A Very Merry Murder – Twisty Holiday Farm Mystery From Kate Wells

Last Updated on April 22, 2026

Nothing pleases me more than picking up a book, delving straight in without knowing it’s part of a series, and still being able to enjoy it from cover to cover.

That is exactly the case with A Very Merry Murder, which, as it turns out, is the sixth book in the Malvern Farm Mystery series by author Kate Wells.

Now, I didn’t know that when I started reading it, and thankfully, it didn’t make any difference to the story or how good it was.

That said, the main character is so likable that reading more of her past adventures would not have been a chore – in fact, I may just go back to the beginning to Murder on the Farm and find out how it all began.

However, that is for another day, and right now, I am here to tell you all about the latest festive cozy mystery book in the series.

So, here goes…

Jude Gray Opens Her Farm To A TV Show

From early on, we know that Jude Gray is a relatively young widow who now has the daunting task of running a farm all by herself.

To help her out, her sister Lucy and her fiancé, Noah, live with her, along with their young son Seb.

Money is tight, and so when an offer to film a TV show on her farm comes along, she can’t turn it down even though it means having a TV crew there for three weeks, finishing on Christmas Eve.

Sure, it’s a major disruption, but money is money, and Jude knows this will get them out of a tight spot.

The TV show, Countryside Live, is headed up by a married couple, Annie Bird and Simon North, who are the darlings of British TV.

But all is not as it seems, and despite appearances for the camera, there is definitely trouble in their marriage!

Not only that, but the director, Dean Dickens, is a sleaze bag, the producer, Robyn, is a bully, and very soon Jude realises that it is going to be a very long three weeks putting up with them all.

Things only get worse when Annie goes into anaphylactic shock and nearly dies on live TV. Was it on purpose or an unfortunate accident?

Jude looks for answers, but the show must go on…until it doesn’t.

Death On The Farm

As the days go on and everybody tries to get back to normal, another incident throws the whole show and Jude’s life into chaos.

Just as Annie recovers and is back on track, a murder takes place and it looks like she, Annie Bird, was the intended victim.

Now it’s time for Jude to do some serious investigating on her farm. With local police detectives Binnie and Sami relying on her to snoop behind the scenes, Jude is on the case.

The problem is that the mystery keeps getting deeper, and the killer is always one step ahead.

So, can Jude finally unravel just what is going on at Malvern Farm, or will the murderer get away as the crew leaves for good?

Solid Holiday Mystery

What stood out most about A Very Merry Murder by Kate Wells is how it delivers on every front for fans of a classic whodunit, while also weaving in enough warmth and character drama to keep things fresh and engaging.

The central mystery is brilliantly plotted: the attempts on Annie Bird’s life on Jude’s farm set the stage for a tangled web of secrets, with plenty of suspects and convincing motives.

Each character feels well-drawn, giving you that delicious uncertainty over who might’ve had the strongest reason to target Annie – there’s never an obvious answer, and that’s what kept me turning the pages.

At the same time, the book doesn’t let murder and mayhem steal the entire show. The upcoming wedding between Lucy and Noah provides a joyful counterpoint to the tension, bringing in lightness and some genuinely touching moments.

The simmering chemistry between Jude and Marco adds another layer, building a sense of anticipation every bit as satisfying as the mystery itself.

It’s this blend that makes the book such an enjoyable read during the festive season, even if it’s not all about sleigh bells, mulled wine, and predictable clichés.

What I especially appreciated is that Kate Wells avoids the typical traps of the cozy mystery genre.

Jude Gray is smart, brave, and a risk-taker, but never a reckless, headstrong fool. Her actions make sense, and you root for her all the way.

In short, for those seeking a solid, balanced festive mystery without the cheese, A Very Merry Murder is an absolute winner.