Murder at Raven's Hollow by Louise Marley Series: An English Village Mystery #3
Published by Storm Publishing on January 3, 2025
Source: Rachel's Random Resources
Genres: Mystery
Pages: 356
Format: eARC
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Beneath the ruins of a Victorian greenhouse, a skeleton is unearthed – and with it, years of buried secrets in Raven's Edge…
When decades-old human bones are discovered beneath the old glasshouse behind Foxglove & Hemlock, the local florist, DS Harriet March and DI Ben Taylor find themselves digging into Raven's Edge's murky past. As a frosty wind whips down the cobblestoned lanes of the village, the two detectives feel an ominous chill that has nothing to do with the weather…
The discovery coincides with the arrival of enigmatic novelist Iris Evergreen at Raven's Hollow, a gothic monstrosity of a mansion that's been sitting empty for years. Harriet is shocked to uncover a web of hidden secrets connecting the skeleton, Raven's Hollow and, most alarmingly, her own family history.Just as Harriet begins to piece together the puzzle, a heavy snowfall blankets the village. And there, half-buried in a snowdrift outside Raven's Hollow, lies another body – this one still warm. As sirens wail in the distance, Harriet realises with a shiver that this killer is anything but history. The past and present have collided in Raven's Edge, will DS Harriet March be the one to pay the price?
Filled with buried plots, tangled romances and deadly intrigue, this cosy village mystery will keep readers guessing until the very last page.
I love visiting Raven’s Edge, a lovely Engish village that leans into its history and folklore. The series is a bit cozy, a bit police procedural, and a bit Gothiic. This time around, DS Harriet March and DI Ben Taylor are called in when a skeleton is discovered behind the florists. Actually, Harriet is already on the scene- she rents the apartment upstairs. Of course, the discovery leads to the reopening of a cold case involving a man who was reported missing over 25 years ago. At the same time, Iris Evergreen, a novelist with a mysterious past, has moved into Raven’s Hollow, a fascinating old mansion, and is asking questions around town about a photo of a man she found in her dead mother’s belongings.
Murder at Raven’s Hollow focuses on Harriet. The case is intricately connected Harriet’s past and her family and what she has always believed about her father. But Iris too is connected. We get glimpses of the past throughout as the secrets are revealed and both women have to confront things they’d rather not. Then another body is found, this one still warm, and the story becomes more complicated.
I can’t put my finger on quite why I enjoy this series so much, but this one is just as good as the first two. The characters are complicated and not spared personal and professional difficulties. The town is picturesque but also eerie. The mystery was complex and kept me guessing. They appreciate history and fairy tales and books. This one probably works as a standalone, but I’m glad I’ve read the three in order. Nothing from the earlier books really comes into play, but it gives a better feel for the relationships and the atmosphere.
About Louise Marley
Louise Marley writes murder mysteries and romantic comedies. She is lucky enough to live in a village where there is a famous library and TWO ruined castles. (Her husband still thinks they moved there by accident.)
Her first published novel was Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, which was a finalist in Poolbeg’s ‘Write a Bestseller’ competition. She has also written articles for the Irish press and short stories for women’s magazines such as Take a Break and My Weekly. Previously, Louise worked as a civilian administrative officer for the police.
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