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Review by Keira Morgan
Helen Hollick’s cozy historical mystery is set in 1973 rural North Devon, where shy librarian Jan Christopher and her aunt and uncle visit her police-officer fiancé, Laurie, and his parents for his village’s biggest event—the Chappletawton Flower and Vegetable Show. What should be a cheerful summer gathering soon turns dark as rivalry, pride, and gossip spiral into vandalism and murder. When the local squire and a local TV personality are drawn into the burgeoning scandal, Jan and Laurie must help uncover the truth before the fair’s good name is ruined.
Hollick vividly creates the world of the 1970s—the clothes, politics, social issues, even open access to Stonehenge—while immersing readers in the world of a traditional English village fair. Her characters are charmingly eccentric, her dialogue quick and natural, and the pacing measured yet engaging. The mystery develops organically from village life, with rivalries and twists that feel both surprising and believable. Though the resolution may not satisfy every reader’s wish, it fits with the story’s tone. Warm, witty, and vividly nostalgic, this entry in the Jan Christopher series is an enjoyable, well-crafted read that leaves one eager for the next installment.
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