Burning Secrets: A cosy mystery set in Cornwall

by Hannah Ellis

Some secrets don’t die. They just keep burning.

When Lily travels to a quiet riverside village near Truro, she’s searching for answers about her parents’ deaths – and for a grandmother she believed was long dead.

Lily remembers nothing of the night that changed her life, but her former neighbours do – and they all insist the fire was a tragic accident.

Then an anonymous note arrives. Someone claims to know what really happened.

When Lily follows the instructions to a late-night meeting, she nearly pays for her curiosity with her life.

Now she knows someone is watching her. Someone who doesn’t want the past disturbed.

The fire may have burned out years ago – but the secrets it left behind are still smouldering.

And Lily won’t stop until she brings them into the light.

Genres: Mystery

263 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication July 10, 2026

About the author

Hannah Ellis spent many years working in childcare before deciding she'd like to write books. When she's not busy writing she likes to read, drink tea and eat chocolate. She also enjoys yoga and jogging.

Reviews

[Estelle Bouldin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Burning Secrets quietly pulls you in from the very first chapter and refuses to let go. Hannah Ellis blends a compelling cold case with family drama, psychological suspense, and the beauty of the Cornish coast to create a story that's as emotionally resonant as it is impossible to put down.

Lily Larkin returns to the village she left twenty years earlier, determined to uncover the truth about the fire that claimed her parents' lives when she was just four years old. Officially, it was a tragic accident. But as Lily digs beneath decades of silence, she begins to uncover long-buried secrets, conflicting memories, and unsettling questions that suggest the past may not be as settled as everyone would like to believe.

Lily isn't simply investigating a crime; she's trying to reclaim a childhood stolen from her. Having grown up with almost no memories of her parents, every conversation with former neighbors, every recovered fragment of the past, and every new revelation carries genuine emotional weight.

Each resident of Malporth has their own version of events, their own loyalties, and their own reasons for guarding the past. As Lily reconnects with childhood friends and longtime neighbors, readers are left constantly questioning whom to trust.

The riverside cottages, winding lanes, village pub, and rugged coastline create an immersive backdrop that perfectly complements the story's themes of memory, loss, and hidden truths.

Rather than relying on nonstop action, the novel builds tension through careful character interactions, subtle clues, and emotional revelations. Each chapter adds another piece to the puzzle.

It's a story about grief, resilience, memory, and the lengths people will go to protect the truth—or hide it.

[Lise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lily Larkin and her boyfriend, Flynn, are set to return to their homes on the Isles of Scilly. Each has their own piece of unfinished business before they can depart. Flynn needs to finish his last few shifts for the Met and pack up his apartment. Lily, on the other hand, has uncovered a clue that might finally solve the mystery of the fire at her childhood home in which her parents perished.

I am so content. I loved how the author pulled all the moving parts together to bring us an immensely compelling story. The relationship between Lily and Flynn has matured into a true partnership, and the trust between the two is a beautiful thing.

The 20-year-old mystery kept me enthralled. I found myself sneaking in a chapter here and there when I was meant to be working. For me, this is the ultimate compliment I can pay a book.

The Lily Larkin series is a brilliant read, and this, book 8, is the best one yet. I highly recommend it.

Thank you to Hannah Ellis and BookSirens for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. As always, my opinions are my own, honest and true.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am an ARC reader for Book Sirens and this is my honest opinion. I've really enjoyed this 8 book series. Hannah Ellis suggests this is likely to be the last, since the mystery that's been running through it has been solved. (Or has it completely?) It's hard to believe that all the investigations by Lily Larkin, her becoming a part of the community on the Scilly Isle of St. Mary's and the development of her relationship with a certain policeman have taken place within the course of just one year. She has been a busy girl!! The books are written in such a way that all these elements plus each particular mystery - with the mystery of Lily's life before her uncle took her travelling Europe in the background have kept me reading each book non stop and impatient for the next instalment. The backdrop of the beautiful Scilly isles - except this last one, that took her to Cornwall to finally uncover the mystery that's haunted her for years, is enough to make anyone want to visit. This is a great book that could be read alone but why would you when the previous 7 are also so enjoyable?

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lily Larkin travels to the small town where she was born to investigate the fire that killed her parents twenty years earlier. It was thought to be an accident, but in the previous book Lily discovered something that made her question this. Lily also wants to find out if her grandmother Clara is alive, so she is dealing with many emotions.

I missed the characters on Scilly, where most of the Larkin stories are based, but Lily’s boyfriend Flynn is included here, and he provides both entertaining and touching moments. Lily reconnects with several townspeople, including her best friend from her early childhood.

This is Book 8 in the series, and appears to be the last for the time being. I have enjoyed all of the stories in Lily’s journey, and want to thank Hannah Ellis for such a fun series. I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Amina (ⴰⵎⵉⵏⴰ) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I followed this series since the first book came out, and thanks to Booksirens and the author, I've been able to live every adventure with Lily, Flynn and the whole gang as well.

This 8th book was good, but I did not enj y it as much as the ones before, I missed the action and the brainstorming that was present in the previous ones. Plus, Lily acted like a complete amateur, and believe me, I was really angry with her, but the plot was good, I had my doubts early on and it was great to follow the events unfolding until the final denouement.

I'm surly gonna miss the characters of this series and I hope the author will drop another book from time to time, so that I get to revisit the isles and meet the friends that I, sounds strange, made there!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[SusanH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 8 in the Lily Larkin series is Burning Secrets, taking place in Cornwall. Lily is consumed with solving the mystery of her parents’ death in a fire when she was just four years old. She also questions whether her grandmother Clara, who she does not remember, is actually still alive. With her police boyfriend Flynn currently in London, Lily renews contact with her best friend who she has not seen since she was four. She also engages others for help along the way as her personal mission becomes increasingly more dangerous. Lily is a devious and engaging character who is always a pleasure to read about in this cozy mystery series. With thanks to BookSirens for this ARC. My opinions are my own.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the final thrilling and twisty instalment in the Lily Larkin Mysteries series.
Thank you to Book Sirens and the author for the ARC. My review is voluntary
Each of the previous seven books featured a self-contained mystery, the series also followed an overarching storyline centred on the mysterious death of Lily’s parents. *Burning Secrets* brings this long-running narrative to its conclusion. While the first seven books can be enjoyed on their own for their self-contained mysteries, the final instalment is best appreciated if the reader is familiar with the events that came before. It is well worth reading all the books.
Perfect for readers who want a easy to read mystery set in a picturesque setting and featuring a likeable cast of characters.

[Krisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so happy to dive back into this series! It has been such a pleasure following these characters, and book #8 continues to deliver that wonderful, familiar connection.

While I will remain a devoted reader, I do find myself genuinely missing the focus on the original romance style that first drew me to her books. That said, the transition has been handled with a lot of skill. Even with the change in genre, the heart of the story remains intact. It’s another engaging, well-crafted addition that keeps me excited for whatever comes next.

Thank you for sending this book for review consideration.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lily is looking into the facts surrounding the disappearance/death of her grandma. A developer wanted to buy Lily's parents' house, but they refused to sell. They were burned in their home while Lily had a sleepover with the neighbors. I was definitely not on the right track, multiple suspects and I was wrong. This showed a lot of Lily's growth and tenacity. Looking forward to Flynn moving and a special visitor coming also. Twists and suspense.

I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest review.

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lily goes to Truro in search of Clara Cotton who is her grandmother and this takes her on a strange journey. There is a lot of danger as Lily tries to find out more to her past . An intriguing read which captivates you from the start and has an edge of the seat finish. I received this ARC copy via Booksirans and leave a voluntary review. I recommend this book to other readers .

[Julie Burnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good mystery, lots of suspects and if you have been reading the series some extra fun , but you don't need to know to enjoy the story.