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The Village Detectives #2
The Poison Pen Letters
We regret to announce the tragic death of Phoebe Fredericks…
When crime novelist Phoebe opens the post and receives an invitation to her own funeral, she’s horrified. Not least because the date of her death is marked as tomorrow.
Deciding it’s nothing more than a prank from an enemy from her past, she determines to put it to the back of her mind.
But the next morning, when her completely infuriating postman (who likes to think himself her no.1 literary critic) rings her doorbell, a parcel of poisoned pen-nibs explodes in his face. Forced to confront the fact her correspondence is more RIP than RSVP, Phoebe realises someone must want her dead.
Together with the newly-formed Village Detectives – Juno, Mil and Felix – Phoebe resolves to find out who is behind the poison pen letters before they strike again and her fate is signed, sealed and delivered!
A totally hilarious, modern cozy crime mystery, from million-copy bestselling author Fiona Walker, perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Janet Evanovich and Janice Hallett.
When crime novelist Phoebe opens the post and receives an invitation to her own funeral, she’s horrified. Not least because the date of her death is marked as tomorrow.
Deciding it’s nothing more than a prank from an enemy from her past, she determines to put it to the back of her mind.
But the next morning, when her completely infuriating postman (who likes to think himself her no.1 literary critic) rings her doorbell, a parcel of poisoned pen-nibs explodes in his face. Forced to confront the fact her correspondence is more RIP than RSVP, Phoebe realises someone must want her dead.
Together with the newly-formed Village Detectives – Juno, Mil and Felix – Phoebe resolves to find out who is behind the poison pen letters before they strike again and her fate is signed, sealed and delivered!
A totally hilarious, modern cozy crime mystery, from million-copy bestselling author Fiona Walker, perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Janet Evanovich and Janice Hallett.
306 pages, Hardcover
Published November 8, 2024
213 people are currently reading
216 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
April 16, 2025
Great book nice twists to keep up the pace
November 12, 2024
The blurb, the title - The Poison Pen Letters - and the book cover piqued my interested, so much so that I decided on the spot that I just had to read it immediately.
The Poison Pen Letters is book number 2 in The Village Detectives series but the first in this series that I have read. It's also my first by this author. No matter. I found I didn't need to have read the first book, The Art of Murder to fully appreciate this novel. Although having done so now, I've added The Art of Murder to my wish list.
I like to think I am on an adventure of discovery when I read fiction. I love well-researched historical fiction because I most times learn something new and interesting. Cozy fiction is, for me, more entertainment than educational so I was delighted to find that more than once, I had to look up references made in the text, and that made this novel all the more enjoyable; a rung above the usual cozy mysteries that I enjoy.
I found The Poison Pen Letters entertainingly humorous, as well as a real brain-teaser. There are so many threads to follow that I can't tell you how many times I changed my mind as to who the murderer might be, and their motives, and I was completely caught off guard when they were revealed.
I would whole-heartedly recommend The Poison Pen Letters to readers who enjoy a slightly more challenging cozy mystery.
The Poison Pen Letters is book number 2 in The Village Detectives series but the first in this series that I have read. It's also my first by this author. No matter. I found I didn't need to have read the first book, The Art of Murder to fully appreciate this novel. Although having done so now, I've added The Art of Murder to my wish list.
I like to think I am on an adventure of discovery when I read fiction. I love well-researched historical fiction because I most times learn something new and interesting. Cozy fiction is, for me, more entertainment than educational so I was delighted to find that more than once, I had to look up references made in the text, and that made this novel all the more enjoyable; a rung above the usual cozy mysteries that I enjoy.
I found The Poison Pen Letters entertainingly humorous, as well as a real brain-teaser. There are so many threads to follow that I can't tell you how many times I changed my mind as to who the murderer might be, and their motives, and I was completely caught off guard when they were revealed.
I would whole-heartedly recommend The Poison Pen Letters to readers who enjoy a slightly more challenging cozy mystery.
January 7, 2025
The voluble Juno and acerbic Phoebe are back to solve a new set of murders in their small town. The story opens with Phoebe receiving an invitation to her own funeral. Though shocked, she's also dismissive, as the message's tone is reminiscent of those she received some time before when an article she wrote generated a tremendous amount of flak directed at her. This situation snowballed and ended up in her being let go from her steady newspaper job, suffering a fair amount of mental trauma, followed by a cancer diagnosis.
The next morning the chatty postman (who is also her dedicated literary critic and factchecker) is killed when a box addressed to Phoebe, and containing poisoned pen nibs, explodes in his face at her door.
Juno, Mil and Felix, Phoebe's director husband, are unwilling to let the issue go, and begin investigating. There are plenty of suspects as Felix attempts to identify the most persistent online poster and detractor, who has become active again. He enlists Juno on his searches, even though she feels that the suspect is more local, including a former party girl who loudly and repeatedly states she has a claim in the house Phoebe and Felix live in. Meanwhile Phoebe is writing frantically to ensure she's making money to support them while Felix is between projects. She also tries her best to avoid thinking about the harassment and murders, until she can't anymore.
I enjoy Juno's rambling inner and outer monologues, while she attempts to solve the case and get more involved with the life of the village, including joining a book club.
I found there were frequent humorous moments (mostly from Juno), interspersed with Phoebe dealing with her pain, and worries about Felix's past, which actually plays a part in the resolution of this entertaining second entry in the Village Detectives series by author Fiona Walker.
I definitely enjoyed this book, and look forward to the return of these amateur sleuths.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Boldwood Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.
The next morning the chatty postman (who is also her dedicated literary critic and factchecker) is killed when a box addressed to Phoebe, and containing poisoned pen nibs, explodes in his face at her door.
Juno, Mil and Felix, Phoebe's director husband, are unwilling to let the issue go, and begin investigating. There are plenty of suspects as Felix attempts to identify the most persistent online poster and detractor, who has become active again. He enlists Juno on his searches, even though she feels that the suspect is more local, including a former party girl who loudly and repeatedly states she has a claim in the house Phoebe and Felix live in. Meanwhile Phoebe is writing frantically to ensure she's making money to support them while Felix is between projects. She also tries her best to avoid thinking about the harassment and murders, until she can't anymore.
I enjoy Juno's rambling inner and outer monologues, while she attempts to solve the case and get more involved with the life of the village, including joining a book club.
I found there were frequent humorous moments (mostly from Juno), interspersed with Phoebe dealing with her pain, and worries about Felix's past, which actually plays a part in the resolution of this entertaining second entry in the Village Detectives series by author Fiona Walker.
I definitely enjoyed this book, and look forward to the return of these amateur sleuths.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Boldwood Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.
November 18, 2024
I would like to thank Netgalley and Boldwood Books for a free copy of the book.
The plot was all over the place and the portrayal of mental health was negative and a stereotype.
The plot was all over the place and the portrayal of mental health was negative and a stereotype.
June 9, 2025
Okay, so I’m glad we learned more about Phoebe’s past, but like??? How dumb. Though I get it, if her being cancelled had been legitimate, it would have been harder to keep her as the loveable grump that she is. I do think it was interesting how the mystery came together. I also enjoyed seeing more of Juno’s family dynamics and how she was convinced that her mom’s partner was the murderer. I also appreciated the deeper insight into Felix and his relationship with Phoebe.
October 9, 2024
The Poison Pen Letters by Fiona Walker the 2nd instalment in the Village Detectives Cozy Mystery Series. I thoroughly enjoyed this engaging read and appreciated the author's writing style, which skillfully weaves a captivating mystery that keeps readers enthralled until the very end. We regret to announce the tragic death of Phoebe Fredericks… Together with the newly-formed Village Detectives – Juno, Mil and Felix – Phoebe resolves to find out who is behind the poison pen letters before they strike again and her fate is signed, sealed and delivered!
The story introduces a delightful ensemble of amateur sleuths, whose unlikely friendships are forged in the midst of murder and mystery.
The plot is engaging, with numerous twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. I appreciated the author's skillful pacing and character development, which made it easy to become invested in the lives of the protagonists. The novel's conclusion was satisfying, and I am eager to see how the series evolves in the third instalment.
I highly recommend the Village Detectives to fans of cozy mysteries and amateur sleuth stories. Overall, I am excited to continue following this series and seeing where the author takes these intriguing characters next.
requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Boldwood Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The story introduces a delightful ensemble of amateur sleuths, whose unlikely friendships are forged in the midst of murder and mystery.
The plot is engaging, with numerous twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. I appreciated the author's skillful pacing and character development, which made it easy to become invested in the lives of the protagonists. The novel's conclusion was satisfying, and I am eager to see how the series evolves in the third instalment.
I highly recommend the Village Detectives to fans of cozy mysteries and amateur sleuth stories. Overall, I am excited to continue following this series and seeing where the author takes these intriguing characters next.
requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Boldwood Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 4, 2025
I stopped reading this story because I couldn't find anything interesting with the plot or the characters and I hate a romance when someone is looking for her "Romeo".
October 28, 2024
The poison pin letters is the second book in the village detective book series by Fiona Walker, The Book starts with phoebe getting an invitation to her own funeral that according to the missive is going to happen in a Fortnite. Juno is settling in with her cat Kevin bacon in the flat above the curio shop and she’s still looking for love even though Milt would love to date her she keeps him at a distance due to his age and he’s also one of the fellow village detectives. He even gets her to host trivia night at the pub and it’s all fun and games until the next day when postman Craig gets blown up by a poison pen Letterbomb. I love that the author describes Craig is looking like a pink balloon with eyes a nose in the mouth I thought that was so funny but regardless for a while Craig had been the vein of Phoebe‘s existence because he bought her box set of Debbbie Death murder mysteries, he was obsessed with letting her know things she got wrong from punctuation to spelling to even whether her murderous plots were possible. When the police get involved all they do is double down on how strange Craig actually was but he isn’t the last one to be murdered and that is in phoebes only problem she’s also being stalked by Ohfeelya The person who stalked her right out of her journalism job with the help of one of her coworkers. Which cause her to be canceled. Not to mention lady smoke a lot “Penny “still wrinkles Phoebe‘s day and makes no secret of the fact she wants Felix and Phoebe out of Boosie‘s house. We also learn whether or not Felix would cheat on Phoebe a great aggravation and fear of hers but before we learned that Juno and Felix go on an overnight trip together and have to share a room and JUNOs inner thoughts during that adventure made me laugh out loud so much my husband thought something was wrong with me. From being Crockett and Tubbs to fatal attraction Juno cannot decide which way she should feel but definitely know she wants no part of her best friends husband… Well she does but would never. This book is so funny so adult what always amazes me is I never guess who did it this is the second book in the second time well because two perpetrators were unmasked in this book I will say it is the third time Fiona walker has made me sit back and say WTF! All that and there’s so much I haven’t mentioned including Juno‘s mom and Dennis who are going hot and heavy literally her son Eric who got his boss pregnant and now June knows going to be a grandmother but doesn’t know how Eric feels about it it’s so much more there’s so much to this book I would definitely read both books in order but they can’t be read as a standalone I just think you would find so much of it funnier with the full story as opposed to just reading this as a standalone I love this book so much and absolutely 100% recommend them.#NetGalley,#BoldwoodBooks, #FionaWalker, #TheVillageDetectives, #ThePoisonPenLetters,
September 30, 2024
I found myself all over the place with this one. On the one hand, it used an unique murder weapon, that's for sure. I honestly didn't care much for the characters as the book began but they did grow on me as I got to know them better. I'm not sure if reading the first book in this series would have made a difference. Probably not as it eventually worked as a standalone for me. I did seriously wish they'd find Juno the perfect boyfriend soon, if only so she'd stop obsessing over men so much. Part of her character, true, but it did distract me at times. Phoebe, the writer and possible target of the murder, and her husband Felix, a film producer, seemed genuinely in love even while they also seemed to both push and pull away repeatedly. It's obvious they care for each other. Mil Winterbourne, was younger than the rest but has a crush on Juno that she can't quite bring herself to reciprocate.
These relationships, good, bad, or indifferent, are sidelined when Phoebe's chatty postman Craig is murdered. Let's just say a package he was delivering to Phoebe explodes and kills him. Was he the intended target or Phoebe? Who'd hate either of them enough to kill them in such a dramatic manner? As it turns out, Phoebe does have a long list of potential enemies. She's been stalked before and getting an invite to her own funeral the day before is rather telling about who the intended victim was, I'd say. Phoebe's friends, who've been dubbed the Village Detectives, gather to investigate and then scatter here and there to do so. I won't detail the plot further other than to say the ending was quite intense.
Despite the murder and following events, there is also humor. Just the characters alone provided much of it, especially their thoughts as they encounter others. Juno and Felix combining forces to investigate offered lots of laughs as well as "Uh, oh, what if..." thoughts. And, as over-the-top as Juno's man crazy persona was, I found myself liking her and thinking she'd be someone I'd want on my side. Readers just need to relax and go with the flow, so to speak, and not try to make it all make sense as frequently as I initially did. The theme of cyber stalking is definitely a timely one, so that kept my attention, too. The red herrings are plentiful, as are the twists and turns. While not quite the book for me, 3.5 rounded to 4 stars, it was still an intriguing read with characters you're likely to grow to like. I may make a point of reading the first book now because it's a series that intrigued (yes, there's that word again) me enough to want to know them all more. Thanks #BoldwoodBooks for introducing me to Phoebe, Felix, Juno, and Mil early, not to mention the rest of the cast of characters. That ending was both intense and funny, something hard to make come off but the author managed it well.
These relationships, good, bad, or indifferent, are sidelined when Phoebe's chatty postman Craig is murdered. Let's just say a package he was delivering to Phoebe explodes and kills him. Was he the intended target or Phoebe? Who'd hate either of them enough to kill them in such a dramatic manner? As it turns out, Phoebe does have a long list of potential enemies. She's been stalked before and getting an invite to her own funeral the day before is rather telling about who the intended victim was, I'd say. Phoebe's friends, who've been dubbed the Village Detectives, gather to investigate and then scatter here and there to do so. I won't detail the plot further other than to say the ending was quite intense.
Despite the murder and following events, there is also humor. Just the characters alone provided much of it, especially their thoughts as they encounter others. Juno and Felix combining forces to investigate offered lots of laughs as well as "Uh, oh, what if..." thoughts. And, as over-the-top as Juno's man crazy persona was, I found myself liking her and thinking she'd be someone I'd want on my side. Readers just need to relax and go with the flow, so to speak, and not try to make it all make sense as frequently as I initially did. The theme of cyber stalking is definitely a timely one, so that kept my attention, too. The red herrings are plentiful, as are the twists and turns. While not quite the book for me, 3.5 rounded to 4 stars, it was still an intriguing read with characters you're likely to grow to like. I may make a point of reading the first book now because it's a series that intrigued (yes, there's that word again) me enough to want to know them all more. Thanks #BoldwoodBooks for introducing me to Phoebe, Felix, Juno, and Mil early, not to mention the rest of the cast of characters. That ending was both intense and funny, something hard to make come off but the author managed it well.
January 3, 2025
Enter, stage left, the sequel to the very funny and charming, Village Detectives book. This book sees the detectives come together again to clue out a mystery very much closer to their hearts. Phoebe is sent a death notice for herself in the mail, see has a package meant for her blow up and hurt somebody else and her hate filled tormentors from yesteryear are back and trolling worse than ever.
I really liked the characters from the first book, bubbly and funny Juno, private and pained Phoebe, Nordic God Mil and we actually have Felix taking part as detective this time around as well.
While some things from the first book are no further along...(Juno and her hunt for a house, car that works and ever evasive love) there are quite a few developments on the secrets that Phoebe and Felix weren't letting us in on. We learn about Phoebe's cancellation and early life, Felix's prior misbehaviour and what makes them both tick despite all the talk about them.
A lot of this book was focused on the devastation that can happen when cyber bullies attack or people use the senseless digital masses to bring someone down by spreading rumours and untruths and watching a huge fallout. This is unfortunately so common in these times and yet no more under control that the physical bullying is. I like how it was brought to our attention how we could be contributing to this in our everyday lives but I did not like the ending for these people in the story. Not brought to justice at all to my satisfaction.
This book had all the same heart, camaraderie and laughs that I've come to expect from a Fiona Walker book and the plots and whodunnits left me baffled. There were so many plot points and twists that I never for a second believed that I had it all understood and I was just along for the ride happily. Can't wait for the next adventure from the Village Detectives!
Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me to read this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
I really liked the characters from the first book, bubbly and funny Juno, private and pained Phoebe, Nordic God Mil and we actually have Felix taking part as detective this time around as well.
While some things from the first book are no further along...(Juno and her hunt for a house, car that works and ever evasive love) there are quite a few developments on the secrets that Phoebe and Felix weren't letting us in on. We learn about Phoebe's cancellation and early life, Felix's prior misbehaviour and what makes them both tick despite all the talk about them.
A lot of this book was focused on the devastation that can happen when cyber bullies attack or people use the senseless digital masses to bring someone down by spreading rumours and untruths and watching a huge fallout. This is unfortunately so common in these times and yet no more under control that the physical bullying is. I like how it was brought to our attention how we could be contributing to this in our everyday lives but I did not like the ending for these people in the story. Not brought to justice at all to my satisfaction.
This book had all the same heart, camaraderie and laughs that I've come to expect from a Fiona Walker book and the plots and whodunnits left me baffled. There were so many plot points and twists that I never for a second believed that I had it all understood and I was just along for the ride happily. Can't wait for the next adventure from the Village Detectives!
Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me to read this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 8, 2024
*I received a free copy of this book with thanks to the author, Boldwood Books and Rachel Gilbey at Rachel’s Random Resources blog tours. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
I really enjoyed Book 1 of this cosy mystery series and this second book is even better! The characters feel more settled and revealing more of themselves – Phoebe and Felix with their intense, idiosyncratic relationship; warm-hearted, impulsive Juno and amiable, doggedly loyal Mil. They make a great investigative team (although a little more honest communication wouldn’t go amiss!) and engaging main characters, all with their own secrets and motivations.
Juno’s dating escapades are slapstick romcom territory, as are her mother and Dennis living their best lives in a retirement community, loving it up with champagne and hot-tubs, whereas Phoebe and Felix provide a more serious, dramatic tone fraught with heartbreak, self-doubt and misunderstood love.
The mystery is fascinatingly bizarre, featuring a mixture of online trolls and ingenious-but-deadly gadgetry that had me breathlessly reading on ‘just one more chapter!’ into the early hours of the morning because I HAD to know what was going on. And I did manage to work out some of the clues before our intrepid/inept sleuths, but not the whole mystery, so that was perfectly balanced for me.
This is an immensely fun murder mystery read with memorable characters and a solid (if far-fetched) plot and I am definitely looking forward to the VD’s next outing, unfortunate initials and all!
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
I really enjoyed Book 1 of this cosy mystery series and this second book is even better! The characters feel more settled and revealing more of themselves – Phoebe and Felix with their intense, idiosyncratic relationship; warm-hearted, impulsive Juno and amiable, doggedly loyal Mil. They make a great investigative team (although a little more honest communication wouldn’t go amiss!) and engaging main characters, all with their own secrets and motivations.
Juno’s dating escapades are slapstick romcom territory, as are her mother and Dennis living their best lives in a retirement community, loving it up with champagne and hot-tubs, whereas Phoebe and Felix provide a more serious, dramatic tone fraught with heartbreak, self-doubt and misunderstood love.
The mystery is fascinatingly bizarre, featuring a mixture of online trolls and ingenious-but-deadly gadgetry that had me breathlessly reading on ‘just one more chapter!’ into the early hours of the morning because I HAD to know what was going on. And I did manage to work out some of the clues before our intrepid/inept sleuths, but not the whole mystery, so that was perfectly balanced for me.
This is an immensely fun murder mystery read with memorable characters and a solid (if far-fetched) plot and I am definitely looking forward to the VD’s next outing, unfortunate initials and all!
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
December 30, 2024
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
Fiona Walker's "The Poison Pen Letters" presents an intriguing and delightful blend of mystery and wit.
Set against the picturesque backdrop of the English village of Inkbury, the narrative follows crime novelist Phoebe Fredericks, who is thrust into a real-life whodunit after receiving a threat in the form of an invitation to her own funeral.
The novel opens with a bang—literally—when the postman gets an explosive surprise, setting the stage for a captivating and humorous investigation. Phoebe teams up with the quirky Village Detectives, comprising Juno, Mil, and Felix, to unmask the sinister letter writer before things escalate further.
Walker excels in creating a rich tapestry of characters, each with their own unique quirks and charms. The interactions between the amateur sleuths are filled with light-hearted banter and camaraderie, making the reader feel a part of the investigative team. The blend of comedy and suspense keeps the pace lively, and the plot twists ensure that readers remain engaged.
The village of Inkbury is a character in its own right, with eccentric residents and its quaint charm adding depth to the story. Walker's descriptive prowess transports readers to this idyllic yet deceptively perilous setting, creating a perfect backdrop for the unfolding mystery.
"The Poison Pen Letters" is a thoroughly enjoyable read, perfect for fans of cozy mysteries who appreciate a touch of humor in their suspense.
Walker's skillful storytelling and endearing characters make this book a standout in the genre.
Fiona Walker's "The Poison Pen Letters" presents an intriguing and delightful blend of mystery and wit.
Set against the picturesque backdrop of the English village of Inkbury, the narrative follows crime novelist Phoebe Fredericks, who is thrust into a real-life whodunit after receiving a threat in the form of an invitation to her own funeral.
The novel opens with a bang—literally—when the postman gets an explosive surprise, setting the stage for a captivating and humorous investigation. Phoebe teams up with the quirky Village Detectives, comprising Juno, Mil, and Felix, to unmask the sinister letter writer before things escalate further.
Walker excels in creating a rich tapestry of characters, each with their own unique quirks and charms. The interactions between the amateur sleuths are filled with light-hearted banter and camaraderie, making the reader feel a part of the investigative team. The blend of comedy and suspense keeps the pace lively, and the plot twists ensure that readers remain engaged.
The village of Inkbury is a character in its own right, with eccentric residents and its quaint charm adding depth to the story. Walker's descriptive prowess transports readers to this idyllic yet deceptively perilous setting, creating a perfect backdrop for the unfolding mystery.
"The Poison Pen Letters" is a thoroughly enjoyable read, perfect for fans of cozy mysteries who appreciate a touch of humor in their suspense.
Walker's skillful storytelling and endearing characters make this book a standout in the genre.
April 29, 2025
‘The Village Detectives and The Poison Pen Letters’ serves up a blend of crime mystery and humour, set against a somewhat eccentric backdrop of an English village. Fiona Walker combines the suspense of a murder mystery with a dose of comedy in the second book of her Village Detectives series.
The story starts with Phoebe receiving a disturbing invitation – to her own funeral. There follows the detective work of a small group of unlikely sleuths who set about trying to find the author of these poison pen letters before a murder takes place. Blundering occurs which see two residents fall prey to this murderous intent…but can the amateur detectives work out who is behind these murders and the threat before anyone else comes a cropper?
Walker’s strength lies in her characterisation, dialogue, and the seemingly small details. The litter of kittens that were all named after famous redheads, “even the black and white ones”. I would have liked to have been drawn in with more description of the village and houses, but that could have made for an extremely lengthy read.
While the topic of murders are serious, the tone of the book remains light, with Walker adding comedic twists. The suspects each bring their own quirks, alibis and motives. Deepening suspense may be missing from the book, but as a reader I did care about the mystery’s outcome.
Although ‘The Village Detectives and The Poison Pen Letters’ can be read as a standalone book, I think it may be better to read the stories in order to fully understand the characters and have a better introduction to the village. That said, I am intrigued to see where their next adventures and mishaps take them!
The story starts with Phoebe receiving a disturbing invitation – to her own funeral. There follows the detective work of a small group of unlikely sleuths who set about trying to find the author of these poison pen letters before a murder takes place. Blundering occurs which see two residents fall prey to this murderous intent…but can the amateur detectives work out who is behind these murders and the threat before anyone else comes a cropper?
Walker’s strength lies in her characterisation, dialogue, and the seemingly small details. The litter of kittens that were all named after famous redheads, “even the black and white ones”. I would have liked to have been drawn in with more description of the village and houses, but that could have made for an extremely lengthy read.
While the topic of murders are serious, the tone of the book remains light, with Walker adding comedic twists. The suspects each bring their own quirks, alibis and motives. Deepening suspense may be missing from the book, but as a reader I did care about the mystery’s outcome.
Although ‘The Village Detectives and The Poison Pen Letters’ can be read as a standalone book, I think it may be better to read the stories in order to fully understand the characters and have a better introduction to the village. That said, I am intrigued to see where their next adventures and mishaps take them!
October 15, 2024
The Poison Pen Letters is the second book in The Village Detective Series (or the VDs, as Juno somewhat unwittingly terms them). I've read book one and really enjoyed it. Book two is even stronger, perhaps because I know the characters, but also, I think because the plotting is even more secure. I genuinely had no idea who the real culprit was, which was fabulous.
Book 2 sees our intrepid foursome tackling the problem of who murdered the local postie on Phoebe's doorstep with the use of a poison pen letter - a crime that, even though you know it's coming at some point, is still quite shocking. While Pheobe's husband is determined it's someone outside the village from their past, Pheobe has other ideas. But of course, she is once more penning one of her crime novels (the little additions of that novel are delicious) and has no real time to focus on what's happening. Juno is as outrageous as ever, and her mother is such a fun character as she dips in and out of the narrative, as does her creaky car.
The personalities of a small village are lovingly brought to life, and I appreciated all the N gauge model railway comments, as I once spent some time selling off a set. It was also good to see @VeryBritishProblems mentioned as part of the social media universe that makes up a large part of the novel.
The Poison Pen Letters is brimming with fabulous characters and a perplexing crime, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Book 2 sees our intrepid foursome tackling the problem of who murdered the local postie on Phoebe's doorstep with the use of a poison pen letter - a crime that, even though you know it's coming at some point, is still quite shocking. While Pheobe's husband is determined it's someone outside the village from their past, Pheobe has other ideas. But of course, she is once more penning one of her crime novels (the little additions of that novel are delicious) and has no real time to focus on what's happening. Juno is as outrageous as ever, and her mother is such a fun character as she dips in and out of the narrative, as does her creaky car.
The personalities of a small village are lovingly brought to life, and I appreciated all the N gauge model railway comments, as I once spent some time selling off a set. It was also good to see @VeryBritishProblems mentioned as part of the social media universe that makes up a large part of the novel.
The Poison Pen Letters is brimming with fabulous characters and a perplexing crime, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
November 1, 2024
Juno and co are back for some more mystery solving. This time one of their own is being targeted - Phoebe received an invitation to her own funeral! Then the poor postman is killed when someone sends her a letterbomb!
Juno continues to pine/lust after her new friend Mil. She thinks he's too young for a widow like her, but I say let Mil decide who he wants to date! The flirty banter between them is escalating - she just needs a little prod.
I love a great amateur sleuth mystery and this team are growing on me. Juno is a great leader of the pack, even though she may dispute that herself. Phoebe and Felix would be couple goals if Phoebe could rid herself of her mental health battles, which causes rifts between them. Felix is no angel but it is clear that he loves his wife. Learning more about their life prior to the village really filled in some gaps.
There are plenty of suspects to choose from and the plot twists a few times, skewing the favour to one suspect or another. I really struggled to have any empathy for Penny at all, she was such a vicious madam.
I have to admit I was completely hoodwinked at the reveal - I did not see that coming at all! There are lots of laughs from the supporting characters of Juno‘s mum and her boyfriend Dennis. Juno's son also makes a wee appearance, dealing with a dilemma of his own.
Juno continues to pine/lust after her new friend Mil. She thinks he's too young for a widow like her, but I say let Mil decide who he wants to date! The flirty banter between them is escalating - she just needs a little prod.
I love a great amateur sleuth mystery and this team are growing on me. Juno is a great leader of the pack, even though she may dispute that herself. Phoebe and Felix would be couple goals if Phoebe could rid herself of her mental health battles, which causes rifts between them. Felix is no angel but it is clear that he loves his wife. Learning more about their life prior to the village really filled in some gaps.
There are plenty of suspects to choose from and the plot twists a few times, skewing the favour to one suspect or another. I really struggled to have any empathy for Penny at all, she was such a vicious madam.
I have to admit I was completely hoodwinked at the reveal - I did not see that coming at all! There are lots of laughs from the supporting characters of Juno‘s mum and her boyfriend Dennis. Juno's son also makes a wee appearance, dealing with a dilemma of his own.
January 12, 2025
In the latest Village Detectives cozy mystery novel, readers join Phoebe Fredericks as she discovers an invitation to her own funeral which says that she will die the next day. Believing it to be a prank from some sort of past enemy, Phoebe ignores her infuriating literary critic of a postman until a delivery of poisoned pen-nibs explode in her face, forcing her to confront this letter about her impending death as a reality. Joining Juno, Mil, and Felix from the Village Detectives, Phoebe is determined to discover who is behind these poison pen letters and stop her own death from occurring. With a fun twist to the usual murder mystery and a cast of quirky and complex characters, readers will enjoy Walker’s continuation of this series in this fascinating and high stakes new release. The characters and their dynamics are the star of the novel as they work together to solve a murder in the making, while their evolution as a unit is particularly enjoyable to follow. With so much happening in this novel, Fiona Walker does an excellent job balancing multiple plot lines and keeping the tension up in the novel so readers stay on the case in this exciting new release.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advance copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advance copy.
November 10, 2024
When the postman comes knocking it isn't usually good news
But for Phoebe it usually means her book he's reviewed
He's a pedant, checking for typos, grammar and such
So she doesn't look forward to his visits very much!
However the envelope he delivers that day
Is one she'd hoped never to receive anyway!
An invitation to her own funeral is an invite to sorrow
Especially as the date of her death is given as tomorrow!
Next day when the postman comes to call
She never expected him to quickly fall.
His delivery was a parcel and it exploded in his face
It kills him, whatever is taking place?
Realising this isn't a prank, someone wants her to die
She's worried about what next they will try.
Phoebe with the Village Detectives, Juno, Mil and Felix, are on the case
They're determined to discover just what is taking place.
A brilliant read with humour and more
As the four friends determined the clues to explore.
There are red herrings, misdirections, danger and twists
As the plot unfolds, is there something they've missed?
For my copy of this book I say thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.
But for Phoebe it usually means her book he's reviewed
He's a pedant, checking for typos, grammar and such
So she doesn't look forward to his visits very much!
However the envelope he delivers that day
Is one she'd hoped never to receive anyway!
An invitation to her own funeral is an invite to sorrow
Especially as the date of her death is given as tomorrow!
Next day when the postman comes to call
She never expected him to quickly fall.
His delivery was a parcel and it exploded in his face
It kills him, whatever is taking place?
Realising this isn't a prank, someone wants her to die
She's worried about what next they will try.
Phoebe with the Village Detectives, Juno, Mil and Felix, are on the case
They're determined to discover just what is taking place.
A brilliant read with humour and more
As the four friends determined the clues to explore.
There are red herrings, misdirections, danger and twists
As the plot unfolds, is there something they've missed?
For my copy of this book I say thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.
November 10, 2024
I’ve read nearly every book written by Fiona Walker except for the first in this series and Country Secrets. Felix and Phoebe are my favourite couple of hers so seeing them again 25 years into their marriage was a lot of fun. I was worried about Felix’s character at first but I was glad to see I was wrong. They still love each other madly but life gets in the way.
Making up half of the Village Detectives, they team up with Juno, another previous character and Mil, the barkeep. Typical of Walker’s writing style there are lots of humorous moments. The writing is very English village, gossipy vibes with at times snarky innuendos. I love it.
This was a fun read with bumbling moments by our amateur detectives that had me shaking my head at times. I had worked out the murderer but the motive was unexpected. I enjoyed my time in this little village and the side characters are a hoot. For example I loved how Phoebe, a mystery novelist, kept getting invited to book club but then being told she’s not to try to discuss her own books. So very English.
Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Publishers for the arc and this is my honest review.
Making up half of the Village Detectives, they team up with Juno, another previous character and Mil, the barkeep. Typical of Walker’s writing style there are lots of humorous moments. The writing is very English village, gossipy vibes with at times snarky innuendos. I love it.
This was a fun read with bumbling moments by our amateur detectives that had me shaking my head at times. I had worked out the murderer but the motive was unexpected. I enjoyed my time in this little village and the side characters are a hoot. For example I loved how Phoebe, a mystery novelist, kept getting invited to book club but then being told she’s not to try to discuss her own books. So very English.
Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Publishers for the arc and this is my honest review.
January 16, 2025
The Village Detectives are on the case again, this time trying to find out who wants to do harm to one of their own, Phoebe. She has been receiving both on line and in the mail disturbing threats. It ratchets up several notches when the local postman is blown up at her door, delivering a package. Juno and Phoebe’s husband Felix set off on a road trip to check out the people with whom Phoebe has had the most rocky histories.. From Yorkshire to Paris and back home, they still have no answers until Juno’s techie wiz son is able to track down the IP address from whence the missives were coming.
When a second murder occurs it appears that the events that they thought were connected might be perpetrated by two separate villains. With the help of Mil, the publican, they attempt to piece together the details only to find out, almost too late, the real mastermind was someone they never considered. There is a great mystery and some humorous bits interwoven in the story. It had suspense and even though I twigged not long before the characters, it played out differently than I expected. Entertaining from beginning to end. Five purrs and two paws up.
When a second murder occurs it appears that the events that they thought were connected might be perpetrated by two separate villains. With the help of Mil, the publican, they attempt to piece together the details only to find out, almost too late, the real mastermind was someone they never considered. There is a great mystery and some humorous bits interwoven in the story. It had suspense and even though I twigged not long before the characters, it played out differently than I expected. Entertaining from beginning to end. Five purrs and two paws up.
September 28, 2024
When the postman dies on Phoebe’s doorstep with a parcel meant for her, after she has already received invitations to her own funeral, it’s rather more than one should have to take. Phoebe is an author and in the past has had threats on line but not sure as to who from. Her friend Juno and Phoebe's husband take it on themselves to find out more and do a whirlwind tour of England and even Paris to suss out various suspects. Who would want Phoebe dead and why?
This is a great read with wonderful characters I couldn't help but like. Juno is someone you would want on your side and Fiona has the skill of making the reader smile as well as getting the grey matter working as to whodunnit, which I found thoroughly enjoyable. It's nice to have a read that's light and interesting, one with a little humour and totally enjoyable. An entertaining fun read with a great plot.
For more reviews please follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @nickisbookblog
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This is a great read with wonderful characters I couldn't help but like. Juno is someone you would want on your side and Fiona has the skill of making the reader smile as well as getting the grey matter working as to whodunnit, which I found thoroughly enjoyable. It's nice to have a read that's light and interesting, one with a little humour and totally enjoyable. An entertaining fun read with a great plot.
For more reviews please follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @nickisbookblog
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September 22, 2024
This is a five-star read that will keep you guessing, there are some fantastic red herrings in this story, some that are obvious but some that are just genius. This is the second story in the Village Detective series, or VD as one of them likes to call themselves in branding. It builds on the first story, and gives us more details to the story and the characters but in all honestly if you missed the first, you wouldn’t be too lost, I am glad I did as it made me change my whole perspective on one of the main MC, as I wasn’t keen on him for the 1st story, and then he won me over in this one, but you will understand as you read who I mean. The twists and turns as Juno and Felix dash about to try and unravel who the stalker is, there is so much going on in this story that it could get convoluted, but the author manages to keep it all together and keeps you as a reader hooked and compelled to keep reading. I am excited to see what VD will be solving next.
November 9, 2024
Phoebe, a crime novelist, is shocked one morning when she opens her post to discover an invitation for her own funeral, especially when the date of her death is shown as the following day. Dismissing it as a prank from someone disgruntled from her past she ignores it. That is until the next morning when her postman is delivering a package which explodes in his face. Having to take the threat seriously Phoebe along with the rest of the Village Detectives, Juno, Mil and Felix, they set out to uncover who is behind this.
This is the second book in the Village Detectives series by Fiona Walker. Although this could be read as a standalone, I haven’t read the first and found it slow to get into, and felt that if I had known the characters better from before that this wouldn’t have been the case.
I enjoyed the characters once I got to know them and their different tactics in trying to get to the bottom of who sent Phoebe the funeral invitation and the poisoned pen-nibs.
I was kept guessing who was behind the murder throughout the book, and didn’t work out who it was. There were twists and turns which kept be hooked from the beginning.
This is a perfect cozy murder mystery to curl up with in these autumn months.
This is the second book in the Village Detectives series by Fiona Walker. Although this could be read as a standalone, I haven’t read the first and found it slow to get into, and felt that if I had known the characters better from before that this wouldn’t have been the case.
I enjoyed the characters once I got to know them and their different tactics in trying to get to the bottom of who sent Phoebe the funeral invitation and the poisoned pen-nibs.
I was kept guessing who was behind the murder throughout the book, and didn’t work out who it was. There were twists and turns which kept be hooked from the beginning.
This is a perfect cozy murder mystery to curl up with in these autumn months.
November 8, 2024
I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.
This is the second book in the Village Detectives cosy mysteries series, and I really enjoyed the first book, so I was excited to read this next instalment. When Phoebe receives an invitation to her own funeral, she knows that something strange must be going on, and the Village Detectives decide to investigate.
I loved the quirkiness and humour in the writing, as once again, the author brought the village of Inkbury to life, and the characters with it. I was happy to read about these characters again, and I realised that I could relate to Juno. This book did make me chuckle, as I found the characters, and their interactions, quite humorous. If you are a cosy mystery reader like me, this is a funny and entertaining read.
Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.
This is the second book in the Village Detectives cosy mysteries series, and I really enjoyed the first book, so I was excited to read this next instalment. When Phoebe receives an invitation to her own funeral, she knows that something strange must be going on, and the Village Detectives decide to investigate.
I loved the quirkiness and humour in the writing, as once again, the author brought the village of Inkbury to life, and the characters with it. I was happy to read about these characters again, and I realised that I could relate to Juno. This book did make me chuckle, as I found the characters, and their interactions, quite humorous. If you are a cosy mystery reader like me, this is a funny and entertaining read.
Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.
November 12, 2024
The Village Detectives have their next case, but this time, one of them is under threat. Phoebe, the novelist with many secrets and a husband she loves but cannot trust, receives an invitation to her funeral. A former journalist who has experienced death threats and social media trolls before with dire consequences for her career but not her life is only mildly unsettled until the demise of her postman, killed by poison pen nibs meant for her. The village detectives need to protect their own, so they have to investigate. What follows is a twisty investigation full of suspects, investigative trips, and frustrating false leads. The relatable characterisation immerses the reader in this quirky and often humorous story. I like the characters and their individuality, the classic murder mystery vibe and the frequent humour that balances the crimes.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
November 25, 2024
The village detectives are back and what a motley crew they are .
Juno and Phoebe are the main detectives but pick up helpers along the way .
Juno has recently moved back to the UK from the USA and feels she’s lost her way , whilst Phoebe is an author and not in a good place either .
Phoebe receives the notice of her own funeral in the post which has an a negative impact on her already poor mental health .
Together with Juno she decides to investigate the poison pen letters she continues to receive, whilst also seeing her postman ( a bit of an odd character to put it mildly) murdered on her doorstep.
The characters are amiable and the humour adds an extra dimension to the story .
There are plenty of twists and turns and plenty to keep the reader interested .
It kept me guess until the end .
A well written , funny and entertaining read .
A great second instalment in the series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books.
Juno and Phoebe are the main detectives but pick up helpers along the way .
Juno has recently moved back to the UK from the USA and feels she’s lost her way , whilst Phoebe is an author and not in a good place either .
Phoebe receives the notice of her own funeral in the post which has an a negative impact on her already poor mental health .
Together with Juno she decides to investigate the poison pen letters she continues to receive, whilst also seeing her postman ( a bit of an odd character to put it mildly) murdered on her doorstep.
The characters are amiable and the humour adds an extra dimension to the story .
There are plenty of twists and turns and plenty to keep the reader interested .
It kept me guess until the end .
A well written , funny and entertaining read .
A great second instalment in the series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books.
December 1, 2024
Crime novelist Phoebe Fredericks receives an invitation to her own funeral. But even worse, she witnesses a death. Is she the target? It's time for the village detectives to investigate the crimes and protect their friend.
I liked Juno. She's smart and stands up for herself, especially when folks call her fat.
Felix is an unlikable character. He's disloyal and unkind, I cringed whenever he was on scene.
Mil is a loyal, protective friend. I wish Juno would get over societal norms and get together with him.
I saw the end coming, but it was the most adventurous part of the story.
The author's mention of vaping seems out of place. And the book includes tons of drinking.
I like the emphasis on community. Although Phoebe wants to hide, she finds freedom and peace with her neighbors.
I probably wouldn't read more books in this series. It's a cozy mystery but the story and characters didn't pull me in.
I liked Juno. She's smart and stands up for herself, especially when folks call her fat.
Felix is an unlikable character. He's disloyal and unkind, I cringed whenever he was on scene.
Mil is a loyal, protective friend. I wish Juno would get over societal norms and get together with him.
I saw the end coming, but it was the most adventurous part of the story.
The author's mention of vaping seems out of place. And the book includes tons of drinking.
I like the emphasis on community. Although Phoebe wants to hide, she finds freedom and peace with her neighbors.
I probably wouldn't read more books in this series. It's a cozy mystery but the story and characters didn't pull me in.
November 10, 2024
4.5 upped to 5
This is the second novel I read in this series and had fun in reading it as it's a well plotted cozy mystery with rom-com elements.
There's a lot of fun and I laughed a lot. I think the plot pays homage to Agatha Christie’s “A Murder is Announced”. Phoebe receive an invitation to her own funeral, a parcel for her explodes and kills the postman.
An intriguing start for a fun and compelling novel. I appreciated the alternance of rom com like moments and solid mystery parts.
This is the right novel to read if you want something light and entertaining.
One note: I like Juno, Phoebe’s friend, but I would prefer some less men-craziness and an evolution in the character.
An entertaining and well plotted novel, highly recommended.
Many thanks to Bookouture and Rachel’s Random Resources for this digital copy, all opinions are mine
This is the second novel I read in this series and had fun in reading it as it's a well plotted cozy mystery with rom-com elements.
There's a lot of fun and I laughed a lot. I think the plot pays homage to Agatha Christie’s “A Murder is Announced”. Phoebe receive an invitation to her own funeral, a parcel for her explodes and kills the postman.
An intriguing start for a fun and compelling novel. I appreciated the alternance of rom com like moments and solid mystery parts.
This is the right novel to read if you want something light and entertaining.
One note: I like Juno, Phoebe’s friend, but I would prefer some less men-craziness and an evolution in the character.
An entertaining and well plotted novel, highly recommended.
Many thanks to Bookouture and Rachel’s Random Resources for this digital copy, all opinions are mine
November 15, 2024
I needed a light hearted read despite the genre of a gruesome murder (poisoned pen nibs), so much of vicious trolling relentless and anonymous, but the characters were so fluffy and light hearted. Juno living in an imaginary world of her being young and flirty with everyone, Mil the bar man who had the measure of all the “girls”, Phoebe deep, anxious and protective of her wastrel and philandering husband and then the miscellaneous characters sprinkled through the story. The mean and the frivolous equally interesting.
The detective work was all over the place, each person following different suspects and with no coordination, though they all wanted to solve the problem. The murderer was not someone you’d suspect as a reader because of the many believable red herrings strewn all over the place.
Nice, light hearted story.
The detective work was all over the place, each person following different suspects and with no coordination, though they all wanted to solve the problem. The murderer was not someone you’d suspect as a reader because of the many believable red herrings strewn all over the place.
Nice, light hearted story.
November 1, 2024
The Poison Pen Letters is book 2 in Fiona Walker's The Village Detectives series, a cozy mystery series featuring a group of amateur sleuths in the village of Inkbury in England.
Phoebe, an author and one of the members of the Village Detectives, receives a notice of her own death, followed soon after by the death of her postman while delivering a package to her. Juno, another member of the Village Detectives, is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery, with the assistance of the other members, Felix and Mils.
I found the book a bit confusing at first, not having read the first in the series, but I was soon caught up on all the characters and their relationships, so if you haven't read the first book I think you'll be okay jumping into this one. The mystery itself is self contained, so in that aspect the book may be read as a standalone.
The mystery was interesting, especially as it came out that Phoebe had a bit of a mysterious past and we learned more about that past as the story progressed.
As usual in a cozy mystery, there are a number of suspects, and quirky characters (personally I loved Juno's mom and her fiance, Dennis), and lots of red herrings to confuse the reader. I really enjoyed the relationships between the characters in the book. I especially found the relationship between Felix and Phoebe to be realistic since it was not always perfect and rosy.
Getting to know the characters in this book has made me want to go back to read the previous book in the series, and I will be looking to see what the Village Detectives are up to in the next book. I think anyone who enjoys a good cozy mystery will enjoy reading The Poison Pen Letters.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Phoebe, an author and one of the members of the Village Detectives, receives a notice of her own death, followed soon after by the death of her postman while delivering a package to her. Juno, another member of the Village Detectives, is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery, with the assistance of the other members, Felix and Mils.
I found the book a bit confusing at first, not having read the first in the series, but I was soon caught up on all the characters and their relationships, so if you haven't read the first book I think you'll be okay jumping into this one. The mystery itself is self contained, so in that aspect the book may be read as a standalone.
The mystery was interesting, especially as it came out that Phoebe had a bit of a mysterious past and we learned more about that past as the story progressed.
As usual in a cozy mystery, there are a number of suspects, and quirky characters (personally I loved Juno's mom and her fiance, Dennis), and lots of red herrings to confuse the reader. I really enjoyed the relationships between the characters in the book. I especially found the relationship between Felix and Phoebe to be realistic since it was not always perfect and rosy.
Getting to know the characters in this book has made me want to go back to read the previous book in the series, and I will be looking to see what the Village Detectives are up to in the next book. I think anyone who enjoys a good cozy mystery will enjoy reading The Poison Pen Letters.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 23, 2024
The Poison Pen Letters by Fiona Walker is a charming escape to beat doldrums of any description. Grab a cup of tea, hunker down and enjoy the wit, antics and humour of English village life, murder included. Figure out who dun it with crime writer Phoebe and her husband Felix.
Amongst others in the village are Juno and her mother and grammar-loving postmaster Craig. When a unique death occurs, suspicions are cast. Enter inveigling and detecting.
Aside from the wit, I enjoyed the competitive spirit, pranks, games, and eccentricity.
My sincere thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this rollicking novel, the second in the Village Detective Cozy Mystery series.
Amongst others in the village are Juno and her mother and grammar-loving postmaster Craig. When a unique death occurs, suspicions are cast. Enter inveigling and detecting.
Aside from the wit, I enjoyed the competitive spirit, pranks, games, and eccentricity.
My sincere thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this rollicking novel, the second in the Village Detective Cozy Mystery series.
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