I love the DCI Jack Dawes stories. Like the previous novels, this one manages to create an enjoyable mystery which is gritty but also full of warmth and humour.. When local unpopular and adulterous butcher and choir member Charlie Snell is murdered, there is no shortage of suspects. But when other members of the choir also fall victim, it looks like a serial killer is on the loose. Is someone picking off choir members or do Charlie's dodgy dealings have something to do with the deaths? But things are more complicated than they seem. Jack and his team find themselves with a huge puzzle to solve. In trying to find the solution, one of the team is seriously injured, adding that welcome layer of grit to this wonderfully cosy story. This is a perfect mystery for Christmas and I would recommend it for all lovers of entertaining murder mysteries to have in their stockings.

This was an excellent read and my first experience with this author but I will definitely be looking out for further titles. Well d9ne.

3* Something to pass the time, but it wasn't the promised 'enthralling murder-mystery with a twist', sadly.

This is nicely written and feels and reads like a would-be cosy mystery, minus the civilian sleuths I've come to expect.

The Velma character was possibly the best, followed by the old dear that got offed. The main detective didn't come across as entirely believable - I mean, with the times or not, who needs the term hook-up explained in 2025? I'm not sure he did any work, tbh, leaving it to his team. And buying his wife bright yellow peekaboo undies, when he didn't know her size or tastes, didn't come across as believable. I did, however, like the sound of the stuff cooked up, pun not intended, by his wife Corrie, of Coriander Cuisine.

This definitely wasn't the promised enthralling murder-mystery but it was a readable, if stop-start, book.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Joffe Books for my reading pleasure.

When members of a village choir start being killed off it is up to DI Jack Dawes and his fellow police officers to discover who is guilty. This was not a hard-core police procedural; it read a bit more like a cozy without amateur detectives running amok--well a wife might be trying to help out her husband. The characters are relatable and fun to read about. There is humor as well as a compelling mystery that kept me guessing until the end. I look forward to reading more in this series.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

This is the first book in this series that I’ve read, and I will go back and read the earlier entries. The police team and other characters are interesting, and the plot was entertaining. Who knew a village choir could be such a hotbed of adultery, crime, and murder!

The members of the Richington Community Choir are dropping like flies. First DI Jack Dawes and the Met’s Murder Investigation Team in Kings Richington of DS Mike "Bugsy" Malone, DCs Aled Williams, Gemma Fox, “Chippy” Chippendale and profiling star Beatrice “Velma” Dinkley, together with Clive “the geek” investigate the death of butcher Charlie Snell, proprietor of the rather unsavoury Charlie’s Chop Shop and all-round nefarious creature. Even his wife and son couldn’t stand him, so there’s no shortage of suspects but was the man committing worse crimes than adultery? But then a second victim is discovered, someone who couldn’t be more different in character to the first. What connects them? The choir or some other darker motive? With another death amongst their ranks, the remaining members run for their lives and it’s up to the detectives to delve through all the lies and secrets everyone is keeping to discover the truth. Before anyone else gets the chop.
This is truly one of my absolute favourite series and one which I would love to see televised. There is an abundance of warmth and humour between the detectives and their families despite their work solving homicides, and the series features other great characters including Big Ron (Dr Veronica Hardacre) the pathologist with voluminous knickers, DCS George Garwood, always panicking that he might not look so efficient if Jack ever left, Carlene with her fierce loyalty to the Dawes and Garland’s eccentric wife Cynthia. The story itself is cleverly written and suitably twisty to keep the reader guessing to the end. I can thoroughly recommend every book in this series and hope it continues for a long time to come!

An enjoyable read for fans of classic English village mysteries!
Despite being the 13th book in the DI Jack Dawes series, The Village Choir Killer is perfectly accessible for first time readers. With an engaging plot from the start and twists throughout, Lloyd captures the charm and quirks of English village life. From the local gossip to the close-knit community feel, Lloyd creates a setting which feels both eerily familiar and atmospheric.
Whilst not exactly pushing the boundaries of the genre, it delivers exactly what you'd expect from a cosy mystery.

Frances Lloyd delivers another satisfying and sharply written mystery in The Village Choir Killer, a title as intriguing as the story itself. With the charm of a classic British whodunit and the precision readers have come to expect from Joffe Books, this novel pulls you in with its quirky premise and keeps you turning pages with its clever execution.

The story revolves around a small village rocked by a series of chilling murders—members of the local choir are being picked off one by one. Lloyd masterfully weaves suspense with a sense of community, peeling back layers of secrets, rivalries, and long-held grudges. The pacing is tight, the clues are carefully placed, and the motive remains elusive until the final, satisfying reveal.

What makes this mystery stand out is its originality—both in concept and character. The setting feels authentic and lived-in, and the mystery itself is expertly crafted to keep readers guessing. It’s the kind of book where every detail matters, and the payoff is well worth the journey.

The Village Choir Killer is a delightfully dark and well-plotted mystery that will appeal to fans of traditional crime fiction with a modern edge. Frances Lloyd delivers once again, proving why her stories continue to captivate mystery lovers.

First book by this author I have read but I thoroughly enjoyed the entire story! Loved the added touch of humour and the collection of many different
people were very entertaining. No idea who had done what as I couldn't read this fast enough! Will be on the look out for more by this author, so enjoyed her writing.
Many thanx to NetGalley, the author and publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for the ARC. I am not sure if it is because I have not read the previous books by the author but I did not really enjoy this novel. I do hope to read it again in the future and hopefully will have a better experience then.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review "The Village Choir Killer" by Frances Lloyd. This is the 13th book in the series, and I must confess to not having read the previous 12. But I certainly plan to, having thoroughly enjoyed this entry.
The choir of Kings Richington has just experienced the loss of one of it's members, having been found murdered in the woods by one of the town's 'leading lights'. He was not well-liked, this man, and few mourn him; but DI Jack Dawes and his team nonetheless must investigate and bring the killer to justice.
But then, another choir member meets a horrible end, shortly after making a life-changing discovery. Luke was well loved in the community and his death adds to the team's investigation. And then, oh my goodness, another murder - in a rather gruesome manner; this time a wonderful little old lady who did no one any harm (but maybe, she saw or heard something?)
I likened this story to Midsomer Murders - a cross between a police procedural and a cozy. We have all of the elements: a philandering husband, a tyrannical choirmaster, cheating spouses, an unwed mother....
There's is also a sub-plot which involves International criminal activity.
All in all, a delightful book which can certainly be read as a standalone - there's enough background that you won't be lost. This will be a new series for me and I highly recommend it.

This book features a true ensemble cast of characters, all of whom are so engaging and pivotal to the plot. I really enjoyed the intertwined relationships and interactions between the characters, including the odd bit of humour. It’s a strong mystery with a few red herrings to make you think twice, including interesting insights into the victims. A fun read.

Although this was part of a series I read this as a standalone and it worked well. It was a nice and easy read and I am looking forward to reading more books in this series.

Very enjoyable and easy to read.

Books like this are the reason I read cozy mysteries-- they're funny, the people are likeable, and the murder victim is such a terrible person it's hard to narrow down the suspects. This starts as a murder but it turns out the victim was up to other shady business, and in the meantime the reader gets to enjoy village life, including the choir practice.
You don't need to read the others to enjoy this but I went back looking for #1 so I can enjoy the rest! Thanks to NetGalley and Frances Lloyd.

Murder mystery set round members of a village choir. Full of characters with much to hide. Will keep our guessing.

This is the first book I've read in this series. Now I will go back and read the previous 12 b00ks! It is a very exciting book. Elizabeth Amory, a woman very active in the community stumbles over a dead body in the woods early in the morning while running. She calls emergency. Jack Dawes, the head of Kings Richington Murder team and Sergeant Bugsy got to the site. The dead man is a local butcher named Charlie Snell who was referred to as a nasty piece of work, and he also sang in the Village Choir. The police visit the butchery, and his wife, who doesn't seem very disappointed that he is dead. She figured he hadn't come home after choir practice because he was probably sleeping with a woman in the choir. Aled suggests that he could join the choir and see if he finds out anything that would be helpful. He meets an elder woman, Mrs. Dibble who tells him she wants to help. There is soon another murder in the choir while at a concert at a garden store. Luke, the young man killed was not only a member of the choir, but an employee at the garden store. Then, there is one more murder, still with no one found as guilty and no good suspects in the choir.

Without giving away the culprits, I will say that the three murders were solved with a lot of excitement involved and even a couple of police wives helped out. Near the end, there was another unclear death which actually pointed out the first killer.

I thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for the ARC so that I could read the book before publication.

DI Jack Dawes and team have a murder of Charlie Snell to solve. Choirmaster, dodgy butcher, loose hands and thoroughly unpleasant man meaning that there are plenty of suspects. Then another member of the choir is killed, and a third. Good twisty story, realistic and pleasant police characters. Good book. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

A choir singer is found dead. Sorry to say there is quite a few suspects, as he wasn't very liked person. Then there is more murders, and the police has to wonder if this has now become a vendetta against the choir. This was an interesting read.

Follow the police as they try and find out who is killing off members of the local choir. The detail of village life and the characters they come across makes interesting reading. There are twists and turns along the way which all makes for an enjoyable read. I would certainly want to read more by this author.

Charlie, an obnoxious man who sang bass in the village choir has been found dead. No one is sorry, because Charlie the butcher was a sleazy skirt-chaser who was apparently involved in several illegal enterprises. Then when two other choir members are murdered, the police wonder if there is a vendetta against the village singers. I really enjoyed this excellent British police procedural enhanced by dry humor. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.