Jaffareadstoo....: Cosy Crime

Thursday, 13 June 2024

📖 Book Review ~ Retreat from Nuala by Harriet Steel

Inspector de Silva Mysteries
Book #14

30 March 2024

My thanks to the author for my copy of this book

Shanti and Jane de Silva’s peaceful retreat at a mountain monastery rapidly turns into something far more challenging when they become involved in the search for a stolen ancient manuscript that is reputed to have the power to shake Christianity to its foundations.As they investigate their fellow guests and the monks themselves, the mystery seems as impenetrable as mountain mist – until events take a deadly turn. Will they succeed in bringing the truth to light?The Inspector de Silva Mysteries are vintage-style mysteries set on the exotic island of Ceylon (modern Sri Lanka) in the 1930s and 40s. Perfect for fans of Death in Paradise, Murder in Provence, and Midsomer Murders.

📖 My Review..

This fourteenth book in the long running Inspector de Silva series sees Shanti and his wife Jane heading to coolness of the hills above Nuala to a peaceful retreat in a mountain monastery. The piece and quiet of this Buddhist sanctuary allows Shanti and Jane to spend some quiet time together which is, however, bought to an end with the discovery that an ancient Christian manuscript has gone missing from the monastery’s library. This investigation turns out to be something of a locked room mystery as there have been few visitors to this remote place and with several of the other guests all acting strangely the Inspector is determined to discover more about the manuscript and the reason why it has been stolen.

As always the beauty of Ceylon ( Sri Lanka) is described in such detail that I felt as if I too had travelled into the peace of this beautifully described Buddhist sanctuary and watched, with fascination, as the inspector, ably assisted by Jane, sets about discovering who could have been involved in this particular crime. I love how this series has evolved so calmly, there’s a never a rush to get everything done and dusted and the gentle pace of the narrative really suits these stories to perfection. Shanti and Jane work well together and it’s been a real treat to have Jane feature more strongly in the action, and being away from the bustle of Nuala also gives the author more scope to describe the surrounding countryside.

It’s been a real pleasure to go on Retreat from Nuala in a fascinating story, with clever plot twists, and several red herrings, all of which kept me entertained from first page to last. I look forward to reading more Inspector de Shanti novels in the future.

About the Author

Harriet is married with two daughters and lives in Surrey. When Harriet is not writing, she likes reading, long walks and visiting art galleries and museums.

Twitter @harrietsteel1

https://discoveringdiamonds.blogspot.co.uk/

Monday, 8 January 2024

📖 Book Review ~ The Harbour Lights Mystery by Emylia Hall

Thomas and Mercer
October 2023

My thanks to the author and publisher for my copy of this book

As The Shell House Detectives try to solve a family mystery, their investigation runs dangerously close to a murder case. Are the two linked?

It’s December in Cornwall, and Mousehole harbour is illuminated with its famous Christmas lights. Ally Bright is among the crowd listening to the carol singers—and then to the piercing screams that rip through the darkness. A body has been found, brutally murdered and dumped in a fisherman’s boat.

The victim is chef JP Sharpe and there is no shortage of people who might have wanted him dead. Eager for a new case for The Shell House Detectives, Ally calls ex-cop Jayden, but he’s keen to leave it to the police—until a letter in Sharpe’s pocket draws them into a seemingly unconnected family mystery. As they take on this highly charged mission, the duo can’t help scrutinising the murder suspects. Who among the close-knit community has reason to kill, and how far will they go to protect themselves?

As fear spreads, Ally and Jayden need answers—fast. Could the letter offer a clue to the murder case or will it reveal a terrible truth? And when a new witness comes to light, Jayden closes in on a desperate killer…but can he warn Ally in time?

📖 My Review..

I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this cosy crimes series so it has been a real pleasure to return to Cornwall to see what The Shell House Detectives get up to in this latest offering from this talented writer.

The discovery of a murder victim in the festively decorated Mousehole harbour upsets the local community during their annual carol singing in December and when the identity of the victim is known there are people in the community who have no reason to mourn JP Sharpe's tragic demise. With the local police doing what they can to find the murderer, private detectives, Ally Bright and her Shell House detective partner, Jayden Weston are tasked with finding the identity of someone who hasn't wanted to be found for over thirty years and in doing so they become inextricably linked to the murder case. With more questions than answers this complicated plot veers off in several different directions and I had enjoyed trying to put together all the jigsaw puzzle pieces in this complex murder mystery. The Harbour Lights Mystery flows well, the many twists and turns of the plot certainly keep up the momentum and the characters who flit into and out of the story bring their own special brand of Cornish warmth, wit and charm.

As always, Cornwall forms an integral part of the story, we learn of the challenges facing local fishermen, the anguish of not having enough money and the constant worry of businesses who need to thrive during the tourist season so that they may survive the leaner months of winter. I've thoroughly enjoyed my visit back to Cornwall and love spending time with The Shell House Detectives and look forward to the next book in the series, which I hope is coming soon.

About the Author

Twitter @emyliahall #TheHarbourLightsMystery

@AmazonPub

Wednesday, 27 September 2023

📖 Book Review ~ A Meadow Murder by Helen Hollick

Taw River Press
26 July 2023

A Jan Christopher Mystery #4

My thanks to the author for my copy of the book

Make hay while the sun shines? But what happens when a murder is discovered, and country life is disrupted?

Summer 1972. Young library assistant Jan Christopher and her fiancé, DS Lawrence Walker, are on holiday in North Devon. There are country walks and a day at the races to enjoy, along with Sunday lunch at the village pub, and the hay to help bring in for the neighbouring farmer.

But when a body is found the holiday plans are to change into an investigation of murder, hampered by a resting actor, a woman convinced she’s met a leprechaun and a scarecrow on walkabout...

📖 My review..

The summer of 1972 is recreated in this cosy crime novel which, once again, sees Jan Christopher and her fiancé, DS Lawrence Walker plunged right into the centre of a mystery. Jan and Laurie were hoping for a peaceful summer holiday visiting Laurie's parents at Valley View Farm when they suddenly become involved in a murder mystery which places the fictional Devon village of Chappletawton right in the centre of a police investigation.

The story moves along at its own pace, there's no rush needed, we'll get there and in the meantime we can enjoy reading of life in this gentle Devon village whilst at the same time enjoy Jan and Laurie's uncanny ability to step right into a complex murder/mystery. I especially enjoy reading the story from both Jan and Laurie's perspective as this gives a different view of what's going on in the plot. There's no doubt at all when you are reading a Jan Christopher Mystery that you are very firmly placed in a bygone era as the author does a brilliant job of recreating time and place, and not just because the police investigation takes place without the use of the modern forensics we now associate with a crime investigation but also because there clever references to a slower pace of life in the seventies, be it music, fashion or the TV programmes of the time. I am left with a feeling of nostalgia and almost wish for a return to those innocent days when a five pound note in your purse seemed like untold wealth.

Whilst this is the fourth book in this cosy crime series it is perfectly possible to read A Meadow Mystery as a standalone cosy crime story although as with any series it is best to start at the beginning and get to know Jan and Laurie for yourself.

About the Author

Helen and her family moved from north-east London in January 2013 after finding an eighteenth-century North Devon farmhouse through BBC TV’s popular Escape To The Country show.

First accepted for publication by William Heinemann in 1993 – a week after her fortieth birthday – Helen then became a USA Today Bestseller with her historical novel, The Forever Queen (titled A Hollow Crown in the UK) with the sequel, Harold the King (US: I Am The Chosen King) being novels that explore the events that led to the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Her Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy is a fifth-century version of the Arthurian legend, and she also writes a pirate-based nautical adventure/fantasy series, The Sea Witch Voyages.

Her non-fiction books are Pirates: Truth and Tales and Life of A Smuggler. She also runs Discovering Diamonds, a review blog for historical fiction.

Website: www.helenhollick.net

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HelenHollickAuthor

Twitter: @HelenHollick

Discovering Diamonds Historical Fiction Review Blog :

Monday, 11 September 2023

📖 Book Review ~ Long Odds in Nuala by Harriet Steel

30 June 2023

Inspector de Silva Mysteries #13

My thanks to the author for my copy of this book

When Nuala’s premier race meeting ends in controversy and a tragic death, Inspector Shanti de Silva and his wife Jane must turn their minds to unravelling a new mystery. With evidence elusive and a hostile British establishment to deal with, it looks like it won’t be easy to uncover the truth, but when did long odds ever deter Shanti and Jane?

Set in the 1930s and 40s on the exotic island of Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, in the twilight years of the British Empire, the Inspector de Silva mysteries offer an entertaining and intriguing read spiced with humour and a colourful cast of characters.

📖 My Review..

A controversial race meeting which takes place in Nuala is the focus of this thirteenth cosy crime novel in which Inspector Shanti de Silva is once again embroiled in a complicated mystery which focuses on those in the racing fraternity. When an unexpected death occurs no-one is beyond suspicion and de Silva is determined to find the perpetrator before more tragedy occurs.

Long Odds in Nuala feels just as fresh, and expertly written, as the ones which have gone before and Inspector Shanti de Silva and his wife, Jane, are now as comfortable as old friends so it has been especially delightful to have both of them feature so prominently in this story. All the old favourites make an appearance along with a couple of other dastardly characters who I was particularly glad to see get their comeuppance. The mystery at the heart of the story is well written and I enjoyed the references to the horse world, and racing in particular, which added a different feel to the story. As always, 1940s Ceylon comes alive with all the sights and sounds of Nuala coming into sharp focus and to watch the intrepid inspector with his meticulous gift for crime investigation is always a real pleasure.

This thirteenth novel as been every bit as fascinating as the ones which have gone before and, as this book finishes, I am already looking forward to more adventures in Nuala with Inspector de Silva and his lovely wife, Jane.

About the Author

Harriet is married with two daughters and lives in Surrey. When Harriet is not writing, she likes reading, long walks and visiting art galleries and museums.

Twitter @harrietsteel1

Monday, 24 July 2023

📖 Book Review ~Unnatural Ends by Christopher Huang

Inkshares
June 2023

My thanks to the publishers and Claire Maxwell for my copy of this book

Sir Lawrence Linwood is dead. More accurately, he was murdered—savagely beaten to death in his own study with a mediaeval mace. The murder calls home his three adopted children: Alan, an archeologist; Roger, an engineer; and Caroline, a journalist. But his heirs soon find that his last testament contains a strange proviso—that his estate shall go to the heir who solves his murder.

To secure their future, each Linwood heir must now dig into the past. As their suspicion mounts—of each other and of peculiar strangers in the churchless town of Linwood Hollow—they come to suspect that the perpetrator lurks in the mysterious origins of their own birth.

📖 My Review..

The book cover certainly captures the jigsaw nature of the murder mystery which is contained within its pages as this slow burning drama is characterised by several twists, turns and red herrings, all worthy of an interesting locked room mystery.

Returning to Linwood Hall, the adult children of Sir Lawrence Linwood, are faced with an impossible dilemma, as not only must they cope with the aftermath of their father's seemingly violent death but also as stipulated in his last will and testament the estate around Linwood Hall will be bequeathed to the child who solves his murder. As the story gets underway, we learn more about Alan, Roger and Caroline Linwood and of their unconventional upbringing by their tyrant of a father and the way in which their shared past influences their future going forward.

Unnatural Ends is a story of many parts, some of which are disturbing but the author's ability to recreate time and place is done well and the unnatural ends of the tale are accomplished with clear attention to detail and an ability to draw the reader into a story which is reminiscent of an Agatha Christie whodunit.

About the Author

Christopher Huang was born in Singapore. He migrated to Canada at the age of seventeen, but returned the following year to complete his two years of military service in the Singapore Army. He studied Architecture at McGill University, and lived for many years in Montreal, Quebec, before moving to Calgary, Alberta.

Twitter @misericordius #UnnaturalEnds

@inkshares

@crudites_

Thursday, 29 June 2023

📖 Blog Tour ~ The Shell House Detectives by Emylia Hall

Delighted to open the blog tour today

Thomas and Mercer
1 July 2023

Shell House Detectives #1

My thanks to the publishers, author and FMcM Associates for my copy of the book
and the invitation to take part in the blog tour

Welcome to the coastal paradise of Porthpella, where murder lurks among the dunes…

Late one night, a distraught young man knocks on the door of Ally Bright’s remote home on the Cornish coast. But before she can make sense of his confused words, he’s gone—not to be seen again until he’s found the next morning at the foot of the nearby cliffs.

In an instant, the peace of Ally’s beachcombing life is shattered. Feeling responsible for the young man’s fate, she wants to help find answers¬—as does ex-cop Jayden Weston, whom Ally meets at the scene. He shares her certainty that there’s more to the story than attempted suicide. When it emerges that the man is newly released ex-convict Lewis Pascoe, and that Helena, the wealthy new owner of his grandmother’s home, has subsequently disappeared, the tight-knit community of Porthpella is thrown into turmoil.

Driven by their need to know more, the duo decide to investigate the mystery together. Is there a connection between the Pascoe family’s tragic history and Helena’s disappearance? And if there is a killer stalking Porthpella, do Ally and Jayden have what it takes to catch them?

📖 My Review..

The Shell House Detectives is this author's first foray into the world of cosy crime and I have rather enjoyed getting to know the quirky characters who call this imaginary corner of Cornwall home.

Ally Bright lives a solitary life in her coastal cottage, aptly named The Shell House. She enjoys her time beach-combing and creating pieces of artwork but since her husband's untimely death Ally's life has lacked purpose. Late one night her peace is shattered by the arrival of an agitated young man asking to see her husband however, wary of strangers, Ally sends him on his way only to discover that, the following morning, the young man has been found at the foot of the nearby cliffs. Drawn into the mystery surrounding this young man, Ally and ex-police officer Jayden Weston start to try to put together several layers of an intricate puzzle which opens up the pretty Cornish town of Porthpella to intense scrutiny.

As with any new series there is a certain amount of scene setting and certainly Porthpella and its inhabitants come to life quite beautifully, so that it quickly becomes a real pleasure to get to know just what makes them call this picturesque place home. The mystery at the heart of the story is cleverly controlled and there were lots of red herrings, and interesting twists and turns, which kept me guessing. The series has the potential to run and run as the partnership between Ally Bright and Jayden Weston has only just begun but I can already imagine them becoming embroiled in further cosy mysteries as the series progresses.

Not only is The Shell House Detectives a cleverly controlled mystery drama, it is also a really lovely depiction of Cornwall and everything that makes this stunning area such a magnet for tourists, artists, and writers. The slightly slow pace of Cornish life is beautifully detailed and both Ally and Jayden fit so seamlessly into the story it feels as though I had been reading of their investigations forever. I look forward to reading more from this talented author as The Shell House Detectives series continues.

About the Author

Twitter @emyliahall #TheShellHouseDetectives

@AmazonPub

@FMcMAssociates

Thursday, 20 April 2023

📖 Book Review ~ The One Who Fell by Kerry Wilkinson

Bookouture
17 April 2023

Whitecliff Bay Mystery #1

Mt thanks to the publisher for my copy of this book

In the seaside town of Whitecliff, everyone looks out for each other. Everyone knows your name. And everyone knows your secrets…

Moonlight falls on the figure of the girl standing on the red-tiled roof. Her white dress and blonde hair flutter in the freezing night wind. And suddenly – she is gone.

Volunteering at the local nursing home is Millie Westlake’s one escape from the rumours that swirl around Whitecliff about her past. But speaking with elderly resident, Ingrid, as they play board games, Millie gets chills at her strange story about a young girl being pushed from a roof, somewhere across the valley…

Everybody thinks Ingrid is confused: but Millie knows how it feels to not be believed. Her parents died a year ago, and the residents of Whitecliff – such a quiet place, other than crashing waves and cawing seagulls – are convinced Millie killed them.

Desperately searching for evidence to find the girl Ingrid saw, a broken roof tile could prove Ingrid was telling the truth. But when strange footprints appear in Millie’s garden, she’s certain someone out there is watching.

Have Ingrid and Millie stumbled across something terribly dangerous? And with the town against her, will Millie have to face up to her own secrets to solve the mystery before it becomes deadly?

📖 My Review..

The dark shadow of Millie Westlake's past follows her wherever she goes but she finds comfort in volunteering at the local nursing home where she has a close bond with some of the residents who live there. When one of the elderly residents tells Millie of a strange occurrence she witnessed happening Millie can't help but be drawn into discovering more about this mystery and is determined to follow the clues which seem to suggest that something sinister is going on in the small seaside town of Whitecliff.

This cosy crime mystery is something of a departure for this author who I normally associate with quite gritty crime thrillers so it was with some trepidation that I began the first in this new series of cosy mysteries. I think this venture works reasonably well with this first book setting the scene quite nicely with an array of quirky characters. Millie is an interesting creation who I'm sure we will get to know more as the series develops. Overall, this is a nice easy read and a good start, with the added bonus that books 1-3 are now available.

About the Author

Kerry Wilkinson has had No.1 crime bestsellers in the UK, Australia, Canada, South Africa and Singapore. He has also written two top-20 thrillers in the United States. His book, Ten Birthdays, won the RNA award for Young Adult Novel of the Year in 2018 and Close To You won the International Thriller Award for best ebook in 2020.

As well as his million-selling Jessica Daniel series, Kerry has written the Silver Blackthorn trilogy - a fantasy-adventure serial for young adults - a second crime series featuring private investigator Andrew Hunter, plus numerous standalone novels. He has been published around the world in more than a dozen languages.

Twitter @kerrywk

@bookouture

Wednesday, 11 May 2022

📖 Book Review ~ Break from Nuala by Harriet Steel

10 March 2022

My thanks to the author for my copy of this book

It is autumn 1940, and Inspector de Silva and his wife Jane are looking forward to a well-earned holiday. But their hopes of a relaxing break in the picturesque city of Galle beside the Indian Ocean are dashed when death, mysterious illnesses, and a missing guest cast a gloomy shadow.

As they’re drawn into the investigation, the mystery deepens. Is there a villain amongst their fellow guests or further afield? The search for answers will lead them into great danger that has repercussions far beyond the island of Ceylon.

The paperback edition of Break from Nuala contains a copy of Christmas in Nuala, previously only published as a Kindle Short Read.

📖 My Review...

Inspector Shanti de Silva, and his lovely wife Jane, are enjoying a short holiday away from Nuala when they are inadvertently drawn into the mysterious disappearance of a guest from the hotel in which they are staying. With the inspector's fine eye for getting into the very heart of a mystery it's not long before he is piecing together the minuscule clues which the local police inspector seems determined to ignore.

As most of the previous books in the series have taken place in Nuala, the hill town which the inspector and his wife call home, it was good to explore another place in 1940s Ceylon, this time we discover something of Galle, a pretty coastal town, with an interesting history. With the intrepid inspector determined to enjoy his holiday at the beautifully named Cinnamon Lodge there is a more relaxed feel to the story however, as the mystery starts to deepen we are treated once again to all the elements we have come to enjoy from this well established series. There is the usual well developed sense of intrigue, more than a hint of danger and a cast of quirky characters who, it would seem, all have something to hide. Spending time in the company of the intrepid Inspector de Silva is always such a joy as this wonderful cosy crime series just goes from strength to strength.

Break from Nuala is the eleventh book in the series and whilst it is perfectly possible to read it as a standalone story, it does make sense to start at the beginning of the series in order to enjoy getting to know more about the time, place and people which this talented author brings so creatively to life.

🍜Best read with... a restorative bowl of mulligatawny soup

About the Author

She’s married with two daughters and lives in Surrey. When she’s not writing, she likes reading, long walks and visiting art galleries and museums.

Twitter @harrietsteel1

Friday, 26 November 2021

📖 Poppy Denby's Literary Footsteps Blog Tour ~ The Crystal Crypt by Fiona Veitch Smith

Jaffareadstoo is delighted to take part in this literary footsteps blog tour of Oxford.

We can be found at the Cherwell Hotel.

Lion Hudson
19 November 2021

PoppyDenby #6

My thanks to the publishers and Fern Lindsey-Tolley for my copy of the book
and the invitation to the blog tour

The 1920s most stylish sleuth returns this autumn in THE CRYSTAL CRYPT for another thrilling murder mystery!

In the city of dreaming spires, Poppy Denby is asked to investigate the mysterious death of an up-and-coming female scientist. But was it an accident or is something more sinister lurking in the shadows? And is Poppy the next target?

📖 My Thoughts..

London journalist, and amateur sleuth, Poppy Denby is intrigued when she hears of the demise of an exceptionally talented female scientist. That the death occurred in Oxford and not in London presents something of a problem for Poppy but when her editor, Rollo Rolandson, agrees to fund an overnight stay at the Cherwell Hotel in Oxford, Poppy is determined to discover the secrets which surround Dr June Leighton's mysterious death.

Poppy's investigation leads her into the chauvinistic world of male scientists who seem to tolerate women on a superficial level but who really consider their female colleagues less than equal to the task of scientific advancement. I thought this part of the novel was exceptionally well done, the burgeoning world of crystallography and the tentative steps which were being made in scientific discovery is explained in an easy to understand way and doesn't detract from Poppy's convoluted investigation into Dr Leighton's death.

I've become rather fond of Poppy Denby and with each successive novel this cosy crime series just seems to get better and better. Poppy is, as ever, caught up right in the centre of the excitement, and as she goes about her investigation, she discovers something rather unsavoury about the work of the scientists who work in the Crystal Crypt. There were the usual fascinating tumble of twists and turns with Poppy forever having to keep one step ahead of the action, which is rather daring for this amateur sleuth who has the knack of getting right to the heart of the problem, but not without ruffling several inflated male egos along the way.

This talented writer brings the world of the 1920's to life in a very believable way and whilst there is a distinct feeling that things are beginning to change for women, alas it's not quickly enough, for although women are able to get their degrees, they are still very much under the supervision of men and not considered equal either by gender or ability.

Beautifully written, with both a sense of fun, and pathos, the glorious city of Oxford comes to life and thanks to the cleverly designed map, I was able to, quite literally, follow in Poppy's footsteps as she moves through the city on her hired bicycle. I enjoyed spending time with her at the Cherwell Hotel along with all the other destinations which help bring the city into clear focus.

The Crystal Crypt is a fast moving cosy crime mystery which has all the trademarks we have come to expect from this wonderful series. Poppy Denby is, by far, my favourite amateur sleuth, and I look forward to meeting her again soon.

About the Author

Fiona Veitch Smith is the author of the Poppy Denby Investigates novels, Golden Age-style murder mysteries set in the 1920s, about a reporter sleuth who works for a London tabloid. The first book in the series, The Jazz Files, was shortlisted for the CWA Historical Dagger, while subsequent books have been shortlisted for the Foreword Review Mystery Novel of the Year and the People’s Book Prize. She is formerly a journalist, having worked on the arts and crime beats of a Cape Town newspaper, and lectured in journalism in the UK for ten years. She lives with her husband, daughter and dog in Newcastle upon Tyne. On her non-writing days, she works part-time as a freelance editor and writing tutor, as well as being the Assistant Secretary of the Crime Writers’ Association.

Poppy Denby

Twitter @FionaVeitchSmit #TheCrystalCrypt #PoppyDenby #Oxford

Instagram @FionaveitchSmit

@LionHudson

Tuesday, 7 September 2021

📖 Publication Day Book Review ~ Swindled by S E Shepherd

Hobeck Books
7 September 2021

Sandlin PI series #1

My thanks to Rebecca at Hobeck Books for my copy of this book

Lottie

Beautiful, but a little spoilt, Lottie Thorogood leads a charmed life. Returning home from horse riding one day, she finds a stranger, drinking tea in the family drawing room – a stranger who will change her life, forever.

Hannah

After a bad decision cut short her police career, Hannah Sandlin is desperate to make her mark as a private investigator. She knows she has the skills, but why won’t anyone take her seriously? She’s about to become embroiled in a mystery that will finally put those skills to the test and prove her doubters wrong. It will also bring her a friend for life.

Vincent

Vincent Rocchino has spent his life charming the ladies, fleecing them and fleeing when things turn sour. How long can he keep running before his past catches up with him?

📖 My Thoughts..

Swindled is the first in a new series of crime fiction which features Hannah Sandlin, an ex-rookie police officer, now turned private investigator. In Hannah's first big case she meets with Lottie Thorogood who, after a privileged and wealthy upbringing, is now pretty much at rock bottom and is determined to find the man who brought her family down. Sandwiched between the story of what brings these two women together is the story of Vincent Rocchino, a complicated man who, it must be said, is an out and out bad 'un, and whose who escapades and antics make for enjoyable reading.

The story moves around in time, gradually revealing different perspectives and shows why these three very different people are bound together, and it does so with lively dialogue and a good sense of mystery. Everything worked well, the characterisation is great, the plot is well thought out and maintains its credibility from the start, and there are nice touches of humour amongst the twists and turns. I especially liked the unfurling of the relationship between Hannah and Lottie, each have had their share of difficulties but it was good to see them support each other through some difficult experiences. Vincent should have been unlikable, but for all his faults, he has a certain Italian charm which made me smile whenever he appeared on the page.

The author writes this cosy crime genre well, and I sense that the crime series is going to go from strength to strength in future adventures for Sandlin PI.

About the Author

Twitter @thatsueshepherd #Swindled

@HobeckBooks

Wednesday, 14 July 2021

📖 Book Review ~ Cold Case in Nuala by Harriet Steel

Independently Published
May 2021
Inspector de Silva #10

My thanks to the author for my copy of this book

It’s January 1940 and the day of Nuala’s famous motor rally. Excitement is at full throttle, but matters take a dark turn when that same evening, human remains are found buried in a lonely corner of a local tea plantation.

Inspector de Silva has a cold case to solve. Add a playboy racing driver, a missing Bugatti and a family scandal hushed up years ago into the mix and he has plenty to think about. You can be sure that whatever happened in the past, now de Silva’s in the driving seat, you’re in for a gripping ride.

📖 My Thoughts..

It's always such a treat to curl up in my favourite chair and escape to the languid days of 1940s Ceylon in company with Inspector de Silva as he goes about cracking another complex crime case in the beautiful hill town of Nuala. When a set of human bones are found well hidden on a remote tea plantation the intrepid Inspector has a difficult job in trying to discover just who was buried in this remote spot. The Inspector is determined to leave no clue unanswered but in this perplexing cold case mystery he finds that there are an abundance of twists and turns, and quite possibly, more questions than there are answers.

In Cold Case in Nuala there are some interesting, and rather complex characters, who the Inspector investigates with his own brand of steely determination and even though the Inspector always seems to find his culprit, the investigation which takes de Silva to the conclusion of the case is always filled with a strong sense of righteous satisfaction of a case well solved. In setting the books during the last, heady years of colonialism there is so much to enjoy in this series of cosy crime mysteries and each one brings something different to the table whilst keeping the continuity and vibrancy of what has gone before in past stories. I thoroughly enjoy being whisked away to Nuala as not only is there a fascinating sense of stepping back in time but the author does a great job of bringing to life both the unique character of the area, along with the idiosyncrasies of its inhabitants.

Cold Case in Nuala is now the tenth book in the series and whilst it is perfectly possible to read as a standalone mystery, for the sheer pleasure of getting to know Inspector de Silva, his lovely wife, Jane, and all the other long standing characters, I suggest that you start at the very beginning and escape to the colourful world of Nuala which is so vividly recreated in these lovely stories.

About the Author

She’s married with two daughters and lives in Surrey. When she’s not writing, she likes reading, long walks and visiting art galleries and museums.

Twitter @harrietsteel1