Great listen!

Caroline James is a new author for me and this genre is a bit of a departure as I usually prefer my books to be a lot darker than this. But it was billed as similar to Agatha Raisin and I know lot of people who enjoy those so I thought I would give it a try

I wasn't disappointed in the story. Caroline writes well and has a great eye for detail. I can imagine that if I had ever stayed in her hotel - she would have known everything about me before my suitcase hit the bed!

The characters are your typical village folk and (as I live in a village) it is possible to recognise several 'types' from amongst the folk who inhabit her fictional village of Hollywood. It is quite funny in parts and I found myself chuckling away as I listened.

I liked the beginning when she's settling in and meeting everyone best. It was a great listen for these strange times that we're in - I listened during lockdown in April/May. It took my mind off the situation we're in very nicely.

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Cosy mystery starring a cute duck!

Caroline James is a new author to me, but I really enjoyed this first book in a new series featuring amateur sleuth Hattie Mulberry.

Hattie is quite a girl! Well actually she’s a 50 something year old woman but she’s a real character. Having been left a cottage in an aunt’s will she moves to the dilapidated cottage in Cumbria and ends up investigating the supposed suicide of her neighbour’s husband.

The village of Hollywood is full of interesting character but I fell in love with just one – the wonderful Drake! I’ve never met a duck character in a book before and each section featuring him was a joy to listen to.

This is a quirky, cosy murder mystery and if you’re a fan of Agatha Raisin you’ll love this. But this series is better because it has a duck!

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good start to a new series

I really enjoyed Hattie Goes to Hollywood, the first book in a new cosy crime series by Caroline James.

I was immediately swept up in the story andthe characters and raced through it in double quick time.

Hattie is a great new character to follow andthe supporting cast, including the duck added to the fun of the story.

I'll definely look out for more books in this series. lastly, a word on the narrator, Gill Mills who was perfect for this book and added something extra to the experience for me. she really captures hattie to a tee and I hope she's used for future books.

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Great start to a new series

A brilliant start to a new series. I thoroughly enjoyed Hattie’s adventures settling into Hollywood and setting up as a private investigator. I want to go and live in the village. Really looking forward to the next instalment. Oh, and I love the duck!

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Enjoyable Read

Some fabulous quirky characters set around a small village, Alf was one of my favourites It was really easy to visualise them all. A light hearted murder mystery.

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A very pleasant listen

Caroline James is a new author to me, this is the second of her books I have listened to and I will certainly be purchasing more.

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Fun read

A fun read following the adventures of Hattie when she moves to Hollywood. Fun, frolics and mystery follow Hattie around as she investigates a suspicious death for her neighbour. With a few surprising twists, the story comes together. The village is full of characters and stories, and a few animals as well. I especially loved Drake. It was a really easy, enjoyable, light-hearted read and I hope Hattie has some more adventures in the future.

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Good story

I enjoyed this story. I listen & read quite dark books & though this is an investigation & detective book it’s a lighter style.
I liked the escape and different style and will be looking for more by this author.
Narrator was good too

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Great Number

What a great little number this is more of a Miss Marple type and that phase was also mentioned in the book Hattie recently bereaved and auntie has left her a cottage in a village called Hollywood in Cumbria, somewhat dilapidated but liveable, and Hattie soon immerses herself into village life and her next-door neighbour wants her to investigate a suicide but is it suspicious! and as Hattie starts to investigate she finds out there have been 3 recent suicides hum dodgey! Hattie is fiesty outgoing and sensitive and somewhat nosey and able to speak her mind. The characters in the book are well defined and each one has their own personal foibles, Hattie and co. love listening to village tittle-tattle how else would she be able to investigate, and has fallen for the landlord of the local pub, clever what better way to hear the gossip with a G & T in one hand and big ears. This is a light-hearted cozy mystery and the narration is good and clear and would love to listen to more of Hatties escapes, as I'm sure there will be.

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Welcome to the world of Hattie

I really enjoyed this audio. If you are a fan of Agatha Raisin on tv you will love this. Hattie is a formidable woman who’s new life in Hollywood (not the glamorous one lol) is only just beginning as she works hard to get her new home ready to live in when she gets asked to investigate some unusual suicides that have happened in the village. Is there someone in this small village bumping off residents or are these deaths exactly what they seem to be. Hattie is a warm and strong female lead who I was instantly drawn to. She feels like a friend and I could see this on tv as an on going sitcom. I look forward to the next book.

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