Flic Everett

This was a delightful addition to the Edit York Mystery series set in WWII Manchester, England. The year is 1941 as the Germans continue to Blitz the Brits. The protagonist, Edie York, is still an obituarist at the Manchester Chronicle and an aspiring crime columnist. She rents a flat with her best mate, Annie and together they dream of their wonderful future selves. She is out to the theater with friends when one of the lead actors keels over on stage in death. Shortly thereafter the troupe's ingenue disappears. Then a second troupe member is found murdered. While Edie is working through the obituary for the first, she and her friend DCI Louis Brennan are trying to work through the details and staunch the progression of dying actors. But can they remain out of the murderers sights? And why is DCI Brennan so short-fused when other men show interest in Edie? He and Edie are just pals, right? If more, it's definitely a very slow burn.

The writing of this story is solid and the research is spot on. The mise en scène is cinematic, right out of a WWII film. The tension builds gradually, accelerates as it nears the climax and then eases gently. The characters are developed well and slowly over the course of the story. With each book, Edie becomes a bit less naïve and a bit more credible for the likes of a newspaper reporter. It has been fun observing her mature through the war years. All in all, this was an excellent story and I eagerly await the next book in series.

I am grateful to Flic Everett and her publisher, Bookouture for having provided a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.

Publisher: ‎ Bookouture
Publication Date: June 18, 2024
ISBN:‎ 978-1837904686
Pages:‎ 290 pages… (altro)

missing-persons, bombing, local-law-enforcement, murder, investigations, journalist, obituary-writer, amateur-sleuth, historical-novel, historical-places-events, historical-research, cozy-mystery, multiple-murder, secrets, relationship-issues, relationships, domestic-violence, 1941, England, theatre, actors****

A veteran actor dies onstage but there is no need for suspicion, but the leading lady disappears without her major personal effects on the same night. Obituary writer Edie York becomes involved with the cast and more even as new crises arise. DCI Louis Brennan becomes her contact on The Force and the work well together even as the drama becomes more and more complicated. The characters are realistic and the plot becomes rather twisty in a good way.
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from Bookouture via NetGalley. Thank you… (altro)

Murder in a Country Village is the second book in F.L. Everett's wonderful Edie York Mystery series.

What makes it such a wonderful series? Well, all the elements that I quite enjoy are there. Set in the years of WWII, the keep calm and carry on attitude, a plucky female protagonist, a mystery, a crime, an excellent crew of supporting characters - and a dog.

Manchester, London England. Edie is the local newspaper's obituarist. Which is good, but what she'd love to be is a crime reporter. On a ramble with her friend Ethel, they come across a body - and it's someone Ethel knows. Accident or deliberate?

Edie just can't help herself - she starts asking questions. And soon enough, DCI Louis Brennan is called upon.

I really enjoy this type of investigation. Answers, clues, secrets and more are found by interviews, conversations, hunches and instinct. So much more interesting than DNA matches etc.

Edie is such a great lead character and the reader can't help but behind her. Urging her on and sometimes shaking your head at some of her choices. But, it's her curious nature, her kindness and zest for life that makes her such a great protagonist. The supporting cast from the first book return - Lou, Annie her roommate, Lou's friend Arnold and Marple the dog. Everett gives her players personal lives that move forward. Yes, there's some romance afoot for some.

Everett has done a really good job of bringing her setting to life. She gives us detailed locales, food, businesses, the war and much more.

The first book, set the place and introduced the characters. With this second entry there's much more to the crime, the investigation and the characters. I will be watching for the third book!… (altro)