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Dorothy Martin #7
To Perish In Penzance
She was about twenty, with long blond hair, and her body was found a few days after she fell from the cliffs to her death on the rocks below. No one identified her; no one reported a missing girl. All the police knew was her rough age, that she’d had a child recently, and that she was very underweight.
Her death was a mystery that had haunted Alan Nesbitt, Dorothy Martin’s now-retired chief constable husband, since 1968. It didn’t matter that the incident had happened more than thirty years earlier; under the pretence of a ‘vacation’ to Cornwall, Dorothy was going to get to the bottom of the mystery for Alan . . . and uncover a new one while she was at it.
Her death was a mystery that had haunted Alan Nesbitt, Dorothy Martin’s now-retired chief constable husband, since 1968. It didn’t matter that the incident had happened more than thirty years earlier; under the pretence of a ‘vacation’ to Cornwall, Dorothy was going to get to the bottom of the mystery for Alan . . . and uncover a new one while she was at it.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2001
695 people are currently reading
284 people want to read
About the author
Jeanne M. Dams
46 books217 followersJeanne M. Dams lives in South Bend, Indiana. The Body in the Transept, which introduced Dorothy Martin, won the Agatha Award for Best First Novel. Dams is also the author of Green Grow the Victims and other Hilda Johansson mysteries published by Walker & Company.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
October 12, 2021
I found this a very sad thought provoking read. A chance meeting with a young model while on holiday to try to clear ghosts from one of Alan's old cases. Alan and Dorothy meet one of his former colleagues who invites him to a party. Lexa goes with them but within days she is found dead. Her back story reveals a connection with Alan's old case and the local police call on his help. Soon. Another young girl goes missing. Evidence of drug misuse and suspected murder intermingle with old legends of smuggling days. Throw in a possible suicide , a bank robbery and a large dose of speculation and you could hardly have more twists and turns. It keeps you guessing all the way.
November 1, 2014
To Perish in Penzance by Jeanne M. Dams.
This adventure takes Dorothy and husband Alan on a holiday turned murder case in Penzance. Alan has had an unsolved murder case n the back of his mind for years. thirty years to be exact. That case had taken place in Penzance among the many caves.
Upon entering Penzance they came into contact with other people on holiday. Among those people were an elderly woman and her daughter. Strange observations about that pair stood out in Dorothy's mind.
Shortly thereafter a victim is discovered in the same vicinity as the murder victim of thirty years prior. Are they related in anyway?
Now both Alan and Dorothy were on this new case with motivation at the forefront.
Another excellent adventure with hidden secrets throughout. Highly recommended for lovers of cozies and this series.
This adventure takes Dorothy and husband Alan on a holiday turned murder case in Penzance. Alan has had an unsolved murder case n the back of his mind for years. thirty years to be exact. That case had taken place in Penzance among the many caves.
Upon entering Penzance they came into contact with other people on holiday. Among those people were an elderly woman and her daughter. Strange observations about that pair stood out in Dorothy's mind.
Shortly thereafter a victim is discovered in the same vicinity as the murder victim of thirty years prior. Are they related in anyway?
Now both Alan and Dorothy were on this new case with motivation at the forefront.
Another excellent adventure with hidden secrets throughout. Highly recommended for lovers of cozies and this series.
January 25, 2021
Why did i read this drivel? Well, I’m born and bred in Penzance, so I thought id enjoy a murder mystery set there.
The story is weak; way too many coincidences; too much conjecture and little story-telling ability from the author.
I genuinely can’t imagine anyone enjoying this book.
Given it one star because no stars is not an option.
The story is weak; way too many coincidences; too much conjecture and little story-telling ability from the author.
I genuinely can’t imagine anyone enjoying this book.
Given it one star because no stars is not an option.
April 26, 2023
When he was a young police officer in Cornwall just starting his career, Alan Nesbitt came across a dead woman in a coastal cave; the autopsy revealed a large dose of LSD in her system and, it being 1968, it was assumed that she took the drug and then, either in a fit of despondency or because the drug made her think she could fly, jumped off the cliff, ending up in the cave. No one has ever identified the woman, but 30 years later now-retired Chief Constable Alan Nesbitt is still haunted by the death, which he continues to believe is suspicious. His wife of two years, ex-pat American Dorothy Martin, wants to visit Cornwall both to get away from the endless rain in Sherebury and to possibly lay Alan’s concerns to rest. They meet a mother and daughter in their Penzance hotel, the older woman clearly dying; when the younger woman ends up in the self-same cave, also dead, Dorothy and Alan cannot resist investigating, with the unofficial blessing of the local constabulary…. This is the 7th book in this light cozy series, which features busy-body Dorothy transplanted to England as a Miss Marple type personality, with less character; I enjoy reading the series, but it is by no means a prime example of this genre. I pinpointed the culprit early on, and more or less determined the motives as well, but I had fun remembering my ancestral home of Cornwall through the eyes of these characters. I don’t think you need to have read earlier books in the series to enjoy this one; mildly recommended.
January 23, 2024
"LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER
"While Dorothy Martin loves nearly everything about England -- especially her new husband, retired police detective Alan Nesbitt -- she could do without September's incessant rain. The lure of the sunshine of Cornwall's picturesque coast and an unsolved mystery prove too tempting to resist.
"thirty years earlier, the murder of a beautiful woman had become Alan's first homicide investigation. The case, which was never solved, haunts him still. Upon their arrival, Dorothy and Alan meet a young woman who, it turns out, is the daughter of that long-ago victim. Tragically, Lexa shares the same fate as her mother when she, too, is found dead on the rocky shores of Penzance.
"In a town teeming with legends and lore, Dorothy vows to avenge two innocent deaths and bring a clever killer to justice."
~~back cover
Congratulations to me! I actually guessed the culprit. It was a fluke, I had only the tiniest of clues but still ... chalk it up. The plot of course is incredibly tangled and Dorothy is hard put to work her way through to the killer. With a bit of help from her husband of course. Very enjoyable reading, as all Ms. Dams English cozies are.
"While Dorothy Martin loves nearly everything about England -- especially her new husband, retired police detective Alan Nesbitt -- she could do without September's incessant rain. The lure of the sunshine of Cornwall's picturesque coast and an unsolved mystery prove too tempting to resist.
"thirty years earlier, the murder of a beautiful woman had become Alan's first homicide investigation. The case, which was never solved, haunts him still. Upon their arrival, Dorothy and Alan meet a young woman who, it turns out, is the daughter of that long-ago victim. Tragically, Lexa shares the same fate as her mother when she, too, is found dead on the rocky shores of Penzance.
"In a town teeming with legends and lore, Dorothy vows to avenge two innocent deaths and bring a clever killer to justice."
~~back cover
Congratulations to me! I actually guessed the culprit. It was a fluke, I had only the tiniest of clues but still ... chalk it up. The plot of course is incredibly tangled and Dorothy is hard put to work her way through to the killer. With a bit of help from her husband of course. Very enjoyable reading, as all Ms. Dams English cozies are.
January 15, 2021
Alan speaks about a murder he failed to solve, when he first became a DI in Cornwall. It haunts him to this day.
Dorothy is fed up with the constant rain and proposes a holiday to Cornwall, with the idea of laying to rest this case that worries her lovely hubby. Although she hasn't told him this is the reason for the trip.
The weather is good and she asks to see the cave, where the body of the young girl was found.
Alan is wary but goes along with Dorothy's plan. She tells him she wishes to try and chase away her phobia of enclosed spaces. They set off and she manages, despite her arthritic knees to camber down the cliff side. Only to find the body of Alexis, a young model, who is staying at the same hotel. She is dressed in the same type of clothing as the previous body.
Now they not only have a cold case but a new one to follow up on.
I have found previous books by Jeanne to challenge the mind. This is not one of them. Or maybe I have just found her way of writing a mystery after reading the previous 6.
Dorothy is fed up with the constant rain and proposes a holiday to Cornwall, with the idea of laying to rest this case that worries her lovely hubby. Although she hasn't told him this is the reason for the trip.
The weather is good and she asks to see the cave, where the body of the young girl was found.
Alan is wary but goes along with Dorothy's plan. She tells him she wishes to try and chase away her phobia of enclosed spaces. They set off and she manages, despite her arthritic knees to camber down the cliff side. Only to find the body of Alexis, a young model, who is staying at the same hotel. She is dressed in the same type of clothing as the previous body.
Now they not only have a cold case but a new one to follow up on.
I have found previous books by Jeanne to challenge the mind. This is not one of them. Or maybe I have just found her way of writing a mystery after reading the previous 6.
May 24, 2021
Just boring
I think I’ve come to the end of Dorthy Martin. What started off as a simple but entertaining series slowly slid downward until Perish in Penzance it just plummeted as if fell off the cliff in the story.
Dorthy and hubby Alan, have become I don’t how else to describe it other than boring, I can throw more in the mix, but why kick a series when it’s down.
Instead of just me blah, blah on all I didn’t like just say I quit reading this one less than 3/4 the way in. I was pretty certain I know who sweet innocent Alexa’s daddy was and jumping to the last chapter and reading a couple of pages, no great surprise. Saved me a couple of hours of fighting to stay awake.
Sorry Dorthy, you should of stayed a busybody widow and kept it simple and entertaining.
I think I’ve come to the end of Dorthy Martin. What started off as a simple but entertaining series slowly slid downward until Perish in Penzance it just plummeted as if fell off the cliff in the story.
Dorthy and hubby Alan, have become I don’t how else to describe it other than boring, I can throw more in the mix, but why kick a series when it’s down.
Instead of just me blah, blah on all I didn’t like just say I quit reading this one less than 3/4 the way in. I was pretty certain I know who sweet innocent Alexa’s daddy was and jumping to the last chapter and reading a couple of pages, no great surprise. Saved me a couple of hours of fighting to stay awake.
Sorry Dorthy, you should of stayed a busybody widow and kept it simple and entertaining.
March 31, 2021
I was really enjoying this series but in this book Dorothy comes off so judgemental and rather unbelievably so. A woman her age certainly would have heard rock n roll before— if she grew up in the 1860’s her sour attitude might have played better. That someone who was young in London in the 1960’s didn’t listen to music or dance seems a bit too much. I liked her independent spirit and her hats and this one really quashed that view.
I’d read and enjoyed the other books but this one left a bad taste in my mouth. I’ll give her another try, I liked her before but now I feel less sympathetic....
I’d read and enjoyed the other books but this one left a bad taste in my mouth. I’ll give her another try, I liked her before but now I feel less sympathetic....
July 31, 2023
Dorothy Martin, of a certain age and newly-widowed, leaves America for England, hoping to find peace and the chance to grieve. Instead, she finds friendship, a place in a community, and unexpectedly, a new love. But she also finds more dead bodies than any one person might expect in a lifetime. Book seven takes Dorothy to Alan's childhood home in Cornwall where a cold case suddenly comes to the fore, as there is another murder twenty five years later. Full of all the familiar tropes of this genre, this is strangely old-fashioned, despite being set more or less in the present day. Highly enjoyable and will be loved by readers of cozy crime.
May 31, 2021
After a week of rain, Dorothy is tired and wants to get away. When Alan talks about an early case of his when he was a young Policeman, one which was never she thinks it's the ideal opportunity to visit his home town.
Staying in a lovely hotel, they meet up with a Mother and Daughter; something is amiss, but they don't pry until something happens. Could there be a link between what happened all those years ago and now?
I'm loving this series, enjoyable cozy mystery series, all standalone stories but best read in order of publication.
Staying in a lovely hotel, they meet up with a Mother and Daughter; something is amiss, but they don't pry until something happens. Could there be a link between what happened all those years ago and now?
I'm loving this series, enjoyable cozy mystery series, all standalone stories but best read in order of publication.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2025
Definitely in the “cozy” category. Good as far as it goes. Widowed Dorothy Martin now marries to retired police Superintendent Alan Nesbitt, and here the two make a vacation visit to the area where Alan grew up, in Penzance.
Alas murder intrudes, and Alan, being much known and well-respected by the local police, is asked to assist informally by gathering whatever pertinent information he might - and of course, indefatigable Dorothy is right along for all that comes.
Decent plot, satisfactory denouement, well worth a glance…
Alas murder intrudes, and Alan, being much known and well-respected by the local police, is asked to assist informally by gathering whatever pertinent information he might - and of course, indefatigable Dorothy is right along for all that comes.
Decent plot, satisfactory denouement, well worth a glance…
December 29, 2020
Perfect Cozy Read For A Cozy Day
Five stars because everything about this book is good. The writing, the twisty plot, the characters, the scenery, the pacing, all put together so nicely you forget to take a break, just have to keep reading.
I've read two others in the series and I just love Dorothy. What a character! Since I'm in the senior citizen group, I love someone represented as fully in charge of all her faculties. It's delightful. I highly recommend this book, and this author.
Five stars because everything about this book is good. The writing, the twisty plot, the characters, the scenery, the pacing, all put together so nicely you forget to take a break, just have to keep reading.
I've read two others in the series and I just love Dorothy. What a character! Since I'm in the senior citizen group, I love someone represented as fully in charge of all her faculties. It's delightful. I highly recommend this book, and this author.
December 10, 2021
Almost a 4
I have enjoyed this series of books, and have read them consecutively. The plots are good and interesting, with a likeable main character. My only criticism is the American interpretation of the English language. Only the aristocracy refer to themselves as 'one' , and it is a bit irritating to hear it constantly referred to in conversations between the main characters.
I have enjoyed this series of books, and have read them consecutively. The plots are good and interesting, with a likeable main character. My only criticism is the American interpretation of the English language. Only the aristocracy refer to themselves as 'one' , and it is a bit irritating to hear it constantly referred to in conversations between the main characters.
June 17, 2024
Nice cozy, but there was perhaps too much chatting and repetitive dialogue. The smuggling element was interesting and I would have liked more of that. I would also liked to have had more details on the creepy mayor/antiques dealer character. Dorothy and Alan are a cute, fun couple. This is the only book in the series I've read, and I don't think I'll read another. It was fun for what it was, though.
October 18, 2024
Intending to help her husband banish ghosts from the past, Dorothy lobbies for a few days away in Penzance only to find that a situation almost identical to the one that occurred there years ago is happening again. Husband and wife work together with the adoptive mother of the newly deceased to solve both the past crime and the current one. Lots of great descriptions of the Cornwall coast and a complex mystery involving smugglers past and present.
May 22, 2021
A good one
I’ve been going through this series. These volumes are great for passing time. The stories are well constructed. And, they are logical, which makes me happy. The main characters are in their early 60’s, but there is a cross section of ages in them. Take a chance if you are Agatha Christie fans.
I’ve been going through this series. These volumes are great for passing time. The stories are well constructed. And, they are logical, which makes me happy. The main characters are in their early 60’s, but there is a cross section of ages in them. Take a chance if you are Agatha Christie fans.
January 30, 2022
Good story
Dorothy persuades Alan to return to his roots in Cornwall in hopes of laying to rest the ghost of an impossible cold case from early in his career that still haunts him. Things don't go as planned when it turns into a complicated active case. Alan and Dorothy work well together and it's fun to see how they put the pieces of the case together.
Dorothy persuades Alan to return to his roots in Cornwall in hopes of laying to rest the ghost of an impossible cold case from early in his career that still haunts him. Things don't go as planned when it turns into a complicated active case. Alan and Dorothy work well together and it's fun to see how they put the pieces of the case together.
May 2, 2022
Lexa
A sad story, all too real in our contemporary society. It deals with murder, drugs and robbery. Alan and Dorothy surmise the whole story at the end when Dorothy fits the pieces of the puzzle together to make the final picture. Don’t bypass this story because it is sad but do take it up because it is a brilliant piece of detective work.
A sad story, all too real in our contemporary society. It deals with murder, drugs and robbery. Alan and Dorothy surmise the whole story at the end when Dorothy fits the pieces of the puzzle together to make the final picture. Don’t bypass this story because it is sad but do take it up because it is a brilliant piece of detective work.
June 9, 2023
An unsolved case in Cornwall from 30 years ago is still bothering Alan. So Dorothy decides a trip there to look into it is in order, just to make him feel better, so they go "on holiday" to Penzance. And find another body, in the same place. Moved a little more slowly than some of the past books, but not badly so. A lot of interesting details and descriptions of Cornwall and Penzance.
December 23, 2020
Interesting book
This is the 3rd or 4th book I’ve read by this author, and it was as exciting as the other books
Towards the end of the book, I felt I knew who the bad guy was
But, just how bad, the bad guy really was, was the surprise ending.
An good book to read
This is the 3rd or 4th book I’ve read by this author, and it was as exciting as the other books
Towards the end of the book, I felt I knew who the bad guy was
But, just how bad, the bad guy really was, was the surprise ending.
An good book to read
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June 21, 2021Wonderful
I really enjoyed this book the characters are really well written and enjoyable to read the description of the areas really bring to life the area. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cosy mystery stories
I really enjoyed this book the characters are really well written and enjoyable to read the description of the areas really bring to life the area. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cosy mystery stories
August 1, 2021
While the history and geography of the area is fascinating, the extent of description and "telling" slowed the progression of the plot. That being said, I love these characters and the story they unfold.
September 7, 2021
Excellent cozy mystery!
Alan and Dorothy work together to solve s 30 year old murder and another murder happens in the same place. Now they have 2 mysteries to solve. This book is very captivating and interesting.
Alan and Dorothy work together to solve s 30 year old murder and another murder happens in the same place. Now they have 2 mysteries to solve. This book is very captivating and interesting.
September 21, 2021
What a wickedly twisted story this is! Once Dorothy started telling the story everything fell into place, but how twisted can some people be? I was captured from the very beginning and could not put the book down till I finished it. It was so very good!!
October 27, 2021
Absolutely love these books. The stories are well written and very descriptive. I like how they are set in different places. The murders are not gory and there is always a believable if sometimes sad ending. Looking forward to #8.
June 19, 2022
All around good yarn
Great locale especially for this type of tale. Dorothy Martin
Is a fine choice for a heroine...older and wiser. Yet the plot is enhanced by Alan because of his past occupation. As usual I
Will move on through the series.
Great locale especially for this type of tale. Dorothy Martin
Is a fine choice for a heroine...older and wiser. Yet the plot is enhanced by Alan because of his past occupation. As usual I
Will move on through the series.
July 1, 2022
Smugglers old and new, murder old and new
Dorothy and Alan are ahead of the understaffed and over worked local police and solve and old murder and some new mysteries. Nice descriptions of Southern England and its coastal history add to this story. Recommended
Dorothy and Alan are ahead of the understaffed and over worked local police and solve and old murder and some new mysteries. Nice descriptions of Southern England and its coastal history add to this story. Recommended
September 18, 2022
Another great story
Another great story by Jeanne in the Dorothy Martin series and this time set in Penzance in Cornwall . A good storyline with plenty of interesting characters and lots of twists and turns along the way. Looking forward to reading more.
Another great story by Jeanne in the Dorothy Martin series and this time set in Penzance in Cornwall . A good storyline with plenty of interesting characters and lots of twists and turns along the way. Looking forward to reading more.
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December 17, 2020I love Dorothy! These are very cozy
December 17, 2020
Drugs, caves, stolen art work, murder – what more could you ask for??? I enjoyed this story, feel sorry for Lexie, Pamela, and Mr. Boleigh, and recommend the book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews