Truth be told. I wasn’t exactly interested in this book when I first saw it in for review in Netgalley. The cover does not look attractive enough for me, but I have come to learn to never judge a book from it’s cover, especially if the book in question is offered for free as an ARC.

I’m glad I requested Advent of a Mystery by Marilyn Leach, for it’s really a thrilling mystery to read. The story and the plot was sensational, and somehow, it reminds me of the time when I was still working in the newsroom  as a reporter.

Advent of a Mystery was set in a quaint fictional English Village. The story starts off with Berdie Elliott, a retired investigative reporter, and her retired husband. Her husband is now a parish priest and a respectable member of the society and they’re starting a new life together.

During the annual Christmas party, words seem to fly between some of the parish members which eventually leads to murder. Strange enough, they already have a suspect tried and convicted before they even have them caught. Naturally Berdie being who she is starts investigating right away even though her husband is determined to keep her out of it.

There are alot of  questions that came to my mind when I read this book.They are:

Who did kill Miss Livingstone who is better known as “The Lavender Lady” Was it the new stranger in town or one of the locals or was it someone that Berdie knew?

Could the Advent wreath and candles hold a clue to the murder of the innocent lady? Does the death of a old war hero years ago fit into the picture somehow?

Anyway, this is a thrilling book to read. There’s a lot of element embedded into this fiction, and I enjoyed it very much. This book have a homey feeling, and it’s one book that you would not want to miss, especially on a rainy day.

I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

From the back of the book:

For lovers of classic Agatha Christie mysteries and Jan Karon village characters, this English set mystery is sure to please. Berdie Elliott, the wife of the new parish priest, thought she left her old life as an investigative reporter behind her, but she soon discovers a village full of secrets when a man dies at a Christmas celebration. Could a clue to his demise be hidden in an advent wreath? Can Berdie curb her natural instincts to get involved in both a mystery and a romance, or will she let the local law handle things?

I received this ARC from Barbour Publishing via Netgalley.