I like this book a lot. Really like Judes relationship as an auntie and sister. The friendships were great as was the scenery too.
I dont think the fact that this was book 6 and i hadnt read any others was a problem. Jude had agreed for her farm to be featured on “countryfile” for 3 weeks until Christmas Eve. When the joint host is poisoned by a peanut live on air the scene is set and Jude looks for the guilty suspect. Thank you netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

The story was a great and nice cosy mystery, that even though my suspicious was right in the end, I enjoyed the book.
Jude, the farm owner is offered by a tv company a contract so they can film live the show. But after the first attempt to murder on Annie things start to feel suspicious and not all what it seems to be.
Of course Jude and her gut feelings hellp the detectives along their investigations.
I liked also the ideea of the romantic relashionship that ends with her toghether with Marco.

It was a good read, I liked all the characters and the plot of the story and also how it ends.

Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC. This is my only and honest opinion.

Even without having read earlier books in this series, I was able to understand quickly the characters' relationships and past interactions. Jude, the cozy novel's amateur detective, allows a TV show to film on her farm, a decision she regrets when the bodies start to pile up. The pace dragged a bit for me in the middle, but the author brought together several threads at the end, and the book reached an emotionally satisfying conclusion. Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the eARC.

A film crew arrives for a three week stay at Jude’s farm. Is the money worth the trouble they brought with them? Murder, intrigue, betrayal aplenty in this novel with a goodly amount of twisty red herrings. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A gentle read. I thought it erred too much on the side of commercial / women's fiction with the murder element being more of an afterthought but the characters were charming and well drawn and ending genuinely moving.

A good story trying to work out who done it! Well written and really engaging plus enough to keep you guessing...

Festive Calamity..
The sixth outing in The Malvern Mysteries series finds a film crew ascending for the filming of a festive edition of a national television show and Jude is thrilled. Until, that is, a very dead crew member is discovered and the circumstances of death are suspicious - it is clearly not the accident that it first appeared to be. Cue Jude and let the investigation commence. As Jude begins to dig deep, secrets will out. Another nicely written cosy mystery with a credible cast, a well imagined setting and a likeable protagonist in Jude.

First, thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC!

No idea what made me want to read a Christmas thriller in the middle of summer, even when it was a cozy one. But I was drawn in by the cover and title, and the blurb sounded also interesting. And even when it was part of a series, I did not have major problems to follow along. Sure, sometimes I wished to have some more background information - especially when it came to the relationship the characters had with one another - but, that was a me problem and not a book problem, obviously.

It was fun to follow along Jude and her life on Malvern Farm. Well, when someone ofn the TV crew filming there was found dead, it sure was no fun anymore at least for Jude, but still. Giving this one solid 4,5 stars and would really wish someone would make a movie out of this because I would very much watch it!

This is the latest instalment in a series of cosy mystery fiction featuring Jude, Jude's sister Lucy, Lucy's fiancé Noah and their son Sebbie who live on a farm which is about to become the centre piece of a Christmas Special of a popular TV show. I have not read others in the series but soon became familiar with the main cast of characters which also features Di Binnie, elderly would-be sleuth Granny Margot and Jude's friend Marco who is dating one of Jude's other friends, a situation that has Jude confounded as she has recently discovered her own feelings for him. With snow arriving and a wedding in the air, and an incident that looks like attempted murder, this story has all the ingredients of a Christmas cosy mystery. This is one to enjoy in December with a mug of cocoa, not highly sophisticated, and I guessed the outcome very early on, but a pleasant read for when the nights draw in.

My problem with this book was that I didn't know it was part of a series, but that's my issue and did not distract me from enjoying this read, though I obviously struggled a little with the relationships because of this. I do intend to go back and read the other books in the series though, as if they're half as good, I'm in for a treat.
My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the reading copy.

I really enjoyed this festive cozy mystery! I didn’t realize that it was part of a series, but I was not at all lost—and now I look forward to reading the previous five books set on a farm in the English countryside. I loved the setting, as well as the descriptions of the landscape, the animals, the neighboring village, and the local people. Totally charming and the mystery at the heart of the book is fascinating. When protagonist Jude agreed to host a hit TV show on her farm for 3 weeks in December, she certainly didn’t expect these things to happen. However, she gets wrapped up in trying to figure out who is responsible, and I loved being part of this ride. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC and the opportunity to share my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read "A Very Merry Murder" in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is book six in the wonderful Malvern Mysteries series. It's December 1st and Jude Gray is busy preparing for Christmas, her sister Lucy's wedding and her paddock is full of television people filming for the next 3 weeks for a Christmas series. What could possibly go wrong with all this happening?

An allergic reaction starts things off and a missing EpiPen. Next there appears to be a murder. An obnoxious television producer is making Jude regret agreeing to the land being used. Are the husband and wife presenters really as happy as they try to pretend. Another murder happens and Jude discovers that there are messages being sent in plastic snack tubs and she's investigating. Jude often forgets that she is a famer and not on the police payroll when she is putting herself in grave danger.

The suspect in this case is surprising, followed by a twist that brings about some tense and exciting scenes.

Lucy and Noah have a wonderful wedding and there might be good news for Jude and Marco as well.
Granny Margot has a good number of scenes in the book which is wonderful because she is my favourite character because she is always keen to talk murders with Jude.

Jude hesitated to accept an offer from the popular show Countryside Live to film on her farm, torn between privacy and the practical need for funding. Yet, the money could go a long way in preserving the farm that she cherished. When she decided to accept, she had no idea all the troubles the show would bring.

This is a great multi-faceted mystery with a wide variety of characters. In addition, I appreciated the added challenge of trying to determine both the killer and the actual target.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed the latest book in this series. It’s interesting to see relationships developing and the farm setting (particularly at Christmas) is idyllic. A reality TV programme is being filmed at Jude’s farm and the disruption this causes is described very well. A twist at the end really took me by surprise! I’m looking forward to more investigations by Jude and her police officer friends.

A great read.
Jude Gray young widow along with her two dogs Pip and Alfie, running Malvern Farm with the help of her brother in law Noah.
Two things to look forward to Christmas and her sister Lucy's wedding to Noah so it's busy busy busy times.
This book has a little bit of everything and lots of drama as you keep reading.
Amazingly Book Six but found it's easily read as a stand alone read.
Loved it.

Jude has her hands full running the farm, preparing for Christmas and getting ready for her sister's wedding.. But a movie crew has offered her a welcome influx of money to allow them to film there for 3 weeks. What could go wrong - murder of course! Great start to a new series.

Book review: Kate Wells, A Very Merry Murder
Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.

I went into A Very Merry Murder expecting a cozy Christmas mystery with some charming countryside flavor—and what I got was so much better. Kate Wells has delivered a witty, warm, and smartly plotted story that hit every note I was hoping for. Yes, it’s cozy. Yes, it’s festive. But it’s also quietly sharp, surprisingly layered, and loaded with subtle humor. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to wrap up in a blanket, pour some tea, and ignore your phone until you’ve hit the last page.

The story opens with Jude Gray, a widowed farmer who’s finally found her footing running Malvern Farm. It’s not easy—nothing about farm life is—but she’s holding it down with help from her sister Lucy, Lucy’s fiancé Noah, and Jude’s adorable nephew Sebbie. Things take a turn when a national TV show, Countryside Live, decides to film their big Christmas special on her land. The money is good, the exposure could help the farm… but Jude quickly realizes that showbiz brings more drama than she bargained for. When a crew member turns up dead and it starts to look less like an accident and more like murder, Jude finds herself knee-deep in another mystery.

This book is a perfect blend of countryside charm and Agatha Christie-style suspicion. The murder mystery at its heart is genuinely compelling, with just enough red herrings, misdirection, and “ah-ha!” moments to keep me flipping pages well into the night. Wells doesn’t rely on cheap twists—she sets up her clues with care and delivers satisfying payoffs. I didn’t figure out the killer until Jude did, and when I did, I had that wonderful moment of going back through earlier chapters thinking, “Of course. It was right there.”

Jude is what really makes this book sing. She’s relatable in a way that feels rare in cozy mysteries. She’s not quirky or cutesy—she’s grounded. She’s smart, sarcastic, stubborn, and deeply loyal. I loved her dry wit, her unwillingness to suffer fools, and the way she quietly carries so much emotional weight without ever tipping into melodrama. Her relationship with her family is heartwarming without being saccharine, and her chemistry with artist (and maybe-more-than-a-friend) Marco adds just the right touch of romance. There’s a spark between them that simmers under the surface, complicated by timing, friendship, and old feelings that never quite went away.

The supporting cast is just as strong. Granny Margot is an absolute standout—sharp as a tack, completely unfiltered, and a delight every time she’s on the page. Binnie, Jude’s friend in the police force, adds a great dynamic to the investigation side of the plot, especially as she’s recovering from her own professional shake-up. Even the animals at the farm, from the ducks to the sheep with names like Rodney Trotter, bring their own charm to the story without feeling like over-the-top props. It’s the kind of book where every character, even the minor ones, feels fully realized and authentic.

One of the things I appreciated most is how Kate Wells handles tone. This is a cozy mystery, yes—but it never feels twee or shallow. There’s real emotion under the surface: grief, frustration, longing, even anger. But it’s handled with a light touch, and always balanced by humor. The setting—a farm under a blanket of snow, dotted with fairy lights and muddy boots—is beautifully rendered. It’s festive without being too sweet, and it never loses sight of the murder at its core.

The pacing is solid throughout, with a slight slowdown in the middle, but not enough to lose momentum. Just when I started to wonder where things were going, a new clue or complication would pull me right back in. And the ending? Completely satisfying. No loose ends, no last-minute cheats—just a clean, clever resolution that left me with a smile.

One line that stayed with me long after I finished reading was: “Secrets don’t go away just because you pretend they’re snow underfoot. They always melt through eventually.” It’s such a simple metaphor, but it captures the entire essence of the book: the way things hidden beneath the surface always have a way of coming to light, especially in a small village where everyone thinks they know everything.
• A Very Merry Murder * is exactly what you want in a holiday mystery: cozy but not soft, funny without losing its edge, and packed with heart. Whether you’ve read the previous books in the series or are jumping in fresh (like I did), this one works beautifully as a standalone. I didn’t feel lost or out of place—Wells gives just enough context to welcome new readers without slowing down the plot.

If you like your mysteries with atmosphere, wit, and a heroine you’ll genuinely root for, do yourself a favor and pick this up. It’s a standout addition to the cozy crime genre, and I’ll absolutely be spending more time at Malvern Farm.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (4.5 stars)

A Very Merry Murder finds Jude Gray preparing for the arrival of a beloved national television crew filming their Christmas special at Malvern Farm—an honour she hardly expected after embracing a quieter life. But as the cameras roll, tragedy strikes, and a shadow falls over the season of goodwill.

What follows is a beautifully paced tale, rich with atmosphere and finely drawn characters. Wells evokes the frosty beauty of the Malvern Hills and the tension of small-town secrets with an elegant hand. Jude remains a luminous protagonist—intelligent, resilient, and deeply relatable as she navigates both the quiet rhythms of farm life and the sharp disruptions of murder. The setting is beautifully festive without being overdone—mistletoe and mince pies meet secrets and suspicion. Kate Wells gives us an engaging mystery that unravels in layers, with red herrings aplenty and a satisfying conclusion. Jude remains a grounded and likeable lead: smart, capable, and a little stubborn in the best way.

This latest instalment of the Malvern Mysteries is perfect for readers seeking depth within their cosy crime: a narrative with warmth and wit that never sacrifices sophistication. If you enjoy a countryside caper with holiday cheer and heart, this one’s a winner. I didn’t want to put it down—and I’ll definitely be tuning in for Jude’s next adventure.

with thanks to Kate Wells, the publisher and Net Galley for the ARC.

3.5 stars. I love both Christmas and murder mysteries, and I couldn’t wait to dig into this new-to-me author in A VERY MERRY MURDER.

The story takes place on a beautiful farm in wintry December. While it’s #6 in a series that I haven’t yet read, I got to know the characters quite easily through the backstory provided. Jude lives on the farm that she ran with her husband until his untimely death from cancer. Also helping out at the farm are her sister, Lucy, Lucy’s fiancé, Noah, and Lucy’s son, Sebbie.

It’s hard keeping the farm afloat, and so Jude agrees to allow a TV program, <i>Countryside Live</i>, film on the farm for three weeks in December in exchange for a hefty fee. But shortly after they start filming, a member of the crew dies suspiciously, leading Jude to investigate whether a murder has occurred.

While Jude’s irritated attitude towards the film crew was a bit off-putting at first, she grew on me as the story unfolded. The UK setting was pretty awesome, too. The supporting characters were great, especially Binnie, Jude’s DI friend from the police force, Granny Margot, an elderly friend of Jude’s who loves a good mystery, and Marco, Jude’s friend and former love interest.

The mystery was interesting and there were lots of suspects, but the pacing slowed a bit towards the middle. Thankfully, it picked up towards the end.

Overall, despite the fact that murders were involved, this was a sweet and wholesome story. I’m looking forward to continuing the series!

I haven't read many of this author's books, but I'm very glad that I read A Very Merry Murder.
The title, description, and cover attracted me, and as I settled in to read, I found myself quite interested in the life of Jude and her family.
When a popular television show is filming on her farm, Jude is not prepared for all the drama involved, or the murder that takes place.
This is an excellent holiday cozy mystery that I'm happy to recommend to others.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.