Deadly Dancing at the Seaview Hotel

A Helen Dexter Cosy Crime Mystery #4

by Glenda Young

The fourth in the page-turning cosy crime series from Glenda Young, this unputdownable whodunnit is perfect for fans of Julia Chapman's Dales Detective Agency, Richard Osman's The Thursday Murder Club, Betty Rowlands and Helen Cox.
Praise for Murder at the Seaview Hotel:

'I loved this warm, humorous and involving whodunnit with its host of engaging characters and atmospheric Scarborough setting' CLARE CHASE

'Just the heart-warming tonic readers need right now. Endearing characters, intriguing twists and one very cute canine' HELEN COX

288 pages, Paperback

Published March 10, 2026

Reviews

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just brilliant !!!!!

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was nice to read a Glenda Young mystery again. The latest adventure at the Seaview Hotel. This one set with Dancing competition as a backdrop. Really enjoyable gentle read.

[Tripfiction · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cosy mystery set in SCARBOROUGH



The novel opens on a bench on a Scarborough cliff top, from where tourists and locals can admire Scarborough Castle and beach. Helen Dexter owns the Seaview Hotel and she is comforting her chef and right-hand woman, Jean, who has just buried her mother. With them is Helen’s greyhound, Suki. Jean confides in Helen that she has been left a sizeable sum of money, but suddenly Helen is acutely aware that a man in Cuban heels (NOT a common sight in the town!) is seemingly eavesdropping on their conversation. Helen can recognise a wrong’un when she sees one and determines to keep an eye on her friend.

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Back at the Seaview Hotel, Helen is welcoming a troupe of dancers who are taking up all of her 10 rooms. As the individuals filter in and out of the hotel, she gradually discovers more about them, their desires, peccadilloes and predilections. They are in town for a dance competition and the rivalry is quite something. Clearly something happened recently in Blackpool, involving a glitter ball, that has upped the ante..

“There are a lot of dark things going on in the dance world underneath a spangle of salsa or the whirl of a waltz…” And then one of the dancers is found dead.

There is a great sense of colourful community in the series, with mutual support marred by little peeves that cause small, temporary ructions. And will Helen find herself getting in deeper with Jimmy, the Elvis impersonator?

The author has a clear fondness for Scarborough, describing the town in vivid terms. She also gives nice shout outs to local businesses, like the Scarborough Arms, and of course there is a lovely mention for Mrs Lofthouse’s Emporium for BOOKS!

This is another strong title in The Helen Dexter Cosy Crime Mysteries.

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

When owner Helen Dexter's Seaview hotel plays host to a dance troupe,
the glamorous world of ballroom dancing has arrived in sunny Scarborough, with all the quirky dancers, putting this spectacular show back on the map.
No nonsense Yorkshire woman and cook Jean, cleaner heavily pregnant with twins cleaner Sally, and Helens greyhound dog Suki, Helen will be kept busy.
But the words of the dance competition been a curse moving from Blackpool over a falling glitter ball, one of the dances is found murdered in Gav's Tan just as it's about to open, Helen is having to cope with all this and a murderer staying at the Seaview is not what she needs.
This book can be so hilarious and witty, to make you laugh out loud, it can also be serious and worrying with things happening to Jean and Helen, that they both have big decisions to make that will effect both their lives, will they take the correct paths?
From beginning to end i loved reading this book, with the glam and gliss coming to Scarborough as Ballroom Bev and her brother Tommy Two-shoes take to the dance floor.
It was totally wonderful.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first three books, and this fourth one is even better.
It's really topical with a group of dancers staying at Helen's hotel for a dance competition. Think of a behind-the-scenes look at Strictly Come Dancing, though this is far more dramatic, with one of the dancers being killed.
I love the characters. I can just imagine myself working for Helen, sitting down with her, Sally and Jean eating lemon drizzle cake. Not forgetting Suki, her greyhound, would love to have a walk along the beach with those two.
The plot is good, but more importantly, I love catching up with the characters and being part of their lives for a bit. You can read this as a standalone, but I recommend also reading the first three in the series.
I now plan to visit Scarborough in 2026. I might not meet Helen, but I think I will feel some of her love for the place.
I hope there's another book in the series. I won't spoil the ending, but there's a hint there might be, and I hope that's the case.
I want to catch up with Helen and friends again soon.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helen Dexter's Seaview Hotel plays host to a dance troupe, who are taking part in a dance competition at the Spa, they are an interesting bunch. They agree to participate in the opening of Gav’s tanning shop but things go wrong when Rosa is killed by tanning solution. Aided by her rescue greyhound Suki and the Seaview Hotel cook Jean (a no-nonsense Yorkshire woman you don't want to mess with!) & cleaner Sally, Gav’s wife who’s pregnant with twins. Gav is the main suspect but Helen knows he couldn’t have done it.
The fourth book in this delightful series, it’s like sitting down with old friends. I love Helen who has made a success of her B & B after her husband died. There are plenty of twists & turns as well as some red herrings before Helen solves the murder. There’s also much happening in Helen & Jean’s lives & decisions to be made. I loved the mix of humour & more serious events – especially concerning Jean. A well written engrossing cosy murder mystery

[Louise · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is terribly written and very one dimensional. How on earth the author got a publishing deal is a mystery. The main character is beyond irritating and it’s not often that I’ve disliked a character so much. I wonder if the author intended that she be so annoying.

There’s one reason that I’ve continued with this series… the author is clearly knowledgeable about Scarborough which is a town I love and have a holiday home there. She regularly mentions local businesses and eateries and through these books I’ve become familiar with a couple of really good restaurants. That alone has made reading the books worthwhile. The characters and plots are dire.

My one star is because I’ve been introduced to Eat Me and Bonnets cafes which are both really good

[Leanne Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another delightful book in this series which has fast become one of my favourite series. Helen is back with the adorable Suki and her loyal team of Jean, Sally and Marie. I really enjoyed the storyline and this series always has the most wonderful, quirky characters. I am also really enjoying reading the developing storyline between Helen and Jimmi.

For me personally, the jewel of the series is the setting of beautiful Scarborough. I love visiting and as soon as I open the book I am immediately transported straight there. This is my favourite book of the series and I did not want it to end. I am eagerly awaiting the next installment.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, and the ongoing story of the owner and staff at the Seaview Hotel is wonderfully written. But I have to say that the actual murder story (Although I did not guess who did it) was not the best.

[Jan Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely cosy mystery by Glenda Young. Again we meet our heroine Helen, along with Jean, Sally and Suki the dog. A lovely read that takes us into the world of ballroom dancing and death is never very far away.

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

Helen was especially annoying in this one.

[Bill Lents · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful tale....

Another challenge for the Seaview Hotel and Helen. The guest are driving her mad, as they dance through her daily life.

[Anna Morley · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great read

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet book

[Mollie Alderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book! My favourite books are the Seaview hotel series and this one is fab just like the others.

[Lauren Macauley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not really liking Helen's character in these latest books the way that she treats others. Good story I wish the twist at the end was better

[Ruth Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[clair Keller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fantastic book
Can’t wait for the next book to be out

[Sheila Saunders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great cosy crime read

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We may be four books into this series, but once again the plot had me guessing until the very end, and I'm four for four with not being able to work out who the killer was. But, I will overlook this as it's a sign of Glenda Young's excellent writing that she, and her characters, are always one step ahead of the reader."
Full review over on my blog at http://clydescorner.org/2025/09/11/re...