Book Review: Death in the English Countryside
Death in the English Countryside by Sara Rosett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Every cozy mystery series needs a likeable, capable protagonist. If they have an interesting career, it can add interest and provide opportunities for getting involved in solving murders. Owning a bookshop is a classic trope, as is working in a cafe or coffee shop. But author Sara Rosett came up with the perfect job for Kate Sharpe – a location scout for the entertainment industry. What better way to gain access to all sorts of interesting places?
In the first book of the “Murder on Location” series, Kate leaves her Los Angeles based office, bound for the little village of Nether Woodsmoor, in England. Seems her boss has gone missing while checking out some sites they need to secure for new film production of Pride and Prejudice.
As Kate explores the countryside and the village, and gets to know the locals, a complex mystery begins to blossom, with plenty of suspicious folks, impressive stately homes, and quaint village businesses. While some of the villagers find the possibility of a movie shoot to be exciting, others want nothing to do with it. After flailing on her own for a while, Kate teams up with Alex, a local location scout who helps her understand the nuances of English country life, and becomes a very helpful sidekick. Alert amateur sleuth-readers should enjoy pondering the various clues and eccentric people that Kate encounters during her investigation. The mystery can be solved, but you might find it tricky!
I enjoyed the adventure. It is very cozy, filled with lovely descriptions, populated with both sweet and curmudgeonly folks, moves along at a quick pace, and held my interest. I’m looking forward to reading the second book in the series soon.
Bonus!
Author Sara Rosett shares photographs at her website that she snapped on a trip to the county of Derbyshire, England, which served as the inspiration for her fictional village of Nether Woodsmoor. I am vastly amused by the fact that the author went location hunting for a book that features location hunting!
If you enjoy Death in the English Countryside you may want to pick up the sequel, Death in an English Cottage. The “Murder on Location” series, which was completed in 2017, consists of six novels, plus a “Christmas special”.
Lori Alden Holuta
Lori Alden Holuta lives between the cornfields of Mid-Michigan, where she grows vegetables and herbs when she’s not writing, editing, or playing games with a cat named Chives.
