A good book. Well written with great characters and a good plot. The storyline flows and the mystery is enjoyable. I highly recommend.,

This is the second book in the Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn Mystery series, but I had no problem reading it as a standalone. It is the holiday season and they are preparing for the Christmas Art Show. When Tiffany Reese, president of the Village Art Society, is found dead on the floor of the parish hall. When the death is ruled a natural death, Sister Agatha starts poking around, as she is sure it was murder by poison, not a natural heart attack.

I liked the characters of Sister Agatha and her friend Father Selwyn, as well as the other nuns. They were very up to date using cell phones and texting each other. This story is about a group of Anglican nuns and abbey. Father is an Anglican priest, so a bit different than what I was expecting. Gwenafwy Abbey is a rural Welsh convent, which actually takes in tenants to help make ends meet. They have a young American artist staying during this story. Sister Agatha was a hoot. She was constantly considering what some of her favourite detectives would do such as Stephanie Plum, Agatha Christie or even Jessica Fletcher. The other nuns helped where they could and even had an incident room set up in a Sunday School classroom. The mystery was well-written and developed. There were plenty of suspects, even family members. Throw in some twists and red herrings and I did not figure out who the killer was until the final clues were presented. My one complaint is that it tended to be overly descriptive and at times repetitive. I have only read a few books set in Wales, so I enjoyed the setting and learning a bit about the countryside. Overall a good cozy mystery with likable characters and an interesting mystery.

What an unusual group of characters! For me, the UK mystery settings are hit or miss, but this one was definetly a hit! Sister Agatha, might as well call her Miss Marple, local village slueth is a hoot and a half. Her able bodied Watson is a pastor no less and she has the rest of the Abbey posse aka the other nuns, as her back-ups. Sister Agatha seems ageless, and does a great job of channeling all the great detectives as she and her purple notebook with sharpie pen at the ready, get to the bottom of a murder than not even the police seem to think is a murder. Persistance pays off as she goes clue by clue, and there are quiet a few clues and even more suspects. The most confounding of the whole mystery is the Wizard of Oz guy who is obviously a loon. I would sugget this series to anyone who wants something to read while having a proper cup of Glengettie tea and a cranberry scone or Welsh cake.

When the body of Tiffany Reese is found on the floor of the parish hall, mystery-loving Sister Agatha can’t help but jump into her own investigation. With no shortage of suspects Sister Agatha with the help of Father Selwyn hopes to solve the murder before Christmas. Will Christmas be blessed by a solved murder?

This is the second book in the series but my first. I had no problem reading this book as there was enough of a backstory that I never felt lost or confused. The plot is well-written, characters are well-developed, and there are several well-placed red-herrings to the readers guessing. In addition to the murder and mystery, there is a heart-warming Christmas story in the end.

I voluntarily agreed to read a copy of this book supplied by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced by anyone.

This is a perfect read for when you’re in the mood for a festive yet decidedly cerebral murder mystery. The principal sleuths are Sister Agatha of Gwenafwy Abbey and Father Selwyn, priest of the local church, and the story is set in and around a remote Welsh village at Christmastime. As such, it would probably particularly appeal to fans of G.M. Malliet, James Runcie and Ellis Peters (and maybe of the Father Dowling TV show too!).

Sister Agatha of the Gwenafwy Abbey is writing a murder mystery so when Tiffany Reese is found dead just before the Art Festival she thinks things are a bit fishy even though the police rule death by natural causes. Sister Agatha starts her own investigation and eventually convinces the police that more details need to be checked.

Sister Agatha is a great character and when she teams up with Father Selwyn the two make a formidable Holmes and Watson. The background of the nuns and Abbey give the reader a sense of order to offset the chaos of the mystery investigation. Looking forward to the next one!

Oh this book! It was right up my cozy mystery heart alley. I couldn’t stop reading it or thinking about the case. It was delightful and refreshing. I really think this author is something special in the cozy mystery world.

The Hour Of Death is the second book in the Sister Agatha’s and Father Selwyn Mystery Series. Though it was the first I have read in the series and did not find it hard connecting and understanding the characters by starting with book 2.

Sister Agatha has a penchant for mysteries so when a rather bossy member of the community is found in Father Selwyn’s church slumped on the floor with a broken tea cup next to her, the police immediately determine that she must have had a heart attack, yet Sister Agatha is no so quick to agree. As the story progresses, more and more people had a motive to be rid of this very disagreeable woman.

The story twists and turns and keeps you interested throughout. I truly enjoyed Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn. Jane Willan has given s characters within this series that are likable and believable.

I truly enjoyed this book and fully intend on reading more by Jane Willan.

Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read this one! I didn't read the first in this series, but had no trouble following the story. I really liked Sister Agatha. Usually nuns are not my thing, but she's not your typical nun! A good mystery and other likable characters made for an enjoyable read. I'd read another in this series!

This mystery set during Advent in Wales at Gwenafwy Abbey. I loved getting to learn more about Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn and the other nuns at the Abbey. In this book they have taken in a border from the U.S. to help support the abbey. Lucy has recently graduated from art school and says that she has come to Wales to pursue her art, but she has another reason for coming to Wales that the sisters don't know about. Tiffany, the president of the Art Guild is found dead on the morning that the annual art show is supposed to begin. The police believe that she had a heart attack, but Sister Agatha thinks the death is suspicious and decides to look into it on her own. She often shows up to question people that she suspects may be involved and thinks that she is being subtle, but she really isn't. The mystery takes many turns and it was interesting to learn more about the characters in the town of Pryderi. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more books from this author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A light, enjoyable read - if not that exciting - which takes us to a rural Welsh convent. Sister Agatha is one of the resident nuns, one with a bit of a fetish for murder mysteries and who is writing her own, rather hard-boiled, mystery. Along with her friend, Father Selwyn, she becomes embroiled in the investigation of the murder of a woman in the village who wasn't well-liked. Was it a natural death, as the police seem to think, or something more sinister?

It moved along well, if slowly, and had a reasonably satisfying ending. I was able to follow the story and characters well despite this being the second in the series, and would probably read the next if I had the opportunity.

THE HOUR OF DEATH by Jane Willan is the second in a series featuring Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn and is set in rural Wales at Gwenafwy Abbey. This charming village mystery revolves around the suspicious death of unpopular resident Tiffany Reese, her missing painting, and a new visitor to the abbey, Lucy Penoyer who is an artist from America. The many characters, potential motives and possible alibis provide an easy-to-read escape for amateur sleuths.

This is the first I've read in this series, but I didn't feel lost or confused when it came to the characters. They were well-explained without going into much of the first story or giving any spoilers out.

I really enjoyed the characters of Sister Agatha and her friend Father Selwyn. It was like a Welsh version of the Father Dowling Mysteries from the 80s, only Sister is older in this and I would say Father is a bit younger than Father Dowling. The nuns are all so cool--they have cell phones and text each other, even the Reverend Mother and Father Selwyn. I didn't know there even were such things as Anglican nuns, so I learned a little bit about that as well. They even had a tenant as a way to make extra money, an American girl Lucy, who was there to concentrate on her art, but as many of the people in the mystery, she has a secret.

A prominent parishioner was killed right after Lucy gave a talk to the Art Society. Sister Agatha couldn't resist investigating when the death was ruled natural. I really got a kick out of her investigation methods. She was a big fan of Agatha Christie of course, as well as Stephanie Plum and Jessica Fletcher, plus some British TV detectives. It was kind of hilarious when they turned the kindergarten Sunday School room into an incident room complete with a murder board.

The mystery was well-written and plotted. I wasn't really sure until the very end when all the clues pointed to someone who the killer really was. There were some really good red herrings and plot twists going on. The ending was just a very heartwarming Christmas conclusion. I kind of hope that the character of Lucy sticks around awhile. In the meantime, I want to read the first book which I discovered I have on my Kindle.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

An absolutely charming, cozy mystery! The series follows an aspiring crime-writing nun, who moonlights as a sleuthing nun, along with her friend, the vicar, Father Selwyn on a small, island in Wales. It's set at Christmas time, so the perfect story to curl up in a warm blanket with some tea and dive into this little town. Sister Agatha is just lovely and feisty. This series reminded me very much of G.M. Malliet's series, that also follows a small-town, British crime-solving Vicar. I loved the other nuns and how the author, through Sister Agatha, made several shout-outs to Agatha Christie, Louise Penney and Janet Evanovich's charming Miss Stephanie Plum. The author is a bit repetitive with certain phrases, but I got so lost in the story, I honestly started not to care. I love a good mystery novel and this author has created a lovely cast of characters, in a lovely village, and uses good old-fashioned detective work to solve their murder mysteries. I am very excited to have found this new series and cannot wait to read more adventures of Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn.

I received a copy of this title from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoy this newer series, Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn Mystery series. This is book 2 and has a Christmas theme. We return to Gwenafwy Abbey, in rural Wales and Sister Agatha gets involved in solving the murder of a local artist. When Lucy, a young boarder at the Abbey is targeted with trouble galore, Agatha must divide her time solving the people intent on harming Lucy and the murder. Good cozy with lots of suspects and sleuths. The cast of characters is fun and happy. No strong religious overtones but nice Christmas mystery. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Who knew a nun and a priest could be so much fun?!? This is a delightful cozy set in and around a convent in Wales. The characters are fun, the suspects are many, and the mystery left me guessing to the end! I am loving this series! I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

I read fewer cozy mysteries than I once did so they have to look interesting if I am to pick them up. Having read last year's novel by this author, I was eager to read her sophomore effort. I enjoyed The Hour of Death very much.

The series is set in small village Wales and many of the characters are in religious life. I found the descriptions of the Sisters' daily life to be endearing and appealing. Pryderi feels like the perfect community, even though there are developers encroaching and murders taking place.

Protagonist, Sister Agatha, is a librarian, cheese maker and would be author of detective fiction. Her heroes are Inspector Barnaby and Armand Gamache, among others. The insertion of these and other loved mystery authors seems to fit right in. Sister Agatha's main partner in crime is Father Selwyn. The two have known each other since childhood and together follow the clues, often while drinking Welsh teas.

In this new book by the author, an important member of the WI is killed. Of course, the question is "who did it?" Around this, there are other female characters, most especially Lucy, whose story unfolds over the course of the novel. Returning characters, including the female Bishop and Sister Gwennyd, add to the book's pleasure.

This is not the hardest mystery to solve but the story is very enjoyable. Highly recommended if you like cozy mysteries.

Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Press for this relaxing and seasonal read that takes place in the buildup to Christmas.

The Hour Of Death is the second book in the A Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn Mystery series.

It’s Christmas time in Pryderi, a picturesque village set in the Welsh Countryside near the Irish Sea. The Pryderi Women’s Art Society is set to hold their annual Christmas gala in the St. Anselm Church. Tiffany Reese, a church member and president of the Art Society, is found slumped in the parish hall. A painting belonging to the victim is also missing. The coroner and the police believe she died of natural causes—but Sister Agatha is convinced that she was poisoned.

Sister Agatha is a nun at Gwenafwy Abbey and the abbey librarian. She also writes mystery novels and hopes to get published someday. She draws her inspiration from the likes of Agatha Christie and Louise Penny.

Someone is desperate to keep their past a secret. Sister Agatha enlists the help of her childhood friend and vicar at St. Anselm, Father Selwyn and they both investigate Tiffany’s death. As Sister Agatha digs deeper into the murder case she learns the seemingly perfect Tiffany had some secrets stewing in her personal life.

I absolutely enjoyed this book and was immediately hooked from the first page. The story flowed well and the characters were likeable and relatable. I enjoyed the dynamics between Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn, and how they worked together to solve the case. I loved the close-knit community and their sense of love and companionship. The other sisters at the abbey were warm and caring and I loved how they supported Sister Agatha.

I was easily transported to this beautiful setting, not to mention all the mouth-watering descriptions of the Welsh cakes, Welsh Tea, buttered scones, and other treats at Sister’s Agatha’s favorite place in the village, the Buttered Crust Tea Shop.

I enjoyed watching Sister Agatha piece together the puzzles using all the clues she gathered along the way. The twists and turns in the book were well done and the outcome was satisfying. I am looking forward to the next book by this author. I would highly recommend to mystery lovers.

Thank you to Jane Willan, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have to say this one was a pleasant surprise. I downloaded it on a whim, never having heard of the author before. It was a fun read!
This story takes place in a convent called Gwenafwy Abbey, in a rural Welsh town. In the convent famous for its Gouda cheese making, lives Sister Agatha, a mystery writing nun and Father Selwyn, her partner sleuth. All is great until the body of Tiffany Reese is found in the parish! She’s President of the Village Art Society and apparently wasn’t liked by many people. This makes the list of suspects very long for Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn. They finally settle on a prime suspect—Tiffany’s brother. But could this really just be sibling rivalry or is there more to this mystery?
This was a witty cozy mystery. I really enjoyed the descriptions of the Abbey and village in Wales, especially since I recently found I have Welsh ancestry. I really loved that the characters were different than the usual sleuthing librarian—a nun who enjoys writing and apparently solving mysteries and a priest who reluctantly ends up getting involved. This is only the second novel in her Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn mystery series. I’ve never before read anything else by this author but I’ll be looking forward to more!

This book was provided to me by Crooked Lane Books through NetGalley for my review.

#TheHourOfDeath #JaneWillan #ASisterAgathaAndFatherSelwynMystery #SisterAgatha #FatherSelwyn #Wales #ParanormalCozyMystery #CrookedLaneBooks #NetGalley

Sister Agatha loves her life at Gwenafry Abbey in rural Wales and enjoys reading detective novels when she has free time. When Tiffany Reese, from the nearby parish of St. Anselm, is found dead in the parish hall, the local constable thinks it was a heart attack. Sister Agatha, however, takes a page from the fictional detectives she admires and starts her own investigation into Tiffany's death. Tiffany could be a difficult woman, so there is no shortage of suspects. Sister Agatha enlists the help of her childhood friend, Father Selwyn, the vicar of St. Anselm Church, to investigate. Together, they are determined to learn the truth about Tiffany's death.

This is the second book in the series, but there is a brief, nicely done introduction to the devoted, but modern nuns of Gwenafry Abbey at the beginning of the book. I like the Wales setting of the book and the way the nuns at the Abbey stick together in troubled times. The best part of the book is the team of Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn. I like Agatha's curiosity and enthusiasm for life and Father Selwyn's patience and kindness. When they are together, their personalities complement each other well, especially in keeping Sister Agatha grounded when in the middle of an investigation.

Making Agatha a fan of detective novels, to the point that she's even trying to write her own novel, is the perfect set-up for her interest in investigating the village crimes. She logically goes through her list of suspects, using advice from her favorite podcast as a guideline, to either get more evidence against them or rule them out. The uniqueness of the series is perfectly illustrated when Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn use a kindergarten Sunday school room as an incident room to outline their case!

The pace of the book is slower, but the storyline remains interesting throughout the book. It really picks up towards the end as Sister Agatha makes progress in the investigation. I was able to guess how some of the seemingly unrelated clues fit together, but there were some definite surprises when everything is revealed at the end. I enjoyed this book and think fans of Miss Marple or G.M. Malliet's Max Tudor series will like this charming cozy mystery.

I received this book from NetGalley, through the courtesy of Crooked Lane. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.