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The Isle of Wight Killings #1
A Seaside Murder
Listening Length: 10 hours and 5 minutes
Previously published as Death at Castle Cove.
Island life suits Susan, and she can’t imagine ever moving from her beloved Isle of Wight. So it gives her real pleasure to see her young lodger Colette settle in to life by the sea, especially knowing that she has such a troubled past.
Susan’s days are comfortingly routine, starting every morning by exercising her beloved Rocco on Ventnor beach with her fellow dog walkers. The group may have bonded over their fondness for their canine companions, but over time their friendships have deepened.
So, when Colette dies in suspicious circumstances at Castle Cove, Susan is devastated to realise that the dog walking group were the last to see Colette alive, and one of her friends must have been responsible for her death.
And when Susan begins to suspect that the police are minded to put Colette’s death down to an accident, Susan decides she won’t rest until she solves the mystery and finds the murderer.
Previously published as Death at Castle Cove.
Island life suits Susan, and she can’t imagine ever moving from her beloved Isle of Wight. So it gives her real pleasure to see her young lodger Colette settle in to life by the sea, especially knowing that she has such a troubled past.
Susan’s days are comfortingly routine, starting every morning by exercising her beloved Rocco on Ventnor beach with her fellow dog walkers. The group may have bonded over their fondness for their canine companions, but over time their friendships have deepened.
So, when Colette dies in suspicious circumstances at Castle Cove, Susan is devastated to realise that the dog walking group were the last to see Colette alive, and one of her friends must have been responsible for her death.
And when Susan begins to suspect that the police are minded to put Colette’s death down to an accident, Susan decides she won’t rest until she solves the mystery and finds the murderer.
11 pages, Audible Audio
First published March 8, 2023
1001 people are currently reading
485 people want to read
About the author
Mary Grand
18 books269 followersI grew up in Wales. Later I taught in London and then worked with Deaf Children in Hastings. I now live on the beautiful Isle of Wight with my family.
I am published by Boldwood Books and write murder mystery, whodunnits, set on the Isle of Wight. The House Party was published in July 2020
The next 'The Island' will be published on June 24th, 2021.
Previously I published three novels, Free to Be Tegan, Hidden Chapters and Behind the Smile. I have also written two anthologies of short stories, Making Changes and Catching the light is a FREE download.
I would love to hear from you on my blog here on Goodreads.
I am published by Boldwood Books and write murder mystery, whodunnits, set on the Isle of Wight. The House Party was published in July 2020
The next 'The Island' will be published on June 24th, 2021.
Previously I published three novels, Free to Be Tegan, Hidden Chapters and Behind the Smile. I have also written two anthologies of short stories, Making Changes and Catching the light is a FREE download.
I would love to hear from you on my blog here on Goodreads.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
August 17, 2023
I struggled to finish this book due to the stilted dialogue - which perhaps would have been good in a screenplay rather than in book form - and the dumb main character.
How many times does the main character seek out to be alone with a murder suspect and then suddenly recall they might be dangerous and be overcome with fear half an hour into their interaction? More than five times apparently. How many break ins using the spare key before changing locks? Two - not one.
I also had issues with the plot in the lack of resolution with the ex husband, and the dog walking group seemingly still meeting every day even though they’d all be accused of murder by the main character and were up in arms about how offended they were. But still also invited her to a wedding and dinners. Odd. The relationship with the daughter I also found odd - although they were apparently close the daughter didn’t share she was trying IVF until she was three months pregnant. I know why you’d do that with strangers but not with your mother who you want to live with you.
The main character also had sudden amazing realisations - not shared with the reader - which came to light in subsequent pages in dialogue with other characters - which turned out to be anticlimactic and rather dumb: and shared with no nous once again to someone who might be a murderer.
Overall, I finished it because I like knowing who did it in mystery novels but it was really hard work to keep going.
How many times does the main character seek out to be alone with a murder suspect and then suddenly recall they might be dangerous and be overcome with fear half an hour into their interaction? More than five times apparently. How many break ins using the spare key before changing locks? Two - not one.
I also had issues with the plot in the lack of resolution with the ex husband, and the dog walking group seemingly still meeting every day even though they’d all be accused of murder by the main character and were up in arms about how offended they were. But still also invited her to a wedding and dinners. Odd. The relationship with the daughter I also found odd - although they were apparently close the daughter didn’t share she was trying IVF until she was three months pregnant. I know why you’d do that with strangers but not with your mother who you want to live with you.
The main character also had sudden amazing realisations - not shared with the reader - which came to light in subsequent pages in dialogue with other characters - which turned out to be anticlimactic and rather dumb: and shared with no nous once again to someone who might be a murderer.
Overall, I finished it because I like knowing who did it in mystery novels but it was really hard work to keep going.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2023
great book
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Susan was a strong woman even though she doubted herself but maybe a bit more subtlety would been needed. I enjoyed her dealing with her ex Steve, if his new partner has expensive tastes, deal with her don’t try to swindle the wife you left. I had hopes for Robert. Are ther going to be more of these books, I would definitely read them.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Susan was a strong woman even though she doubted herself but maybe a bit more subtlety would been needed. I enjoyed her dealing with her ex Steve, if his new partner has expensive tastes, deal with her don’t try to swindle the wife you left. I had hopes for Robert. Are ther going to be more of these books, I would definitely read them.
March 8, 2023
Firstly, let me just say - that setting. The Isle of Wight is such a beautiful and atmospheric setting for all of Mary Grand's books that it often has me googling for places and landmarks to look up so that I may see them for myself. I firmly believe that the setting is the key to a good mystery or thriller and the Isle of Wight is the perfect place.
We meet Susan, a soon-to-be divorcee, has lived on the Island for all of her life and in the same house for the past forty years that she had shared with her soon-to-be ex-husband Steve before he left her after four decades of marriage. Her daughter Zoe lives on the mainland with her partner and has some big news she wishes to share with Susan, making her promise to visit the following weekend.
Every morning Susan walks with a local dog walking group most of whom she has befriended over time and together they enjoy friendship whilst walking their dogs on the beach...whatever the weather. Life is good now.
Recently Susan opened her home to a lodger, Colette, whose grandmother had lived in a nursing home on the Island until her death recently. Colette has come over from the mainland to gather her grandmother's possessions but soon finds that she likes it there and decides to stay. Hence her taking a room at Susan's home, and the two women become friends. One night Colette confides in Susan that when collecting her grandmother's belongings, she had discovered some of her grandmother's "treasures" she kept hidden in a secret drawer of her jewellery box had gone missing. A locket with a photo of her and her grandmother along with a diamond and ruby brooch and children's book gifted to her by a former employer many years ago.
Colette is determined to uncover the thief and lays a trap for them...to her detriment. One night, she goes down to the beach alone and doesn't return. Her body is found the following morning by a dogwalker and her death treated as suspicious...until a post mortem reveals she had in fact died of anaphylaxis. A deadly reaction to a severe shellfish allergy. But Susan is convinced that the death is in fact suspicious. Colette was very careful about what she ate due to her allergy and always carried an EpiPen with her in a red velvet pouch that was very precious to her. But it was not found at the scene. The police, however, believe it to be an open and shut case, their focus shifted to the bigger case at hand of people trafficking.
It seems Colette was right. That she was the type of person to leave a room and would be quickly forgotten. No one cared enough to remember her or believe that her death was not an accident. No one, except Susan. Who will stop at nothing until she uncovers the truth about Colette's death.
This is I think the third book I've read by Mary Grand and, while I enjoyed it, I do prefer the thrillers. But I guess that's just me and personal choice. Cosies are not really my thing as a rule and I'm really fussy about them. The characters are an eclectic mix and sometimes not entirely likeable. In fact, I'm sure there are times the reader would suspect just about every one of them...in true Agatha Christie form.
For once I was completely hoodwinked and had no idea who the killer was or why. There were plenty of clues but also plenty of red herrings. With so many twists, DEATH AT CASTLE COVE is bound to keep readers glued to the pages until the very end.
I believe this is the first in a new series by Mary Grand. I do enjoy her storytelling though I much prefer thrillers, but if you are looking for a good cosy mystery that is atmospheric and will keep you guessing, then why not try DEATH AT CASTLE COVE.
I would like to thank #MaryGrand, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #DeathAtCastleCove in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
We meet Susan, a soon-to-be divorcee, has lived on the Island for all of her life and in the same house for the past forty years that she had shared with her soon-to-be ex-husband Steve before he left her after four decades of marriage. Her daughter Zoe lives on the mainland with her partner and has some big news she wishes to share with Susan, making her promise to visit the following weekend.
Every morning Susan walks with a local dog walking group most of whom she has befriended over time and together they enjoy friendship whilst walking their dogs on the beach...whatever the weather. Life is good now.
Recently Susan opened her home to a lodger, Colette, whose grandmother had lived in a nursing home on the Island until her death recently. Colette has come over from the mainland to gather her grandmother's possessions but soon finds that she likes it there and decides to stay. Hence her taking a room at Susan's home, and the two women become friends. One night Colette confides in Susan that when collecting her grandmother's belongings, she had discovered some of her grandmother's "treasures" she kept hidden in a secret drawer of her jewellery box had gone missing. A locket with a photo of her and her grandmother along with a diamond and ruby brooch and children's book gifted to her by a former employer many years ago.
Colette is determined to uncover the thief and lays a trap for them...to her detriment. One night, she goes down to the beach alone and doesn't return. Her body is found the following morning by a dogwalker and her death treated as suspicious...until a post mortem reveals she had in fact died of anaphylaxis. A deadly reaction to a severe shellfish allergy. But Susan is convinced that the death is in fact suspicious. Colette was very careful about what she ate due to her allergy and always carried an EpiPen with her in a red velvet pouch that was very precious to her. But it was not found at the scene. The police, however, believe it to be an open and shut case, their focus shifted to the bigger case at hand of people trafficking.
It seems Colette was right. That she was the type of person to leave a room and would be quickly forgotten. No one cared enough to remember her or believe that her death was not an accident. No one, except Susan. Who will stop at nothing until she uncovers the truth about Colette's death.
This is I think the third book I've read by Mary Grand and, while I enjoyed it, I do prefer the thrillers. But I guess that's just me and personal choice. Cosies are not really my thing as a rule and I'm really fussy about them. The characters are an eclectic mix and sometimes not entirely likeable. In fact, I'm sure there are times the reader would suspect just about every one of them...in true Agatha Christie form.
For once I was completely hoodwinked and had no idea who the killer was or why. There were plenty of clues but also plenty of red herrings. With so many twists, DEATH AT CASTLE COVE is bound to keep readers glued to the pages until the very end.
I believe this is the first in a new series by Mary Grand. I do enjoy her storytelling though I much prefer thrillers, but if you are looking for a good cosy mystery that is atmospheric and will keep you guessing, then why not try DEATH AT CASTLE COVE.
I would like to thank #MaryGrand, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #DeathAtCastleCove in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
May 30, 2023
Oh my, where to begin. I couldn’t believe the typos in this book. And the story! The characters were so stiff and undeveloped I couldn’t warm up to any of them. Beware of “cozy” mysteries.
March 14, 2023
The story begins in October. We meet Susan, who is 62 and lives on the Isle of Wight with her cocker spaniel dog Rocco. Every morning, she takes Rocco for a walk, with her young lodger Colette (23) and her dog Libs. They meet up with a group of other dog walkers Susan has come to know well over the months – Nikki, Nathan, Trystan, Torri, Beatrice and Robert.
Later, Colette is found dead at Castle Cove and suspicion falls on the group of dog walkers, who were the last to see her alive.
Susan is such a great character, you really have to admire her. She isn’t happy with what she hears from the police and decides to look into Colette’s death herself. Even though she didn’t know her lodger for long, she feels a sense of duty and really wants to get to the bottom of how her young friend died.
Like any good book in this genre, you follow along with Susan, trying to pick up clues to see if you can work out who killed Colette and why. It seems even though their community is quite a small one, everyone has secrets and things they would rather keep hidden from other people. But who would kill, to protect their secrets?
The characters are a varied and interesting bunch. I kept changing my opinions on the dog walkers, as more things came to light. I was always on Susan’s side and hoping she could solve the mystery.
I enjoyed reading a novel with lots of dogs in and the canine companions in this book are such a lovely mix, though Libs was my favourite.
The setting of the Isle of Wight is really well brought to life. I used to live in Portsmouth so went to the island several times in the 1980s and 1990s and it was good to revisit the area, if only via the pages of a novel.
Later, Colette is found dead at Castle Cove and suspicion falls on the group of dog walkers, who were the last to see her alive.
Susan is such a great character, you really have to admire her. She isn’t happy with what she hears from the police and decides to look into Colette’s death herself. Even though she didn’t know her lodger for long, she feels a sense of duty and really wants to get to the bottom of how her young friend died.
Like any good book in this genre, you follow along with Susan, trying to pick up clues to see if you can work out who killed Colette and why. It seems even though their community is quite a small one, everyone has secrets and things they would rather keep hidden from other people. But who would kill, to protect their secrets?
The characters are a varied and interesting bunch. I kept changing my opinions on the dog walkers, as more things came to light. I was always on Susan’s side and hoping she could solve the mystery.
I enjoyed reading a novel with lots of dogs in and the canine companions in this book are such a lovely mix, though Libs was my favourite.
The setting of the Isle of Wight is really well brought to life. I used to live in Portsmouth so went to the island several times in the 1980s and 1990s and it was good to revisit the area, if only via the pages of a novel.
October 12, 2023
I had the pleasure of meeting the author at a local writers event on the Isle of Wight and this book, set in my local area, grabbed my interest!
This was a really gripping, fast-paced thriller, full of twists and turns. I was hooked by Susan’s attempts to find out if one of her friends was culpable of the shocking murder of her lodger, Colette. The characters (and the suspects) each had their own histories and potential motives, and it kept me guessing until the end. The short chapters and the simple storytelling kept the energy going throughout, and though I do agree with some of the reviewers than Susan was quite quick to jump to conclusions, I like that that gave the story an ominous undertone where no one was to be fully trusted. It really allowed you into Susan’s head as she tried to deal with the growing conclusion that one of her friends was a murderer. I’ve got to also shoutout Alice, the tough old lady at the nursing home who was a wonderful side character.
The references to the Isle of Wight were great. As a Caulkhead, I really enjoyed the links to Ventnor, especially the frequent mentions of how killer (no pun intended) those hills are haha. It captured the mood of the island very well, how isolated it can feel from the mainland but also how much of an escape it can feel too. That was a wonderful theme throughout it, and used very well in a spin on the cosy crime genre.
There were a few editing issues throughout, such as the comma splices and some typos, but after a while, I could look past them as the story does take over. It was a great easy read, and I might have to look more into this genre as the crime novels I’ve read recently, I’ve enjoyed!
This was a really gripping, fast-paced thriller, full of twists and turns. I was hooked by Susan’s attempts to find out if one of her friends was culpable of the shocking murder of her lodger, Colette. The characters (and the suspects) each had their own histories and potential motives, and it kept me guessing until the end. The short chapters and the simple storytelling kept the energy going throughout, and though I do agree with some of the reviewers than Susan was quite quick to jump to conclusions, I like that that gave the story an ominous undertone where no one was to be fully trusted. It really allowed you into Susan’s head as she tried to deal with the growing conclusion that one of her friends was a murderer. I’ve got to also shoutout Alice, the tough old lady at the nursing home who was a wonderful side character.
The references to the Isle of Wight were great. As a Caulkhead, I really enjoyed the links to Ventnor, especially the frequent mentions of how killer (no pun intended) those hills are haha. It captured the mood of the island very well, how isolated it can feel from the mainland but also how much of an escape it can feel too. That was a wonderful theme throughout it, and used very well in a spin on the cosy crime genre.
There were a few editing issues throughout, such as the comma splices and some typos, but after a while, I could look past them as the story does take over. It was a great easy read, and I might have to look more into this genre as the crime novels I’ve read recently, I’ve enjoyed!
March 11, 2023
Set in the picturesque Isle of White Susan is tasked with finding out what really happened to her friend and lodger Collette after she is discovered seriously injured at the cove, which subsequently leads to her death.
We are given a lot of insight and little tidbits throughout the story that allows us to speculate who could have harmed Collette, I seriously suspected someone and was 100% sure I was on the right track but boy was I wrong! And I loved that I was wrong, as when it was revealed I had one of those ah ha! moments. I loved Susan as a character and of course her dogs, and how she was determined to make sure that Collette’s death would be investigated fully. I really loved the story and the setting that Grand gave us, and can’t wait to delve into more of her books.
We are given a lot of insight and little tidbits throughout the story that allows us to speculate who could have harmed Collette, I seriously suspected someone and was 100% sure I was on the right track but boy was I wrong! And I loved that I was wrong, as when it was revealed I had one of those ah ha! moments. I loved Susan as a character and of course her dogs, and how she was determined to make sure that Collette’s death would be investigated fully. I really loved the story and the setting that Grand gave us, and can’t wait to delve into more of her books.
September 2, 2025
A good read kept you guessing till the end
March 14, 2023
Colette was a lodger at Susan’s house and they’ve become friends too. They belong to a dog walker group that meets almost every day. Colette died unexpectedly after making accusations to everyone in the group regarding her Grandmother’s old jewelry box and what was missing from it.
Susan is determined to find out what really happened. The police think it was an accident but Susan believes it’s much more. It’s a good mystery, it kept me guessing. I will say I didn’t really care for any of the characters too much. Susan was ok.
Thanks to the publisher and Rachel’s Random Resources for the early copy
Susan is determined to find out what really happened. The police think it was an accident but Susan believes it’s much more. It’s a good mystery, it kept me guessing. I will say I didn’t really care for any of the characters too much. Susan was ok.
Thanks to the publisher and Rachel’s Random Resources for the early copy
May 28, 2023
I thought this book was cute. Nice and simple, easy to follow, definitely a cosy mystery. I thought it could use a little more editing, there were WAY too many comma splices for my liking DX I also didn't really like how everyone thought the main character was, like, decrepit and falling apart because she's sixty-two. Sixty-two, people. Come on. That is NOT old. Overall, though, I liked it. It was a very easy read, a nice book to curl up on the couch OR stretch out on the beach with :)
February 6, 2023
I love British mysteries and reading the description of the novel set on the Isle of Wright prompted me to read this. I wasn't enthralled with the book, a little slow going. The main character is trying to solve the mystery behind her lodger's murder. A quick read for her cold day but I will not be recommending it.
February 24, 2023
This is the second book I’ve read by Mary Grand and, as before, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ve never been to the Isle of Wight, though I recall my mum having fond memories of it. The author really brings it to life, showing off its history and tourist attractions. With some beautiful autumnal woodland scenes a well as the windy beach setting, it’s no wonder Susan, the main character, and her dogs love their daily walks.
Susan is getting used to her husband’s rapid and rather insensitive departure, and has taken a lodger – Colette – for company. She's delighted that Colette is fitting in so well, especially with her dog-walking group. So, when Colette is found dead at Castle Cove, Susan feels bereft once more. And she finds it difficult to accept the police’s report of accidental death – she knew Colette too well to believe the conclusions the police come to. Nor does it help that only hours before her death, Colette had confronted the dog-walkers with some very serious allegations regarding missing valuables belonging to her Gran. Many of the group had worked at the care home where Colette’s gran lived, and they don’t take lightly to being accused of theft. But is that all Colette is implying? She infers she has “information” on each of them that could implicate them in the theft.
But surely, no-one in the dog-walking group could have killed Colette to silence her could they?
Try as she might, Susan cannot simply ignore a comment of Colette’s – that she would be forgotten easily – and makes it her business when sorting through Colette’s belongings to make sure justice has been served.
Needless to say, the other dog-walkers are not as interested in Susan’s theories, suggesting she move on. Could it be they have something to hide? Susan will not rest until she knows for sure what happened to Colette that night.
Each member of the dog-walking group comes under suspicion as Susan investigates, and she discovers lot of facts about them that they wouldn’t want to be made public. However, the pieces of the puzzle don’t seem to fit, and Susan makes mistakes that put her in danger. Nonetheless, she grows ever more determined to get to the truth.
Running alongside her investigations, Susan’s family life has its own dramas – her divorce from Steve comes through, and her daughter wants her to leave the island and move closer. These family matters have their own impact on Susan and do their part in influencing her actions. She won’t be told what to do by the man who left her, and nor is she ready to play the part of the little old lady on the hill as her daughter seems to think she is.
This is a well-paced novel, with many twists and turns that had me second-guessing my own conclusions, as well as shouting at my Kindle for Susan to be safe. It’s a story of many parts – a new start for Susan as a single woman with her dogs, a tale of a sad and damaging childhood, a community of people with secrets, and of bonds that though fragile at times are stronger than they seem. Added to that, it’s an engaging and satisfying mystery with a stunningly atmospheric setting.
(Can I just add that as, a furmum, it was wonderful to see the dedication of the dog-walking group to their furry families – so many stories use animals as props, forgetting even their basic needs. Not here, Susan’s dogs are as much a part of the story as their human counterparts)
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advance reader copy, which I have read and reviewed freely.
Susan is getting used to her husband’s rapid and rather insensitive departure, and has taken a lodger – Colette – for company. She's delighted that Colette is fitting in so well, especially with her dog-walking group. So, when Colette is found dead at Castle Cove, Susan feels bereft once more. And she finds it difficult to accept the police’s report of accidental death – she knew Colette too well to believe the conclusions the police come to. Nor does it help that only hours before her death, Colette had confronted the dog-walkers with some very serious allegations regarding missing valuables belonging to her Gran. Many of the group had worked at the care home where Colette’s gran lived, and they don’t take lightly to being accused of theft. But is that all Colette is implying? She infers she has “information” on each of them that could implicate them in the theft.
But surely, no-one in the dog-walking group could have killed Colette to silence her could they?
Try as she might, Susan cannot simply ignore a comment of Colette’s – that she would be forgotten easily – and makes it her business when sorting through Colette’s belongings to make sure justice has been served.
Needless to say, the other dog-walkers are not as interested in Susan’s theories, suggesting she move on. Could it be they have something to hide? Susan will not rest until she knows for sure what happened to Colette that night.
Each member of the dog-walking group comes under suspicion as Susan investigates, and she discovers lot of facts about them that they wouldn’t want to be made public. However, the pieces of the puzzle don’t seem to fit, and Susan makes mistakes that put her in danger. Nonetheless, she grows ever more determined to get to the truth.
Running alongside her investigations, Susan’s family life has its own dramas – her divorce from Steve comes through, and her daughter wants her to leave the island and move closer. These family matters have their own impact on Susan and do their part in influencing her actions. She won’t be told what to do by the man who left her, and nor is she ready to play the part of the little old lady on the hill as her daughter seems to think she is.
This is a well-paced novel, with many twists and turns that had me second-guessing my own conclusions, as well as shouting at my Kindle for Susan to be safe. It’s a story of many parts – a new start for Susan as a single woman with her dogs, a tale of a sad and damaging childhood, a community of people with secrets, and of bonds that though fragile at times are stronger than they seem. Added to that, it’s an engaging and satisfying mystery with a stunningly atmospheric setting.
(Can I just add that as, a furmum, it was wonderful to see the dedication of the dog-walking group to their furry families – so many stories use animals as props, forgetting even their basic needs. Not here, Susan’s dogs are as much a part of the story as their human counterparts)
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advance reader copy, which I have read and reviewed freely.
March 10, 2023
It was only when I finished this book – and I so enjoyed it! – that I noticed the publishers were calling it a “cosy mystery”, and it did send me down a bit of a Google rabbit hole. I’ve never been much of a one for violence and gore, but I do like a bit of tension and atmosphere which is something the author always reliably delivers. And I was interested to see that the distinction tends to be between “cosy” (I can’t bring myself to write it with a “z”!) and “hardboiled”: originally coined for Golden Age detective fiction, “cosy” generally means (with thanks to Wikipedia) that any sex and violence occur off stage, the detective is an amateur, and the crime and its detection take place in a small, socially intimate community. So yes, this book certainly is, by that definition, a “cosy” – but interpreted in a way that has become entirely the author’s own.
I always particularly enjoy the Isle of Wight setting – this time, we find ourselves in Ventnor – and the author’s descriptions of various locations around the island only make me want to visit it more, whether it’s the coves and beaches, the winding backstreets or the wide open spaces. And another element I always love is the author’s talent for characterisation. Our amateur sleuth Susan has a sympathetic and in depth back story – the shock of her husband leaving her, her daughter’s concern about her isolation (perhaps with a touch of self-interest too), and the friendships she’s built while walking her dog Rocco on Ventnor beach each morning. Taking in troubled Colette as her lodger eased her own loneliness – and when she’s found dead at Castle Cove, and the police seem content to write off her death as an accident and move on, Jane becomes determined to uncover the truth.
Colette’s death follows a bit of a confrontation (and I really mustn’t spoil the story…) and Susan reaches the unavoidable conclusion that one of the dog walking group must have been responsible. And it turns out that every single one of them has a past life and a few secrets they’d prefer remained that way – and the harder Susan digs for clues, the more the threat comes closer to home. Every single member of the group is quite wonderfully drawn, and the finger of suspicion points to each of them in turn (and sometimes moves away – only to move back again…). I really shouldn’t have favourites, but I was particularly engaged by Beatrice – my goodness, she had a past you wouldn’t ever have imagined. And poor ex-policeman Robert, who Susan keeps strictly at arm’s length when he just wants to look after her… or then again? Alice is a quite wonderful character too – a nursing home resident who’s certainly still in possession of every one of her marbles, frequently making me smile, and the perfect foil for Susan as she debates and considers her next steps.
The whole story is so well told, Susan refusing to let things lie, the suspects shuffling for position, the atmosphere thickening, the tension steadily building – and when the pieces finally fall into place (with more than a touch of real drama), the author once more had me facing in totally the wrong direction. And I must add that I really liked the emotional content to this one too – although Colette’s life was brief, there’s no possibility at all that she will be forgotten, and that most definitely brought a tear to my eye.
I really thought this was the author’s best book yet – I certainly couldn’t put it down, and read well into the early hours to get to its unexpected, but totally believable, outcome. And I do hope we’ll see Susan and Alice joining forces again – more please Mary! This is one I’d highly recommend to all – whether you’re a crime fiction reader or not, and whatever your preferred flavour.
I always particularly enjoy the Isle of Wight setting – this time, we find ourselves in Ventnor – and the author’s descriptions of various locations around the island only make me want to visit it more, whether it’s the coves and beaches, the winding backstreets or the wide open spaces. And another element I always love is the author’s talent for characterisation. Our amateur sleuth Susan has a sympathetic and in depth back story – the shock of her husband leaving her, her daughter’s concern about her isolation (perhaps with a touch of self-interest too), and the friendships she’s built while walking her dog Rocco on Ventnor beach each morning. Taking in troubled Colette as her lodger eased her own loneliness – and when she’s found dead at Castle Cove, and the police seem content to write off her death as an accident and move on, Jane becomes determined to uncover the truth.
Colette’s death follows a bit of a confrontation (and I really mustn’t spoil the story…) and Susan reaches the unavoidable conclusion that one of the dog walking group must have been responsible. And it turns out that every single one of them has a past life and a few secrets they’d prefer remained that way – and the harder Susan digs for clues, the more the threat comes closer to home. Every single member of the group is quite wonderfully drawn, and the finger of suspicion points to each of them in turn (and sometimes moves away – only to move back again…). I really shouldn’t have favourites, but I was particularly engaged by Beatrice – my goodness, she had a past you wouldn’t ever have imagined. And poor ex-policeman Robert, who Susan keeps strictly at arm’s length when he just wants to look after her… or then again? Alice is a quite wonderful character too – a nursing home resident who’s certainly still in possession of every one of her marbles, frequently making me smile, and the perfect foil for Susan as she debates and considers her next steps.
The whole story is so well told, Susan refusing to let things lie, the suspects shuffling for position, the atmosphere thickening, the tension steadily building – and when the pieces finally fall into place (with more than a touch of real drama), the author once more had me facing in totally the wrong direction. And I must add that I really liked the emotional content to this one too – although Colette’s life was brief, there’s no possibility at all that she will be forgotten, and that most definitely brought a tear to my eye.
I really thought this was the author’s best book yet – I certainly couldn’t put it down, and read well into the early hours to get to its unexpected, but totally believable, outcome. And I do hope we’ll see Susan and Alice joining forces again – more please Mary! This is one I’d highly recommend to all – whether you’re a crime fiction reader or not, and whatever your preferred flavour.
March 7, 2023
Publication Date: 08th March 2023
3.5 Stars
One Liner: A decent mystery
Susan loves living on the Isle of Wight with her darling dog, Rocco. She is a part of the local dog walkers group, a bunch of people who are different from each other but share a common love for dogs. Colette is a young girl and a new addition to the group. Susan takes her under her wing and into her home.
However, when she digs into her gran’s past on the island, she creates unrest and uncertainties in their lives. When Colette dies under suspicious circumstances at Castle Cover, Susan is determined to get to the bottom of the truth, no matter how uncomfortable the situation is.
With danger taking over her peaceful existence, can Susan fight for justice?
The story comes from Susan’s third-person POV.
My Thoughts:
I like mysteries set in small towns and islands with picturesque settings. This one has a beautiful backdrop used well throughout the book.
Dog lovers are in for a treat as the book has many fur babies. All of them are darlings and hardly cause any trouble.
The characters are all different and easy to identify and track. This makes it easier with the constant interactions between them. There’s no confusion about who is who.
The case is well done. There are enough twists and develops to keep the pointer moving from one suspect to another. It drags a bit in the middle but manages to pull back in the last third.
Susan is already going through a rough phase in her personal life but is determined to find out what happened to Colette. However, she is annoying at times. In the first half, she is reluctant to believe that someone she knows is the killer. Once she accepts it, she repeatedly puts herself in danger in the second half.
Though I know Susan is no sleuth, she is supposed to be a smart and capable 62-year-old woman. Not someone jumping to conclusions and accusing/ confronting potential murderers. I was half-afraid she would end up with a broken neck.
That said, I like how she puts her foot down when her people try to make decisions for her or pressurize her to do something she doesn’t want to. I like how she doesn’t hesitate to draw lines when necessary. If only she does the same when sharing information with others!
Alice is an interesting character, and I hoped she would have a bigger role in the book. A little disappointed that she doesn’t appear often, but the scenes with her are vital and nudge Susan in the right direction.
The epilogue ties up the loose ends and provides a satisfactory ending. The book is standalone, though I won’t be surprised if there’s a sequel. In fact, I would look forward to one as it appears that Susan will be in a better position to handle a case without risking her neck or making the same mistakes (or so I hope).
To summarize, Death at Castle Cove is an intriguing cozy mystery set on a beautiful yet dangerous island. With past secrets and flawed characters, it is worth a read on a lazy afternoon.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #DeathatCastleCove
3.5 Stars
One Liner: A decent mystery
Susan loves living on the Isle of Wight with her darling dog, Rocco. She is a part of the local dog walkers group, a bunch of people who are different from each other but share a common love for dogs. Colette is a young girl and a new addition to the group. Susan takes her under her wing and into her home.
However, when she digs into her gran’s past on the island, she creates unrest and uncertainties in their lives. When Colette dies under suspicious circumstances at Castle Cover, Susan is determined to get to the bottom of the truth, no matter how uncomfortable the situation is.
With danger taking over her peaceful existence, can Susan fight for justice?
The story comes from Susan’s third-person POV.
My Thoughts:
I like mysteries set in small towns and islands with picturesque settings. This one has a beautiful backdrop used well throughout the book.
Dog lovers are in for a treat as the book has many fur babies. All of them are darlings and hardly cause any trouble.
The characters are all different and easy to identify and track. This makes it easier with the constant interactions between them. There’s no confusion about who is who.
The case is well done. There are enough twists and develops to keep the pointer moving from one suspect to another. It drags a bit in the middle but manages to pull back in the last third.
Susan is already going through a rough phase in her personal life but is determined to find out what happened to Colette. However, she is annoying at times. In the first half, she is reluctant to believe that someone she knows is the killer. Once she accepts it, she repeatedly puts herself in danger in the second half.
Though I know Susan is no sleuth, she is supposed to be a smart and capable 62-year-old woman. Not someone jumping to conclusions and accusing/ confronting potential murderers. I was half-afraid she would end up with a broken neck.
That said, I like how she puts her foot down when her people try to make decisions for her or pressurize her to do something she doesn’t want to. I like how she doesn’t hesitate to draw lines when necessary. If only she does the same when sharing information with others!
Alice is an interesting character, and I hoped she would have a bigger role in the book. A little disappointed that she doesn’t appear often, but the scenes with her are vital and nudge Susan in the right direction.
The epilogue ties up the loose ends and provides a satisfactory ending. The book is standalone, though I won’t be surprised if there’s a sequel. In fact, I would look forward to one as it appears that Susan will be in a better position to handle a case without risking her neck or making the same mistakes (or so I hope).
To summarize, Death at Castle Cove is an intriguing cozy mystery set on a beautiful yet dangerous island. With past secrets and flawed characters, it is worth a read on a lazy afternoon.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #DeathatCastleCove
March 13, 2023
I have read and thoroughly enjoyed several of Mary’s books now. When I read the synopsis of ‘Death At Castle Cove’ it certainly sounded like the sort of book I have come to expect from Mary – a gripping story with more than a few twists and turns to it. Well it was certainly that an so much more. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Death At Castle Cove’ but more about that in a bit.
I was drawn into this story from the synopsis alone and as soon as I started reading the story itself, I knew that I wasn’t going to be doing anything other than reading for the rest of the day. It was as if the book had developed a hold over me and it was a hold that I wasn’t willing to break. I can’t say that I particularly warmed to any of the characters but that could be because I have read a lot of crime fiction and I believe nobody and suspect everybody. It just seemed to me that most of them were acting in a shifty manner and trying to keep something hidden. I had my own suspicions as to what was going to happen so I had to keep reading to see if I had guessed correctly or if I got the wrong end of the stick. The more of the book that I read, the more I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to turn. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘Death At Castle Cove’ and I had to say goodbye to Susan and the rest of the characters. I found ‘Death At Castle Cove’ to be a gripping story that certainly kept me guessing and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘Death At Castle Cove’ is superbly written but then I have come to expect nothing less from Mary Grand. Mary has an easy going writing style that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. She certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and draw them into what proves to be one hell of a story. For me, the story hit the ground running and maintains a steady pace throughout. Mary describes her characters so well that they seem just as real as you and I. I loved the way in which the characters interacted with each other. This was one of those reads that had more twists and turns to it than you would find on a ‘Snakes & Ladders’ board. I love the way in which the author makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Death At Castle Cove’ and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I hope to read much more of Mary’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
I was drawn into this story from the synopsis alone and as soon as I started reading the story itself, I knew that I wasn’t going to be doing anything other than reading for the rest of the day. It was as if the book had developed a hold over me and it was a hold that I wasn’t willing to break. I can’t say that I particularly warmed to any of the characters but that could be because I have read a lot of crime fiction and I believe nobody and suspect everybody. It just seemed to me that most of them were acting in a shifty manner and trying to keep something hidden. I had my own suspicions as to what was going to happen so I had to keep reading to see if I had guessed correctly or if I got the wrong end of the stick. The more of the book that I read, the more I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to turn. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘Death At Castle Cove’ and I had to say goodbye to Susan and the rest of the characters. I found ‘Death At Castle Cove’ to be a gripping story that certainly kept me guessing and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘Death At Castle Cove’ is superbly written but then I have come to expect nothing less from Mary Grand. Mary has an easy going writing style that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. She certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and draw them into what proves to be one hell of a story. For me, the story hit the ground running and maintains a steady pace throughout. Mary describes her characters so well that they seem just as real as you and I. I loved the way in which the characters interacted with each other. This was one of those reads that had more twists and turns to it than you would find on a ‘Snakes & Ladders’ board. I love the way in which the author makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Death At Castle Cove’ and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I hope to read much more of Mary’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
March 12, 2023
Dogs dogs and a few more dogs, murder, more dogs, walking in the beautiful surroundings. dogs, beaches oh have I mentioned dogs?
Mary is the Master (Mistress?) of crafting a great mystery thriller with plenty of suspects to keep you wondering who on earth is the killer. I am not going to lie I actually got a pen and paper and wrote down all the clues, well the ones that I perceived to be clues so that I could join the audacious Susan on her sleuthing journey. I have been caught out by Mary and her red herrings before, so I thought “not this time Mary” I was so convinced I was on the right track, turn the page, oh great nope not my prime suspect at all. Mary certainly knows how to lull you into a false sense of sleuthy security then she switches it all up a notch and your murderer is not who you were so sure it was. I have no idea how she creates such masterful plots with characters that just draw you in right from the off.
Susan is a beautifully caring person and will not let Colette’s murder go unsolved. After all Colette utters probably some of the saddest words that I have ever read “no one cares about the likes of me. I walk out of a room and I am forgotten” Susan is not ever going to let Colette be forgotten. I must admit I did find myself shouting at Susan, telling her to stop telling the dog walking group members her suspicions, these are the very people she feels that one of, could be responsible for the death.
All the characters are created vividly and you get a real sense of the joy that they all feel living on such a beautiful Island. Worlds are about to be turned upside down. Lives will change irrevocably but will Susan solve the mystery and make sure Colette is never forgotten? There’s only one way to find out and trust me you will not be disappointed.
Mary is the Master (Mistress?) of crafting a great mystery thriller with plenty of suspects to keep you wondering who on earth is the killer. I am not going to lie I actually got a pen and paper and wrote down all the clues, well the ones that I perceived to be clues so that I could join the audacious Susan on her sleuthing journey. I have been caught out by Mary and her red herrings before, so I thought “not this time Mary” I was so convinced I was on the right track, turn the page, oh great nope not my prime suspect at all. Mary certainly knows how to lull you into a false sense of sleuthy security then she switches it all up a notch and your murderer is not who you were so sure it was. I have no idea how she creates such masterful plots with characters that just draw you in right from the off.
Susan is a beautifully caring person and will not let Colette’s murder go unsolved. After all Colette utters probably some of the saddest words that I have ever read “no one cares about the likes of me. I walk out of a room and I am forgotten” Susan is not ever going to let Colette be forgotten. I must admit I did find myself shouting at Susan, telling her to stop telling the dog walking group members her suspicions, these are the very people she feels that one of, could be responsible for the death.
All the characters are created vividly and you get a real sense of the joy that they all feel living on such a beautiful Island. Worlds are about to be turned upside down. Lives will change irrevocably but will Susan solve the mystery and make sure Colette is never forgotten? There’s only one way to find out and trust me you will not be disappointed.
February 11, 2023
This is the third book that I’ve read by this author, all of which are set on the Isle of Wight.
Susan lives happily on the Isle of Wight, and her divorce from husband Steve is just about to reach decree absolute stage. Every day, she meets up with a group of friends to walk their dogs on the beach, and life is good.
Susan opens her home to a lodger, a young lady called Colette. Colette’s grandmother, now dead, had lived in a care home on the island but some of her belongings went missing after her death; a brooch, a children’s book, and a locket. Colette is determined to find the person responsible.
In a twist, five of the people in the dog-walking group used to work at the care home but now work together at a hotel, jointly owned by three of them. This means that the thief is one of the dog-walking friends. As Colette gets closer to revealing the thief, she goes down to sit on the beach one evening, alone. She is then found dead but the police are happy that it’s an accident; Colette had a severe shellfish allergy but had apparently eaten some marshmallows that contained fish gelatin. Susan doesn’t believe that Colette’s death was an accident because she was so careful about what she ate, so she starts investigating the theft herself. She puts her life in danger but can she manage to reveal the thief, also Colette’s murderer, before something happens to her?
Plenty of twists and turns, and I suspected every single person but couldn’t decide which of them was the perpetrator. I really enjoyed this book and stayed awake until 3am to finish it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.
Susan lives happily on the Isle of Wight, and her divorce from husband Steve is just about to reach decree absolute stage. Every day, she meets up with a group of friends to walk their dogs on the beach, and life is good.
Susan opens her home to a lodger, a young lady called Colette. Colette’s grandmother, now dead, had lived in a care home on the island but some of her belongings went missing after her death; a brooch, a children’s book, and a locket. Colette is determined to find the person responsible.
In a twist, five of the people in the dog-walking group used to work at the care home but now work together at a hotel, jointly owned by three of them. This means that the thief is one of the dog-walking friends. As Colette gets closer to revealing the thief, she goes down to sit on the beach one evening, alone. She is then found dead but the police are happy that it’s an accident; Colette had a severe shellfish allergy but had apparently eaten some marshmallows that contained fish gelatin. Susan doesn’t believe that Colette’s death was an accident because she was so careful about what she ate, so she starts investigating the theft herself. She puts her life in danger but can she manage to reveal the thief, also Colette’s murderer, before something happens to her?
Plenty of twists and turns, and I suspected every single person but couldn’t decide which of them was the perpetrator. I really enjoyed this book and stayed awake until 3am to finish it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.
March 8, 2023
Another well woven mystery thriller based on the Isle of Wight. As a resident of this wonderful Island I just love reading Mary Grand’s portrayal of this special place. With the advantage of having the images of the various towns and villages in my mind, I thoroughly enjoy my journey of the Island through Mary’s eyes. The story, as in previous books by this author, involves murder and many suspects. Each character has its own unique personality and garners suspicion and sympathy in equal measure. Collette is a good hearted young lady who has had a tough life and is befriended by Susan who supports her by giving her a home. She works at a local hotel where several of the staff regularly join Susan for dog walks on Ventnor beach. A few neighbours also join them each day and after a gathering of them all at Castle Cove one evening, Collette is then found dead the following morning. Susan is distraught and despite many believing she died as a result of a tragic accident, she is not convinced and believes someone close to them is responsible. Suspicious of all her dog walking friends, Susan sets about uncovering long buried secrets, lies and motives for murder. At the risk of alienating everyone she holds dear, she does not let up and finds herself in increasing danger. I sometimes couldn’t believe the audacity of Susan who seemed to accuse everyone of murder to their faces. Once again I didn’t guess the culprit and always appreciate a book that completely confuses the reader as to the final conclusion.
March 6, 2023
A stand-alone cozy crime novel set on the Isle of Wight. There are lots of dogs, I mean lots, in this book, which is always a bonus if you are a dog lover! I am. There are quite a lot of characters in this but there wasn’t one I liked a lot apart from maybe Susan, who was determined albeit a bit foolishly so, which made it all the more difficult to work out if there was a killer and if so who it was. I also though Susan was naive when she kept telling the suspects what she thought and what she’d found, very dangerous.
Briefly, after her husband left her Susan’s life revolves around walking her dog Rocco and meeting up with a motley group of dog walkers on Ventnor beach. Recently she befriended Collette and offered to let her stay with her in her home. When Collette dies in mysterious circumstances, and the police don’t seem minded to investigate, ruling it accidental, Susan is determined to investigate herself as she is convinced it was murder, and one of the dog walking group the killer.
A steady paced read with plenty of red herrings that had me changing my mind repeatedly about who I could trust and who I couldn’t. I’m sure the clues were there but I must have missed some! A good cozy mystery, very descriptive with a touch of romance made for a satisfying and enjoyable read.
Briefly, after her husband left her Susan’s life revolves around walking her dog Rocco and meeting up with a motley group of dog walkers on Ventnor beach. Recently she befriended Collette and offered to let her stay with her in her home. When Collette dies in mysterious circumstances, and the police don’t seem minded to investigate, ruling it accidental, Susan is determined to investigate herself as she is convinced it was murder, and one of the dog walking group the killer.
A steady paced read with plenty of red herrings that had me changing my mind repeatedly about who I could trust and who I couldn’t. I’m sure the clues were there but I must have missed some! A good cozy mystery, very descriptive with a touch of romance made for a satisfying and enjoyable read.
March 7, 2023
Welcome to the Isle of Wight and Ventnor there,
Where Susan lives near friends who care.
Her young lodger, Colette, has settled well
But has secrets she's about to tell.
Colette is searching for any clues to help discover
What happened to some things she wants to recover.
A locket, book and possibly precious jewellery, too,
When her Gran died all vanished from view.
What happened to these things Colette wants for find out
And uses her cleaning roles to search about.
The dog walking group includes her chief suspects, too,
But when they discover her plans, what will they do?
Accusations, blackmail threats, theft and more
All help to spoil the ambience and add intrigue to the score.
When Colette dies, it comes as a huge surprise
Susan thinks not naturally as alternative causes she begins to surmise.
A story where friendships are put to the test,
Where it seems they don't know each other as well as the rest.
This intriguing story has you turning the pages enthralled
As snippets from the past need to be recalled.
A great cosy mystery with a mix of characters who're flawed
You're never quite sure who should be trusted or ignored!
A fascinating story that kept me guessing right till the end
Read it for yourself is what I highly recommend!
For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.
Where Susan lives near friends who care.
Her young lodger, Colette, has settled well
But has secrets she's about to tell.
Colette is searching for any clues to help discover
What happened to some things she wants to recover.
A locket, book and possibly precious jewellery, too,
When her Gran died all vanished from view.
What happened to these things Colette wants for find out
And uses her cleaning roles to search about.
The dog walking group includes her chief suspects, too,
But when they discover her plans, what will they do?
Accusations, blackmail threats, theft and more
All help to spoil the ambience and add intrigue to the score.
When Colette dies, it comes as a huge surprise
Susan thinks not naturally as alternative causes she begins to surmise.
A story where friendships are put to the test,
Where it seems they don't know each other as well as the rest.
This intriguing story has you turning the pages enthralled
As snippets from the past need to be recalled.
A great cosy mystery with a mix of characters who're flawed
You're never quite sure who should be trusted or ignored!
A fascinating story that kept me guessing right till the end
Read it for yourself is what I highly recommend!
For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.
May 7, 2024
Mixed feelings on this read.
First, the positives. I liked the writing style. It kept me engaged with the story and was very easy to read. I've only visited the Isle of Wight a couple of times, but the descriptions of the island and its community were excellent. There was an eclectic range of well-described characters and dogs. So, if you like easy-to-follow, cosy mysteries with interesting characters in a beautiful location, this will hit the spot.
On to the negatives. While the characters were well-described, their behaviour made no logical sense. Two glaring examples are when the central character upsets her dog-walking friends by accusing them one by one of a double murder. They continue to meet up every morning for their dog walk as if nothing had been said. I live in a small village with a dog-walking group, and that simply wouldn't happen.
An inteligent woman waited until she was broken into twice before thinking leaving her house keys outside in a location known by numerous people wasn't a great idea. She also thought it wasn't risky to meet people she suspected of murder in isolated locations and proceed to tell them she had discovered their secrets. The very secrets they had killed to protect.
So, if you like your mysteries to be believable and characters to behave in a realistic way this read might not be for you.
First, the positives. I liked the writing style. It kept me engaged with the story and was very easy to read. I've only visited the Isle of Wight a couple of times, but the descriptions of the island and its community were excellent. There was an eclectic range of well-described characters and dogs. So, if you like easy-to-follow, cosy mysteries with interesting characters in a beautiful location, this will hit the spot.
On to the negatives. While the characters were well-described, their behaviour made no logical sense. Two glaring examples are when the central character upsets her dog-walking friends by accusing them one by one of a double murder. They continue to meet up every morning for their dog walk as if nothing had been said. I live in a small village with a dog-walking group, and that simply wouldn't happen.
An inteligent woman waited until she was broken into twice before thinking leaving her house keys outside in a location known by numerous people wasn't a great idea. She also thought it wasn't risky to meet people she suspected of murder in isolated locations and proceed to tell them she had discovered their secrets. The very secrets they had killed to protect.
So, if you like your mysteries to be believable and characters to behave in a realistic way this read might not be for you.
February 11, 2025
This book made me re-evaluate my rating system or lack there off and I'm not sure what that says about it.
First of all, Susan isn't the typical mystery protagonist I'm used to ie: a detective or a crime junkie, she's just a normal 62 year old who wants to find out what happened to someone she cared about. That plus the fact that the suspects are all "friends" of hers made it feel like it was a crime for her to go snooping around and unlocking hidden secrets. I found the whole friendship business really odd. Them meeting up as usual and chatting like noting was wrong after Susan basically accused all of them of murder, how? Maybe that's how friendships work when you get older.
That aside, I like Susan not being a detective or a know it all when it comes to solving crime and what not, but, I hated some of the rookie mistakes the made. Like how she kept revealing everything she knew to everyone despite suspecting them or meeting up with supposed killers alone in isolated places without any weapons or informing anyone else. Come on Susan, that was dumb.
All that being said, it was an ok read and maybe I might pick up book 2 of the series and give Susan another chance. Perhaps her solving a crime that doesn't involve her "friends" will be better.
First of all, Susan isn't the typical mystery protagonist I'm used to ie: a detective or a crime junkie, she's just a normal 62 year old who wants to find out what happened to someone she cared about. That plus the fact that the suspects are all "friends" of hers made it feel like it was a crime for her to go snooping around and unlocking hidden secrets. I found the whole friendship business really odd. Them meeting up as usual and chatting like noting was wrong after Susan basically accused all of them of murder, how? Maybe that's how friendships work when you get older.
That aside, I like Susan not being a detective or a know it all when it comes to solving crime and what not, but, I hated some of the rookie mistakes the made. Like how she kept revealing everything she knew to everyone despite suspecting them or meeting up with supposed killers alone in isolated places without any weapons or informing anyone else. Come on Susan, that was dumb.
All that being said, it was an ok read and maybe I might pick up book 2 of the series and give Susan another chance. Perhaps her solving a crime that doesn't involve her "friends" will be better.
June 24, 2023
Colette, a young woman, is found dead beside an ocean cove after making accusations and threats to a group of dog walkers. The police determine that she died of food allergies. Susan doesn't believe this. She believes her young lodger was murdered by someone in the group of dog walkers. Susan conducts her own dangerous investigation. It is a clumsy effort that is full of aggressive accusations aimed first at one member, then another. Susan's relentless pursuit of the truth and her loyalty to Colette are admirable traits, but her methods are not well thought out and are downright wreckless. The idea that she would be that wreckless seems a bit far-fetched. If she truly believed a killer was in the group's midst, she would have been more fearful for her own life. If there were a killer present, one would think they would simply kill Susan to keep her from finally uncovering incriminating evidence. Suspense is a strong point as more secrets are revealed. The dog walkers are an intriguing cast as are their relationships and interactions. Once you have met them, it becomes difficult to put this book down.
February 4, 2023
Susan lives on the Isle of Wight. She has grown fond of her young lodger, Colette, who has recently lost her beloved Gran who lived in a home on the Isle.
Susan exercises her dog along with a group of dog owners, most of whom worked at the home where Colette's Gran lived.
Colette suspects someone in that group of stealing off her Gran, and voices her suspicions to the group, and is later found dead at Castle Cove.
Susan vows that she will find out who was responsible for Colette's death, and investigates the dog walkers.
I quite enjoyed this novel. It was an easy read, but had so many characters that I had to really concentrate!
Each of the characters were suspects, and I liked the way Susan got to the bottom of the mystery.
I give this book a solid 4/5 stars.
Many thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Susan exercises her dog along with a group of dog owners, most of whom worked at the home where Colette's Gran lived.
Colette suspects someone in that group of stealing off her Gran, and voices her suspicions to the group, and is later found dead at Castle Cove.
Susan vows that she will find out who was responsible for Colette's death, and investigates the dog walkers.
I quite enjoyed this novel. It was an easy read, but had so many characters that I had to really concentrate!
Each of the characters were suspects, and I liked the way Susan got to the bottom of the mystery.
I give this book a solid 4/5 stars.
Many thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 8, 2023
I liked this mystery, there's elements of thriller and of cozy mystery and they works well together.
It's the start of a promising series and I can't wait to read other books in this series as I loved the setting and Susan.
Susan is a fleshed out and relatable character that grew on me and I liked even if she's a bit too reckless at time.
This book made me wish I could visit the Isle of Wight soon as there's excellent descriptions of the places and it must be lovely.
The mystery is solid and full of twists and turns. It kept me guessing and I liked the solution.
This is the first in a series and the book where the characters and the setting are introduced. I'm sure the next one will be even more entertaining and compelling.
Recommended.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for this arc, all opinions are mine
It's the start of a promising series and I can't wait to read other books in this series as I loved the setting and Susan.
Susan is a fleshed out and relatable character that grew on me and I liked even if she's a bit too reckless at time.
This book made me wish I could visit the Isle of Wight soon as there's excellent descriptions of the places and it must be lovely.
The mystery is solid and full of twists and turns. It kept me guessing and I liked the solution.
This is the first in a series and the book where the characters and the setting are introduced. I'm sure the next one will be even more entertaining and compelling.
Recommended.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for this arc, all opinions are mine
March 9, 2023
Finished ✔️ Death at Castle Cove by Mary Grand
4 ⭐️’s
Publish Day: May 8th, 2023
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Intriguing mystery set in a beautiful location
Deliciously menacing undercurrents
Takes place on an island
Masterclass in story-telling
Every character acting suspiciously
I did not figure the twists out
Also didn’t figure out the ending
Enjoyable murder mystery
Intelligently plotted
Characters are well created with distinct voices and personalities
Such a satisfying read
Cleverly written
Perfectly executed
Yes, I’d recommend
#DeesRreading #DeesRecs #DeesBookRecommendations #BookNerds #BookNerdProblems #BookNerdsUnited #BookProblems #BookProblems101 #BookNerds101 #Bookworms #BookwormProblems #BooksOfFacebook #DeeTheBookReviewer #BookReviewer #NewToMeAuthor #ReadOfTheDay #BookOfTheDay #MaryGrand #DeathatCastleCove #NetGalley #MysteriesAndThrillers
4 ⭐️’s
Publish Day: May 8th, 2023
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Intriguing mystery set in a beautiful location
Deliciously menacing undercurrents
Takes place on an island
Masterclass in story-telling
Every character acting suspiciously
I did not figure the twists out
Also didn’t figure out the ending
Enjoyable murder mystery
Intelligently plotted
Characters are well created with distinct voices and personalities
Such a satisfying read
Cleverly written
Perfectly executed
Yes, I’d recommend
#DeesRreading #DeesRecs #DeesBookRecommendations #BookNerds #BookNerdProblems #BookNerdsUnited #BookProblems #BookProblems101 #BookNerds101 #Bookworms #BookwormProblems #BooksOfFacebook #DeeTheBookReviewer #BookReviewer #NewToMeAuthor #ReadOfTheDay #BookOfTheDay #MaryGrand #DeathatCastleCove #NetGalley #MysteriesAndThrillers
May 5, 2023
When Susan's lodger dies after accusing her coworkers at a local nursing home of theft, Susan has a hard time believing Colette died as a result of accidental exposure to shellfish. The police investigate, but they are shorthanded and involved in a sprawling smuggling case so Susan decides to do a bit of digging on her own.
I enjoyed the story but found it dragged out a bit. The number of twists and turns as every piece of evidence dropped was difficult to track. The uncle's response didn't track. By the time we got to the ending Susan accused nearly every one of her dog walking friends. Honestly, not sure what the dog walking had to do with anything. It reminds me of a better story I read several years ago. I went back and forth between a three and four star rating. I landed on four because I did enjoy the book and it held my interest until the end.
I enjoyed the story but found it dragged out a bit. The number of twists and turns as every piece of evidence dropped was difficult to track. The uncle's response didn't track. By the time we got to the ending Susan accused nearly every one of her dog walking friends. Honestly, not sure what the dog walking had to do with anything. It reminds me of a better story I read several years ago. I went back and forth between a three and four star rating. I landed on four because I did enjoy the book and it held my interest until the end.
February 26, 2023
I received this book from Netgalley. The title and cover of this book both appealed to me so I was excited to start reading it. While I found the book interesting in parts, there was just too much happening and not enough happening at the same time. Susan plays detective very well, but at the same time seems to have very little regard for people who are supposed to be her friends. She throws awful accusations at them and doesn't seem interested in their reasons. All for a girl that she barely knew. Now, she wasn't doing the wrong thing, but is that the best way to go about it?
A lot happens throughout the book, but I felt it didn't always add to the story. For me, the book was a bit too long and the ending wasn't altogether surprising.
A lot happens throughout the book, but I felt it didn't always add to the story. For me, the book was a bit too long and the ending wasn't altogether surprising.
March 5, 2024
Having read & loved Death at St Jude's I had to go back to the beginning of this series. Susan is still reeling from the shock of her husband suddenly deciding their marriage was over & going off sailing with a new partner. A group of locals go dog walking together regularly. She meets young Collette (& her dog) She becomes her landlady as she was rattling round the big house. When Collette decides that she is going to stay a while on a beach they have all walked to, Susan takes her dog home. When Collette doesn't return next day & a body is found Susan refuses to believe it was an accident.
This was a good cosy mystery with a variety of characters & a great setting. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This was a good cosy mystery with a variety of characters & a great setting. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
May 12, 2024
A nice plot but....
The writing felt painful to wade through. The dialogue felt stilted and the descriptions of endlessly putting on the dogs leads were wooden.
The main character kept telling all of her friends she believed one of them was a killer, they were then filled with rage and everyone stormed off, until the next morning when they met up. Despite repeating the declarations of suspicions and the general threats in return, the MC kept meeting up with people in secluded locations, alone.
The MC had 'revelations', that when they were revealed were minor plot points, at best.
I dragged myself to the end in the hope that something would improve. It didn't.
1 star for the plot.
1 star for being in Ventor as I know this area.
0 stars for the writing.
The writing felt painful to wade through. The dialogue felt stilted and the descriptions of endlessly putting on the dogs leads were wooden.
The main character kept telling all of her friends she believed one of them was a killer, they were then filled with rage and everyone stormed off, until the next morning when they met up. Despite repeating the declarations of suspicions and the general threats in return, the MC kept meeting up with people in secluded locations, alone.
The MC had 'revelations', that when they were revealed were minor plot points, at best.
I dragged myself to the end in the hope that something would improve. It didn't.
1 star for the plot.
1 star for being in Ventor as I know this area.
0 stars for the writing.
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