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Skegness Seaside #3
Deadly Ashes
Doris Cudlow is a feisty reporter with a nose for the truth.
When Doris takes a stroll on a blustery gray Skegness beach, the most she expects is a downpour. Instead, she walks straight into a baffling mystery—a body on the beach.
It looks like the victim died of natural causes. No one believes it was murder, but Doris is not so sure.
She soon finds out the town's elite knew the dead person and they don’t want a newcomer from London rocking the boat.
Can Doris get to the bottom of a fiendish conspiracy that will expose a dark underbelly to English seaside life?
“Hooked from the first pages… wonderful… fascinating, full of twists and turns… kept me guessing till the end.”
When Doris takes a stroll on a blustery gray Skegness beach, the most she expects is a downpour. Instead, she walks straight into a baffling mystery—a body on the beach.
It looks like the victim died of natural causes. No one believes it was murder, but Doris is not so sure.
She soon finds out the town's elite knew the dead person and they don’t want a newcomer from London rocking the boat.
Can Doris get to the bottom of a fiendish conspiracy that will expose a dark underbelly to English seaside life?
“Hooked from the first pages… wonderful… fascinating, full of twists and turns… kept me guessing till the end.”
265 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 27, 2019
1187 people are currently reading
325 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
July 30, 2019
I had trouble with the pace of events in this book. I was ready to stop reading before the body was found.
The caricatures of the town inhabitants did not come to life for me. The dialog seemed a bit forced and contrived, particularly the town gossips and the police officers.
I was not drawn to any of the characters, but I could relate to the changing economic circumstances of the former journalists. It seemed a bit bleak to me. I wanted Doris to start a blog, or in some way adapt to the changes in the world.
I did keep reading and found the ending to be satisfying. The pace picked up and the mystery was solved tying the clues together in a delightful way.
The caricatures of the town inhabitants did not come to life for me. The dialog seemed a bit forced and contrived, particularly the town gossips and the police officers.
I was not drawn to any of the characters, but I could relate to the changing economic circumstances of the former journalists. It seemed a bit bleak to me. I wanted Doris to start a blog, or in some way adapt to the changes in the world.
I did keep reading and found the ending to be satisfying. The pace picked up and the mystery was solved tying the clues together in a delightful way.
May 3, 2020
Annoying characters, motivations, and actions! None of the reasoning of the police, detectives, or any other characters is considered or reasonable, and the main considerations seem almost secondary to the plot or action. Very disappointing book! I kept reading it with the vague hope that what might've been an interesting plot would have materialized, but no.
April 11, 2020
Doris almost gets run down by Fredrick Broiler. Who is he? A millionaire whose been married three times. All his wives have died. Now he wants Doris! Well constructed plot, characters are fleshed out, and well written. I loved it and didn't want to put this book down. Get a copy and come along on this ride. You'll be glad you did! I voluntarily received a copy of this book and I'm voluntarily posting a review. My opinion is entirely my own.
August 23, 2020
There’s not a believable character in this faux cozy. I don’t read many cozy mysteries, so when I do I expect an appealing setting with a likable protagonist. Doris Cudlow is an idiot. I could summon no sympathy for her largely self-inflicted plight. Her supposed investigative skills are nowhere in evidence.The seaside town of Skegness could be anywhere. Dropping Britishisms such as “bedsit” here and there doesn’t make the place English. The relentless nosiness, gossiping and accusations of virtually everyone Doris encounters make the story read like a bad Twilight Zone parody. N.C. Lewis has written a lot of books and it shows. This author would be better served by spending more time critically reviewing and revising instead of dashing off the next book. I downloaded this one for free and it’s worth every penny. You couldn’t pay me to read another.
April 18, 2020
I just didn't care. The main character was okay but the side characters were hella annoying. I could not stand how rude everyone was being. The rector is a complete ass to her and at the end she's like here's some money, that's stupid. The mystery is only borderline interesting. Just so boring and not good.
May 12, 2020
Ho hum
This is advertised as a fast paced mystery -this is no fast paced mystery. The twists and turns come only from the tortured mind of a has been reporter and recovering alcoholic pill addict - the main character. It’s slow, plodding and scathing in how the authour views small towns and the gossip going around in them. It wasnt funny, just ridiculous. A waste of my time.
This is advertised as a fast paced mystery -this is no fast paced mystery. The twists and turns come only from the tortured mind of a has been reporter and recovering alcoholic pill addict - the main character. It’s slow, plodding and scathing in how the authour views small towns and the gossip going around in them. It wasnt funny, just ridiculous. A waste of my time.
September 22, 2019
An absolutely outstanding mystery. Enough humour, action and intriguing to keep you reading.
November 2, 2020
Doris Cudlow is recently divorced and has moved to the small seaside town of Skegness. She is trying to make a new start and journalism is her field, but jobs are slim so she is working the night shift frying doughnuts.
Doris lives in a small bedsit, with a well-meaning, nosy landlady and Mr. Felix, the landlady’s cat.
Walking on the beach on a cold, grey day, waiting for rain, Doris comes across a woman lying on the sand. Doris had seen the woman on the beach earlier in the week and she was fine. This time, the woman is not fine…she is dead. The woman also turns out to be wife #3 of one of the most prominent men in town. Doris feels something is not right and decides to investigate.
The previous two wives of the man have also turned up dead on the beach, and the reasons given are pretty shady and thin. Seems the local law glossed over them so as not to rock the boat. The man does have money and clout.
While investigating the death, Doris is also asked to find out what happened to Mr. Felix. It seems he and a number of other cats have turned up missing. Doris is also dealing with rampant rumours that she is to be wife #4 of the recently widowed prominent gent. Something she is definitely not interested in.
This is a fun, fast read with a lot of action. It is part of the Doris Cudlow cozy series. I read it on Kindle.
Doris lives in a small bedsit, with a well-meaning, nosy landlady and Mr. Felix, the landlady’s cat.
Walking on the beach on a cold, grey day, waiting for rain, Doris comes across a woman lying on the sand. Doris had seen the woman on the beach earlier in the week and she was fine. This time, the woman is not fine…she is dead. The woman also turns out to be wife #3 of one of the most prominent men in town. Doris feels something is not right and decides to investigate.
The previous two wives of the man have also turned up dead on the beach, and the reasons given are pretty shady and thin. Seems the local law glossed over them so as not to rock the boat. The man does have money and clout.
While investigating the death, Doris is also asked to find out what happened to Mr. Felix. It seems he and a number of other cats have turned up missing. Doris is also dealing with rampant rumours that she is to be wife #4 of the recently widowed prominent gent. Something she is definitely not interested in.
This is a fun, fast read with a lot of action. It is part of the Doris Cudlow cozy series. I read it on Kindle.
May 18, 2020
I don't do book reviews.....
I don't do book reviews like you keep seeing, as I find that some give too much of the plot away and I personally hate that, as it makes the book not worth reading. I much prefer to take the authors back cover write up as a review as it can either intrigue you enough to read the book of provide you enough information to make you decide that the book is not for you.
My review rules are: The more stars, the more I liked it.
If there are too many typos or errors the less stars I give
If the storyline or plot is poor or contains too many errors, the characters are too weak, the ending lacking something, then the less stars I give.
Simple, uncomplicated and to the point without giving anything away.
Some of the books I read have been given to me by the author as a pre-release copy and this does not bias my reviews in any way.
I don't do book reviews like you keep seeing, as I find that some give too much of the plot away and I personally hate that, as it makes the book not worth reading. I much prefer to take the authors back cover write up as a review as it can either intrigue you enough to read the book of provide you enough information to make you decide that the book is not for you.
My review rules are: The more stars, the more I liked it.
If there are too many typos or errors the less stars I give
If the storyline or plot is poor or contains too many errors, the characters are too weak, the ending lacking something, then the less stars I give.
Simple, uncomplicated and to the point without giving anything away.
Some of the books I read have been given to me by the author as a pre-release copy and this does not bias my reviews in any way.
September 23, 2020
OMG, reading this book is like watching Weekend at Bernies. It makes no sense, the characters can't possible exist as they are written. This female lead, Doris, has left the bright lights of London to pursue her dream of being a journalist but the best she can do is work part time on the local paper while frying donuts at the local donut shop. She is so broke she lives on tins of tomato soup and leftover donuts and still can't seem to pay her rent at the boarding house. All the people in this lovely little town are malignant gossips to the point where they take bets on the outcomes of residents' social lives. Will they? Won't they? Where will they have their first date? Oh yes and Doris has a stalker with 2, or is it 3 dead wives? Hard to tell. No woman ever uttered any of the lines that Doris utters. This isn't a mystery! It's bad comedy!
November 16, 2023
This author seems to be a one trick pony. She says the same thing over and over again to ad nauseum. How many rainstorms and thunder showers can one town have. There is practically one or two every day. You would think that the town would have floated away by now. Her characters are annoying. The main character obsesses about everything and continually whines to herself.
I have received a number of her books for free and have read most of them. You would think that the author would get better with her plots, but she hasn't. But what do I expect for free -- eh? Of course, that is not to say that all free books are bad. I have read a number of them and have really enjoyed them, just not by this author.
I am giving her 2 stars, one for not putting me asleep like one of her books did and the other star for the effort in writing a book, which I am sure isn't easy. The old saying, "Where were you when the pages were blank?" just shows that it isn't easy to entertain people on paper. Think of that book report the teacher made you do in class. As I said, it isn't easy...
I have received a number of her books for free and have read most of them. You would think that the author would get better with her plots, but she hasn't. But what do I expect for free -- eh? Of course, that is not to say that all free books are bad. I have read a number of them and have really enjoyed them, just not by this author.
I am giving her 2 stars, one for not putting me asleep like one of her books did and the other star for the effort in writing a book, which I am sure isn't easy. The old saying, "Where were you when the pages were blank?" just shows that it isn't easy to entertain people on paper. Think of that book report the teacher made you do in class. As I said, it isn't easy...
April 16, 2024
This is the 3rd book in the series, and I seriously doubt that I'll read book 4. It's mainly because of the main character, Doris. Doris is a 40 something supposed journalist who never actually spends any effort or time writing anything. She's a bit of an idiot, on top of being a not very committed recovering alcohol and sleeping pill addict. She takes 2-4 showers a day, and works part-time overnight frying donuts. She's disorganized, unprofessional, and not terribly likeable when one is privy to her every inner thought. This is the third of N.C. Lewis's series that I've tried and none of the main female characters click for me. They just don't seem believable.
Aside from that... The mystery part is ok. Lots of obvious red herrings, wacky characters and a classically dangerous small sleepy seaside town in Britain that could really use a Miss Marple or three.
Aside from that... The mystery part is ok. Lots of obvious red herrings, wacky characters and a classically dangerous small sleepy seaside town in Britain that could really use a Miss Marple or three.
January 13, 2023
Cats are going missing in the town of Skegness, and when Mr Felix joins their numbers, Doris is asked by Mrs. Lintott, to find him.
When an out of control car almost mows Doris down in front of her rooming house, Mrs Lintott does everything she can to get Doris to date the handsome luxury car owner. He is very rich and quite determined to go out with Doris. She has a very bad feeling about him, as all his wives have died of codeine overdoses.
The newspaper that Doris briefly worked for has let all it's reporters go and not only is our heroine still making doughnuts, but her former boss, Mr Ian Paddington has joined her there.
When an out of control car almost mows Doris down in front of her rooming house, Mrs Lintott does everything she can to get Doris to date the handsome luxury car owner. He is very rich and quite determined to go out with Doris. She has a very bad feeling about him, as all his wives have died of codeine overdoses.
The newspaper that Doris briefly worked for has let all it's reporters go and not only is our heroine still making doughnuts, but her former boss, Mr Ian Paddington has joined her there.
March 9, 2022
Love the group of characters
Love the townsfolk and Doris. They are just so real. It is funny I think I know who done it, but I never get it right. It is a fun loving murder mystery story. It is British humor at its best. I enjoy this series and recommend them to those who need a warm cozy book to read over a cup of tea. The series can be read as standalones, because the author is good at being the reader up to date. I love the landlady the best, but the other characters are charming bunch of people who have their own quirks.
Love the townsfolk and Doris. They are just so real. It is funny I think I know who done it, but I never get it right. It is a fun loving murder mystery story. It is British humor at its best. I enjoy this series and recommend them to those who need a warm cozy book to read over a cup of tea. The series can be read as standalones, because the author is good at being the reader up to date. I love the landlady the best, but the other characters are charming bunch of people who have their own quirks.
August 7, 2025
Where'd they go?
Doris struggled to eek out a living. She owed back rent and lived on soup while trying to earn a living as a journalist. She worked nights making doughnuts. When her landlady's cat goes missing, she is plunged into the mysterious disappearance of the town's cats. Meanwhile, Frederick Broiler's car almost runs her down, and Broiler pursues Doris as his next conquest. Doris is thrust into the mysterious deaths of Broiler's 3 wives. Looks like this may not end well for Doris.
Doris struggled to eek out a living. She owed back rent and lived on soup while trying to earn a living as a journalist. She worked nights making doughnuts. When her landlady's cat goes missing, she is plunged into the mysterious disappearance of the town's cats. Meanwhile, Frederick Broiler's car almost runs her down, and Broiler pursues Doris as his next conquest. Doris is thrust into the mysterious deaths of Broiler's 3 wives. Looks like this may not end well for Doris.
April 13, 2020
Definitely a good read!
I was a little slow working my way through the book, Corona Virus distractions.
However by the afternoon was hooked and couldn't put it down!
I loved the twists & surprises with the turns. Would have liked to finally "meet" the other Detective, however maybe in other books!
Enjoyed😎
I was a little slow working my way through the book, Corona Virus distractions.
However by the afternoon was hooked and couldn't put it down!
I loved the twists & surprises with the turns. Would have liked to finally "meet" the other Detective, however maybe in other books!
Enjoyed😎
April 14, 2020
Recommend this book Held my Attention
I enjoyed this book for it was unlike the books I normally. This was interesting. The characters were not boring. There were many characters in this story and each of them unlike the other.I liked the plot . I could not wait to find out who the bad guys and why.
I enjoyed this book for it was unlike the books I normally. This was interesting. The characters were not boring. There were many characters in this story and each of them unlike the other.I liked the plot . I could not wait to find out who the bad guys and why.
April 15, 2020
Action packed mystery
An invisible enemy, Covid 19, is destroying dreams and stealing days with family and friends that cannot be recovered. I am missing my active, satisfying life, so reading an action packed mystery with a satisfying ending in a delightful English beach town setting was a nice escape.
An invisible enemy, Covid 19, is destroying dreams and stealing days with family and friends that cannot be recovered. I am missing my active, satisfying life, so reading an action packed mystery with a satisfying ending in a delightful English beach town setting was a nice escape.
April 19, 2020
A Pretty Good Book
This is a pretty good book. The small town gossip is funny in how the gossip knows what Doris, the heroine, has done or taking bets on what she will do. The characters are well developed. And there is some good misdirection in the story. It is a quick and enjoyable read, and I may try another in the series.
This is a pretty good book. The small town gossip is funny in how the gossip knows what Doris, the heroine, has done or taking bets on what she will do. The characters are well developed. And there is some good misdirection in the story. It is a quick and enjoyable read, and I may try another in the series.
May 3, 2020
I found this book had a good story line and lots of twists and turns leading to an unexpected finish.
I also found that it had lots of unnecessary filling dialog which made the book a tad slow in reading and a little boring in parts.
This would be a 4-5 star rating if trimmed down a little to make it faster paced and easier to read.
I also found that it had lots of unnecessary filling dialog which made the book a tad slow in reading and a little boring in parts.
This would be a 4-5 star rating if trimmed down a little to make it faster paced and easier to read.
June 22, 2020
A good fun read.
Yes it is fast paced once it gets into the story. Unfortunately I spotted the easy clues before they were revealed. Nevertheless, it was understandable why the cops were slow to accuse. Makes it easier for them as well.
The storyline was goo, fun and well told. A good vacation time fast read.
Yes it is fast paced once it gets into the story. Unfortunately I spotted the easy clues before they were revealed. Nevertheless, it was understandable why the cops were slow to accuse. Makes it easier for them as well.
The storyline was goo, fun and well told. A good vacation time fast read.
December 21, 2020
I was disappointed with the racist stereotypes in this book. I can't say how it ended, but mystery meat in a Chinese restaurant where you see the owner walking around with animal cages just oozes "they might be serving cat at the Chinese restaurant" and that isn't cool. Whether or not they were was secondary to how much the author hinted that they might be.
April 14, 2020
An intriguing and fast paced mystery
An intriguing and fast paced mystery, although down on her luck the ever hopeful investigative reporter Doris follows her gut and solves more than one puzzle.
An intriguing and fast paced mystery, although down on her luck the ever hopeful investigative reporter Doris follows her gut and solves more than one puzzle.
April 20, 2020
British mystery
It was a good story, but I wish the Doris character was written a little smarter? Some of the stuff she did was so dumb I'd smack my head and sigh. And it was Not a fast paced story. It was slow to get to the interesting parts.
It was a good story, but I wish the Doris character was written a little smarter? Some of the stuff she did was so dumb I'd smack my head and sigh. And it was Not a fast paced story. It was slow to get to the interesting parts.
April 20, 2020
Surprising depth and character development!
Loved this book. It’s truly a page turner. Not only is the murder captivating, but the characters themselves are a riot! And the animals, too! Absolutely delightful. I highly recommend.
Loved this book. It’s truly a page turner. Not only is the murder captivating, but the characters themselves are a riot! And the animals, too! Absolutely delightful. I highly recommend.
May 1, 2020
Story seems out of the ordinary. Strange people acting even stranger.
This book is the first of this author I’ve read. It just seems too simple a story with plenty of loose ends that are still tangled in my mind. It has left me with unanswered questions.
This book is the first of this author I’ve read. It just seems too simple a story with plenty of loose ends that are still tangled in my mind. It has left me with unanswered questions.
May 1, 2020
Murder mystery in uk
Our heroine solves murder and missing cats in a thriller. The heroine also has an active dating life including her ex-husband. Nice ending. I recommend this book.
Our heroine solves murder and missing cats in a thriller. The heroine also has an active dating life including her ex-husband. Nice ending. I recommend this book.
May 5, 2020
Seaside escapades
Highly recommended I've enjoyed reading this book definitely a page turner ,takes you out of yourself it's one of those you've got to finish .Certainly recommend enjoy.😀
Highly recommended I've enjoyed reading this book definitely a page turner ,takes you out of yourself it's one of those you've got to finish .Certainly recommend enjoy.😀
May 5, 2020
Easy read for quarantine
This book was, quite simply, a fun read. Sometimes, a light story exactly fits the bill. The several plot lines were maintained throughout and easy to follow. An enjoyable diversion.
This book was, quite simply, a fun read. Sometimes, a light story exactly fits the bill. The several plot lines were maintained throughout and easy to follow. An enjoyable diversion.
May 17, 2020
Charming and intriguing mystery
I did not guess the murderer until the end, and I enjoyed all of the well-placed clues that led you on wild goose chases with other characters. It was well-written and I read it in one sitting. I would definitely read another by this author.
I did not guess the murderer until the end, and I enjoyed all of the well-placed clues that led you on wild goose chases with other characters. It was well-written and I read it in one sitting. I would definitely read another by this author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews