Poppy Mysteries 3 Books Collection Set by Leigh Russell - Fiction - Paperback

Titles in This Set:
Barking Up the Right Tree
Barking Mad
Poppy Takes The Lead

Overview:
Step into the charming Wiltshire village of Ashton Mead with a trio of beguiling mystery novels by Leigh Russell. A Poppy Mystery Tale Collection brings together Barking Up the Right Tree, Barking Mad and Poppy Takes The Lead for a cohesive, cozy-crime experience that rewards patient readers with warmth, wit and secret-keeping in equal measure. Emily’s life is upended when she loses her job and her boyfriend, and her great aunt’s bequest—a cottage in Ashton Mead—offers a lifeline. The twist? she must care for a new dog, a loyal companion who proves essential as Emily uncovers the village’s quiet undercurrents. Across these three richly drawn tales, the tone stays intimate and inviting while the plots tighten with purposeful suspense. Readers who enjoy character-driven mysteries, dog-friendly plots, and small-town settings will find this collection utterly immersive and satisfyingly bingeable. The stories progress in tone and stakes, creating a seamless reading journey from one book to the next while maintaining a warm, readable pace that’s perfect for evenings in front of the fire or a weekend cosy-marathon.

What Makes This Collection Special:
This collection shines because it threads a single protagonist, Emily, through three distinct mysteries that grow in complexity and consequence while preserving a consistent mood: inviting, observant, and quietly suspenseful. The presence of Poppy—the puppy who becomes Emily’s confidant and helper—adds genuine heart and a touch of canine charm that broadens the appeal to dog lovers and readers seeking warmth alongside their whodunits. Leigh Russell balances village charisma with sharp plotting, giving readers a satisfying sense of progression, continuity, and payoff. Each novel stands alone, yet together they form a cohesive reading journey: a giftable set for fans of cozy mysteries, female-led detective fiction, and literary crime with a humane twist. This is a complete mini-series experience in one collected edition.

Books Included in This Collection:
Barking Up the Right Tree
Emily’s fresh start in Ashton Mead begins with a puzzling inheritance and a new canine companion. In this opener, Leigh Russell blends warmth and wit with a light-touch mystery that invites readers to settle in and uncover small-town secrets alongside a determined heroine. The story sets the tone for Emily’s evolving life, where friendships, local lore, and a sense of belonging become as important as the mystery itself. A welcoming introduction to a village with hidden depths and a heroine you’ll root for from page one.

Barking Mad
Emily has carved out a quiet, contented life in Ashton Mead with her puppy Poppy. When a drowning rocks the village, suspicion settles on a newcomer, Richard, and Emily finds herself walking a fine line between loyalty and truth. This second journey deepens character bonds, heightens tension, and invites readers to weigh evidence against village intuition. The pacing keeps you turning pages as Emily navigates fear, friendship, and the frictions that show up when a close-knit community is tested by tragedy.

Poppy Takes The Lead
In the final twist of this trio, Emily’s bond with her dog Poppy tests the limits of trust as Silas Strang’s murder shatters a quiet street’s serenity. Emily quickly becomes the prime suspect in a case that exposes long-held resentments and dangerous secrets. With the police spotlight on her, she must rely on wit, courage, and the loyalty of Poppy to untangle the truth. This finale heightens danger while preserving the warmth and resilience that define the set.

Who This Set Is Perfect For:
Ideal for adults who adore cozy mysteries with a strong, relatable heroine, dog lovers, and readers who enjoy small-village intrigue with a modern edge. This set suits fans of character-led crime, domestic suspense, and uplifting resilience. It’s also a fantastic gift for readers seeking a complete, three-book journey from a trusted author, perfect for autumn nights, weekend escapes, or holiday gifting. If you’ve enjoyed similar village-based mysteries or are looking for a new author to follow in the cozy-crime genre, this collection offers an inviting entry point and a satisfying continuity that rewards long-term readers.

Key Benefits:

• Three complete mystery novels in one collectible set
• Warm, village-setting with accessible, page-turning suspense
• Believable, steadfast heroine and a loyal canine sidekick
• Strong sense of community, friendships, and local secrets
• Great for binge-reading and book club selections
• Perfect gift for fans of cozy mysteries and dog lovers
• Consistent tone and quality across a connected trilogy

About the Author:
Leigh Russell is a British author known for her suspenseful crime fiction and engaging, character-driven storytelling. Writing with clarity and warmth, she crafts ordinary people thrust into extraordinary circumstances, inviting readers to invest in both the investigation and the everyday lives surrounding it. Her voice blends approachable wit with keen observational detail, delivering accessible mysteries that appeal to fans of cozy atmospheres alongside sharper twists. In this collection, Russell channels that signature blend, focusing on Emily’s resilience, the comfort of a close-knit village, and the loyalty of a devoted canine companion to create a memorable reading experience.

Why You’ll Love This Set:
If you crave a satisfying, connected reading journey, this three-book collection delivers. You’ll enjoy welcoming Emily into Ashton Mead, rooting for her as she uncovers truths beneath friendly façades, and cheering alongside Poppy as loyalty and courage guide the way. The format offers a convenient, cohesive reading experience—perfect for gifting, shelf-display, or a dedicated “pull-me-back-in” set for BookTok favourites and mystery-loving friends. The blend of heart, humor, and suspense makes this collection a standout addition to any crime fiction shelf, providing both re-readable charm and fresh twists across the trilogy.

Please Note: The individual books included in this listing will be dispatched as per the original UK ISBN and UK edition cover image shown in the image.