A Country Gift Shop Collection is exactly what it says on the tin, it's a collection of the County Gift Shop series all in one book, so if you've not had the chance o read this series yet then this is the perfect book to grab a copy of as it has everything you would want.
I have always enjoyed Vivian Conroy's work, I love her writing it's sweet and cosy as well as unexpected and very clever she keeps the reader fixed to the story.
Overall, very enjoyable and definetly recommend for these darker colder evenings which are sneaking up on us.

A fun cozy read! This is great for curling up on an autumn afternoon. And of course, I love the pug!

Three entertaining cozy mysteries in one.
Glen Cove is a pleasant community set in pretty surroundings. The local gossip machine assists the police in solving crimes and provides the daily newspaper with exciting stories. The main meeting point for our sleuths is a newly opened store in Britisch products, that looks and smells so wonderful I would hop the pond to visit!
All three books are well written, fast paced and fun reads.

I love Vivian Conroy's cosy mysteries and this collection was just as good. You can be assured that there will be a host of multidimensional characters and a stunning location . The mystery element is full of twists and turns with a few red herrings along the way. Recommended for anyone who loves a gentle, compelling murder mystery.

This wasn't the first novel I have read from this author, but I was as excited as the first book. This novel has three mysteries in it, because one is never enough and this is a collection novel.

Each story has a quick and entertaining read with a mystery that was fun and interesting, and has we follow Vicky Simmons I couldn't help but feel as if I was her assistant in a way. I was trying to figure out things, I was learn about the other characters and I was enjoying the scenery in this novel.

With Vicky returning to her hometown and an old unsolved murder resurfaces with another crime, I knew things would be interesting. And the next mystery was just as good! I can't really say which story was my favourite, because since I couldn't stop reading the novel, I just went to one mystery to the other, to the other... And I liked it quite a lot!


Of course it's very important that I got intrigued by the murders and the mystery surrounding them, but it was really important to me as well, seeing the characters' relationships and interactions, because of all the information there, and that also made me connect with the characters involved as if I was part of the town and the storyline.

Overall, it was an amazing novel. each story had its positive points, and was unique and funny in it's own way. And I liked that, because that made each mystery unique and I didn't felt like I was reading a repeat story after the other.

I was already excited about Vivian Conroy's storytelling and books, and this one just solidified that thought.

I really enjoyed Viv's introduction to the Country Gift Shop collection - all of the characters she created for this story are so lovely to read about, including two fury babies, and they all belong in such a close-knit community, making a possible murder quite shocking and most certainly devastating. Is this community not as close-knit as they make themselves out to be? Vicky is such an inspirational heroine to read about and her initiative is outstanding to the point where this town doesn't even need the police, she's got this completely down herself! Much to her mother's dismay, however, she'd rather Vicky stay out of the police's way and keep herself out of danger. The thing I love most about Viv's murder mystery stories is that it really is impossible to guess who the suspect is, which I personally prefer, because then I am absolutely gobsmacked by the end of it. It was really fun to get in to the mind of Vicky's whilst she was solving Celine's case, as she tries to make sense of all the information she's put together, however it was also very heart-breaking when the killer is unmasked and you hear their side of the story. I'm just so glad Vicky helped Celine and her family get the justice they deserved and clear a friend's name.

I have to say that Grand Prize: Murder! was a real pleasure to read, especially with the main focus being on best-selling author, Bella Brookes, the bookworm inside me was loving it - it had me entranced from start to finish, again having absolutely no clue as to who the murderer could be and it was quite literally right in front of me when the reveal was made. I'd be the worst detective ever! I loved the reunion of Cash and Vicky, as they come together once again to solve another murder in Glen Cove. The love triangle between Vicky, Cash and Michael became a lot more intense in this one and honestly, I'm not too keen on Michael - he seems very all about himself, a very stubborn man and always seems to challenge Vicky about all of her business. For me, I'm team Cash through and through! I think it has a lot to do with the fact that Viv is always telling us how Cash has a head of curls under his Sheriff hat, making me fall head over heels for him, but if Vicky doesn't want him, pass him on to me! Another thing that I loved about this mystery was the fact that in the end, the scavenger hunt murder mystery was actually the main clue in the end to solve the real murder mystery. Viv knows how to keep us on our toes!

'Written into the Grave' was by far my most favourite read of the entire collection! Whilst all of the others were extremely gripping and dripping with juicy details, this one just felt different and had a lot more going for it. Not hoping to sound too much like a psychopath who gets a thrill from reading about characters getting themselves enveloped in to mystery murders and almost death, but yes, Vicky definitely came the most close to it than she ever has before, and the first time round in 'Dead to Begin With', she came pretty close. We didn't only have one murder suspect this time, but two and Cash was ready to throw everyone in if he didn't get to the bottom of it. We meet two young characters who at first are quite suspicious, but learning more of their backstory, they were completely harmful and I really loved that Viv has made them a part of the team. My love for Cash continuously grows in this story and I really really am still rooting for him to be 'the one' for Vicky, but I also sort of reached a newly found respect for Michael by the end with what he does to help Vicky, so at this point, I'm a little torn! I know I said I'd be the worst detective ever in the review above, but can I please tell you that I had this murder suspect down by the first five chapters!!! This one character just wasn't settling with me and as I kept on reading, all of the other suspects just weren't adding up, so I stuck by my accusation and I was right!

Die Handlung und Umgebung sind so charmant beschrieben, da ist man sofort mitten drin im Geschehen. Nette Charaktere und ein paar schöne Geschichten - was will man mehr?

Lovely feel good book. Great book with a great storyline. Not what I was expecting at all so was a nice surprise. Easy to read and good characters in there too.

Bringing together all three of Vivian Conroy’s Country Gift Shop cozy mysteries, A Country Gift Shop Collection offers fun, easy reads, perfect to cosy up with by the fire or by the pool.

In the one bundle are; Dead to Begin With, sees Vicky Simmons return to her childhood home of Glen Cove, Maine, to open her own gift shop with a British twist, only for a twenty year old murder mystery to resurface and turn simple shop owner into sleuth. In Grand Prize Murder!, a cozy crime writer is in town but how will Vicky cope when life becomes deadlier than fiction? Then lastly, Written Into the Grave, Vicky reads a grisly installment in the local newspaper serial at breakfast and before lunch there are police cars at the cliffs just as the story predicted.

Conroy captures suspense with the best of them, and the mysteries are quite good and well thought-out. They’re not so difficult that you feel cheated when the killer is revealed (side point: I did find it a bit odd that a town with a low crime rate suddenly had three consecutive murders immediately following Vicky’s arrival), but not so obvious that you get bored three chapters in because you’ve already worked the mystery out. They compare well with the Agatha Raisin series by Marion Chesney / M. C. Beaton, and if you like those you will definitely like these.

Conroy also has an obvious talent for location descriptions, however, sometimes I found she indulged a little and that could distract from the story. For example, mid mystery, not shortly after a heated exchange with the town sheriff, our attention is directed instead to how soaps are packaged at the giftshop. Such info would have made sense at the beginning of the story, establishing the calm before the storm so to speak, but it did mess up the pace a little. Same with the characters, even Vicky meandered a little - one minute suggesting that the sheriff treat a suspect with more caution, only for the next chapter to open with her appealing for compassion.

Of course there are bits that are slightly cheesy but these are cosy mysteries, if there wasn’t a bit of melodrama I would think I’d picked up the wrong book!

I admit, these books probably weren’t for me (with that in mind take my rating with a large pinch of salt), and I admit, perhaps that was because I read all three one after another and may have reached - and crossed - my own upper limit for the genre. Regardless, if you like your cozy mysteries sweet and fun, A Country Gift Shop Collection is well worth treating yourself to, perfect for holiday reading or sneaking a chapter or two over the weekend.

When Vicky moves back to her hometown, she has a clear goal in mind. She wants to open a store where she will sell "all things Britain". But fate has a different idea, and soon, she'll find herself surrounded by friends, both old and new, trying to solve the town's mysteries.
I loved the stories in this set. The characters were very relatable.
Both stories flow easily and are a quick and adorable read.
I would certainly love to read more of Vicky's mysteries.
Thanks for my ARC of this set!

I am a huge fan of Vivian Conroy's writings and this book was absolutely fantastic. The three stories are set in Glen Cove. Vicky Simmons quits her job as a foreign correspondent and returns to Glen Cove to open a Gift Shop that sells everything British. With the help of Marge and Ms.Tennings, Vicky ends up solving three mysteries.
The first story Dead to Begin With is about Celine's mysterious disappearance twenty years ago. Michael, Vicky's crush and Celine's boyfriend was accused of murdering Celine. But he was later released due to lack of evidence. Twenty years later, not just Vicky, Michael and Diane(Celine's twin sister) are back in Glen Cove. Vicky decides to find out the truth behind Celine's disappearance.
The second story is about a famous Cozy author Bella Brookes and how she ends up being a suspect in a murder case. The third is about how a fictional story in the Glen Gazette becomes true hours later after it is published.
The stories are quick, fun and entertaining read. The setting, characters, and storytelling are marvelous. I recommend this series to all those who love to read a good Cozy Mystery.

Thank you, HQ Digital for accepting my request to review this book.

I had read the first two books in this series already and liked them, and I enjoyed the third as well. Vicky Simmons comes home to open a gift shop that specializes in British goods and it's a success. Unfortunately, she has to solve a few murders to protect her friends and family.

These are classic cozy mysteries and I recommend them. Thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A Country Gift Shop Collection by Vivian Conroy is books 1,2 and 3 in the Country Gift Shop mystery series. Dead to Begin with is the 1st book, Grand Prize: Murder! is book 2, and book 3 is Written into the Grave. Vicky Simmons has been living in London, but decides to return to her hometown, on the coast of Maine, where she opens a British Country Gift Shop. Vicky thinks the moved will bring her back to a quiet, simple life, but she's wrong when the first dead body shows up. I really enjoyed this series, and it was fun to read all three books back to back. I will be reading more books by this author and recommend to all readers that enjoy a fun, relaxed read.

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I was lucky enough to have read two out of these three books when they were initially released as individual books but I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed re-reading them and the third book. They all feature Vicky Simmons who is the person acting as detective in each of these enthralling murder mystery stories.

The stories are well plotted, leaving the reader with plenty of clues which sometimes are red herrings, leading you astray, keeping you guessing, but that always make total sense when you know who really did it! The whole area is portrayed brilliantly, brought to life in the imagination of the reader. Each story is a great read in its own right, together the three are a real treat! I can’t recommend this series - and this collection- highly enough. If you enjoy “cosy” murder mystery stories make sure you don’t miss this brilliant series - and anything by this very talented author. I’ve loved everything I’ve read by her and can’t wait to read anything new she writes in future.

I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley. This review is my honest opinion after choosing to read it.

My first admission is that I've only read the first of this collection; as I read the others, I will review them separately. 

Heading back to her home town of Maine from the busy metropolis of London, Vicky Simmons intends to use her experience of life abroad to open a British Country Gift shop, and enjoy a slower pace of life than the one she's had recently. What she doesn't expect is to bump into past friends and acquaintances who have also returned, and she certainly doesn't expect to be involved in finding a dead body!

I so enjoy Vivian Conroy's writing, and it is an absolute pleasure to begin a new series by her. I am a great fan of her other cosy mysteries, and she weaves a fine tale with enough twists and turns to keep her readers glued to the page, whilst also including plenty of lighter details to keep up the entertainment level. Dead To Begin With has everything I expected of it and more, and it's only due to unfortunate personal circumstances that I haven't read the other two books in this collection yet, and I intend to rectify this as soon as possible. A sheer joy to read, and a definite recommendation to all those who love a lighter mystery.

My thanks to HQ Digital for my copy via NetGalley. This is, of course, my own opinions.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for the opportunity to review this book set. My opinion is my own.
I was pleased to receive this set as requested . I am a fan of the author's writing. This is a set of 3 mysteries set in Maine in a pleasing small town atmosphere.
The stories included in this set are the following: Dead To Begin With ; Grand Prize: Murder!; Written Into The Grave. These are the "Country Gift Shop mysteries'" which are all set in small town Glenn Cove, Maine. The author has a talent for descriptions of settings for her mysteries and this setting was written to perfection.

Vicky has returned to her home town of Maine from her busy former life in London. She is setting up her British gift shop and looking forward to living a more relaxed life. She soon finds that murder has found her and she must dive into the investigation. She is a good savvy amateur sleuth and soon in each book, she is on the right track to finding the right set of clues and suspects. . This is 600 pages and such a relaxing enjoyable read. I found the charcters likable and the mysteries enjoyable with twist and turns to keep me guessing. This is a fun group of cozy mysteries i highly recommend.

This book is a collection of 3 stories about the Vicky, who comes home to Glen Cove after living in London for years to set up a British-themed gift shop, and the murders and mysteries she encounters.

All the stories were interesting. In the first story, I didn't know what to expect with Michael also home and everyone getting agitated about the revival of an old murder that was never solved. With so many characters in this town, it was a little difficult at first to keep track of them all. In the second story, Bella definitely didn't make it easy for herself which was a little irritating. The last story, well, I liked the story published in the paper.

I was lucky enough to be granted a copy of this book. And this was the first time I've read a story from this author. Sad to say, though, it took me quite a long time to finish this book. Though I wasn't quite sure each time who did it, and the ideas of the stories really was good, it was well...a little dull. And VIcky was a little dull. Cash was interesting. Michael was interesting. Vicky was a little dull. Other than that, it's a good set for those who enjoy cozy mysteries.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this book.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. This is a fun read and really liked Vicky Simmons the main character. Great Cozy mysetery

I'm a fan of cozy mystery and this was a great discovery.
I loved the style of writing, the cast of likeable characters and the setting.
The mysteries were good, full of twists and turns, and kept me guessing till the end.
It was an entertaining and engaging read that kept me hooked till the last page.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to HQ Digital and Netgalley for this ARC

Loved all three stories in this book. An enjoying read, overall! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC.