Judy Leigh is a guaranteed fun read. She never fails to entertain and amuse me with her quirky, authentic, and entirely knowable characters. I am enjoying this new cozy series, the murders are well-contrived and unpredictable, and keep the little pea in my brain pinging.

I enjoy Judy Leigh's books featuring mature female characters and she continues the trend in her cozy mystery series, Morwenna Mutton Mysteries. The books feature 4 generations, Morwenna, her daughter, granddaughter and mother. Morwenna works part time at the library in Seal Bay and also helps her daughter out at her café. Her life should be quiet, especially after her last investigation wound down, but another dead body revs her up again. Local DJ and investigative reporter, Irina, has something to tell Morwenna, but instead of showing up for a drink, her body washes up on shore. Irina is a strong swimmer, so Morwenna knows she couldn't have drowned and when the autopsy shows tap water in her lungs, her hunch is correct. Local news dubs the murderer, The Cream Tea Killer, after Cornwall's delicacy. The police ask Morwenna to keep her eyes and ears open and report what she finds out, but when the killer finds out that Morwenna is snooping around, she and her family are put in danger.

This was another great mystery that had some twists and the final reveal had me dropping my jaw. Morwenna has access to most people in Seal Bay between the library and café, so she finds things out that get her intuitive juices flowing. She is also good friends with the police detective and they appreciate her help, which isn't always the case in cozy mysteries. Her granddaughter adds a refreshing presence to the story, with her innocent nature that is hilarious at times. Morwenna's ex-husband plays a huge role in this story, helping her when she is attacked, and putting himself in danger. She is also dating and that is another relationship that has her in danger on one of their dates. I think this is the best one in the series yet. The actual motive for the crime is one that is a bit darker than most in a cozy mystery, but I really liked the final showdown and arrest. An excellent cozy mystery with a bit more bit to it.

This is the first book I have read in the Morwenna Mutton series. Though I would have probably enjoyed it more if I had read earlier books, it was still a good read and worked okay as a standalone. I have liked several books by the author, Judy Leigh, so I looked forward to getting involved in this one. Great characters, an interesting murder mystery, and a delightful six-year-old granddaughter, Elowen. She is the star of the show! The people of Seal Bay are caring and supportive of each other which adds to the pleasure of getting lost in the pages. I would like to read the first two books in the series so that any future books will allow me to feel more connected to the cast of characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

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Adult
British Literature
Contemporary
Cozy
Cozy Mystery
Crime
Mystery

Murder, mischief, and scones galore ☕🔪. The Cream Tea Killer is a cosy, charming mystery with plenty of heart and a side of humour. Judy Leigh serves up the perfect mix of quirky characters, small-town intrigue, and deliciously twisty plotting. I loved the warmth, the clever clues, and the quintessentially British setting. This is the ideal read for curling up with a cuppa and getting lost in a murder mystery that feels as comforting as it is clever.

What do you get when you mix wild swimming, Cornish charm, and a dash of murder? The Cream Tea Killer, of course! Judy Leigh returns with another delightfully twisty addition to the Morwenna Mutton Mystery series, and it’s as comforting—and as sharply satisfying—as a scone with jam and cream (jam first, obviously).

Morwenna, the most charming librarian-turned-sleuth in Cornwall, is hoping for a quiet spell in sleepy Seal Bay. But when local DJ Irina turns up dead after asking for a secretive meeting, Morwenna’s instincts kick in. She knows this isn’t an accidental drowning—and she’s determined to prove it.

With suspicious locals, secrets brewing beneath the coastal calm, and a killer dubbed “The Cream Tea Killer” lurking in the shadows, Morwenna juggles investigating with family life, beach walks, and the occasional slice of cake. The mystery unfolds with wit, warmth and just enough menace to keep you flipping pages long past bedtime.

A perfect cosy whodunit that doesn’t take itself too seriously but still delivers a satisfying mystery. Fans of Richard Osman and The Thursday Murder Club will feel right at home in Seal Bay. I’m already craving the next slice of Morwenna’s adventures!

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I read this book quite a while ago and don't know why it wasn't reviewed straight away. I haven't read any other books with Morwenna in, and it was alluded that she has solved mysteries before but this did not affect the enjoyment of this story as I found that it can be read as a standalone book.

Morwenna is a mature lady who has a nose for trouble, when she is approached by Irina a news anchor for a local radio station, she believes that she is going to share some significant news with her that she needs her help with, but Irina turns up dead on the beach on the morning she was supposed to meet with Morwenna. Officially it is being looked at as a suicide but Morwenna knows that Irina would not kill herself and she was onto something that had got her killed but should she put herself and her family at risk trying to find out what story she was working on ?

I enjoyed this book with all it's twists and turns and the ending was not predictable at all and it really keeps you guessing. If you like the gentler murder mystery type books with a beautiful backdrop then this is the book for you

This is the third book in the series and, as seems to be the case so often nowadays, I haven't managed to read the first two yet. Saying that it didn't spoil my enjoyment of the book, it is a cozy mystery with plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing all the way to the end. There are also some domestic issues that Morwenna, the main character and amateur sleuth, is dealing with alongside her helping the police investigating a murder. A very enjoyable book and I will certainly have to read more of this author's books.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

This is the coziest little mystery featuring a more mature woman who really isn't afraid of anything.

THE CREAM TEA KILLER is the third in a series, but feels like it can be read as a stand alone book.

Morwenna is fun! She's spunky, has a great attitude, and honestly, someone I would like to be around. She definitely has all of the gossip and is not afraid to really dive into finding the truth when someone needs help. The other characters she meets along the way have similar traits- it really feels like this world is just on the edge of being real, but still quaint enough to feel like a dream.

the setting of Cornwall feels delightful, a bit surreal, and well lived in. I credit all of this to Judy Leigh's writing- it sharp, clever, and keeps you invested.

This started out as a wild ride, but lost me some towards the end.

I was a little apprehensive at first. The main character is in her sixties. I’ve read other books with 60+ sleuths and those were all of the darling old lady variety. No such thing with Morwenna. She may be grey-haired, but that does not stop her from getting to the bottom of things, including a little law breaking. Which I normally find very annoying when the sleuth does that, but Morwenna could have asked me to stand watch for her and I still wouldn’t have tried to talk her out of it.

Somewhere around the middle, the mystery started to sag about. Perhaps I had other things on my mind, but mostly it was that Morwenna didn’t snoop so much as had chance encounters that turned out to be usefull.

The book completely lost me towards the end with the killer’s confession. This killer could have gotten away with it if not for the confrontation with the sleuth, and is smart enough to have realized that. (But why did the killer leave a day between killing Irina and searching her office for her laptop?)

The Cream Tea Killer by Judy Leigh is a delightful and charming cozy mystery set in the picturesque English countryside. The story follows a retired woman named Ethel, who is living in a quaint village and running a local tea room. The peace of her rural life is disrupted when a murder occurs, and Ethel finds herself reluctantly involved in solving the crime.

Leigh skilfully blends the classic elements of a cozy mystery with humour and heartwarming moments. The setting is beautifully described, evoking a sense of calm and nostalgia that enhances the narrative. The characters, particularly Ethel, are well-developed and likable, making it easy for readers to become invested in their journey.

The plot unfolds with intrigue, while the pacing ensures the reader is kept engaged without feeling rushed. The central mystery is satisfying, with plenty of twists and red herrings to keep things interesting. Overall, The Cream Tea Killer is an enjoyable and light-hearted read perfect for fans of cozy mysteries who appreciate a blend of humour, intrigue, and a touch of whimsy.

Judy Leigh delivers a charming, cozy mystery with The Cream Tea Killer. Set in a picturesque village, the story blends humor, quirky characters, and an intriguing whodunit. Protagonist Daisy is delightful, and the mystery keeps you engaged. The pacing lags slightly in places, but the warmth and wit make up for it. A perfect read for fans of cozy mysteries and British countryside charm!

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Morwenna Mutton is back on the case in Judy Leigh’s latest entertaining cosy mystery, The Cream Tea Killer.

Amateur sleuth Morwenna Mutton is happy to leave the sleuthing to the police and is looking forward to her life returning to some semblance of normality. However, when local DJ Irina asks her to meet about some nefarious goings-on at Seal Bay, curiosity gets the better of her and Morwenna agrees to meet her. Only, Irina never shows up because her body is discovered washed up on the beach. The police believe that it was an accidental drowning, but Morwenna’s gut instincts are telling her that there’s far more to Irina’s death than meets the eye.

Irina was a strong swimmer who was fully conversant with the local conditions, so she certainly would not drown. Just what had she wanted to meet Morwenna about? What had the DJ uncovered? And who was willing to go to such desperate lengths to keep Irina from spilling the beans?

Morwenna needs to tread carefully if she wants to bring Irina’s killer to justice. But she needs to watch her step and trust nobody because one false move and it would be her body the police dredge up from the sea next!

I love Judy Leigh’s books and will read anything she writes and her Morwenna Mutton series is absolutely fantastic. The Cream Tea Killer is her latest mystery and it is full of wicked wit, Cornish charm and plenty of red herrings and twists and turns that kept me up until the early hours of the morning desperate to find out who killed Irina.

A superb Cornish cosy mystery from a huge favourite of mine, The Cream Tea Killer is another immensely enjoyable treat from Judy Leigh.

Like many people who pick a cozy mystery off the shelves, I went into this one not knowing it was the third in a series--- fortunately in this case, it's very much a series you can jump into without having read the rest.

I enjoyed the easy writing style which was very appropriate to the genre and I also appreciated having an older cast as that always adds a complexity to relationships that only years together can have.

While I wish there had been a few more clues dropped earlier on, the mystery itself developped naturally and I didn't feel blindsided by the reveals --- everything made sense and had a solid footing in the story.

That said, I wish it had been a bigger part of the book. Often, I felt myself feeling like this was more romance/slice of life with a side of mystery, rather than a mystery with cozy elements. It also fell into the unfortunate place of needing to give every single person in town --- a LOT of names were thrown about, often in short periods of time, some only mentioned once or twice, and it made it difficult to keep track of the main cast throughout.

It was a quick, cozy read and I would recommend for fans of the Murder She Wrote books

Thank you NetGalley for this arc!!

This is the third book in the series and man was it ever good!!

After realising this was part 3 of a series, I had to read book 1 and 2 first. And I did that, getting to know Morwenna Mutton and the Mutton women and her very simple yet complicated life.

It was refreshing, that the sleuth was somewhat of a middle-aged lady, who was not a gossipy housewife (hence knowing all the goings of her neighbours from her window) but was actually a sporty, strong woman enjoying a new relationship and having a strong community presence as well.

After book 1 and 2, I was wondering who else could be killed in the small town, and I was not disappointed! New characters from the radio station was introduced, and even some new holidaymakers from out of town came into the story. No spoilers, but I am very looking forward to the next instalment of the Morwenna Mutton mysteries, hopefully set in autumn next!

This is the third in a cozy mystery series set in a Cornwall sea town. It’s great fun to read these books and each can be read as a standalone. In this one, it opens with Morwenna dressed as a prawn (type of shrimp) for the Seal Bay Sea Shanty Festival. When Morwenna is approached by a local radio station DJ/journalist to meet privately, Morwenna never expects what happens next.
There’s a great cast of supporting characters and friends to help Morwenna solve the mysteries, including a new Chief Inspector. There’s Morwenna’s ex, a magician, a ghost, and countless others to move the story and build the sense of community. It was lovely to visit Cornwall and Morwenna again.

The Seal Bay Sea Shanty Festival is in full swing when Morwenna (dressed as a prawn) is approached by local Bay Radio DJ and journalist Irina Bacheva. She arranges to meet with her the next evening but Irina never shows up. Her fiancé says she never came home. Morwenna, who is getting a reputation as an amateur sleuth, is worried, since Irina has told her she has an explosive story about illegal goings-on which will make heads roll when it comes out. Her friend PC Jane Choy warns Morwenna about getting too involved but the maid just can’t resist breaking into the studio and helping herself to Irina’s diary and a folder of notes just as someone else is cleaning up the office and removing a laptop. Morwenna finds she was right to be worried when she and Jane discover Irina’s dead body washed up on the beach after one of their early morning wild swims. Irina was also a strong swimmer so Morwenna immediately suspects foul play. She receives the backing of the very impressive new broom Chief Inspector Blessed Barnarde to keep her ear to the ground as DI Rick Tremayne makes a fool of himself again. As she gets stuck in to another investigation with help from her friends, Morwenna is determined to find out just what Irina was on the trail of but in doing so, will she become a target for the Cream Tea Killer?
And the ghost of Lady Elizabeth Pengellen also makes a reappearance in the library!
In a series which has really grown on me, it was good to see more appearances from old faces Lamorna, Tamsin, Elowen, Ruan, Lifeboat knitters Barb and Susan Grundy, and Douglas and Louise from the library, together with new faces such as magician Sheppy and tearoom cook Zach as Morwenna finds herself caught between two lovers. It was lovely to see the great friendship between Morwenna and her ex-partner Ruan and the caring closeknit community of Seal Bay in this cosy crime story with some gentle sleuthing and plenty of suitable suspects. The characters are charming, vibrant and humorous and there is plenty to love in this thoroughly engrossing story. Morwenna makes a great lead character and I look forward to more in this lovely series.

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

This is the third book in the Morwenna Mutton cosy mysteries, set in Cornwall. I really enjoyed the previous instalments, so I was excited about this.

Even from the beginning, I found this book and its characters made me chuckle. It was lovely to visit Seal Bay again, and escape into the lovely seaside atmosphere. I really like Morwenna as a protagonist, and there are some other characters that I find endearing. Morwenna’s granddaughter, Elowen, melts my heart, her potential suitor, Barnaby, is very charming, and I also love Brenda the cat. If you haven't read the previous books in the series, I'd say this works well as a standalone, but I would recommend the previous books as well.

This was lovely to read, and it satisfied my craving for a cosy mystery. It was a lovely new instalment to the series; very entertaining, with some loveable characters and heartwarming moments as well. I'd say that Morwenna Mutton is a little bit like Cornwall's answer to Agatha Raisin, so if you're a fan of hers, you'll probably love Morwenna.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

I absolutely loved this cozy British mystery. This was my first entry into the series, and it certainly worked as a stand alone. (Although as most readers do, I have now added books one and two to my always growing TBR pile.)

I was lucky enough to snag this on audio from my library which made this an extra special treat. I loved the cozy setting in the close-knit, small seaside town in Cornwall. The murder of a friend and local DJ was the driving mystery, and while I had a guess at the culprit, I think I enjoyed the characters the most. Solving the murder with Morwenna as she made her way through town, getting to know the local police, as well as Morwenna’s friends at the library was terrific. Three generations of Mutton women running the tearoom was a wonderful addition to the story. I also found six-year-old granddaughter, Elowen to be delightful and added great humor to the story. The entire story was a lovely balance of humor and mystery. The cozy details brought the setting to life and made for a wonderful literary escape.

Morwenna fits all the criteria for the perfect cozy protagonist…and then some! She’s smart, lovable, nosey and mature. The author delivers a solid mystery along with each and very visit with Morwenna and the gang. I love this series!