Death Comes to St Ives

Edge of the World Detective Agency #3

by Jo Silva

Don’t miss the next Donna ‘Deadly’ Nightshade cosy mystery!

When Donna attends prominent TV anthropologist Gerald Dubois’s book launch at the Tate St Ives art gallery, the last thing she expects to find among the paintings is a brutally artistic murder. With only a select group of attendees at the exclusive after-party lock-in, Donna must investigate each of the seven guests’ motives.

As Donna delves deeper into the investigation, she discovers Gerald’s extensive research on the mysteries of Cornwall's Bronze Age stone circles, and before long, she is unexpectedly embroiled in secret societies, witchcraft and the occult…

#3 in The Edge of the World Detective Agency series follows Donna ‘Deadly’ Nightshade – former florist turned private eye – in her bid to crack a new case amidst the dramatic cliffs and secret coves of Cornwall.

Genres: Mystery

385 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 19, 2024

Reviews

[Phrynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in The Edge of the World Detective Agency series. I am enjoying these books so much. The mystery in this one involves multiple murders, crypto currency, witches and more. It is so involved it practically ties itself in knots but I did not mind at all.

Donna Nightshade is the best kind of main character, a little on the shady side but someone who stands up totally for her friends and family. She can defend herself in almost any situation and there are constant references to both her and her family dabbling in the occult. The writing is excellent and often very funny.

I was very happy to see Joe back. The ending was delightful. I sincerely hope there will be a book four.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book

[Michelle Collick]

I really enjoyed this book. A very fitting end to the trilogy of books. Quite a twist at the end to find out who the actual murderer was!!

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Death Comes to St. Ives is the third novel in the fun and madcap series, The End of the World Detective Agency series, by Jo Silva.
This is the first book from the series thar I've read and I would recommend starting with the first book if you are interested in the series, as the action begins on the first page, and there is a long list of characters, so it did take me quite a while to determine just who was who and how they all fitted together.
The characters are an eclectic mix with practicing witches, a private detective, (police) detectives, artists and well, I'm not sure how to describe the remaining characters.
Our protagonist is one (Bella) Donna Nightshade, local detective and supplier of vegetables and floral boxes. She works with her family and has a habit of finding herself in the middle of investigations. This time around, she is accused of multiple murders. So, the Nightshades decide to run their own investigation, with the assistance of Donna's former boyfriend Joe. And Joe has his own reasons for returning to Cornwall.
As I mentioned, there are multiple characters in the novel and I did find myself scanning back through the pages to check just when a particular person was introduced/their links to the investigation. I do not normally face this issue, so perhaps it was a lack of interest in the storyline that caused me to struggle?
I enjoyed the premise at the start, but then the storyline meanders into the world of cryptocurrrency, and the Dark Web. I would have preferred to stay with the more entertaining (in my opinion) witchy aspects of the storyline, especially as this seems central to the life of the Nightshade family.
I can imagine this book being popular with many readers who will enjoy the complexity of the mystery and the range of characters.
I will say that I did enjoy the elements of humour throughout the novel.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death Comes to St Ives by Jo Silva takes us to Cornwall and the Nightshade family, although they are a little toned down with Auntie Donna in jail in Bora Bora. Uncle Jago is about to fly there to get her released but had to attend this party tonight to celebrate the release of his friend, Henry’s, new book. The party was at a local gallery and since he had an invitation for his sister, Donna and she was unavailable, he convinced his niece, Donna, to attend with him. It was boring. It wasn’t long before Donna was wandering around looking for something of interest. She sort of found it when on the second floor when, after tripping over a tool box, she discovered the Roadrunner and Coyote installation which included an interesting Rube Goldberg contraption intended to annihilate Coyote. But, even that lost its luster fairly quickly. Then there was the after party with Henry meeting with each person individually. He didn’t seem to be having a good time. Shortly after, everyone realized they hadn’t seen Henry recently so they split into teams to search for him. Donna and Henry’s assistant, Lucy, found him, dead, crushed under a boulder that was part of the contraption. Her uncle still had to leave for Bora Bora but before he did he hired her and the Edge of The World Detective Agency, to find the murderer of his friend.

Joe Enys had been ordered down from London for an investigation that was out of DCI Palmer’s reach. Turns out nearly everything was out of his reach. Joe had been in love with Donna for most of his life but had yet to approach her. It was a continuing frustration for him. Would this be his chance? Joe was a good guy, but a policeman. Donna was a borderline criminal and private investigator. Her family was bizarre and often he was unable to understand what was going on with them. As it turns out, the investigation of cattle missing was part of the larger investigation of Henry’s murder and two others. Joe pretty much solved it with the help of Donna’s sister, Lamorna. It was a surprising conclusion but one that made sense and they had the evidence. Joe got on the train with a promotion but without opening his heart to Donna. Donna went to the pub to perform with her family without opening her heart to Joe. What would happen next? Thanks Jo Silver for creating this astounding family.

I was invited to read Death Comes to St Ives by Harper Collins Publishers. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #HarperCollinsPublishers #JoSilva #DeathComesToStIves

[Denis Wheller · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first is cursed by a witch, then dies of Novichok; the second is caught between a rock and a hard place; the third’s death is socratic! Three murders in three days is quite a lot, even when they happen in the small part of Cornwall where resides Donna Nightshade, doyen of the “End of the World Detective Agency”. Since Donna found the second and was last to see the third, it is not surprising that she is top of the suspect list, not to mention her previous encounters with the police. With most of the rest of the Nightshade family on the other side of the planet, she and her sister Lamorna will have to solve these cases on their own, until the sudden return of DS Joe Enys, formerly of this parish and nearly boyfriend of Donna’s (it goes without saying that each is in love with the other but somehow doesn’t realise it). As for the three corpses, the first was a Russian double agent, the second the author of a fantastically successful series of science-fantasy childrens’ books, the third a, slightly eccentric, local entrepreneur. It’s a small place so they are all connected, to each other, to Donna, and to almost everyone else. Of the three, the weirdest is the second, since was killed by a Rube Goldberg machine (the type Wile E Coyote favours for the capture of Road Runner). Fitting all of these together into a sensible pattern is just as convoluted as that machine, but to say more would enter into spoiler territory.
This is an amusingly written, cosy crime story, the third in a series (but OK as a standalone). It is a delight to read, but also an intellectual challenge. The characters are all strong, well-constructed and believable – at least believable if you allow that the action is set in Cornwall and that there is a sense of idiosyncrasy about the location. In addition to the main players mentioned above, there are number of supporting characters (some only anecdotally present) who are just as solid. I have reviewed a number of cosy-crime-in-a-singular-setting books and think I have enjoyed this one the most.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.

[Susan Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princess Fuzzypants here: Will she? Won’t he? Back and forth. Forth and back. Donna Nightshade and Joe Enys are crazy about each other but they just seem incapable of expressing it to each other. In a series of “just missed” encounters they dance around whilst solving three murders. At first glance it seems the deaths are not related but as Donna peels back the layers of mystery, there is undoubtably a connection. But whom and what it not at all clear. In fact, when the entire mystery is unravelled at the end of the book, I had difficulty following the various entanglements and when it was fully revealed, it was a spider’s web that led to some unsuspected perps.

Donna and her family are quirky. Some might describe them as dangerous. I suspect some of that might have come in the first two books which I have not read yet. However, even coming into the tale in the third outing, I was able to follow the plot and the characters. They are a highly colourful lot that leads the reader through entertaining and often amusing trials and tribulations. It made my head spin a bit at times but I did enjoy it. I look forward to reading more of the books. Five purrs and two paws up.

[Erica]

Set in a remote corner of Cornwall, Death Comes to St Ives presents a broad cast of oddball characters involved in a triple murder which ties in a cryptocurrency scheme, the art and publishing industries, and elements of the occult. Amateur sleuth Donna - whose kooky relatives seem to be involved in every nefarious dealing in the area - and her sometimes boyfriend, police investigator Joe, are tasked with solving the crime.

This is the third novel in a series, but I read it as a standalone - maybe not the best choice. The characters were often hard to keep track of, and combined with the unusually complex mystery it felt like there was simply too much happening for me to keep track of. Plus, I wasn't invested in Donna and Joe's romance since I hadn't read about the earlier developments in their relationship. I did still enjoy the story, but without the necessary context it read as more of a silly, madcap romp than a truly engrossing mystery.

3.5 stars, but would probably be higher if I had read its predecessors.

[I received a complimentary ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. Opinions are my own.]

[Perpetual Reads (Angel) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars

Death Comes to St Ives features our leading lady Donna Nightshade, who finds herself in the middle of a whodunnit, and employes her detective wiles to get to the bottom of the mystery that seems to embroil her family as well as her home town. The story is reminiscent of a "Knives Out" murder mystery - quirky snd amusing with a cast of wonderfully weird characters. While I had a slow start, I found myself slowly sinking into the coziness of the setting and enjoying the journey that the characters went on as they worked to solve the murder. Lamorna Nightshade and her trusty whiteboard provided lots of comedic relief and lightheartedness to the plot, as well as the fun will they, won't they dance between Donna and Joe. The ending certainly seemed to tie all the pieces together, however I have to admit being a bit lost when the reveal happened as I felt that there was alot going on, and perhaps too much complexity to really keep track of how everything fit together. Nevertheless, a satisfying end to a very cozy read.

[LittleRead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Donna, this time not only is she a suspect in a murder, she is now a suspect in three murders. Was she really just in the wrong place at the wrong time? The police don’t believe so, but Donna is determined to clear her name, and prove them wrong. even when they assign a detective to join her in her own soothing, she will not stop until she figures out who the murderer is.

As always, Donna is one of the best protagonists in Cozy mysteries. Jo Silva certainly knows her way around a cozy mystery. She builds the excitement and suspense, then throw in plenty of red herrings to distract you up until the final reveal.

Every time I see a new entry in this series I get excited for the chance to read it and spend some time on Donna’s next case. If you haven’t read one in this series yet, what are you waiting for? Each one reads fine as a standalone, but but you’ll want to read the others as well.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edge of the World Detective Agency Book 3

When Donna attends prominent TV anthropologist Gerald Dubois's book launch at the Tate St. Ives art gallery, the last thing she expects to find among the paintings is a brutally artistic murder. With only a select group of attendees at the exclusive after-party lock-in, Donna must investigate each of the seven guests' motives. As Donna delves deeper into the investigation, she discovers Gerald's extensive research on the mysteries of Cornwall's Bronze Age stone circles, and before long, she unexpectedly embroiled in secret societies, witchcraft, and the occult.

There were a mixed bunch of characters in this book, varying from the practising witches to artists. This time, Donna is the main suspect, three murders have taken place and Donna has to prove that she is innocent. DS Joe Eyns has been sent from London's Home Office to head the investigation.

I really like this cosy murder mystery series, There are plenty of twists and red herrings. We are also kept guessing whether Donna and Joe will finally get together,

Published 19th April

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter and the author #JoSilva for my ARC of #DeathComestoStIves in exchange for an honest review.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

She’s back! Donna ‘Deadly’ Nightshade and her Edge of the World Detective Agency. The title of book three in the series, Death Comes to St. Ives, is almost redundant, because death has been a constant companion of Donna from the minute she opened that detective agency. As has Donna herself usually being the prime suspect.

The detective agency isn’t exactly a rousing success. Donna kinds of bungles along, dead bodies just seem to throw themselves in front of her, her ex, Detective Sergeant Joe Enys, does his best to avoid having arrest her, especially since he’s the one who sent her to prison years ago in the first place, and her crazy family runs rampant.

Once again, we are immediately drawn into an outrageously funny and entertaining mystery. Joe has been assigned elsewhere and is getting promoted, so he and Donna haven’t seen much of each other for a while. Doesn’t matter. They are always barging into each other’s thoughts and now that Joe has been tasked with “keeping an eye on Donna” here we go. By now we’ve almost got whiplash from the push and pull of this relationship. Will they or won’t they? Should they or shouldn’t they? YES, THEY SHOULD! But will they ever figure out how to admit it, to say it out loud, will they ever be in the same place just on that verge without another dead body popping up? Who knows? But hope does spring eternal, even if the suspense is killing us. And don’t ever say Demelza again. Lamorna seems young and goofy, but don’t be fooled, there’s a lot going on there. And don’t be fooled by Uncle Jago and the aunties either, because there is usually something under the surface that isn’t always, often isn’t, on the up and up. That’s just life with the Nightshades.

Fantastic author Jo Silva’s words create delicious mental images of the town, the sea, the certainly-not-boring people. You feel as if you are right there, you can picture the plants, the house, the food. She infuses the story with so much humour: subtle, bold, laugh-out-loud, ridiculous, quiet. It keeps the story rolling along at its perfect breakneck speed. And oh, the pictures that humour will put in your mind. And the mystery? Twists, turns, false leads, danger, recklessness, it’s all there and you’ll guess and guess and guess and probably gasp at the satisfying conclusion.

Thanks to Harper Collins Publishers One More Chapter for providing an advance copy of Death Comes to St. Ives via NetGalley. I was thrilled to be given the chance to read it, and I cannot wait for the next book in what continues to be an amazing series. As I’ve said before, great writing, great author, great characters – just great. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amateur sleuth Donna Nightshade should really be used to being accused of murder by now – after all, she’s found herself the prime suspect in nearly every case she’s investigated in the past year! However when St. Ives sees not one, not two, but three suspicious deaths in quick succession, and Donna finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time for each one, she’s forced to defend her good name once again.
The third outing for Donna & another well written cosy mystery, it could be read on its own but the relationships between the strong cast of eclectic characters have developed so to fully appreciate it I’d recommend reading in order. I love the mix of characters & thoroughly enjoyed this murder mystery with witches, the dark web & crypto currency, I had to suspend belief a couple of times but that’s all part of the magic of the series. It was fun, entertaining & I thoroughly enjoyed it
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a citified, somewhat intense/grim, suspenseful, detective procedural, but an investigation of peculiar proportions with fascinating characters, sneaky twists, and amazing red herrings. Great cozy read! There is no way that any reader cannot laugh sox off! This is not as obvious as a farce, but a hilarious meeting with the quixotic Nightshade family and the Edge of the World Detective agency and the interworking with law enforcement. The world building is fairly current, but it still is a fantastic escape from the news media. The hilarity does not depend upon having read the earlier books, but they are so much fun!
I requested and received a temporary EARC from HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter via NetGalley. Thank you!
#EdgeOfTheWorldDetectiveAgency#3 Available 19 Apr 2024

[zoe Hitchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great series which keeps getting better with each new book.
Donna “ deadly” Nightshade is back in the beautiful Cornish surroundings and her eccentric family are back too .
Donna runs the edge of the world detective series which to be truthful isn’t as successful as Donna hoped , and she’s still running her veg box business on the side too.
Donna along with Uncle Jago attends a book launch at Tate St Ives art gallery , but where ever Donna is murder isn’t far behind and she stumble across a murder in a an art installation.
Donna starts her sleuthing and Joe Enys also returns but will he stay?
A cleverly written story with some dry wit that I really enjoyed .
The characters are eccentric and amiable.
A unique series that is thoroughly enjoyable , highly recommended!
Looking forward to Donna’s next case .
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter .

[Colin Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

With three suspicious deaths Donna is again investigating these with (or maybe without) the help of her friend DS Joe Enys. With the addition of witches (any story with the line "When shall we three meet again?" is met with "Tinner's Arms, Sunday night?" has already caught me), mermaids and the Wile e Coyote this isn't a straightforward mystery, even a cozy one. With more twists and turns than a twisty turny thing (©Baldrick) every time I thought that I had it figured out there turned up something new to change everything. Add the romantic element with Joe and you end up with a book that I really couldn't put down.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

[Jane Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Death Comes To St Ives is a very entertaining, unique, cosy mystery story set in Cornwall. It is part of The Edge of the World Detective Agency series and features vivid characters, the Nightshades, and many suspicious deaths. Belladonna Nightshade, or Donna, runs the detective agency and has a good track record with the help of her family and her friend, DS Joe Enys. I like the characters; they are vibrant and quirky and quintessentially Cornish. The mysteries are complex and twisty, and the investigation is immersive and thorough. The mystery is readable as a standalone, but reading the previous two books will provide the essential characterisation and relationship dynamics that make this engaging.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

[Barbara Deeprose · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Good Read

Although I enjoyed this book, (I love most books set in Cornwall), for some reason this one didn't grab me quite as much as the previous two did. Maybe they are all too similar? Donna Nightshade, has set herself up as a private investigator, with the help of her sister, so when there are suddenly three unexpected deaths in their community they are soon in the thick of it. Donna's love interest, DS Joe Enys returns from London but neither of them will actually speak about their feelings, but the three of them work together with it seems, Donna doing most of the work. It was a good read and I wonder if there will be any more in the series. I would probably read it if another book came along.

[Shelagh · Rating 4 out of 5]

With three apparently linked murders to solve, Private Investigator Donna Nightshade has plenty on her hands, however in Death Comes To St Ives her sister Lamorna is there to help with whiteboards and mind maps. It was lovely returning to the St Ives and Penzance areas of Cornwall and reacquainting myself with Donna and her extraordinary family. While solving the mystery of these deaths and searching for the link is Donna’s focus, she’s not alone in the physical search as Detective Sergeant Joe Enys has returned home apparently to solve some agricultural crime but in reality to find out what killed a former Russian spy. He and Donna love each other, which is clear to anybody watching them together, though neither of them has mentioned the fact to the other, leading to plenty of doubt in both their minds. This secondary plot keeps the story light, as do the antics of Donna’s family. I loved the characters in this story, but I also loved the plot, which kept me guessing to the last page, both in terms of who was the murderer and whether or not Donna and Joe would get their happy ever after. This has been another great read from author Jo Silva.

[Miki Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A neighbourhood watch member dies while chasing a group of witches down a hill, supposedly from a heart attack.
During a party for a book launch, the author is found dead under an art installation and Donna Nightshade, who along with her Uncle Jago, was at the party, thinks something is amiss.
There are strange things going on in Zennor and Joe is summoned back from London by his old boss to look into them on the quiet. But when the investigating DS has a heart attack, Joe is thrust back into the investigation and has to deal with Donna, the love of his life, who he last saw being proposed to by another man.
An entertaining romp around the UK's most southerly point.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a little while to get into this story, perhaps because I didn't already know the characters. But I did enjoy it once I started to get a feel for who was who. I wasn't exactly sure I liked Donna...she did grow on me, by the end, but I wanted her to be a bit cleverer about figuring things out.
I'm also not totally sure what happened at the end! The whole Poirot reveal seemed to be going well, but then more & more was revealed and there were a LOT of things to try & keep hold of.

I did like Joe though, and I was probably most interested in his love story with Donna.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! Donna and Joe and her crazy family are like old friends. I’m always anxious to see what new escapades this crew will get into. There’s a fabulous Rube Goldberg machine that plays a prominent role in the story. I think this series is best read in order for maximum enjoyment.

Thank you to One More Chapter Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Roo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series about Donna Nightshade set in a lovely coastal town. This book is more mystical than the others with mermaids and witches being more focused. Donna is at a book launch when the author ends up dead, the mystery needs to be so,bed and Donna is there to help with Joe returning to help.

A great mystery that keeps you guessing.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

[Tams M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this is book three, it’s still a stand alone story. I haven’t actually read the other two, and although it’s probably a good idea to have read them first, I was able to enjoy the book without doing so. It’s written from the perspective of Donna, the main character and Joe her love interest. If you are a fan of cozy murders you are sure to enjoy this. The storyline is strong and the characters are well rounded. Thank you #netgalley

[Avril Hemingway · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is story with a multitude of characters which can make it a little hard to keep them all straight, so might be best if read in order as this is the third book in the series. It's a fun quirky cosy mystery that moves along at a good pace. It is quite twisty with multiple things to be investigated as well as the murder's and an unexpected outcome. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third in the series and another interesting mystery solved. Have to admit I got a bit confused on who some of the people were after a bit. Maybe I was just distracted by events of the world, but enjoyed seeing how Donna Nightshade and her family of "pirates" would solve this very complex murder. This time she teams up with teenage sweetheart (but still trying to find each other) Joe Enys. Hope there will be another one!!

Recommend this series and best to start with #1.

[Lori D · Rating 4 out of 5]

British mystery stories are my favorite, although I usually read historical.

But this was a fun cozy mystery where the main character Donna Nightshade (yes really) finds herself accused of not one but three deaths. What is a girl to do?

With an interesting cast of characters and a great setting, you will be glued until the end!

[Patricia Moren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another entertaining story based in Cornwall by Jo Silva. The usual cast of crazy people who cleverly solve a complex murder. I thoroughly enjoy this stories and this ones' conclusion capped them all.

[Carole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe it’s because I hadn’t read any of the other books in this series but I just couldn’t get into it. All the dark web and witchy stuff wasn’t for me I’m afraid and I had to skip to the end just to get it done with. Really sorry, I know I’m in the minority.

[Karen Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Edge of the world Detective Agency 1-3

Loved this series. Interesting characters and cleverly executed storylines. Would love a book 4 with Donna and her family. Fantastic read.

[Sarah (blissbubbley) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the last book of the trilogy and it takes a while to get into having missed the first two books. But… thoroughly enjoyed it. I’d happily read the other books at some point to finish off the trilogy.