Published: 23rd May 2022 
Publisher: Tule Publishing
Pages: 322
Format: Paperback
Genre: Cosy Mystery
★ ★ ★ – 3 Stars
Baker and amateur sleuth Rosie Hart finds herself embroiled in a brand new mystery in her new hometown of Airlie Falls. There’s a murder, an unidentified body, missing money, a late mayoral election challenge, a strange gathering of socialites at a mansion out of town, and strangers who aren’t who they claim to be. Oh – and an unknown woman who seemed to be being forced into a car against her will on the night of the town meeting. Rosie is sure they’re all connected, but the Sheriff isn’t convinced, and she’s afraid there’ll be more bodies to add to the tally if he doesn’t quickly unmask the murderer. Then all evidence suddenly points to her best friend, local newspaper owner and editor, Midge Moyal as being the murderer. Now Rosie knows she is the one who will have to prove Midge’s innocence.
Convinced the answers are at the mansion of the murdered man, Frederick Clausen, Rosie feels the only way to get them in to go undercover and pretend to be one of those bored socialites. It’s a brief stint and proves, if nothing else, that she’s no actress. But it wasn’t all in vain. Answers are starting to drop into place and suddenly Rosie realizes she’ll be lucky to get out of this one without more than a batch of burned Buried Treasure Cookies.
Note: I was provided with a copy for review.
In book two Rosie has settled into the town quite well and has established her baking prowess to the town’s favour. Her relationship with Jonas is going well and everything is wonderful until another murder hits the town and strange things are happening and the mysteries keep piling up.
This was a slower pace than the previous book, which was fine having established our characters and Rosie in the previous novel we could afford to unfurl this new mystery in a new way. With a few things happening the focus is split and the nature of the accusations allows for a slower pace in uncovering the culprit.
As the mystery hits home and starts to affect beloved characters it’s a fun development that adds intrigue as the reader you try and work out why people are being framed and to what end. Side characters introduced in the previous story feature again, including the Fab Four who are always a delight; and the pros and cons of a small town community is reinforced as the various events play out.
There is a solid recap of the previous book without it feeling forced for those who need a refresher or who picked the books up out of order. Delaney weaves it into the story smoothly so it never feels like it’s been inserted unnaturally into the story as a reminder.
There are multiple mysteries happening side by side – the mystery body, the murder, as well as the woman that Rosie keeps seeing but can never find. I liked the sleuthing Rosie did to uncover it, there is an air of amateur detective work but a lot of it is Rosie working it out for herself, or actively becoming involved to help save her friends. As a result there are a few run-ins with local law enforcement and blundering her way through undercover operations but that is part of this charm. Rosie is never trying to be a detective but she is trying to solve mysteries in her town, especially those affecting her friends.
Delaney has included an excellent collection of misleading information, red herrings, as well as twists and turns to keep you guessing. By the end of the story as you piece all the hints and clues together the ending comes as a satisfactory surprise and one that shows that cosy mysteries can have thrilling moments of danger, excitement, and suspense. I can’t wait to see what awaits Rosie in book three.
You can purchase Preserving the Evidence via the following
Stories have power.
Winter Parva, a traditional Cotswolds village, has decided to throw a celebratory hog roast to mark the beginning of the winter holiday festivities and Agatha Raisin has arrived with friend and rival in the sleuthing business, Toni, to enjoy the merriment. But as the spit pig is carried towards the bed of fiery charcoal Agatha–and the rest of the village–realize that things aren’t as they seem.
Agatha Raisin has always been ambivalent about holiday cheer, but her cosy little village of Carsely has long prided itself on its Christmas festivities. But this year Mr. John Sunday, a self important officer with the Health and Safety Board, has ruled that the traditional tree on top of the church is a public menace; that lampposts are unsafe for hanging illuminations; that May Dimwoody’s homemade toys are dangerous for children.
Agatha Raisin is bored. Her detective agency in the Cotswolds is thriving, but she’ll scream if she has to deal with another missing cat or dog. Only two things seem to offer potential excitement: the upcoming Christmas festivities and her ex, James Lacey. This year she is sure that if she invites James to a really splendid, old-fashioned Christmas dinner, their love will rekindle like a warm Yule log.
