I love a good mystery and picked up The Murders in Great Diddling by Katarina Bivald on a whim. I am so glad that I did. I love a good mystery and Bivald delivered. Narrated by Helen Lloyd, we meet best-selling mystery writer Berit Gardner who live in a cottage in the small, rundown village of Great Diddling. You’ll want to put on a pot of tea and curl up with this story!
by Katarina Bivald
Series: Berit Gardner #1
Narrator: Helen Lloyd
Genres: Mystery
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.5x
The best stories are the ones we didn't know needed to be told.
The small, rundown village of Great Diddling is full of stories—author Berit Gardner can feel it. The way the villagers avoid outsiders, the furtive stares and whispers in the presence of newcomers… Berit can sense the edge of a story waiting to be unraveled, and she's just the person to do it. In fact, with a book deadline looming over her and no manuscript (not even the idea for a manuscript, truth be told), Berit doesn't just want this story. She needs it.
Then, while attending a village tea party, Berit becomes part of the action herself. An explosion in the library of the village's grand manor kills a local man, and the resulting investigation and influx of outsiders sends the quiet, rundown community into chaos. The residents of Great Diddling, each one more eccentric and interesting than any character Berit could have invented, rewrite their own narrative and transform the death of one of their own from a tragedy into a new beginning. Taking advantage of Great Diddling's new notoriety, the villagers band together to start a book and murder festival designed to bring desperately needed tourists to their town. What they couldn't have predicted is how the new story they've begun to tell will change all their lives forever.
Uplifting, charming, and laugh-out-loud funny, The Murders in Great Diddling by New York Times bestselling author Katarina Bivald is a celebration of the life-changing magic of books and the people who love them.
Berit is supposed to be writing her next story, but that hasn’t happened. Yet. She is sure the story is here. She just needs to find it. Her manager is slightly concerned and sends a junior assistant to keep her on task.
While attending a garden tea party at the village’s grand manor, Berit finds herself in the middle of a mystery when a local man is murdered. The tale that unfolds kept me listening into the wee hours as Berit investigates, much to the chagrin of the local constable.
Meanwhile, the local merchants are trying to strum up business and decide to hold a book Murder festival, complete with signing authors… advertising begins, despite no authors’ willingness to attend. Let the games begin.
I adored Berit and the quirky, eccentric townsfolk. The author pulled me in with a delightful murder and soon had me wishing to visit the village of Great Diddling. I laughed and enjoyed trying to solve the murder while tagging along with Berit. Bivald blends the feel of a cozy mystery with that of the Thursday Murder Club, and I cannot wait for the next audiobook.
Helen Llyod’s narration was delightful and enhanced the story by bringing these colorful characters to life. I highly recommend listening.
About Katarina Bivald
Katarina Bivald grew up working part-time in a bookshop. Today she lives outside of Stockholm, Sweden, with her sister and as many bookshelves she can get by her. She'scurrently trying to persuade her sister that having a shelf for winter jackets and shoes is completely unneccessary. There should be enough space for a book shelf or two instead. Limited success so far. Apparantly, her sister is also stubbornly refusing to even discuss using the bath room to store books. Katarina Bivald sometimes claims that she still hasn't decided whether she prefer books or people but, as we all know, people are a non-starter. Even if you do like them, they're better in books. Only possible problem: reading a great book and having noone to recommend it to.
About Helen Lloyd
With a career spanning more than fifty years, Helen Lloyd re-invented herself several times. Her various ‘reincarnations’: actor, television presenter, theatre director, programme researcher, tutor, television and theatre producer, have all contributed to the Helen Lloyd we hear today. An experienced and mature voice actor, a lover and interpreter of words, a many-voiced storyteller and a facilitator.
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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
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature)
The name of the town makes me giggle. Glad you’re enjoying these. Great review!
Laurel-Rain Snow
UPDATES
Mary Kirkland
Remind me to stay away from those village tea parties. Sounds really good.
Sophia Rose
Oh fun that you found one that really caught you. I’ve been on a murder mystery kick lately, too.
Nadene
I too love a good mystery and this sounds enjoyable.