Today...
Debbie Young and GEMMA LAMB
GEMMA LAMB COZY MYSTERIES
Set at St Bride’s School for Girls
“A deftly comic series of perfect, feel-good reads.” – Susan Grossey
A fun blend of romantic comedy and cosy mystery set in an eccentric English boarding school for girls.
If you enjoyed classic boarding school stories as a child – Enid Blyton’s Malory Towers and St Clare’s series, the Chalet School and St Trinian’s, you’ll love my Gemma Lamb Cozy Mysteries set at St Bride’s School for Girls!
This series, inspired by my experience of working at a traditional girls’ boarding school for 13 years, will follow the course of a school year, focusing on the quirky teachers and other staff, all of whom are hiding intriguing secrets, revealed as the series progresses. The pupils feature in cameo roles, but this is a school story for grown-ups, rather than children.
The stories are told by new recruit Gemma Lamb, who joined the staff when other options of jobs with tied accommodation fell through.
The school happens to be in the same parish as Wendlebury Barrow, home to my popular Sophie Sayers Village Mysteries, and there is some crossover between the two series, adding an extra element of fun.
I’ll be adding a new book to the series each year until the planned set of six novels, to run the course of the school year, is complete.
Praise for the Gemma Lamb Cozy Mystery Series
“A fun and pacy novel by an author who clearly knows her market.” – The Selfies Book Awards 2020 Judging Panel – the first in the series was shortlisted for this award
“The perfect book! I loved it! There was plenty to amuse me and distract my anxious brain, and it took me to a lovely safe place. Thank you so much for writing such an entertaining and intelligent book.” – Katie Fforde
“Oh what fun! Wonderful characterisation, cosy humour and intrigue, and a natural, carefully paced writing style that makes it easy to keep turning the pages. If you’re after some light and highly entertaining relief from the real world look no further!” – Karen Inglis
“A perfect novel to read right now – perfect escapism.” – Jane Davis
Book 1:
Dastardly Deeds at St Bride’s
When Gemma Lamb takes a job at a quirky English girls’ boarding school, she believes she’s found the perfect escape route from her controlling boyfriend – until she discovers the rest of the staff are hiding sinister secrets.
Originally published as Secrets at St Bride’s, it is now published by Boldwood Books with this new title and cover, in ebook, paperback and audiobook.
Book 2:
Sinister Stranger at St Bride’s When an American stranger turns up claiming to be the rightful owner of the school’s magnificent country estate, teacher Gemma Lamb fears losing not only her job and her home, but also her hopes for a relationship with charismatic PE teacher Joe Spryke.
Originally published as Stranger at St Bride’s, it is now published by Boldwood Books with this new title and cover, in ebook, paperback and audiobook all formats.
Book 3:
Wicked Whispers at St Bride’s Gemma Lamb is barely back at school before unlucky-in-love Oriana is sneaking around at odd hours, handsome Joe is keeping secrets, and militant Mavis feels a scandal is brewing. Then a stranger appears – but stranger isn’t so sinister. Instead he looks rather too familiar. If Gemma can’t get him away from the schoo,l the whispers and scandal his presence could unleash may just close St Bride’s doors for good. It’s up to Gemma to save the school’s reputation, her job and her growing relationship with Joe!
Book 4:
Artful Antics at St Bride's When English teacher Gemma Lamb’s school flat is wrecked by storms, maverick headmistress Hairnet insists the girls must fund its repair by setting up their own businesses – the start of a series of hilarious unintended consequences.
Meanwhile Gemma’s worries are compounded by the arrival of bossy new girl Frieda Ehrlich, sponsored by a mysterious local tycoon whose wealth is of dubious origins. Fearful for the school’s reputation, Gemma recruits an old friend to help investigate the tycoon’s credentials, jeopardising her romance with sports teacher Joe Spryke.
What is Frieda hiding? Why is her sponsor living in a derelict manor house? Why is his chauffeur such a crazed driver? And what has become of McPhee, Hairnet’s precious black cat? With a little help from her friends, Gemma is determined to solve these mysteries, restore her flat and save the school.
For anyone who loved St Trinian’s – old or new – or read Malory Towers as a kid. St Bride's is the perfect read for you!
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 Sophie Sayers Village Mystery series begins with "Best Murder in Show". Originally envisaged as a seven-book series to run the course of a calendar year in the life of the idyllic English Cotswold village of Wendlebury Barrow, it continues to grow, with the most recent addition being Sophie Sayers' ninth outing, "Driven to Murder",
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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books written by Helen Hollick
Website: https://helenhollick.net/
Amazon Author Page: https://viewauthor.at/HelenHollick
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The Jan Christopher Cosy Mysteries set in the 1970s |
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The SEA WITCH VOYAGES
nautical adventures set during the Golden Age of Piracy
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THE SAXON SERIES
| The story of the events that led to The Battle of Hastings in 1066 Harold the King (UK edition) I Am The Chosen King (US edition) AND 1066 Turned Upside Down an anthology of 'What If'' tales |
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KING ARTHUR
The Pendragon's Banner Trilogy
The Boy Who became a Man:
Who became a King:
Who became a Legend...
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| Buy on Amazon https://mybook.to/GhostEncounters |
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PLUS MORE!
anthologies (which include award-winning authors)
and non-fiction
Find More Information:
Amazon Author Page: https://viewauthor.at/HelenHollick
or website: www.helenhollick.net
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I read everything Debbie writes! Witty and endearing. Try for yourself.
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