What do you think?
Rate this book
Cornwall Murder Mystery #3
Murder at Land's End
The crashing wave catches the early morning light, sparkling like diamonds across the beach. It cocoons the girl’s body resting on the rocks, her knees tucked under her. As the water reaches it, the girl’s dark hair rises in tendrils to caress her face, her eyelashes speckled with sand. She’d look like a mermaid from a story… if not for the bruises around her fragile throat.
When the body of a young woman is found by the coast in Land’s End, Cornwall, Detective Lauren Pengelly and her deputy Matt Price are first on the scene. Sophie Bethany Yates was well-known around the docks – a pretty girl from up the coast, always dreaming of something more. As locals jostle the barricades for a better look, whispers go round that Sophie’s boyfriend Samuel was more than capable of murder.
But Lauren isn’t ready to close the case, even after Samuel can’t give a reliable alibi for the night Sophie died. Something about the crime scene feels off – a hunch confirmed when they find a tiny slip of paper hidden inside Sophie’s mouth, reading “Men must work and women must weep”. It’s a break in the case, but a confusing one. What does the cryptic message mean, and how come Lauren feels like she’s heard it before?
But then another young woman is found on the sand, a curl of paper between her lips. Lauren knows they’re running out of time to catch the killer. As she begins to untangle the dark truth around what’s happening to these girls, she discovers a darker side to the scenic town – and to Sophie herself, who wasn’t all she seemed. Hiding in plain sight is a twisted killer, whose desperate plans mean nobody is safe for long… but can Lauren piece together the truth before they find her first?
An unputdownable murder mystery from a bestselling author, perfect for fans of LJ Ross, Louise Penny and Joy Ellis.
When the body of a young woman is found by the coast in Land’s End, Cornwall, Detective Lauren Pengelly and her deputy Matt Price are first on the scene. Sophie Bethany Yates was well-known around the docks – a pretty girl from up the coast, always dreaming of something more. As locals jostle the barricades for a better look, whispers go round that Sophie’s boyfriend Samuel was more than capable of murder.
But Lauren isn’t ready to close the case, even after Samuel can’t give a reliable alibi for the night Sophie died. Something about the crime scene feels off – a hunch confirmed when they find a tiny slip of paper hidden inside Sophie’s mouth, reading “Men must work and women must weep”. It’s a break in the case, but a confusing one. What does the cryptic message mean, and how come Lauren feels like she’s heard it before?
But then another young woman is found on the sand, a curl of paper between her lips. Lauren knows they’re running out of time to catch the killer. As she begins to untangle the dark truth around what’s happening to these girls, she discovers a darker side to the scenic town – and to Sophie herself, who wasn’t all she seemed. Hiding in plain sight is a twisted killer, whose desperate plans mean nobody is safe for long… but can Lauren piece together the truth before they find her first?
An unputdownable murder mystery from a bestselling author, perfect for fans of LJ Ross, Louise Penny and Joy Ellis.
248 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 13, 2024
1126 people are currently reading
212 people want to read
About the author
Sally Rigby
45 books510 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
May 12, 2024
Detectives Lauren Pengelly and Matt Price were called to the Cornwall coast at Land's End where the body of a young woman had been found on the rocks. The initial thought of a drowning was ruled out when it became obvious her death was murder. As evidence was uncovered, it became apparent the young woman had worked on the overnight fishing vessels a couple of nights a week, along with her day job. She was enthusiastic; everyone said she was loving the experience. But when another young woman's body was discovered in the same circumstances as the first, Lauren and Matt knew they needed to work harder and faster.
Lauren and her team were working well together; their DCI approved Lauren's plans. But when things pointed in a different direction entirely, their shock and then understanding saw them coming closer to a conclusion. But would they catch the killer before another victim was murdered?
Murder at Land's End is the 3rd in the Cornwall Murder Mystery series by Sally Rigby and I enjoyed it very much. The ending felt rushed though, and there were a couple of threads that weren't tied up. Hopefully that will occur in the next edition. Lauren and Matt's characters are great, although Billy is annoying! Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Lauren and her team were working well together; their DCI approved Lauren's plans. But when things pointed in a different direction entirely, their shock and then understanding saw them coming closer to a conclusion. But would they catch the killer before another victim was murdered?
Murder at Land's End is the 3rd in the Cornwall Murder Mystery series by Sally Rigby and I enjoyed it very much. The ending felt rushed though, and there were a couple of threads that weren't tied up. Hopefully that will occur in the next edition. Lauren and Matt's characters are great, although Billy is annoying! Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
May 13, 2024
The third book in the Cornwall Murder Mystery series but the first one I have read. It still worked as a standalone.
Detective Lauren Pengelly and D.S Matt Price are called out to an apparent drowning which turns out to be murder. The victim is a young woman from the local area who sometimes crews for a fishing boat. Investigations begin but then a second woman is found murdered in the same way and the hunt is on to find the person responsible before they kill again.
I enjoyed the Cornish setting, the mystery and the police work. I sometimes felt that there was a little too much time spent on describing how everyone was feeling which slowed down the pace unnecessarily, but maybe that's just me! I would still happily read another book from the series.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Detective Lauren Pengelly and D.S Matt Price are called out to an apparent drowning which turns out to be murder. The victim is a young woman from the local area who sometimes crews for a fishing boat. Investigations begin but then a second woman is found murdered in the same way and the hunt is on to find the person responsible before they kill again.
I enjoyed the Cornish setting, the mystery and the police work. I sometimes felt that there was a little too much time spent on describing how everyone was feeling which slowed down the pace unnecessarily, but maybe that's just me! I would still happily read another book from the series.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
April 25, 2024
I really wanted to love this book. I had read the previous one, and although I had issues with some things, the mystery kept my attention and I saw promise- so was excited to read this.
Alas, I am in the minority here. It took me forever to read this. I will say, for the most part, I liked the mystery. However, the interaction and internal thinking of the characters became tedious and monotonous. I also felt the ending was a bit of a let down.
However, many others really enjoyed it. So if you like police procedural, with a big focus on team relations and thoughts, you might love this!
Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC. This is my honest review.
Alas, I am in the minority here. It took me forever to read this. I will say, for the most part, I liked the mystery. However, the interaction and internal thinking of the characters became tedious and monotonous. I also felt the ending was a bit of a let down.
However, many others really enjoyed it. So if you like police procedural, with a big focus on team relations and thoughts, you might love this!
Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC. This is my honest review.
February 20, 2025
OK. I'm done with this series. The writing was just as bad as in the previous books but this time, without a decent plot. The mystery had an interesting start but fizzeled out halfway through. The final solution was plodding and unconvincing. The way the investigation lacked any credibility. Finding the source of a quote 'for men must work and women must weep', a key clue in the case took me a few seconds. It took the police a couple of days. I found Lauren's earnestness, combined with her naivety, annoying. The side plot relating to the Lauren's family was even more of a damp squib, ending the book with a confrontation that simply didn't work.
March 28, 2024
I enjoyed the plot very much! I also found it good that the police team got on well with each other. However, I found the narrator rather irritating in the overall dull and flat comments about the investigation and people 's feelings. That was a shame.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.
May 10, 2024
True to form, Sally Rigby brings us another well-penned police procedural in Murder At Land’s End. Detective Lauren Pengelly and Deputy Matt Price will have their hands full when a body is found in Land’s End in Cornwall. When another body turns, up the team will have to piece together the facts before yet another murder occurs. A mystery thriller with a strong female detective makes for a very good read. Add to that the fast-paced and thrilling action and you have a hit. I love the characters in this series. They get better with every book. And, as always, the vivid description adds to the brilliant storyline. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 15, 2024
Suspense And Rollercoaster Ride
Murder at Land’s End by Sally Rigby is book 3 in the Cornwall Murder series, featuring DI Lauren Pengelly and DS Matt Price. When the body of a young woman is found lying on the rocks by the coast in Land’s End, Detective Lauren Pengelly and her deputy Matt Price are first on the scene. Sophie Bethany Yates also had some fishing line tied around her neck and the coroner found a poem in her mouth. reading “Men must work, and women must weep.” After discovering that Sophie had a secret, and that she wanted to be a fisherwoman and had recently been working on a boat Pengelly and Price wonder if any of her fellow workers had a problem because she was a female.
Sophie’s boyfriend also becomes a person of interest as he is having an affair and when another body is found the same as Sophie’s with the poem in their mouth and it was the women Sophies boyfriend was having the affair with things do not look good for the young man.
Have they got a serial killer on their hands or does somebody hate women fishing in what the men think is not a job for women. Pengelly, Price, and the team must work extra hard to unravel the secrets hidden plus Pengelly suddenly gets a visit from her aunt and she now has a serious family problems thrown into her busy schedule. Can Lauren manage both and should she confide in Matt. Lauren shares her troubles with Matt who promises to help when she needs to talk.
Pengelly, Matt, and her team work hard to try to capture the perpetrator before more women go missing. I absolutely loved this story which is fast paced with plenty of twists and turns. The book will keep you guessing until the very last page with suspense and a rollercoaster ride of emotions as you read this thriller. An action-packed thriller that grabbed my attention from the start." Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Murder at Land’s End by Sally Rigby is book 3 in the Cornwall Murder series, featuring DI Lauren Pengelly and DS Matt Price. When the body of a young woman is found lying on the rocks by the coast in Land’s End, Detective Lauren Pengelly and her deputy Matt Price are first on the scene. Sophie Bethany Yates also had some fishing line tied around her neck and the coroner found a poem in her mouth. reading “Men must work, and women must weep.” After discovering that Sophie had a secret, and that she wanted to be a fisherwoman and had recently been working on a boat Pengelly and Price wonder if any of her fellow workers had a problem because she was a female.
Sophie’s boyfriend also becomes a person of interest as he is having an affair and when another body is found the same as Sophie’s with the poem in their mouth and it was the women Sophies boyfriend was having the affair with things do not look good for the young man.
Have they got a serial killer on their hands or does somebody hate women fishing in what the men think is not a job for women. Pengelly, Price, and the team must work extra hard to unravel the secrets hidden plus Pengelly suddenly gets a visit from her aunt and she now has a serious family problems thrown into her busy schedule. Can Lauren manage both and should she confide in Matt. Lauren shares her troubles with Matt who promises to help when she needs to talk.
Pengelly, Matt, and her team work hard to try to capture the perpetrator before more women go missing. I absolutely loved this story which is fast paced with plenty of twists and turns. The book will keep you guessing until the very last page with suspense and a rollercoaster ride of emotions as you read this thriller. An action-packed thriller that grabbed my attention from the start." Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 14, 2024
This is #3 in the Cornwall Murder Mystery series, but I read it as a standalone with no problems. However, I enjoyed it so much that I’ve now downloaded the previous two books.
DI Lauren Pengelly and DS Matt Price start investigating the death of local girl, Sophie. Everything points to the perpetrator being her boyfriend, Samuel, especially as he doesn’t have an alibi for the time of Sophie’s murder. A piece of paper with a line of a poem on it is found in Sophie’s mouth. Then another body is discovered and it’s a local girl called Courtney. Lauren and Matt discover that Sophie’s boyfriend, Samuel, was seeing Courtney behind her back, so this puts him firmly in the frame. A piece of paper is found in Courtney’s mouth, with the exact same line of a poem written on it. The team has to find the killer before they strike again.
A brilliant and gripping read, which I read in record time.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.
DI Lauren Pengelly and DS Matt Price start investigating the death of local girl, Sophie. Everything points to the perpetrator being her boyfriend, Samuel, especially as he doesn’t have an alibi for the time of Sophie’s murder. A piece of paper with a line of a poem on it is found in Sophie’s mouth. Then another body is discovered and it’s a local girl called Courtney. Lauren and Matt discover that Sophie’s boyfriend, Samuel, was seeing Courtney behind her back, so this puts him firmly in the frame. A piece of paper is found in Courtney’s mouth, with the exact same line of a poem written on it. The team has to find the killer before they strike again.
A brilliant and gripping read, which I read in record time.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.
April 23, 2024
Sally's done it again! A GREAT short, concise, and packing a wallop police who-done-it in a 'man's world'.
A woman's corpse is left on the rocks at the seaside with a note in her mouth, stirring up all sorts of trouble in this police procedural.
We follow along as the investigation begins, and red herrings, no pun intended, seem to appear.
I love it when we have to follow along, trying to figure it out, and looking for clues and suspects.
I love it even more when I haven't figured it out.
I DON'T like that I've ordered FFD&G (fish, fries, dressing, and gravy) 3 TIMES while reading...😆
I received an ARC of this book from the author, and I am giving you my honest review.
A woman's corpse is left on the rocks at the seaside with a note in her mouth, stirring up all sorts of trouble in this police procedural.
We follow along as the investigation begins, and red herrings, no pun intended, seem to appear.
I love it when we have to follow along, trying to figure it out, and looking for clues and suspects.
I love it even more when I haven't figured it out.
I DON'T like that I've ordered FFD&G (fish, fries, dressing, and gravy) 3 TIMES while reading...😆
I received an ARC of this book from the author, and I am giving you my honest review.
May 11, 2024
What a magnificent series! Lauren, Matt and the team are trying to solve two murder cases which have several connections between them. Through pure, solid detective work, they slowly start putting all the pieces together. I love British police procedurals and this series is proving to be one of the best I've read in a long time. Good detective work, a great team dynamic that's getting better with each book, and a developing friendship between Lauren and Matt. I look forward to many more books in this series.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 17, 2024
3.5 stars
Best book in the series so far. I like how the characters have evolved and now feel more rounded and solid. I would absolutely continue listening to this series at the moment if there were more books available.
The narrator is really good, but I must applaud the child voice she makes a bit extra. It's so on point and child-like, while also being completely adorable!
Will I return to this series? Yes!
Best book in the series so far. I like how the characters have evolved and now feel more rounded and solid. I would absolutely continue listening to this series at the moment if there were more books available.
The narrator is really good, but I must applaud the child voice she makes a bit extra. It's so on point and child-like, while also being completely adorable!
Will I return to this series? Yes!
April 9, 2024
This book had a solid premise and a great bunch of characters. I haven't read the first two books which I will definitely get to later.
Coming to Murder at Land's End, I must say that it has a solid beginning which creates intrigue for the readers. The author did a great job of writing the investigation process and it was fun seeing them the characters unravelling new clues as the pages turn. The similar death of another character definitely brought the book to a fabulous climax as the stakes were higher.
However it was after that bit, that sort of pulled the magnetic energy of the story. The conclusion felt very anti-climactic and not very invested. I was hoping that there would be a much more convoluted end. Anyway, this is my view and there will be others who will love the book.
A compliment of note to the author is the way the setting of each scene is described. It makes one really want to visit the area.
For the ending, I give this book 3 stars.
I thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for giving me this E-Arc and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Coming to Murder at Land's End, I must say that it has a solid beginning which creates intrigue for the readers. The author did a great job of writing the investigation process and it was fun seeing them the characters unravelling new clues as the pages turn. The similar death of another character definitely brought the book to a fabulous climax as the stakes were higher.
However it was after that bit, that sort of pulled the magnetic energy of the story. The conclusion felt very anti-climactic and not very invested. I was hoping that there would be a much more convoluted end. Anyway, this is my view and there will be others who will love the book.
A compliment of note to the author is the way the setting of each scene is described. It makes one really want to visit the area.
For the ending, I give this book 3 stars.
I thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for giving me this E-Arc and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 19, 2024
Another great read in the Cornwall murder series. I’m loving the working dynamics of the team and seeing how Matt and Lauren’s relationship is progressing. A well written storyline that had me guessing to the end, I do live a good police procedural and Sally does not disappoint.
April 7, 2025
Audiobook: an easy listen to this the third in the series.
June 21, 2025
I listened to this on Audible and although the story was good O felt the reading of it was a bit flat
January 18, 2025
Excellent story of every day policing in Cornwall! Got to know the characters, investigating the crime. The story teller has a relaxing voice
April 1, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for a copy of "Murder at Land's End" in exchange for my honest review.
This is the third book in the Cornwall Murder Mystery series, set in Penzance with the Devon and Cornwall Police. The story takes place between Monday, June 10th and Sunday, June 16th.
DI Lauren Pengelly calls her DS Matt Price, asking him to cancel plans because a body has been found and it looks suspicious - a drowning at Land's End. The victim Sophie Bethany Yates was training to be a female fisherman on The Siren's Call but her parents were unaware as they did not approve of her choices.
There is a small group of suspects who all have motives including Sophie's boyfriend Stephen Finch. When another body is found in similar circumstances and it turns out to be a friend of Sophie's there are many threads that the team follows - and they start to wonder if they truly have one case or two that they are investigating. Once the reason for the murders becomes apparent, all the pieces fall into place.
The team in this story is becoming more of an actual team, not the way they were in the first book. Lauren is becoming easier to get along with (probably the influence of Matt on the team) and she's doing a lot less micromanaging and trust her team more. We learn that she has an incredible soft spot for Matt's daughter Dani and enjoys letting her play with her two dogs.
The team claims that the incidents in Penzance have grown since Matt arrived, so hopefully that means the reader can look forward to more stories from Ms. Rigby!!!
This is the third book in the Cornwall Murder Mystery series, set in Penzance with the Devon and Cornwall Police. The story takes place between Monday, June 10th and Sunday, June 16th.
DI Lauren Pengelly calls her DS Matt Price, asking him to cancel plans because a body has been found and it looks suspicious - a drowning at Land's End. The victim Sophie Bethany Yates was training to be a female fisherman on The Siren's Call but her parents were unaware as they did not approve of her choices.
There is a small group of suspects who all have motives including Sophie's boyfriend Stephen Finch. When another body is found in similar circumstances and it turns out to be a friend of Sophie's there are many threads that the team follows - and they start to wonder if they truly have one case or two that they are investigating. Once the reason for the murders becomes apparent, all the pieces fall into place.
The team in this story is becoming more of an actual team, not the way they were in the first book. Lauren is becoming easier to get along with (probably the influence of Matt on the team) and she's doing a lot less micromanaging and trust her team more. We learn that she has an incredible soft spot for Matt's daughter Dani and enjoys letting her play with her two dogs.
The team claims that the incidents in Penzance have grown since Matt arrived, so hopefully that means the reader can look forward to more stories from Ms. Rigby!!!
April 5, 2024
This is entertaining even for me, as a complete newcomer to this British
Police Procedural. I enjoyed it. As a full time BritBox addict, I just adore
their shows, and this story absolutely could have been told by either of the
shows I adore.
This was not hard to enjoy even though it was new to me. I don’t plan
to start from the first book, but I am sorry I came in late.
The story is strong, even plausible. The trip is fun, and the ending was
good~ well, not for everyone, I just mean I enjoyed it!
I’d like to thank Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the download
Of the book for review purposes.
Police Procedural. I enjoyed it. As a full time BritBox addict, I just adore
their shows, and this story absolutely could have been told by either of the
shows I adore.
This was not hard to enjoy even though it was new to me. I don’t plan
to start from the first book, but I am sorry I came in late.
The story is strong, even plausible. The trip is fun, and the ending was
good~ well, not for everyone, I just mean I enjoyed it!
I’d like to thank Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the download
Of the book for review purposes.
April 9, 2024
Fantastic read - absolutely spot on by Sally Rigby. 3rd book in this series and I loved it.
DI Lauren Pengelly and DS Matt Price's team are just bonding really well and getting stronger as the series goes on. Lauren is trying to be human with her team and there's good changes and differences in her personality too, from 1st book to this one.
A woman is found on the shore with a cryptic note stuffed in her mouth and the whole team gelled together to solve the murder. Brilliant !
DI Lauren Pengelly and DS Matt Price's team are just bonding really well and getting stronger as the series goes on. Lauren is trying to be human with her team and there's good changes and differences in her personality too, from 1st book to this one.
A woman is found on the shore with a cryptic note stuffed in her mouth and the whole team gelled together to solve the murder. Brilliant !
April 4, 2024
While I love the dynamics of Lauren Pengelly and her team, this one fell a little short for me. It felt like the team was bumbling and fumbling and grasping at straws. It seemed they ended up getting lucky just figuring out the murders. And maybe that’s reality, maybe not every case has solid leads and logical conclusions.
March 28, 2024
A woman is found on the shore with a cryptic quote stuffed in her mouth. Matt and Lauren have developed a good working relationship as DI and DS and the whole team has gelled into a cohesive unit. I enjoyed the camaraderie and respect they are showing each other. When a second woman is found, the team must uncover the murky motive.
I enjoy this series and it has become one of my favorites. The characters, the countryside, and the mysteries all draw you into the story.
Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC.
I enjoy this series and it has become one of my favorites. The characters, the countryside, and the mysteries all draw you into the story.
Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC.
May 12, 2024
Murder at Land’s End by Sally Rigby is book 3 in the Cornwall Murder series, featuring DI Lauren Pengelly and DS Matt Price. Matt, his parents and Dani, his daughter, are preparing for a picnic on his day off. However, it was not to be, for Matt at least. A young woman’s body is found on the rocks at Land’s End. It is a difficult investigation as Sophie had a secret life which her family did not know about. But the team uncover something unexpected. So many secrets in people’s lives that don’t stay hidden when a murder is being investigated. It is great to see the change in Lauren over the 3 books. She is mellowing now, and it has made a great difference to the team dynamics and the sense of camaraderie amongst them all. It was interesting to read about the sexist attitudes in the fishing industry. I loved the inclusion of The Three Fishers’ by Charles Kingsley in its entirety at the end as it was mentioned during the book. There are certainly a few red herrings too. A great read.
March 26, 2024
Sally Rigby does it again! She's turned Cornwall into a hot spot of crime and murder. Where are all the tranquil sunny beaches from those glossy tourist brochures? Now there are dead bodies left, right and centre!
Lauren Pengelly and Matt Price head up a team who really should be out of their depth in a small Cornish town with this huge crime wave which seems to have arrived at the same time as Matt did.
There are more than enough red herrings as one might expect in a plot very much centred within the Cornish fishing community at Newlyn. As with all good crime novels the characters and plot reflect genuine concerns from the 'real' world.
Lauren and Matt are very strong characters and I look forward to following them in further additions to this series.
Lauren Pengelly and Matt Price head up a team who really should be out of their depth in a small Cornish town with this huge crime wave which seems to have arrived at the same time as Matt did.
There are more than enough red herrings as one might expect in a plot very much centred within the Cornish fishing community at Newlyn. As with all good crime novels the characters and plot reflect genuine concerns from the 'real' world.
Lauren and Matt are very strong characters and I look forward to following them in further additions to this series.
February 8, 2024
Fantastic read as ever from Sally! Always the twists you never see coming. I love the office camaraderie and the budding (hopefully) relationships within. I have read all Sally’s books now and have never been disappointed but always thrilled.
May 8, 2024
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
“Murder at Land’s End” by Sally Rigby is the third installment in the captivating Cornwall Murder Mystery series. With a jaw-dropping twist and a vivid coastal setting, this crime thriller keeps readers turning the pages .
The crashing waves, sparkling like diamonds across the beach, frame the discovery of a young woman’s body on the rocks at Land’s End, Cornwall. Detective Lauren Pengelly and her deputy, Matt Price, are thrust into a complex investigation. Sophie Bethany Yates, known around the docks, harbored secrets that her family never suspected. As the team delves deeper, they uncover unexpected connections and cryptic messages.
Over the course of the series, DI Lauren Pengelly undergoes a remarkable transformation. Her mellowing demeanor positively impacts team dynamics and camaraderie. Rigby skillfully portrays the evolution of her characters, making them relatable , human and likeable.
Rigby weaves an intricate web of secrets, red herrings, and unexpected twists. The sexist attitudes prevalent in the fishing industry add depth to the narrative.
The inclusion of “The Three Fishers” by Charles Kingsley enhances the reading experience, tying the past to the present.
The rugged beauty of Cornwall serves as a vivid backdrop. The crashing waves, hidden coves, and rocky cliffs create an immersive atmosphere.
Land’s End itself becomes a character—a place where secrets surface and justice seeks its course.
Sophie’s hidden life unfolds gradually, revealing layers of complexity. Her bruises and the slip of paper hidden in her mouth hint at a deeper mystery.
The message—“Men must work and women must weep” (in the story this was seen as cryptic but it is immediately obvious what was meant by the message) adds an eerie dimension to the investigation.
Problems with investigation issues - Lack of knowledge of murder investigation and the roles of the police versus the medical examiner should have been caught by the editor as the book was reviewed. A seasoned police officer would NOT ask an examiner to tell them if fingerprints were "made by a female or a male" . For one thing, safe to assume the perp is male. Also, obviously the medical examiner cannot determine gender via fingerprints or fingerprint size. In this book, the medical examiner said that because the fingerprints bruises on the neck of the first victim were large, they were "likely made by a male," thereby decreasing the number of suspects. However, the mere act of strangulation, 96% which are committed by males, does this. Due to these statistics, strangling is a "gendered crime" and considered performed by a male unless evidence strongly and conclusively points to a female (with sufficient upper body strength to overpower another physically).
Few murders are even committed by females (134.7%} versus male. On the rare occasion the females typically chose poisonings, shootings, or murders that do not involve brute strength.. These facts are what should have narrowed down the suspect pool , rather than the "size of fingerprints" in strangulation.
Due to statistics, unless otherwise STRONGLY indicated any seasoned cop would assume murder was committed by a man, hand-down if victim is physically overpowered...
Other police procedural scenarios similarly caused me to shake my head in dismay, as they easily could have been revised had the author (or at least the editor) done minor due diligence research.
For example a cop would NEVER ever ask A Medical Examiner to interpret a message (an obvious message, that barely needed interpretation BTW) shoved down the throat of a victim (which once again points to a male perp, females seldom secrete a message in a victim's body orifices).Even junior murder investigators realize that is NOT the role of a medical examiner, but their job.
It is not a mystery that the message pointed to gender roles, it was obvious by the message - which pointed, once again, directly to a male perp with a problem with women working in the fishing industry. I wish these glaring issues would have been caught by the author, a mystery pre-reader, or the edutor. Also, a medical examiner does need to "define" what petechiae is, any one who has watched a murder show knows what that is, and anyone who doesn't can look it up if this is the first mystery they have ever read that involves victim oxygen deprivation.
Those issues kept me (they were all glaringly obvious and significant) from rating this book five-stars.
However, the pacing of this story is solid and the tension escalates with each new revelation.
The denouement delivers a heart-pounding climax that leaves no room for respite
“Murder at Land’s End” is a masterfully crafted mystery, blending suspense, emotion, and unforgettable characters, however it could have been even better with a few minor tweaks.
I hope the author chooses seasoned mystery fans or retired police professionals for early first readers in the future.
“Murder at Land’s End” by Sally Rigby is the third installment in the captivating Cornwall Murder Mystery series. With a jaw-dropping twist and a vivid coastal setting, this crime thriller keeps readers turning the pages .
The crashing waves, sparkling like diamonds across the beach, frame the discovery of a young woman’s body on the rocks at Land’s End, Cornwall. Detective Lauren Pengelly and her deputy, Matt Price, are thrust into a complex investigation. Sophie Bethany Yates, known around the docks, harbored secrets that her family never suspected. As the team delves deeper, they uncover unexpected connections and cryptic messages.
Over the course of the series, DI Lauren Pengelly undergoes a remarkable transformation. Her mellowing demeanor positively impacts team dynamics and camaraderie. Rigby skillfully portrays the evolution of her characters, making them relatable , human and likeable.
Rigby weaves an intricate web of secrets, red herrings, and unexpected twists. The sexist attitudes prevalent in the fishing industry add depth to the narrative.
The inclusion of “The Three Fishers” by Charles Kingsley enhances the reading experience, tying the past to the present.
The rugged beauty of Cornwall serves as a vivid backdrop. The crashing waves, hidden coves, and rocky cliffs create an immersive atmosphere.
Land’s End itself becomes a character—a place where secrets surface and justice seeks its course.
Sophie’s hidden life unfolds gradually, revealing layers of complexity. Her bruises and the slip of paper hidden in her mouth hint at a deeper mystery.
The message—“Men must work and women must weep” (in the story this was seen as cryptic but it is immediately obvious what was meant by the message) adds an eerie dimension to the investigation.
Problems with investigation issues - Lack of knowledge of murder investigation and the roles of the police versus the medical examiner should have been caught by the editor as the book was reviewed. A seasoned police officer would NOT ask an examiner to tell them if fingerprints were "made by a female or a male" . For one thing, safe to assume the perp is male. Also, obviously the medical examiner cannot determine gender via fingerprints or fingerprint size. In this book, the medical examiner said that because the fingerprints bruises on the neck of the first victim were large, they were "likely made by a male," thereby decreasing the number of suspects. However, the mere act of strangulation, 96% which are committed by males, does this. Due to these statistics, strangling is a "gendered crime" and considered performed by a male unless evidence strongly and conclusively points to a female (with sufficient upper body strength to overpower another physically).
Few murders are even committed by females (134.7%} versus male. On the rare occasion the females typically chose poisonings, shootings, or murders that do not involve brute strength.. These facts are what should have narrowed down the suspect pool , rather than the "size of fingerprints" in strangulation.
Due to statistics, unless otherwise STRONGLY indicated any seasoned cop would assume murder was committed by a man, hand-down if victim is physically overpowered...
Other police procedural scenarios similarly caused me to shake my head in dismay, as they easily could have been revised had the author (or at least the editor) done minor due diligence research.
For example a cop would NEVER ever ask A Medical Examiner to interpret a message (an obvious message, that barely needed interpretation BTW) shoved down the throat of a victim (which once again points to a male perp, females seldom secrete a message in a victim's body orifices).Even junior murder investigators realize that is NOT the role of a medical examiner, but their job.
It is not a mystery that the message pointed to gender roles, it was obvious by the message - which pointed, once again, directly to a male perp with a problem with women working in the fishing industry. I wish these glaring issues would have been caught by the author, a mystery pre-reader, or the edutor. Also, a medical examiner does need to "define" what petechiae is, any one who has watched a murder show knows what that is, and anyone who doesn't can look it up if this is the first mystery they have ever read that involves victim oxygen deprivation.
Those issues kept me (they were all glaringly obvious and significant) from rating this book five-stars.
However, the pacing of this story is solid and the tension escalates with each new revelation.
The denouement delivers a heart-pounding climax that leaves no room for respite
“Murder at Land’s End” is a masterfully crafted mystery, blending suspense, emotion, and unforgettable characters, however it could have been even better with a few minor tweaks.
I hope the author chooses seasoned mystery fans or retired police professionals for early first readers in the future.
May 2, 2024
*I have not read the first two books in A Cornwall Murder Mystery Series*
Despite this being the third book in the series, I think it could easily be read as a standalone. I did miss some context here and there but overall it did not affect my reading experience.
Murder at Land's End revolves around Detective Lauren Pengally and Deputy Matt Price. You also get a great insight into their team as a whole. Each person on the team has their niche, personality-wise. Rigby did a great job bringing the characters to life. I sometimes had to eye roll at the dialogue between characters. It got a little much sometimes, especially Pengally's character. It was minimal enough that the book was still a great read.
The plot is pretty cut and dry. There was no big twist that had my jaw on the floor, but it was very enjoyable nonetheless. While I wouldn't call Murder at Land's End a thrilling read the plot is fast-paced. The progression of the case is quick and there is no lag. I've had a busy couple of weeks and finding time to read has been a challenge, but I constantly felt the need to pick this book back up. I knew if I had even ten minutes to read the case would progress, it made it easy to prioritize. The case is wrapped up at about 85% through the book. The next 5% is them celebrating a case well done, naturally. The last 10% was disappointing. Pengalley and Price confront someone who is threatening Pengalley's family but it all feels rushed. Like Rigby forgot that plot element until she had all but finished the book and knew she had to wrap up that plotline so the reader isn't left hanging. It winded down the pace I had come to love throughout the rest of the book.
Murder at Land's End was a great read that I would recommend to mystery lovers as either a standalone or part of a series. This book is set in the UK so the verbiage and actions of the police force are quite different from what you could be used to. It also revolves around the fishing industry, if that is an interest of yours I am sure you'll love this read.
I want to extend a big thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy of Murder at Land's End!
Despite this being the third book in the series, I think it could easily be read as a standalone. I did miss some context here and there but overall it did not affect my reading experience.
Murder at Land's End revolves around Detective Lauren Pengally and Deputy Matt Price. You also get a great insight into their team as a whole. Each person on the team has their niche, personality-wise. Rigby did a great job bringing the characters to life. I sometimes had to eye roll at the dialogue between characters. It got a little much sometimes, especially Pengally's character. It was minimal enough that the book was still a great read.
The plot is pretty cut and dry. There was no big twist that had my jaw on the floor, but it was very enjoyable nonetheless. While I wouldn't call Murder at Land's End a thrilling read the plot is fast-paced. The progression of the case is quick and there is no lag. I've had a busy couple of weeks and finding time to read has been a challenge, but I constantly felt the need to pick this book back up. I knew if I had even ten minutes to read the case would progress, it made it easy to prioritize. The case is wrapped up at about 85% through the book. The next 5% is them celebrating a case well done, naturally. The last 10% was disappointing. Pengalley and Price confront someone who is threatening Pengalley's family but it all feels rushed. Like Rigby forgot that plot element until she had all but finished the book and knew she had to wrap up that plotline so the reader isn't left hanging. It winded down the pace I had come to love throughout the rest of the book.
Murder at Land's End was a great read that I would recommend to mystery lovers as either a standalone or part of a series. This book is set in the UK so the verbiage and actions of the police force are quite different from what you could be used to. It also revolves around the fishing industry, if that is an interest of yours I am sure you'll love this read.
I want to extend a big thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy of Murder at Land's End!
April 26, 2024
Sally Rigby’s Murder at Land’s End is the third book in the Cornwall Murder Series. I hadn’t read books 1 and 2, but this appeared to work equally well as a standalone. The series features DI Lauren Pengelly and her deputy DS Matt Price.
The premise starts off excellently, with a solid beginning. The corpse of a young woman is found on the rocks just off the coast of Land’s End. Pengelly and Price are the first detectives to arrive on the scene. The woman is identified as Sophie Bethany Yates. She has a fishing line wound tightly around her neck, and an excerpt from a poem, The Three Fishers by Charles Kingsley is found in her mouth. It comes to light that Sophie has been working secretly on a boat as a fisherwoman and one of the first lines of enquiry, is with her crewmates.
Pengelly and Price also consider Sophie’s boyfriend to be a person of interest. He was having an affair with another local young woman. Then the woman he was having an affair with also is murdered and the same poem is found in her mouth. Is this a crime of passion or do the team have a serial killer on the loose?
This is a fast-moving police procedural with many twists and turns and the descriptions of the Cornwall coast are very evocative. It is a little unfortunate that the pace and twisty story is only maintained for two-thirds of the book. In the last third, it slows down considerably and the ending is more of a whimper than a bang. The other issue I had was with the dialogue which reads more like a screenplay than a novel. Characters were either raising one eyebrow or two eyebrows when asking questions. They had downturned mouths or were grimacing when replying to questions. They spent a lot of their time pacing with adrenaline. When these avid descriptions accompanied every piece of dialogue, it made the conversation too exhausting to read.
Taking everything into account, this ends up as 3 star read
My thanks to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Sally Rigby for the ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.
The premise starts off excellently, with a solid beginning. The corpse of a young woman is found on the rocks just off the coast of Land’s End. Pengelly and Price are the first detectives to arrive on the scene. The woman is identified as Sophie Bethany Yates. She has a fishing line wound tightly around her neck, and an excerpt from a poem, The Three Fishers by Charles Kingsley is found in her mouth. It comes to light that Sophie has been working secretly on a boat as a fisherwoman and one of the first lines of enquiry, is with her crewmates.
Pengelly and Price also consider Sophie’s boyfriend to be a person of interest. He was having an affair with another local young woman. Then the woman he was having an affair with also is murdered and the same poem is found in her mouth. Is this a crime of passion or do the team have a serial killer on the loose?
This is a fast-moving police procedural with many twists and turns and the descriptions of the Cornwall coast are very evocative. It is a little unfortunate that the pace and twisty story is only maintained for two-thirds of the book. In the last third, it slows down considerably and the ending is more of a whimper than a bang. The other issue I had was with the dialogue which reads more like a screenplay than a novel. Characters were either raising one eyebrow or two eyebrows when asking questions. They had downturned mouths or were grimacing when replying to questions. They spent a lot of their time pacing with adrenaline. When these avid descriptions accompanied every piece of dialogue, it made the conversation too exhausting to read.
Taking everything into account, this ends up as 3 star read
My thanks to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Sally Rigby for the ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.
July 30, 2024
3.5 out of 5
The third installment in the Detective Lauren Pengelly series, set in the scenic yet eerie town of Land's End, Cornwall, starts with a captivating premise. The discovery of Sophie Bethany Yates' body on the rocky coast and the cryptic message found in her mouth promises an intriguing mystery. However, while the book has its strengths, it also has several shortcomings.
In this novel, Detective Lauren Pengelly and her deputy, Matt Price, are back to solve another chilling case. The author skillfully sets up a compelling mystery with plenty of red herrings. Unfortunately, this abundance of false leads often overshadows character development and world-building, making it hard for me to stay invested.
One major issue is the subplot involving Lauren’s estranged aunt and her cousins. This narrative thread feels disconnected from the main story, and by the time the finale circles back to it, I had to revisit earlier parts of the book to remember its significance.
Lauren's character development, which I found too prickly in the second book, is somewhat toned down here. However, the trope of the prickly female leader and the too-perfect deputy, Matt, still lingers. Their will-they-won't-they dynamic is underdeveloped, leaving their relationship feeling overly cautious and lacking romantic tension.
When it comes to the core mystery, the conclusion felt anticlimactic. After navigating through numerous false leads and character introductions that went nowhere, the ending lacked the punch I was hoping for.
Despite these flaws, I remain a fan of the author and the series' premise. I believe there’s potential for the series to improve as the author finds her groove. While this book didn't fully meet my expectations, I'll continue to follow Lauren and Matt's journey in the hopes of a more cohesive and engaging narrative in future installments.
3.5 out of 5 stars.
The third installment in the Detective Lauren Pengelly series, set in the scenic yet eerie town of Land's End, Cornwall, starts with a captivating premise. The discovery of Sophie Bethany Yates' body on the rocky coast and the cryptic message found in her mouth promises an intriguing mystery. However, while the book has its strengths, it also has several shortcomings.
In this novel, Detective Lauren Pengelly and her deputy, Matt Price, are back to solve another chilling case. The author skillfully sets up a compelling mystery with plenty of red herrings. Unfortunately, this abundance of false leads often overshadows character development and world-building, making it hard for me to stay invested.
One major issue is the subplot involving Lauren’s estranged aunt and her cousins. This narrative thread feels disconnected from the main story, and by the time the finale circles back to it, I had to revisit earlier parts of the book to remember its significance.
Lauren's character development, which I found too prickly in the second book, is somewhat toned down here. However, the trope of the prickly female leader and the too-perfect deputy, Matt, still lingers. Their will-they-won't-they dynamic is underdeveloped, leaving their relationship feeling overly cautious and lacking romantic tension.
When it comes to the core mystery, the conclusion felt anticlimactic. After navigating through numerous false leads and character introductions that went nowhere, the ending lacked the punch I was hoping for.
Despite these flaws, I remain a fan of the author and the series' premise. I believe there’s potential for the series to improve as the author finds her groove. While this book didn't fully meet my expectations, I'll continue to follow Lauren and Matt's journey in the hopes of a more cohesive and engaging narrative in future installments.
3.5 out of 5 stars.
May 16, 2024
Truly gripping from start to finish. My favourite in the series so far, although I loved the first two which have gradually led into the ever developing bond forming within the team, now headed by Lauren, supported by Matt, both of whom have come to this seemingly quiet coastal town from larger forces
When a young girl’s body is found it first appears to be yet another accidental drowning. commonplace in this small costal town, that is until the postmortem when a scrap of paper is discovered in the girl’s mouth with a cryptic message on it. Lauren, Matt and the team are working harder than ever trying to fathom what the cryptic message means when another young girl’s body turns up in similar circumstance and the urgency to find the killer or killers escalates.
I love the ever changing dynamics within the team, with Lauren, Matt and his family as well as the way this author describes the scenery around the area so beautifully. Such a pleasure to read a thriller without having to wade through foul language and overly gory details yet still grasping the seriousness of the case.
If you haven’t read the first two books in the series, I can highly recommend you start with book one which shows how Matt’s steadying influence that helps the bond between the existing local team members and the two new senior members from other forces form an efficient and united bond.However, each story can be read as a stand alone but you will be missing the background story of the two main characters and the way in which they unite the original team who were initially resistant to changes.
Matt transferred from Lenchester and his background in the Lenchester Force, working with Whitney Walker and George Cavandish, has a part to play in this series. So, I’m sure you will enjoy reading this author’s Cavendish and Walker Series, also.
Very highly recommended series.
When a young girl’s body is found it first appears to be yet another accidental drowning. commonplace in this small costal town, that is until the postmortem when a scrap of paper is discovered in the girl’s mouth with a cryptic message on it. Lauren, Matt and the team are working harder than ever trying to fathom what the cryptic message means when another young girl’s body turns up in similar circumstance and the urgency to find the killer or killers escalates.
I love the ever changing dynamics within the team, with Lauren, Matt and his family as well as the way this author describes the scenery around the area so beautifully. Such a pleasure to read a thriller without having to wade through foul language and overly gory details yet still grasping the seriousness of the case.
If you haven’t read the first two books in the series, I can highly recommend you start with book one which shows how Matt’s steadying influence that helps the bond between the existing local team members and the two new senior members from other forces form an efficient and united bond.However, each story can be read as a stand alone but you will be missing the background story of the two main characters and the way in which they unite the original team who were initially resistant to changes.
Matt transferred from Lenchester and his background in the Lenchester Force, working with Whitney Walker and George Cavandish, has a part to play in this series. So, I’m sure you will enjoy reading this author’s Cavendish and Walker Series, also.
Very highly recommended series.
May 14, 2024
Cornwall is one of my most favorite places on Earth, so I was thrilled to get the chance to read Murder at Lands End by Sally Rigby.
In this the third book of the series, Detective Inspector Lauren Pengelly and Detective Sergeant Matt Price lead the investigation into the murder of a young woman, whose body was found on the rocks off the coast of Lands End, the western most point in Cornwall.
As I hadn’t read the previous installments of the series, I was amused to read that Price, a young widower relatively new to the Penzance police station, has an aversion to dead bodies. I imagined it presenting itself much the way the blood aversion affects Doc Martin, in the series by the same name, set in Port Wenn (actually Port Isaac), also in Cornwall. However, his voice in my head sounded more like Ralf Little, who portrays DI Neville Parker in Death in Paradise.
The cryptic phrase, “Men must work and women must weep,” was found on a piece of paper in the victim’s mouth. While it took me only seconds with a Google search to learn that the phrase was taken from The Three Fishers, a poem by Charles Kingsley, Pengelly put a member of her team into investigating its meaning, making it seem a little unrealistic to me.
I enjoyed the premise, the setting and the characters but the story, however, didn’t quite hit the mark for me. Even with the discovery of a second body, more suspects, a tricky family crisis for Pengelly, the overdone narration and not enough of a twist at the end, left me feeling like there was something missing. I so wanted to love Murder at Land’s End.
I received this advanced reader copy of Murder at Land’s End from Storm Publishing, courtesy of NetGalley.
In this the third book of the series, Detective Inspector Lauren Pengelly and Detective Sergeant Matt Price lead the investigation into the murder of a young woman, whose body was found on the rocks off the coast of Lands End, the western most point in Cornwall.
As I hadn’t read the previous installments of the series, I was amused to read that Price, a young widower relatively new to the Penzance police station, has an aversion to dead bodies. I imagined it presenting itself much the way the blood aversion affects Doc Martin, in the series by the same name, set in Port Wenn (actually Port Isaac), also in Cornwall. However, his voice in my head sounded more like Ralf Little, who portrays DI Neville Parker in Death in Paradise.
The cryptic phrase, “Men must work and women must weep,” was found on a piece of paper in the victim’s mouth. While it took me only seconds with a Google search to learn that the phrase was taken from The Three Fishers, a poem by Charles Kingsley, Pengelly put a member of her team into investigating its meaning, making it seem a little unrealistic to me.
I enjoyed the premise, the setting and the characters but the story, however, didn’t quite hit the mark for me. Even with the discovery of a second body, more suspects, a tricky family crisis for Pengelly, the overdone narration and not enough of a twist at the end, left me feeling like there was something missing. I so wanted to love Murder at Land’s End.
I received this advanced reader copy of Murder at Land’s End from Storm Publishing, courtesy of NetGalley.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews