Melody of Murder
A Cotswold murder mystery
by Stella Cameron
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
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Pub Date Jun 15 2016 | Archive Date May 02 2016
Description
The idyllic Cotswold village of Folly-on-Weir, with its traditional pub, sumptuous tea rooms and fragrant bakery, is a piece of paradise found … until ‘those incomer Quillams’ arrive. A young piano virtuoso and his neglected but talented half-sister, their controlling father, the pianist’s beautiful, acquisitive and passionate mother, an ambitious family retainer, and an intimidating woman who has always run the Quillam household form a successful little empire - until it starts to crumble.
The Quillams’ arrival has also attracted the attentions of a sly, clever and perverted killer who desperately needs a jackpot and knows where to find one – if the obstacles can be removed. Once again pub owner Alex Duggins and her veterinarian friend Tony Harrison must use their wits and resourcefulness to prevent further carnage – and ensure that they themselves don’t become the killer’s next victims.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781780290843 |
| PRICE | $34.99 (USD) |
Featured Reviews
Lea N, Librarian
The story begins in a Cotswold village in Gloucester, UK with Alex, the owner of a pub and Tony, the local vet. The half-sister of a young, concert pianist has been murdered in the town church. The police are on hand to try to solve this crime but then another murder occurs. Alex and Tony become amateur sleuths to assist the detectives in charge. This is a very good mystery with a love affair between the two main characters, along with some quirky village residents. I never guessed the murderer either.
I intend reading the author's first two books in this series. Thank you for the opportunity to read Melody of Death.
Jean K, Reviewer
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. Once again the quaint English village of Folly-on-Weir is the site of murder, and Alex Duggins, owner of the Black Dog Inn, finds herself at the center of the investigation.
Green Friday, a local estate, has been rented to the Quillam family. It is meant to provide a quiet retreat where Elyan Quillam, a teenage concert pianist, can prepare himself for his next tour. He is accompanied by his parents, his sister Laura, their housekeeper Mrs Meeker, his promoter and his instructor.
Alex is listening in the churchyard as someone is playing the piano at St. Aldwyns. When it stops abruptly, she enters the church to find Laura dead. Upon determination that she was murdered, the accusations begin and the family members quickly start to point fingers. It is a family that lives through Elyan, causing fears and pressure on the young performer to mount.
Folly is a charming village with its own eccentric characters and with these outsiders thrown into the mix it becomes an investigation with enough twists and red herrings to surprise and entertain the reader. Stella Cameron continues to develop the relationship between Alex and Tony Harrison, the local vet, and reveals additional background on the citizens of Folly. For fans of Jeanne Dams and Carola Dunn, you will feel right at home with this series.
Stephenie S, Reviewer
Stella Cameron is a superb writer. Her mysteries set against the backdrop of Folly-on-Weir, a quaint village in the Cotswolds, show a profound understanding of human psychology. While Alex Duggins is far from Miss Marple and her friend and lover Tony is no Poirot, Cameron's mysteries have much in common with the works of the Grand Dame of Mystery. She realizes that the complex nature of relationships, love and hate, history and hopes all play a role in murder.
In Melody of Murder, Alex and Tony once again have the misfortune of being drawn into a murder investigation. Despite being low on the list of suspects, being the first to discover the body of a young singer has a devastating impact. The Quillam family are visitors to the area, renting an estate where Elwyn, a talented young pianist can practice before his forthcoming tour. Despite mourning for his half-sister, he is under extreme pressure to perform. The family is a toxic blend, with Elwyn's father, Percy being firmly in control.
Melody of Murder has a beautifully orchestrated plot, with a thrilling ending that came as a surprise. Readers of the series will be happy to see some progression in Alex and Tony's relationship as well as get to understand Hugh a bit better. As always, Bogie, Alex's terrier steals the show. With each book, I come to love the village of Folly-on-Weir just a bit more.
5/5
I received a copy of Melody of Murder from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
--Crittermom
(7/11/16)
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