‘Poppy’s Christmas Cracker’ by Leigh Russell

Published by Crime & Mystery Club Ltd,
19 September 2024. 
ISBN: 978-0-85730600-5 (PB)

This is the fourth outing for Poppy, the adorable crossbreed terrier and her owner Emily. Emily inherited a house, in the beautiful country village of Ashmead, when her great auntie died. with the condition she adopted Poppy,

Emily works as a waitress in village’s popular, Sunshine Café, owned by her best friend, and brilliant baker Hannah.

In this unputdownable story, a French Patisserie has newly opened in the village. The problem being,it is opposite the busy Sunshine Café. To further complicate, and cause bad feeling between Hannah and Emily, Emily has fallen for and has started dating Niles, the handsome waiter at the French café.

The Sunshine cafe is now losing trade where the French patisserie is thriving.

When the owner of the patisserie, Desiree, is found dead, having fallen out a window, and suspected having being pushed, Hannah is arrested and charged with her murder. She had been overheard by many villagers saying bad things about Desiree, and further witnesses have come forward to report overhearing a row between the two women. To complicate further, Hannah has no alibi.

Christmas plans in Hannah’s café involving all the lone villagers and friends are now on hold, and the café is closed.

Now Emily, along with her close village friends, go on a mission to prove Hannah’s innocence.

Next, our hero dog Poppy discovers something of vital importance that turns the case on its head, leaving Emily wondering who her real friends are.

This, as one would expect from the pen of Leigh Russell, is an extremely well-crafted mystery. Add to that clear and colourfully drawn characters, and top that with a cracker of a dog for becoming Santa Paws and saving Christmas in the village of Ashton-Mead.

I read this story in one sitting. I couldn’t put it down. Five stars for Leigh Russell and a big turkey dinner for Poppy.
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Reviewer: Linda Regan
www.Lindareganonline.co.uk

Leigh Russell studied at the University of Kent gaining a Master’s degree in English and American literature. Formerly a secondary school English teacher, with the success of her Geraldine Steel series, Leigh now writes full-time. Her debut novel, Cut Short, was published in 2009 by No Exit Press in the UK, there are now 22 books in the series  featuring detective Geraldine Steel.  Leigh also has a  series featuring Lucy Hall. Her most recent series features Poppy the dog. Leigh Russell is married with two daughters and lives in Middlesex.

 leighrussell.co.uk/   

Linda Regan is the author of nine crime novels. She is also an actor. She holds a Masters degree in critical writing and journalism, and writes a regular column, including book reviews, for three magazines. She also presents the book-club spot on BBC Radio Kent. She is an avid reader and welcomes the chance to read new writers. 

  To read a review of Linda's most recent book
 The Burning Question
click on the title. 

www.lindareganonline.co.uk