I found this book in the series disappointing, that does go to say you will, it’s that the story bored me.3 s mrsljgibbs665 20

I would firstly to say a big thank you to the author for including me in her launch team and for very kindly forwarding me a copy of this book, for my Kindle, in return for an honest review.
At the beginning of the year I read a short novella from this author that was also from the Sophie Sayers series and I absolutely devoured and loved it.
This book is number 7 in the series but can also be read as a stand alone and I can’t wait to go back and read some of the older books and see how it all started.
Murder Lost And Found was originally supposed to be the last in the series but by popular demand an 8th book is now being written!! Book 8 will take place in Scotland when Sophie takes Hector to meet her parents.
This book marks the end of Sophie’s first year in the village, the whole series runs for a year, from one Summer to the next. It features all the leading characters from the previous books, along with a few brand new ones, who were wonderful.
I really did love this book, it was a wonderful story and so easy to read, I didn’t want to put it down until I had finished it!
I absolutely love Sophie, she’s so down to earth and I really enjoyed getting to know her.
Overall it was a great, enjoyable read, in a great setting with excellent writing and a wonderful plot. And now I can’t wait to read the next book.....2 s Annie (is so far behind 😬)349 8

I think this falls firmly into the 3.5/5* bracket, although I did enjoy it a lot and had no trouble following the story even though it's No 7 in the series. It was well done, but surprised me at how short it seemed, making it a nice easy read. I'm taking off half a star for the slightly shameful disparaging of Ella and Sophie about the missing dead body, alluding that they may have imagined it. If no one else, at least Hector should not have indulged in it as he's supposed to care so much about Sophie. Surely a bit of support wouldn't go amiss? The builders also seemed to be slightly out of place, used for the express purpose of riling up Ella, and then faded out.

There was also the murderer's confession during a staff meeting rather than to the police.

Anyway, that's probably the only niggle I have with it as I enjoyed it otherwise and although it's probably a bit lighter of a cosy than I normally would , I'd definitely pick up another in the series if they went on sale.

Possibly better if you start from the beginning and get the full arc of character building, too. Overall, though, not a bad way to spend an afternoon!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the eARC to read and review. All opinions are strictly my own.1 Valerie737 11

I’m not sure what I feel about this book. I found the early parts of the story annoying. When everyone puts down Sophie and Ellie that a dead body was seen/found, come on the police wouldn’t make fun of a report of a corpse or threaten a caller. What kind of boyfriend patronizes his girlfriend into thinking she was hysterical, and seeing things. The meeting where the killer confesses validated the earlier part. #MurderLostandFound #NetGalley2 s Monica Mac1,520 33

Ah, it is always so nice to go for a little outing back to Wendlebury to visit with Sophie! After reading the other books in this series, it felt being with an old friend. That said, this book could be read as a standalone as well.

Sophie finds a dead body in a cupboard when she visits her friend Ella. Then the body disappears..... Sophie doesn't really have time to think about this too much as Hector has taken on an intern - a very attractive one at that. Between trying to sort things out at home and figure out the mystery of the missing body (did she imagine it all along?), Sophie has her hands full.

This book reminds me a bit of a gentle Agatha Christie or something along those lines. It is easy and relaxing reading, no swearing or adult activities described (but are alluded to), and sometimes, it is just what you want and need.

4.5 stars from me.

1 Kirsty (BookBlogger)1,427 49

Murder Lost and Found by Debbie Young

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Sophie Sayers is ready for a glorious summer, but when a dead body is found in the village school's lost property cupboard the summer holidays take an unexpected turn.

Even more shocking is when the body goes missing. Without a body, the police refuse to investigate. That’s just not good enough.

Sophie is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery. She needs to find out who has died and nab the culprit if she’s going to save the village school from the threat of closure.

My Opinion

Firstly, I have to warn people to avoid this school, well any school where a body is found in the lost property cupboard.

This is the seventh book in the series, and as I am reading the series out of order I can confirm that it is possible to read this book as a standalone. This was a wonderful story to read. It was a nice, quick, easy read. I am already waiting for when I can read the next book in this series.

Rating 4/5
2023-kindle netgalley read-in-2023 ...more Julie CordinerAuthor 7 books1 follower

Debbie Young’s books are uplifting and heartwarming with gentle humour, and this one is no exception. The atmosphere of a quaint village is again conveyed so well in this seventh book in the cosy mysteries series; this time, as the title suggests, the murder is complicated by some mysterious events relating to the body, which keep you guessing. I devoured this book, which introduces the local primary school as a new location and brings more enjoyment with the further adventures of Sophie, Hector and the other well-drawn characters in the village. Debbie’s observational writing is a joy to read.

If you want pure escapism and witty storytelling, then I can definitely recommend the Wendlebury Barrow series of books. I was delighted to receive an advance copy and this is an honest review. Lucienne BoyceAuthor 10 books47

It's amazing what you find in school lost property cupboards – and when Sophie Sayers finds a dead body it heralds the start of the latest lovely mystery in the Sophie Sayers series – especially when it turns out that lost property stays lost and the body has disappeared! The book is written with Debbie Young’s usual kind humour, and she certainly has a way with a simile. As usual, there’s a lot going on in the village, not least boyfriend Hector’s roving eye, threatening letters, and a sartorial disaster. Will it all come out right in the end? I certainly enjoyed finding out!

Disclosure: I was a beta reader for this book. M.J.Author 90 books218

Murder Lost and Found continues the Sophie Sayers Cosy Mysteries.

It’s the summer holidays, the school is empty of children, but while the caretaker and office manager try to ensure the school is prepared for the start of term, strange happenings take place.

I really enjoy this collection of stories. They’re light-hearted and a quick, pacy read, and I felt this one was particularly strong with the mystery of the lost property cupboard and the strange notes, making poor Sophie doubt herself, even while she contends with change at Horace’s bookshop.

A fun and entertaining read. Bring on book 8.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy. Dawn Probert370 4

I think I’m late to the party as this is the 7th book in the series but it was so good it could be a stand alone and I didn’t realise there was a series before it. The characters were funny, Sophie and Hector run a bookshop, tea room and community hub together. When Sophie and her friend Ella find a dead body in the lost property cupboard at the local primary school they are wrong footed when they go back and discover it’s disappeared. They doubt themselves and allow themselves to be cajoled into not believing themselves. This was a good book. I will enjoy reading more of these cozy mysteries.
Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review. Beth Stevenson1 review

I find these books easy and somewhat comforting to read, but by book seven, I'm quite frustrated with how boring Sophie Sayers' character is. She has few interesting traits (either good or bad), and I'm not convinced she has any talent of her own, just rides off other people's ideas. Maybe this is the point and I'm missing something! The books are also very contrived, and everything needs to be explicitly explained, which can interrupt flow. I'm very glad that the illicit hooch storyline is seemingly over, though, because that was just bizarre, and it made me cringe every time it was mentioned in the other books.

All of this being said, I will probably finish the series!This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.Show full review Sharon553

This is a fun, quirky read from Debbie Young, I guess it could be classed as a cozy mystery.

Sophie and her friend Emma discover a body in the lost property room at the local school. Then the body disappears!

Sophie is also having some jealousy issues when her boyfriend Hector who owns the local bookshop takes on a young woman to help out, who is attractive and very keen.

I haven’t read any of the previous books but I think I will be looking out for these as this was such a fun read.

Thanks must go to Boldwood and Netgalley for the electronic ARC provided to me.
comedy contemporary-female-fiction drama-mystery ...more Jeannie and Louis Rigod1,990 35

This book was filled with mysteries and humor from a village set in the Cotswolds.

Sophie and Hector are getting into the Summer mood. Hector decides to expand his bookshop and Sophie goes to help her friend at the local school.

A dead body appears but it's soon a disappearing dead body. Honestly, where could it have gone? And, who is it?

This is a gentle series that just is so appealing to read. Do give it a try! Jan5,491 78

What a fun, entertaining read perfect for a dismal afternoon! Even though this is book 7, that did not diminish it at all, just makes me want to find and read the earlier ones in series. Fun characters, wonderful details, picturesque descriptions all make for a great cosy. Loved it!
I requested and received an EARC from Boldwood Books via NetGalley. Thank you!bookseller cosy-mystery law-enforcement ...more Claire495

Autor del comentario:
=================================