(Miss Merrill and Aunt Violet Mystery, Book Four) by Anita Davison – a gripping and unputdownable Golden Age cozy crime mystery, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Helena Dixon and Verity Bright.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
March 14, 2025 Publication Date
Boldwood Books
About the Book:
Nobody should be in the market… for murder!
Even though its famous opera house has shuttered its doors for the war, Covent Garden remains one of the most exciting, bustling areas of London. It’s where Hannah Merrill and Aunt Violet have their bookshop and, in spite of the recent spate of burglaries in the area, it’s generally thought to be a good neighbourhood.
So Hannah is surprised when she sees a fellow shopkeeper – a jeweller named Jacob Cornelis – having a heated argument with a stranger. Especially when the next day Cornelis is found dead in his shop, apparently the victim of another burglary.
But what shocks Hannah more is when she meets the policeman supposedly there to investigate the crime. Because he is none other than the man who Hannah saw arguing with Cornelis the day before.
Hannah knows it’s up to her and Violet to investigate. But they don’t know they’re about to uncover a secret underworld of theft, murder and blackmail. And they must act fast, before the Covent Garden Killer strikes again…
My Review:
After I read Murder at Midwinter Manor (Miss Merrill and Aunt Violet Mystery #3) (which I loved), I found myself wishing I could spend time with Hannah and Aunt Violet in their London bookshop. Thanks to book four, Murder in Covent Garden, I got my wish! What a wonderful historical mystery series. I love the setting of WWII London and what better place to be than a cozy bookshop.
The characters are wonderful – Hannah is our main star in this entry and even though she’s just a little impulsive, I can’t blame her – she’s on the hunt for truth and justice! She’s fearless and not afraid to defy the conventions of the time. Aunt Violet takes a little bit of a back seat in this investigation, but her suffragette heart is still a part of the story. I loved getting to see the side characters in the book shop come to life as well.
There’s a big reveal towards the end that had my mouth hanging open. While I had part of the resolution figured out, I certainly didn’t have all of it.
Lots of fun – solid mystery with lots of layers, wonderful characters, some light romance and delightfully cozy details.
About the Author:
Anita was brought up in London, a city with a history that has always fascinated her and influenced her first attempts at writing. Her first three novels featured a 17th Century West Country family on the losing side of the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685. Other previous work includes an Edwardian Cosy Mystery series featuring amateur sleuth, Flora Maguire set in early 20th Century London and Cheltenham. Anita’s most recent work is the Miss Merrill and Aunt Violet Mysteries set in WWI from Boldwood Books.
Author Links:
Twitter: @AnitaSDavison
Instagram: @anitadavison3740
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