While I should be writing

The Murders in Great Diddling is one of Washington Posts Five mystery novels to read this fall:

With fall’s arrival comes the promise of longer evenings — the perfect time to curl up with a mystery novel. This season’s offerings bring us quirky characters, puzzling murders and far-flung settings, including an English country village (naturally) and Iceland. Each book pairs well with your favorite pumpkin-spiced beverage — and perhaps a scone

I couldn’t agree more! And Berit Gardner is in excellent company on their list. Or how about Maggie Moore, a woman who has beer for breakfast, chain smokes and studies “forensic linguistic” in Wordhunter? Or the hero in Ragnar Johnassons (an Icelandic writer who has also translated Agatha Christie) novel, where Reykdal is writing a dissertation on how the police handled two deaths at a former sanatorium in Death at the sanatorium? Not to mention “elderly but intrepid” Agnes Sharp who solves crimes with her motley crew of fellow retirees, and of course, at the top of my TBR-pile, 11 year old savant, Flavia de Luce who lives on the English countryside and solves murder with the gardiner.

If you find yourself strolling down charming cobble streets, causally stopping to admire an old church  or some particularly lovely roses – take care! Chances are that you’re about to stumble on a dead body. Here’s my five best British murder stories. Because as the villagers of Great Diddling like to say, there’s nothing better than a cozy English village, books – and murder! 

1. The Killings at Badger’s Drift

Everyone has probably seen an episode (or two hundred) of that favorite British detective series, Midsomer Murders. But not everyone knows that the series about what has to be the most depleted part of England is, in fact, based on seven novels by Caroline Grahams.

This is the first book, but they are all definitely worth a read. It’s easy to see how the books turned into a beloved TV series, with its unique blend of cozy English villages and twisted English villagers.

More in the series: Chief Inspector Barnaby-series

2. The Windsor Knot

What could be more quintessentially British than Her Majesty, the Queen, solving murders at her different castles? Her Majesty The Queen Investigates is a charming series based on meticulous research. It offers fascinating insights into the large organization surrounding the palace and a convincing portrait of the Queen herself.

With just the right amount of corgis and murders, Her Majesty the Queen Investigates is a cozy murder series to delight all anglophiles. Fans of The Crown will be especially pleased—the fourth book in the series, A Death in Diamonds, is the start of a historical trilogy.

More in the series: Her Majesty the Queen Investigates

3. The Postscript Murders

Harbinder Kaur, the lead detective in Elly Griffiths’s charming series, describes herself as “the best gay sikh detective in West Sussex,” and together with a few amateur sleuths, she forms a delightful cast in a sort of modern-day Miss Marple-romp.

It begins with an old lady using her binoculars to take careful note of what’s happening in her sleepy seaside village, and as all fans of British cozy crime know, where there are nosy neighbors, dead bodies will soon turn up. I loved Elly Griffiths’s series about archeologist Ruth Galloway, and this new series does not disappoint. In fact, Elly Griffiths herself makes a small and entirely involuntary cameo in my book, The Murders in Great Diddling.

More in the series: Harbinder Kaur

4. A Snapshot Murder

I love Frances Brody’s indomitable amateur sleuth, Kate Shackleton. The series takes place in London and Yorkshire in the 1930s, and this book will be particularly pleasing for fans of the Bronte sisters and Wuthering Heights. Seven keen amateur photographers gather for the most popular openings of the decade. Only six will return.

More in the series: Kate Shackleton

5. A Murder Is Announced

A murder is announced and will take place on Friday, October 29th, at Little Paddocks at 6.30. It’s impossible to talk about British crime without mentioning the queen of crime herself: Agatha Christie. My own personal favorite is Miss Marple, the unimposing old lady who solves crimes by noticing parallels to the people she knows in St Mary Mead.

If you love cozy English villagers, you will love the opening of this book, which follows several different villagers as they read the local paper and a mysterious ad that invites them all to witness a murder at Little Paddock. Fortunately, Miss Marple is at hand to solve the mystery.

More in the series: Miss Marple

This list also appeared on Shepherd, where you can find many more lists and book recommendations

My brand new murder mystery series is OUT in the US, and it really is the most extraordinary feeling! I’ve always said that the best thing about being a writer is that it’s a socially acceptable way to have imaginary friends as an adult. I spend years talking to the characters in my head, getting to know their hopes and fears and many, many quirks. And then, one magical day they’re out there for everyone to get to know. So publishing a book is a little bit like having imaginary friends that other people suddenly exists for other people, too. Suddenly I’m not alone knowing Berit Gardner and DCI Ian Ahmed and the rather strange inhabitants of run-down village Great Diddling.

It’s a glorious feeling. There’s nothing like it in the world as hearing other people talk about your imaginary friends as if they’re real for them too.

Now, having your book published in another country is an even better feeling. Your characters are out there exploring the world, and you are at home, cheering them on. There’s only one catch: it’s much more difficult to sneak around bookstores to see your book out there in the wild.

That’s the first thing I do when my books are published in Sweden. I visit all the bookshops I can, and try to sorts of just wander, very naturally, not at all suspiciously, trying to see if my book is there and if it is, how amazing it looks surrounded by other great books. There’s no more beautiful sight than your brand new book in a beautiful bookshop-setting.

So I was wondering if I could ask you a favor: if you live in the US, and visit a bookshop, and you should happen to see my book there – could you take a picture of it and send it to me? You can find me on Instagram, @katarinabivald, or email me: katarina@katarinabivald.se, or comment here on the website

Let’s see what Berit and the rest are up to!

Ps. If you are planning on buying the book, as always, consider buying it from your favorite independent bookshop. And if you’ve read it an liked it, consider leaving a review somewhere where booklovers meet (although if you read it and hated it, you should probably consider leaving a word of warning there as well)

What people are saying about The Murders in Great Diddling: 

“With its focus on books and book lovers, eccentric villagers and frauds, this first mystery from the author of The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend is a delightful traditional, filled with fascinating characters. Those who escape to Louise Penny’s Three Pines might want to check out Great Diddling.” ― Library Journal, Starred Review

“This quirky, twisty, quintessentially British cozy is frothy and funny with a hint of dark and menacing.” ― Booklist

“On the charming side of humorous and self-consciously charming.” ― Kirkus Reviews

There’s still time to take part in the giveaway for The Murders in Great Diddling! My publisher is giving away twenty copies and the giveaway ends tomorrow (August 7). Enter here

The Murders in Great Diddling is out on August 13!

About the book:
Be charmed to death by the residents of Great Diddling. They’re throwing a murder mystery book festival people are dying to attend!