I really enjoyed this book,Another great whodunnit from Faith Martin featuring the professional cook/ amateur sleuth .She helps a friend by standing in for her at a small Inn during an historical event, as you would expect there is a murder! Jenny is known to the various police departments due to her amatuer detective work and is again asked for her help in the case. I would certainly recommend the book.It's a lovely easy read that flows well

Faith Martin is now writing very confidently and the wide readership she's built up shows this. The feel of The Country Inn Mystery is very much in the style of many other cosies but as these seem to be having a second and third revival there's nothing wrong with that. For me the style is just a little too 'as expected', the archetypes are all there, but still the characters are likeable and the writing is good - so although it didn't really hold my interest, I see recognise that it's a very well done book.

The Country Inn Mystery by Faith Martin is the seventh in the Jenny Starling series. This was the first time I read a book in the Jenny Starling series, but I was able to follow along easily, so it can be read as a stand alone.
I found it to have that old fashioned mystery feeling that reminded me of Agatha christie.

Jenny Starling is working at The Spindlewood Inn for the weekend. It’s hosting a Regency Extravaganza, involving historical costume, amateur dramatics and food.

Leading actress of the amateur dramatic society and reputed man-eater Rachel Norman portrays a doomed noblewoman. But when she turns up actually drowned in the pond, there’s suddenly a murder to investigate.

There’s been plenty of trouble at the idyllic country inn. The performers weren’t a happy troupe, and Jenny discovers a simmering romantic tension.

Who wanted Rachel dead and why? Jenny Starling is going to need all her wits to crack this complex case.

The Protagonist Jenny is clever, well developed and down to earth. There were likeable side characters too.
There are plenty of twists and turns to keep me wanting to find out what will happen next. The book is engaging from start to finish..

I cant wait to read some other books in the series. Highly recommend to mystery fans.

I requested and received an Advanced Reader Copy from Joffe Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

How i love to read a book that is based here in the UK! This is the first book that i have actually read by Faith Martin and wonder why i haven't read more. A very enjoyable story and one that i managed to read within a day. I believe i have a few other books by this author and shall be searching them out. Recommended.

My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for my copy. This is my honest review, freely given.

This is book number seven in the very popular series featuring travelling cook and amateur sleuth Jenny Starling, and is previously unpublished. Jenny is in her late twenties and stands around 6 feet 1 inch tall. With her blue eyes and shoulder length black hair she has a curvy figure and a startling effect on many of the men she meets. Jenny's overwhelming mission in life is to feed people, in fact food comes above anything else in her eyes. Unfortunately in her travels as a cook-for-hire she has become embroiled in several murder investigations and her uncanny ability to read people has often helped her expose the killer. In this story Jenny has been hired at The Spindlewood Inn by owners Richard and Muriel Sparkey in the picturesque Cotswold village of Caulcott Deeping to cater for their "Regency Extravaganza" weekend, in which guests will dress in period costume, watch scenes of a local historical event re-enacted by the local am-dram society and eat authentic period feasts prepared by Jenny. All is going to plan after most of the work is over, and Jenny actually has time to visit the village pond and watch the final dramatic scenes portrayed by local amateur actress and money grabbing man-eater Rachel. Jenny even dares to think that for once nothing untoward is going to happen around her, until Rachel's last scenes become all too final. Now any detective turning up at the scene of a suspicious death and finding Jenny Starling already there should know without even looking that he will be dealing with murder. And this soon becomes a very real possibility for DI Franklyn and sidekick DS O'Connor. Jenny of course has been observing all the various participants in the weekend's events and once more provides crucial help to the detectives who are aware of her reputation and more than happy to receive her input. Another baffling murder mystery and very enjoyable.

This is the seventh in the Jenny Starling series however you could read it as a stand alone.

I actually felt that Faith Martin has taken on feedback as she didn't refer to Jenny's looks as much and focused on the plot and mystery.

Overall, this was an enjoyable, quick read and a cosy murder mystery.

I love Jenny Starling! This was s very fun read. I loved the theme of this particular book of the series and I love the way they describe the foods she prepares. I also admire that she's not model thin with blond hair and blue eyes. I mean, who would trust a thin cook?

I totally recommend this to lovers of cozy mysteries. It's very well written and the characters are well detailed - especially Jenny.

*I would like to thank the author/publisher/Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review*

<i>The Country Inn Mystery</i> is part of the Jenny Starling Series. Most books in this series have previously been published under the penname Joyce Cato as part of the Travelling Cook Mystery Series. This title had not been previously published, but reading through the reviews of other books in this series I see gripes that bothered me in this book too. So either Faith Martin decided to continue writing in style for the series, or this story was written as part of the original run, but shelved.

Jenny Starling, travelling cook, has found herself a job as replacement cook at the Spindlewood Inn while the regular cook takes a holiday. The first weekend of Jenny's tenure (she hasn't even unpacked yet) Muriel and Richard Sparkey, proprietors of Spindlewood Inn, host the Regency Extravaganza: a weekend where guests dress-up in Recency period clothes, the local am-dram group plays scenes from a local legend and even the meals fit the time period.

The local legend is a story of a young woman married to a much older man, finding a young lover. The husband kills the young lover in a duel and the woman drowns herself.

The lead time to the actual murder is rather long. The author takes her time to show almost all the characters may have a gripe with the eventual victim. I like it more to find out everyone had a motive after the murder. Also, I like being surprised who is the victim.

Other than that, the mystery is interesting. And it is not for that I did not like this story much.

It's because I found Jenny annoying. Annoying how she always just happened to be around when people said useful things. Annoying everyone loved all of her food. Annoying the two police detectives were impressed by her detecting skills. "[Lucy] conceded rather reluctantly that the cook's logic seemed sound." Well, if she thought about it for five seconds longer, Lucy could have found a flaw in the logic.

There's another peeve: when the police are made to look dim. Here the police were made to look unduly dim. Asking witnesses leading questions rather than open questions; jumping to conclusions even if they have enough evidence their conclusion is wrong; not (threatening to) arresting Jenny when she claims to know who's the murderer, but doesn't say immediately who, rather walks them through it. (The walking through can also be done after the reveal of the murderer.)

In the end one mystery wasn't solved: why did the cook of Spindlewood Inn take her holiday in the same week as her employers host an Extravaganza? That sounds like bad planning.

There is something to be said for the writer's advice: when you see an adverb, kill it. (For the word "naturally" in particular, I recommend a hunting party.)

I read an ARC through Netgalley.

This is another engaging murder mystery in the amateur sleuth and travelling cook Jenny Starling series in which Jenny has a cooking assignment at the Spindlewood Inn that is laying on a historical Regency extravaganza of costumes, drama and food for a weekend. The leading actress Rachel Norman is found actually dead, drowned in the pond leaving Jenny Starling with a murder investigation with plenty of intrigue on her hands. Rachel is not a well liked woman, and at the Inn there is plenty of conflict and gossip for Jenny to work her way through as she logically eventually arrives at the surprising murderer. This is a well plotted story, with plenty of suspense that will appeal to many crime fiction readers.

The writing and the story development reminded me of the first book in this series - The Birthday Mystery. Until the first 25% of the story, there is no crime. But somewhere deep in her mind, Jenny knows that something is going to happen but she cannot really say when or where.

Jenny's love for cooking is well described in the first half of the story. The delicious food that she prepares makes everybody happy. But once Rachel is found dead, Jenny's attention is diverted and she wants to solve the case - the food/cooking comes second here!

The pacing was a bit slow but when compared to the last three books in this series, it was better. The plot development was good too. Jenny is actually enthusiastic to solve the case and makes an effort to gather some gossip... ahem... clues. The identity of the killer was unexpected until Jenny lays out all the clues in front of the police. Unlike the previous stories where Jenny says something like, "Oh? I thought you knew, Inspector. I know who the murderer is, but what I am not sure of is the motive for murder", in this case, Jenny sits with the police and reveals it all, the identity of the killer and the motive for killing Rachel Norman. Jenny gives a very good explanation as to how Rachel was killed.

Overall, this was a pretty good read.

Rating: 3.5/5

England, murder-investigation, law-enforcement, amateur-sleuth

Impossible for me to do an unbiased review on a Jenny Starling book! Each is excellent and easily stands alone.
Traveling cook Jenny Starling agreed to take over for her friend who is going on a two week vacation. The job is at a lovely Inn in the Cotswolds which is hosting a production by a troupe of amateur thespians. Easy to figure out who the victim will be, but the plot takes some interesting twists and tosses in not a few red herrings. Another fun read!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Joffe Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

Jenny Starling travelling cook and amateur unintentional sleuth.

Covering whilst her friend Patsy, enjoys a 2 week break from her role as chef , Jenny is tasked with catering for a Regency Extravaganza but as is the norm things soon take a grisly turn for the worst .... Can Jenny again use her recently found knowledge to expose the killer

THE COUNTRY INN MYSTERY by Faith Martin is the seventh in the Jenny Starling series. All of these books stand alone and there is no need to read them in any particular order. In this book, Jenny has accepted a two week cooking position to fill in for her friend who is going on her annual vacation. The setting is a lovely picturesque country inn where the owners have created a Regency Extravaganza for the weekend, complete with costumed participants from the local amateur dramatics society. Guests who’ve booked in for the weekend are invited to wear costumes and join in the festivities while they are entertained with scenes from a local love story from the Regency period when a young woman, married to an older man, falls in love with a young man. Of course, tragedy ensues and that provides the acting troupe with the scenes they can perform for the guests, including a duel between the two men, one of whom is less than honest in his participation, and the resulting tragic death of the young woman.
When Jenny goes to settle into the room she has been given for the next two weeks she overhears an argument between two people who later turn out to be part of the acting troupe for the weekend. This conversation, as well as other hints, etc. set the reader up to expect someone to get murdered before the weekend is out, with expectations for who the unlucky victim will be based on information gathered from conversations and behaviors.
As in other books in the series, Jenny is identified early by the Detective Inspector assigned to the case. Her reputation for solving crimes continues to circulate in police circles, and he decides early on to involve Jenny in his investigation, rather than creating an adversarial relationship between Jenny and the officials involved in the investigation. Once again, Jenny is shown to have observed and drawn conclusions that help draw the case to a successful conclusion.
The reader is given all the clues they need to solve the murder in this book, but once again they must recognize them and then give them their appropriate significance. I did figure out who the guilty party was, but then changed my mind toward the end of the book, following right down the path of one of the red herrings. The book is filled with characters who are enjoyable to meet and the location is idyllic. My thanks to Joffe Books and NetGalley for providing me with an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

A quick easy read, the 7th in the Jenny Starling series. Although part of a series, each book stands alone. This time, traveling cook Jenny is working in a country inn serving guests of a Regency week-end amateur dramatic performance. Before the weekend is over, one of the performers is dead and Jenny finds herself once again helping the police in their investigation. Easy to recommend to most readers, no sex, language or violence.
Thank you to netgalley and Joffe Books for an electronic arc.

Jenny Starling is a traveling cook who has landed another plumb assignment. Not only is Jenny an exceptional cook who is in high demand for her culinary skills, but she has been more than instrumental when it comes to excelling at amateur sleuthing.

Currently, Jenny is at The Spindlewood Inn, and a play is being produced there. Jenny hopes to regale them with her tried and true recipes, but also wants to try a few new things. She is quickly distracted, however, when the leading actress in the endeavor, Rachel Norman, is discovered drowned in the pond. Using her sharp instincts, Jenny correctly assumes that it is a case of murder.

As Jenny begins working with the police, who are none too keen to accept her help, and also headed in her very own direction, Jenny starts to unravel tensions within the realms of the troupe - things not previously before seen or mentioned. Things are not going to be easy, especially as certain facts are revealed, but the intrepid Jenny is nothing short of insistent.

The Country Inn Mystery is the seventh book in the Jenny Starling series which could be read as standalone, as it is a new location and victim. However, the entire series is a delight, and if readers want to enjoy the over six foot voluptuous woman, with uncanny beauty and intelligence, then, by all means, be sure to get the previous titles in this series. This is a quick read that I was able to devour in one sitting.

Many thanks to Joffe Books and Books n All Book Promotions for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

Jenny Starling #7

Jenny Starling is a travelling cook. She is working in the kitchen in the Spindlewood Inn. Readers of this series will know wherever Jenny is there is always a murder. Jenny is filling in for a friend. The owners of the Inn are holding a "Regency Extravaganza" weekend. One of the actresses while doing her "dying scene" dies for real. There are several witnesses, so how could this have happened?

This is a good series. Jenny is not only a great cook, she's also a great detective as well. They are easy books to read. Jenny not only assists the police in solving the crime, she solves the murder and the reasons why. A really good police procedural series. These books can be read as a at a dalone, but why miss out on a really good series, read them all from the beginning. You won't be disappointed.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Joffe Books and the author Faith MARTIN for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

Jenny Starling, otherwise known as the traveling cook, but most notably known for her penchant to be around everytime there is a murder, is hoping that this time she won't have to deal with the local police.

She's working at a quaint inn just for the weekend. Not much can happen ... right? The inn is hosting a Regency Extravaganza, with guests attending in 1800s costumes, as well as actors/actresses from the Amateur Dramatic Society.

The actress, Rachel Norman, is re-enacting the drowning suicide death of a noblewoman...and turns up actually dead in the pond.

Rachael was not well liked by the rest of the troupe, the guests, nor the village residents. The men liked to look at her, and the women just glared.

How on earth was she murdered in front of all the witnesses.. yet no one saw anything? It takes Jenny using her sharp mind and her keen observations to get to the bottom of this entertaining mystery. With a large number of suspects to investigate and question, the police certainly have their hands full.

THIS IS A BRAND NEW, NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED FAITH MARTIN BOOK. Although 7th in this series, it is easily read as a stand alone. As always, I highly recommend starting at the very beginning for an enjoyable marathon of reading. Jenny is such a unique character with an understated sense of humor, I just can't get enough of her.

Many thanks to the author / Joffe Books / Books n All Book Promotions / Netgalley for the advanced digital copy of this mystery. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

I just love Faith Martin's books, every one a gem! Another murder set in Cheltenham and Jenny Starling finds herself again solving this who done it. Twists and turns until the final ending. Excellent!

Still loving the Jenny Starling mystery series by Faith Martin. A new location in every book, as Jenny's cooking skills as a traveling chef take her to a new job each time. She just can't seem to avoid getting involved in solving a murder, often to the chagrin of the local police.

The book is very well written, the sleuthing of Ms Starling is very good, and as usual, it's a slow start as introductions are made. It's a rather quick solve this time, and when you think about it, the murderer(s) could have made things much easier for themselves.