A Death in the Parish

A Canon Clement Mystery

By: Richard Coles

Narrated by: Richard Coles

BOOK 2 IN THE BESTSELLING CANON CLEMENT MYSTERY SERIES

'The best of the new cosy crime writers' Daily Telegraph
'First-class entertainment' Daily Mirror

It's been a few months since murder tore apart the community of Champton apart. As Canon Daniel Clement tries to steady his flock, the parish is joined with Upper and Lower Badsaddle, bringing a new tide of unwanted change.

But church politics soon become the least of Daniel's problems. His mother - headstrong, fearless Audrey - is obviously up to something, something she is determined to keep from him. And she is not the only one.

And then all hell breaks loose when murder returns to Champton in the form of a shocking ritualistic killing . . .

Critic reviews

The best of the new writers to have emerged from the "cosy crime" boom... with a pleasingly idiosyncratic, allusive style (Jake Kerridge)

It's proper Miss Marple territory... for an intelligent study of human nature that transports you to a tranquil church where a choir is singing Brother James's Air, it's unbeatable.

The sequel to Murder Before Evensong is every bit as intriguing at the Rev Coles' debut... Nicely paced, this whodunnit will leave you on tenterhooks.

Great cosy crime.

Gloriously astute on the details of village interactions... [this is] charming, cosy crime. (Alison Flood)

Full of intrigue, this is a thoroughly entertaining sequel. (Susan Watson)

A good holiday read, with much gentle humour peppered among the village characters. (Hannah Stephenson)

First-class entertainment but with more of an edge than most "cosy crime" books. (Jake Kerridge)

Praise be!.. Fans still in withdrawal after Coles's withdrawal from Radio 4's Saturday Live can once again bask in his wit, wisdom and insight. (Rose Shepherd)

A book to appreciate as well as enjoy. (Jeremy Black)

Reverend Coles brings his unique touch of humour to the cosy crime genre... Full of wonderfully colourful and eccentric characters. (Sharon Reid)

Like all the best stories, this one is character-driven, and the characters are observed with an unflinching but mellow and humorous eye. (Caroline Chartres)

PRAISE FOR MURDER BEFORE EVENSONG

'Cosy crime with a cutting edge' Sunday Telegraph
'Even better than I knew it would be' India Knight, Sunday Times
'I've been waiting for a novel with vicars, rude old ladies, murder and sausage dogs ... et voila!' Dawn French
'Charming and funny' Observer
'Whodunnit fans can give praise and rejoice' Ian Rankin

Terrible Narration

I never give bad reviews but you can’t really get a sense from the sample of how bad the narration is. I think I’d enjoy the book if I read it, but this version is no bueno.

Spoilers for first book

I like this mystery and find the narration ok, I generally listen while knitting so it’s fine. BUT there should be a little warning in the description for this title - the solution to the first book in the series is totally spoiled in this content. Unfortunately Murder Before Evensong is not available on Audible (USA), the audio series starts with book 2. Most writers don’t give spoiler details in subsequent books but this one does - it’s really jarring for those who haven’t read the first book and it’s disappointing.

Cozy Anglican story

The book, to me, is a safe, but not simple story. Most of the interactions are socially complex (a less chatty Austen?) with the only violence associated with the murder. I did enjoy the ecclesiastical aspects and settings, and the dogs.

I would have liked more tags on the characters to differentiate them.

At last, a literate cozy!

Thoughtful, engaging, almost believable, storyline in this the second of the mysteries by Reverend Coles. He has conceived a family that you want to know more about and weather more village issues.bring on the 3rd volume.

I wish the Reverend Cole would let someone else narrate his books.

Just because they can write that doesn’t mean they can narrate. Same voice for every character, can’t tell who is talking. Will wait for the tv episodes and not continue with his books.