Asesinato en Myrtle Bay

by Isobel Blackthorn, Tomas Ibarra (Translator)

Cuando la escritora, Ruth Finlay y su vecina Doris Cleaver visitan un mercado de antigüedades y objetos de colección en la pequeña ciudad de Myrtle Bay, encuentran mucho más de lo que esperaban. Después de encontrar a su antiguo entrenador de tenis muerto, descubren que no faltan personas que guardan rencor a la víctima y una maraña de mentiras y lazos familiares comienza a desmoronarse. ¿Podrán Ruth y Doris encontrar al asesino a tiempo para evitar un segundo asesinato? Esta es la edición en letra grande de Asesinato en Myrtle Bay , con un tamaño de fuente / tipo de fuente más grande para facilitar la lectura.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

418 pages, Hardcover

Published February 27, 2023

About the author

Isobel Blackthorn is an award-winning author of unique and engaging fiction. She writes across a range of genres, including dark psychological thrillers, gripping mystery novels, captivating travel fiction and hilarious dark satire. Isobel holds a PhD in Western Esotericism for her groundbreaking study of the texts of Theosophist Alice A. Bailey. Isobel carries a lifelong passion for the Canary Islands, Spain, her former home. A Londoner originally, Isobel currently lives in Spain.

www.isobelblackthorn.com
https://www.creativia.org/isobel-blac...
https://twitter.com/IBlackthorn
https://www.facebook.com/Lovesick.Iso...

Reviews

["Avonna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com

MURDER IN MYRTLE BAY (Ruth Finley Mysteries Book #1) by Isobel Blackthorn is an entertaining cozy mystery debut featuring Ruth Finley, a magazine feature writer and Doris Cleaver, her next-door elderly neighbor. The story is set in small-town Australia.

Ruth is asked to do a feature article on the local antique and collectibles market which used to be a clothing factory decades ago. Ruth takes Doris and as they are shopping, they discover the body of Ruth’s old tennis coach. Before he dies, he tells Ruth that he did not do it.

Even though the local police are on the case, Ruth and Doris feel they need to help the investigation because Doris has no faith in the detective’s intelligence. As they work through all the suspects, they discover a tangled web of family ties, affairs and lies. As they get closer to the truth, they find they must stop the killer before a second murder occurs.

I really enjoyed these two protagonists, and this story gives an excellent glimpse of their lives, quirks and all, without interfering with the pace of the murder plot. Ruth’s talent in the kitchen cooking for her father in the retirement center and Doris left my mouth watering. Doris is a character I would love to meet with her outlandish fashion sense, strong will to have things her own way and obsession with one suspect. The murder plot was well paced and there are plenty of red herrings and twists, so I was guessing to the end. My only difficulty was that there are a lot of family names and connections to keep track of through the story which I ended up writing down myself to keep them straight. This cozy has an amusing cast of secondary characters that lead to some humorous moments and lighten the mood. I will be anxious to see in future books if Ciaran becomes more than a handyman and what impact the return of Doris’s daughter has on her and Ruth’s relationship.

I recommend this delightful start to this new cozy mystery series.

[E. Billups · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this masterfully crafted whodunit, Isobel Blackthorn serves up all the essential ingredients of a classic cozy mystery. When amateur sleuth Ruth and her quick-witted neighbor Doris discover the body of Ruth's tennis coach in an antique shop, they find themselves immersed in the secretive underbelly of their seemingly peaceful small town.

The story excels in its attention to detail, from the methodical elimination of suspects to the carefully placed clues—including a mysterious key, a meat tenderizer, and an enigmatic necklace. Ruth and Doris’s amateur investigation leads them on increasingly dangerous adventures as they channel their inner Agatha Christie, questioning suspects and piecing together decades-old secrets that might hold the key to the murder.

What sets this mystery apart is its rich culinary element. Ruth's cooking weaves through the narrative like a fragrant thread, with descriptions so vivid they’ll have your mouth watering. Food becomes more than mere sustenance—a central element that even plays a role in the final confession.

Blackthorn expertly layers the tension as the list of suspects grows, each local harboring their own potential motives. A particularly compelling thread involves an uncovered affair from decades past, adding historical depth to the contemporary crime. The author keeps readers guessing until the final reveal, as Ruth and Doris persistently pursue every lead, regardless of where—or to whom—it points.

"Murder in Myrtle Bay" triumphs in the cozy mystery genre, offering the perfect blend of small-town intrigue, endearing characters, and page-turning suspense. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys their murders served with a side of charm and a generous helping of culinary delights.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this for free, to review as part of a book tour for Coffee And Thorn.

This was a lovely read. I warmed to Ruth as a protagonist, and liked the way she narrated. I also warmed to the other characters, particularly Doris, as she made me chuckle. The story was entertaining and amusing, and I felt as though it came to life in my mind while I was reading.

Thank you to Coffee And Thorn, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

[Grace J Reviewerlady · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do enjoy a cosy mystery and, having read Isobel Blackthorn's previous works, choosing to read this was a no-brainer!

Ruth Finlay, along with her friend and neighbour Doris Cleaver, visits an antique and collectibles market where they get much more than they bargained when they find a man in his last moments of life. Ruth determines to find out 'whodunnit' but as they look into things they find there is no shortage of people who didn't get on with the deceased. Can they sort it all out before another murder occurs?

This is a terrific start to a new mystery series; Ruth and Doris are both delicious characters and the addition of handyman Ciaran to assist them means there is something for everyone. This is a clever mystery and one which kept my attention right to the very last. This promises to be a sparkling series and one I shall be watching out for. I can find no reason not to give it a full house of stars and my recommendation to all lovers of a rather intriguing mystery series!

[Steph Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of this book with thanks to the author and Rachel Gilbey at Rachel’s Random Resources blog tours. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*

This is a fascinating odd-couple cosy mystery set in small-town Australia. The investigating duo – Ruth and Doris – make for very contrasting styles, as Ruth attempts to stick to her orderly routine of running, writing and rustling up multiple course meals for her dad and her elderly neighbour, while Doris provides a wonderfully chaotic whirlwind of unexpected drop-ins, bright colours and breezy attitude, and the odd petty crime thrown in to liven things up!

The murder suspects are limited from the beginning to just seven or eight people, but with a multitude of motives, oodles of opportunities, and a whole slew of suddenly suspicious behaviours, Ruth has her work cut out for her trying to untangle what really happened to her favourite tennis instructor. Especially as Doris seems to blow hot and cold as to whether she actually wants to solve the murder, or just wants to pin it on her arch-nemesis, Bob, and have done with it.

I felt increasingly anxious as the plot unfolded, less about the murderer, and more about the pressure on Ruth as she attempts to juggle everything going on in her life, with what seems to be very little support. I felt so sorry for her at times! And yet, she keeps all of those plates spinning and fills them with some truly delicious meals too… I was drooling as I read, with all of the yummy food mentioned throughout.

This is definitely a series to look out for, for cosy mystery fans and foodie readers alike. I do hope Ruth gets a friend who will look after HER in the next book!

Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...

[Sara Hailstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder in Myrtle Bay by Isobel Blackthorn
Reviewed By: Sara Hailstone

Isobel Blackthorn sweeps us into a plotline of mystery, female friendship and murder in the first book of a series featuring main character, writer Ruth Finlay, in “Murder in Myrtle Bay.” Set in the small town of Myrtle Bay in Australia, protagonist Ruth Finlay and her neighbour friend, Doris Cleaver, find themselves in the middle of a murder scene when visiting an antique and collectibles market. With Ruth’s old tennis coach murdered, Ruth and Doris navigate a growing list of suspects slowly revealing complicated social ties and scandal. Readers will jump into Blackthorn’s new mystery series of characters with strong personalities. Ruth Finley is memorable.

Isobel Blackthorn has garnered a fanbase with her award-winning writing and cross-genre appeal. She has written psychological thrillers, mystery, travel fiction and dark satire. With a PhD in Western Esotericism, Blackthorn studied the texts of Theosophist Alice A. Bailey making a name for herself. She is pulled to the topic of the Canary Islands in Spain. Born in London, Blackthorn resides in Spain.

She can be found on her personal links:

www.isobelblackthorn.com
https://twitter.com/IBlackthorn

I fell into Blackthorn’s prose easily as the narrative point-of-view from Ruth’s perspective was fluid. Sometimes it felt like I wasn’t reading but observing scenes. Blackthorn’s food descriptions inspired me to want to try out the recipes and the development of her setting was believable. The dialogue was realistic and built up the depth of a female friendship in often humorous and human ways. It is the natural free-flowing bond between the two women thrown into the centre of a murder that keeps the plot moving along and carrying the reader through.

Thank you to Isobel Blackthorn, Next Chapter Publishing and Coffee and Thorn for the complimentary copy in request for an honest review!

[Fiona Forsyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruth Finlay is tied to Myrtle Bay, a small town on the southern coast of Victoria, Australia, and I can’t see her getting out any time soon. She’s far too busy, and even solving a murder has to be fitted in to all her other commitments!
Ruth’s actual job is as a writer but fortunately as she herself says, “I’d learnt early in my career that writing took the amount of time you gave to it, expanding or contracting to fit your circumstances.” I was a little envious at how quickly Ruth can pen polished prose, but she is an experienced journalist and she does have a lot on. As well as running every morning, her dad won’t eat the perfectly reasonable food at his care home so Ruth has to whip up a host of gourmet meals every other day. Meanwhile her next-door neighbour, the redoubtable Doris has to be driven to the local antique centre in search of Tupperware, played cards with and served coffee and newly-baked cake at frequent intervals.
Ruth is also kept busy investigating the strange murder of her old tennis coach, David Fisk. David was killed at the antiques centre, and you know what those places are for having corners to hide around - how on earth can Ruth pin down exactly who was where and when? Fortunately, at her side is Doris, whose knowledge of the people of Myrtle Bay takes the two sleuths on many a wild goose chase. It is quite extraordinary how many people hated the murdered man and Ruth’s somewhat rosy memories of him are shredded within a few chapters. Thank heavens for the charming handyman Ciaran!
As you can see, there is a lot of humour in this book, and some of it is quite dark: Ruth’s beloved father lives at a care home named “Peaceful Rest” which would put me off even if I didn’t know about the staff, and there is a splendid scene when one of our suspects builds an erotic rockery in Doris’ back garden!
The action bowls along for the most part, though long descriptions of meals, and some dead ends in the investigation do slow down the middle. Characters are well drawn, and I guarantee that the one you’ll remember is Ruth’s next door neighbour Doris who is a one-of-a-kind: my favourite description of her was “She belonged on an album cover by Jimi Hendrix.”

[Michele Northwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder at Myrtle Bay by Isobel Blackthorn
When a murder takes place at an antique and collectables market, Ruth Finlay, a writer, together with her neighbour and sidekick Doris, are determined to solve the case before the police of the small town of Myrtle Bay have even left the station!
Like two blundering Miss Marples, they have meetings to discuss the case, writing all their suspects and suspicions on a whiteboard in Ruth’s living room.
Doris is like a dog with a bone. She’s convinced it’s one particular person and refuses to let go, despite them having several suspects.
However, the more they investigate, they soon discover there are many people holding long-standing grudges, and the reader is unsure who the culprit can be. The author throws more and more twists, turns and tangles into the lies and old grudges that have haunted the inhabitants of the town for many years.
Throw into the mix that Ruth has deadlines to reach for her writing, look after her aged dad; plus cook and prepare dishes for a photo shoot, she is a woman without a minute to herself. But quirky Doris forges forward. She gets Ruth into some scrapes and near misses, which are quite comical, yet nail-bitingly tense at the same time. Can they solve the puzzle before a second murder happens?
A fun read, that makes for a fast-paced cosy mystery that I’m sure you’ll enjoy.

[Brian Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start to a new series

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this first book in Isobel Blackthorn's new series, featuring her new amateur sleuth, Ruth Finlay and her elderly neighbour and unlikely sidekick, Doris. Ruth is a journalist of sorts, writing mainly articles for magazines. When a local man in her small town of Myrtle Bay, victim'sft 5 found dying, Ruth happens to be close to the scene and she is able to hear the dying victim's last words. Ruth becomes determined to find out who was responsible for the murder, and her friend and neighbour, Doris quickly joins her in the investigation. The police make little headway, and slowly, Ruth and Doris begin putting together various theories relating to the killing. Their suspect list seems to include members of two families who had a possible motive to see the victim dead. Meanwhile, Ruth is a regular visitor to the local care home where her elderly father is a resident. Her father is able to add his own knowledge of the past to Ruth's investigation, and gradually she begins to piece the truth together. I'm usually pretty good at working out whodunnit, but the author had me baffled with this one, and kept me guessing to the end in real Christieesque fashion. An excellent read, and a new lead character worth following. 5 stars without hesitation from me.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in a charming small town in Australia that is known for its antiques and collectible market, Ruth and Doris are a sleuthing duo that I couldn’t help rooting root for. After stumbling across a body in the market, the two decide to join forces, combine their different outlooks, and try to solve the case.

There was a lot of info to keep me turning the pages, including juicy gossip, interesting townspeople and more than a few red herrings. I was kept guessing until the end, as there were plenty of viable suspects and enough clues and action to keep the story moving along.

Considering how many cozy mysteries I read, I can’t remember the last time I read one that was set in Australia, so I really enjoyed discovering a new setting – it was fresh and interesting.

Ruth and Doris, while from different generations, work well together and I found their friendship and crime-solving partnership a lot of fun. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book.

*** Thank you to book tour organiser, Rachel’s Random Resources, and the author, Isobel Blackthorn, for providing me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

[M.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder in Myrtle Bay is an engaging, contemporary mystery set in Australia. While it took me a chapter to get into the storyline, as soon as I'd worked out who was who, I was hooked on the mystery of who had murdered the man in the antique centre.

There's a lot of food in this book and a lot of drinking tea and coffee, amongst other things, but through it all is an intriguing mystery, making use of the joy of a small and tight-knit community to add even more mystery to the storyline.

The ultimate resolution to the mystery and the final few concluding scenes are well done. I hadn't guessed who'd 'done it', which is always the sign of a good mystery - and there was some engaging misdirection and false leads, which added to the enjoyment.

A fun read for those who like a contemporary mystery.

[Christopher Armani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isobel Blackthorn's "Murder in Myrtle Bay" features Abigail Ford, a magazine feature writer and amateur sleuth, and her elderly neighbour and investigative sidekick Doris Cleaver.

The story is set in the seemingly serene Myrtle Bay, a small coastal town that, like most small towns, hides a plethora of secrets, many of which are uncovered as the murder investigation unfolds.

I enjoyed the relationship between Abigail and Doris and the skill with which the author revealed their individual quirks over the course of the story. At times, they were a little cranky with each other, as is normal in any relationship, and it was nice to see this realism on the page.

And then there are the mouthwatering recipes Abigail prepares throughout the story. If you love food half as much as my wife, you’ll especially love these scenes!

True to the genre, there are a plethora of red herrings and plot twists that kept me guessing as to the murder’s identity.

The subplot of Abigail Ford's personal life, with its own unique challenges and quirks, helped add depth to her character and a contrast to the murder she’s committed to solving.

Her unconventional approach to the investigation created sense of unpredictability, which contributed to my enjoyment of this cozy mystery.

But as intriguing as the plot of Murder in Myrtle Bay is, my primary enjoyment of this book came from the great character explorations of both primary and secondary characters, and Abigail’s evaluation everyone who could possibly be the murder suspect.

Abigail's oddities added an engaging dynamic to the story. Her reasoning and eccentric methods kept me entertained and intrigued from the first page to the last.

[Kathleen Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder at Myrtle Bay (South Wales, Australia) is the first of this cozy mystery series. Protagonists are two opposite in temperament women, neighbors who are extremely nosy of anyone and strive at all times to have a unique story or reason why they are always snooping.

In this case, Ruth Findlay and neighbor Doris Cleaver go to an antique mall, The Factory, to find the Tupperware cover that Doris is looking for. They get separated from each other and all of a sudden they find a dead body in the form of Doris's old tennis coach.

As in any small town, it thrives on gossip and secrets and the two women want to find out how the man was killed and why. Some of the residents of the town want to talk and others not, so Ruth and Doris must take things slow to find the culprit. They sift through suspects, who was at the antique mall and what were they doing there?

The Factory has a story all its own with an interesting history all of its own. Ruth is a journalist and wants to dig into the history of the factory and write an article. Not everyone wants to talk about it but Ruth's father tells an interesting story of the factory and gives Ruth lots to work with, from the history of the factory to the people that worked there and the secrets it holds.

I have read Isobel Blackthorn's books before and I do so enjoy her writing, no secrets are given until the end of the story which I like as who wants to know the ending until they need to?

Written with details that a person from a small town could understand. Enough suspense to keep the reader entertained and colorful people as protagonists. I had a few chuckles at Doris, I could just picture her from the descriptions of her, her colorful language and clothing.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in starting a cozy mystery. I give it 5 stars!

I received a copy of this book for review purposes only.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an entertaining way to spend a few hours, meeting a sleuthing duo who are going to be big hits as this series continues...which I hope it does!
One of the traps that writers seem to fall into when starting a series is to focus too much on introducing characters and the world their stories are set in, leaving the reader with a thin story. Isobel Blackthorn navigates around this pitfall perfectly, the story is engrossing as a standalone read, and you are also left knowing plenty about Ruth and Doris (oh Doris - I challenge you not to love her!) and their little corner of Australia.
The mystery of who murdered David Fisk unravels at just the right pace. There is a suspect pool identified very early on but at any given time you find yourself convinced you know who it is, just to have your theory blown apart by another revelation, and someone new moves into your 'Number 1 Suspect' spot. The writing is inviting and accessible - this is reading for fun at its best.
Another thing that I feel Isobel got just right was leaving enough breadcrumbs of ongoing storylines for the characters to make you want to read the next instalment, which I'll definitely want to do.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book one in a fun new cozy mystery series set in Myrtle Bay with an odd couple pair of amateur detectives. I have read quite a few cozy mysteries and I think this is the first one I’ve read set in Australia, they’ve mostly been UK or US based. I loved the descriptions of the town, its residents and all the small town politics.

Ruth and Doris were great fun as detectives.
I loved their friendship and how it worked given they were of very different ages and very different personalities, Ruth being more orderly and routine driven whilst Doris was a lot more chaotic. Both were very well developed and I look forward to seeing more. Ruth also cooked meals for her dad in the nursing home and the food descriptions were mouth- watering.

The mystery element was very well-done. So many different suspects and red herrings along the way. I certainly didn’t pick it! I’ll definitely be checking out more of Isobel’s books.

[N.L. Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruth and Doris soon find a body at the market, however, could this have been prevented if they had visited the Tupperware stall first?

This book reminded me of Ms. Marple meets Sherlock Homes and Dr. Watson, a great cosy crime read which is easy to read and one that takes you away from reality.

Told in a first-person narrative through the character of Ruth, this really allows the readers to connect with the characters.

I did find there to be quite a few characters and the relations to them were very confusing, however, I do feel this was done on purpose to allow the reader to be just as confused as the main character; which is shown in the narrative and also, this shows clever writing.

I would highly recommend this as this is the first in a series and is one I feel most people will enjoy.

[Georgina Candy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a great cosy mystery that I really enjoyed but at times, felt like a cookery book. Interspersed with so many great recipes, our main character Ruth is a journalist who writes feature articles and uses cooking to calm and think.

When there is a murder in her town, she and her eccentric neighbour Doris decide to become amateur sleuths and find out whodunnit. They’re a fun pairing, Doris the instagram influencer in her 70’s is so much fun, colourful and full of life, she also seems to know everything about everyone.

It would have been nice to have some of the recipes at the end of the book, maybe as this was an ARC they are featured in the finished copy. Easy comfortable read but not for the hungry!!

[Katherine Hayward Pérez · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Ruth and Doris find themselves in a situation they would have never imagined, they end up trying to solve a murder mystery.

Isobel Blackthorne is a new-to-me author and I loved this cozy mystery. THe plot and characters are very realistic and I wanted to know what was going to happen. The pace and plot development is impeccable, and I never lost interest in this book which is first in a series.

I'm glad it is, as I definietly want more.

Thanks to Isobel Blackthorn, Next Chapter and Rachel's Random Resources for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

4.5 stars.

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun book to pick up and I am so thankful that I get to be a part of sharing this book.
This is the story of our MC Ruth who is a journalist but when she is out with her elderly neighbor looking for a Tupperware lid they come across a dying man.
This story was so fun. If you are looking for a summer read with a cozy mystery I think this will be right up your alley.

[Julie Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy Mysteries usually show the best of small towns with friendly helpful residents, cute shop names, and, okay there's murder going on but there are many who want to solve it with the help of many eccentric families.

What makes Isobel Blackthorn's Murder in Myrtle Bay Ruth Finlay Mysteries Book 1 stand out is while it shows that charm and eccentricities of small town life, it isn't afraid to show these towns at their worst: the judgemental attitudes, the years long feuds, the clannish snobbishness when someone new comes along, the socioeconomic and sometimes racial divides that puts certain people in specific categories, and of course the strong emotions which result in violence and murder.


Friends, Ruth Finlay, and Doris Cleaver, are visiting the Factory, a now closed factory which has become an antiques and collectibles market. The duo find the dying David Fisk, who looks like he was hit on the back of his head and insisted that "he didn't do it" before expiring. This leaves Ruth and Doris with many questions. Who attacked David? What didn't he do? Who would dare attack him in broad daylight in an open market? How did they manage without anyone noticing? Ruth and Doris saw many friends and acquaintances that day, so which one is guilty?


Murder in Myrtle Bay is in many ways a typical cozy mystery with the usual tropes: murder in a small town, a victim with plenty of enemies and few friends, and an interesting detective, or in this case detectives, that takes their Reader through the mystery. That doesn't make Murder in Myrtle Bay, a lousy book. In fact, it's a lot of fun. It's the type of book that you want to read on the beach or on a warm summer night with a cold drink in hand.


Part of what makes this book are the lead characters themselves. Ruth and Doris are a fun fascinating duo who stand out as they try to solve the mystery of who killed David Fisk.


Ruth and Doris are an attraction of opposites. Ruth is a magazine writer in her 30's or 40's with an aging father. She grew up in Myrtle Bay, at least since high school, but she is something of an outsider, partly because of her standoffish personality and occupation as a journalist. This murder investigation also involves her asking a lot of personal questions to people that she has known for a long time making her even less liked. This scrutiny often makes her self conscious and overly serious at times.


While Ruth feels like a self conscious outsider, Doris knows she is an outsider and doesn't care. In fact, she dramatizes it. A senior, Doris dresses flamboyantly and can be very outspoken. Doris is also quite a gossip and knows the family histories in town and is even related to some of the noted families. She gives Ruth some much needed background information over who feuded with who and who cheated on who. Doris makes a strong presence whether it's getting a local to do some landscaping or to admit previous affairs with other women. While Ruth shies away from people, Doris is up front and center.


The mystery that Ruth and Doris find themselves in is pretty solid especially since it happened in open public and both admit that they saw friends and acquaintances coming in and out of The Factory meaning the murderer is more than likely someone that they know.


Among the difficulties of living in a small town is that almost claustrophobic feeling of everyone knowing everybody. You go to a store and you see regular staff members or customers. You might see old school friends. Old friendships might be rekindled but also old grudges, rivalries, and fights may resurface. It's hard to live in the moment when there is someone always reminding you of your past.


Another aspect that Blackthorn's writing opens is the sharp lines that are often drawn among people in such towns. As Doris reminds Ruth of the different family rivalries and love triangles, it's clear that the two women are surrounded by a hierarchy and system where some people are on top and some are on the bottom. While that's true in most places, that's usually an abstract. In small towns, the people on top are known, usually families with a lot of wealth and connections. If not families, then institutions like the local churches or associations that shape the towns in their own images. If you are considered the wrong income bracket, live on the wrong side of town, the wrong skin color, the wrong religion, the wrong sexuality or gender identity, or become a subject of scandal, you could be made a pariah.


This claustrophobia and hierarchy is what Ruth and Doris have to muddle through as they get to the truth. There are many people, especially from certain families, that want to keep their image and reputation intact and won't let something like a dead body and a murder investigation get in the way of that.


Murder in Myrtle Bay is a reminder that just because an area is rural doesn't mean that it isn't filled with hatred, prejudices, and violence. If anything, it's often worse than an urban landscape because Death could be wearing a familiar and even once friendly face.

[Srivalli (Semi-Hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

One Liner: Decent cozy mystery

Ruth Finlay, a feature writer, and her senior neighbor, Doris Cleaver, visit the local antique store. They come across a dying man, Ruth’s old tennis coach, and are stunned to see that someone killed him. The duo decides to investigate the case but realizes that the small town managed to give them way too many suspects.

Undeterred by the developments (or the lack of them), Ruth and Doris spend the next few days digging, debating, and discovering details that led to the murder. Can the duo catch the killer before there’s another death in Myrtle Bay?

The story comes from Ruth Finlay’s first-person POV.

My Thoughts

This is the first book (standalone) in the series set in a Southern coastal town in Australia. As expected, the book divides time between character development and the central mystery. It sets the stage for the series to take off in the subsequent books.

Ruth and Doris share a warm friendship. I like how it is very realistic, with minor disagreements and differences of opinion. Both women have strong personalities, though Doris tops the list with her too-definite views in some aspects. The flaws add to their character development, though I wish the narration was in the third-person POV to give us a glimpse into Doris’ thought process.

The timeline is contemporary, around the 2000s, but has an old-world feel. While I struggled a little to align the two, I could see how it helped define the town and its people. It’s a small town anyway, so we can expect some older stuff to be a natural part of it.

Ruth and Doris have their preconceived notions about people (can’t help it in a small town setting). And both take time to accept information or consider details that don’t align with their opinions. However, they work towards the end goal of solving the crime. I wouldn’t call this a negative. After all, that’s how people react in real life.

I have to mention the food in this book. Ruth is a fab cook and enjoys it too. We see her cooking multiple times, and the desserts made my mouth water. Yum! I also like how Doris is not the typical older neighbor who likes to feed her younger friend. Ruth is the one in charge of cooking and timely meals. Ruth also juggles too many things, and I could feel her exhaustion.

I like the setting and began to enjoy its sort of erratic climate. It takes a while to visualize Myrtle Bay, but I did enjoy the process of discovering it, even if I don’t like being termed ‘geographically challenged’ for not knowing it rains in the region during October. I have no reason to know that!

The mystery, as such, is decent. We have many suspects and a few red herrings and slight twists. However, I don’t like how a major development (reveal) is done. It is a coincidence rather than a logical solution because of the sleuthing duo’s efforts (doesn’t help that they admit it). However, the ending is detailed and ticks off each issue one by one. This is well done without rushing through a multi-page explanation.

My biggest issue is with the pacing. The book feels long and slow despite being less than 300 pages. It takes time to understand the character dynamics during the initial pages. This further reduced the reading pace as I had to re-read a few paragraphs to understand who, what, and why.

There are many characters (active and mentioned) in the book. Most of them are also interrelated to each other. The whole thing can be confusing unless you want to draw a family tree. Just wing it like I did and go with the flow. Details will make sense along the way.

To summarize, Murder in Myrtle Bay is a good introduction to a new cozy mystery series with an uncommon sleuthing pair. It takes some time, but the characters will grow on you. My best wishes for the rest of the series.

My thanks to the author and Coffee and Thorn for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

***

This has been a pitstop on the #MurderinMyrtleBay blog tour conducted by Coffee and Thorn.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Isobel's work for a while now. I haven't caught up with every book that she has written, which is something that I hope to rectify soon. I read the synopsis of 'Murder In Myrtle Bay', which is the first book in the series featuring Ruth Finlay, and I thought that it sounded just like the cosy mystery sort of book that I have come to enjoy. I couldn't wait to start reading and so I dived straight in. I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Murder In Myrtle Bay' but more about that in a bit.

What can I say about Ruth Finlay and Doris Cleaver, who is an OAP and is also Ruth's next door neighbour? Well firstly who needs Cagney and Lacey when we have Finlay and Cleaver! I absolutely adored this new accidental detective duo. They are not only next door neighbours but they are firm friends too. There is definitely a tight bond between them. Ruth is a feature writer for a publication and Doris is enjoying her retirement. Both decide to attend a local antiques fair because Doris has got it into her head that she has to buy a specific item. However there's a murder and Ruth and Doris can't help but become involved in the investigation to find the perpetrator. Can the feisty females solve the crime? Well for the answer to that question and so much more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.

As soon as I stared reading 'Murder In Myrtle Bay', I knew that I was in for a treat and that I wouldn't be doing anything else other than reading for the rest of the day. It's fair to say that I was spot on in both cases. To say that reading 'Murder In Myrtle Bay' became addictive is like saying that I like eating cake - in other words a huge understatement. I initially picked this book up only intending to read a couple of chapters but I became so wrapped up in the investigation and in the characters' lives that I was still sat there reading a couple of hours later. I loved Ruth and Doris and I had to keep reading to see if they managed to solve the case and whether or not they were actually putting themselves in danger. The more of the book that I read, the more I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to turn. I seemed to race through the story and I soon got to the end. I found 'Murder In Myrtle Bay' to be a gripping cosy mystery that certainly kept me guessing and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.

'Murder In Myrtle Bay' is superbly written and then some. Isobel has one of those easy going writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. In fact reading this book felt more like a chat between friends rather than reading an actual book. I hope that makes sense. In Ruth and Doris, Isobel has created two adorable characters who are impossible to dislike. For me the story hit the ground running and maintained a steady pace throughout. This book had a bit of everything within its pages - yes there was drama and intrigue but there was also a fair bit of humour within the book. I found myself often having a little chuckle to myself as I was reading about Ruth and Doris's shenanigans. I love the way in which Isobel makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story themselves and at the heart of the action. That's how I felt anyway.

In short, I adored reading 'Murder In Myrtle Bay' and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Isobel's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

[Escritura Infinita · Rating 2 out of 5]

✨ Asesinato, secretos y un mercado de antigüedades…
Asesinato en Myrtle Bay de Isobel Blackthorn es el primer libro de la serie de misterio protagonizada por Ruth Finlay, y no podría empezar con más intriga.
Lo que prometía ser una visita tranquila al mercado junto a su vecina Doris… termina con un cadáver entre antigüedades.
🕵️‍♀️ Doris solo buscaba una tapadera, pero ambas acaban envueltas en un crimen con muchos más secretos de lo esperado.
Ruth pensaba que conocía bien al difunto, su exentrenador de tenis. Pero cuando descubre una larga lista de sospechosos con motivos personales para desear su muerte, comienza a preguntarse:
❓¿Qué tanto conoces realmente a alguien?
❓¿Hasta dónde puede llegar la venganza disfrazada de cortesía?
A medida que Ruth y Doris investigan, saldrán a la luz revelaciones familiares, viejas mentiras y traiciones ocultas… todo mientras un asesino aún podría estar al acecho.
Opinión personal:
Asesinato en Myrtle Bay, de Isobel Blackthorn, es una introducción pausad al universo de Ruth Finlay, una mujer común que se ve arrastrada, junto a su vecina Doris, a una investigación que nunca imaginaron liderar. Lo que comienza como una inocente visita al mercado de antigüedades se transforma en el descubrimiento de un cadáver, y con ello, el inicio de una serie de revelaciones familiares, secretos del pasado y mentiras que salen a la luz.
Este primer libro dedica buena parte de sus páginas a construir una base sólida: se perfila con detalle la vida del pequeño pueblo, se establecen vínculos entre los personajes, y se introduce una galería de sospechosos bien delineados. Ruth y Doris protagonizan una dinámica peculiar, donde el carácter más contenido de una choca a veces con la efervescencia de la otra.
El ritmo es lento y puede no enganchar desde el primer momento, sobre todo si esperas un misterio ágil y lleno de acción. Sin embargo, si disfrutas de las tramas cocinadas a fuego lento, donde cada pista se desgrana con paciencia y los escenarios están cuidadosamente descritos, este libro tiene encanto. Blackthorn maneja bien la tensión narrativa, aunque se echa de menos mayor dinamismo en ciertos tramos. La ambientación es rica en detalles, aunque puede sentirse más atractiva para quienes conocen el lugar que para quienes deben imaginarlo todo desde cero.
En definitiva, este cozy mystery tiene una premisa sólida y personajes entrañables. Si bien no alcanza todo su potencial en esta entrega, sienta las bases de una saga que puede crecer con fuerza. Ideal para quienes disfrutan del misterio en clave tranquila, con un toque de humor, vecinas curiosas y secretos que esperan ser descubiertos.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The small town of Myrtle Bay is a place where everyone is connected to one another, and everyone knows each other’s business. So, when a well-known community member is found murdered at the Goodfellow Market, it is no surprise that residents are as interested in solving the murder as the police are, themselves. Ruth Finlay, a journalist, and her eccentric neighbor Doris are at the center of the investigation, and their list of suspects seems to grow ever larger as they attempt to pinpoint the true culprit. But they must be careful as they investigate, lest the murderer decide to make the two women their next target. This cozy mystery transports readers to a small town in Australia through choice phrases, descriptions of scenery, and relevant customs and locales. Like any good mystery story, the narrative kicks off quickly, with very little preamble before the murder itself occurs. Additionally, nearly every suspect seems to have a legitimate and believable reason for having committed the crime. The pacing of the story keeps readers engaged, and Ruth and Doris are quirky protagonists who are at once accessible and intriguing. Though it is not entirely relatable that the police would not be at the center of such a sensitive investigation, one can connect with the desire to get to the bottom of a mystery that involves many longtime friends and acquaintances. As the story progresses, readers find themselves piecing together elements of the mystery themselves, and the resolution is at once satisfying and well-designed. While this novel is intended for an adult audience, young adult readers will also be able to connect with the story and its writing style. This is an enjoyable tale that will appeal to readers who enjoy cozy-style mysteries set in picturesque seaside towns.

[Helen Hollick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know why I thought this cosy mystery was set in the UK (something had made me think Cornwall or Yorkshire?) but what a pleasant surprise to discover I was in the wrong hemisphere, with the setting very much Australian - a nice, unexpected change of reading location for me. (And as it was cold and raining here in England on the afternoon I started reading, the 'virtual sunshine' was a much appreciated bonus.)

I discovered plenty of red herrings, a host of suspects who bore different grudges, possible motives, secrets and resentments to be revealed and unravelled ... I didn't guess 'whodunit' until the end. I did guess where the murder itself would be, so finding the body wasn't a surprise, (but that didn't matter in the slightest,) I'll not say more for fear of giving away spoilers.

I liked our two main 'sleuths', Ruth and Doris, a clever touch by the author to have one young and one much older. They balanced each other and worked well together, both as believable characters and from a writing technique perspective. There were some good touches of humour dotted here and there. (Difficult elderly relatives ... most of us have been there!)

The location - and the food (there's lots of food) - was skilfully described, taking the reader firmly into the story as if watching what was happening through a hidden camera. I do wonder if some descriptive scenes were a little overdone, resulting in slowing the action slightly, but not enough to spoil this reader's enjoyment.

Murder In Myrtle Bay should please fans of the light read cosy (cozy: US spelling) mystery: a good plot, likeable (and unlikable!) characters, well written and entertaining.

A good start to what promises to be a good series.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable characters, good food, and more than a little town gossip make this an intriguing murder mystery in so many ways.

Ruth accompanies her neighbor and friend, Doris, to the market not only to work on her next article but to pick up a simple lid. The simple task launches into an unexpected direction as Doris stumbles across a dying man...one who happens to be Ruth's ex-tennis teacher. The lack of visitors to the market keeps the suspect list to a minimum, but that doesn't mean the case will be easily solved. Instead, Ruth and Doris run across more family and small town secrets than they could have imagined.

Doris and Ruth make an unusual and fun duo. Doris is Ruth's neighbor, several years older than her, and packs personality. From inviting herself to coffee on a whim to a colorful fashion sense, her sudden ideas promise more than a few surprises. She's the fun to Ruth's more serious life of balancing a job with cooking for her father in the nursing home and more. It's entertaining to follow them and inspiring to witness their friendship. Plus, they make a great detective pair.

The mystery itself is well laid. While the suspect list seems to be small in the beginning, the weave of secrets, gossip and more soon expose a complex web. It's not clear who the murder is. The tale runs along at a steady pace, allowing the personalities of the characters to gain depth while adding humor here and there. Then, there's the vivid descriptions of delicious foods, which entice and invite in.

It's an enjoyable read and I can't wait to see what Ruth and Doris will be up to next. I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed this pair of friends quite a bit.

[Iseult Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this cozy mystery. Ruth is a wonderful main character. I loved the descriptions of her coffee making and numerous cooking endeavors. Her kindness and care to Doris, but most especially to her elderly father in a care home, drew me to her.

The setting of Myrtle Bay was well drawn. I love stories set in Australian, and I could see, smell and hear the picturesque town by the sea with its odd assortment of characters. At times is reminded me in a pleasant way of the first series of “My Life is Murder”, which was set in Melbourne. While Lucy Lawless played a very different character on that show, I think she’d be great as Ruth, with maybe Tina Bursill as Doris.

The murder mystery was well set out, with lots of clues that gave the reader a chance to guess who the murderer was. I appreciated the complexity of the plot and lots of little things that foreshadowed what was to come, as well as the red herrings. It made the scenario believable and the resolution extremely satisfying.

Blackthorn has set up a great pairing with Ruth and Doris, placed them in a vibrant location and left enough lose threads that made made me intrigued about what happens next in Myrtle Bay. I hope there is a sequel.

[Amys Bookshelf Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and interesting Mystery

What a wonderful story in Murder in Myrtle Bay by Isobel Blackthorn. I am a definite fan of this author! Whatever this author writes, I read. This author brings the words to life. This author has a great imagination and I'm glad it's being shared with marvelous books. In the book, we are introduced to Ruth and her friend Doris. Ruth's old friend is murdered, and there starts the mystery, as secrets and lies, and other obstacles start to reveal the truths, and maybe someone else is on this person's hit list. It's a very enjoyable story, and I love the way the author can write in different genres, without a blink. The author brings the reader on a superb journey. If you love a good cozy mystery, this book should be next on your list. This read is so engrossing that it brings you right in the middle of the story. This read is more than just words on a page. Definitely an unpredictable story, my favorite kind! Murder in Myrtle Bay is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book, to also write a review.

[Clued-in With A Book (Elvina Ulrich) · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝙌𝙪𝙞𝙘𝙠 𝙨𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨: Ruth Finlay and her elderly neighbor Doris Cleaver work together to find the killer of the man who was murdered in the market.

𝙈𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨: This first book of the Ruth Finlay Mysteries was a fun and entertaining read! It was a quick read and can be easily read in one sitting - a perfect book for summer! The story-building was good, and I enjoyed following their investigations. This is my third book by Blackthorn, and as always, her descriptive writing was brilliant, transporting me to this small town. Both the main characters are likable, and I personally like Doris a tad more!

I do love a complex plot in my story, however, I find this one to be a little overwhelming, to be honest. There were also a lot of characters, and I was confused at times.

Regardless, this is a delightful read with a good amount of mystery and loveable characters - just like what I'd expect a cozy mystery should be!

***Thank you Coffee and Thorn and author Isobel Blackthorn for having me in the Murder in Myrtle Bay Book Tour, and for this gifted copy to read & review. ***

[Barry Litherland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder in Myrtle Bay by Isobel Blackthorn

Imagine sitting in the sun by a pool, a glass of wine in your hand and an open book on the table beside you. A perfect cosy mystery to enjoy on your holiday. This may well be the book you would choose. Imagine a cast of varied and interesting characters – eccentric, annoying, nosey, delightful, inquisitive, antagonistic and, in one case, dead – with a network of relationships in the present and, as we slowly discover, the past. As the story unfolds the complexity of these relationships lead the reader first one way and then another as the author deftly leads them towards a final and satisfying denouement, when the murderer is eventually revealed. Well written, nicely constructed, and very enjoyable. Readers may also enjoy the many great recipes scattered throughout the novel because Ruth, our central character, is not only a journalist and an amateur detective, she also enjoys cookery. Open the pages, suspend disbelief and enjoy.