Great mystery. Interesting plot that played out well. The book was very well written. Exciting book. It had mystery. It had murder.

Another great entry in the Alex Duggins Mystery series by Stella Cameron. Along with the usual murder and mayhem, our favorite characters (human and animal!) are back. Tony is threatened by events of the past, putting a damper on wedding plans, DCI Dan O"Reilly doesn't really want to have psychologist Leon Wolf working on the case, and Alex, try as she might, just can't help getting involved.

Once again Stella Cameron brings mystery and murder to the villages of the Cotswolds. Her characters as always shine with intelligence in a particularly intriguing case. This is Midsomer Murders with a slight change of location and better drawn red herrings and villains.
The story keeps one guessing and however desperate one becomes to know the denouement one still doesn't want the book to end.

Another gripping, highly entertaining and twisty story in this series. I read it as fast as I could and the twists surprised me.
It was good to catch up with the characters as they are currently facing some great choices and issues.
The plot flows and it kept me entertained till the end.
Can't wait to read the next book.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This was a departure from the usual books I've been reading lately, and such a fantastic one at that! Many years ago I used to read all of Stella Cameron's romance books, but hadn't read any of her recent releases and so this was quite a wonderful surprise. Although there is a romantic element, this is most definitely a mystery book and not a romance. From the start we have what seems like two separate storylines and intrigues occurring - one with Alex and her fiancée, Tony and a wrench being thrown into their happy ever after plans, and the other with murders occurring around where they live and work. I loved that despite there being a number of characters to follow and keep up with, they all had such depth to them. In addition, it's not often that I'm taken by surprise when reading or watching mysteries - and although I had partially figured some of this out before the end, I was definitely surprised by the end! I actually read this through in one sitting because I was so caught up in what was happening and trying to solve it. If you love good mysteries, then this is definitely for you.

Thank you to Canongate Books and NetGalley for the Advance Reader Copy. I have voluntarily left an honest review.

A Killer On The Loose…
The seventh in the Alex Duggins series of mysteries and it seems that there’s a killer on the loose in the seemingly sleepy Cotswolds village of Folly. Despite a second body being found there appear to be no leads in the investigation. Could they be dealing with a serial killer? Alex soon becomes drawn in, whilst her partner Tony is dealing with his own demons. Another thoroughly enjoyable instalment in this series with an intriguing plot and a well drawn, credible cast.

It started with one murder and then another. There was no motive anyone could find and they were having trouble trying to solve the case.
Canongate Books and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you). It will be publishd on November 2nd.

There are numerous cops searching for clues. The pub owner is doing better at gathering information than the cops. People talk in front of her and she listens.

Her boyfriend is almost killed and is in a coma to heal. Then she gets a phone call asking her to come by and to look at the evidence this man has gathered. She goes but she shouldn't have gone alone....

It's a good mystery and the man explains why those who were killed deserved it. Will she survive this visit?

Folly is a charming village in the Cotswolds that sees more than its’ share of murders. DCI Dan O’Reilly is still investigating a murder in the fields of the cricket club when several weeks later another body is found near the barn used by the amateur drama society. Both crime scenes were similarly staged, with several pieces of the victim’s clothing and possessions missing. The investigation into the second body leads to the Black Dog, a pub owned by Alex Duggins. She has been drawn into O’Reilly’s cases in the past but this time she is determined to not get involved. She is finally planning her wedding with Tony, the local veterinarian, and she will not let this get in the way. Tony’s wife disappeared years ago and he has finally received a declaration of death, but as their plans go forward he receives a message supposedly sent by his wife. With the threat of a possible serial killer in the area and tension growing between Alex and Tony, the normally welcoming atmosphere in the Black Dog is lacking. Then someone close to Alex is attacked and left for dead and she has no choice but to become involved.

Stella Cameron brings back a number of familiar faces in her series. Mary and Harriet, the elderly sisters who own a tea shop, can be found by the fire in the Black Dog. Major Stroud, whose incarcerated son was a friend of one of the victims, can be found in the corner drowning his sorrows as he often berates those around him. They give Cameron’s story a familiar feel to anyone who has read this series and a welcome to new readers. As always, there is a twist at the end that is totally unexpected and makes The Playing Fields well worth reading. I would like to thank NetGalley and Severn House Publishers for providing this book for my review.

The Playing Fields is another book concerning amateur sleuth Alex Duggins by Stella Cameron. Like so many mysteries the Cotswold village of Folly has more than its fair share of murders. This time it is two six weeks apart.

I like this series especially the main character Alex Duggins. This time there is more trouble besides the murders. It deals with her partner Tony. I found that to be as intriguing as the murders. I kept reading to see how he could handle his troubles. Perhaps a new reader would want to start at the first book but this one is self-contained, holding your interest until the end.

An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Alex runs a pub along with her love interest Tony (actually a veterinarian) , who has just been contacted by the wife he's just had declared dead. They also help DCI Dan O'Reilly with investigations even when he doesn't want their assistance. In this case two men are murdered, and their bodies staged, within weeks of each other. Alex is curious, things get heated, someone beats up Tony, and well, no spoilers. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. It's an interesting read for fans of the series.

Excellent story! Totally engrossing!. Looking forward to reading more by this author! Could not put this down!

An Alex Duggins Cotswolds Mystery

When two bodies are discovered within six weeks of one another, it would appear that a serial killer is at large in the sleepy Cotswold village of Folly.

DCI Dan O’Reilly is settling into his new home with boxes still unpacked when a body is found on the old playing fields near the cricket club. The scene looks staged but no one saw or heard anything. Six weeks later another body is discovered in the tithe barn, which is used for plays now. This body is staged as well. It would seem a serial killer is at work.

In due course, his investigation lands him at Alex’s pub, the Black Dog. Dan makes it clear to her and her partner, veterinarian, Tony, that he does not want them involved in his case. But have we ever known Alex to keep her cute little nose out of things?

Alex is the person everyone confides in when they don’t want to go to the police themselves. This time she may be on her own as Tony has just received an e-mail from his dead wife. Yes, a dead wife.

So, instead of finalizing their wedding plans, they are investigating murders and ignoring the dead wife.

When Tony himself becomes a victim, Alex forgets her promise to Dan and heads right into the killer’s lair.

This one had some seriously creepy characters in it. It’s always a mystery with this good series!

NetGalley/ Canongate/Severn November 2nd ,2021

DCI O’Reilly and Harding haven’t been able to solve a murder and the case has gone cold. Another body turns up and they have few leads. One path leads to a local pub owned by Alex, her partner is veterinarian Tony. Alex and Tony are soon drawn into the mystery. There was action and suspense in the book but it never quite grabbed me. I was interested enough to see how it would end and it will probably be an entertaining read for most people. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

DCI Dan O'Reilly and his team are investigating two murders within 6 weeks of each other. Their first thought is that a serial killer may be loose in their small village.

When evidence leads O’Reilly to visit the Black Dog pub, owner Alex Duggins and her partner Tony are once again drawn into a police investigation.

Meanwhile, Tony gets a letter ... from his dead wife. At least, she's been missing for over 8 years and he finally had her declared dead. What does she want? Is is even really her? Needless to say, this puts a lot of stress not only on Tony, but on Alex as well. Will their relationship ever be the same?

Although 7th in the series, this is easily read as a stand alone. As with the others, this book is a well-written procedural. The story line is intriguing, with twists and turns that keep the suspense at a high level. The characters are deftly drawn and the residents of this small village are quirky and lend much to the story.

Many thanks to the author / Canongate Books / Severn House / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

A very fluffy, cosy murder mystery set in an "oh my gosh" type village . I haven't read any of the previous books and think it would be helpful if you have.
Definitely not the kind of crime novel I'd usually choose to read but the characters are engaging enough.
I'd love to know which hospital canteen sells beer and wine!!

Reliable, well written, grand characters, well plotted novel that is immersive and engaging from the opening of the novel until the end. This book will make for a great book club read.

When a body is found in a small village DCI Dan O'Reilly is given the case but he has an strange feeling this murder isn't going to be the last. Six weeks later another body is found and the chase really begins because of his fear of more bodies turning up. When the clues lead him to the Black Dog Pub where his friends Alex Duggins owner and her partner Tony are, Dan wishes it was somewhere else since Alex and Tony are amateur sleuths.
This is a new author to me and will definitely be a go to from now on. I loved the characters in this story and can't wait to read more of their adventures. It's all here for the reader, murder, mystery and engaging characters. You can't go wrong with this cozy mystery.

Stella Cameron is an author I have read for many years. Her novels have depth, and her characters are easy to either love or hate. "The Playing Fields" was a very interesting novel. It didn't follow her usual storyline but was just as good.

Thank you Canongate and Severn House for the eARC.
Pub owner Alex Duggins and her veterinarian partner Tony seem to be close to take the next step in their relationship: marriage?! But two nasty murders shift their emphasis, and as much as the couple and DCI Dan O'Reilly don't want them to get involved in this case of a possible serial killer, they are sucked in. It's a tough one, the killer is like mercury, slipping away and impossible to catch. Dan's teenage son arrives unexpectedly, which throws him; how does he get to spend time with the boy and catch a slippery killer? Plus, he has to work with a psychologist who he doesn't like or trust (the feeling is mutual) ... life is very complicated for him at the moment.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, especially towards the end, which was gripping and extremely tense. I guessed part of the denouement, but was shocked by the other part.
Another excellent and atmospheric mystery in the series, definitely recommended!

219 pages

3 stars

DCI Dan O’Reilly and his partner, DS LeJuan Harding, are deep;y frustrated that it has been six weeks since the murder at the cricket grounds and they are no further ahead on their investigation. They basically know nothing.

When another murdered person is found, this time at the local abandoned theater, they are completely stumped. There is, however, some evidence that leads San and LeJuan to the local Black Dog Pub. Owned by Alex and, along with her boyfriend Tony, they are subsequently involved in the case. Tony is beset with problems. Someone from his past has (possibly) come back to haunt him.

Then Tony gets badly beaten and winds up in the hospital. What is going on?

The writing in this book is pretty good, but the plotting is rather disjointed. The story seemed to wander all over the place and not much happened. I like my mysteries/Police procedurals with a little more action than this novel had. I don’t believe I’ll be diving into another of Ms. Cameron’s books.

I want to thank NetGalley and Canongate Books/Severn House for forwarding to me a copy of this book so that I may read, enjoy and review it. The opinions expressed here are wholly my own.

***This book is not yet available on GoodReads, BookBub or Amazon for review. I will watch those sites so that I may review it there.