What do you think?
Rate this book
Jo Mason #1
The Murder at Skellin Cottage
Skellin Cottage is an oasis of peace and tranquillity. Miles from the nearest town, nestled far out in the English countryside, it's the perfect place for visitors who want to get away from the world for a while. And then one morning the cottage's latest tenant, Deborah Dean, is found brutally murdered.
After several months of police inactivity, the cottage's owner Lord Martin Chesleford decides to take matters into his own hands. Hiring former police officer Joanna Mason, who now works alone as a private investigator, he demands that Deborah's murderer is brought to justice.
But while Deborah had tried to isolate herself at Skellin Cottage, she'd already begun to attract attention. Terrified of her own past, Deborah lived a life of fear, desperately afraid that the truth would one day be revealed. And as the ongoing investigation uncovers old secrets and new rivalries, another murder is right around the corner.
After several months of police inactivity, the cottage's owner Lord Martin Chesleford decides to take matters into his own hands. Hiring former police officer Joanna Mason, who now works alone as a private investigator, he demands that Deborah's murderer is brought to justice.
But while Deborah had tried to isolate herself at Skellin Cottage, she'd already begun to attract attention. Terrified of her own past, Deborah lived a life of fear, desperately afraid that the truth would one day be revealed. And as the ongoing investigation uncovers old secrets and new rivalries, another murder is right around the corner.
214 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 24, 2017
320 people are currently reading
312 people want to read
About the author
Amy Cross
662 books1,677 followersAmy Cross writes novels and short stories in a number of genres, mainly horror, paranormal and fantasy. Books include The Farm, Annie's Room, The Island, Eli's Town and Asylum.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
April 7, 2017
Deborah is running from a bad past when she is killed in Skellin Cottage, but no one knows who. Jo, a private investigator, is investigating the murder and trying to find the killer while fighting her own battles. As bodies begin to pile up this book follows an unlikely path to the killer.
This book was different than the others I have read from Amy Cross, but it was very good. I was very surprised. It was intriguing and mystery filled. I never knew what was happening until the end. I definitely never saw the big twist of an ending that came. The character was likable and complex. The storyline was captivating.
For a long time, I have been a fan of Amy Cross and this book was different, but just a well written and good as her others. I hope to read more from her in the future.
http://www.boundlessbookreviews.com
https://www.facebook.com/BBReviews
This book was different than the others I have read from Amy Cross, but it was very good. I was very surprised. It was intriguing and mystery filled. I never knew what was happening until the end. I definitely never saw the big twist of an ending that came. The character was likable and complex. The storyline was captivating.
For a long time, I have been a fan of Amy Cross and this book was different, but just a well written and good as her others. I hope to read more from her in the future.
http://www.boundlessbookreviews.com
https://www.facebook.com/BBReviews
May 5, 2017
Yes, this was a good, fast-paced murder mystery with a twist...although I did guess whodunit early on.
I do like this author's writing style, except for the American spelling, phrases and typos. Americanisms don't sit well in a British story written by a British author.
Overall, it was an entertaining story and I did enjoy it.
I do like this author's writing style, except for the American spelling, phrases and typos. Americanisms don't sit well in a British story written by a British author.
Overall, it was an entertaining story and I did enjoy it.
January 29, 2018
A bit of a mishmash!
I really am not sure about this book. It was if a number of different authors had joined together to write the story. It certainly wasn't up to the usual high standard I had come to expect from Amy Cross. It started slowly, picked up the pace halfway through and then crash landed to an unsatisfactory ending. The way the story concluded suggested that, perhaps, the author had grown tired of the tale and wanted it wrapped it up as soon as possible.
I really am not sure about this book. It was if a number of different authors had joined together to write the story. It certainly wasn't up to the usual high standard I had come to expect from Amy Cross. It started slowly, picked up the pace halfway through and then crash landed to an unsatisfactory ending. The way the story concluded suggested that, perhaps, the author had grown tired of the tale and wanted it wrapped it up as soon as possible.
November 6, 2019
The Murder at Skellin Cottage started off so good that it gave me high hopes. It continued at a breakneck thrilling pace until almost halfway when it slowed to a crawl, finally becomeing a chore to keep on reading. The mystery was convoluted and didn't make a lot of sense. One of the characters constantly and cruelly berates a sweet childish man who had suffered a life altering brain injury. That bothered me. All of the characters severely over-react to any and all predicaments they find themselves in; they do not act rationally or reasonably. In fact the whole story hinges on a woman's completely irrational fear. Had she actually had something to be afraid of, it would have been a much more rational logical mystery. Nobody gets it wrong as often as these characters do.
Despite the poor plot, the tediousness has more to do with the alternating points of view. There is nothing wrong with that style, except it should provide the reader with NEW information, rather than repeating information you already have, sometimes more than twice. It makes for very dull and repetetive reading. The book was a big disappointment and a let down after it had such a good start.[
Despite the poor plot, the tediousness has more to do with the alternating points of view. There is nothing wrong with that style, except it should provide the reader with NEW information, rather than repeating information you already have, sometimes more than twice. It makes for very dull and repetetive reading. The book was a big disappointment and a let down after it had such a good start.[
June 9, 2017
Only a so so book for me I'm afraid....
The plot was actually quite interesting, and would have held my attention more more if it wasn't for the constant jumping about between Deborah and Jo Mason's investigation.
American phrases like 'parking lot' and some of the spellings put me off from the start. There were words missed out and with other mistakes made me wonder if this had been proofread at all. I read quite a few reviews of the author's other books, and many say the same thing about sloppy editing and the pretty much non-existence of any proof reading. I'm assuming of course the author is American, as there are no details about her anywhere. She seems to write a lot of books set in rural England, but appears to have little knowledge about it, and of police procedures in the U.K.
Whilst I didn't know how the book would end, I'd pretty much guessed 'whodunnit' within the first few chapters.
This is the first book I've read by this author, and most probably will be the last.....
The plot was actually quite interesting, and would have held my attention more more if it wasn't for the constant jumping about between Deborah and Jo Mason's investigation.
American phrases like 'parking lot' and some of the spellings put me off from the start. There were words missed out and with other mistakes made me wonder if this had been proofread at all. I read quite a few reviews of the author's other books, and many say the same thing about sloppy editing and the pretty much non-existence of any proof reading. I'm assuming of course the author is American, as there are no details about her anywhere. She seems to write a lot of books set in rural England, but appears to have little knowledge about it, and of police procedures in the U.K.
Whilst I didn't know how the book would end, I'd pretty much guessed 'whodunnit' within the first few chapters.
This is the first book I've read by this author, and most probably will be the last.....
December 29, 2017
A good British mystery is so hard to put down, so no wonder it only took me 2 days to read this one. Ex-police officer, Joanna Mason, has been forced to leave the force due to cancer, now she is a private detective taking on the case of murder victim Deborah Dean aka Alice Pritchard. She is hired by Lord Chesleford, who has a mentally disabled son, due to a severe vehicle accident; but seems to be more concerned over finding a woman who will give him more children to keep the blood line going.
The chapters alternative between Joanna's story trying to solve the mystery, and Deborah's story leading up to the night of her death. As the mystery unfolds, the clues get the reader to the point that as one thinks the murderer is figured out, well it's not him or her. It's not until the last few chapters that the entire story comes out, the true story, so no cheating or you'll miss out on a very good read!
The chapters alternative between Joanna's story trying to solve the mystery, and Deborah's story leading up to the night of her death. As the mystery unfolds, the clues get the reader to the point that as one thinks the murderer is figured out, well it's not him or her. It's not until the last few chapters that the entire story comes out, the true story, so no cheating or you'll miss out on a very good read!
December 20, 2017
It is a good mystery, if you can make it through the rough start.
I was going to delete this after a few chapters. Then, late one night, I did not want to start a fresh new book and stay up all night reading, so I reloaded this clunker, figuring that it could at the very least, put me to sleep. To my surprise, it becomes far more readable. The author seems to find her rhythm and in spite of all the flashbacks (which I truly do not enjoy) I found this to be a good detective story. Good enough that I will try another book from the series.
I was going to delete this after a few chapters. Then, late one night, I did not want to start a fresh new book and stay up all night reading, so I reloaded this clunker, figuring that it could at the very least, put me to sleep. To my surprise, it becomes far more readable. The author seems to find her rhythm and in spite of all the flashbacks (which I truly do not enjoy) I found this to be a good detective story. Good enough that I will try another book from the series.
June 11, 2017
Interesting read
The story was revealed in a back and forth method which was unusual. There were a number of typos including an instance where the detective's name was used instead of the victim's. There were twists and turns uncovering true identities of a victim and the murderer. Held my interest but did not keep me on the edge if my seat.
The story was revealed in a back and forth method which was unusual. There were a number of typos including an instance where the detective's name was used instead of the victim's. There were twists and turns uncovering true identities of a victim and the murderer. Held my interest but did not keep me on the edge if my seat.
May 15, 2017
Smelling cottage
Good read. Didn't like the paragraphs going forward and back in time tended to lose the plot. Hence 4 stars. I persevered and I'm glad I did interesting story line. Liked the characters they gelled very well. Recommend if you have time to read it in one sitting.
Good read. Didn't like the paragraphs going forward and back in time tended to lose the plot. Hence 4 stars. I persevered and I'm glad I did interesting story line. Liked the characters they gelled very well. Recommend if you have time to read it in one sitting.
September 20, 2017
Good private detective story
I chose this book because I've read several of Amy Cross novels. This was the first relating to the police.There were a few red
Herrings. I think this was a one off as there were no loose ends
I chose this book because I've read several of Amy Cross novels. This was the first relating to the police.There were a few red
Herrings. I think this was a one off as there were no loose ends
February 24, 2018
I thought this book was okay, a fairly easy read, although there were numerous mistakes and spelling issues that hadn't been addressed by a proof reader.
I believe I have read four or five Amy Cross books, and certainly will read more, despite only giving three stars to the last two books read.
I believe I have read four or five Amy Cross books, and certainly will read more, despite only giving three stars to the last two books read.
March 1, 2017
not bad
book was ok have read better from amy cross, I sort of worked it out from half way who was the murderer. book was ok for a freebie
book was ok have read better from amy cross, I sort of worked it out from half way who was the murderer. book was ok for a freebie
May 14, 2017
Them Murder at skellin Cottage
This was a very buzzard storyline I found the book boriing and tedious. Not my kind of book. Very poor character interaction.
This was a very buzzard storyline I found the book boriing and tedious. Not my kind of book. Very poor character interaction.
May 21, 2017
Skip it
A loot of mistakes in this book. Also the characters were not fully developed, boring story, ending easily guessed. Very disappointed.
A loot of mistakes in this book. Also the characters were not fully developed, boring story, ending easily guessed. Very disappointed.
May 23, 2017
But there's no ghosts!
I still enjoyed this story filled with great, believable characters. So much so that I hope Ms Cross will continue the series.
I still enjoyed this story filled with great, believable characters. So much so that I hope Ms Cross will continue the series.
July 8, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this book it was a great read although I found the ending a bit of a let down.
July 11, 2017
Loveed
I really like Amy Cross books they never disappoint you she will have you guessing right up to the end of the book she has me hook on her books I start looking for them now
I really like Amy Cross books they never disappoint you she will have you guessing right up to the end of the book she has me hook on her books I start looking for them now
September 10, 2017
No ghosts in this book, but a good who-done-it.
January 14, 2018
Couldn't get into it fully. Murder in Skellin Cottage . One is killed then another . What secrets are they hiding . Will they find out who is doing this and why.
October 14, 2018
Another fast paced Amy Cross book, first one I've read of hers that's not been a horror type book & I wasn't disappointed. Brilliant twist at the end.
January 24, 2021
Usually a horror writer, this is a surprisingly good foray into crime and hopefully the start of a decent procedural series. A refreshingly original character makes this a very good read.
January 21, 2022
Murder mystery and suspense. Great read
May 23, 2023
Twisted!
This was a thrilling ride with lots of twists and turns. The characters were believable and interesting and the plot was good as well. I recommend this book to everyone!
This was a thrilling ride with lots of twists and turns. The characters were believable and interesting and the plot was good as well. I recommend this book to everyone!
March 23, 2017
A good who done it, I didnt guess
Had me hooked. Easy to read, first book from this author, will b reading more.
I didnt guess who the killer was and normally it can be so obvious.
Had me hooked. Easy to read, first book from this author, will b reading more.
I didnt guess who the killer was and normally it can be so obvious.
October 19, 2018
now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
Read
February 28, 2017A different type of Any Cross book - a mystery and quite well done too.
April 15, 2017
What an amazing story
Again and again I read story after story written by this author ... And when I think I can figure her out and predict the ending of the story as I am normally able to do with most books . But her style changes and I am left to wait for the ending to be revealed. This author is truly amazing . I recommend all her books highly!
Again and again I read story after story written by this author ... And when I think I can figure her out and predict the ending of the story as I am normally able to do with most books . But her style changes and I am left to wait for the ending to be revealed. This author is truly amazing . I recommend all her books highly!
March 28, 2017
Good storyline, but didn't care for the back and forth of days. Others may enjoy it. Also a sad story too. At least I thought so.
April 3, 2017
Good read
I enjoyed reading this book. I didn't think the murderer was who it turned out to be.
I will read more of this author's books.
I enjoyed reading this book. I didn't think the murderer was who it turned out to be.
I will read more of this author's books.
April 24, 2017
2.5 stars. While I thought the main detective character was ok, the plot was week and the constant shifting back and forth between past and present was annoying.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews