I’d like to thank Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘A Death In The Parish’ by Richard Coles in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

In ‘A Death In The Parish’ we’re back with Rector Daniel Clement and his mother Audrey in the Parish of Champton now joined with Upper and Lower Badsaddle and meet the new Vicar Chris Biddle, his wife Sally and their teenage twins Joshua and Lydia.

Cosy Crime novels are very popular these days and have a large following. Unfortunately I didn’t get the chance to read the first book in the Canon Clement Mystery series so I feel that I’ve missed out. The Reverend Richard Coles is a capable storyteller whose writing is pleasant and easy to read, and with a bit of religion and some murder thrown in for good measure it’s an entertaining read. Coles has made a worthy niche in the market and while I found parts of the book quite funny I didn’t feel able to get fully involved with the characters, as interesting as they were. I’d like to get hold of the first book then read this one again to see if my opinion changes especially as it comes across as being much liked by its readers.

Murder mystery set in rural England in the 1980s - very good read

Set in the late 1980s, this detective novel sees Daniel, a vicar, helping a local policeman to investigate a murder in his parish. Although the events of the author’s previous novel are mentioned, to give some context, these help to introduce the various characters in this small community. Richard Coles’s background as a vicar is used fully to explain the rituals, vocabulary, procedures and politics of the Anglican Church. The language is rich, the plot easy to follow and not over-complicated and the characters are interesting and well-developed.. It's informative and entertaining. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Death in the parish

This is the second in the series set in the village of Champton where Daniel Clement is the Rector. He lives with his mother, the gossipy Audrey, who is amusing for the reader. In the first book a series of murders took place and still affect the community. Now there is another killing, and it is a bad one….

There is rather too much ‘religion’ for me, especially in discussions between characters, but I can see how it becomes relevant to the plot. There are other subplots developed, including Daniel’s burgeoning friendship with Neil, a Detective Sergeant. I enjoyed this. Another subplot, involving a pair of rather nasty fortune hunters who prey on those about to die, was not resolved satisfactorily for me. Maybe in the next book?

I would certainly continue reading this series having read the first two. I read a copy provided by NetGalley and the publishers but my views are my own.

Murder has returned to Champton.
Canon Daniel Clement has tried to calm his flock following the previous murder but with the parish being joined with Upper and Lower Badsaddle there have been many problems.
He soon feels he is not in control!!

Supposedly the second book is difficult to write, not for Richard Coles this book is very good we are back in Champton where Daniel has a new curate to settle in to village life his mother Audrey is on fine form . When death comes againDaniel finds himself at the centre trying to give solace but also find the culprit. A great read that I raced through not knowing who the murderer was until the reveal .

Canon Daniel Clements’s peaceful world has once again been turned upside down.
His parish of Champton has been joined with Upper and Lower Badsaddle which means Daniel has to welcome a new Vicar and his family into the fold.
Chris Biddle his wife Sally and their two teenage children are not exactly what Daniel was expecting.
Daniel's initial feeling about Chris seems to be that they will clash, as they share very different ideas as to how their faith should be shared with their parishioners. This proves to be true but when a body is found on the nearby abandoned airfield, Daniel will need to put his personal feelings aside and help to find out what happened.
I’m afraid I didn’t find this as good as I hoped. If I hadn’t read the previous one, I wouldn’t have been able to work out when this was set in as the references varied.
As with the first in this series I thought it was too "wordy". There was too much unnecessary description, things that could have been described in one or two sentences went on for a page or more. Just not my cup of tea,

A super follow up book by Richard Coles. It reminded me of Midsommer Murders (in a good way) but this sort of book certainly does not make me want to move to the countryside villages just like many folks do when they retire. An entertaining read.

My first time reading from this author.

Unfortunately I couldn’t connect with the characters so it took away from my enjoyment. However, I still want to give this author another try snd hopefully I enjoy the next book more.

The sequel to Murder Before Evensong, and Canon Daniel Clement is once again caught up in murder…
This book is a strong follow up to Richard Coles first novel. It is amusing and also thought provoking at times, and I would highly recommend to any cosy mystery fans out there.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC in return for an honest review.

This book builds on the character development from Murder Before Evensong. It was lovely to be back with our vicar Daniel Clement, his mother and the villagers for another instalment. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot and characters in this book and was interested to see what they had been up to since the first book. I love the descriptions of village life and the rhythms of the Church Year and although I had no idea who had committed the crime ( I never have) it was all very plausible. Equally I liked the way that there were still ripples from the crime in the first book, living with the consequences of those actions.
A very enjoyable instalment in this series.

An amusing read, I don't think I would push this book, but I would suggest it for people looking for this sort of thing. Cosy crime sells itself really, but its not one I would recommend specifically.

This is the second murder mystery novel in the Canon Clement series, and I found it to be very much more engaging than the previous book. The plot moves along quickly, with well-developed, interesting characters, several intriguing storylines over and above the murder itself, and a helping of mild humour. Throughout the novel, the author gently considers important differences within the Anglican community, although there is no doubting where his own sympathies lie within this “broad church”. Given what is a bit of a bombshell for Canon Clement at the end, I am looking forward to reading about whatever the author has in store for him in the next book.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, ‘A Murder Before Evensong,’ and I am pleased to say that this was just as good – if not better – than the first mystery featuring Daniel Clement, Rector of Champton, who lives with his mother, Audrey. The book opens with a Sunday lunch at Campton House, where Lord de Floures of the ‘Big House,’ is welcoming the new associate vicar, Chris Biddle, his wife, Sally, and their teenage twins, Joshua and Lydia. Things do not get off to a good start, with the twins being fairly badly behaved and Daniel and Chris not seeing eye to eye about matters in the parish.

There are two threads to this novel. One concerns a murder in the parish. The other involves an elderly lady who is dying and the fact that a local couple have somewhat latched onto her for possible financial award. This is set in the Eighties, when I was young, so it is a time that I remember very well, from the music to the fact that people wrote letters. Still, Daniel is fairly old-fashioned, even for those days, and the scene where he goes to a football match with Neil, the detective sergeant who we met in the previous book, is extremely funny! I look forward to reading on in this series and received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.

A Death in the Parish, written by Richard Coles, is a captivating mystery novel that delves deep into the heart of a tight-knit community. Set in a quaint and seemingly idyllic English village, this tale unravels the secrets and lies that lurk beneath the surface of its picturesque facade.

Canon Daniel Clement has enough on his plate when the parish is combined with Upper and Lower Badsaddle and a new religious family moves to the area a few months after the gruesome murders in Champton. They are not at all like Daniel and his mother Audrey, who is openly plotting (while keeping it from Daniel). Another murder occurs right when everything appears to be quite quiet, at least in terms of murders.

Daniel finds himself entangled in the investigation, uncovering hidden motives, strained relationships, and dark secrets as he seeks to bring the perpetrator to justice.

Richard Coles' writing style is engaging and descriptive, painting a vivid picture of the charming village and its colorful inhabitants. His ability to create well-rounded, relatable characters adds depth and realism to the story. The novel explores themes of love, loss, betrayal, and redemption, all set against the backdrop of a community grappling with the consequences of their actions.

One of the strengths of A Death in the Parish is its pacing. The narrative unfolds at a steady tempo, with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end. Coles masterfully weaves together multiple storylines, creating a complex web of intrigue that keeps the reader engaged throughout.

Moreover, the book offers a unique perspective on the role of faith and spirituality in the face of adversity.

If there were any criticisms to be made, it would be that some readers may find the novel's resolution a tad predictable. However, this does not detract from the overall enjoyment of the story.

In conclusion, A Death in the Parish is an enthralling and thought-provoking mystery that offers a fascinating glimpse into the complexities of human relationships and the power of redemption. Richard Coles' storytelling prowess ensures that readers will be captivated from the first page to the last. I highly recommend this book to fans of mystery novels and those who enjoy exploring the intricacies of small-town life.

The sequel to Murder Before Evensong is every bit as intriguing at the Rev Coles’ debut. A few months after grisly murders in Champton, Canon Daniel Clement has enough on his hands when the parish is joined with Upper and Lower Badsaddle, and there’s a new religious family in town. Not that they’re anything like Daniel and his mother Audrey, who is quite clearly scheming (and keeping it from him). Just when everything is reasonably quite, murderwise at least, another murder comes along. This is not your common or garden cosy crime death, however; think ‘ritualistic killing’ and you’re on the right track. Can Daniel figure out who is responsible without bringing some nasty consequences to his nearest and dearest? Nicely paced, this whodunnit will leave you on tenterhooks.

I adore this series. Not quite cozy mystery, but just enough comfort to sink into. The characters are likeable and the village is starting to build in my mind. I will eagerly await each new book in this series!

Very sweet amd cosy, though too many liturgical sections for me. But a gentle read, and I would recommend it for night time reading. I read it in one fell swoop, so it couldn't have been that bad!