My enormous thanks to Rebecca at Hobeck for sending me a copy of The Conservatory by Anthony Aberford in return for an honest review. It’s my pleasure to share my review of The Conservatory today. 

You can find out about Anthony in a post here when we chatted about his other writing persona A J Aberford.

The Conservatory was published by Hobeck on  21st April 2026 and is available for purchase here. 

The Conservatory

Some secrets are best left buried; others are better never planted!

In a restored Victorian conservatory, four grieving women from the local wellness centre discover that their friend’s mysterious death, amongst her toxic plants, was not a mysterious accident.

When eccentric homoeopath Aunt Lily arrives on her tricycle, she seems just the person to help uncover answers. But who is she really, and why is she there?

A 17th-century journal hidden in the conservatory holds dark secrets that could change everything. And an enigmatic stranger will stop at nothing to find it – making false promises and real threats.

Can the friends resist his temptations and unlock the book’s hidden secrets in time? Do they have the strength to make an impossible choice before it is too late?

My Review of The Conservatory

Aunt Lily has arrived on her tricycle!

The Conservatory took me completely by surprise and as a result I really enjoyed it. I had anticipated a rather cosy crime revolving around a slightly eccentric character in Aunt Lily. Indeed, The Conservatory has that element, but there’s an awful lot more to be discovered here too, making for a highly diverting and compelling read. 

The plot is entertaining as one might hope, but it’s also really interesting with the well-researched use of Tarot cards, herbalism and alternative therapies as well as historical detail so that it feels immersive. There’s a real sense of pace and some highly dramatic moments (I’m not telling you what they are – read the book!) that are well balanced by humour and more prosaic aspects, like Lizzie’s exam revision, so that even the most surprising aspects feel believable and convincing. The Conservatory is elegantly written.

Indeed, what I enjoyed most about The Conservatory was its variety. I hadn’t expected its magical realism, or quite so much creepy and menacing atmosphere. There’s murder, the supernatural and mystery to unravel here. As a result The Conservatory has intrigue for all readers. 

Anthony Aberford blends the echoes of the past with modern events highly effectively, not least because some of his themes like coercive marriages reverberate still. I loved the way friendship is explored as well as the danger of power and being careful what you wish for. I also thoroughly appreciated the age ranges of the characters because The Conservatory felt like it had real community.

I thought Bob’s Yorkshire accent was inspired as it provided light relief and added to the humour. But of course, it is Aunt Lily who steals the scenes. Initially expecting a kind of Mary Poppins, I wasn’t always entirely sure how trustworthy Aunt Lily was, especially as she’s not averse to using her powers to punish others, albeit more lightly than George Ermystead might. And George is a brilliant creation, exuding horror vibes and threat but an unnerving attraction too, and not just for other characters, but for this reader too… 

The Conservatory is an entertaining and pacy mystery mixed with fun and menace that has left me looking forward to seeing what Aunt Lily gets up to in future.  In the meantime, I’m getting myself a slice of cake but you need to read The Conservatory to discover why! 

About Anthony Aberford

AJ Aberford lives with his wife Janet, primarily in Malta, but for the last ten years, they’ve kept their old family home in West Yorkshire, fleeing the heat in Malta, for the rain in Bradford and vice versa! Following the death of their elderly parents, and the fact that their two sons are settled, AJ and his wife are now taking stock of the next part of their lives. AJ started writing initially as a hobby, but now it has taken an increasing importance in both their lives.

AJ does the writing, Janet does a lot of the initial reviews, edits and proofing, along with the invaluable work of AJ’s professional editor, Lynn Curtis. The books are ‘best sellers’ in the main book shops in Malta, but in the UK selling books is difficult, even when you have a publisher behind you. Janet’s also the engine room behind AJ Aberford socials and they are currently trying to understand the algorithms behind Facebook and Amazon Ads. There’s work to do there!

AJ is trying to make the transition from writing for his own pleasure – and hoping someone will like it – to understanding what people want and meeting that demand. His next books will be in a different genre and probably under a different name – but don’t worry, he’ll be letting people know about it in due course!

For further information follow Anthony on Twitter/X @AJAberford and find him on Instagram and Facebook.