Flora's Cotswold Christmas Mystery: The Honourable Flora Farrington and Inspector Busby Face a Festive Murder - and a Romance

by Anna Armstrong

A festive murder, a fearless sleuth, and a Christmas no one will forget…It’s December 1924, and when the Honourable Flora Farrington hears of the untimely death of her old schoolfriend Maud, she smells something suspicious—and it’s not the Christmas pudding. With her usual flair for investigation (and an eye on the ever-dashing Inspector Busby), Flora throws herself into the mystery—helped along by her old Nanny and the ever-faithful dachshund, Dorothy.

The quiet Cotswold village is anything but a war-scarred doctor, a capable nurse, ambitious social climbers and missing morphine all muddy the festive waters. When Flora’s fearless daughter Debo ends up in danger, the case turns chilling in more ways than one. From Christmas shopping in Oxford to a dramatic chase through the frosty countryside, Flora finds herself uncovering secrets far darker than she imagined—as sparks begin to fly between her and Busby.

Will Flora solve the case before the bells ring—or will Christmas bring one final, deadly twisty?

Perfect for fans of classic Golden Age mysteries, sparkling heroines, and a touch of romance, this festive whodunit will keep you turning pages long past midnight.
Readers' Praise for Anna "Anna is possibly the queen of cosy crime stories”
"Witty and eccentric story telling, laugh out loud moments and beautifully descriptive setting, absolutely entertaining!"
"Full of laugh out loud moments"
"Everything you could want from a cosy crime"

181 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 19, 2025

Reviews

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

A festive trip to the Cotswolds, full of sparkle, champagne, and 1920s charm...with a side or murder and a hint of romance!

Glitzy and glamorous, Flora makes for great company as (with flair) she dives into the mystery of who murdered the unlikeable Maud Adams. With plenty of suspects, I didn't guess who the killer was which is a rarity!

Flora is joined by a lively cast of helpers and the solving’s more of a team effort than a solo triumph. Personally, I love Nanny - a no nonsense, hidden heart kinda lady.

A short novel with a pacy plot, and snappy chapters, it’s an easy and quick one to consume!

If you’re after something intriguing and lavishly atmospheric or just something fun for the festive season, Flora’s your gal.

[April]

I can’t really give this book a star rating because I’m sure for a light cozy mystery, it was delightful. There wasn’t anything wrong with it per se, it just wasn’t up my alley. It had a hard time keeping my attention and it seemed a bit silly. But maybe that’s how these type of books are! I was able to finish it quickly because it was only 166 pages. I have to admit that the last half of the book I kind of skimmed through and I didn’t take the time to read every word. I just wanted to find out who the murderer was. But again that’s me. Absolutely nothing wrong with this book. It’s just not my preferred genre.🤷🏻‍♀️

[afra · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️ Flora's Cotswold Christmas Mystery by Anna Armstrong ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you enjoy:

✨ Crime, suspense, and mystery

✨ Historical fiction in a festive season

✨ Love the style of Agatha Christie

Then this one’s definitely for you! 💕

I loved it and recommend this book to everyone!

First of all, I absolutely love reading stories set during the festive season and when you add a bit of intrigue and a case to solve, it becomes such a fun ride. This was my first book by this author, and I instantly fell in love with her narrative voice, the way she builds the story and her engaging writing style.

The story blends a bit of murder, a bit of mystery, and a sprinkle of romance. There’s nothing disturbing (since it is a crime story), so I think it’s something everyone can easily enjoy. It’s a cozy Christmas mystery set against a charming holiday backdrop which makes it all the more perfect for this time of year.

So do yourself a favor this winter and give this book a chance! The weather’s getting colder, the festive season is near, and if you’re in the mood for a good read, don’t let this one slip by.

This is an ARC review. Many thanks to the publisher and the author for kindly sending me this physical copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Linzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took a while for me to get into this 1920s murder mystery. It may be because I haven't read the first one and we do meet quite a lot of characters at the start of this book, but once I got my head round who was who I was settled in for the ride. It starts with Flora being suspicious of an old friends death - I will admit, I wasn't a fan of our main character Flora but I did like our straight talking, no nonsense Nanny & the fabulous Aunt GiGi, I would love to have an aunt like her! I also liked the setting of this, Farrington Hall sounds very grand but also very homely and cosy at the same time. At under 200 pages it's a quick read and I'm happy to say I never guessed who done it! I feel like I should also mention that I'm not a fan of romance stories at all but this has the perfect amount for me, not too much but just enough to make you think will they won't they?! I thought it was a good ending as it ties everything up nicely, but I've got a feeling it won't be the last time Flora plays the amateur sleuth!

[Michelle Kilburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder, mystery and mayhem (with a little bit of mistletoe thrown in for good measure)— what’s not to love!

I found this a really enjoyable and easy read with so many lovable characters!

The first few chapters were peppered with potential suspects which had me hooked and kept me guessing until the final few pages! But I found that this is so much more than just a tense murder mystery; I absolutely fell in love with most of the characters and was gripped by the tension between the fabulous Flora and the dashing Inspector Busby.
In amongst all the criminal and sexual tension there are also some really witty moments that made me giggle. I loved the character of Nanny, with her ‘enormous bulk’ and straight talking ways, and I loved hearing Dorothy the Dacshund’s internal monologue throughout. But I think my favourite was Great Aunt Gigi; she really tickled me. I would definitely like to share a bottle of fizz with Great Aunt Gigi.

For a short novel Anna Armstrong definitely packs in a lot of action! This is the perfect book to snuggle up with as you begin your Christmas countdown.

[Amorina Carlton · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is better than a cozy mystery? A cozy mystery set a Christmas time! And we get to review them early so you can see if they're worth adding to you holiday TBR. And, this one absolutely is!

And this series is filled with the glitz and glamour of the early 19th century. Our FMC Flora is a young widow with two adorable children and a charge that keep her on her toes. She takes bite-sized adventures - this one only 181 pages that will feel even shorter because of your inability to put it down. Her adventures have had her in a delightful will-they, won't-they relationship with the local Cotswold Inspector Busby, a wonderful common foil to her world of noblesse excess. But despite their class differences, there is definitely a spark between them, no matter how many different men or women threaten to make one or the other's eye stray.

And, of course, it wouldn't be an excellent cozy mystery without a cast of zany characters - my absolutely favorite part - that make the village shine! It seems to be a requirement that the supporting characters from one cozy mystery to the next have to be zanier than the last, and I think it's what keeps me coming back. Those recurring characters that just make a small town pop. Flora's Aunt and her "boys" just filled me with joy. It was also really nice to meet Flora's children finally, and it's always lovely to see Nanny; Dorothy the dachsund; and Lavinia, Flora's wild-child charge.

The mystery was great as well. I had my suspicions, and they were wrong, which is always nice for me. I often guess the outcome early, so I enjoy when I don't!

[Sonja Charters · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm back again with another review for this brilliant little series.

 

You may remember that I'd read Flora's French Murder Mystery back in May - after reading the whole of the Fitzmorris Family Mystery series by this author - and loving them all so far!

 

So, when I spotted this new release, I couldn't wait to see what our lovely Flora was going to get tangled up in this time....

 

After our foray in Paris in book 1, this time we're heading back to the Cotswolds - which for some, might seem a little less glamorous - but to be honest, I absolutely loved this setting back on home turf.

Anna's descriptive writing left me in awe of this beautiful, wintery scene and I was completely transported to this snowy village where Flora is back to her usual sleuthing.

 

I absolutely love the setting for this series, from the area to the era too.

There's just something special about a good cosy mystery set in the 20's.

 

This case was again one that kept me guessing and had me following the clues until it all came together nicely at the end.

 

I really love that these books are super quick reads at under 200 pages and they make the perfect cosy read for a rainy/chilly weekend.

I can't wait to see what we discover in the next book!

 

 

 

 

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a gifted copy of "Floras Cotswold Christmas Mystery" which is the third "Flora" novel that I've read and I've loved being back with the familiar characters and their humourous interactions with Flora especially those with Dorothy the daschund and Nanny.
It is December 1924, and the action takes place in Farrington Hall Floras Cotswold home and that of her old school chum Maud, who has recently died under suspicious circumstances. There are a number of suspects from the low to the high, and their backstories and motives are slowly revealed, leaving us trying to work out who did it! And as usual, I didn't guess who it was!
The pacy plot with its short concise chapters are ideal to keep you turning the page and I loved that Inspector Busby and Flora are quietly getting more romantically involved even sharing a kiss at the end of the book! Floras daughter Debo is definitely "a chip off the old block," and I can see her becoming even more involved with her mothers investigations ...... Rather!

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flora and her friends and family are back in the Cotswolds and solving a mystery at Christmas. Flora and Inspector Busby are characters that I enjoy. Their interactions made me smile with their banter and watching Flora taking Busby outside of his comfort zone. The other characters, especially Nanny and Dorothy the dachshund, are interesting and added to the story. The mystery had enough twists to keep me engaged. The setting of the Cotswolds at Christmas is a delight and I want to visit. If you like cozy mysteries I recommend adding this book to your holiday reading list.

Thanks to the author and Love Book Tours for the gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Sian Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas, cozy crime, the 1920’s ? Yes please!

A fabulous read! This is the first book I’ve read in this series although I didn’t feel that mattered. I read this book in one day, it was only short but didn’t disappoint.

I love Flora and Busby and the will they won’t they relationship that’s also tense at times!

There’s many characters and therefore many suspects, a great village setting with a story full of twists and turns, all of which combine to make a classic whodunnit. Add this to your festive tbr and you will not be disappointed. I look forward to reading more of Flora’s adventures!

[MrsD271015 D · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a wonderful cosy read. Murder and mystery mixed with just the right amount of romance.
Perfect for these cold days where it’s getting dark and you want something to escape with.
The relationship between Flora and Busby is one that is equally hopeless and hopeful in the next breath and adds a wonderful element of wishing and wondering.

The plot is good with plenty of possibilities and ringers thrown in to keep you on your toes. If I would have placed bets on who it was I would have lost many times.

A wonderful read with hopefully more to come.

[Marcia - itsabookthing2021 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flora's Cotswold Christmas Mystery was a great read, I really loved the setting and the developments of this novel. The storyline had me hooked with it's cosy murder mystery vibes and I really loved how the story progressed. The characters were great, I felt like they were created with great realism. I really thought they carried and conveyed the plotline really well.
I loved the 1920s vibes of the novel and the romance sprinkled throughout. The pacing was great and it really was a great festive murder mystery read. Can't wait to see what Flora may bring next.

[Nicola Malloch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last time I read a book about Flora we was in Paris, so I was super excited to see what she has been up to and how she ended up in the Cotswold's. A murder at Christmas in a charming village was such a great setting, the characters are so warm and I adored the banter between all of them it adds so much heart and makes them so believable. Without giving spoilers there was so many twists and a true mystery that I loved unravelling.

[Mel Mars · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first Christmas book! But my second one with with Flora Farrington and Claudius (!) Busby!
I really enjoyed this quick and easy read, even more that the previous story ✨️
The mystery was a good one (even though I would have loved to hear even more about the secrets our victim was keeping, I love a good gossip and scandal in a book (just in a book 👀)!
I found Flora even more funny than the first time around, and I liked that there were also side relationships developing 😊
And now, I just need to get the 2nd book, the one that I missed in-between, and see what Flora and Busby got up to while I wasn't reading about them!

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flora’s Cotswold Christmas Mystery by Anna A Armstrong.
I loved this book. I read it in one sitting. I couldn't put it down. I loved the cover and blurb of this book. I loved Busby and Flora. I loved Flora’s dachshund too. I love the setting. I've never been to the Cotswolds. The description was amazing. I did have my suspicions but I was wrong. This is the fifth book I've read and enjoyed by this author. I love her books. I definitely do recommend her books.

[Sarah Essex · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a cute cosy christmas read, i really loved the murder mystery aspect along with the romance too. It was the perfect book to cosy down with. Flora was such a great character and i loved how she came across in this story.

It is a great read and i got downton abbey mixed with Agatha Christie vibes from this book

Romance ✔️
Cosy Mystery ✔️
Glamour ✔️
Christmas Vibes ✔️

[Tracey Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured this book, it pulls you in from the very first page with his cosy mystery and romance vibes.

The plot has so many twists and turns, that it keeps you guessing and on your toes while being invested in who actually did it.

The characters within this book are so likable and very relatable. I just adored the relationship between Flora and Busby with all their banter and chemistry.

This was such a wonderful and enjoyable, read and deserves a lot more than five stars. After reading this book Anna Armstrong has now become an auto buy author for me and I will definitely be picking up more of her books to read.

[Stephanie Curran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flora is magical! This story has everything...an intrepid heroine with smart children, a dashing inspector, an ornery dachshund, and a mystery begging to be solved. I enjoyed every minute of it.

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this read. I’ve read Anna’s FitzMorris mysteries and I love her writing style so I knew that I’d like this. I have somehow missed the first Flora book but will be heading back to read it. I don’t think that it mattered that I started with this one.

I really like Flora, she’s a determined character and I like her relationship with Busby, I’m hoping that something will come of it between them. There was some great scenes between them which gave us some humour and some tension!

I loved the storyline which has lots of people in the frame for the murder which kept things interesting! I thought it was very clever the way it all came together in the end.

[Stacy Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the christmas setting gets you in the cozy christmas mood, with a cozy mystery along side of it and a hint of a romance, although its not my usual mystery I like to read I did enjoy would of like it with abit more pace to it l this time flira isn't deep in the murder she is on the aftermath of it, I feels little like a agatha Christie book, if this is your genre of book I highly recommend reading it l.

[Delores Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It was only 166 pages and I read it in one day.