An English Garden Murder

Julia Bird Mysteries, Book 1

By: Katie Gayle

Narrated by: Lucy Scott

Julia Bird’s picturesque Cotswolds cottage has everything she could want. Rustic charm, cozy fireplaces, and, it turns out, a dead body in the garden....

Recently divorced and reluctantly retired, Julia Bird has fled London to enjoy idyllic rural life in the Cotswolds. Determined to have the perfect English garden, her first job is to tear down the old shed, where she unearths much more than she’d bargained for: a body, apparently buried for decades. But who could it be, and who killed them? The police draw a blank, and even the gossip-fest that is the local book club can’t remember anyone going missing in the village.

Unable to get on with her garden until the mystery is resolved, Julia decides to conduct her own clandestine investigations. So, together with her wayward chocolate Labrador puppy, Jake, Julia begins a whirlwind tour of the local residents. And everyone, it seems, has something to hide in this village. As she gets closer to the truth, Julia uncovers something even more shocking: another body, this time of someone she actually knows.

Determined to unmask the killer and find out what connects the two dead bodies, Julia–newly nicknamed the Grim Reaper–ups the stakes and hones in on the most likely suspect. But if she hasn’t deduced correctly, then there is someone else in the village who has killed twice already. Will they be prepared to make it third time lucky to keep their secret safe?

This cozy mystery is perfect for fans of M.C. Beaton, Faith Martin, and Betty Rowlands.

©2022 Katie Gayle (P)2022 Bookouture, an imprint of Storyfire Ltd.

Worth your time!

A great read. Very twisty plot. Fun and relaxing. Worth your time and energy !

Well written story and characters!!

I’m so happy that this story let the characters be kind and intelligent. The story was really good from beginning to end.

Very good plot and character development

I think this Narrator is excellent.
A winning combination- Good plot and excellent Narrator.
I am looking forward to the next book in this series .

Loved the character development

This book is a fun read. The writer has developed interesting characters. I enjoyed listening to the story.

Above average cozy series

I have just finished the three books available. I especially like the authors ability to start a series without the formula so many writers use and abuse and that is having the lead character or someone close being the lead suspect in a murder. This book is clever and continues to be in each of the next two. I love the relationship between Julie and the lead detective. Finally, the stories are family friendly and good clean fun.