2.5 stars rounded up to 3. This is meant to be a cozy mystery read, following Mrs Pargeter and a plethora of other characters in trying to find out who the dead body she'd found under patio was. It moves at a decent pace and it manages to keep the reader engaged until the end, despite the somewhat gimmicky feel that I got from engaging with all the ex-cons along the way.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest and impartial review.

*Mrs Pargeter's Patio* is a delightful addition to the Mrs Pargeter mystery series, blending humour, intrigue, and the charm of a quintessential amateur sleuth. This novel, set against the serene backdrop of Mrs Pargeter's mansion in Chigwell, takes readers on a thrilling and entertaining journey into the world of unexpected discoveries and quirky investigations.

The story begins on a seemingly peaceful June morning when Mrs Pargeter, a witty and resourceful widow, decides to enjoy her coffee on her patio. Her plans for a tranquil morning are abruptly disrupted when a patio slab cracks, revealing a human skull with a bullet hole. True to her unflappable nature, Mrs Pargeter decides to handle the situation herself rather than immediately involving the police.

Brett's creation of Mrs Pargeter is nothing short of delightful. She is a character full of vigour and curiosity, undeterred by the macabre discovery under her patio. Her decision to investigate with the help of her late husband's 'business associates'—private investigator Truffler Mason and chauffeur Gary—adds a layer of camaraderie and humour to the narrative. These supporting characters are well-drawn and add depth and colour to the story, their unique skills and personalities complementing Mrs Pargeter's sharp mind and fearless determination.

One of the strengths of *Mrs Pargeter's Patio* is its pacing. Brett keeps the story moving briskly, ensuring that there is never a dull moment. The mystery itself is well-crafted, with enough red herrings and surprises to keep even seasoned mystery readers on their toes. The author's adept use of dialogue and his keen eye for detail enhance the storytelling, making the world of Mrs Pargeter vibrant and believable.

As Mrs Pargeter and her friends edge closer to the truth, the stakes become higher, and the potential involvement of her late husband adds a personal and emotional twist to the investigation. This element of the plot provides depth to Mrs Pargeter's character, revealing her inner conflicts and the complexities of her past.

*Mrs Pargeter's Patio* is a must-read for fans of cosy mysteries and those who enjoy a good whodunit with a touch of humour.

Utterly entertaining I find I was reading for the wit, and interplay among colourful characters rather than breathlessly hoping to find out who put the body underneath her patio .. we learn abt the generosity of her now-deceased problematic husband who adored her, and his many protégés, more than the law (perhaps) .. lots of female stereotypes employed even as they are gently (mostly) undermined. Good, light fun...

It was not my cup of tea.. a good mystery and it was funny but i did not really get on with it.. i found it to forced and to silly really,.

Read this one alone, because you’ll laugh out loud…

Simon Brett’s Mrs Pargeter series is my second favorite of his many series. Although sometimes it’s actually my favorite – it all kind of depends on what I’m in the mood for at the moment. But in any case, I was thrilled when Brett picked the series back up in 2015, after a hiatus of 15 years, and even more thrilled to receive a review copy of the ninth and latest title in the series, Mrs Pargeter’s Patio.

And Patio turned out to be the same “got-to-read-it-alone-because-I’m-going-to-laugh-out-loud” funny as all of the other Mrs Pargeter books. The plot is a bit strained at points (most of the stuff to do with the TV program, IMO), but I’m not reading this series for super-puzzling plots where I’m going to match myself against the detective, trying to figure it out first. Instead, I’m reading them for the cast of odd-ball characters, some plain old fun and escapism, and occasionally just a bit of seriousness. So I'm pleased to say that Mrs Pargeter’s Patio delivers on all counts. Brett’s writing is as smooth as ever, and I was pulled along almost without noticing, until I finally clicked the last page-turn button on my e-reader. And now I’m hoping Brett writes another Mrs Pargeter book soon!

Oh yeah, and last but not least, my thanks to Net Galley and Severn House for my review copy.

Mrs Pargeter is a widow who overlooks the criminal activities of her late husband and convinces herself that he was a good man who managed to help those less fortunate to change their lives.

She tries to continue this helpfulness when she learns that her young gardeners father disappeared on her 9th birthday without trace and sets about trying to track him down.

When shes accidentally unearths a body buried under the patio, she decides to call on her late husbands acquaintances to try to identify him before bothering the police, who are very busy dealing with "real" crimes.

How is the body under the patio connected to the missing father?

Quite an interesting story with comical characters who will keep you smiling and intrigued at the same time.

I am a long term fan of Simon Brett, thpugh mainly on his radio work not so much for his novel writing, After Henry is one of the great family comedy sradio and TV series to this day! "Mrs. Pargeter's Patio," is one of his forays into the cozy mystery genre, featuring the charming and resourceful widow, Mrs. Pargeter.

When widow Mrs Pargeter decides to have her morning coffee on the patio of her mansion in Chigwell, her intention is to admire her beautiful garden in peace and quiet. Little does she expect one of the patio's paving slabs to crack in two, depositing her on the ground - and revealing a human skull with a neat hole in the middle of its forehead!

This is the 9th in the Mrs Pargeter books, but I didn't feel I had missed much by starting on number 9. I very much enjoyed the colourful cast of characters, each with their own quirks and motivations - a standard in the cozy crime genre.

In a world of many cozy crime books - does it stand out? I didn't take to it as much as I do MC Beaton but those relationships have been built up by years and I feel this could be the beginning of a nice new journey. I enjoyed the humour, as I knew I would from Simon Brett, and I'll definitely investigate the previous books!

Not my favourite series by Simon Brett. Maybe one needs to start from the first book with Mrs Pargeter.

Mrs. Pargeter's Patio by Simon Brett is a delightful cozy mystery that charms readers with its wit, warmth, and engaging plot. The story follows clever and resourceful widow Mrs. Pargeter as she navigates through the world of crime-solving with her unique blend of charm and intuition.

Set against the backdrop of a tranquil suburban neighbourhood, the novel takes an unexpected turn when Mrs. Pargeter discovers a dead body buried beneath her newly constructed patio. Determined to uncover the truth, she embarks on a quest to unravel the mystery, enlisting the help of her eclectic group of friends and acquaintances along the way.

Brett's writing is polished and full of subtle humour, capturing the essence of English village life with vivid descriptions and well-drawn characters. Mrs. Pargeter herself is a delightful protagonist, with her sharp intellect and unwavering resolve making her a force to be reckoned with in the world of amateur sleuthing.

As the story unfolds, readers are treated to a series of twists and turns that keep them guessing until the very end. The pacing is brisk, and the plot is intricately woven, ensuring that the reader remains engaged from start to finish.

Overall, Mrs. Pargeter's Patio is a charming and entertaining mystery novel that is sure to delight fans of the genre. With its engaging plot, memorable characters, and clever dialogue, it's a must-read for anyone looking for a cozy and satisfying whodunit.

The thing I like about the Mrs Pargeter series is the cast of entertaining characters and the way in which they interact. It is a world of "gentlemanly crime" where morals are important (even if the doings are not always particularly legal) and at the centre of which lies the fragrant Mrs Pargeter, widow of a well-thought of "businessman". Mr Pargeter's previous employees have all been helped by him in some way, and are keen to now help his widow, without ever mentioning the fact that not all their dealings are necessarily above board. It all leads to a delightful set up, full of polite kindness and camaraderie, sprinkled with a soupcon of danger, and I really enjoy immersing myself in that world for a few hours. These books are ideal for lovers of cosy crime mysteries.

I was surprised to discover this was book 9 in the Mrs. Pargeter series, It stands alone and I've missed the first 8 books which i will rectify very soon. When she discovers a dead body under her patio, Mrs. Pargeter gets out her dead husband's little black book and starts an investigation before she calls the police. I had no trouble following the story and I can't wait to find Simon Brett's previous Mrs. Parrgeters.

A cosy crime novel with quirky, humorous characters.
Mrs Pargeter uses her late husbands contacts to help her solve the mystery of the body under the patio. With nicknames such as Melting Maurice and Nick the Nicker you know you’re in for an amusing light read. Delightful fun!

This was a fun read the characters were entertaining and interesting. The mystery kept me interested until the very end.

I received a copy of this book via netgalley. It has taken me some time to get around to reading it. The book had some likeable characters but felt overstuffed with them. There were more ex cons per square inch of narrative that I found myself getting confused with their various names and criminal identities. I feel like the story line got lost in and among all this.

When i got this book I had not realised that it was 9th in a series that i had not dipped into before and perhaps this accounted for some of my confusion. However the overall plot and characterisation is not drawing me in to reading more of the series

4.5 stars rounding up

Synopsis

In "Mrs. Pargeter's Patio" by Simon Brett, the tranquil morning ritual of widow Mrs. Pargeter takes an unexpected turn when a cracked patio slab reveals a human skull. Unfazed, Mrs. Pargeter rounds up a crew of her late husband's associates and embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind this grizzly discovery.

My Overall Thoughts

Simon Brett crafts a delightfully fun mystery in "Mrs. Pargeter's Patio," where the titular character trips over a cracked paving stone and falls into a murder mystery. The cast of characters, each with a lengthy rap sheet and a debt to Mrs. Pargeter’s dear, departed husband, keeps readers perpetually off-balance and guessing their motives. The uncertainty surrounding Mrs. Pargeter's knowledge of her late husband's shady dealings adds an intriguing layer to the narrative, leaving readers questioning how much she truly knows.

This book takes the “unreliable narrator” trope to a new level where every character is unreliable. It really kept me guessing.

What I Didn't Love

This is the first book I have read in this series, so my very small criticism may not be fair when taking the whole series into consideration. However, I really wanted some deeper character development. I really enjoyed each of the characters, who were quirky in their own ways, but I didn’t get to spend enough time getting to know them. The novel was mostly plot driven even though it had some really delightful characters.

Potentially Offensive Content

Adult Situations

Violence (non-graphic)

What I Loved

The biggest strength of the novel really lies in its quirky, unique cast of characters. They are all varying degrees of evil. No one is wearing a white hat to show you who to root for. The supporting characters' comedic attempts to keep Mrs. Pargeter blissfully ignorant of her late husband's secrets along with the subtle hints about her awareness provide add an element of slapstick humor. Mrs. Pargeter is a character I want to get to know a lot better. I need to read more of this series.

I Would Recommend This Book To:

cozy mystery lovers who don’t mind rooting for a protagonist who doesn’t exactly wear a white hat. Good triumphing over evil is rather relative in this tome.

“I loved Mrs. Pargeter’s Patio by Simon Brett! The story follows Mrs. Pargeter, a clever widow, as she solves a murder mystery on her patio. I enjoyed the cast of characters and the twists and turns of the plot. Mrs. Pargeter’s determination and wit inspired me. The writing style was easy to follow, and the setting was vivid. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery with a charming protagonist.”

Keepw you page turning. You suspend and great story. Easy to read and understand the storyline.
Good character and well written.

A body under a patio....a gentle murder mystery...fun to read, brilliant characters absolutely loved it.

This is a cozy mystery about a very well connected widow who calls upon the people she knows to help her in certain situations. It was a light hearted book with a comedy feel. I laughed a lot when reading this book, I loved the characters. I didn’t realise this is one of a series, I’d love to read more from this series. There were so many characters in this story, Brett is a very clever writer because despite there being many characters, it was easy to remember who they all were. When the big reveal started coming together I was completely shocked, I didn’t see it coming. This was such an enjoyable book.

Simon Brett intrigues with Mrs Pargeter's Patio when a body is discovered buried under her patio. Her late husband never discussed his activities with her, but she was a great favorite with his stable of dubious associates. They embark on complex trail of the corpse and dig up dirt on past and present crooked types. At the same time Mrs. Pargeter looks for the vanished father of her female gardener whom she respects. Cozy with unexpected humor and delight in characters and plot.