If you are a fan of cozy mysteries and crime stories based in small villages, then this is the perfect book for you. Although I am yet to read previous books in this series, that didn’t prove to be an issue, as I was immediately captivated by this latest installment in the Martha Miller mysteries. It is as good as any other book in this series to begin with.
The story takes place in the village of Westleham, where our protagonist, Martha Miller, is currently residing. It’s a small village with its eccentric characters and typical rural charm, like many others in the country. But these villagers are especially excited for the upcoming cricket match since it is going to be the first match after the ending of the war.
The initial chapters open with the announcement of this cricket tournament to be played between the players of Westleham and a neighboring village. Everyone in the village is contributing to this match in one way or another, including Martha. Whereas everybody is enthusiastic about the upcoming weekend, for her it is another distraction to take her mind away from her living condition. She is still coming to terms with the sudden disappearance of her husband, Stanley ‘Stan’ Miller, about two years ago, although this is more from a social and economical point of view rather than a romantic perspective. Her sister Ruby’s upcoming nuptial is also making her nervous, as it might add to her financial woes besides making her more lonesome.
Everything changes suddenly when Stan reappears in the village alongside his best friend and best friend’s brother, just a day before the cricket tournament. His return and reasoning behind it surprise Martha, making her question the last two years and his decision to vanish without notice. There is added anxiety on her part due to the growing closeness between Martha and the village vicar—Luke.
However, Martha could make sense of her husband’s return and the future of their relationship; he is brutally murdered on the cricket field. Considering the cricket field and surrounding areas are open to everyone in the village, the investigation becomes challenging for the police.
That’s when Martha steps in with her detective skills and finds all the relevant information through sleuthing on the villagers. It’s absolutely delightful to read how her investigation goes parallel to the police till the very last minute, only to surpass them at the last minute. If you can piece together this neatly arranged jigsaw puzzle, then it’s easier to see how it points you to the real killer, just like Martha discovered with her clever moves.
I will wrap up this review by giving my verdict on this book as a highly recommended read, especially for the fans of cozy mysteries and thrillers or the readers fascinated by the small village crime settings. You can also read other books in this series and become a fan of Martha Miller’s detective style. It’s a wonderful start for the 2026 readathon.