Death of the Eleven-Toed Man – Brilliantly Fun Cozy Mystery By Gaynor Torrance
Last Updated on April 22, 2026
If you’re looking for a fun new cozy mystery then take a peek at Death of the Eleven-Toed Man, the second book in Gaynor Torrance’s Wye Valley Widows series.
The story follows three friends, Liz, Harriet and Sylvie, who all live in the village of Monksworthy, which is about to compete in the ‘Village of the Year’ competition.
Having narrowly lost out the year before, it’s all systems go on the run up to the judge’s visit and nothing is being left to chance.
The flowers are flowering, the lawns have been manicured and there isn’t a scrap of litter to be seen.
Sadly, the same can’t be said for their biggest rival, Abbotsmead, a neighboring village that has been all but ruled out of contention after a bunch of guys on a stag party trashed all the floral displays during a drunken rampage!
So, with the path to victory seemingly clear as day, all that’s left for the residents is to welcome the judges and cross their fingers that nothing goes wrong…
When Everything Goes Wrong
When the local detectorist society is given permission to explore the land on Sir Barnaby Cavendish-Mortimer’s estate, Barnaby makes a startling discovery – a dead body, who we are later told has been there around 10 years or so.
Despite the shock, and even more speculation, the three friends decide to do a spot of investigating to figure out just who was buried on the Barnaby’s land.
With Liz’s brother, Simon, a police sergeant, she quickly finds out that the only noteworthy piece of information is that the dead body had eleven toes. It’s not a lot to go on but it’s something and it’s all the ladies need to make a start.
And then comes the second bombshell. The day of the ‘Village of the Year’ competition is upon them and the five judges arrive in style, with their motorcade rolling into Monksworthy, led by the incredibly unlikable chief Judge, Christine Holloway.
Also on the voting committee is the celebrity guest judge, DJ Juicer. But before they can even pour a cup of tea, tragedy strikes, and another dead body is discovered.
Cue The Investigation
Suffice it to say that the competition is called off, the police arrive and soon our merry band of amateur sleuths are putting the pieces of a double murder together.
I won’t give away any spoilers but this is old fashioned investigating at it’s finest – with maybe a small bit of help from Google!
Liz, Sylvie, Harriet and Barnaby must now work out the who and why of it all, one clue at a time, and all in the nicest possible way, of course!
Such Good Fun
I had an absolute blast reading Gaynor Torrance’s Death of the Eleven-Toed Man. It’s one of those cozy mysteries that immediately sucked me in with its irresistible combination of quirky humor and clever sleuthing.
The trio of amateur detectives – Sylvie, Liz, and Harriet – had me grinning from ear to ear as they juggled gossip, pastries, and red herrings while trying to solve not one, but two murders.
The dynamic between these ladies is so much fun to follow; their antics and unconventional investigative methods really capture that classic cozy vibe I love so much.
Monksworthy, the picturesque English village at the heart of the story, is painted in such a warm and authentic way that I could practically hear the village gossip and smell the treats from the tearoom.
The addition of the Village of the Year competition brings out both the best and the most hilarious in the local community, creating the perfect backdrop for murder, mishaps, and more than a little mayhem.
What really makes this book stand out for me is how it manages to deliver laugh-out-loud moments alongside genuinely tense twists and turns.
It’s the perfect cozy for readers who want to smile as much as they want to keep guessing.
Death of the Eleven-Toed Man is a true treat for cozy fans. The blend of humor and classic whodunnit kept me hooked; even when the plot took dark or surprising turns, the book stayed light-hearted and satisfying throughout.
I loved how everyday events, like hobby treasure hunts and local politics, unexpectedly became central to the mystery, and along with a well-rounded cast of characters that make up the social fabric of Monksworthy, there was plenty to keep me hooked throughout the investigation.
What I appreciated most was Torrance’s lively pacing: just as I started to get comfortable, the story would introduce a fresh twist or a new suspect that kept me engaged and guessing.
If you enjoy mysteries that combine clever plotting with vibrant village life and tongue-in-cheek humor, this is absolutely one to put on your reading list.
