Bliss!

Angel Drake is divine. She's the kind of person I wish was my friend, or my cousin because she's such fun. I'd love to hang out with her because she always finds the fun or the weird in any situation. I'd also want Hester and Nick in my life because they're completely bonkers and fun. And don't get me started on Lord Robert - love him. The whole story is completely engaging, with warm and joyful characters who use witty and sharp dialogue. Helen Taylor turns in a stellar performance as Angel, and everyone else. I was beyond delighted that she didn't fall into the trap of turning Angel into a cockney sparrow. Not every Londoner is a cockney. The whole book is like a refreshing breeze on a summer's day. It's so good I have double dipped, read the book and listened to the audio. If you want an exquisitely written, light and witty mystery that lifts your spirits and cures everything that ails you then look no further than Angel Drake is Going Solo by Sharn Hutton. You can thank me later!

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I absolutely adored this book...

I’ve never read a cozy mystery before – I usually read psychological thrillers and domestic noirs that are dark and violent – but this was recommended to me. I really didn’t think it would be my thing given what I usually read. But once I started I couldn’t put it down (or stop listening in this case). It was so sweet and entertaining, but not at all saccharine. It hit the notes perfectly: the kind of story you can see as a film that you’d want to curl up with on the sofa on a Sunday afternoon. But what I loved most about it were the characters. They felt so real, so alive, and so entertaining. I just wanted to spend time with them.

The audiobook narrator was outstanding, so easy to listen to. Perfectly chosen for the main character, and her Hester was really something. But her job was made easier by the well-written dialogue and banter. The whole thing was an enjoyable romp into the world of Pook Wallop and its cozy mysteries!

Will definitely read more from this author.

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Thoroughly enjoyed this

A fun story. It’s got intrigue and mystery. Yes it’s got serious parts and trouble. But it’s a great listen. It just jumps along & doesnt stop.
So worth listening to, it’s filled in a dreary work day at a great pace.
Narrator is really good and kept it rolling really well.
All round good listen.

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Mayhem abounds

Angie (hates to be called that) is a trier. She is. left an antiques shop and flat and moves in. She has no idea about antiques but what could possibly go wrong? I enjoyed this little mystery and the reading was playful and light very easy on the ear. It didn't take a lot to work out what was going on but it was enjoyable all the same. Not my usual listening material but it made for a very enjoyable Sunday.

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Thoroughly enjoyable

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and read it in one sitting, Angel Drake is an extremely likeable character, a bit dippy but no pushover. When Angel discovers that she has inherited the Antiques Emporium and the flat above she is happy to leave London, following her recent break up with her live in boyfriend, and sets up her new life in the village of Pook Wallop. She also inherits Hester, a friend of her Aunt Em and an unfortunate connection to a string of antiques robberies. She has two new men in her life, Nick Rivo, an unscrupulous but handsome antiques dealer and the very dashing Robert Cornell, Lord of the Manor. This entertaining romp follows Angel’s endeavours to succeed in the antiques world and her efforts to clear her name, I am looking forward to book 2. Ideal for fans of Agatha Raisin.

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An Inspiring Listen!

I am very new to listening to fiction on audible – and Angel Drake is Going Solo, my second listen, did not disappoint.

We first meet tea loving, hobnob crunching Angelica Drake (Angel to her friends, never Ang) just before she decides to up sticks and move to Pook Wallop, where she has inherited her Aunt’s Antiques Shop – and I am so pleased that she did as I looked forward to hearing more about Angel each morning as I (slowly) drove to work.

Angel quickly makes friends in Pook Wallop, shares her hobnobs, and soon becomes embroiled in Village Life!

Sharn Hutton has created a funny, likeable character in Angelica Drake and I look forward to reading more Angel Drake Mysteries. Helen Taylor ensured that this was an enjoyable listen.

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Antiques for sale.

I can't imagine taking over an antiques shop, it just strikes me as one of the most impenetrable professions available. I would not know where to begin. So I had plenty of sympathy for Angel when she inherited her Aunt's Antiques Emporium. Combine that with a spate of antique robberies and several local folk only too eager to help a damsel in distress, and you will get an idea of the mayhem that ensues.

This was a fun cosy mystery, with some intriguing characters, and I'm glad it's the start of a series. I did find an Angel Drake short story - Nothing Ventured, but hopefully there will soon be more to follow.
My audio version was excellently read by Helen Taylor, who even managed to read the place 'Pook Wallop' without losing her cool.

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Five stars I loved it

I really enjoyed this audio book. It’s a sweet mystery of a number of burglary’s of antiques taking place in a small village after Angel Drake moves in to take over her aunts shop. As she gets enrolled and at times treated as a subject the story was a romp around who she could trust and how you should never make judgements about people before getting to know them. I thought the narrator Helen Taylor was great as well as it felt like an old friend talking to you

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funny

really enjoyed this as a change to my usual genre. great book so amusing to listen to.

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Warm-hearted cosy mystery

This is a sweet, warm-hearted, gore-free, quaint village-based, cosy mystery, which is one of my favourite genres. It does require you to suspend some belief (the heroine does not always seem to live on the same planet as the rest of us in terms of her decision making), but the funny cast of characters really grew on me and the story itself nicely sets the series up for more to come - by the end of it I just wanted to know what happens next.
I partly read, partly listened to the audio and enjoyed both - Helen Taylor’s narration suits the book perfectly, but reading in my own voice gave me a different sense of Sharon Hutton’s sense of humour underlying the writing. I can recommend both versions, and am looking forward to the next instalment!

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