An Accidental Murder (The Yellow Cottage Vintage Mysteries Bk 1) by @newwrites #Paranormal Cozy #Mystery #FridayReads

Author: J. New

Published: March 2015 by Phantom Press

Category: Paranormal, Cozy Mystery, Historical Fiction, Book Review

Young widow, Isobella Bridges discovered and fell in love with The Yellow Cottage as a child. Many years later she returned to the Island, discovered it was for sale and bought it on a whim. Or so she thought. 

She had no idea at the time how much it would change her life, nor that it was yet to reveal all it’s secrets. Ones that even Ella couldn’t imagine.

Ella Bridges, a young widow whose husband’s death was surrounded in rather strange circumstances, has recently moved into her new home, known locally as The Yellow Cottage, on Linhay Island. She’d spent her childhood summer holidays on the island and during the time the family spent there Ella saw and fell in love with the cottage. A short prequel which can be obtained free by signing up to the author’s group delves deeper into Ella’s time spent holidaying on the island and how she came to buy the cottage.

Ella and the previous owner, Mrs Rose, had met when Ella first viewed the cottage and it was only through the estate agent that she found out Mrs Rose had been dead for several months. Ella also inherited Mrs Rose’s (deceased) cat, who she named Phantom, and a ghost in a secret room.

Ella is unpacking boxes when she receives a telephone call from her brother, Jerry, inviting her to lunch the following day.

“Actually, that’s why I’m calling. Ginny is pining for her sister-in-law and wants yo to come for lunch tomorrow. Can you make it?”

“Of course I can make it, I’d love to come. Just so long as you don’t expect me to dress up. Considering how the unpacking is going I may turn up wearing my dressing gown and Wellingtons.”

In matchmaking mode, Jerry and Ginny also invite Peter Clairmont to lunch, a fairly new acquaintance who Jerry met at a fundraising event for a local orphanage.  Events are set in motion that no-one could have foreseen, putting them all in danger. Ella finds a new skill as an amateur sleuth, aided and abetted by ghosts and Sir Albert Montesford, Police Commissioner and Ginny’s godfather.

Told in the first person from Ella’s point of view, An Accidental Murder is a very readable and entertaining cosy mystery novella, with engaging, colourful characters and an undercurrent of humour. I love the paranormal element that’s woven into the story, giving it an edge and adding to the appeal. There’s the promise of more in future books. It’s written in keeping with the era, transporting the reader to 1930s England with descriptive details. You only need to see the cover to get the idea. The plot is cleverly done and flows well, with (mostly – there has to a villain after all) delightful, well-rounded main characters. Look forward to more adventures with Ella and co. 

Book links ~ Amazon UK | Amazon US

Join the Author’s Readers Group and receive a FREE Short Story: ‘The Yellow Cottage Mystery’ (the prequel to The Yellow Cottage Vintage Mysteries). Available on her website ~ www.jnewwrites.com   J. New is the British author of The Yellow Cottage Vintage Mystery series. Set on the fictitious island of Linhay in the south of England during the 1930’s, they are an homage to the Golden Age mysteries but with a contemporary twist. 

Reading order:
The Yellow Cottage Mystery – FREE short story prequel
An Accidental Murder – Book 1
The Curse of Arundel Hall – Book 2
A Clerical Error – Book 3

Author links ~ Website | Twitter | Facebook