Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Ten Speed Press (2021), 128 pages
Description
"In the England of murder mysteries and TV detectives, no destination is deadlier than a quaint country village, and you never know you're in a murder village until it's too late. No attraction or local character is safe--whether in the pub for a pint, or on the manicured grounds of the local estate for a shooting party, bodies can turn up anywhere! Danger lurks around every cobblestone corner. If you are foolish enough to make the trip, at least be prepared. Brought to life with dozens of Gorey-esque illustrations by 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 and don't drink the tea"--… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member MickyFine
Maureen Johnson's quirky sense of humour comes out in full force for this satirical guide to avoid getting murdered when one visits a small English village. As she outlines all the many locations, events, and village characters who are likely to be responsible for your untimely demise, Jay Cooper's
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spare black and white illustrations (with splashes of red) add to the charm. A quick and very funny read that will have fans of cozy mysteries set in small English villages laughing uproariously. Show Less
LibraryThing member yukon92
Not at all what I expected... a cute idea for a book, but I really had hoped to get some "insight" into the quaint villages where all these murders happen.
LibraryThing member barefootsong
A delightful and necessary guide to Quaint English Villages that are somehow very murdery despite the small population, featuring hilarious descriptions and fun Gorey-esque illustrations. A must-read for fans of cozy (or "cosy") British mysteries.
LibraryThing member thornton37814
Anyone who reads mysteries set in the villages of England knows danger lurks everywhere in the charming setting. With illustrations and words about the various settings and people you may encounter, the authors provide readers with the knowledge they need to hopefully come out alive. They even
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include a couple of quizzes to test your knowledge. The book provided me with some laughs at a time I needed them. The. book would make a great gift for mystery lovers. Show Less
LibraryThing member Maydacat
This book probably won’t change your mind if a visit to merry old England is looming on your horizon, even though it does seem like the saying should be murder in old England, which isn’t very merry. Visitors are pretty much not safe anywhere. Or with anyone. Or by one’s self, for that
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matter. (Maybe you should go to France. The food is probably better, anyway, and you can have wine with every meal. It’s just a suggestion!) Anyway, back to England, where danger is everywhere. At least with help of this book, you will know what to look for, and you’ll have a chance to make it out alive, if you are lucky! Really, I highly recommend this entertaining book, where great prose and charming illustrations fit together like a hand in a glove. Just make sure that gloved hand is not against your throat . . . Show Less
LibraryThing member ladycato
This book is a hoot! I love Maureen Johnson's gone-viral story on this subject a few years ago, and the concept works incredibly well as an illustrated hardcover book. Anyone who loves reading or watching British mysteries will cackle and grin their way through this quick read. The illustrations by
The wit is fabulous. You learn about the major sights of the village. "The Churchyard. ... Technically, you're supposed to be dead before you end up here, but the villagers aren't strict about this." You meet the villagers. "The Vicar. ... When you see the vicar, run. If you are not dead yet, the vicar is obliged to kill you." There's an entire section on the manor, and the people, sights, and perilous events to be found there. A few quizzes are in the book, too, to make certain that the reader is absorbing the given advice as readily as a poison.
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Jay Cooper have an Edward Gorey-esque vibe, being black and white with bold red accents.The wit is fabulous. You learn about the major sights of the village. "The Churchyard. ... Technically, you're supposed to be dead before you end up here, but the villagers aren't strict about this." You meet the villagers. "The Vicar. ... When you see the vicar, run. If you are not dead yet, the vicar is obliged to kill you." There's an entire section on the manor, and the people, sights, and perilous events to be found there. A few quizzes are in the book, too, to make certain that the reader is absorbing the given advice as readily as a poison.
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LibraryThing member cmc
Silly and fun; does a great job summarizing the dangers of visiting an English village as seen in every cosy mystery programme from the UK, especially the Midsomer Murders series. Best takeaway: Never, ever, use the phrase, “Oh, it’s you!”
As it was written and illustrated by Americans, it
As it was written and illustrated by Americans, it
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misses a few chances where it could have incorporated some additional British trivia, but fun nonetheless. (I was hoping for Emily’s shop from Bagpuss, but alas, no.) Show Less
LibraryThing member bookappeal
Ah, the idyllic English country village. So calm and peaceful. So drenched with blood. Maureen Johnson provides a slyly humorous guide to staying alive in the typical English cozy mystery town and Jay Cooper's illustrations are the perfect complement. Most of the guide will at least make you smile,
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very few tidbits are duds, and Johnson's pacing and tone make other tips about these deadly locations laugh-out-loud funny. If you've read any English cozies or watched any British murder mysteries, this guide will hit a funny bone. Show Less
LibraryThing member lindapanzo
Anyone who's a fan of British mysteries, particularly of the village mystery, should absolutely love this clever little book offering advice on all of the dangers of visiting an English village. It's hilarious, one of the funniest books I've read in awhile.
Charming and delightful. Very highly
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via Net Galley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.)
Charming and delightful. Very highly
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recommended to mystery fans.(I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via Net Galley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.)
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LibraryThing member Beamis12
A tongue in cheek poke at those English villages where so many cozy mysteries are set. A fun and amusing read highlighting places and people you want to avoid when visiting such a village. This includes almost everyone and everywhere but I enjoyed both the definitions and the reasons. A very quick
"When you see the vicar, run. If you are not dead yet, the vicar is obliged to kill you."
"Stick with the dogs. Dogs are angels and protect us from everything and we don’t deserve them."
ARC from Edelweiss.
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read and one that I'm sure to reference if I take such a trip."When you see the vicar, run. If you are not dead yet, the vicar is obliged to kill you."
"Stick with the dogs. Dogs are angels and protect us from everything and we don’t deserve them."
ARC from Edelweiss.
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LibraryThing member RebMarAra
Dark but in a cute and humorous way! A very fun and short read.
LibraryThing member Marynoel
Lots of fun for fans of "Midsomer Murders" and other English mystery series. Not much book for the money but would make a great gift.
LibraryThing member Lisanne624
I would say A+ for the concept, D for the execution. There's just not much substance. It was also weird they threw in the "SSDGM" reference which has nothing to do with "quaint English villages."
LibraryThing member mykl-s
Fun read, in an Edward Gorey sort of way, with offhand warnings and black-white-grey-red illustrations. Johnson and Cooper have given us potential travelers something to think about. (It's written for Americans, but about England, so should I have used "gray", or stuck with "grey"?)
LibraryThing member gpangel
Your guide to not to Getting Murdered in a quaint English Village by Maureen Johnson is a 2021 Ten Speed Press publication.
A must for mystery lovers- especially the British variety! Yes, I do love a quaint English village- and of course, crime fiction readers, do know better than to be fooled by
Overall, I loved this story and highly recommend it to mystery lovers, of course, and maybe more for those who aren’t aware of the dangers of visiting a quaint English village….
4+ stars
A must for mystery lovers- especially the British variety! Yes, I do love a quaint English village- and of course, crime fiction readers, do know better than to be fooled by
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the deceptiveness of the bucolic scenery. That is what made this satirical graphic novel so funny. There’s a lot of dark humor, along with many fabulous illustrations, which made this a very entertaining book! This is a quick, one-sitting type of book, and was a nice change of pace. Overall, I loved this story and highly recommend it to mystery lovers, of course, and maybe more for those who aren’t aware of the dangers of visiting a quaint English village….
4+ stars
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LibraryThing member FerneMysteryReader
Dear Gentle Readers,
A statement made by Sherlock Holmes to Watson, as Holmes said within one of the adventures by Arthur Conan Doyle, "The Adventures of Copper Beeches," to be exacting as Holmes would prefer. And then, dear reader, "A Note to the Gentle Reader" follows. It is imperative that you
As you may be aware from reading murder mysteries by armchair travel or watching mysteries on your television, there are two parts of the village-the village, and the manor. Respectfully, the guide will explain the differentiation and the elements. Read each component carefully, as there is a quiz at the end of each of the two parts.
"Final Thoughts" concludes the volume. I shall provide my final thoughts beyond this note.
Respectfully submitted,
Enthusiastic Reader (on Instagram)
Final Thoughts:
• Do you love British mysteries of every shape and size in the setting of the English countryside? My answer is yes! I love reading British mysteries, especially those allowing me to travel by book. I also love watching British mysteries on tv, and the first that always comes to mind is the Midsomer Murders series. Each section of the two parts brought scenes from the various episodes of Midsomer Murders to mind.
• I read it in one sitting and am thankful a friend recommended the book. I have no immediate travel plans, but now I must carefully consider the guidance in this book before travel ensues. If your travel is planned to the English countryside, you must read this book, and/or quickly purchase as a gift for friends as needed.
• Hilarious! Absolutely hilarious! Loved it! The written word is complemented by the illustrations, and the illustrations are complemented by the written word. Additional stars are needed.
A statement made by Sherlock Holmes to Watson, as Holmes said within one of the adventures by Arthur Conan Doyle, "The Adventures of Copper Beeches," to be exacting as Holmes would prefer. And then, dear reader, "A Note to the Gentle Reader" follows. It is imperative that you
Show More
read the note to begin your guidebook of explanations on how to protect yourself to not getting murdered in a quaint English village.As you may be aware from reading murder mysteries by armchair travel or watching mysteries on your television, there are two parts of the village-the village, and the manor. Respectfully, the guide will explain the differentiation and the elements. Read each component carefully, as there is a quiz at the end of each of the two parts.
"Final Thoughts" concludes the volume. I shall provide my final thoughts beyond this note.
Respectfully submitted,
Enthusiastic Reader (on Instagram)
Final Thoughts:
• Do you love British mysteries of every shape and size in the setting of the English countryside? My answer is yes! I love reading British mysteries, especially those allowing me to travel by book. I also love watching British mysteries on tv, and the first that always comes to mind is the Midsomer Murders series. Each section of the two parts brought scenes from the various episodes of Midsomer Murders to mind.
• I read it in one sitting and am thankful a friend recommended the book. I have no immediate travel plans, but now I must carefully consider the guidance in this book before travel ensues. If your travel is planned to the English countryside, you must read this book, and/or quickly purchase as a gift for friends as needed.
• Hilarious! Absolutely hilarious! Loved it! The written word is complemented by the illustrations, and the illustrations are complemented by the written word. Additional stars are needed.
Show Less
LibraryThing member ethel55
Ha. This was a fast and fun read illustrated with black and white drawings with splashes of blood red for emphasis. This is a perfect guide for fans of British cozies or watchers of shows like Midsomer. And while many of the instances seem self-explanatory, it doesn't hurt to be prepared!
LibraryThing member DinadansFriend
The art is better than the texts. Frankly, not enough cliche parodies are run through. it needs more ways to die...
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2021-09-14
Physical description
128 p.; 7.77 inches
ISBN
1984859625 / 9781984859624