This is the second book in a series, but I read it as a standalone. It’s a cozy, slow burn mystery taking place primarily on a farm and the small community in which it is located. Jude runs the farm and lives there with her sister and toddler nephew. Noah works on the farm and seems interested in Jude’s sister. Everyone in town is alarmed when there is a fatal hit and run. In addition, there appears to be an unknown man walking around at night. There is a large cast of characters who are interesting and well delineated. Jude follows the clues and becomes enmeshed in the mystery, while taking care of the animals and building new shepherd huts on the farm. If you love farm animals you will love the details in this book. Overall it is an entertaining and twisty book. With thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC. My opinions are my own. susanh_bookreviews

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read "Stranger in the Village" in exchange for my honest review.

This is the much anticipated second book in The Malvern Mysteries series and while the first book was fabulous, this one was even better! Once again it is set at Malvern Farm which is run by Jude Gray, who inherited it when her husband Adam died from cancer unexpectedly.

Her sister Lucy and 3 year old nephew Sebbie live with her now. Lucy is a carer at the home where Granny Margot lives. Noah the shepherd still lives in the pink house with his dog Floss. DS Binnie Khatri who has become a close trusted friend to Jude is back as well.

Jude is trying to find more ways of bringing in income as there isn't enough in lambing. She decides to try glamping and buys 2 Shepherd's Huts that she fixes up with the help of newcomer Marco Ricci - who offers labour in exchange for a place to stay while he paints. But who is he really?

Des Smith is the town bigot who feels that women can't be farmers. In contrast his wife Loretta is a lovely caring woman. Des throws some threatening words at Lucy that they can't figure out the meaning of?

There is a hit and run in front of the pub and a woman named Pamela Heath is killed. No one knows this woman or why anyone would run her over. Then another murder happens and it pulls Lucy into the middle. Once again murder hits too close to home for Jude as they find another body on her land.

Ms. Wells has weaved some surprising family ties into this story that the reader might not have seen coming. Not everyone you meet in this book is who they appear to be. So many family links appear that raise as many questions as they answer.

Some fun parts of the book for me where Pancake the lamb and Gertie the Golden Guernsey goat who are delightful. Two new pups have joined the farm as well - Ned and Alfie.

The story concludes with a Christmas dinner where Noah, Granny Margot, Gerwain (one of the carers from the home) and Binnie join Jude, Lucy and Sebbie. Deep down family is at the heart of everything.

The second book in this series was even better than the first. It's October on the farm when the book starts. Jude is enjoying the peaceful season after the crops have been harvested. Now the rams have to do their job of getting the ewes pregnant and the description of how this was done, leaving dye marks on the ewes back sides, was interesting to read. Jude has made friends with an older woman who lives close by, Loretta Smith. Her husband Des is a creep, bragging and showing off, but Loretta is a kind and gentle friend. Jude has decided to set up a glamping site at the bottom of her farm and has a couple of used shepherd huts delivered. A handsome young man named Marco arrives just in time to help with the renovation in exchange for accommodation. Then Des is found dead, stabbed in the back, and peace at the farm is disrupted.

I was intrigued at how Jude could do almost everything from feeding the animals to tiling the new bathrooms in the glamping site, and then cooking meals for a big family. She and Noah adopt two puppies too, one who Noah will train as a sheepdog, and one who will be a family pet. I had to say to myself "what!" a few times because of the coincidences on identities of new characters who arrived at the farm, but it all seemed plausible enough in the end. I am looking forward to more from this author, she's easy to read and the story flows along well. Thanks to Boldwood Books for allowing me an advance copy of this story - I'm happy you did!

I enjoyed this one. The story starts off sweet and pleasant and then the story changes and it gets a little twisty which escalates to the end. Very enjoyable I want to read more by this author. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Good book! This book had a bit of everything! It had suspense, Action packed, intrigue, mystery, murder, revenge, a fantastic who done it, great plot twist, and some crazy twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting and kept me glued to my Kindle!! I definitely recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!