Hello! Welcome to JuliaPalooza for my stop on the Blog Tour for Bloodshed On The Boards by Judy Leigh which was published on by Boldwood Books on 11 April 2024.
About the book
There is excitement in the air as the travelling theatre arrives in Seal Bay.
When The Spriggan Travelling Theatre Company arrives in Seal Bay to perform a Cornish version of King Arthur the locals flock to be entertained. But for Morwenna Mutton, sexagenarian librarian, wild swimming enthusiast and amateur sleuth, the theatre brings intrigue too. Actor and director Daniel Kitto is not the most popular member of the cast and unbeknownst to him, his role of Uther Pendragon on the opening night is to be his swansong.
In front of a horrified audience, he collapses during the dying moments of the performance in a pool of fake blood, and although the police are content that the causes of his death are natural, Morwenna isn’t so sure. And once it becomes clear that there are a number of people who stand to gain from Daniel’s death, Morwenna’s investigation takes a dangerous turn.
If you love Miss Marple and The Thursday Murder Club, then you’ll love The Morwenna Mutton mysteries.
Shelve on Goodreads | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Waterstones
I’ve not read Judy Leigh’s first Morwenna Mutton Mystery, Foul Play at Seal Bay, but I was able to jump straight into Bloodshed on the Boards and have Morwenna appear fully formed and welcome like an old friend. It did not matter that this was the second book, although there were mentions made of the previous case. The book has a cheery start with a handy glossary of Cornish phrases and Morwenna and a friend taking one of their regular SWANs sea swims – this frequent pastime sounded refreshing but freezing!
The story is a modern cosy mystery set in a bustling and well-described seaside town. Morwenna is a no-nonsense, independent grandmother and Seal Bay is a delightful setting, full of quaint shops, tea rooms and Morwenna’s workplace, the local library. Morwenna’s daughter, granddaughter and mother all feature heavily in the book, as does her (not quite so) ex-husband Ruan and a large cast of supporting characters from Seal Bay and the visiting acting troupe.
Despite the official outcome, Morwenna is convinced that Daniel’s death was suspicious and sets about investigating, using different ruses to find information and track down suspects, on her trusty electric bike. She also finds time to take an interest in Ruan’s developing friendship with one of the actors and simultaneously to be whisked off her feet by a visiting handsome plastic surgeon.
I enjoyed my time with Morwenna, the book has a steady pace and plenty of time in it for “a cuppa”. The ending is suitably dramatic and I did not see it coming. Recommended for gentle cosy lovers who might also like a little romance. Thank you to the publisher for my copy of Bloodshed on the Boards and to Rachel’s Random Resources for my spot on the tour.
If you enjoyed my review, please consider liking and/or sharing and, of course, buying the book:
Shelve on Goodreads | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Waterstones
About the author
Judy Leigh is the USA Today bestselling author of The Old Girls’ Network and Five French Hens and the doyenne of the ‘it’s never too late’ genre of women’s fiction. She has lived all over the UK from Liverpool to Cornwall, but currently resides in Somerset. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/judyleighuk Twitter: https://twitter.com/JudyLeighWriter Instagram: Judy Leigh (@judyrleigh) • Instagram photos and videos Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/JudyLeighNews Bookbub profile: Judy Leigh Books – BookBub
About the Blog Tour
Please check out the rest of the great posts on the tour for Bloodshed on the Boards:
juliapalooza.com 