A Poppy Mystery Tale 2 Books Collection Set By Leigh Russell - Fiction - Paperback

Titles in This Set:
Barking Up the Right Tree
Barking Mad

Overview:
A Poppy Mystery Tale Collection brings together two standalone adventures that share a warm heart and a sharpened sense of suspense. Leigh Russell introduces Emily, a woman who loses her job and her partner and, in quick succession, inherits her great aunt’s cottage in the Wiltshire village of Ashton Mead. The outcome is a fresh start, the chance to build a life among new friends, and a mystery under the surface of everyday village life. Barking Up the Right Tree follows Emily as she carves out a new home, makes lively connections with locals like Hannah at the Sunshine Tea Shoppe, and confronts danger when she reopens a neighbour’s disappearance. Barking Mad picks up with Emily settled in her cottage with a puppy named Poppy, where a drowning victim rattles the village’s calm and propels her—and the reader—into a London-linked investigation that tests trust, loyalty, and love. This duo blends cozy village charm with page-turning suspense, delivering two satisfying mysteries in one gift-ready collection.

What Makes This Collection Special:
Two mysteries, one compelling heroine, and a shared sense of place make this collection feel greater than the sum of its parts. Emily’s journey from setback to self-reliance anchors both stories, while Ashton Mead itself—with its winding lanes, hospitable locals, and a café that acts as a gathering point—emerges as a character in its own right. The more intimate first tale sets a warm, witty tone; the second builds momentum with a brisk river-side mystery and a London-backed chase that expands the scope without losing the intimate charm. The inclusion of Emily’s puppy Poppy in Barking Mad adds a touch of heart and everyday practicality that will resonate with readers who love pets in their mysteries. Together, the books offer a binge-friendly reading arc, ideal for fans of British-set crime and cozy mysteries seeking warmth, wit, and a few twists along the way.

Books Included in This Collection:
Barking Up the Right Tree
In Barking Up the Right Tree, Emily’s life fractures after a layoff and a breakup, but an inheritance offers a doorway to a fresh future in Ashton Mead. The cottage becomes a hub for new friendships, and Emily finds herself drawn into a neighbour’s mysterious disappearance. As she navigates small-town politics, whispered rumours, and the risk that comes with digging too deep, readers glimpse Emily’s growing resolve. Leigh Russell crafts a witty, humane detective voice and a village tapestry that feels authentic and inviting, inviting readers to cheer every small victory and tense moment. The story balances warmth with rising stakes, making it a perfect entry into this two-book collection for fans of character-driven mystery.

Barking Mad
Barking Mad continues Emily’s journey as she settles into life with her puppy Poppy. When a woman drowns in the river, the village points fingers at Richard, a newcomer with a complicated past. Emily’s courage is tested as she questions the crowd-mentality of village life and follows hints that lead beyond Ashton Mead. Her investigation widens to London, where she uncovers a web of secrets connected to Richard’s wife’s affair. The pace accelerates as loyalties are questioned, and Emily must balance personal risk with the need to uncover the truth. This second tale maintains the warm, accessible voice of the collection while delivering sharper suspense and a satisfying, city-to-countryside chase.

Who This Set Is Perfect For:
This collection is ideal for adult readers who relish gentle, character-driven mysteries set in quaint British villages. If you enjoy amateur sleuths, cozy crime with a pinch of suspense, and a strong sense of place, you’ll feel right at home in Ashton Mead. It’s a great pick for readers who love pets in fiction, tea-shop atmospheres, and a steady rhythm of clue-solving that never loses heart. Gift buyers will appreciate the complete two-book arc in a single, ready-to-wrap package, while collectors and BookTok enthusiasts will enjoy the continuity of Emily’s voice and the tangible link between the two stories. Perfect for autumnal evenings, weekend reading marathons, or long commutes when you crave a comforting, page-turning mystery.

Key Benefits:

• Two complete, self-contained mysteries in one cohesive collection
• Believable village setting with a warm, supportive community
• Relatable heroine whose fresh start drives the narrative
• Companion-pet element (Poppy) adds charm and heart
• Brisk pacing with suspenseful twists and genuine emotional stakes
• London-bound investigation adds diversity of setting and pace
• Ideal for gifting to mystery lovers and new-readers alike
• Premium, ready-to-read box set perfect for display and gifting

About the Author:
Leigh Russell writes suspenseful mysteries featuring strong, relatable protagonists and evocative settings. In these two titles, Russell threads Emily’s personal journey—losing her old life, rebuilding in a close-knit village, and pursuing truth despite risk—through tight plotting and a warm, accessible voice. Readers will recognise Russell’s knack for balancing domestic detail and escalating tension, creating a reading experience that feels intimate yet relentlessly engaging. Her clear love for character-driven storytelling shines through in the villagers who populate Ashton Mead and in Emily’s determined, practical approach to solving the mysteries around her. This collection showcases her talent for crafting two distinct yet connected stories that reward steady, immersive reading.

Why You’ll Love This Set:
If you want two complete mysteries that feel both comforting and propulsive, this pair delivers. The shared heroine and setting create a satisfying reading journey, while the shifts between village intrigue and a broader London pursuit keep the pace lively. The physical set is a gift-ready package for fans of cozy crime and British secrets, offering excellent value by delivering double the immersion in one purchase. Whether you’re stocking up for yourself or shopping for a mystery-loving friend or book club, this collection provides dependable, enjoyable escapism with relatable characters and a strong sense of place.

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.