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Whitstable Pearl Mystery #10
Murder At The Allotment
Pearl's tiny garden of Eden is transformed into a battlefield when the out of towners come to Whitstable...
Pearl Nolan's coastal allotment has always been a quiet haven - somewhere for her to cultivate ingredients for her restaurant. But a sudden clamour for allotments by the DFLs - Down From Londoners - causes tension in the local community when the council decides to accommodate them by dividing existing plots into smaller parcels. The harmony that once existed between holders of land previously blighted only by slugs and caterpillars, soon transforms into a bitter turf war... and matters only deteriorate as a pushy DFL takes over as new chair of the allotment committee and insists on some new strict rules.
A rash of crop rustling and sabotage breaks out. Pearl's services as private detective are called upon to discover the culprit but before she can do so, what began as a tiff among the turnips soon becomes a hunt for a killer when gardening tools are put to murderous use...
Pearl Nolan's coastal allotment has always been a quiet haven - somewhere for her to cultivate ingredients for her restaurant. But a sudden clamour for allotments by the DFLs - Down From Londoners - causes tension in the local community when the council decides to accommodate them by dividing existing plots into smaller parcels. The harmony that once existed between holders of land previously blighted only by slugs and caterpillars, soon transforms into a bitter turf war... and matters only deteriorate as a pushy DFL takes over as new chair of the allotment committee and insists on some new strict rules.
A rash of crop rustling and sabotage breaks out. Pearl's services as private detective are called upon to discover the culprit but before she can do so, what began as a tiff among the turnips soon becomes a hunt for a killer when gardening tools are put to murderous use...
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 14, 2024
42 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
Julie Wassmer
15 books130 followersJulie Wassmer is a television drama writer who contributed for almost twenty years to the popular BBC series EastEnders.
She published her autobiography More Than Just Coincidence in 2010, in which she describes finding her long-lost daughter after an astonishing twist of fate. It was voted Mumsnet book of the year.
The Whitstable Pearl Mystery is the first in her series of crime novels, involving multi-tasking private detective-come-restauranteur, Pearl Nolan.
Julie lives in Whitstable and is well known for her environmental campaigning.
She published her autobiography More Than Just Coincidence in 2010, in which she describes finding her long-lost daughter after an astonishing twist of fate. It was voted Mumsnet book of the year.
The Whitstable Pearl Mystery is the first in her series of crime novels, involving multi-tasking private detective-come-restauranteur, Pearl Nolan.
Julie lives in Whitstable and is well known for her environmental campaigning.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
May 21, 2024
This audiobook was made available for me to listen to and review by JulieWassmer, Bolinda Audio, and NetGalley.
This delightful cozy mystery is firmly set in small town life. There's the stress of Whitstable being DFL or down from London as a convenient vacation area for wealthy entitled Londoners. The tension between the townies and the weekenders seem to be sticking at the allotment plots. The allotment plots are a holdover from Enlightenment Era politics and increased in importance with the world wars. Originally the plots were for townsfolk without enough yard space to comfortably house a garden. Now its about posh folks who don't find a food garden fits their backyard aesthetic. These folks are generally wealthier and more connected and in the form of Carolyn Lindsay, entitled and bossy. After someone has made a series of complaints about current allotment holders, a tense town allotment holders meeting is called by Carolyn. The next day Carolyn is reported missing by her handsome husband Franko to Pearl who later found her body in the recently added hot composter at the town allotment.
This is my first novel by Julie Wassmer but likely won't be my last. I quite enjoyed this cozy mystery and am interested in reading the earlier installments in this series. The main character is Pearl who is in her early 40's, with an adult son who does not make an appearance in this novel and a fiancé who is a DCI at the local police department. She owns a local restaurant in town that she started when she left the police academy two decades ago. A few years ago Pearl started a side hustle as a private detective in town. Most of Pearl's cases involve missing persons/pets and possibly straying spouses. This is also a TV show on Acorn TV and I'll likely check that out at some point.
11% into the book during chapter 3 a racial slur is used as a description of hair. I'm somewhat surprised as it was completely unnecessary to the story and jarring. I'm sure what the author described could've been described as bohemian or even hippy, no need for the slur. I can't imagine my hair described as n-word curly😬 Just a deeply uncomfortable description. This impacted my overall book rating.
This charming story was narrated by Jennifer Kirby and she did an excellent job. I sincerely hope the earlier novels in this series are also narrated by her.
Thank you to Julie Wassmer, Bolinda Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own
This delightful cozy mystery is firmly set in small town life. There's the stress of Whitstable being DFL or down from London as a convenient vacation area for wealthy entitled Londoners. The tension between the townies and the weekenders seem to be sticking at the allotment plots. The allotment plots are a holdover from Enlightenment Era politics and increased in importance with the world wars. Originally the plots were for townsfolk without enough yard space to comfortably house a garden. Now its about posh folks who don't find a food garden fits their backyard aesthetic. These folks are generally wealthier and more connected and in the form of Carolyn Lindsay, entitled and bossy. After someone has made a series of complaints about current allotment holders, a tense town allotment holders meeting is called by Carolyn. The next day Carolyn is reported missing by her handsome husband Franko to Pearl who later found her body in the recently added hot composter at the town allotment.
This is my first novel by Julie Wassmer but likely won't be my last. I quite enjoyed this cozy mystery and am interested in reading the earlier installments in this series. The main character is Pearl who is in her early 40's, with an adult son who does not make an appearance in this novel and a fiancé who is a DCI at the local police department. She owns a local restaurant in town that she started when she left the police academy two decades ago. A few years ago Pearl started a side hustle as a private detective in town. Most of Pearl's cases involve missing persons/pets and possibly straying spouses. This is also a TV show on Acorn TV and I'll likely check that out at some point.
11% into the book during chapter 3 a racial slur is used as a description of hair. I'm somewhat surprised as it was completely unnecessary to the story and jarring. I'm sure what the author described could've been described as bohemian or even hippy, no need for the slur. I can't imagine my hair described as n-word curly😬 Just a deeply uncomfortable description. This impacted my overall book rating.
This charming story was narrated by Jennifer Kirby and she did an excellent job. I sincerely hope the earlier novels in this series are also narrated by her.
Thank you to Julie Wassmer, Bolinda Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own
June 15, 2024
Lovely cosy crime novel with lots of twists and camaraderie in the little sea side village.
When many on the allotment receive notice of a complaint from the council, suspicion immediately goes to the outsiders from London who've recently gotten a plot and started issuing orders about how things should be run. Following denials, however, a disappearance and discovery of a dead body, provides Pearl (and the allotment keepers) with a new mystery to unpick.
Uncovering hidden truths, affairs and health issues (and possibly burgeoning relationships), many red herrings and eventual dead ends lead us to the solution.
Having discounted my early suspicions, I was pleased to see I should have stuck with my gut, albeit I may not have had the right reasons.
Keen to see what happens in the village next, as well as if Maguire and Pearl do get their special day.
When many on the allotment receive notice of a complaint from the council, suspicion immediately goes to the outsiders from London who've recently gotten a plot and started issuing orders about how things should be run. Following denials, however, a disappearance and discovery of a dead body, provides Pearl (and the allotment keepers) with a new mystery to unpick.
Uncovering hidden truths, affairs and health issues (and possibly burgeoning relationships), many red herrings and eventual dead ends lead us to the solution.
Having discounted my early suspicions, I was pleased to see I should have stuck with my gut, albeit I may not have had the right reasons.
Keen to see what happens in the village next, as well as if Maguire and Pearl do get their special day.
June 19, 2024
This was an excellent cozy murder story. For someone who hasn't yet read any of the first books in the series, I found that I could follow all the characters and plots easily enough. Nothing missing felt so essential that the story became a problem. I would definitely consider picking up other books in this series in the future. The audio narrator did an excellent job.
Thank you to Netgalley for the audiobook ARC
Thank you to Netgalley for the audiobook ARC
November 28, 2024
Another excellent puzzle
With twists and turns at every chapter and the ending was classic. Read the series or just pick up one book. I guarantee you'll enjoy it
With twists and turns at every chapter and the ending was classic. Read the series or just pick up one book. I guarantee you'll enjoy it
March 24, 2026
Thoroughly enjoyed the series, wanted to see how it and the books compared. Answer: very well, though the descriptions of the main characters differs a lot - no matter, the character and story is what does matter. It’s clear the author is also a script writer, this one will translate well. Loved the description of Whitstable too.
May 29, 2024
Pearl, the local private detective and her friends love their allotments - a place to not only grow flowers, fruit and veg but also to socialise and relax. This piece of calm in their lives is set to be disrupted when complaints about their activities are made to the council then Caroline, a DFL, or down from Londoner to the uninitiated proposes the formation of a proper Allotment Association with herself as chair. Naturally there’s a level of dissent so when Caroline turns up dead in the composter they’re all under suspicion, even Pearl.
I listened to the audio version of this book which was well read and easy to listen to, and whilst this is book 10 in the series, I could still fully enjoy the story despite not being aware of the previous 9. For potential viewers, I’d liken this to an MC Beaton book; Agatha Raisin or Hamish MacBeth - both of which were also made into TV shows. It definitely falls into the cosy crime genre and is a nice easy read.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publishers Bolinda Audio, and the author Julie Wassmer, for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my personal, honest review. This review will also appear on my bookstagram account www.instagram.com/not_quite_a_bookshop
I listened to the audio version of this book which was well read and easy to listen to, and whilst this is book 10 in the series, I could still fully enjoy the story despite not being aware of the previous 9. For potential viewers, I’d liken this to an MC Beaton book; Agatha Raisin or Hamish MacBeth - both of which were also made into TV shows. It definitely falls into the cosy crime genre and is a nice easy read.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publishers Bolinda Audio, and the author Julie Wassmer, for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my personal, honest review. This review will also appear on my bookstagram account www.instagram.com/not_quite_a_bookshop
June 12, 2024
I didn't entirely enjoy this book as I found it difficult to really care about the characters and I thought the ending was rather "blah" instead of being the dramatic grand reveal it was supposed to be. It was easy to learn who everyone was despite this being part of a series that I hadn't otherwise read, which was a pleasant surprise. The victim was predictable, as was the suspects list, and I struggled to care about who killed who given that all of the characters were one-dimensional and none really stood out.
June 11, 2024
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
Murder At The Allotment is the 10th Whitstable Pearl mystery by Julie Wassmer. Released 14th May 2024 by Hachette on their Constable imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. Audiobook format released by Bolinda.
This is a long running, genuinely warm, and well constructed series with relatable and appealing 3 dimensional characters who are (mostly) realistically rendered. The latest installment sees escalating drama at the allotment when weekenders vs. locals heats up over the availability of the allotment spaces and not fitting the Down From Londoners' aesthetics. The ringleader of team DFL is soon found deceased in the hot composter, and Pearl (and her fiance, a DCI with the local police), try to untangle the mystery.
Although it's the 10th book in the series, the books are self-contained standalones, and readers can jump in at any point.
The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 7 hours 9 minutes and is beautifully read by Jennifer Kirby. She has a nuanced earthy voice and does a good job with the various and varied regional character accents. She's easy to listen to and enunciates very clearly. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read.
Four and a half stars. Entertaining and well written cozy with appealing returning characters and a solid narrator.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Murder At The Allotment is the 10th Whitstable Pearl mystery by Julie Wassmer. Released 14th May 2024 by Hachette on their Constable imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. Audiobook format released by Bolinda.
This is a long running, genuinely warm, and well constructed series with relatable and appealing 3 dimensional characters who are (mostly) realistically rendered. The latest installment sees escalating drama at the allotment when weekenders vs. locals heats up over the availability of the allotment spaces and not fitting the Down From Londoners' aesthetics. The ringleader of team DFL is soon found deceased in the hot composter, and Pearl (and her fiance, a DCI with the local police), try to untangle the mystery.
Although it's the 10th book in the series, the books are self-contained standalones, and readers can jump in at any point.
The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 7 hours 9 minutes and is beautifully read by Jennifer Kirby. She has a nuanced earthy voice and does a good job with the various and varied regional character accents. She's easy to listen to and enunciates very clearly. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read.
Four and a half stars. Entertaining and well written cozy with appealing returning characters and a solid narrator.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
June 5, 2024
How well do you know your allotment neighbors? Could one of them be a killer?
This is my first read of a Julie Wassmer’s Whitstable Pearl Mystery. I was a little concerned about jumping in at book 10, fearing I would be a little lost not knowing the character backstories. It was not a problem. I was fascinated by the primary character being a restaurant owner and a private investigator, not just a village busybody as so many cozy mystery lead characters are.
There are a LOT of characters and at first it might seem a bit overwhelming but as the story progresses that thought fades away. Detective Mike McGuire, Pearl’s fiancé, is sidelined from the investigation due to a squash injury.
Nearly all of them received complaints from the council, one even has been told they are in jeopardy of losing their plot. An aggressive DFL (down from London) transplant is accused of being behind them, but they deny. When they are found dead at the allotment. So in addition to friends being suspects, Pearl has to deal with a newly promoted DI Hale who has her high on his suspect list along with the other allotment owners. Fingers are pointing to one allotment owner in particular and they are not helping their innocence with their actions as they deal with personal challenges.
Pearl’s thought process and approach to the case had me hooked. The secondary storylines about relationships was very well done. I found I could not tell who the culprit was. I seemed to fall for every false lead and when those were exhausted, I just didn’t know and had to keep going to find out, I just had to know.
The audio was done very well. I want to go back to the start of the series to enjoy the full ride.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to do an early read and share my thoughts on the story.
Happy Reading!
This is my first read of a Julie Wassmer’s Whitstable Pearl Mystery. I was a little concerned about jumping in at book 10, fearing I would be a little lost not knowing the character backstories. It was not a problem. I was fascinated by the primary character being a restaurant owner and a private investigator, not just a village busybody as so many cozy mystery lead characters are.
There are a LOT of characters and at first it might seem a bit overwhelming but as the story progresses that thought fades away. Detective Mike McGuire, Pearl’s fiancé, is sidelined from the investigation due to a squash injury.
Nearly all of them received complaints from the council, one even has been told they are in jeopardy of losing their plot. An aggressive DFL (down from London) transplant is accused of being behind them, but they deny. When they are found dead at the allotment. So in addition to friends being suspects, Pearl has to deal with a newly promoted DI Hale who has her high on his suspect list along with the other allotment owners. Fingers are pointing to one allotment owner in particular and they are not helping their innocence with their actions as they deal with personal challenges.
Pearl’s thought process and approach to the case had me hooked. The secondary storylines about relationships was very well done. I found I could not tell who the culprit was. I seemed to fall for every false lead and when those were exhausted, I just didn’t know and had to keep going to find out, I just had to know.
The audio was done very well. I want to go back to the start of the series to enjoy the full ride.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to do an early read and share my thoughts on the story.
Happy Reading!
November 30, 2024
When I picked up Murder at the Allotment from NetGalley, I didn't realise it was the 10th book in the series. Thankfully, that didn't take away from my enjoyment of this delightful cozy murder mystery. The premise immediately grabbed my attention, and I'm so glad I gave it a chance.
The story follows Pearl Nolan, whose coastal Allotment has always been her serene escape—a place to grow special ingredients for her restaurant, The Whitstable Pearl. However, tensions arise when the council, overwhelmed by demand from "DFLs" (Down From Londoners), begins dividing plots into smaller sections. What was once a peaceful gardening community turns into a bitter turf war, exacerbated by the formation of an Allotment Association led by a particularly pushy DFL. When anonymous complaints target local allotment holders—excluding the DFLs—Pearl is called in to investigate. But things escalate quickly when what started as petty drama takes a deadly turn, with gardening tools becoming weapons of Murder.
This book is a classic, cozy mystery, and there's a lot of comfort in that familiar formula. The story is charming, suspenseful, and filled with memorable characters. While I hadn't read the previous books, I found this one easy to follow and engaging. Pearl is a compelling protagonist; her wit and determination shine through in every scene.
Jennifer Kirby's narration was superb. Her pacing was perfect, and she easily brought the characters and setting to life. Her performance had me hooked, making it difficult to pause the audiobook.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for providing me with an audio-ARC of Murder at the Allotment. I'm excited to explore the first nine books in the series and immerse myself further in Pearl Nolan's world!
The story follows Pearl Nolan, whose coastal Allotment has always been her serene escape—a place to grow special ingredients for her restaurant, The Whitstable Pearl. However, tensions arise when the council, overwhelmed by demand from "DFLs" (Down From Londoners), begins dividing plots into smaller sections. What was once a peaceful gardening community turns into a bitter turf war, exacerbated by the formation of an Allotment Association led by a particularly pushy DFL. When anonymous complaints target local allotment holders—excluding the DFLs—Pearl is called in to investigate. But things escalate quickly when what started as petty drama takes a deadly turn, with gardening tools becoming weapons of Murder.
This book is a classic, cozy mystery, and there's a lot of comfort in that familiar formula. The story is charming, suspenseful, and filled with memorable characters. While I hadn't read the previous books, I found this one easy to follow and engaging. Pearl is a compelling protagonist; her wit and determination shine through in every scene.
Jennifer Kirby's narration was superb. Her pacing was perfect, and she easily brought the characters and setting to life. Her performance had me hooked, making it difficult to pause the audiobook.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for providing me with an audio-ARC of Murder at the Allotment. I'm excited to explore the first nine books in the series and immerse myself further in Pearl Nolan's world!
June 17, 2024
Murder at the Allotmemt a cozy mystery from Julie Wassmer. This book is part of Whitstable Pearl Mystery series. However, it can be read as standalone books as well. As someone who jumped into the series from this book I would say it’s definitely more impactful to have back stories but you can pick up at any point in the series and understand the plot well.
After receiving complaint notices many of the local allotment owners become disgruntled with the Down From Londoners, DFLs, who want the allotment to be more refined and aesthetically pleasing. When a certain DFL is found in the bottom of the hot composter, Pearl is on the case.
The twists and turns in this book are riveting to say the least. Will Pearl solve the case or will she be the star suspect?
This review is based off a free ARC audio received from NetGalley. I want to thank the author and publishers for allowing me the opportunity to listen to this book.
After receiving complaint notices many of the local allotment owners become disgruntled with the Down From Londoners, DFLs, who want the allotment to be more refined and aesthetically pleasing. When a certain DFL is found in the bottom of the hot composter, Pearl is on the case.
The twists and turns in this book are riveting to say the least. Will Pearl solve the case or will she be the star suspect?
This review is based off a free ARC audio received from NetGalley. I want to thank the author and publishers for allowing me the opportunity to listen to this book.
October 13, 2025
Although Julie Wassmer’s Whitstable Pearl Mysteries are familiar to many from the popular TV series currently being shown on British television, ‘Murder at the Allotment’ - the tenth book in the series -is the first of the novels that I have read.
Wassmer has several talents - an easy-reading, page-turning writing style, and the many engaging characters are well-drawn and memorable even to those new to the series. I enjoyed the plot - fast-moving with lots of red herrings and multiple suspects, but the book could have been so much better.
There is too much repartition of events. I'm all for vivid descriptions of the location were novels were set but the pedestrian descriptions of routes through the town do nothing to create atmosphere. However, the thing that annoyed me most was the amount of space given to dtertailing food. Who knew that there were so many ways to serve oysters? All of this smacks of padding. Anything to reach to the word count.
Wassmer has several talents - an easy-reading, page-turning writing style, and the many engaging characters are well-drawn and memorable even to those new to the series. I enjoyed the plot - fast-moving with lots of red herrings and multiple suspects, but the book could have been so much better.
There is too much repartition of events. I'm all for vivid descriptions of the location were novels were set but the pedestrian descriptions of routes through the town do nothing to create atmosphere. However, the thing that annoyed me most was the amount of space given to dtertailing food. Who knew that there were so many ways to serve oysters? All of this smacks of padding. Anything to reach to the word count.
June 5, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for an audio copy of this in exchange for a review.
I've watched the Whitstable pearl TV series so was looking forward to hearing this and I really enjoyed it.
Pearl has always enjoyed her allotment and also growing things for her restaurant.
Yet all of a sudden out of towners from London are swarming and claiming allotments for themselves.
Tension arises when th local council actually gives in by dividing up existing lots into smaller sections for the new arrivals.
Things get nasty as Carolyn, a "newbie" takes over the reins and make some unpopular announcements as regards the rules.
Suddenly that newbie is no more when her body is found at the allotments.
Pearl is quick off the mark trying to find out whether it was foul play...
This is my first time trying a book of this series but just as enjoyable as the TV series.
I've watched the Whitstable pearl TV series so was looking forward to hearing this and I really enjoyed it.
Pearl has always enjoyed her allotment and also growing things for her restaurant.
Yet all of a sudden out of towners from London are swarming and claiming allotments for themselves.
Tension arises when th local council actually gives in by dividing up existing lots into smaller sections for the new arrivals.
Things get nasty as Carolyn, a "newbie" takes over the reins and make some unpopular announcements as regards the rules.
Suddenly that newbie is no more when her body is found at the allotments.
Pearl is quick off the mark trying to find out whether it was foul play...
This is my first time trying a book of this series but just as enjoyable as the TV series.
June 12, 2024
Murder at the Allotment is the latest fantastic cozy mystery in the Whitstable Pearl Mystery series by Julie Wassmer. In it, we find Pearl, now engaged to her detective who is a Down From London newer resident of Whitstable.
Pearl, along with most of the other allotment tenders, received a notice of infractions on their individual patches of allotment that could spell out loss of their individual lease. One of the allotment tenants is another Down From Londoner, Caroline, who everyone suspects for all of the complaints.
When one of their tenants and neighbors ends up in the new and fancy composter, will the new DI find the true killer, or will his lazy and presumptive detecting end up with the wrong person being arrested? Maybe even Pearl herself?
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for this wonderful audio ARC!!
Pearl, along with most of the other allotment tenders, received a notice of infractions on their individual patches of allotment that could spell out loss of their individual lease. One of the allotment tenants is another Down From Londoner, Caroline, who everyone suspects for all of the complaints.
When one of their tenants and neighbors ends up in the new and fancy composter, will the new DI find the true killer, or will his lazy and presumptive detecting end up with the wrong person being arrested? Maybe even Pearl herself?
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for this wonderful audio ARC!!
May 22, 2024
Murder at the Allotment pretty much delivers what the title promises.
It is a cosy small-town story about a group of allotment gardeners who all become suspects when one of them is murdered after a series of threats were made to take the allotments.
Pearl, a restauranteur and hobby private detective is investigating,
Apparently, the characters are established. I did not read any previous books and it works on its own.
For the topic of murder it is quite calm, maybe due to the small town setting and the drama and gossip amongst the people feeling natural.
The narration is done well and the story nice for a few rainy spring evenings!
Thank you to netgalley for sending me a free copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
It is a cosy small-town story about a group of allotment gardeners who all become suspects when one of them is murdered after a series of threats were made to take the allotments.
Pearl, a restauranteur and hobby private detective is investigating,
Apparently, the characters are established. I did not read any previous books and it works on its own.
For the topic of murder it is quite calm, maybe due to the small town setting and the drama and gossip amongst the people feeling natural.
The narration is done well and the story nice for a few rainy spring evenings!
Thank you to netgalley for sending me a free copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
January 15, 2026
The 10th novel in the Whitstable Pearl series.
And don’t we all deserve a feel good read after a hectic December.
I love Whitstable …visiting there from when I was a tiny dot in a smocked swimming cossie .
The best sunset beach… the Street…The Neptune.
I get homesick sometimes for this coastline … the independent shops, crab sandwiches and Oyster Stout and my beautiful crazy friends who live there or near by.
Here’s to a committed community and picnics on the Slopes … or a shared blanket on the pebbled beach .
Here’s to the glorious strong women I have known and the beautiful vintage dresses we all have worn over the years. Goddesses all.
This would gave been 5 star but there were too many summaries for my liking .
Other than that a rollicking good read.
And don’t we all deserve a feel good read after a hectic December.
I love Whitstable …visiting there from when I was a tiny dot in a smocked swimming cossie .
The best sunset beach… the Street…The Neptune.
I get homesick sometimes for this coastline … the independent shops, crab sandwiches and Oyster Stout and my beautiful crazy friends who live there or near by.
Here’s to a committed community and picnics on the Slopes … or a shared blanket on the pebbled beach .
Here’s to the glorious strong women I have known and the beautiful vintage dresses we all have worn over the years. Goddesses all.
This would gave been 5 star but there were too many summaries for my liking .
Other than that a rollicking good read.
September 28, 2024
Most of the Whitstable allotments have been handed down through the generations. Pearl Nolan uses hers to grow produce for her restaurant and her mother Dolly has decorated it with a mural. Vanessa uses it for her rescue hens and another holder is a beekeeper. The story is set against the tension between the Whitstable natives and the incomers form London who have driven up prices so the locals such as Pearl’s son Charlie can no longer afford to live there. So, when the council receives a spate of complaints against various allotment holders everyone places the blame on one of the down-from-Londoners.
July 10, 2024
When is WP 11 due?
I have just finished reading WP 10 and can't believe that there are no more to read. Please please give us the next chapter in the life of Pearl and McGuire as soon as possible! This series has been my favourite go-to-reading place for the last two months and I feel bereft. As usual, the plot is good, the characters continue to charm, and there is no blasphemy or crude swearing. As I have said before, Julie paints with words just as Turner did with a paint brush and the effect is just as memorable.
I have just finished reading WP 10 and can't believe that there are no more to read. Please please give us the next chapter in the life of Pearl and McGuire as soon as possible! This series has been my favourite go-to-reading place for the last two months and I feel bereft. As usual, the plot is good, the characters continue to charm, and there is no blasphemy or crude swearing. As I have said before, Julie paints with words just as Turner did with a paint brush and the effect is just as memorable.
May 24, 2024
In Murder at the Allotment, a murdered body is found in the new composter just recently purchased. Pearl soon attempts to find the killer and some interesting and memorable characters along the way. She soon discovers the allotment owners have recently had a few anonymous complaints filed. The murderer comes as a surprise at the end of the story. I listened to the audiobook and had no problems following along, even though this is the tenth book in the series.
June 22, 2024
I started this series after seen some seasons on tv, I read a couple of books so this was a sort of auto-spoiler.
Non, je ne regrette rien as I had a lot of fun in following the discussions about the allotment, the us-vs-them, and the eveolutions of Pearls life.
I loved the narrator that always kept my attention alive.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Non, je ne regrette rien as I had a lot of fun in following the discussions about the allotment, the us-vs-them, and the eveolutions of Pearls life.
I loved the narrator that always kept my attention alive.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
May 7, 2026
You might think tending an allotment would be a peaceful occupation, but not in Whitstable. Trouble on the allotment naturally leads to murder, and of course Pearl Nolan is the one who find the body. While solving the murder she is of course also romanced by Chief Inspector Mike McGuire (handsome, blonde, Scandinavian looking in case you’d forgotten). What with murder and McGuire, not to mention running a restaurant, Pearl has plenty to keep her busy. Another quite enjoyable mystery.
May 26, 2024
Easy read based in the lovely Whitstable this time around the allotments. Being a local its nice to read and know alot of the locations mentioned in the book. An inaccuracy in the book referred to allotments being looked after by Kent Council and the description of their logo when in fact allotments are looked after by the City Council.
June 6, 2024
I jumped into this series with this book and really enjoyed it...but really want the backstory. So now I have to add all of Julie Wassmer's books to my TBR so I can catch up on what's going on! I can't wait to see if Pearl and her Detective actually tie the knot!
#MurderattheAllotment
#NetGalley
#MurderattheAllotment
#NetGalley
June 11, 2024
A cute easy read murder mystery. Even though this was a book from a series it was very easy to follow.
The characters, location etc were very well explained. There were some mentions of plots of the previous books but they were just mentioned in passing so it didn't matter that I was jumping in in the middle.
Will definitely go back and read previous books as I enjoyed this one.
The characters, location etc were very well explained. There were some mentions of plots of the previous books but they were just mentioned in passing so it didn't matter that I was jumping in in the middle.
Will definitely go back and read previous books as I enjoyed this one.
April 10, 2025
I love a good cosy mystery and this book did not disappoint! The characters are so lovable and the town was described in such detail that I could picture it all so vividly. I loved that despite this being a series you can pick up this book without needing to read the others first. I'll definitely be picking up another book in the series!
May 24, 2024
A lovely cozy mystery set in the glorious garden of England. The pacing was a little rushed at the end and the character of Pearl had an unforgivable penchant for wasting good food, but a nice lazy afternoon read.
July 29, 2024
There are now two very different versions of The Whitstable Pearl. The original books are lighter and more whimsical than the TV series and paint a *slightly* more accurate picture of the real town.
The Pearl and McGuire relationship is also less complicated, which is fine if you like a heartwarming tale. Given that this book is set at the allotments, I would have expected more focus on food.
But the foodie aspect seems to be receding, along with many of the less central characters. Fingers crossed the stories don’t become too domestic and lose their quirky appeal.
Pleasant narration, aside from some of the pronunciations - and the entertainingly unsuitable voice given to carnival maestro, Chris Stone.
The Pearl and McGuire relationship is also less complicated, which is fine if you like a heartwarming tale. Given that this book is set at the allotments, I would have expected more focus on food.
But the foodie aspect seems to be receding, along with many of the less central characters. Fingers crossed the stories don’t become too domestic and lose their quirky appeal.
Pleasant narration, aside from some of the pronunciations - and the entertainingly unsuitable voice given to carnival maestro, Chris Stone.
April 12, 2025
not as good as the others
By the end of this book pearl and McGuire were me the pip. The other regulars Dolly Charlie etc had taken a back seat for no good reason and the sparse smattering of clues was annoying.
By the end of this book pearl and McGuire were me the pip. The other regulars Dolly Charlie etc had taken a back seat for no good reason and the sparse smattering of clues was annoying.
April 8, 2026
Rating 3
Quick read, enjoyable cosy mystery.
The solution to the mystery I thought was a bit weak tbh, seemed to come out of nowhere really.
Not bad though, and just right for my busy week at work really
Quick read, enjoyable cosy mystery.
The solution to the mystery I thought was a bit weak tbh, seemed to come out of nowhere really.
Not bad though, and just right for my busy week at work really
September 18, 2024
A therapeutic return to Whitstable for the usual fare of crime solving-atmospheric and perfect for “ time out” from every day stresses.
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