Brilliant book in this new series of cosy crime!

Astrid is an art restorer with the seemingly perfect life in London. When her late uncle leaves her his estate in his will, she travels to Dorset intending to wrap up his affairs and return to London quickly. Her perfect life starts falling apart however, and Astrid gets caught up in a series of murders linked to a house run by The English Trust, famous for cream teas and sedate activities. There is a killer on the loose and Astrid, with her new group of friends, is the only one who can solve the puzzle. Part cosy crime, part art heist and a lot of fun! This is the first in a new series and I can't wait to read the rest

Astrid is an art conservator at the National Gallery, happily married to her husband for four years and looking forward to a romantic, relaxing vacation. Instead, she finds a bracelet in the shower that is not hers. She works with her cheating husband, so she quits her job, packs her bags and discovers that she has inherited some property from her uncle who she used to spend time with as a child. She is fortunate to get a job at Sherborne Hall, to analyze the Sherborne art collection, but on her first day she discovers a body. Astrid is not the most likeable person, but she grows in character when she makes new friends, remembers happy days with her uncle, works on repairing his houseboat, and tries to solve a murder or two. The other characters are enjoyable to read as well. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Astrid Kisner is living her best life. She has her dream job as a conservator at the National Gallery, lives in an amazingly beautiful and modern apartment, and has been married to Simon, her soul mate, for four years. Even the most perfect of existences can disappear however, and within 24 hours of a devastating discovery her whole life changes and not for the better.

Suddenly in desperate need of a job she finds what seems to be an ideal opportunity to work at Sherborne Hall, an English Trust stately home renovating their art exhibits. Unfortunately she also finds a dead body, setting off a chain of events which lead to danger, deception and a chance to discover who she really wants to be.

This is the beginning of a new mystery series, the first novel by M H Eccleston, and is a joy. Astrid is not your run of the mill heroine! She is a bit of a snob, although she doesn't see it that way, and does like the finer things in life! Unfortunately her new lifestyle is lacking in that area but, as Astrid is about to discover, not everything she thought she needed is actually necessary.

There are a few stereotypes here but the author uses them in an endearing way. Astrid's new best friend, her total opposite, is also instantly likeable and the reason for the name of another protagonist's dog had me laughing out loud. The mystery is interspersed with discoveries about her new life and the changes she is being forced to make. Astrid is far more amenable and relatable than I thought she would be at the outset and I look forward to following her on future adventures especially if they are as easy to read and become invested in as The Trust.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. This is a new series with potential that is easy to recommend as a fun, relaxing read.

Marvellous…!
The first in the Astrid Swift series of mysteries and what a great read it is. A cosy mystery with an edge with a wonderfully eccentric and well drawn cast of characters and a storyline that soon becomes impossible to part with. Our protagonist, Astrid, is not immediately likeable but that’s rather the point. The mystery itself is solid and engaging and leads to an entirely satisfying denouement, as does Astrid’s personal life and predicament. Kath shines throughout the tale like a madcap beacon of light with her gloriously uncomplicated outlook on life. A one sit read which is wholly enjoyable and thoroughly entertaining and a top notch start to what hopefully will become a long running series. Marvellous!

I love a good cozy crime and this definitely fits the bill.

Astrid is a very strong character - part of her charm is that to start with she’s slightly unlikeable - if it weren’t for the fact that we know what she’s been through we would probably view her as stuck up and self righteous. I’m pretty sure that’s how she’s viewed by the majority of people in Hanbury when she first arrives.

As the story moves on we start to see her soften and I will say that I quickly grew to like her a lot. I became invested in her future and wished for her to find a new place with people who would treat her well and be her friends. I love the way she stands up to Simon and the tensions between Astrid and Cobb add a little something to keep you in your toes.

The story starts with Astrid (an art conservator) starting a new job at Sherborne Hall - an English Trust Property with its own secrets and charms.

Flash backs are used well to set the back story and I found the style of writing flowed well. It was a relaxed book which was easy to read - a great bonus and not an easy thing to achieve.

There are a host of characters in the book and they all have their unique charms. I particularly loved Harold and Margaret (two of the volunteers at Sherborne Hall). Their conversations had me chuckling to myself as I read and I could hear the tone in Margaret’s voice everytime she expressed her opinion on someone or something. I don’t wish to generalise but I really hope that this book is a true reflection on the lives of volunteers at heritage homes across the country. The thought of houses full of Margarets and Harold’s just make me smile.

When Astrid discovers a body in the grounds she decides that she needs to investigate. Her boss Cressida seems only interested in preserving the reputation of The English Trust and Astrid has little faith in the local policeman. Could she be the one to crack the case?

The plot quickly thickens as there are more deaths and accidents not to mention a fake painting and the appearance of Simon( Astrid’s husband).

Can Astrid and her new friends solve the case and will Astrid move on to the new life that her uncle would have wanted?
You’ll have to read the book to find out but what I will tell you is that you won’t regret it. A perfect mix of cozy crime and romance.

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review. Overall, this was a very enjoyable book - it was nice to see some of Dorset, and it was very picturesque in the boat and landscape descriptions. I nearly marked it as 4 stars, but it just felt a little light on the actual mystery and detecting. I’d definitely try a second book with Astrid though (and more Cobb please).

This book caught my interest purely on the name of Astrid Swift. Classic name. But this is so much more than a name and features all the perfect components for a cosy crime read. Actually, this is better than a stereotypical cosy crime as these characters have more depth and feel much more relatable and real.
Astrid is piecing together all the clues left to her by Uncle Henry. The characters in the village remind me of my Cornish home village where Londoners are posh and snobby unwanted visitors and the locals have known everything about each other for decades. True to life, yet added for good humour. This is very witty and has some excellent one liners throughout.
I love Astrid's job and how art comes into play here. I liked how the author used her profession to become the amateur detective.
Lots of suspicious characters and sprinkled with some great ones too. Kath is utterly brilliant. The volunteers make for particularly endearing reading.
Fun, classic, surprising.

Astrid Swift has life sorted; an excellent job, a nice London flat, a husband she likes but then she finds a tacky piece of tat calling itself a bracelet in her shower drain and her life quickly unravels. She leaves her cheating husband, packs in her job and departs for the house her recently deceased favourite uncle continently left her in his will and a new job at a stately home sorting out their art collection. So far so good except the house she was expecting to sell turns out be a decrepit old boat and she finds a dead man in the ice house on her first day at the new job. WTF.
I loved The Trust, it was right up my street, art history and murder what is not to love. I loved Astrid she’s an unflappable snob who immediately gets the horn for Cob even though she has just left her husband and he wears questionable jewellery but you’ve got to love a man who knows his way around an engine room.

A gloriously funny and eccentric look at THE TRUST.

Astrid Kinser (nee Astrid Swift) considers herself to be happily married to the director of the National Gallery where she is a conservator – that is until she finds another woman’s chain in her shower! Her life in its present stable environment of a beautiful flat in London with the lifestyle of designer clothes, top restaurants and “friends” comes crashing down – but there is a glimmer of hope– solicitors in Dorset contact Astrid with the news that her that she has inherited her Uncle Henry’s property in Dorset.

Astrid, not normally impetuous, decides that she should take this unexpected opportunity to escape London and her marriage and arrives in Dorset to discover that the “property” is not the house she knew from her childhood but a houseboat in need of repair. Astrid finds the perfect job – restoring paintings at Sherborne Hall – one of the Trust’s newest acquisitions. She discovers that one of the paintings is an original John Constable painted by Constable's while on honeymoon in Dorset. A priceless painting. This discovery will also expose treachery and murder.

There are always reasons why I choose to read a book. Sometimes just the title will be enough for me to read – in this case two factors shouted for my attention: The Trust and the setting in Dorset. Two subjects I have knowledge of. I live in Dorset so wanted to ensure that M.H. Eccleston had captured the true essence of this incredibly unique area and people, and we have several Trust properties to explore. In other words, I was looking to be critical in my views – however – my fears vanished after reading just a few pages of this story. Astrid thinks she is “above” everyone as they lack the sophistication of London, and her attempts to run the murder investigations, based on her knowledge gained from reading books and watching TV programmes.

What a perfect book to start 2022. Murders most foul, set in and around the Jurassic Coast. I loved watching Astrid change from being a “frightfully sophisticated interloper” into one of the locals. What I especially loved was the humour that kept appearing amongst the serious subject of murder. And the bonus of art fraud – what more could I ask for?

Thank you M.H. Eccleston you helped me start 2022 on a high.

Rony

Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of the book to review.

An easy-to-read, thoroughly enjoyable cosy set in a part of the country that I'm *actually* acquainted with (if by acquainted, one means 'can find the area on a local map'). Regardless, I could look it up and sort of figure out the area being described. This is as close to home as I've ever read about, so that was pretty neat!

Astrid Swift finds herself travelling to Dorset, having inherited some property from her uncle and leaving her philandering, controlling husband, Simon; her betrayal doubled by discovering that the woman he was seeing was her best friend. Leaving them both behind, she arrives at her new abode to find it's an old, leaky boat, rather than the cosy cottage she had pictured in her head. Her new job at the English Trust manor nearby isn't quite what she imagined either - especially because she finds a body on her first day! With everyone else brushing it off as an accident, and the police unwilling to investigate, Astrid finds herself wondering about it and decides to see what she can do to figure it out.

A waitress named Kath, who runs the beach hut cafe (closing it at will), becomes her unlikely friend, ally and confidante. A new love interest named Cobb, a grumpy boatwright who intrigues her despite herself, and a variety of other characters round out the story. The mystery is good and well-written and the story moves along smoothly.

My only niggle is the fact that Astrid doesn't seem to have any real feelings about anything; she's walked out on a five-year marriage only a few days before and is brushing up against a love interest within a week, and seems to get over it all very quickly and easily. I also found the first 2/3 of the book better than the last 1/3, but can't quite put my finger on why. It felt a bit rushed, perhaps, and a bit too neat and tidy.

Regardless, I thoroughly enjoyed it and am looking forward to the second in the series.

I very much enjoyed Astrid and her merry band of misfits as they set about solving a mystery which fell together so perfectly, it seemed for a while that it couldn't be possible in the genteel world of Sherbonne Hall and the utter professionalism of the English Trust.
This is a perfect cosy escape, a little mad cap with a lot of heart and a cracking mystery at it's centre - thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait for the next adventure.
Faith Hogan

As far as you ca,n call a murder mystery light hearted, this is one. A fun cozy murder mystery. Astrid finds out that her husband has been cheating on her with her best friend and that sets the ball rolling on a voyage of discovery. Astrid finds that her Uncle Henry has died and left her everything in his will. She finds a new job, new friends and settles down to rebuild - and then the husband turns up. Oh dear.

Laugh out loud funny at times.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher |I read a free advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

The Trust by M.H. Eccleston


‘It's like the mafia, but with scones’

First off I loved this book, it is a cosy mystery that’s a perfect spring time read.. I would recommend reading it on a crisp sunny spring day with a nice cup of tea..

Astrid is married to Simon (who we hate) and she discovers that Simon has been cheating on her with her best friend. Astrid takes a look at her life and realises that she does not have a lot keeping her in her swanky London life but a new opportunity has her inheriting a property from her late uncle in Dorset and a way out of her old life, the property turns out to be a boat (and not the big house that she remembers), realising that she needs a job, she applies for a job at the local National trust property as an art restorer for an upcoming showing.

On one of her first days Astrid finds the dead body of a local man, she uses her art restoring skills and takes evidence from the body and comes to the conclusion that the man was murdered and she decides to investigate after every one else says that it is an accidental death.

The National Trust is portrayed as any business really, all politics and intrigue behind the façade of a English State House.

Astrid comes to Dorset on her own but picks up people and creates a motely crew of friends who all become very loyal to Astrid and want to help her investigate the murder with her, Harold is my favourite..

I feel Astrid was drifting in her old life and finding out about the affair is a cataclysmic event in Astrid’s boringly perfect life (perfect job, house, husband, friends, clothes etc) that opens her eyes to who she has become and who she wanted to be.. and going to Dorset for what she thinks will be a temporary period is what makes Astrid really happy and provides her with the unperfect life that she needs.
I liked Astrid, she did not crumble, she just picked herself up and carried on.

The mystery is solid and plausible and the killer and motive were masked until the end and so it kept you going till the end.. I loved that there was a hint on romance on the horizon with Cobb, the boat restorer who Astrid clashes with when she first meets him, its not a full romance but give it time and it could be, Astrid is not rushing in.. just enjoying being herself..


This is the first book by this author and I hope she revisits Astrid and her gang of friends from the National Trust – a sequel maybe but I will be keeping an eye anyway for any more books this author writes. It was an enjoyable mystery book and I really enjoyed it. More please!!!

#Mystery #Contempary #English #Netgally

An entertaining read. Astrid's life is turned upside down when she discovers her husband is having an affair with her best friend. Leaving her job and her controlling husband she moves from London to Dorset to live on a boat. Whilst working as an art conservator for the English Trust she becomes embroiled in an intriguing murder mystery.
This is a light story that's easy to read and is full of gentle humour. There is a reasonable, if somewhat implausible, plot that serves up some interesting twists. The characters are varied but lacking depth they were rather like caricatures. Nevertheless it was a fun and diverting read.

“It’s like the mafia with scones.”
I couldn’t put this book down – “The Trust” is a deadly combination of a whip-smart heroine, a cast of loveable eccentrics, and an addictive whodunnit.
An unfortunate discovery in her riverside apartment brings Astrid Swift’s life as a London art restorer crashing around her ears. An unexpected inheritance offers her a way out, and she escapes to a new life in Dorset. But the inheritance isn’t what it seems, the local boat builder gets under her skin in all the wrong ways, and a job at the English Trust leads slap bang into the scene of a murder.
The trouble is, everyone else thinks it was an accident. So Astrid uses her forensic art skills to uncover the truth. This sets her on the trail of a serial killer who quickly begins to close in on her. But the police don’t believe there’s a murder to investigate, so Astrid has to rely on the help of the weird and wonderful English Trust volunteers and a brutally honest waitress called Kath, who really puts the “kick” in sidekick.
Like Richard Osman’s “Thursday Murder Club”, this is so much more than a whodunnit. “The Trust” has some killer observations about human nature, cracking one-liners, and a totally believable cast who stay with you long after you’ve finished the book. Mark Eccleston’s characters are sharply drawn but brimming with humanity and often as poignant as they are funny.
This is no ordinary cosy crime novel – the characters really live and breathe and I want to spend more time with them. The plot is fast paced and full of surprises – I had no idea who the murderer was, but when Astrid finds out everything suddenly makes sense.
I can’t wait for the next in the Astrid Swift series – and I’m very much hoping Kath will be along for the ride.

The Trust by M.H. Eccleston

When a local man is found murdered in an English Trust stately home, the community is shaken to its core.

None more so than newcomer Astrid Swift, who finds the body. When she moved from London to the sleepy Dorset village and got a job at the house as an art restorer, she thought she was heading for a quieter life.
I really enjoyed this book . No horrifying grisly explanations of murder , just a gripping tale with a few surprises and intrigue to keep you guessing.

The English Trust. Keeper of the nation's stately homes. So genteel. Or is it?

Art restorer Astrid, newly arrived in Dorset from London to start her new job, finds a body. Not an accident, despite what the Trust want the public to think....

The place is full of suspicion and intrigue. And it won't be the only body....

Can Astrid get to the bottom of it all while there's still something to salvage?

A great mystery