Book Review: CHERRINGHAM: MURDER ON THAMES BY MATTHEW COSTELLO & NEIL RICHARDS

My Thoughts on the first in a new cozy crime series.......


CHERRINGHAM: MURDER ON THAMES
BY
MATTHEW COSTELLO & NEIL RICHARDS

Publisher:  Bastei Entertainment
Published:  13 December 2013
Pages:  (Approx) 97



Cherringham is a quiet and peaceful town in the Cotswolds. Time moves slowly here, and nothing out of the ordinary ever happens, until one morning a woman’s body is discovered in the river. Sarah Edwards has just returned to Cherringham with her two children following the breakdown of her marriage. Sarah had been friends with Sammi Jackson – the woman in the river –before they both moved to London and she’s certain there is more to her death than meets the eye. But juggling the school run and her job as a web designer doesn’t leave much time to solve murder mysteries.

After the death of his wife, former NYPD homicide detective Jack Brennan has retired to Cherringham hoping for a quiet life. He soon realises “peace and quiet” isn’t really him and, despite his misgivings, he’s persuaded by Sarah to help her look into Sammi’s death. It quickly becomes clear that the case isn’t as simple as the police hope. From her violent ex-boyfriend to her alcoholic father, it seems everyone has something to hide. Sarah and Jack will need to use all their wits to get to the bottom of this case.

"Cherringham - A Cozy Crime Series" is a series of twelve self-contained episodes. A new case for Jack and Sarah was released each month this year.

****************************************************

Murder on Thames is the first in this new cozy crime series and I absolutely loved it!

We're introduced to the two main characters:  Jack Brennan, a blunt and to the point American, who had never signed up to any of the English rituals of politeness, antiquated manners and codes of behaviour ...... and single mum Sarah Edwards who has come back to her home village after her divorce.

I quickly warmed to both of the characters, I enjoyed their first encounter where Sarah thought Jack was just a rude American and Jack thought Sarah was both persistent and sarcastic.

Gradually, as the plot develops, they form an unlikely but very intriguing partnership, they both bring something different to the crime investigation, and I loved their interaction.  The police don't think Sarah's friend was murdered, Jack and Sarah do and they set out to prove it.

This had a great plot that kept me guessing and wanting to read on, the well-contained chapters were short and neat, each with a simple title, the main characters were well developed for such a short story.  They both have their own contacts and individual ways to solve the clues and I'm really looking forward to seeing how they solve other murders in the next books. I also can't wait to find out more about them and watch their relationship grow.

If you enjoy crimes set in a cozy English village then I would definitely recommend you add this to your reading list.

*****************************************************

About the Authors

Matthew Costello's award-winning work across all media has meshed story, gameplay and technology.  He wrote and designed dozens of best-selling games including the critically acclaimed The 7th Guest, Doom 3, Rage and Pirates of the Caribbean.  In addition, he published various novels such as Vacation (2011), Home (2012) and Beneath Still Waters (1989), which was also turned into a movie.

Neil Richards has worked as a producer and writer in TV and film creating scripts for the likes of BBC, Disney, Channel 4 and earning numerous BAFTA nominations along the way.  He's also written story and script for over 20 video games including The Da Vinci Code and Just Cause, and consults around the world on digital story-telling.

Available to buy in ebook format  -  Amazon UK  -  Amazon US 

******************************************************

My thanks to Samantha at JKS Communications for sending me a copy to review honestly.