Your Guide to Not Getting Murdered in a Quaint English Village by Maureen Johnson and Jay Cooper is morbidly and delightfully entertaining as it shares advice if ever you find yourself in a quaint English village where the inhabitants have nefarious motives and murderous intent. 

I grabbed this book at our Eastside Branch 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 Manor house.

Jay Cooper’s artwork adds much to the humour and is done 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.”