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The Heathervale Mysteries #1
The Slay of the Land
Tractors, tea and trouble in an English country village…
Hard-nosed Arrina Fenn can deal with the local gossips, petty vandals and even runaway tractors in Heathervale village. They’re easy to overcome with a cup of tea in one hand and a delicious cake from her best friend’s café in the other. But when a dead body crops up in the middle of the busy college she runs—getting it shut down and her shut out of the investigation—life doesn’t taste quite so sweet.
Determined to solve the murder before both she and the college are exiled from the village, Arrina swaps her smart suits for hiking boots and sets out to uncover just what’s going on.
This is book one of The Heathervale Mysteries, with more twists than a country lane and a cast of cozy characters you'll be right at home with.
Hard-nosed Arrina Fenn can deal with the local gossips, petty vandals and even runaway tractors in Heathervale village. They’re easy to overcome with a cup of tea in one hand and a delicious cake from her best friend’s café in the other. But when a dead body crops up in the middle of the busy college she runs—getting it shut down and her shut out of the investigation—life doesn’t taste quite so sweet.
Determined to solve the murder before both she and the college are exiled from the village, Arrina swaps her smart suits for hiking boots and sets out to uncover just what’s going on.
This is book one of The Heathervale Mysteries, with more twists than a country lane and a cast of cozy characters you'll be right at home with.
- GenresCozy MysteryCozyMystery
242 pages, ebook
First published October 9, 2019
126 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
About the author
Matilda Swift
28 books67 followersMatilda Swift loves two things: a good cup of tea and a perfectly plotted murder.
She writes culinary cozy mysteries that are quintessentially British. Her books offer more twists than a country road, pairing them with quirky characters who feel like old friends. Having lived everywhere from Madagascar to Hong Kong, Matilda eventually returned to the place she loves best: an English village that's less prone to sudden death than the ones in her books, but just as beautiful. Now settled, she’s dedicated herself to the page and has penned over 15 mysteries.
Matilda shares her home with a pair of feline detectives, Miss Marple and Madame Poirot, and her free time is devoted to two very different pursuits. When not out hiking (and looking for inspiration on where to hide her fictional bodies), she turns to domestic pursuits, becoming an accomplished homebody who loves baking traditional English recipes and learning a succession of new, relaxing crafts, from glass fusion to candle making.
She writes culinary cozy mysteries that are quintessentially British. Her books offer more twists than a country road, pairing them with quirky characters who feel like old friends. Having lived everywhere from Madagascar to Hong Kong, Matilda eventually returned to the place she loves best: an English village that's less prone to sudden death than the ones in her books, but just as beautiful. Now settled, she’s dedicated herself to the page and has penned over 15 mysteries.
Matilda shares her home with a pair of feline detectives, Miss Marple and Madame Poirot, and her free time is devoted to two very different pursuits. When not out hiking (and looking for inspiration on where to hide her fictional bodies), she turns to domestic pursuits, becoming an accomplished homebody who loves baking traditional English recipes and learning a succession of new, relaxing crafts, from glass fusion to candle making.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 18, 2022
It was an okay story.
The characters were mostly developed, but, the story was extremely slow paced and I found I kept putting the book down to do other things.
The characters were mostly developed, but, the story was extremely slow paced and I found I kept putting the book down to do other things.
May 31, 2024
I enjoyed this British small village cozy mystery! It was a surprisingly different to the other Cozy mysteries that I have read. I have read other British cozies but never any that have centered around farms or colleges as they are called in this book. Which is completely different than here in America, which are Universities.
It threw me off a little bit until I got used to it. But I enjoyed getting to know the characters in the village and how they were all connected. Including the not so savory characters, here's looking at you Lady DeViers.
There were some sad scenes in this book, but there were also some happy to go along with them. I'm just glad that there were the happy that outshone the sad.
I can't wait to see where this series goes from here!
It threw me off a little bit until I got used to it. But I enjoyed getting to know the characters in the village and how they were all connected. Including the not so savory characters, here's looking at you Lady DeViers.
There were some sad scenes in this book, but there were also some happy to go along with them. I'm just glad that there were the happy that outshone the sad.
I can't wait to see where this series goes from here!
October 9, 2019
I was given this book as an ARC by the author (for which I’m very grateful) in exchange for an honest review. This is book 1 of the Heathervale mysteries and it starts 5 years after the prequel. Arrina and best friend Julie continue to be as close as ever and their love for tea and cake continues! I don’t want to give any spoilers but... the murder happens very early in the book and author Matilda Swift keeps you guessing till the very last moment. You briefly think of this person as the murderer but soon other juicy bits are thrown in and they throw you off scent completely! As the 5 years have gone by, the village mentality never stops and neither does their narrow mindedness... and that goes on as a new arrival comes to the village to disrupt the status quo. I’m not saying more. You’ll have to read the book and enjoy the beautifully described landscapes and the oh so accurate living in a small country village where everybody knows everybody’s business and then some. I’ve given thus book 4 ⭐️ out of 5 mainly because I think (imho) that there are too much italics in the text. Another great cozy mystery and I for one will be looking forward to book 2.
June 22, 2021
I don't do book reviews
I don't do book reviews like you keep seeing, as I find that some give too much of the plot away and I personally hate that, as it makes the book not worth reading. I much prefer to take the authors back cover write up as a review as it can either intrigue you enough to read the book of provide you enough information to make you decide that the book is not for you.
My review rules are: The more stars, the more I liked it.
If there are too many typos or errors the less stars I give
If the storyline or plot is poor or contains too many errors, the characters are too weak, the ending lacking something, then the less stars I give.
Simple, uncomplicated and to the point without giving anything away.
Some of the books I read have been given to me by the author as a pre-release copy and this does not bias my reviews in any way.
I don't do book reviews like you keep seeing, as I find that some give too much of the plot away and I personally hate that, as it makes the book not worth reading. I much prefer to take the authors back cover write up as a review as it can either intrigue you enough to read the book of provide you enough information to make you decide that the book is not for you.
My review rules are: The more stars, the more I liked it.
If there are too many typos or errors the less stars I give
If the storyline or plot is poor or contains too many errors, the characters are too weak, the ending lacking something, then the less stars I give.
Simple, uncomplicated and to the point without giving anything away.
Some of the books I read have been given to me by the author as a pre-release copy and this does not bias my reviews in any way.
April 27, 2021
You have a small farm town of Heatherville. You have Arianna Fenn the head of the new school. You have a storyline with many twists and turns with a dead body. There are interesting characters. This cozy mystery is well planned and worth the real I recommend this quick read.
January 14, 2023
ok
So I red book 3 before 1.this helps to make book 3 clearer. I have downloaded book 2 already. This series is a bit slow in places. But I like how Julie and Arrina are best friends and eat lots of desserts.
So I red book 3 before 1.this helps to make book 3 clearer. I have downloaded book 2 already. This series is a bit slow in places. But I like how Julie and Arrina are best friends and eat lots of desserts.
March 30, 2020
Another great cozy mystery story!
Have you ever clicked on a book cover on a multi-author promotion and been directed to BookFunnel to receive a book in exchange for signing up for an author’s newsletter (which you can unsubscribe to at anytime in the future)? I admit that have done so. Occasionally I find new authors that are gifted storytellers that do not (usually) bombard you with emails. Rarely, I will receive an email offering and opportunity to apply to join an Advanced Readers Team as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) member. I did. I applied to become a member of the ARC Team. Matilda Swift chose me to be an ARC reader for this book. I read it. I liked the story. I was able to finish reading “The Slay of the Land” in one day (two sittings).
I read the prequel to the series (which takes place five years prior) so I am familiar with a few of the characters in this book. Arrina hasn’t lost her moxie. Julie has become a great best friend. Gillian is still… well let’s just say that, “Gillian is still Gillian”. I don’t like reviews with spoilers, so I will not be sharing any here. But I will say that this story kept my interest and was both intriguing and entertaining to boot. It was a clean, fun, and easy read. I highly recommend this book to any person of any age that enjoys a great little mystery read.
Have you ever clicked on a book cover on a multi-author promotion and been directed to BookFunnel to receive a book in exchange for signing up for an author’s newsletter (which you can unsubscribe to at anytime in the future)? I admit that have done so. Occasionally I find new authors that are gifted storytellers that do not (usually) bombard you with emails. Rarely, I will receive an email offering and opportunity to apply to join an Advanced Readers Team as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) member. I did. I applied to become a member of the ARC Team. Matilda Swift chose me to be an ARC reader for this book. I read it. I liked the story. I was able to finish reading “The Slay of the Land” in one day (two sittings).
I read the prequel to the series (which takes place five years prior) so I am familiar with a few of the characters in this book. Arrina hasn’t lost her moxie. Julie has become a great best friend. Gillian is still… well let’s just say that, “Gillian is still Gillian”. I don’t like reviews with spoilers, so I will not be sharing any here. But I will say that this story kept my interest and was both intriguing and entertaining to boot. It was a clean, fun, and easy read. I highly recommend this book to any person of any age that enjoys a great little mystery read.
April 23, 2020
Repeated formula as the first one. Not exactly exciting anymore. But still as twisted.
April 1, 2020
Arrina has her hands full trying to get her school term started on time, trying to get over the heartbreak of a failed love and trying to solve a murder before the wrong person is arrested or,worse, murdered too.
Ride along in this fast paced story and meet some delightful and a few wicked, characters.
It will keep you entertained.
Ride along in this fast paced story and meet some delightful and a few wicked, characters.
It will keep you entertained.
April 1, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I am looking forward to reading this series after reading this first Matilda Swift novel that I have read. The characters are believable and as I kept reading I even pictured people I knew who were exactly like the characters. The setting is well described and again the reader can picture exactly what is being described. The story line was excellent.
March 31, 2020
Arinna has been working hard to keepthe preparatory college she heads a success.
Seated in an expensive, traditional farming region, it is tough to balance long held family traditions about the passage and working of the land with needs of the community and the college.
And those differences can be lethal !
Intense action and strong women in a KU format!
Seated in an expensive, traditional farming region, it is tough to balance long held family traditions about the passage and working of the land with needs of the community and the college.
And those differences can be lethal !
Intense action and strong women in a KU format!
March 30, 2020
Very well written story, with a great setting and fantastic characters that you really get to know. It is a cosy mystery, but this one also has a little action and suspense.
March 29, 2020
Well worth reading❣️
November 4, 2019
As we once again visit the small village of Heathervale, we find Arrina Fenn, thriving as head of the new school, which opened five years earlier. Having met many of the characters in the prequel, it was interesting to see what they were up to.
At the start of the story, Arrina is finishing up an interview with her nemesis Gillian DeViers. Gillian opposed the opening of the school, and was one of the loudest complainers of all! Yet, here she was, five years later, asking for a teaching job as a business mentor at the school. Arrina had no intention of employing Gillian, but placated her until she was able to the end the interview. As a matter of fact, Arrina had already hired a business mentor, Hugo Hays, and was looking forward to having him as part of the school. Hugo was a well-known member of the village and, as successful farm owner and property developer, he would be the perfect business mentor! Lost in thought, Arrina was suddenly interrupted by Gillian’s scream. Rushing to her, she finds the woman in distress. Looking past her, Arrina discovers Hugo’s dead body! With her school closed until further notice, Arrina finds herself caught up in another murder!
I thoroughly enjoyed the prequel, Rotten to The Marrow, and looked forward to this release. Ms. Swift did not disappoint. Once again, the plot was well constructed, with the introduction of new characters. The victim, being well-liked, yet with secrets of his own. Arinna had difficulty narrowing down the suspect. Clue after clue led her from one person to another as additional secrets were revealed. The ending was surprising as the suspect was not one, I had on my radar. A delightful addition to this series as book one. I found it to be entertaining. and appreciated being transported back to the quaint village of Heathervale through Ms. Swift’s delightful descriptions. I received this copy as a gift and the opinion are my own.
At the start of the story, Arrina is finishing up an interview with her nemesis Gillian DeViers. Gillian opposed the opening of the school, and was one of the loudest complainers of all! Yet, here she was, five years later, asking for a teaching job as a business mentor at the school. Arrina had no intention of employing Gillian, but placated her until she was able to the end the interview. As a matter of fact, Arrina had already hired a business mentor, Hugo Hays, and was looking forward to having him as part of the school. Hugo was a well-known member of the village and, as successful farm owner and property developer, he would be the perfect business mentor! Lost in thought, Arrina was suddenly interrupted by Gillian’s scream. Rushing to her, she finds the woman in distress. Looking past her, Arrina discovers Hugo’s dead body! With her school closed until further notice, Arrina finds herself caught up in another murder!
I thoroughly enjoyed the prequel, Rotten to The Marrow, and looked forward to this release. Ms. Swift did not disappoint. Once again, the plot was well constructed, with the introduction of new characters. The victim, being well-liked, yet with secrets of his own. Arinna had difficulty narrowing down the suspect. Clue after clue led her from one person to another as additional secrets were revealed. The ending was surprising as the suspect was not one, I had on my radar. A delightful addition to this series as book one. I found it to be entertaining. and appreciated being transported back to the quaint village of Heathervale through Ms. Swift’s delightful descriptions. I received this copy as a gift and the opinion are my own.
October 9, 2019
Hurt feelings and the law
A very low key read that i had guessed the killer of very easy on. For being in charge of a college she is very slow to put two and two together. Ignoring a big clue that was given at the start of the book. The characters are the salt of the earth but did I bond with them - not really. There was something just off about the main character but what it was it can't put my finger on. Perhaps future books will make her develop into a more notable character. The plot is in turns clever, simple and confusing but the underlying factor is that it was well thought out even if it felt somewhat too long.
A very low key read that i had guessed the killer of very easy on. For being in charge of a college she is very slow to put two and two together. Ignoring a big clue that was given at the start of the book. The characters are the salt of the earth but did I bond with them - not really. There was something just off about the main character but what it was it can't put my finger on. Perhaps future books will make her develop into a more notable character. The plot is in turns clever, simple and confusing but the underlying factor is that it was well thought out even if it felt somewhat too long.
November 28, 2019
This is even better than the prequel. Having lived in a village myself I could empathise with Arrina. Gossips thrives in a village so after the murder I knew what was coming .......poor Arrina! I was so hoping that DeViers woman would be the victim! But no, she lives to gossip and control another day. This is a well thought out story with twists that you don't expect creating suspense and a need to read on and on. Strong main characters and emotions you can feel. Looking forward to the next book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and am happily giving an honest review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and am happily giving an honest review.
October 11, 2019
This book gets you involved right away. The characters are amazing and tells the story. You will be intrigued through the story.
March 20, 2020
Good read with a strong main character. Twists and turns will keep you reading. I enjoyed this book.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews