Death at the Village Christmas Fair: Book 3 in the Cotswold Curiosity Shop Mysteries

Last Updated on August 6, 2026

It’s always wonderful when you stumble on an author and discover that not only do you love their style but that with their series of books, you also get to follow the adventures of a really likeable character.

Thankfully, that is what you get with Debbie Young’s Cotswold Curiosity Shop Mysteries, and in the case of this review, the third installment – Death at the Village Christmas Fair.

So, if like me, you have a soft spot for quirky British villages, Christmassy misadventures, and sleuthing with a side of scones, let’s get cozy.

Setting the Scene With A Santa Dash

For those not already familiar with Alice Carroll, she is a recent resident of the village of Little Pride, having upended her life to move to the Cotswolds earlier in the year.

She bought an old curiosity shop and promptly found herself in the middle of a murder investigation (Death at the Old Curiosity Shop).

In the meantime, her now ex, Stephen, left to go ‘find himself,’ which resulted in the second book, Death at the Village Chess Club. Now the holidays have rolled around, and here we are.

It’s Alice’s first Christmas in Little Pride, and the village fair is only weeks away. Taking a stall alongside her mother, the duo set about putting the finishing touches to all of their knitwear, and before you know it, the big day has arrived.

Visitors pour into the village for the annual Santa Run – the kind where everybody dresses up as Father Christmas and runs 5km for fun – and then head on to the fair, where unfortunately, one of the scarves on Alice’s stall is stolen.

Ordinarily, this wouldn’t be a big deal; the scarf was only £5 after all, but when Alice tries to track down the thief in his Santa suit, she quickly discovers him outside, and worse, somebody has tried to kill him.

Shook up and with the victim bundled off to the hospital, things only get worse when the unknown man dies from his injuries.

With a murder inquiry now in full swing, Alice can’t help but think that the killer only wanted the little teddy bear button on the scarf. But why?

How on earth could a button be the reason for murder? Alice, with Robert’s help, is about to find out.

The Curious Case of the Stolen Button

It may seem quite sweet to have a rare button at the heart of the case, and in some ways it is. But Death at the Village Christmas Fair is the coziest of cozy mysteries, so a teddy bear button is quite appropriate for the style of the book.

Interestingly, the button is more than a trinket and I learned quite a lot about Netsuke, which I had never heard of before. If you’re as curious as I was, Netsuke are small, intricately carved toggles traditionally used in Japan dress which did not include pockets.

Instead, objects like pouches were suspended from the sash of a kimono, and netsuke acted as a toggle to anchor the cord over the sash, preventing the container from slipping.

Original netsuke were prized for their craftsmanship and detail, and they remain a fascinating window into Japanese art, storytelling, and social history.

So actually, there’s more to this plot than just some random old button, and it turns out, it’s a clever way to lay out a bigger mystery!

Alice Carroll: Our Relatable Heroine

Let’s talk Alice. If you’ve followed her before, you’ll know she’s equal parts warm and whip-smart, which makes her not only the best (unofficial) detective Little Pride has ever seen, but the village’s most trusted confidante.

She approaches each mystery with a mix of dogged determination and an occasional dash of self-doubt, and as she threads together clues about the mysterious stolen button, she brings not just clever intuition but kindness.

She listens to the whispers of her mother, the grumbles of her neighbors, and the passing remarks from the shop’s regulars.

If you’re tired of hard-boiled detectives and chase scenes, consider this your literary cup of hot cocoa.

Of course, Alice isn’t investigating alone. Her partnership with Robert Praed, the charming and ever-supportive neighbor, continues to blossom, subtly, sweetly, and with exactly the kind of gentle romance that fits the cozy genre to a tee.

Their rapport is a delight; it’s half will-they-won’t-they, half comedy double act (Robert’s dry humor is always welcome). If you’re a fan of series where characters and relationships take their time to grow, you’ll enjoy watching their story unfold in the background of the murder mystery.

Mysteries to Puzzle and Ponder

Debbie Young crafts the central puzzle with care. This isn’t a tale of endless red herrings or wild plot twists.

Instead, it’s a fair-play mystery, where each clue is thoughtfully planted. Yes, the rare button is the literal and figurative linchpin of the story, but it’s how Alice follows the thread (pun intended) that keeps the pages turning.

If you’re a veteran of the cozy mystery world, you’ll appreciate the gentle subversions of genre tropes because there’s no gratuitous violence, no swearing, and not a whiff of cynicism.

Instead, you get charming, cheerfully nosy villagers, suspects who are endearingly bad at lying, and police who are always slightly behind Alice and Robert.

But most importantly, you get the satisfaction of solving the crime alongside Alice. Young never cheats: she gives readers all the clues, trusting us to keep up.

Why You’ll Want This Book On Your Holiday List

When deciding what to read this holiday season, Death at the Village Christmas Fair by Debbie Young effortlessly earns a spot on your list.

Everything about the book exudes a festive charm, and the story delivers a wonderfully uplifting tone, as its central mystery manages to intrigue the reader without ever feeling overwhelming or dark.

Much of the book’s appeal rests on its protagonist, Alice Carroll, who is equal parts savvy investigator and warmhearted community member. Her kindness infuses every interaction, and her capability at connecting the dots never feels forced.

Readers can’t help but root for her as she navigates both murder and village mayhem with good humor and unstuffy intelligence.

The dynamic between Alice and Robert is refreshingly believable, free from melodrama or clichés. It’s a partnership that grows naturally from mutual respect and camaraderie, offering warmth and lightness in perfect measure.

As for the plot, Debbie Young keeps things delightfully inventive. Who would imagine that a single rare button could trigger so much mischief and mayhem?

The book leans into these quirky, unexpected elements, turning the search for a seemingly mundane object into a captivating whodunit that never takes itself too seriously.

It’s comfort reading at its finest: gentle, satisfying, and filled with the warmth of good company. Whether you’re seeking an escape to a snow-dusted village or hoping for a mystery that leaves you smiling, this book is an ideal companion for the holiday season.