Village Politics Can Be Murder

Beguiling Backdrop..
The hugely anticipated twenty sixth outing in the Dorothy Martin series of mysteries finds Dorothy and Alan taking a holiday in the Lake District. Anyone who has enjoyed this series already will know that whenever this pair attempt to enjoy a holiday things usually turn deadly. This occasion is no different when a rather odious would-be politician drops dead during a Fell race. As Dorothy and Alan dig deep into the mystery and join forces with local police, scandal and secrets may well emerge. An enjoyable entry to this long running series with a deftly drawn cast of eclectic characters, a beguiling backdrop, a solid mystery at its very heart and a pair of likeable protagonists - although it must be said that Dorothy herself becomes ever more sanctimonious with every new mystery!

Dorothy and her retired police husband Alan are visiting Alan’s old friend in the Lake District. Invited to a party, they find everyone is friendly, except for one man whom it was obvious that no one liked. He is arrogant, conceited, and verbally and emotionally abusive to his wife. His death at a running event is originally considered a natural death, but it soon becomes clear that he was murdered. The problem is that there are so many suspects. He also was skimming money from his clients. Was he killed for his abuse, for money, or some other reason?
This is a fun cozy mystery and I like Dorothy and Alan’s characters. They may be older and not able to physically do as much as when they were younger, but they cope and are quite capable. The Lake District was a beautiful setting. I enjoyed this story and continue to enjoy Dorothy’s exploits.
Thank you to Severn House and NetGalley for the ARC.

The latest in a very long running series that can be read as a standalone. Dororthy, an American, and her husband Alan, a retired DI, are meant to be having a relaxing visit with one of his pals in the Lake District but then there's a murder! These two have solved crimes all over the UK, always with a cheery outlook and a bit of cross cultural amusement. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A classic British village cozy.

Jeanne Dams is the author of my go-to comfort reads, the Dorothy Martin cozy mysteries. In this 26th installment, she does not disappoint.

As is often the case, Dorothy and Alan, her retired police Chief Constable husband, venture off on a vacation, this time to visit Alan's old friend, Christopher Prideaux, who lives in the Lake District Home of William Wordsworth.

Also, as is always the case, when Dorothy and Alan travel, there's a murder and they both get involved in solving it. Here, the murder is of an annoying politician during a Fell race.

Featuring an extremely clever method of murder and the interactions of Dorothy and Alan with the locals, this is another outstanding installment in this long-running cozy series.

Highly recommended to cozy mystery fans!!

Dorothy Martin and her husband DI Alan Nesbit, enjoying retirement and a second marriage, are invited by an old police friend of Alan’s to visit Grasmere and the Lake District. Looking forward to a mini vacation, Dorothy and Alan attend a cocktail party of Grasmere movers and shakers. Dorothy is a good judge of character and is quickly repelled by Donald Atkinson, a candidate for Parliament, and his self effacing wife Susan. The next day Donald dies during a sporting event and Dorothy and Alan become involved in the case. While whether he died naturally or was murdered are the focus of the investigation, there are almost as many suspects as there are residents in Grasmere. This complicated mystery is difficult to solve and Dorothy and Alan spend their vacation tracking down clues.

I really like Dorothy and Alan. She humorously points out the differences between her native “Americanisms” and Alan’s English. She is excellent at coaxing information from suspects and with Alan’s help, learns why Donald was targeted. The problem I have with Village Politics Can Be Murder is the ending. We know who Dorothy thinks is the killer. She’s right. From that point, I worked my way through several unnecessary chapters while she and Alan travel through the Lake District to find the murderer. Then he is captured and the mystery ends somewhat abruptly. It seems like the author decided to end the book so she wrote one last sentence and that was it. I do love the main characters and will read the next in the series. 4 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Severn House and Jeanne M. Dams for this ARC.

This book was an absolute delight to read as I have only read one other of her titles before it was simply amazing. As a British reader I found that her explanatory directions regarding such things as biscuits to her mainly American fan base hilarious!

Dorothy Martin and her husband, retired chief constable Alan Nesbitt, jump at the chance to holiday in the beautiful Lake District when Alan's old friend, Christopher Prideaux, invites them to visit him in Grasmere.

A party at Christopher's cottage is the perfect way to meet the locals, but one stands out - accountant Donald Atkinson, an egoist hoping to become a politician, clearly isn't popular among his fellow villagers. When he's found mysteriously dead during the Fell Race, could his demise be due to a sudden, fatal medical emergency, or was it murder? Dorothy and Alan find themselves catapulted into a disturbing case that will lead them back in time, and to a terrible, scandalous secret that someone is determined to keep hidden.

The story moves along very quickly but keeps getting interrupted by Dorothy's demands for food and drink in all sorts of places.
I really enjoyed reading this book and have ordered lots of her previous Kindle titles to keep me entertained until she publishes her next book in this series. Extremely well recommended!
My thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the advance review copy.

Dorothy Martin, Anglophile to her core, is back in the 26th entry in Martin’s series that features the ex-pat of a certain age and her husband, retired Chief Constable Alan Nesbitt. This time the two are in the scenic Lake District where some very un-scenic events, including murder, have transpired. Readers can rest assured that the case will be solved in a fair play story that features multiple suspects (and some good meals) and a lot of sleuthing, both amateur and professional.

Those who enjoy traditional mysteries will enjoy this one. It can be read without having made one’s way through all of the other titles. That said, the backlist is one that can also be enjoyed.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for this title. All opinions are my own.

Dorothy Martin's mysteries are always a pleasant and entertaining read. I prefer those set in thier village but like them notheless.
A well plotted and solid plot the kept me guessing, I'm delighted to catch up with the pleasant and well-developed characters of this series
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine