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Waterwheel Cafe #1
Earl Grey and Shallow Graves
A 30-year-old skeleton. A missing girl. Can a community police officer read the tea leaves or will a deadly secret remain buried for ever?Sergeant Keya Varma is delighted with her new part-time role as the Cotswolds’ Rural Engagement Officer. She’s also fulfilling her dream of opening a small neighbourhood café. But she gets herself into a stew with renovation works when builders unearth a young girl’s remains.
While Keya and her police colleagues gain ground reviewing the unsolved disappearance of a local girl, her brief taste of success turns to dust when a friend is found dead at her tea shop. Confusion over identities threatens to bury the investigation and our junior police officer is worried that justice won’t be served.
Can Keya dig into the mystery and uncover the real culprit?
Earl Grey and Shallow Graves is the first book in The Waterwheel Café series. If you've enjoyed the Dotty Sayers Antique Mystery series, then you’ll love meeting some of your favourite characters and making new friends in Victoria Tait’s intriguing British cozy mystery.
Buy Earl Grey and Shallow Graves and unearth a killer today!
While Keya and her police colleagues gain ground reviewing the unsolved disappearance of a local girl, her brief taste of success turns to dust when a friend is found dead at her tea shop. Confusion over identities threatens to bury the investigation and our junior police officer is worried that justice won’t be served.
Can Keya dig into the mystery and uncover the real culprit?
Earl Grey and Shallow Graves is the first book in The Waterwheel Café series. If you've enjoyed the Dotty Sayers Antique Mystery series, then you’ll love meeting some of your favourite characters and making new friends in Victoria Tait’s intriguing British cozy mystery.
Buy Earl Grey and Shallow Graves and unearth a killer today!
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 19, 2023
781 people are currently reading
716 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Tait
51 books329 followersHi, would you like to download Hour is Come, the FREE prequel to my Dotty Sayers Antique Mystery series?
If so visit https://bookfunnel.victoriatait.com/s... or visit my website https://www.victoriatait.com
I was born and raised in Yorkshire, England, and never expected to travel the world. I've drawn on my life’s experiences of following my military husband, and a love of Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Murder She Wrote, to write British-based cozy mysteries.
My determined and hard-working female sleuths are joined by colourful but realistic teams of helpers, and my settings are vivid and evocative. As you’re compelled to keep turning the pages, you’ll be irresistibly drawn into a world of intrigue, surprises, and humour, as well as a delectable helping of mystery, because tea and intrigue are a perfect blend.
If so visit https://bookfunnel.victoriatait.com/s... or visit my website https://www.victoriatait.com
I was born and raised in Yorkshire, England, and never expected to travel the world. I've drawn on my life’s experiences of following my military husband, and a love of Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Murder She Wrote, to write British-based cozy mysteries.
My determined and hard-working female sleuths are joined by colourful but realistic teams of helpers, and my settings are vivid and evocative. As you’re compelled to keep turning the pages, you’ll be irresistibly drawn into a world of intrigue, surprises, and humour, as well as a delectable helping of mystery, because tea and intrigue are a perfect blend.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
June 11, 2025
⭐️⭐️ - Kindle Book
Books based in other countries are hit or miss for me, and this was a miss. I just couldn’t get into the story or the characters.
Books based in other countries are hit or miss for me, and this was a miss. I just couldn’t get into the story or the characters.
May 27, 2023
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I am thrilled that Victoria Tait has spun Sergeant Keya Varma off into her own series!
In this first installment, Keya has gone part-time in her job as Cotswolds’ Rural Engagement Officer so that she can start living her dream by opening a cafe attached to Akeman’s Antique Center. Right now there are a lot of renovations taking place including repairing the waterwheel and making it the focal point of the cafe.
The work on the cafe is moving along nicely but when the crew started to remove the waterwheel for repairs they find a skeleton of a young woman. Keya is going to have to take on this investigation without her friend Dotty. It starts with reviewing a cold case of a local girl that went missing. When another woman is found dead outside the cafe Keya knows there has to be a connection. Will Keya be able to pull the clues together to solve both cases or will they both go cold?
Ms. Tait has kept all the fantastic characters from her Dotty Sayers Antique Mysteries Series and now has given Keya the lead role. I love that we get to know Keya better and her family as they prepare for her sister’s wedding. Keya still brings the gang together around Aunt Beanie’s table and the mystery has the antique center connection with one character from there more involved but we get to see Keya work with her police colleagues to solve the mystery. She is still her old klutzy self and she knows it but it is still funny when things go awry. “Oh toda!”
That mystery is complex and so well-written. There is a unique twist that turns everything upside down. I really enjoyed the way Keya took the lead on so many things and worked hard to follow the clues to see that justice was served. She and Ryan worked well together and with a bit of a shake-up at the police station which is a really good thing. Inspector Evans had faith in both of them and they both had great ideas and instincts. I found myself completely caught up in all that was going on and loved that a cold case was involved.
Earl Grey and the Shallow Graves is an excellent mystery. I’m chuffed to bits with the start of this series. Fans of the Dotty Sayers series will be delighted by this new series but it does stand on its own for new readers.
I am excited to see the completion of The Waterwheel Cafe and how Keya handles running it while still holding her law enforcement position. Darjeeling and A Deadly Disappearance will be released on September 29 and Vanilla Chai and A Vanishing Victim is set to be released in February 2024.
I am thrilled that Victoria Tait has spun Sergeant Keya Varma off into her own series!
In this first installment, Keya has gone part-time in her job as Cotswolds’ Rural Engagement Officer so that she can start living her dream by opening a cafe attached to Akeman’s Antique Center. Right now there are a lot of renovations taking place including repairing the waterwheel and making it the focal point of the cafe.
The work on the cafe is moving along nicely but when the crew started to remove the waterwheel for repairs they find a skeleton of a young woman. Keya is going to have to take on this investigation without her friend Dotty. It starts with reviewing a cold case of a local girl that went missing. When another woman is found dead outside the cafe Keya knows there has to be a connection. Will Keya be able to pull the clues together to solve both cases or will they both go cold?
Ms. Tait has kept all the fantastic characters from her Dotty Sayers Antique Mysteries Series and now has given Keya the lead role. I love that we get to know Keya better and her family as they prepare for her sister’s wedding. Keya still brings the gang together around Aunt Beanie’s table and the mystery has the antique center connection with one character from there more involved but we get to see Keya work with her police colleagues to solve the mystery. She is still her old klutzy self and she knows it but it is still funny when things go awry. “Oh toda!”
That mystery is complex and so well-written. There is a unique twist that turns everything upside down. I really enjoyed the way Keya took the lead on so many things and worked hard to follow the clues to see that justice was served. She and Ryan worked well together and with a bit of a shake-up at the police station which is a really good thing. Inspector Evans had faith in both of them and they both had great ideas and instincts. I found myself completely caught up in all that was going on and loved that a cold case was involved.
Earl Grey and the Shallow Graves is an excellent mystery. I’m chuffed to bits with the start of this series. Fans of the Dotty Sayers series will be delighted by this new series but it does stand on its own for new readers.
I am excited to see the completion of The Waterwheel Cafe and how Keya handles running it while still holding her law enforcement position. Darjeeling and A Deadly Disappearance will be released on September 29 and Vanilla Chai and A Vanishing Victim is set to be released in February 2024.
May 8, 2023
Earl Grey and Shallows Graves Earns 5+/5 Waterwheels … Engaging Favorite!
After the Rural, Heritage, and Wildlife Unit was disbanded under a cloud of suspicion, Sergeant Keya Varma found herself reassigned as a Cotswold’s Rural Engagement Officer providing a friendly police presence as well as looking into thefts and general nuisances. It’s only a part-time position which fit perfectly in Keya’s life since she had accepted the challenge of opening a café in Akemans Antique Center. Renovations were well underway and Keya is excited to see her life-long dream coming true as the Waterwheel Café began to take shape with plans for floor to ceiling windows, some riverside seating, and the signature waterwheel, that once powered the old mill, as a focal point. But the complexities of the job cause some plenty of headaches, but not as much as what lies buried under the waterwheel. The skeleton appears to be a young female, not quite a teenager, and buried for near thirty years. Keya is a trained officer, but is she prepared for the deadly firestorm this discovery creates?
Victoria Tait has taken some fan-favorite characters as well as the setting of Akemans Antique Center from her Dotty Sayers Antique Mystery series and put them into Keya’s own series with a cold case, a hot case, and a case of twists and turns. Cold cases are my favorite element, and Tait develops well the inherent complexities and obstacles usually encountered in crimes decades old. The original “missing persons” file offers interesting avenues to explore and people to question, but it’s the misconceptions, surprises, and secrets that instigate another tragic death and end with some shocking revelations that makes this a “couldn’t put down” favorite. From long ago teenage angst to plenty of family drama, from protecting one’s livelihood to setting things right, from finally burying the past to finally finding justice, this first book had it all and more!
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author Victoria Tait. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
After the Rural, Heritage, and Wildlife Unit was disbanded under a cloud of suspicion, Sergeant Keya Varma found herself reassigned as a Cotswold’s Rural Engagement Officer providing a friendly police presence as well as looking into thefts and general nuisances. It’s only a part-time position which fit perfectly in Keya’s life since she had accepted the challenge of opening a café in Akemans Antique Center. Renovations were well underway and Keya is excited to see her life-long dream coming true as the Waterwheel Café began to take shape with plans for floor to ceiling windows, some riverside seating, and the signature waterwheel, that once powered the old mill, as a focal point. But the complexities of the job cause some plenty of headaches, but not as much as what lies buried under the waterwheel. The skeleton appears to be a young female, not quite a teenager, and buried for near thirty years. Keya is a trained officer, but is she prepared for the deadly firestorm this discovery creates?
Victoria Tait has taken some fan-favorite characters as well as the setting of Akemans Antique Center from her Dotty Sayers Antique Mystery series and put them into Keya’s own series with a cold case, a hot case, and a case of twists and turns. Cold cases are my favorite element, and Tait develops well the inherent complexities and obstacles usually encountered in crimes decades old. The original “missing persons” file offers interesting avenues to explore and people to question, but it’s the misconceptions, surprises, and secrets that instigate another tragic death and end with some shocking revelations that makes this a “couldn’t put down” favorite. From long ago teenage angst to plenty of family drama, from protecting one’s livelihood to setting things right, from finally burying the past to finally finding justice, this first book had it all and more!
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author Victoria Tait. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
July 27, 2024
thoroughly enjoyed! i enjoyed the way it was written, however i probably won't read again
June 29, 2024
Halfway there and stunned: British police officers who don’t know that Inverness, Nairn and Cromarty lie in Scotland??
All in all, not a bad story. But I'm not really curious how things go on. I admit I was mostly hooked by the cover and title. ;)
All in all, not a bad story. But I'm not really curious how things go on. I admit I was mostly hooked by the cover and title. ;)
May 29, 2024
It's not necessarily a terrible book, it was just not for me. I found it to be very bland and basic. I also thought the characters were a bit flat. I think what the author interprets as cozy is not my idea of cozy and I found myself bored while reading a lot of the time. I only gave it a read because I liked the title and it was free on Kindle Unlimited. It was my first time reading a mystery book described as a "cozy mystery" so I'm not sure if I'm not a fan of the "cozy" genre or of this author in particular.
May 22, 2023
Renovation Can Be Hazardous !! . . .
There is plenty to investigate in this exciting story line! Sergeant Keya Varma loves her part-time job which gives her time to accomplish her goal of opening a neighborhood café. What she wasn’t expecting when the builders started her renovation project was finding the skull and bones of a young girl wrapped in a plastic sheet and stuck in the vegetation that had accumulated under the waterwheel. Finding detailed missing person records would be difficult since this was obviously a murder from at least 20 or more years ago. But she got lucky when Gilly Wimsey, who ran the antiques center, possibly had an idea of who the victim might be. Her mom had taken her on vacation, and when she returned, Rachel was missing. They never saw her again. And Gilly is pretty sure that was Rachel’s body under the waterwheel.
As Keya and her police colleagues begin investigating Rachel’s death, someone else turns up dead, found in the open trench of what would be the front of the cafe extension of Keya’s tea shop! Keya identified the body of Kate, a barmaid from the Dog and Duck whom Keya was hoping to hire to manage her café for her. They were supposed to meet the night before, but Kate never showed up. Will Keya be able to find the bad guy and get justice for Kate? Are the two murders somehow connected?
There is plenty to investigate in this exciting story line! Sergeant Keya Varma loves her part-time job which gives her time to accomplish her goal of opening a neighborhood café. What she wasn’t expecting when the builders started her renovation project was finding the skull and bones of a young girl wrapped in a plastic sheet and stuck in the vegetation that had accumulated under the waterwheel. Finding detailed missing person records would be difficult since this was obviously a murder from at least 20 or more years ago. But she got lucky when Gilly Wimsey, who ran the antiques center, possibly had an idea of who the victim might be. Her mom had taken her on vacation, and when she returned, Rachel was missing. They never saw her again. And Gilly is pretty sure that was Rachel’s body under the waterwheel.
As Keya and her police colleagues begin investigating Rachel’s death, someone else turns up dead, found in the open trench of what would be the front of the cafe extension of Keya’s tea shop! Keya identified the body of Kate, a barmaid from the Dog and Duck whom Keya was hoping to hire to manage her café for her. They were supposed to meet the night before, but Kate never showed up. Will Keya be able to find the bad guy and get justice for Kate? Are the two murders somehow connected?
April 28, 2023
The first book in the series! And I was lucky enough to be an ARC.
This book takes the police officer character of Keya from the Dotty Sayers series and gives her her own series.
In the previous series, Keya often appeared as a bit of klutz, despite her apt capabilities as a police officer. She is of Indian descent and has a true penchant for cooking. In the last book I read in the Dotty series, Keya had taken some cooking courses and was given the opportunity to open her own cafe in the auction house premises. This book begins with the construction of the soon-to-be Waterwheel Cafe.
While digging and preparing to upgrade the ancient waterwheel, skeletal remains are found. Thus begins the mystery of whose they are, why they are there and just who put them there.
It's a good story, with some great surprises.
Even if you haven't read the Dotty series, you'll enjoy this book. The author fills you in on some things from the other books that help you feel and understand the community of people in these books.
Good read for sure!
This book takes the police officer character of Keya from the Dotty Sayers series and gives her her own series.
In the previous series, Keya often appeared as a bit of klutz, despite her apt capabilities as a police officer. She is of Indian descent and has a true penchant for cooking. In the last book I read in the Dotty series, Keya had taken some cooking courses and was given the opportunity to open her own cafe in the auction house premises. This book begins with the construction of the soon-to-be Waterwheel Cafe.
While digging and preparing to upgrade the ancient waterwheel, skeletal remains are found. Thus begins the mystery of whose they are, why they are there and just who put them there.
It's a good story, with some great surprises.
Even if you haven't read the Dotty series, you'll enjoy this book. The author fills you in on some things from the other books that help you feel and understand the community of people in these books.
Good read for sure!
July 12, 2023
Thirty Year Old Murder
Sergeant Keya Varma is delighted with her new part-time role as the Cotswolds’ Rural Engagement Officer. She’s also fulfilling her dream of opening a small neighbourhood café. But she gets herself into a stew with renovation works when builders unearth a young girl’s remains. While Keya and her police colleagues gain ground reviewing the unsolved disappearance of a local girl, her brief taste of success turns to dust when a friend is found dead at her tea shop. Confusion over identities threatens to bury the investigation and our junior police officer is worried that justice won’t be served. Can Keya dig into the mystery and uncover the real culprit?
It was a thirty year old case in which a twelve year old girl disappeared. A skeleton was found and it was guessed that it was her. To make matters more confusing a waitress is found dead. Are the cases connected?
I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.
Sergeant Keya Varma is delighted with her new part-time role as the Cotswolds’ Rural Engagement Officer. She’s also fulfilling her dream of opening a small neighbourhood café. But she gets herself into a stew with renovation works when builders unearth a young girl’s remains. While Keya and her police colleagues gain ground reviewing the unsolved disappearance of a local girl, her brief taste of success turns to dust when a friend is found dead at her tea shop. Confusion over identities threatens to bury the investigation and our junior police officer is worried that justice won’t be served. Can Keya dig into the mystery and uncover the real culprit?
It was a thirty year old case in which a twelve year old girl disappeared. A skeleton was found and it was guessed that it was her. To make matters more confusing a waitress is found dead. Are the cases connected?
I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.
May 17, 2023
Sergeant Keya Verma is very happy at her new part-time role as the Cotswold Rural Engagement Officer. She is able to fulfil her dreams of opening a small tea shop at Ackerman’s. But to her horror the builders unearth the remains of a young girl. Then to her horror her friend Kate is found dead at her tea shop. She was also a childhood friend of Gilly . There are a lot of twist and turns and suspects and Sergeant Verma has to use all her training to find the real culprit. A exciting read which has you hooked from the start. I am on the ARC team and I leave a honest review. I recommend this book to other readers.
May 16, 2023
I’m a huge fan of cosy mystery books, and this didn’t disappoint, I throughly enjoyed reading it, and seeing if I could solve the ‘who done it’ mystery! The characters were very likeable and true to life, and living close to the Cotswolds, it’s always nice to see place names/towns that I have actually visited kinda makes it even more cosy.
This is the first Victoria Tait book that I have read, and it won’t be the last as I’ve just downloaded another.
This is the first Victoria Tait book that I have read, and it won’t be the last as I’ve just downloaded another.
January 3, 2026
Really enjoyed this mystery and the characters were really interesting.
May 9, 2023
It was so interesting to read about Keya and her sleuthing abilities in this cozy mystery. I loved that there area repeating characters from the Dottie Sayers books that partner with Keya to solve a decades old case. Keya is such an interesting character, deserving her own series!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 4, 2025
3.5 🌟
Slow to start and there were a few references to an apparent prequel as well as another series of books. However, it did pick up its pace and finished well. Enjoyable cosy murder read.
Slow to start and there were a few references to an apparent prequel as well as another series of books. However, it did pick up its pace and finished well. Enjoyable cosy murder read.
May 17, 2023
Victoria Tait is my favorite cozy writer and I am honored
To be an ARC reader for this the first in a spin off series with Sergeant Keya Varma as the main character. She has grown and is coming into her own not only as a police sergeant but a soon to be proprietor of the Waterwheel Cafe. As she and the team try to unravel the mystery surrounding a skeleton found on the building site of her new cafe another connected murder happens on site. The ins and outs are riveting and Keya really shines as a detective. Can’t wait for the next in this series!!
To be an ARC reader for this the first in a spin off series with Sergeant Keya Varma as the main character. She has grown and is coming into her own not only as a police sergeant but a soon to be proprietor of the Waterwheel Cafe. As she and the team try to unravel the mystery surrounding a skeleton found on the building site of her new cafe another connected murder happens on site. The ins and outs are riveting and Keya really shines as a detective. Can’t wait for the next in this series!!
May 17, 2023
Reading Victoria Tait’s first book in the new Waterwheel Cafe Mystery series, is like settling into a comfy chair with familiar friends from her previous DOTTY SAYERS ANTIQUES mysteries. Much of the setting is the same as well – the Cotswolds in England, the Cirencester police department, and the Antiques complex. Dotty is mentioned and missed, but this series has a new heroine.
Keya Varma is the somewhat bumbling Indian police sargeant who became fast friends (and lunchbox mates) with Dottie, and who only began to show her mettle in the antiques series.
Keya now seems more capable and comfortable in her new job with the police department which leaves her more time to invest in the new Waterwheel Cafe she has been dreaming about. (Keya also seems less bumbling in this series, and a lot slimmer and prettier that I’d pictured her before.)
I was caught up immediately in the excitement and frustrations of the Cafe building project. I really can’t wait for the tasty treats to be served. Will she include recipes?? But this is a mystery and very soon a body is found in the works. Actually it is the 30-year-old remains if a young girl. One of the employees at the Antiques Center is sure they are that of a young friend who went missing all those years ago. Of course work stops while Keya, her police friend Ryan, and others invesitgate. Lots of possiblilities surface, and delving into each makes this a captivating mystery read. Then the discovery and identification of another body throws the proverbial “monkey wrench” into the Waterwheel works as well as the investigation.
With Keya dividing her time between police work, her sister’s upcoming wedding, and anxieties for her new cafe, I saw a strong protagonist emerge. It makes me eager to see what she might face in the next “tea named” mysteries. Her friends and the police all do their part, but it is Keya Varma who solves this surprising mystery. You, go Girl!
Tait has acquired a very smooth writing technique in this third series. You are never jarred out of the moment by inconsistancies, and each scene is presented complete. It’s like watching a well-directed movie, or maybe even riding along with the characters in person. She’s taken a character that I semi-noticed in another series and made her into my new favorite.
One small caveat is in the last chapter which I felt wrapped up too quickly and introduced new facts that were’t supported earlier. “What?” I found myself asking as I re-read a few paragraphs. But I know Victoria Tait always has the next book in mind, so perhaps these will lead to more mystery in ….. DARJEELING AND A DEADLY DISAPPEARANCE! I can’t wait.
Keya Varma is the somewhat bumbling Indian police sargeant who became fast friends (and lunchbox mates) with Dottie, and who only began to show her mettle in the antiques series.
Keya now seems more capable and comfortable in her new job with the police department which leaves her more time to invest in the new Waterwheel Cafe she has been dreaming about. (Keya also seems less bumbling in this series, and a lot slimmer and prettier that I’d pictured her before.)
I was caught up immediately in the excitement and frustrations of the Cafe building project. I really can’t wait for the tasty treats to be served. Will she include recipes?? But this is a mystery and very soon a body is found in the works. Actually it is the 30-year-old remains if a young girl. One of the employees at the Antiques Center is sure they are that of a young friend who went missing all those years ago. Of course work stops while Keya, her police friend Ryan, and others invesitgate. Lots of possiblilities surface, and delving into each makes this a captivating mystery read. Then the discovery and identification of another body throws the proverbial “monkey wrench” into the Waterwheel works as well as the investigation.
With Keya dividing her time between police work, her sister’s upcoming wedding, and anxieties for her new cafe, I saw a strong protagonist emerge. It makes me eager to see what she might face in the next “tea named” mysteries. Her friends and the police all do their part, but it is Keya Varma who solves this surprising mystery. You, go Girl!
Tait has acquired a very smooth writing technique in this third series. You are never jarred out of the moment by inconsistancies, and each scene is presented complete. It’s like watching a well-directed movie, or maybe even riding along with the characters in person. She’s taken a character that I semi-noticed in another series and made her into my new favorite.
One small caveat is in the last chapter which I felt wrapped up too quickly and introduced new facts that were’t supported earlier. “What?” I found myself asking as I re-read a few paragraphs. But I know Victoria Tait always has the next book in mind, so perhaps these will lead to more mystery in ….. DARJEELING AND A DEADLY DISAPPEARANCE! I can’t wait.
May 21, 2024
I have mixed feelings about this one. The strongest point was the plotting, which I thought was pretty good. The book had a major twist and the storyline seemed well thought-out.
The weakest point was the writing. It was adequate at best. It told the story. But it was bland and uninspired. It seems that this author has several books out, which really surprised me given the general feeling of inexperience emanating from every page. Every character sounded exactly the same and had exactly the same personality.
I got the impression of an 80-year-old granny writing in long hand to pass the time, refusing to make even the "bad guys" actually bad enough to say a four-letter word. Not that I want to encourage nasty language, but in this novel, every time a police officer thought someone was going to swear, he'd cough to make sure they didn't cuss. That's so quaint. So 1940s. I mean, if you can't handle even an occasional bad word, should you be writing about people capable of murder?
The lead character, Keya, was somewhat gormless, but not enough to be funny or outrageous. She mostly didn't seem to know what to do. Not sure how she graduated from the Police Academy. She bit her lip so many times, I'm surprised it's still attached. I didn't take to her at all because she was so bland. And again, this is where the author, in my opinion, failed in her writing. She got bogged down in details such as whether Keya was wearing her uniform or plain clothes rather than focusing on details that might add to anticipation.
Finally, the tea bit. Yikes. The inclusion of teacups on all of the covers and inserted into the titles is a marketing gimmick. In this particular book, the idea of tea is at best at the extreme periphery of the story, and Earl Grey in particular has nothing to do with anything. It seems that the author thought it would be a good way to make her stories identifiable as hers to encourage readers to buy more. She's probably right, of course. Anyone who loves her books will find it very easy to locate further books by her because of the teacups. Even if tea has nothing to do with anything.
It was a bit of a struggle for me to finish this one because the characters were boring and the writing was too simple to be interesting. In addition, it seems that all of the characters were together in a previous book, judging by the continual references to their shared prior events. I wasn't expecting the requirement to have read a prequel, given that the cover of this one said it's the first book of a series.
The weakest point was the writing. It was adequate at best. It told the story. But it was bland and uninspired. It seems that this author has several books out, which really surprised me given the general feeling of inexperience emanating from every page. Every character sounded exactly the same and had exactly the same personality.
I got the impression of an 80-year-old granny writing in long hand to pass the time, refusing to make even the "bad guys" actually bad enough to say a four-letter word. Not that I want to encourage nasty language, but in this novel, every time a police officer thought someone was going to swear, he'd cough to make sure they didn't cuss. That's so quaint. So 1940s. I mean, if you can't handle even an occasional bad word, should you be writing about people capable of murder?
The lead character, Keya, was somewhat gormless, but not enough to be funny or outrageous. She mostly didn't seem to know what to do. Not sure how she graduated from the Police Academy. She bit her lip so many times, I'm surprised it's still attached. I didn't take to her at all because she was so bland. And again, this is where the author, in my opinion, failed in her writing. She got bogged down in details such as whether Keya was wearing her uniform or plain clothes rather than focusing on details that might add to anticipation.
Finally, the tea bit. Yikes. The inclusion of teacups on all of the covers and inserted into the titles is a marketing gimmick. In this particular book, the idea of tea is at best at the extreme periphery of the story, and Earl Grey in particular has nothing to do with anything. It seems that the author thought it would be a good way to make her stories identifiable as hers to encourage readers to buy more. She's probably right, of course. Anyone who loves her books will find it very easy to locate further books by her because of the teacups. Even if tea has nothing to do with anything.
It was a bit of a struggle for me to finish this one because the characters were boring and the writing was too simple to be interesting. In addition, it seems that all of the characters were together in a previous book, judging by the continual references to their shared prior events. I wasn't expecting the requirement to have read a prequel, given that the cover of this one said it's the first book of a series.
May 22, 2023
"Earl Grey and Shallow Graves: A British Cozy Murder Mystery with a Female Sleuth" by Victoria Tait is an enthralling and charming book that takes readers on a thrilling journey into the world of mystery and suspense. Set in the picturesque Cotswolds, this book introduces readers to Sergeant Keya Varma, a community police officer and aspiring café owner, who finds herself caught up in a web of secrets and danger.
When builders working on her café renovation uncover the remains of a young girl, Keya and her police colleagues dive into the unsolved disappearance of a local girl. As they unravel the threads of the past, Keya's initial excitement over her new role and café quickly turns to dismay when a friend is found dead at her tea shop. With confusion surrounding identities and the investigation at stake, Keya is determined to uncover the truth and ensure that justice is served.
"Earl Grey and Shallow Graves" is the first installment in The Waterwheel Café series, offering readers an intriguing British cozy mystery filled with twists, turns, and a cast of captivating characters. If you're a fan of the Dotty Sayers Antique Mystery series, this book is sure to delight you as it introduces familiar faces while introducing new friends to accompany you on this suspenseful journey.
Victoria Tait skillfully weaves together a tale that keeps readers engaged from beginning to end. With its charming setting, well-crafted plot, and a determined female sleuth at the helm, this book is perfect for those who enjoy cozy murder mysteries with a British flair.
Join Sergeant Keya Varma as she unravels the mystery behind the 30-year-old skeleton, the missing girl, and the deadly secrets hidden in the Cotswolds. With her ability to read the tea leaves and her determination to uncover the truth, Keya proves to be a captivating and relatable protagonist. "Earl Grey and Shallow Graves" is a must-read for fans of the genre, offering an immersive and thrilling experience that will leave you eagerly awaiting the next installment in The Waterwheel Café series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When builders working on her café renovation uncover the remains of a young girl, Keya and her police colleagues dive into the unsolved disappearance of a local girl. As they unravel the threads of the past, Keya's initial excitement over her new role and café quickly turns to dismay when a friend is found dead at her tea shop. With confusion surrounding identities and the investigation at stake, Keya is determined to uncover the truth and ensure that justice is served.
"Earl Grey and Shallow Graves" is the first installment in The Waterwheel Café series, offering readers an intriguing British cozy mystery filled with twists, turns, and a cast of captivating characters. If you're a fan of the Dotty Sayers Antique Mystery series, this book is sure to delight you as it introduces familiar faces while introducing new friends to accompany you on this suspenseful journey.
Victoria Tait skillfully weaves together a tale that keeps readers engaged from beginning to end. With its charming setting, well-crafted plot, and a determined female sleuth at the helm, this book is perfect for those who enjoy cozy murder mysteries with a British flair.
Join Sergeant Keya Varma as she unravels the mystery behind the 30-year-old skeleton, the missing girl, and the deadly secrets hidden in the Cotswolds. With her ability to read the tea leaves and her determination to uncover the truth, Keya proves to be a captivating and relatable protagonist. "Earl Grey and Shallow Graves" is a must-read for fans of the genre, offering an immersive and thrilling experience that will leave you eagerly awaiting the next installment in The Waterwheel Café series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 12, 2023
If you've read the Dotty Sayers Series you'll remember her friend Sargeant Keya Varma saying she wanted to open a Café serving a proper tea and sandwiches.
This book opens with the explanation that the Rural, Heritage, and Wildlife Division Unit having been disbanded and the Chief Inspector retired. Although there was an investigation into corruption, embezzlement and involvement in a local Antiques scam. Keya was questioned and investigated but she was cleared of any wrongdoing.
Keya's position now is part-time as Rural Engagement Officer for the Cotswolds. This gives her the time for her Café and Deli, that would be attached to Akeman's and utilizing the old mill building and waterwheel. They're almost ready to take down the wheel for refurbishing, and Gilly's remembering the past when her and two friends would swim there.
Keya goes to meet Ryan and Ozzie for dinner at the Dog and Duck Pub, there's a new waitress Kate who started after Ozzie published a piece on the pub. Keya shares a postcard from Dotty with them. She's still in France helping Didier and his mum with his twins.
Wednesday morning as she's doing a drive through Cotswolds, she gets a call from Gilly asking her to come as quickly as she can.
With the discovery of the skeleton, it means the past is going to be revisited for many. Gilly remembers her friend Rachel who went missing not long after her friend Katherine and her father moved away.
Now on top of that, Keya's sister's wedding is approaching and there is much for Keya to do as her older sister. Of course, the family wants to know why Keya isn't getting married and having children already. They have a hard time with her being a police officer.
There are plenty of twist and turns in this one as the case is opened and they start tracking the relevant people. So many things connect and branch off. It's quite the journey and it also leads to more bodies.
We get a peek at what Dotty is up to as well as this story winds to its conclusion.
I've already started the next book.
This book opens with the explanation that the Rural, Heritage, and Wildlife Division Unit having been disbanded and the Chief Inspector retired. Although there was an investigation into corruption, embezzlement and involvement in a local Antiques scam. Keya was questioned and investigated but she was cleared of any wrongdoing.
Keya's position now is part-time as Rural Engagement Officer for the Cotswolds. This gives her the time for her Café and Deli, that would be attached to Akeman's and utilizing the old mill building and waterwheel. They're almost ready to take down the wheel for refurbishing, and Gilly's remembering the past when her and two friends would swim there.
Keya goes to meet Ryan and Ozzie for dinner at the Dog and Duck Pub, there's a new waitress Kate who started after Ozzie published a piece on the pub. Keya shares a postcard from Dotty with them. She's still in France helping Didier and his mum with his twins.
Wednesday morning as she's doing a drive through Cotswolds, she gets a call from Gilly asking her to come as quickly as she can.
With the discovery of the skeleton, it means the past is going to be revisited for many. Gilly remembers her friend Rachel who went missing not long after her friend Katherine and her father moved away.
Now on top of that, Keya's sister's wedding is approaching and there is much for Keya to do as her older sister. Of course, the family wants to know why Keya isn't getting married and having children already. They have a hard time with her being a police officer.
There are plenty of twist and turns in this one as the case is opened and they start tracking the relevant people. So many things connect and branch off. It's quite the journey and it also leads to more bodies.
We get a peek at what Dotty is up to as well as this story winds to its conclusion.
I've already started the next book.
May 31, 2023
Great characters return in this riveting debut to Victoria Tait's spin-off series, the Waterwheel Café Mysteries.
Earl Grey and Shallow Graves is the debut novel in veteran author Victoria Tait's latest work, the Waterwheel Café Mysteries, a spin-off of her popular Dotty Sayers mystery series featuring Police Sergeant Keya Varma. The plot is complex, with good investigations and familiar characters that feel like old friends, and there are twists and turns that kept me reading until all was revealed. I was completely delighted with this story, and Keya is now one of my favorite cozy mystery characters.
I'm so glad Keya keeps getting more assured and confident in her bookish appearances. She still questions herself, but her instincts are good. She's still a bit of a klutz and makes a spectacular splash at a crime scene early in the book. I don't know if that makes her feel like such a kindred spirit, but I felt like I was catching up with a real-life friend as I read. There have been some changes in the department, and I enjoyed Keya's travels around her district in addition to the mystery, which is the book's focus. She and Ryan do well together, and I liked seeing Keya's relationships with series characters from the Dotty Sayers series that appear here as well.The plot was intriguing, along with Keya trying to get her new café opened. What starts as a sad and baffling cold case revs up when a current murder is discovered, which really puts pressure on Keya's bunch to find the killer. With more than one victim to vindicate, there are quite a few contacts to make.
With its familiar and engaging characters and wonderfully vivid sense of place, I recommend EARL GREY AND SHALLOW GRAVES to cozy mystery readers who enjoy a better-than-amateur sleuth, intriguing plots, and a Cotswolds' setting.I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.
May 19, 2023
Sergeant Keya Varma of the Gloucester Police is used to dealing with minor incidents while maintaining a reassuring police presence in her placid Cotswold village. All that changes, however, with the discovery of a skeleton on the site of the old flour mill that Keya is renovating into the long-awaited cafe of her dreams . . .
It seems fairly obvious to residents that the remains are those of a young girl who disappeared without a trace some thirty-odd years ago. But how did she die? Not long after an investigation is opened, the body of a woman who recently returned to the village after years away is found--also at the cafe construction site. Both victims--once childhood friends--were murdered. Are their deaths related? Why were they killed and who is responsible for these shocking acts?
Earl Grey and Shallow Graves is an appealing start to the Waterwheel Cafe cozy mystery series. The story features a complexly interesting plot that weaves together two murders set three decades apart and a dynamic, methodical protagonist who is up to the task of handling the investigation's many twists and turns in stride--all whilst gracefully managing the complicated demands of a major restoration project and an upcoming family wedding.
Spending time in Victoria Tait's quaint English setting with its likeable heroine, eccentric supporting characters, local social landmarks, and endless cups of tea is a delightful reading experience. And, best of all, Keya's life situation creates a keen interest in her future exploits and many directions for series growth. I look forward to what lies ahead in the next installment and beyond.
Note: I received an advance reader copy of Earl Grey and the Shallow Graves from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
It seems fairly obvious to residents that the remains are those of a young girl who disappeared without a trace some thirty-odd years ago. But how did she die? Not long after an investigation is opened, the body of a woman who recently returned to the village after years away is found--also at the cafe construction site. Both victims--once childhood friends--were murdered. Are their deaths related? Why were they killed and who is responsible for these shocking acts?
Earl Grey and Shallow Graves is an appealing start to the Waterwheel Cafe cozy mystery series. The story features a complexly interesting plot that weaves together two murders set three decades apart and a dynamic, methodical protagonist who is up to the task of handling the investigation's many twists and turns in stride--all whilst gracefully managing the complicated demands of a major restoration project and an upcoming family wedding.
Spending time in Victoria Tait's quaint English setting with its likeable heroine, eccentric supporting characters, local social landmarks, and endless cups of tea is a delightful reading experience. And, best of all, Keya's life situation creates a keen interest in her future exploits and many directions for series growth. I look forward to what lies ahead in the next installment and beyond.
Note: I received an advance reader copy of Earl Grey and the Shallow Graves from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
May 13, 2023
If you’re familiar with the Dotty Sayers Antiques mysteries series then you’ll be familiar with many of the main characters here especially Keya, Sergeant Varma. As her police hours have been cut to part time she’s decided to take a leap and ope her dream cafe which will be situated on the grounds of the Akemans Antiques center. As construction is in progress the bones of a young girl are discovered along with a rather tragic mystery. As Keya and the police dig deeper another woman is found murdered at the site with ties to the original crime. As the investigation unfolds more questions than answers seem to be found and as the two crimes are linked a prevalent thought of why now keeps coming up. What follows is a rather tragic and sadly clever tale with a very surprising twist.
I very much enjoyed this spin off series with Keya as the lead. While we see many cross over characters this is more a traditional mystery where actual police are investigating rather than talented amateurs. I loved learning more about Keya and her background and family. It was lovely to see her growing into a more assertive and confident individual as she embarks on a new phase in her life. The mystery itself is confounding and complex. Absolutely loving this new series and am excited for more books to come!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I very much enjoyed this spin off series with Keya as the lead. While we see many cross over characters this is more a traditional mystery where actual police are investigating rather than talented amateurs. I loved learning more about Keya and her background and family. It was lovely to see her growing into a more assertive and confident individual as she embarks on a new phase in her life. The mystery itself is confounding and complex. Absolutely loving this new series and am excited for more books to come!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 19, 2023
Earl Grey and Shallow Graves is the first book in the Waterwheel Café Mystery series. This is the first book I’ve read by the author and I found it entertaining. The mystery provided twists, turns, and surprises. The main character, Keya, was likeable. She’s juggling working part time as a police officer and trying to open a neighborhood café (located in an old building that is being renovated). The story takes place in England.
The book can be described as a cozy mystery due to no graphic scenes, no cursing, no heavy romance. But it lacked the typical cozy mystery elements found in most U.S. cozy mysteries – no cute pets, no romance at all, no laughs, very little hearing of the main character’s emotions. While the mystery was engaging, I did miss those other elements. It felt like I couldn’t really relate to the main character because I couldn’t “get to know” her. Maybe that will come in future books. She just seemed a bit sad, which made me feel sad while reading it. I liked all her colleagues on the force, and enjoyed hearing about her Hindu background (and family). I liked that she didn’t drink and was a vegetarian. Those aspects were original (compared to other cozy series). I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The book can be described as a cozy mystery due to no graphic scenes, no cursing, no heavy romance. But it lacked the typical cozy mystery elements found in most U.S. cozy mysteries – no cute pets, no romance at all, no laughs, very little hearing of the main character’s emotions. While the mystery was engaging, I did miss those other elements. It felt like I couldn’t really relate to the main character because I couldn’t “get to know” her. Maybe that will come in future books. She just seemed a bit sad, which made me feel sad while reading it. I liked all her colleagues on the force, and enjoyed hearing about her Hindu background (and family). I liked that she didn’t drink and was a vegetarian. Those aspects were original (compared to other cozy series). I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 23, 2023
Earl Grey and Shallow Graves by Victoria Tait is the first book in her new Waterwheel Cafe Mystery series. If you’ve read Tait’s Dotty Sayers Antique Mystery series, you’ll recognize the main character, Sergeant Keya Varma. But if you haven’t read it, don’t worry! You’ll be fine! (I do highly recommend Dotty’s series though.)
I was so excited when I found out that Keya was getting her own series! She is such a fun character. On the one hand, she’s quirky, often clumsy, and forgetful (but only when it comes to her sister’s wedding planning!). On the other hand, she’s smart, friendly, and an asset to the police department. Keya has wanted to open a cafe for a long time, so being able to open a cafe right next to Akeman’s Auction House is a dream come true.
But you know what happens in a cozy mystery…a dead body is discovered! Poor Keya. Not only does she have a murder to solve, she’s also worried about the deadline of the cafe’s opening being delayed. I absolutely loved this mystery! It’s got lots of twists and turns, and you’ll be hard-pressed to figure out whodunit until close to the end!
As I’ve said, I love Keya, and this book has lots of characters readers of Dotty’s books will recognize. Tait’s characters are always very well-written, not only the main characters but also the side characters who may or may not be murderers! I enjoyed getting to know Keya’s sisters a little more in Earl Grey and Shallow Graves and hope they continue to play a part in this series.
The author describes the Cotswolds setting with a lot of detail. I always feel like I’m traveling through the villages right along with the characters. I would love to visit the Waterwheel Cafe and just sit and take in the beautiful surroundings. It’s my dream to visit this area in real life someday.
I highly recommend Earl Grey and Shallow Graves to cozy mystery lovers because of the extremely fun characters, beautiful setting, well-paced plot, and twisty mystery! I can’t wait for Keya’s next book!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
I was so excited when I found out that Keya was getting her own series! She is such a fun character. On the one hand, she’s quirky, often clumsy, and forgetful (but only when it comes to her sister’s wedding planning!). On the other hand, she’s smart, friendly, and an asset to the police department. Keya has wanted to open a cafe for a long time, so being able to open a cafe right next to Akeman’s Auction House is a dream come true.
But you know what happens in a cozy mystery…a dead body is discovered! Poor Keya. Not only does she have a murder to solve, she’s also worried about the deadline of the cafe’s opening being delayed. I absolutely loved this mystery! It’s got lots of twists and turns, and you’ll be hard-pressed to figure out whodunit until close to the end!
As I’ve said, I love Keya, and this book has lots of characters readers of Dotty’s books will recognize. Tait’s characters are always very well-written, not only the main characters but also the side characters who may or may not be murderers! I enjoyed getting to know Keya’s sisters a little more in Earl Grey and Shallow Graves and hope they continue to play a part in this series.
The author describes the Cotswolds setting with a lot of detail. I always feel like I’m traveling through the villages right along with the characters. I would love to visit the Waterwheel Cafe and just sit and take in the beautiful surroundings. It’s my dream to visit this area in real life someday.
I highly recommend Earl Grey and Shallow Graves to cozy mystery lovers because of the extremely fun characters, beautiful setting, well-paced plot, and twisty mystery! I can’t wait for Keya’s next book!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
April 3, 2024
A fantastic start to a new cozy mystery series - a sequel to the Dottie Sayers antique mystery series, both set in the Cotswolds. Though I haven't read the Dottie Sayers books, it really wasn't necessary to read in advance to appreciate the new Waterwheel mystery series.
The new series star is an Indian-British woman named Keya, a sergeant in the local constabulary. We learn that she is the oldest daughter in a conservative Indian family and has not followed her parents desires for her life work (of course they want her to marry well and have lots of children). However, she is actively involved in her sister's upcoming wedding while working on a cold case with the police. A young girl's skeleton has been found dated at least 30 years previously. Then another woman is killed in the same locale as the skeleton. Are the cases connected? A fast paced, well-written story follows that kept me up late to learn more. The author's descriptions of people and places are so vivid it feels you are right there throughout the investigation. I highly recommend this book because it is a good mystery but also because of the Indian culture of the protagonist. I am immediately starting the next book in the series to find out what's next in Keya and the other characters' lives.
The new series star is an Indian-British woman named Keya, a sergeant in the local constabulary. We learn that she is the oldest daughter in a conservative Indian family and has not followed her parents desires for her life work (of course they want her to marry well and have lots of children). However, she is actively involved in her sister's upcoming wedding while working on a cold case with the police. A young girl's skeleton has been found dated at least 30 years previously. Then another woman is killed in the same locale as the skeleton. Are the cases connected? A fast paced, well-written story follows that kept me up late to learn more. The author's descriptions of people and places are so vivid it feels you are right there throughout the investigation. I highly recommend this book because it is a good mystery but also because of the Indian culture of the protagonist. I am immediately starting the next book in the series to find out what's next in Keya and the other characters' lives.
May 30, 2023
I wasn't sure about trying this new series because Sgt Keya Varma is a bit two dimensional in the Dotty and Antique series in which the character first appeared: she was predominantly portrayed as clumsy if well-meaning. I'm happy to report that she is a lot more well rounded, competent and interesting in this new series. She does solid police work while also planning to open her cafe. Her police colleagues are also more three dimensional now and I find myself looking forward to reading the next book in the series, to see what they'll all be doing in it. This particular mystery was well crafted with some really unexpected twists and a number of credible possible murderers on the suspect list. The ending was a bit quick and a bit more time could have been devoted to the third 'mystery' before summarily resolving it in the wrap-up. All in all, a good book that I'm happy to highly recommend.
July 2, 2023
The first in an addictive series!
Sargeant Keya Varma is the Cotswolds' part-time Rural Engagement Officer and owner of the soon to open Waterwheel Café. As the café is being renovated a 30 year-old skeleton of a missing girl is discovered lodged under the large waterwheel, the historic focal point of the café. Keya and her colleagues step into action to solve the mystery but their investigation quickly takes a turn when Keya's friend is found dead at her tea shop. The first book in the Waterwheel Café cozy mystery series is a triumph! It delivers everything I love in the cozy mystery genre; a quaint English hamlet, a cast of quirky yet relatable characters, an intelligent and determined protagonist, and a twisty and tantalizing plot. This book was so engrossing that I couldn't put it down. The second installment in the series can't be released fast enough for me…I'm addicted!
Sargeant Keya Varma is the Cotswolds' part-time Rural Engagement Officer and owner of the soon to open Waterwheel Café. As the café is being renovated a 30 year-old skeleton of a missing girl is discovered lodged under the large waterwheel, the historic focal point of the café. Keya and her colleagues step into action to solve the mystery but their investigation quickly takes a turn when Keya's friend is found dead at her tea shop. The first book in the Waterwheel Café cozy mystery series is a triumph! It delivers everything I love in the cozy mystery genre; a quaint English hamlet, a cast of quirky yet relatable characters, an intelligent and determined protagonist, and a twisty and tantalizing plot. This book was so engrossing that I couldn't put it down. The second installment in the series can't be released fast enough for me…I'm addicted!
May 12, 2023
Sergeant Keya Varma has contracted work to be done at Akemans for the Waterwheel Cafe that she hopes to open in June. But when the work crew show up to remove the waterwheel for refurbishment they find a skeleton that looks to have been there for many years. Not only does this hinder Keya's constuction plans but it is a mystery that she and her police colleagues must solve.
As the investigation goes it is believed that the body has been there for 30 years and is of a girl who disappeared around that time. Many clues are followed and a well written story leads to a satisfying conclusion. I look forward to more adventures for Keya and crew as well as more from Dotty.
Disclaimer
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
As the investigation goes it is believed that the body has been there for 30 years and is of a girl who disappeared around that time. Many clues are followed and a well written story leads to a satisfying conclusion. I look forward to more adventures for Keya and crew as well as more from Dotty.
Disclaimer
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 14, 2023
I enjoyed reading this book. Reading any story set in England is my jam. The likable characters, such as Keya, also make this book particularly enjoyable.
The author goes into a lot of detail in the book. This is particularly helpful to me as I have ADHD and sometimes have trouble visualizing what's going on in a story when I'm reading. However, I can imagine that people with neurotypical brains might find the level of detail redundant and annoying.
My issue with this book is the extremely complex plot. There's so many twists and turns that it is nearly impossible to keep up. By the end, I was actually confused by what I have just read.
I will be checking out other books by their author. Let's hope they're a little less confusing.
The author goes into a lot of detail in the book. This is particularly helpful to me as I have ADHD and sometimes have trouble visualizing what's going on in a story when I'm reading. However, I can imagine that people with neurotypical brains might find the level of detail redundant and annoying.
My issue with this book is the extremely complex plot. There's so many twists and turns that it is nearly impossible to keep up. By the end, I was actually confused by what I have just read.
I will be checking out other books by their author. Let's hope they're a little less confusing.
May 20, 2023
A great start to a new series, with Sergeant Keya Varma from the Dotty Sayers Antiques mystery series as the main character. Thanks to a good synopsis, you feel right at home with her character as she proceeds to solve a new crime and an old one too - with the help of her colleagues and also her friends. Lots of leads and old history to delve into and make sense of - and things keep popping up until Keya and the others finally come to the solution. Well written and plotted, as are the other books from this author. You can safely start this series without reading the Dotty Sayers ones, but probably will want to read them anyway since you will love the characters and the Cotswolds atmosphere. - I received a review copy and freely leave this honest review.
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