This book is a murder mystery with a side dish of humor. When a morally questionable reporter is found dead on church property, the police have to figure out what happened. Throughout the novel, the same incident is reported to the police multiple times. Each time the story changes a little, because, let's face it, no two people ever see a situation in the same way. Each retelling brings a different character into question.

By having the mystery laid out in this manner, the reader has a harder time trying to figure out what happened before the end of the book. Suddenly everyone seems suspicious.

I could have done without all of the relationship stuff. It kind of bogged down the story for me. Without all of that, the mystery would have flowed better. Other than that, I enjoyed the book, especially the old church members who are bound and determined to find out what really happened, even if they don't go about it in the smartest way.

When the problem of shaking hands is resolved in the first few chapters, you know there is a bigger fish to fry for the rest of the book. I liked it enough, but it dragged a bit.

A mystery which is not really mysterious, rather whimsically remote. A bunch of strange village characters who meet over tea and cake to discuss gently various pressing topics. A wannabe journalist who struggles to get the story of his career only to end up dead, understandably so. The Vicar is the key to it all, shaking hands or not shaking any. No character whatsoever is sane enough to make the plot effective. It can all be seen as a comedy of the human nature, led to some weird extremes. Depending on the mood one might enjoy this to some extent. For my part I had to force myself to read to the end, the last third of the book is mindboggling.
Thanks​ to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. It definitely offered afresh perspective over church and village life.

A solid, entertaining read, if occasionally heavy on the ecclesiastical references.

I must mention here that I got this book for review from Netgalley.

A few observations (with spoilers):

The book is not hard on the eyes at all; a breezy read. I'll be the last one to criticise anyone's style of writing as I have enormous respect for those who write for a living. That said, this book is not without its flaws.

I was attracted to it by its title, so reminiscent of a James Hadley Chase novel. The book begins in plodding fashion, but soon picks up with the introduction of the adversary, the interpid "muck-raking" journalist Fred Vestal.

Vestal does a hatchet job on Father John Newman, a gentle, wacky vicar with a penchant for the absurd. Things rapidly proceed up the creek when Vestal is soon found murdered.

This is when the book picks up pace, and also becomes replete with several minor annoyances. Father John is irritatingly directionless, spineless, and gormless. at every given opportunity, he keeps bolting, although I suspect that is more a plot device than any flaw in the Father's character.

Several times through the story — far too many times for my liking — the writer employs misdirection to throw his readers off the scent.

Did the bishop do it? He certainly is acting like it. But no. Did Father John do it? Why else would he run away? Did Katie do it? She does seem awfully confident John is innocent? Did Maisy do it? Given the number of times the author mentions her crush on Father John, she certainly has the motivation.

Another instance of misdirection is when the professor confronts the runaway couple at Agatha Christie's house. How did he track them down? Why is he so hostile and suspicious towards Father John, if, as he later claims, he only wanted to help him? Why does he almost cackle with glee on laying a trap for the good vicar?

All these issues aside, the book is very enjoyable. These minor niggles do not in anyway ruin the experience.

All solid 3/5 for effort and execution. I do not regret reading this book at all.

Sorry this book wasnt for me. I found it a struggle to finish even though the story line was good

I did not finish this book. I found the characters and storyline to be lackluster.

Very interesting story with excellent characters. Neat little twist at the end. Well worth a read

A light, easy read of a mystery, though there's no real mystery to be found if you're an avid reader. But the fun characters, short length, and unusual ideas make this a worthy read. It's hard for me to say with any certainty whether this will offend Christians or make them happy, but it certainly felt neither too preachy nor too cynical of religion, which seems like an important part of a book with a topic like this. Overall, I'd say that it's no worse than all the other "cosy mystery" offerings and, in some aspects, even better than its rival novels.