Your Guide to Not Getting Murdered in a Quaint English Village

Author: Maureen Johnston, Jay Cooper
Date released: 2021
Category: Non-fiction

Synopsis: A weekend roaming narrow old lanes, touring the faded glories of a country manor, and quaffing pints in the pub. How charming. That is, unless you have the misfortune of finding yourself in an English Murder Village, where danger lurks around each picturesque cobblestone corner and every sip of tea may be your last. If you insist
on your travels, do yourself a favor and bring a copy of this little book. It may just keep you alive.

Brought to life with dozens of Gorey-esque drawings by illustrator Jay Cooper and peppered with allusions to classic crime series and unmistakably British murder lore, Your Guide to Not Getting Murdered in a Quaint English Village gives you the tools you need to avoid the same fate, should you find yourself in a suspiciously cozy English village (or simply dream of going). Good luck, and whatever you do, avoid the vicar.

The UnReel Take:

Story: 6.0
Writing: 8.0
Characters: NA
Setting: 7.0

UnReel AR: 7.0

Bottom Line: This is great for what it is, but I want more!

This tiny little novella pulled me out of a reading slump, for which I am eminently grateful. Easily consumable in one sitting, Your Guide to Not Getting Murdered in a Quaint English Village is a cheeky nod to the body counts associated with Agatha Christie, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and all the other famous English murder writers. The illustrations are beautiful and amusing; the perfect pairing for the few sentences per page.

Ideal Reading Location: A big city, far removed from the tiny murder villages described.

Drink Pairing: Tea (though what the tea is laced with, we cannot say….)

Maybe your experience will be different!