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When death rewrites the script, a reality show takes a fatal detourChaos breaks out in the quiet town of Seacastle when the cast and crew of the hit show Sloane Rangers descend upon the town, stirring up drama both on and off the screen. Local sleuth and former investigative reporter, Tanya Bowe, is brought on board as a consultant, tasked with generating buzz for the local and national press. But she quickly uncovers a tangled web of strained relationships and simmering tensions among the cast.
When one of the stars is discovered dead on set, she finds herself at the heart of a murder investigation. To complicate matters, the lead detective is her ex-husband, DI George Carter, who’s adamant about keeping her out of his investigation. But Tanya isn’t one to sit on the sidelines and she’s soon up to her neck in controversy.
As the case unfolds, a beloved cast member emerges as the prime suspect, sending shockwaves through Seacastle. With everyone playing a part and secrets buried deep, the murderer remains hidden in plain sight.

Can Tanya unravel the truth before she becomes the next victim?In this captivating British small-town cozy mystery, a maze of potential suspects, each with their own motives and secrets, will keep you guessing until the very end.

If you relish seaside settings, intricate mysteries, and a touch of wit, buy your copy now and join Tanya on her quest to unravel the truth.

246 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 31, 2025

168 people are currently reading
26 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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
Profile Image for theweebookworm .
424 reviews28 followers
April 8, 2025
I absolutely adore the author's writing style for this series. We are now on book 7 and and I have loved each one I have read.

It's lovely to be back with Tanya, George, Mouse and the gang. Better not forget Hades!

Filming of a reality show comes to Seacastle and I don't think the locals are quite ready for it. We have a wide range of characters who are starring in the series but, unfortunately, I really didn't take to them at the beginning, although that changed as the book progresses.

When one of the stars of the show falls ill then subsequently dies, Tanya soon finds herself helping with another murder investigation. As with the previous books, I love trying to work out who the murderer is, however, with the usual red herrings and twists and turns I normally get it wrong and I did again.

Tanya and George's relationship also takes a step forward in this book when he finally opens up about his past, this is quite emotional.

If you like cosy mysteries, I would highly recommend this series. The books can be read as standalone but to get the best enjoyment I would start at book one.

Thank you P J Skinner for another wonderful read which I flew through. Roll on book 8.
Profile Image for Chris.
1,461 reviews13 followers
April 2, 2025
I love a cozy mystery and I am so glad I had the opportunity to read Grave Reality by P. J. Skinner. It is book 7 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 a beloved reality show is in town and Tanya is helping with logistics when one of the actors winds up dead. Tanya enlists the help of her friends and their information networks, aka gossip, to solve the mystery. It was a delight. I adore the way each mystery incorporates Tanya’s friends. It makes me feel like I am part of the village. I highly recommend this book and the series. I can’t wait for the next one.

Thanks to Love Book Tours and the author for the gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
419 reviews11 followers
April 3, 2025
Number 7 of the series but also a great standalone book.

Tanya's work leads her into a murder mystery which appears to be quite a usual occurrence for her it seems. She seems a great character who is a big part of the local community; not just for her investigative skills but her own businesses too. The characters interact well with each other and there's plenty of humour in this. Think I'd love to sample one of Ghita's cakes 🤔

This particular story follows a reality show and deals with the fallout when someone turns up dead. A whodunnit indeed and Tanya is in prime position to help. The perpetrator isn't obvious and plenty have motive so we do follow the case along it's twisty path until all is revealed. A great cosy mystery
Profile Image for Marcia - itsabookthing2021 .
787 reviews19 followers
January 30, 2025
I was lucky enough to beta read this novel, my review is my own unbiased opinions.

I really enjoy the Seacastle Mysteries and Grave Reality is another fantastic installment. I really enjoyed the direction this one went with the reality TV show backdrop. I really enjoyed the new additions to the storyline and I thought the characters were created really well. I thought Daisy, Zak and Brad brought an interesting aspect to the story, I felt each new character created a cloud of mystery. I really felt like Tanya and Harry grew in this novel, the inclusion of Harry's army days that he's been keeping to himself really felt like a turning point for his character when he became vulnerable and I liked how that developed Tanya and his relationship.
I loved how this novel is written, PJ Skinner just has a way with her writing skills, the characters created are realistic, the carry the storyline out like a TV show and like the others in the series, it gripped me and I got lost in the murder mystery of who dunnit. I had my suspicions but i kept flitting between guesses and it wasn't really until the end I knew who it was. I felt like I was Tanya snatching for clues.
Profile Image for Janet Epperson.
529 reviews3 followers
February 4, 2025
I have fallen in love with this series and the characters. Looking forward to next book out in May. I recommend this series.
Profile Image for Una.
218 reviews1 follower
February 3, 2025
Nail-biting to the end

A delightful look at reality tv with murder and suspense thrown in for good measure, thrusting Tanya into the middle of another intriguing whodunnit.
34 reviews1 follower
February 1, 2025
Addicted!

I absolutely Love this series. So well written and always fun to read and feel part of the Seacastle community.❤️
Profile Image for Bookworm86 .
1,983 reviews136 followers
April 9, 2025
BLOG TOUR REVIEW


Review for 'Grave Reality' by PJ Skinner

Yet another fantastic addition to the brilliant and addictive 'The Seacastle Mysteries' series. This is the seventh book in PJ's 'The Seacastle Mysteries' series but each book can be read as a standalone.

OMG PJ Skinner yet another absolutely incredible page turning must read!! This book is the perfect for any cosy crime lovers!! in fact, just any one who loves an unputdownable read needs to get their copy of this book today!! This book is part of 'The Seacastle Mysteries' series but can be read as a standalone. I would always recommend reading books in a series in order but if you cant resist reading this one before the previous ones, and who would blame you with this fantastic cover and intriguing synopsis sucking you in, then there is a silver lining! The silver lining is that after you finished and fallen in love with this book and series you can go back and read the previous 6 while you are waiting for Skinner's next success to come out!! On that note, I have some amazing news and that is that you will not have to wait too long for it!! The next book in this gorgeous series is already available to preorder on Amazon!! It is called 'Lethal Secret' and will be published on the 31st May so preorder it now and mark your calendars!! This series and book truly is an absolutely compelling and addictive heart lifting read that kept me turning the pages until late at night. This book really is a fascinating, festive and fast paced action packed read that grips your attention from the first sentence all the way to the fantastic end!! With any books in 'The Seacastle Mysteries' series you will have 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!!! 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 PJ absolutely blows it out of the water with this one of a kind storyline!!! The storyline itself is ram packed with mystery, suspense, acting, cakes, humour, 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!! I absolutely devoured it in one sitting of a few hours and was left needing more immediately!! 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!! What I loved about this book is that even though I have only read one other book in this series immediately it felt like I was returning to a familiar community as if it is a regular holiday home for me where I can escape from reality and as soon as I read the first page I felt comfortably "on holidays in a second home" if that makes sense. 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 as soon as I met her in 'Last Orders'!!! Tanya and all the rest of the gang genuinely feel like friends that I loved meting again and that I really do genuinely miss when I have to say Goodbye at the end of the book. Tanya 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 characters that I got to meet again 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 partner Harry and many, many more of the surrounding characters such as Tanya's neighbours which she has barely got to know, dramatic Ghita, Harry's brother Nick, Roz and I could genuinely go on and on. I must admit though that being a huge animal lover and running my own little rescue called 'Golden Oldies Cat Rescue And Hospice' which you can find on social media if you wish my favourite just has to be Hades and I LOVE that this book focuses a lot on him although I was worrying for him throughout even though he is a bundle of mischief!! 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, flaws, quirks, 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!! An amazing bunch of characters that have very quickly become friends that I am sad to have to say Goodbye to!

Congratulations PJ Skinner on yet another absolutely fantastic, cosy and addictive read!!! This is exactly why you are in my favourite 3 cosy crime author list!! 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!!!

#GraveReality #TheSeacastleMysteries #PJSkinner #PJSkinnerAuthor #ParkinPress #Bookstagrammer #Ad #LBTCrew #Bookstagram

@PJSkinner @PJSkinnerAuthor @ParkinPress @LoveBooksTours @LBTCrew @KellyALacey


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Profile Image for Karolyn.
1,329 reviews43 followers
April 1, 2025
Here is my review for Grave Reality by PJ Skinner

Oh wow! I so love this series set in Seacastle by PJ Skinner and this book is a terrific addition to it! I got into the story straight away right from the start and from the start, I found I couldn’t put the book down as I was hooked, I needed to know what was going to happen next on this TV reality show that was being screened on location around Seacastle. Tanya Bowe had been hired as location manager but she soon picked up on the tangled web of friendships between the show’s cast members. Then a cast member is found unconscious in her room. Tanya then finds herself involved in a complex murder case but she is caught between George and the cast. This is a truly brilliant story which I loved reading. It was extremely well written and very descriptive, leading me to visualise the story in my mind whilst reading it, leading to a terrific experience! The twists and turns in this story were superb and got my mind wondering who the murderer could be? The plotting was brilliant and the story had been well thought out. All the usual main characters were there and played their parts wonderfully while Tanya went above and beyond what was required. I believe some research was done for this book and it shows as the story proves a lot of effort has been put into it to get the facts right. This is a terrific cozy mystery story and series. I’m already looking forward to the next one.

Blurb :

A reality show turns deadly when death rewrites the script.

Chaos breaks out in the quiet town of Seacastle when the cast and crew of the hit show Sloane Rangers descend upon it, stirring up drama both on and off the screen. Local sleuth and former investigative reporter, Tanya Bowe, is brought on board as a consultant, tasked with recommending perfect filming locations for the episode.

Tanya soon uncovers a tangled web of strained relationships and simmering tensions among the cast members. When one of the stars of the show is discovered unconscious in her room, Tanya finds herself at the heart of a complex murder investigation where everyone is a suspect. Unravelling the truth seems impossible when many of them have difficulty distinguishing real life from the scripted show.

As the case unfolds, several beloved cast members emerge as the prime suspects, sending shockwaves through Seacastle. With everyone playing a part and secrets buried deep, the murderer remains hidden in plain sight.

Can Tanya unravel the truth before someone else dies?

In this captivating British small-town cozy mystery, a maze of potential suspects, each with their own motives and secrets, will keep you guessing until the very end.

If you relish seaside settings, intricate mysteries, and a touch of wit, buy your copy now and join Tanya on her quest to unravel the truth.hooked
Profile Image for Sonja Charters.
2,745 reviews138 followers
April 1, 2025
First of all, I'd just like to mention how much I love the covers and titles for this series!

I don't think I've mentioned it before, but the rainbow covers do look amazing on my shelf - and this title really struck me, given it features the Sloane Rangers reality TV show!

Just another show of PJ's humour!

 

Anyway, I know you'll have seen me post about this series before (many times) and will notice that this is book 7 of the Seacastle Mysteries series.

As ever, I do think this would work ok as a standalone read but would still definitely recommend that you invest in reading this while series of you've not yet started!

 

It was great to be back in the company of Tanya and Harry and the gang - but I was definitely missing the lovely Mouse for a while - I loved that he did make an appearance later on - albeit only a relatively small show.

There was also a really moving scene with Harry finally opening up to Tanya about his past - get the tissues ready!

 

The new characters introduced here are a very interesting mix and absolutely as expected for reality show actors.

I have to admit to not really loving any of them at first - perfectly drawn! - but some of them did grow on me as we got to see other sides to their personalities.

 

This mystery absolutely stumped me!

There were just so, so many characters on set and so many suspects.

I thought quite early on that I knew who it could be - but we are given so many theories throughout that it left me totally flummoxed and I suspected them all at one point!

 

You already know that I love PJ's writing and this book continues in the same style - with a great mystery, lots to work through and some excellent character development throughout - as well as a good dose of humour!

 

I'm completely obsessed with the Seacastle world and would love to head over for the day (in a warm coat) and sit in the Vintage with a coffee and cake!
Profile Image for Tami Wylie.
712 reviews35 followers
April 3, 2025
It was so lovely to return to Seacastle again and visit old friends Tanya, Harry, Mouse and Hades once more. I feel like I’ve known them forever. This time Tanya is working with the production company of TV reality series Sloane Rangers as they film in Seacastle. The whole town is buzzing with excitement and drooling over cast member Zack and Daisy, including Harry and Mouse! When one of the stars is murdered, Tanya and the gang must jump into action to find the killer. I loved seeing how the dynamics of the group had developed into even stronger relationships, especially between Tanya and Harry. It was also good to see that George had finally accepted Tanya as a consultant. The story was full of twist and it wasn’t easy to solve the mystery of the killer. The author does a fantastic job of making the reader think it’s one person and then changing your mind over and over by including lots of red herrings. The way the murderer pulled off the kill was extremely clever I thought. I liked the way current life elements such as the use of Ozempic and the fascination with reality TV makes the story relevant with today. I love how all the characters who live in Seacastle are so close and form their own little family. Finding out more about Harry‘s background and his time in the army in this one was really good. It made him even more human. Once again, the author has hit it out of the park with this instalment in the series. Plus there was a Texan. Since I’m a Texan I thought that was great and he was described perfectly even though he wasn’t particularly the nicest of people. I can’t recommend this cozy mystery series highly enough! I simply cannot wait for the next one.
Profile Image for Roz Anne.
343 reviews31 followers
April 4, 2025
This is book 7 in the Seacastle Mysteries series. It can be read as a standalone. I haven't read any of the other books, but I loved this cosy mystery. It is set within a quiet seaside town in the north of England. Tanya gets a job behind the scenes on a reality tv show. Before she settles in, one of the cast is unalived. Tanya puts her sleuthing skills to the test to figure out what is going on before anyone else is hurt.  The characters were well developed, and the author used plenty of tricks to keep me guessing whodunit! 

Tanya and her group of friends were quirky and likeable. I really wanted them to figure it all out. It was great seeing them coming together and using their skills to solve the mystery. I also liked that we had a Roz... I hardly ever see my name in a book! 

The author did a great job with creating the town and the different areas like Second Home, Ocean cafe, and  Surfusion, which sounded like a really interesting place to visit! I really enjoyed the sense of community, and it pulled me into the story. I'm definitely going to check out the other books in the series. 

If you love a cosy mystery with a sense of humour and community spirit, this might be the series for you to try next!

With thanks to the author, publisher, and Love Books Tours for providing a copy of the book to review.
Profile Image for Cat.thebookworm.
134 reviews1 follower
March 25, 2025
Grave Reality by PJ Skinner is a captivating mystery that I didn’t realize was part of an ongoing series, but surprisingly, it worked perfectly as a standalone read. I had no trouble following the plot, even without having read the previous books.

The book gave me nostalgic vibes of classic TV shows like Murder She Wrote, and I found myself thoroughly enjoying the experience. The characters, especially Harry, were what truly stood out for me. I appreciated how he opened up about his army past, which added depth to his character and made me like him even more.

All the characters felt incredibly believable and realistic, and the story kept me hooked. I was constantly guessing about who could be the culprit, and while I had my suspicions, I found myself bouncing between different suspects, which added to the suspense. The pacing and flow of the narrative were excellent, keeping me engaged from start to finish.

After reading Grave Reality, I’m eager to explore the earlier books in the series. After reading Grave Reality, I’m definitely curious to check out the earlier books in the series. It’s clear that PJ Skinner knows how to craft a great mystery with some really interesting characters.
Profile Image for Emma book blogger  Fitzgerald.
639 reviews22 followers
April 6, 2025
Thank you @pjskinnerauthor @KellyALacey @lovebookstours #Ad #LBTCrew #BookTwitter #SeacastleMysteries For letting me be part of this tour and reviewing this book. Grace Reality is a crime mystery genre which is the 7th book in the series. You can read as a standalone, as I did. I have read a number of PJ Skinner book and I have enjoyed them all immensely. Grace Reality is set in Sea castle and cast and crew from a reality show wanting to film there. Tanya, who is the main character and narrator, has been asked to work for them to recommend filming locations, but Tanya seems to be doing more than this and investigating a murder. It took me a few chapters to get into, but once I got past the beginning, I got into and thoroughly enjoyed the plot. I did like Tanya a lot as a character and enjoyed getting to know her and how she works. I liked how she was still friends with her ex who is a policeman and liked her partner Harry too. All the characters seemed down to earth and easy to like. I liked how the book kept me guessing who the murder was, I thought I knew and when I carried on reading the story kept changing my mind. This is a cozy and lighthearted read. I will def check the rest of the series out. 4 stars
48 reviews2 followers
April 6, 2025
Grave Reality b PJ Skinner

Genre: Cosy Mystery/Crime
Rating:🌟🌟🌟🌟

Grave Reality is Book 7 in The Seacastle Mysteries Series, although part of an ongoing series, this book can be read as a standalone.

Tanya Bowe a former investigative reporter is working alongside a production company for the filming of reality TV series Sloane Rangers, which has descended on the quiet picturesque seaside town of Seacastle.

But she soon finds herself in the thick of a complex murder case when one of the cast is suddenly found unconscious and then dies.

Tanya puts her sleuthing skills to the test and enlists the help of her friends and DI George, to try to solve the murder before anyone else gets hurt.

Unfortunately for them everyone is a suspect!

I found this cosy mystery captivating, the characters felt realistic and Skinner has such a writing style that just draws you into the pages and keeps you there until you finish the last chapter.

The pacing and flow of the book was excellent and with all the red herrings and large cast of characters, I found myself guessing who the culprit was right until the end.
Profile Image for Teresa.
127 reviews6 followers
April 5, 2025
I received an ARC of "Grave Reality" by PJ Skinner, which is the seventh in The Seacastle Mysteries series, the fourth book I've read and I wasn't disappointed as it transported me back to spend time with familiar loved characters, in the seaside town of Seacastle. (The book could be read as a standalone as there isn't a reliance on previous plots).
Once again, Tanya's investigative prowess helps to solve the case of a potentially suspicious death of an unpopular member of TV Reality series "Sloane Rangers", this time with ex-husband, police Detective Inspector George Carter's blessing as he has called upon her as a police consultant giving her access to case with its very current themes of Reality TV and Weight-loss Drugs.
There are plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing in this cosy crime page turner as to the identity of the murder culprit, and I was hoodwinked until "the reveal" near the end of the book.
The simple, effective front cover artwork is again used with bright, eye-catching colours.
Profile Image for Nicola Doyle.
477 reviews15 followers
April 9, 2025
I absolutely loved this book!!! It was so much fun. It was a great idea and I loved the concept of reality TV being scripted. I loved the location, a seaside town called Seacastle. It sounded so idyllic and charming.

The story was extremely well written. The descriptions were beautiful. It flowed well. There were no plot holes and no unanswered questions. The ending was neatly finished off.

I loved all the characters. Tanya was so savvy and smart. I liked her a lot. Her partner Harry was a sweet and charming man. The cast of the reality show were what you expected except for Zak who I loved. The rest of the characters were great and they all worked well in the story.

The story was written in first person from Tanya's point of view only. This worked well and I enjoyed seeing her logic and thought processes. It just was so well done.

I recommend this to anyone who loves a good cosy mystery. Even if you fancy starting with this genre, I recommend it. It might be a series but it can be read standalone too!
205 reviews6 followers
April 15, 2025
⚠️Please note that this is book no7 in The Seacastle Mysteries. This review might contain spoilers if you have not read the previous six.⚠️😁

This was waahaaahaaay more fun than I personally find reality shows. And that is ok. Some like this, and some like that.😊

I found this cosy and funny. To the degree one can call murder those things, I think I need to check out the other books in the series as well.😊
Everything from friendly banter, to see for myself how clever our sleuth is, this was a nice experience.

Cosy place, this is, where we have an awesome cat named Hades, and the town gossip is nicknamed 'Foghorn'.😁💚 Still, the people in this town seem so nice. I want to move there.

Our sleuth, Tan (Tanya), and Harry live happily together. Life is good, until the cast and what not of the reality hit show, Sloane Rangers, arrive.
With the title 'Grave Reality', you can probably guess what comes next. 😜

This is as cosy as one of the Norwegian sweaters that my mum knits for me.😁
442 reviews12 followers
April 2, 2025
An intriguing mystery that completely drew me in. I hadn’t read any of the other books in the Seacastle Mysteries series, but this one worked perfectly as a standalone. I didn’t feel lost at all and could follow the story without any trouble.

The reality TV setting was such a fascinating backdrop. It was fun to see how the characters handled the drama and chaos. I loved the mix of personalities.

Harry and Tanya's dynamic was handled beautifully.

The mystery itself kept me guessing from start to finish. The number of suspects and theories kept me on my toes, and I loved how the story made me feel like I was piecing together clues alongside the characters.

PJ Skinner’s writing style is immersive and engaging. The pacing was spot-on, and I felt fully invested in the story. It had the charm of a classic murder mystery, but the humor and character development gave it a modern twist.

After this book, I’m really curious to check out the earlier ones in the series.
Profile Image for Crystal.
86 reviews4 followers
April 10, 2025
In this book, we follow Tanya who is a detective and a former investigative reporter working with the hit show called Sloane Rangers. Drama has kicked off between the cast members until one member has been murdered.. Everyone becomes a prime suspect as secrets start to unfold and Tanya is determined to get to the bottom of this murder case.

This is actually my first time reading PJ Skinner’s book and I can tell you that she did an amazing job at writing this book. Grave Reality is actually the seventh book to the Seacastle Mysteries series and I am happy to say that this will not be my last book I read from this author. It can be read as a standalone and because I have not read the other books prior to this one, I can say that there isn’t anything you need to know before reading this book. I really liked how well the story was told, it just flowed so well from start to finish and I also absolutely adored the jokes and humour in it. It’s really interesting to learn about each characters as they were getting interviewed because this truly made me want to find out who really was the culprit. Grave Reality is described as a cosy murder mystery and will keep you guessing until the very end and I can tell you that it truly did just that!
217 reviews1 follower
February 1, 2025
I think I have probably become addicted to this series because they have all been extremely good reads, including this one. I like the way the storylines and the characters continue to be believable and the regulars are developed further in each book. In this book, the author has used quite an unusual setting in that the story takes place during the filming of a reality show. The way the apparent animosity between characters for the show itself is used to good effect. This animosity, faked in places, helps to blur the lines between the fiction of the show and the real-life outside the show. It is in this blurred reality that the murderer can hide.

I am looking forward to the next book in the series!

I received this book as part of the beta reader group hence my ability to post a review so soon after its publication.
Profile Image for Fatguyreading.
815 reviews39 followers
April 2, 2025
Grave Reality is book 7 in the Seacastle Mysteries series and is another great cozy mystery by PJ Skinner.
Having read the other books in the series, I had high expectations, and let me tell you, once again, the next in the Seacastle Mystery certainly did not disappoint.

Although book 7 in the series, for me, Grave Reality can definitely be read as a standalone.

This time, the cast of a TV show arrive in the town, and it's not long before one of them is found dead. So, it's not hard to guess who'll be on the case. Our intrepid sleuth, Tanya. But can she untangle the web of lies and decipt before someone else turns up murdered? Be sure to pick your copy up to find out.

So all in all, another brilliant mystery novel to add to the series. It's well written with believable characters that feel real, and a storyline line flows along nicely.

4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
Profile Image for caz.readz .
188 reviews8 followers
April 4, 2025
I am so delighted to be back with Tanya and her crew in Seacastle as I have been loving this series of books. In this instalment Tanya finds herself working with the Reality TV show Sloane Rangers finding filming spots for them. However, when one of the cast dies in mysterious circumstances Tanya finds herself right in the centre of things and can't help but try to find out what happened. Her ex husband George is actually grateful for her help on this one as she has inside knowledge from working with the Team but as always, he asks her to leave the actual Police work to him. Can Tanya get to know the real people and not just their TV personalities in order to find a killer?

These books are the definition of cosy crime for me; great group of characters and community, light-hearted and with lots of charm. The characters have been developing so flawlessly as the series goes on and as they are so relatable I really feel like I'm back with the gang again. There is something so comfortable about the setting too. The story flows at a good pace keeping the story moving and we get the answers we require by the end as everything wraps up nicely. I really look forward to hanging out with Tanya again in the next
Profile Image for Gemma Best.
501 reviews
March 30, 2025
I love this series so much! Grave Reality is book seven in this series and can be read as stand alone but I’d honestly advise you to go back to the beginning and enjoy every single one of these books.

Grave Reality centres around a reality tv show mystery after a member of the cast turns up dead. I enjoyed the cosy feel of the mystery and the various characters. I love Tanya and Harry’s relationship in this novel as they are such a great couple. Would have loved to see more of Tanya’s step son, Mouse but I guess he has to go off to University at some point!

P.J Skinner is a great author and really draws you into the world and keeps you guessing right up until the last page. I can’t wait for book eight!
Profile Image for Paulette.
13 reviews
April 9, 2025
The Only Way is Seacastle

A reality show (think The Only Way is Essex) descends on the small seaside town of Seacastle. Investigative reporter Tanya thinks she is picking up an easy gig scouting locations for the show but ends up much more involved when one of the cast members turns up dead. What follows is a zippy and engrossing mystery that is all the more entertaining for the novel TV show backdrop. The characters are strong, with a very likeable lead, a plethora of suspects and an enjoyably hateable slime ball of a TV producer. The plot ticks along nicely with well placed twists and the little beach town makes for a charming setting. An easy recommendation for anyone who enjoys a comforting and cosy little detective story.
Profile Image for Daisy Hollands.
Author 2 books28 followers
April 10, 2025
It’s both comforting and reassuring to see old favourite characters popping up, even if it’s in a somewhat new situation. As ever, the writing is warm and gently amusing as well as being gripping enough to hold interest. As is often the case, there is a murder and Tanya is on the case. It’s set around reality TV and there is a whole cast of suspects, all with motive and most with opportunity. Love to follow along and see if I can solve it before Tanya might! (No spoilers here). Don’t be dissuaded that this is book seven in the series if you are new - it can be read as a standalone, but better yet, get on board and grab the whole series. You won’t regret it. One of my favourite cosy crime collections. Excited for book eight!
415 reviews6 followers
February 1, 2025
Another wonderful mystery - I could hardly stop reading! The main characters are better than ever, the writing and plot are smooth and pull you along. And, the descriptions of the weather, sea and countryside are very evocative and add so much to the mood and visualization. In this book the new people are from a reality show, filming in Seacastle, and they are quite full of themselves! You might get an idea of what happened but how and especially why - probably not. (Reading earlier books in this series will give you a good introduction of the main characters.) - I received an advance copy and freely leave this honest review.
Profile Image for Sue Wallace .
7,401 reviews140 followers
April 1, 2025
Grave Reality by PJ Skinner.
The Seacastle Mysteries Book 7.
I loved the cover. I did enjoy this book. I love this series. I did like Tanya. I couldn't put it down. I did like the writing style and the story. I wanted to know what happened and who it was. I was trying to guess. But I kept going from one character to another. It certainly wasn't who I thought it was. I did like the ending. I do hope there is more to come.
1,649 reviews1 follower
March 14, 2025
This series doesn't disappoint for pure enjoyment. The pages flow by and before you know it you have reached the end and want more. While the individual stories tie up all the open plot lines nicely, there is more about the character that you want to know especially how their relationships develop.
Profile Image for Susan.
161 reviews1 follower
February 10, 2025
Throughly enjoy

It’s a quirky read but always just right. I like the characters and appreciate that the main character doesn’t act superior but is a fun sleuth. Stories are always interesting and have enjoyable twists and plots. Always look for the next in the series
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