The setting is a Cotswold village at Christmas. A disappeared Oxford student, two murders, and an abandoned newborn baby push Ellie Kent to investigate. This is a decent mystery with enough holiday details to be festive. As Ellie starts making headway I was pushed to finish for the answers and solutions. Ellie is a newlywed and has only lived in the village for four months. This is the aspect of the story that didn't make a lot of sense. She is an American who met her husband, a vicar, the Christmas before in San Francisco. She is divorced, he is a widower. She is a non-believer, and he is an Anglican vicar. They are married in less than a year. Really? And it is her second murder case in this tiny village in 4 months - a total of 3 victims. Really?
It was not a surprise to learn the author is American. After the main character is American, and it wouldn't make sense for an English author to do that. I may read the first in the series because the second had good momentum.2017-reads cozy-mystery e-book ...more10 s Kim N435 91

This is the second Christmas story I've read this summer; don't ask me why.

Book 1 in this series, Under an English Heaven, was enjoyable even if the characterizations were a bit shallow. But in book 2, the problem seemed even more pronounced and I don't feel compelled to spend any more time with Ellie and the inhabitants of Little Beecham. It's a big drawback for a cozy mystery series when you can't enjoy the characters.2-star6 s Ruth175 1 follower

Really enjoyed this second book in the Ellie Kent series and hope there are more to come.english-cosy6 s Jacqie1,758 94

I'd probably give this a solid 3.5. I found this book as I was looking for books set in the Cotswolds prior to my trip there. It's the second in the series, and I enjoyed the first one too.

This book takes place around Christmas, as you might surmise. A baby is left in the manger being used for the town Christmas play at the church, and Ellie notices the baby DURING the play. She quickly bonds to this little girl, who is called Rosie by the staff of the hospital in which she is placed.

There's a lot going on. Girls with herb tattoos done as a link with Ophelia's flower speech. Abandoned babies and a body found later. Christmas in a small Cotswold town and many icy drives that end up in ditches. I wasn't sure it all really connected, quite frankly. And the idea of teenage girls referring to themselves as "Juliets" or "Ophs", depending on whether they get what they want or not. Is this a thing in English classes these days? Ophelia certainly did not get what she wanted, but the idea put forward in this mystery is that Juliet did know how to get what she wanted, so it's more desirable to be her. It's been a while since high school for me, but I feel teenage girls can aspire higher than to be Juliet. Any other literature lovers with thoughts on this?

As in the first book, the murderer's identity is pretty obvious, because he's a jerk. I enjoy these because they are the definition of a cozy mystery. They take place in a charming setting, there's not much blood and gore, the characters are mostly enjoyable, and it's a pleasant escape for a short time. 3 s Seamus O'ConnorAuthor 3 books2

Alice Boatwright has done it again: brought us another wonderful Ellie Kent mystery.
What Child Is This? is a hard-to-put-down story and I didn’t – I read it in one day. I was with Ellie every step of the way as she set about unraveling the mysterious disappearance of a village girl—an Oxford student—under suspicious circumstances. Ellie then, I was caught completely off guard by the arrival of an unexpected Christmas visitor to the parish; an event that knocked all prevailing explanations of the disappearance into a cocked hat.
But Ellie has a theory …
If you haven’t met Ellie Kent yet, it’s high time you did—give yourself a Christmas gift. You’ll love Little Beecham at Christmastime where the American Ellie—recently married to the Vicar—can’t seem to resist a good mystery and has a nose for rooting out criminals. I suspect you’ll also love the humor and curiosity with which Ellie approaches her first “full-English” Christmas in the village of Little Beecham.3 s Martha ConwayAuthor 10 books262

This beautifully written mystery is perfect for the holidays, or any day you want to spend reading about Christmas in an English village. The second in the Ellie Kent mystery series (Ellie Kent is a smart American who marries a sexy English vicar and moves back to the Cotswolds with him), this one starts with a Missing Person flyer but escalates when a newborn child is literally found in a nativity scene creche. Ellie, the one who finds the baby, feels responsible for the child's welfare, and all too soon she is following up leads. I won't give more away. :) The gripping mystery combined with all the lovely traditions of an English Christmas makes this novel a hugely enjoyable read. I highly recommend it.3 s Mary922 30

This was a great story!

I enjoyed the story and would recommend it to all my family and friends. It was interesting and I d the idea that it took place in England and at Christmas so I could learn some things that are different from American Christmas.

Read it it tells many things that I did not know about. It was educational!3 s Debbi380 100

I enjoy following the seasons with my reading material. Many Christmas themed books are too sweet, or too cliche, in that way this book hit the right note. It's not too much of anything. The main character is an American woman turned amateur sleuth, newly married to a small town English vicar. The writing is good and the story moves along. There is a Shakespeare thread that creates interest but the chemistry between the characters is weak and I am not compelled to revisit them. The audiobook perfect for a plane, train or car ride with mixed ages... or for use as a reading palate cleanser before digging into your delicious holiday books.2 s Chip Noon4 14

The first thing I noticed when opening the package with three copies of Alice Boatwright’s new book What Child is This? were the Cotswold stones of the houses pictured on the cover. The honey color told me that the town shown is in the northern part of the region. But the towns described in her first novel, Under an English Heaven seemed closer to Oxford…so my sleuthing was getting me confused. And then I thought, “What am I doing? Just read the book!”
See, that’s what Ms. Boatwright does to the reader. Completely hooks her, or him, into her world. So much so that we become our own detectives…inadequate as we may be…or at least I am.
I have to say that this second offering from her pen is even better than her first, and I loved that book! a Shakespeare play (and I’m not kidding here) there are so many levels to What Child is This? that I simply reveled in the whole reading experience. There’s drama, tension, comedy, inside jokes, political commentary, psychology…just about everything one could want in a mystery novel. And the physical descriptions took me back there immediately! I was only in the Cotswolds once, but I wish I had read her novels before going. She has painted the perfect picture for us armchair tourists.
One final comment, Ms. Boatwright’s depiction of a rural English Christmas is simply marvelous. While we in New England think we have a lock on this precious holiday season, I am going to have to admit that her descriptions of Christmas in Little Beecham and the surrounding towns is perfect. I would love to spend a Christmas going to services at the Church of St. Michael and All Angels. It would be absolutely heartwarming…which is just how I felt throughout this book, serious and scary portions aside.
Go immediately to your bookstore or online service and buy What Child is This? It will be a great Christmas present to yourself. In fact, I’m giving two of them away myself.
2 s Julie Durnell1,077 187

I really did this book-taking a chance on reading the second book in the Ellie Kent series without reading the first; because I wanted to read it as a holiday mystery. But it actually worked fairly well as a stand-alone with enough background information to update the reader on what had taken place beforehand so that you weren't totally clueless. christmas england-uk mystery2 s Mary D. Warren42 1 follower

WHEN WILL THE NEXT ELLIE KENT MYSTERY BE AVAILABLE?

I have enjoyed reading both UNDER AN ENGLISH HEAVEN and WHAT CHILD IS THIS. I only hope Alice Boatwright continues this series. She is an excellent writer. Without going into detail about her style of writing, both books are examples of her her expertise at her craft. I know when I read a story that is well written as these both are, I'm invested in the character's lives. I don't want the book to end. I feel that way about Ellie Kent and all the inhabitants of her English village. 1 Joy O’Toole368 8

I enjoyed this second book in the Ellie Kent series. I the fact that Ellie keeps getting drawn into mysteries despite herself. The little details about English village life are fun without being too cozy.1 Debbie1,518

This is a cozy- and it's a big 'meh' - there isn't anything special about it nor about the characters- I won't go out of my way to read another but if I need something at an airport or on a beach - sure.fiction mystery1 Tuesdayschild828 9

The way the author got rid of the perpetrator was a little too pat; and, some of the details about babies is a little off …….. yet, as it’s a fiction story that’s allowed, I guess.
Though the mystery was interesting, this is not a title I’d recommend to some of my IRL reading friends.

Themes: person in authority grooms teenaged girls, kidnapping, LBGT.2021-authors-new-to-me 2021-read audio ...more1 Jmbasu5

A thrilling mystery, a story of American Ellie Kent’s growing involvement in her new husband’s Cotswald community, and an evocation of English Christmas traditions. Enjoy the second of these beautifully written mysteries.1 Marilyn Trott1 review1 follower

I couldn't put it down

I read both Ellie Kent books and thoroughly enjoyed them. I would recommend these books to any one who enjoys a good book.1 Sandy McKenna750 16


An excellent Christmas mystery

Ellie is looking forward to her first White Christmas, but there is a missing girl, and consequently a chain of events which make this particular Christmas un any other.
A well written murder mystery set in The Cotswolds with lots of twists and turns.1 Mairi ChongAuthor 12 books38

When a promising Oxford student disappears much to her family’s distress, Eillie Kent, an American vicar’s wife, moved to the UK, with a habit of rooting out mysteries, is soon drawn into events. Two murders and an abandoned baby at the church only spur her on to investigate further despite the potential danger.
This is the second book in the author’s Ellie Kent series and, written from an American perspective but set in England, it is awash with slightly sardonic touches on the difficulties of an outsider fitting in. At times, this borders on the mildly scathing which is a shame and I do wonder if it might be better suited to an American audience.
This is a fun little mystery, cosy in nature and without gore or adrenaline. The culprit is rather obvious but the convoluted and entertaining tale is enjoyable all the same. If you’re after a quick and charming read, you could do far worse.
1 Kevin776 40

Great audiobook20211 Mary1,467 4

Really enjoyed this mystery.1 Carrie DoyleAuthor 11 books327

I'm in love with this series. Once again I listened on Audible and the narrator is excellent. I love the characters and the plots and there was a subplot that concluded in an unexpected manner for me. I cannot wait until book 3! If you love cozy mysteries you will love this.1 Sheila903 3

An enjoyable, seasonal follow up to Under an English Heaven, the first Ellie Kent mystery. A good mystery, with good character development. Looking forward to the next one. Write quickly please, Ms. Boatwright!!1 Sarah Rubin289 20

Ellie Kent is full of spunk. I couldn’t put down this second mystery as Alice Boatwright weaves an enticing tale with an engaging and well-paced mix of American and British language.

It’s Christmastime, and Ellie is settling into her life, newly married, an American living in her husband’s English countryside, and stepmother to a lovely young woman. Motherhood, step and otherwise, is a well-mastered theme throughout What Child is This. Moreover, this is a book filled with love. A missing child, an abandoned baby, and dreary winter days only serve to emphasize that as they contrast with the traditional forty days of Christmas. And despite police wishes to the contrary — and very real potential dangers — Ellie just can't seem to help but get involved.

I love the seasonal setting, and I appreciate Ellie’s conundrum as a not-exactly-religious vicar’s wife. I can’t wait for the next book to come out, no matter the season of its setting or the season of its release.

5 stars!favorites mysteries mystery-series1 Jenny Hardesty387 2

Sorta wish I had saved this for the Christmas season, but that’s too far away and there will be other books I’ll be craving by then. Ellie was not the suspect in this second in (I hope) a long series of mysteries with her as the star sleuth. She’s got a whole lot of American gumption in an otherwise sometimes-stuffy English village, and suffers the occasional anti-American slur with grace. I’m liking her more and more.1 Nicole646

A wonderfully cozy mystery. A+craving-for-cozies-challenge-2018 mysteries1 Suzanne1,669 99

Love this series! If I can't live in Three Pines, I want to live in Little Beachum. :)cozy-mysteries holiday1 Gary Holt153 9

This book continues in the fine tradition of the first volume. It's about a charming, quaint, pleasant English village at Christmas time, with all that entails. Well, *mostly* pleasant.

As with the first volume, if you don't find life in rural England charming, this probably isn't your thing. It continues to unfold the English village and the people in it to the American foreigner. She continues to make good friends and help people, not with super detective skills, but by caring enough to listen. (And then she does have to think a bit.)

the first volume, the mystery is ok. It depends more on coincidence in the investigation than I'd . I didn't think this was quite as enjoyable as the first one, perhaps because for me a lot of the enjoyment was just getting to know the people and the village, and I'd already done most of that. Un the first one, I also found the ending harder to believe. (It seems there were simpler things the antagonist could have done, but then it wouldn't have been a "cozy" mystery with a happy ending, I guess.) But despite all that, I'll very ly read the next volume when it comes out (especially when it comes out on Kindle Unlimited, the first two are now). Meg33

A very good read ....

I really the book and the series. The actual writing is very good. The plot moves along at a good pace. The characters are very human and continue to develop. I gave it 4 stars rather than 5 because, although well plotted, it is improbable that a person with no experience in crime, let alone a relative stranger, could worm the information from people that Ellie does. She is not the kind of person with whom people might share their precious secrets, nor does she seem a modern day Jane Marp!e. However, she is portrayed as such despite all her own insecurities about herself and her new role in an English village. I also wonder what the author's own experience is with the life of clergy and clergy families. It is hard for me as a clergy widow to be convinced that a wife of a clergyman could function effectively without a better idea of the faith of her clergy husband. However, I do see that Ellie's character is evolving in her understanding of something very new and different for her. I will look forward to next in the series because of the quality of writing and consistency of detail within the books. Kathleen606

A superbly crafted story! What could be more evocative of Christmas but a child left in a manger and discovered by the pastor’s wife? But this story is so much more. In addition to the mystery of the child, there is the death of one young woman and another young woman is missing from her college. All of these searches are neatly intertwined with an interesting interpretation of Shakespeare’s Ophelia. Does one of her speeches reveal clues to each of the present-day mysteries?

The main character, Ellie Kent, is realistically portrayed, with acknowledged strengths and weaknesses. She is smart enough to involve the curmudgeon of a detective with her searches and hypothesis and he is beginning to respect her insights into his own investigations. The author also does a great job of creating the surrounding villagers and parishioners, intent on their Christmas decorations and celebrations while in the midst of media interest in the baby that was left in their church during Christmas services. And Graham, Ellie’s husband and the pastor, has a marvelously laid back and refreshing approach to Ellie’s investigations, creating a nice balance for her.

“ ‘But there must be something more we can do than simply listen.’
‘In my job, that’s what I do. I advise, I don’t solve,’ said Graham.
‘Really?’
‘Really.’
‘Hmm,’ said Ellie’…” C. Stuchl207

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