This is such delightful old-fashioned whodunnit.

Set in England, it shows that innocent little viilage of Bunbbury is not so innocent at all. Alfie has inherited a charming cottage from his aunt Gussie and as soon as his comes to claim his inheritance he gets involved into investigating possible murder along with two elderly ladies as his sidekicks.

Quiant setting, eccentric and quirky characters and well plotted mystery,all needed ingredients for can't put it down read.
It doesn't get better than that.

Alfie's aunt has died and left him her cottage in Bunburry. He arrives on a cold and rainy night. He also lands in the middle of a mystery. Or, is it? It seems a local man has died. It seems like an accident but there are those in town who aren't so sure, including two of Aunt Augusta's friends. It's up to Alfie and the ladies to figure out what is really going on. Even as they are helping get the annual rendition of "The Mousetrap."
A super-short novel but one that built it's characters out pretty well. There was less of a Christie connection than I expected from the description but aI'm looking forward to the next book.

Four stars
This book comes out September 1
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

I would like to thank Netgalley and be ebooks for an advance copy of Bunburry- Murder at the Mousetrap, the first of a series of cosy mysteries set in the eponymous Cotswold village of Bunberry.

Alfie McAlister, in need of a break from London, travels to Bunburry to inspect the cottage he has inherited from his unknown Aunt Augusta. Once there his aunt's two closest friends, Margaret and Clarissa, aka Marge and Liz, involve him not only in village life but in investigating the unexplained death of the unpleasant James Fry.

I enjoyed Bunburry- Murder at the Mousetrap which is an engaging tale of amateur sleuthing with a dash of humour. As befits a cozy there is a limited list of suspects but all have a nicely judged motive as the victim had knowingly upset every one of them. I did not guess the perpetrator so points to Ms Marchmont for good concealment.

I must admit that cosies are not my favourite genre as I find them a bit simplistic but this is a superior offering. Yes, the plot is fairly simple but the sometimes tongue in cheek humour and the pleasant characters make it a page turner. I would have liked to know more about Alfie as there are hints throughout the novel of secrets in his past but I assume that they will be revealed in future novels. It is a bit frustrating not to know everything but it is a mystery novel!

Bunburry - Murder at the Mousetrap is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

Amusing and well-written, this first in a “Cotswold cosy” series, is full of interesting and intriguing characters.

Alfie has inherited a cottage from his eccentric Aunt Gussie, and a visit there provides him with an excuse to drop out of a London life which has lost its lustre.

He is thrown headlong into a murder mystery and into acting in and directing the village production of “The Mousetrap”.

Which of the characters is responsible for the murder of hateful James Fry and of one of the more loveable inhabitants of the village?

The only downside for me was the use of a trap/ trick to “out” the murderer, one of my least favourite endings, but a method which Miss Marple herself was known to employ.

I look forward to further instalments as there are lots of untold storylines visible here.

Recommended to all who love nicely-crafted English murder mysteries.