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An English Garden Murder
- Julia Bird Mysteries, Book 1
- Narrated by: Lucy Scott
- Length: 6 hrs and 53 mins
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An English Garden Murder
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Summary
Julia Bird’s picturesque Cotswolds cottage has everything she could want. Rustic charm, cozy fireplaces, and, it turns out, a dead body in the garden....
Recently divorced and reluctantly retired, Julia Bird has fled London to enjoy idyllic rural life in the Cotswolds. Determined to have the perfect English garden, her first job is to tear down the old shed, where she unearths much more than she’d bargained for: a body, apparently buried for decades. But who could it be, and who killed them? The police draw a blank, and even the gossip-fest that is the local book club can’t remember anyone going missing in the village.
Unable to get on with her garden until the mystery is resolved, Julia decides to conduct her own clandestine investigations. So, together with her wayward chocolate Labrador puppy, Jake, Julia begins a whirlwind tour of the local residents. And everyone, it seems, has something to hide in this village. As she gets closer to the truth, Julia uncovers something even more shocking: another body, this time of someone she actually knows.
Determined to unmask the killer and find out what connects the two dead bodies, Julia–newly nicknamed the Grim Reaper–ups the stakes and hones in on the most likely suspect. But if she hasn’t deduced correctly, then there is someone else in the village who has killed twice already. Will they be prepared to make it third time lucky to keep their secret safe?
This cozy mystery is perfect for fans of M.C. Beaton, Faith Martin, and Betty Rowlands.
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What listeners love about An English Garden Murder
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ms. Margaret Mckee
- 15-04-23
A Lovely Most Enjoyable Little Murder Story
I was looking for a book to counteract a particularly gruesome crime thriller which had rather sickened me and this was just perfect. A great story and left me reluctant to leave the little Cotswold village and the characters there. That's why I immediately purchased the next one in the series.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- jessica kitchin
- 24-02-23
Loved this cozy book
A really cozy, enjoyable listen. Thoroughly enjoyed every minute. The story and characters were engaging right from the beginning. If you enjoy cozy crime you'll definitely enjoy this. Excellent narration. and I'm quite fussy with regard to that - 10 out of 10. Have already bought book 2.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mrs Gee
- 29-07-22
Loved it nice comfy mystery
Loved this story. A very good comfy Murder mystery. Can’t wait for the next one.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Anon
- 07-06-22
Names are a bit muddled!
Sean O'Connor is an Irish name! Sean Connery was Scottish! I think Katie Gayle needs to research the name's origins before using them in her stories. 🤔 The doctor/ boy friend, Sean O'Connor is supposed to be Scottish I think not Irish? I am enjoying the book however, relaxing as a bedtime read/listen.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- C. Cole
- 14-04-23
Great characters, story and plot. Really enjoyed it
Really enjoyed this book, likeable and interesting characters, story had me hooked and the narration was superb
Highly recommend
1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- daisywick
- 17-01-23
Cosy crime
An entertaining cosy crime, idyllic setting and quirky characters. However I wish the author had done her research regarding guide dogs! A guide dog puppy raiser would only be responsible for one puppy at a time. It is up to the guide dog trainer to decide if a dog passes and this is decided only after intense training. A puppy who doesn’t reach the required standard would not just be passed on to a stranger rather it would be offered to people vetted by guide dogs. As a guide dog owner these errors did annoy me as they give the public the wrong impression.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rosemary Peach
- 02-01-23
Lovely cozy murder mystery
I really enjoyed this murder mystery. The characters are well drawn and the narrator just right. I look forward to reading the next in the series with the same characters to see how they develop.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jacqueline
- 04-11-22
Village life
Enjoyable nice story with a get away from it all feeling . Had a gentle sense of humour running through it. Twists and turns in the mystery of who the village murderer was which kept you guessing.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Mike Hants
- 04-09-22
Enjoyable new mystery
An enjoyable new series with an appealing lead character. Surnames are not a reliable way to determine someone's origins. Life is far more complicated than simply saying O' Connor is an 'Irish' name. Really? My family's origins lie in Scotland via southern Ireland and we have an English sounding surname.
Some of the actions the lead character takes do seem irrational and a bit silly but its far better to just enjoy the quirks and foibles of a new series. I have already bought the next instalment to be released soon. Recommended listening.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Kath Lewis
- 19-09-23
Not my children to say,, so should not need this ,
A good easy listen. Not much more I can say so enough said, make it easier to leave at I am blind and find it an intrusion being required to leave Steve is
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Beatrice
- 07-05-22
5 stars
An English Garden Murder is an entertaining cozy mystery. It reminds me of the Agatha Raisin series. Julie just moved to the Cotswolds and she's trying to find her way in her new environment. But that's where the similarities end. The story goes in a different direction, other than Julie investigating. The story is interesting with engaging characters. I look forward to the next book.
4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- R. Murphy
- 07-01-23
Very good plot and character development
I think this Narrator is excellent.
A winning combination- Good plot and excellent Narrator.
I am looking forward to the next book in this series .
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- B.T. McAllister
- 08-11-22
Murder, The Cotswolds, and Labradors! Oh My!
If you're looking for a cozy (cosy)murder mystery set in the English countryside with a wonderfully likable protagonist, Julia Bird, and a slew of quirky characters, (and a mischievous chocolate Lab puppy named Jake) then look no further!
I really enjoyed this book. It was funny, mysterious, and really did keep me guessing right up to the end!
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Gloria Edwards
- 23-10-22
Bodies and More Bodies
Great story, wonderfully told . Authentic narration. Didn't see the original culprit. My first read of this author, will most definitely get book two.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- JudyG
- 11-10-22
Worth your time!
A great read. Very twisty plot. Fun and relaxing. Worth your time and energy !
2 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Darrin
- 20-09-22
A Very Satisfying Cozy!
I thoroughly enjoyed this first installment. The writing was sharp and the narrator was spot on!
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- G Curtis
- 07-04-23
Cozy mystery
I very much enjoyed this cozy mystery - it has a clever story and endearing characters
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- wisconsinclark
- 27-03-23
Above average cozy series
I have just finished the three books available. I especially like the authors ability to start a series without the formula so many writers use and abuse and that is having the lead character or someone close being the lead suspect in a murder. This book is clever and continues to be in each of the next two. I love the relationship between Julie and the lead detective. Finally, the stories are family friendly and good clean fun.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Booklass
- 23-03-23
I like this cozy
I just really like this cozy. The characters are all interesting and compelling, especially the heroine, and the narrator captures her wry sense of humor well. The mystery is good, though a big part of this first book is an introduction to the village and its residents. My only complaint is that the doctor sounds like Sean Connery trying to do a Russian accent. Otherwise, this is a well narrated, fun and sometimes humorous mystery. It's very charming.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- TaraDC6
- 15-03-23
Entertaining murder mystery
An English Garden Murder was a very entertaining, but not too stressful morder mystery. The characters were well drawn and while I am not British I did recognize elements of small town American life in her vivid description of Berrywyck. I will definitely check out more if this becomes a series.
1 person found this helpful