Miss Seeton Quilts the Village

This title fits in seamlessly with the earlier books in the series. So glad to have Miss Seton's quirky charm back!

I'm absolutely delighted by this brand new Miss Seeton mystery. A wonderful cozy series.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Farrago for an advance copy of Miss Seeton Quilts the Village, the twenty third novel in Heron Carvic's Miss Seeton series and the fifteenth written by Sarah J. Mason under the pseudonym of Hamilton Crane.

Miss Seeton has just returned from a trip north to attend Nigel Colveden's wedding and visit a friend and is soon involved in the execution of Plummergen's version of the Bayeux Tapestry, an endeavour inspired by a throwaway remark from Nigel's French bride, Louise. In the meantime Chief Superintendent Delphick has been asked by some shady government people to investigate the apparent suicide of a double agent. With ACC Sir Hubert Everleigh caught up, while holidaying, in a South American coup and thus out of action he is forced to comply.

It is twenty years since the last novel in the series was written so I was excited to be asked to read and review this latest edition and it doesn't disappoint. It has a freshness and spark that some of the later novels lacked and a suitably ridiculous plot which had me laughing out loud at some points.

It carries on from where the last 1970s novel left off and has many of the usual characters. There is no role for Mel and Thrudd, Fleet Street journalists extraordinaire, but this is more than made up for with the outlandish theories dreamt by by the village gossips on the flimsiest of evidence and are extremely funny. The chief gossips, The Nuts, who became annoying in later books are back in diluted form and much better for it.

Throughout it all Miss Seeton goes about her business unaware of the speculation around her and embarrassed about her flights of fancy sketches which the police find so useful. Yet again she sets them on the correct course.

I feel that Miss Mason has the balance exactly right in this novel. There is a clever deftness to both the plotting and dialogue and all the characters have a proportionate place. It makes for an excellent read and has left me thirsting for more. As a result I have no hesitation in recommending it.

This is the first sequel I've read to the original Miss Seton books and it's pulled off very well. The influences of both Agatha Christie's Miss Marple and E.F.Benson's Mapp & Lucia are well to the fore, especially in the daily life of the village and its English eccentric inhabitants.

As ever, Miss Seeton is a delight - trusty brolly at her side!

To be posted on Amazon

Miss Seeton Quilts the Village by Hamilton Crane, Heron Carvic is the 22nd book in this series and was a delightful afternoon read for me.

This is one of the first cozy mystery series that I read many years ago. I enjoyed it so much that I read everyone of the books that I could find. The cast of characters are engaging and are mostly likable (the Nuts being a couple that are not). But even those characters add a richness to the story. A smoothly paced plot with a murder tied to espionage for Dectective Chief Superintendent Delphick and Detective Sargeant Ranger to solve. There were the usual village hijinks that often made me laugh or roll my eyes. Miss Seeton can be so oblivious to her surroundings - or is she? The lovely little twist at the end with her latest picture was a perfect ending to this cozy myster.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Farrago via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own. Thank you Farrago for allowing me to read the book.

I received a free electronic copy of this novel from Netgalley, the estate of Hamilton Crane, and Farrago Press in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.

This is an excellent novel with the intrepid Miss Seeton involved in the local ladies groups concocting a special gift for the returning local newlyweds Nigel and Louise Colveden and the exploration and preservation of a mural of Henry the Eighth found behind plaster in a house being remodeled for said newlyweds. Altogether a satisfying romp through the village of Plummergen and interesting descriptives of the needlework these dedicated ladies undertake for the newly married couple. The misinterpretations concerning Miss Seeton of several local gossips are especially entertaining, and as always the mystery is well concealed for a time, and takes second fiddle to the shenanigans of Miss Seeton and her bobby buddies.

I enjoy the Miss Seeton books as it takes life back to an era where the pace of life was much slower and more genteel. The plot had several sidelines in and whilst they all came together at the end, made the reader wonder, at the time, where everything was going. It took me a little time to get into it at the start but ended up being a really enjoyable read.

This book is a new adventure of Miss Seeton along with her Scotland Yard friends, the local villagers and local policemen. The book is written by Sarah J Mason, writing as Hamilton Crane. It is the first new book written about Miss Seeton and her many friends in about 20 years. We still have the charm and character driven plot we would expect from a Miss Seeton story. This is a wonderful entry in the series. If you have not read any other books in the series, you will still enjoy this quirky mystery.
The time is shortly after the end of World War II. Britain is still recovering and anti – Nazi emotions are still high.
Miss Seeton has returned to the village of Plummergen after a visit to the North. She finds that the village is still enjoying the after effects of Nigel Colveden's marriage to a French girl, the daughter of a count. A decision has been made to create a quilt which will show the history of the village. It will be Plummergen's answer to the historic French Bayeaux Tapestry. Women will select what part of history they will create and how they will create it. Some will embroider, some will applique and everyone will keep their needlework contributions secret. The history will include dramatic events back to medieval times.
As is normal in the village, gossip is running rampant and keeping secrets has become an art form.
When a mural is discovered in a Tudor cottage being renovated more history is about to be made. The mural is a painting of Henry the VII but when looked at upside down it is a menacing painting of Satan. The former occupants of the cottage evidently were Nazi sympathizers and they may or may not have had secret Nazi treasure.
Miss Seeton is drawn into another mystery by her Scotland Yard friends, Inspector Delphick and Officer Bob Ranger. She draws pictures showing events and people but these are not simply drawings. Her automatic pictures can show inner character of people as well as events which may not have yet happened. She is oblivious to what her pictures do for the police and how her art can look into the hearts of people.
As is always true in a Miss Seeton mystery, all threads eventually form a complete and wonderful picture.
This is an entry into the Miss Seeton series which is a fine example of Miss Seeton and her wonderful adventures.
I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are my own.

Charming continuation of the Miss Seeton story world set in the Kent village with all of the aristocratic and petty gossip that readers find so fascinating, The language and mannerisms are very much of the period and modern audiences may find this style heavy going, but the characterisation sings out,

This is the second book I’ve devoured in this series, and it’s every bit as good as the first. Miss Seeton is fast becoming one of my favourite series characters.

A completely different kind of mystery baffles the police this time round and they can’t make head nor tail of it. What is going on in Plummergen, that hot bed of gossip and rumour? What is true and what is fact? And what is pure conjecture – because let’s face it, left to the gossips untruths abound!

Hamilton Crane excels at writing with an easy style which lulls the reader into a false sense of security, but never let your attention wander as the small details all count and, until you read the final page, you cannot discount any words on the page – or screen. It’s all down to the ‘little grey cells’, to borrow some words from the renowned detective, Hercule Poirot.

Exciting, well-plotted and quite plausible – even though, at times, the reader doubts that very much – this is a very entertaining read and is tremendously appealing to the mystery lover. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending it to all such readers and look forward to more novels in this charming series.

I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for my original, honest and unbiased review.

I have to be honest, this is the first British sleuth novel I have encountered since the Greats (Agatha Christie, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, etc.) and I'm impressed. I requested the book on a whim, mainly because I love mystery and I was pleasantly surprised by Miss Seeton. I haven't read the previous books in the series, however, now I am definitely putting them on my "To Read" list. The new "Crane's" writing style is very thought provoking and definitely paints the scene. Likewise is Miss Seeton's otherworldly mental prowess as she uncovers the truth behind a few mysteries: assassinations, Nazi treasure, and of course her prophetic sketches.

This latest Miss Seeton story is, as always, a real pleasure. We have reached the 1970s, but Miss Seeton herself remains unchanged, thank heavens.

The plot, as if it matters, is an enjoyable load of old hokum concerning Cold War mysterious findings during the renovations of an old cottage, rumours of Nazi gold and a revolution in a (fictional) South American country. Miss Seeton is recruited, as always, to make her inspired sketches which reveal important facets of the investigations.

This is all good stuff, but as always for me, the pleasure in these books is the characters, their development and interaction and the wonderful picture of the Village rumour mill (especially those splendid creations, the Nuts) and the tides of rivalries and alliances, through which Miss Seeton glides, innocently and benignly unaware – this time fuelled by a supposedly collaborative embroidery effort to mark an anniversary in the village. It's probably enough to say that this is a good Miss Seeton book: to her admirers (like me) that's all that need be said. If you're new to Miss Seeton it might be best to start earlier in the series; this stands alone as a story, but it's helpful to know a little about the characters' history and background to get the most out of the wit and story development. (The first three books are now available as an omnibus. )

In short, Miss Seeton Quits The Village, is a pleasure to read and a very enjoyable light diversion. Warmly recommended.

(I received an ARC via NetGalley.)

What an absolutely gorgeous book,it was a real treat to read! I have never come across this series before and wondered about Miss Seaton,would she be like Jane Marple who solves murders by observing the happenings in her village,or would she be like Agatha Raisin,who annoys all those she comes into contact with and is usually hauled in by the Police in her well meaning attempts to solve crimes?
Miss Emily Seaton is a retired Art teacher,living in Plummergen,who is known for going into trances and creating intuitive,psychic drawings that have bearings upon cases that her local constabulary are investigating and for this,she is paid a retainer. She is also a Yoga devotee and demonstrates her nimbleness in the matter of somersaults,or the knack of looking at paintings upside down! A highly commendable skill at any age!!
This story involves German spies and hidden radios,buried Nazi uniforms and a hidden fresco of Henry v111. Add to this eclectic mix Spanish strangers,metal detectors in the local churchyard and a murder sanctioned by the Foreign Office, not to mention the titular quilt along the lines of the Bayeaux Tapestry,then the whole story reads like a Brian Rix farce,which is high praise indeed!!
I enjoyed this so much,it being so amusing and laugh out loud. A fine collection of unusual Christian and surnames added to the humour and surely DCS Delphick begs to have the nickname of Delphinium? Police humour can be so cruel.
This is the first book after a 20 year gap and the 22nd in total,so I have some catching up to do!! If you like light hearted humour and a good giggle,then this book is for you. Enjoy!! I have left a copy of this review on Goodreads today.

I have not read but a couple of books in this venerable series so I'm less invested than some, who I suspect will have much stronger feelings about this new installment. I like Miss Seeton because she's mature, she's got some quirks (the sketches, the yoga, the umbrella), and she's intrepid. The village, not so much. These are sniping people, but that's what sometimes happens when everyone is cooped in around one another with nothing else to interest them. I liked the tapestry, I liked the interplay with Delphick and Ranger, and I generally liked the book. There are lots of secrets (perhaps one too many) and sometimes the book become a tad too twee. That said, it is an enjoyable read. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. You can read this, I think, as a standalone and be fine. Note that it's less a cozy than a tale about a small British village.

Farce personified, another mystery where Miss Seeton draws her pictures and solves unusual goings on in the village. Hilarious in parts and farcical in others and an enjoyable, light read.

Really enjoyed this,Agatha Christie meets Midsomer Murders. Amazing what goes on in sleepy English villages!. Really can see it on TV. Will look out for others in the series

First – A thank you to NetGallery and Farrago for the preview of this Miss Seaton book.
The book starts out with the return to the village of Plummergen from the wedding of Nigel and Louise Colveden. During a celebration for the newlyweds, the local ladies club get an idea to create a tapestry of the village to commemorate the local village history. The idea is generated by a random comment from the French bride, Louise, regarding the Bayeaux Tapestry. This sets the background for a lot of village tension and secrecy because the ladies of the village want to “out do” each other with their quilted piece. Miss Seaton is called in to help organize and layout the pattern for the quilt.
At the same time as this background story, the main story picks up relating to Summerset Cottage that is owned by Nigel’s family. A mysterious mural is found of Henry VIII during the renovation of the cottage for the newlyweds. Historians are brought in and further findings in the cottage are uncovered from the prior residents who appear to have been Nazi supporters. The secretive foreigners living near the village also might, or might not, be mixed up with the goings on in the cottage.
Detective Chief Superintendent Delphick, and Detective Sergeant Bob Ranger are on hand during all this activity because they have called on Miss Seaton to help investigate the supposed homicide of an agent. This leads down a very “cloak and dagger” storyline with various government agencies, spies and potential espionage.
This is the first Miss Seaton book I have read. From the description, I was expecting a standard mystery set in an English village. It took me a while to figure out the history of the characters, timeframe of the book (set in mid-1970s) and the various storylines. The jumble of story lines, especially the spy stuff, in the beginning made this more difficult than it needed to be. Once the threads of the stories became more solid and the focus of the book became more and more the village, its inhabitants and Miss Seaton, the story became much more enjoyable. By the end, I was invested in the characters and the outcome.
For those that have read Miss Seaton, this book will likely be a hit. For those new to Miss Seaton, I would recommend the reader to be patient… the book is worth investing time in the beginning even though it might be slightly confusing. It all works out to be a good solid village mystery with a little wit mixed in. With the strong ending to the book, I give it 4 stars.

Miss Seeton is back in her first new adventure in 20 years! Yay!! She is still armed with her sketch pad, pencils and trusty umbrella.....and her uncanny ability to uncover secrets that even Scotland Yard can't ferret out!

This time Miss Seeton agrees to help create a quilt to honor the wedding of a local couple. As usual her handiwork reveals some underlying secrets in the village including espionage. A hidden historical mural discovered under old plaster in the newlyweds home also added some interesting bits to the plot. All in all, an enjoyable addition to the Miss Seeton series (now at 22 books!). She was her usual clueless self and the village characters were all their usual gossipy selves.....made me smile the entire time I was reading!

I'm a sucker for the sweet-old-lady-as-detective or period mysteries....so I love Miss Seeton. The humor is always witty and dry....the umbrella is always put to good use....and Miss Seeton never quite realizes that she knows things that are important.

Readers who are new to Miss Seeton can jump in at this newest book and be fine. It isn't necessary to have read any of the prior novels. There is enough explanation of the characters to understand the basics and enjoy the plot of this newest book. For those who have read some, or all, of the other Miss Seeton books, I think the humor and characters carry over well to this new story, despite 20 years passing since the last book.

The series was started in 1968 by Heron Carvic. The series was continued by Hampton Charles and Hamilton Crane. Hamilton Crane is a pseudonym used by author Sarah J. Mason.

The continuing adventures of Miss Seeton. This entry in the series has Miss Seeton helping to make a quilt with the members of her community depicting their own homes and their shared town. Miss Seeton also continues her consultancy with Scotland Yard, owing to the prophetic nature of her drawings.

Despite being the 22nd book in this series, this is only the second Miss Seeton book I've read. I found this one more enjoyable, as I was able to see where things were going more clearly, with regard to writing style and was able to tell better whom was whom when talking, even when not stated, which was something I found difficult while reading my previous MS book. The difficulty is still present in this book but less so than before. I also was more used to this author's style of humor and so found this book much funnier than I'd found the first one. I might even go back and re-read the first now having this further knowledge of the world and characters and see if I like it better than I originally did. (I suspect I might.) Another failing I found with the book is it jumps around to other characters points of view and I don't feel we get to spend enough time with the main character, Miss Emily. However, I find the main character delightful and the cast of surrounding characters entertaining and I look forward to reading the previously released books in this series while hoping we get other future installments as well. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good, dry-humored cosy mystery.

I received an ARC of this book from the publishers, via Netgalley, and am voluntarily providing a review.

Yet another charming installment in a sweet series. I love Miss Seeton and wish that I lived in the village with her. She has an uncanny way of solving crimes, all the while not realizing that she's doing it! I totally recommends this book, and series. They keep me coming back for more!