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Cherringham - Scared to Death

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Member Reviews

Another solid like to this series. I appreciate how the authors come up with enough differences even though there are some similarities between stories. (Manors, old (wealthy) men who get bumped off, etc.) Because of the length of these stories it's hard to come up with any real surprises or twists since the cast of suspects are usually quite small, but I found Scared an enjoyable short read.

At this particular time with the #metoo movements, I really like how Sarah contributes just as much to the stories as Jack. She's a younger MIss Marple to Jack's Hercule Poirot.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

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Cherrington-scared to death by matthew costello and neil richards.
When classic horror movie star Basil Coates becomes the victim of a series of scary pranks, the local police put it down to a crazed fan. Just pranks, after all ...
But with Halloween only days away, the spectre of murder suddenly visits the ghostly Coates mansion on the hill outside Cherringham - and Jack and Sarah find themselves caught in a mystery worthy of Basil’s spookiest roles ...
A absolutely fantastic read with great characters. I really enjoyed this book. Could see it as a movie or mini series. 5*. Highly recommended.

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I have not read any other books in this series, and I did find the authors employ rather different writing style, with the characters talking themselves in and out of situations....rather foolishly in some instances. A very quick read and lacking an interesting plot.

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“When classic horror movie star Basil Coates becomes the victim of a series of scary pranks, the local police put it down to a crazed fan. Just pranks, after all ...

But with Halloween only days away, the spectre of murder suddenly visits the ghostly Coates mansion on the hill outside Cherringham - and Jack and Sarah find themselves caught in a mystery worthy of Basil's spookiest roles …

About the Series
Set in the sleepy English village of Cherringham, the detective series brings together an unlikely sleuthing duo: English web designer Sarah and American ex-cop Jack. Thrilling and deadly - but with a spot of tea - it's like Rosamunde Pilcher meets Inspector Barnaby. Each of the self-contained episodes is a quick read for the morning commute, while waiting for the doctor, or when curling up with a hot cuppa.”

This book sounded like a great read, but sadly I felt it didn’t live up to its description. While I loved the idea behind the story, pranks occurring at the old movie star Basil Coates home, I found the actual story to be lacking. It was an easy, fun read but it didn’t quite capture my attention. All the “pranks” that occurred at his house, were all scenes from his movie the mummy returns. In that movie he met his beautiful wife, and supposedly the rest is history, quickly though you find out that is not the whole story. And now suddenly. Sail is dead after one particularly scary prank, and the two detectives work quickly to figure out what happened. I felt that once this happened the book moved too quickly and the killer was obvious, no twist or surprise in who killed him, once they spoke to the old crew member who did all the props for his movies.

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American television writer Matthew Costello and British TV producer Neil Richards have apparently been collaborating on a cozy mystery series for a while now. I never felt that I was at a loss with this novella even though I was clearly coming into a novella in the middle. But I never much enjoyed Scared to Death, which wasn’t the least bit scary. That’s forgivable. What’s not was that the book was not the least bit suspenseful. What is was, was predictable: By chapter 6, I’d figured out the why, and soon after, I figured out who.

Retired NYPD copper Jack Brennan and Sarah Edwards, a British web designer turned sidekick, ply the private detective trade in the Cotswold town of Cherringham. But they’re a cliché, as is their relationship. Predictable plot, charmless protagonists, I won’t be back for more.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, »be« by Bastei Entertainment, and Bastei Lübbe AG in exchange for an honest review.

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Scared to Death was my first visit to Cherringham, but I’m sure it won’t be my last. It’s a novella, as are most of this series and I really enjoyed it.

Sarah and Jack are well-known for solving local mysteries, so when someone is “playing pranks” on Basil Coates, an elderly man who was once the horror film star, his still enchanting wife, a former star herself, calls on the duo to find out what’s going on.

It’s a quick story, but self-contained. We get a good feel for who Sarah and Jack are, although I’m not sure if they’re just friends or if there’s a potential for more there. I’m hoping the former. The authors also do a good job at fully developing the secondary characters, the Coates househould. There are a couple plausible suspects and Sarah and Jack do a good job at following upon the clues. There was one choice Sarah made that I wish she hadn’t, but women amateur detectives seldom seem to have the best sense of self-preservation.

It’s a perfect Halloween read, spooky and fun.

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A very descriptive book, gave the reader lots of adjectives to describe feelings and emotions. I got a sense of the surroundings, particularly the house. I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome as the murderer wasn't who I thought.

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An extremely quick mystery read. Well, I think I read it in one sitting. I don’t know whether it was because the story was short, or very captivating, or both. Probably both.

I really enjoy this kind of story. True to its advertising (mystery book), short, to the point, yet full of ‘meat’ and very compelling. I actually imagining this book, well this series, as a TV series. I would love to watch them, and I’m not TV watcher.

I was provided a complementary copy by the author / publisher through NetGalley, but this in no way influenced my thoughts or opinions.

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A great short mystery novel for the Halloween holiday season. This is the first novel in the series I have read. The author acquaints you quickly with the story of Jack and Sarah. Sarah has returned to Cherringham after her divorce with her 2 children and owns a web design company. Jack Brennan is a retired homicide detective from the US who resides on a canal boat with his dog. The two are friends and often find themselves mixed up in the local murders.
Jack is called on by Basil Coates, the older horror movie star who owns the big, crumbling mansion, to investigate scary pranks that have elements from the horror films he starred in. Jack enlists Sarah to help. Of course, a murder ensues and Jack and Sarah find themselves not tracking down a prankster, but a murderer.
Short and sweet, the mystery is still solid. Really enjoyed and will certainly be looking up the prior novels to read! Thanks Netgalley and be-ebooks for the ARC.

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The latest tale from Cherringham - in a long running series of shorts with several full length novels available too. As a whole, this series is a firm favourite of mine and I have enjoyed them all without exception. They are well written cosy crime reads set in the picturesque village of Cherringham featuring the sleuthing duo - Jack and Sarah. This latest offering - Scared To Death - does not disappoint. The duo fund themselves embroiled in a tale suitable for the Halloween period - but are they dealing simply with Halloween pranks or a more sinister situation? If you enjoy your crime tales with an afternoon tea thrown in then this is for you. An enjoyable quick read with, hopefully, many more on the horizon.

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A super fast quick read that has the reader wondering what actually is happening, is it real is it a horrible prank, or is it paranormal? Sarah and Jack have a great relationship that helps them trust each other and help them solve their many mysteries, friends, more than friends? Thank you NetGalley and Matthew Costello for allowing me to read this ARC and write a honest review.

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