Murder At The House On The Hill - Victoria Walters || Netgalley Review

 

Once Upon A Crime…

Nancy Hunter and her grandmother Jane Hunter run the Dedley Endings Bookshop, selling crime, thriller and mystery books, in a small, quiet Cotswold village where nothing ever happens…
That is, until the wealthy and reclusive Roth family open up their mansion for the first time in thirty years, inviting the people of Dedley End to a lavish engagement party.
While everyone is thrilled to finally look around the mansion on the hill, the festivities are quickly cut short when beautiful Lucy, recently married to young Harry Roth, is found dead after being pushed over the first-floor balustrade.
But who among the guests could have been capable of her murder – and why?

Nancy and Jane decide to investigate – after all, not only do they own a crime themed bookshop, they were also both named after famous literary detectives – but soon wonder if they’ve taken on more than they can handle. Especially when it seems the killer has worked out that they’re hot on their heels…
Can they catch the murderer before the murderer catches up with them? Or will there be a deadly ending to this story?

Join the unlikeliest detective duo for the first of The Dedley End Mysteries series, for fans of Richard Osman and Charlaine Harris’ Aurora Teagarden series.

*I was gifted my copy in exchange for an honest review*

I have never read any cosy mystery before but i was super excited to delve into this one and it did not disappoint and i can't beileve its a genre i haven't tried before now. Nancy and her grandmother Jane run the Dedley Endings bookshop, a bookshop specializing in Crime, Mystery and Thriller books but that is about as much drama as the pair surround themselves with. Dedley End is a quiant small village where not much happens. 

Until one day the reclusive Roth family invite most of the village to celebrate an engagement party. It's been over 30 years since the village have seen most of the family or the doors have been opened to welcome them in once more. As the village sets out to celebrate, young Lucy is found dead and suddenly everyone is in the frame. Who could want to harm her? Especially with all these guests.

Lucy and Jane take it amongst themselves to investigate, especially when it is felt the police wont get answers and i mean who better than specialists in crime, mystery and thriller right? 

I simply got hooked on this book, it was comforting, but it was so gripping. The pacing was lovely and i really enjoyed getting to know the characters. Each with their own traits - especially Nancy and Jane along with Nancys best friend. They are determined to solve this. Alongside the murder however, there is a few other subplots which give the book a really well rounded feel. 

It felt like the village really came to life in the way it was written. It didn't feel flat at any point because Victoria has created such a place that you felt it come alive, that the history of the place plays a huge part in its community and i loved discovering that.

A great first experience into the genre and i cant wait to read more.

Victoria Walters is a full-time author living in Surrey. Victoria writes the bestselling women’s fiction series GLENDALE HALL, which has won wide reader acclaim. She has been chosen for WHSmith Fresh Talent and shortlisted for two RNA awards. Victoria was also picked as an Amazon Rising Star. Her first cosy crime novel MURDER AT THE HOUSE ON THE HILL will be published in 2021.

Find out more about Victoria by following on Instagram at @vickyjwalters, on Twitter at @Vicky_Walters or by visiting her blog at: http://victoria-writes.com/. She is also on YouTube as Victoria Walters.