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Birds of a Feather Mystery #4
Farewell, My Cuckoo
If you love twisty whodunnits or birdwatching, then you'll love the Birds of a Feather Mysteries.
A long-awaited proposal. A love nest invasion. And a handyman who’s as dead as a dodo . . .
Meet Julia ‘Jools’ Lanchester. Lover of fine wines, sweet birdsong — and solving mysteries! Jools only has so much patience. If her boyfriend Michael gets interrupted one more time while trying to propose, she’s going to go cuckoo! But if that wasn’t enough, Jools’s love nest is invaded by Michael’s flighty older sister. Her cozy cottage starts feeling more like Pammy's bachelorette pad . . .Jools throws herself into her work as a distraction — until death disrupts her plans.
An unidentified body has been found in the churchyard . . . And Pammy was the last one to see the man alive. Jools gets the feeling that if she ever wants her home — or her boyfriend — back, she has to get to the bottom of this mystery. Even if it means breaking a few eggs . . .
If you love Sarah Yarwood-Lovett, Agatha Christie, The Thursday Murder Club, Simon Brett or The Marlow Murder Club, then don’t miss this stunning new series from a USA Today bestselling author!
Readers LOVE Farewell, My Cuckoo!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Masterfully written.’ -JoAnne McMaster
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘The twists the story takes will have you turning the pages.’ -Betty
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Murderously fun!’ -Kathleen
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘An absolutely terrific book that I hated to see end.’ -Celia ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘The final twist took my breath away! -Hilary
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A must-read if you enjoy a well-crafted mystery.’ -Pamela
MEET YOUR NEW FAVORITE SLEUTH Thirty-something Julia ‘Jools’ Lanchester is so ready to fly the nest! After her mum’s death and her dad’s hasty remarriage to Beryl — the oh-so-elegant spinster next door — she can’t bear to stick around her childhood home a moment longer. Jools quits her job on her dad’s hit TV show, cuts her hair and moves out to the sleepy little Suffolk village of Smeaton-under-Lyme. She lands a new job, managing the quaint and largely deserted local tourist centre. She only wants a quiet life in the stunning English countryside, far, far away from her family drama. But it’s not long before her fly-by-night father comes breezing into the village, bringing trouble straight to her door . . .
A long-awaited proposal. A love nest invasion. And a handyman who’s as dead as a dodo . . .
Meet Julia ‘Jools’ Lanchester. Lover of fine wines, sweet birdsong — and solving mysteries! Jools only has so much patience. If her boyfriend Michael gets interrupted one more time while trying to propose, she’s going to go cuckoo! But if that wasn’t enough, Jools’s love nest is invaded by Michael’s flighty older sister. Her cozy cottage starts feeling more like Pammy's bachelorette pad . . .Jools throws herself into her work as a distraction — until death disrupts her plans.
An unidentified body has been found in the churchyard . . . And Pammy was the last one to see the man alive. Jools gets the feeling that if she ever wants her home — or her boyfriend — back, she has to get to the bottom of this mystery. Even if it means breaking a few eggs . . .
If you love Sarah Yarwood-Lovett, Agatha Christie, The Thursday Murder Club, Simon Brett or The Marlow Murder Club, then don’t miss this stunning new series from a USA Today bestselling author!
Readers LOVE Farewell, My Cuckoo!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Masterfully written.’ -JoAnne McMaster
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘The twists the story takes will have you turning the pages.’ -Betty
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Murderously fun!’ -Kathleen
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘An absolutely terrific book that I hated to see end.’ -Celia ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘The final twist took my breath away! -Hilary
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A must-read if you enjoy a well-crafted mystery.’ -Pamela
MEET YOUR NEW FAVORITE SLEUTH Thirty-something Julia ‘Jools’ Lanchester is so ready to fly the nest! After her mum’s death and her dad’s hasty remarriage to Beryl — the oh-so-elegant spinster next door — she can’t bear to stick around her childhood home a moment longer. Jools quits her job on her dad’s hit TV show, cuts her hair and moves out to the sleepy little Suffolk village of Smeaton-under-Lyme. She lands a new job, managing the quaint and largely deserted local tourist centre. She only wants a quiet life in the stunning English countryside, far, far away from her family drama. But it’s not long before her fly-by-night father comes breezing into the village, bringing trouble straight to her door . . .
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2018
317 people are currently reading
230 people want to read
About the author
Marty Wingate
32 books699 followersUSA Today best-selling author Marty Wingate writes The First Edition Library series (Berkley) set in Bath, England, about the curator of a collection of books from the Golden Age of Mystery. Book one, The Bodies in the Library, concerns murder among an Agatha Christie fan-fiction writing group, and in book two, Murder Is a Must (October 2020), an exhibition manager is found dead at the bottom of a spiral staircase. Marty also writes historical fiction: Glamour Girls (Alcove Press, January 2021) follows Spitfire pilot Rosalie Wright through both the physical and emotional dangers of the Second World War. Marty writes two further mystery series: the Potting Shed books (Alibi) feature Pru Parke, a middle-aged American gardener transplanted from Texas to England, and the Birds of a Feather series (Alibi) follows Julia Lanchester, bird lover, who runs a tourist office in a Suffolk village.
Marty prefers on-the-ground research whenever possible, and so she and her husband regularly travel to England and Scotland, where she can be found tracing the steps of her characters, stopping for tea and a slice of Victoria sponge in a café, or enjoying a swift half in a pub.
Marty prefers on-the-ground research whenever possible, and so she and her husband regularly travel to England and Scotland, where she can be found tracing the steps of her characters, stopping for tea and a slice of Victoria sponge in a café, or enjoying a swift half in a pub.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
March 7, 2024
I’ve loved two of the previous three of Marty Wingate’s Birds of a Feather cozies, The Rhyme of the Magpie and Empty Nest however, Wingate went badly awry with No. 3, Every Trick in the Rook. But good news! Wingate — and protagonist Julia Lanchester, tourism director at Smeaton-under-Lyme, Suffolk — have gotten their groove back for the latest installment, Farewell, My Cuckoo.
Julia’s patience is being stretched beyond limit: Not only does boyfriend Michael Sedgwick get interrupted every time he tries to propose, but Julia and Michael have a human cuckoo in their nest: Michael’s feckless older sister, Pammy. Three certainly isn’t company in a one-bedroom cottage! At the same time, Julia’s drawn into the murder of a peripatetic self-trained naturalist/odd-jobs man about whom the police know nothing: not even his name.
All in all, it’s another fabulous foray with Julia and her family, friends and neighbors in a cozy mystery that returns to the series’ true form. Highly recommended.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group, and Alibi in exchange for an honest review.
Julia’s patience is being stretched beyond limit: Not only does boyfriend Michael Sedgwick get interrupted every time he tries to propose, but Julia and Michael have a human cuckoo in their nest: Michael’s feckless older sister, Pammy. Three certainly isn’t company in a one-bedroom cottage! At the same time, Julia’s drawn into the murder of a peripatetic self-trained naturalist/odd-jobs man about whom the police know nothing: not even his name.
All in all, it’s another fabulous foray with Julia and her family, friends and neighbors in a cozy mystery that returns to the series’ true form. Highly recommended.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group, and Alibi in exchange for an honest review.
April 8, 2018
The fourth book of Birds of the Feather series finds Julia Lancaster and Michael Sedgwick leaving a wedding of a friend looking forward to relaxing at Julia's cottage thinking about their future. They are stymied by Michael older sister, Pammy who wants to visit them for awhile. Later that the body of a handyman is found on the estate grounds and Pammy was the last one see him. There are a couple of minor themes that are blended together to make a great story. The twists the story takes will have you turning the pages. I HIGHLY recommend this book and series.
Disclosure: Many thanks to Alibi for a review copy. The opinions expressed are my own.
Disclosure: Many thanks to Alibi for a review copy. The opinions expressed are my own.
April 1, 2018
“Farewell, my Cuckoo” earns 5+/5 Chirps, Squawks, Peeps…Murderously Fun!
I became a fan of Marty Wingate after reading books in her very popular Potting Shed Mystery series, so it was easy to become a fan of her Birds of a Feather series trading flora for feathers and gardens for the tops of trees. Starting with book four “Farewell my Cuckoo” was great for this newbie since she revisited background and character connections without any spoilers of the three previous murder mysteries. She penned a clever mystery starting by keeping the identity of the victim hidden and building the suspense with all the possible deserving characters. We start with an unidentified dead body with a suspicious head wound and authorities looking at several uninvited visitors popping into the quaint English hamlet. Micheal Sedgwick’s sister Pammy interrupted Julia Lancaster’s expectation that he might propose, and the “just tonight” turns into “end of the week,” maybe. Also arriving in town we have the “Man-Who-Could-Not-Be-Pleased” Tony Brightbill, a former one-night stand/self-taught ornithologist Gavin Lecky, and, of course, several tourists pop in and out enjoying the farmers’ market, festivals, fishing, and historical landmarks. All of this made the subsequent investigation by the amateurs and professionals intriguing with more than a few nail-biting predicaments. Marty’s description brought to life the flora, the fauna, the feathered creatures along with the village and all of its shops, cottages, and ruins. But, she didn't rely on just the narrative, she provided engaging dialogue to illustrate the emotions and personalities of a rich group of characters. Julia Lancaster is a delight—strong and more capable than she believes, and the supporting cast of fathers, boyfriends, BFFs, and a few quirky visitors adds humor and a few incidents of “they need a bite from Karma.” I highly recommend this newest release…
Disclosure: I received an ARC, however I volunteered to write a review with honest insights and comments.
I became a fan of Marty Wingate after reading books in her very popular Potting Shed Mystery series, so it was easy to become a fan of her Birds of a Feather series trading flora for feathers and gardens for the tops of trees. Starting with book four “Farewell my Cuckoo” was great for this newbie since she revisited background and character connections without any spoilers of the three previous murder mysteries. She penned a clever mystery starting by keeping the identity of the victim hidden and building the suspense with all the possible deserving characters. We start with an unidentified dead body with a suspicious head wound and authorities looking at several uninvited visitors popping into the quaint English hamlet. Micheal Sedgwick’s sister Pammy interrupted Julia Lancaster’s expectation that he might propose, and the “just tonight” turns into “end of the week,” maybe. Also arriving in town we have the “Man-Who-Could-Not-Be-Pleased” Tony Brightbill, a former one-night stand/self-taught ornithologist Gavin Lecky, and, of course, several tourists pop in and out enjoying the farmers’ market, festivals, fishing, and historical landmarks. All of this made the subsequent investigation by the amateurs and professionals intriguing with more than a few nail-biting predicaments. Marty’s description brought to life the flora, the fauna, the feathered creatures along with the village and all of its shops, cottages, and ruins. But, she didn't rely on just the narrative, she provided engaging dialogue to illustrate the emotions and personalities of a rich group of characters. Julia Lancaster is a delight—strong and more capable than she believes, and the supporting cast of fathers, boyfriends, BFFs, and a few quirky visitors adds humor and a few incidents of “they need a bite from Karma.” I highly recommend this newest release…
Disclosure: I received an ARC, however I volunteered to write a review with honest insights and comments.
April 24, 2023
This is the fourth book in the series, and I am embarrassed to say that I haven't read the others before this one. But, if they are half as good as this one, I will be rectifying that soon! Our heroine lives in a small English village that puts the Q in quaint. It's adorable and absolutely the kind of place I would want to visit. As long as I am not the victim, that is.
She has inherited a love of birds from her father. I love the information the author gives us on our fine feathered friends. The author also has a gift for describing the scenery. For those of us who have never visited these cozy villages, it is wonderful to see what they are like. Marty Wingate has done a brilliant job bringing the world to life and making the characters real.
She has inherited a love of birds from her father. I love the information the author gives us on our fine feathered friends. The author also has a gift for describing the scenery. For those of us who have never visited these cozy villages, it is wonderful to see what they are like. Marty Wingate has done a brilliant job bringing the world to life and making the characters real.
April 13, 2018
Originally published at Reading Reality
For every single relationship that has hit the rocks over a cheating spouse, an economic pitfall or irreconcilable differences, there are probably at least two that have come to a sad end because of a relative, on one side or the other, who is incapable of properly parsing the sentence, “Here’s your hat, what’s your hurry?” and just won’t leave – along with the person in the relationship who seems to be incapable of making them leave long after they’ve worn out whatever reluctant welcome they had in the first place.
In the case of Farewell My Cuckoo, it’s Michael’s irresponsible sister Pammy who has become the cuckoo in Julia and Michael’s rather tiny little cottage nest in Smeaton-under-Lyme. To the point where I half-expected Pammy to become the corpse in this entry in the series, with Julia as the prime suspect. (For more background on Julia, Michael and Smeaton-under-Lyme, start with the first book in the series, The Rhyme of the Magpie)
Instead, the mystery takes a different path, as an unidentified man is found dead near a local pond. While no one knows exactly who he is, it turns out that there are plenty of people in the village who had at least a nodding acquaintance with “Bob”, even though no one seems to know any of the truly pertinent facts about the man, like his full name, or even where he was staying. If he was staying.
Julia, along with her friend Willow and more than a bit of help from a tourist visitor as well as the seemingly immovable Pammy, can’t resist looking into Bob’s identity and what brought him to live “rough” somewhere in the neighborhood.
Nor can she resist poking her nose into other local mysteries, especially the fervent pursuit of her friend Nuala by a rude and unwelcome stranger who seems to be able to turn on the charm when he needs to get his way. A stranger who seems perfectly willing to mislead Nuala about his own marital status in order to worm his way into her bakery and teashop business. And who has a surprising connection to the late, lamented Bob.
Possibly even a connection worth killing for.
Escape Rating B: For a series that centers around birds, the mysteries are salted with a surprising number of tasty red herrings. It is all too easy to understand why Julia’s amateur sleuthing so often leads her astray – because the reader is right there with her.
Not that some of those false leads don’t uncover important little mysteries of their own, even if their pursuit takes Julia away from the central problem.
As a cozy mystery, Julia’s amateur investigations often take her deep into the heart of village life, and Farewell My Cuckoo is no exception. Poor dead Bob leads not only to his killer, but also to the breakup of a marriage and a dubious business proposition, as well as to a villager who has gone off the rails and to the final, sad end of a long-lost love.
A lot happens, and it is all, in its way, fascinating. But the central problem remains throughout the story, and it isn’t poor Bob’s corpse and how it got there, although it should be. A lot of time is taken up with Pammy and her interloping. The reader will gnash their teeth at the way that both Julia and Michael switch from enabling Pammy’s behavior to her face while vocally resenting it behind her back. And this reader at least was gnashing right beside them.
Julia’s solutions to the mysteries that she comes across are generally interesting and her investigations are often quite a lot of fun. She does, unfortunately, have a penchant both for finding herself in uncomfortable personal situations and getting herself and her helpers into deadly danger, and Farewell My Cuckoo was no exception on either front.
As much as they sometimes drive me a bit crazy, I really like both of this author’s heroines, and find them easy to identify with and fun to follow. But I’ll confess that Pru Parke of the Potting Shed series is my favorite, so I’m really looking forward to the next book that series, Midsummer Mayhem, coming in November.
For every single relationship that has hit the rocks over a cheating spouse, an economic pitfall or irreconcilable differences, there are probably at least two that have come to a sad end because of a relative, on one side or the other, who is incapable of properly parsing the sentence, “Here’s your hat, what’s your hurry?” and just won’t leave – along with the person in the relationship who seems to be incapable of making them leave long after they’ve worn out whatever reluctant welcome they had in the first place.
In the case of Farewell My Cuckoo, it’s Michael’s irresponsible sister Pammy who has become the cuckoo in Julia and Michael’s rather tiny little cottage nest in Smeaton-under-Lyme. To the point where I half-expected Pammy to become the corpse in this entry in the series, with Julia as the prime suspect. (For more background on Julia, Michael and Smeaton-under-Lyme, start with the first book in the series, The Rhyme of the Magpie)
Instead, the mystery takes a different path, as an unidentified man is found dead near a local pond. While no one knows exactly who he is, it turns out that there are plenty of people in the village who had at least a nodding acquaintance with “Bob”, even though no one seems to know any of the truly pertinent facts about the man, like his full name, or even where he was staying. If he was staying.
Julia, along with her friend Willow and more than a bit of help from a tourist visitor as well as the seemingly immovable Pammy, can’t resist looking into Bob’s identity and what brought him to live “rough” somewhere in the neighborhood.
Nor can she resist poking her nose into other local mysteries, especially the fervent pursuit of her friend Nuala by a rude and unwelcome stranger who seems to be able to turn on the charm when he needs to get his way. A stranger who seems perfectly willing to mislead Nuala about his own marital status in order to worm his way into her bakery and teashop business. And who has a surprising connection to the late, lamented Bob.
Possibly even a connection worth killing for.
Escape Rating B: For a series that centers around birds, the mysteries are salted with a surprising number of tasty red herrings. It is all too easy to understand why Julia’s amateur sleuthing so often leads her astray – because the reader is right there with her.
Not that some of those false leads don’t uncover important little mysteries of their own, even if their pursuit takes Julia away from the central problem.
As a cozy mystery, Julia’s amateur investigations often take her deep into the heart of village life, and Farewell My Cuckoo is no exception. Poor dead Bob leads not only to his killer, but also to the breakup of a marriage and a dubious business proposition, as well as to a villager who has gone off the rails and to the final, sad end of a long-lost love.
A lot happens, and it is all, in its way, fascinating. But the central problem remains throughout the story, and it isn’t poor Bob’s corpse and how it got there, although it should be. A lot of time is taken up with Pammy and her interloping. The reader will gnash their teeth at the way that both Julia and Michael switch from enabling Pammy’s behavior to her face while vocally resenting it behind her back. And this reader at least was gnashing right beside them.
Julia’s solutions to the mysteries that she comes across are generally interesting and her investigations are often quite a lot of fun. She does, unfortunately, have a penchant both for finding herself in uncomfortable personal situations and getting herself and her helpers into deadly danger, and Farewell My Cuckoo was no exception on either front.
As much as they sometimes drive me a bit crazy, I really like both of this author’s heroines, and find them easy to identify with and fun to follow. But I’ll confess that Pru Parke of the Potting Shed series is my favorite, so I’m really looking forward to the next book that series, Midsummer Mayhem, coming in November.
April 10, 2018
What a great add to Marty Wingate’s Birds of a Feather Mystery series! This fourth in series can be read as a standalone or in order. I was captivated by the author’s descriptions of the symphony of birds, butterflies, and vegetation in England. Her love for the land is evident, enthralling the reader with the breathtaking beauty of the area around Suffolk, England. As someone who eagerly looks forward to each book in this series, I think this is the best – but don’t miss the earlier ones!
Julia is manager of the TIC, Tourist Information Center, at Fotheringham Estate in Smeaton-Under-Lyme. Linus, Lord Fotheringham, is owner of the village estate which includes his residence, ancient abbey ruins, St. Swithun’s, and many shops and farms. The estate is open to the public for hiking, bicycling, picnics, and fishing. Julia is also daughter to Rupert Lanchester, acclaimed ornithologist, best known for A Bird in the Hand, a beloved TV show.
Michael, Rupert’s personal assistant and producer, and Julia are looking forward to an evening together after attending a wedding. They headed toward the tiny abode that is part of Julia’s payment package, and saw someone at the entry surrounded by grocery bags. Pammy, Michael’s sister, has come for a short visit after leaving her boyfriend. Their lives change as she takes up residence for what seems like forever in the sitting room, kind of like a cuckoo infiltrating a nest.
Julia is at St. Swithun’s when Willow, an esteemed school teacher, races in and collapses after literally tripping over a dead man at the pond. He has no ID, just a unique collection in a small packet. Julia, who promised to not get involved in any more investigations, refers to him as That Poor Man. Based on verbal ID’s from those on the estate, he is recognized as Bob, very knowledgeable about the nature of the area and who has helped at many farms. The search is on to determine not only who he is, but to find his killer – as That Poor Man was murdered.
I really like Julia, who I can easily picture out on the estate. She is witty, intelligent, and well-liked by most. Michael is a great for her as they balance each other out even while listening to and watching birds. At least until Pammy shows up with nowhere to go. I came to like the delightful Pammy very much during her stay; the girl has a huge, kind heart. The shop owners are also very likable as they work together and respect each other. I appreciate the investigators, especially Tess, recent a friend of Julia’s.
Ms. Wingate treats us to her delightful humor, whether it be Pammy and her subjects or a comparison with the Cuckoo poem. Julia’s creativity is evident as she comes up with new events to bring in new tourists and plans updated brochures. As they learn more about That Poor Man, it is hard to believe that he had enemies. Suspects are few, including a farmers and a couple visitors. I’m not sure how I guessed who the bad guy/gal is. There was only one incident that gave me a hint until the motive came later. One suspect seems to have the most to hide until two others are revealed. I was very satisfied with the breathtaking denouement, leading to a calm, sweet finale, and highly recommend this, especially to those who love the beauty of birds, vegetation, and the English countryside.
From a grateful heart: I received an e-arc from the author and NetGalley, and this is my honest review. A review was not required.
Julia is manager of the TIC, Tourist Information Center, at Fotheringham Estate in Smeaton-Under-Lyme. Linus, Lord Fotheringham, is owner of the village estate which includes his residence, ancient abbey ruins, St. Swithun’s, and many shops and farms. The estate is open to the public for hiking, bicycling, picnics, and fishing. Julia is also daughter to Rupert Lanchester, acclaimed ornithologist, best known for A Bird in the Hand, a beloved TV show.
Michael, Rupert’s personal assistant and producer, and Julia are looking forward to an evening together after attending a wedding. They headed toward the tiny abode that is part of Julia’s payment package, and saw someone at the entry surrounded by grocery bags. Pammy, Michael’s sister, has come for a short visit after leaving her boyfriend. Their lives change as she takes up residence for what seems like forever in the sitting room, kind of like a cuckoo infiltrating a nest.
Julia is at St. Swithun’s when Willow, an esteemed school teacher, races in and collapses after literally tripping over a dead man at the pond. He has no ID, just a unique collection in a small packet. Julia, who promised to not get involved in any more investigations, refers to him as That Poor Man. Based on verbal ID’s from those on the estate, he is recognized as Bob, very knowledgeable about the nature of the area and who has helped at many farms. The search is on to determine not only who he is, but to find his killer – as That Poor Man was murdered.
I really like Julia, who I can easily picture out on the estate. She is witty, intelligent, and well-liked by most. Michael is a great for her as they balance each other out even while listening to and watching birds. At least until Pammy shows up with nowhere to go. I came to like the delightful Pammy very much during her stay; the girl has a huge, kind heart. The shop owners are also very likable as they work together and respect each other. I appreciate the investigators, especially Tess, recent a friend of Julia’s.
Ms. Wingate treats us to her delightful humor, whether it be Pammy and her subjects or a comparison with the Cuckoo poem. Julia’s creativity is evident as she comes up with new events to bring in new tourists and plans updated brochures. As they learn more about That Poor Man, it is hard to believe that he had enemies. Suspects are few, including a farmers and a couple visitors. I’m not sure how I guessed who the bad guy/gal is. There was only one incident that gave me a hint until the motive came later. One suspect seems to have the most to hide until two others are revealed. I was very satisfied with the breathtaking denouement, leading to a calm, sweet finale, and highly recommend this, especially to those who love the beauty of birds, vegetation, and the English countryside.
From a grateful heart: I received an e-arc from the author and NetGalley, and this is my honest review. A review was not required.
April 15, 2018
Love is in the air in Smeaton-under-Lyme, the village attached to the Fotheringill Estate. Julia Lanchester is head of the Tourist Information Center for the estate. Vesta, Julia's assistant at the TIC, is marrying Akash, proprietor of the village store, and Julia is hoping for a proposal of her own from Michael Sedgewick, her live-in boyfriend. Instead, they arrive at their tiny shared cottage to find Michael's sister Pammy, a human "cuckoo in the nest''. Pammy is forty-two and has a long history of failed employment and relationships. The latest failed relationship has brought her to their door, along with multiple plastic shopping bags. Despite everything, they welcome her on the understanding that she will be on her way at weeks end. When Willow, village schoolmistress and Julia's friend, stumbles over the body of an unknown man, things get more complicated, and Pammy shows no sign of leaving. In fact, she seems to be making a lot of new friends in the village.Julia and Michael have a lot on their plates, both personal and job-related.
I really enjoy this series, primarily for the quirky characters, village atmosphere and situations that Julia finds herself in. There is a charming sense of community in the village and on the Estate. Julia herself is a busybody, but one with a heart of gold. She just can't seem to help managing other people's lives, but she does so with the best intentions and usually to good effect. Farewell, My Cuckoo is a near-perfect example of why traditional cozies have been so popular and remain so.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Alibi for an advance copy. The opinions are my own.
I really enjoy this series, primarily for the quirky characters, village atmosphere and situations that Julia finds herself in. There is a charming sense of community in the village and on the Estate. Julia herself is a busybody, but one with a heart of gold. She just can't seem to help managing other people's lives, but she does so with the best intentions and usually to good effect. Farewell, My Cuckoo is a near-perfect example of why traditional cozies have been so popular and remain so.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Alibi for an advance copy. The opinions are my own.
June 22, 2018
Farewell, My Cuckoo, the fourth installment in the Birds of a Feather series by Marty Wingate is an absolutely terrific book that I hated to see end. I was transported to the Suffolk village of Smeaton-Under-Lyme, a lovely close-knit town where Julia Lanchester runs the Tourist Information Center and basically knows everything about Smeaton and its environs, as well as its residents. When the body of an unidentified man is found in the churchyard, Julia is determined to discover not only his identity but also why "that poor man" was killed.
I love mysteries set in small, quaint British villages, and this book perfectly fit the bill. In addition to the mystery, there is a lot more happening in Julia's life and at the Tourist Information Center. I loved all the bird and bird-watching references, especially that of the cuckoo. This book is the first Marty Wingate novel I have read, and it certainly will not be the last. I can't wait to dive into the series from the very beginning and once again be drawn into Julia's wonderful world of Smeaton-Under-Lyme.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are solely my own.
I love mysteries set in small, quaint British villages, and this book perfectly fit the bill. In addition to the mystery, there is a lot more happening in Julia's life and at the Tourist Information Center. I loved all the bird and bird-watching references, especially that of the cuckoo. This book is the first Marty Wingate novel I have read, and it certainly will not be the last. I can't wait to dive into the series from the very beginning and once again be drawn into Julia's wonderful world of Smeaton-Under-Lyme.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are solely my own.
December 17, 2021
When Julia Lanchester and Michael Sedgwick, her live-in boyfriend, return from a wedding of two locals, love is definitely in the air. Julia can sense that Michael is about to propose, and it seems that he very nearly does, when his sister Pammy arrives on their doorstep...with everything she owns. It appears that Pammy's latest relationship - with a married man - has broken up and she's nowhere to go. So Julia and Michael reluctantly allow her to stay for one night in their tiny cottage until she can reach her friend Amy.
But one night turns into two, then three, then...well, you get the idea. It doesn't look like Pammy is going anywhere soon, and neither is Michael's proposal. So they try to get on with their lives, with Julia running the TIC (tourist information center) at the Fotheringill estate, and Michael, who works with Julia's father Rupert, is reluctantly filming a sequence with Julia's old beau, Gavin Lecky. Michael doesn't like Gavin at all, and he likes him even less when Gavin spies Pammy and is instantly taken with her.
But Julia has another problem, too. A man's body was found by her friend Willow who works at the school and is engaged to Lord Fotheringill's son Cecil. Willow has become distraught at finding him, and no one seems to know who he is. At least Willow has the comfort of her aunt Lottie to help her when Cecil is not around.
Then Julia has an unfortunate encounter with a man at a tea shop, and is not happy when he shows up in the village at the shop of her friend Nuala. It appears he's interested in Nuala, and Julia knows Linus, Lord Fotheringill, is also interested in her so she decides to step in and take a hand.
A nice family of four has also arrived at the TIC to explore the estate and like it so well they return the next weekend. When Julia figures out that they may have encountered the dead man (before he was deceased, obviously) she decides to contact them in the hope they may have information regarding who he is. She actually becomes chummy with the mother who is a graphic designer and starts helping them design pamphlets for the TIC.
Then there's the problem of a local farmer who was certified organic but Julia discovers he has ruined his fields. He knew Bob and even employed him once in a while, and Julia begins to wonder if he didn't do the man in because he knew what was done.
But the only thing anyone truly knows is that the poor dead man was named Bob, and nothing else. Yet somehow, someone must have, because poor Bob is now dead and at the morgue. And somehow, again, these stories become interlaced and have more of a connection to Bob than anyone realizes. It is nearly too late when Julia starts putting it all together and what a tale it becomes...
This book, as all the others in the series, was a true delight to read. Julia Lanchester quietly puts up with Pammy, who's flighty and seems to have no direction in life. It is only when Gavin enters the picture does it seem that Pammy might actually want to do something worthwhile; and Julia sees it as a way to eventually get back the home that Pammy has made her own.
There's enough intrigue and mystery here to keep anyone interested, and while at first it seems there is a lot going on, it all comes together nicely at the end. Julia has more patience than I ever would given the situation at hand; but unfortunately I didn't care for Pammy very much. While she may have seemed like a nice enough person, she rather insinuated herself in Julia's home and roving about the village while insisting she'd leave soon. Nothing pointed to her leaving, and family or not, she seemed to me to be an opportunist, one of the worst type of people there are. She was also too whiny for my taste. (I'm hoping Gavin will redeem her).
Which isn't to say I didn't enjoy her part in the book; she was just as important as any of the other secondary characters, we just can't like everyone, can we? (I think a lot of it was the fact that she just moved in lock, stock and barrel without notice or even trying to go anywhere else and didn't care that she was trashing someone else's home).
But the tale was masterfully written; the writing crisp and lively, the settings descriptive and broad, and the characters animated and believable. This is a village I would definitely want to visit, and these are people I love spending time with. Julia belongs to Smeaton-under-Lyme; she truly loves the estate, Linus, her friends, family, and of course, Michael. It shows in her dedication to her job and the people around her. It shows in the fact that she doesn't want a dead man not to be mourned, and wants to find out as much about him as she can.
Julia has heart, and that's an important characteristic in any human being. She cares. And that, my friends, is what makes the Birds of a Feather mysteries so very good. This is the fourth book in the series, and I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite as they are all so well done. Highly recommended.
But one night turns into two, then three, then...well, you get the idea. It doesn't look like Pammy is going anywhere soon, and neither is Michael's proposal. So they try to get on with their lives, with Julia running the TIC (tourist information center) at the Fotheringill estate, and Michael, who works with Julia's father Rupert, is reluctantly filming a sequence with Julia's old beau, Gavin Lecky. Michael doesn't like Gavin at all, and he likes him even less when Gavin spies Pammy and is instantly taken with her.
But Julia has another problem, too. A man's body was found by her friend Willow who works at the school and is engaged to Lord Fotheringill's son Cecil. Willow has become distraught at finding him, and no one seems to know who he is. At least Willow has the comfort of her aunt Lottie to help her when Cecil is not around.
Then Julia has an unfortunate encounter with a man at a tea shop, and is not happy when he shows up in the village at the shop of her friend Nuala. It appears he's interested in Nuala, and Julia knows Linus, Lord Fotheringill, is also interested in her so she decides to step in and take a hand.
A nice family of four has also arrived at the TIC to explore the estate and like it so well they return the next weekend. When Julia figures out that they may have encountered the dead man (before he was deceased, obviously) she decides to contact them in the hope they may have information regarding who he is. She actually becomes chummy with the mother who is a graphic designer and starts helping them design pamphlets for the TIC.
Then there's the problem of a local farmer who was certified organic but Julia discovers he has ruined his fields. He knew Bob and even employed him once in a while, and Julia begins to wonder if he didn't do the man in because he knew what was done.
But the only thing anyone truly knows is that the poor dead man was named Bob, and nothing else. Yet somehow, someone must have, because poor Bob is now dead and at the morgue. And somehow, again, these stories become interlaced and have more of a connection to Bob than anyone realizes. It is nearly too late when Julia starts putting it all together and what a tale it becomes...
This book, as all the others in the series, was a true delight to read. Julia Lanchester quietly puts up with Pammy, who's flighty and seems to have no direction in life. It is only when Gavin enters the picture does it seem that Pammy might actually want to do something worthwhile; and Julia sees it as a way to eventually get back the home that Pammy has made her own.
There's enough intrigue and mystery here to keep anyone interested, and while at first it seems there is a lot going on, it all comes together nicely at the end. Julia has more patience than I ever would given the situation at hand; but unfortunately I didn't care for Pammy very much. While she may have seemed like a nice enough person, she rather insinuated herself in Julia's home and roving about the village while insisting she'd leave soon. Nothing pointed to her leaving, and family or not, she seemed to me to be an opportunist, one of the worst type of people there are. She was also too whiny for my taste. (I'm hoping Gavin will redeem her).
Which isn't to say I didn't enjoy her part in the book; she was just as important as any of the other secondary characters, we just can't like everyone, can we? (I think a lot of it was the fact that she just moved in lock, stock and barrel without notice or even trying to go anywhere else and didn't care that she was trashing someone else's home).
But the tale was masterfully written; the writing crisp and lively, the settings descriptive and broad, and the characters animated and believable. This is a village I would definitely want to visit, and these are people I love spending time with. Julia belongs to Smeaton-under-Lyme; she truly loves the estate, Linus, her friends, family, and of course, Michael. It shows in her dedication to her job and the people around her. It shows in the fact that she doesn't want a dead man not to be mourned, and wants to find out as much about him as she can.
Julia has heart, and that's an important characteristic in any human being. She cares. And that, my friends, is what makes the Birds of a Feather mysteries so very good. This is the fourth book in the series, and I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite as they are all so well done. Highly recommended.
March 7, 2020
What a lovely way to spend an afternoon! It's back to the picturesque village of Smeaton-under-Lyme where Julia Lanchester is still managing the TIC, wedding bells are ringing for Akash and Vesta, Michael's sister Pammy stops in for a surprise visit along with all of her worldly possessions, and free-spirit Willow stumbles upon a dead body in the churchyard. Who is the dead man, and why did someone kill him? Will Pammy ever leave? And will Michael and Julia be next to take a trip down the aisle? Author Marty Wingate answers all of these questions (and more!!!) in this fast-paced very cozy read. I adore the Birds of a Feather series and anxiously awaited the arrival of Farewell, My Cuckoo - it did not disappoint!
March 3, 2018
This cozy mystery set in Britain is another fine installment in the 'Birds Of A Feather ' series.
Julia and Micheal not only have to deal with his prima donna sister showing up on their door expecting them to host her...without an expected end date, but the body of s man not known to them shows up on the estate.
Julia and the police search endlessly for information...information it turns out Micheal's sister has and she doesn't realize it's important.
The killer is aware of Julia's questions and had her in his sights.
Don't miss the list of suspects...added to and ruled out..until the last desperate scene.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC to peruse.
Julia and Micheal not only have to deal with his prima donna sister showing up on their door expecting them to host her...without an expected end date, but the body of s man not known to them shows up on the estate.
Julia and the police search endlessly for information...information it turns out Micheal's sister has and she doesn't realize it's important.
The killer is aware of Julia's questions and had her in his sights.
Don't miss the list of suspects...added to and ruled out..until the last desperate scene.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC to peruse.
June 1, 2018
I enjoy reading Marty Wingate's cozy books. This is book 4 in the Birds of a Feather Series. Julia and Michael are seriously considering marriage but his sister Pam has moved in and is cramping their life. I love the small English village life and the cast of characters is always in rare form. When a local man, Bob is found murdered the entire village helps Julia and Pammy find the murderer. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
November 27, 2024
3.5 happy to finally continue the series. The ebook version was unavailable for a year or so due to a publisher issue or change.
January 3, 2019
I am happy to say that with this fourth book in the Birds of a Feather series, Marty Wingate is back on top of what I have grown to love and expect from this series.
In this story, Julia is hoping that Michael will propose. It is difficult to do when his sister, Pamela (Pammy) shows up and moves in with the couple. I love how they refer to her as a cuckoo, a bird that moves into another bird's nest and eats its food and takes over. When a body turns up near the Abbey, Julia realizes it is the mysterious man who has been giving tourists information about the area. She does not know who he is and it appears no one else does either. As the story unfolds, once again Julia starts asking some questions. Her strongest characteristic is her ability to listen and observe. Once she gathers information, it doesn't take her long to put the pieces of the puzzle together.
I enjoyed the plot and development of this story. Once again, Alfie, the rook makes an appearance and drops hints and clues into Julia's pockets. Pammy, is actually a charming character. Once you get over the fact that she has barged in on Julia and Michael, she was easy to like. She was dealing with a lot of stuff in her life and she works things out well. There are the usual quirky characters we find in this small English Village and they assist without even knowing it. Julia and Pammy find themselves in a bit of a sticky situation, but with the help of Alfie and the loves of their lives, they are rescued and the culprit captured. In this story, I figured out who the murderer was about the same time as Julia, but whether or not he was going to get away with it and how the story would all come together in the end kept me reading. A good addition to the series. The publisher, Alibi. generously provided me with a copy of this book upon my request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
In this story, Julia is hoping that Michael will propose. It is difficult to do when his sister, Pamela (Pammy) shows up and moves in with the couple. I love how they refer to her as a cuckoo, a bird that moves into another bird's nest and eats its food and takes over. When a body turns up near the Abbey, Julia realizes it is the mysterious man who has been giving tourists information about the area. She does not know who he is and it appears no one else does either. As the story unfolds, once again Julia starts asking some questions. Her strongest characteristic is her ability to listen and observe. Once she gathers information, it doesn't take her long to put the pieces of the puzzle together.
I enjoyed the plot and development of this story. Once again, Alfie, the rook makes an appearance and drops hints and clues into Julia's pockets. Pammy, is actually a charming character. Once you get over the fact that she has barged in on Julia and Michael, she was easy to like. She was dealing with a lot of stuff in her life and she works things out well. There are the usual quirky characters we find in this small English Village and they assist without even knowing it. Julia and Pammy find themselves in a bit of a sticky situation, but with the help of Alfie and the loves of their lives, they are rescued and the culprit captured. In this story, I figured out who the murderer was about the same time as Julia, but whether or not he was going to get away with it and how the story would all come together in the end kept me reading. A good addition to the series. The publisher, Alibi. generously provided me with a copy of this book upon my request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
April 16, 2018
This is another fun entry in the A Birds of a Feather Mystery series. I’ve enjoyed all of the books in this series though I thought the last entry (prior to this one) was a little off course. With “Farewell My Cuckoo”, Marty Wingate has brought out, what I feel, is the best of the series thus far.
Julia Lanchester is the manager of the TIC, Tourist Information Center, at Fotheringham Estate. She and her boyfriend Michael have just attended a dear friend’s wedding. Julia has the distinct feeling that marriage (or at least a proposal) may be in her immediate future, too. However, when she and Michael return home from the wedding, Michael’s sister Pammy has shown up to stay overnight (camped out on the sofa.) When overnight turns to two days and then a week and then Pammy starts buying groceries and doing chores around the house, Julia is concerned that Pammy has moved in for good.
Then Willow, one of Julia’s dear friends, stumbles (literally) over a corpse. Julia is determined to stay out of the investigation of the murder of That Poor Man (what she calls him as no one knows who he is) but she is pulled in almost against her will.
I have enjoyed both of Ms Wingate’s series but this one is definitely my favorite. I love the humor that the author expresses through characters and find that the mysteries are fun to solve along with Julia. There is always a bird theme involved as Julia’s father is a famous ornithologist and Julia is heavily into the hobby of bird-watching as well.
While I think this book could be read standalone, I highly recommend reading the books in order. The characters and their relationships have evolved over the course of the past books.
I was provided a digital advance reader copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley.
Julia Lanchester is the manager of the TIC, Tourist Information Center, at Fotheringham Estate. She and her boyfriend Michael have just attended a dear friend’s wedding. Julia has the distinct feeling that marriage (or at least a proposal) may be in her immediate future, too. However, when she and Michael return home from the wedding, Michael’s sister Pammy has shown up to stay overnight (camped out on the sofa.) When overnight turns to two days and then a week and then Pammy starts buying groceries and doing chores around the house, Julia is concerned that Pammy has moved in for good.
Then Willow, one of Julia’s dear friends, stumbles (literally) over a corpse. Julia is determined to stay out of the investigation of the murder of That Poor Man (what she calls him as no one knows who he is) but she is pulled in almost against her will.
I have enjoyed both of Ms Wingate’s series but this one is definitely my favorite. I love the humor that the author expresses through characters and find that the mysteries are fun to solve along with Julia. There is always a bird theme involved as Julia’s father is a famous ornithologist and Julia is heavily into the hobby of bird-watching as well.
While I think this book could be read standalone, I highly recommend reading the books in order. The characters and their relationships have evolved over the course of the past books.
I was provided a digital advance reader copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley.
March 20, 2018
Farewell, My Cuckoo is the fourth installment in the Birds of a Feather Mystery series set in Britain and featuring Julia Lancaster, manager of the Tourist Information Center for the Fotheringill Estate. Julia and live in boyfriend Michael Sedgwick have just attended the wedding of her co-worker Vesta, and she has a sneaking suspicion that Michael is about to propose. Unfortunately, her hopes are quickly dashed when they arrive home to find Michael's sister, Pammy waiting on their doorstep.
Pammy has suffered another devastating breakup, this time from a married man, and having burned her bridges with all of her other siblings has no where else to go. Promising to stay for only a day or two it quickly becomes apparent that the plastic bag toting sister is going to be residing in the tiny flat for quite some time.
When a body is discovered on the Estate grounds with no identification, Julia decides to investigate. Hoping to not only reveal the man's identity but that of his killer, she quickly finds herself in danger.
A fast paced plot with well developed characters this latest addition to the series is a hit. The author's writing style transports the reader to the tiny village of Smeaton-Under-Lyme, and leaves you feeling as though you are walking alongside Julia on her adventures. I was disappointed that the adorable, yet mischievous rook, Alfie, was only briefly mentioned but, respected his privacy while he was in his molting stage.
I received an advanced copy of Farewell, My Cuckoo from NetGalley via Alibi, a division of Penguin Random House Publishing. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.
Pammy has suffered another devastating breakup, this time from a married man, and having burned her bridges with all of her other siblings has no where else to go. Promising to stay for only a day or two it quickly becomes apparent that the plastic bag toting sister is going to be residing in the tiny flat for quite some time.
When a body is discovered on the Estate grounds with no identification, Julia decides to investigate. Hoping to not only reveal the man's identity but that of his killer, she quickly finds herself in danger.
A fast paced plot with well developed characters this latest addition to the series is a hit. The author's writing style transports the reader to the tiny village of Smeaton-Under-Lyme, and leaves you feeling as though you are walking alongside Julia on her adventures. I was disappointed that the adorable, yet mischievous rook, Alfie, was only briefly mentioned but, respected his privacy while he was in his molting stage.
I received an advanced copy of Farewell, My Cuckoo from NetGalley via Alibi, a division of Penguin Random House Publishing. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.
March 10, 2018
Farewell, My Cuckoo is the fourth entry in Marty Wingate’s Birds of a Feather mystery series. When manager of the Tourist Information Center for the Fotheringill Estate, Julia Lanchester and her love Michael Sedgwick arrive back to their Pipit Cottage after the lovely wedding of her second in command, they do so with stars in their eyes and unspoken plans of their own. But what they find is his slightly older and very flighty sister Pammy sitting on their doorstep surrounded by her meager belongings stuffed in plastic bags. She is seeking a place to stay for the night having just left her married boyfriend. But like the cuckoo, when she moves in she takes over the living area and it becomes a trial for Julia and Michael.
Julia throws herself into work projects, but the project she didn’t expect was to be thrown into the middle of a police investigation to solve the murder of an unknown man on the church grounds. She also didn’t expect to learn that Pammy would be the last person other than the killer to have seen the man alive.
As the list of suspects grows there are more on the list from outside than there are locals. DI Tess Callow is on the case, but that has never kept Julia from following bits and pieces to be sure if they are indeed important before turning them over to Tess. When Pammy does the same, they find themselves at the mercy of the murderer.
Another well written and intricately plotted story from Marty Wingate. I have always enjoyed her work, as I did once again, and I do recommend this book
April 23, 2018
After participating in the wedding of her friends, Julia Lancaster is certain her boyfriend Michael will soon be proposing. However, an unexpected visit from Michael's sister Pammy puts a damper on romance. Then a murder victim is found with no identification near the village church. The only thing the man has is a tin containing pieces of a bird's egg. Julia is intrigued and becomes invested in finding the murderer of the stranger.
I've read all of the books in the "Birds of a Feather" mystery series, and "Farewell, My Cuckoo" is one of my favorites. Julia and Michael are wonderful characters individually and even better as a couple. There aren't as many detailed bird-watching scenes as in some of the other books which keeps the story moving faster, but there is enough bird-related information to be true to the theme of the series. The book's title cleverly fits in with a couple different subplots and will become clear after reading the book.
There are several possible suspects in the murder that keeps Julia, as well as the reader, guessing. I like that Michael supports Julia in her sleuthing and also like that Julia grows to be supportive of Pammy, even though her extended stay is interfering in her and Michael's plans. The charming characters, entertaining situations, and interesting plot make this a delightful book for anyone who enjoys a British cozy with original characters and well-written dialogue and descriptions. 4.5 stars
I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Alibi. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
I've read all of the books in the "Birds of a Feather" mystery series, and "Farewell, My Cuckoo" is one of my favorites. Julia and Michael are wonderful characters individually and even better as a couple. There aren't as many detailed bird-watching scenes as in some of the other books which keeps the story moving faster, but there is enough bird-related information to be true to the theme of the series. The book's title cleverly fits in with a couple different subplots and will become clear after reading the book.
There are several possible suspects in the murder that keeps Julia, as well as the reader, guessing. I like that Michael supports Julia in her sleuthing and also like that Julia grows to be supportive of Pammy, even though her extended stay is interfering in her and Michael's plans. The charming characters, entertaining situations, and interesting plot make this a delightful book for anyone who enjoys a British cozy with original characters and well-written dialogue and descriptions. 4.5 stars
I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Alibi. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
May 4, 2019
Marty Wingate has the small British village vibe off to a tee and this one certainly doesn't disappoint.
We open with a wedding, NOT Julia and Michael but Vesta and Akash, after the reception at the local pub Julia and Michael wander home hoping to spend some quality time in the garden with some wine (and Julia hopes a proposal!), everything is derailed when they get there to discover Michael's very flightly sister Pammy camped on the doorstep, she has to stay overnight and she soon becomes the cuckoo in the nest as she seems to have no intention of leaving.
To add to this problem there is a dead body at the church (err not buried) discovered by Willow, a man who seems determined to entice Nuala (the excellent baker and current interest of the terminally shy Lord Linus Fotheringill) away, Gavin Lecky seems to have latched onto Pammy, oh and various people keep asking Julia if Michael has proposed (including the officer in charge of the murder investigation).
Now Julia ends up investigating (although to be fair she does try not to) and she also is determined to be friends with Pammy (how ever hard that is as the cottage is barely big enough for two adults and three is pushing it .... a lot), the twists and turns through this book make it a great read and the final twist took my breath away!
We open with a wedding, NOT Julia and Michael but Vesta and Akash, after the reception at the local pub Julia and Michael wander home hoping to spend some quality time in the garden with some wine (and Julia hopes a proposal!), everything is derailed when they get there to discover Michael's very flightly sister Pammy camped on the doorstep, she has to stay overnight and she soon becomes the cuckoo in the nest as she seems to have no intention of leaving.
To add to this problem there is a dead body at the church (err not buried) discovered by Willow, a man who seems determined to entice Nuala (the excellent baker and current interest of the terminally shy Lord Linus Fotheringill) away, Gavin Lecky seems to have latched onto Pammy, oh and various people keep asking Julia if Michael has proposed (including the officer in charge of the murder investigation).
Now Julia ends up investigating (although to be fair she does try not to) and she also is determined to be friends with Pammy (how ever hard that is as the cottage is barely big enough for two adults and three is pushing it .... a lot), the twists and turns through this book make it a great read and the final twist took my breath away!
August 15, 2024
Farewell, My Cuckoo
Book #4, finished! Now I'm at the exact place I hate to be! Completing a series without a next book!! I do hope there are more coming! This book is a bit different than the first three! In addition to figuring out what happened, how it happened, why it happened, & whodunnit, but also who was the deceased! I've loved the series so far, & this last didn't disappoint!! I loved how birds & birding were as much parts of the stories as were the human characters! The mascot bird for this one actually is one of my favorite birds, the Cuckoo!! I loved hearing them in the forests in Germany! Unfortunately, the term was mostly used as a nickname to a human instead as an actual Cuckoo, however Cuckoo's were heard around the estate! I think you'll enjoy this cute, cozy mystery. Drama & comedy balanced nicely. Clean, no vividly bloody murder scenes, & no profanity! I can't say no sex, but what there is, is left to your imagination! As it should be, in my opinion!
Book #4, finished! Now I'm at the exact place I hate to be! Completing a series without a next book!! I do hope there are more coming! This book is a bit different than the first three! In addition to figuring out what happened, how it happened, why it happened, & whodunnit, but also who was the deceased! I've loved the series so far, & this last didn't disappoint!! I loved how birds & birding were as much parts of the stories as were the human characters! The mascot bird for this one actually is one of my favorite birds, the Cuckoo!! I loved hearing them in the forests in Germany! Unfortunately, the term was mostly used as a nickname to a human instead as an actual Cuckoo, however Cuckoo's were heard around the estate! I think you'll enjoy this cute, cozy mystery. Drama & comedy balanced nicely. Clean, no vividly bloody murder scenes, & no profanity! I can't say no sex, but what there is, is left to your imagination! As it should be, in my opinion!
March 18, 2018
Julia and Michael attend the wedding of their friends Vesta and Akish. A proposal is in the air and it seems the perfect moment may arrive that night. Then they are interrupted by Michael's sister Pammy. Pammy has had a breakup and lost her job. She becomes the cuckoo in their nest.
Then Willow stumbles upon a body by the pond next to the church. Julia tries to investigate and the story continues with several new players coming on the scene during visits to Smeaton village.
Pammy was a witness, seeing Bob just hours before his death. She also saw someone else who is a recent visitor to the village the same day. The tale climaxes with danger for both Pammy and Julia.
I enjoyed the emotion, the relationships and the mystery. I think that the impact was greater because I was already acquainted with Julia, Michael and their friends from previous books in the series. Sometimes it really is sweeter because you feel like the characters are people you know.
Then Willow stumbles upon a body by the pond next to the church. Julia tries to investigate and the story continues with several new players coming on the scene during visits to Smeaton village.
Pammy was a witness, seeing Bob just hours before his death. She also saw someone else who is a recent visitor to the village the same day. The tale climaxes with danger for both Pammy and Julia.
I enjoyed the emotion, the relationships and the mystery. I think that the impact was greater because I was already acquainted with Julia, Michael and their friends from previous books in the series. Sometimes it really is sweeter because you feel like the characters are people you know.
April 11, 2018
3.5 stars
Julia Lanchester is the daughter of a famous ornithologist. She runs the Tourist Information Center for a British estate and organizes various local community efforts and events. As the book opens, her boyfriend Michael's eccentric sister Pammy shows up uninvited and fairly unwelcome at their tiny home in the village. Michael and Julia are good people, but Pammy's general cluelessness and her inability to keep either a job or a relationship going wear thin quickly.
In the meantime, a transient is found dead in a local wildlife spot. As the police try to find out his identity, Julia is also attempting to unravel the mystery. Soon, old secrets appear -- family troubles, derailed romances, and adulterous liaisons.
Nicely written series with a unique setting and interesting characters.
Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Julia Lanchester is the daughter of a famous ornithologist. She runs the Tourist Information Center for a British estate and organizes various local community efforts and events. As the book opens, her boyfriend Michael's eccentric sister Pammy shows up uninvited and fairly unwelcome at their tiny home in the village. Michael and Julia are good people, but Pammy's general cluelessness and her inability to keep either a job or a relationship going wear thin quickly.
In the meantime, a transient is found dead in a local wildlife spot. As the police try to find out his identity, Julia is also attempting to unravel the mystery. Soon, old secrets appear -- family troubles, derailed romances, and adulterous liaisons.
Nicely written series with a unique setting and interesting characters.
Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
April 18, 2018
Weddings bring family together and make others think in terms of happily ever after.
When standing up for the happy couple, Julia's thoughts turn to when Michael is going to pop her own big question moment. She is sure he is ready. And when the moment is right... the trouble is, all the "right moments" seem to be interrupted.
The main roadblock is a sister who shows up on the doorstep, a SMALL doorstep, might I mention, and says she just needs a place for the night, or two. It seems Michael is the only friend or family who has not caught on to Pammy's ways.
Trying to stay out of the way and keep peace in her own household, Julia spends much time anywhere BUT home. She is busy at work, helps others out at work and with planning a neighborhood contest. While out and about, Julia is in the wrong place at the right time, finding herself involved in a murder.
Red herrings and misidentites keep the reader and the locals guessing about what is going on and what will happen next.
When standing up for the happy couple, Julia's thoughts turn to when Michael is going to pop her own big question moment. She is sure he is ready. And when the moment is right... the trouble is, all the "right moments" seem to be interrupted.
The main roadblock is a sister who shows up on the doorstep, a SMALL doorstep, might I mention, and says she just needs a place for the night, or two. It seems Michael is the only friend or family who has not caught on to Pammy's ways.
Trying to stay out of the way and keep peace in her own household, Julia spends much time anywhere BUT home. She is busy at work, helps others out at work and with planning a neighborhood contest. While out and about, Julia is in the wrong place at the right time, finding herself involved in a murder.
Red herrings and misidentites keep the reader and the locals guessing about what is going on and what will happen next.
February 22, 2018
This is my favorite Birds of a Feather Mystery so far! (I did not care for book #3 in this series, but loved the first 2.) What I love about this series is the combination of English village life, family chaos, and heart. I also feel affection for...people by the time I finish one of these books. Wingate does not write sappy stories at all--but I always feel a bit better about humanity when I finish one, somehow.
Besides, it's a cracking good mystery. Enough characters to have plenty of suspects and red herrings, but not so many I need an encyclopedia to keep them straight. Enough subplots to add depth to the world she's created, but not so many they distract from the mystery. And excellent writing on a scene-by-scene basis.
Can't wait for the next one!
Review copy provided by publisher via netgalley in exchange for honest review.
Besides, it's a cracking good mystery. Enough characters to have plenty of suspects and red herrings, but not so many I need an encyclopedia to keep them straight. Enough subplots to add depth to the world she's created, but not so many they distract from the mystery. And excellent writing on a scene-by-scene basis.
Can't wait for the next one!
Review copy provided by publisher via netgalley in exchange for honest review.
February 28, 2018
Sister-in-law Pammy has just shown up and is totally wrecking Julia and her boyfriend, Michael's life. Michael and Julia were just getting cozy and headed toward marriage and now Julia is worried about keeping her boyfriend and solving a murder so that she can get her life back. This cozy mystery is the newest installment in author Marty Wingate's, Birds of a Feather Mystery books. I do enjoy this series and think that anyone who likes mysteries would enjoy the humor and quirky string of characters.
Farewell, My Cuckoo by Marty Wingate will be available April 10, 2018 from Alibi, an imprint of Random House Publishing Group. An egalley of this book was made available by the publisher in exchange for a honest review.
Farewell, My Cuckoo by Marty Wingate will be available April 10, 2018 from Alibi, an imprint of Random House Publishing Group. An egalley of this book was made available by the publisher in exchange for a honest review.
April 11, 2018
First I would like to thank Random House and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this story.
Although this is the 4th book in a series I had no trouble falling into this book and I never felt lost or that I was missing information. I loved how the author tied the character Pammy into the characteristics of a cuckoo, and laughed out loud several times while reading this story. I had no trouble visualizing the village and the little cottage that Julia and Michael live in, I felt like I could "see" the village and surrounding area. Ms Wingate has a real gift, she made the village and the characters real to me, very quickly. I can't wait to go back!
I enjoyed this story so much that I immediately went and bought all the previous books in this series.
Although this is the 4th book in a series I had no trouble falling into this book and I never felt lost or that I was missing information. I loved how the author tied the character Pammy into the characteristics of a cuckoo, and laughed out loud several times while reading this story. I had no trouble visualizing the village and the little cottage that Julia and Michael live in, I felt like I could "see" the village and surrounding area. Ms Wingate has a real gift, she made the village and the characters real to me, very quickly. I can't wait to go back!
I enjoyed this story so much that I immediately went and bought all the previous books in this series.
April 17, 2018
This is one of the best British cozies I have read with a great cast of characters and a good mystery that quickly became a page-turner. I really liked Julia Lanchester, daughter of a celebrity ornithologist who manages the tourist information center at Fotheringham Estate in the small village of Smeaton-Under-Lyme, and her dynamic with the residents and visitors especially her boyfriend, Michael Sedgwick.
This is the first book I have read by Marty Wingate and I look forward to reading more by this talented author. This book is a must-read if you enjoy a well-crafted mystery.
I received a free advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my unbiased review. I also purchased a copy for my library.
This is the first book I have read by Marty Wingate and I look forward to reading more by this talented author. This book is a must-read if you enjoy a well-crafted mystery.
I received a free advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my unbiased review. I also purchased a copy for my library.
November 15, 2018
Really good cozy mystery!
I am a fan of Marty Wingate & have been since I read her first Potting Shed Mystery (her other mystery series ). What I really like about her books, besides the great mysteries, is learning some neat facts about birds and gardens! This particular book is based on cukoos. She always melds the facts with great characters & great side stories. It's always nice to read about characters one feels like they know.
I do recommend reading this series of books in order. That way you can read the characters' development. You can, however, read this book alone because Marty fills readers in as she introduces each one. I highly recommend this book & all of the Marty Wingate cozy mysteries.
I am a fan of Marty Wingate & have been since I read her first Potting Shed Mystery (her other mystery series ). What I really like about her books, besides the great mysteries, is learning some neat facts about birds and gardens! This particular book is based on cukoos. She always melds the facts with great characters & great side stories. It's always nice to read about characters one feels like they know.
I do recommend reading this series of books in order. That way you can read the characters' development. You can, however, read this book alone because Marty fills readers in as she introduces each one. I highly recommend this book & all of the Marty Wingate cozy mysteries.
February 23, 2018
I always look forward to a new Marty Wingate novel, but this newest installment in the Birds of a Feather mystery series was a tad lackluster for me.
Wingate’s mysteries are easy to follow and allow the reader to successfully sleuth alongside Julia. I like the village and the characters. I love how Julia & Micheal grow with each novel as well as the minor characters who make reappearances. Pammy and her plastic bags were hilarious!
Usually, I read Wingate’s books in one sitting but this book took me several days. The clues were drawn out and perhaps that was my problem. Regardless of the pacing, the mystery is solid and well-written.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy.
Wingate’s mysteries are easy to follow and allow the reader to successfully sleuth alongside Julia. I like the village and the characters. I love how Julia & Micheal grow with each novel as well as the minor characters who make reappearances. Pammy and her plastic bags were hilarious!
Usually, I read Wingate’s books in one sitting but this book took me several days. The clues were drawn out and perhaps that was my problem. Regardless of the pacing, the mystery is solid and well-written.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy.
April 1, 2018
Best book in the series but it's perfectly fine as a standalone. Wingate has a nice way with words and she's created some delightful characters- even when, like Pammy, they can be sort of a pain. This tie around, Julia finds herself investigating a murder just when she wants to be celebrating and relaxing with Michael. Never mind that she's also got Michael's lovelorn sister living with them. This takes full advantage of its village setting, with all the entertaining people who live there. It's not graphic, it's not too complicated, and it's never twee. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC- this is a good read perfect for those who like British cozys.
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