. This time the story takes place at the home of Cressida’s parents, a grand stately manor and Ruby has given birth to her mischievous pups following the events of the last book. It is searching for some missing pups in the vast grounds with her mother, that Cressy stumbles upon the body of Bob, their gardener face down in the stream clutching a gold coin in his hand. Cressy immediately suspects foul play and calls for Detective Andrews to come and investigate.

This is another entertaining story in the already wonderful series and I really enjoyed learning about the myth of missing gold hidden somewhere in the village. We get to spend some time with Cressy’s parents this time and a wonderful couple they are. Not too stuffy and tolerant of Cressy’s investigative skills which are very much needed when their cook and Bob’s wife is arrested for his murder. Despite overwhelming evidence, Cressy knows in her heart that Marian isn’t guilty and is determined to figure out what has really happened with the help of her best friend Dotty (Lady Dorothy) and her brother Alfred who is very much as smitten with Cressy as she is with him.

I couldn’t put it down and found that the idea I had with how I thought things would turn out was slightly wrong – we are definitely taken down some twisty routes that I hadn’t expected which is why the ending was so satisfying! It was completely the opposite of what I was expecting.
I am very much looking forward to the next in the series which will feature a slightly different outlook for Cressida following the events at the end of this book……!

I thank NetGalley and bookouture for an advance reader copy of “Death in an English Village.” All opinions and comments are my own.

Beloved pug Ruby has had six pups – porgis, as the Hon. Cressida Fawcett calls them. And in dashing after mum and pups the proud owner finds a drowned man in the stream that borders the Fawcett manor. Unfortunately, it’s the estate’s gardener. Cressida gets the feeling it’s a suspicious death. Her mother doesn’t want to believe it, but there’s evidence. Now to get DCI Andrews to believe it.

And that’s just the start of trouble in “Death in an English Village,” the latest in Fliss Chester’s 1920s cozy mystery series that keeps readers guessing with intriguing plots, this one involving a treasure horde of golden coins that the dead man may have found. Cressida and her pals, which includes a romantic interest, traipse all around the countryside looking for clues and generally getting in the way of the local constabulary, and DCI Andrews, of course.

We have a “famous last words” second murder; those are always fun. One should never say “I know where the coins are,” oh, no. The author sets it all out very nicely, with great characterization and a layout of clues and circumstances that strives to point readers in the right direction. But then… an ending that serve as a reminder that age-old motives for murder never go out of style.

Everything is resolved neatly, with a very happy Happily Ever After ending for Cressida. Should mean that her future is somewhat assured, for more (amateur) sleuthing. A good show, all around.

1926, Sussex. The Honourable Cressida Fawcett is delighted to return to her parents’ rambling mansion to introduce them to her pug Ruby’s puppies. But when the pups go running off with Cressida in hot pursuit, they lead her to a bubbling stream – Hell’s Ditch. And the body of Bob the gardener is floating there, his outstretched hand clutching a soggy cheese and pickle sandwich. When Cressida finds a glittering gold coin grasped in his other fist, she realises this is part of the long-hidden Saxon hoard. Luckily for Cressida, eminent historian Sir James Colston, friend of the family, arrives at the mansion with tantalising information on the whereabouts of the rest of the Saxon gold. He promises to tell all, but the very next day he collapses into his morning porridge. To Cressida’s horror, Marian – Bob’s widow and her parents’ cook – is accused of poisoning both the porridge and Bob’s sandwich and is carted off to jail.
The seventh outing for Cressida & another well written cosy mystery. I love Cressida, Dotty, Alfred & of course Ruby. A fun, entertaining book, with puppy antics as well as the twists & turns of the murder enquiry. I thoroughly enjoyed it & look forward to more adventures
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

The seventh book in the Cressida Fawcett series and I have read them all so far.

It is 1926 and the Honourable Cressida Fawcett is staying at the family's country house with her dog, Ruby, and six crazy puppies, when she finds the gardener's body face down in a stream. When the family cook is thought to be the murderer Cressida and her friends feel obliged to investigate.

This is a fun story with lots of puppy adventures and a huge step forward in the romance between Alfred and Cressida. I enjoyed it all very much.

I enjoy this series. I like the characters and that the actual location changes in each book. I also like that the characters move forward in their lives. The mystery kept me guessing.

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

The lovable and irrepressible Cressida Fawcett is back in action.  And this time the mystery is very much a home grown one! Whilst staying with the parents after the birth of Ruby's porgi's, Dotty and Alfred come for a visit and are soon involved in another murder.  The poor Inspector has to travel down from the yard before he can take over and we know that Cressy and co are not going to hang around waiting for him to arrive!

Whilst Cressy and co are very much characters of their time and status, I'm always pleased when they show that they are all a bit rebellious and have some justice warriors in their makeup.  They are aristocratic but they also have morals and a strong sense of right and wrong and their "staff" are also seen as friends by and large.  There are plenty of twists and turns and I loved meeting all the inhabitants of Cressy's village. But what made it so much more cosy was seeing the love and affection she has from her parents.  They have no problems showing their affection for their daughter.

I did have a chortle or three at the state of poor Alf - Daddy Fawcett certainly made him feel a bit hot under the collar but I'm loving the little developments in Cressy and Alf's relationship and his wee speech - ahhhhhhhhh that's a man who is aware of who Cressy is and is happy to play 2nd fiddle to her adventures!

Now to wait for the next adventure.

Its always great to catch up with Cressida her pug Ruby and friend Dotty and of course her love interest Alfred. This time we are at Cressida's family home so her parents are involved this time as well. However we also have some new characters in the form of Ruby's 6 puppies which added some ahh moments. The mystery is well plotted and as interesting as always but catching up with the character's rounds out the experience. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Sussex in 1926 saw the Honorable Cressida Fawcett return to her parents' home with her pug Ruby, and Ruby's six new puppies. The morning following, when she was searching for two missing pups, she arrived at the edge of Hell's Ditch, a bubbling stream at the back of the property. And laying face down, quite obviously dead, was their gardener, Bob. Was it an accident? Did he fall from the bridge? Or was it murder?

Cressy, her good friend Dotty and Dotty's brother Alfred - who Cressy was very fond of - began their search for evidence, calling Scotland Yard detective, Andrews, to the scene. The historical society, whom Cressy's father was a part of, formed much of her suspicions. But proof - she needed proof. And when Marian, much loved cook and friend, and Bob's wife, was arrested for murder, Cressy doubled down in her search. Marian hadn't done it, she was sure...

Death in an English Village is the 7th in the Cressida Fawcett series by Fliss Chester and it was fun and entertaining! I've been with this series since the beginning, and Cressy, Dotty, Alfred and Ruby are a great team that I'm looking forward to reading more about. Recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture for my digital ARC to read and review.

I’ve been a fan of the Cressida Fawcett Mysteries since the very first book (Death Among the Diamonds), so I was excited at the opportunity to review the latest - Death in an English Village.

Cressida and Co are visiting her childhood home, when Cressy finds a dead body. Naturally, they investigate.

I really enjoyed this book. Cressida and her friends are familiar by now, and I particularly liked seeing the interaction between her and Alfred. I like that it’s developing slowly, especially given Cressida’s views on marriage.

The setting of Mydenhurst Place and the local village came across really clearly, and I enjoyed the way the history of some of the local people was gradually revealed as the investigation proceeded.

Ruby and her six puppies added some excellent humorous moments, lightening the mood in a story that is rather close to home for Cressida.

Overall, this was an excellent mystery that kept me turning the pages. I recommend the whole series.

I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own.

Thanks to Bookouture and Net Galley for this ARC. A great cozy murder mystery, at book seven and still going strong, the characters are still growing. Looking forward to book 8.

I tried really hard not to read this too quickly. Really, really hard. Or at least, in my mind I did. In reality, I devoured every page in a greedy 'don't want to put this book down' frenzy. Now I'm just sad that it's over.
This is the seventh book in the Cressida Fawcett series and while they are stand alone mysteries, that would work just fine if you hadn't read the others, I think that you're missing out if don't start at the beginning. Cressida, Alf, Dotty and of course pug Ruby are such great characters and I've loved following them as they solve these mysteries. I'm loving watching Cressida's relationship with Alfred grow through each book. He's such an understanding chap and a great match for her.
The murder this time is tied up in a missing Anglo-Saxon hoard after the victim is found clutching a gold coin. Has he been killed because he has found the money, or is there more to it than that? Even though the police are on the case, Cressida seems to have the skills to get to the bottom of everything.
I'm sure that it won't be too long before Cressida finds herself in the midst of a mystery again. I can't wait to read it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.