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Death by the Sea
Not yet published
Expected 1 Oct 26From bestselling author Hannah Ellis comes a windswept mystery of meddling, murder and one very troublesome cat.
Jamie Sinclair is only meant to be minding the cat.
A temporary house-sitting job in a windswept Scottish seaside town feels straightforward enough. Keep the place ticking over. Tackle a few handyman jobs. Enjoy time away from London, with sea views and the steady company of a glossy black cat. What could possibly go wrong?
Quite a lot, as it turns out.
When an elderly client dies after a routine repair, Jamie finds himself at the centre of local gossip and under the watchful eye of Detective Constable Emma MacLeod—who has very firm opinions about civilians meddling in police business. But Jamie knows his handiwork was solid. And in a town where everyone has history, nothing is ever quite that simple.
Drawn into an improbable team by an unlikely pair of locals—a burly gym owner and a sharp-eyed student—Jamie begins pulling at the threads of a family’s buried secrets. And the more they unravel, the more he suspects that solving this mystery might be the start of something far bigger than he bargained for.
Jamie Sinclair is only meant to be minding the cat.
A temporary house-sitting job in a windswept Scottish seaside town feels straightforward enough. Keep the place ticking over. Tackle a few handyman jobs. Enjoy time away from London, with sea views and the steady company of a glossy black cat. What could possibly go wrong?
Quite a lot, as it turns out.
When an elderly client dies after a routine repair, Jamie finds himself at the centre of local gossip and under the watchful eye of Detective Constable Emma MacLeod—who has very firm opinions about civilians meddling in police business. But Jamie knows his handiwork was solid. And in a town where everyone has history, nothing is ever quite that simple.
Drawn into an improbable team by an unlikely pair of locals—a burly gym owner and a sharp-eyed student—Jamie begins pulling at the threads of a family’s buried secrets. And the more they unravel, the more he suspects that solving this mystery might be the start of something far bigger than he bargained for.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 1, 2026
About the author
Hannah Ellis
66 books450 followersHannah 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.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 28, 2026
Review of ARC from Netgalley.
I went into this book hoping for a cozy mystery, but unfortunately, it felt incredibly forced from the very beginning. While the premise had potential, the execution left a lot to be desired. Right from the start, I struggled to connect with the characters. The dialogue and actions felt stiff and awkward, including the interactions between the main character and his aunt. The author attempts witty banter throughout, but it consistently lands as unnatural.
Furthermore, the romantic dynamics were frustrating. The main character's girlfriend, Violet, is immediately unlikable, which unfortunately made me respect the protagonist less for being with her. There is zero subtlety regarding her behavior (it’s glaringly obvious she is either cheating or wants to though that doesn’t end up as part of the book), and ironically, the main character has far more chemistry with the Langford family's daughter who isn’t even straight than his own partner.
The book suffers from trying to do way too much at once, resulting in a plot that feels far from seamless. The author tries to build a sense of mystery around completely mundane things.
Around the 15% mark, the story finally began to pick up enough to keep me reading. However, by the midpoint, the book hits absolute autopilot. It becomes a passive reading experience where I was only barely curious enough about the dead body to keep turning the pages.
There were several moments that took me out of the story. For instance, a character suggests checking a Ring doorbell camera as if it's a revolutionary, groundbreaking idea—completely ignoring the fact that almost everyone has them nowadays, and it should have been the very first thing investigated.
There is a highly ironic line in the book where a character describes a fictional story as "fairly clichéd – a house party where a guest was found dead in a wardrobe, and an uninspiring pool of suspects." Unfortunately, that is exactly how this book felt to me.
With a deeply underwhelming resolution, a clunky "trip hunting down info" plotline, and one-dimensional characters, I am giving this a very generous 2 stars.
Thank you to the publisher and author for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review
I went into this book hoping for a cozy mystery, but unfortunately, it felt incredibly forced from the very beginning. While the premise had potential, the execution left a lot to be desired. Right from the start, I struggled to connect with the characters. The dialogue and actions felt stiff and awkward, including the interactions between the main character and his aunt. The author attempts witty banter throughout, but it consistently lands as unnatural.
Furthermore, the romantic dynamics were frustrating. The main character's girlfriend, Violet, is immediately unlikable, which unfortunately made me respect the protagonist less for being with her. There is zero subtlety regarding her behavior (it’s glaringly obvious she is either cheating or wants to though that doesn’t end up as part of the book), and ironically, the main character has far more chemistry with the Langford family's daughter who isn’t even straight than his own partner.
The book suffers from trying to do way too much at once, resulting in a plot that feels far from seamless. The author tries to build a sense of mystery around completely mundane things.
Around the 15% mark, the story finally began to pick up enough to keep me reading. However, by the midpoint, the book hits absolute autopilot. It becomes a passive reading experience where I was only barely curious enough about the dead body to keep turning the pages.
There were several moments that took me out of the story. For instance, a character suggests checking a Ring doorbell camera as if it's a revolutionary, groundbreaking idea—completely ignoring the fact that almost everyone has them nowadays, and it should have been the very first thing investigated.
There is a highly ironic line in the book where a character describes a fictional story as "fairly clichéd – a house party where a guest was found dead in a wardrobe, and an uninspiring pool of suspects." Unfortunately, that is exactly how this book felt to me.
With a deeply underwhelming resolution, a clunky "trip hunting down info" plotline, and one-dimensional characters, I am giving this a very generous 2 stars.
Thank you to the publisher and author for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2026
Thank you so much Net Galley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review!
This book was such a cozy mystery book. It is written well and has a strong found family component to it. I think the story would benefit more for vivid descriptions of the characters and a little bit more character development. I know this is just the beginning for this series so there will be plenty of opportunities to see these characters grow and development so I am hopeful to see that in the next books.
This book was such a cozy mystery book. It is written well and has a strong found family component to it. I think the story would benefit more for vivid descriptions of the characters and a little bit more character development. I know this is just the beginning for this series so there will be plenty of opportunities to see these characters grow and development so I am hopeful to see that in the next books.
June 30, 2026
Very breezy little mystery with lots of sharp twists. For the Midsomer Murders fans, for sure. Will absolutely read the rest when they’re published. Perfect palate cleanser.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A charming, gently suspenseful cosy mystery set against a wonderful Scottish backdrop.
Death by the Sea follows Jamie Sinclair, who takes on a temporary house‑sitting job in a blustery Scottish seaside town, tasked with caring for a glossy black cat. When his elderly client unexpectedly dies after a routine handyman visit, Jamie finds himself pulled into a swirl of local gossip, family secrets, and small‑town speculation.
I found this such an enjoyable cosy mystery. From the first few chapters, I settled straight into the story and felt that familiar curiosity building — that need to know what really happened. I love mysteries that reveal clues slowly rather than rushing the twist, and this book does exactly that. Little details surface at just the right moments, keeping the tension gentle but constant.
The Scottish seaside setting adds so much warmth and atmosphere. Even with a murder at the centre, the book feels cosy, inviting, and easy to sink into. Jamie is a great protagonist: a little gullible at times, but that’s part of his charm, and it makes his involvement in the mystery feel all the more believable. The supporting cast is equally enjoyable, and a couple of characters I wasn’t sure about early on genuinely grew on me as the story unfolded.
I had my theories about the culprit, not entirely correct, but close enough to feel satisfying. I much prefer this to mysteries overloaded with red herrings, where guessing the murderer becomes impossible. This story strikes a nice balance: clever, but not needlessly complicated.
The pacing is spot‑on, and the whole book is such an easy, enjoyable read that I finished it in an afternoon. If you enjoy small‑town mysteries, amateur sleuths, and twists that feel grounded rather than outlandish, I’d definitely recommend picking this one up.
I’m already looking forward to reading more in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Death by the Sea follows Jamie Sinclair, who takes on a temporary house‑sitting job in a blustery Scottish seaside town, tasked with caring for a glossy black cat. When his elderly client unexpectedly dies after a routine handyman visit, Jamie finds himself pulled into a swirl of local gossip, family secrets, and small‑town speculation.
I found this such an enjoyable cosy mystery. From the first few chapters, I settled straight into the story and felt that familiar curiosity building — that need to know what really happened. I love mysteries that reveal clues slowly rather than rushing the twist, and this book does exactly that. Little details surface at just the right moments, keeping the tension gentle but constant.
The Scottish seaside setting adds so much warmth and atmosphere. Even with a murder at the centre, the book feels cosy, inviting, and easy to sink into. Jamie is a great protagonist: a little gullible at times, but that’s part of his charm, and it makes his involvement in the mystery feel all the more believable. The supporting cast is equally enjoyable, and a couple of characters I wasn’t sure about early on genuinely grew on me as the story unfolded.
I had my theories about the culprit, not entirely correct, but close enough to feel satisfying. I much prefer this to mysteries overloaded with red herrings, where guessing the murderer becomes impossible. This story strikes a nice balance: clever, but not needlessly complicated.
The pacing is spot‑on, and the whole book is such an easy, enjoyable read that I finished it in an afternoon. If you enjoy small‑town mysteries, amateur sleuths, and twists that feel grounded rather than outlandish, I’d definitely recommend picking this one up.
I’m already looking forward to reading more in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a cosy little mystery and exactly the kind of read I needed. It’s the type of book you can pick up, settle into, and just enjoy without it feeling too complicated or overwhelming.
The Scottish seaside setting was probably one of my favourite parts. It created such a nice atmosphere, and I loved the small-town feel where everyone seems to know everyone and there are always little secrets floating around.
Jamie was a great character to follow. I liked that he wasn’t written as some perfect detective who instantly solves everything. He’s just an ordinary person who gets pulled into something unexpected and starts asking questions because he wants to know what really happened. That made the investigation feel much more natural.
I also enjoyed the way the mystery came together. There were enough clues to keep me guessing, but it never felt like the story was throwing random twists at me just to be surprising. I had a few theories while reading, and although I wasn’t completely right, I enjoyed trying to figure it out.
My only small criticism is that I would have liked a little more depth from some of the side characters. There were a few people I wanted to know more about, but since this is the beginning of a series, I’m hoping we’ll get more of that in future books.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable cosy mystery with a lovely setting, an easy pace, and characters I’d happily spend more time with. It’s not trying to be overly dark or complicated—it’s simply a fun mystery that’s perfect for a relaxing afternoon read.
I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for the next book in the series.
The Scottish seaside setting was probably one of my favourite parts. It created such a nice atmosphere, and I loved the small-town feel where everyone seems to know everyone and there are always little secrets floating around.
Jamie was a great character to follow. I liked that he wasn’t written as some perfect detective who instantly solves everything. He’s just an ordinary person who gets pulled into something unexpected and starts asking questions because he wants to know what really happened. That made the investigation feel much more natural.
I also enjoyed the way the mystery came together. There were enough clues to keep me guessing, but it never felt like the story was throwing random twists at me just to be surprising. I had a few theories while reading, and although I wasn’t completely right, I enjoyed trying to figure it out.
My only small criticism is that I would have liked a little more depth from some of the side characters. There were a few people I wanted to know more about, but since this is the beginning of a series, I’m hoping we’ll get more of that in future books.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable cosy mystery with a lovely setting, an easy pace, and characters I’d happily spend more time with. It’s not trying to be overly dark or complicated—it’s simply a fun mystery that’s perfect for a relaxing afternoon read.
I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for the next book in the series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.
This book was a struggle.
Right away, the MC was very unlikable. He's a jerk, misogynistic, clueless, and all around awkward. The side characters aren't any better. There's nobody in the book that is remotely appealing as a character. They're all flat, shallow, wooden, and generally uninteresting. They're stereotypes that speak in cliches, with no explained motivations for their actions.
None of the dialogue is realistic. It's short, clipped, simple. It sounds like how aliens might talk if they possessed a human body and tried to pass. These people are not relating to each other at all with any realistic human emotion or understanding. It took me until halfway through, but it finally clicked that this book is either written by AI or HEAVILY relied on AI. Which is not at all surprising for Amazon Publishing.
The story's mystery was no mystery at all. I solved it right away, and there was not any red herring of any kind. It was boring start to finish, and elicited no emotions beyond eye-rolling frustration.
And then about two pages from the end a big surprise (it wasn't a surprise) is introduced and then just left hanging with zero ending. And I don't mean like it was a cliffhanger that encourages you to read the next book of the series. I mean it reads like they accidentally deleted pages or a whole chapter and then went to print.
This is supposedly this author's (lol) first cozy mystery. But it seems they think a "cozy mystery" means don't try.
And nor should you, reader.
This book was a struggle.
Right away, the MC was very unlikable. He's a jerk, misogynistic, clueless, and all around awkward. The side characters aren't any better. There's nobody in the book that is remotely appealing as a character. They're all flat, shallow, wooden, and generally uninteresting. They're stereotypes that speak in cliches, with no explained motivations for their actions.
None of the dialogue is realistic. It's short, clipped, simple. It sounds like how aliens might talk if they possessed a human body and tried to pass. These people are not relating to each other at all with any realistic human emotion or understanding. It took me until halfway through, but it finally clicked that this book is either written by AI or HEAVILY relied on AI. Which is not at all surprising for Amazon Publishing.
The story's mystery was no mystery at all. I solved it right away, and there was not any red herring of any kind. It was boring start to finish, and elicited no emotions beyond eye-rolling frustration.
And then about two pages from the end a big surprise (it wasn't a surprise) is introduced and then just left hanging with zero ending. And I don't mean like it was a cliffhanger that encourages you to read the next book of the series. I mean it reads like they accidentally deleted pages or a whole chapter and then went to print.
This is supposedly this author's (lol) first cozy mystery. But it seems they think a "cozy mystery" means don't try.
And nor should you, reader.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Death by the Sea has all the hallmarks of a delightful cozy crime: a picturesque setting, a charming cast of quirky characters offering plenty of potential suspects, and, of course, a cat. It is the first book in the new cozy crime series The Misfit Detectives.
Thankyou to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the ARC. My review is voluntary.
Hannah Ellis’s writing style is simple and leans heavily on dialogue, making it feel realistic and easy to follow.
The book has a strong found family element that really brings the characters and their relationships to life. The amateur sleuth is male, while the professional one is female. It’s not unique for the genre, but less common than the reverse, making it a nice touch.
The mystery itself is fairly simple, and it seems the author has used the first book in the series to establish the character. Hopefully, future instalments will offer more twists and surprises.
The book features a romantic subplot that feels genuine rather than overly sentimental, making it an acceptable element for readers primarily interested in the mystery.
Towards the end of the book, the author reveals a mystery that will likely become an overarching theme throughout the series.
This is the author’s second cozy crime series, and judging by past experience, it’s likely to grow nicely throughout the entire arc, making it well worth the time investment.
Best suited for those looking for a gentle, easy read.
June 28, 2026
A Cosy Mystery That Kept Me Guessing
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this one. From the first few chapters, I found myself settling into the story and wanting to know what had really happened. I love a good mystery that slowly reveals little pieces along the way instead of giving everything away too early, and this did exactly that.
The seaside setting gave it such a cosy feel, even with a murder at the centre of the story. I liked trying to piece everything together alongside the characters, and there were a few moments where I changed my mind about who I thought was responsible. It’s always a good sign when a mystery keeps me second-guessing myself.
The characters were easy to spend time with, although I would have loved a little more depth from a couple of them. That’s really the only reason this wasn’t quite a five-star read for me.
Overall, this was a fun, cosy mystery that was easy to get lost in, and I ended up finishing it quicker than I expected because I genuinely wanted to know how it would all unfold. If you enjoy small-town mysteries, amateur sleuths, and stories with plenty of twists without being overly dark, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a read. I’ll happily continue with this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this one. From the first few chapters, I found myself settling into the story and wanting to know what had really happened. I love a good mystery that slowly reveals little pieces along the way instead of giving everything away too early, and this did exactly that.
The seaside setting gave it such a cosy feel, even with a murder at the centre of the story. I liked trying to piece everything together alongside the characters, and there were a few moments where I changed my mind about who I thought was responsible. It’s always a good sign when a mystery keeps me second-guessing myself.
The characters were easy to spend time with, although I would have loved a little more depth from a couple of them. That’s really the only reason this wasn’t quite a five-star read for me.
Overall, this was a fun, cosy mystery that was easy to get lost in, and I ended up finishing it quicker than I expected because I genuinely wanted to know how it would all unfold. If you enjoy small-town mysteries, amateur sleuths, and stories with plenty of twists without being overly dark, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a read. I’ll happily continue with this series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Death by the Sea begins with Jamie Sinclair taking what should be a simple house-sitting job in a Scottish seaside town. He plans to look after a black cat, complete a few handyman projects, and enjoy some distance from London. Instead, an elderly client dies after one of his routine repairs, leaving Jamie surrounded by gossip and determined to prove that his work was not responsible.
The coastal setting and troublesome cat give the book the comfortable atmosphere I look for in a cozy mystery, while Jamie’s uncertain position in town adds enough tension to keep the story moving. I also enjoyed the odd group that forms around him, including a gym owner and an observant student, even though Detective Constable Emma MacLeod would prefer that they stop interfering. Their investigation gradually exposes the secrets within one local family.
This is the first book in The Misfit Detectives series, and the mismatched amateur investigators give it a promising foundation. A few parts took time to develop, but I liked Jamie and would happily return to this seaside community for another mystery. My sincere thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free advance review copy.
The coastal setting and troublesome cat give the book the comfortable atmosphere I look for in a cozy mystery, while Jamie’s uncertain position in town adds enough tension to keep the story moving. I also enjoyed the odd group that forms around him, including a gym owner and an observant student, even though Detective Constable Emma MacLeod would prefer that they stop interfering. Their investigation gradually exposes the secrets within one local family.
This is the first book in The Misfit Detectives series, and the mismatched amateur investigators give it a promising foundation. A few parts took time to develop, but I liked Jamie and would happily return to this seaside community for another mystery. My sincere thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free advance review copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I'll admit, this isn't my usual style of read, but there's nothing quite like putting a cat on the cover to convince me that I need to know what it's about 🐈⬛🩶
As always, thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5/5⭐️
Death by the Sea is a cosy murder mystery filled with found family, a charming Scottish seaside setting and plenty of whodunnit intrigue.
It was an easy, enjoyable read that delivered exactly what I was hoping for. I appreciated that it didn't try too hard and I had a little giggle at the jabs the author took at herself, and the story, through her characters. Hannah Ellis knows her style and her audience, and it shows.
It wasn't a life-changing read for me, but not every book needs to be. Sometimes you just want something that keeps you turning the pages, and this did exactly that. It would make a great palate cleanser between heavier or more emotionally intense books.
If cosy mysteries, seaside settings, found family and a dash of humour are your thing, I'd recommend giving this one a little look-see.
As always, thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5/5⭐️
Death by the Sea is a cosy murder mystery filled with found family, a charming Scottish seaside setting and plenty of whodunnit intrigue.
It was an easy, enjoyable read that delivered exactly what I was hoping for. I appreciated that it didn't try too hard and I had a little giggle at the jabs the author took at herself, and the story, through her characters. Hannah Ellis knows her style and her audience, and it shows.
It wasn't a life-changing read for me, but not every book needs to be. Sometimes you just want something that keeps you turning the pages, and this did exactly that. It would make a great palate cleanser between heavier or more emotionally intense books.
If cosy mysteries, seaside settings, found family and a dash of humour are your thing, I'd recommend giving this one a little look-see.
July 12, 2026
Death by the Sea follows Jamie as he takes on a long term house sitting job that requires him to also take on their handy-woman business. When someone he’s done work for suddenly dies he becomes a person of interest and must help clear his name.
There was a lot of potential in this concept and story. While the writing was clear and easy to understand I couldn’t help but wish that we had more background on our characters. I didn’t know enough about Jamie to root for him fully, and he really wasn’t very likable. Cal and Skye were supposed to be endearing but it felt a bit forced. Emma is a mess and we’re given zero reason to like her.
All in all not a bad story and a good popcorn read for an evening in when you just wanted to breeze though a book, I just wanted a bit more depth from these characters, and more story to hold on to.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
There was a lot of potential in this concept and story. While the writing was clear and easy to understand I couldn’t help but wish that we had more background on our characters. I didn’t know enough about Jamie to root for him fully, and he really wasn’t very likable. Cal and Skye were supposed to be endearing but it felt a bit forced. Emma is a mess and we’re given zero reason to like her.
All in all not a bad story and a good popcorn read for an evening in when you just wanted to breeze though a book, I just wanted a bit more depth from these characters, and more story to hold on to.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As much as I love Hannahs existing characters its always good to get stuck into something new! If this book is anything to go by it will be another fantastic series.
Jamie has left a job in London that he hates and accepts an offer to house sit in Scotland for two months as a stop gap, leaving his girldfriend in London. He will also be looking after the house owners "Handy Lass" business. After only a few days on the job however a lady he has done some work for dies - is it a simple accident or is it down to Jamie's handywork or something more sinister?!
Jamie joins forces with some unlikely characters who are friends of the house owner to try and get to the bottom of the death ahead of the police and of course to clear his name. New friendships are forged in the process. Will Jamie want to return to London afterwards and what lies behind the photograph he discovers at the house....
Binge read this in a day and absolutely loved it. Cant wait for book 2!!
Jamie has left a job in London that he hates and accepts an offer to house sit in Scotland for two months as a stop gap, leaving his girldfriend in London. He will also be looking after the house owners "Handy Lass" business. After only a few days on the job however a lady he has done some work for dies - is it a simple accident or is it down to Jamie's handywork or something more sinister?!
Jamie joins forces with some unlikely characters who are friends of the house owner to try and get to the bottom of the death ahead of the police and of course to clear his name. New friendships are forged in the process. Will Jamie want to return to London afterwards and what lies behind the photograph he discovers at the house....
Binge read this in a day and absolutely loved it. Cant wait for book 2!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A disappointing, obvious conclusion surrounded by a rather dry cast of characters.
First off, I found a couple of grammar errors (mostly missing commas) so this will need more attention from the copy editor.
Otherwise, I thought the writing style lacked tone and voice but consisted of an overall average syntax. I didn’t find myself drawn to the writing; with a series that wants to be considered “cozy,” I was expected something with more in terms of tone but it was rather dry.
I also didn’t really connect with the characters; other than Cal, I thought they lacked personality and served more as sounding boards for Jamie/Emma and vice versa. There’s just an overall lack of depth with the cast.
Lastly, the mystery really wasn’t a mystery at all. It was easily discovered before the murder even took the place. It was just really lackluster and not a plot that I - personally - am interested in.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
First off, I found a couple of grammar errors (mostly missing commas) so this will need more attention from the copy editor.
Otherwise, I thought the writing style lacked tone and voice but consisted of an overall average syntax. I didn’t find myself drawn to the writing; with a series that wants to be considered “cozy,” I was expected something with more in terms of tone but it was rather dry.
I also didn’t really connect with the characters; other than Cal, I thought they lacked personality and served more as sounding boards for Jamie/Emma and vice versa. There’s just an overall lack of depth with the cast.
Lastly, the mystery really wasn’t a mystery at all. It was easily discovered before the murder even took the place. It was just really lackluster and not a plot that I - personally - am interested in.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hannah Ellis created an entertaining, lighthearted detective mystery for lovers of the Scottish seaside.
The pacing was well done, the intrigue was formulaic but fun, and the characters were lovable though slightly underdeveloped.
Jamie, based in London, recently quit his IT job and is interested in a change of scenery to clear his mind and takes up a house sitting / handyman job in the Scottish seaside for someone named Moira.
He quickly gets thrown into the mix of an unfortunate death in the house where he completed his first job as the handyman replacement and all fingers point to him as the culprit.
It’s definitely worth a read if you like cozy mysteries and quirky characters.
P.S. There is also a cat! 🐈⬛
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Hannah Ellis created an entertaining, lighthearted detective mystery for lovers of the Scottish seaside.
The pacing was well done, the intrigue was formulaic but fun, and the characters were lovable though slightly underdeveloped.
Jamie, based in London, recently quit his IT job and is interested in a change of scenery to clear his mind and takes up a house sitting / handyman job in the Scottish seaside for someone named Moira.
He quickly gets thrown into the mix of an unfortunate death in the house where he completed his first job as the handyman replacement and all fingers point to him as the culprit.
It’s definitely worth a read if you like cozy mysteries and quirky characters.
P.S. There is also a cat! 🐈⬛
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A sincere thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC electronic copy in exchange for an honest review!
I loved this cozy murder mystery. It’s written well, with strong characterization and a great found family connection that develops in a way that feels natural. It’s maybe more cute than mysterious, but that wasn’t a problem for me. If you’re specifically looking for something a little more complex and murder-y than cozy, this one might not be for you, but I really enjoyed it and can only complain is that it ended too soon. Guess I’ll have to read the rest of the series to find out more :))
I loved this cozy murder mystery. It’s written well, with strong characterization and a great found family connection that develops in a way that feels natural. It’s maybe more cute than mysterious, but that wasn’t a problem for me. If you’re specifically looking for something a little more complex and murder-y than cozy, this one might not be for you, but I really enjoyed it and can only complain is that it ended too soon. Guess I’ll have to read the rest of the series to find out more :))
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Death by the Sea is the first book in a new cozy mystery series by Hannah Ellis. It’s well-written, with lovely characters. Their (developing) friendship is fun to read about and I can’t wait to learn more about Jamie’s intriguing history. I’d love to see all four of them solving mysteries together in the next book, Skye felt a bit left out in this story. The mystery wasn’t that exciting, but a perfect way to introduce the setting and characters!
Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this review copy.
Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this review copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Read through Netgallery
Death by the Sea by Hannah Ellis is a quick and cozy read, perfect for fans of light murder mysteries.
While the central mystery resolves, the heart of the book lies in its characters, particularly Jamie, suggesting the author has great potential for future stories about him.
However, the story could benefit from more vivid visual descriptions of the characters and a stronger sense of place regarding the Scottish setting.
It's a nice, relaxing read that leaves you rooting for the characters.
Death by the Sea by Hannah Ellis is a quick and cozy read, perfect for fans of light murder mysteries.
While the central mystery resolves, the heart of the book lies in its characters, particularly Jamie, suggesting the author has great potential for future stories about him.
However, the story could benefit from more vivid visual descriptions of the characters and a stronger sense of place regarding the Scottish setting.
It's a nice, relaxing read that leaves you rooting for the characters.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Net valley and Amazon Publishing for the eARC.
This is the first in a promising new series. It's set in Scotland and the area sounds heavenly, right by the sea. A woman falls to her death and we don't know how or what the circumstances are. It features a bunch of appealing people and a lovely cat. The atmosphere is both cozy and fun. I enjoyed it a lot
This is the first in a promising new series. It's set in Scotland and the area sounds heavenly, right by the sea. A woman falls to her death and we don't know how or what the circumstances are. It features a bunch of appealing people and a lovely cat. The atmosphere is both cozy and fun. I enjoyed it a lot
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really liked this book and the relationships that were built.
It did seem to end kind of abruptly though, as I was hoping for more insight on the situation with his wife and how he’s connected to the homeowner.
I’m hoping it will continue in the next book as it looks like it’ll be a series of some sort.
Overall though I did enjoy it!
It did seem to end kind of abruptly though, as I was hoping for more insight on the situation with his wife and how he’s connected to the homeowner.
I’m hoping it will continue in the next book as it looks like it’ll be a series of some sort.
Overall though I did enjoy it!
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