A Landslide, a Bride and a Fatal Ride: An English Seaside Small Town Cozy Mystery

Shiraz Jones Marine Rescue Mysteries #3

by Simon Michael Prior

Redcliff Marine Rescue volunteer Shiraz Jones unwittingly opens a cold case when she discovers a vintage sports car buried in a landslide.


When a 1976 storm destroyed Golden Beach Village, its secrets remained entombed. Now it’s up to Shiraz to unearth what really happened on that fatal night.

A retired newspaper reporter shares his recollections, and she begins to piece together the facts. Her investigations lead her to a factory town in the north of England where more of the mystery unravels.

But not everyone is who they seem to be. And forty-seven years after the event, one of Redcliff’s residents would prefer to let sleeping dogs lie.

295 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 27, 2024

About the author

Simon Michael Prior experiences constant adventures, hazards and exciting situations as a marine rescue skipper and a commander of rescue operations.

Although Simon is absolutely nothing like Murph, Redcliff Marine Rescue’s burly, grumpy coxswain, many of the scenes in his stories are inspired by events he encounters during his duties.

Simon has also lived on two boats and sunk one of them; sold houses, street signs, Indian food and paper bags for a living; visited almost fifty countries and lived in three; qualified as a scuba diving instructor; nearly killed himself learning to wakeboard and built his own house without the benefit of an instruction manual.

He now lives in it by the sea with his wife and twin daughters, where he spends his time regurgitating his experiences on paper before he has so many more that he forgets them.

Reviews

[Tammy Horvath · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with Shiraz in the first two books in this fabulous series. I couldn’t wait to dive in to book 3. Simon Michael Prior is a talented writer and definitely tells an intriguing story that wouldn’t let me go to sleep without knowing the ending. Well done. I can’t wait to read book 4.

[S. Bavey · Rating 5 out of 5]

These Shiraz Jones cozy mysteries from Simon Michael Prior are getting better and better. This time Shiraz uncovers a cold case she feels compelled to investigate and due to some chance meetings with people who were present at a landslide in 1976 she gradually finds the pieces to the puzzle. This novel is a real page turner and despite guessing the twist in the tale fairly early on I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent with Shiraz, Emily and ex-policeman Oscar. Looking forward to the next one!

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great to be back with Shiraz, Emily and Oscar and Redcliff on the Sea. This time the trio ends up solving a cold case that is brought to the present. As always a great cozy read.

[Renee Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Shiraz and her best friend Emily, are in the middle of an investigation that just happened to appear before them. This time a cold case from 1976, proves to be more than they initially thought. When a landslide reveals a vehicle that has been buried for years and the contents sparks a need to find out the true story . When the police tell Shiraz to stay away and let them investigate, clues are turning up and she can’t help but to start putting the clues together . I have fallen in love with the wonderful, totally different characters, that made them the perfect investigative team and definitely recommend this cozy mystery!

[Sue Fenwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Landslide, a Bride and a Fatal Ride is the third book in the Shiraz Jones Marine Rescue Mystery series, and like the others it can be easily read as a stand-alone novel. The author does a great job of giving just enough information to acquaint you with the characters and location of the book, and leaves out enough for you to want to go back and read the earlier books in the series. At first I wasn’t sure if I would like the marine rescue premise, but the author weaves it into the storyline, making it a solid part of the overall plot without getting too technical. This series is quickly becoming my favorite, and I can’t wait until the next installment.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how I am enjoying this series! I've read cosy mysteries for years, and these books are right there at the top. Shiraz and her pal Emily are still training to become marine rescuers, but this is not the focus of this book. A landslide uncovers a decades old mystery, and Shiraz just has to solve it. Add in a possible romantic partner or two, and you have a perfect recipe for an intriguing and exciting story, that kept me on the edge of my seat until the end. Looking forward to book four, and seeing if there are any romantic developments.

[Linda Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series, & they keep getting better. It’s good to have read the earlier books for the overall character arc, but it can be read as a standalone. It’s fun, with laugh out loud moments, & very entertaining characters & interesting events. The story flows well between the two time periods. I did guess, but it was highly amusing & rather unique as a cozy with it’s unusual & intriguing plot. Recommend.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy from the author & I am writing a voluntary, honest review

[Carol Nauss · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you read cozies and even if you don't, give this series a try. I love the quirky characters featuring Shiraz, her best friend Ellen and Oscar a retired police officer. Shiraz somehow always finds herself embroiled in a mystery and in this book, the mystery revolves around a 47 year old murder with a nice twist at the end. The plot is well thought out, the characters lovable and the setting a charming fishing village on the English coast. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the first two books in this series and I think tou will, too.

[Stef O'connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? I started the story yesterday afternoon and woke up early to finish it this morning. These cosy mysteries just get better and better. I love how the author has interwoven the story with facts about marine rescue, I felt this makes for a more interesting read. I’m looking forward to book #4 when it’s released. Shiraz is a force to be reckoned with, and along with her naive friend, Emily, they’re sure to solve any mystery they stumble upon. Loved it!

[Valerie Poore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simon Michael Prior has done it again, with Shiraz and crew as reluctant sleuths digging out the truth from a long-buried mystery. The plot in this third book in the series is quite complex and leads Shiraz, Emily and Oscar on a quest to uncover the past. I really enjoyed this adventure, and as always, Shiraz hauls the reluctant 'case closed' Emily into more and more risky exploits. The ending has a great twist and it's a terrific read and a worthy successor to the first two.

[Linsey Toney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Landslide, a Bride and a Fatal Ride: An English Seaside Small Town Cozy Mystery (Shiraz Jones Marine Rescue Mysteries Book 3) is another great read. I have followed this cozy mystery series and really enjoy these books! I think the author continues doing a fantastic job drawing me in and holding my attention. The book is a who done it type of mystery with a twist. I look forward to reading future books from this author.

[Deborah Ortega · Rating 5 out of 5]

While on a rescue to pick up a man and his dog on a beach where a cliff had fallen into the Sea. Shiraz spots a car buried in the exposed cliff. She goes back later and finds a skeleton in the car. Shiraz and her friends get involved. This was a fun story with a lot of suspects and I recommend it.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great series this is turning out to be. I'm becoming very fond of our super sleuth Shiraz and her friend and fellow Marine Rescue volunteer Emily. In fact, I'm fond of the other main characters Oscar and of course Murph. The banter between them adds a good bit of humour to the books. During a training session the Redcliff Rescue Vessel is called to an incident at nearby Golden Beach where there had been a landslide. It's there that Shiraz spots a partly exposed car among the earth. Of course she's intrigued and simply has to follow up the mystery. It's a fast paced story which takes her and the reluctant Emily into various escapades as gradually the truth of what happened back then in 1976 when the car was buried in a major landslide. Likeable characters, great setting with the added element of the Marine Rescue Training which adds another dimension to a well thought out plot with plenty twists and turns. Another winner. Thanks to Simon Michael Prior for the Arc Copy. This is my honest and unbiased review.

[Kami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoying this series. Love the storyline and the characters. Looking forward to reading the next book. Thank you!

[Patty Guerard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun cozy mystery series. I love the banter between Shiraz and Emily as Shiraz always seems to get them in trouble while gathering clues in the deaths in and around Redcliffe-by-the-Sea. And, this Book does not disappoint as they get themselves into a few mishaps. Very well written and keeps you guessing until the very end.

[Dana Fernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great cozy mystery by Simon Michael Prior. The storyline keeps you engaged and the characters are always up for a new adventure. Looking forward to the next one!