by Sara Rosett
Series: Murder on Location #1
Narrator: Sarah Mollo-Christensen
Length: 6 hours 53 minutes
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 4 cups
Location scout and Jane Austen aficionado, Kate Sharp, is thrilled when the company she works for lands the job of finding locations for a new film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, but then her boss, Kevin, fails to return from a scouting trip to England. Afraid that Kevin has slipped back into some destructive personal habits he struggles with, Kate travels to England to salvage Kevin’s and the company’s reputation before word gets out that he is missing.
Things go from bad to worse when Kate arrives in Nether Woodsmoor, a quaint village of golden stone cottages and rolling green hills, only to find no trace of Kevin except his abandoned luggage. Even the rumpled, easygoing local scout they consulted, Alex, doesn’t know where Kevin might be.
Increasingly worried about Kevin and with an antsy director waiting for updates about the preproduction details, Kate embarks on a search that includes a pub-crawl and cozy cottages as well as stately country manors. But Kevin remains missing, and she begins to suspect that the picturesque village and beautiful countryside may not be as idyllic as they seem.
Please welcome Sophia Rose as she shares her thoughts on Death in the English Countryside by Sara Rosett. Fans of cozy mysteries, Jane Austen, and movie settings will want to add this one to their shelves.
Sophia Rose’s Review
The first line of the blurb “location scout and Jane Austen aficionado” was all it took to hook my interest in this new to me author, series, and narrator.
Death in the English Countryside introduces female lead, Kate Sharp. She enjoys her work, first as the assistant to a veteran Hollywood location scout, but, now, being brought on as a budding scout in her own right.
A past with a troubled family life and a recent divorce between her parents contributes to her own cautious approach to relationships in her private life whether it is friendships or dating. Kate has been looking for her own Mr. Darcy without much success, but like Darcy of the original story, she holds her men to a higher standard.
Trouble drops into her lap when her boss goes missing while scouting locations for a production of Pride & Prejudice in England. She must keep his disappearance discreet and find him quickly or the company’s precarious situation will go from critical to kaput.
While I was slow to warm to Kate- she does get stuffy at times and makes a few blunders during the investigation, I enjoyed traipsing over to England and following along as Kate tries to find Kevin with the help of the local photographer, Alex, who acted as Kevin’s local consultant of fitting properties to use in the upcoming film. Things take an ominous turn and suddenly Kate is right in the thick of an investigation. She’s suspect number one and needs to give the DCI on the case to look further afield. Her remembering details, her strong organized mind, and her stubbornness come in good stead. Alex has been helpful and possibly something more if she’s being honest, but she holds herself in check, particularly when it occurs to her that he’s got secrets. Is murder one of them?
The village setting, local color, historical residences, engaging villagers and a delicious and delightful Alex were enough to keep me captivated. The investigation ended up being more fascinating than the mystery itself in the end. I had the solution early on, but I kept second guessing because I thought it just couldn’t be that easy. Oh well. Like I say, the journey to the end was the best part, and I must say, things got quite suspenseful for the climax moment.
As I said, Sarah Mollo-Christensen was a new to me narrator. She did a pretty good job considering she had American and British, class and gender with her accents. Her timing and tone were good and worked well with a gently paced cozy like this one. Kate’s character could get introspective and I thought Sarah helped keep it from going monotone. I hope she is the narrator for the rest of the series.
Death in the English Countryside, the first book in the Murder on Location series did the job, nicely, and I’ll definitely be back for more from this series to see Kate- and Alex- in action. I think this one will definitely be a good match for cozy mystery fans who want something a little different in this movie industry of location scouting with a murder on the side.
Step onto the set of Pride & Prejudice in this cozy murder mystery set in the London countryside. Death in the English Countryside by Sara Rosett #loveaudiobooks #guestreview Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Stefanie
The cover is certainly attractive. Mention of Pride and Prejudice certainly had me intrigued.
Sophia Rose
That was me, too, Stefanie. I loved that she was scouting locations for a Pride & Prejudice movie. 🙂
Mary @StackingMyBookShelves!
I totally adore Jane Austen so this mystery is right up my alley. Not to mention I adore this cover. This sounds like a great book. I am putting it on my TBR list for Audible!
Great review!
Mary
Sophia Rose
Yep, a strike right up your alley. 🙂 I loved learning a little how period drama sets were found and it was fun for her visit in the village.
Tyler H. Jolley
Hi Sophia! Will we get to see you review the whole series here? Happy reading!
Sophia Rose
Howdy, Tyler! I do have book two and plan to listen to that one. 🙂 It’s the start of a good series, I think. Not sure if I’ll review it for Kinberly, though.
Ailyn
Awesome review Rose, love the pretty cover as well… I wonder if the deer knows
Sophia Rose
Haha, that’s a dog- an Italian greyhound (though, its hard to tell) and she is owned by the hero. She’s pretty smart so she probably does sense who the villain is. 🙂
Lily
oh wow that’s an interesting take on P&P. I’d probably have a hard time with the MC at times too from the sound of it but I am glad to hear that this did not deter you from the book. I love the cover also
Sophia Rose
Oh, it was a good one, Lily. Not really a take on P&P, but just about a gal who does location scouting for a P&P movie. She got snotty a few times and I really don’t like when people are that way with no reason. Turned out she was struggling with her folks’ divorce, but still… Glad she got it together later.
That cover is pretty and soothing, I think. 🙂
Melissa (Books and Things)
I always look forward to anything P&P adaptations. This one sounds like a fun cozy and I love that the investigation was so captivating. Oh might have to check this one out!
Sophia Rose
Oh yes, it was a fun one, but, just to give you a heads up, its not an adaption. It’s just a gal who likes Austen’s books and works to find sets for an Austen movie. Still, tons of fun, Melissa. 🙂
Mary Kirkland
If I enjoyed cozy mysteries I’m sure this would be a good one. I do like the cover, it’s cute.
Sophia Rose
Yeah, it’s definitely not for everyone. It took me forever before I picked up my first cozy mystery.
Anna
I can’t wait to crack this one wide open. hehehe
Anna from elements of emaginette
Sophia Rose
Oh yeah, that was my reaction, too, Anna. Hope you like it. 🙂
Angela Adams
“Afraid that Kevin has slipped back into some destructive personal habits he struggles with” — this line caught my attention. Thanks for the post.
Sophia Rose
Yes, that had me curious, too. I was intrigued to learn why they were so worried about him.
Melliane
oh yes I would have been curious about Austen mention
Sophia Rose
Definitely! I loved learning about how they scout for the old period drama movies like Austen’s Pride & Prejudice. 🙂
Stormi Johnson
I have this one so I am glad you enjoyed it!!!
Sophia Rose
Woohoo! You’re in for a treat, Stormi!
Debbie Haupt
The first line of the blurb was all it took for me to know that you were behind this review Sophia Rose 😉 LOL
I was glad you were able to eventually like Kate too. Thanks for the super review!!
Sophia Rose
No tricking you, Debbie! LOL
At first I couldn’t figure out why she was so snotty, but then I learned about her parents’ fall out and it made sense. I’m glad she won me over, too.
Ethan
I really like the context for this mystery!
Sophia Rose
Me, too, Ethan! I saw movie scout and Jane Austen and had to have it. 🙂
Felicia GeekyBlogger (@thegeekyblogger)
I love Sarah’s narration and I think this is on my list to listen too. I love me some cozy 🙂
Sophia Rose
She really did a great job telling this one. You’re in for a treat, Felicia!
Cindy
This one sounds good! I love the premise of this and it will be on my to read list. Great review!
Sophia Rose
Glad I could point you toward a good one, Cindy!