Murder in the Lakes by Rachel Amphlett
published 9 June 2025
PUBLISHER: Saxon Publishing
FOMAT: Digital
PAGES: 310
🌟 Review Note:
This review is provided as part of the Virtual Book Tour hosted by Zooloo’s Book Tours which runs 9-18 June 2025. Follow along, with the Book Tour Schedule.
Thank you to the author Rachel Amphlett, publisher Saxon Publishing and, of course Zooloo’s Book Tours for including me on this book tour and for providing a copy of the digital edition of this new thriller to read and review.
As always, this review reflects my honest thoughts.
About the book
A wedding, a missing fiancée, and a murder – Melody Harper is about to discover just how dangerous “I do” can be…
Fledgling private detective Melody Harper is down on her luck and nursing a black eye when she’s approached by a new client who believes her daughter is in danger.
There’s a wedding next weekend, and the client’s daughter is the bride. Except Melody’s client hasn’t told her the whole truth – the groom’s last fiancée seems to have disappeared, and nobody has any answers.
Now tasked with going undercover to protect the bride-to-be, Melody finds herself out of her comfort zone and on an outdoor adventure weekend in the Lake District with the hen party.
After narrowly escaping death in a climbing accident, Melody’s detective skills are tested to the limit when one of the bridesmaids is murdered – and time is running out.
This is her biggest investigation to date, but will Melody even survive long enough to unmask the killer and protect the bride?
About the Author
Before turning to writing, USA Today bestselling crime author Rachel Amphlett played guitar in bands, worked as a TV and film extra, dabbled in radio, and worked in publishing as an editorial assistant.
She now wields a pen instead of a plectrum and writes crime fiction with over 30 crime novels and short stories featuring spies, detectives, vigilantes, and assassins.
A keen traveller and accidental private investigator, Rachel has both Australian and British citizenship.
You can find out more about Rachel and her books at www.rachelamphlett.com
Rachel’s Social Media
Facebook: @rachelamphlett.author
Instagram: @rachelamphlett
Bluesky: @rachelamphlett.bsky.social
Website: www.rachelamphlett.com
My Review
If you’re looking for a classic cosy crime set against the stunning backdrop of the Lake District, Murder in the Lakes delivers intrigue, outdoor adventure, and a touch of humour through its scrappy, endearing lead, Melody Harper.
Melody is a private investigator still finding her feet, and I liked the fact that she felt real – a little rough around the edges, but genuinely determined. The hen party setting gave the book a fun and unusual angle, and the murder mystery that unfolds is well-plotted and engaging. There’s a strong sense of place, with the wilderness setting adding both atmosphere and danger.
The pacing kept me turning the pages, and although I didn’t quite get that ‘wow’ moment, I was thoroughly entertained. My only frustration – and the reason this is a four-star read rather than five – is that the blurb gives away events that don’t occur until quite late in the story. I would have preferred to discover those, rather than anticipating them from the start.
That said, I really enjoyed the read overall and would happily return to follow Melody’s next case.
This review may also appear on my social media and selected book platforms. All links are correct at the time of posting.
#MurderInTheLakes #RachelAmphlett #SaxonPublishing #digitalread #ZooloosBookTours #bookreview #booktour
MoMoBookDiary 