Wonderfully comforting read, with characters you get to know and in some cases adore and others not. Engrossing read, I look forward to more.

I found the first book a bit of a struggle but enjoyable, so wanted to approach the sequel with an open mind. I was pleasantly surprised and found myself drawn back in both the characters and the location. An easy read, perfect for fans of cosy crime. Will keep an eye out for the anticipated third title.

A charming, wry and, at times, wise crime novel set within village and church life in the 1980s.

This follows on from Rev Coles' first book 'Murder at Evensong' where a number of murders rocked the community. As Canon Daniel Clement tries to calm and steady the villagers of Champton in the aftermath, he finds that the parish is to be joined with Upper and Lower Badsaddle bringing more change and unease. And for Daniel, himself, there's a challenging colleague to contend with, too, in the evangelical Chris Biddle, the new associate vicar.

Sadly a tragedy is in store for the village, once again, and Daniel is in the midst of it all.

It's set in the late 1980s so we are not troubled by email or mobile phones and village life is as you might expect, at times slow and predictable but beset with politics and secrets. The characters introduced in book one feature again (though we don't need to have read the first book to appreciate them or their histories). Daniel is a delight and shares his home and life with his mother Audrey and the two dachshunds Cosmo and Hilda.

I very much enjoyed escaping to the village of Champton to spend time with Daniel Clements. There's wry humour and some wise observations and the routine of church life dictates the pace of the day, the week and the seasons.

This is the first book from the author that I have read. I therefore found the start difficult as I didn’t really know the characters. A body of a young boy is found, Canon Daniel Clement joins forces with the local police to solve the crime. It is a gentle murder mystery book. I do feel there are some deeper messages the author places into the story which can be a little distracting from the main drive of what is happening. Having said that I would recommend reading the first book and then this one.

I had not read the first book by this author, but wanted to give this one a try when I had the opportunity on Net Galley. It's not the usual sort of subject I would read, but I found it to be easily readable and light hearted. Being set in the eighties it took me right back, I loved all the characters and look forward to the next in the series.

The latest in an impressive line of crime-fighting members of the clergy, Canon Daniel Clement returns to tackle his second cosy mystery in A Death in the Parish. It’s been a few months since the disturbing events of Murder Before Evensong and life in the picturesque village of Champton St Mary is just beginning to resume some semblance of normality. Well, as normal as can be expected for a place that has more in common with St Mary Mead or Cabot Cove than anyone cares to admit.

Further change is soon afoot, though, as church authorities have decreed that Champton is to merge with the parishes of Upper and Lower Badsaddle. Daniel is to be in overall charge but the Badsaddles are to be largely overseen by newcomer Chris Biddle, whose hardline approach to religious matters contrasts markedly with Daniel’s more compassionate stance. The parishioners don’t take well to Chris’s evangelical fervour or his sartorial informality, leaving Daniel to broach some difficult issues with his new colleague.

Such ecclesiastical conflicts pale into insignificance, however, when a ritualistic murder is discovered and the community has to confront the fact that there is another killer in their midst. In between ministering to a terminally ill parishioner, protecting her belongings from magpie-like neighbours, maintaining peace between the villagers and those at the ‘Big House’, discovering what his mother is being so secretive about, and other vicary duties, Daniel teams up with new pal Detective Sergeant Neil Vanloo to unmask the killer.

Seamlessly blending quirky characters, a perplexing murder and the everyday realities of life in an English country parish, Richard Coles’ A Death in the Parish is an entertaining cosy mystery that isn’t afraid to touch on serious matters. The sense of place is once again strong, with Champton St Mary almost being a character unto itself, but while Murder Before Evensong suffered somewhat from an opaque sense of time, there is no such problem in this sequel.

Indeed, the fact that A Death in the Parish is set in the late 1980s is made clear from the start, which allows Coles to address the consequences of the recession and the myriad social changes that were happening at the time, including the requisite Margaret Thatcher jokes. The contrast between Lord Bernard de Floures’s inheritance concerns, Daniel and his mother’s money worries, and the day-to-day lives of the villagers is particularly well drawn in this regard.

Coles clearly has a good eye for characters who would feel right at home in Midsomer County, which means that Daniel encounters some proper eccentrics and oddballs over the course of his investigation. While there are a fair few returners from Murder Before Evensong, there are also a number of newcomers to the series, most notably the Biddle family, the genteel Mrs Hawkins and the nefarious Tailbys. The old and the new mix well together, not least because they all seem to have an abundance of secrets.

Unfortunately, as the majority of the characters are very much introduced as ‘characters’, their defining features are made clear from the outset and there is little room for development as the story progresses. Still, there’s a lot of humour in their portrayals, although Coles also works in issues such as elder abuse and racism, which are not often addressed in cosy mysteries. Daniel himself fares better on the development front. And strangely, so do his dogs, dachshunds Cosmo and Hilda.

Murder Before Evensong was characterised by a slow buildup to the main event—that is, the murders—and Coles takes a similar approach in A Death in the Parish. The murder again doesn’t occur until a fair way into the book, which means that plenty of background detail is provided, albeit at the expense of pace and excitement. Even after the murder has occurred, Daniel’s investigation proceeds in ponderous fashion, occurring in fits and starts around parish matters and musings on religion.

Of course, Coles’ own experience as a parish priest shines through here, lending an air of authenticity to the story. He is clearly interested in chronicling village life and the evolving role of the church in society, but despite his evocative descriptions and dry wit when writing about matters close to his heart, the balance between such elements and the murder mystery aspects of the story isn’t quite right. Going forward, it would be beneficial if Daniel’s investigative exploits came more to the fore.

Overall, A Death in the Parish is an enjoyable instalment in the Canon Daniel Clement series. Despite some minor shortcomings, it showcases Coles’ skill at crafting complex yet still cosy mysteries in countryside settings worthy of the Golden Age of Murder. The combination of appealing characters, an intriguing puzzle and some delightful moments of humour marks it out as a cracking cosy mystery. Beware, though: for all its cosy credentials, there’s a surprisingly strong punch to the gut following the dénouement.

A Death in the Parish is a second instalment in the Canon Clement series. As the Reverend Richard Coles is the author, we get a lot of interesting (at least for me) details concerning everyday life of the small parish in 1980s with its gossip, squabbles and a list of interesting but not always pleasant characters. There’s a murder as well, but in this book it somehow takes a second place and instead the author concentrates more on the village life. There’s death of a wealthy parishioner, a local gentry getting annoyed by the old customs and traditions and there’s youth getting into trouble, newcomers person arriving, and there are even new puppies. But the murder is somehow in the background of it all and maybe this series should not be called cosy crime at all, because it’s the human nature is what the author is clearly interested in, and he’s also good at dissecting it. There are also vexing spoilers for those who read the first book, which makes me think again that the murder mystery is almost the afterthought here.
So, did I enjoy the book? I did, but not the crime solving part and not as much as the first book. Will be I read the next instalment? Definitely, thanks to a killer cliff hanger at the end of the book. Ouch.

I enjoyed this book. Although a murder mystery, it was a light hearted book to read. I had not read the first book in the series, although I wish I had and I will probably do that now. There was some reference to the first book but this was a stand alone novel.
This book was set in an English village in the late 1980's. It ticked many boxes, as not only was there murder, mystery but humour and compassion. I did learn a bit about the traditions and politics of a vicar's life, some of which were completely new to me. So the book offered much and weaved a pleasant journey for me the reader.
I will look for more books by this author.

I absolutely loved this second instalment in the Canon Clement series. Can't wait to read the next one!

I’m a big fan of cozy crime and of the author in his other roles but I’m afraid I struggled to love this book. I think that the religious references, quite detailed in places, meant that it was a more difficult read than I’d like from something that I’d expect to pick up and down from my sunlounger.

Canon Daniel Clements, a man accustomed to a peaceful existence, finds himself once again thrust into a world turned upside down in his parish of Champton. The merging of Champton with Upper and Lower Badsaddle brings forth unexpected changes, demanding that Daniel extend a warm welcome to a new Vicar and his family.
However, the arrival of Chris Biddle, his wife Sally, and their two teenage children proves to be far from what Daniel had anticipated. From the outset, it becomes evident that Daniel and Chris hold contrasting views on how their faith should be shared among their parishioners. A clash of ideologies appears inevitable, however when a lifeless body is discovered on a nearby deserted airfield, Daniel must set aside his personal reservations and engage in the quest for truth.
This was my first book from Rev Richard Coles and I felt at a disadvantage because of that. Without prior knowledge from the previous instalment the story lacked a lot of background knowledge leaving me somewhat disoriented. I also found this to be a very wordy book, descriptions that could have been conveyed in a couple of sentences were needlessly stretched across pages, resulting in a less enjoyable reading experience. Shorter, succinct sentences are more a personal preference of mine.
With its multifaceted exploration of various themes such as friendship, family, personal histories, love, and the inevitable presence of religion, this book possesses a profound allure that is sure to captivate discerning readers. Penned by the esteemed Reverend Richard Coles, a writer drawing extensively from his own life experiences, it offers a unique and thought-provoking perspective that adds depth and authenticity to the story.

A great read. I didn’t realise this was the second one written by Rev Coles (I’m off to look for his other). Although, it’s not the most exciting read, a blessing when I read before bed, there’s enough detail to keep interest; I think it’d make a great holiday-read. I loved the fact it was set in the 80s, I was transported back to my youth. I can’t wait to see what happens to the characters in the next instalment.

This is my first taste of but the 2nd in the series written by the well known Richard Coles, once a member of the Communards who went on to become a member of the C of E clergy, it features his detective Canon Daniel Clement. It is set in the 1980s with its culture, the change and turbulence of Britain under Maggie Thatcher, with its class divisions. This works perfectly fine as a standalone, there are many references of what happpened previously and the characters that have become established, all of which made me feel as if I knew them well. This is a thoroughly engaging and enjoyable mystery with its echoes of the golden age of crime, the protagonist ensures it immerses the reader in the church, parish life, and the differences that are accommodated within the C of E, from Daniel's compassionate approach to the more rigid, judgemental, evangelical approach that he is forced to confront.

The text draws on Coles's theological education and experience of the church, plus he has researched the historical time period. Consequently, there is a focus on the Champton congregation, and it is highly informative, through the characters, on religious pastoral care, parish life, loss, mortality, spirituality, theological disagreements, church services, festivals, rituals and traditions. Daniel finds the responsibilities conferred on him difficult when the parish is combined with Upper and Lower Badsaddle, the new member of the clergy is far from easy to deal with. The stage is set from the start with an uncomfortable introductory lunch with the local member of the aristocracy. Chris Biddle, his wife Sally, are not happy, and the atmosphere worsens with the poor rebellious behaviour of their children, 16 year old twins Joshua and Lydia. A horrific ritualistic murder at an abandoned airfield ensures that Daniel and his now close friend, DS Neil Vinloo, once again investigate.

There are other threads in the story, efforts are made to ensure the wealthy, dying Mrs Hawkins is not taken advantage by the notorious Roy and Jean Tailby, this leads to Daniel's mother, Audrey, becoming far too secretive. The arrival of Hugh and his intended wife, Michelle, giving rise to concerns she poses as the prospective chateline, and the ignorance she faces, Michelle deals with it with grace and aplomb whilst Daniel is forced to reconsider the nature of his relationship with Neil. I am impressed with Coles, his foray into crime fiction has been a delightful experience, this is a series that that I am happy to recommend to others, and I look forward to the next in the series with great anticipation! Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

My thoughts on A Death In the Parish are quite muddled. I had enjoyed the first in the series and started this second full of confidence that I’d feel the same again. And yet… there was a lot I felt uncomfortable about (some of which was also an issue in the first book, some of which was new).

First off, I grew up in a very involved C of E family in exactly the time period these books are set, and so the internecine conflicts that ravaged the church then - Anglican tradition vs Christian evangelism, the ‘problem’ of female priests - are familiar to me and felt quite cosy and comforting in a way that childhood memories do. However, for those readers not as well versed in scripture and church politics, I can well imagine the detail to which Coles goes into could be dull and alienating. How these conflicts eventually play out in the mystery is also a bit much: while I am absolutely no fan of evangelical Christianity, the way it’s presented here is somewhat beyond belief (trying not to give spoilers….!)

Secondly, a nagging feeling I had had with the first book - that the setting of the books in the late 80s didn’t serve much purpose beyond allowing characters to be horrifyingly non-PC (or, to call it what it is: allowing characters to be racist, misogynistic and homophobic) - was exacerbated further in this second volume. As an aside to this; what editor allowed the consistent capitalisation of Goth - to refer in all instances but one to the subculture not the ancient tribe - but not the capitalisation of Gypsy, a distinct ethnicity recognised by the Equality Act and, not incidentally, one of the groups (alongside Travellers) that, per recent research, suffer the most racism and prejudice in the U.K..

Finally (and with a mild spoiler warning) the frankly weird friendship between Daniel and the police detective made for strange enough reading, without the queer-baiting about-turn at the end.

There were still things I enjoyed in the book, not least the magnificent Audrey and several other brilliantly drawn background characters (the creepy couple who befriend elderly widows were particularly memorable), but overall as a reading experience it left me feeling unsatisfied and frustrated.

Another murder befalls the village of Champton and once again the Rector, Daniel Clement, and Detective Sergeant, Neil Vanloo, join forces in their attempt to catch the perpetrator.

A really enjoyable sequel to Richard Coles’ first novel, Murder Before Evensong. This book was far more concise in style than the first in the series. There were fewer characters to confuse the issue and I enjoyed it much more. The characters are becoming more familiar, the plot was easier to follow and I was intrigued by all of the subplots - some of which are ongoing. The big reveal was worth the wait as was the unexpected scene at the end. Definitely one to recommend.

It wouldn’t be unreasonable to assume that a story written by a Reverent and featuring a Canon as the main character might be a cozy mystery. Which just goes to show how dangerous it is to assume anything.

Not to be too mysterious about it, the murder victim in this book is a teenage boy, killed on an altar in what appears to be a ritualistic manner. He is the son of Richard’s new colleague after the parish boundaries have been altered. From the moment they first meet it is clear that Daniel, our Canon, and Chris, the new arrival don’t see eye to eye when it comes to theological matters. Why anybody would want to kill his teenage son though, is a complete mystery.

And then, the mystery appears to take a backseat as the story focuses on other, apparently unrelated (both to the murder and to each other) matters. There’s the (not-suspicious) death of an elderly lady and the question why so many seem to have an interest in her cameo brooch. There’s Daniel’s mother Audrey, and her sudden penchant for secrecy. And of course, there is the usual interaction with the local aristocrats, the de Floures.

There are quite a few moments to make you smile too. Daniel attending a football match with Neil Vanloo, the local detective sergeant, and the uproar Daniel causes. There's an unexpected pregnancy, Or Daniel’s visit to a record store. On the heavier side, the book is also rather heavy on religious thought, theory, and philosophy. Maybe that’s just what a reader should expect from a book written by and featuring a priest. And I have to admit that at least some of it was very relevant to the mystery. But I can’t deny that on one or two occasions my eyes glazed over and my mind wandered.

I was about two-thirds through the book when I figured out both the murder and the motive, well ahead of the conclusion being reached on the page, for a change. That’s not a complaint, though. If nothing else, it means that the murder ‘made sense’ and the author played fair with the reader.

There is quite a bit of action and drama before Daniel sees the light and explains everything in a drawing room scene reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s Poirot. (Also, not a complaint.) Since the village setting and interactions have Miss Marple vibes, the whole set-up feels a little like a homage to the Queen of Crime.

And then it ends on a surprising and possibly a little disappointing (at least for me, and I assume the character involved) note. I wouldn’t call it a cliff-hanger by any stretch of the imagination, but it does make me curious about book 3.

Long story short: Like Murder before Evensong (Canon Clement #1), A Death in the Parish is a solid mystery featuring a fascinating cast of characters and a satisfying conclusion.

‘A Death in the Parish’ by Richard Coles is the second book in the Canon Clement series. Champton is still struggling to get over the recent death in the community when it is faced with another death. Canon Daniel Clement does his best to maintain order in the community as he struggles to maintain order amidst the merging of parishes.

This is a cosy crime novel that features Canon Clement who serves the parish in his role in the community while dealing with the many day to day challenges of his personal life. The interactions between Daniel and his mother, Audrey make entertaining reading but fail to fully captivate me in the novel. That said I did enjoy it enough to want to read more of this series which makes a light change from my more serious thrillers.

Richard Coles writing is good and there are plenty of humorous moments throughout the novels. There are plenty of good things to say about this series such as the characters and light humour and I am sure it is only a matter of time before I get fully hooked.

Rating 3.5 stars

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Orion Publishing for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

The second book in the series as we return to Champton and the Rev Daniel Clement and his Mother Audrey. Best to read them in order although new characters appear. I liked the first book and many have this one but for me it was too wordy in places making it difficult to connect with the characters. Thanks to Richard Cole’s and his publisher. Thanks also to NetGalley.

Step back in time to the '80s - Margaret Thatcher, punks, rise of Emo, bad hairdo's and a certain kind of English Village. The tight-knit community, beautiful scenery, quirky neighbours - oh, and homicidal intent!

Canon Daniel Clement thought that he's had his allotment of excitement and murder in Champton.
Sadly, the amalgamation of several parishes and the trials of a new job administering the new "super-parish" has given him a lot of work. Add in his interfering mother, his burgeoning friendship with the local Det Sgt and some mysterious new inhabitants in town and, well Daniel may have to more than a few words with his "Boss".

A witty, warts-and-all view of small village life back in the 80's and early 90's. The trials and tribulations of his parishoners show how big problems can insert themselves in small town life. I enjoyed meeting the quirky villagers (I missed book 1 but didn't feel that I missed out too much - I soon figured everyone out!). Rev Coles managed to show the gaffes that the well-meaning but inevitably out of their depth locals got themselves into. You want to slap them for their attitudes to diversification in their town and the "big house" whilst simultaneously still wanting to actually like them!

Steady paced, plenty of twists and turns and I kept myself firmly planted in the world. I always feel that every book I read should impart knowledge of some sort, in this case it was small town English life and the life and politics of a Canon!

Even as a completely non-religious person I still found Daniel a highly enjoyable character to follow around and Daniel may have accidentally taken on the voice of the author in my head (that always happens when I read something from someone who's voice I know). I'll definitely be reading book 1 now!

I love Reverend Richard Coles and I love his books.
I read and very much enjoyed the first book and this second one did not disappoint. I do feel that Cosy is a misnomer and should be binned. There is nothing cosy about murder. The books are superbly written laced with supreme wit and intelligence that one would expect from a consummate writer as the Reverend. I really like that it is assumed the reader has a brain too and not everything is spelt out Some parts made me laugh out loud. Such a brilliant turn of phrase. The descriptions are so accurate. The characters are developing nicely. The plot rolled along at a good pace and a fabulous time was had by all reading the book. It's almost like he is on the sofa next to you reading it out loud. Superb read, I loved it and eagerly await future books