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Has a restaurant critic’s scathing review led to his murder?
Local sleuth, Tanya Bowe, attends the long-awaited opening of the Surfusion restaurant. The unexpected arrival of a famous food critic raises the stakes for the owners and increases the buzz of excitement. The evening takes a dark turn when he collapses into his coffee, hours after a scathing review goes live on his blog. The owners are prime suspects for his murder, but Tanya is convinced of their innocence and vows to clear their names.

As Tanya digs deeper, what at first seems like an open-and-shut case unravels into a web of intrigue. Is the famous critic even the intended victim of the crime? Tanya Bowe has her work cut out for her as hidden motives lead to simmering tensions among her friends.
With time running out and Surfusion’s future on the line, can Tanya unmask the culprit before it’s too late?

Perfect for fans of cozy mysteries, this gripping tale of deception, friendship, and culinary intrigue will keep you guessing until the very end.
Buy it now and solve the mystery for yourself

250 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 25, 2024

216 people are currently reading
46 people want to read

About the author

P.J. Skinner

28 books69 followers
PJ Skinner was born in Guildford, one of seven siblings. When she was six, the family moved to Ireland where she attended school. She went to Trinity College, Dublin University, graduating as a geologist. After graduation, PJ spent 35 years working in over thirty countries as an exploration geologist. PJ worked in many remote, strange, and often dangerous places, and loved every minute, despite encountering her fair share of misogyny and other perils. During this time, she collected the tall tales and real-life experiences which inspired her to write the Sam Harris Adventure Series. The series chronicles the adventures of a pioneering female geologist in an almost exclusively male world.
After finishing the Sam Harris Adventure series, PJ's childhood in Ireland inspired her to write the Green Family Saga, which follows the fortunes of an English family who move to Ireland just before the start of the Troubles, under the name of Kate Foley.
PJ moved to the south coast of England just before the Covid pandemic. There she wrote Mortal Mission, a sci-fi mystery set on Mars, inspired by her fascination with all things celestial. It is a science-based murder mystery; think The Martian with fewer potatoes and more bodies.
The enjoyment of writing Mortal Mission encouraged her to try writing a mystery series. She has always been a massive fan of crime and mystery, so it was inevitable she would turn her hand to it eventually. She published Deadly Return, the first book in the Seacastle Mysteries in July 2023 to great success. The Seacastle Mystery Series is a contemporary cosy mystery series with an amateur female sleuth, her grumpy ex-husband, hacker stepson and ungrateful rescue cat. The ensemble cast adds banter and humour as the series follows their stories between the murder mysteries. Poison Politics, book 10, will be released on the 31st of December 2025.

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Profile Image for Bookworm86 .
1,973 reviews137 followers
September 14, 2024
BLOG TOUR REVIEW 



Review for 'Last Orders' by PJ Skinner


OMG PJ Skinner Where On Earth have you been hiding all of my life?!?! How have I never read any of your books so far when you are this blooming amazing?!! Well, I am just so glad I have resolved that problem, and the one good thing about finding an epic author this late in to the series is that while I am waiting for your next book in this series which is guaranteed to be amazing even if it is just a quarter as good as this book I can go all the way back to the start and read every one up until this one!!!! 


This book really is a fascinating and fast paced action packed read that grips your attention from the first sentence all the way to the fantastic end!!  Although this is the sixth book in 'The Seacastle Mysteries' series I  had absolutely no problems reading it without any of the others. Any details, relationships and/or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader. I mean I genuinely cannot remember the last time I flew through a book this quickly!!! Each and every time I went to put it down to do something my fingers were itching to pick it back up as I just HAD to know what happened next!! This is an absolutely unputdownable page turner and I cannot wait to read the previous and future books in what is promising to be an addictive series. I absolutely cannot wait to get stuck in to the previous five books in this epic series while waiting for the next book which is guaranteed to be a best seller even if it is just a quarter as fantastic as this book is!!! The next book to be released is called 'Grave Reality', is available to preorder now and will be released on the 28th February 2025. I genuinely have no idea when I was last as hooked and as invested in the characters as I was with this book. Skinner is an absolutely fantastic cosy crime writer who knows exactly how to completely captivate her audience's attention from the very moment they read the first sentence throughout!! I absolutely LOVED the uniqueness of the storyline which after reading hundreds of crime books is getting extremely difficult to come by but Lin absolutely blows it out of the water with this one of a kind storyline!!! The storyline itself is ram packed with mystery, suspense, drama, secrets, crime, lies, murder, twists and everything you could want in an unputdownable cosy crime mystery! Skinner weaves the storyline and chapters together perfectly to make a seamless, page turning and intriguing storyline that flows perfectly taking you on twists and turns throughout! I absolutely devoured this book in one sitting and was walking around with it glued to my hands. I attempted to lie to myself a couple of times and told myself one more chapter before I got in with some work but that was exactly what I was doing, lying to myself, as there was no way I could put it down so make sure you clear your schedules before reading a single word in this absolutely epic page turner!! The good thing about this fantastic page turner is that many of the chapters are only a few pages long which I prefer in a book to longer chapters as it means you can pick it up every time you have even just a few minutes and read a few chapters. Mind you, that is only IF you manage to put it down at all which I did not manage to do!! Skinner's evocative writing skills ensures you are dragged deep into the storyline seeing everything that is happening and feeling the tension and suspense throughout. Although it is primarily a murder mystery book the book has plenty of humour and laughter throughout which I love in  mystery as it lightens up the atmosphere and makes you smile and laugh and Skinner really does a brilliant job with her storyline and characters.  I had no idea who was behind what so yet another huge well done to Skinner as again it is getting harder and harder to shock me but you managed that hook, line and sinker too!!.If you want to know more about this brilliant story you will just have to grab yourself a copy!! I promise that you will not regret it!! I cannot wait to grab the previous five books and get stuck in to the absolutely amazing 'The Seacastle Mysteries' series!!! This would make an absolutely epic TV series and that's just going by this one incredible book so that says a lot and I will definitely be first in line to watch it!!! 


Clear your schedules before picking up this book as once it has you hooked there will be no getting away until you get to the very last word!


Every single one of the characters all come to life with Skinner's fantastic evocative and emotive writing skills and absolutely epic character development. They are well rounded, complex, realistic and strong making them all the more believable. I absolutely LOVED our main protagonist and local sleuth Tanya Bowe who is such a likeable, realistic, humorous and strong women!!! She is an absolute breathe of fresh air and I always love seeing strong female protagonists in books, especially being female myself, and Tanya is definitely on my favourite list immediately. It wasn't just Tanya I loved but so many of the new characters that I got to meet from Tanya's stepson Mouse, her ex husband who is now with her sister Helen  and is a police officer George who is also Mouse's father, Tanya's new partner Harry and many, many more of the surrounding characters such as couple Kieron and and Rohan who own Surfusion, dramatic Ghita. Skinner's brilliant evocative and emotive descriptions really does ensure the reader sees and hears everything that Tanya does along with the rest of the characters throughout. I really cannot wait to meet Tanya and the rest of the characters again and again in the previous books along with any future books. Skinner really does do an absolutely fantastic job bringing each and every one of the characters to life ensuring the reader goes through everything with each of the characters while feeling you are standing close enough to touch them. They each had their own unique personalities, strengths, weaknesses and storylines. I don't want to say too much and risk giving anything away but Skinner really does do an absolutely brilliant job of making the reader feel and see everything they are feeling and seeing, especially our main protagonist Tanya. I was completely invested in Tanya as well as several of the other main characters and just had to know what was going to happen! PJ Skinner really has done an absolutely amazing job constructing an addictive and fantastic cosy crime mystery with varied characters that you just won't be able to put down!! 


Congratulations PJ Skinner on an absolutely fantastic, cosy and addictive read!!! This is exactly why I would like to welcome you to my favourite author club!! Here's to many more successes 🥂!!! 


Clear your schedules before picking this up as you will not be able to put it down!!! 


Overall an absolutely page turning, addictive, intriguing, unique and cosy must read that will keep you addicted from the very start to the fantastic ending!!!  


#LastOrders #TheSeacastleMysteries #PJSkinner #PJSkinnerAuthor #ParkinPress #LoveBookTours #KellyALacey #Ad  #LBTCrew #Bookstagram  #FreeReview #FreeBookReview #LBTCosyCrime #LBTMystery 


@PJSkinner @PJSkinnerAuthor @ParkinPress @LoveBookTours @KellyALacey


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Profile Image for Bookworm86 .
1,973 reviews137 followers
September 14, 2024
BLOG TOUR REVIEW 



Review for 'Last Orders' by PJ Skinner


OMG PJ Skinner Where On Earth have you been hiding all of my life?!?! How have I never read any of your books so far when you are this blooming amazing?!! Well, I am just so glad I have resolved that problem, and the one good thing about finding an epic author this late in to the series is that while I am waiting for your next book in this series which is guaranteed to be amazing even if it is just a quarter as good as this book I can go all the way back to the start and read every one up until this one!!!! 


This book really is a fascinating and fast paced action packed read that grips your attention from the first sentence all the way to the fantastic end!!  Although this is the sixth book in 'The Seacastle Mysteries' series I  had absolutely no problems reading it without any of the others. Any details, relationships and/or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader. I mean I genuinely cannot remember the last time I flew through a book this quickly!!! Each and every time I went to put it down to do something my fingers were itching to pick it back up as I just HAD to know what happened next!! This is an absolutely unputdownable page turner and I cannot wait to read the previous and future books in what is promising to be an addictive series. I absolutely cannot wait to get stuck in to the previous five books in this epic series while waiting for the next book which is guaranteed to be a best seller even if it is just a quarter as fantastic as this book is!!! The next book to be released is called 'Grave Reality', is available to preorder now and will be released on the 28th February 2025. I genuinely have no idea when I was last as hooked and as invested in the characters as I was with this book. Skinner is an absolutely fantastic cosy crime writer who knows exactly how to completely captivate her audience's attention from the very moment they read the first sentence throughout!! I absolutely LOVED the uniqueness of the storyline which after reading hundreds of crime books is getting extremely difficult to come by but Lin absolutely blows it out of the water with this one of a kind storyline!!! The storyline itself is ram packed with mystery, suspense, drama, secrets, crime, lies, murder, twists and everything you could want in an unputdownable cosy crime mystery! Skinner weaves the storyline and chapters together perfectly to make a seamless, page turning and intriguing storyline that flows perfectly taking you on twists and turns throughout! I absolutely devoured this book in one sitting and was walking around with it glued to my hands. I attempted to lie to myself a couple of times and told myself one more chapter before I got in with some work but that was exactly what I was doing, lying to myself, as there was no way I could put it down so make sure you clear your schedules before reading a single word in this absolutely epic page turner!! The good thing about this fantastic page turner is that many of the chapters are only a few pages long which I prefer in a book to longer chapters as it means you can pick it up every time you have even just a few minutes and read a few chapters. Mind you, that is only IF you manage to put it down at all which I did not manage to do!! Skinner's evocative writing skills ensures you are dragged deep into the storyline seeing everything that is happening and feeling the tension and suspense throughout. Although it is primarily a murder mystery book the book has plenty of humour and laughter throughout which I love in  mystery as it lightens up the atmosphere and makes you smile and laugh and Skinner really does a brilliant job with her storyline and characters.  I had no idea who was behind what so yet another huge well done to Skinner as again it is getting harder and harder to shock me but you managed that hook, line and sinker too!!.If you want to know more about this brilliant story you will just have to grab yourself a copy!! I promise that you will not regret it!! I cannot wait to grab the previous five books and get stuck in to the absolutely amazing 'The Seacastle Mysteries' series!!! This would make an absolutely epic TV series and that's just going by this one incredible book so that says a lot and I will definitely be first in line to watch it!!! 


Clear your schedules before picking up this book as once it has you hooked there will be no getting away until you get to the very last word!


Every single one of the characters all come to life with Skinner's fantastic evocative and emotive writing skills and absolutely epic character development. They are well rounded, complex, realistic and strong making them all the more believable. I absolutely LOVED our main protagonist and local sleuth Tanya Bowe who is such a likeable, realistic, humorous and strong women!!! She is an absolute breathe of fresh air and I always love seeing strong female protagonists in books, especially being female myself, and Tanya is definitely on my favourite list immediately. It wasn't just Tanya I loved but so many of the new characters that I got to meet from Tanya's stepson Mouse, her ex husband who is now with her sister Helen  and is a police officer George who is also Mouse's father, Tanya's new partner Harry and many, many more of the surrounding characters such as couple Kieron and and Rohan who own Surfusion, dramatic Ghita. Skinner's brilliant evocative and emotive descriptions really does ensure the reader sees and hears everything that Tanya does along with the rest of the characters throughout. I really cannot wait to meet Tanya and the rest of the characters again and again in the previous books along with any future books. Skinner really does do an absolutely fantastic job bringing each and every one of the characters to life ensuring the reader goes through everything with each of the characters while feeling you are standing close enough to touch them. They each had their own unique personalities, strengths, weaknesses and storylines. I don't want to say too much and risk giving anything away but Skinner really does do an absolutely brilliant job of making the reader feel and see everything they are feeling and seeing, especially our main protagonist Tanya. I was completely invested in Tanya as well as several of the other main characters and just had to know what was going to happen! PJ Skinner really has done an absolutely amazing job constructing an addictive and fantastic cosy crime mystery with varied characters that you just won't be able to put down!! 


Congratulations PJ Skinner on an absolutely fantastic, cosy and addictive read!!! This is exactly why I would like to welcome you to my favourite author club!! Here's to many more successes 🥂!!! 


Clear your schedules before picking this up as you will not be able to put it down!!! 


Overall an absolutely page turning, addictive, intriguing, unique and cosy must read that will keep you addicted from the very start to the fantastic ending!!!  


#LastOrders #TheSeacastleMysteries #PJSkinner #PJSkinnerAuthor #ParkinPress #LoveBookTours #KellyALacey #Ad  #LBTCrew #Bookstagram  #FreeReview #FreeBookReview #LBTCosyCrime #LBTMystery 


@PJSkinner @PJSkinnerAuthor @ParkinPress @LoveBookTours @KellyALacey


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216 reviews1 follower
August 31, 2024
I have read the previous five books of the Seacastle Mysteries and they have all been very good. This latest book continues the trend with a well-written murder mystery that keeps you guessing all the way through with its many twists in the story. Even the concept of the story is unusual with all being not as it seems right from the beginning of the mystery. It is also good how the characters in the stories have continued to develop and extra characters have been brought into the story. This book is definitely a great addition to the series.

I received my copy of the book as an advance reader copy hence my ability to post a review so quickly after publication.
Profile Image for Susan.
161 reviews1 follower
September 5, 2024
A delicious cozyyI

I’ve read three cozies before this and they weren’t anywhere near the par of this. Instead of just grabbing a name and confronting the person and accusing them of murder only to be wrong this book gave you everything. It gave you plot and wonderful characters and intellectual sleuthing and a combined effort in finding the criminal. It also gave you the happy tearing up when the sweetest things happen. A series worth reading.
Profile Image for Nikki Brooks.
3,553 reviews52 followers
September 17, 2024
Tanya, Harry, Mouse and Co are back on the hunt for a new murderer!

Surfusion is finally ready to open but all is not well. Rohan and Keiron are stressed, Ghita has made a life changing decision, Mouse is waitering until he goes to university and on opening night a local food critic decided to pop in. Just as he gives a scathing review, he drops to the floor. Has he been poisoned, had a heart attack or some other tragedy befallen him?

All my favourite characters are back and I love the way they continue to grow in my mind. George is still my least favourite, I just cannot warm to him. He just has this way of making my teeth ache lol. Tanya and Harry continue to be a role model for older MC's who can muddle on together, no drama and still feel the love coming off the page - all in cosy fashion.

There were plenty of red herrings (or should that be pink shrimps?) and twists and the overlapping storylines of the mystery, the relationships between Ghita, Keiron and Rohan and the beautiful found/blended family at the Grotty Hovel really grabbed my attention.

There were some great secondary characters added to the story who helped move the action along - I'm looking at you Gladys! I did go wrong a few times in my investigation but I did get one of the reveals right at least!

Murder mystery with a distinctly British seaside location, feeding our love of food, murder and antiques! Cosy murder mystery with a developing off page romance between older MC's. Great stuff!
521 reviews30 followers
September 17, 2024
Last Orders is Book Six in 'The Seacastle Mysteries' series, I've been lucky enough in reading and reviewing all the other books in the series, so only to happy to read this one. Don't worry if you haven't read the other books, this can also be read as a standalone, as PJ Skinner adds all details you need to know. Tanya Bowe, along with her sister Helen and ex-husband George are at the opening of a new restaurant, Surfusion. Also at the opening was Leonard Black, the most famous restaurant critic in Britain, only problem was nobody knew who he is, he's an enigma as Rohan put it. But things don't go to plan when Leonard dies at Surfusion. It's up to Tanya and her trusted gang to look into it. As Tanya starts to look closer into the case, she notices that things aren't adding up and it's not as simple as first seemed. Will Tanya and the gang solve the case before the Surfusion has to close?
I like PJ's story plots, she has so many little twists that it has you guesting the whys and who. I love everything about her books, along with the characters they all fit nicely together.
Profile Image for Sue Wallace .
7,399 reviews140 followers
September 12, 2024
Really good read.

Last Orders by PJ Skinner.
The Seacastle Mysteries book 6.
I did really enjoy this book. I loved the cover. I loved Tanya the main character. I liked Harry. Even Mouse. I loved how they were together. I did like how Tanya was doing the sleuthing and even telling Harry what she was doing. I did love how Tanya wouldn't back down. I also liked Rohan, Kieron, and Ghita. I liked how they helped each other. I thought I knew who it was. But I was wrong. I do hope there is more to come.


Blurb.
Has a restaurant critic’s scathing review led to his murder?
Local sleuth, Tanya Bowe, attends the long-awaited opening of the Surfusion restaurant. The unexpected arrival of a famous food critic raises the stakes for the owners and increases the buzz of excitement. The evening takes a dark turn when he collapses into his coffee not long after a scathing review goes live on his blog. Surfusion’s owners are prime suspects for his murder, but Tanya is convinced of their innocence and vows to clear their names.

As Tanya digs deeper, what at first seems like an open-and-shut case becomes increasingly complex. Is the famous critic even the intended victim of the crime? Tanya Bowe has her work cut out as hidden motives lead to simmering tensions among her friends.
With time running out and Surfusion’s future on the line, can Tanya unmask the culprit before it’s too late?

Profile Image for Meg Rose.
110 reviews8 followers
September 15, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved this book. It had such a cosy setting, the environment for being by the sea was spot on. It really felt like I was there. I live in a seaside town and the way it was written reminded me of home so much.
Tanya, I loved her. She is so funny, I adored her relationship with mouse, and Harry of course. Her love for her friends and those around her really shone through in this book, her determination to clear her friends names was lovely. It was very well paced, the mystery of what happened unravelled brilliantly and I really enjoyed the little moments around restocking the shop and Tanya’s relationship. I felt like I knew these characters instantly, despite not having read the previous books in this series. They were easy to connect with and love. And now I’m desperate to try one of Ghitas cakes.
Profile Image for Tami Wylie.
709 reviews36 followers
September 10, 2024
Each one of these books is better than the last, if that’s even possible. The Seacastle Mysteries is my all-time favourite cozy crime series. In the sixth book of the series, it’s time for the opening of Surfusion, the restaurant belonging to familiar characters Rohan, Kieron and Ghita. However, what should be one of the biggest nights of their lives quickly becomes a nightmare when renowned restaurant critic Leonard Black falls over dead while eating! Ironically, this is just after his review has gone live, sending Kieron into a wils rage. When what seems to be an accident turns into a possible murder, it’s Tanya, Harry and Mouse to the rescue. I absolutely love the cast of characters in these books! With most of them being recurring, it feels like they are old friends. The authors description of Seacastle makes it feel like coming home with every new book. The mystery is always well written with clues intricately woven throughout, keeping the reader eagerly turning pages right to the very end. The reveal is always a big surprise.I am so excited that there are more books to come in this series and I can’t wait, particularly for the Christmas book, featuring Hades, Tanya’s cantankerous rescue cat.
Profile Image for Fatguyreading.
806 reviews38 followers
September 13, 2024
Having read all the books in the series up to now, I've got a good feel to PJ Skinner's writing now, and Last Orders certainly lived up to my high expectations.

It's a great cozy mystery and easy reading with some great twists and turns and for me, can certainly be read as a standalone. But in order to get the best feel and character progression, I'd recommend reading the books in order.

There are some great new characters and of course, our returning cast of characters and all are well developed with good depth.

As you read on, you'll be drawn into the world of Seacastle, and I'm sure you'll find yourself racing through the pages.

4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
Profile Image for Nicola Malloch.
601 reviews9 followers
September 14, 2024
I have been loving a murder mystery recently and this book was everything I wanted it to be and more. I love trying to work out the killer and their intentions throughout the books, most of the time I am wrong and change my mind on who done it when we discover a new clue. The one suggestion I would give if you read this one is get your snacks ready, so many delicious dishes are described throughout and I found myself so hungry by the end.
Profile Image for theweebookworm .
420 reviews28 followers
September 10, 2024
I have been thoroughly enjoying The Seacastle Mysteries series, so I was eager to get stuck into the latest book.

This one was slightly different in the way that it played out, although there were the usual twists and turns and red herrings, which made it so easy to read and hard to put down.

As well as welcoming the usual cast of characters and seeing them continue to develop, we are also introduced to some new ones. I do hope we see more of them in the future, especially Gladys.

A great whodunnit but with some sweet and emotional moments as well. If you are a fan of cosy mysteries I would definitely recommend it.
Profile Image for Gemma Best.
498 reviews
September 12, 2024
I really enjoyed this latest book in the Seacastle Mysteries series. I really like Tanya and Harry and all the characters around them are entertaining. I especially love seeing Tanya’s relationship with her step son, Mouse grow with each book.

‘Last Orders’ is an easy to read and enjoyable cosy mystery. I love the small town setting and the mystery kept me intrigued and engaged. I always feel like this is a lovely series to sit down and read with a cup of tea and a slice of Ghita’s cake. I am already looking forward to the next book.
207 reviews1 follower
September 10, 2024
Another amazing mystery from P. J. Skinner!

Tanya finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation once again. But this time, it's her friends Rohan and Kieron that need her help to save their restaurant.

This is a case of was it accidental death or murder? We didn't find out the answer until near the end of the book, and I changed my mind a lot on what I thought! There's a few different mysteries going on in this one, but they meld together seamlessly when the ending is revealed.

I loved seeing more of Rohan, Kieron, and Ghita's dynamic in this one. Seeing their relationship in more depth was fascinating and also brought a few surprises along the way. I have been a little unsure of Kieron, but he has a good character arc in this book, which helped me understand him more.
13 reviews
September 6, 2024
One of the best

I love the way PJ Skinner spins a story, and this one did not disappoint. The plot was interesting and I put off eating my dinner to finish the book. The character development is always evolving. I think that I like the characters more with each new book in the series. I definitely recommend The Seacastle Mysteries.
Profile Image for Sonja Charters.
2,728 reviews140 followers
August 22, 2024
This is the sixth book in the Seacastle Mysteries series and having read every single one so far, I can confirm that once again, I absolutely loved this just as much as the rest!!
Again, this book is a full and complete mystery in its own right and would work perfectly well as a standalone read - But - this is a great series and you'd definitely miss out on the character progression if you read these out of order - and some of the relationships have now developed quite a lot, so I'd definitely recommend reading the whole series.
They're quick and easy, cosy mysteries and this makes them perfect for binge reading over a weekend.

I found that this storyline presents something a little bit different for us - just to mix up the standard format.
I'm pretty sure PJ did this to catch me out, so I wouldn't guess the suspect too early!
But here, we are left not only trying to work out 'whodunit' - but moreso, did they do it ...and if so, why?

I loved this different presentation which left me intrigued and confused by the case which felt really unique.
Tanya and the gang were completely amazing as usual though and never let up trying to search out all the clues and solve the case - however that played out!

There are some new developments with our returning cast of characters - shh! I'm giving no spoilers - some of which made me so happy!
We also see a couple of new characters introduced who add some extra interest to town - I'm loving Gladys and hope we see more of her in the future!

I love PJ's writing style which draws us into the world of Seacastle and has us racing through the pages trying to sift out the red herrings and solve the case, whilst also rooting for our beloved characters and keeping things light and funny too!

This was another brilliant book to add to my collection and I'm already eager to read the next one......
2 reviews
September 4, 2024
I can sleep now

Almost 3am...could not put this book down and I'm sad I have to wait for the next one.I love the characters, do not want Mouse to go to Uni, and adore Hades. Keep 'em coming PLEASE!
Profile Image for Una.
218 reviews1 follower
September 4, 2024
Another wonderful "keep them guessing" mystery with my favourite characters.
Profile Image for Georgia.
198 reviews7 followers
September 11, 2024
Tanya yet again finds herself in the midst of a police investigation when a food critic dies at the opening of a local restaurant. Whether it was a murder is to be decided, but sabotage looks to be the case when a scathing review is published the same day. But why?

This is a very easy read and follows on nicely from the last book. The characters are all written well and the main ones are incredibly lovable. The plot is an interesting one with so many layers and isn’t predictable so keeps you guessing. This would work as a standalone if you’ve not read the other books, but if you have it’s a wonderful edition which just adds to the investment of the reader in the story - as all of the familiar characters are deeply involved in this case.

I was gifted a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Annie.
52 reviews1 follower
November 6, 2024
This was my second book of the Seacastle Mystery series and I absolutely love them!

The characters are great and you don't need to have read from book one either as all the characters and relationships are explained in each book, but in line with the storytelling. In this mystery a restaurant critic dies on opening night of the town's new Surfusion eatery.

Tanya, Seacastle’s own sleuth was there to witness the whole thing… The whole family team then set about investigating the death…or murder…?

I love that these books are so fast paced, funny and the characters so real and relatable.
Profile Image for Karolyn.
1,322 reviews43 followers
September 11, 2024
Here is my review for Last Orders by PJ Skinner

This book was so easy to get into and I loved it from the start! This book is a great cozy mystery story that you can just fall into and it will capture you and not let go until the end. Tanya Bowe finally attends the opening of the Surfusion restaurant which is near her own shop and not far from her home by car. She is with Harry, her ex-husband George and sister Helen. They then hear about the arrival of a famous food critic who unfortunately dies at the event after leaving a scathing review about the restaurant. Tanya wants to help George solve the case as it's for her friends at Surfusion so she wants it done quickly but the facts just don’t add up. There are simmering tensions between her friends while the case is waiting to be solved. I loved reading this story. It was full of twists and turns. George was more amenable to working with Tanya in this book than some of the others which was good and the challenge between her friends was noticeable in the writing which was great. The writing was excellent and the plotting was brilliant. It was well thought out and easy to read. I like that it’s a good writing style. This is book six of the series and I now want to read the next one which I can’t wait for!

Blurb :

Has a restaurant critic’s scathing review led to his murder?
Local sleuth, Tanya Bowe, attends the long-awaited opening of the Surfusion restaurant. The unexpected arrival of a famous food critic raises the stakes for the owners and increases the buzz of excitement. The evening takes a dark turn when he collapses into his coffee not long after a scathing review goes live on his blog. Surfusion’s owners are prime suspects for his murder, but Tanya is convinced of their innocence and vows to clear their names.
As Tanya digs deeper, what at first seems like an open-and-shut case becomes increasingly complex. Is the famous critic even the intended victim of the crime? Tanya Bowe has her work cut out as hidden motives lead to simmering tensions among her friends.
With time running out and Surfusion’s future on the line, can Tanya unmask the culprit before it’s too late?
Perfect for fans of cozy mysteries, this gripping tale of deception, friendship, and culinary intrigue will keep you guessing until the very end.
Profile Image for mommy_and_books.
1,396 reviews35 followers
September 19, 2024
" [...] You are the least romantic person I have ever met in my entire life. [...]"

I can safely say that the author PJ Skinner is getting better with each volume. Her novel "Last orders" drew me in so much that I read it in a few hours. It was a very emotional part.

I met here, among others:

- A seagull named Herbert

- A cat named Hades

- Mouse - Andrew Carter - the stepson of the main character

- The ex-husband, the main character - DI George Carter.

- Ghita - the friend of the main character

- Harry Fletcher - the current partner of the main character

- Tanya Bowe - the main character and also a detective. She runs a shop called "Second Home". In this part, she will have her hands full of work.

Of course, you will meet more interesting characters here. The author took great care of that.

Everyone is waiting for the grand opening of the Surfusion restaurant, run by Tanya's friends. When the grand dinner finally takes place, an unfortunate accident occurs in which one of the guests dies. Was it an accidental death, suicide, or rather murder? DI Carter will have to answer this question. Of course, our Tanya will also take an active part in this case.

The mystery of the unfortunate man's death will not be as simple as it seems. There will be a lot of false leads and plot twists, which is everything I love in good crime stories.

Great dialogues did not let me tear myself away from reading. The moral threads also won my heart. I was rooting for Harry and Tanya in their love. Mouse showed me that it is worth betting on young people. If he follows the path he is taking, he will be a decent adult.

I can't wait for the next part of the "The Seacastle Mysteries" series and the next cases that Tanya and her ex-husband will investigate.

I recommend the entire "The Seacastle Mysteries" series, and especially the sixth volume "Last orders". PJ Skinner's novels are worth reading.

Ps.
Here, extreme emotions are boiling — from laughter, through tears, to anger and hatred.
Profile Image for Amorina Carlton.
Author 2 books38 followers
September 15, 2024
We are six books in, and I don't feel like we're losing any momentum, which sometimes happens in long series. Mouse and Harry are still my favorites, but I also love Tanya. She is a fantastic, cozy lead - whip-smart, independent, and basically the center of the town. Like so many cozy heroines, she's better at solving crimes than the cops, but they still try to keep her out of it. However, at this point, they mostly try to keep her from doing dangerous things instead of completely off the case.

One thing I love about this one is there is some actual diversity built into the story, even though the book is set in a small town, just like most cozy mysteries. There are LGBTQplus characters, as well as multiple cultures and non-traditional family structures. I also love the mental health representation present, especially in the main character, with Tanya's depression. I don't like that her husband left her because of it, but that's another sign of how real this one gets - everything isn't cute and cozy. Real, bad things do happen.

This isn't just a cutesy cozy; it offers diversity and some reality, and it still offers my favorite aspect of cozies - a cast of characters that will keep you coming back for more. As soon as I turn the last page, I always want to read more!

This go-around is so intriguing, with so many layers to peel back and so many twists and turns. And the brilliant ending that Tanya pulls off is fantastic! I love her so much!

Content Warning: Death, Religious Ideology, Alcohol Abuse, Mention of Divorce, Murder, Violence, Adult Language, Racism, Homophobia, Domestic Strife
Profile Image for Hayley.
292 reviews12 followers
September 10, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. This is actually the first one of the series that I have read so it doesn’t matter if you start with this one too! What I will say is that I will be going back and reading the others that I have missed as I really liked our characters in it!

I really like our main character Tanya who has a very unique family set up but I think the best part is the fact that she is the ex-wife of the policeman that is supposed to be solving the crime, she definitely outsmarts him but they do seem to get along well, even if she sometimes doesn’t listen to what he’s telling her not to do!

Tanya is a really likeable character, and I like the fact that you also get to see parts of her family life and her work life as she also has a store and café to run alongside her sleuthing! I liked her partner, Harry; he seems like a really good guy and is not fazed in the slightest when Tanya suggests doing some digging into the mystery.

I thought that the storyline to this was very intriguing, and all was not what it seemed at all. It was very clever, and I loved how it unfolded with us getting pieces of the puzzle until we knew what had happened. It kept me guessing until the reveal as I had no clue who was responsible for what as there were multiple things that all happened at the same event which made it even harder to try to work it out!

I really liked the writing style of the book and I seemed to fly through it as I wanted to know what and happened and who was responsible for what!
Profile Image for Siobhain.
995 reviews36 followers
September 16, 2024
One of my favourite memories when I was younger (I still do now) was watching Murder, She Wrote with my mama and nan. What does this have to do with a review I hear you ask? Well despite Murder, She Wrote being referenced in the novel it’s hard not to see a bit of Jessica Fletcher in P.J. Skinner’s Tanya Bowe and I love every minute of it. So much so I’ve bought the set on kindle and plan to get physical copies I am missing too.

Once again we return to Seacastle and of course Tanya and co. What I will say is even if this wasn’t written in first person I am sure that I would love Tan right away. While I always find the genre title of cosy crime an interesting one I have to say this is just that. A relatively small community where everyone plays their own part. The writing is brilliant in pace and I love seeing how Tan works things out and that she also gets frustrated with George. The character’s are great. Mouse was a big favourite again but I also loved Gladys and I hope we do see her again in the future. I can’t imagine how much trouble she could cause with kookokioikkiiikiiiiiikoiTan and co.

I honestly cannot get enough of this series and I think any fan of crime thrillers, cosy or otherwise, will love this series. It’s fun, interesting, has plenty of twists and turns and always a cracking mystery to solve with a fab plot. I cannot wait to return to Seacastle in the future.

As always thank you to Love Book Tours and P J Skinner for the copy to review. My review is always honest and truthful.
Profile Image for DianaRaven.
1,310 reviews8 followers
September 30, 2024
LAST ORDERS is the sixth installment in PJ Skinner's 'The Seacastle Mysteries' series.  Ms. Skinner does a fantastic job creating the characters and making them real and believable. The plot, drama and mystery will keep you turning the pages to the end to discover who "did it".

Tanya Bowe's friends, Rohan and Kieron, are finally ready to open their long awaited restaurant. But opening night doesn't go as expected - a dead body will do that. Even though DI George Carter tells Tanya to leave the investigation to the police, being  typical George, he's not following the correct clues. So it's up to Tanya, Harry and Mouse to unravel the clues to who destroyed opening night and potentially the restaurant's survival and the owners future, and of course the identity of the murderer.  

As usual, there's numerous suspects and motives leading eventually to a satisfying conclusion thanks to Tanya's determined pursuit of the truth.

Each of these stories are part of a continuing story line, but can be read as stand-alone mysteries. I suggest starting with the first story (The Deadly Return) to get the maximum enjoyment from the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Chris.
1,457 reviews13 followers
September 12, 2024
I love a cozy mystery and I am so glad I had the opportunity to read Last Order by P. J. Skinner. It is book 6 in the Seacastle Mystery series but it can be read as a stand alone. However once you read it you will want to read all the books in the series! Set in an English village with a cast of quirky characters to support Tanya as she solves mysteries it has all the things I look for in a cozy mystery series. Tanya is strong, relatable, and resourceful. This time it is her friends Ghitta, Rohan, and Kiernan that need Tanya’s help after the demise of a food critic at the opening of their restaurant. Tanya enlists the help of Harry and Mouse to solve the mystery. Will she figure it out before the restaurant has to close? This mystery celebrates family, friendship, and finding help from unexpected sources. It was a delight. I adore the way each mystery incorporates Tanya’s friends while highlighting one, or in this case a few, of them. It makes me feel like I am part of the village. I highly recommend it.

Profile Image for Cathryn Melani (cat.inspired).
496 reviews23 followers
September 19, 2024
And she has done it again!! PJ Skinner has this fantastic ability to take great characters, a small town community, amateur sleuths and murder mysteries and combine them into a brilliant cosy vibes series.

I LOVE this cosy mystery series and book 6 sees Tanya digging into the death of a food critic at the local restaurant.

This whole series can be read as stand alone books, each book has a different mystery to solve, but it also has interconnected characters and relationship developments.

So I'd STRONGLY advise starting at book one! You'll want to for sure once you read one!!

I've been so INVESTED in Tanya, Mouse and her friends and seeing where this series goes. I love that this book has older MCs and is set in a small seaside town so feels really cosy. Perfect for upcoming snuggle season!

It's a great mix of quirky lovable characters, including a grumpy cat, an ex and a new romance.

I'd highly recommend checking this series out!
Profile Image for Reader_for_LifeTLG.
2,734 reviews17 followers
October 25, 2024
A prank gone dead wrong - Tanya and the gang once again disregard George's edicts to help solve a case. Their friends' restaurant has been shut down after a man died. Was there something in the food that caused the diner to keel over? A tangled web to be unwoven as Tanya, Harry and Mouse follow clues to uncover the identity of the diner, hired as a prank to impersonate a famous but unidentifiable food critic, and the reason for his presence that evening. Who would want to sabotage Rohan and Kieron's opening night in such a cruel way? No fancy investigative skills needed, just good old-fashioned conversation and maybe a cleavage flash for distraction as Tanya and Harry pound the pavement in their search for the truth. A great cozy mystery with suspects aplenty that kept me on my toes from beginning to end. One thing I learned - Never underestimate the power of being observant AKA nosy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jean .
28 reviews1 follower
September 29, 2024
This is the first of the series that I have ever read and although it is number six in the series it’s still easy to follow and very much an enjoyable standalone read. It is a great story that will make it hard to stop reading and trying to guess whodunnit. The characters are very interesting and you really feel you get to know them and the town quite quickly. You feel you can really ‘cosy up’ to them very quickly and take them to heart. I don’t want to put any spoilers in so nothing about the plot except that a new restaurant opens and on opening night someone is murdered in a very intriguing manner! Nothing is what you might first believe it to be and as the story unfolds the plot thickens and has you second guessing again and again. Loved it and definitely want to read the previous books in the series now and will see left wanting more! Definitely not a last order from me.
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