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Bellbrook Murder Mystery #1
A Well Constructed Murder: A Bellbrook Murder Mystery Book 1
Sometimes the smallest towns have the biggest secrets...
Karla Bell is good at three running her successful concierge business, being fiercely independent, and detecting lies.
When her late grandmother is falsely implicated in two mysterious deaths, Karla is determined to uncover the truth and clear her family's name. Even if she has to use every corporate skill she has, accept help from friends and family, and turn herself into a human lie detector.
Can Karla solve both mysteries and reveal the true culprit(s) before the small-town rumour mill grinds her family's reputation into dust?
If you like humourous cozy mysteries with a bit of small-town Canadian life, a close group of fun, loveable characters, dogs, and cats, then there's something in this series for you.
Clean no graphic violence, sex, or strong language.
Each book in the Bellbrook Murder Mystery Series contains a standalone mystery that is solved by the end of the book. The books can be read in any order, however the characters' lives and relationships evolve and change as the series progresses.
Also by Reagan
Karla Bell is good at three running her successful concierge business, being fiercely independent, and detecting lies.
When her late grandmother is falsely implicated in two mysterious deaths, Karla is determined to uncover the truth and clear her family's name. Even if she has to use every corporate skill she has, accept help from friends and family, and turn herself into a human lie detector.
Can Karla solve both mysteries and reveal the true culprit(s) before the small-town rumour mill grinds her family's reputation into dust?
If you like humourous cozy mysteries with a bit of small-town Canadian life, a close group of fun, loveable characters, dogs, and cats, then there's something in this series for you.
Clean no graphic violence, sex, or strong language.
Each book in the Bellbrook Murder Mystery Series contains a standalone mystery that is solved by the end of the book. The books can be read in any order, however the characters' lives and relationships evolve and change as the series progresses.
Also by Reagan
370 pages, Paperback
Published April 24, 2022
447 people are currently reading
1188 people want to read
About the author
Reagan Davis
25 books725 followersReagan Davis is a pen name for the real author who lives in the suburbs of Toronto with her husband, two kids, and a menagerie of pets.
When she’s not planning the perfect murder, she enjoys knitting, reading, eating too much chocolate, and drinking too much Diet Coke.
The author is an established knitwear designer who has contributed to many knitting books and magazines.
I’d tell you her real name, but then I’d have to kill you.
(Just kidding! Sort of.)
When she’s not planning the perfect murder, she enjoys knitting, reading, eating too much chocolate, and drinking too much Diet Coke.
The author is an established knitwear designer who has contributed to many knitting books and magazines.
I’d tell you her real name, but then I’d have to kill you.
(Just kidding! Sort of.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
April 29, 2022
Great book! Full of small town gossipers and lots of nepotism (think daughter working for her father while another daughter 'helps') this is a delightfully entertaining story. The plot is engaging and the mystery is fun to try to unravel. There are lots of small town values as well as some pretty eccentric characters making this a hard to put down book.
I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.
I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.
April 28, 2022
"Everyone has secrets. Some people just hide them better than others."
Great read! As a long-time fan of Davis' Knitorious series, I have to admit to going into this new series with some trepidation. What if I didn't like it? What if..... Oh, never mind. It didn't matter. I loved it. Given Davis' deft touch with words, that was surely predictable but nothing in the mystery was.
On the surface, the plot seems simple. Who killed contractor Fitz? Is the location a connection? But, whoa! Death by nail gun? Even more bizarre, the victim was "nailed" from both the back and front. It doesn't take any deductive skills for Karla to know there was no way the victim committed suicide. There is not only any way he could have shot himself, then carefully placed the alleged suicide note neatly atop his stomach, not to mention wiped both the nail gun and pencil used for the note clean of fingerprints. Yep, murder.
From there, the story moves along smoothly and quickly. We're introduced to the new series' characters of this small Canadian town as well as made aware that there seem to be plenty of secrets in town. Although my first question was who is driving that red pickup Karla is so diligently avoiding, that puzzle was immediately shoved aside as we meet her family, friends, and pets. I found myself loving all the characters, even mother Lynn who Karla seems to have issues with, as I sorted out who everyone was and their relationships. Given her budding amateur sleuth efforts, Karla is lucky in that both her father and half-sister are police while her best friend since kindergarten is the town's coroner/doctor. As such, Karla finds herself working with the police rather than against as is so often the case in cozy mysteries. I liked that.
So, who is Karla avoiding? Why? Is Karla really basically a human lie detector? How does BFF Rob/Robin explain this ability? Do we all have tells? Probably. Why was the suicide note crumpled? Was the murder personal or random? Why does Karla have such an extensive wardrobe? Is Leon as good a guy as he wants to be seen? Was Fitz guilty of sloppy construction as Harry thinks? What's in those envelopes? Where did what's inside come from? How good is Lynn's weather prediction ability? Will Gucci be legal or not? And....
Well, never mind. Read the book for the answers to these questions and more, including adorable dogs. You won't be disappointed. I know I'm delighted to have another binge-worthy series available, especially with the hints of what is coming next.
Great read! As a long-time fan of Davis' Knitorious series, I have to admit to going into this new series with some trepidation. What if I didn't like it? What if..... Oh, never mind. It didn't matter. I loved it. Given Davis' deft touch with words, that was surely predictable but nothing in the mystery was.
On the surface, the plot seems simple. Who killed contractor Fitz? Is the location a connection? But, whoa! Death by nail gun? Even more bizarre, the victim was "nailed" from both the back and front. It doesn't take any deductive skills for Karla to know there was no way the victim committed suicide. There is not only any way he could have shot himself, then carefully placed the alleged suicide note neatly atop his stomach, not to mention wiped both the nail gun and pencil used for the note clean of fingerprints. Yep, murder.
From there, the story moves along smoothly and quickly. We're introduced to the new series' characters of this small Canadian town as well as made aware that there seem to be plenty of secrets in town. Although my first question was who is driving that red pickup Karla is so diligently avoiding, that puzzle was immediately shoved aside as we meet her family, friends, and pets. I found myself loving all the characters, even mother Lynn who Karla seems to have issues with, as I sorted out who everyone was and their relationships. Given her budding amateur sleuth efforts, Karla is lucky in that both her father and half-sister are police while her best friend since kindergarten is the town's coroner/doctor. As such, Karla finds herself working with the police rather than against as is so often the case in cozy mysteries. I liked that.
So, who is Karla avoiding? Why? Is Karla really basically a human lie detector? How does BFF Rob/Robin explain this ability? Do we all have tells? Probably. Why was the suicide note crumpled? Was the murder personal or random? Why does Karla have such an extensive wardrobe? Is Leon as good a guy as he wants to be seen? Was Fitz guilty of sloppy construction as Harry thinks? What's in those envelopes? Where did what's inside come from? How good is Lynn's weather prediction ability? Will Gucci be legal or not? And....
Well, never mind. Read the book for the answers to these questions and more, including adorable dogs. You won't be disappointed. I know I'm delighted to have another binge-worthy series available, especially with the hints of what is coming next.
April 25, 2022
If you like the 'Knitorious' mystery series by author Reagan Davis, you'll be sure to love this first book in her new 'Bellbrook Murder Mystery' series. This series is a spin-off of the 'Knitorious' series as we first met the main character, Karla Bell, when she was a suspect in one of Megan's cases.
Karla owns the exclusive concierge business, 'Just Task Me,' and has recently relocated to her hometown to take care of her ailing grandmother, and open a new East Coast branch of her business.
When the book opens, Karla's grandmother has already passed, and she is dealing with renovating the property she inherited from her grandmother. When the contractor for the renovations is found dead on her property, Karla becomes involved in finding the killer.
This one is a real page-turner, and one you will want to read it again and again to get all the really good bits. It's well written and the storyline flows easily. It's so good, I can't wait to read the second book in the series!
Karla owns the exclusive concierge business, 'Just Task Me,' and has recently relocated to her hometown to take care of her ailing grandmother, and open a new East Coast branch of her business.
When the book opens, Karla's grandmother has already passed, and she is dealing with renovating the property she inherited from her grandmother. When the contractor for the renovations is found dead on her property, Karla becomes involved in finding the killer.
This one is a real page-turner, and one you will want to read it again and again to get all the really good bits. It's well written and the storyline flows easily. It's so good, I can't wait to read the second book in the series!
May 23, 2024
When this donation came into my Little Free Library Shed two things caught my attention. Murder (in the book title). And the cute dog on the cover.
Would the story meet up to my expectations?
This is the first book in the Bellbrook Murder Mystery series featuring Karla Bell who is the owner of a concierge company. Who just happens to be the daughter of the Police Chief and she is the best friend to the coroner.
And apparently whenever there is some sort of crime, or murder, Karla has a tendency to get herself in the middle of working alongside her father, sister, and best friend to figure out who the culprit/murderer is.
Of course, isn’t that how all cozy murder mysteries work?
Karla is a likable heroine, and this story has interesting characters and motives. Which made this an absorbing cozy mystery overall, with plenty of clues to keep readers engaged.
And of course, how can you not like a dog named, Gucci?
Would the story meet up to my expectations?
This is the first book in the Bellbrook Murder Mystery series featuring Karla Bell who is the owner of a concierge company. Who just happens to be the daughter of the Police Chief and she is the best friend to the coroner.
And apparently whenever there is some sort of crime, or murder, Karla has a tendency to get herself in the middle of working alongside her father, sister, and best friend to figure out who the culprit/murderer is.
Of course, isn’t that how all cozy murder mysteries work?
Karla is a likable heroine, and this story has interesting characters and motives. Which made this an absorbing cozy mystery overall, with plenty of clues to keep readers engaged.
And of course, how can you not like a dog named, Gucci?
August 29, 2022
Who killed Keith Fitzgibbon and why??? A nail gun is still a gun – IF you know how to use it!!! I enjoyed this story and recommend the book.
August 7, 2022
Book 1 Karla had come back to her home because of her ailing grandma May. But she came very sick and past before Karla knew. Grandma May lived in a Cottage Mirabella it was named and she owned decrepit Bellflower Cottage too. Karla remembered when she lived with her Granny since her mom Lynn decided to hand a little baby Karla to her paternal grammy. Karla had hired Fittz and company to renovate both Bell flower and Mirrabelle the cottages. Karla heard Her mom Lynn and Harry ( a friend of the family ) arguing in Mirrabelle. Karla decided to intervene. She told her mom that Harry is allowed to moved items because of the Renovation. ( Karla mom Lynn was there supposedly trying to comfort Karla because of her Grammy May passing) But anyways after sometime Karl and Harry decided to go to the decrepit cottage next door to find out what Fitzs had to show Karla. But when both Harry and Karla went in they found Fitz body slumped down with a note on his stomach. Come to find out it was not a suicide like they had thought. Then on another occasion Karla boyfriend Grif from way back found a skeleton on in the same Bellflower cottage. This was an alright book. But was lacking some parts to me in the story. Loved her pup Gucci
May 31, 2023
A quick and easy read, the first bellbrook murder mystery keeps readers guessing until the very end. For those who enjoy Joann Fluke’s novels, this series is one I would highly recommend!
May 10, 2022
This is the 1st book in the Bellbrook Murder Mystery series and it's a great start! The story moved at a nice pace and it's refreshing to have well developed characters in the first book. I enjoyed everything about the book and found it to be a totally enjoyable read. I'll be looking forward to book 2. I received an ARC of this book.
September 17, 2022
Good book.
This was a really good mystery. I can't say I loved the main character, but I kinda liked her. My favorite character was the dad, Dean.
This was a really good mystery. I can't say I loved the main character, but I kinda liked her. My favorite character was the dad, Dean.
April 28, 2022
Karla Bell has returned to Bellbrook after attending her grandmother May's funeral and inheriting all her property except her money which she left to Lynn, Karla's estranged mother. She is having the two cottages, Mirabel and Bellflower renovated and when going to meet with the contractor, she and Harry, the gardner, find the body of Keith Fitzgibbon, the contractor. Dean, her father and sheriff, arrives with Maxine, her younger half sister. Her friend, Robyn is both the coroner and town doctor. It is soon discovered that the death was murder and that there were numerous suspects and rumors are flying in small town style. Can the family find the killer and the reason behind the murder?
I am voluntarily reviewing this book after receiving it free from the author.
I am voluntarily reviewing this book after receiving it free from the author.
April 26, 2022
Karla has a successful business but moved back to her hometown to help her ailing grandmother. Unfortunately she died not long after Karla had returned. Now she’s fixing up her grandmothers house when the man doing the work is found dead! Now Karla is determined to find out why and who had done the murderer before her reputation can be affected with all the people who like to talk in small towns! I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
April 26, 2022
a well constructed murder
I shall enjoy keeping up this this series as it was a most enjoyable read. It was well written. The characters grew with the story. The story line flowed well. Well done!
I shall enjoy keeping up this this series as it was a most enjoyable read. It was well written. The characters grew with the story. The story line flowed well. Well done!
April 27, 2022
A pretty good mystery to read. I enjoyed getting to know each of the characters as the story progressed. Lots of unexpected twists in turns in this 'who dun it'.
April 26, 2022
I received an ARC for my honest opinion on this book. I e joked getting to know these characters and am ready for the next one!
July 4, 2022
This was one twisty mystery that kept me guessing right up to the end! I loved the Canadian small town setting that seemed like it'd be a fun little place to visit. The characters pulled me right in, and I loved how Karla could detect lies in people. It was just so much fun that her dad was police chief and her sister Max was an officer. Add to the mix that Karla's bestie Rob aka Robyn was the coroner, and she had a whole collection of ways to get case info sneakily lol.
When I first heard about the mom who abandoned Karla, I was ready not to like this woman at all, but I gotta say I'm as surprised as Karla was that I actually did take to Lynn and she started growing on me. She was awfully useful in the showdown with a killer too. Luckily said showdown was less in the line of danger for Lynn and Karla as it was danger for the perp itself. She'd already proven her bravery, but if she can stick around town, maybe Karla and Lynn can actually grow into a mom/daughter relationship of some sort.
Karla's got the coolest mixed family consisting of actual family and super good family friends who might as well be related. I'm eager to borrow the next book in KU and read more about these characters and their little town.
When I first heard about the mom who abandoned Karla, I was ready not to like this woman at all, but I gotta say I'm as surprised as Karla was that I actually did take to Lynn and she started growing on me. She was awfully useful in the showdown with a killer too. Luckily said showdown was less in the line of danger for Lynn and Karla as it was danger for the perp itself. She'd already proven her bravery, but if she can stick around town, maybe Karla and Lynn can actually grow into a mom/daughter relationship of some sort.
Karla's got the coolest mixed family consisting of actual family and super good family friends who might as well be related. I'm eager to borrow the next book in KU and read more about these characters and their little town.
April 15, 2022
Wow! What a story. This is a great first book that introduces a wonderful new series by Reagan Davis. In this story, Karla uproots her entire life to move back to Bellbrook after the death of her grandma, May. As Karla is working with a contractor to renovate the cottages on the property, more deaths occur and the whole town is on edge. Since the deaths happen at Bellbrook, Karla needed to solve the crimes to clear the family name. When Karla talks to people, she has a way of deciphering whether a person is lying or not. She calls it a “Tell”. Will Karla, her dog, Gucci and the help of her family, solve these murders and save the family name?
The story contained a great combination of murder, mystery, suspense and humor. I found the mystery engaging and there were plenty of hilarious moments. Throw in the twists and turns of the mystery and you have a great read. If you have read and enjoyed Reagan’s other series, “Knitorious”, you will enjoy this series. This is going to be another great series! This book is well-written and I would recommend it to anyone looking for an engaging cozy mystery to read.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The story contained a great combination of murder, mystery, suspense and humor. I found the mystery engaging and there were plenty of hilarious moments. Throw in the twists and turns of the mystery and you have a great read. If you have read and enjoyed Reagan’s other series, “Knitorious”, you will enjoy this series. This is going to be another great series! This book is well-written and I would recommend it to anyone looking for an engaging cozy mystery to read.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 15, 2022
I have enjoyed Reagan Davis" Knitorious series immensely and now I have a new must read series to add to my list. A Well Constructed Murder, the first book in the Bellbrook Murder mystery series, was a great read. Karla Bell is starting renovations on the estate she inherited from her grandmother. As if renovations weren't difficult enough, she and groundskeeper, Harry, have found the contractor dead in one of the cottages. Now in addition to dealing with the grief of losing her grandmother, Karla must find the killer to clear herself as well as family members and friends from the suspect list.
I look forward to getting to know the wonderful, quirky cast of characters as this series continues. The humor throughout the book had me laughing out loud in several spots and I did not suspect the killer until the reveal. I highly recommend A Well Constructed Murder to all cozy mystery readers.
I look forward to getting to know the wonderful, quirky cast of characters as this series continues. The humor throughout the book had me laughing out loud in several spots and I did not suspect the killer until the reveal. I highly recommend A Well Constructed Murder to all cozy mystery readers.
May 22, 2023
A fun cozy mystery that keeps you guessing till the end. When her Grandmother passes away she inherits the manor by the sea and two cottages and all of the contents. Repairs are needed and the manor and one cottage has been boarded up since her Grandmother died. Murder ensues and a man she hired is found dead. Suspects are numerous and another death occurs an accident with faulty installation of a bathroom remodel. Strange things are happening in her town and she handles all of the mayhem. I enjoyed this story and recommend it.
May 1, 2023
Karla just lost her Grandmother. She was the anchor that made Karla feel safe. Now that she's gone, Karla must deal with her loss as well as face the responsibility of her inheritance. I was sure that this intelligent and independent woman could deal with the responsibility but things get really complicated when Fitz is murdered in one of her cottages. He 's the handman she hired to renovate her property. Who killed him? Karla feels responsible so she starts investigating. I wasn't surprised.
With her complicated family history. It made sense. Karla's father is the Sheriff and her half-sister is on the police force. She's definitely involved. The setting is perfect. I like a small town. The characters are interesting. I liked them and wanted to know more about them. Gucci is a sweet distraction. The plot was well developed and suspenseful. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.
With her complicated family history. It made sense. Karla's father is the Sheriff and her half-sister is on the police force. She's definitely involved. The setting is perfect. I like a small town. The characters are interesting. I liked them and wanted to know more about them. Gucci is a sweet distraction. The plot was well developed and suspenseful. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.
April 29, 2023
When you get an inheritance, and have to deal with the family you left behind, you never expect murder. Not one, but two dead corpses, and somehow you get to reestablish your broken relationship with your mother, who left you long ago. The p!it unfolds, leading you to your high school sweetheart, as well as the mystery of your family's missing safe deposit box contents. Fun read!
April 23, 2022
This new series should be a winner. The first book is great with interesting characters and a fascinating mystery. I'm looking forward to the next one.
June 20, 2022
Great read!
I enjoyed the new characters and town. Thus book was well written and very entertaining.
I am looking forward to more .
I enjoyed the new characters and town. Thus book was well written and very entertaining.
I am looking forward to more .
July 28, 2022
This is a spinoff from her Knitorious series. It continues the story of Karla Bell, a main character in Murder it Seams. It kept my interest even though Karla wasn't one of my favorite characters. I liked her better in this series. Ms. Davis continues to create memorable names for the small town businesses. She is also starting to build a strong ensemble of supporting characters. I think I'm going to enjoy this series, but I hope she will continue to write new books in the Knitorious series.
June 11, 2023
Exciting cozy!
Oh my...a new cozy series following a human lie detector surrounded by family drama, juicy gossip, and loads of secrets? I need to go find the next book!
Oh my...a new cozy series following a human lie detector surrounded by family drama, juicy gossip, and loads of secrets? I need to go find the next book!
April 15, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this book. I always hope that the first book in a new series by an author that I have really enjoyed reading in the past turns out to be good. This is going to be a great series! I love how the author pulled all the strings together to reveal the steps that lead to knowing all the answers. That was entertaining as well as eye-opening!
March 19, 2023
Well written short that is continued under another title.
October 11, 2022
A cozy mystery with more twist and turns than a roller coaster. In this book, the girls are a bit older. Karla owns a business that caters to VIP clientele, Max is a police officer who works with Dean (Karla and Max's father), and Rob is a doctor and part time coroner. Lynn, Dean's ex and Karla's mother, arrived for her mother and Karla's grandmother's funeral. Karla hires Fitz to renovate the cabins. When Karla and Harry find Fitz dead, that's when the roller coaster ride begins. I was unable to guess who the murderer was. I claim that as an awesome murder mystery.
April 7, 2023
Received a Kindle copy as a Goodreads giveaway. I liked the community of characters and, the plot kept me guessing. It was interesting to see facets of Karla's ADHD used in a positive light.
April 22, 2023
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and it was such a fun little mystery. It kept me guessing while also dropping clues throughout to the point I felt like I was one of the locals in on the investigation. Can't wait to read the next one!
April 23, 2023
Thanks for the free kindle copy.
An enjoyable read.
An enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews