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Summary: I read a lot of mysteries
Review: A disappointment. A weak and unappealing heroine. Lots of good books out there, keep looking.
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Summary: exciting new English cozy
Review: After more than two decades of marriage, Catherine Perry had no idea that her husband was seeing another woman or that he wanted a divorce so he can cohabitate with his new Barbie doll. After the divorce was finalized, Catherine could no longer live in New York City with the memories all around her. She moves to the quaint English village of Far Wychwood so she could spend quality time with her daughter, her English son-in-law, and especially her grandson.Her cottage is lovely if isolated and her nearest neighbor is irascible George Crocker an irritating old man who Catherine rescued when his curtains caught on fire. She becomes immersed in village life and is upset that the vicar is having the historic cross in the cemetery moved so a youth center can be built. When the digging starts, the buried skeleton of a murdered man is found and a few days later, George's house catches fire. Catherine drags the body out and sees that it was arson to cover up a murder. Her inquisitiveness brings her to the attention of a murderer who has killed twice and will not hesitate to kill again. ARSON AND OLD LACE is the first installment in an exciting new English cozy series that is an enthralling mystery. The delightful way the sleuth brings the doings of the villagers to life is absorbing and colorful. Readers get a real feel for the intimacy inherent in such a lifestyle while also adoring the sixty year old heroine, dumped by her husband for a younger model. Patricia Harwin is a gifted storyteller and readers will want to continue reading this colorful series. Harriet Klausner
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Summary: Murder in an english village
Review: Catherine has moved across the ocean to Far Wychwood village. After her divorce, she quit her job as a librarian and decided to start anew in this English village. She wants to be near their daughter Emily and her family. She especially wants to spend some time with her grandson Archie.
Right after moving into her cottage, she finds her neighbor George, a hermit-like man, accidentally setting his kitchen on fire in his decrepit cottage across the street. She decides then and there to cook for him until she can get him help. She is quite concerned about him and contacts his son.
A body is discovered buried next to the cross that is being moved, against the wishes of many of the town folk. This delays the movement of the cross. There is a lot of heated debate about his issue. The body appears to have been buried for some time and police are not certain they'll be able to identify it.
Then George is killed. Catherine finds it difficult to convince anyone that it was murder. Murder doesn't happen in their village.
She sets off to find the killer. Since she has agreed to stay with her toddler grandson three days a week, she takes him along on some of her adventures. Emily is beside herself as she wants him to be kept indoors. He is definitely a handful and Catherine finds it almost more than she can handle. Plus she and Emily are often at odds about his care, as well as other things.
After putting Archie in harms way, she has to re-evaluate things and so does her daughter.
I really enjoyed this book. I look forward to reading more by this author. Normally I don't like books set in England, but this book was very fun to read and I really like Catherine. I highly recommend this book.
Rating: 
Summary: I haven't even finished it but.....
Review: I am right in the middle of the book and had to stop and write a review. This book captured me by the first page. I found my self stopped middle of the room reading it rather then waiting the six paces to get back to my chair. I fyou like Jeanne Dams and the Dorothy Martin series (an expatriate ex-teacher from Indiana now living in England) you'll love this book about a retired librarian from New York now living outside Oxford. All New Grandmothers will nod and chuckle to themselves over the mother daughter issues of raising the grandchildren. I personally really like the culture shock of Americans living in England. I find here development of the victim especially interesting and can't wait to see how it ends. I will be waiting for Slaying is such sweet sorrow with great expectation!
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Summary: Wonderful English cozy!
Review: I enjoyed this book very much. It has all the best aspects of an English cozy: a good mystery that keeps you guessing, very enjoyable characters living in a quaint village setting, and of course wonderful descriptions of the beautiful English countryside. I felt like I was taking a trip to the Cotswolds everytime I picked it up. I also enjoyed how the author wrapped everything up nicely in the end. I look forward to reading many more books in this series. I just wish I didn't have to wait so long for the next one!
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Summary: Love this kind of mystery
Review: I love a mystery that has a kind of sleuthing twist to it. This one was a pleasure to read. Let me tell you I do alot of reading and mysteries top my list. If you like a great mystery don't miss out on this. Off to find another mystery. Gina
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: I loved this book - it was both well written and well plotted. If only all mysteries were this good!
Rating:
Summary: Comfy British Cozy Mystery
Review: I was so disappointed to find that the next book in the series won't be out until Fall of 2005! I sooo don't want to wait that long. I enjoyed the characters so much, I had a hard time putting it down.
For another series on an American ex-pat middle-aged lady sleuth, try the Dorothy Martin series by Jean M. Dams. I could curl up with Dams and Harwin 'till the cows come home!
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Summary: H'allo--fellow anglophile's
Review: If you like british "cozy's"----you'll love this well writen new mystery. A kinder-gentle'r "Agatha Raisin." I will buy her next book in the Far Wychwood series.
Rating: 
Summary: Just OK
Review: It's readable, and I'll give the next one a look, but basically it ain't all that good. The protaganist isn't particularly likeable or realistic. Harwin has the talent, but she is going to have to develop it to keep a lot of us reading. I gave it three stars on the strength of that.
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