Strictly Murder

Whitstable Pearl Mystery #8

by Julie Wassmer

'While Oxford had Morse, Whitstable, famous for its oysters, has Pearl' Daily Mail
It really is murder on the dance floor...

A new dance school opens in Whitstable run by celebrity tango champions - Tony and Tanya Ballard.

Pearl Nolan knows herself to be an ace cook and a sharp private eye but has always left the dancing to her mother, Dolly, a former member of the town's infamous Fish Slappers dance troupe. But Pearl becomes intrigued by the Ballards when they visit The Whitstable Pearl restaurant, and she realises that dance classes could provide the perfect cover for her clandestine relationship with DCI Mike McGuire...

McGuire is the only man Pearl has ever considered partnering - and not just for tango - but the pair soon find themselves with more than steps to master when death joins them on the dance floor and a brutal killer stalks the school.


Praise for Julie Wassmer's Whitstable Pearl Mysteries...


'While Oxford had Morse, Whitstable, famous for its oysters, has Pearl . . . True to the tradition of classic crime, [Julie Wassmer] weaves a strong story into a setting that has more to offer than murder and mayhem' Daily Mail

'As light as a Mary Berry Victoria sponge, this Middle-England romp is packed with vivid characters' Myles McWeeney, Irish Independent

'All of the thrills without any of the gore' The Sun

'This is a quality title...a very entertaining read' The Puzzle Doctor

'My new favourite author in the genre' George Galloway

'A wonderful way to explore Whitstable . . . if you love cosy mysteries, then get acquainted with Pearl (and her mum and her cats!) and enjoy a trip to Whitstable through the eyes of this very convincing author' Trip Fiction

'Proves she's mistress of her craft' John McGhie, author of White Highlands

'Thoroughly enjoyable with a host of wonderful characters - I adore Dolly! - and evocative descriptions of Whitstable. Perfect for foodies too. Pearl is great and the ongoing will they/won't they love story with McGuire is compelling. Comforting, cosy and entertaining with excellent Agatha Christie-style reveals. I love these books!' Jane Wenham-Jones, author of Mum in the Middle

'If you enjoy cosy crime fiction and you still haven't picked this series, then you are missing out' Alba in Bookland

'Julie Wassmer really knows how to tell a story' -- Victoria Best, Shiny New Books

'Good, solid whodunits, without gruesome details or gratuitous violence, Murder on Sea may be just your cup of tea' -- Bec Stafford

'Come to Whitstable without actually coming to Whitstable. A good read!' Anthony Jemmett

Praise for the TV series

'Scandi noir meets the English seaside in Whitstable Pearl, a murder mystery series based on Julie Wassmer's novels...' Drama Quarterly

'...explores all the murder and debauchery in the seemingly perfect English seaside town of Whitstable...' Washington Post

'...you never know what might turn up, either on the menu or alongside an oyster boat.' Wall Street Journal

'Single mum turned amateur detective in a gripping new family drama...' We Love TV

'Quirky and enjoyable...' TV Satellite

Genres: Crime, Mystery, Audiobook, British Literature, Fiction

264 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 6, 2021

About the author

Julie Wassmer is a television drama writer who contributed for almost twenty years to the popular BBC series EastEnders.

She published her autobiography More Than Just Coincidence in 2010, in which she describes finding her long-lost daughter after an astonishing twist of fate. It was voted Mumsnet book of the year.

The Whitstable Pearl Mystery is the first in her series of crime novels, involving multi-tasking private detective-come-restauranteur, Pearl Nolan.

Julie lives in Whitstable and is well known for her environmental campaigning.

Reviews

[Barry Lillie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was possibly the dullest book I've ever read. The characters are dull, the dialogue is dull, the narrative is dull and the plot is as boring as cold porridge. The only benefit is with the street names and directions I can now find my way around Whitstable should I choose to go there.

8 Chapters in before the crime happens, then it plods along with Pearl constantly having 'smartphone' issues. Also it's 2021 and most of the characters have names dating back to the 1930's, even young one's are named Ruby and Florrie - just doesn't ring true.

There's similarities to MC Beaton's character Agatha Raisin, in so much as Pearl has two cats, a complicated love life and a mother to replace the vicar's wife.

I persevered to the end but won't be rushing out to ready another of the Whitstable Pearl books - life's too short.

[Les Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

To good book Not up to the usual standards still a good read.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining crime story, in one of my favourite settings. This seemed to be better than the previous one in the series, it moved along well, without the background recaps which can impede the story if the reader is following the series and knows the characters and their relationships. A happy ending ?

[Dave · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one did not feel in same league as the earlier stories, even though it contains local history and takes Pearl's story forward. The habit of constantly explaining context (eg the restaurant, the family) can be wearing. The story is workmanlike, but for me without the same sparks of ingenuity which characterised her chraracter previously.

[Vanessa-Ann Dowsett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this series so it was lovely to revisit all the long established characters in this, the eighth book in the series. Pearl, the restaurateur and part time sleuth, Mike McGuire the Kent police officer, Dolly, Pearl's rather colourful mother and many DFL's ( the down from London people)are all featured again. This time, Pearl, initially , is finding her private investigation company is not getting the jobs she would like and as the book opens we find this to be true as a rather awkward local bumptious councillor and his timid wife hire her to find out who is stealing her luxury underwear, sorry, designer lingerie. Pearl takes the job but it's not long before she and McGuire have a 'real' case to crack, one of murder....... I thoroughly recommend this series and where one could read each book as a one off, I strongly suggest the reader reads each book in order to see the brilliant way Julie Wassmer creates and brings her characters on through the books. And the stolen lingerie? I am afraid that you need to read the book as I do not spoil.

[Sarah Rayner · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say ? These books never disappoint I feel I know the characters personally. This had a great storyline and without giving the plot away a very happy ending. My only problem is that they are so addictive that when I finish the book in a few days I have to wait for a whole year for the next one to be published. Have also been watching the tv adaptation but find myself saying the whole time “it’s not like that in the book “
Thank you Julie Wassmer - keep writing.

[Janet Groom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great adventure with Whitstable's very own sleuth Pearl Nolan.

This one has a lovely touch of 'Strictly Come Dancing' as the setting of this murder mystery revolves around a dance school. If you love an easy read cosy mystery series - then you will love these books by Julie Wassmer.

This was not my most favourite book of the series, however, I enjoyed being waltzed around to uncover the murder.

[GONZA · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a cozy mistery this was really "splatter" in a way, but I liked the story and I was really surprised by the way the book ended.

Per essere un cozy mistery questo libro è decisamente truce, ma la storia mi è piaciuta e sono rimasta piuttosto sorpresa dal finale.

[Tripfiction · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tango and tension in WHITSTABLE

You Tube review: https://youtu.be/F8mQRxLKnJM



This is no. 8 in the Pearl Nolan murder mystery series and it can be read as a stand-alone. However, it is delightful to catch up with all the regular characters who move in Pearl’s circle. The town of Whitstable is a character in its own right and at the front there is a map which pinpoints various points of interest in the story. The castle, mentioned, is apparently a folly and the wonderful sea vistas are so transportive, and you can see where Pearl’s cottage is in relation to her restaurant and other places that are mentioned in the narrative.

Tony and Tanya Ballard have arrived in town to set up a dance school, and tango lessons are on the agenda. Wonderfully, tango is described as a ‘sad thought, danced’, which is just a perfect description of this passionate dance. Pearl gets her dancing pumps on and her beau, DCI Mike McGuire proves to be quite a hit. He’s a dark horse, but of course that is why she likes him!

The peace is shattered when Pearl stumbles across a corpse and she has to put her sleuthing hat on.

The community comes to wonderful life in these stories, with a marked gastro slant, as Pearl, of course owns her own restaurant. This series is certainly an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon, travelling to this part of the world via an entertaining and immersive story, when Covid restrictions still limit the spread of wings.

[Mike Sumner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Number eight in the Whitstable Pearl mysteries and yet another beautifully crafted murder mystery. When I first saw the title I thought - oh no! - not a plot constructed around Strictly Come Dancing! Cannot stand that TV series. But no, this is about a new dance school that has opened in Whitstable run by celebrity tango champions Tony and Tanya Ballard. How do you weave a murder mystery from this? Dancing - could provide the perfect cover for Pearl's clandestine relationship with DCI Mike McGuire. Just a minute though. The pair soon find themselves with more than steps to master when death joins them on the dance floor...

Does she? Does Pearl put herself in harm's way? What do you think!

I reckon that Strictly Murder is close to being the best of the series and I only have two more to read...

[Jan Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pearl Nolan, owner and chef of the Whitstable Pearl restaurant and part time private detective, investigates a series of murders at a school of dance.

I have read several of this series before and found them huge fun on the whole.
Sadly this one rather felt as if it was running out of steam. It is padded out with large dumps of back history - of both Pearl and her police partner DCI McGuire - and much of it is revisited several times. In a couple of places rehashed almost verbatim. The plot itself is a tad sluggish and heavily signposted.
Yes I gave it 3 stars despite that, mainly because there were a few passages that made me chuckle, but overall its really not the best in the series

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another pleasant sojourn at Whistable. I enjoy these books as undemanding as they are. I have probably listened to three in this series. What I like most of all is that I learn something interesting, like in a game of Trivial Pursuit. This is partly what makes these books fun to read. The murder is often gruesome and there may be more than one, perfect for those of us who still loves to watch Midsommer Murder. The books are very well narrated if like me you read and listen.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first that I have read in the series so not read in chronological order. It was OK. Not really many clues for the reader to mull over. I found myself non-plussed at the reveal. With a lead called Pearl I was always visualising her as an elderly Miss Marple type so it jarred when she was described otherwise, but that's just my preconceptions.

[Wendy Charlton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do love these books and this one is another good murder mystery although probable not one of the best in the series. Pearl and her mum and staff are a great framework to build the story around and the dance school provides a good focus for this story. A really entertaining read, light, quick to read with an enjoyable twist.

[Jean Walton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this better than the previous book I read by this author. This one held my attention more and I like how well researched it was and I appreciated the map at the front of the book. I've been to Whitstable before, though not for some time, and I recognised some of the places mentioned in the book.

[Jenifer Lavery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely riveting

I like dancing a tango with a partner you have never met, each step is both a mystery and a thrill, as you dance towards the fatal conclusion and in the last step there is a twist

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strictly Murder - another surprise

Julie Wassmer delivers another surprise in Strictly Murder with both familiar characters and new ones. A satisfying mystery with unexpected endings. Onto the next one in the series …

[Anne Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good story with a twist at the end. Love this series

[Tandy Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starred at four stars for consistency and a decent comfort read mystery in a great setting. Delighted to hear the series is being televised-a treat x

[Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Judith Northwood-Boorman · Rating 4 out of 5]

These Whitstable Pearl Mystery books are a fabulous
easy read. Great sense of place which is particularly enjoyable if you live in Kent.

[Tony Line · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't finish it.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read, kept me entertained

[Jason Payne · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 1/2 stars. Weakest of the series thus far. Just fairly meh.

[Jade · Rating 3 out of 5]

The weakest so far, not much happened until halfway though but still a pleasant read

[Sara Aye Moung · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy this series. Love the descriptions of whitstable - a place I know quite well and the plot moves quickly as the mystery unfolds.

[Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much romance and by time anything of significance happened I was bored. The weakest in series so far.

[Judi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable caper in Whitstable England

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good plot - Pearl figures out murders at a dance hall.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5