'An affectionate glimpse of traditional rural English life… A warm page turner that puts the cosy into cosy mystery. Well worth a read!' - T.A. Williams

Autumn arrives in the Cotswolds, and amateur writer and bookseller Sophie Sayers is looking forward to a cozy Halloween at the village bookshop. But the season takes a sour turn when the new vicar bans the festivities altogether.

Instead, he demands a sinister Guy Fawkes bonfire, sparking local outrage. Sophie suspects the vicar is hiding more than just a dislike of ghosts and pumpkins. And who is the suspicious visitor in the shiny suit and lime-green socks, claiming to be a publisher’s rep?

When a body is found at the bonfire site just before the fire is lit, the celebration turns dangerously hot. Secrets smoulder, and as danger closes in, Sophie must act before the truth goes up in smoke.

Perfect for fans of Katie Gayle’s Julia Bird Mysteries, this small-town whodunit delivers a bookish amateur sleuth, village intrigue, and plenty of seasonal atmosphere.

Debbie Young is the author of the Sophie Sayers Village Mysteries, a cozy mystery series set in a picturesque English village, blending British humor, amateur sleuthing, and classic whodunit storytelling. With a background in publishing and bookselling, Debbie Young brings authenticity, charm, and a keen understanding of the genre to her work.