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Debbie Young
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Artful Antics at St Bride's: A page-turning cozy murder mystery from Debbie Young (A Gemma Lamb Cozy Mystery Book 4) Kindle Edition

by Debbie Young (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 314 ratings

The brand new instalment in Debbie Young's brilliant Gemma Lamb Cozy Mystery series.

When English teacher Gemma Lamb’s school flat is wrecked by storms, maverick headmistress Hairnet insists the girls must fund its repair by setting up their own businesses – the start of a series of hilarious unintended consequences.

Meanwhile Gemma’s worries are compounded by the arrival of bossy new girl Frieda Ehrlich, sponsored by a mysterious local tycoon whose wealth is of dubious origins. Fearful for the school’s reputation, Gemma recruits an old friend to help investigate the tycoon’s credentials, jeopardising her romance with sports teacher Joe Spryke.

What is Frieda hiding? Why is her sponsor living in a derelict manor house? Why is his chauffeur such a crazed driver? And what has become of McPhee, Hairnet’s precious black cat? With a little help from her friends, Gemma is determined to solve these mysteries, restore her flat and save the school.

For anyone who loved St Trinian’s – old or new – or read Malory Towers as a kid. St Bride's is the perfect read for you!

Readers love Debbie Young:

'A cracking example of cozy crime!' Katie Fforde

'A delight from start to finish' Juliette Lawson

'An affectionate glimpse of traditional rural English life… A warm page turner that puts the cosy into cosy mystery. Well worth a read!' T.A. Williams

'I am just love, Love, LOVING this series, and this is another wonderful installment. I devoured it and couldn't get enough of it' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review

'This funny, warm, lovely story will keep you entranced and entertained from the first page' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review

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  1. Book 4 of 4
    Gemma Lamb Cozy Mysteries
  2. Print length
    226 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Boldwood Books
  5. Publication date
    July 29, 2023
  6. File size
    4.7 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BZKRHKP2
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Boldwood Books (July 29, 2023)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 29, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.7 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 226 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 314 ratings

About the author

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Debbie Young

Debbie Young

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I write warm, witty, feel-good contemporary fiction full of English humour, inspired by life in the Cotswold village which has been my home for over 30 years. I have three series of cozy mystery novels plus various short fiction, and I've written a couple of non-fiction books too.

NOVELS

My latest book is "Death at the Village Chess Club", the second in my Cotswold Curiosity Shop Mystery series, which begins with "Death at the Old Curiosity Shop". Moving from the city to the lively Cotswold village of Little Pride, Alice Carroll (50) discovers that nothing is quite what it seems. Each novel in this series has at its heart an intriguing item to be found in her bric-a-brac shop, and features eccentric characters, plenty of red herrings and lots of English humour. The sequel is "Death at the Village Chess Club", and the third in the series, a Christmas special (as yet unnamed) will be published in time the autumn of 2025.

My Sophie Sayers Village Mystery series begins with "Best Murder in Show". Originally envisaged as a seven-book series to run the course of a calendar year in the life of the idyllic English Cotswold village of Wendlebury Barrow, it continues to grow, with the most recent addition being Sophie Sayers' ninth outing, "Driven to Murder",

My Gemma Lamb Cozy Mystery series is a mashup of romantic comedy, gentle mystery and nostalgia for classic children's school stories but aimed at adults. It focuses on the intrigues among the teachers and visitors to the school, rather than the children. "Dastardly Deeds at St Bride's" (previously published as "Secrets at St Bride's"), and is followed by "Sinister Secrets at St Bride's" (formerly "Secrets at St Bride's"), Wicked Whispers at St Bride's", and "Artful Antics at St Bride's". Two further books will follow to complete the series of six, running the course of the academic year at St Bride's Boarding School for Girls.

All of my novels are now available in ebook, paperback, hardback, and audio in English. There are also German language editions of the first five Sophie Sayers adventures and Italian translations of the first two Gemma Lamb stories.

SHORT FICTION

My series of comedy mystery novelettes, Tales from Wendlebury Barrow, is set in the same world as the Sophie Sayers Cozy Mysteries. The first, "The Pride of Peacocks", is available exclusively to members of my Readers' Club (visit my author website to claim your copy). "The Natter of Knitters" and "The Clutch of Eggs" are available in ebook and paperback. A Christmas special, "Christmas with Sophie Sayers", featuring festive short stories set in the same world, was published for Christmas 2023. Two more Sophie Sayers short stories appear in the charity anthologies "Everyday Kindness" and "The Little Shop of Murders".

My standalone novella, "Mrs Morris Changes Lanes", is a second-chance mid-life romantic comedy with a touch of magical realism, set in the Cotswolds in spring,

Earlier in my career, I published three themed collections of short stories, "Stocking Fillers", "Marry in Haste", and "Quick Change".

PLAYS

I've also now started writing scripts for murder mystery events, and my debut play, "The Importance of Being Murdered", will be premiered by Hawkesbury Drama Group in April 2025. I'm planning eventually to novelise my plays to reach a wider audience.

AWARDS

The first St Bride's novel was shortlisted for the 2020 Selfies Award given for the best independently-published fiction in the UK. The sixth Sophie Sayers novel was shortlisted for the same award in 2021.

FREE EBOOK

Receive a free ebook of my comedy novelette "The Pride of Peacocks" when you join my Readers' Club via my author website (just search for Author Debbie Young to find it). I'll also send you a monthly enewsletter to keep you up to date with news of my books and events and insights into my writing life. There is a free prize draw in every issue.

PUBLISHER'S NEWSLETTER

You are also warmly invited to join Boldwood Books' newsletter about my books and special offers - you'll find a joining link in the sidebar of my website.

HELPING OTHER WRITERS

When I'm not writing fiction, I'm helping other authors. I'm a course tutor for Jericho Writers, and I've written several guidebooks and many articles and blog posts for authors. I frequently speak at events for readers and writers, and I judge writing competitions.

MEMBERSHIPS & AGENT REPRESENTATION

I'm a member of the Society of Authors and the Alliance of Independent Authors. I'm represented by Ethan Ellenberg at the Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency in New York.

PUBLIC EVENTS

Back in 2015, I founded the Hawkesbury Upton Literature Festival in my home village in the Cotswolds. The Festival now takes the form of a year-round series of talks on different themes and genres, each featuring at least three guest authors, with me in the chair. See festival website for more details. I am a frequent speaker at other litfests - if you'd like me to speak at your event, please don't hesitate to send a request via the contact form on my author website.

I may be busy, but I am never too tired to curl up with a good book.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
314 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • AmandaJR
    5.0 out of 5 stars It was fun
    Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2023
    This was a really fun cozy mystery. It’s part of a series, but I haven’t read any of the previous books and now I want to because I enjoyed this one so much. Very enjoyable.

    Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books. ~I was given this book and made no commitments to leave my opinions, favorable or otherwise~
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  • AnnieB
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very fun clean cozy
    Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2024
    Artful Antics at St Bride's is the fourth Gemma Lamb cozy mystery by Debbie Young. Released 29th July 2023 by Boldwood Books it's 188 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The other books in the series are also currently available on KU.

    This is a fun, sweetly humorous, character driven "school-time" cozy set in a girls' school at an undisclosed fictive locale somewhere in the Cotswolds. All the staff (even the school cat) are harboring secrets. English teacher (and amateur sleuth) Gemma is up to hear ears with stress when her school flat is wrecked in a natural disaster, mysterious benefactors aren't on the up and up, and McPhee (the school cat) has gone missing.

    Four stars. The language is clean and there's no questionable content. There's a sweetly nostalgic Enid Blyton vibe. With four books extant in the series (all available on kindle unlimited), it would be a good candidate for a long weekend binge or buddy read. It's nice to find a nice "safe" well written cozy series to enjoy, and this is a humorous, gently written one.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Mother of Scotties
    4.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorite British Cozies!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2023
    When storms damage the school, the head mistress decides the girls will raise the money for the repairs. Which means there is going to be some fun times with this part of the plan.

    However what interests Gemma the m oct is a new student who has a mysterious benefactor. Gemma, being inquisitive as she is, MUST know the entire backstory and is determined to flush out the full story. Is there something fishy between the benefactor and student? That’s what Gemma hopes to figure out.

    This is one of my favorite cozy series. There is just something about British books that are sometimes far more enjoyable than some US based series. They embrace the quirkiness of the characters and I love that…maybe that’s what it is for me that makes them so much more enjoyable. Either way, this is one of the best series and I encourage your to give one of Debbie Young’s books…otherwise, how will you know what you’re missing out on?!
    One person found this helpful
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  • JBJNYG
    3.0 out of 5 stars a fun cozy mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2023
    I didn't realize this was fourth in a series, but it could be read as a standalone novel. Characters are well-drawn, quirky, and fun to follow. There's a nice dose of humor, as well, which makes for a fun cozy mystery.

    Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn't required to leave a positive review.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Jacqueline
    4.0 out of 5 stars still a good plot
    Reviewed in Australia on July 31, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I have enjoyed this series but this one was a bit creepy crawly royalist for me. I’m glad the king enjoys his golden coach. I hope all his subjects are similarly comfortable. I wonder if the money spent on the art legitimately belongs to the ruling family. What was appropriate in Zenda is rather outdated these days.
    Report
  • Helen Hollick
    5.0 out of 5 stars charmingly addictive...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 6, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I always look forward to a Debbie Young tale - whether it's a St Bride's or a Sophie Sayers because I know I'm about to enjoy a treat. Ms Young's tales are the true definition of a 'cosy mystery': entertaining, well written, interesting plot, familiar characters set in a familiar location, doing familiar things... but with the bonus of an intriguing mystery to be solved. This is not always a murder - just a puzzle to be unravelled for characters and readers alike. Enid Blyton's 'Malory Towers' for Grown Ups. (But as equally suitable for young adults!)

    'Artful Antics' is enjoyable as a stand-alone story, but with an ongoing background theme - you don't have to start at the beginning of the series, but to fully appreciate these delightful characters I'd recommend starting at Number 1... 'Dastardly Deeds at St Bride's: The first in an addictive cozy mystery series from Debbie Young (A Gemma Lamb Cozy Mystery Book 1)'

    Addictive is a very good description - although I think I'd word it as 'charmingly addictive'!
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great fun.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 6, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I love this series.
    It is light, contains silliness and is in a tranquil setting, albeit a cold and decaying building.
    The characters from the school are amusing, have their individual complexities and relationships.
    The incoming characters for this title were easily recognised from t.v. comedy but perfect for their
    roles in the unfolding events.
    I always loved reading boarding school stories when younger and enjoy this series for its escapism, humour and nostalgia.
    There is of course an underlying thread of realism, touching lightly on current topics.
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  • Tess
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love this series this is number4
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 16, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I love this series it takes me back. I would love to attend a school like St Brides. Can't wait for the next one.
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  • Jules
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great fun!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 28, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    The whole series is fun and doesn't take itself too seriously so I am certainly looking forward to the next one.
    Report

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