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Murder in the Pacific #3
Murder in the Pacific: Champagne Beach
‘Book 1 in the series was Shortlisted for 2024 Ned Kelly Awards, Best Debut Crime Fiction’
In the serene setting of Vanuatu’s Santo Island, tranquillity shatters when the lifeless body of a French farmer, Guy Simeon, is discovered on the pristine white sands of Champagne Beach. As they delve deeper, a labyrinth of secrets, coercion, and lies emerges. Simeon’s missing wife and strained relationship with his son paint a complex picture of his troubled life. Moreover, his financial woes and grievous interactions with locals only deepen the pool of suspects.
From the bustling port town of Luganville to the idyllic beaches and azure waters of Santo, George and Jayline tirelessly pursue leads, but find themselves entangled in a web of confusion with no clear motive, weapon, or suspect in sight.
In the serene setting of Vanuatu’s Santo Island, tranquillity shatters when the lifeless body of a French farmer, Guy Simeon, is discovered on the pristine white sands of Champagne Beach. As they delve deeper, a labyrinth of secrets, coercion, and lies emerges. Simeon’s missing wife and strained relationship with his son paint a complex picture of his troubled life. Moreover, his financial woes and grievous interactions with locals only deepen the pool of suspects.
From the bustling port town of Luganville to the idyllic beaches and azure waters of Santo, George and Jayline tirelessly pursue leads, but find themselves entangled in a web of confusion with no clear motive, weapon, or suspect in sight.
298 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2025
2 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 14, 2024
I was pleased to learn the first in this series, set in Vanuatu, recently won the Ned Kelly Award for Best Debut Crime Fiction. Well-deserved!
This third instalment follows George and Jayline as they travel to George’s home island of Santo, tasked with investigating a sexual assault by a religious leader. But things soon take an unexpected turn when they discover a lifeless body on Champagne Beach.
“George couldn’t imagine how any beach anywhere in the world could be more beautiful. If it wasn’t for the decapitated body lying just a few metres away, it would have been absolutely perfect.”
Champagne Beach has short, fast chapters with great dialogue and humour – a trademark of the series. There’s a unique quirkiness that suits the island vibe. George and Jayline are such well-developed characters - a likeable crimefighting duo that you always hope solve the case. Their banter is great.
“We have a body and a head, no weapon, no motives, no suspects, no witnesses.”
“Not ideal.”
It was good to learn more about George, as he navigated family members and the return to his home, Santo. I really enjoy learning about Vanuatu in this series – the way of life, history, and culture. It never comes across forced, and is one of the highlights, driving home the authenticity. Things certainly move differently there.
I don’t normally have issues with errors in books – but this was unfortunately too much. Missing words, wrong words, letters, and punctuation. It needed better proofreading. It disrupted my reading experience, sometimes pulling me out of the story and proving a distraction. It got confusing. Examples included a character which seemingly had three different names across consecutive pages and chapter titles inserted among paragraphs.
Despite this, I enjoyed the French angle in the story. It also helped to have a murder victim who had feuds going with half the island – an endless list of suspects to keep you guessing! While the ending felt slightly rushed, I love that I never suspected the killer. Matt Francis expertly weaved multiple plots, combining them with local customs, to deliver a very fitting “Vanuatu” conclusion.
Champagne Beach is another worthy addition to this enjoyable series, albeit one let down by poor editing. I look forward to seeing what George and Jayline get up to next! If you enjoy the likes of Death in Paradise, or you’re looking for a unique murder mystery, then the Murder in the Pacific series is for you!
‘Tangkiu tumas’ to the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This third instalment follows George and Jayline as they travel to George’s home island of Santo, tasked with investigating a sexual assault by a religious leader. But things soon take an unexpected turn when they discover a lifeless body on Champagne Beach.
“George couldn’t imagine how any beach anywhere in the world could be more beautiful. If it wasn’t for the decapitated body lying just a few metres away, it would have been absolutely perfect.”
Champagne Beach has short, fast chapters with great dialogue and humour – a trademark of the series. There’s a unique quirkiness that suits the island vibe. George and Jayline are such well-developed characters - a likeable crimefighting duo that you always hope solve the case. Their banter is great.
“We have a body and a head, no weapon, no motives, no suspects, no witnesses.”
“Not ideal.”
It was good to learn more about George, as he navigated family members and the return to his home, Santo. I really enjoy learning about Vanuatu in this series – the way of life, history, and culture. It never comes across forced, and is one of the highlights, driving home the authenticity. Things certainly move differently there.
I don’t normally have issues with errors in books – but this was unfortunately too much. Missing words, wrong words, letters, and punctuation. It needed better proofreading. It disrupted my reading experience, sometimes pulling me out of the story and proving a distraction. It got confusing. Examples included a character which seemingly had three different names across consecutive pages and chapter titles inserted among paragraphs.
Despite this, I enjoyed the French angle in the story. It also helped to have a murder victim who had feuds going with half the island – an endless list of suspects to keep you guessing! While the ending felt slightly rushed, I love that I never suspected the killer. Matt Francis expertly weaved multiple plots, combining them with local customs, to deliver a very fitting “Vanuatu” conclusion.
Champagne Beach is another worthy addition to this enjoyable series, albeit one let down by poor editing. I look forward to seeing what George and Jayline get up to next! If you enjoy the likes of Death in Paradise, or you’re looking for a unique murder mystery, then the Murder in the Pacific series is for you!
‘Tangkiu tumas’ to the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 21, 2025
Thank you so much @mattfrancis_books for gifting me a copy of your new book. I have loved this series so far and was very much looking forward to reading this
Sergeant George Long and Constable Jayline Oil are back and have traveled to Santo Island, to investigate a religious leader who is accused of sexual assault.
But their assignment changes when a local farmer is found dead on Champagne Beach. And to make matters worse, the police system is completely shut down removing access to emails, records and everything digital, so not only was the local police force unaware of George & Jayline’s visit in the first place, there are no records they can draw on to help either of these investigations
A really great instalment in the Murder in the Pacific series. Getting a glimpse into George’s life, as his home town is Santo we get to meet his parents this time too.
Sergeant George Long and Constable Jayline Oil are back and have traveled to Santo Island, to investigate a religious leader who is accused of sexual assault.
But their assignment changes when a local farmer is found dead on Champagne Beach. And to make matters worse, the police system is completely shut down removing access to emails, records and everything digital, so not only was the local police force unaware of George & Jayline’s visit in the first place, there are no records they can draw on to help either of these investigations
A really great instalment in the Murder in the Pacific series. Getting a glimpse into George’s life, as his home town is Santo we get to meet his parents this time too.
December 18, 2024
If you’re going to get trapped somewhere, it may as well be on a gorgeous island…..
Sergeant George Long returns with his partner Constable Jayline Oli and this time they are tasked with an investigation on beautiful Santo Island, but once again things don’t tend to go the way that George plans.
Murder in the Pacific: Champagne Beach is the third of Matt’s books set in Vanuatu, and as another crime author once said, it’s always nice to drop a corpse into a beautiful location, and Matt certainly did that.
Things are done extremely different in the Vanuatu Islands, including investigations, but Matt’s knowledge of all things Vanuatu and his storytelling skills add an amazing authenticity to the adventure and makes you feel like you’re there seeing it all for yourself, from the roads and buildings, the life in the townships and villages, to setting foot on the pristine beaches.
Although George and Jayline are the two main characters, there are many more that make up a wonderful cast, setting the scenes and giving a glimpse of the different lifestyles that a multicultural island has. George even has the opportunity to visit his grandparents, parents and the restaurant that was part of his childhood.
This story centres around finding the answers surrounding the death of a local famer, but as I said, things are done differently in Vanuatu, and with no state of the art forensic tools or expert pathology analysis, and now a complete lack of digital resources, George and Jayline just have to let the investigation take its course and lead them to some surprising conclusions.
Champagne Beach is a slow burn mystery and a very relaxing read that I really enjoyed. An easy read that takes you on an adventure, immersing you into a whole other culture.
It can easily be read as a stand-alone, but the experience is enhanced if you start at book one, Ifira Point, and work your way to Champagne Beach. Take yourself away on an island getaway, slow down a bit and relax with this fabulous book.
Thank you Matt Francis for my #gifted copy for an honest review.
Release date | 6 January 2025
#murderinthepacificmchampagnebeach
#mattfrancis
#islandsecrets
#bigskypublishing
Sergeant George Long returns with his partner Constable Jayline Oli and this time they are tasked with an investigation on beautiful Santo Island, but once again things don’t tend to go the way that George plans.
Murder in the Pacific: Champagne Beach is the third of Matt’s books set in Vanuatu, and as another crime author once said, it’s always nice to drop a corpse into a beautiful location, and Matt certainly did that.
Things are done extremely different in the Vanuatu Islands, including investigations, but Matt’s knowledge of all things Vanuatu and his storytelling skills add an amazing authenticity to the adventure and makes you feel like you’re there seeing it all for yourself, from the roads and buildings, the life in the townships and villages, to setting foot on the pristine beaches.
Although George and Jayline are the two main characters, there are many more that make up a wonderful cast, setting the scenes and giving a glimpse of the different lifestyles that a multicultural island has. George even has the opportunity to visit his grandparents, parents and the restaurant that was part of his childhood.
This story centres around finding the answers surrounding the death of a local famer, but as I said, things are done differently in Vanuatu, and with no state of the art forensic tools or expert pathology analysis, and now a complete lack of digital resources, George and Jayline just have to let the investigation take its course and lead them to some surprising conclusions.
Champagne Beach is a slow burn mystery and a very relaxing read that I really enjoyed. An easy read that takes you on an adventure, immersing you into a whole other culture.
It can easily be read as a stand-alone, but the experience is enhanced if you start at book one, Ifira Point, and work your way to Champagne Beach. Take yourself away on an island getaway, slow down a bit and relax with this fabulous book.
Thank you Matt Francis for my #gifted copy for an honest review.
Release date | 6 January 2025
#murderinthepacificmchampagnebeach
#mattfrancis
#islandsecrets
#bigskypublishing
September 28, 2025
I enjoyed the story… kinda moves slowly like ‘island time’ which I quite liked. Quite surprised by how many editing/proofreading errors there were. Publisher should have caught that before print!
I’d like to read the other 2 now.
I’d like to read the other 2 now.
January 12, 2025
#dymocksreadingchallenge2025 Sunscreen & Salt book is Champagne Beach Book 3 in the Murder in the Pacific series.
How, you ask, does murder fit in to a story that feels like sandy beaches, salty air and carefree days? For me, this series set in Vanuatu brings back memories of places I have been. It brings back holidays and I physically remember those carefree days. Champagne Bay (or Beach) where this murder is set reminds me of being taking for a kayak in a traditional boat over the reef with some of the clearest water I have seen. Forget the decapitated body, I was back snorkelling in the ocean and enjoying watching the sea life pass me by.
Our intrepid detective George and his offside Jayline arrive in Luganville to investigate one crime and end up in an entirely new case. BTW. The Luganville I remember is a little different to the one presented today but still full of good memories.
I am loving watching this dynamic duo grow both on and off the job. Without saying too much, I can’t wait for the fourth book to see how George’s life changes.
How, you ask, does murder fit in to a story that feels like sandy beaches, salty air and carefree days? For me, this series set in Vanuatu brings back memories of places I have been. It brings back holidays and I physically remember those carefree days. Champagne Bay (or Beach) where this murder is set reminds me of being taking for a kayak in a traditional boat over the reef with some of the clearest water I have seen. Forget the decapitated body, I was back snorkelling in the ocean and enjoying watching the sea life pass me by.
Our intrepid detective George and his offside Jayline arrive in Luganville to investigate one crime and end up in an entirely new case. BTW. The Luganville I remember is a little different to the one presented today but still full of good memories.
I am loving watching this dynamic duo grow both on and off the job. Without saying too much, I can’t wait for the fourth book to see how George’s life changes.
June 15, 2025
Sgt. George Long #3. I've read all three, and if the author writes any more, I won't bother. This would be one of the worst edited books I've ever read. There were errors on numerous pages. The stories have become a little boring. Sure, the island life is slow-paced, but do all the characters have to be so dreary?
There's a nasty theme of paedophilia in this one, and the response of islanders seemed a little too relaxed. Readers can learn a little about "kastom" as an alternative to legal procedures. Competition for influence between Australia and China is mentioned cynically, as often any money spent has more benefit for the "helper" than for the ordinary people on Vanuatu.
Rating 2.3.
There's a nasty theme of paedophilia in this one, and the response of islanders seemed a little too relaxed. Readers can learn a little about "kastom" as an alternative to legal procedures. Competition for influence between Australia and China is mentioned cynically, as often any money spent has more benefit for the "helper" than for the ordinary people on Vanuatu.
Rating 2.3.
July 24, 2025
I'm becoming rather fond of Sergeant George Long and Constable Jayline Oli and their crime solving adventures. This time they get sent to Vanuatu's Santo Island on a potential sexual assault, maybe because George has unfortunately had policing experience in this area. But then they stumble across a murder on beautiful Champagne Beach. A very dramatic introduction! I really enjoy the gentle way George and Jayline go about solving the crime with lots of local knowledge, and truly enjoy the wonderful humour. Loving this series, roll on #4.
January 2, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book of the series. I haven’t read the second, but this one popped up in a library for borrowing. Set in Vanuatu, this book has a murder that wasn’t expected, a decapitated body on a beautiful beach. Initially there’s no suspects, there’s also no technology to assist them and the main characters would rather be back in Port Vila instead of in Santo. I couldn’t predict the ending which I loved.
January 28, 2025
What a page turner! Bloody murder on a pristine beach! George and Jayline work their way through suspects and scenarios to figure out the solution. The author describes Vanuatu so evocatively, both the gorgeous and the dark underbelly. I can't wait for the next book in the Murder in the Pacific series as I am now deeply invested in George and Jayline's lives and adventures!
May 6, 2025
I absolutely love this series! I’ve devoured every one so far and can’t wait for many many more. However the number of spelling & grammar mistakes is quite surprising. It doesn’t take away from the story but it is quite noticeable.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews