Dr Laurel Nightingale is fresh from solving murders in the first Elderwick novel, A Little Bird Told Me, and has resolved not to get involved in any more amateur sleuthing. This resolve lasts all of 2 paragraphs, as we’re plunged straight into the action in the follow-up, A Turn-Up For The Books.
The body of visiting journalist Simon Forster is found in his bed in a guesthouse with a dagger through his back. First on the scene is the owner, Dorothy, and she calls in Laurel and her neighbour Albert.
The journalist is in the village to write a piece on famed crime novel author Hugh Quintrell, who is also staying in the village. Fans of his books love him, others are less impressed, especially when Hugh announces that he will be solving the mystery of Simon Forster’s death. He butts heads and gets backs up, particularly with Laurel, who takes the opportunity to do her own investigating to bring the killer to justice. She’s not working alone though, including her eccentric neighbour Albert (who may be my favourite character), and her friend Maggie, who is rebuilding her own life following events in the previous book.
While Hugh is very much a larger than life marmite character, he’s no caricature, as Laurel’s investigating uncovers hidden secrets and hidden layers to the author. He’s still one of the most punchable characters I’ve read in a while, mind.
The first book was an astonishing debut, which felt as though it had been written by a seasoned cosy crime writer, and the second is no less impressive. Full of twists and red herrings and secrets, it’s the perfect read for curling up with a cuppa. I love the sense of community in the series, and can’t wait to go back to Elderwick, despite the body count. Rachael Gray has cemented herself as one of my must-read authors.
A Turn-Up for the Books is out on 4 December. Preorder here
A massive thank you to the author for an advanced copy of this novel.
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