Death at the Old Curiosity Shop by Debbie Young
Series: The Cotswold Curiosity Shop Mysteries #1
Genres: Cozy Mystery
When Alice Carroll steps into Curiosity Cottage, a picture-perfect former bric-a-brac shop in the Cotswold Village of Little Pride, she thinks she’s found the perfect place to start the new phase of her life. Freshly separated from her collector long-term boyfriend, she’s excited to embrace her new, minimalist existence.
All Alice needs to do is sell off the left-behind stock, and settle in. But the villagers of Little Pride have other ideas, and Alice quickly realises they won’t give up their beloved shop without a fight.
Then a dead body is found buried in her neighbour's compost heap, and Alice realises there’s much more to Little Pride, and its residents, than meets the eye.
I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Review
Alice is ready for a fresh start, and the charming Cotswolds seem like the perfect place. After a tough break-up, she’s eager to embrace a minimalist lifestyle, but first, she has to tackle the cluttered old shop that’s part of her new home, Curiosity Cottage. The village expects her to continue running the beloved bric-a-brac store that has been a fixture in their lives for decades. However, things take a darker turn when a body is discovered in a nearby allotment, pulling Alice into the heart of village life as she tries to solve the mystery. Who wanted the victim dead? And why? As Alice digs deeper, she realizes life in Little Pride is far from quiet, and the village—and its residents—start to grow on her.
I love getting into a new series, especially when the main character immediately clicks. Alice is strong, curious, and determined to make the most of her new life. Her background in museum work and passion for history give her an edge as she takes on her new role as the owner of the Curiosity Shop.
Like any village, Alice’s neighbors are a mixed bag. Some are warm and welcoming, while others seem determined to make her life difficult. Not everyone is happy about her taking over the shop, and some will go to great lengths to see her fail.
This mystery was well-written, with a fantastic protagonist. Like Alice, I was kept guessing about who could be trusted. Just when I thought I had it figured out, the author threw in a twist. I’m excited to return to Little Pride and see what’s next!
Meet the Author
About Debbie Young
Debbie Young is the much-loved author of the Sophie Sayers and St Brides cosy crime mysteries. She lives in a Cotswold village where she runs the local literary festival, and has worked at Westonbirt School, both of which provide inspiration for her writing. She is bringing both her series to Boldwood in a 13-book contract. They will be publishing several new titles in each series and republishing the backlist, starting in September 2022.
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