I’m absolutely delighted to be sharing my review of Murder at the Water Mill by Jon Harris with you today on publication day — and on the opening day of the blog tour with Zooloo’s Book Tours. There’s something especially exciting about celebrating a new release right at the start of its blog tour, and it’s been a real pleasure to be part of the launch-day festivities for this book.
Huge thanks to Zooloo’s Book Tours for inviting me to take part in this celebration, and to Joffe Books for kindly providing a digital copy of the novel for review. It’s been a joy to spend time in Ablebridge and to share my thoughts as the tour gets underway.
About the book
Sunday lunch goes cold when a body is discovered in a charming Somerset mill…
Julia Ford — part-time PI, full-time chaos magnet — and her terrier, Rumpkin, are in the picturesque village of Ablebridge for a family meal. But instead of enjoying roast pork, they find themselves staring down at a body, wedged awkwardly in the local heritage water mill.
The police soon write it off as an accident, leaving the mill at risk of closure. But Hannah, a local volunteer at the mill, is not convinced. With no faith in the local law enforcement, she and the mill trust committee hire Julia to uncover the truth.
Soon, Julia and Hannah are knee-deep in village politics, cider scandals and bickering committee members. But with threats of more ‘accidents’ on the horizon, they must solve the mystery before another body turns up.
A charming, witty cozy mystery full of eccentric villagers, rural mischief and a dog with no boundaries.
Murder at the Water Mill by Jon Harris is published by Joffe Books on 21 January 2026 and is available from all good bookshops.
To read additional reviews and see how other readers are rating this cozy mystery, the 4th in the standalone series, The Somerset Whodunit Mysteries, visit Goodreads. You can also follow along on the book tour over at Zooloo’s Book Tours.
You can purchase the digital edition now – also available on Kindle Unlimited
About The Author
Jon Harris grew up in the West Country just outside Bristol before moving to Cardiff to study physics and then Durham where he studied for a PhD in astronomy. After spending a few years staring into space he returned to the West Country for work and took up writing. His first novel, Murder on a Country Lane, was published in 2023.
He now lives in a village in North Somerset with his wife, son and pet tortoise. He’s happy to report that the village is far less murderous than its fictional counterpart.
My Review
A Charming Cozy Mystery Full of Village Secrets and Gentle Chaos
Murder at the Water Mill is a thoroughly charming, witty and engaging cozy mystery, and a wonderful introduction to the series.
Jon Harris has a real gift for character, atmosphere and gentle humour, bringing the Somerset village of Ablebridge vividly to life. From the heritage water mill at the heart of the mystery to the tangled web of village politics, gossip and quiet grudges, every scene feels richly observed and effortlessly immersive.
Julia Ford is a hugely likeable lead — sharp, determined and permanently attracting chaos despite her best intentions. Her interactions with the villagers, particularly the bickering committee members, are a constant delight, and the investigation unfolds at a satisfying pace without ever losing its warmth or sense of fun. Rumpkin the terrier, of course, deserves special mention: gloriously chaotic, completely unapologetic, and an absolute scene-stealer who adds heart and humour in equal measure.
The writing is confident and vivid, with scene-setting that makes Ablebridge feel like a real place rather than a backdrop. Something about the mix of countryside life, stubborn personalities and quiet absurdities gave me Clarkson’s Farm vibes, which made me smile throughout and added an extra layer of enjoyment to the story.
Although this is the fourth book in the series, it works perfectly well as a standalone. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I’ve since bought digital editions of all four books to keep ready on my Kindle — always a sign that a series has truly won me over.
This was exactly the kind of book I love to read when I want to slow down and savour the story: curled up with a cuppa, wrapped in a blanket, with winter sunlight drifting through the window. Comforting, clever and deeply enjoyable, Murder at the Water Mill left me feeling thoroughly content — and already looking forward to spending more time in Ablebridge.
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See About My Reviews and Review FAQ for full star rating explanations and review guidelines. This review may also appear on my social media channels and selected book platforms. All links were correct at the time of publication. Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book via Zooloo’s Book Tours, thanks to Joffe Books. This review reflects my own reading experience. This review is original content. Please credit and link back if you wish to quote.
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