GEMMA LAMB COZY MYSTERIES
Set at St Bride’s School for Girls
“A deftly comic series of perfect, feel-good reads.” – Susan Grossey
- The first in series was shortlisted for The Bookbrunch Selfies Awards for best independently-published adult fiction in the UK
- Best read in order but each also works as a stand-alone novel
- Now in new editions by Boldwood Books in ebook, paperback, large print, audio & hardback!
Dastardly Deeds at St Bride’s (1)
When Gemma Lamb takes a job at a quirky English girls’ boarding school, she believes she’s found the perfect escape route from her controlling boyfriend – until she discovers the rest of the staff are hiding sinister secrets.
Originally published as Secrets at St Bride’s, it is now published by Boldwood Books with this new title and cover, in ebook, paperback and audiobook.
Sinister Stranger at St Bride’s (2)
When an American stranger turns up claiming to be the rightful owner of the school’s magnificent country estate, teacher Gemma Lamb fears losing not only her job and her home, but also her hopes for a relationship with charismatic PE teacher Joe Spryke.
Originally published as Stranger at St Bride’s, it is now published by Boldwood Books with this new title and cover, in ebook, paperback and audiobook all formats.
Wicked Whispers at St Bride’s (3)
A completely new Gemma Lamb adventure published by Boldwood Books in November 2022.
Gemma Lamb is barely back at school before unlucky-in-love Oriana is sneaking around at odd hours, handsome Joe is keeping secrets, and militant Mavis feels a scandal is brewing. Then a stranger appears – but stranger isn’t so sinister. Instead he looks rather too familiar. If Gemma can’t get him away from the schoo,l the whispers and scandal his presence could unleash may just close St Bride’s doors for good. It’s up to Gemma to save the school’s reputation, her job and her growing relationship with Joe!
COMING NEXT:
Artful Antics at St Bride’s (4) – to be published 29th July 2023
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.
THE SOPHIE SAYERS VILLAGE MYSTERIES
“A cracking example of cosy crime” – Katie Fforde
“This series just gets better with every new book” – Alison Morton
- Read in order or as stand-alone novels
- The first seven books run the course of a Cotswold village year from one summer to the next
- These first seven books are being launched in bright new editions, some with revised titles
- An all-new eighth adventure, Murder in the Highlands, will be launched on 15th March 2023
Best Murder in Show (1)
A dead body on a carnival float at the village show. A clear case of murder in plain sight, but why do none of the villagers agree? Sophie is determined to find out – with a little help from the dashing Hector Munro, proprietor of the village bookshop.
Murder at the Vicarage (2)
As Halloween approaches, whose body will be found outside his village bookshop? Not to mention the one buried beneath the vicar’s bonfire… Sophie struggles to save the day before anyone else can come to harm – and to get Hector back on her side. (Previously published as Trick or Murder?)
Murder in the Manger (3)
When Sophie writes a nativity play for the village children and drama group, it soon goes off-script – and the whole community stands accused of murder. Enjoy the fun of a traditional Cotswold Christmas, with echoes of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
Murder at the Well (4)
A dead body at the bottom of the well. But whose body and why? Tempers flare and old feuds catch fire in the latest laugh-out-loud Sophie Sayers Village mystery about love, loyalty and family ties in the run-up to Valentine’s Day. (Previously published as Murder by the Book.)
Springtime for Murder (5)

When an old lady is left for dead in an open grave, Sophie suspects foul play. When it comes to suspects, she’s spoiled for choice. A lively array of eccentrics joins the regular cast in this compelling story of family, friendship, love and loss.
Murder at the Mill (6)
When Sophie Sayers joins a writers’ retreat on a secluded Greek island, she’s hoping to find inspiration. Away from her rural English comfort zone, she also takes stock of her relationship with her boyfriend Hector. But scarcely has the writing course begun when bestselling romantic novelist Marina Milanese disappears… (Previously published as Murder Your Darlings)
Murder Lost and Found (7)
Finding a dead body in the village school’s lost property cupboard during the summer holidays is bad enough – but when the body disappears and the police refuse to investigate, it’s down to Sophie Sayers to get to the bottom of the mystery and save the village school from the threat of closure. This seventh mystery marks the end of Sophie’s first year in the Cotswold village of Wendlebury Barrow.
Murder in the Highlands (8)
When Sophie takes Hector to meet her parents in Inverness, her hopes for a carefree getaway are thrown into disarray as soon as they cross the border – with a sinister encounter at Gretna Green and a series of assaults on Hector as she takes him to her favourite places in Inverness. But why does Hector claim these attacks are accidents? And what’s the truth behind the mysterious inscription in the Gaelic poetry book he gives her mother? This eighth adventure starts and finishes in the Cotswold village of Wendlebury Barrow, with appearances by favourite local characters.
TALES FROM WENDLEBURY BARROW
- Quick light reads around 25% of the length of the novels (novelettes)
- Pocket-sized paperback editions are the size of a picture postcard
- Ebook available from Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited
- In the same style as The Pride of Peacocks (a Readers’ Club exclusive – scroll to foot of page to find out how to obtain your free ebook copy)
The Natter of Knitters (1)
When Sophie Sayers takes part in a a charity knitting project, what could possibly go wrong? In Wendlebury Barrow, anything might happen – including the only yarnbombing event ever to include a real explosion.
A gentle, thoughtful mystery with no dead bodies, and a happy ending guaranteed!
Buy the ebook online, buy the paperback online, or order from your local bookshop quoting ISBN 9781911223511.
The Clutch of Eggs (2)
Whe young Tommy’s new passion for wild birds’ eggs causes him to put the village of Wendlebury Barrow on the map for all the wrong reasons, Sophie Sayers tries to create order out of chaos.
A funny, feel-good read about friendship, love, loss and reconciliation.
Buy the ebook online, buy the paperback online, or order from your local bookshop quoting ISBN 9781911223641.
Free Ebook – An Exclusive Story for Debbie Young’s Readers’ Club Members

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