Review: Murder at Hawthorn Cottage

Murder at Hawthorn Cottage 

by Betty Rowlands

My rating: 4 Stars

FROM THE PUBLISHER: We are beyond excited to announce that we've signed up twelve titles from cosy crime writer, Betty Rowlands. First published over twenty years ago, the Melissa Craig Mysteries remain a classic of the genre. We are thrilled to be able to introduce these utterly charming, page-turning murder mysteries to a new audience.

Murder at Hawthorn Cottage, the first book in this absolutely unputdownable series, will publish in August, with the next eleven books to following monthly intervals.

Melissa Craig, a successful crime novelist, has just moved to a countryside cottage in the village of Upper Benbury. Not only does she receive a worrisome phone call almost immediately upon arriving, a shocking discovery is made: that of the bones of a young woman. As a seasoned crime writer, her desire to solve the murder takes over, especially when prodded along by a local journalist.

Murder at Hawthorn Cottage is a curious mystery that captivated my interest from the very start. I have always loved amateur detectives and Melissa joins those ranks marvelously. This cozy mystery was very well-written and is a teriffic beginning to the series and is also a very quick read. I thoroughly enjoyed the danger and surprising twists in this story, as well as the unexpected humor. It is always a pleasure when publishers can revive classics of this sort. I truly look forward to devouring the rest of the series.

Many thanks to Bookouture for this ARC to review in exchange for an honest opinion.

Date of publication: August 21, 2018