Joyous..
The first in a series of mysteries featuring Canon Daniel Clement, the Rector of Champton. Canon Clement lives a mainly serene existence in the Rectory alongside his widowed mother, the forthright Audrey, and delightful dachshunds, Cosmo and Hilda. Whilst much ado is afoot regarding the installation of a lavatory in the Church a resident is murdered on church grounds - with a pair of secateurs. Chaos rightly ensues and with bodies piling Canon Clement needs to act fast. A delightful read with an eccentric but credible cast of characters, a well plotted and intriguing storyline and a narrative peppered with beautifully crafted prose. Joyous.

A thoroughly readable mystery with its roots in Agatha Christie and St Mary Mead, and some lovely 1980s details. I've read some of the Reverend Richard Coles' memoirs, and I know he can write very well, so it was very interesting to see what he would bring to this genre from his experiences as a parish priest. The relationship between Canon Daniel Clement and his mother is beautifully written, and the description of a parishioner as like an "emaciated cardoon" is still making me laugh.

Murder Before Evensong by Richard Coles

I am a big fan of 'cosy' crime and Richard Coles and so I was really excited to hear about this novel, especially as I adore Richard Osman's books. Comparisons are inevitable and unfortunately they don't do Murder Before Evensong any favours. I like Coles' writing - he's a witty, personable writer - but in my opinion the style holds up the story and the narrative is overly verbose. It feels like a series of interludes and chatter - one long paragraph on a biscuit tin description, for instance. There are some interesting characters that I warmed to and the village feel is great. Hopefully, the next book in the series will tighten things up.

This one interested me as I'm a fan of Murder mysteries and TV shows like Father Brown and Midsomer Murders.

This story started off a little slower than I would have liked, but I realise that it's the first in a series so the author wanted to set the scene properly.

I think there is definitely potential as once the story got going it got more enjoyable.
Lots of readers will enjoy this one, I just feel that perhaps I expected something else to what was written. But a good read for the right person.

The genre of the cosy mystery has enjoyed a resurgence of interest in recent years. In fact, it seems to be one of the most popular genres on the shelves of my local bookshop.
I've had the pleasure of reading many such gems and I was looking forward to reading the latest addition, Murder Before Evensong by Richard Coles.
Set in 1988, our protoganist is one Canon Daniel Clement, the Rector of Champton. Champton is a small English village, that (as per Midsomer Murders) contains all of the required elements- Church, village shop, pub, the Big House etc. And of course the usual motely assortment of neighbours.
Our Canon is a patient man and is current focus is to convince his parishioners of the need for a loo to be added to the Church. A suggestion that is received with horror by many among his congregation.
The small community is shocked by a murder within their midst, actually with the Church and everyone is a suspect. Daniel works with the police to try and help resolve the crime. Though the situation takes a dramatic turn for the worse before improving.
Overall, this is an enjoyable story but I did find that the story was fairly slow moving in parts. The everyday minutiae of parish should have proved amused as we read of the intrigue and blackmail that takes mail. Yet, I found myself skimming over the pages in order to reach the more interesting sections.
Overall a decent tale, and the author certainly up the pace in the final quarter. There is also a twist at the end which is good but one that I struggled to believe as the reason for the murder.
I think that many readers would enjoy this story and the slower pace, it was just not for me.

Overall this was a well written book but just a bit too cosy for me and I couldn't engage with the storyline unfortunately.

Thank you to Netgalley and Orion Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC but I don't think I will read more from this author.

This was an enjoyable, if wordy, read; at times I found myself looking for the dictionary for some of the more obscure prose. However, I could clearly hear the authors’s voice throughout the read, it was gently funny and described the religious life really well. The story was interesting and had a good plot, nicely twisting, and I didn’t guess who dunnit, which I always love. It did take a little while to realise it was set in the 80s, but there were some references that were hard to miss - you never forget your first Slinkie or the iconic Whams Christmas number 1. I’m sure this is the first in what is going to be a long running series. 3 1/2 ⭐️

I enjoyed this cosy historical (are the 1980's historical?) murder mystery, featuring Canon Daniel Clement, rector of Champton St Mary. The book was a little slow to get started, with a little too much emphasis on parish discord relating to a proposed church lavatory, however once a dastardly murder had occurred things got going!

I loved all the references to church music, Trollope and chocolate biscuits of the 1980's and the comic relief offered by two badly behaved dachshunds (Cosmo and Hilda) was great fun. I could just imagine Richard Coles telling me the story.

I'll certainly be looking out for a follow-up, hopefully soon.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing a review copy in exchange for honest feedback.

Delightful, and well observed, picture of a country parish. It could be many rural parishes in England, apart from the murders. I imagine Richard Coles has experienced the heightened emotions caused when plans are mooted for having modern facilities, and removing pews - because his descriptions were exactly what my village experienced when we reordered our church. Fortunately, the only bodies discovered were 18th century, and the records had been lost!! Think Miss Marple, Midsummer Murders, and if you enjoy those then this is for you.

I was looking forward to reading this book especially as it is the first in a series. A standard cosy crime story set in a sleepy English village. I did on the whole enjoy the plot but I found it slow paced and a little cumbersome in places. Hence the 4 stars.

I like Rev Richard Coles and I do hope he has success with this series.

Thank you to Netgalley & Orion for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was very anxious to read this book as I enjoy the author and the plot and setting sounded interesting. Unfortunately I failed to engage with the story. Well written with well developed characters and a beautifully described church, I felt too bogged down by the wordiness of it all. Many aspects were enjoyable, but it was too cumbersome for me.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this advance copy.

A cosy crime, set in a sleepy English village.
I found it slow to start (setting the scene) but the interesting cast of villagers/parishioners kept me wanting to read.
A good debut novel. I could feel Richard Coles was reading this book to me. I look forward to reading more of Canon Daniel Clement.

This was actually a fun read. Set during an interesting period of recent history where we can see who we are becoming and also who we were, which is an important thing to remember when trying to figure out who did it! It was also fun to see the author's nod to his past with an aside regarding a different pop group to the one he belonged.

There are gems in this book and it does hold an interesting story, although I didn't find it a quick read, it was one I kept going back to and would be interested in reading more Canon Clement mysteries!

A murder in a church with the reassuring presence of dachshunds throughout.

This novel is packed with plenty of anecdotes and insights to the working life of a vicar. Because of the semi-autobiographical nature of the book there are long stretches of description, which were interesting but did slow down the pace of the book.

I have to admit, I didn't realise the book was set in the 1980s until the mention of Celine Dion at Eurovision, although perhaps I missed it earlier on!

All in all, a good read, but I was really looking forward to this one and it didn't fully meet my expectations (maybe that's my problem though!)

It may well be the 20th century, but country parishes are still medievally feudal.

The Rector of Champton, Daniel Clement, wants to install a loo in the church. Battle lines are drawn, with almost the whole village taking sides.

But when one of the titled family ( the de Flores dynasty) is found murdered in the church, things really start getting out of hand.

A delightful whodunit, and I really hope there are more adventures from Champton

Considering this is Richard Cole’s first and debut novel, you wouldn’t think it! The writing was so effortless, it felt like he’d always written fiction novels. His writing style is easy and natural and the whole set up was addicting to read.

He caught the essence of village life perfectly, with characters so spot on to village life and I loved Daniels character too. He made a great main character and the deeper on into the book I got, the more intrigued I became. It took me a few chapters to get into, as there seemed to be so many characters it took me a little time to learn who was who. But that was more my fault than the books I think. I always tend to find this with murder mysteries!

I can’t wait to see what else Richard produces and look forward to his future books. I will definitely be an eager reader of his now. Book 2 please, I’d love to see how this progresses!

First and foremost this is not a Richard Osman crime story ..this is very much Richard Coles with a unique voice and style of his own…. Much has been written about celebrity crime writing and Richard Coles has joined this illustrious group with his own unique approach and voice. The story is curiously sent in 1989 , one of those midpoints between an older “ traditional “ world where communities connected more closely and the world of technology and rapid changes…..that has evolved into our current climate. There is a charm about Richard Cole’s writing and a wry humour that pleases and in some cases plays games with the reader. The plot has a plethora of village characters ina classic whodunnit sense and when a murder is committed in the local church there could be many murderers. The plot takes a while to build up as characters are introduced and Canon Daniel,Clement is established but soon the story begins. This is a tale that has the feel of an old fashioned village fete but somehow there is a darker side to events. This is a crime reader’s treat and without being over the top it is all the better for it .. in a fast world Richard Cole’s has created a world that isn’t overtly nostalgic but certainly takes us to a different time and place with a pace to match .. a great start to anew series

Canon Daniel Clement is Rector of Champton St. Mary, a church in the small village of Champton. When a villager is found murdered in the church everyone becomes a suspect and Daniel works with the local police to uncover the murderer.

Murder Before Evensong has all the hallmarks of a cosy crime; a quaint English village presided over by the Lord of the Manor, a cast of middle-aged/old-aged parishioners who have never even had a parking ticket in their lives, a couple of colourful characters to add a little spice and a crime that has absolutely no motive or suspects.

Set at the end of the 80's we have a very nostalgic feel to the story and the added bonus that there's no internet or mobile phones. Information is spread via terrestrial TV, newspapers or the local gossips.

I desperately wanted to love this book but really struggled with the writing style. Alongside this the actual murder doesn't take place until almost a third of the way into the book. It was only at this point that I felt the story began to flow, having also got used to the writing style. There were also a vast number of unusual words, thankfully I was reading on my Kindle so could look them up fairly easily.

The character of Canon Daniel Clement, along with his mother and brother, definitely has potential but I do feel the writing needs some tweaks to gain a foothold in the extremely popular cosy crime genre.

Was very excited when I saw this title as it sounded right up my street, I was thinking Thursday Murder Club meets Miss Marple so I was delighted to receive this ARC in exchange for fair and honest review. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher.

First off I was will admit I was a little disappointed as the book never lived up to my exceptions, perhaps I was expecting too much. There is no denying it is well written and takes a deeper look at quint village life, Coles is well placed to give a real authentic voice to this and it shows in the writing.

The premise of the story is classic cosy crime which I greatly enjoyed and there was real Miss Marple vibe to Cannon Clement in the way he investigated, this I loved. Great character. There is a lot of interesting character I enjoyed the interactions between them would have liked more of this.

I found the first few chapters quite slow, I felt the story took a while to really get going and at times I found it a struggle to keep reading as the build up was quite boring in part to begin with. Coles is a very accomplished writer his writing style is complex, reminds me a bit of Stephen Fry I felt however it was maybe a little to wordy and smart for this style of book. I have to praise how he managed to tackle issues like the aids crisis in the 80’s, the lasting trauma of war and rural life without it seeming like it was dropped in or it being too in your face.

I appreciate that the first few chapters while slow took the time to properly set up the characters and develop them but I felt there was too much of this and it slowed the pace the novel. I believe this book will be the first in what will be a series of novels so I feel some of the character development and backstory could have been kept for later in the series. The writer makes a great job of describing the village and surrounding setting it really jumps of the page, I could picture it clear in my mind…pure Midsummer Summer. However it took a while for me realise it was set in 1980’s this was quite annoying and misleading.

All in all I did enjoy this book but for me it lacked a key feature in whodunnit letting the reader act as detective, there are too random reveals that don’t really make sense. It is well written with good characters but is trying to be something more… stick with the classic format for the next book and it will be a winner for me.

I am a huge fan of cosy mysteries and was looking forward to reading this especially as it’s the first in a series.
I did enjoy the plot and found the humour ok but not as funny as the reviewers on the blurb suggest. I found the pace a little slow but it did keep me turning the pages. I will certainly look out for the second one.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.