This is book seven of this mystery series. It is a good cosy book with well developed characters. The story is dark in places. Another great book by this author

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion
I have not read the previous books in this series, although any important events were clarified so it can be read as a standalone. The descriptions were good, setting the scene within the area and making the characters realistic. The plotline was interesting, slowly leading the reader towards the final outcome.
I thought some things did not add up, for example DS Robinson 'knows I can get close to him and keep an eye on him' but Charley has barely seen him, either in prison or after his release so that's unlikely, and the guest house owner refuses to spend money heating the water all day but provides good wifi, why would she spend on that? Spellings became Americanised partway through, as this is set in England and written by a British author I find this irritating and out of place. Charley was supposed to be off duty but some of her behaviour in this case was leading (why was she interviewing suspects?) and she was frequently referred to as 'Banks' which would have been understandable within the organisation, but not by friends.
My opinion is that this is an average read, and it would not encourage me to read any more by this author, and definitely none in this series.

Murder in a Mill Town by Helen Cox

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Quercus and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

When a violent murder shatters the otherwise peaceful idyll of Andaby near Hebden Bridge, DS Charlotte Banks can't help but suspect that her brother Ewan - recently released from prison and now living in Calderdale - is behind it. Ewan claims he's innocent, and even has an alibi to prove it, but DS Banks isn't convinced. So much so that she turns to the only people who can help her in an investigation this personal: Kitt Hartley and Grace Edwards, of Hartley and Edwards Investigations.

On the hunt for the killer, Kitt and Grace discover the victim was choked to death on her old school sash. From this lead, Kitt, Grace and DS Banks are drawn down a dark trail littered with decade-old grudges, schoolyard secrets, broken hearts and bullies, and struggle to get closer to the truth. When a second victim goes missing however, the clock starts ticking.

My Opinion

This is the first book I have read by Helen Cox, and whilst it is book 7 in the series I was able to follow along with the plot without feeling I was missing too much information. It was refreshing to read about some familiar places in this book and I was really able to picture the locations. This is a great mystery to read and should only take a few hours. There are quite a few twists and turns to make sure you are interested until the end.

Rating 4/5

I've been reading Kitt Hartley mysteries since the first book and the characters became sort of friends you need to check from time to time and know that they are well.
The series is becoming more mystery and less cozy mystery but it's not losing it's appeal as this story is well plotted and gripping.
I love how Helen Cox makes you feel the places and visualising them. The industrial archeology, the museum are fascinating and I wish i could visit the places that inspired this story.
The mystery is solid, tightly knitted and fast paced. it kept me guessing and the solutions surprised me.
Can't wait to read the next one.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

This is the first book I have read by this author, and I didn't realise it was the seventh book in the Kitt Hartley Yorkshire Mystery series. However this didn't affect my enjoyment and it can easily be read as a standalone.
I enjoyed this cosy mystery with its interesting character. I found it well written and overall it was entertaining and typical of its genre.
Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for this read.

This seventh instalment in Helen Cox's series featuring Yorkshire psychologist-turned-private-investigator Kitt Hartley takes our heroine out of York, to the (fictional) Calderdale former mill town of Andaby (real life Dewsbury and Halifax spring to mind), to investigate the violent death of unpopular museum manager Siobhan Lange.

Kitt and Detective Sergeant Charlotte "Charley" Banks uncover many interesting leads in Andaby and elsewhere, revealing that the victim had made many enemies over her 38 years, a clue indicating a possible link with Siobhan's days as the local school's bullying "It Girl", and the recent suspicious disappearance of a woman connected to her past offences. After a relatively sedate first half, in which the story follows a police procedural pattern, the action ramps up in the second part of the book, as Kitt and Charley engage in a gripping chase on a replica steam train and later search a spooky ruined building, in their pursuit of the truth.

The setting, as always in this series, is well-imagined and fascinating. While the town of Andaby and its Industrial Museum, occupying a building that was once a bustling textiles mill, is fictional, Helen Cox has clearly drawn on a copious knowledge of similar towns and repurposed buildings that are sprinkled across West Yorkshire. She develops a real "feel" for the landscape and population of the area, and whets the appetite of armchair travellers with scenes set in real-life locations such as the spectacular Halifax Piece Hall.

I'd recommend Murder in a Mill Town (and the whole Kitt Hartley series) to any reader who enjoys police procedural mysteries in a traditional mould, with engaging female characters and great northern English settings.

My thanks to the author, Helen Cox, publisher Quercus Books, and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this title.

DS Charley Banks, partner of Kitt's best friend Evie, takes centre stage in the latest in Helen Cox's series. I enjoyed it very much (although I'd have liked it more if the sergeant had been referred to as Charley, rather than Banks) and thought that the back story of Murder in a Mill Town helped us to understand Charley. Kitt plays a central role but the other main characters stay very much in the background which I think is a pity. However, I raced through the book and am now eagerly awaiting the next in the series.

I enjoyed this book, it was easy to read and held my attention. I will be reading more from this author :)

A good murder mystery . Twists and turns in the story which feels believable. Set in York and West Yorkshire.
A good read

Murder in a mill town….Read it! You won't be disappointed!
Wow……Damn this was entertaining
One mystery thriller done to perfection!

‘Murder In A Mill Town’ by Helen Cox is the first book I’ve read in this particular series, but I had no problem jumping right in . It can easily be read as a standalone. DS Charlotte Banks becomes unofficially involved in the investigation of a violent murder in Andaby, near the picturesque town of Hebden Bridge. Her brother Ewan has been recently released from prison and Charlie is worried that he may be somehow involved. In order to clear his name – and keep the scandal from her own front door, she recruits her friends Kitt Hartleyand Grace Edwards, of Hartley and Edwards Investigations. There are more secrets than they could ever have imagined in the small town and it will take everything they’ve got to uncover the truth behind the murder.

I adored the setting for the story. Having visited many an industrial museum in my time, I could easily picture the gruesome scene of the murder. Also the West Yorkshire locations were ideal. The beautiful town of Hebden Bridge and Halifax (the home of the now famous Anne Lister) added a certain ambience to the novel. I found that the group working together to solve the case worked exceptionally well. I liked how they complemented each other, and it has made me want to read more in this series.

The mystery had plenty of twists and turns and kept me engrossed for hours. It had interesting characters and a plot to grab any reader’s attention. The perfect cosy mystery to pass a few hours.

I was given this ARC to review.

An enjoyable easy read.
Kitt is back for another investigation, she is hired by D.S Charlotte Banks to look in to a murder that has taken place in Andaby in Yorkshire.
Banks ‘ has a vested interest in the case due to her brotherEwan being released from prison after serving time for murder and relocating to Andaby.
Has Ewan committed a crime again or is it pure coincidence ?
I like the characters in the Kitt Hartley mysteries they are both amiable and engaging.
A satisfying and feel good read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Quercus books.

When a violent murder shatters the otherwise peaceful idyll of Andaby near Hebden Bridge, DS Charlotte Banks can't help but suspect that her brother Ewan - recently released from prison and now living in Calderdale - is behind it. Ewan claims he's innocent, and even has an alibi to prove it, but DS Banks isn't convinced. So much so that she turns to the only people who can help her in an investigation this personal: Kitt Hartley and Grace Edwards, of Hartley and Edwards Investigations.
On the hunt for the killer, Kitt and Grace discover the victim was choked to death on her old school sash, which leads to decade-old grudges, schoolyard secrets, broken hearts and bullies. When a second victim goes missing however, the clock starts ticking.
This is the seventh book in this entertaining cosy mystery series. A well written book which could easily be read on its own but to fully appreciate it, as with most series, I’d recommend reading from the start as characters & relationships have developed & grown throughout the series. The pace was good & there were twists, turns & red herrings so I was kept guessing & turning the pages
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I absolutely adore this series. I just love the idea of a librarian doubling up as a PI!

I loved that in this one we got more backstory linked to a friend/colleague of Mal's! Considering that Kitt doesn't really mix with Mal's colleagues, it was nice to see the friendship develop between Charley and Kitt.

As much as I love the dynamics between Kitt and her friendship group, my favourite part has got to be Charley and Evie's wedding! Ahhh, just the heartwarming ending I needed!

Another great addition to the series which, like the others, can be read as a standalone.

Two and a half stars.

There is a bizarre murder at a museum in tourist village Andaby, near Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire. DS Charley Banks is officially on leave just prior to her forthcoming wedding, but the murder coincides rather uncomfortably with her older brother Ewan's release from prison for a murder he committed whilst in his early twenties. Obviously she can't be on the case but she can't stand not knowing so she turns to Kitt Hartley and Grace Edwards, of Hartley and Edwards Investigations for help. While the police investigate more recent reasons why the victim might have been murdered in such a violent way, Kitt, Charley, and Grace look further back in the past, spurred on by a fibre at the murder scene which looks suspiciously like the colour of the sash the victim' graduating class wore at school, over twenty years ago.

This is the seventh book in a series, as a mystery it can be read as a standalone very easily, however in terms of the characters and their relationships, this could leave you cold if (like me) this is your first encounter with the series. I didn't really connect with any of the characters, many of whom felt like they were stock characters included for their diversity or 'kooky' characteristics like the Scooby Doo gang or Buffy's team.

What rescued this was the crime and the criminal, but I had to wade through pages and pages of Charley's waffle about not trusting Ewan, and tedious navel gazing about relationships and marriage. I don't think I will be requesting any more books in this series.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Book 7 in the series and like all others can be read as part of series or stand alone read

Kept me reading all evening till i had finished and as good as all others before it

A Personal Case..
The seventh in the Kitt Hartley Yorkshire mystery series finds Kitt and Grace on the hunt for a killer in an apparently idyllic village when the DS in charge of the investigation turns to them for assistance. For DS Charlotte Banks, this may well be personal. Events are soon to take a dark and unexpected turn as the hunt heats up. Another enjoyable cosy mystery with a good sense of place, a credible and colourful cast of characters and an intriguing storyline. A worthy addition to the series

This is book 7 in the Kitt Hartley mystery series, set in Yorkshire. It can be read, and enjoyed, as a stand alone. More of a cosy mystery than a crime thriller, it's well written with good characterisation and flows at a steady pace. DS Charlotte Banks is involved in a murder investigation and her brother, recently released from prison, could be a prime suspect. Not too many twists but it kept me engrossed until the end. This is a quick, easy read in the cosy mystery genre. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

I love this book. It is a murder mystery but not grisly - it deals with relationships, old hurts and pride, how can a police officer, who loves her job and upholding the law, relate to her brother who is released from 20 years in prison? How can a death be linked to what happened at school and how things fester when they are not brought into the light? A really excellent look at how relationships work and the cost of them on people’s everyday lives. It helps to discover more of West Yorkshire too!

Thanks to Helen and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book.
It is a cozy mystery which is ideal for a holiday read.
The manager of the Andaby Industrial Museum is found murdered.
Hav8ng escaped her childhood home in Glasgow, Charlotte Banks is now a Detective Sergeant in Yorkshire. When she learns about the murder, she is apprehensive as her brother, Ewan, has recently moved to Andaby, having served 20 years for murder.
Fearful that this might impact her career and with her wedding only weeks away, Charley asks her friend, PI Kitt Hartley to carry out her own enquiry into the death.

For a small town, there are lots of buried secrets and quirky characters.
This is not my normal choice of book but I found it made for easy reading.