Murder at Benbury Brook: An Absolutely Gripping English Cozy Mystery

A Melissa Craig Mystery, Book 9

By: Betty Rowlands

Narrated by: Joan Walker

Length: 6 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's Summary

A babbling brook runs alongside a wooded glade, surrounded by autumn light and birdsong. But next to the stream a young woman lies dead, her once bright blonde hair now limp and lifeless...

Melissa Craig has settled into a new job in the charming Cotswolds village of Upper Benbury. She is teaching French to several of the local teenagers, which gives her a fascinating insight into the young people’s lives. Material for a new novel, perhaps.... Her quiet life is interrupted when she sees her new neighbour running out of the woods in a blind panic. Melissa rushes to help him, but what she finds leaves her breathless: The body of young woman is lying on the bank of the river.

When suspicion falls on Melissa’s neighbour, a man with a difficult past trying to make a new start, Melissa feels determined to prove his innocence. With the village in turmoil and the police sure they’ve got their man, she must act quickly. 

As she interviews the local residents, she realises there are several sinister characters lurking inside those charming Cotswold cottages.... Could one of them have hurt Cissie? Was it the strange old man with a cottage near the river? Or the ailing ex-choirmaster with quite an eye for the ladies?

When Melissa Craig decides to get her teeth into a case, she doesn’t let go - nothing will stop her from solving this murder. Can she prove the innocence of her new friend? And will she unearth the culprit before another young life is taken?

©2000, 2019 Betty Rowlands (P)2019 Bookouture

Murder at Benbury Brook

Murder at Benbury Brook is another entertaining addition to the Melissa Craig series. As always, her keen mind helps the local constabulary solve an interesting mystery. I look forward to the next book.

4

This is a finely polished mystery. Is Mel an Olympic gossip or a fine detective? As I begin each newly offered title I remind myself to listen carefully with Mel as she snoops to see if I will guess along with her
and flush out the bad guy. These are light fun, perfect for winter doldrums. AND, note how the narrator's work adds an
addictive sparkle as she reads
:-)

Best so far

Great story!!!! Could not stop listening.plot was so well constructed and flowed brilliantly .
Must read!

Definitely kept me guessing!

Very interesting characters. Narration good but still confusing between men and women. Description of locations quite good.

Good plot; interesting characters

You'll convince yourself throughout that you know whodunnit, but you'll probably be wrong. Good twists!

Another great listen

I love Joan Walker
She’s a great reader
Makes it so exciting and keeps you interested

Another good book from Betty Rowlands

I thoroughly enjoyed this Melissa Craig mystery. Essential for wet and windy afternoons by the fire.