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The Body at Back Beach
Helena Statham never imagined herself as a sleuth. But when she stumbles upon the body of a young woman while on a walk, she can't resist the urge to discover who she was and how she got there. Even if it means upsetting the tight-knit community of the small New Zealand town she lives in, and uncovering secrets that have long been buried.
Thirty years ago, a young woman went missing, but no one tried to find out what had happened to her. As Helena investigates deeper, she learns more about what took place back then, putting herself in danger now.
Join Helena on her journey as she becomes an unlikely amateur detective, determined to uncover the truth and bring justice to the long-forgotten young woman whose story has been buried in silence for far too long.
Thirty years ago, a young woman went missing, but no one tried to find out what had happened to her. As Helena investigates deeper, she learns more about what took place back then, putting herself in danger now.
Join Helena on her journey as she becomes an unlikely amateur detective, determined to uncover the truth and bring justice to the long-forgotten young woman whose story has been buried in silence for far too long.
228 pages, Paperback
Published May 29, 2024
2 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
K.J. Sweeney
1 book47 followersKelly Jo Sweeney grew up in England before moving to New Zealand where she lived for 15 years with her kiwi husband and four wonderful children. An avid reader from an early age, crime novels have long been a favourite. She always likes to work out whodunnit before the big reveal and writing her own novels means that there’s at least one that she’ll always get right. Her debut novel is set in and inspired by the unique scenery of New Zealand, infusing her stories with a wonderful sense of place and atmosphere.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 16, 2025
After being indoors for days due to recent rains, Helena Statham is desperate to get out and stretch her legs. She is out for a walk near her neighborhood in Back Beach when she notices the damage caused by the rains; mud, fallen branches, and unstable parts of the bank. Then she sees a group of branches sticking out of the ground that seem to be bleached white with age. When she realizes that they are finger bones, she is horrified. The mudslides unearthed a body buried there long ago.
She calls the police and Constable Sarah Hanover arrives at the scene, followed by detectives and crime scene officers. Constable Hanover assures Helena that they will investigate the matter and try to identify the remains. At first, Helena is relieved to hear that, but when the investigation still hasn’t delivered results, she decides to look into it herself. Her husband David urges her not to get involved, but the lure of a mystery is irresistible.
At the risk of upsetting the tight-knit community, Helena starts asking questions. She volunteers for a fundraiser fair hoping to get closer to some of the locals and find out what they know. Bill Harding is the head of the fundraiser and by getting to know him, she becomes privy to the town’s secrets. When she hears about Jessie, a local young woman who disappeared almost 30 years ago, she can’t help but draw a connection between her and the body she found. Now more than ever, she is determined to find out the truth even if it means putting her own safety at risk.
In small towns, everyone usually knows each other and their business, so rumors and secrets are often commonplace. In KJ Sweeney’s “The Body at Back Beach,” a small New Zealand port town is the setting for an unexpected discovery that sets the stage for an unforgettable investigation. Helena and David are empty nesters and as a former counselor now working part-time, she has plenty of time on her hands. Her easy-going life is upended and the haunting image of the bones compels her to dig deeper into the mystery surrounding the unknown person’s death. Once she finds out about Jessie, a local missing woman, the mystery becomes a quest to find out what really happened to her. As she uncovers more about Jessie’s life and connections, the plot takes unexpected twists, keeping readers guessing until the end.
I was drawn to this novel because I’m a big fan of mystery novels, especially when they are set in small, quiet coastal towns. These sleepy little towns are often depicted as having long-held secrets and in the case of a murder, the killer usually thinks he/she has gotten away with it. After Helena stumbles upon the body, she is lured into the mystery because even though she’s not a detective, she feels responsible and wants to uncover the truth. I was hooked right from the beginning of Chapter 1 when she saw the bones sticking out of the ground. Her reaction is authentic because it makes her physically sick and close to a panic attack. She is shocked but can’t look away:
Helena paused and looked up at the bank. It was impossible to keep her eyes off the arm – it just lay there, daring her to look.
This engaging and suspenseful mystery follows Helena Statham’s journey as an unexpected amateur detective. It is compelling and relatable as she struggles with her own limitations and the overwhelming sense of responsibility she feels for uncovering the truth. The writing is atmospheric, capturing the coastal setting beautifully, with the waves and the eerie silence of the beach amplifying the suspense.
Overall, KJ Sweeney’s “The Body at Back Beach” is a suspenseful cozy murder mystery that centers around Helena and her investigation rather than a police procedural. A quick and captivating read, it explores the themes of death, family, love, and revenge. It is recommended for readers who enjoy a well-written mystery with emotional depth, especially fans of Agatha Christie.
A photo was nothing more than a second-long glimpse into someone’s life and a posed one at that—far from telling the whole picture.
She calls the police and Constable Sarah Hanover arrives at the scene, followed by detectives and crime scene officers. Constable Hanover assures Helena that they will investigate the matter and try to identify the remains. At first, Helena is relieved to hear that, but when the investigation still hasn’t delivered results, she decides to look into it herself. Her husband David urges her not to get involved, but the lure of a mystery is irresistible.
At the risk of upsetting the tight-knit community, Helena starts asking questions. She volunteers for a fundraiser fair hoping to get closer to some of the locals and find out what they know. Bill Harding is the head of the fundraiser and by getting to know him, she becomes privy to the town’s secrets. When she hears about Jessie, a local young woman who disappeared almost 30 years ago, she can’t help but draw a connection between her and the body she found. Now more than ever, she is determined to find out the truth even if it means putting her own safety at risk.
In small towns, everyone usually knows each other and their business, so rumors and secrets are often commonplace. In KJ Sweeney’s “The Body at Back Beach,” a small New Zealand port town is the setting for an unexpected discovery that sets the stage for an unforgettable investigation. Helena and David are empty nesters and as a former counselor now working part-time, she has plenty of time on her hands. Her easy-going life is upended and the haunting image of the bones compels her to dig deeper into the mystery surrounding the unknown person’s death. Once she finds out about Jessie, a local missing woman, the mystery becomes a quest to find out what really happened to her. As she uncovers more about Jessie’s life and connections, the plot takes unexpected twists, keeping readers guessing until the end.
I was drawn to this novel because I’m a big fan of mystery novels, especially when they are set in small, quiet coastal towns. These sleepy little towns are often depicted as having long-held secrets and in the case of a murder, the killer usually thinks he/she has gotten away with it. After Helena stumbles upon the body, she is lured into the mystery because even though she’s not a detective, she feels responsible and wants to uncover the truth. I was hooked right from the beginning of Chapter 1 when she saw the bones sticking out of the ground. Her reaction is authentic because it makes her physically sick and close to a panic attack. She is shocked but can’t look away:
Helena paused and looked up at the bank. It was impossible to keep her eyes off the arm – it just lay there, daring her to look.
This engaging and suspenseful mystery follows Helena Statham’s journey as an unexpected amateur detective. It is compelling and relatable as she struggles with her own limitations and the overwhelming sense of responsibility she feels for uncovering the truth. The writing is atmospheric, capturing the coastal setting beautifully, with the waves and the eerie silence of the beach amplifying the suspense.
Overall, KJ Sweeney’s “The Body at Back Beach” is a suspenseful cozy murder mystery that centers around Helena and her investigation rather than a police procedural. A quick and captivating read, it explores the themes of death, family, love, and revenge. It is recommended for readers who enjoy a well-written mystery with emotional depth, especially fans of Agatha Christie.
A photo was nothing more than a second-long glimpse into someone’s life and a posed one at that—far from telling the whole picture.
May 28, 2024
Helena Statham was the counselor turned reluctant, aspiring investigator when she stumbled upon human bones while strolling down Back Beach. After joining a community fund-raiser, Helena encountered sources who goaded her to dig deeper into the case, pushing her into the danger zone and path of the murderer. The body was finally linked to a missing woman, Jessie, solving a thirty year old mystery of a young girl who allegedly has gone to Australia but never been reported to the authorities as nowhere to be found.
For a debut novel, this is an absorbing read about a New Zealand small town that was invigorated with gossip and activity with the appearance of evidence of possible foul play. There is not a whole lot of action and excitement but nevertheless, this narrative is a viable, believable and solid crime story.
For a debut novel, this is an absorbing read about a New Zealand small town that was invigorated with gossip and activity with the appearance of evidence of possible foul play. There is not a whole lot of action and excitement but nevertheless, this narrative is a viable, believable and solid crime story.
July 13, 2024
The FMC, Helena, finds a body and can't resist the mystery of who the woman was and how she died. I found Helena incredibly relatable, and really enjoyed the premise of a middle-aged woman with too much time on her hands. My theory as to who and why the woman was killed was way off, and I love that the author was able to misdirect me so spectacularly. The multiple POVs was a nice way for readers to get to know the characters, so when the unlikely hero at the end of the book leapt into action, I already had an emotional connection to him. The descriptions of New Zealand and Australia were vivid and I felt like I could picture the land perfectly, even though I've never been there. If you love a mystery that will keep you guessing until the last chapter, I highly recommend The Body at Back Beach!
July 30, 2024
This book caught my eye, from cover to blurb to the story itself. This beautiful New Zealand beach town is the perfect backdrop for a decades old murder mystery. The story builds gradually, bringing the reader along as chapter by chapter, secrets and betrayal are revealed. Helena, the main character, is authentic and inquisitive, and as the plot twists and turns, it’s clear that people are not always what they seem. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy cozy mysteries set in beautiful small-town settings.
March 14, 2025
When Helen reduces her hours on her job, she finds herself with extra time. She is certainly not the typical amateur sleuth but then neither is Mary Higgins Clarks character, Alvirah Meehan, and I absolutely these stories.
When Helen stumbles upon bones that have been exposed by weather eroding an embankment, she just can't leave it alone and let the police do their jobs.
Body On The Beach is a cozy mystery that keeps you guessing on who the person was and how they ended up dead. Quickly it is determined it wasn't an accidental death and that it happened around thirty years earlier. I thought I had it figured out a number of times and was wrong.
The story starts out a little slow but picks up and turns out to be a great read.
When Helen stumbles upon bones that have been exposed by weather eroding an embankment, she just can't leave it alone and let the police do their jobs.
Body On The Beach is a cozy mystery that keeps you guessing on who the person was and how they ended up dead. Quickly it is determined it wasn't an accidental death and that it happened around thirty years earlier. I thought I had it figured out a number of times and was wrong.
The story starts out a little slow but picks up and turns out to be a great read.
June 10, 2024
The story is set around Port Chalmers on the South Island of New Zealand. While walking on the beach the protagonist, Helena, discovers a skeleton that has been partially uncovered by a recent landslip. Helena, an avid reader of detective fiction, can’t resist the urge to find out more. She wonders whose the body is and how they died. As she gently investigates amongst the small community, she finds that digging up the past exposes raw nerves and everyone is not happy to have truths revealed.
The body on the beach is a promising debut novel for the author, whose knowledge of the area provides a convincing backdrop, while the central character, Helena, is entirely plausible as she unravels the mystery and uncovers the dark secrets in her community.
The body on the beach is a promising debut novel for the author, whose knowledge of the area provides a convincing backdrop, while the central character, Helena, is entirely plausible as she unravels the mystery and uncovers the dark secrets in her community.
June 10, 2024
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review. I really enjoyed learning about life in New Zealand. The descriptions of the landscape and the surrounding area were breathtaking. The mystery was very good and the characters believable and well fleshed out.
August 14, 2024
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
KJ Sweeney’s The Body at Back Beach is a captivating mystery that transports readers to a small, tight-knit community in New Zealand, where secrets long buried are brought to light by an unlikely amateur detective.
The story begins with Helena Statham, who stumbles upon the body of a young woman while on a walk along Back Beach. This discovery sets Helena on a path of investigation, driven by a mix of curiosity and a sense of justice. As she delves deeper into the mystery, she uncovers connections to a thirty-year-old case of a missing woman that was never resolved.
Helena Statham is a well-crafted protagonist. Her transformation from a regular citizen to a determined sleuth is believable and compelling. Sweeney does an excellent job of fleshing out Helena’s character, making her relatable and easy to root for.
The novel explores themes of justice, community, and the impact of the past on the present. Sweeney’s depiction of the small New Zealand town is vivid and atmospheric, creating a strong sense of place that enhances the mystery.
Sweeney’s writing is clear and engaging, with a good balance of description and dialogue. The prose is accessible, making it easy for readers to immerse themselves in the mystery.
The Body at Back Beach is a enjoyable mystery that will appeal to fans of cozy mysteries and crime fiction. Sweeney has crafted a story that is both intriguing and heartwarming, with a protagonist who is easy to cheer for. The blend of suspense, character development, and a picturesque setting makes this book a standout in its genre.
KJ Sweeney’s The Body at Back Beach is a captivating mystery that transports readers to a small, tight-knit community in New Zealand, where secrets long buried are brought to light by an unlikely amateur detective.
The story begins with Helena Statham, who stumbles upon the body of a young woman while on a walk along Back Beach. This discovery sets Helena on a path of investigation, driven by a mix of curiosity and a sense of justice. As she delves deeper into the mystery, she uncovers connections to a thirty-year-old case of a missing woman that was never resolved.
Helena Statham is a well-crafted protagonist. Her transformation from a regular citizen to a determined sleuth is believable and compelling. Sweeney does an excellent job of fleshing out Helena’s character, making her relatable and easy to root for.
The novel explores themes of justice, community, and the impact of the past on the present. Sweeney’s depiction of the small New Zealand town is vivid and atmospheric, creating a strong sense of place that enhances the mystery.
Sweeney’s writing is clear and engaging, with a good balance of description and dialogue. The prose is accessible, making it easy for readers to immerse themselves in the mystery.
The Body at Back Beach is a enjoyable mystery that will appeal to fans of cozy mysteries and crime fiction. Sweeney has crafted a story that is both intriguing and heartwarming, with a protagonist who is easy to cheer for. The blend of suspense, character development, and a picturesque setting makes this book a standout in its genre.
August 10, 2024
Thoughts: This was a new one for me - a cozy mystery set in New Zealand! I loved that. The setting is new and well-done. There’s some different terminology and spelling (all perfectly fitting with the scene) that adds to the flavor of the story.
In this story, Helena is trying to find something to wake up her mundane life. Kind of like a mid-life crisis. While out for a walk, she notices some bones sticking out of the ground, uncovered by a slip (what we could call a mud slide from heavy rains). The local constabulary takes over, but Helena can’t help but wonder who the bones are and how they got there, so she starts investigating. She starts putting clues together and finds out the bones are from thirty years ago… but not who they belonged to until much later. Which puts her in mortal danger.
I loved Helena. She’s determined and methodical in her sleuthing. The ending was satisfying in that the mystery was solved, but it was a bit of a downer of an ending, not like your typical cozy. It is a good ending, just not all hearts and flowers like you might be accustomed to.
Recommended
Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
In this story, Helena is trying to find something to wake up her mundane life. Kind of like a mid-life crisis. While out for a walk, she notices some bones sticking out of the ground, uncovered by a slip (what we could call a mud slide from heavy rains). The local constabulary takes over, but Helena can’t help but wonder who the bones are and how they got there, so she starts investigating. She starts putting clues together and finds out the bones are from thirty years ago… but not who they belonged to until much later. Which puts her in mortal danger.
I loved Helena. She’s determined and methodical in her sleuthing. The ending was satisfying in that the mystery was solved, but it was a bit of a downer of an ending, not like your typical cozy. It is a good ending, just not all hearts and flowers like you might be accustomed to.
Recommended
Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
April 16, 2025
Stumbling upon a skeleton on the beach thrusts Helena into the role of amateur detective. Her curiosity unearths secrets in her small town, deadly secrets. Can she bring justice to the murdered young woman, or will someone silence her forever?
The Body at Back Beach is a murder mystery set in a small beach town in New Zealand. KJ Sweeney pens a tale with lush narration, a complex plot, small town charm, and characters that throw suspicion everywhere but on themselves. To say I loved this murder mystery is a huge understatement. The Body at Back Beach is a mystery I couldn’t put down and stayed up late reading.
The star of this mystery is Helena. She’s a fearless heroine with a talent for detecting. I connected with her on so many levels. She’s determined to dig for the truth, no matter the cost.
This is KJ Sweeney’s debut mystery, and I must admit it impressed me. The plot progression, dialogue, characters arcs, foreshadowing, and mystery investigation are all well-written. I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Body at Back Beach and I hope the author makes this a series.
My Rating: 5+ stars
Reviewed by: Nancy
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
The Body at Back Beach is a murder mystery set in a small beach town in New Zealand. KJ Sweeney pens a tale with lush narration, a complex plot, small town charm, and characters that throw suspicion everywhere but on themselves. To say I loved this murder mystery is a huge understatement. The Body at Back Beach is a mystery I couldn’t put down and stayed up late reading.
The star of this mystery is Helena. She’s a fearless heroine with a talent for detecting. I connected with her on so many levels. She’s determined to dig for the truth, no matter the cost.
This is KJ Sweeney’s debut mystery, and I must admit it impressed me. The plot progression, dialogue, characters arcs, foreshadowing, and mystery investigation are all well-written. I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Body at Back Beach and I hope the author makes this a series.
My Rating: 5+ stars
Reviewed by: Nancy
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
March 28, 2025
Helena Statham is strolling along the beach in her small New Zealand town when she discovers what looks like a skeletal human arm sticking out of the sand. A recent storm had shifted the land and uncovered the body. While the police perform their investigation, Helena does her own and soon realizes that her small community is hiding a terrible secret and not everyone wants the mystery of the long-dead woman to be solved.
Helena is a well-developed character with a normal family and life. She’s a fan of murder mystery fiction, so it was a clear step forward for her to turn amateur sleuth. She was relatable and easy to connect with. The story is told from multiple POVs, so we get a good view of what’s happening from various angles. I love the descriptions of New Zealand. The writing was so descriptive that I could easily picture the scenery.
Most of the murder mysteries I’ve read (which aren’t many) are fast-paced with lots of questions and danger at every turn, but this one was much more calming and peaceful. If you’re looking for a delightful read while relaxing, The Body at Back Beach is for you.
4 Stars
Helena is a well-developed character with a normal family and life. She’s a fan of murder mystery fiction, so it was a clear step forward for her to turn amateur sleuth. She was relatable and easy to connect with. The story is told from multiple POVs, so we get a good view of what’s happening from various angles. I love the descriptions of New Zealand. The writing was so descriptive that I could easily picture the scenery.
Most of the murder mysteries I’ve read (which aren’t many) are fast-paced with lots of questions and danger at every turn, but this one was much more calming and peaceful. If you’re looking for a delightful read while relaxing, The Body at Back Beach is for you.
4 Stars
June 6, 2024
Full disclosure: I love all books set in New Zealand. I married at the Church of the Good Shepherd near Lake Tekapo, had some of my best vacations all over the North Island, and honeymooned and vacationed over the South Island. The places and people in this book reminded me of that and felt like a warm hug.
This is not a suspense thriller where the reader is kept up at night worrying about the killer, where blood and gore is viscerally described in great detail, and the murderer is revealed at the diabolical climax throwing all caution and a bunch of red herrings to the wind.
This is the kind of gentle mystery where the foreshadowing is quite obvious, the murderer is all but named by the fourth chapter, and the amateur sleuth relies more on gossip and intuition than on police procedurals and hard questions. It's a lovely story heavy on description and the idiosyncrasies of a small town.
It's not for everyone, but for the right reader who likes short fast reads, it is the perfect story to curl up on a rainy Sunday with a flat white.
This is not a suspense thriller where the reader is kept up at night worrying about the killer, where blood and gore is viscerally described in great detail, and the murderer is revealed at the diabolical climax throwing all caution and a bunch of red herrings to the wind.
This is the kind of gentle mystery where the foreshadowing is quite obvious, the murderer is all but named by the fourth chapter, and the amateur sleuth relies more on gossip and intuition than on police procedurals and hard questions. It's a lovely story heavy on description and the idiosyncrasies of a small town.
It's not for everyone, but for the right reader who likes short fast reads, it is the perfect story to curl up on a rainy Sunday with a flat white.
September 2, 2024
This is a well-observed cosy crime set in a slightly faded harbour town in New Zealand. The main character, Helena, an older woman and pleasingly happily married to the somewhat absent academic Dave, is very sympathetic and when she finds a long-lost body she inevitably gets involved in the town’s past history to try to find out the name of the victim and the reasons for her death. The plot is nicely paced to feel real while keeping up the excitement, with a dramatic conclusion. A good debut – looking forward to more.
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September 3, 2024THE BODY AT BACK BEACH is more likely to appeal to fans of something slower, with a lot of dialogue and a gentle processional style progress. There is time here for some character development, and Helena is a woman of a certain age, with a happy home life, a career that's been enjoyable, who now seems to be looking to shift her focus to something else. Dare we say it, but perhaps something with a slight edge, which she seems to be doing, within the setting of an archetypal small town and community.
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June 21, 2025
A well written murder mystery set in NZ. Enjoyed reading about the characters and landscape.
September 5, 2024
A good setting for a cozy mystery, which I don’t read that often. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews