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Stratford Upon Avondale Mystery #1
Alas, She Drowned
Murder. Betrayal. Tea and Scones.
When ex-novice nun, turned steamy romance writer, Maggie O’Flynn moves to the charming village of Stratford Upon Avondale to open a tea room she expects plenty of murders, betrayal, and duplicity. On the stages of the town’s renowned Shakespeare Festival. But when a theater critic is found murdered on the town’s riverbank and the prime suspect turns out to be the sexy bookshop owner Maggie has had her eye on, she takes matters into her own hands. Will she be able to dig through the layers of betrayal and duplicity to find the true murderer before that handsome bookseller, Nate Larimer, finds himself behind bars? With the help of her loud, brash, spitfire of a friend, Gina Mattucci, Maggie plans to do just that.
With a bit of Shakespeare, copious amounts of tea, and a faux-English setting to rival anything the real England has to offer, ALAS, SHE DROWNED is the first book in THE STRATFORD UPON AVONDALE mystery series. Lovers of cozy mysteries will find a cozy home in Stratford Upon Avondale.
When ex-novice nun, turned steamy romance writer, Maggie O’Flynn moves to the charming village of Stratford Upon Avondale to open a tea room she expects plenty of murders, betrayal, and duplicity. On the stages of the town’s renowned Shakespeare Festival. But when a theater critic is found murdered on the town’s riverbank and the prime suspect turns out to be the sexy bookshop owner Maggie has had her eye on, she takes matters into her own hands. Will she be able to dig through the layers of betrayal and duplicity to find the true murderer before that handsome bookseller, Nate Larimer, finds himself behind bars? With the help of her loud, brash, spitfire of a friend, Gina Mattucci, Maggie plans to do just that.
With a bit of Shakespeare, copious amounts of tea, and a faux-English setting to rival anything the real England has to offer, ALAS, SHE DROWNED is the first book in THE STRATFORD UPON AVONDALE mystery series. Lovers of cozy mysteries will find a cozy home in Stratford Upon Avondale.
212 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 8, 2016
633 people are currently reading
451 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
April 25, 2017
Oft expectation fails, and most oft there where most it promises."
William Shakespeare, All's Well That Ends Well.
I had really high hopes for this book, it started out as a promising mystery. Set in a charming Shakespearean-themed village, it had a great plot; an odious and unpleasant theater critic is murdered (always enjoyable when that happens!) and lots of suspects to muddy the waters. It really kept me guessing (and turning pages) and I didn't suspect the murderer at all.
But that's pretty much all the book has going for it. I really wish I could've rated this higher than 2 stars because the plot was a lot better than 2 stars but it came down to the unlikable characters. I thought Nick was an obnoxious bull's pizzle (Thank the bard himself for that one!) and Maggie's not much better. I really wanted more out of her character - she had a lot of potential in her back story but ended up a two-dimensional chatterbox with poor judgment skills.
Sigh.
William Shakespeare, All's Well That Ends Well.
I had really high hopes for this book, it started out as a promising mystery. Set in a charming Shakespearean-themed village, it had a great plot; an odious and unpleasant theater critic is murdered (always enjoyable when that happens!) and lots of suspects to muddy the waters. It really kept me guessing (and turning pages) and I didn't suspect the murderer at all.
But that's pretty much all the book has going for it. I really wish I could've rated this higher than 2 stars because the plot was a lot better than 2 stars but it came down to the unlikable characters. I thought Nick was an obnoxious bull's pizzle (Thank the bard himself for that one!) and Maggie's not much better. I really wanted more out of her character - she had a lot of potential in her back story but ended up a two-dimensional chatterbox with poor judgment skills.
Sigh.
June 21, 2018
Alas, She was Predictable
All the standard elements are here: two potential suitors (and one lecher) for the protagonist, a group of girlfriends, an unfriendly detective who gets it all wrong, and a last minute rescue.
All the standard elements are here: two potential suitors (and one lecher) for the protagonist, a group of girlfriends, an unfriendly detective who gets it all wrong, and a last minute rescue.
September 30, 2016
Not bad; a quick read
Okay book; a little silly. Writing is okay. I may or may not read another in the series or by this author.
Okay book; a little silly. Writing is okay. I may or may not read another in the series or by this author.
January 2, 2024
Pure drivel xx
August 9, 2019
Maggie is the owner/operator of Merry Wives Tearoom in Strafford upon Avondale - a town capitalizing on the Shakespearean theatre in it's midst. When the theatre critic turns up dead, though no one is grieving her demise, Maggie and her friend Gina decide to help the police clear her on again/off again boyfriend of all charges. When a second body is found, the police are convinced they have the right person. Maggie feels otherwise and is determined to prove his innocence.
March 25, 2020
Jolly good
I loved the setting of the book which was a faux English village in the Western USA. I could imagine visiting the tea room and Shakespearean theatre. The characters were amazing and we'll developed. Great plot and subplots that drew the reader in.
I loved the setting of the book which was a faux English village in the Western USA. I could imagine visiting the tea room and Shakespearean theatre. The characters were amazing and we'll developed. Great plot and subplots that drew the reader in.
November 4, 2016
An unqualified adult woman decides to play Nancy Drew and solve a murder because she has a crush on the suspect. Making the heroine a boy-crazy, novice ex-nun, having her be a secret author of steamy romances, and placing the story in an American Shakespearean tourist town did nothing to stop this book from being a dud for me.
April 8, 2024
The little town of Stratford upon Avondale is a destination for anglophiles, a little piece of England in the heart of the USA. Such a serene setting is an unlikely place for a murder, let alone two! Some might say that nasty theatre critic, Cressida Andrews, was asking for it, but when Nate Larimer becomes the prime suspect, Maggie O'Flynn takes action to save her potential paramour.
This story is an American take on a British cosy. It is a light read, filled with the fluff one would expect. I don't quite understand the harsh tone of the lower-rated reviews as it is typical of this style of book.
Our heroine has a past. As a thirty-five-year-old ex-nun, Maggie has life experience and is ready to use it to save the person she cares for. She also has a loyal coterie of friends willing to act in whatever form she needs, from workers in her cafe to sidekick detectives. Though I enjoyed Maggie's backstory, the character didn't chime with me. Maggie behaved far younger than her years and was too prideful to be a much-loved character. The constant mention of much older fictional female detectives became an irritant, especially when even Maggie referred to herself as one. One further note: Nate's wishy-washy ways concerning his feelings for Maggie left me wishing she would leave him in the "clink".
The mystery, on the other hand, was masterful. I ran into the solution at the same time as Maggie and was delighted my hypothesis was proved valid. Both Maggie and I went down several rabbit holes before putting it all together and it was an enjoyable investigation. I am willing to go on more
escapades with Maggie in the future.
This story is an American take on a British cosy. It is a light read, filled with the fluff one would expect. I don't quite understand the harsh tone of the lower-rated reviews as it is typical of this style of book.
Our heroine has a past. As a thirty-five-year-old ex-nun, Maggie has life experience and is ready to use it to save the person she cares for. She also has a loyal coterie of friends willing to act in whatever form she needs, from workers in her cafe to sidekick detectives. Though I enjoyed Maggie's backstory, the character didn't chime with me. Maggie behaved far younger than her years and was too prideful to be a much-loved character. The constant mention of much older fictional female detectives became an irritant, especially when even Maggie referred to herself as one. One further note: Nate's wishy-washy ways concerning his feelings for Maggie left me wishing she would leave him in the "clink".
The mystery, on the other hand, was masterful. I ran into the solution at the same time as Maggie and was delighted my hypothesis was proved valid. Both Maggie and I went down several rabbit holes before putting it all together and it was an enjoyable investigation. I am willing to go on more
escapades with Maggie in the future.
November 7, 2020
In this series, our main character owns a tea shop in a town in a western state, that caters to Shakespeare. The tea shop specialized in old English Teas. When a very nasty play critic is killed and her friend from next door is the prime suspect, Maggie who is new to town from a previous occupation sets out to prove he didn't do it.
I thought the book had potential with a decent mystery and some clues to it. However, the relationship with the friend from next door and her previous life did not ring true. For that is got a 3.5. There were also a couple typos in the book which drive me nuts.
I might read on in the series because I do like the town. I actually think this is a 3.5.
I thought the book had potential with a decent mystery and some clues to it. However, the relationship with the friend from next door and her previous life did not ring true. For that is got a 3.5. There were also a couple typos in the book which drive me nuts.
I might read on in the series because I do like the town. I actually think this is a 3.5.
July 16, 2020
Let down by simple errors
The author allows too many American terms into her writing about England. These grate on me. The most egregious is sheriff when referring to police officers. There are many others. Maybe this is necessary for an American audience who want for example American foods mentioned. For a novel set in England these references are anomalous. Characters are thin and not psychologically developed. Perhaps I was expecting too much.
The author allows too many American terms into her writing about England. These grate on me. The most egregious is sheriff when referring to police officers. There are many others. Maybe this is necessary for an American audience who want for example American foods mentioned. For a novel set in England these references are anomalous. Characters are thin and not psychologically developed. Perhaps I was expecting too much.
April 5, 2020
This is a new to me author. I am a fan of cozy mysteries and this one has many things I liked about it.
The heroine (amateur sleuth)is Maggie. She is a former nun, as well as a secret author of romance novels. I expected to read that she also juggled in her spare time.
Maggie lives in a small town devoted to being as British as any small town in Britain. The entire town looks English. Maggie’s tea shop is called The Merry Wives. There is a Globe Theater which puts on Shakespearean plays. Everything is supposed to be as though it were in England. All this draws tourists and provides a good income for the merchants. This idea of a town doing an all British tourist thing seemed like a good plot device.
A theater critic who has a reputation for being nasty to everyone in sight is found dead. If anyone deserves to be murdered, it would be this woman.
Maggie makes a decision to look into the murder, because she is enamored of the man the police see as the prime suspect.
The mystery was interesting. And it took awhile to figure out the villain. There were interesting and well developed characters.
But, there were simply too many things going on. And there were things which seemed too improbable. For me, it just felt as though there were too many events, too many questions and too many coincidences.
This was an interesting read, I am not sure it is for me.
The heroine (amateur sleuth)is Maggie. She is a former nun, as well as a secret author of romance novels. I expected to read that she also juggled in her spare time.
Maggie lives in a small town devoted to being as British as any small town in Britain. The entire town looks English. Maggie’s tea shop is called The Merry Wives. There is a Globe Theater which puts on Shakespearean plays. Everything is supposed to be as though it were in England. All this draws tourists and provides a good income for the merchants. This idea of a town doing an all British tourist thing seemed like a good plot device.
A theater critic who has a reputation for being nasty to everyone in sight is found dead. If anyone deserves to be murdered, it would be this woman.
Maggie makes a decision to look into the murder, because she is enamored of the man the police see as the prime suspect.
The mystery was interesting. And it took awhile to figure out the villain. There were interesting and well developed characters.
But, there were simply too many things going on. And there were things which seemed too improbable. For me, it just felt as though there were too many events, too many questions and too many coincidences.
This was an interesting read, I am not sure it is for me.
August 9, 2016
In the faux-English village of Stratford-upon-Avondale, Maggie O’Flynn owner of a tea shop investigates the killing of a theatre critic during the town's Shakespeare Festival.
It was an interesting enough read though I did work out who the killer was before the end.
It was an interesting enough read though I did work out who the killer was before the end.
August 25, 2016
A quick and fun little book but I guess I like my mysteries to have some clues for the reader to try to figure out the murderer, not just fumble along with the main character and be as surprised as she is.
February 22, 2020
Pleasant entertainment!
This is a lite and interesting mystery that will keep your attention all way through. Well worth reading for the fun of it.
This is a lite and interesting mystery that will keep your attention all way through. Well worth reading for the fun of it.
February 7, 2017
Confesso di aver scelto questo libro per la copertina... L'amante del Medioevo che è in me è attratta da edifici come quello lì rappresentato...
Detto questo, il libro è ben scritto e la storia è buona, anche se ho capito chi fosse il colpevole non appena è comparso. Quello che non mi ha convinto è la protagonista: una ex-novizia che apre una sala da tè e si mette ad indagare va bene, ma che sia anche una scrittrice di romance, con un serio appettito amoroso e una propensione a mentire senza tanti problemi mi risulta un po' troppo esagerato. Suvvia, non siamo nel Medioevo (e a dirla tutta, questo che sto per dire era valido fino a un paio di secoli fa) quando c'erano le monacazioni forzate e si può capire che un'ex-monaca sia in realtà tutto fuorché "monacale", ma ai giorni nostri una che cambia idea e dopo esser stata in convento sembra pronta a balzare addosso a ogni maschio che incontri, o quasi, è davvero incredibile!
Detto questo, il libro è ben scritto e la storia è buona, anche se ho capito chi fosse il colpevole non appena è comparso. Quello che non mi ha convinto è la protagonista: una ex-novizia che apre una sala da tè e si mette ad indagare va bene, ma che sia anche una scrittrice di romance, con un serio appettito amoroso e una propensione a mentire senza tanti problemi mi risulta un po' troppo esagerato. Suvvia, non siamo nel Medioevo (e a dirla tutta, questo che sto per dire era valido fino a un paio di secoli fa) quando c'erano le monacazioni forzate e si può capire che un'ex-monaca sia in realtà tutto fuorché "monacale", ma ai giorni nostri una che cambia idea e dopo esser stata in convento sembra pronta a balzare addosso a ogni maschio che incontri, o quasi, è davvero incredibile!
August 11, 2021
Monica Knightley has written an engaging cozy mystery series – a little Shakespeare, a little murder, and an amateur detective who owns a local tea room and secretly writes steamy romance novels.
A woman who came so close to taking the veil that she still has her novice nun habit boxed up in her closet, Maggie O’Flynn is anything but demure as she jumps in with both feet to solve the murder of a crass, manipulative theatre critic. She is equally bold in her pursuit of the local bookstore owner, who returns that affection – with some reservations.
This relatively concise cozy, published in 2017 and the first in the ten-book series, is an engaging read with well-drawn characters. I don’t feel that the author created any credible reason for Maggie to suddenly transform from tea room owner to amateur detective; she just decided to take care of business. Regardless, I still enjoyed the book.
A woman who came so close to taking the veil that she still has her novice nun habit boxed up in her closet, Maggie O’Flynn is anything but demure as she jumps in with both feet to solve the murder of a crass, manipulative theatre critic. She is equally bold in her pursuit of the local bookstore owner, who returns that affection – with some reservations.
This relatively concise cozy, published in 2017 and the first in the ten-book series, is an engaging read with well-drawn characters. I don’t feel that the author created any credible reason for Maggie to suddenly transform from tea room owner to amateur detective; she just decided to take care of business. Regardless, I still enjoyed the book.
September 9, 2019
I read a lot of cozies, and so I come across a lot of woman who feel the need to act as amatuer detectives. Most often it is because they have stumbled into a situation that somehow will impact them or their business. I don't quite get Maggie's drive to investigate, or the screw the cops I don't know what I am doing but I read mysteries so will solve this ASAP attitude. I also don't understand why she blindly believes a man who she has just started dating, who is often rude or distant, and who has hidden things from her. Whether he ends up the murderer or not, that is a lot of blind faith
One other thing-- the edition that I got from Kindle Unlimited had a much better cover, with a pretty tea cup. Not that it matters, and I am not even sure why I am commenting on it now that I think about it.
One other thing-- the edition that I got from Kindle Unlimited had a much better cover, with a pretty tea cup. Not that it matters, and I am not even sure why I am commenting on it now that I think about it.
January 31, 2022
#1 in the ex novice nun Maggie O'Flynn Stratford Upon Avondale cosy mystery series set in the faux Shakespeare town somewhere in the Western U.S.
Ex-novice nun and secret steamy romance writer, Maggie O’Flynn moves to own an English tea shop. All seems to be starting off fine when a very unpopular theater critic is found murdered and the prime suspect turns out to be Maggie's new romantic interest. With the help of her loud, brash, spitfire of a friend and neighbor, Gina Mattucci, Maggie plans to discover who did it and get her boyfriend off.
Ex-novice nun and secret steamy romance writer, Maggie O’Flynn moves to own an English tea shop. All seems to be starting off fine when a very unpopular theater critic is found murdered and the prime suspect turns out to be Maggie's new romantic interest. With the help of her loud, brash, spitfire of a friend and neighbor, Gina Mattucci, Maggie plans to discover who did it and get her boyfriend off.
May 20, 2017
I enjoyed reading this book.
The ex-novice nun is a little aggressive in pursuing a man while he is apprehensive because he is reading her sizzling romance book. He is afraid he can not live up to the hero she describes in her book.
I like the tourist Shakespeare town. The name Stratford Upon Avondale strikes me as funny and drawn me to read the book.
Nice cozy mystery. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
The ex-novice nun is a little aggressive in pursuing a man while he is apprehensive because he is reading her sizzling romance book. He is afraid he can not live up to the hero she describes in her book.
I like the tourist Shakespeare town. The name Stratford Upon Avondale strikes me as funny and drawn me to read the book.
Nice cozy mystery. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
June 11, 2018
Glad I got it from Freebooksy
The Globe Theatre was built in 1599 so her fake Globe could not be 50 years older. She should have said rebuilt Globe. I bet she's the wannabe Anglophile that says scone as if it rhymes with cone not the proper way so that it rhymes with gone since the Gaelic is comes from is s'gon. Boring cozy
The Globe Theatre was built in 1599 so her fake Globe could not be 50 years older. She should have said rebuilt Globe. I bet she's the wannabe Anglophile that says scone as if it rhymes with cone not the proper way so that it rhymes with gone since the Gaelic is comes from is s'gon. Boring cozy
November 9, 2018
Tea room proprietor and steamy romance author Maggie turns amateur sleuth when the hot bookstore owner she's just started dating becomes the prime suspect in the murder of a universally detested theater critic.
Another cozy mystery freebie I picked up at some point. Quick and fairly entertaining read with many familiar elements and a bit of a cliché solution.
Another cozy mystery freebie I picked up at some point. Quick and fairly entertaining read with many familiar elements and a bit of a cliché solution.
March 17, 2020
A Stratford Upon Avondale Mystery, Bk 1, EBk-M, Kindle, @ 2016, read 3/16/20. Fiction, Cozy Mystery. Maggie, an Ex-Nun, Ex-Steamy Novel Writer, and current tea shop owner, gets involved in trying to clear boyfriend's (?) name when 2 murders are committed in their sleepy western USA, Shakespeare loving town. 2☆'s = Okay. Main character is a bit dense, she doesn't recognize danger!
June 20, 2020
I really didn't enjoy this at all. Less murder mystery, more romantic, childish chick lit. I made it less than half way and really couldn't read any more. Why does this stuff get published? Honestly, an ex nun who writes steamy novels, owns a British style tea room who goes "sleuthing" to get her new boyfriend out of a hole !
Truly awful.
Truly awful.
January 20, 2024
Classic cozy
4.5 stars
This was a great introduction to the series with its classic cozy mystery tropes and atmospheric vibe. The references in here of Miss Marple and Jessica Fletcher was great. I liked that in the background was the theme of Shakespeare. It was quick, paced and interesting. The cast of characters was great. I had a really good time reading this.
4.5 stars
This was a great introduction to the series with its classic cozy mystery tropes and atmospheric vibe. The references in here of Miss Marple and Jessica Fletcher was great. I liked that in the background was the theme of Shakespeare. It was quick, paced and interesting. The cast of characters was great. I had a really good time reading this.
May 18, 2018
Too much romance and too aggressive for me
Maggie O'Flynn used to be a nun but now a steamy romances writer, aggressively pursuing handsome owner of next shop. There's no depth in the story and characters, Maggie behavior disgust me. Sorry, but not my cuppa.
Maggie O'Flynn used to be a nun but now a steamy romances writer, aggressively pursuing handsome owner of next shop. There's no depth in the story and characters, Maggie behavior disgust me. Sorry, but not my cuppa.
June 21, 2018
Enjoyable book!
This book was fun to read. The characters were memorable , and the plot was interesting. This book also had romantic elements as well as humor. I highly recommend it to other cozy mystery lovers.
This book was fun to read. The characters were memorable , and the plot was interesting. This book also had romantic elements as well as humor. I highly recommend it to other cozy mystery lovers.
November 30, 2018
A Great Cozy Mystery!
I enjoyed this easy reading book! The characters were lovable
And exciting. The plot was interesting. I liked how the author makes you feel like you are in the midst of the story. I am going to look into more books from this author.
I enjoyed this easy reading book! The characters were lovable
And exciting. The plot was interesting. I liked how the author makes you feel like you are in the midst of the story. I am going to look into more books from this author.
January 12, 2020
Almost Seems You're in England
I kept having to remind myself that this was taking place in the USA and not in England. The author set the scene so clearly that you might think the same thing. Her characters were well described and acted accordingly. A fascinating read.
I kept having to remind myself that this was taking place in the USA and not in England. The author set the scene so clearly that you might think the same thing. Her characters were well described and acted accordingly. A fascinating read.
January 27, 2020
The Merry Wives Tea Room in Stratford Upon Avondale. The owner, Maggie gets involved with Nate who is a suspect in the murder of two people and tries to solve the murders. Both have pasts that come out that surprises each Maggie and Nate.
July 14, 2021
Tea and Fun
I tried this because I love tea rooms and good friends. If the setting is a little contrived it is forgivable. The characters are fun and the overall novel is cute and cozy.
I tried this because I love tea rooms and good friends. If the setting is a little contrived it is forgivable. The characters are fun and the overall novel is cute and cozy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews