Member Reviews
This mystery was so much fun. It was fantastically twisty, with extremely complicated familial relationships, mysterious woods and dead bodies old and new. I had not read the first 1, but had no trouble getting into the story and characters. I’ll be looking forward to the next one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this DRC.
#MurderatRavensHollow #NetGalley
Third in a series and better than the last two - Ben is growing up but how he's managed to become a DI I don't know. At least Milla is not much on the scene. Bones are found during renovation work in the big house now a local flower shop. They are about 20-25 years old - although using radiocarbon dating as a method for that date is a total nonsense. There is a newly arrived, mysterious writer/artist in the village. Ben's DS, Harriet, is at odds with her artistic mother, who is a nasty person anyway. The bones are identified eventually, throwing loads of cats and pigeons together - no-one is quite who they thought. It's a complex village with a complex and rather over the top set of characters but an ok read. 3.5 rounded up because of the cat. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.
I enjoyed this book. It was a fun, fast read. And I thought it was going to be a basic mystery detective story but it was more than that. There were several twists and turns that kept the book fresh and unpredictable. The characters were solid and while reading, you could tell the author tried to make them relatable. And the beautiful description of the town - I would want to live there!
The book did have multiple storylines, although one of them felt out of place, almost unnecessary. It didn’t add to the story. But, what did add to the story though were perfectly placed and well thought out flashbacks. These flashbacks kept the story moving while giving insight to what had happened.
I was a little frustrated with the ending of the book (no spoilers). Some storylines felt rushed without addressing everything that had happened, while other storylines were left unfinished and some storylines/ characters seemed forgotten about. The conclusion felt incomplete.
Overall, if you want a good small- town detective story, this was it.
Thank k you netgalley and Storm Publishing for this arc.
I didn't realize I'd missed the second book in this series, so I'll be going back to read that one and catch up on Ben's story more.
I really enjoyed this one. I honestly didn't expect the twist that came of who the killer was, but dang that was good! It paced nicely. I like the different point of views and going back in time. I definitely am looking forward to the next book and seeing how things pan out for Iris and the rest. I have a feeling we will be seeing more of florists, it felt like they were being set up as suspicious.
The only thing that bugged me was the use of cell phones 25 years ago when the deceased was still alive. If I remember correctly this is more present time so 25 years ago would have been late 90s which doesn't line up with the cell phone use, and texting mentioned. Not a big deal but just made the timeline of 25 years ago feel much more recent.
This talented author has written a page turner. Realistic characters kept the story moving quickly. Red herrings kept me guessing. A cannot out down mystery. Intrigue. Thanks Netgalley
This third episode in the Raven's series focusses not on Ben (DI Ben Taylor) or is on and of girlfriend Mila but instead on DS Harriet March. Like both Ben and Mila in the previous books it turns out that Harriet has a couple of bodies in the cupboard of her own as it turns out that there are a couple of shady details in het past as well that she would rather forget.
Well, what else would you have expected in the quirky and spooky village of Raven's Edge with its strange and sometimes murderous inhabitants?
As in the previous two books this episode introduces an eccentric outsider with a hidden past as well in the person of Iris Green. When an old skeleton turns up beneath a dilapidated green house, followed by a body that hasn't even cooled yet the fun is complete. Enough material for another delightful read set in Raven's Edge where nothing is quite what is seems.
Although I would have liked a larger role for DI Ben Taylor I totally get the focus on Harriet. Makes me wonder where the main focus will lie in the next episode, hoping that there will be another book.
I want to thank Netgalley and Storm Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Bones are found buried in a derelict greenhouse outside a residence and florist. Though the bones are decades old, DS Harriet March and DI Ben Taylor set out to determine the identity of the victim and the perpetrator of the crime. When a fresh body turns up nearby, is there a connection to a mysterious novelist who has moved into the village recently, or even a connection to Harriet's own mother?
I love a good British mystery, and this one had all the anticipated twists and turns. There were so many connections, or half-connections, between various villagers that it was a bit difficult to keep it all straight at times. Nevertheless, this was an enjoyable read with a satisfying ending.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
This is the best book I have read this season! Harriet is investigating a 25 year old murder and there are so many fun plot twists that I wasn't expecting, that it has made me not want to stop reading this book! I love the characters and can't wait to read more of this series!
DS Harriet March and DI Ben Taylor find themselves with a complex case when decades old human bones are found in a derelict glasshouse behind the local florist shop. Things get even more complicated when a body is found on the side of the road in front of Harriet's mothers house. Harriet is shocked to learn secrets of the past connect to the recent murder and involve her own family history. This was an excellent book full of intrigue and suspense with a very twisty plot. I could NOT put it down until I reached the nicely tied together ending. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well written complex mystery.
DS Harriet March quite likes living in the apartment above Foxglove and Hemlock, the florist in Raven's Edge, not that she's there very much. When she does get a day off, work intervenes as her landlady unearths decades-old human bones in the unkempt garden behind the building.
With very little information to go on or clues to point her and partner DI Ben Taylor in the right direction, they start hunting through missing persons files and eventually come up with names to investigate. As they dig a little deeper, Harriet finds links to her own past, which are compounded when a second body is discovered at the end of her mother’s driveway! As Christmas moves ever closer, can Ben and Harriet join all the clues together before time runs out, or will everything shut down for the holidays, while one villager pays the ultimate price?
This was my first visit to Raven's Edge, and, for the most part, I loved it. Harriet and Ben were great main protagonists and Harriet's mum. Wow, she totally rocked every scene she was in! One part near the end did get a bit silly and over the top but redeemed itself just in time, so it didn't ruin anything. There is far more to this storyline than just the murder investigation, with Harriet's life outside of work, and the everyday life of Raven's Edge described in such a way that it was easy to picture.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Storm, but the opinions expressed are my own. I'm delighted there will be more to come in this series, and I will definitely be on the lookout for book 4 later in the year.
Murder at Raven's Hollow, the third book in the English Village Mystery series by Lousie Marley, is a complex, multi-faceted mystery with an atmospheric setting, that has more than one mystery to keep the readers' attention to the very end.
I have not read the first two books in the series, but was none the worse off for that lack of background; this book easily stands on its own. The characters at the core of the book - DS Harriet March and DI Ben Taylor, and their staff - are well-rounded and relatable,. The three distinct mysteries introduce an element of intrigue and secrets that slowly unravel, and threats that become all too real.
What tangled webs are found here, all due to secrets and deceptions that go back decades and are revealed piece by piece, with chilling effect.
I am pleased to have found a new, wonderful author and series through receiving an ARC of #MurderatRavensHollow from #NetGalley.
Bones are found under a derelict greenhouse in a neglected garden. DS Harriet March rents an apartment in the garden’s home and realizes the bones are human. Who do the bones belong to and how did they get there?
The story introduces characters and over time and the branches of the story are woven together as the links between characters and events become evident. Set in a small English village, the characters are complex. I enjoyed this mystery.
Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.
Murder at Raven’s Hollow by Louise Marley is a chilling and immersive addition to the An English Village Mystery series, offering an enthralling tale of buried secrets, generational sins, and small-town intrigue. Set in the enigmatic village of Raven’s Edge, this third installment stands strong as a standalone read, though fans of the series will undoubtedly appreciate the continuity.
The story begins with a gruesome discovery: human bones unearthed beneath a decaying glasshouse behind the flower shop, Foxglove & Hemlock. Detectives Harriet March and Ben Taylor are called in, and their investigation unveils a labyrinth of lies, family secrets, and untold truths about the village’s history.
As Harriet delves into the case, the arrival of Iris Evergreen—a reclusive novelist with a mysterious past—adds another layer of complexity. Taking up residence in Raven’s Hollow, a gothic mansion steeped in local folklore, Iris finds herself entangled in the investigation in unexpected ways. Her family’s dark legacy and the eerie happenings at the mansion are brilliantly woven into the plot, creating a palpable sense of foreboding.
Marley expertly alternates between the present-day investigation and glimpses of the past, slowly unraveling the secrets of the glasshouse bones. The story is further enriched by a new murder, which shakes the village and heightens the stakes. Harriet’s personal life is also intricately tied to the narrative, adding emotional depth as she confronts her own family’s entanglement in the unfolding mystery.
With atmospheric descriptions, complex characters, and expertly layered twists, Murder at Raven’s Hollow captures the essence of a classic British mystery while maintaining a fresh and modern appeal. The haunting village setting, coupled with the intertwining timelines, creates a vivid backdrop that keeps readers hooked until the last page.
This book is a must-read for fans of small-town mysteries and those who love their crime fiction with a touch of the macabre. Marley’s ability to blend suspense, history, and richly drawn characters is unparalleled, and readers will eagerly anticipate what’s next for Harriet March and Ben Taylor.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review
This book was brilliantly laid out to introduce you to the characters one by one. I haven’t read the first two books and it didn’t matter. The in-between sections from the past were a wonderful way to build up the story, revealing little bits at a time to keep you guessing.
I loved the format and loved the storyline even more. It was a little slow to start as we got to know the different characters, but intriguing none-the-less. Once the story got going it did not stop until the satisfying conclusion. I was utterly riveted and it was difficult to put the book down when I ran out of time for reading.
The psychological breakdown of the characters battling with their conscience was relatable and brought emotional connection allowing you to empathise with them. And wonder what you would do in the same circumstances!
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good murder mystery with some romance woven in to give it a more engaging appeal.
Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Harriet's next case hits very close to home. When a body is discovered, her and her partner have alot of unanswered questions. This book had alot of twists and turns.
When I read the description, this sounded like the perfect, cozy fall mystery! This is the first I've read in this series, but didn't feel like I missed much. There's a variety of characters and a couple mysteries in the village, starting with a skeleton in a garden. I enjoyed the coziness and felt for the characters and rooting for their happiness. I thought the story lagged a little and seemed drawn out, but I was happy with the conclusion. A great fall and winter read!
Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy!
This is the first book in this series that I have read and bearing in mind it is the third book, it was easy to follow having not read the previous two. The characters were generally robust and you were able to form an opinion of their personalities fairly early on, and the dynamics between characters as well. Having the past written in italics helped tremendously, as I was initially a little confused when Iris was first introduced as I couldn’t work out whether she was from the past, present or another time. There are a number of different plots running along side one another that interlink, and part of the mystery is trying to identify what those links are. Each plot is written from different characters perspectives which help give you an insight into how they think and see things. The way the village of Raven’s Edge is described throughout the book makes you curious to find out more, a map would be a good addition. All in all, I really enjoyed Murder at Raven’s Hollow and have already looked to see what other books Louise Marley has written.
Murder at Ravens Hollow is an excellent read that perfectly balances a layered mystery, engaging characters, and a rich setting. As the third book in a series, it stands well on its own, following DS Harriet March and DI Ben Taylor as they uncover buried bones in the quaint English village of Raven’s Edge. The storyline blends a cold case, fresh murders, questions of trust, and a hint of romance, creating a plot that kept me guessing the entire time.
The cliffhanger ending left me wanting more, eager to see where the author takes this story next.
MacInerney does an impressive job juggling complex elements without overwhelming the reader. The characters are thoughtfully written, with distinct personalities that you’ll either love or love to despise.
The picturesque yet secretive village setting added the perfect touch, and I’m looking forward to diving into the previous books and any future installments in this delightful series.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publishing company & author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
I havent read the previous books but this can be read as a stand alone, highened excitement ranges with cozy mystery prose at an elevated pace. A perfect winter read.
A wonderful third edition to the English Village Mystery series! Cozy crime at its finest!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my ARC