This well plotted puzzler set in a church in England, in Yorkshire, is the 7th book in the Yorkshire Murder Mystery series but it was my first. I'm already picked up the first book in the series and intend to quickly go back and read all six of the previous British police procedural books.

This book had a wonderfully old fashioned feel about it and I don't mean that at all in a negative way. In fact, it was a refreshing change to my usual amateur cozy sleuths.

I'm very eager to read more of these J.R. Ellis books. Loved it.

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via Net Galley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.) ( )

Another reader wrote "Murder at St Anne’s is the seventh book in the Yorkshire Murder Mysteries series featuring DCI Jim Oldroyd and his loyal DS Andy Carter. These are gentle old-fashioned detective stories, usually with some form of locked-room puzzle, set in and around the small towns of Yorkshire."

I'm inclined to agree with the "gentle, old-fashioned" descriptor, but that doesn't mean that I enjoyed it any less. There are really a number of modern aspects to the plots too - pressures from administrators to work more efficiently, to solve crimes faster, but at the same time Oldroyd and Carter try to present the face of personalised policing.

The plot is full of red herrings, a number of locals come under the spotlight and their alibis and possible motives are tested. Back at headquarters members of the investigative team search newspapers and websites for background to the list of suspects, and eventually this strategy is what makes the break through.

I've found that I have actually skipped 3 books in the series, and I am re-assured by readers commenting that it is possible to read these as stand-alones, although obviously there must be character development from one book to the next. ( )

Yorkshire, law-enforcement, false-information, family, church-politics, murder-investigation, murder, procedural, friendship, red-herrings, ghost-hunting, scandal, extortion, secrets*****

The vicar, the ghost (?), and the constabulary. In Yorkshire. In vile snow weather. The publisher's blurb is a nice hook and doesn't give away too much, but it doesn't tell about the DCI and his DS having to spend a night camping out on the floor of the church where the vicar was murdered (they were snowed in. It was quite a slog for them to work out who were all the liars and how the ghost was faked, but the constabulary prevailed. It's always nice to read about law enforcement members who work well together and about their families who are not at odds with The Job! Loved it in all its weirdness.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Amazon Publishing UK, Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley. Thank you! ( )

Review of eBook

The brutal murder of Reverend Clare Wilcox, the rector of the parish church of Saint Anne’s, brings Detective Chief Inspector Jim Oldroyd and Sergeant Andy Carter to Knaresborough, Yorkshire to investigate. As word of the crime spreads, rumors arise that the well-liked rector, who was bludgeoned in the church she’d served for five years, was the victim of the ghost of a medieval monk.

A severe winter storm leaves DCI Oldroyd dealing with ever-deepening snow and the persistent stories of the monk haunting the church and seeking revenge. But for Oldroyd, the solution to the case hinges on the motives and opportunities of the members of the church's congregation.

Doubting that anything supernatural has occurred, Oldroyd and Carter continue their investigation only to find themselves caught up in a second murder. And, for DCI Oldroyd, the case is personal . . . his sister, Alison, is vicar of Kirkby Underside and a close friend of the murdered woman.

Can the detectives find the truth amid stories of a phantom murderer . . . or does the ghost of the long-dead heretic truly haunt the church, seeking his revenge?

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Seventh in the Yorkshire murder mystery series, this book works well as a standalone for readers who may not have read the earlier books in the series. This atmospheric story, filled with the chill of deep snow and an inexplicable crime, pulls the reader into the telling of the tale from the outset.

Well-drawn, believable characters, a strong sense of place, and an intriguing mystery keep the pages turning as the unfolding story takes several unexpected twists and turns. Several characters emerge as likely suspects, but readers may find themselves surprised by the murderer’s identity.

The mystery, solid and compelling, keeps readers involved as the investigation takes some surprising turns. Woven into the story are several unexpected revelations that become important to the case but also offer commentary on current attitudes and are deserving of serious consideration. At times, however, there are conversations that seem created solely to present a politically correct emphasis and these are a bit off-putting.

Each chapter begins with a short segment from an M. R. James book, a nice touch for the telling of the tale. Fans of mystery tales will find much to appreciate in this police procedural.

Recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Amazon Publishing UK, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley
#MurderatStAnnes #NetGalley ( )

This is the second J.R. Ellis Yorkshire Mystery I've read and my verdict is the same. Reasonably good plot but the writing is awkward. This is particularly true when it is important to obscure the gender of the object of the sentence. With a bit of reorganization the paragraph would flow smoothly but too often the less graceful path is chosen. One small oddity is a decision to open the French doors from the house into a garden during a party at the end of Jan. Mr. Ellis lives there, I don't, but the weather service says that the temps at the end of Jan are about 6 C/43 F, That's too cold for me. They are hardy people up there.

I received a review copy of this book from Thomas & Mercer through NetGalley.com. ( )