Your Guide to Not Getting Murdered in a Quaint English Village

This guidebook is delightfully (and morbidly) entertaining as it shares advice that will help if ever you find yourself in a quaint English village where the inhabitants have nefarious motives and murderous intent. 

I snagged this book at the library after only a brief browse of its blurb - and I'm so glad I did. This guidebook made me giggle out loud in several places and had me savouring all of its 128 pages of mirth, murder and mayhem. The perfect read for people who enjoy English murder mysteries, Maureen Johnson details 

whom not to trust, where not to go, how to survive popular murder mystery plots in town and at the requisite English Manor house.

Jay Cooper's artwork adds much to the humour and is drawn in black, white and grays (with the addition of red for that added macabre oomph). There are also brief quizzes to test your knowledge, but don't get overconfident. Chances are you haven't quite grasped the advice as well as you think. Proceed to the English countryside at your own peril. 

This book is witty, macabre and utterly delightful with a twisted sense of humour. It would make a great gift for British mystery-lovin' family and friends who are planning to travel to the English countryside. One can never be too careful.

Favourite Quotes:

"Snood, The Gardener: Never trust anyone with a favorite shovel."

"The aristocracy have three passions: inbreeding, collecting stolen artifacts, and engaging in recreational violence."

My Rating: 5 stars

Author: Maureen Johnson

Illustrator: Jay Cooper

Genre: Satire, Humour, NonFiction

Type and Source: Hardcover from public library

Publisher: Ten Speed Press

First Published: Sept 14, 2021

Book Description from GoodReads: Thinking of a foray to a quaint English village? You'll think twice after reading this tongue-in-cheek illustrated guide to the countless murderous possibilities lurking behind these villages' bucolic façades—from bestselling author Maureen Johnson and illustrator Jay Cooper.

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.