I really wanted to like this book but it was a miss for me. It appears to be a current day story told in dialog of another time. If there were dates involved I missed them. The setting of the twelfth century Cistercian Cleeve Abbey located in Somerset, England was a definite plus and since everything revolved around it also necessary. The many prosaic descriptions somehow didn’t fit with this murder mystery. Everything felt off and the story never truly held my attention. This wasn’t a book I was rushing back to pick up nor did I finish it quickly. However, whenever I walk away from a book with interesting information it gets marked as time well spent so I am rounding up from a solid 3-1/2 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a copy. ( )

Somerset is enjoying a particularly lovely June with little rain, plenty of sunshine, lovely temperatures, and gorgeous blue skies, which makes a perfect setting for the History Society’s annual picnic which is being held at the ancient Cleeve Abbey this year. Libby Forest and her new husband Max Ramshore have brought their very energetic dog, Shipley, and are thoroughly enjoying the surroundings and the company. At least they are until retired, unmarried schoolteacher, Jemima Bakewell finds a bone in the nearby Washford River. Soon, the attendees unearth a human skull. Are these ancient bones from the Abbey graveyard or are they more current?

When anthropologist Charlie Foxglove and her assistant Rory get involved with dating the bones, and a want-to-be TV ghost hunter personality stages a sleepover ‘event’ at the Abbey, things really begin to heat up. There is a brutal, near-fatal attack as well as thefts and murder. What ties them all together? Is there a relationship between the ancient bones and the current crimes? Never fear, Libby and Max are on the case.

As always, there are lots of other things going on in the story – just as there would be in real life. We learn more of the backstories of several characters – old and new – and we get fun time with Bear, Shipley, and Fuzzy.

It was interesting to see how the ancient bones and the new crimes were/weren’t connected. The perpetrator was unexpected and the motives were convoluted and a bit muddled. I enjoyed the read and can recommend it.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ( )

attempted-murder, married-sleuths, family, family-dynamics, friendship, skeleton, psychics, law-enforcement, England, pets, archaeology, archaeologist*****

Libby Forest (baker, chocolatier) and her second husband Max Ramshore (professional internet sleuth) are up to their necks in the latest weirdness. The publisher's blurb gives a great intro so no need to repeat, and spoilers are just wrong
Good sleuthing and interesting (and some really strange) characters backed up by some lovely dogs. I enjoyed this mystery very much and it was perfect for an afternoon of escapism!
It's part of a series that I like very much, but I do think any of them (especially this one) could stand alone.
I requested and received a free ebook from Boldwood Books via NetGalley. Thank you! ( )