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Cornwall Murder Mystery #1
The Lost Girls of Penzance
The pale outline of bones in the dew-laden grass catches and holds Lauren's gaze. In the distance, she can hear the faint sound of crashing waves and the eerie screech of seagulls. Whose life was so brutally cut short in this beautiful, lonely place?
Detective Lauren Pengelly has only been part of the Penzance police force for less than two years, but that’s enough time to know that the sleepy Cornish town doesn’t see many murders. So, when the bones of a woman with a hole in her skull are discovered behind a derelict cottage, she immediately assumes the worst. Rallying her team, Lauren is flooded with a strange sense of relief when the bones turn out to be almost twenty years old, not a recent victim.
But it quickly turns to dread when she receives her second heart-stopping call of the day – a little girl, Isla, has been kidnapped from her nursery and seemingly vanished, despite strict security in the building. Are the two cases connected, or could the peaceful town of Penzance be harbouring more than one monster?
With the help of Detective Matt Price, her newly arrived second-in-command, Lauren is certain the suspicious behaviour of Isla’s estranged father on the day of her disappearance is a critical clue. But when another little girl is taken, again from her nursery in the middle of the day, it’s clear Lauren and Matt are still dangerously far away from discovering the harrowing truth…
Detective Lauren Pengelly has only been part of the Penzance police force for less than two years, but that’s enough time to know that the sleepy Cornish town doesn’t see many murders. So, when the bones of a woman with a hole in her skull are discovered behind a derelict cottage, she immediately assumes the worst. Rallying her team, Lauren is flooded with a strange sense of relief when the bones turn out to be almost twenty years old, not a recent victim.
But it quickly turns to dread when she receives her second heart-stopping call of the day – a little girl, Isla, has been kidnapped from her nursery and seemingly vanished, despite strict security in the building. Are the two cases connected, or could the peaceful town of Penzance be harbouring more than one monster?
With the help of Detective Matt Price, her newly arrived second-in-command, Lauren is certain the suspicious behaviour of Isla’s estranged father on the day of her disappearance is a critical clue. But when another little girl is taken, again from her nursery in the middle of the day, it’s clear Lauren and Matt are still dangerously far away from discovering the harrowing truth…
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 5, 2023
2034 people are currently reading
841 people want to read
About the author
Sally Rigby
44 books489 followersSally Rigby was born in Northampton, in the UK. She has always had the travel bug, and after living in both Manchester and London, eventually moved overseas. From 2001 she has lived with her family in New Zealand, which she considers to be the most beautiful place in the world. During this time she also lived for five years in Australia. Sally has always loved crime fiction books, films and TV programmes, and has a particular fascination with the psychology of serial killers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 317 reviews
October 22, 2023
This book was a pleasant surprise. I don't often read the book summaries in their entirety and from the title I thought this might be geared towards the young adult audiences. Though I have read and enjoyed many books from that genre. Some of my friends rated it highly, so when I had the chance, I grabbed it. So glad I did.
This is set in Cornwall and it is a fantastic detective story. Well plotted, rounded characters, and the case because it concerned children, was sad but kept my attention.. was intriguing. The scenes were not terribly graphic, which was a big plus. It is also number one in a series, from Which I expect more good reads.
If you enjoy the Vera series, you will enjoy this.
This is set in Cornwall and it is a fantastic detective story. Well plotted, rounded characters, and the case because it concerned children, was sad but kept my attention.. was intriguing. The scenes were not terribly graphic, which was a big plus. It is also number one in a series, from Which I expect more good reads.
If you enjoy the Vera series, you will enjoy this.
October 5, 2023
Detective Lauren Pengelly's leave was cut short when some children discovered human bones in the grounds of an abandoned building, and Detective Matt Price, Lauren's new 2IC, was first on the scene. While waiting for forensics to arrive, investigations began. Learning the bones were of a woman, and were approximately 20 years old, Lauren and her team at the Penzance Police Station swept into action. But when they received the call to say a three year old girl had vanished from a childcare nursery, the horror trickled down their spines - a cop's worst nightmare had begun.
With the two cases running side by side, the search for little Isla was paramount. But she was nowhere to be found, and when a second child - three year old Violet - also vanished from a different childcare nursery, panic set in. Lauren and Matt knew the first few hours were vital, but soon it was forty eight hours and they had no clues. Would they find the children before it was too late? And would they identify the bones that had been discovered?
The Lost Girls of Penzance is the 1st in the Cornwall Murder Mystery series by Sally Rigby and it was excellent. A fast paced police procedural with a spiky, no-holds-barred boss, combined with a new Detective who had trouble handling anything in the morgue, and Lauren's talented team working their places, The Lost Girls of Penzance is one I recommend highly. I'm already looking forward to book #2.
With thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
With the two cases running side by side, the search for little Isla was paramount. But she was nowhere to be found, and when a second child - three year old Violet - also vanished from a different childcare nursery, panic set in. Lauren and Matt knew the first few hours were vital, but soon it was forty eight hours and they had no clues. Would they find the children before it was too late? And would they identify the bones that had been discovered?
The Lost Girls of Penzance is the 1st in the Cornwall Murder Mystery series by Sally Rigby and it was excellent. A fast paced police procedural with a spiky, no-holds-barred boss, combined with a new Detective who had trouble handling anything in the morgue, and Lauren's talented team working their places, The Lost Girls of Penzance is one I recommend highly. I'm already looking forward to book #2.
With thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
October 5, 2023
3.5
If i didn't know any better I might have thought this was a debut novel (Sally Rigby is a new author to me). I almost gave up on it but struggled on and after halfway the plot picked up and I'm glad I finished it even though I had guessed what was going on.
The reason I struggled was because the dialogue was terribly clunky. Some of the characters spouted as if they were reading from a manual eg (I'm paraphrasing so i dont spoil the plot) "Yes, boss, when I checked that address out I was surprised to find that it had lain empty for several years but then had been purchased by Mr X for a sum of X and he and his family of four moved in and they remained there for 4 years and 2 months and then ..." etc etc. I've certainly never met anyone who speaks like that.
It's a minor point but when you're listening to the audio it becomes very obvious, very quickly. I know one of the characters is referred to as a human Wikipedia but most of them spoke this way.
The good points do outweigh the bad. The plot is interesting mixing an old case with a new one. I think this is the first in what will probably be a series so the characters of the officers will have time to develop. For the moment they spend an awful lot of time misunderstanding and judging each other.
The only bit that really irritated me was at the end when the team goes out for a drink and the sergeant says he'd never drink over the limit and drive. I thought this a very poor example to set for a police officer. I'd have excised that from the book or had him take a taxi.
However, all in all a short, fast paced book with a decent plot. I'd recommend if you're already a fan of Sally Rigby's work or if, like me, you just fancy a good thriller with several twists.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Dreamscape Select for the advance review copy.
If i didn't know any better I might have thought this was a debut novel (Sally Rigby is a new author to me). I almost gave up on it but struggled on and after halfway the plot picked up and I'm glad I finished it even though I had guessed what was going on.
The reason I struggled was because the dialogue was terribly clunky. Some of the characters spouted as if they were reading from a manual eg (I'm paraphrasing so i dont spoil the plot) "Yes, boss, when I checked that address out I was surprised to find that it had lain empty for several years but then had been purchased by Mr X for a sum of X and he and his family of four moved in and they remained there for 4 years and 2 months and then ..." etc etc. I've certainly never met anyone who speaks like that.
It's a minor point but when you're listening to the audio it becomes very obvious, very quickly. I know one of the characters is referred to as a human Wikipedia but most of them spoke this way.
The good points do outweigh the bad. The plot is interesting mixing an old case with a new one. I think this is the first in what will probably be a series so the characters of the officers will have time to develop. For the moment they spend an awful lot of time misunderstanding and judging each other.
The only bit that really irritated me was at the end when the team goes out for a drink and the sergeant says he'd never drink over the limit and drive. I thought this a very poor example to set for a police officer. I'd have excised that from the book or had him take a taxi.
However, all in all a short, fast paced book with a decent plot. I'd recommend if you're already a fan of Sally Rigby's work or if, like me, you just fancy a good thriller with several twists.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Dreamscape Select for the advance review copy.
October 1, 2023
He Lost Girls of Penzance is book one in the Cornwall Murder Mystery by Sally Rigby. Detective Lauren Pengelly caught two cases: a historical point of a woman found behind a derelict cottage and the kidnapping of a young girl from nursery. Are the two cases connected? On top of the two murder cases, Detective Lauren Pengelly also had to put up with a new member of staff, Detective Sergeant Matt Price. The readers of The Lost Girls of Penzance continue to follow Detective Inspector Lauren Pengelly to discover what happens.
The Lost Girl is the first book I read by Sally Rigby and the first in her new Cornwall Murder Mystery Series. Wow, I am so pleased that I read this book and had no problem engaging with the characters and the story. I love Sally Rigby's portrayal of her characters and the way they interact with each other throughout this book. The Lost Girls was well-written and researched by Sally Rigby. I like Sally Rigby's description of the settings of The Lost Girl, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of The Lost Girls will learn about the consequences for parents after their children go missing. Also, the readers of The Lost Girls will learn about the role of a nursery nurse.
Thank you to the NetGalley and publisher for my AR copy in exchange for an honest review. I recommend this book.
The Lost Girl is the first book I read by Sally Rigby and the first in her new Cornwall Murder Mystery Series. Wow, I am so pleased that I read this book and had no problem engaging with the characters and the story. I love Sally Rigby's portrayal of her characters and the way they interact with each other throughout this book. The Lost Girls was well-written and researched by Sally Rigby. I like Sally Rigby's description of the settings of The Lost Girl, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of The Lost Girls will learn about the consequences for parents after their children go missing. Also, the readers of The Lost Girls will learn about the role of a nursery nurse.
Thank you to the NetGalley and publisher for my AR copy in exchange for an honest review. I recommend this book.
January 30, 2025
The Lost Girls Of Penzance‘ (2023) is the first book in a five-book British Police Procedural series set in Cornwall. I hadn't read any of Sally Rigby's books before. I picked this one because I liked the setting, the opening pages worked, the audiobook was less than seven hours long, it was narrated by Clare Corbett and, if I liked it, it would give me a new series to follow.
I listened to most of the book during a slow, tedious two hundred mile drive north and then finished it off when I got there because I wanted to know who had done what.
I had fun with the book, in a mild, low-key way. It was a great listen-to-it-while-doing-something-else audiobook. It was unchallenging, gentle and focused more on the police officers than on the crimes but had enough of a mystery at its heart to keep me curious.
There was nothing in the story that I haven't read in many other police procedurals but there were no gaffs or annoyances either. The plot involved the discovery of human bones in the grounds of an abandoned house and the abduction of little girls from their day nurseries. Either or both of these could have been gruesome but, although there was a lot of anxiety about the lost girls, the story was never in danger of getting into traumatic territory. The bones provided a puzzle to be worked on when all that could be done to find the girls had been done. The search for the girls was, until the last abduction, mostly a vehicle for displaying how Lauren Pengelly led her team (with too much formality and no knack for winning loyalty or engendering team spirit) and how her new sergeant, Matt Price, integrated into the team (fairly effortlessly apart from missing the tools and teams he'd had on the much bigger force he'd left behind). The police officers in the team were drawn in a competent, light-weight TV series way that was easy to follow and often amusing. The contrasts between the backgrounds, approaches and motivations of Pengelly and Price kept things moving along nicely.
I've downloaded the next book in the series, 'The Hidden Graves Of St. Ives' to listen to when I have my next long drive.
I listened to most of the book during a slow, tedious two hundred mile drive north and then finished it off when I got there because I wanted to know who had done what.
I had fun with the book, in a mild, low-key way. It was a great listen-to-it-while-doing-something-else audiobook. It was unchallenging, gentle and focused more on the police officers than on the crimes but had enough of a mystery at its heart to keep me curious.
There was nothing in the story that I haven't read in many other police procedurals but there were no gaffs or annoyances either. The plot involved the discovery of human bones in the grounds of an abandoned house and the abduction of little girls from their day nurseries. Either or both of these could have been gruesome but, although there was a lot of anxiety about the lost girls, the story was never in danger of getting into traumatic territory. The bones provided a puzzle to be worked on when all that could be done to find the girls had been done. The search for the girls was, until the last abduction, mostly a vehicle for displaying how Lauren Pengelly led her team (with too much formality and no knack for winning loyalty or engendering team spirit) and how her new sergeant, Matt Price, integrated into the team (fairly effortlessly apart from missing the tools and teams he'd had on the much bigger force he'd left behind). The police officers in the team were drawn in a competent, light-weight TV series way that was easy to follow and often amusing. The contrasts between the backgrounds, approaches and motivations of Pengelly and Price kept things moving along nicely.
I've downloaded the next book in the series, 'The Hidden Graves Of St. Ives' to listen to when I have my next long drive.
November 9, 2024
I am usually willing to suspend my disbelief while reading a detective novel but this was just ridiculous. The town of Penzance is supposedly so tiny (despite having 20,000 people) that there are only 2 detectives competent enough to investigate both the abducted children and the 20-year old bones, and for some reason they treat both cases with equal urgency, even saying at one point that they better find the killer from the murder 20 years ago so that they can get back to focusing on the missing girls. Unfortunately they “miss the critical 48 hour window” because they inexplicably spent most of those 48 hours on the other case. The detectives also come to the conclusion that it’s impossible that anyone in the town would have a doorbell camera because of what a tiny remote village it is (of 20,000 people).
Also the kidnapper (who, of course, turns out to be the daughter of the murdered couple from the other case) left the town 20 years ago, legally changed her name, and came back and no one recognized her even though it’s such a small town, but the detectives put it together after meeting her twice? And this didn’t come up when she (presumably) would have been background checked in order to work in the nursery school, and also the detectives didn’t immediately cross reference the employees at each school and look at their backgrounds? Of course once they do figure it out she immediately confesses and thoroughly explains the entire story.
Lastly we’re meant to believe that two-year-old Dani is so “advanced” for her age that she has the vocabulary and comprehension of a child at least 5 years older. I have never in my life met a 2 year old who would say something like “when can I meet them, so I can say thank you?”
Also the kidnapper (who, of course, turns out to be the daughter of the murdered couple from the other case) left the town 20 years ago, legally changed her name, and came back and no one recognized her even though it’s such a small town, but the detectives put it together after meeting her twice? And this didn’t come up when she (presumably) would have been background checked in order to work in the nursery school, and also the detectives didn’t immediately cross reference the employees at each school and look at their backgrounds? Of course once they do figure it out she immediately confesses and thoroughly explains the entire story.
Lastly we’re meant to believe that two-year-old Dani is so “advanced” for her age that she has the vocabulary and comprehension of a child at least 5 years older. I have never in my life met a 2 year old who would say something like “when can I meet them, so I can say thank you?”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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November 8, 2023Read this and now I'm a crime girlie? Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. This is probably one of the first crime books I've ever read and it's got me into the genre in a big way. The plot was quick-paced and gripping and I flew through this in just over a day because I needed to know how things were going to turn out. I liked the main characters although Overall, a very quick and easy read.
October 1, 2023
I was on edge the whole time as little toddlers were kidnapped and bones were found so the Momma Bear in me was on edge worried sick about finding these babies hoping they were all found and alive and well. It definitely had me worried (hence the 4 stars) but it was beautifully written and I was so happy to have a happy ending. There was a twist at the end but I would definitely read it again.
Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for the opportunity to read it!
Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for the opportunity to read it!
July 31, 2024
DI Lauren Pengelly is supposed to be taking a cross country bike trip, but when she learns bones have been found, she cancels her holiday. Her team includes new member DS Matt Price, who learns quickly that Lauren is a no-nonsense boss who isn't too popular with the rest of the team. The bone case is not the worst of it however--someone is kidnapping little girls from local childcare centers--there are three missing already. It must be someone with inside knowledge, because the children seem to have virtually disappeared. It becomes even more personal when one of the team's own children is taken, and the team is racing to find the culprit and the missing children before it's too late.
November 29, 2023
Everything about this police procedural is painfully generic. The main characters are just gender-swapped versions of the most cliché police characters ever. Lauren is the stereotypical workaholic detective who takes their job too seriously and doesn't have time for messing around. Matt is the classic family man whose motivation for everything is that he has a daughter he cares about. Together they are the good cop bad cop dynamic that's already been done to death. All the side characters introduced were one-dimensional and I don't remember a single name even though I just finished the book.
The person who committed the crime is obvious, not because we know about the character's motive or because they had an interesting and clever plan, but because they got introduced for seemingly no reason and had the means to commit the crime. We only really learn their motive because of the lazy "person admits to literally everything once they're arrested" trope. It wasn't a satisfying ending but it wasn't sad so I mean hey that's one redeeming quality.
My overall review is a 3/10 because the book was competently written, it was just boring. I do appreciate that it didn't waste my time and was concise but there wasn't anything about the story to make it at all noteworthy.
The person who committed the crime is obvious, not because we know about the character's motive or because they had an interesting and clever plan, but because they got introduced for seemingly no reason and had the means to commit the crime. We only really learn their motive because of the lazy "person admits to literally everything once they're arrested" trope. It wasn't a satisfying ending but it wasn't sad so I mean hey that's one redeeming quality.
My overall review is a 3/10 because the book was competently written, it was just boring. I do appreciate that it didn't waste my time and was concise but there wasn't anything about the story to make it at all noteworthy.
October 3, 2023
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The setting of this book is a small Cornish town that rarely sees crime. This book is exactly what you would except when you think of an English murder mystery. The skeletal remains turn up behind a derelict cottage at the same time that a small child is taken from a daycare. I wanted to know what the connection was. The plot is light and the audiobook is easy to follow. There were a few minor things about this book that I did not like. There were not nearly enough suspects. Normally you find yourself guessing and doubting characters trying to figure about the plot but honestly there wasn’t a lot to go on. Also the author over uses ma’am. Now I understand that addressing someone by ma’am is respectful but with the accent in the audiobook it sounds like the entire police department is calling her mom. It just sounds odd.
Other than a few minor pet peeves the book was solid.
The setting of this book is a small Cornish town that rarely sees crime. This book is exactly what you would except when you think of an English murder mystery. The skeletal remains turn up behind a derelict cottage at the same time that a small child is taken from a daycare. I wanted to know what the connection was. The plot is light and the audiobook is easy to follow. There were a few minor things about this book that I did not like. There were not nearly enough suspects. Normally you find yourself guessing and doubting characters trying to figure about the plot but honestly there wasn’t a lot to go on. Also the author over uses ma’am. Now I understand that addressing someone by ma’am is respectful but with the accent in the audiobook it sounds like the entire police department is calling her mom. It just sounds odd.
Other than a few minor pet peeves the book was solid.
September 29, 2023
Entertaining whodunit with hardworking police staff including a new guy with an mysterious background. This story is a combination of several crimes - some happened many years before and some are occurring currently. These are unusual crimes in this usually peaceful area. The overwhelmed law enforcement backs their ears, and eventually get their break. Made a good diversion for a long car ride, and I particularly appreciated the descriptive writing.
October 19, 2023
This was a pretty standard police procedural and although it started off well, the dialogue quickly became rather stilted and unrealistic. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 2, 2025
In the sleepy town of Penzance, you can count the number of annual crimes on one hand. So when DCI Pengelly hears of skeletal remains becoming unearthed by a recent rainstorm, she cancels her travel plans and returns to micro-manage her team.
Unbeknownst to her, a new detective inspector has been hired onto the department and is on the scene when she arrives. DI Price has moved here in the wake of his wife's death and brings his experience and skill to the team, although it is quite the chore to convince Pengelly of his ability.
No sooner has the forensics team taken over the scene when a 3 year old girl vanishes from her Daycare during nap time. Pengelly and Price put all their efforts into this investigation while still keeping tabs on the 50 year old bones.
I was carried along quite easily with the flow of this mystery. The chapters felt very conversational and the personalities of the characters are clearly painted. I could feel Rigby writing this novel as the beginning of a series - as she alludes to deeper issues within the department and creates a slight (very slight) romantic tension which doesn't get resolved within this book.
I did find the resolution - the quick compilation of evidence, the chase scene, the admission of guilt - pretty unbelievable and convenient for the detectives.
A bit too glossed-over for my liking but I was entertained. And isn't that the whole point?
Unbeknownst to her, a new detective inspector has been hired onto the department and is on the scene when she arrives. DI Price has moved here in the wake of his wife's death and brings his experience and skill to the team, although it is quite the chore to convince Pengelly of his ability.
No sooner has the forensics team taken over the scene when a 3 year old girl vanishes from her Daycare during nap time. Pengelly and Price put all their efforts into this investigation while still keeping tabs on the 50 year old bones.
I was carried along quite easily with the flow of this mystery. The chapters felt very conversational and the personalities of the characters are clearly painted. I could feel Rigby writing this novel as the beginning of a series - as she alludes to deeper issues within the department and creates a slight (very slight) romantic tension which doesn't get resolved within this book.
I did find the resolution - the quick compilation of evidence, the chase scene, the admission of guilt - pretty unbelievable and convenient for the detectives.
A bit too glossed-over for my liking but I was entertained. And isn't that the whole point?
October 8, 2023
I adored this book! It explores two members of the police force trying to solve not one, but two crimes. When a body is found from years ago, Lauren and Matt, the main characters, have to decide whether to prioritise the appearance of a body or a sudden disappearance of a child. There are so many twists and turns in this book to provide a satisfying and unpredictable story that kept me absolutely hooked from start to finish. Lauren is hardy, stern and determined, a character that I thought I’d struggle to like at first but actually began to love her and the way her character developed. I understand this is the first book to a series and I am thrilled we will get more of these characters. Three word review - twisty, unpredictable, engaging.
October 6, 2023
I read this in one day I couldn’t stop. I really loved the dynamic between the two main characters. I liked that the author didn’t make the female lead warm and fuzzy or even slight to any guy.
I really really hope this is a long running series.
I really really hope this is a long running series.
January 9, 2025
2.5⭐️ to be generous.
The first half/three quarters were verrrrrry slow and not really a story behind any of it. Never read a book where everything happens at the end until I'd read this one. I'm still tempted to read the series though 📚
The first half/three quarters were verrrrrry slow and not really a story behind any of it. Never read a book where everything happens at the end until I'd read this one. I'm still tempted to read the series though 📚
November 16, 2025
I was very disappointed in this book. I generally like police procedurals, but much of the book sounded like it was written for a child. Plus the detectives sounded really stupid most of the time. No excitement at all here.
November 11, 2023
It was a good book to listen to, fast moving with a good set of characters and an interesting plot.
I’ll look for another one by this author.
I’ll look for another one by this author.
January 29, 2024
2 & 1/2 stars a good audio book
June 18, 2025
Very, very good. I love the ease in which this author writes and draws you in. I couldn’t put it down and it wasn’t sloggy at any part.
July 5, 2025
Going to the pub instead of the hospital to be with your child ??? Insane
July 13, 2025
I see a good concept but the ending just kind of withered for me.
October 9, 2023
Absolutely thrilled to get an audiobook from Netgalley by Sally Rigby. One of my favourite authors, completely autoread for me.
This new series is going to be as excellent as her others - can't wait for more of it!
This new series is going to be as excellent as her others - can't wait for more of it!
November 13, 2023
Great quick read - nice twists
October 2, 2024
Easy read.
November 19, 2023
Another great story by this tried and trusted author. I am usually part of her ARC set but actually pre-ordered this one. It's taken me an age to read it but that's no reflection on the story. Everything does these days. Life's too busy and my reading time has greatly been suffering....
This is number one in a new series, though one main character featured in her first series too so we already know him. His new boss isn't unlike his original one, just a bit tougher and not quite as kind. A little bit brusque, I noted.....It was nice to see him again, though.
It was another intriguing tale and Matt featured very heavily so I enjoyed that. Not the quiet little backwater he had thought he was heading into, though ! Interesting too that Lauren is also quite new to the area. I'm sure we'll learn a lot more about her as we go along.
I found the ending came a little suddenly.......I had imagined it being drawn out a little longer than it was. Things were all tied up but just very rapidly is all.
There was that irritating thing of inquiries being written too much and not the English enquiries. One part where someone was reading of an old custody battle I found a little baffling too as I didn't really understand WHY he'd be reading it. There were a few missed question marks, too....right at end end part of the website address has been missed-the publisher ought to correct THAT: www.stormpublishing.co
And Sally, if you're reading this, I see you now have a "regular" disclaimer at the beginning which made me smile !!
I'll definitely be reading the next in the series. Right now I am going onto another by her she writes with a fellow author !!
This is number one in a new series, though one main character featured in her first series too so we already know him. His new boss isn't unlike his original one, just a bit tougher and not quite as kind. A little bit brusque, I noted.....It was nice to see him again, though.
It was another intriguing tale and Matt featured very heavily so I enjoyed that. Not the quiet little backwater he had thought he was heading into, though ! Interesting too that Lauren is also quite new to the area. I'm sure we'll learn a lot more about her as we go along.
I found the ending came a little suddenly.......I had imagined it being drawn out a little longer than it was. Things were all tied up but just very rapidly is all.
There was that irritating thing of inquiries being written too much and not the English enquiries. One part where someone was reading of an old custody battle I found a little baffling too as I didn't really understand WHY he'd be reading it. There were a few missed question marks, too....right at end end part of the website address has been missed-the publisher ought to correct THAT: www.stormpublishing.co
And Sally, if you're reading this, I see you now have a "regular" disclaimer at the beginning which made me smile !!
I'll definitely be reading the next in the series. Right now I am going onto another by her she writes with a fellow author !!
September 9, 2023
The Lost Girls of Penzance - a review by Rosemary Kenny.
A seemingly straightforward cold case comes racing into the present day for DI Lauren Pengelly, with the discovery of skeletal remains, before the focus then changes for her team, including newly-widowed father Sergeant Matt Price, when three very young girls are covertly abducted from their daycare nurseries.
What's the link to Matt?
Much emotional turmoil ensues, as suspects arise amidst a veritable barrel of red herrings, while the guilty seem to slip the net along with the innocents as they're later discarded.
Guaranteed to keep you gripped firmly by the imagination throughout, get your copy of Sally Rigby's The Lost Girls of Penzance today, and check your little ones are safely tucked in to sleep tonight!
Merged review:
seemingly straightforward cold case comes racing into the present day for DI Lauren Pengelly, with the discovery of skeletal remains, before the focus then changes for her team, including newly-widowed father Sergeant Matt Price, when three very young girls are covertly abducted from their daycare nurseries.
What's the link to Matt?
Much emotional turmoil ensues, as suspects arise amidst a veritable barrel of red herrings, while the guilty seem to slip the net along with the innocents as they're later discarded.
Guaranteed to keep you gripped firmly by the imagination throughout, get your copy of Sally Rigby's The Lost Girls of Penzance today, and check your little ones are safely tucked in to sleep tonight!
Edit Review
A seemingly straightforward cold case comes racing into the present day for DI Lauren Pengelly, with the discovery of skeletal remains, before the focus then changes for her team, including newly-widowed father Sergeant Matt Price, when three very young girls are covertly abducted from their daycare nurseries.
What's the link to Matt?
Much emotional turmoil ensues, as suspects arise amidst a veritable barrel of red herrings, while the guilty seem to slip the net along with the innocents as they're later discarded.
Guaranteed to keep you gripped firmly by the imagination throughout, get your copy of Sally Rigby's The Lost Girls of Penzance today, and check your little ones are safely tucked in to sleep tonight!
Merged review:
seemingly straightforward cold case comes racing into the present day for DI Lauren Pengelly, with the discovery of skeletal remains, before the focus then changes for her team, including newly-widowed father Sergeant Matt Price, when three very young girls are covertly abducted from their daycare nurseries.
What's the link to Matt?
Much emotional turmoil ensues, as suspects arise amidst a veritable barrel of red herrings, while the guilty seem to slip the net along with the innocents as they're later discarded.
Guaranteed to keep you gripped firmly by the imagination throughout, get your copy of Sally Rigby's The Lost Girls of Penzance today, and check your little ones are safely tucked in to sleep tonight!
Edit Review
October 1, 2023
The Lost Girls of Penzance
Detective Matt Price recently relocated to Penzance to his parents and is the new member of the Penzance police force. Right then, a missing toddler was reported which he and Detective Lauren Pengelly started investigating.
This book not only focused on the case handled by the police but also delved into the dynamics in the team thru Matt’s eyes, being the transferee in the group. I don’t know if this is a series with Lauren in the center, because it feels that she is already an established character in the book.
The pacing is fast, the investigation straighforward as is the work ethic of both Matt and Lauren. There were no clear clues by 50% of the audiobook, solely focused on inquiries and conversations.
As an audiobook, I liked the narrations involving Lauren and Matt’s daughter. I can feel Lauren’s a stickler for rules just based on the voice. Made me really oay attention.
This is overall a good book, but I’d like to read this to see if I’ll get a different experience.
Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for a free copy of the audiobook.
Detective Matt Price recently relocated to Penzance to his parents and is the new member of the Penzance police force. Right then, a missing toddler was reported which he and Detective Lauren Pengelly started investigating.
This book not only focused on the case handled by the police but also delved into the dynamics in the team thru Matt’s eyes, being the transferee in the group. I don’t know if this is a series with Lauren in the center, because it feels that she is already an established character in the book.
The pacing is fast, the investigation straighforward as is the work ethic of both Matt and Lauren. There were no clear clues by 50% of the audiobook, solely focused on inquiries and conversations.
As an audiobook, I liked the narrations involving Lauren and Matt’s daughter. I can feel Lauren’s a stickler for rules just based on the voice. Made me really oay attention.
This is overall a good book, but I’d like to read this to see if I’ll get a different experience.
Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for a free copy of the audiobook.
April 19, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. It was a very quick read with a good premise, short chapters and an engaging story. I liked that it’s a part of a series too, which I’ll definitely be looking up the rest of.
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