Murder at Cleve College by Merryn Allingham finds Flora and Jack married and living in Flora’s cottage. This will not change their lives much, in many ways. Jack is teaching at Cleve Cottage several days a week and enjoying himself, but noticing some odd things about his co-workers. Flora misses him when he’s gone but has Rose working part-time at the shop, now so she has time for the garden and sleuthing. Their newest case arises when they find a body in a ditch. It looks likes he’s been run over, but nothing but a person could throw a body this far from the road. No identification. They call the police, who arrive anon. They did not appear to be making much headway so Flora took it on. Jack was busy, but he listened.

Flora was essentially a spinster and Jack had been hurt by his previous fiancee. It took them a while to admit their feelings and proceed with the marriage. Flora loved her life, and she loved having Jack in it. Her friends were cozy and warm and always had something going. She had found that asking questions got the answers one was looking for and she never hesitated. The murder was a strange one. The man was not a local, for sure. Jack listens and observes. Between the two of them they got a lot of information, more than the detective on the case. He scoffed at their finding at first but came around, just as he came around to their marriage. This is an intriguing series with good sleuths. Thanks Merryn Allingham!

I was invited to read Murder at Cleve Cottage by Bookoutre. All thoughts an opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Bookoutre #MerrynAllingham #MurderAtCleveCottage

Is anyone surprised that Flora and Jack's long awaited wedding celebrations would be interrupted by news of a murder investigation? Long time fans won't be. Flora and Jack have danced around the idea of marriage for what seems like ages after getting to know and respect each other while investigating, what else, murder. The compliment each other nicely, with Flora usually the more impulsive, hunch-driven one, while Jack tends to tread a more cautious, slower process. I won't give it away but their nicknames for each other are even driven by murder, albeit from a popular couple in literature. As always, author Merryn Allingham does an excellent job setting the scene, introducing us to what seems an ever growing cast, while never losing sight of the readers' need to know whodunit. Once you adjust to the slower paced world of, in this case, 1958 Sussex, you'll find yourself marveling at the difference between police investigations then and now. For instance, if you stumble across a body, you have to leave it to go find help or at the very least a phone to summon help. Abbeymead, the setting, sounds lovely, although it isn't without its secrets and quirky citizens. It takes Flora two difference buses rides to get from Abbeymead to Lewes, btw, another difference of the times.

In this installment, we spend time in Lewes, where Jack has taken a part-time job at Cleve College as a sort of mentor to young writers, a writer-in-residence type role. He finds he enjoys the job but he's also uneasy. Wouldn't you be if you discover your predecessor mysteriously died in the college's lake? This is where the story takes off as Flora and Jack stumble across a connection between the current murder and some suspicious activity and deaths connected to the college. I won't relate any more of the plot as it builds slowly (remember, we're talking not just pre-cell phones but pre-modern sleuthing equipment, and one bit of info fits into the jig saw puzzle as the connections are realized. There's lots of speculation, of course, even without evidence, so be prepared. Flora is known for her hunches.

So, who killed the initially unknown body that is discovered by, you guessed it, Flora and Jack? How do they figure out who he is? Why are they so quick not so share information with Inspector Ridley, a man Jack seems to like and respect? To be honest, the almost glee with which they react to, sigh, having another case to solve is a bit off-putting, doubled by, in particular, Flora's almost need to prove they can solve the case before the inspector. Never mind the danger they not only put themselves into but the potential dangers it might spark for others. In any case, it goes without saying that both Flora and Jack dash in to ask questions of potential suspects. In any case, they do ultimately find the killer, albeit not without finding themselves in danger.

Bottom line, despite my annoyance at both Flora and Jack (it's usually Flora whose rashness annoys me), I do enjoy this series and liked this book. We got to see the potential of their now married partnership as well as expand into other areas. I particularly enjoyed getting Jack's viewpoint (we get both) where his students needs and what he hoped to teach them, all of which gives us insight into what Jack, a well-known author, experiences as he writes. It was also fan to visit with friends in Abbeymead as well as venture into Lewes and college life in the late '50s. I definitely learned a bit about some orphanages of that time, reminding us that there is always improvement to be made. Thanks #NetGalley and #Bookouture for inviting me back for an early look at what is in the works for Flora and Jack.

Another riveting adventure in the Flora Steel series.
This cozy mystery had lots of twists and turns, and just the right amount of suspects to keep the plot flowing.. As always, the characters are great, with sprinkles of side stories that keep them interesting. Looking forward to seeing what Flora and Jack get up to next.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Flora and Jack get married, and Jack leaves Overlay House to move into Flora's house. After the wedding, they find a body in a ditch between the road and their house, but they don't find any identification. Finally, after a few days, Flora notices something shiny in the ditch. Inside a cigarette case, they find a note with an address. Flora goes to the address and finds out the man is Russell Farr, the son of the man who had been the head of the Ridlington Orphanage. Several years before, there was a small fire at the orphanage which had some problems with older orphans, and Russell's father had either fallen or been pushed over a high balcony. Jack has recently started a new job mentering writers at Cleve College. The college care taker was one of the older boys at Ridlington, and he seems to dislike Jack. Jack has also learned that his predecessor was also from Ridlington and had not quit the job, but had drowned in the lake. Flora and Jack need to find out who is the killer before the killer gets one of them.

There are several very exciting moments, and the story is very well done. I thank Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC so that I could read the book before publication.

My Thoughts /

First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, publisher Bookouture, and author Merryn Allingham, for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review. Publication date is currently set for July 24, 2024.

Murder at Cleve College is the ninth book in the Flora Steele Mystery series and, whilst I did enjoy it, I think I did myself a disservice by not having read any of the previous books. There were lots of little things that I had to catch up on. For one thing, Flora Steele not being 'Steele' anymore, she's now Flora Carrington; having just married her beau, Jack, at the start of the story.

Out for a stroll in the countryside, Jack and Flora discover the body of a man, who, at first glance, appears to have fallen down an embankment where he met his death. It's only when the duo tries to identify the victim and uncover how he came to be in the village that questions arise as to the whether his death was accidental or something more sinister. Their subsequent investigations lead them to Cleve College and to a second suspicious death. Two deaths. Both connected to Cleve College. With her husband now a writer-in-residence at the College, Flora is understandably concerned for Jack's safety.

I enjoyed the setting - 1958 Sussex, and the historical detailing surrounding the small village of Abbeymead is excellent. The author was able to give the reader an accurate account of the village, its setting and the people who called it home. Our main protagonists, Flora and Jack complement each other so well, and I can see them having a long and happy union, as they bring out the best characteristics in each other.

This is another series which has a character cast of thousands. I'm not sure what the current thinking of authors is regarding this point, but as a reader, it makes the plot sometimes more difficult to navigate. For example, it took me a while to figure out that the character called "Betty" is, in fact, a bicycle not a person!

All told, this is an easy, pleasant read, with many likeable characters; and I'd be happy to go back to the start of the series and continue with it from the beginning.

3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bookouture publishing for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

#MurderatCleveCollege #NetGalley

This is an entertainlng cosy crime novel set in the Sussex village of Abbeymead in 1958.
The historical detail is excellent as always and I love the way that it just gets dropped into the story and gives a real picture of how people lived then such as Flora having to take two buses for a relatively short journey.
There is a large cast of characters who really bring the story to life, not just the ones who have been in the series from the start but also a whole new set of people who work or are connected to Cleve College.
The mystery is an interesting one and I have to say that I thought I had solved it half way through the book but was completely wrong. I love the way that Flora and Jack complement each other in the way they go about solving the puzzle of the dead body although I was a bit dubious about them withholding information from the police at one stage.
This is another great addition to the Abbeymead series and I am very grateful to Net Galley and the publishers, Bookouture, for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Since this is the 9th book in the series and I have only read Book 1 (three years ago), I was quite lost in the first two chapters, as the author
"introduced" too many characters at once! Thereafter, things settled down as the really important characters were brought out.

I liked the team of Flora and Jack, both their cooperation and different approaches to the mystery. There were plenty of suspects (all properly introduced as we went on) and the plot development was very gripping. I enjoyed the book once I really got into the thick of it.

I can recommend the book, especially if you have been following the Flora Steele series, but now I have to go back and continue the series from book 2 forward!

The wedding all of Abbeymead has been waiting for is here! Flora Steele and Jack Carrington have planned, rehearsed, and arranged, meticulously, so everything should be plain sailing. Unfortunately, after Jack's very pleasant birthday tea, and just a week before the ceremony, everything goes slightly awry when a body is discovered on the outskirts of the village!

Flora and Jack are disturbed to discover links between the victim and the successful author's new place of work, but both are sure there is more to what's happened than just the location. As winter closes in, reluctant to be apart from her husband for too long, Flora finds herself travelling to and from Lewes regularly, to meet up with Jack and discuss their case. Neither of them have any idea of the danger lurking, or the number of lies being told, while they try to identify the killer. As they struggle with their first case as a married couple it becomes debatable whether either of them will be around by the end of it!

This is the ninth book in a brilliant series and I loved it! All the main protagonists are here, the danger level is very high, and the narrative between everyone is like a chat with an old friend. The differing opinions on relationships, the town versus village living, and married women working, were both entertaining and enlightening and, without spoilers, Alice, as usual, had opinions on all of it!

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Bookouture, but the opinions expressed are my own. I thoroughly enjoyed this, it ticked all my cosy boxes, and is easy to recommend.

The latest entry in Flora Steele’s adventures is a thoroughly enjoyable cozy read. Flora and Jack are finally getting married, but their newlywed days are marked by….finding a dead body, of course. They soon became embroiled in a story that turns out to involve the college at which Jack now teaches, a tragic story from an abandoned orphanage, and blackmail. Flora and Jack work together as well as ever to sort out the complicated tale at some risk to themselves. The mystery is good as always, and longtime readers will enjoy seeing Jack and Flora as a newly married couple. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. All views are entirely my own.

Academic setting…Flora is back…a new husband…murder and mayhem…recipe for disaster. Even the title is intriguing. Realistic characters keep the story moving quickly. Does Jack have the perfect job? What has happened? What is happening? What will happen? This book kept me guessing. Enjoy. Thanks to this talented author. Thanks Netgalley.

Bookshop owner Flora Steele and writer Jack Carrington fell in love solving mysteries. Now they’re taking their first steps as husband and wife… straight into their most perplexing case yet.
Book 9 in this fab series. I love this genre and found this to be one of the best books I have read in a while. I was kept guessing throughout, never quite sure which way the story would go until the end. Absolutely brilliant read

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy of this book.

This is the ninth outing for Flora Steele and her new husband, Jack Carrington, but the first for me. Set in a small English village in 1958, with a book shop owner (Flora), a crime writer (Jack), and a circle of good friends, this is a cozy mystery, indeed.

The author manages to smoothly introduce her large cast of interesting characters to the new reader, with only a little confusion. For example, one quickly learns that the reluctant Betty is a bicycle, but it is over 60% through the book before we find out young Charlie is 15 years old. Since he already has left school and is working, this is a little confusing.

Jack’s commitment to his writing, and some of the struggles he has with it, give a wry glimpse into the fiction writer’s process.

Flora and Jack do much speculating on relatively little information, and their delays in providing information to the police can be questionable, but with crisp writing, engaging characters, and a clever, layered mystery, I will be going back to read the earlier entries in the series.

Flora and Jack have just gotten married - and find a dead body. Adjusting to marriage and solving a murder (or more?) proves to be a full time task for this duo. Excellent!