The Body in the Kitchen Garden - (A Hill House Vintage Murder Mystery) by Paula Sutton (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

The creator of Hill House Vintage and "Queen of Cottagecore" (Vogue), Paula Sutton, returns to the seemingly sleepy English village of Pudding Corner in this fresh, witty, fun, and delightfully modern cozy crime novel for vintage enthusiasts and fans of Richard Osman, Parini Shroff, Janice Hallett, and Anthony Horowitz.

"Miss Marple for the 21st Century." ―S.J. Bennett, author of The Windsor Knot

It's a glorious spring in the idyllic English village of Pudding Corner. Tea is poured, secrets simmer, gardens hide more than just weeds--and for newcomer and vintage aficionado Daphne Brewster, murder is blooming once again . . .

Pudding Corner is abuzz: the enigmatic Lord Hugh Darlington has returned to his crumbling ancestral home after years away. With his fiancée, he plans to revive the grand Darlington Hall--and who better to help than antiques-hunting Daphne Brewster?

Daphne is enchanted by the estate's stained-glass windows, regal turrets, and sprawling kitchen garden. But amidst the overgrown greenery, she stumbles upon something far less picturesque: a body. A body that no one can identify.

As the shocking murder rocks the village, Daphne dusts off her sleuthing skills--despite the local PC's warnings to stay out of trouble. When Lord Darlington is attacked and a string of burglaries shakes Pudding Corner, it's clear that no one is safe.

With secrets buried deep and loyalties more tangled than ivy, Daphne must unearth the truth . . . before the killer strikes again.

Wickedly witty and brimming with twists as sharp as a pair of antique shears, The Body in the Kitchen Garden is a cozy crime page-turner that will keep you guessing until the very last clue is uncovered.

Review Quotes

Praise for The Potting Shed Murder

"Here's hoping for a return of Sutton's heroine with the same pizzazz." ―Kirkus Reviews

"The lovingly described setting; the charismatic Daphne, a strong Black woman in a mixed marriage; well-delineated, eccentric secondary characters; and plot twists aplenty blend into a satisfying series starter." ―Booklist

"We hope that the publisher is sensible and Ms. Sutton will be back to delight us again with Daphne and Book Two."―firstCLUE

"Miss Marple for the 21st Century." ―S.J. Bennett, author of The Windsor Knot

"A really fun, fast-paced, and atmospheric whodunnit. Perfect for fans of Agatha Raisin." ―Jessica Bull, author of Miss Austen Investigates

"A village of secrets, a cast of zany characters: this is a romp of a read that warms the heart." ―Orlando Murrin, author of Knife Skills for Beginners

"Delightful. . . . Charming and fresh." ―Kuchenga Shenjé, author of The Library Thief

"Perfect for fans of Richard Osman." ―Woman's Weekly

"Begs to be read in the cosiest of spaces." ―Tasha Coryell, author of Love Letters to a Serial Killer

"A great modern cosy." ―Ian Moore, author of Death and Croissants

"I absolutely loved it! Utterly absorbing. Daphne is such a brilliant protagonist, I couldn't help but love her. And that twist!" ―Lisa Hall, author of The Mysterious Double Death of Honey Black

"Such a fun cosy crime mystery with a really exciting ending! I hope that we're going to see Daphne solving more crimes in the future!" ―Kate Weston, author of You May Now Kill the Bride

"A quintessentially English murder mystery. Paula Sutton brings a new voice to the cosy genre with her fresh take and witty twist on modern village life. Vintage crime!" ―Jo Furniss, author of Dead Mile

"An utterly delightful whodunnit unfolds in this pitch-perfect cosy mystery. Absolutely glorious!" ―Victoria Dowd, author of The Smart Woman's Guide to Murder

"Beautiful, mesmerising and immensely satisfying, The Potting Shed Murder shows us how even the most idyllic places can hide secrets. Rich in detail and bursting with warmth, I read this book well into the night, finding myself unable to put it down. Sutton is a master storyteller." ―Awais Khan, author of No Honour and Someone Like Her

About the Author

Paula Sutton is a vintage-hunting interiors stylist, author, columnist, television personality, and creator of Hill House Vintage. Ten years ago, Paula upended her glamorous London life, where she worked in fashion publishing, to move to Hill House, a manor in the countryside of Norfolk, England, with her family and Coco, a chocolate cross Labrador. Since then, her beautiful country home and personal aesthetic have drawn nearly a million followers to @hillhousehome, she has been named the "happiest influencer on Instagram" by Vogue, and she is featured regularly in national media, including The New York Times, TODAY, Oprah Magazine, The Telegraph, Good Housekeeping, Town & Country, and many more. Visit her online at HillHouseHome.com and on Instagram, Tiktok, and Youtube @hillhousehome.