Death on the Rocks

Lily Larkin #1

by Hannah Ellis

Did he fall, or was he pushed?

When Lily Larkin arrives on a picturesque Cornish island, she plans to find the ice cream shop from her childhood memories and indulge in a bit of nostalgia.

Getting dragged into the dramas of her fellow guests at the quaint bed and breakfast wasn’t on her agenda.

Nor was finding one of those guests lifeless at the base of a cliff while out for her morning jog.

It appears to have been a tragic accident, but while the police see no reason to investigate, something feels fishy to Lily.

Is she about to put herself in danger by asking too many questions?
Can she uncover the truth before it’s too late?
And when she realises that working alone will only get her so far, can Lily convince the delectable PC Grainger to listen to her theories and help her solve the case?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Contemporary, Fiction, Cozy, British Literature, Amateur Sleuth

226 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 16, 2024

About the author

Hannah Ellis spent many years working in childcare before deciding she'd like to write books. When she's not busy writing she likes to read, drink tea and eat chocolate. She also enjoys yoga and jogging.

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book I can't explain. I don't know how it ended up on my kindle...maybe because it is kindle unlimited selection. It is daft. The narrator is off center, her actions and speech are other worldly and the plot (?) quirky and weird. Girl on vacation, someone dies, police don't know how to manage a murder without her help? The conversational tone is other worldly for me...like trying to keep up with a long text exchange amongst yearlings. Cannot recommend. How did it get published?!

Kindle Unlimited

[Amina (ⴰⵎⵉⵏⴰ) · Rating 4 out of 5]

After her uncle passed away, Lily, a young woman finds an old photo of her and her parents in an ice cream shop. Glad to know the memory is real and not just a fragment of her imagination, as her uncle implied, she sets of looking for the mentionned shop.
But when she arrives, her holiday is nowhere near what she imagined to be. Instead of investigating what's become of her childhood shop, Lily finds herself investigating a murder ruled out to be an accident by the local police.

Let's start, shall we!
I warmed up to Lily immediatly, she's the kind of character that I do relate to, when she sets her mind on something, no one and nothing will prevent her from getting it.
In the beginning of my reading, I wondered where the author was getting at, and then, bit by bit, I found out she's sliding hint and clues all along the story telling and that was a fantastic way to keep me focused on every timeline and every single word that was uttered, leading me to find out who did it quite early!!

The plot was strong, its presentation and unfolding excellent. The characters were reliable and realistic, the atmosphere of "Un huit clôt" very well felt and described, and even if it ended on a cliffhanger, the denouement of everything was really satisfying!

This first book is half mystery, half introduction to a series that I'm definitely going to be following!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is a Lily Larkin cosy mystery, the first in a series, set in Cornwall. At the start, we meet Lily, who is in search of an ice-cream shop that she visited as a child.

I enjoyed the Cornish seaside setting; it was something that worked really well for me, and I think that type of setting always works well for a cosy mystery. Lily was a character that I connected with, and something about her went to my heart. This was an entertaining mystery, and an easy read.

Thank you to Booksirens and the author for a free copy to review.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read — i’ll read the 2nd book as I want to know what happens !

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

As most mystery books do, Death on the Rocks keeps you guessing whodunnit. The story progresses fairly well, a bit slow for my liking, and intersperses with a second overarching mystery. In my opinion, the shifts in focus are abrupt and obvious, but it could well be the whole point of shifting. The characters all have different personalities and backgrounds that give readers an insight to why they do what they do. Overall, the book was good, cozy as it is, but not gripping and did not give me the urgency to find out who did what.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Anastasia Mead · Rating 4 out of 5]

perfect cozy crime summer read

I enjoyed the story, every development left me wanting to know more. I really took to the main character Lily, who was likeable right from the start. The story flowed really well. Some of the other characters were more likeable than others! Would definitely recommend to anyone, and am looking forward to the next in the series.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book. All views are my own and I am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Lise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis
A mysterious photograph found among her uncle's belongings, after his death, sends Lily Larkin on a quest to find an ice cream shop - a place she associates with her parents who died when she was very young.

Characters
From the start, Lily is a sympathetic character; though she was recently bereaved on top of being an orphan, there is no hint of self-pity about her. Moreover, Lily sets out to right a wrong, seeking justice for a very unlikeable character. She has strength of character in aspiration amounts.

Setting
The setting is rave-worthy! A beautiful warm, sunny island in the middle of the Atlantic, this particular isle is packed with charm. The author's description had me ready to pack my bags and head off on the vacation of a lifetime, perhaps one day.

Plot
This mystery was so layered. There were nuances upon nuances that upped the intrigue of the story. When the villain was revealed, I have to admit I was surprised at the person's identity, but within the context of the story, it made a tonne of sense. I adore the series' arc and I am anxious beyond words for the launch of the next story. What a great series this is going to be!

Final Thoughts
I cannot put into words how amazing this book is. It is a wonderful start to a series that promises to be thought-provoking and entertaining. I was sad to reach the end of the story as I loved being in Lily's world. I highly recommend this story for cosy lovers who enjoy a delicately crafted mystery full of subtle clues.

Many thanks to Hannah Ellis and BookSirens for the opportunity to read this eARC. My thoughts are my own, honest and true.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

She wants to find the old ice cream shop where she loved to go when younger. Unfortunately she is about to be dragged into the dramas of the guest hose. Even worse she will find a body of one of the guest dead at the bottom of a cliff. Was he pushed? Did he fall? Who wanted him dead? Can she find the answers?see hoe gets on
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lily was interested in the ice cream shop on the island. It was purely curiosity that lead her there. In the meantime there was a murder to be solved. Was it. A murder or just a terrible accident? Lily is convinced it is murder.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[teal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This could be a new favourite series! Lily is extremely likable and determined to get to the truth of the death she is entangled in. The side characters are all folks that I'd like to get to know more and hope they become good friends of Lily's as she embarks on a new adventure based off a childhood photograph in front of an old ice cream shop. The layers of mystery are enticing and the constant hint of something more on the next page made this a fast-paced, enthralling read!

~ Thank you to BookSirens for the free copy. My review is voluntary and my honest opinion. ~

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok. Not a fan of this cozy mystery.

[Tina Cyr · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a huge fan of Hannah Ellis' work, I was thrilled to see her signature style shine through as she explores a new genre: cozy mystery.

With warm, relatable characters—both new and familiar—a captivating narrative, and edge-of-your-seat storytelling, this book will draw you in from Chapter 1.

If you are looking for a sweet, easy-read mystery this book will not disappoint!

I cannot wait for the next story in the Lily Larkin series!

[Ale · Rating 3 out of 5]

ITA
Lily Larkin, a seguito della morte dello zio decide di recarsi in una isola nel Cornwall per cercare tracce dei genitori scomparsi quando lei era una bambina. Lo zio, per qualche motivo, è sempre stato molto evasivo sulla faccenda.
Sull’isola prenota un B&B gestito da due signori pensionati, nella struttura ci sono anche una influencer, il suo ragazzo e il loro fotografo.
Una mattina, mentre Lily fa una passeggiata, sulle rocce trova il corpo del fotografo.
La polizia locale, visto che sull’isola non succedono omicidi è molto restia nel fare indagini, vorrebbe chiudere presto il caso come omicidio; Lily, invece, pensa ci sia qualcosa che non torna e quindi indaga.
Durante la lettura ero da una parte consapevole del fatto che Lily non è esperta di indagini, ma il suo proseguire a tentoni alla lunga un po’ infastidisce, le sue motivazioni per indagare non hanno molto senso se non per l’essere del libro, avrei preferito indagasse di più sui suoi genitori.
Invece, super arrabbiata dalla polizia, in modo particolare Flynn Grainger. Incommentabile.
Una cosa particolare sono i ragazzi del posto Kit, Flora e Seren che sono molto accoglienti e comprensivi con Lily e la aiutano nella sua ricerca personale.
Infine molto campato per aria il finale, per ora. Non ha un criterio.
Ci saranno altri volumi dove spero si darà più spazio alla storia personale di Lily, spero non in un complotto andato a male tra spie.
Ho ricevuto una copia gratuita. Questa recensione contiene la mia opinione ed è pubblicata liberamente.

ENG
After her uncle's death, Lily Larkin decides to travel to an island in Cornwall to search for clues about her parents, who disappeared when she was young. Her uncle had always been evasive about the matter for some reason.
While there, she stays at a bed-and-breakfast run by a retired couple. Also staying at the B&B are an influencer, her boyfriend, and their photographer.
One morning, while Lily is out walking, she finds the photographer's body on the rocks.
Given that murders don't happen on the island, the local police are very reluctant to investigate and want to quickly close the case as a suicide. Lily, however, thinks something is amiss and decides to investigate.
I was aware, while reading, that Lily is not an expert investigator, but her fumbling around in the dark becomes annoying in the long run. Her motivations for investigating don't make much sense other than for the sake of the story. I would have preferred that she investigate her parents more.
Instead, I was extremely angry with the police, especially Flynn Grainger. No Comment.
One notable aspect is the local Kit, Flora, and Seren, who are welcoming and understanding toward Lily and help her with her personal search.
Finally, the ending seems far-fetched, for now. It lacks criteria.
Hopefully, future volumes will give more space to Lily's personal story and, I hope, avoid a plot where something went wrong between spies.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Estelle Bouldin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into Death on the Rocks expecting a light, cozy mystery set on a picturesque island—and while I definitely got that, I was surprised by how quickly I connected with Lily and the deeper emotional threads running under the story.

The book opens with Lily arriving on St. Mary’s in the Isles of Scilly, chasing down a half-forgotten childhood memory of an ice cream shop connected to her late parents. Right away, Ellis sets a tone that blends wistfulness with humor. Lily is smart, capable, a little guarded, and quietly lonely—and honestly, she’s one of the more relatable cozy-mystery protagonists I’ve read in a while.

The island setting is wonderfully atmospheric: foggy mornings, quiet lanes, eccentric locals, and the perfect “everybody knows everybody” dynamic. Even before the murder, the B&B and its cast of characters feel full of tension, secrets, and little interpersonal cracks you know are going to matter later.

When Lily discovers a dead body during her morning run (a scene handled with just the right amount of shock without getting graphic), the story shifts seamlessly into mystery mode. Enter PC Flynn Grainger—brooding, professional-but-not-really, and exactly the kind of character who’s going to cause trouble in future books. Their dynamic is already giving “slow-burn annoyance-to-allies,” and I’m here for it.

I also appreciated that Ellis balances cozy charm with real emotional stakes. Lily’s grief and isolation aren’t melodramatic—they’re woven quietly through her actions and thoughts, which makes her quest for answers about her past all the more compelling. And while the murder is the main plot, the long-buried questions about the old ice cream shop hooked me even more.

The first couple of chapters really dragged and made me wonder if the story was going to move along.

Overall, this is a very promising start to a new cozy mystery series. Atmospheric, engaging, and surprisingly heartfelt. I’ll definitely keep reading to see where Lily’s search for answers leads next.

[Priya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting start to a new series with a mystery surrounding both the main protagonists that looks like it will be unraveled slowly.

Lily Larkin has never stayed anywhere long enough to make lasting connections so when she comes across a photo of herself as a child with her parents standing in front of an ice cream shop while on holiday, she is spurred on to find the shop and see why it feels so familiar. She lost her parents not long after that and feels inexplicably strongly that she has to do this. Arriving on the Isle of Scilly, she finds the shop and also gets embroiled in a confrontation with one of the guests at her hotel who she later finds dead at the base of a cliff. While the police think it's an accident, Lily wants to investigate and so she does.
PC Flynn Grainger is on the island as punishment for an offense that is spoken about in whispers but not confirmed. Lily is drawn to him but realises that he's bored with his present situation even as he tries to help. He is stuck trying to convince his boss that he's good at his job.

I liked Lily and her doggedness in pursuing her suspicions. She did take some liberties but that's par for the course for cosy mysteries.The conflict that Flynn faced was also well depicted and I would like to know what he did that there are so many rumours about him! The ensemble cast was also great and the whole atmosphere embodied the small town feel very nicely.

I'm looking forward to seeing more of Lily as she continues to research the ice cream shop and Flynn as he attempts to complete his stint on the island and get back to London.

I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is an honest and voluntary review.

[Nicola Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lily Larkin has ventured to the Scillies to solve the mystery behind a photograph of an ice cream shop which has stirred memories of her childhood and late parents. She is staying at a quaint B&B alongside several other guests including a successful social media influencer Alanna and her photographer, Vinny. Unfortunately for Lily, she stumbles over the dead body of the obnoxious Vinny who has fallen to his death from the cliff top. Despite the local police believing this is a tragic accident, Lily feels that the circumstances suggest foul play. She begins to ask questions and hunt for clues amongst her fellow guests and the hosts of the charming B&B, as she seeks to persuade PC Flynn Grainger that he needs to get involved and investigate a potential murder.

As the story progresses, Lily meets characters from Ellis's previous series based in the Scilly isles which was a fun dimension to the story and helped to anchor the story in the locations she has previously used. I'm a fan of Ellis's books and was disappointed when she said she was changing genre as I have loved all her previous series. However, I devoured this book as it had all the usual characteristics of her other stories, strong characters, interesting locations and a gripping storyline. This is very much in the style of a golden age crime novel with a list of suspects in a small location and the final act is to reveal who has committed the crime in front of all the suspects. I'm looking forward to the next instalment and finding out more about the ice cream shop and whether Lily will settle in this gorgeous location. With thanks to the publisher for a copy of the arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Ariana Ochoa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death on the Rocks is an exciting cozy mystery novel in the new Lily Larkin mystery series.

Like all first books in a series, the author spends a bit of time on character building so that we may understand the personalities of the characters. In similar fashion, the book begins with Lily Larkin whose parents died at a young age. Upon the death of her uncle, whom raised her, she sets off to Cornwall to find an ice cream shop where she was last photographed with her family. While on her journey, she stays at a bed and breakfast where one of her fellow guests succumbs to a tragic accident. In order to solve the mystery, our leading lady teams up with local PC Flynn Grainger to solve the case.

There is something calming about cozy mysteries based in seaside towns, and this book is no different. Although there is murder at bay, the small town charm is what really drew me in. In true cozy mystery fashion, there is a list of suspects and red herrings and a case that only an amateur sleuth can solve (along with a dashing detective). I enjoyed the plot and the characters. I did manage to solve the case on my own early on, but it did not deter from how I felt about the book. The writing style reminded me of M. H. Eccleston's Astrid Swift series. I am excited to read more from this author and will be on the lookout for her next book.

Special thanks to the publisher and Hidden Gems for the ARC. This review is voluntary. All thoughts are my own.

[Inishowen Cailín · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hannah Ellis is a new to me author and I just loved this new cosy crime series.
The story is set on the Scilly Isles where Lily has gone to investigate her family history with the owner of an ice-cream shop. Events take a turn when she discovers the shop is derelict and the owner is long gone. Added to this is the strange goings-on with the people staying in the same guest house as Lily.

The people on the island are friendly and helpful and with all small towns, there is plenty of gossip, especially surrounding the handsome new policeman and ladies' man PC Grainger.
When Lily discovers a dead body on the rocks she has to rely on the dubious PC Grainger for help in solving the case that was officially ruled an accident.

I enjoyed the slow pace of the murder mystery as Lily had quite the time of it unearthing the seedy secrets of the victim. There was more than one suspect although for the most part, I liked them and was hoping my favourites were not guilty!
The secondary mystery of Lily's history and connection to the area took a backseat until closer to the end where it concluded on a very mysterious and intriguing note. She and PC Grainger had also become a little bit more friendly by this stage after having unmasked a killer together.
This was a nice short read with plenty to keep me guessing and itching to read the next instalment. Book 2 is going on my TBR for its release in December.

[Nisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cozy mystery right up my alley, I really enjoyed reading Death On The Rocks by Hannah Ellis. Lily Larkin is out to search an ice cream shop from her childhood memory. She is finally at the right place but finds that the shop is long shut and the owner is mysterious. Meanwhile, while she is staying on the island there is an “accident”.

Vinny a photographer staying at the same B&B as Lily is found dead at the beach by her. He had misplaced his camera the previous day and was in an argument with both his muse and the owner of the bed and breakfast. Lily has a suspicion that Vinny’s death was no accident.

PC Flynn is on a punishment posting on the island. Detested by his superior he does not want to cross him and yet his gut tells him to investigate Vinny’s death. He has a "I care two hoots about anyone's opinion" attitude. Not much is known about the reason that Flynn is transferred.

I liked the simple approach of the story. The fact that Lily does not strive to solve the mystery by her self but involves the police is great. She just follows her curious mind and doggedly pursues her clues. I also enjoyed the variety of characters and their different personalities. I loved the setting and the fact that not everyone is sure-footed in the story. I am looking forward to getting to know the mystery in both Lily’s as well as PC Flynn’s life.

I am grateful to the author and book sirens for the ARC.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read and perfectly enjoyable. The plot was fairly simple but with a handful of suspects all with a possible motive and a few twists and turns the author keeps the reader guessing right to the end. There are some interesting additional storylines such as the relationship between Lily and Flynn and the mysterious ice cream shop but essentially our underlying need to know if Vinny’s death was indeed a tragic accident or was he killed and if so who did it keeps our attention as we follow Lily’s investigations.
Readers of the previous books by Hannah Ellis also set on the island of St. Mary’s will enjoy the appearance of some familiar characters.
I found Sergeant Proctor annoying and less believable than the other characters. He was conveniently ill but was well enough when it suited the story.
I loved Lily, who is a bit of a lost soul and admired her determination to solve the mystery but I would have liked her character to be a little deeper and see more of her fears and anxieties when she realised there may be a murderer on the island.
Thank you to the author for an advanced copy which I thoroughly enjoyed reading and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series and the opening of the ice cream shop.
This review is left voluntarily.

[Val Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death on the Rocks is undoubtedly an easy-to-read, cosy mystery.

Lily Larkin travels to the Scilly Islands off the tip of Cornwall, chasing a memory. Possessing a single photo of an ice cream shop she recalls from her childhood, she is searching for it, although Lily can’t explain why it’s so important to her.
Near the guest house where she’s staying, she discovers the body of another guest who has died mysteriously. Lily is unconvinced by the official explanation that the victim was killed in an unfortunate accident.
Soon after arriving, she meets Kit, the owner of the tourist train, and other locals. Through the theft of a photographer’s camera, she encounters good-looking PC Flynn Grainger, who’s running the Police Station due to his sergeant’s sickness.
It’s an enjoyable story with both interesting and believable characters. There is the potential for romance between Lily and either of the men she meets, but it’s not allowed to get in the way of the story.
I’d recommend Death on the Rocks to readers who want to relax and be entertained without too much effort. A perfect book to lay on the beach with or perhaps for curling up in front of a fire.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting dynamic with local police👍

I found Death on the Rocks easy to read and rather unique in the dynamic between amateur sleuth Lily Larkin and local beleaguered cop PC Grainger who, thanks to a bout of illness for his two colleagues, ends up handling Lily's discovery of a dead photographer on the local beach.

Their adversarial relationship is not really his fault, but Grainger, who is temporarily posted to the island as a punishment and there's no love lost between him and his superior, doesn't advertise that his hands are tied by his boss's firm desire to downplay crime on the island. Lily gets to do most of the sleuthing to prove that the death was no accident and the B&B where she's staying seems to be the place for her to start.

There were plenty of surprises and characters acting shady despite the isolated nature of the setting off the coast of Cornwall.

This is not the first time I've enjoyed a Hannah Ellis novel, but it is the first cozy mystery I've read by her. I enjoyed it and there's a thread of the plot that was left dangling for continuation in the series as Lily decides what to do with her life.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am an ARC reader and this is my honest opinion. This is a great little book and I enjoyed it. Maybe not an exciting thriller but certainly interesting, entertaining and an easy read - I read it over Christmas. I would say it's more a gentle story - albeit with a murder mystery! I liked Lily a lot and felt the description of her life with her uncle was slightly tragic. They may have loved each other, and maybe he was her only relative after losing her parents, but whatever the reason for his wandering lifestyle, he didn't come across to me as someone suitable to be bringing up a child. However, Lily is resourceful and determined and I kept wanting her to realise she should settle on the Scilly island, beautifully described by the author, where Lily went chasing a childhood memory. I found the friends she made interesting and, although I wanted to shake the local police, especially the attractive sounding P C, but he, especially showed some backbone and a sense of humour eventually. I'm looking forward to reading more of Lily's adventures and the friends she made

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! Death on the Rocks is an excellent murder mystery set on a quaint island with great small town characters. Lily is drawn to the island to find a place from her childhood and while there, a guest at her B&B dies. Lily can’t help but investigate as things don’t add up.

There are two mysteries that unfold at the perfect pace and keep you hooked—one resolves and one sets you up for book 2 (which I now need immediately). The dual POV, short chapters, and great side characters had me flying through this. Most of the characters had interesting depth, while some had intriguing bread crumbs that make me think they will feature in future books, yay! There’s also some fun romantic tension between the main characters. The only minor issue was I would have liked to have more pages and drama with the reveal for the murder mystery. But I’m very glad I found this and have a new series to read!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Setting 5 ⭐️
Characters 4.5 ⭐️
Plot 4.5 ⭐️
Writing 5 ⭐️
Overall 5 ⭐️

[SusanH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death on the Rocks is a quick read cozy mystery. Lily travels to the Isles of Scilly after finding an old family photo. She has a childhood memory of her parents taking her to an ice cream parlor. Her parents are deceased and she wishes to find this place where they made ice cream on the premises. Lily stays at a bed and breakfast with a few quirky characters, including the owners. When one of the other guests, an unpleasant and argumentative photographer, is found dead, Lily takes it upon herself to investigate. The local police call it a tragic accident, however Lily manages to convince PC Flynn Grainger, not liked by his boss, to look into it. The characters are fairly one dimensional and the mystery is light and not difficult to solve. That said, this is a very enjoyable book! It ends on a cliffhanger so look forward to the next in the series. With thanks to BookSirens and the publisher for this ARC. My opinions are my own.

[CR1017 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Death on the Rocks is a fairly quick read, but the heroine, Lily, is easy to like and root for, even if some of her decisions are questionable. Likewise, PC Flynn Grainger has made some less than stellar choices that results in him being temporarily assigned to the quiet Isles of Scilly, but at heart he is a good and kind man. The same cannot be said for his superior, Sgt. Proctor, who intensely dislikes Grainger and constantly berates him and looks for any reason to be rid of him.
Grainger is reluctantly pulled into investigating a death at a local bed & breakfast establishment that Lily is staying at, while she tries to discover more about an ice cream shop that she has a vague memory & photo of from her childhood.
All in all, an enjoyable story with enough charm and foundation to warrant a sequel or two.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming and truly cozy mystery. A young woman with no known family left and no tethers to any one place chases down a memory based on a photograph of her parents and herself in front of an ice cream shop on a small island off the coast of England.

I found this premise to be promising and am glad that the mystery continues on in a cliffhanger to the next book in the series. It starts out with one mystery and ends up serving up a totally separate mystery to conclude Lily Larkin’s visit on the island. The characters were extremely likable; however, I feel like we really did not get the chance to know them.

The author presents two seemingly separate mysteries. The second mystery kept me guessing until the very end and the “cliffhanger” mystery has me chomping at the bits to read the next book. BUT, I really hope we get to know the characters better in the next.

Thank you BookSirens and Hannah Ellis for allowing me to review this book. All opinions are mine alone.

[Smutty Professor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death on the Rocks by Hannah Ellis is a charming and intriguing mystery that combines suspense, personal discovery, and small-town charm. The vividly described setting in the picturesque Scilly Isles which is an idyllic yet secretive island community that adds to the story’s allure. The cleverly crafted mystery features a satisfying array of suspects and red herrings which kept me guessing with tons of twists.

The story follows Lily Larkin who attempts to uncover a piece of her past and finds herself entangled in a murder investigation. Lily’s curiosity and persistence make her an engaging sleuth. Her relationship with PC Flynn Grainger- an officer navigating his own challenges- is refreshing and alludes to potential for growth in future installments.

With an atmospheric setting, intriguing characters, and a well-plotted mystery, Death on the Rocks is a fantastic start to a promising series. It’s a quick, cozy, and clever mystery with a touch of heartwarming humanity.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lily Larkin has plans to find the ice cream shop from a photo and her childhood memories but what she ends up getting involved in is a murder mystery! I just want to congratulate Hannah Ellis for stepping outside her comfort zone and trying her hand at a new genre as it would not have been easy and it's a pretty scary thing to do but you nailed it! I love Lily and she really should be a private investigator as once she sets her mind on something she is like a dog with a bone she won't let it go. I enjoyed the mystery it kept me involved and I had not guessed the culprit when it was revealed although I had suspicions about everyone else except for who it actually was. The end is a little bit of a cliffhanger which I hope too get the answer to in the next book. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series and this book definitely got it off to a great start!

[Ingrid Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading several novels written in first person, it took a bit getting into a novel written in third person. But that only took a couple of pages and after that I loved the writing style and choice of words. This book is really very well written.

I loved the combination of Lily's search for information about an old photograph, her memories of that time and the happenings at the B&B she is staying in, which spark Lily's private investigator senses.

The whole atmosphere of the island and its inhabitants captured me and I could picture it in my mind as the story went along.

The book and the mystery had me enthralled all the way through and even though some things got solved at the end (no spoiler here!), there was a big cliffhanger which made me feel I want to read the next novel asap!

I loved loved loved it!