Walter’s murder is discovered by amateur sleuths Jude (no last name) and Carole Seddon. Jude has been asked to look at a lame horse and see if she can heal it through the manipulation of energy flow. When Jude enters the stable Walter is already dead and the back gate conspicuously slams shut.

Jude and Carole fuss and fuddle their way through their investigation, and solve both Walter’s murder and the horse killings almost by accident. They poke their noses into things that no traditional English lady would, are curious and Jude is daring enough for both of them. While there is not a lot of time spent on characterization the ladies have real human flaws. Jude doesn’t drive and uses Carole to get places that Carole wouldn’t go on her own. Carole is a prissy old lady and uses Jude as an excuse to see and experience things her dignity won’t allow her to seek out.

The Stabbing in the Stables sits firmly in the British cozy genre. I think you would benefit from reading previous selections in this series before picking this one up in order to meet and be familiar with the characters.