Perished by a Painting

Mary Sarah’s narration is the cherry on top of this already delightful audiobook. Her voice is the perfect blend of authoritative and approachable—she nails Lacey’s sarcastic yet big-hearted tone without ever slipping into caricature. The British accent lends an extra layer of authenticity to Wilfordshire’s setting, and Sarah’s pacing is so crisp that even the most convoluted plot twists feel effortlessly digestible. That said, there were a few moments where the character voices veered a bit too theatrical for my taste, particularly during the more dramatic confrontations. It’s a minor quibble in an otherwise stellar performance. The mystery itself is cleverly constructed, with enough red herrings to keep you guessing but never enough to feel unfair. Grace does an excellent job of weaving in Lacey’s backstory—her divorce, her abrupt move to England—without letting it overshadow the plot. My only critique? The final act wraps up a tad too neatly, leaving a few loose ends that might frustrate readers who prefer messy, unresolved endings. Still, this is a cozy mystery that punches above its weight, and Sarah’s narration makes it a joy to revisit Wilfordshire’s quirky residents time and again.