Murder At The Mill

This was a first for me from this author and a very enjoyable mystery. It’s very well written and written to keep the reader interested and immersed in the story and plot. It’s definitely full of twists and turns and keeps you guessing until the very end. I highly recommend for anyone who is looking for a good and well crafted mystery!

Thank you NetGalley, T.A. Belshaw and BooksGoSocial for the book Murder At The Mill. This is my personal review.
Murder At The Mill is written to keep a person guessing who was the murderer. I so enjoy a murder mystery where the guilty person is hard to figure out.
The book is set in a clothing factory Mill where Amy works and when she stumbles into the investigation of the murder of the Mill owner’s son. She is asked for her knowledge of the local area by Detective Sergeant Bodkin who is new to the area.
When the man who is arrested for the murder, he is a family friend , and Amy knows he is not guilty she sets out to find the real killer.
This is the first in a new cozy mystery series - Amy Rowlings Mystery and it is an excellent start. I look forward to the next in the series.

This was the first book I have read by this author and it was a really enjoyable whodunnit that kept readers in suspense until the very end. I can imagine it will be the start of a series. The author wrote in quite an old fashioned style and it was a very relaxed read that fully held my attention. A lovely way to escape from the current depressing world. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read a copy of this book

This is a classic cozy. With a murder, lots of suspects and some romance thrown in. Cozy readers know not all cozies are equal. This is one of the good ones. Well written, good plot, some really nasty people and a very likeable heroine. I am hoping there will be a sequel.

Meet Amy Rowlings - a machinist/sleuth/devoted daughter and friend.
Joining her in 1939 is Agatha Christie + Sherlock Holmes personified in fierce and feminine Amy Rowlings.

I like how Amy is strong and fierce and brave. She stands up for her dignity, has strong friendships, and knows how to ask for what she wants. Characteristics that are underrepresented in literature/history, but artfully done to show respect for the period in a very plausible way.

Fun, well written, and doesn't pander. An enjoyable read that shows that women could fit into society, have friendships, relationships, and a brain.

Set in 1939, the story set amongst the workings of a large mill in a small Kentish town begins with the murder of the owner's son. Edward was unpopular not just with the workers of the mill as he was immoral and tried to intimidate the women workers, but he was unpopular with his father despite being the only son.

The detectives in charge of the case work slowly and methodically to eliminate so many people who are suspect as Edward made many enemies on the way. They were hindered in their investigations by their superiors because the big wigs in the town did not want to be interrogated or questioned in anyway, and felt that it was something below their dignity to be interviewed by the Police.

The story not just a mystery murder, but set out in descriptive detail the social background and workings of a working class family life, the outlook and general day to day life of a working class girl and how they lived on a day to day basis. Amy was different from the other girls but she was also governed by the moral standards of the day and she adhered to them all. This part of the story was equally interesting as the detective part itself.

January 1939 and twenty one year old Amy Rowlings, a machinist, is on the way to work at The Mill when she meets Detective Sergeant Bodkin at the scene of a burglary in the building next to the Mill, she is blissfully unaware of how much her life is about to change. She is drawn into the murky world of murder when the body of Edward Handsley is found lying on the floor of the clothing factory. Edward, the son of factory owner George is a libertine, philanderer, and a young man with a lot of enemies, many of them female. Bodkin is new to the area and accepts Amy’s offer to provide local knowledge but she soon becomes an invaluable source of information. When Adam Smethwick is arrested for the murder, Amy, a family friend, is convinced of his innocence and sets out to prove that the detective has arrested the wrong man.
A well written book which I enjoyed although Amy’s involvement did stretch my powers of belief at times, she certainly didn’t lack confidence! However I did like Amy who just couldn’t keep her nose out of things but her local knowledge did prove to be invaluable to Bodkin. Whilst I liked Bodkin he did seem to kowtow to Amy. There was also the budding romance between the pair & I look forward to it developing in future books. An entertaining cosy mystery which I read in a couple sittings, there were plenty of twists & turns & red herrings
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Set in 1939, we join the lovely seamstress worker Amy and DS Bodkin as they solve a nasty crime. The factory

owner's son, Edward has been brutally murdered. Together, they sift through facts and lies, investigating a host

of suspects, The pace is fast as the twosome search for valid clues amongst plenty of red herrings.

It's an atmospheric story that will keep you hooked from the outset. Police procedure with commonsense,

a touch of romance. and often amusing.characters, this is an extremely enjoyable read,

I enjoyed this book, but the reminders that I hadn't read the previous one did jar a bit. The story is a bit contrived, but the characters were good and mostly of there time.

Lighthearted Mystery.....
Lighthearted cosy crime, 1939 set in a small Kent town. Engaging mystery with a likeable protagonist in young Amy Rowlings who becomes unwittingly drawn into a murder case, aided by the aptly named Sergeant Bodkin. Nicely written, flows well, laced with gentle humour and provides some perfect escapism.

Murder at the Mill by T. A. Belshaw is full of twists and turns.

It's the kind of book you cannot put down until you get to the end. Great story. Highly recommend.

An enjoyable mystery that was humourous at times. The story was set in a mill town and the characters were interesting and all quite believable. I guessed the murderer before the end but would recommend this book if you want a mystery without too much horrible detail.

A very well written cozy mystery. Good plot and character dynamics. Great historical setting. I received an arc from the publisher and Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

I enjoyed Murder at the Mill. The characters are interesting as was the mystery. As an insider at the Mill where a murder has taken place, Amy Rowlings offers her assistance to the Detective Sergeant Bodkin to find the killer of the owner's son. Their investigation finds plenty of suspects and uncovers secrets of several of the Mill's employees. I recommend it and look forward to the next one. Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to review #MurderattheMill.

A cosy detective mystery where our heroine mill-lass Amy joins with newcomer DS Bodkin to seek our who murdered the profligate son of the mill-owner. Interesting twists and turns with a good selection of potential perpetrators; looking forward to the next in the series. Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Murder At The Mill,by T.A. Belshaw is a new author to me. I was to read and review in 2020 by Net Gallery and I didn't make it but it's the beginning of 2021 and this is a fantastic crime mystery story! Very well written where you really think you know who did it but then something happened to change your mine. You have a new police detective in town so he is shown around by Amy who works in the factory where the murder happens. In 1939,this takes place where Amy finds out she's pretty good at this mystery stuff and Any and the Detective have a difference of opinion on who committed the murder and she's out to prove not only who did this but to free the one who is being accused but to show up this one minded detective he is so,so wrong even if he's handsome! Follow the leads,thickness you help these two solve this murder but there's more than a murder going on at the Mill and behind some close doors!

Most excellent read, indeed! Miss Amy Rowlings works working an industrial sewing machine. Though her skills at the machine are notable, it's her vivaciousness, cleverness, and a razor sharp wit that distinguishes her personality. She also has a penchant for solving radio and movie murder mysteries. Oh, and she is rather attractive to boot.

Her looks catch the attention of Edward, son of the owner of the factory where she works, a known womanizer. When he catches her in a small room and tries to take advantage of the situation Amy manages to put him in his place with a few quick moves and choice words.

Problem is, he is found dead later on that night, his head smashed in. The next morning Amy can't keep from trying to survey the crime scene where she encounters, Detective Sergeant Bodkin, who tries to shoo her away from the crime scene until she begins to point out some clues that are being missed. A kind of chemistry begins to draw the two together as the case unfolds.

I found the combination of great characters and an ever more complex mystery to be an intriguing combination. Also, more than in most novels in this genre, we, as readers, are immersed into the work-a-day society of the time (the 1930s), both its habits and its people.

I really enjoyed those precious minutes cruising through this book.

Murder At The Mill by T.A Belshaw is the second book I have read and reviewed by T.A Belshaw. The first being Unspoken, a family saga that I thoroughly enjoyed. So I headed into 'Murder at the Mill' with quite high expectations, I am happy to say it didn't let me down.
A new cosy crime series that geipped me from the start. Set in 1939, Amy Rowling a machinist is on her way to work at The Mill ehen she meets Detective Sergeant Bodkin, who is attending a callout to a burglery in the next door building from The Mill. She doesn't realise just how much her life is about to change. When Edward Handsley, the mill owners son is discovered dead on the floor of the clothing factory she is drawn in the middle of it. Edward apart from not being the nicest man had so many female enemies that it could be anyone. D.S Bodkin is new to the area so Amy gives him information about the area and people which makes her someone of importance for Bodkin. The man who is arrested for the murder is a family friend of Amy and she is convinced of his innocence so makes it a mission to prove it to everyone.
As I discovered with his previous book the author creates great characters and I loved Amy and her confidence. She becomes invaluable to D.S Bodkin and when she realises her friend has been arrested she takes it upon herself to go all out and find the evidence to get him out. A well written book with twists and turns throughout that keep up the pace of this cosy crime story. I always love when books are set in the past as I always lose myself in them. With the authors knack of turning back time I lost a fair few hours reading this, not that I am complaining! Definitely the opposite!! One detail I really enjoyed was that a few characters from his previous book appeared in this one...I loved that! Totally genius idea for me anyway.
Thanks to NetGalley and T.A Belshaw for the copy of this great book for my honest review today!

Cozies have been my go to books when I am looking for a something light and thought thinking to read. This book was exceptional set in 1939. Old time sleuthing is the thing. I got immersed in the story and look forward to reading this author again. What a mystery.

T.A. Belshaw is a new author for me. Murder at the Mill is the first in a series. When the owner's son is found dead, Amy lends a hand to Detective Bodkin in order to find the murderer. I love this book because it kept me guessing as to who done it. Just when I would think I figured out the suspect, something would happen to change my mind. I look forward to the next book within the series. I received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.

Many thanks to both NetGalley and to BooksGoSocial for letting me see an advance reader's copy of this cosy mystery, and to the author.

This series debut is set in 1939 and introduces what are likely to be the main recurring characters.

It was nice to see Alice as her younger self, but I don't think the reader needs to read the author's first book featuring some of these characters a long way into the future. I think it's a good enough standalone series.

I really enjoyed this first story in the series. It reminded me a lot of the old Pinewood Studios and Ealing comedy films, especially the Carry On films. And, of course, it was a reminder of what England was like at that time too.

While it seemed to be very well researched, with some wonderful characters, and some nice twists and turns, I do think that the editing/proofreading of the book was a bit sloppy in places, with several silly typos or spelling errors. Amy turned into Alice at least twice, and there was too much head-hopping for my taste.

But other than that, it's a good read and lovers of the cosy mystery will probably enjoy it too.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in exchange for an honest review.
Excellent mystery which keeps you guessing until the very end. Well written, good plot and nice flowing style.
Set in 1939 the story revolves around the murder of the immoral son of the local mill and when a friends is accused of the murder machinist Amy Rowlings turns sleuth to try and find the real killer.
Highly recommended for fans of classic mystery novels in the vain of Agatha Christie.

Amy doesn’t realize how much her life is about to change when Edward’s body is found at the factory.
I love a small town murder book!! This Agatha Christie-esque book is very engaging, I could not put it down!

Murder at The Mill: An Amy Rowlings Mystery by T. A. Belshaw was an enjoyable cozy mystery set in the late 1930s. I enjoyed the relationship between Detective Sergeant Bodkin and Amy Rowlings. I loved how the author slowly let the relationship grow. The plot was written well and kept your attention. The characters were believable even though Chief Inspector Laws was a bit over the top with his nastiness. I really enjoyed the weekly visits to the movies that Amy and her friends did. It was fun thinking about old movies that I have seen several times, being brand new at that time. The same with the Agatha Christie’s book that was mentioned as her latest release, Appointment with Death. The book was a fun read and I think anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries will enjoy this book.

Thank you to T.A. Belshaw and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. My review is voluntary and all opinions expressed are my own.

The thirties were a simpler time. A kinder time, except when someone is murdered. I enjoyed meeting Amy who first appeared in Unspoken as Alice's friend. In Murder at the Mill, Amy's personality came out and shone. I loved her character!

I'm looking forward now to reading The Legacy.

1939 in a small Kent town is the setting of this well written cozy. With plenty of suspects and a murder this is quite the enjoyable read.

This was a nice historical fiction mystery novel! It was well written and well researched for the time period of the 1930s. I enjoyed the mystery and all the twists and turns that went through the story. It was very enticing and hard to put down.

Murder at the Mill is about a murder of a not so popular son of the mill owner where Amy works. The story is a mystery cozy and to be honest I have not read many of these. I enjoyed the characters, the time frame of the story and the twists and turns I did not see coming. I will read more by this author.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. A great murder mystery. Might just be perfect for Halloween Month 🎃!

"Murder at the Mill" by T.A. Belshaw is a captivating and atmospheric 1930s cosy crime novel that introduces readers to the spirited and intelligent Amy Rowlings. With a passion for imported American music, crime fiction, and movies, Amy's life takes an unexpected turn when she crosses paths with Detective Sergeant Bodkin at the scene of a robbery. Little does she know that this encounter will thrust her into the dark and dangerous world of murder.

When the body of Edward Handsley, a promiscuous young man with many enemies, is discovered at the clothing factory where Amy works, she becomes an essential source of information for Bodkin, offering her local knowledge and insights. Convinced that the wrong man has been arrested, Amy sets out to prove Adam Smethwick's innocence, forming an alliance with George's fiancé, Justine, and suspecting the foreman, Mr Pilling, of hiding something sinister.

As the investigation unfolds, Amy's relationship with Bodkin is tested, with the detective sticking to the presented facts while Amy takes a more nuanced approach, drawing inspiration from her beloved Agatha Christie books. With an engaging mix of mystery, suspense, and a touch of romance, "Murder at the Mill" is the first installment in a delightful 1930s cosy crime series that will transport readers to a bygone era of intrigue and secrets.