Many thanks to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and the author for the ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a cosy murder mystery surrounded by book lovers and a village where everybody seems to be in everything with extreme nosiness on display and yet does not know anything. Berit Gardner is away from the hustle and bustle of the city in Great Diddling, where she can feel in her bones that there are a lot of stories to tell. Yet she seems to have been an immediate witness to a murder – that too at a tea party. The more Berit looks at it, the more convoluted the whole thing seems.

The book gives us multiple POVs of characters who 'might' have a part in the whole plot and continues in a sense that keeps you guessing. There were a few absurd lols in there but not as many as I would have expected. The narrator was brilliant and kept the cosy vibe intact in spite of the whole cast of characters and the drama. Having said that, I absolutely loved how everything was about books; it was like being within a subtle nod to booksellers, agents, assistants, authors, collectors and, of course, the readers. The plot was very savvy in how it also included all elements of misogyny, homophobia and racism within it. Also, the story was diverse and multicultural by virtue of it and not for the sake of it – again – refreshing!

"The Murders in Great Diddling" by Katarina Bivald, in its audiobook format, is a delightful and engaging cozy mystery. This book offers a perfect blend of quaint English setting, quirky characters, and a cleverly constructed whodunit, all brought to life through excellent narration.
"The Murders in Great Diddling" is an ideal listen for fans of traditional British mysteries and cozy crime. If you're looking for an entertaining and well-narrated audiobook that offers a perfect escape into a world of charming villages and puzzling crimes, this is a highly recommended choice for your next listen.

This felt like a classic. I loved the bookish details throughout the story. The author MC acted like a journalist more than an author - so that's how I categorized her in my head. Which, obviously there isn't much of a difference but it matted to me for some reason. I liked getting to know the town. I loved the busy bodies, the leave me out of it-ers, and the small English town touches. The audiobook was a nice, easy listen. I had a good time with this and binged it all in one sitting while working on my favorite hobby.

Thank you NetGalley, Katarina Bivald, and Dreamscape Media for this audiobook ARC.

This was just the reason I started reading cozies! I thought THE MURDERS IN GREAT DIDDLING was a delightful read, and made even better with the audiobook narration by Helen Lloyd.

This is the first book in the series, which was a nod to books, booksellers, and a sense of community. I can’t wait for the next in the series!

*many thanks to Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

“The Murders in Great Diddling” by Katarina Bivald is a charming cozy mystery set in the quaint English village of Great Diddling. The story follows Berit Gardner, a best-selling mystery writer seeking inspiration for her next novel. She becomes entangled in a real-life mystery when an explosion at a tea party leads to a local man’s death. The villagers, each with their own quirks and secrets, come together to transform the tragedy into an opportunity by organizing a book and murder festival to attract tourists.

The novel is a delightful homage to books and the people who love them. Bivald’s portrayal of eccentric villagers and their dynamics adds depth and humor to the narrative. However, readers should note that the story unfolds at a leisurely pace, with numerous tangents exploring characters’ backstories and village life. This meandering approach may not appeal to those seeking a straightforward, fast-paced mystery. 

Overall, “The Murders in Great Diddling” is an entertaining read that celebrates the magic of books and community. Fans of literature and cozy mysteries will likely appreciate the bookish references and the charming setting. It’s a novel to savor slowly, much like a leisurely afternoon in a quaint village bookshop.

This was a cute cozy and I can't wait to see what happens in the next installment of the series. This was my 1st book by Katarina Bivald but will not be my last! I am adding all of her books to my TBR!

#TheMurdersinGreatDiddling
#NetGalley

Katarina Bivald’s The Murders in Great Diddling is a delightful twist on the classic cozy mystery, blending humor, intrigue, and charming small-town eccentricities. Set in the fictional English village of Great Diddling, the story follows an amateur sleuth who must untangle a web of secrets to solve a murder that shocks this seemingly idyllic community.

Bivald’s writing shines with wit and warmth, skillfully balancing the suspense of a whodunit with the quirky charm of her vividly drawn characters. The plot is cleverly crafted, keeping readers guessing with unexpected twists while maintaining the lighthearted tone that makes cozy mysteries so enjoyable.

The audiobook, narrated with finesse, enhances the experience by bringing the colorful personalities of Great Diddling to life. The narrator’s distinct voices for each character and spot-on comedic timing immerse listeners in the story, making the audiobook a perfect choice for fans of the genre.

At its heart, The Murders in Great Diddling is more than just a mystery—it’s a celebration of community, resilience, and the joy of uncovering hidden truths. Whether you’re a seasoned mystery lover or new to the genre, this audiobook offers a thoroughly entertaining and satisfying escape. Highly recommended for a cozy, laugh-out-loud listen!

Difficult to rate because while I think the quality of this was good, it wasn’t particularly enjoyable to read.

This is a lovely ode to booksellers and the mystery and its solve we’re fine, but it’s extremely slow, and probably needs a lot of improvement in pacing to be appealing to most readers. There’s too much dialogue and not enough atmosphere, and the plot wanders a lot in a way that feels tedious.

I enjoyed the part of the plot that dealt with the book festival, which was clever and funny, and the mystery itself would have been perfectly fine had it been better paced. A lot of the problem is that this book is just *way* too long for this type of story, and could have benefitted greatly from an editor being a hit more ruthless in cutting down its volume.

The Murders in Great Diddling is a romp through a quaint English village that’s weirder than it first appears. The author blends cozy and cryptic and it’s delightful.
The story revolves around Berit Gardner, a writer struggling with writer's block, who finds herself unexpectedly drawn into the mysterious happenings of Great Diddling. The townfolk decide to use this to revitalize the village.
The mystery is just a nice side benefit and allows for the focus to be on the both the village and its inhabitants. I loved this!

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Dreamscape media for a copy of this book.
#TheMurdersinGreatDiddling #NetGalley

Berit Gardner, is an author whose writers' block holds all inspiration captive despite her looming deadline. She moves to the quaint British village of Great Diddling in hopes of finding inspiration among the locals. But when a tea party at the manor’s library turns deadly, with an explosion claiming the life of an unpopular community member, Berit might have stumbled upon the perfect story. Or has she bitten off more than she can chew, with a host of potential suspects and motives?

Told from multiple perspectives, each character contributes a vital clue to the mystery. As with many small villages, Great Diddling is home to a colorful array of personalities, adding depth and intrigue to the narrative. The story feels like the start of a series, positioning Berit as a budding amateur detective—think Miss Marple meets Mrs. Fletcher.

Narrator Helen Lloyd does a remarkable job bringing The Murders in Great Diddling to life. Book lovers, in particular, will delight in the many literary references scattered throughout, especially given that the explosive event occurs in a library.

This was such a wonderful, cozy mystery! I loved the small town without its quirky inhabitants, and the main character was smart and capable. The murder mystery was engaging, and the conclusion was immensely satisfying.

I listened to the audiobook and felt the narration was very well performed. Helen Lloyd brought the characters to life and really let their personalities shine through.

This is a perfect cozy mystery to curl up with and enjoy. I can't wait for more of this series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the mystery novel form of a BBC murder mystery set in a small English village, and it worked perfectly! We’ve got a disliked local murdered early on and more than one Great Diddling resident claims that they are behind it. While you might think someone dying violently would make for a dark novel, it is nowhere near as dark as you might expect it to be.

You get several different points of view throughout Murders, and it also is a strong element of the book. We begin with a Swedish novelist who happens to live in Great Diddling, a police officer, and other residents. And you get quite a bit of time for each POV- it doesn’t rotate quickly. At first, I found it a bit odd but it absolutely helps you discover different parts of the mystery. (And you never have a chance to get annoyed with any one character, which I find tends to happen for me with those mystery shows.)

Helen Lloyd’s narration for this audiobook is also great. It’s pleasant to listen to, despite the murder and crime!

The publisher has referred to this as a cosy, but I would say that Murders is definitely not a cosy. (Too many people and publishers use “cosy” when they mean “mystery in general” but that rant is for another day.) This book does have some darker elements running through it (that don’t dominate) and does not have the easily tracked path that a cosy would have. If you are in the mood for a cosy, then this might not be the book for you. However, if you want a broader mystery novel, I highly recommend giving this a chance!

I want to thank Netgalley and author for gifting me the author. I really enjoyed this book. If you love cozy murder myster you will like this one! I love the authors style of writing, it almost felt like I was reading an old fashion type novel. Like Agetha Christi novel. Highly recommend

I just couldn’t listen to this audiobook. Some narrators just annoy me, and this one was one. I was so excited for it, the story line sounds great. I’ll probably try a paper copy of the book in the future.

Berit travels to Diddling for the quiet cozy village to finish her next book. The only issue is that a bomb goes off murdering a man from the village. The village tries to rally and turn this into advertising make a murder and books fair, but as they continue digging into who could have done it, secrets from the villagers start being revealed. Berit provides some clues to the local constable and after a lot of chaos is able to help solve the crimes without revealing too many secrets. This tries really hard to be like Miss Marple, but falls flat in trying to add more twists and turns. I'm not sure what my issue with the book is, but it just wasn't entertaining to me.

fantastically funny and compelling murder mystery. I would highly recommend. The characters develop so well throughout the plot and I truly had no idea who had done it. Beautifully narrated also.

Thank you to @Net Galley and @Mcmillian Audio for the ARC. What a cute read. I listened to the audio and it was so much fun. The accents really brought the book alive. Trying to solve a murder in a town full of book lovers with their own stories was comical at times. This is a sleepy town I would want to visit.

I had a hard time connecting with the main character and I also didn’t find the story as charming as I had hoped for.
Overall a mediocre read.

I really wanted to love this one, but if I had been reading the ebook and not listening to it during a road trip it would have been a dnf for me. I just couldn’t connect to the characters or story, and it felt like it dragged on to me.

I did enjoy the narrator and how they changed their voices slightly for certain characters.

An entertaining cozy crime story featuring Berit Gardner, an author seeking inspiration for her next book, a Cornish village full of eccentrics and a country house full of old books. The large cast of characters results in the plot meandering a bit but in the whole it was enjoyable to listen to and quite engaging.