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Helen Hollick
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A MEADOW MURDER: A Jan Christopher Mystery - Episode 4 (Jan Christopher Mysteries) Kindle Edition

by Helen Hollick (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 22 ratings
"As delicious as a Devon Cream Tea!"
author Elizabeth St John

"An easy gentle read set in 1970s Devon, with likeable, well developed characters, and an atmospheric plot set around the farming and equestrian communities. I really enjoyed the nostalgic element and also the vivid, affectionate evocation of the rural Devon landscape. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoyed cozy crime stories set in rural England." author Debbie Young

"Every sentence pulls you back into the early 1970s... The Darling Buds of May, but Devon not Kent. The countryside itself is a character and Hollick imbues it with plenty of emotion"
author Alison Morton
*
Make hay while the sun shines? But what happens when a murder is discovered, and country life is disrupted?

Summer 1972. Young library assistant Jan Christopher and her fiancé, DS Lawrence Walker, are on holiday in North Devon. There are country walks and a day at the races to enjoy, along with Sunday lunch at the village pub, and the hay to help bring in for the neighbouring farmer.

But when a body is found the holiday plans are to change into an investigation of murder, hampered by a resting actor, a woman convinced she’s met a leprechaun and a scarecrow on walkabout...
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  1. Book 4 of 5
    Jan Christopher Mysteries
  2. Print length
    153 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    July 26, 2023
  5. File size
    4.7 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CCZVJRRR
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Taw River Press (July 26, 2023)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 26, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.7 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 153 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 22 ratings

About the author

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Helen Hollick

Helen Hollick

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Hello, welcome to my Amazon Author Page. I am Helen Hollick a USA Today bestselling author. You can find my website (which has all my other links) by searching for Helen Hollick. Thank you so much if you were kind enough to click the 'follow' button above. Your support is very much appreciated.

Please do consider leaving a review or comment for any or all of my books.

ABOUT HELEN HOLLICK

Known for her captivating storytelling and rich attention to historical detail, Helen’s historical fiction, nautical adventure series, cosy mysteries – and her short stories – skilfully invite readers to step into worlds where the boundaries between fiction and history blend together.

Her historical fiction spans a variety of periods, with a particular focus on the ‘Dark Ages’ and the Early Medieval period. Works like The Pendragon's Banner series offer vivid portrayals of both historical events and the fantastical elements that shape them. Her gift lies in her ability to bring historical figures and settings to life, while in her Sea Witch Voyages, she subtly weaves in elements of magic, myth, and hauntings, creating an immersive experience that transports readers to a time when the people of the past might very well walk among the living.

In addition to her historical fiction, Helen has written several short stories, further exploring themes of historical adventure or the supernatural with her signature style.

Whether dealing with the echoes of the past or the weight of lost souls, her stories are as compelling as they are convincing. Through her work, she invites readers into a world where the past never truly lets us go.

Helen started writing as a teenager, but after discovering a passion for history, was published in 1993 in the UK with her Arthurian Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy and two Anglo-Saxon novels about the events that led to the 1066 Battle of Hastings, one of which, The Forever Queen (USA title – A Hollow Crown in the UK) became a USA Today best-seller. Her Sea Witch Voyages are nautical-based adventures inspired by the Golden Age of Piracy. She also writes the Jan Christopher cosy mystery series set during the 1970s, and based around her, sometimes hilarious, years of working as a North London library assistant. Her 2025 release is Ghost Encounters, a book about the ghosts of North Devon.

Helen, husband Ron and daughter Kathy moved from London to Devon in January 2013 after a Lottery win on the opening night of the London Olympics, 2012. She spends her time glowering at the overgrown garden and orchard, fending off the geese, helping with the horses and wishing the friendly, resident ghosts would occasionally help with the housework...

'Lege Feliciter' (read happily)

Helen

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
22 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • HF Reader
    5.0 out of 5 stars A cozy mystery full of delightful twists and turns
    Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2023
    Minutes into Helen Hollick’s newest cozy mystery “A Meadow Murder” I knew I was in for another wonderful read. Jan Christopher’s latest adventure is as twisty as a Devon lane, and in the hands of accomplished author Helen Hollick, we not only explore the beautiful landscape, we are also taken on a journey into the darker side of human nature.

    Encountering a group of delightful supporting characters, all intent on bringing their own twisted histories to the mystery, Jan quickly jumps into action. Her sleuthing exposes the murky underside of racehorse betting, as well as the not-so-pleasant consequences of winning – and losing. In between, we get to enjoy the simple and nostalgic English countryside of the 1970s, awash with pubs, country lanes, hay meadows and wellington boots. As the tension rises, Jan dismisses red herrings and reveals secret pasts to wrap everything up in a very satisfying conclusion. In short, A Meadow Murder is as delicious as a Devon Cream Tea – and far less fattening. More, please!
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  • Anna B
    4.0 out of 5 stars Bucolic and peaceful - until the first murder!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    In this fourth book about Jan Christopher, it is summer, and Jan is excited to be spending her holidays in Devon, more specifically with the parents of her fiancé, Detective Sergeant Laurie Walker.

    Jan is a city girl. But narrow lanes lined with hedgerows, walk paths through shaded woodlands and burbling streams weave their magic on our Jan—and on the reader, seeing as Ms Hollick does an excellent job of painting the peace and quiet of the bucolic surroundings. Well: peace only until the first dead body is discovered, but still . . .

    Yet again, Jan, Laurie and Jan’s uncle, DCI Toby Christopher, find themselves in the midst of a murder mystery. This time, things are made somewhat mor complicated by the fact that neither Toby nor Laurie have jurisdiction in Devon, and instead have to stand to the side with gritted teeth as the local police force start investigating the case. There is no love lost between Laurie and the local DS—their antagonism goes back to their early schooldays. The relationship is not exactly improved when it becomes evident the local DS is bungling the case—so much so that Toby feels obliged to talk to his superiors.

    By now, Jan has become accustomed to coming across dead bodies. She is also a pragmatic young woman with a sharp eye for details—always useful when solving a mystery.

    A Meadow Murder is, in my opinion more cozy than mystery. For me, it is the vivid imagery of ripening hayfields, of sloping hills and dark rivers, that lingers—evidence of just how much Ms Hollick loves this corner of the world. And as to Jan, well it is more or less impossible not to succumb to her first person chatty narrative, casually weaving in details firmly setting the story in the 70s.

    Further to Jan, Ms Hollick has a well-developed cast of supporting characters—all the way from Laurie to Aunt Marge, so collected in an emergency, so good at embracing the good moments in life.
    A Meadow Murder is one of those books that does not expect too much of the reader, but rather lulls them into some hours of enjoyable distraction, hours best accompanied by a cup of tea and a Devon scone—complete with clotted cream first, jam second.
    Warmly recommended!
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Elizabeth Sirett
    5.0 out of 5 stars A thoroughly enjoyable read, which I recommend.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 23, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    It is summer 1972 and Jan Christopher and her fiancé, Detective Sergeant Laurie Walker, are looking forward to ten days holiday, staying with Laurie’s parents in North Devon. Jan loves Devon and gets on well with her prospective parents-in-law although she finds life in the country very different to suburban London where she was brought up by her Uncle Toby and Aunt Madge. DCI Toby Christopher is Laurie’s senior officer, and it was through this that the young couple first met. Although Laurie and Jan will be expected to help with the harvest there are many treats in store for them. Jan is especially looking forward attending her first race meeting to celebrate Laurie’s mum’s birthday and she is very happy that her beloved aunt and uncle are coming down to join them for the weekend.

    When Jan and Laurie walk down to the village they encounter a group of mischievous children, led by Mary-Anne Culpin, who are hanging round looking for pranks to play. Heather, the shopkeeper, is flustered and tells them that Mrs Dorothy Clack, known locally as Dotty Dorothy, has been in the shop claiming that a scarecrow is following her around and that she has seen a leprechaun. Naturally everybody thinks that Dorothy is imagining things. While in the village shop they meet Oliver de Lainé, a once famous actor who shows off his knowledge of Shakespeare by quoting from Romeo and Juliet and is impressed when library assistant Jan completes his quote.

    Despite his flamboyant attitude, de Lainé is no longer wealthy and successful and is spending the summer living in a caravan behind the village pub. As they leave, Laurie goes back into the shop to take return a child’s lost toy. Jan stands by a field admiring some beautiful horses when she hears the sound of quarrelling. Oliver de Lainé is in angry dispute with a small man wearing a green tweed jacket. As the little man walks away he barges into Jan and, rather than apologising, he shouts at her. He storms off and, as soon as Laurie returns, Jan forgets about the incident.

    At the races they are introduced to Jack Woollen, the owner of the Four Horseshoes, a local yard that trains racehorses and he invites them to visit his yard, which is a special treat for Jan and her aunt, who both love horses and are keen riders. Jack Woollen’s horses do not do well in the races, in fact they do surprisingly badly, but Jan doesn’t back any of them because she recognises the jockey as the unpleasant Irishman she had encountered in the village and discovers that his name is Ruairi O’Connor.

    The next morning Laurie’s parents’ household is disturbed at five-thirty in the morning by frantic banging on the door. When they open it they discover Dorothy Clack who hysterically informs them that, when she was returning from a night of badger watching, she discovered a leprechaun dead in the woods. Knowing that Laurie is a police officer, she had run straight to his parents’ house. Laurie, his father and DCI Christopher go to investigate but when they return it is to say that they cannot find any sign of a body. Jan thinks she can deduce the identity of the leprechaun, whom she assumes was drunk rather than dead, but the police officers in her family tell her that she is making too many assumptions. Everyone dismisses Dorothy’s report as imagination or misinterpretation but, later that day, a dead body is discovered in the meadow.

    Unfortunately, the visiting detectives are not allowed to investigate and the local officer who is in charge of the investigation is DS Frobisher, an incompetent, arrogant officer who is jealous of Laurie and will do anything to spite him. This incompetence has dire effects when the violence continues and escalates, and it is evident that there is a ruthless killer at work in the quiet countryside.

    A Meadow Murder is the fourth book in the series featuring Jan Christopher and her family and friends. It is a delightful, nostalgic series with several engaging returning characters, especially the main protagonist, Jan. This is an entertaining, gentle cosy crime, a thoroughly enjoyable read, which I recommend.
    ------
    Reviewer: Carol Westron
    For Lizzie Sirett (Mystery People Group)
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  • normal norma
    4.0 out of 5 stars The author is very good
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 2, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I read book 1 and 2 and they were fantastic, I love the story about Jan and her life. Books 3 and 4 had too much detail about other things, not about the story and I didn't enjoy that part. When it got back on track it was good. The author is very good at story writing but too much historical information and stuff that has nothing to do with the story.
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  • Rosemary Morris
    5.0 out of 5 stars An intriguing cosy myster
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 13, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    A Meadow Murder
    A Jan Christopher Mystery Episode Four by Helen Hollick 13th August 2023

    A Meadow Murder is a very well-written cosy mystery set in the 1970’s when Jan Christopher, a shy young librarian and her fiancé, Detective Laurie Walker, Detective Sergeant Walker, are on holiday at his parents’ farm in Devonshire. They are deeply in love and I enjoyed their easy interaction, and their reminiscences about their favourite children’s television program.
    In London, Jan, an orphan, lives with her uncle Detective Constable Inspector and Aunt Madge who join her on holiday at the farm. I congratulate Ms Hollick on bringing to life these and other characters whose dialogue flows very effectively Some of them are Heather the shopkeeper and postmistress in the village, Dotty Dorothy Clack, who thinks a scarecrow follows her, Oliver de Laine an actor, a man who trains his racehorses on his property, his jockey, and a farmer.
    I enjoyed the ‘who done it?’ as much as one of Agatha Christie’s crime novels. I tried and failed to guess who committed the crime. At the end the murderer’s identity took me by surprise.
    Other than the mystery, there is much more to praise. The author’s descriptions are lyrical. One of my favourites is of Jan and Laurie leaning comfortably against the gate into the meadow after a day at the races and watching fascinated “as the sky beyond the hills turned to salmon pink streaked with gold, then gradually faded to purple and dark blue. Behind us a full moon rising, large and beautiful.”
    I like learning new facts when I read fiction. Ms Hollick lives in Devonshire and incorporates them in her novels. I did not know that in the 1700s tall ships from Europe, the Caribbean and British colonies sailed along the River Taw before it began to silt up. Smugglers probably took advantage of it and, today, maybe smugglers transport cigarettes, alcohol and drugs in small boats. I also enjoyed a visit to horse races with Jan, Laurie and their relatives.
    A Murder in the Meadow deserves the 5* review I awarded it.
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  • Alison Morton
    5.0 out of 5 stars A rural idyll interrupted by murder...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 31, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Jan Christopher and her fiancé Laurie are on holiday in Devon, staying with Laurie’s parents, But it seems that murder cannot leave them alone. Apart from a delightful mystery, the outstanding thing that a reader finds in all the Murder novels by Helen Hollick is the attention to detail. Every sentence pulls you back into the early 1970s with a mixture of feelings – nostalgia for a simpler life vs. the more communication and information focused time today; the Big Smoke vs. the slower, cleaner country life. A touch of The Darling Buds of May, only not Kent, but Devon.

    But the author doesn’t shy away from her characters. Each is well drawn and each has his or her distinctive voice, strengths and foibles. The countryside itself is a character and Hollick imbues it with plenty of emotion, whether a striking sunset or a delicious pie in the pub.

    The denouement is very satisfactory, although tinged with sadness. We cannot but feel sympathy. If you enjoy a cozy mystery, but one with great understanding of the human condition, treat yourself to this.
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  • Pauline
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 11, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    A visit to family in Devon turns out to be a little more than a much-needed holiday for Jan Christopher and her fiancé, DS Lawrence Walker. Whilst the couple enjoy the wonderful, slow pace of life and the breathtaking countryside, things are afoot.
    The story is based in the 1970s and captures the very essence of that era taking the reader on a nostalgic journey, but don’t be fooled. The fields, the woods and the close-knit community are not all that it seems.
    A Meadow Murder is a gentle, easy paced read with that cosy feel good factor.
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