I really enjoyed the latest instalment in the Cotswold Curiosity Shop mysteries. With her curiosity shop open for business, Alice is finally settling into in the picturesque Cotswold village. But then her old life comes knocking in the shape of her ex-boyfriend Steven, who dumped her to travel the world. He has run out of money and so asks Alice to sell off his many chess sets that he collected. Alice with the support of her friends decides to host an event to showcase the boards at the local school. Her plan seems to be working until it is clear that a number of chess pieces have mysteriously disappeared. And when a body is discovered outside tournament, Alice realises that the victim was a pawn in another, far more dangerous game. As the host of the event, Alice is eager to help the police. She doesn’t know why anyone would be interested in stealing random chess pieces, let alone be willing to kill for them, but she’s determined to find out. In a race against time, Alice must solve the mystery.

This is an enjoyable cozy mystery set in a quiet Cotswold village. I have read the previous book in the series but you could read it as a standalone. Alice is a very relatable character who is facing a change in career and her domestic situation later in life. However, she doesn't let this bring her down and immerses herself into the life of the village. Despite there being a death, this is a fun read as Alice comes across a motley selection of suspects and characters in the village. I'm looking forward to the next instalment in this series. With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book .

This was my first Debbie Young novel, and I had a decent enough time reading it. While the novel is marketed as a cozy mystery, I personally didn't find it to be a very warm and cozy read since there was a frequent mention of only tea and knitting which wasn't exactly my cup of tea.
I will say, I was pleasantly surprised to see a middle-aged protagonist and read from their perspective. The pacing was quite slow in my opinion for almost half of the novel which is why I had some difficulty finishing it. However, the mystery element was quite intense for a cozy, feel good story so that was appealing.

This is a fun mystery in the cozy genre. The character's are well and developed, memorable and the book flows at a good pace. The setting of a Cotswold village is very picturesque as you would expect and while this is the second book in the series it can be picked up and read without a problem although I will go back and read the first just as this was so enjoyable looking forward to more. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Alice has got the Curiosity shop in Little Pride up and running .
Little Pride is a lovely villlage in the Cotswolds and Alice’s home after splitting with her partner Steven .
Steven ended the relationship because he wanted to travel the world .
Alice is enjoying life and being the neighbour of a handsome millionaire Robert who makes her heartbeat a little faster than it should .
Steven asks Alice to sell some of his belongings mainly chess sets in order to fund his trip .
This sets off a turn of events no one could foresee .
A murder and kidnapping who knew chess was so exhilarating?
An easy to read cosy mystery with likeable characters .
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books .

Ive never read a debbie young book before but I love these types of books, and this one was great. It's a murder mystery based in the cotswolds, in a little sleepy village, and alice is to sell off her ex-boyfriends assets starting with his chess set which is then used to start a chess club, to raise funds for her curiosity shop and also the school. Sinister messages start to appear, chess pieces start to go missing, a dead body appears and someone is desperate to get their hands on this chess set.
The book was a quick read and a great story, even though it's a murder mystery its no were near being to heavy to read and the fact that I love chess is just a bonus.

Book 2 of the Cotswolds , curiosity shop series.

You do not need to have read the first one to pick this up, a picturesque country location, a cozy mystery and a likeable protagonist, all good things here. At least for me, I love this genre. I really appreciate Debbie Young's style of cozy books.

The book is gentle whodunnit, with a hint of millionaire romance, surely recommended to the fans of genre. Only issue for me that I find the pace abit slow. Otherwise great book solid 3.5/5

With her Curiosity Shop open for business, Alice Carroll is finally settling into life in the picturesque Cotswold village of Little Pride. But then her old life comes knocking… Alice’s ex boyfriend, Steven, who dumped her to travel the world, has run out of money and asks Alice to sell off his collection of chess sets.

Blurb : Alice came to this village in the first book with alot now with her shop finally set, she gets a call from her ex who's out travelling to arrange some funds for him by selling his collectible chess sets. Alice decides to host a tournament to showcase the boards, all was going good until chess pieces begin to mysteriously disappear. And when a body is discovered outside the tournament.

As the host of the event, Alice is eager to help the police investigate. She doesn’t know why anyone would be interested in stealing random chess pieces, let alone willing to kill for them, but she’s determined to find out. Can she solve the case before someone else gets hurt?

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC, all views are my own

This is a delightful cozy crime read, set in an idyllic Cotswold village. Alice has settled in and decided to give her life as a shopkeeper of curiosities a go. In agreeing to sell the chess sets for her ex-partner, she does not realise that she is opening up a mystery and attracting the wrong sort of attention. This is a gentle tale with some likeable supporting characters. In the background is Robert, her millionaire next door neighbour. It leaves you wondering if romance could be in the air.

Alice is a resourceful and entertaining central character and the story goes at a good pace. There are several surprises along the way to keep you entertained. With Alice's new post as editor of the local newletter, she is able to tap into the village news and really feel like a member of the community. I also enjoyed the visit from Alice's mother as she eyed up all the men as possible partners for her daughter, to Alice's constrnation.

In short: an entertaining cozy crime mystery

We return to the village of Little Pride int he Cotswolds. Alice's ex boyfriend contacts her asking for her to liquidate some of his belongings in storage as he has run out of money on his travels. Alice sets out to sell his chess set collection by first hosting a chess tournament in the village school. However all does not go to plan when a body is discovered.
I enjoyed this book better than the firs. Perhaps it was because I already knew the character and settings and felt less time was spent on world building and more on the plot. Overall and enjoyable cozy mystery.

One Good Deed..
The second in the Cotswold Curiosity Shop mystery series finds Alice fully settling into village life just as someone from her past decides to make an appearance asking for help. As Alice decides to assist, her good deed leads to the discovery of a dead body. Needless to say, Alice is soon drawn into the investigation. Enjoyable cosy mystery with nicely drawn cast of characters populating a well done plot laced with humour in a well imagined setting.

This was a great read - the plot was interesting and kept me guessing the motive. It is part of a series, and I am looking forward to tracking down the rest.

I've made no secret of the fact that I love Debbie Young's Sophie Sayers series (I confess, I think I'm a little in love with Hector... or maybe it's his bookshop?) so when Ms Young started another, different, series also set in a fictional English Cotswold village close to where the Sophie Sayers series is set, I read the first one with some trepidation. I liked it ... and now there is the second in this new series and I'm terribly torn! Do I root for Hector's Bookshop or for Alice Carroll's Curiosity Shop? But, were I to get the chance to actually visit the Cotswolds, I've a feeling I'd spend quite some time browsing Alice's intriguing shop because it sounds fascinating!

In other words, I thoroughly enjoyed this second in the series of murder mysteries. It was, to be honest, a little predictable but this is a cosy mystery, meant as entertainment not as a full-on police procedure 'whodunit' - it's the journey alongside the characters as they unpick the puzzle (or in this case, a game of chess) that counts, and the characters are definitely delightful and very much worth getting to know.

A quick-read, light, pleasant adventure, ideal for ignoring the rain as it pours outside, me curled up before a roaring winter fire, cup of tea and packet of chocolate digestives to hand, thoroughly engrossed.

Highly recommended. But beware: you might end up wanting to buy a themed chess set after reading this - or find yourself searching out knitting patterns, needles and some wool...

Looking forward to the next one.

Definitely * * * * * 5 stars

Debbie Young delivers another delightful mystery in Death at the Village Chess Club, the latest installment in her charming cosy mystery series. Set in the picturesque Cotswold village of Little Pride, this book combines an intriguing whodunit with the warm, small-town atmosphere fans of the series have come to love.

Alice Carroll, now comfortably running her Curiosity Shop, finds herself drawn into yet another mystery when her ex-boyfriend, Steven, reappears, asking her to sell his chess set collection. What begins as a simple sales opportunity soon spirals into a puzzling crime—chess pieces start vanishing, and then a body turns up outside the tournament she organized. As Alice tries to unravel the sinister motives behind the crime, she finds herself caught in a web of deceit, strategy, and danger.

Young crafts an engaging mystery with plenty of red herrings and suspects, keeping readers guessing until the very end. The charming village setting, with its quirky residents and close-knit community, adds to the book's appeal, making it a cozy yet suspenseful read. Alice remains a likable and resourceful protagonist, and her interactions with the local police and fellow villagers bring warmth and humor to the story.

The only reason this isn't a five-star read is that some of the mystery’s twists felt a bit predictable, and certain character motivations could have been explored in more depth. However, the novel is still an entertaining and well-paced mystery, perfect for fans of lighthearted detective fiction.

If you enjoy cosy mysteries with a clever premise, a charming setting, and a heroine who refuses to back down, Death at the Village Chess Club is a delightful addition to your reading list!

Debbie Young’s Death at the Village Chess Club is a delightful cosy mystery set in the picturesque Cotswold village of Wendlebury Barrow. Having enjoyed the first book in this series by Debbie Young, I was looking forward to this as I thoroughly enjoyed the quaint world of village life and wonderfully eclectic characters we’d met previously. It may be a small, close-knit community but an awful lot seems to happen, this time we have what should be a harmless chess club that becomes the place of intrigue and a sudden, shocking death.
The story kicks off when a member of the village chess club collapses mid-game, leaving the villagers puzzled as to whether it was a natural death or something more sinister. Enter Sophie Sayers, the ever-curious amateur sleuth, who, with her warmth and wit, quickly immerses herself in solving the mystery. As Sophie unravels the secrets of the club members, we see what makes each character tick and why they each have their own hidden motives.
I enjoy the mix of humour, intrigue and light-hearted storytelling. The mystery itself is well-paced, with enough twists to keep readers guessing without being overly complicated or hard to keep track. While the plot doesn’t take many dark turns, it’s the atmosphere of community, gentle humour, and Sophie's amateur detective work that make the book an enjoyable and cosy
Fans of the cosy mystery genre will love this book as it provides exactly the kind of light-hearted escapism that’s perfect for a relaxing afternoon. Although it is the second in the series and I highly recommend the first - Death at the Old Curiosity Shop – you could read as a standalone.
Death at the Village Chess Club is a heartwarming and clever whodunit that fans of Debbie Young and cosy village mysteries will thoroughly enjoy , filled with charm, humour, and a good dose of intrigue.

A fun and entertainin cozy mystery. Like the characters
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Alice Carroll is beginning to make a success of her vintage Curiosity Shop, and life in Little Pride is looking up. When her ex-partner Steve runs out of money on his world travels, he asks her to sell some of his chess sets to make some quick cash. A tournament is set up to gain interest and publicity for the sale. But when chess pieces start disappearing, and a body is found outside the tournament, Alice begins to wonder what is so special about the sets. Why would anyone steal them – and why would anyone kill for them? The race is on to solve the mystery and find the killer before anyone else is hurt.

I enjoy being in Little Pride with Alice and her friends and neighbours. The village vibe works so well, and I feel I’m getting to know them all. She has a friendly, caring nature and this puts people at ease. She fits well in the village.

The story is compelling and exciting, with plenty of twists and turns. But I still get the cosy village feel -along with a hint of romance. Ultimately it’s the warmth and community feel that makes this story a touch above the rest for me. An addictive mystery with heart.

If you didn't realise just how exciting chess could get then give this cosy mystery a read and you'll find out!!

Alice seems to have quite a few new ventures to contend with an I'm not so sure embracing her inner Miss Marple was what she had in mind although her mum seems to have the knack for it!

Her community is about to be rocked by a murder and she feels responsible so it's unsurprising that she wants to help to restore order. She's a very likeable character and you want to see her get back on her feet after the events that have occured leading to her current circumstances. Her curiosity shop sounds fab and full of all sorts of trinkets and treasure although the chess boards do seem to have taken over.

It's quite a fun, cosy mystery with a load of interesting characters. I feel Suki may have a few stories to tell if her and Alice can team up and become good friends

Alice Carroll, aged 50, split with her lawyer partner Steven who she had been with since her university days and relocated to the village of Little Pride whilst simultaneously being made redundant from her job as Victorian expert at the Broadwick City Museum. An overlooked clause in the sale contract of her new home meant she had to continue running the business now known as Alice’s Cotswold Curiosity Shop and, aided by her best friend Danny from the museum, also now lodging with her after splitting with his partner Martin who spiked Alice’s drink, she finds she has become surprisingly good at it. When her globetrotting ex-boyfriend Steven starts to run out of money, having only got as far as France, he asks Alice to liquidate some of his assets, starting with his chess set collection. Alice thinks it would be a great idea to use the school hall to display them for sale and start a chess club, and teacher Jack Dauntless agrees to help her and Danny, raising some money for her shop and the school into the bargain. Then events become rather strange. A sinister message daubed in ketchup, a night-time intruder, missing chess pieces and a dead body in the school car park all signal that someone is desperate to get their hands on the chess sets at any cost, and so Alice, together with Danny and the welcome addition of her mother Wendy, sets out to solve another murder.
There is lots of wit and charm in this lovely follow up to book one as Alice settles into life in Little Pride, even becoming the new editor of the parish magazine. Danny still provides support as Alice’s best friend and her relationship with her mother becomes stronger than it has been for years, whilst it seems her love life might finally be looking up. With a great village setting and some very likable quirky characters such as Nell and Maudie, this is a nice easily enjoyable cosy crime story and I look forward to book three.

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

This is the second book in the Cotswold Curiosity Shop Mysteries series. The protagonist, Alice, owns the Curiosity Shop. Her ex-boyfriend, Steven, takes her by surprise when he asks her to sell his collection of chess pieces, as he's in need of some extra cash. Alice decides to host a chess tournament at the Curiosity Shop.

I was excited to read this, as I enjoyed the previous book in the series. I enjoyed reading about Alice again, and returning to the cosy village of Little Pride, to visit her shop for the second time. I liked all of the characters, and found their interactions humorous. I also appreciated the chess theme in the story, which felt a little bit nostalgic for me in some ways. I enjoyed chess as a child, but haven't played it in a long time.

This cosy mystery was a fun and entertaining read, especially if you're a chess fan. I found it easy to read in one sitting too.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

A fab second book in series!

Alice Carroll is finally settled into her new home in the village of Little Pride and, even though it wasn't what she had planned, her new shop is open for business When her ex begins to run out of cash on his round the world trip, he asks that Alice sells off some of the 'treasures' to raise some money. When she retrieves his chess sets, she comes up with the idea of holding a tournament to attract buyers - but when chess pieces begin to disappear, it seems that there is something else going on . . .

The first book in this series saw Alice arriving in the village and dealing with a catalogue of problems she hadn't anticipated. With this second book, all that is behind her and she is settling into village life, doing her bit for the community. With a puzzle to crack, this is a very good read and one I enjoyed. I look forward to reading more about Alice and her Curiosity shop! A delight for cosy mystery fans and one I'm happy to recommend. 4.5*.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley.

Debbie Young’s Death at the Village Chess Club is a delightful and cleverly plotted cozy mystery set in the charming Cotswold village of Little Pride. With an intriguing premise, an engaging amateur sleuth, and just the right amount of suspense, this book is a perfect treat for fans of classic village whodunits.

A Clever Mystery with a Chess-Themed Twist
Alice Carroll, owner of the Curiosity Shop, is settling into her new life when her ex-boyfriend, Steven, turns up, broke and looking to sell his chess set collection. Hoping to help, Alice organizes a chess tournament to showcase the sets, but things take a sinister turn when pieces go missing—and then a body is discovered. Suddenly, Alice finds herself at the center of a far more dangerous game than she ever anticipated.

A Smart and Determined Sleuth
Alice is a fantastic protagonist—curious, resourceful, and determined to uncover the truth. As an amateur detective, she balances a keen sense of observation with an endearing mix of wit and warmth. Her role as the tournament host naturally places her at the heart of the mystery, and her interactions with the local police and village residents add to the novel’s charm.

A Picturesque Yet Mysterious Setting
The Cotswold village of Little Pride is beautifully depicted, with its quaint charm providing the perfect backdrop for a cozy mystery. Young skillfully captures the dynamics of a small community, where gossip spreads fast, and everyone seems to have secrets. The chess tournament setting adds a unique and intellectual twist to the traditional village mystery formula.

A Well-Paced Plot with Plenty of Twists
The story unfolds with a steady pace, balancing lighthearted moments with genuine suspense. The mystery itself is cleverly woven, with plenty of red herrings and twists to keep readers guessing. The stolen chess pieces seem like a harmless prank at first, but as Alice digs deeper, she realizes the stakes are far higher than she imagined.

Final Verdict
Death at the Village Chess Club is a delightful, intelligent, and thoroughly enjoyable cozy mystery. With its charming setting, intriguing plot, and a strong, likable heroine, Debbie Young delivers a book that will keep readers hooked until the final move. Fans of Agatha Christie-style mysteries and village whodunits will love this one.