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Secrets in St Ives: Cosy crime on the Cornish coast
As St Ives moves into early summer, Chief Inspector Louis Peppiatt is handed the coldest of cold cases - the disappearance over thirty years ago of local farmer Philip Trehearne. Merrin McKenzie, who crossed Peppiatt's path in a case the winter before, is related to the troubled family and among his first ports of call. In an investigation that spans decades, unearths family secrets and uncovers emotional betrayals, the inner workings of the seemingly peaceful Cornish town are shockingly exposed.
352 pages, Paperback
Published February 19, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 22, 2025
Mystery set in St Ives
The first outing in this series was A St Ives Christmas Mystery. Merrin is again a central character in this second novel. She has recently arrived having suffered the death of Adam, her policeman husband. Her daughter has come round to being supportive of her move to St Ives, which was where she grew up and besides, her childhood friend, Clara, continues to live there.
The novel opens in 1992 with the a cosy and convivial scene in a farmhouse just outside St Ives, a husband and wife – Philip and Sarah Trehearne – are managing their evening. Philip decides to go to the pub but is never seen again. Fast forward to present day and Chief Inspector Louis Peppiatt is asked to open up this ‘Cold case’ which has lain dormant and unresolved since 1992. He immediately understands that Merrin will inevitably be drawn into this investigation when Sarah commits suicide, and the couple’s daughter and son-in-law, currently living in Australia, will be coming over for the funeral. That son-in-law is Merrin’s brother.
It seems that Philip was a much liked man, there was never any trouble and so Peppiatt concludes that he must look at the deceased’s college days.
The author nicely sets the scene exploring Merrin’s family dynamics, whilst building a picture of the local community. Focus is on the missing man from the past but rural life continues apace with missing children and raids on post-offices.
This is a well-penned fledgling series that really has a future, as the characters evolve, with plenty of scope for further mysteries to enthrall the locals and readers alike. A nicely paced story that is firmly set in St Ives and environs.
The first outing in this series was A St Ives Christmas Mystery. Merrin is again a central character in this second novel. She has recently arrived having suffered the death of Adam, her policeman husband. Her daughter has come round to being supportive of her move to St Ives, which was where she grew up and besides, her childhood friend, Clara, continues to live there.
The novel opens in 1992 with the a cosy and convivial scene in a farmhouse just outside St Ives, a husband and wife – Philip and Sarah Trehearne – are managing their evening. Philip decides to go to the pub but is never seen again. Fast forward to present day and Chief Inspector Louis Peppiatt is asked to open up this ‘Cold case’ which has lain dormant and unresolved since 1992. He immediately understands that Merrin will inevitably be drawn into this investigation when Sarah commits suicide, and the couple’s daughter and son-in-law, currently living in Australia, will be coming over for the funeral. That son-in-law is Merrin’s brother.
It seems that Philip was a much liked man, there was never any trouble and so Peppiatt concludes that he must look at the deceased’s college days.
The author nicely sets the scene exploring Merrin’s family dynamics, whilst building a picture of the local community. Focus is on the missing man from the past but rural life continues apace with missing children and raids on post-offices.
This is a well-penned fledgling series that really has a future, as the characters evolve, with plenty of scope for further mysteries to enthrall the locals and readers alike. A nicely paced story that is firmly set in St Ives and environs.
November 27, 2025
This is my first outing with Deborah Fowler, which I realised after I’d started! I will make “A St Ives Christmas Mystery” my next read! Honestly, if you start with Book 2 you’ll be ok. There are enough little references back to Book 1 that you feel in the loop.
I loved this book. It’s a gentle, easy read. I would never be called a fast reader, but I’ve read this I’m two days!
The book is set in Cornwall, one of my favourite places in the world. I visited there on a holiday to the UK. I don’t think I went to St Ives, but I could see/feel the Cornish beauty as I read the book.
The mystery unravels well. The characters are plausible. The story is good. What more can I say. Lovely book. Think I’ve found a new favourite author. 🤩
I loved this book. It’s a gentle, easy read. I would never be called a fast reader, but I’ve read this I’m two days!
The book is set in Cornwall, one of my favourite places in the world. I visited there on a holiday to the UK. I don’t think I went to St Ives, but I could see/feel the Cornish beauty as I read the book.
The mystery unravels well. The characters are plausible. The story is good. What more can I say. Lovely book. Think I’ve found a new favourite author. 🤩
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews