annieb123
Written on Oct 14, 2022
Mystery at Magpie Lodge is the 7th Eve Mallow village cozy mystery by Clare Chase. Released 6th Jan 2022, it's 296 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library (along with the rest of the series) to borrow and read for free.
This is a satisfying addition to this very well written series. The characters are distinct and well rendered and the dialogue generally flows unhindered. There's maybe a trifle too much emphasis on hearsay and gossip (and many of the central characters are middle aged and female and a trifle trope-y), but it's not egregious and I didn't find myself being irritated over it whilst reading. Main protagonist Eve's love/hate relationship with the local constabulary, and her secret relationship with a former detective who is lying low in the district for his own protection after a high profile case in London, add some interest and conflict.
There were several seemingly disparate plot threads which intertwined into a satisfying denouement and resolution. Despite being the seventh book in the series, it worked well enough as a standalone, though there are some minor spoilers for earlier books if read out of order. With 9 books extant currently, this would be a good choice for readers who enjoy binge-reading series. I've enjoyed all of them and look forward to more.
Four strong stars. This is definitely one for British village cozy readers. Very well written and constructed. Clean language and mostly off-page violence.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.