‘Death at the Village Christmas Fair’ by Debbie Young

Published by Boldwood Books,
16 August 2025.
ISBN: 978-1-83518581-O (HB)

 Alice Carroll has grown to love her Curiosity Shop. Initially following a split with her partner of some years, she had bought the old curiosity shop with the intention reverting it back to the cottage that it once was. Unfortunately, the conveyancing was done by her ex-partner who had decided to go travelling. When Alice moved in she discovered that legally the cottage had to remain a shop.

However, she has made many friends in the village of Little Pride mainly because as she discovered her curiosity shop is much loved by the villagers. They bring in things to sell to her, and she sells things to them. It works wonderfully. Alice is now also the editor of Little Pride’s Parish

Following the death of Mrs Hardy, Alice learns that the kind old lady has left all her wools and craft supplies to Alice’s mother who is also an inveterate knitter.  And so she turns up at Alice’s complete with stocks of wools to knit holly wreaths, Christmas jumpers, Santa Hats and bunting for the shop.  Alice has been sorting out all the buttons she has and putting them on display. Coralie, the village hairdresser is thrilled when she visits the shop and sees the buttons. I just love buttons she said, they make great earrings. During the village annual Santa run, one of the Sant's steals a knitted scarf from Alice’s mother’s stall. Later he is found dead.

Then Alice learns that the thief dressed as Santa had stolen the scarf that had had sewn into it a rare and valuable antique Natsuko button. Which often command quite high prices.

Alice has been looking forward to her first Christmas in Little Pride, also secretly hoping to spend some time with Robert Sponge, nicknamed Bob Sponge owing to his invention of the everlasting washing-up sponge, on which he had built a lucrative global business. 

So, Alice and Robert set out to solve the crime.  As they work together investigating they get closer to solving the crime and closer to each other.  An intriguing and fascinating mystery, combined with some marvellous characters.  Highly recommended.
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Reviewer: Lizzie Sirett

Debbie Young was born and raised in Sidcup, Kent. When she was 14, her family relocated to Germany for her father’s job. Debbie spent four years at Frankfurt International School, broadening her outlook as well as gaining the then brand new IB (International Baccalaureate). She returned to the UK to earn her BA (Hons) in English and Related Literature at the University of York, then lived and worked for a while in London and the West of England as a journalist and PR consultant.  In 1991 she moved to the Cotswolds. In 2002, she married a Scot named Gordon whom she met in Swindon – and not, as village rumour once had it, a Swede named Scottie.  She has written four series. Her most recent one is Cotswold Curiosity Shop Mysteries. Death at the Village Christmas Fair, is the fifth book in this series. 

https://authordebbieyoung.com