Murder Before Evensong cover art

Murder Before Evensong

Canon Clement, Book 1

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Murder Before Evensong

By: Reverend Richard Coles
Narrated by: Reverend Richard Coles
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About this listen

 THE INSTANTLY ICONIC NO. 1 BESTSELLER

'I've been waiting for a novel with vicars, rude old ladies, murder and sausage dogs . . . et voila!' Dawn French
'Cosy crime with a cutting edge' Telegraph
'Whodunnit fans can give praise and rejoice' Ian Rankin
'Charming and funny' Observer
Even better than I knew it would be' India Knight
'Pitch perfect' Philip Pullman

Canon Daniel Clement is Rector of Champton, where he lives alongside his widowed mother - opinionated, fearless, ever-so-slightly annoying Audrey - and his two dachshunds, Cosmo and Hilda.

When Daniel announces a plan to install a lavatory in the church, the parish is suddenly (and unexpectedly) divided: as lines are drawn, long-buried secrets come dangerously close to destroying the apparent calm of the village.

And then Anthony Bowness - cousin to Bernard de Floures, patron of Champton - is found dead at the back of the church. As the police moves in and the bodies start piling up, Daniel is the only one who can try and keep his community together . . . and catch a killer.

'Quintessentially English' Sunday Express
'An absolute joy' Adam Kay
'Wry, tongue-in cheek and whimsical' Daily Mail
'Glorious' Robert Webb
'Beautifully written, charming, funny, intelligent and mordant too' Sunday Times


** Richard Coles's Murder Before Evensong was a Sunday Times Number One bestseller in paperback in the first week of March 2023©2022 Richard Coles (P)2022 Weidenfeld & Nicolson Amateur Sleuths Cosy Genre Fiction Mystery Small Town & Rural Fiction Detective Suspense

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All stars
Most relevant  
I have to start by saying I like the Reverend Coles and his writing and he reads the book well, he has a nice cosy voice to curl up and listen to.

I also liked the characters he introduced good and bad they were all well rounded so a great set up for a cosy mystery. All set in the 1980's which is a blast from the past. I gave it only 4 stars because it seemed to take a while to get going and while interesting to some, the details of church and the life of a Rector can be a big boggy when you came here for a juicy murder.
I wasn't sure which way to go on the stars because although it didn't have the pace of a Christie it was a really well written and interesting book at least for me.

Interesting characters not enough mystery.

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Okay but I thought it a bit slow & drawn out. I liked listening to Richard’s reading though his voice is very pleasant I think if I’d have been reading it I might have given up

Bit drawn out

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A very gentle and entertaining listen. Even better that is read by the author and I look forward to the next instalment in the series.

Very enjoyable

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Absolutely loved this book, I mean, what isn’t there to love about it, a story written and narrated by one of my favourite people on earth. A fabulous story, gentle and endearing, with wonderful twists and turns. I was enthralled by the story and the characters who I now feel I know as friends. Always the sign of great writing when that happens. I only wish it had been longer, I could listen to Reverend Richard Coles forever and a day. Cannot wait for the next book in the Canon Clement mystery series.

Absolutely delightful

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Richard Coles, for me, is the perfect narrator, he gives his own writings such a warm and engaging reading. His writing is mostly delightful as he has such great turns of phrase, especially when describing people and their characters. The story jogs on after a long'ish warm up which may be a tad too prolonged, however it sets the next scenes well enough.
The downside for me is the extended information about Anglican services, Latin prayers (even prayers in English) which may delight many but not me. It's not even that I'm a non-believer, it's that I don't understand the Anglican religion and it's ceremonies. However, this won't stop me listening to the next in the series when it's released. There also seemed to be a lot of what could be called 'product placement', referencing brands, however these took me back to my younger days, slightly lovely and slightly distracting at the same time.
Some of the characters are larger than life. The 'nasty' woman is more nasty that I hope exists and the Lord of manor more pompous. Some side storylines seemed like padding and the ending certainly came around rather quickly. I need to go back to listen to the part about the break-up of the two lovers, I must have missed this event.
Overall, a enjoyable romp around an rural English village which must have been moulded along the Midsomer Murder themes, so many bodies, which I hope never to live in. The book is certainly worth a listen or two.

Enjoyable if a tad annoying!

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A nice cosy murder mystery, read beautifully by the author. I enjoyed it being set in 1988. I wonder if the characters will age in later books or remain the same, forever stuck in the 80s. I look forward to another in the series.

Nice cosy murder mystery

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I really loved this book. it took me a little while to settle into it, but once there I did not want to leave. Full of great characters, including the dogs, and Richard Coles has a voice I could listen to for hours. look forward to another 🌟

Great plot 👏

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Place, people, conversations brought to life. The story told with much detail to reveal the bigger picture.
The references to the life of church and parish are made with both respect and humour
Made perfect by being read by the author.

Excellent

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A well constructed narrative that enlightens you about an English village and it’s church community.

Enjoyable

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I was aware of Richard Coles as a celebrity Reverend. I have now discovered that he is a brilliant author and narrator. It is so refreshing to have an author who has hands on experience of the topic. Having lived in villages most of my life, I could identify with every character and the church politics and the dogs. It was highly amusing at times. It was a pleasure to listen to; he has a soothing voice. It was a bit too heavy on the similes. The factual content was interesting.

So much better than I expected. Loved every minute

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