An extremely enjoyable Flaxborough mystery that is substantially enlivened by Miss Lucilla Teatime, who is quickly becoming my favorite flim-flam woman of all time, and the vague whiffs of sulfur that emanate from a folk society/coven that has been at work in Flaxborough. The mystery, as per usual, takes a back seat to the towns people and the invasion of such by a detergent campaign. Mr. Watson has an obvious good time skewering advertising generally and ad-speak in particular, not an especially vanguard topic, sure, but his enjoyment seeps off the page. One of the funnier entries in a gentle series. A strong recommend.

I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Merged review:

An extremely enjoyable Flaxborough mystery that is substantially enlivened by Miss Lucilla Teatime, who is quickly becoming my favorite flim-flam woman of all time, and the vague whiffs of sulfur that emanate from a folk society/coven that has been at work in Flaxborough. The mystery, as per usual, takes a back seat to the towns people and the invasion of such by a detergent campaign. Mr. Watson has an obvious good time skewering advertising generally and ad-speak in particular, not an especially vanguard topic, sure, but his enjoyment seeps off the page. One of the funnier entries in a gentle series. A strong recommend.

I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.