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The Meadowfield Bookshop Mysteries #1
The Last Draft
Welcome to Meadowfield Bookshop...
Meet Ellie Swift... a bookworm with a history degree stuck at a crossroads.
After putting her degree to work in a TV studio's historical continuity department for years, the studio merges with a giant streaming service and Ellie loses her dream job. She finds herself working in a coffee shop to make ends meet, and while waiting for the perfect opportunity to come along... she gets a phone call informing her that her dear Granny Maggie has broken her hip.
Leaving the city and her coffee shop job behind, Ellie returns to her quaint hometown of Meadowfield to care for her grandmother, but she finds more than just the family's beloved bookshop, Meadowfield Books, in disarray. Granny Maggie's hip was broken during a robbery gone wrong, and the thief—a relative of a deceased local author—is found dead. The item the thief stole? The local author's final manuscript.
While juggling caring for her grandmother and running the failing bookshop, Ellie finds herself in a web of mystery and murder, as she encounters a cast of characters each with a motive for coveting the author's final manuscript. Utilising her passion for history and her old community ties, Ellie untangles a series of clever clues and red herrings. From the financial desperation of the thief's father to the secretive actions of a local historian and antique dealer, the plot thickens when a rival author is also found dead.
With a knack for history and a heart for sleuthing, Ellie uncovers hidden truths, from coveted manuscripts to clandestine motives, but can Ellie's keen insights and tenacity ensure justice is served? And will she find a renewed sense of purpose in her long-forgotten home?
Meet Ellie Swift... a bookworm with a history degree stuck at a crossroads.
After putting her degree to work in a TV studio's historical continuity department for years, the studio merges with a giant streaming service and Ellie loses her dream job. She finds herself working in a coffee shop to make ends meet, and while waiting for the perfect opportunity to come along... she gets a phone call informing her that her dear Granny Maggie has broken her hip.
Leaving the city and her coffee shop job behind, Ellie returns to her quaint hometown of Meadowfield to care for her grandmother, but she finds more than just the family's beloved bookshop, Meadowfield Books, in disarray. Granny Maggie's hip was broken during a robbery gone wrong, and the thief—a relative of a deceased local author—is found dead. The item the thief stole? The local author's final manuscript.
While juggling caring for her grandmother and running the failing bookshop, Ellie finds herself in a web of mystery and murder, as she encounters a cast of characters each with a motive for coveting the author's final manuscript. Utilising her passion for history and her old community ties, Ellie untangles a series of clever clues and red herrings. From the financial desperation of the thief's father to the secretive actions of a local historian and antique dealer, the plot thickens when a rival author is also found dead.
With a knack for history and a heart for sleuthing, Ellie uncovers hidden truths, from coveted manuscripts to clandestine motives, but can Ellie's keen insights and tenacity ensure justice is served? And will she find a renewed sense of purpose in her long-forgotten home?
418 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 23, 2024
About the author
Agatha Frost
65 books565 followersAGATHA FROST, an Amazon bestselling author, has written over thirty mystery novels. She lives in the North West English county of Lancashire with her two cuddly beagles and one cat.
When Agatha isn’t writing, she loves reading head-scratching mysteries and thrillers, coffee, baking, and exploring her local countryside on long dog walks.
From a young age, Agatha devoured the great British murder mystery books and television shows, ample inspiration for her Peridale Café and Claire’s Candles series. She loves writing about family women who juggle their ordinary village lives with the challenges of amateur sleuthing.
Add in some good food, close friends and family, cute pets, and plenty of twists and turns, and you have a classic Agatha Frost mystery.
Sign up to the newsletter at www.agathafrost.com
When Agatha isn’t writing, she loves reading head-scratching mysteries and thrillers, coffee, baking, and exploring her local countryside on long dog walks.
From a young age, Agatha devoured the great British murder mystery books and television shows, ample inspiration for her Peridale Café and Claire’s Candles series. She loves writing about family women who juggle their ordinary village lives with the challenges of amateur sleuthing.
Add in some good food, close friends and family, cute pets, and plenty of twists and turns, and you have a classic Agatha Frost mystery.
Sign up to the newsletter at www.agathafrost.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 28, 2024
This came close to being a DNF for me multiple times in the early going. But, I've liked other books by the author so persisted. So far, this is my least favorite of the author's cozy mystery series. Our heroine, Ellie, is back to her hometown after being let go as a historical researcher/continuity person for a film company, and quitting her next job as a barista. She's back in her hometown to help her beloved grandmother out running her bookstore. Quickly, a mystery occurs, and of course Ellie hops in to help.
I had trouble getting into the story in the early going, and was put off when one of the seeming clues, a coin with King Offa was discovered. Everyone knowingly comments it's a "Roman coin," and Ellie agrees, and adds on that he ruled in the 700s CE in Britain. Umm, Britain left the Roman empire centuries before that, and the Western Roman Empire (of which Britain was a part), fell in the 5th century CE! So no, it wasn't a Roman coin. Seemingly trivial point? I think not, since Ellie was supposed to be a history whiz, and was employed with the film company to catch historical inacuracies. Oops! Big issue for me.
Overall, I'd give this a C-/C, so just barely three stars. I'll try the next in the series, but hope I like it more right from the beginning.
More about King Offa here (NOT a Roman ruler!):
https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK...
I had trouble getting into the story in the early going, and was put off when one of the seeming clues, a coin with King Offa was discovered. Everyone knowingly comments it's a "Roman coin," and Ellie agrees, and adds on that he ruled in the 700s CE in Britain. Umm, Britain left the Roman empire centuries before that, and the Western Roman Empire (of which Britain was a part), fell in the 5th century CE! So no, it wasn't a Roman coin. Seemingly trivial point? I think not, since Ellie was supposed to be a history whiz, and was employed with the film company to catch historical inacuracies. Oops! Big issue for me.
Overall, I'd give this a C-/C, so just barely three stars. I'll try the next in the series, but hope I like it more right from the beginning.
More about King Offa here (NOT a Roman ruler!):
https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK...
July 26, 2024
4 stelle un po' stiracchiate (purtroppo)
Ho visto il libro e... mi sono innamorata della copertina! Poi ho letto la trama: libreria e protagonista che è una storica. Mio! Oltrettutto ho già letto altri libri di questa autrice e sapevo cosa aspettarmi. Anzi, all'inizio mi sono un po' meravigliata perché il modo di scrivere mi piaceva di più che nei libri precedenti, ma poi l'autrice ha più volte scambiato i nomi dei personaggi lungo la storia, soprattutto alla fine: direi che manca un editing affidato a una persona e non a un computer, che queste cose non le vede.
Devo dire che anche il fatto di dire che la protagonista sia una storica mi è sembrato quasi una esagerazione: alla fine fine, il suo lavoro dei sogni è stare in TV a evitare che uno parli usando un termine sbagliato o cose simili. Per essere storica vuol dire fare ricerca sui documenti o sui libri! Mah... forse stiamo parlando di due "storie" diverse... Ora che farà la libraia, mi sembra quasi che farà un lavoro più consono a una laurea in storia.
Detto questo, il libro non mi è dispiaciuto, quindi credo che leggerò anche il seguito.
Ho visto il libro e... mi sono innamorata della copertina! Poi ho letto la trama: libreria e protagonista che è una storica. Mio! Oltrettutto ho già letto altri libri di questa autrice e sapevo cosa aspettarmi. Anzi, all'inizio mi sono un po' meravigliata perché il modo di scrivere mi piaceva di più che nei libri precedenti, ma poi l'autrice ha più volte scambiato i nomi dei personaggi lungo la storia, soprattutto alla fine: direi che manca un editing affidato a una persona e non a un computer, che queste cose non le vede.
Devo dire che anche il fatto di dire che la protagonista sia una storica mi è sembrato quasi una esagerazione: alla fine fine, il suo lavoro dei sogni è stare in TV a evitare che uno parli usando un termine sbagliato o cose simili. Per essere storica vuol dire fare ricerca sui documenti o sui libri! Mah... forse stiamo parlando di due "storie" diverse... Ora che farà la libraia, mi sembra quasi che farà un lavoro più consono a una laurea in storia.
Detto questo, il libro non mi è dispiaciuto, quindi credo che leggerò anche il seguito.
July 28, 2024
Good read
It took me some time to get into the plot. There were so many characters and so different to each other but slowly I got into the plot and really enjoyed it,specially the second half. I liked Oliver a lot and I liked Daniel. I think I will enjoy this series.
It took me some time to get into the plot. There were so many characters and so different to each other but slowly I got into the plot and really enjoyed it,specially the second half. I liked Oliver a lot and I liked Daniel. I think I will enjoy this series.
September 17, 2024
"The Last Draft" is book #1 in "The Meadowfield Bookshop Mystery" by Agatha Frost.
"Welcome to Meadowfield Bookshop...
Meet Ellie Swift... a bookworm with a history degree stuck at a crossroads.
After putting her degree to work in a TV studio's historical continuity department for years, the studio merges with a giant streaming service and Ellie loses her dream job. She finds herself working in a coffee shop to make ends meet, and while waiting for the perfect opportunity to come along... she gets a phone call informing her that her dear Granny Maggie has broken her hip.
Leaving the city and her coffee shop job behind, Ellie returns to her quaint hometown of Meadowfield to care for her grandmother, but she finds more than just the family's beloved bookshop, Meadowfield Books, in disarray. Granny Maggie's hip was broken during a robbery gone wrong, and the thief—a relative of a deceased local author—is found dead. The item the thief stole? The local author's final manuscript.
While juggling caring for her grandmother and running the failing bookshop, Ellie finds herself in a web of mystery and murder, as she encounters a cast of characters each with a motive for coveting the author's final manuscript. Utilising her passion for history and her old community ties, Ellie untangles a series of clever clues and red herrings. From the financial desperation of the thief's father to the secretive actions of a local historian and antique dealer, the plot thickens when a rival author is also found dead.
With a knack for history and a heart for sleuthing, Ellie uncovers hidden truths, from coveted manuscripts to clandestine motives, but can Ellie's keen insights and tenacity ensure justice is served? And will she find a renewed sense of purpose in her long-forgotten home?"
My thoughts:
An interesting cast of characters with all seeming to have long memories and a few secrets, yet most eager to share the town gossip. Ellie had rarely visited since leaving twelves years earlier so as not to visit the memories of her own past.
Though both Ellie and her Granny Maggie seemed to be keeping secrets at times, they worked well together at home, in the bookshop and in trying to solve the clues to the murder and missing manuscript. Settling back into her hometown isn't easy but there are a few people who seem quite willing to welcome her back and let the past be the past.
Ellie's mother, Carolyn rarely sees outside of her own world as an actress trying to revive her career. Her so called "emergencies" and dramatics were pretty much over the top as she "chewed the scenery" in almost all situations. Granted her actions did provide a few chuckles but her overall behaviour gets tired quickly. How Ellie turned out so normal is amazing. Sylvia lives and breathes for the town gossip and isn't afraid to ask questions that are truly none of her business.
The Blackwood family are as unlikable a bunch as you can find. Their inner squabbles turned vicious and only made solving the murder harder. The riddles that had been left by the author to find his "last draft" were complex. It felt like a never ending hunt as each was found and deciphered.
As for who the actual killer was - I had a strong hunch early on. Despite some well placed red herrings and other misdirection, I wasn't surprised at the outcome.
There were some lighter moments and readers can see the beginnings of new friendships and relationships. Hopefully, the characters will continue to grow and evolve in any future books.
Even at 408 pages for the Kindle edition, this was a fairly quick, interesting and entertaining read.
"Welcome to Meadowfield Bookshop...
Meet Ellie Swift... a bookworm with a history degree stuck at a crossroads.
After putting her degree to work in a TV studio's historical continuity department for years, the studio merges with a giant streaming service and Ellie loses her dream job. She finds herself working in a coffee shop to make ends meet, and while waiting for the perfect opportunity to come along... she gets a phone call informing her that her dear Granny Maggie has broken her hip.
Leaving the city and her coffee shop job behind, Ellie returns to her quaint hometown of Meadowfield to care for her grandmother, but she finds more than just the family's beloved bookshop, Meadowfield Books, in disarray. Granny Maggie's hip was broken during a robbery gone wrong, and the thief—a relative of a deceased local author—is found dead. The item the thief stole? The local author's final manuscript.
While juggling caring for her grandmother and running the failing bookshop, Ellie finds herself in a web of mystery and murder, as she encounters a cast of characters each with a motive for coveting the author's final manuscript. Utilising her passion for history and her old community ties, Ellie untangles a series of clever clues and red herrings. From the financial desperation of the thief's father to the secretive actions of a local historian and antique dealer, the plot thickens when a rival author is also found dead.
With a knack for history and a heart for sleuthing, Ellie uncovers hidden truths, from coveted manuscripts to clandestine motives, but can Ellie's keen insights and tenacity ensure justice is served? And will she find a renewed sense of purpose in her long-forgotten home?"
My thoughts:
An interesting cast of characters with all seeming to have long memories and a few secrets, yet most eager to share the town gossip. Ellie had rarely visited since leaving twelves years earlier so as not to visit the memories of her own past.
Though both Ellie and her Granny Maggie seemed to be keeping secrets at times, they worked well together at home, in the bookshop and in trying to solve the clues to the murder and missing manuscript. Settling back into her hometown isn't easy but there are a few people who seem quite willing to welcome her back and let the past be the past.
Ellie's mother, Carolyn rarely sees outside of her own world as an actress trying to revive her career. Her so called "emergencies" and dramatics were pretty much over the top as she "chewed the scenery" in almost all situations. Granted her actions did provide a few chuckles but her overall behaviour gets tired quickly. How Ellie turned out so normal is amazing. Sylvia lives and breathes for the town gossip and isn't afraid to ask questions that are truly none of her business.
The Blackwood family are as unlikable a bunch as you can find. Their inner squabbles turned vicious and only made solving the murder harder. The riddles that had been left by the author to find his "last draft" were complex. It felt like a never ending hunt as each was found and deciphered.
As for who the actual killer was - I had a strong hunch early on. Despite some well placed red herrings and other misdirection, I wasn't surprised at the outcome.
There were some lighter moments and readers can see the beginnings of new friendships and relationships. Hopefully, the characters will continue to grow and evolve in any future books.
Even at 408 pages for the Kindle edition, this was a fairly quick, interesting and entertaining read.
July 26, 2024
Puzzling, Scary, and Delightful
I'm delighted with Agatha Frost's new series. The characters are fascinating, like my neighbors, and with such a variety of personalities that it will be entertaining getting to know them. The mystery of the murders is shrouded in a family's history and behaviors - definitely a challenge to solve. The village setting and the manor house are both enchanting and imposing. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to the next. Congratulations on another fabulous success, Agatha.
I'm delighted with Agatha Frost's new series. The characters are fascinating, like my neighbors, and with such a variety of personalities that it will be entertaining getting to know them. The mystery of the murders is shrouded in a family's history and behaviors - definitely a challenge to solve. The village setting and the manor house are both enchanting and imposing. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to the next. Congratulations on another fabulous success, Agatha.
September 10, 2024
The author branded her work perfectly when she deemed it a cozy mystery. I enjoyed reading this book, but the editor failed to correct even the most glaring errors. It was hard to stay engrossed in the story, when every few chapters I would notice a spelling error or a naming mistake.
Examples:
• ”Sylviad hesitate, a hungry…”
• “Historical Continuity Supivisor.”
Aside from these issues, I loved the charming village of Meadowfield and the cast of quirky characters.
3/5 ⭐️
Examples:
• ”Sylviad hesitate, a hungry…”
• “Historical Continuity Supivisor.”
Aside from these issues, I loved the charming village of Meadowfield and the cast of quirky characters.
3/5 ⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2024
Promising Beginning
The Last Draft fully delivers on its promise of a twisty, cozy murder mystery, full of intriguing and relatable characters. Its promise was slightly marred by the myriad typographical errors, which repeatedly led me to wonder whether the wrong, unedited file had been uploaded.
The Last Draft fully delivers on its promise of a twisty, cozy murder mystery, full of intriguing and relatable characters. Its promise was slightly marred by the myriad typographical errors, which repeatedly led me to wonder whether the wrong, unedited file had been uploaded.
July 28, 2024
Great beginning to a new series!
I love reading Agatha Frost's books and so excited to see she had a new series. Excellent writing, wonderful characters and a compelling plot with several twists makes a great beginning to this new series. I cannot wait to read the next story to see what mystery these charming characters have to unravel.
I love reading Agatha Frost's books and so excited to see she had a new series. Excellent writing, wonderful characters and a compelling plot with several twists makes a great beginning to this new series. I cannot wait to read the next story to see what mystery these charming characters have to unravel.
August 6, 2024
Enjoyable first book in the Meadowfield Bookshop series by Agatha Frost. It has a complex plot and interesting new characters. I gave it 4 stars because of several errors where character names were swapped, which caused confusion. Hopefully the editing will be better in the coming books in the series. I already pre-ordered the second book.
September 11, 2024
A spectacular beginning of the series
Agatha Frost did not disappoint. The characters are believable, well developed, and this book was truly a page turner. The promise of a new relationship, a challenge of starting over and being home. I just really enjoyed this book and can not wait for the next installment.
Agatha Frost did not disappoint. The characters are believable, well developed, and this book was truly a page turner. The promise of a new relationship, a challenge of starting over and being home. I just really enjoyed this book and can not wait for the next installment.
September 11, 2024
What a fun new series!
Agatha Frost has create another great series, if this first book is any indication…I am hooked. With a good amount of details about the main characters commingled with a mystery and she got her hooks into me with Ellie, Oliver, Daniel, Maggie and the rest of the gang.
Agatha Frost has create another great series, if this first book is any indication…I am hooked. With a good amount of details about the main characters commingled with a mystery and she got her hooks into me with Ellie, Oliver, Daniel, Maggie and the rest of the gang.
July 23, 2024
Wasn’t my cup of tea, at all.
I don’t think this was poorly written, nor did it have a horrible premise. I just did not like the characters, I didn’t find anything interesting about them or their interactions. Just not the book for me.
2.5 stars
I don’t think this was poorly written, nor did it have a horrible premise. I just did not like the characters, I didn’t find anything interesting about them or their interactions. Just not the book for me.
2.5 stars
July 26, 2024
New Series.
When I first started to read this book, I didn't I would like it, but I continue to read and got into Ellie and her family and hometown, it was a match made for me. Thanks Agatha. Really enjoyed this book.
When I first started to read this book, I didn't I would like it, but I continue to read and got into Ellie and her family and hometown, it was a match made for me. Thanks Agatha. Really enjoyed this book.
July 28, 2024
An absolutely delightful first book in a new series.
Anything from this author is always guaranteed to be a great read.
All the hallmarks of a cozy mystery are met & exceeded.
I cannot wait to read the next in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
Anything from this author is always guaranteed to be a great read.
All the hallmarks of a cozy mystery are met & exceeded.
I cannot wait to read the next in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
August 15, 2024
Ellie Swan and Meadowfield
I enjoyed the story and conclusion. I wasn't so invested as Agatha Frosts other books have more humour, but hoping this was a slow burn and we will glean more information about Ellie, her family and the rest of the village.
I enjoyed the story and conclusion. I wasn't so invested as Agatha Frosts other books have more humour, but hoping this was a slow burn and we will glean more information about Ellie, her family and the rest of the village.
August 25, 2024
Interesting Story
This is an interesting cozy mystery written about a family that has lies, secrets, greed, and murder in their blood. Searching for a lost manuscript shows their true colors and Ellie must work hard to uncover the truth.
This is an interesting cozy mystery written about a family that has lies, secrets, greed, and murder in their blood. Searching for a lost manuscript shows their true colors and Ellie must work hard to uncover the truth.
August 5, 2024
Very Good Book 1
Interested to see what Ellie does in the next in the series. Quirky and engaging characters and quite a unique first mystery. Definitely will be here for book 2
Interested to see what Ellie does in the next in the series. Quirky and engaging characters and quite a unique first mystery. Definitely will be here for book 2
August 22, 2024
A fun new cozy mystery. I didn't guess the killer. That's rare. Looking forward to book 2.
August 22, 2024
DNF. I completely lost interest.
August 30, 2024
enjoyed the book, getting to know the characters and backstory, looking forward to the next...
September 6, 2024
Totally enjoyed it! This is a well written and has well developed characters. The story is catching and with the strong characters makes for a very enjoyable read. Great Reading Everyone!
September 6, 2024
Great read. Different then previous books she has written, captured my attention on first chapter. Mystery with a twist for sure.
September 9, 2024
Lobe it
I love this book. It was amazing. Like always, she hit the spot with this new amazing book of her new upcoming series
I loved it ❤️
I love this book. It was amazing. Like always, she hit the spot with this new amazing book of her new upcoming series
I loved it ❤️
September 13, 2024
Loved it
September 17, 2024
Ok nothing special. I guess with all the golden reviews I had seen I was expecting more.
September 26, 2024
It has everything it needs to engage me, but somehow didn't. The author did what I consider a good job concealing the murderer's Identity.
October 7, 2024
Series has promise
Quirky characters, charming village and a book shop, who could ask for more? Give it a try and see what you think.
Quirky characters, charming village and a book shop, who could ask for more? Give it a try and see what you think.
August 10, 2024
I found that I couldn't get into the plot at times as I found it confusing and slow but I persevered and I did get into as the book went further.
August 6, 2024
The premise of this book was fun but for me it was only 3 stars. A bit of a slow start but I did stay with it. The were editing errors that made it a difficult read (- 1 star for this). I really wish Ellie would have tried Oliver’s bread. It sounded delicious and he was waiting so patiently for her opinion. There were some characters I just didn’t like at all. I will still read the next book as I think this series has great potential.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews