This book feels like a cross between the Aurora Teagarden Mysteries series and Death in Paradise. It would make a perfect Hallmark movie and is very much a cosy mystery in an idyllic setting.

The Windmill Café: Autumn Leaves by Poppy Blake is a delightful contemporary mystery that will entertain whilst having the reader glued and guessing.
For anyone who knows the BBC series Death In Paradise, Autumn Leaves has a similar format and atmosphere. It is very much a light-hearted read whilst characters bond around cake.
Village life is uncomplicated – or is it? A community atmosphere where everyone pulls together could not possibly hide a potential murderer – or could it?
Autumn Leaves shows amateur super sleuthing at its best. Reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple, the reader follows two would be crime busters as bit by bit they try to piece together the action.
Everyone has a motive but only one committed the crime. Can you guess who before the big reveal?
A really fun light hearted escape that entertains. It would make a fabulous channel 5 afternoon movie.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

What a beautifully written feel good book, loved the friendship and beginnings of a romance angle.

I haven’t read the first book in this series but I effortlessly read this and soon got to know the characters and caught up on their back stories.

Rosie who runs the Windmill Cafe and always has an abundance of beautifully made cakes (I’m just envious) goes off for a night of outdoor camping with the handsome Matt and the members of the group “Myth Seekers Society” . Unfortunately the next day one of their party has disappeared and they find him with an arrow sticking out of his ankle!!!

Rosie and Matt join forces again to find the culprit.

Loved this as it was so easy to read and you get caught up in the mystery of it all. I had my suspect all sorted out and I’m glad to say I was wrong. This is my kind of Sunday reading, cuddled up under a fluffy blanket, glass of wine in hand and before you know it,you will have finished this book.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.

This was a very charming little story. From the cute cover art to the likeable characters and sweet setting, I enjoyed everything about this book. I will definitely be looking for more from Poppy Blake.

Another good book by Poppy Blake but it doesnt differ from all the other cafe books already out there as they are all set on the southern coast of England....
Theres a cosy crime oif you can describe it as one, a good set of genres going in this book and i just enjoyed it.... i do like a good book to emmerse myself and this did the trick.

Ive stopped reading this book after reading fifty pages. My interest keeps getting lost. Due to the fact multiple times the story retells in minimum details that somethings has happened before with Rosie, which I dont see the point in this story. Furthermore, the story begins by telling from a third perspective instead of Rosie. I get confused throughout reading. That is way I wont be able to read this story any further.
Im sorry. Thank you for letting me read this anyway.

Good follow on from the first book in the series in fact I have to say I preferred this instalment. A satisfying cosy mystery with cake thrown in for good measure, it’s hard to beat. I hadn’t completely guessed who the perpetrator was but did have a bit of an inkling but the twists and turns make you doubt your decision! The ending however I certainly did not guess! Looking forward to the next instalment.

A nice enjoyable story. Easy reading. This book is part of a series, and even though i have not read the previous book, I feel they can be read alone. For fans of quaint village life, cafes and a dollop of mystery, then this is for you. I have to read the next book, as this one ended in soap opera style, will she wont she.

Review of The Windmill Cafe: Autumn Leaves. Written by Poppy Blake. Published by Harper Impulse 2018.
So, with the Autumn Chill in the air reminding us of why we keep socks in our sock drawer and a warm woolly in the wardrobe, let’s sit down and think about the wonder that is the Windmill Café. While we review the second instalment of the series from Poppy Blake we can rest assured that Rosie will be somewhere waiting on her latest batch of chocolate and pecan brownies to be baked to perfection. The writer has created a route for us to wind our way back to this quirky cafe, so that we can all ‘partake in that trio of female solace; cocktails, cake and gossip.’ And boy, is there plenty of gossip to be had. Before we can even begin to discuss the finer ingredients and details of Rosie’s love life or the latest dubious designs of Mia’s culinary attire and accoutrements, there is another mystery on our hands. This time the situation is bleak and from it enough dirt could be dished to threaten the livelihoods of those she holds most dear.
Reading this series, it is easy to become a binging ‘bookaholic’ as Rosie calls us avid readers, the writer will have you turning the pages as if you yourself are tied to one of the infamous windmill’s rotary blades, you will not want to slow down this roundabout! There are so many delightful turns of phrases that will have you chuckling out loud – who can’t relate to looking more ‘bird’s nest than Sunday best’ for example. The plot proudly plumps one foot in front of the other via jolly jaunts to the Drunken Duck and some lip-smacking side-tracking through the village.
This year I reviewed a Jane Austen themed edition of Midsomer Murders and with Rosie Barnes around there is always a similar piece of the action to be found in the wilds of Willerby. However, with her peppermint apron with the little white windmill logo as her armour and a wooden spoon in her hand Rosie delves deep into the situation and is not afraid to dish up some home truths of her own, either to herself or to others. Rosie is endearing and encouraging, like a fabby-fun big sister who also serves up a sensible side portion of wisdom along with her self-deprecating wit. She balances the scales of life – accepting as she has, thanks to her friend Matt, that ‘happiness can co-exist with sadness’ and she adds a great big dollop of gratitude onto every day. The Windmill Café has offered her a place of hope to dwell in whilst the seasons change, and the temperatures tumble. With a special place in her heart growing for her friend Matt, who really lives up to his name for he truly is a ‘gift’ to her at this time in her life, Rosie is beginning to feel quite settled in the community and is happily entering into the spirit of the season. Who really knows? the future may or may not be rosy for Miss Rosie Barnes and her friends, but with a circle of compadres as special as hers, one thing is for sure - it is most definitely bright. Her Dad would be proud and perhaps would remind Rosie and all of us – that happiness is not a destination but is in fact in the joy of the journey. This is a romp of a read that will leave you chomping at the bit for the third book in the series. Now, about that chocolate brownie.....
Coffee Cup Conversations and Teapot Talking Points:
If you and I dear reader were sitting down together today, perhaps in a cosy corner of the Windmill Café itself, having both read the book, here are a few of the points we could mull over together, whilst trying out one of Rosie’s tasty temptations of course.
What is your signature bake?
My daughter is a fantastic baker – she takes Mary Berry’s recipes and they actually turn out as they look in the accompanying photograph. I bet even Mary herself wouldn’t turn down a serving or two. I have such wonderful memories of standing her and her brothers on the chair in the kitchen and helping her to hold the food mixer as we baked our way through her toddlerhood and beyond. Now I have to stop her and ask her to show me ‘how you did that’ and she tackles recipes that I recoil from in terror. In my attempts to exercise more control over the calories that I eat I am enjoying baking banana loaves, and much to my eldest son’s chagrin, I do make a mean courgette and cardamom cake!
What is it about the windmill that we all find so endearing?
One of the songs from childhood that I remember most fondly is the tale of the mouse in old Amsterdam, living in the windmill, going ‘clip, clippety clop on the stair’ and Jonathan Creek the great magical musing detective got to live in one! There is something about that image that we all warm to I think. Maybe it is the idea of the homestead and the miller making the flour to make the bread that fed the whole village. Later in my life Don Quixote loomed large and he made me laugh as he tilted his sword and charged at all the windmills in La Mancha – believing them to be fearsome warriors on the attack.
Who is your favourite TV Detective of old or new?
The mention of Midsomer Murders got me thinking of good old John Nettles – and the cracker that was Bergerac – I really did enjoy the weekly jaunts out to Jersey – although what sort of unfortunate crime magnet of an Island was it? I also loved Juliet Bravo and Frost – but a special place in my heart will always be kept for Cagney and Lacey. I really enjoyed singing along to the theme tune and pretending to jump around corners with my gun, just like they did. The funniest scenes were in the ladies’ loos as I remember – ahh! Those were the days!!

A whodunit in a chicklit style. I liked the book, it was very enjoyable, but I think possibly reading the first book would have been more beneficial, it was not too bad without having done so though.

A lovely beach read.

Another nice easy read in ‘The windmill cafe’ series. The books are like reading an episode of a mystery program on the television. It kept me entertained and intrigued to the end. Looking forward to the next in the series to see how Rosie and Matts relationship unfolds.

The Windmill Cafe, Autumn Leaves is the second instalment in this mystery/foodie series.
The first instalment I didn’t really love, it was ok but I feel this next one is better although I do have a few knarks, which even now leave me a bit baffled. Rosie runs the windmill cafe and little bits of her past are being revealed scarcely, we know she fancies Matt but who is Matt?? We know he owns a local business and other little bits and bobs but I feel by the end of this novel I really don’t know any of the characters well so I hope the next instalment has more character depth.
On the whole I enjoyed this easy read but beware it does end on a cliff hanger and is probably the most exciting thing in the book!!
I would like to thank Netgalley and Harper Impulse, Killer Reads for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

A lovely little piece of cooler weather in the dreaded heat of summer :c)

My review has been posted to Goodreads.

Review has also been tweeted as usual.

Thank you! :c)

A lovely story, full of mystery, friendship and love.

This is the second book in a series of three, set in Autumn in the wonderful village of Willerby in Norfolk. The story is about Rosie and her very much loved Windmill Café which we are able to picture and be transported to due to such wonderful descriptions and narrative by Poppy Blake.

Rosie loves order, the Windmill Café is her haven and she loves nothing more than being in her immaculate, pristine kitchen, baking and cooking for her friends and customers.

This is a lovely book about life, collecting new memories, experiences, friendships and happiness despite going through much sadness in her life. One of Rosie’s mottos is that Life is a journey, not a destination.

Once I started reading the Windmill Café, I really wanted to know what happened and whether or not they solved the mystery! It is a very thought provoking book and keeps you engaged right to the end.

It would be great to see some of the recipes at the back of the book that were made in the Windmill Café! The fig and walnut scones, and pineapple and coconut cookies sound delicious! You could almost smell the wonderful baking aromas as you read the book! I would love to visit the Windmill Café!

I am very much looking forward to reading the third book in this series, The Windmill Café: Christmas Trees, which is out on 14th September 2018.

The Windmill Cafe is a well written romance/mystery. Enjoyed the plot and the author’s writing. I had not read book one and that didn’t pose a problem. Oozy mystery fans will enjoy this one.

Summer Breeze, the first in The Windmill Cafe series by Poppy Blake, was a story that I stumbled upon quite by accident but I was certainly glad I did so. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the first instalment as I feel books centred around cafés have been done to death recently. But with this brilliant series Poppy Blake has brought something totally fresh, new and innovative to the genre. This being the inclusion of a mystery element. Normally, I'm not the biggest fan of mystery books so I would have never have expected this to be present judging the book on its cover but I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed the story. It doesn't have the twee cosy crime element either instead we have a lovely balance between Rosie and her job running the Windmill Café in the town of Willerby in Norfolk and some romance is thrown in too. But trouble and strife always seem to arrive at her door with a conundrum/mystery to be solved and it makes for a riveting, page turning read.

Thankfully I didn't have to wait too long for the second story in the planned trilogy. Autumn Leaves with its gorgeous cover called out to me as soon as it landed on my Kindle and knowing how much I loved my first introduction to Rosie and co I got stuck straight in and thoroughly adored my return visit. The stories can easily be read as stand alone adventures but to get a real flavour of just how brilliant Poppy Blake's writing is I would suggest you start with Summer Breeze.

A new season is approaching at the café where Rosie is manager. It's a place that offers comfort, warmth and contentment and within the first few pages your mouth will certainly be watering at all the descriptions of such delectable cakes and treats that are on offer. Chocolate and pecan brownies, blackberry and apple roulade, pumpkin and treacle tarts, apricot and cranberry brownie. I could go on and on but suffice to say don't read this book on an empty stomach. Rosie is preparing for the Autumn Leaves Halloween party but understandably given the events that occurred during the Summer she is anxious that all will go to plan. To be honest I think Rosie would be anxious anyway. It's in her nature, it's part of her character as well as her obsession with order and cleanliness. Everything in the café has its place and she can never rest easy until every surface is spotless. Routine and cleaning are part of her daily life and it seems as if she will never be able to relax with regard to this aspect of her personality.

We have already been privy to some aspects of Rosie's past and the reader can tell she is still hurting and it is hindering her moving on the present particularly when it comes to the romance element of the story. She is loosening up a bit but healing and opening up again takes time. I think Matt from Ultimate Adventures will be there for her no matter what. He is patient, kind and understanding and maybe the time is not quite right for things to go that little bit further. Apart from being able to focus on romance the pair have more than enough to keep them occupied especially with the arrival of a group of guests who stay on site at the holiday cottages near the café. What problems and worries await them as the Myth Seekers Society are on the lookout for ghostly and unusual happenings. They are legend lovers, thrill seekers and adrenalin junkies but will they get a lot more than they at first bargained for?

That is what is so great about this series, it's not the run of the mill setting up a café, it gets into difficulties and everyone has to club together to get things sorted and make a success of it. No the café is more a feature in the background as the members of the society cause trouble, unrest and upset which could be devastating for both the future of the café and Matt's adventure centre. The cynic in me thought, god ghosts and strange happenings this is all a bit far fetched and I will find parts of the story just laughable and boring but it's the way the author writes and develops the story that has you drawn in and wanting to keep turning the pages to see what happens that meant I forgot all my scepticism and just got lost in the story. I wanted to know who had been the person who let fly the arrow that hit Rick in the foot and led to plenty of secrets being unveiled. The night spent camping outside and visiting Garside Priory did not go to plan and Rosie was right to be worried before she embarked on the trip. I think she was very reluctant to go but she wanted to be there for Matt and support him with regard to his business just like he does the same for her. They have a beautiful friendship but the reader does wish they could really talk and get everything out in the open because they would just be so perfect together.

There are plenty of suspects in the case of who shot the arrow and as Rosie and Matt work together to find the answers so they can save the reputation of their respective business the story took on so many twists and turns. So much so you I never knew for sure until the very end who the actual culprit was and I was delighted to be kept guessing. At the end of every chapter I was convinced who it was but then within a few paragraphs of the next my opinion was changing and this happened time and time again. I wouldn't really blame anyone for wanting to get rid of Rick, even if the target didn't hit the desired spot. He was one of the most unlikeable characters I have read about in a long time. He was full of snide comments, put downs and his competitive streak left a lot to be desired. How the other members of the society put up with him I will never know but I suppose they all had their reasons for keeping him as a member.

Rick was obnoxious, rude, arrogant and in constant pursuit of superiority and wanting to gain one up on everybody else. But Matt and Rosie make a great team and with their shared love of puzzle solving they won't rest until they have all the answers and their journey to uncovering the truth kept the reader on their toes guessing. The development of their friendship and the support they offer each other through the trials of finding out who who was responsible only added to the overall brilliance of the book. Emma and Brad, Steph and Phil and Helen all had their own motives and I thought these were expertly woven into the story and then developed. Each character and their situation was given ample time and explanation as sometimes I feel given so much time is spent setting things up that it is such a shame when the fall out is never fully examined and analysed.

At the same time I think we got more inside Rosie's head and I understand her doubts and fears an awful lot more now. My only hope is that all these can be allayed at some stage in the future. Matt, too has his own worries and doubts and maybe with the pair working together they can resolve each others issues. Again as with book one the ultimate reveal/climax was brilliantly written and we were thrown plenty of curve balls which leave the reader breathless and excited to uncover what exactly happened once and for all. As for that ending, wow, what a cliffhanger and it throws everything so wide open. I was so frustrated that it had to end there but if it hadn't already guaranteed it Poppy Blake made sure you will return for part three Christmas Trees when it publishes in September. Bravo Poppy Blake for writing another first rate story.

Another book I jumped into without having read Book 1 of the series, but I don't think that made any difference to my enjoyment of this book! Especially when it turned out to be quite different from what I was expecting it to be - in a good way! This was more cosy crime than romance and I liked the mix of the genres, so hope to pick up Book 1 and see how the mystery solving duo did at the start!

Rosie is very happy with life as she bakes her favourite cakes in The Windmill Cafe, but as the season winds down she finds herself with some spare time and agrees to go with some friends on a overnight camping trip to discover some local folklore and watch the sunrise at Garside Priory. Matt, who runs the outdoor expedition centre, is keen to get her out of her comfort zone and gently teases her about her fears and reluctance to enjoy spending time under the stars!

While they are there though one of the party gets shot by an arrow, so the mystery needs to be solved as to who would attack one of the party in such a way. The more you hear about the man who was shot, the more you realise what an unpleasant bloke he is so the list of suspects is quite long!!

I really enjoyed the fun, relaxed feel to this book! There was plenty to keep you entertained and pondering just who the suspect would be! OOh and that twist at the end!!! Didn't see that coming! Bring on book 3!!!

I’m loving this series, this is book two in this series and is a fab quick and very costly read. Looking forward to the next installment!

This combines elements of a cozy with a light romance. It's a quick read (it's short!) and the characters are sweet. Rosie's got the Windmill Cafe but she's agreed to help Matt with his glamping business. Who would expect there to be a murderer who kills with a bow and arrow? In Willerby? Well, because this is short, you might figure out who-done-it pretty quickly but the real story here is the Rosie-Matt connection. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A nice diversion.

In this second book in the series, Rosie is still quite busy at the Windmill Café, but wonders if she wants more. Presently, she agrees to help her good friend Matt Wilson on one of his outdoor expeditions. After a drudging hike and a night's sleep, the first morning brings on worries. As leader of the expedition, Matt has an early morning pre-sunrise hike planned, but he and the rest of the group oversleep. Two things are quickly realized. They must've have been poisoned, causing them all to oversleep, and one of their party is missing, and is discovered after having been shot with an arrow, and it was no accident.

Meanwhile, although having suffered recent heartbreak at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, Rosie now finds herself quite drawn to Matt, and he seems to feel the same. Over the summer, there was a poisoning at the café, and Matt and Rosie teamed up to solve it, and it appears they plan on doing the same again this time, a crime-solving duo.

This is a cute story with a budding, sweet romance. Having not read the first in the series, I still felt connected enough with the story and the characters. This was a very quick read with a great little mystery. I was surprised at the ending, which means to get the complete story, the third book in the series must be read when it is released.

Many thanks to Harper Impulse and Killer Reads and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

Date of publication: June 29, 2018