Up from the Grave

This book is jovial yet practical, adventurous yet grounded, amusing yet chilling, knowledgeable yet ignorant, joyous yet solemn and romantic yet alone - lonely, but with GOD all of this is brought together and HE resolves it all and takes care of it all and resolves it. This is a story of a vicar's wife who, when they found a skeleton when they moved the ground for the church's fountain. She takes it upon herself to figure out who it is - why it is there and how it got there - This book keeps you guessing - it really does - I know they all say that - but this really does - GOD is in the book - that is what is important for me - you cannot go wrong when GOD is involved - the vicar's wife's friend helps her - and there are hijinks and serious times - this is a book of dichotomies and you will love every minute of it - and who it is will surprise you..

At first, I had a hard time getting interested in this book. It uses a lot of British slang that was new to me. As I continued to read and get to know the characters, I enjoyed the book more. Berdie and her "Watson", Lillie are a riot together. Berdie's husband, Hugh, is a Priest and tries to keep Berdie in check. They are a sweet couple. This story revolves around a mysterious death that took place about 20 years before. There are nasty spiders, who would use a spider for malevolent purposes? What about the cranky, and secretive stranger that has arrived in their midst?

It's a bit slow to start but the character's are fun. I didn't figure out the mystery until it was revealed. Lots of red herrings and I may have missed a clue or two.

Marilyn Leach's Up From the Grave is an older book, but it is new to me. Former investigative reporter, Berdie is now the vicar's wife. At the groundbreaking for a water feature for the church's garden, the body of a young child is discovered. In the small village of Aidan Kirkwood, the gossip begins flying. Berdie steps up to solve the mystery before things are completely out of hand. The characters and setting were charming. This was an excellent cozy mystery, and I am happy to have discovered a new favorite author.

A delightful cozy mystery with a fun cast of characters from a small English village! Berdie is like a younger version of Miss Marple, though happily married to her handsome ex-military turned vicar husband. Her friend Lilie, the choir director, makes a fun sidekick as they sneak around trying to solve the mystery ahead of the grumpy local policeman. Like a kinder cleaner version of an Agatha Raisin mystery. I want to read more in this series now.
Cozy mystery fans will want to add this to their stack! Recommend!

Some parts were very good but others were a bit boring. I found myself skimming to get to the end.

Having liked the variety of characters in this book I was a bit disappointed by the strange ending but good luck to the dog. Not sure where and how all the people fitted in.
I was given this book by Netgalley and the publisher. This is my voluntary review.

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Berdie and her best friend Lillie have earned the reputation as Sherlock and his best helper Watson in their quiet English village where Berdie’s husband Hugh is the vicar. She is behaving herself when the bones of a young child turn up on the church property. She must discover who this poor child is, if just to stop people from trying to guess and therefore blaming everyone and to renew the church’s reputation. When the church’s benefactor is attacked, she can’t help but feel that it is all connected.

I really enjoyed this book! Reminding me of the Aunt Dimity, Agatha Raisin, and Miss Marple series, this was a great cozy mystery.