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The Nosey Parker Mysteries #8

The Cornish Castle Murder

The brand new Jodie ‘Nosey’ Parker cozy mystery to escape with in 2025. !As former Met police officer Jodie ‘Nosey’ Parker and her fiancé DCI Nathan Withers arrive at a gorgeous Cornish castle ahead of their wedding, they’re excited for what the future holds.

With the party in full swing, the guests are enjoying a weekend of dancing, activities and relaxation. So nothing shocks them more than when Nathan’s friend shoots a straight bullseye on the archery field. Just a shame it goes straight into a young woman on the other side of the target…

Yet not everything is as it looks and on closer inspection it appears the woman was already dead. As suspicions turn to the guests, Jodie and Nathan must set aside their celebrations to investigate the mystery before the killer strikes again.

Readers love Fiona ‘As twisty-turny as a Cornish lane in high summer’ J.M. Hall, author of A Spoonful of Murder

‘A sparklingly delicious confection to satisfy the mystery reader’s appetite’ Helena Dixon, bestselling author of the Miss Underhay Mysteries

‘This was a great cosy crime that kept me turning the pages. I can’t wait to see what Jodie and friends get up to next!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Love the characters and the plots. Such an easy cosy read.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Fiona is a great writer. No cheese, realistic dialogue, and great character development.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Another brilliant Cornwall visit.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Law-enforcement, verbal-humor, situational-humor, Cornwall, cozy-mystery, series, foodie, punny, relationships, relatives, murder, murder-investigation, small-business, small-town, caterer, family…’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

370 pages, Paperback

First published April 29, 2025

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About the author

Fiona Leitch

25 books484 followers
Fiona Leitch is a writer with a chequered past. She’s written for football and motoring magazines, DJ’ed at illegal raves and is a stalwart of the low budget TV commercial, even appearing as the Australasian face of a cleaning product called 'Sod Off'. After living in London and Cornwall she's finally settled in sunny New Zealand, where she enjoys scaring her cats by trying out dialogue on them. She spends her days dreaming of retiring to a crumbling Venetian palazzo, walking on the windswept beaches of West Auckland, and writing funny, flawed but awesome female characters.

The first book in her 'Nosey Parker' series of cozy mysteries set in Cornwall will be published by One More Chapter in January 2021, with books 2 and 3 following in February and March.

Her debut novel 'Dead in Venice' was published by Audible in 2018 as one of their Crime Grant finalists. Fiona also writes screenplays and was a finalist in the Athena Film Festival Writers Lab, co-run by Meryl Streep's IRIS company.

Fiona is represented by Lina Langlee at the North Literary Agency.

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5 stars
749 (38%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
Profile Image for PamG.
1,437 reviews1,184 followers
April 12, 2025
Mixing a death, a wedding, and a police investigation, the latest Nosey Parker Mystery has a twisty plot and plenty of atmosphere. The eighth book in the series features Jodie ‘Nosey’ Parker and her soon-to-be husband Detective Chief Inspector Nathan Withers. They arrive at the Kervoy Castle in Cornwell for a weekend of pre-wedding, wedding, and post-wedding celebrations with friends and family. However, when an arrow goes off-course during an archery competition, they find the body of a young woman face down in a pond. With guests focused on the celebration activities, Jodie and Nathen need to uncover the killer before they strike again as well as keeping connected to the festivities. An old London adversary, Detective Inspector Mackintosh, is brought in to lead the investigation to avoid a conflict of interest.

This is one of those books where it feels like readers are catching up with old friends. This is one of those series Jodie left the London metropolitan police force and moved back to her home town of Penstowan in Cornwall. Despite taking on a new career of catering, that hasn’t stopped her unofficial investigations. Her sense of humor and warmth continues to shine in this story. She is a likeable and friendly character who is good at listening to others. Nathan has a great sense of humor and a pragmatic approach to life. He’s well respected by his colleagues. Their chemistry creates a fun dynamic. The secondary characters continue to develop and there are several characters from previous books who gained depth. The two future mothers-in-law, Shirley, and Liz, caused me to laugh out loud several times.

I was immediately drawn into the well-plotted story. The atmosphere and descriptions were great, making it easy to visualize the castle and its surroundings. The story had several twists, a few red herrings, and a surprise near the end. As always, having a sleuth that isn’t an amateur continues to bring depth to the novel that can be lacking in some cozy mysteries. My biggest quibble is that the ending felt a little rushed with too much telling versus showing of events.

Overall, this is an entertaining story with great characterization that quickly drew me into Jodie’s world. It was a fun, appealing, and delightful read with a solid mystery to unravel and humor sprinkled throughout. Themes include friendship, family, murder, greed, lies, secrets, and much more. Relationships continue to play a major role in this series. A recipe is included at the end of the book.

I recommend the novel to those that enjoy the genre. It was a fun and relaxing read and I can’t wait for the next book featuring Jodie and her family and friends. For more enjoyment, the books are best read in order, but this can be read as a standalone.

HarperCollins UK – One More Chapter and Fiona Leitch along with Anne Hillerman provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for April 29, 2025. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 4.25 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Profile Image for Phrynne.
4,264 reviews2,836 followers
April 24, 2025
At last the wedding of Jodie Parker and D.C.I Nathan Withers is actually taking place and they are gathered with a crowd of relatives and friends to enjoy a weekend at a Cornish Castle Hotel, the actual ceremony being planned to take place on the final afternoon. Unfortunately they discover a murdered body in a rather amusing way and then set aside their celebrations in order to investigate. Meanwhile the family and friends party on.

This was a fun read with entertaining characters, a good mystery and a side serving of humour. The series continues to be interesting and enjoyable and I look forward to seeing how our two main characters take to married life.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Profile Image for ItaPixie.
1,324 reviews159 followers
May 25, 2025

In The Cornish Castle Murder we continue to follow Jodie Parker adventures.
It's a pleasure to see how the heroine balances family, friends, fiancé and sleuthering on the Cornwall coastline.

Jodie and Nathan are at a posh Cornish castle for their wedding, but during the celebrations a body appears on the premise, and the investigations begin.

It was fun for me that DCI Nathan Withers for the first time had to search for the evidence as a layperson, because he is on leave and another detective has been assigned to the case. This new dynamics between Jodie and Nathan are even more nice and enticing. I love them, they are an adorable couple.

Fiona Leitch published the eigth book in the The Nosey Parker Mysteries series: her writing and storyline are still intriguing, engaging, humorous, refreshing and never boring.

I've enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it.


Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for kindly giving me an advanced copy of this book to read.

Profile Image for megs_bookrack.
2,417 reviews14.7k followers
December 24, 2024
💜💙🧡💜💙🧡💜💙🧡💜💙🧡💜

The Cornish Castle Murder is the 8th-book in the Nosey Parker Mystery series, which just so happens to be my favorite, currently-running, Cozy Mystery series.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, this cast of characters feel like part of my friend group. Picking up one of these books just fills me with all the cozy, comfort feels.



These books follow Jodie Parker, who resigned from the Metropolitan Police Force in London after a close call and returned to her native village of Penstowan, in Cornwall, with her teen daughter, Daisy.

It's there she opened her own catering company, has taken in her Mum, as well as a wily-Pomeranian named Germaine, and reunited with many old friends. Life is good.



In spite of her new business ventures, old habits are hard to break, so Jodie ends up assisting the local coppers with their investigations. Her handsome DCI-boyfriend, now-fiance, Nathan Withers, always keeps her in the loop.

They're truly a match made in heaven. As they arrive at the lush Cornish castle where their wedding weekend is being held, they're excited for their future together.

Unfortunately, the wedding weekend turns into an un-wedding weekend once a body is discovered on the grounds the night after the stag and hen-dos.



With all attending their event now under suspicion, Jodie and Nathan must put their celebrations on hold in order to investigate the death before the killer strikes again.

As expected, I enjoyed this so much. Being back with this cast, I don't care what they're doing, I'm down for it.

I love Jodie and her relationship with her Mum and daughter, Daisy, is the best. It's three generations of women living together and supporting one another through everything. They have such a sense of humor with each other too. It's a pure joy to read.



I also really enjoy Jodie and Nathan together. I can relate to Jodie in a lot of ways, and I like seeing her open herself up to romantic love, after being burned in the past, and to be cherished by a special partner like Nathan. Good for her.

Then there's Germaine, Jodie's wee Pomeranian. The cutest little puffball to ever grace the pages of a Cozy Mystery. She's always inserting herself in the action.



I did enjoy this particular mystery as well. It was a puzzle. I liked the setting at the castle and had a lot of suspects. This one definitely kept me guessing.

I did think it started a little slow, but once it got rolling I was hooked. I had suspicions, but didn't guess who it was until the very moment I believe Leitch wanted me to figure it out. The why was interesting as well; atypical and not suspected.

I feel overall that this is a great continuation to the series.



Thank you so much to the publisher, One More Chapter, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I was so excited to receive an early copy and dropped literally everything to pick it up.

I love this series and characters with my whole heart and cannot wait for more books. Keep 'em coming, please!!!!
Profile Image for Christine.
2,127 reviews71 followers
April 26, 2025
The Cornish Castle Murder by Fiona Leitch is the 8th book in the Nosey Parker series. Former police officer Jodie "Nosey" Parker is getting married at the Kervoy Castle hotel. Jodie and her groom, DCI Nathan Wither are excited for the ceremony, but an investigation into the death of a young woman found on the castle grounds takes priority.

I enjoyed the investigation and the humorous dialogue and situations in the story. However, this is the first book I’ve read in the series, and I think it would be best enjoyed by returning readers. I got to know Jodie and Nathan quite easily and really liked their characters. I was often confused about who some of the supporting characters were and how they fit in. In spite of not knowing the backstory of a few of the characters, I enjoyed the book and found it to be a fun read. I think fans of the series will love it.

I received an advance copy of this ebook from NetGalley and One More Chapter for review consideration. My review is voluntary and unbiased.
Profile Image for Roz.
804 reviews16 followers
April 6, 2025
This is the 8th book in this hugely entertaining series of cozy crime duo Jodie “Nosey” Parker and her soon to be husband DCI Nathan Withers. This outing Jodie and Nathan have gathered all their friends and family for their wedding in a glorious Cornish castle hotel.

Almost from the outset the couple find that they are investigating a murder, as during the first evening someone is found dead in the grounds. The book is, as are the others in the series, full of great characters and a god plot that is easy to follow with red herrings along the way.

Highly recommend this book but with the caveat that the reader should start at book one to fully enjoy the characters and how they develop.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Tracy Wood.
1,351 reviews34 followers
March 6, 2025
Most people suffer from wedding day jitters, worrying about the catering, the speeches, and, of course, what the weather will be like! Unfortunately, for Jodie Parker and her fiancé DCI Nathan Withers the discovery of a dead body has to be added to their list of concerns!  With a vested interest in the investigation, Nathan can't be involved but that doesn't make a difference to Jodie or the rest of her detecting friends! As they begin their own enquiry it seems not all of their guests can account for their whereabouts and before long they aren't just looking to save the wedding but making sure everyone invited is able to attend.

Book eight in this laugh out loud series is a little different in that the investigation takes place alongside the much anticipated nuptials of the two main protagonists! I thoroughly enjoyed the way the background preparations and the relationship between Josie, her mum, and daughter, Daisy, were interwoven with the more serious aspects of the storyline. I was convinced I had the mystery solved on more than one occasion when in reality I didn't have a clue!

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter, but the opinions expressed are my own. I thoroughly enjoyed this, and the chocolate cake recipe at the end sounds yummy.
Profile Image for Ritu Bhathal.
Author 5 books159 followers
March 11, 2025
I've devoured the previous books in this series and this was no different!
Our resident nosy parker, Jodie is all set for her dream wedding to Nathan, except it's like cases seem to follow her wherever she goes, and a murder on the first night ends up with their wedding as a sideshow to an investigation, because, quite frankly neither Jodie, nor Nathan, can stop themselves!
Another great read, though, and it's always fun with a series , to be able to catch up with all the characters.
There were certainly some twists and turns throughout the story, and there was lots packed into what was essentially just a few days in the story.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins, One More Chapter, for an ARC.
1,442 reviews
February 20, 2025
The Cornish Castle Murder by Fiona Leitch is book 8 in the Nosey Parker series. This cozy mystery series is a pleasure to read. I’ve read and enjoyed them all. Jodie Parker is a former Met officer who now runs a catering business in Cornwall, and she is marrying DCI Nathan Withers. The venue has been booked – Kervoy Castle – for the weekend of festivities, including the hen and stag parties. Where the pair are involved though, nothing goes to plan. Even though Jodie is no longer a detective, she always seems to run an unofficial investigation. This is a fun read, with great characters and I love the humour which is right through the book. I also love the rapport and bond between Jodie and her daughter, Daisy.
Profile Image for UKDana.
585 reviews32 followers
March 24, 2025
Jodie 'Nosey' Parker and her fiance Nathan are about to tie the knot. Family and friends are gathered at a country house hotel in preparation when a dead body is discovered. Despite having other things to worry about, Jodie can't avoid getting involved in the investigation.

The Cornish Castle Murder by Fiona Leitch is book 8 in the Nosey Parker Mystery series and is a great addition. Fans of the series will have grown to love the characters and seen the relationship between Jodie and Nathan develop. Finally, they are about to get married and have hired a "castle" for the big event, an exclusive country house hotel, for the wedding.

With friends arriving from other parts of the country, and abroad, the couple decide to hold their stag and hen do's at the hotel before the wedding. There's tension between Nathan's old colleagues from Liverpool and his current ones from Cornwall with things reaching a head when the hens invade the stag do and discover that risque waitresses have been hired.

The following morning the body of one of the waitresses is discovered in the lake on the hotel grounds. Suspicion for her murder falls firstly on her boyfriend and then on one of the wedding party. Although it would seem that Nathan, and Jodie, are ideally placed to investigate the murder they are sidelined. Not only is Nathan on leave, there is also a conflict of interest. DI Diana Mackintosh of Exeter Police, and an old colleague of Jodie's from when she worked in the Met, is tasked with the investigation.

Despite numerous warnings to leave the investigation alone, Jodie can't help but search for answers herself. Being at the scene seems to give Jodie the upper hand as she's able to scrutinise lots of different elements involved in the case such as CCTV and the hotel layout, and surreptitiously question staff.

All of the normal humorous elements are present in the book. Jodie's mother, Shirley, is as embarrassing as ever and seems to have found an ally in the form of Nathan's mother. There is much eye-rolling from Daisy, Jodie's daughter, at the escapades of all the adults.

This is one of those cosy crime books that has you rapidly turning the pages, wanting to see how everything pieces together after they stumble from one clue to the next, sometimes through ridiculous situations.

If you enjoyed my review please check out my book blog, Reading For Leisure
https://readingforleisure.blogspot.com/

or follow me on Twitter; @Debbie_Hart_UK
or on Bluesky; @debbiehartuk.bsky.social
Profile Image for Janet.
5,529 reviews67 followers
April 26, 2025
As former Met police officer Jodie ‘Nosey’ Parker and her fiancé DCI Nathan Withers arrive at a gorgeous Cornish castle ahead of their wedding. With the party in full swing, the guests are enjoying a weekend of dancing, activities and relaxation. So nothing shocks them more than when a shot on the archery field goes way off target straight into a young woman who’s laying face down in a pond. Yet not everything is as it looks and on closer inspection it appears the woman was already dead.
The eighth book in the series & although it could be read on its own I’ve loved getting to know Jodie & Nathan & have loved how their slow burn romance has finally arrived at their wedding – or has it? The cast of secondary characters add so much to the series, I love Shirley & Daisy, also Germaine, they always add some humour. Another well written murder mystery with lots of twists & turns as well as plenty of red herrings. A very entertaining book which I thoroughly enjoyed & look forward to more from Nathan & Jodie
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
Profile Image for KathleenWH.
190 reviews4 followers
April 30, 2025
The Best so Far

I loved this book, and I do believe it’s her best of this series.

There are more than enough red herrings to keep a literary fisher
folk happy, and for a one location mystery, the plot never seems to
lag.

Jodie and Nathan are wonderful, of course, and I hope we will have
tales more to come (even though a marriage often ends a series).
Profile Image for esmmmc.
65 reviews3 followers
July 18, 2025
Spoiler - Not my favorite in the series mostly because of the long explanation of the ‘who done it’ at the end. It got to be too much of what I call a Scooby Doo ending. Also I wanted Nosey and Nathan to not be solving a murder and wasting what was supposed to be their wedding reception. Lol
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kalie.
21 reviews8 followers
May 8, 2025
Audiobook. Cute like the others in the series!
Profile Image for Mik.
20 reviews
November 8, 2025
I can't be the only one who thought she got knocked down by a golf ball and drowned??
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Korene.
45 reviews2 followers
July 27, 2026
3.5. This one didn't grip me as much as the previous books in the series, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Alexia | Books4Dreamz.
255 reviews11 followers
March 18, 2025
A Fantastic Addition to the Nosy Parker Series!

I absolutely love the Nosy Parker series and The Cornish Castle Murder is my favorite book of the series yet—which says a lot, considering how much I’ve enjoyed every book so far! Fiona Leitch has truly perfected the recipe for success, delivering a delightful mix of witty banter, quirky characters and the charming Cornwall setting that makes this series so special.

This time around, the heart of the story is the long-awaited wedding of Jodie and Nathan, two beloved protagonists whose journey I’ve followed with great affection. Their relationship brings an extra layer of emotional depth to the book, making it even more engaging. Despite the inevitable obstacles, their love and resilience shine through, adding warmth and heart to the mystery.

Speaking of the mystery—this was one of the strongest plotlines in the series to date. It kept me hooked from start to finish, constantly guessing as new twists unfolded. The intrigue was perfectly balanced with humor and character development, making for an incredibly satisfying read.

If you're a fan of cozy mysteries, you absolutely need to check out the Nosy Parker series. The Cornish Castle Murder is a must-read for longtime fans and a fantastic reason for new readers to dive in!

Thank you to the publisher, Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for the complimentary copy of this book.
Profile Image for Renske.
527 reviews2 followers
May 1, 2025
It was so nice to be back with Jodie and Nathan and be invited to their wedding. And as always a murder occurs near where Jodie and Nathan are. I hope we get many more books in this series because I don't want to say goodbye to this bunch yet!
Profile Image for Ka.
412 reviews12 followers
September 28, 2026
3.5 stars, rounded up because why not

Jodie and Nathan go to a fancy hotel slash historical manor house to get married, only for there to be (of course) a murder which distracts them and disrupts the event. Also, apparently Jodie's plan was to get married in a red Chinese sheath dress or something (the author doesn't really describe it other than to say it is very tight and makes it difficult for her to run or to get up from chairs, but it's also so long she has to pick up the skirts now and then? TBH I was mystified and since it is described as extremely beautiful, I really wish the author had described it in more detail so I could imagine it better; this is a real fail from an author who always describes both tasty food and hot men in painful detail).

It has been another year since the previous book (it's kinda nice that the books don't just expect us to accept that murders are constantly happening in Jodie's life every couple of weeks) and Daisy is now 17 (I think?) and still dating that guy she met at the music festival, so that's cute.

Nathan's friend Craig comes over from New York, but without his fiancee (who was also supposed to attend); he's also got a really bad attitude and drinks a lot. What could have happened??? I've noticed over time that the author often includes side characters or views that might upset some conservative snowflakes or bring on accusations of "omg woke." I don't personally consider it particularly "woke" to merely acknowledge that people who don't fit perfectly into the conservative mold exist. I guess this is my warning to the fragile conservative types that they may be triggered!! BTW, you lot: nobody is saying you need to like everyone, or change your life in any way, or do anything other than treat fellow humans as if they are people... of course, for some, even that is somehow extreme.

"But what about my rights to behave like an asshole without consequences, and to force other people to live in the way I prefer?" Since when did you have those rights?

Anyhow. I had a good guess about who the murderer probably was about halfway through, but

Overall, a pretty good entry in the series. On to the next one!
Profile Image for Rachael Stray.
399 reviews10 followers
April 12, 2025
Having previously enjoyed one of Fiona Leitch’s Nosey Parker Mystery books, I was excited to dive into The Cornish Castle Murder and it did not disappoint.

This eighth instalment in the series is another fun, fast-paced, and thoroughly entertaining cosy crime read that fans will adore but it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone story.

Jodie 'Nosey' Parker and her fiancé Nathan are finally about to tie the knot.

Friends and family have gathered at an exclusive country house hotel (dubbed the "castle") in Cornwall for what’s meant to be a joyful celebration. But, true to form, chaos isn’t far behind—especially when a dead body turns up in the hotel’s lake the morning after the stag and hen parties.

Despite having more than enough on her plate—what with organising a wedding and managing family dynamics—Jodie can’t resist getting drawn into the murder investigation.

The victim is one of the risqué waitresses hired for Nathan’s stag do, and suspicion soon starts swirling around her boyfriend and even some of the wedding guests.

Although both Jodie and Nathan have the skills to dig into the case, they’re officially sidelined. Nathan’s on leave, and the conflict of interest is clear. Enter

DI Diana Mackintosh from Exeter Police, an old colleague of Jodie’s from her days at the Met, who is now leading the case and would very much like Jodie to keep out of it. Naturally, Jodie ignores that advice.

Being right at the heart of the wedding party and on the scene means Jodie has the perfect vantage point to spot what others might miss—hotel layouts, CCTV blind spots, staff behaviour. Armed with her usual curiosity and knack for asking the right questions, she’s soon on the trail.

All the humour and charm that make this series such a treat are here. Jodie’s mum, Shirley, is in peak form—embarrassing as ever and now seemingly in cahoots with Nathan’s equally spirited mother. Jodie’s daughter, Daisy, provides the perfect counterbalance with her exasperated teenage eye-rolls at the grown-ups' antics.

Leitch weaves mystery and mischief together perfectly.

This is classic cosy crime at its best—engaging, light-hearted, and packed with entertaining twists and turns. It’s easy to race through the pages as Jodie stumbles from clue to clue, often in slightly ridiculous but always enjoyable circumstances.

If you’re a fan of amateur sleuths, charming small-town settings, and crime with a generous helping of humour, this is one series you should definitely be reading. A brilliant addition to the Nosey Parker Mysteries—roll on book nine.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Sandra.
917 reviews21 followers
July 24, 2026
Jodie Parker and DCI Nathan Withers are getting married at Kervoy Castle hotel but inevitably their weekend of pre-wedding activities is halted by a death. 'The Cornish Castle Murder' by Fiona Leitch is eighth in the Nosey Parker Cornwall-set cosy crime series.
Of course when a suspicious death occurs at a wedding where practically every guest is a police officer, there is no shortage of theories and help. There are also unforeseen complications. The wedding weekend is very expensive, prompting a debate about whether the nuptials should be postponed and everyone sent home; or should they stay for the limitless food and entertainment. So everyone stays. Nathan has two best men. Craig, who has flown from America, is acting strangely and having a dramatic personal crisis that can't be ignored. The hotel is suffering from a spate of petty thefts. And the detective inspector in charge of the murder case is a) an outsider from Exeter; b) an officer Jodie worked with in London a long time ago; and c) determined to investigate the case in her own way without the interference of the police officers on site.
Nathan and Jodie of course ask their own questions, examine the murder scene and gather clues. Jodie's daughter Daisy and boyfriend Joe are tasked with researching the victim's social media feeds while Jodie's oldest friend Tony teams up with her mother Shirley to find out the local gossip in the old-fashioned way, by talking to people. As always there are plenty of laughs, especially from Shirley who is an enthusiastic dancer and outlasts most of the youngsters at the disco. Dog Germaine, who at first is banned from the wedding as the hotel doesn't allow pets, makes a crucial appearance and a key discovery.
The pace of the story is a little erratic at times and there are almost too many characters who look guilty. My attention strayed for a while, but the story hits its stride again in the last quarter. Leitch writes with an entertaining blend of humour, crime, puzzle-solving and saucy jokes, but is light on the food references this time.
Next in the series is 'The Cornish Christmas Pantomime Murder.'
Read more of my book reviews at http://www.sandradanby.com/book-revie...
3,645 reviews37 followers
May 2, 2025
The Cornish Castle Murder by Fiona Leitch features a wedding. Well, wit ill if they can get it off the mark. What wedding ever goes smoothly? Especially one between a police inspector and ex-police officer who now is a caterer and a part time sleuth. Nathan has two best men, one coming from New York. He missed his plane and is late. A fight with his girlfriend, apparently. The castle was gorgeous. Well, they’d spent enough, it should be. Nathan and Jodie were the perfect couple and were having this wedding for others. All they wanted was to be married. Jodie had a hen party and Nathan, a bachelor party, which it seemed had almost naked waitresses. When the women went to check they discovered they had been more naked earlier but had covered up when asked. Then, Frankie, the boyfriend of one of them appeared, not happy. He was belligerent and unpleasant, something that did not set well with Jodie. Sadly, the next morning, his girlfriend was found floating in the pond. Had he been that angry?

Things got worse, when Frankie was found somewhat innocent and one of the best men: James, from New York, was hauled in instead. Jodie had worked with this officer years before and liked her, but even she had to admit she was being difficult. None of the local police could work on the case: conflict of interest, Nathan and all. That got resolved and they continued to investigate despite the fact they were not allowed to. It was a good mystery and a fun read. No, the wedding did not happen. Seemed disrespectful. Good continuing characters and a good plot. Certainly a terrific setting. And an interesting mystery.

I was invited to read The Cornish Castle Murder by Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #HarperCollinsUKOneMore Chapter #FionaLeitch #TheCornishCastleMurder
507 reviews19 followers
April 29, 2025
Fiona Leitch delivers another delightfully twisty and entertaining entry in her Nosey Parker cozy mystery series with The Cornish Castle Murder. Equal parts murder mystery and romantic comedy, the novel blends suspense, charm, and just the right amount of chaos—all set against the picturesque (and now perilous) backdrop of a Cornish castle.

The story opens with former Met officer-turned-caterer Jodie “Nosey” Parker preparing to finally marry her fiancé, DCI Nathan Withers. But what should be a weekend of laughter, love, and bubbly quickly takes a darker turn. When a woman is found dead in the castle pond—after a supposedly friendly archery session goes dangerously awry—the wedding weekend is thrown into disarray, and the sleuthing duo is reluctantly pulled back into detective mode.

Leitch has a knack for balancing lighthearted humor with genuine intrigue. Jodie is as witty, sharp, and endearing as ever, and her chemistry with Nathan adds emotional depth to the plot without overshadowing the mystery. The castle setting, with its air of grandeur and secrets, offers a perfect gothic touch to the otherwise sunny and cheeky tone of the series.

The murder itself is satisfyingly complex, and the arrival of a familiar face from Jodie’s London past ups the tension, both personally and professionally. Leitch keeps the reader guessing with well-placed red herrings and a steady drip of revelations, all while maintaining the series’ signature warmth and heart.

The Cornish Castle Murder is a perfect pick for fans of cozy mysteries who enjoy a mix of romance, humor, and clever plotting. It’s a charming, fast-paced whodunit that proves weddings, while magical, can also be murderously complicated.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lyn.
Author 2 books27 followers
April 20, 2025
2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
Be aware: This is the eighth book in The Nosey Parker Mysteries and I have only read three of them, including this latest installment. It's very possible that others who have followed these characters through all the previous books will have developed a fondness for them that made this novel more enjoyable. So when I say that for me, it was just okay, take that with the caveat that I am not the ideal reader here.
It's a murder mystery in an engaging setting, but the plot felt very basic. There is only one mystery to solve, and the solution is straightforward. There are no clever twists. Despite this simplicity, I kept mixing up the male characters, as they aren't very distinctive in presence, personality or speech. Two or three could have been left out with no adverse effects. There is also meant to be humour here, but humour is subjective, and this type is not for me, relying as it does mostly on drunken antics, low-key sexism and pretty lame sexual references.
I didn't hate the novel, but I didn't really care about anything, and I think I will have forgotten everything about it in a week.
My conclusion: if you're already a fan of this series, you'll probably like this one too. Otherwise, I don't really recommend it.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this novel from #Netgalley in return for an honest review.
Profile Image for Rachael Hamilton.
602 reviews8 followers
April 28, 2025
I don’t know why I love cozy muder mysteries for the poolside, but this genre is one I easily gravitate towards when needing a light read with low stakes. If you are looking for something which is quick, easy, and entertaining, this is a great book and probable series to add to your TBR list when you need a cozy crime to solve.

This is book 8 in a series, but a reader does not have to read the others to understand what is going on in this installment. I do think reading the others would give us a backstory of what has led up to this point with the characters, but the mystery within this one is stand alone and happens solely within these pages. “Nosey” Jodie Parker is getting married to her fiance Nathan. Even though they didn’t really want a big wedding, the in-laws decided they needed a big wedding and reserved a castle for the wedding events.

The mystery starts when a body is found on the golf course of the castle. The wedding party quickly realized the woman is one who was part of Nathan’s Stag do party the night before and now they are curious and their detective/ police backgrounds make them feel like they want to solve the crime. I won’t give anything away, but when you mix a wedding, death, heist, and family drama all together, you get a very action packed and humorous mystery to solve.
Profile Image for Janette.
720 reviews14 followers
March 28, 2025
This was another really enjoyable read from Fiona Leitch. The Cornish Castle Murder is the 8th in the Nosey Parker series and Jodie and Nathan are finally getting married. The venue for the wedding is the gorgeous setting of Kervoy Castle but on the eve of the wedding, a body is discovered in the lake on the hotel grounds. The murder victim had earlier been waitressing at Nathan’s stag party which comprised mainly of off duty policemen. Was one of them the murderer?
I love this series and one ot the reasons is the way that the author does such a brilliant job of balancing the personal stories of her characters with the murder mystery. The mystery is an interesting one and as usual, there are plenty of plot twists to keep the reader’s brain busy. At the same time, the characters lives continue to develop and I especially love the way Josie and Nathan’s relationship is portrayed. The warmth and love between the principal characters in these books shines through and sets the series apart from other cosy crime books.
This was a great read and I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series. As always, my thanks go to Net Galley and the publishers, One More Chapter, for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Louise Wilson.
3,985 reviews1,712 followers
April 29, 2025
The Nosey Parker mysteries #2

As former MET police officer Jodie "Nosey" Parker and her fiance DCI Nathan Withers arrive at a gorgeous Cornish castle ahead of their wedding, they're excited for what the future holds. With the party in full swing, the guests are enjoying a weekend of dancing, activities, and celebration. So nothing shocks them more than when Nathan's friend shoots a straight bullseye on the archery field. Just a shame it goes straight through a young woman on the other side of the target. Yet nothing is as it first looks and on closer inspection it appears the woman was already dead.

Nothing ever seems to go to plan for Jodie and her fiance Nathan, They are supposed to be at the Cornish castle for their wedding, but end up investigating a woman's murder.

This is another great addition to this well-written, cosy murder-mystery series. The characters are well-developed and likeable. There were some laugh out loud moments. I think this was my favourite book of the series.... so far.

Published 29th April 2025

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter and the author #FionaLeitch for my ARC of #TheCornishCastleMurder in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Charlotte.
214 reviews1 follower
April 28, 2025
A lovely cozy murder mystery read. And doesn't that sound like it shouldn't be a sentence! But honestly, this was a really small town with homely vibes going on all around.
I hadn't realised this was in a series before I started until it started referencing some earlier events but with how everything was scripted I didn't feel that I was missing any big understandings other than knowing the characters a bit more. That being said there are a lot of characters but most of them generally are fairly solid and stand up well that I could remember them the whole way through.
Not necessarily a positive or a negative, just a point is that there is also a lot of description of everything in this book. The castle, the food, the people. Lots of details so if you like that sort of thing then this is definitely a book for you.
I enjoyed the plot which was a lot more complex than I anticipated so that was a nice surprise. With an added bonus of a recipe at the end which I always enjoy in a book!
Solid murder mystery read and I'll most likely look up the authors other books.
Favourite Quote - I am a woman of simple pleasures; most of them involve food, drink, and Nathan.
Favourite Character - Joe
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