Jessica Ellicott introduces two delightful characters in the first in a new series, Murder in an English Village. Travel back in time to 1920, just after the First World War, or The Great War, as it’s called in England. Beryl Helliwell is a famous American adventuress who has piloted planes, married several times, and is quite unhappy when the United States institutes Prohibition. When her former schoolmate, Edwina Davenport, advertises for a lodger, someone to help with expenses at her house in the English village of Walmsley Parva, Beryl finds it the perfect opportunity to escape America.

Beryl crashes back into Edwina’s life. In fact, her gorgeous red motorcar crashes into the pillars at the end of Edwina’s drive. Beryl soon realizes she’s arrived to add adventure and spice to Edwina’s boring life. It only takes a story to the local village gossip, saying Edwina is a secret agent working for the king, to spark a change in the village outlook, and in Edwina’s life. Of course, that means Edwina is attacked in her garden. To Beryl, it’s obvious that someone in Walmsley Parva has a secret to keep hidden.

Edwina can only think of one mystery in Walmsley Parva. During the war, one of the Land Girls, the young women who came to the country to help with farm work, disappeared. She seemed dependable, and not at all the time to leave. Beryl and Edwina decide to divide and conquer, asking questions of various residents. When another young woman is murdered, they’re sure that they have stirred up trouble.


Murder in an English Village is a quiet story in which the amateur sleuths investigate by questioning and talking with residents. The two characters together make an admirable duo in this enchanting story. While Edwina is a little afraid to investigate, and questions Beryl about her past experiences, Beryl responds. “What I have is a faultless sent of adventure and an enormous talent for making the best of things…Both of which I am attempting to share with you.”

Murder in an English Village is the perfect mystery to recommend to fans of Agatha Christie or the Jessica Fletcher stories. “Walmsley Parva was a beautiful little place. If you didn’t mind the odd murder.”

Murder in an English Village by Jessica Ellicott. Kensington Books, 2017. ISBN 9781496710505 (hardcover), 294p.

*****
FTC Full Disclosure – I received the book to review for a journal.