Murder Before Evensong by the Reverend Richard Coles

The Reverend Richard Coles's debut novel, Murder Before Evensong, is a cozy mystery set in the little fictional English village of Champton St Mary in 1988. The book follows Canon Daniel Clement, the rector of the village church, as he investigates a series of murders that have rocked the community.

I enjoyed Murder Before Evensong, but I found it to be a bit slow at times. The book is full of well-developed characters and a charming setting, but the plot takes its time to develop and I was about 30% in before the first fatality. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as it gives the reader time to get to know the characters and the village, but it may not be to everyone's taste.

The book's strengths lie in its characters and its setting. Canon Daniel Clement is a likeable and relatable protagonist. He's a kind and compassionate man who is dedicated to his faith and his community. He's also a bit of a mystery himself, as he's still coming to terms with the death of his husband.

The village of Champton St Mary is also a well-realized setting. Coles brings the village to life with his descriptions of the countryside, the people, and the local customs. The village is a place where everyone knows everyone else, and where secrets are hard to keep. Add to that the fact hat the rector wants to install a toilet at the back of the church and chaos ensues among the congregation.

The book's plot is a bit slow at times, but it does eventually pick up. The mystery is well-crafted, and the reader will be kept guessing until the very end. The book also features a few twists and turns that will keep the reader engaged.

Overall, I enjoyed Murder Before Evensong. It's a well-written and enjoyable cozy mystery. I would recommend it to fans of the genre. 8/10 🙂