The picturesque village of Didsbrook may look like a postcard-perfect corner of rural England, but in Tessa Barrie’s latest novel, The Secret Lives of the Doyenne of Didsbrook (released 1 July 2025), its charming façade hides a web of secrets, eccentricities, and an unexpected murder. This witty and layered mystery, recipient of the esteemed Literary Titan Book Award, blends cozy crime with bittersweet emotional depth in a way that is fast becoming Barrie’s hallmark.
Nestled in the heart of the West Downs National Park, more accessible by horseback than by road, Didsbrook is home to an eclectic mix of retirees and creatives. It’s a place where the dawn chorus competes with actors’ vocal warm-ups and the click of writers’ keyboards. Life here has drifted peacefully for decades… until the sudden, suspicious death of Jocelyn Robertshaw, the village’s most famous resident: a glamorous former actress turned best-selling novelist.
The tragedy stirs up a storm of gossip, speculation, and long-buried truths. From wide-eyed Lucy to the dry-witted DCI Middleton, the novel follows a cast of richly drawn characters whose intersecting lives reveal as much about human nature as they do about the murder itself.
Literary Titan praises the book as “a charming and clever blend of cozy mystery and emotional introspection”, noting Barrie’s “vivid sense of place and community” and “warm, inviting tone, even when diving into darker themes like grief, betrayal, and mortality.” The review lauds her for delivering a mystery that’s as much about why we hide parts of ourselves as it is about whodunit, and likens her appeal to Richard Osman, Agatha Christie, and Joanna Cannon.
With its theatrical flair, sly nods to classic detective fiction, and sparkling wit, The Secret Lives of the Doyenne of Didsbrook invites readers to lose themselves in a world that feels both whimsically eccentric and emotionally resonant.
Get your copy of The Secret Lives of the Doyenne of Didsbrook today. Available now in Kindle and paperback on Amazon.
Discover more about the book and author Tessa Barrie at tessabarrie.com.
About the Author
Tessa Barrie was born in Harrogate, Yorkshire, and describes her heritage as a diverse European mix, thanks in part to her Greek maternal grandmother. Her debut novel, Just Say It, was released in 2021. The Secret Lives of the Doyenne of Didsbrook, her second novel, builds on her signature style of blending bittersweet humor with compelling, character-driven narratives.
Barrie’s early life, “more Little House on the Prairie than The Waltons,” was marked by drama, yet threaded with moments of humor, a balance that informs her storytelling. She is a self-confessed “pantser” who writes for the sheer joy of it, favoring an organic approach over rigid plotting.
Beginning her novel-writing career later in life has only sharpened her determination. Currently, she is working on her third novel, a psychological drama slated for release in 2026. Regardless of genre, Barrie believes a dash of humor is essential, no matter how dark the story becomes, a philosophy that infuses her work with warmth and relatability.
Media Contact
Company Name: Literary Titan
Contact Person: Tessa Barrie
Email: Send Email
Country: United Kingdom
Website: https://tessabarrie.com/
