The Body in the Wall

Golden Murder Mysteries #1

by Anna Penrose

Every secret has a price. Some are paid in blood.

Disgraced city banker Malachite Peck seeks a fresh start in the quiet Cornish village of Golden, but when renovations of her bookshop unearth a body, the village is thrown into turmoil.

With her only friend arrested for the crime, Mal is determined to clear his name, no matter the cost. Desperate to uncover the truth, Mal must confront ancient family feuds and suspicions, and navigate the dark secrets of the village.

But when her life is threatened, she must trust the police or follow her instincts? The last time she did the right thing, she ended up in jail. What will it cost her this time?

Fans of Anthony Horowitz will love this gripping whodunnit.

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Audiobook, Contemporary, Amateur Sleuth

294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 24, 2025

Reviews

[Mary Stagg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was so nice to have an older hero does things with some enthusiasm. Mal is a woman with a past but intends to have a new start in the village of Golden reopening the bookshop but during renovations, guess what's found behind a wall? There's a hint in the title.
The book is full of great characters and I enjoyed the plot. Mal's past partly comes out during the narrative. I was surprised but it makes you like her more not less.
The setting is well drawn, you can almost taste the salt in the air and smell the sea. I loved the little touches like the swimming cat. This is a book worth re reading - it's funny, intriguing and makes you think and I'm looking forward to the rest in the series.
I thank the author and Bookfunnel for enabling me to read an advance copy in return for an honest review.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the story and the twists! Can’t wait to read the short story and the next book in the series!

[Kath Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mal, early 60s, is starting a new life by refreshing a book shop in a little Cornish village. Sound idyllic, but she has a past, and during the renovations a body is found. She’s just come out of prison. We don’t find out why till quite late on in the book, but someone asks about her crime ‘Would you do it again?’ and she replies, ‘In a heartbeat!’ This really pulled me in, knowing it wasn’t a classic crime. Bodies crop up and Mal is keen to ensure one of her few friends in the village isn’t arrested by a bumbling DI. The young constable is a delight and I love Mal’s character too. Hope this is to be a series.

[Oliver Dowson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable whodunnit with a highly original plot. It fits perfectly in the “cosy mystery” genre. I’ve only rarely been to Cornwall, but the descriptions led me to a magical place (and I was somewhat disappointed to read at the end that Golden is based on a real village!). The author takes her time teasing out the secrets of the protagonist, adding to the fun. This is a world we sometimes fear we have lost, where people write pen and ink letters (yet still have computers and mobiles) and almost all are fundamentally nice individuals who are kind to each other, even to strangers. Richard Osman may currently be dominating this genre, but Anna Penrose deserves at least equal recognition.

[Ruth Weaver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story not bad. Characters a bit flat and 2 dimensional. Book was ok but won’t rush to read the sequels.
It is nice to have an older protagonist and as I know Mevagissey was good to see it as the fictional Golden.

[Karyl Rice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rushed finish where the new incomer single-handedly solves all the mysteries.

[Carro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in the village of "Golden" on the southern Cornish coast beyond Fowey. Says at the back it is based on the fishing village of Mevagissy.
The description of the village, the local residents and the passing tourists ring very true. I particularly like exploring the higgledy piggeldy buildings, where the house with the bookshop and flat above has party walls with five neighbours, odd subdivisions and very Cornish building techniques. The new bookshop keeper is having the bookshop renovated which is how the body in the wall is discovered - and that is not the only odd thing that is going to be found.
Mal the bookshop keeper and detective is fun, putting her life back together, trying to find her feet and I like the little domestic scenes where she's going swimming, meeting a cat, having her hair cut, talking with people, unpacking boxes from her old life.
As others have said the main detective is a total prat - but redeemed by his team. In particular a local born police constable, Sophie, who listens to what Mal has to say. Even the pretty minor detective constable characters have a life of their own, and there is one who changes through the course of the book.
There is a big cast of secondary characters, but Anna Penrose keeps it all very clear and I didn't get lost as to who anyone was. The viewpoint changes being mostly Mal but also including several other characters, when it is their viewpoint that is needed.
I will be reading more of this series.

[Mary Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. Mal is an older lady who happens to have a high-flying past and is now out of prison and starting a new life in the village of Golden. During the renovations of her new bookshop, as the title suggests, a body is found behind a wall. A inept police inspector initially seems keen to point the finger at Mal but once he starts looking at a friend of hers, she is determined to prove him wrong.

I love the character of Mal. She's older and feisty and you could feel her hope and frustration in trying to build a new life in a new location where she is a blow-in. All we know initially is that she spent some time in prison and it isn't until later in the book that we find out why. Along with the overall story, it certainly had me on the hook to find out why. The backdrop of Golden felt quite real as I know enough small places to know how people behave and gossip. It looks like Mal and Sophie, the PC, have a good bond and I can't wait to read what's next in store.

[Cecillie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

And then I got to read the first book of this series. Having read the third book first, it was quite nice to finally get to understand what crime Mal comitted, since it's referenced heavily in the third book, but never outright stated/repeated what she did. I was actually kind of surprised. I'd been fully prepared for it to have been a financial crime, since it's repeated that she worked at a bank in the third book, but the motive for it was not what I expected. I still enjoy Mal as a character, but I had imagined that she'd softened because of her time in prison, and not that that was just her.
As for the plot, I did enjoy the whole village intrigue and gossip part of the plot. I've seen it done poorly before, but it felt "real", for the most part, if that makes sense. There were some caricatures, but they didn't play too big a part of the story.
On to the second book!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it, perfect read if you are in the mood for a cosy mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. Main character Mal is a sassy ex criminal with a heart of gold. Other characters were very endearing, especially Sophie and Mackerel the cat and of course no village would be complete without their own busybody like Phyllis. Although cosy, not a stereotypical read and one that had me laughing out loud in a few places. I thank the Author and Book Funnel for allowing me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fabulous read. I can't wait for the next book in the series. Mal, short for Malachite, has been in jail for 5 years and on release moves to Golden in Cornwall and converts an old cottage into a bookshop. In the process, a body is found in the wall of the building. It is not long before she becomes involved in investigating the murder. It has the feel of an old-world mystery but it isn't. Love the characters from the village and their attitude to things that happen and their sense of community. A few red herrings sprinkled through.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is soooo good! Malachite Peck has spent the last 5 years in prison. She moves to Golden, a fishing village off the coast of England, to run a little bookshop and keep her head low. As builders work on renovating the shop they find a body in the wall. Mal gets drawn into the mystery, the drama and the gossip of this little seaside village. It is a story full of humour, wit, community vibes and of course there's a cat. This is so well written, the characters are interesting, the mystery was really good. Wonderful read!!!!!

[Anne Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a great book. Mal, fresh out of prison has taken over a bookshop. Whilst the builders are doing some alterations they come across a body hidden behind a false wall. One thing leads to another & there are lots of things happening all around her as she settles into life in a Cornish seaside village. Mal even gets adopted by a stray cat. She also ends up feeling at home when she didn’t think she would.

[jr kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unconventional mystery

This book combines murder, mischief and mayhem into an intriguing tale which keeps the reader engaged and intrigued up until the conclusion of the book. Beautifully written with well rounded characters, I am looking forward to discovering where Malachite's next adventure takes her.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plenty Golden Murders

I liked the book even though it was slow to start. It takes a talented author to write two different series and in different times. The characters were well fleshed out. Love the main protagonist, Mel. Looking forward to see how Anna develops Jacques and Mel's relationship.

[Elizabeth Bushe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok book

I finished it so cant ben too bad .Main character ok a bit rambling at times. The finished seemed rushed and not explained that well I thought. Next one will probably be better. J B

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good fun mystery with a satisfying conclusion, proving local knowledge is important to solving crimes.
Seriously, someone named Malachite? I thought it had to be man, but I was wrong, and she doesn't even carry a malachite sample as a charm or touchstone.

[Faith Ferris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story, loved Mel a sassy, strong, independent older gal. Love Golden and most of the other characters. It's a nice cozy, as I said good characters, good plot, the story flowed nicely. Already purchased the next in the series, so I recommend.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook on Spotify review: Thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was narrated perfectly. I love all of the characters they are so well thought out and they were all enjoyable. Just an all round good read would definitly recommend.

[Chloe Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very lucky to have been a beta reader for this book and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it! I really liked the main character especially the fact that she goes sea swimming!!

[anna mejia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quirky and interesting read.

A great read full of excitement, quirky characters, and a little bit of danger.

Looking forward to the next book. I've already pre-ordered.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good read loved the characters and highly recommend

[Amy Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the xharacters

Good book a lot to f good insights of Mal's thoughts and I predict she and Jaques will have some more interaction shortly

[Rich-1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Loved the characters and the story fairly rattled along
Can’t wait for the next instalment

[Jean Potter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new mystery series to follow.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Malachite Peck is a great character. I thoroughly enjoyable book.

[Susan Beecher · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent mystery featuring a woman in her 60s with a secret in her past who moves to a small fishing village in Cornwall to start fresh.

[Sans Washington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction to a new series. Great introduction to the main characters, but there's so much more to look forward to learning! All seem as if they could be a friend and/or neighbor.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

In hindsight, this is possibly self-published. For self-published, it was pretty good.
Definitely had some trite stuff.

[Debra Shelton · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Good story. Kept my interest. Protagonist could be unlikable too often, though it was pretty realistic.