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A Body in the Village Hall: An Utterly Gripping Cozy Murder Mystery
- A Kate Palmer Novel, Book 1
- Narrated by: Jane McDowell
- Series: A Kate Palmer Novel, Book 1
- Length: 7 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Mystery
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Great listening
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Summary
Kate Palmer has relocated to Cornwall for a quiet life. Moving into picturesque Lavender Cottage with her sister, Angie, the little village of Lower Tinworthy should be the perfect place for their fresh new start. But within weeks of their arrival, there’s a death in the close-knit community....
A woman is found dead in the village hall, with her own kitchen knife next to the body, covered in blood. Kate, a practice nurse at the local medical center, begins to piece together the clues. Fenella was at the center of village activity, and there seem to be plenty of people who had reason to dislike her. But did any of them hate her enough to kill her?
As Kate gets drawn into life in Lower Tinworthy, she begins a close friendship with Detective Inspector "Woody" Forrest, who is near to retiring - and determined to crack his last case. Together, they set about solving the mysterious crime.
But when someone breaks into Kate’s home and leaves a warning note on her pillow, it becomes clear the murderer is prepared to do anything to keep their identity hidden.... Will Kate work out who’s responsible before she becomes the next victim?
If you love murder mysteries by Agatha Christie, Faith Martin, or Joy Ellis, then this novel will have you listening late into the night!
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What listeners say about A Body in the Village Hall: An Utterly Gripping Cozy Murder Mystery
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Angela
- 07-11-20
Nice!
Enjoyed listening to it, but was left feeling like the end was rushed, and the author just wanted to finish it.
It's a shame as build up and middle parts were good and kept you interested, then fell flat towards the end.
4 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 26-04-21
It’s not Le Carré...
This is peak cosy crime. Excruciating at points because of the cheesy-ness of the writing BUT if you’re after something along the lines of the Cherringham Series this is the one. Light, inconsequential but thoroughly enjoyable. I hope it’s the first of many! Also read well.
3 people found this helpful
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- Renka
- 09-01-21
Not so much utterly gripping as utterly annoying
If you like 'heroines' who are utterly stupid and poke their noses Into danger causing others to have to rescue them, you'll like this. It was too stupidly unbelievable for me.
3 people found this helpful
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- MRS B.
- 02-11-20
Good story
Thought the story was good, wouldn’t go so far as to say it was utterly gripping. Didn’t enjoy listening to this narrator, far too plummy with a wooden delivery.
2 people found this helpful
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- Lynne
- 18-03-22
Great narration
I really liked the very Marple esque story and the characters were great. The only time I grimaced was the big mistakes the lead character made. Marple would never offer herself up to the killer the way Kate did so please don't let this intelligent character make such a mistake again.
1 person found this helpful
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- Catherine
- 16-02-22
Gorgeous.
Really enjoyed this book. It was beautifully narrated by Jane and the characters were believable. I hope there is a follow up to it as I really want to know what happened next.
1 person found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 07-01-22
Great, especially if you like Cornwall!
Loved it! First Dee MacDonald book I have listened to, but hooked, especially liked the narrator, very easy to listen to, and very clearly spoken.
1 person found this helpful
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- L WILSON
- 28-05-22
Teach children correctly
Slightly spoiled by the main character going in the post office and asking for a 2nd class stamp. The implied period could be no later than the1960s and the 2nd class stamp was not introduced until 1993.(see page 161)
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- francine r.
- 23-05-22
Great narrator, poor story
I've given up on this book as it's so dull and not well written. I only decided to listen to it as I love this narrator who reads Elly Griffiths Ruth Galloway series (or most of them) beautifully. Great to fall asleep to though!
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- Katherin Clemmence
- 22-03-22
Suspense created through the heroine's stupidity
So disappointing. Another story about a man coming to the aid of a stupid female.
3 people found this helpful
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- Cindy
- 22-11-20
Kate is a different kind of sleuth: fun
I find I love the "cozy" series of books, and this new series is no different. Characters are unique and fun. The mystery is well-laid-out.
Even with 2 murders in the book, there is no horrible gore. The story is the characters' interactions and relationships.
Good fun, and a good read
3 people found this helpful
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- Mary K. Horner
- 24-08-20
Characters grated on my nerves
Weak story, characters not believable, especially main female character. Her stupidity hard to take. will probably return.
3 people found this helpful
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- Sal9k
- 09-10-21
I've read worse...
The main character is an "enabler" who constantly whines about alcoholic sister she lives with.
2 people found this helpful
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- Zeeta
- 31-12-21
Great cozy mystery
I like the main character and enjoyed this first book in the series. Narrator was good, but was a little stilted at times. I am hoping her narration flows more effortlessly in the next book, as I will definitely be listening to more of this series.
1 person found this helpful
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- Cheryl Price
- 03-12-21
A simple who done it mystery
This story was easy listening, but not particularly gripping. This book was nice for a change of pace, but lacked the suspense of other mysteries.
1 person found this helpful
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- Denise Vilim
- 02-08-20
Brilliant New Series!
If you like Betty Rowlands, especially her Melissa Craig series, then you'll like this first Kate Palmer book.