Today...
Debbie Young and SOPHIE SAYERS
THE SOPHIE SAYERS VILLAGE MYSTERIES
Set in the cosy Cotswold village of Wendlebury Barrow
“A cracking example of cosy crime” – Katie Fforde
The Sophie Sayers Cozy Mysteries follow the exploits of a young English woman who inherits a country cottage from her Great Auntie May, a famous travel writer, and starts a new life in a little village in the Cotswolds. It’s not long before she realises that you don’t have to travel beyond the village of Wendlebury Barrow to have adventures.
With a cast of loveable English eccentrics and an idyllic Cotswold setting, the books run through the course of a village year from one summer to the next, then the series will continue in seasonal order.
Book 1
Best Murder in Show: A dead body on a carnival float at the village show. A clear case of murder in plain sight, but why do none of the villagers agree? Sophie is determined to find out – with a little help from the dashing Hector Munro, proprietor of the village bookshop.
Book 2
Murder at the Vicarage: As Halloween approaches, whose body will be found outside his village bookshop? Not to mention the one buried beneath the vicar’s bonfire… Sophie struggles to save the day before anyone else can come to harm – and to get Hector back on her side. (Previously published as Trick or Murder?)
Book 3
Murder in the Manger: When Sophie writes a nativity play for the village children and drama group, it soon goes off-script – and the whole community stands accused of murder. Enjoy the fun of a traditional Cotswold Christmas, with echoes of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
Book 4
Murder at the Well: A dead body at the bottom of the well. But whose body and why? Tempers flare and old feuds catch fire in the latest laugh-out-loud Sophie Sayers Village mystery about love, loyalty and family ties in the run-up to Valentine’s Day. (Previously published as Murder by the Book.)
Book 5
Springtime for Murder : When an old lady is left for dead in an open grave, Sophie suspects foul play. When it comes to suspects, she’s spoiled for choice. A lively array of eccentrics joins the regular cast in this compelling story of family, friendship, love and loss.
Book 6
Murder at the Mill: When Sophie Sayers joins a writers’ retreat on a secluded Greek island, she’s hoping to find inspiration. Away from her rural English comfort zone, she also takes stock of her relationship with her boyfriend Hector. But scarcely has the writing course begun when bestselling romantic novelist Marina Milanese disappears… (Previously published as Murder Your Darlings)
Book 7
Murder Lost and Found: Finding a dead body in the village school’s lost property cupboard during the summer holidays is bad enough – but when the body disappears and the police refuse to investigate, it’s down to Sophie Sayers to get to the bottom of the mystery and save the village school from the threat of closure. This seventh mystery marks the end of Sophie’s first year in the Cotswold village of Wendlebury Barrow.
Book 8
Murder in the Highlands: When Sophie takes Hector to meet her parents in Inverness, her hopes for a carefree getaway are thrown into disarray as soon as they cross the border – with a sinister encounter at Gretna Green and a series of assaults on Hector as she takes him to her favourite places in Inverness. But why does Hector claim these attacks are accidents? And what’s the truth behind the mysterious inscription in the Gaelic poetry book he gives her mother? This eighth adventure starts and finishes in the Cotswold village of Wendlebury Barrow, with appearances by favourite local characters.
Book 9
Driven to Murder : Change is coming to Wendlebury Barrow – and not everyone is happy about it. When the local bus company announces it will be stopping its route through their quaint Cotswold village, the people of Wendlebury Barrow are up in arms. Not least Sophie Sayers, whose driving lessons with her boyfriend Hector get off to a bumpy start. But the locals’ peaceful protests against the decision turn deadly when a body is discovered on the Number 27. Sophie immediately suspects foul play, and launches her own investigation. Can she solve the murder before another passenger is hurt?
PRAISE FOR THE SOPHIE SAYERS COZY MYSTERIES
Debbie Young delves into the awkwardness of human nature in a deft and funny way: think Miss Marple meets Bridget Jones. – Belinda Pollard, Wild Crimes series
Debbie Young’s books are both cracking mysteries and laugh-out-loud funny. Murder in the Manger contains one of the funniest openings to a book. Period. I can’t get enough of them and tell the whole world to buy them. – Wendy H Jones, author of the DI Shona McKenzie Mysteries
FIND DEBBIE ON AMAZON:
About Debbie:
I write warm, witty, feel-good contemporary fiction full of English humour, inspired by life in the Cotswold village which has been my home for over 30 years. I have three series of cozy mystery novels plus various short fiction, and I've written a couple of non-fiction books too.
OTHER NOVELS
THE CURIOSITY SHOP COZY MYSTERIES
Set around an old bric-a-brac shop in the Cotswolds
My Gemma Lamb Cozy Mystery series is a mashup of romantic comedy, gentle mystery and nostalgia for classic children's school stories but aimed at adults. It focuses on the intrigues among the teachers and visitors to the school, rather than the children. "Dastardly Deeds at St Bride's" (previously published as "Secrets at St Bride's"), and is followed by "Sinister Secrets at St Bride's" (formerly "Secrets at St Bride's"), Wicked Whispers at St Bride's", and "Artful Antics at St Bride's". Two further books will follow to complete the series of six, running the course of the academic year at St Bride's Boarding School for Girls.
All of my novels are now available in ebook, paperback, hardback, and audio in English. There are also German language editions of the first five Sophie Sayers adventures and Italian translations of the first two Gemma Lamb stories.
SHORT FICTION
My series of comedy mystery novelettes, Tales from Wendlebury Barrow, is set in the same world as the Sophie Sayers Cozy Mysteries. The first, "The Pride of Peacocks", is available exclusively to members of my Readers' Club (visit my author website to claim your copy). "The Natter of Knitters" and "The Clutch of Eggs" are available in ebook and paperback. A Christmas special, "Christmas with Sophie Sayers", featuring festive short stories set in the same world, was published for Christmas 2023. Two more Sophie Sayers short stories appear in the charity anthologies "Everyday Kindness" and "The Little Shop of Murders".
My standalone novella, "Mrs Morris Changes Lanes", is a second-chance mid-life romantic comedy with a touch of magical realism, set in the Cotswolds in spring,
Earlier in my career, I published three themed collections of short stories, "Stocking Fillers", "Marry in Haste", and "Quick Change".
PLAYS
I've also now started writing scripts for murder mystery events, and my debut play, "The Importance of Being Murdered", was premiered by Hawkesbury Drama Group in April 2025. I'm planning eventually to novelise my plays to reach a wider audience.
AWARDS
The first St Bride's novel was shortlisted for the 2020 Selfies Award given for the best independently-published fiction in the UK. The sixth Sophie Sayers novel was shortlisted for the same award in 2021.
FREE EBOOK
Receive a free ebook of my comedy novelette "The Pride of Peacocks" when you join my Readers' Club via my author website. I'll also send you a monthly enewsletter to keep you up to date with news of my books and events and insights into my writing life. There is a free prize draw in every issue.
PUBLISHER'S NEWSLETTER
You are also warmly invited to join Boldwood Books' newsletter about my books and special offers - you'll find a joining link in the sidebar of my website.
HELPING OTHER WRITERS
When I'm not writing fiction, I'm helping other authors. I'm a course tutor for Jericho Writers, and I've written several guidebooks and many articles and blog posts for authors. I frequently speak at events for readers and writers, and I judge writing competitions.
MEMBERSHIPS & AGENT REPRESENTATION
I'm a member of the Society of Authors and the Alliance of Independent Authors. I'm represented by Ethan Ellenberg at the Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency in New York.
PUBLIC EVENTS
Back in 2015, I founded the Hawkesbury Upton Literature Festival in my home village in the Cotswolds. The Festival now takes the form of a year-round series of talks on different themes and genres, each featuring at least three guest authors, with me in the chair. I am a frequent speaker at other litfests - if you'd like me to speak at your event, please don't hesitate to send a request via the contact form on my author website.
I may be busy, but I am never too tired to curl up with a good book.
Links:
WEBSITE: https://authordebbieyoung.com/
Social Media
Facebook: @DebbieYoungAuthor
BlueSky: @debbieyoung.bsky.social
Twitter: @DebbieYoungBN
Instagram: @debbieyoungauthor
Newsletter Sign Up:
Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/debbie-young
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Find More Information:
Amazon Author Page: https://viewauthor.at/HelenHollick
or website: www.helenhollick.net
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