Guest Post by Marilyn Leach ~ The Draw of Writing British Cozy Mysteries

Though I grew up in the Western United States, I became a dyed-in-the-wool British enthusiast after exploring the UK and making friends there.  My travels throughout England color me and my written works.  My most recent works include the Berdie Elliott Mysteries, a series of English whodunits that tickle the brain and add a giggle or two.

If I can't live in England, then living lakeside on the Front Range of Colorado is the next best thing. 

Lindsfarne Castle

The North of England grabbed me by the throat and won my heart the moment I stepped onto its soil.  I knew this untamed part of England, Northumbria, near the Scottish borders, was abundant fuel for stories.

 

When first I saw Lindesfarne Castle loom over the landscape of tiny Holy Island, the wind blew the rush of modern life from my soul, and the history of the place settled in like a warm cup of tea on a blustery day.  My story would be a mystery set in current day but with roots reaching back into history.

Whitby Abby inspired Criswell Abby 

All Hallows Dead: A Berdie Elliott Saints Day Mystery is the fruit of that idea.  Berdie and husband Hugh, a vicar, are attending a church course in Northumbria when Berdie’s captivated by the mysteries of an ancient church.  Two “accidental” deaths occur in circumstances she finds questionable.  Set among the ruins of Criswell Abbey, Berdie discovers truths that will impact Criswell’s entire village, from a local pub owner to the lord of the manner.

Of course, there’s plenty of humor as Berdie and her best friend, Lillie, get into circumstances that make us chuckle, all while solving dastardly events.

Blurb:

How can a sixteenth-century saint help solve a twenty-first-century crime?

When Berdie Elliott, vicar’s wife and sleuth extraordinaire, attends a church course with her husband in the North of England, she bumps into her former newspaper boss who calls upon her to investigate beguiling circumstances that spell murder.  

From the landed Cavendish family to the local pub’s manager, Criswell Abbey and its village are steeped in a centuries-old mystery.  The legend of a departed churchman, a mysterious bell tower, England’s tangled history, a delayed marriage proposal, and a wily parrot all help Berdie to declare the truth in All Hallows Dead. 

All Hallows Dead is a perfect read for this time of year. 

All Saints Day, November 1, marks our collective memory of those devoted pilgrims that have marched on in faith before us.  During this season, a comfy chair, hot beverage, and snuggly throw are all amenities that make reading All Hallows Dead an enjoyable event.

Buy: 

Amazon

Find Marilyn:

Website | Amazon Page

Lastingham Stairs

And now All Hallows Dead