The Marmalade Murders is an enjoyable cozy mystery set in a small North Wales village.
Penny and Victoria are partners in the village spa. When they get roped into checking in contestants for the local food competition, they discover some irregularities. Why did someone call Florence telling her to check in too late? How did a person’s marmalade win when she missed the deadline? There is a definite small town vibe as everyone is in everyone else’s business.
While this is the ninth in the Penny Brannigan series, I had no trouble keeping up with the characters despite this being the first book in the series I’ve read. The location in North Wales seemed like almost a character within the Marmalade Murders. It was pleasant to visit somewhere I haven’t book (or physically) traveled to before. I also enjoyed the setting of a small town agriculture show that included food, floral, and animal competitions. The ages of the main characters were older than most cozies, which was refreshing. While the book’s plot could have taken place any time from the 1940’s forward, it was updated with a transgender character. Overall, a great cozy mystery. 4 stars!
Thanks to the publisher, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for an advanced copy.