Bloodshed on the Boards is a cozy mystery by Judy Leigh and it is second in a series featuring amateur sleuth Morwenna Mutton.
I haven't read the first book, and I think that was a disadvantage when reading this one. Events in the first book were frequently alluded to while not directly explained in this book. I thought the mystery in this one was good, plenty of different strands going on and a bit reminiscent of a Miss Marple type tale. I do however feel that Morwenna's electric bike features very heavily to the extent that it's a main character - at times it seems like a sales pitch! The glossary of Cornish phrases at the start was a nice touch. Overall I would recommend this book, but maybe read the series in order for optimum enjoyment.
Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the review copy.

A local grandmother gets involved in a murder of a local actor.

I have read only one other of this authors novels, and I found it and this book enjoyable, mostly as is focuses on older characters and how they are still active in society and capable still of many things.

I personally didn’t get overly invested in any of the characters and the freedom of the main character was a bit unrealistic that the police wouldn’t be more involved. What kept me motivated was the mystery itself who did it and why did they do it. There was plenty of red herrings and the storyline was fun to follow —it was entertaining enough to keep me going until the end of the book.

Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood books for this ARC . This is my honest review.

This was an all-around fun book to read. I enjoyed the fresh storyline and was unable to predict what came next! I think anyone who loves suspense and a quick read will enjoy this book!

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Another fabulous book by Judy Leigh.

We are back in Seal Bay where a theatre company arrives. But the director isn’t liked by some of the members. One night as there’s a performance on stage, the director whilst playing the lead character dies, and he’s not acting. His death leaves lots of suspects.

Morewenna thinks that there’s something that doesn’t add up, and the death didn’t happen by natural causes. So she sets out to investigate and find the culprit. But as she’s trying to find out the truth, she starts to receive threats, but, they’re not from that persons phone. So who is it?

The story has some twists and turns along the way.

I highly recommend this book.

I received a copy of the book for a free and unbiased opinion.
Bloodshed on the boards by Judy Leigh is a lovely cosy mystery set in Cornwall. I loved the fact the lead amateur detective is confident woman in her sixties living a great life. In fact ,Morwenna’s mother is equally fascinating as character.
There are a suitable number of suspicious characters with their own strange motives, and I have to admit I didn’t guess the identity of ‘who did it’.
Seal Bay and the villagers form a lovely backdrop to the mystery and Morwenna’s busy romantic life and there are some lovely descriptions of Cornwall. I liked the peppering of the dialogue with Cornish with a help guide at the start of the book.

Morwenna Mutton is back and, like the rest of the town, is looking forward to the traveling theater coming to town. At the end of the play the lead actor dies and most assume it was a heart attack, but not Morwenna.

As the four generations each play their part in this book, Morwenna is determined hey will solve the murder, no matter the threats that are made to her and her family. And so, Morwenna rides her bike as she sleuths and tries to stay one step ahead of a killer who isn’t afraid to kill again.

This was a good entry, but not as strong as the first. I do love Morwenna and the cast of locals and family as they are amusing at times. I’m hoping the next entry will be a bit more developed.

Morwenna Mutton works at the library tea shop. Like others in Seal Bay, she is looking forward
to the traveling theatre company coming to Seal Bay. When the lead actor and director dies at the end of the
play, it is assumed to be a heart attack. However, Morwenna is correct in believing he was murdered. As the
director had been seeing her mother, Morwenna sets out to uncover the killer. Her mother receives threatening text messages warning Morwenna to stop investigating or risk harm to her and her family. The threats won't stop Morwenna from continuing her investigation into the director's past and members of the theater company to unmask the killer.
#BloodshedontheBoards #NetGalley

Bloodshed on the Boards by Judy Leigh


When The Spriggan Travelling Theatre Company arrives in Seal Bay to perform a Cornish version of King Arthur the locals flock to be entertained. But for Morwenna Mutton, sexagenarian librarian, wild swimming enthusiast and amateur sleuth, the theatre brings intrigue too. Actor and director Daniel Kitto is not the most popular member of the cast and unbeknownst to him, his role of Uther Pendragon on the opening night is to be his swansong.
Another book in the Morwenna Mutton series set in the fictional Cornish village of Seal Bay.
Love , love , love reading these books , a super cosy mystery that is never twee and leaves you wanting more.

librarian, baker, multigenerational, murder, situational-humor, verbal-humor, amateur-sleuth, cozy-mystery, tea-shop, local-gossip, local-law-enforcement, ghostie, small-business, small-town, family-history, family-dynamics, family, pet-cat, Cornwall, actors, travelling-players, friendship, threats, poisons, contemporary*****

Morwenna and her bicycle are back! And she has a chicken purse (complete with red coxcomb) for dressy occasions! She is SO like my sister Zelda in rural Wisconsin.
Yes. Morwenna. She, her mother, daughter, and granddaughter are immersed in investigating the sudden death of a charming rascal who owns the visiting troupe of players. He was 82, unpleasant to his employees, and did NOT die of a heart attack on stage. But the sleuthing brings threats and more. A great, fun, fascinating cozy mystery set in the homeland of King Arthur.
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from Boldwood Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
#MorwennaMuttonMysteriesBk2 Available 11 April 2024 #CozyMysteries

Morwenna Strikes Again..
The second outing in the Morwenna Mutton Mystery series and another investigation is on the cards for the amiable amateur sleuth. When a death occurs during a performance put on by a travelling theatre company local police are content to label it from natural causes. Morwenna thinks differently - of course she does. The dead actor was almost universally disliked and, Morwenna believes, suspects are numerous - but as she begins to dig deeper things may well take a very dangerous turn. Most enjoyable cosy crime with a likeable protagonist in Morwenna, a cast of eclectic and well drawn characters and a lighthearted plot.

Morwenna Mutton is back and better than ever! She is still riding her bicycle around Seal Bay, although now she has an electric model. She still works at the library and the family tea shop. She's still a wild swimming enthusiast. She still knows her own mind and is who she is. And when murder comes to town, she's still ready to investigate.

When a travelling theatre comes to Seal Bay, everyone looks forward to the entertainment. Even the kids get involved, auditioning to be mermaids in the play. The theatre company isn't one big happy family, though, and the director and leading actor heartily disliked. While shocking for the audience, there were not too many sad members of the company when he collapsed and died in the middle of his big scene. Everyone assumes he died of a heart attack, but Morwenna Mutton thinks something else is going on, so she decided to dig around a little to see what she can find out.

This is one of my favourite cosy mystery series. Morwenna is a great character. I love the focus on her and the other women and future women in her family--her mother, daughter, and granddaughter--and their relationships. The quirky village characters are delightful. The mysteries are twisty enough to be interesting, but not convoluted. It was such a treat to be able to immerse myself in this book while I was reading it. If you're a cosy fan who likes books featuring strong older women, female friendships, generational relationships, Cornwall village life, fun characters, and well plotted mysteries, then you might love this book (and the first one) as much as I do! Highly recommend.

I love Judy Leigh’s books and especially her vivid portrayal of older characters showing that people don’t become invisible once they reach a certain age. This newish cosy crime series is a fairly new departure for her but showed many of the elements of her other books.
Morwenna is a spirited 62 year old who loves her family, riding her bike everywhere and swimming in the sea. When a travelling theatre group arrives, she discovers that her mother and the theatre director have a romantic history. On the first night of the production, the director dies of an apparent heart attack and the stage is set for an intriguing mystery.
Morwenna is a really vivid main character and Judy Leigh does a great job of creating a real character with an interesting family. As with the author’s other books, there is a whole cast of supporting characters some of whom are more fully rounded out than others. I did love Susan and Barb, the knitting sisters who are constantly looking for new things to knit to raise money for the Lifeboat charity.
The mystery is an interesting one with plenty of red herrings to send Morwenna and the reader off on the wrong track before all being sorted out. The story was a little far fetched for me as I’m fairly sure that the police wouldn’t have allowed Morwenna such a free hand especially towards the end.
On the whole though, it was an entertaining read and I’m grateful to Net Galley and Boldwood Books for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Bloodshed On The Boards by Judy Leigh is a gripping contemporary cosy mystery which I loved. It is part of A Morwenna Mutton Mystery series but can be read as a stand-alone. I enjoyed meeting up with familiar faces.
Morwenna Mutton is a wonderful leading lady. She is in her sixties, a very unique character as she rides her electric bike through Cornwall’s winding lanes. Her heart is warm and welcoming. Her mind spins as she tries to solve the puzzles around her.
Bloodshed On The Boards is amateur sleuthing at its finest. Morwenna Mutton is a modern-day Miss Marple, preferring her own investigating before involving her friend in the police. She thinks on her feet as well as in her head.
This is a small community that lives together, laughs together and supports local businesses together. The local café is warm and welcoming, being easy to picture in my head. Judy Leigh writes with an artistic pen, ‘showing’ us around the area.
Wild swimming happens weekly but only the hardiest of souls turns up.
All the characters were wonderfully drawn. The dialogue between them was warm, and often witty. I loved Morwenna Mutton’s granddaughter who, at six years old, took every opportunity to ask her Mum for a dog – including when performing on stage!
Bloodshed On The Boards has a murder to solve. The reader tries to unravel the clues until Morwenna Mutton fills in the blanks for us.
I adore all Judy Leigh’s books. They are warm, witty, welcoming and extremely well executed. I always know I will be in for a treat when I pick up one of her books.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

'Bloodshed on the Boards' by Judy Leigh.

When The Spriggan Travelling Theatre Company arrives in Seal Bay to perform a Cornish version of King Arthur the locals flock to be entertained. But for Morwenna Mutton, sexagenarian librarian, wild swimming enthusiast and amateur sleuth, the theatre brings intrigue too. Actor and director Daniel Kitto is not the most popular member of the cast and unbeknownst to him, his role of Uther Pendragon on the opening night is to be his swansong.
In front of a horrified audience, he collapses during the dying moments of the performance in a pool of fake blood, and although the police are content that the causes of his death are natural, Morwenna isn’t so sure. And once it becomes clear that there are a number of people who stand to gain from Daniel’s death, Morwenna’s investigation takes a dangerous turn.

I read the previous book of this series and liked it so I couldn't wait to read this.
Well I didn't guess the killer, so that is always good for a murder mystery. I really enjoyed this, it's just a lovely cosy murder mystery and I love that it is set in Cornwall. I love the main character Morwenna, but I have to say her mum steals the show for me, her character is amazingly written. I hope the author continues with this series.
If you love a cosy crime mystery then I recommend reading this.
Thankyou to NetGallery UK, the publishers and the author for letting me read this in return for an honest review.

A travelling theater company arrives in Seal Bay along with it secrets and mystery.

Morweena again is involved in another murder this time of the actor and director of the theater company, Daniel Kitto.

Which of the cast has the most to gain from murdering him? What secrets and lies has Morweena uncovered and who may be next?

Another wonderful read in the Morweena Mutton Mystery series! I can't wait for her next adventure!

We are back in Cornwall with Morwenna and her friends. This is the second in the series but happily stands alone. There’s a play in town and when the unpopular director, owner and lead is killed on stage for real there are plenty of suspects, but there is one who knows Morwenna will be using her detective skills to discover the real perpetrator. The police have said it's a natural death from a heart attack but Morwenna is sure that there is more to it and the more she finds out the more someone is threatening her- but who?

This is one of those reads that you can happily sit by the fire and snuggle down with. One that puts the reader in the heart of the action and in Cornwall, and occasionally in the sea as Morwenna swims. There’s a great cast of characters who make you feel at home and mentions of scones and jam and toasted teacakes after a bracing swim. This is another of Judy’s wonderful reads that is more than thoroughly enjoyable. It's a cozy type mystery with family, drama and even a little romance thrown in, showing that you are never too old- for anything if you put your mind to it. A brilliantly entertaining read, I look forward to more in the series.

For more reviews please follow me on Twitter or Threads @nickisbookblog
----------------------------------------------------------

A fun murder mystery in a small Cornish village
The mystery was good and in general the characters are as well. A few secondary characters are pretty shallow and could do with a bit more development, as I felt this detracted from the story. But overall a good read.

I discovered Judy Leigh via her non-mystery books but this is the first time I've read her recent cozy mystery series featuring Morwenna Mutton. It's set in Seal Bay and has a rather large cast of characters, probably expected due to it featuring an acting troupe putting on "The Return of the Cornish King". The mystery begins when Daniel Kitto, who played Uther Pendragon, literally dies onstage. At first it's thought a natural death but following instincts, Morwenna thinks otherwise.

Although I haven't read the first book in this series, I quickly warmed to Morwenna despite cringing when she, uh, "borrowed" potential evidence. She's smart, loves swimming no matter how freaking cold the ocean water is, and rides her bicycle everywhere. She also admits to herself that she still has feeling for ex-husband Ruan, who basically lives next door. That is an interesting side story but there are several bubbling under the surface. Another is her mother Lamorna, who was more than a bit enamored with Daniel, a feeling with a backstory. So, her interest in finding out what really happened to Daniel is personal although, well, one gets the idea she simply enjoys solving the puzzle of whodunit, too.

So, who killed Daniel? Turns out there are several suspects. Although Lamorna was smitten, many of those in Daniel's acting company didn't like him. But, although the troupe as a whole might benefit from his death, would one of them have hated him enough to kill him? Or, maybe the killer is a local? Could the disappointment of a stage mom at her daughter not being chosen for the child mermaid role allotted to a local have been angry enough to kill? Why is Barnaby there and will he helpful or a hindrance? Why isn't Morwenna involving the police? And, spooky, how is Lamorna getting phone calls supposedly from Daniel? Why is Morwenna paying so much attention to Ruan's comings-and-goings? Who .... oh, enough teasers.

Overall, despite being new to this relatively young series, I felt it did well as a standalone. My only real issue was trying to sort out who-was-who, a task complicated by the characters in the acting troupe, but Leigh did an excellent job introducing each and fleshing them out nicely. To be honest, since this was my intro to the series, I appreciated the initially slow moving plot though some may be anxious to move along more swiftly. I also enjoyed my introduction to the village and some of its characters and also realized at some point that I was no longer having to refer to the glossary at each local phrase/word. Fortunately, that glossary is provided early on and I did initially find it helpful although many of the terms were relatively obvious in meaning. Bottom line, I enjoyed meeting Morwenna and her family and friends although, brr, I think I'd skip those early morning swims in the cold ocean. Thanks #NetGalley and #BoldwoodBooks for introducing me to Morweena and giving me this sneak peek into her life and surroundings. I'll be back.

This was another fun cosy crime read featuring sixty something Morwenna who doesn’t believe the death of an actor in a travelling performance died from natural causes. This does a good job of catching up with her family whilst introducing a real mix of characters in the visiting actors, any of whom appeared to have motive to kill. Although a lot of this seems unlikely it’s still engaging due to the location and characters and is a really easy and enjoyable read.