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Phoebe Chadwick Mysteries #1
Murder at the Beaufort
Phoebe Chadwick's life is about to change forever but not in the way she planned. After accepting Joanna Reid's offer of a partnership in the Beaufort Boutique Hotel, she is looking forward to her new life in Shellcove. However, when she steps off the train in the seaside community, she is unprepared for the sudden reappearance in her life of her sister, Elizabeth, with the news that Joanna is dead.
Thrown into despair Phoebe refuses to accept Inspector Henshaw's conclusion that Joanna took her own life. Suspecting murder and finding an ally in Olivia, the last surviving member of the Beaufort family, she embarks on a mission to find Joanna's killer.
Thrown into despair Phoebe refuses to accept Inspector Henshaw's conclusion that Joanna took her own life. Suspecting murder and finding an ally in Olivia, the last surviving member of the Beaufort family, she embarks on a mission to find Joanna's killer.
- GenresMystery
244 pages, Paperback
Published September 30, 2020
80 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Jill Paterson
17 books118 followersJill Paterson is best known for her popular Fitzjohn Mystery Series. Set in the city of Sydney, Australia, her richly drawn characters include Alistair Fitzjohn. Now a police consultant since his retirement from the force, his methods of investigation remain the same, methodical and painstaking.
While continuing the Fitzjohn series, Jill is also working on a new series, the Phoebe Chadwick Mysteries. Set along the east coast of Australia in a small township, Phoebe Chadwick heads the cast of characters as the female sleuth.
When not writing, Jill explores settings for her books and enjoys painting, photography and tai chi.
If you would like to get an automatic email when Jill’s next book is released, sign up on her blog at: https://theperfectplot.blogspot.com
Alternatively, join Jill’s mailing list on her website at: https://www.jillpatersonfitzjohnmyste...
Your email address will never be shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.
While continuing the Fitzjohn series, Jill is also working on a new series, the Phoebe Chadwick Mysteries. Set along the east coast of Australia in a small township, Phoebe Chadwick heads the cast of characters as the female sleuth.
When not writing, Jill explores settings for her books and enjoys painting, photography and tai chi.
If you would like to get an automatic email when Jill’s next book is released, sign up on her blog at: https://theperfectplot.blogspot.com
Alternatively, join Jill’s mailing list on her website at: https://www.jillpatersonfitzjohnmyste...
Your email address will never be shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 3, 2022
Phoebe Chadwick had gone into partnership with her good friend Joanna Reid in the Beaufort Boutique Hotel and her arrival by train that day to Shellcove, south of Sydney, would see her new life begin. But to her horror she was met with news of Joanna’s death only that morning – it seemed she had committed suicide. Phoebe and Olivia, permanent resident and last surviving member of the Beaufort family, were both certain Joanna wouldn’t have taken her own life. She was looking forward to the future, after having lost her husband Ethan twelve months prior.
Olivia and Phoebe began their own investigation as the local Inspector wouldn’t listen to them, closing the case as suicide. Meanwhile, Phoebe had to learn the ways of the hotel and get to know the staff, all the while with other concerns in the background. Would they discover a killer in their midst? And would the police reopen the case?
Murder at the Beaufort is the first in the Phoebe Chadwick series by Aussie author Jill Paterson and I quite enjoyed it. A little slow and stilted at the start, it soon gained momentum, edge and mystery. I enjoyed the two main characters, Phoebe and Olivia, and am looking forward to book 2. Best known for the DCI Alistair Fitzjohn series set in Sydney, the author has created a worthy character in Phoebe. Recommended.
Olivia and Phoebe began their own investigation as the local Inspector wouldn’t listen to them, closing the case as suicide. Meanwhile, Phoebe had to learn the ways of the hotel and get to know the staff, all the while with other concerns in the background. Would they discover a killer in their midst? And would the police reopen the case?
Murder at the Beaufort is the first in the Phoebe Chadwick series by Aussie author Jill Paterson and I quite enjoyed it. A little slow and stilted at the start, it soon gained momentum, edge and mystery. I enjoyed the two main characters, Phoebe and Olivia, and am looking forward to book 2. Best known for the DCI Alistair Fitzjohn series set in Sydney, the author has created a worthy character in Phoebe. Recommended.
May 22, 2022
After her recent divorce Phoebe Chadwick was looking forward to a new start, running the Beaufort Boutique Hotel in Shellcove, with her friend and new business partner Joanna Reid. She had spoken to Joanna the previous evening and she was full of enthusiasm about their plans for the hotel and looking forward to the future. However, when Phoebe arrived in Shellcove the next morning it was to hear the shocking news that Joanna had seemingly committed suicide by throwing herself off a balcony of the hotel that morning.
Elderly long-time resident and member of the original owners, Olivia Beaufort was equally shocked at the news and convinced that Phoebe was murdered. With the local police refusing to look into this possibility, Phoebe and Olivia decided to do a bit of sleuthing for themselves.
This is an enjoyable cosy mystery set in a small Australian seaside town. Phoebe and Olivia make a great pair of sleuths as they investigate Joanna’s death and the previous unsolved disappearance of her husband. I think they have a lot of potential as future sleuths but I would have liked to see a bit more characterisation so I could have got a better feel for them. The plot was also interesting, although slow to unfold and I found the writing a bit simplistic and lacking any element of suspense, but with the potential to develop into an interesting series.
Elderly long-time resident and member of the original owners, Olivia Beaufort was equally shocked at the news and convinced that Phoebe was murdered. With the local police refusing to look into this possibility, Phoebe and Olivia decided to do a bit of sleuthing for themselves.
This is an enjoyable cosy mystery set in a small Australian seaside town. Phoebe and Olivia make a great pair of sleuths as they investigate Joanna’s death and the previous unsolved disappearance of her husband. I think they have a lot of potential as future sleuths but I would have liked to see a bit more characterisation so I could have got a better feel for them. The plot was also interesting, although slow to unfold and I found the writing a bit simplistic and lacking any element of suspense, but with the potential to develop into an interesting series.
October 3, 2020
Excellent Murder Mystery But Hard To Connect With Main Protagonist
Phoebe Chadwick and Olivia Beaufort are definitely amateur sleuths - they have no true idea how to investigate the death of Phoebe's good friend and new business partner. But they are determined to try when the Senior Investigating Officer for the local police arrogantly disregards any knowledge or evidence they have which will disprove an easy conclusion of suicide.
However, Phoebe and Olivia are smart amateurs. They don't deliberately antagonize the police nor do they go around, full of guilt, believing and declaring that they are the only people who can possibly find the guilty party. And they don't abandon their responsibilities in order to investigate. As they go about their daily jobs, they simply ask questions, keep their eyes and ears open, work the system and keep good records of their findings.
Thus, the author creates a convoluted and believable murder mystery and subsequent investigative scenario. While the work essentially fits the "cozy" genre (no graphic violence, no gory details of injuries, and no graphic sex), the plot is tight and it is not particularly easy to predetermine the guilty party.
What the author did not create was a way for this reader to actually "connect" with Phoebe Chadwick. Essentially, Phoebe appears to me, while I read, only as a blur on my mental video screen as the author gives us no useful physical description of her whatsoever. We do not have any idea as to Phoebe's age, height, body type, facial configuration, hair style or an ethnic background. And this same lack of physical descriptors extends to all the characters, for the most part. We get clothing choices and room descriptions but no "faces."
While it is really hard to think of a cardboard cutout as a book friend, it is entirely possible the next entry in the series, if there is one, will be better in that respect. Ms Paterson's Fitzjohn series started out this same way and it became a must-read for me.
Phoebe Chadwick and Olivia Beaufort are definitely amateur sleuths - they have no true idea how to investigate the death of Phoebe's good friend and new business partner. But they are determined to try when the Senior Investigating Officer for the local police arrogantly disregards any knowledge or evidence they have which will disprove an easy conclusion of suicide.
However, Phoebe and Olivia are smart amateurs. They don't deliberately antagonize the police nor do they go around, full of guilt, believing and declaring that they are the only people who can possibly find the guilty party. And they don't abandon their responsibilities in order to investigate. As they go about their daily jobs, they simply ask questions, keep their eyes and ears open, work the system and keep good records of their findings.
Thus, the author creates a convoluted and believable murder mystery and subsequent investigative scenario. While the work essentially fits the "cozy" genre (no graphic violence, no gory details of injuries, and no graphic sex), the plot is tight and it is not particularly easy to predetermine the guilty party.
What the author did not create was a way for this reader to actually "connect" with Phoebe Chadwick. Essentially, Phoebe appears to me, while I read, only as a blur on my mental video screen as the author gives us no useful physical description of her whatsoever. We do not have any idea as to Phoebe's age, height, body type, facial configuration, hair style or an ethnic background. And this same lack of physical descriptors extends to all the characters, for the most part. We get clothing choices and room descriptions but no "faces."
While it is really hard to think of a cardboard cutout as a book friend, it is entirely possible the next entry in the series, if there is one, will be better in that respect. Ms Paterson's Fitzjohn series started out this same way and it became a must-read for me.
December 29, 2020
Great book!!!!
10++++ stars!!!!
My first book by this author, and boy is it great!!!! I love the characters and i felt like i was right there with them the whole time.
Phoebe starting a new life and walked into the ending of a dear friends'.
When she starts facing all the challenges that keep coming her way, she gets them solved except for 2 things, but it gets taken care of by a very efficient police detective with the help of Phoebe and Olivia of course.
And she is getting to know her sister Elizabeth again.
The fixing up of the Beaufort is underway again, all is well for now.
You will like this book of; murder, deception, and embezzlement.
10++++ stars!!!!
My first book by this author, and boy is it great!!!! I love the characters and i felt like i was right there with them the whole time.
Phoebe starting a new life and walked into the ending of a dear friends'.
When she starts facing all the challenges that keep coming her way, she gets them solved except for 2 things, but it gets taken care of by a very efficient police detective with the help of Phoebe and Olivia of course.
And she is getting to know her sister Elizabeth again.
The fixing up of the Beaufort is underway again, all is well for now.
You will like this book of; murder, deception, and embezzlement.
December 6, 2021
Slow with Little Suspense
Phoebe does not believe the death of her friend and business partner is a suicide. Determined to get the truth she risks life and limb to unravel a diabolical plot.
This is a cozy mystery weighed down by too many characters and silly conflicts. The characters are one dimensional and it was a struggle to plod through to the end. Not much suspense and the pace is slow.
Phoebe does not believe the death of her friend and business partner is a suicide. Determined to get the truth she risks life and limb to unravel a diabolical plot.
This is a cozy mystery weighed down by too many characters and silly conflicts. The characters are one dimensional and it was a struggle to plod through to the end. Not much suspense and the pace is slow.
December 21, 2021
This is a fun and interesting cozy murder mystery. The setting is Australia, and is about a woman named Phoebe Chadwick. Phoebe moves back to Shellcove from Sydney, hoping to start a new life running Beaufort hotel with her old friend Joanna Reid. Things do not go as planned as her sister informs her that Joanna is dead, and now she's left running the hotel. With Joanna's step brother trying to take possession of it.
December 7, 2022
Simple but pleasant
Not the greatest mystery ever, but with pleasant characters and decent storyline
Main character way too gullible for a detective, even if on first case.
Hopefully if the story continues, author will make the investigation a bit more interesting and make Phoebe look less "stupid".
Not the greatest mystery ever, but with pleasant characters and decent storyline
Main character way too gullible for a detective, even if on first case.
Hopefully if the story continues, author will make the investigation a bit more interesting and make Phoebe look less "stupid".
December 15, 2022
Really enjoyed story fun characters
This is the first book I've read from Jill Paterson but it won't be the last. I really enjoyed the characters and how they are introduced in what seems to be a natural order. This made for what seems like a more natural story rather than everyone introduced in the first chapters. I certainly look forward to more Phoebe Chadwick mysteries.
This is the first book I've read from Jill Paterson but it won't be the last. I really enjoyed the characters and how they are introduced in what seems to be a natural order. This made for what seems like a more natural story rather than everyone introduced in the first chapters. I certainly look forward to more Phoebe Chadwick mysteries.
December 9, 2020
The story telling and the mystery get four stars. The writing skill gets two. The writing just seems rather simplistic, somewhat like a script or an instruction manual.
The mystery, however, took several twists and turns and keeps the reader switching suspicions.
The mystery, however, took several twists and turns and keeps the reader switching suspicions.
May 2, 2021
Enjoyed the character personalities. This was my first mystery set in Australia. The differences between America and Australian estate law was interesting. The plot got convoluted towards the end, but for me, that made it more intriguing.
December 5, 2021
Phoebe was in joint ownership of this hotel
Police ruled it suicide of Joanna
Disregarding of any evidence
Phoebe and Olivia trying their hand at being a sleuth.
If book two hope to connect better with Phoebe
Other series by author I have enjoyed
This overall was a good beginning
Police ruled it suicide of Joanna
Disregarding of any evidence
Phoebe and Olivia trying their hand at being a sleuth.
If book two hope to connect better with Phoebe
Other series by author I have enjoyed
This overall was a good beginning
December 14, 2021
A Pleasant Romp
This was a pleasant mystery to spend time with. The characters are well-thought out, the scenery easy to snuggle into, and the sussing-out of the murders is brought to a satisfying conclusion.
This was a pleasant mystery to spend time with. The characters are well-thought out, the scenery easy to snuggle into, and the sussing-out of the murders is brought to a satisfying conclusion.
July 26, 2022
Mystery solved
Murder at the Beaufort was such a delight to read. Very personable characters, setting was on point , and quick fast paced action. Hard to put this down. I would definitely read more by Kill Paterson.
Murder at the Beaufort was such a delight to read. Very personable characters, setting was on point , and quick fast paced action. Hard to put this down. I would definitely read more by Kill Paterson.
December 7, 2022
Entertaining
Mystery, suspicious disappearance, questionable employees, misappropriated funds and murders round out a full plot. There are several theories and as many suspects so this isn't a mystery to be easily solved.
Mystery, suspicious disappearance, questionable employees, misappropriated funds and murders round out a full plot. There are several theories and as many suspects so this isn't a mystery to be easily solved.
March 31, 2021
Wasn't sure but really enjoyed it.
A fun read. Wasn't sure I'd like it but when I could imagine the characters I was hooked. I enjoy all Jill Paterson work.
A fun read. Wasn't sure I'd like it but when I could imagine the characters I was hooked. I enjoy all Jill Paterson work.
July 25, 2021
Easy read. Good story
The book kept me engaged until the end. I would recommend this as a light mystery. Takes place in Australia but could be anywhere.
The book kept me engaged until the end. I would recommend this as a light mystery. Takes place in Australia but could be anywhere.
July 7, 2022
Fantastic Book!!
What a wonderful book! Great characters, fast action and kept me guessing almost to the very end! A great mystery by an amazing author!!
What a wonderful book! Great characters, fast action and kept me guessing almost to the very end! A great mystery by an amazing author!!
Read
June 26, 2024A bit slow and not a lot of suspense.
June 29, 2022
Addictive
A good read with an end you won't see coming. I like the main that the 2 main characters are strong, smart women.
A good read with an end you won't see coming. I like the main that the 2 main characters are strong, smart women.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews