⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5 stars
The Killing of a Chestnut Tree by Oliver Kay Langmead is a short, charming little historical mystery with a cozy atmosphere, a touch of the fantastical, and a queer spin on the classic Sherlock-and-Watson detective dynamic.
Detective Harper travels to Farley to investigate the murder of the Duke of Farley, but upon arrival, things are already considerably stranger than expected: instead of a body, there is a chestnut tree that has been chopped down. That magical element gives the mystery a whimsical quality that fits nicely with just how cozy this story is.
The mystery itself is approachable and entertaining, and I really enjoyed the characters, particularly the relationship between our two central men. The LGBTQ+ representation adds something fresh to a very traditional historical-mystery setup. This is definitely more interested in being charming than dark or gruesome.
I listened to the audiobook, which is quite short and makes this an incredibly quick read. I thought the performance was good, with a wonderfully pronounced, Margaret Thatcher-level British accent that only added to the overall atmosphere.
Ultimately, though, I found the story a little shallow. With such a short runtime, there simply wasn’t enough space for the characters, relationships, or mystery to develop as deeply as I would have liked. I enjoyed my time with it, but I wanted just a little more substance.
Still, if you’re looking for the coziest of cozy historical mysteries—especially something short, queer, whimsical, and easy to settle into—The Killing of a Chestnut Tree is a lovely little read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5 stars
The Killing of a Chestnut Tree is expected to be published October 27, 2026.
Leave a Reply