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Astrid Swift #2
Death on the Isle
Amateur sleuth Astrid Swift faces a maritime mystery in this cosy crime adventure set on the Isle of Wight.
It's high summer, and with the grisly events at Dorset's Sherborne Hall behind her, Astrid Swift sets sail for the Isle of Wight. She's been asked to value a collection of maritime art owned by a recently deceased millionaire.
His surviving daughter has inherited the art along with the family's seafront mansion, The Needle's Eye, and wants to sell up. There are too many memories of her twin sister, a sailing prodigy who went missing at sea three years earlier.
When Victor Leech, the local busybody, is found washed up under the town pier, Astrid thinks lightning has struck twice. She's stumbled on a fresh case that only she and her new art club friends can solve. But getting to the bottom of the unexplained death will draw out powerful new enemies...
The second in the Astrid Swift murder mystery series pitches our art restorer heroine into the thick of Cowes Week, the most respected sailing regatta in the world. As the deaths stack up, the Isle of Wight's reputation for being England's friendliest island is about to be put to the test.
It's high summer, and with the grisly events at Dorset's Sherborne Hall behind her, Astrid Swift sets sail for the Isle of Wight. She's been asked to value a collection of maritime art owned by a recently deceased millionaire.
His surviving daughter has inherited the art along with the family's seafront mansion, The Needle's Eye, and wants to sell up. There are too many memories of her twin sister, a sailing prodigy who went missing at sea three years earlier.
When Victor Leech, the local busybody, is found washed up under the town pier, Astrid thinks lightning has struck twice. She's stumbled on a fresh case that only she and her new art club friends can solve. But getting to the bottom of the unexplained death will draw out powerful new enemies...
The second in the Astrid Swift murder mystery series pitches our art restorer heroine into the thick of Cowes Week, the most respected sailing regatta in the world. As the deaths stack up, the Isle of Wight's reputation for being England's friendliest island is about to be put to the test.
336 pages, Paperback
First published July 7, 2022
126 people are currently reading
296 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
July 27, 2025
The second in M.H. Eccleston's cosy mystery series featuring art restorer - turned amateur sleuth Astrid Swift, Death on the Isle takes our heroine to the Isle of Wight during the renowned Cowes Week sailing festival.
On assignment for H.M. Customs, Astrid is contracted to examine and assess the maritime art collection of a deceased collector, held in his impressively situated property, "The Needles' Eye". Not long after arriving on the Isle of Wight, Astrid witnesses the discovery of a body beneath the pier at Yarmouth harbour. She recognises the deceased as a local anti-development lobbyist and, together with her newfound posse of friends in the local art circle, sets about covertly investigating the crime. It's not long before another body is discovered, this time very close to Art Club HQ, and Astrid again finds herself in the crosshairs of a very dangerous villain...
This is an enjoyable cosy mystery series and Astrid makes a loveably quirky heroine, still finding her feet after a cataclysmic relationship breakdown and resulting change in her circumstances. Astrid's impulsive and occasionally risk-taking behaviour simultaneously push the tension in the plot and add humour. The Isle of Wight is a stimulating setting, especially as Eccleston explores the tense dynamic between the island's permanent local population and the hordes of incomers (approximately 100,000 of them, according to Wikipedia) representing the "sailing set" during the Cowes week festivities.
I'd recommend Death on the Isle and the whole Astrid Swift series to readers who enjoy cosy mysteries set in exotic settings and with plenty of character interest.
My thanks to author M.H. Eccleston, publisher Head of Zeus and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.
On assignment for H.M. Customs, Astrid is contracted to examine and assess the maritime art collection of a deceased collector, held in his impressively situated property, "The Needles' Eye". Not long after arriving on the Isle of Wight, Astrid witnesses the discovery of a body beneath the pier at Yarmouth harbour. She recognises the deceased as a local anti-development lobbyist and, together with her newfound posse of friends in the local art circle, sets about covertly investigating the crime. It's not long before another body is discovered, this time very close to Art Club HQ, and Astrid again finds herself in the crosshairs of a very dangerous villain...
This is an enjoyable cosy mystery series and Astrid makes a loveably quirky heroine, still finding her feet after a cataclysmic relationship breakdown and resulting change in her circumstances. Astrid's impulsive and occasionally risk-taking behaviour simultaneously push the tension in the plot and add humour. The Isle of Wight is a stimulating setting, especially as Eccleston explores the tense dynamic between the island's permanent local population and the hordes of incomers (approximately 100,000 of them, according to Wikipedia) representing the "sailing set" during the Cowes week festivities.
I'd recommend Death on the Isle and the whole Astrid Swift series to readers who enjoy cosy mysteries set in exotic settings and with plenty of character interest.
My thanks to author M.H. Eccleston, publisher Head of Zeus and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.
December 17, 2023
That ties it up for me. I enjoyed the first Astrid book but did not appreciate this second one. It was almost as if the first book was written by an adult and this second one by a more immature individual, possibly still in school? It is a series of unlikely events and undeveloped characters in my opinion.
Kindle Unlimited
Kindle Unlimited
January 13, 2023
CAWPILE 7.00
So pleased to have got to the sequel after starting the series on NYE 2022.
I thoroughly enjoyed the new island setting, the murder was intriguing, the twists were good and I still love Astrid as a main character. Really liked seeing a disabled side character in a wheelchair, she was written so well and so layered that I forgot for a while that she was in a wheelchair.
Very excited to read the third in the series upon its release in April 2023 where it appears we're travelling to Spain!
So pleased to have got to the sequel after starting the series on NYE 2022.
I thoroughly enjoyed the new island setting, the murder was intriguing, the twists were good and I still love Astrid as a main character. Really liked seeing a disabled side character in a wheelchair, she was written so well and so layered that I forgot for a while that she was in a wheelchair.
Very excited to read the third in the series upon its release in April 2023 where it appears we're travelling to Spain!
May 17, 2024
Death on the Isle is a mystery set on the Isle of Wight during Cowes week, with a delighfully highly unlikely plot, and a host of quirky characters, as with number 1 in the series, what's not to like
April 27, 2023
Astrid is back! A new mystery in a new location, this book focuses more on the location than Astrid’s work and reason for being there as the murder isn’t on this occasion related to it. I enjoyed this knowing the Isle of Wight a little and the references to the attitude of some of the locals to both outsiders and progress made me laugh out loud.
With the help of her new group of friends and fellow amateur detectives - The Art of Murder Club, Astrid attempts to bring down a well known and well respected member of the community following an unexplained murder or two. This book felt a little formulaic after reading the first book so recently. Girl on boat meets group of locals, together they solve a local crime or two, girl sails off. I’m hoping that the third instalment involving her potentially errant father is a little different. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 for the humorous island insights.
With the help of her new group of friends and fellow amateur detectives - The Art of Murder Club, Astrid attempts to bring down a well known and well respected member of the community following an unexplained murder or two. This book felt a little formulaic after reading the first book so recently. Girl on boat meets group of locals, together they solve a local crime or two, girl sails off. I’m hoping that the third instalment involving her potentially errant father is a little different. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 for the humorous island insights.
September 4, 2022
I received a complimentary ARC copy of Death on the Isle (Astrid Swift #2) by M.H. Eccleston from Net Galley and Head of Zeus Publishing in order to read and give an honest review.
…I enjoyed this entry with its new and quirky cast of characters, including a sociopathic antagonist…
After the events of The Trust, book one of the Astrid Swift series recently separated and, on a mission to find oneself in Death on the Isle, art conservator Astrid Swift decides to leave Dorset to take on a freelance gig on the Isle of Wight. Finally getting used to living on the boat Curlew’s Rest bequeathed to her by her favourite uncle, Astrid is seeking out a change. A far cry from the materialistic and entitled person she was when she arrived. Astrid’s hoping for some time to process what has happened and find what she is seeking in life. When she is given the opportunity to work on an estate’s art collection, Astrid eagerly sets sail to start her new assignment.
When she arrives, she lucks out finding a slip in the harbor during Cowes Week, one of the biggest sailing events of the season. As she did in book one, it does not take long for Astrid to connect with the locals, become the focus of a stalker and stumble across a dead body…. or two. Add in a missing woman connected to Astrid’s new job and this book keeps one guessing until the end.
Having enjoyed the first book in the series I was concerned that she was leaving Dorset and her new friends behind, but I grew to understand Astrid’s motivation for moving on. Although I enjoyed this entry with its new and quirky cast of characters including a sociopathic antagonist, at times it felt a bit muddled with a feeling of uncertainty as the story ends, which I am guessing could continue and add intrigue to the next book in the series. I really enjoy this well-written and quirky series and look forward to reading more of Astrid’s adventures. I highly recommend it!
…I enjoyed this entry with its new and quirky cast of characters, including a sociopathic antagonist…
After the events of The Trust, book one of the Astrid Swift series recently separated and, on a mission to find oneself in Death on the Isle, art conservator Astrid Swift decides to leave Dorset to take on a freelance gig on the Isle of Wight. Finally getting used to living on the boat Curlew’s Rest bequeathed to her by her favourite uncle, Astrid is seeking out a change. A far cry from the materialistic and entitled person she was when she arrived. Astrid’s hoping for some time to process what has happened and find what she is seeking in life. When she is given the opportunity to work on an estate’s art collection, Astrid eagerly sets sail to start her new assignment.
When she arrives, she lucks out finding a slip in the harbor during Cowes Week, one of the biggest sailing events of the season. As she did in book one, it does not take long for Astrid to connect with the locals, become the focus of a stalker and stumble across a dead body…. or two. Add in a missing woman connected to Astrid’s new job and this book keeps one guessing until the end.
Having enjoyed the first book in the series I was concerned that she was leaving Dorset and her new friends behind, but I grew to understand Astrid’s motivation for moving on. Although I enjoyed this entry with its new and quirky cast of characters including a sociopathic antagonist, at times it felt a bit muddled with a feeling of uncertainty as the story ends, which I am guessing could continue and add intrigue to the next book in the series. I really enjoy this well-written and quirky series and look forward to reading more of Astrid’s adventures. I highly recommend it!
May 11, 2022
You follow Astrid as she is given a new assignment regarding art on the Isle of Wight. There, a murder occurs and the sees herself being capable of investigating this with a group of people she meets. This group consists of random art lovers who come together to paint or draw. They all set out to investigate the murder and find out the truth.
I had some trouble getting through this book. Some parts of it were actually really boring and I had to make myself continue reading. The last part however, was alright again. Overall, parts of the book were decent but most of it was too elaborately written and not exciting to read at all.
I had some trouble getting through this book. Some parts of it were actually really boring and I had to make myself continue reading. The last part however, was alright again. Overall, parts of the book were decent but most of it was too elaborately written and not exciting to read at all.
December 9, 2023
Quite liked the first book so decided to read this one also. One word: disappointing. Rather bland in characters and story. Because of the change in location, the quirky loveable characters of previous book do not feature at all which is a shame. Only Astrid and her boat remain, so a new connection to new cast is needed but it lacked energy. Sailing is unnecessarily explained to the full, just pagefilling. Speedread to the end as I always want to know who, why and how but that was also bland and dull.
December 26, 2022
This book is drivel with a thin story line and appalling fact basis. Anyone with even limited familiarity with the base background -Yarmouth, Cowes, yacht racing etc. - will be irritated by the weakness of the author’s understanding or portrayal of the background. There is no development of any characters and the plot is trite. Waste of time and money.
September 15, 2025
If you have read the "Guide for a novice restoration detective", you are already familiar with Eccleston's character Astrid Swift, if not, read it, it will not only give you an idea of a young woman who has suddenly turned from a sophisticated snob, a careerist and a happy wife into a single freelancer living on a boat, but will also allow you to love her. We are more forgiving of the gaffes and absurdities of the sequel if we have managed to be fascinated by the book heroine before.
If you close your eyes to the absurdity and lack of logic in the actions of the characters, the plot is lively, allowing Nancy Drew (zcrnt) Astrid Swift to unravel as many as four crimes in the shortest possible time, arrange the fate of two girls and punish one, but very villainous villain. Well, that...
Детектив-реставратор возвращается
Мы отплыли на "Победе", а поплыли на "Беде".
Если вы читали "Руководство для начинающего детектива-реставратора", то уже знакомы со сквозной героиней Экклстона Астрид Свифт, если нет - почитайте, оно не только даст представление о молодой женщине, из утонченной снобки, карьеристки и счастливой жены внезапно превратившейся в живущую на лодке одиночку-фрилансера, но и позволит полюбить ее. Мы более снисходительны к ляпам и несуразицам продолжения, если успели очароваться книжной героиней прежде.
Раскрыв в первой книге мошенничество с поддельным Констеблом и обретя прибежище от житейских штормов в объятиях мужественного Кобба, Астрид ожидаемо должна заняться продажей лондонской квартиры, которой владела в равных долях с бывшим мужем. Там элитный кондоминимум с видом на Темзу, который стоит бешеных денег и одно то, что изменщик наложил на всю лапу, и кувыркается на ее простынях с любовницей, в то время, как она осталась без жилья и без денег - должно бы сподвигнуть девушку на ускорение процесса. Но нет, вняв уверениям экса, что недвижимость растет и продавать сейчас неразумно, Астрид на "Приюте кроншнепа" отправляется в Ярмут, чтобы подзаработать оценкой коллекции картин особняка Нидлс-Ай (Игольное ушко) по приглашению налогового ведомства.
Прибыв, немедленно ввязывается в расследование смерти утонувшего местного активиста и вдохновителя народных протестов. А потом - смерти садовника. которого убила молния через пару дней. И до кучи - исчезновения одной из двух сестер-наследниц Нидлс-Ай три года назад. Во всем ей помогают местные художники-любители, с внезапным энтузиазмом переквалифицировавшиеся в "Клуб любителей искусства и расследо��аний". Ну, знаете, все эти удовольствия, вроде предполагаемой ночной эксгумации трупа - это ведь должно быть страсть как заманчиво, особенно под руководством девицы, которую знаешь без году неделя.
Как-то не удивляешься, когда героиню приглашает на яхтенную прогулку миллиардер, прибывший в Ярмут для участия в парусной регате. Удивляешься тому, во что прогулка выльется, и остро сочувствуешь ей после (все-таки хорошо, что первая книга позволила полюбить ее, к тем, кого числим по разряду своих, мы в целом снисходительнее).
Если закрыть глаза на несуразность и отсутствие логики в действиях персонажей, сюжет бодрый, позволяет Нэнси Дрю (зчркнт) Астрид Свифт в кратчайшие сроки распутать аж четыре преступления, устроить судьбы двух девушек и наказать одного, но очень злодейского злодея. Ну, такое...
If you close your eyes to the absurdity and lack of logic in the actions of the characters, the plot is lively, allowing Nancy Drew (zcrnt) Astrid Swift to unravel as many as four crimes in the shortest possible time, arrange the fate of two girls and punish one, but very villainous villain. Well, that...
Детектив-реставратор возвращается
Мы отплыли на "Победе", а поплыли на "Беде".
Если вы читали "Руководство для начинающего детектива-реставратора", то уже знакомы со сквозной героиней Экклстона Астрид Свифт, если нет - почитайте, оно не только даст представление о молодой женщине, из утонченной снобки, карьеристки и счастливой жены внезапно превратившейся в живущую на лодке одиночку-фрилансера, но и позволит полюбить ее. Мы более снисходительны к ляпам и несуразицам продолжения, если успели очароваться книжной героиней прежде.
Раскрыв в первой книге мошенничество с поддельным Констеблом и обретя прибежище от житейских штормов в объятиях мужественного Кобба, Астрид ожидаемо должна заняться продажей лондонской квартиры, которой владела в равных долях с бывшим мужем. Там элитный кондоминимум с видом на Темзу, который стоит бешеных денег и одно то, что изменщик наложил на всю лапу, и кувыркается на ее простынях с любовницей, в то время, как она осталась без жилья и без денег - должно бы сподвигнуть девушку на ускорение процесса. Но нет, вняв уверениям экса, что недвижимость растет и продавать сейчас неразумно, Астрид на "Приюте кроншнепа" отправляется в Ярмут, чтобы подзаработать оценкой коллекции картин особняка Нидлс-Ай (Игольное ушко) по приглашению налогового ведомства.
Прибыв, немедленно ввязывается в расследование смерти утонувшего местного активиста и вдохновителя народных протестов. А потом - смерти садовника. которого убила молния через пару дней. И до кучи - исчезновения одной из двух сестер-наследниц Нидлс-Ай три года назад. Во всем ей помогают местные художники-любители, с внезапным энтузиазмом переквалифицировавшиеся в "Клуб любителей искусства и расследо��аний". Ну, знаете, все эти удовольствия, вроде предполагаемой ночной эксгумации трупа - это ведь должно быть страсть как заманчиво, особенно под руководством девицы, которую знаешь без году неделя.
Как-то не удивляешься, когда героиню приглашает на яхтенную прогулку миллиардер, прибывший в Ярмут для участия в парусной регате. Удивляешься тому, во что прогулка выльется, и остро сочувствуешь ей после (все-таки хорошо, что первая книга позволила полюбить ее, к тем, кого числим по разряду своих, мы в целом снисходительнее).
Если закрыть глаза на несуразность и отсутствие логики в действиях персонажей, сюжет бодрый, позволяет Нэнси Дрю (зчркнт) Астрид Свифт в кратчайшие сроки распутать аж четыре преступления, устроить судьбы двух девушек и наказать одного, но очень злодейского злодея. Ну, такое...
June 14, 2022
Art conservator Astrid Swift is waiting for life to return to some sort of normality. After her marriage break up, the death of her favourite uncle, and the small matter of solving a murder or two while working at Sherborne Hall in Dorset, she's also hoping for some peace and quiet. When she's asked to assess an art collection, which was the pride and joy of a recently deceased millionaire, Astrid hurriedly sets sail for the Isle of Wight, in the recently inherited Curlew's Rest to start the assignment.
Although now a boat owner Astrid doesn't consider herself an informed member of the sailing community and is surprised to find herself in the middle of Cowes Week! Her destination, the Needle's Eye, is a lovely house now empty except for memories and a collection of maritime artwork, which Astrid is delighted to cast her expert eye over. She also connects with an eclectic group of locals who have formed a small art club eager to welcome her as their newest member. Everything in life would be heading in the right direction if only she hadn't also discovered a dead body!
This is Astrid Swift's second outing and she is a much more likeable, less entitled main protagonist this time around. The other main characters have only bit parts but their replacements were a fun group who definitely kept Astrid on her toes. The investigation was entertaining, not as clear cut as I expected, and with the potential to rise again in future episodes of this easy read series. There were signposts leading toward a possible third investigation for Astrid which I will definitely be on the lookout for.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. I really enjoyed this and think it makes a great summer beach or back garden read.
Although now a boat owner Astrid doesn't consider herself an informed member of the sailing community and is surprised to find herself in the middle of Cowes Week! Her destination, the Needle's Eye, is a lovely house now empty except for memories and a collection of maritime artwork, which Astrid is delighted to cast her expert eye over. She also connects with an eclectic group of locals who have formed a small art club eager to welcome her as their newest member. Everything in life would be heading in the right direction if only she hadn't also discovered a dead body!
This is Astrid Swift's second outing and she is a much more likeable, less entitled main protagonist this time around. The other main characters have only bit parts but their replacements were a fun group who definitely kept Astrid on her toes. The investigation was entertaining, not as clear cut as I expected, and with the potential to rise again in future episodes of this easy read series. There were signposts leading toward a possible third investigation for Astrid which I will definitely be on the lookout for.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. I really enjoyed this and think it makes a great summer beach or back garden read.
July 8, 2022
Death on the Isle By M.H Eccleston.
I have been waiting for this book since I read The Trust ( a book which I loved) and this book did not disappoint.
This time Astrid is now in the Isle of Wight and it is the famous Cowes week (something to do with sailing) and Astrid is cataloguing a deceased millionaires art collection..
While on the Isle, there is an unexplained death of a nosy parker that Astrid met on her first day on the island, which is classed as an accidental drowning and then there is another death which Astrid connects to the first and the race is on for her to find the killer….
I loved Astrid and what I am loving in this book is that there is a new group of friends that are helping Astrid get to the bottom of the murders… I would of actually liked to have seen more of them. I liked each of these characters and I liked that they were each given their own time to shine.
Astrid is more settled in this book and she is more like the person she wants to be.. I hope Astrid continues to grow and that she becomes the person she wants to be.
The mystery was really well thought out and although the killer is revealed earlier in the book than normal, the mystery is both how does Astrid convince other people and how to make sure they receive the punishment they deserve.
A good book and I highly recommend that people read book 1 first to get to know Astrid first..
And now I hear there is a third book for Astrid Swift and hopefully it will shed some light on her missing father… and will Astrid ever go back to Dorset and Cobb??? MORE ASTRID PLEASE!!
#Mystery #Contempary #English #Netgally
I have been waiting for this book since I read The Trust ( a book which I loved) and this book did not disappoint.
This time Astrid is now in the Isle of Wight and it is the famous Cowes week (something to do with sailing) and Astrid is cataloguing a deceased millionaires art collection..
While on the Isle, there is an unexplained death of a nosy parker that Astrid met on her first day on the island, which is classed as an accidental drowning and then there is another death which Astrid connects to the first and the race is on for her to find the killer….
I loved Astrid and what I am loving in this book is that there is a new group of friends that are helping Astrid get to the bottom of the murders… I would of actually liked to have seen more of them. I liked each of these characters and I liked that they were each given their own time to shine.
Astrid is more settled in this book and she is more like the person she wants to be.. I hope Astrid continues to grow and that she becomes the person she wants to be.
The mystery was really well thought out and although the killer is revealed earlier in the book than normal, the mystery is both how does Astrid convince other people and how to make sure they receive the punishment they deserve.
A good book and I highly recommend that people read book 1 first to get to know Astrid first..
And now I hear there is a third book for Astrid Swift and hopefully it will shed some light on her missing father… and will Astrid ever go back to Dorset and Cobb??? MORE ASTRID PLEASE!!
#Mystery #Contempary #English #Netgally
September 6, 2022
What new adventure waits for Astrid?
Astrid Swift, fell apart when her marriage dissolved. She left her very cosy life in London and moved to the boat she inherited from her uncle in Hanbury, Dorset. She had found employment with The Trust and now that the contract has ended, must find a new project. As luck would have it, she’s no sooner thought of her precariously financial position, when Andy Marriot from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs asks if she would be willing to inspect and value a maritime art collection that is part of an estate on the Isle of Wight. Astrid’s experience is in restoration, however, in this instance what she will estimate is the cost of the restoration.
Astrid decides that this is an opportunity to try out her newfound sailing skills and sail to the island. However, moorings are virtually not available as it’s Cowes Week.
While out exploring the island on her bike, Astrid meets a girl who is part of an art group that meets daily at a potting shed. She meets with the group and decides that it will be fun to be part of the group thanks to the free time she has in between the valuations.
A body turns up, it looks like the fish and crabs have been nibbling on it and the isle’s police think it’s suicide. Astrid thinks it’s murder and gets the members of the art group to help her search for the killer.
I enjoyed this novel. I didn’t think that the storyline was as strong as that of The Trust and I didn’t particularly find any of the characters very likeable. Having said this, I did love “visiting” The Isle of Wight – one of my favourite places to explore.
Rony
Elite Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
Astrid Swift, fell apart when her marriage dissolved. She left her very cosy life in London and moved to the boat she inherited from her uncle in Hanbury, Dorset. She had found employment with The Trust and now that the contract has ended, must find a new project. As luck would have it, she’s no sooner thought of her precariously financial position, when Andy Marriot from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs asks if she would be willing to inspect and value a maritime art collection that is part of an estate on the Isle of Wight. Astrid’s experience is in restoration, however, in this instance what she will estimate is the cost of the restoration.
Astrid decides that this is an opportunity to try out her newfound sailing skills and sail to the island. However, moorings are virtually not available as it’s Cowes Week.
While out exploring the island on her bike, Astrid meets a girl who is part of an art group that meets daily at a potting shed. She meets with the group and decides that it will be fun to be part of the group thanks to the free time she has in between the valuations.
A body turns up, it looks like the fish and crabs have been nibbling on it and the isle’s police think it’s suicide. Astrid thinks it’s murder and gets the members of the art group to help her search for the killer.
I enjoyed this novel. I didn’t think that the storyline was as strong as that of The Trust and I didn’t particularly find any of the characters very likeable. Having said this, I did love “visiting” The Isle of Wight – one of my favourite places to explore.
Rony
Elite Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
April 9, 2024
The second book in the Astrid Swift series proved to be yet another intriguing cozy mystery by M. H. Eccleston.
Astrid Swift sets sail for the Isle of Wight after her shenanigans at Sherborne Hall. She is asked to value a grand collection of maritime art after the recent demise of a millionaire. While in town, the body of a local man is discovered at a pier and Astrid jumps at the chance to solve his mysterious death.
Overall, this book felt drastically different from the first book, BUT it was not bad. In comparison, the supporting characters seemed a bit flat until the last few chapters of the book when the storyline really picked up. The one trope that I find most annoying in cozy mysteries is when the amateur sleuth does a great job at cracking the case but is easily dismissed by the authorities. I sometimes cannot deal with the frustration, and I wished Astrid was an actual agent of some sort to gain the respect her stellar sleuthing deserves. What I love most about this series is the nautical theme. I love the juxtaposition of the peaceful waters against the backdrop of a murder mystery. It’s what makes this series so “cozy.” The book starts off with tons of action then slows to a snail pace up until the last fourth of the book, but I still enjoyed the book immensely. Astrid is such a wonderful character, and I’m excited to read the next book.
Overall, the book is a 4/5 based on my opinion that the supporting characters in the first book were much more interesting and I completely fell in love with them compared to the new group. I would still recommend this book and the entire series for fans of The Marlow Murder Club or the Thursday Murder Club.
Astrid Swift sets sail for the Isle of Wight after her shenanigans at Sherborne Hall. She is asked to value a grand collection of maritime art after the recent demise of a millionaire. While in town, the body of a local man is discovered at a pier and Astrid jumps at the chance to solve his mysterious death.
Overall, this book felt drastically different from the first book, BUT it was not bad. In comparison, the supporting characters seemed a bit flat until the last few chapters of the book when the storyline really picked up. The one trope that I find most annoying in cozy mysteries is when the amateur sleuth does a great job at cracking the case but is easily dismissed by the authorities. I sometimes cannot deal with the frustration, and I wished Astrid was an actual agent of some sort to gain the respect her stellar sleuthing deserves. What I love most about this series is the nautical theme. I love the juxtaposition of the peaceful waters against the backdrop of a murder mystery. It’s what makes this series so “cozy.” The book starts off with tons of action then slows to a snail pace up until the last fourth of the book, but I still enjoyed the book immensely. Astrid is such a wonderful character, and I’m excited to read the next book.
Overall, the book is a 4/5 based on my opinion that the supporting characters in the first book were much more interesting and I completely fell in love with them compared to the new group. I would still recommend this book and the entire series for fans of The Marlow Murder Club or the Thursday Murder Club.
August 20, 2025
Death on the Isle by M.H. Eccleston is the 2nd in a series of crime novels, but is the first one I have read. However before I was half way through I had already ordered a copy of the first in the series The Trust.
The main character is Astrid Swift, an art restorer and art conservator by profession, who lives on a boat and is an experienced sailor. So when she gets asked to travel to the Isle of Wight, during Cowes Week, to examine a painting collection for valuation for tax purposes Astrid sees this as a perfect job. Once moored up in the harbour at Yarmouth Astrid walks into the town and meets Victor Leech, a veteran campaigner against anything and everything the local council wants to introduce and as such is not always popular, but it’s still unpleasant when his body is dragged up from under the pier the following day.
Astrid begins to ask questions about Victor, starting with a group of new found friends who form a local art club and meet in a shed in the gardens of the local “English Trust” property and then another body is found in the greenhouse. Between them they use their skills, contacts and knowledge of the island to investigate.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Astrid is an interesting character with an intriguing backstory and I felt the connections with the art world made for a unique twist. The art club characters are an eclectic and inclusive bunch that gelled well together. The difference in their ages, backgrounds and social statuses opened doors in the investigations that worked to advantage.
This was a good summer read incorporating the art world and sailing as well as murder and the mystery of a missing person.
A very enjoyable read.
The main character is Astrid Swift, an art restorer and art conservator by profession, who lives on a boat and is an experienced sailor. So when she gets asked to travel to the Isle of Wight, during Cowes Week, to examine a painting collection for valuation for tax purposes Astrid sees this as a perfect job. Once moored up in the harbour at Yarmouth Astrid walks into the town and meets Victor Leech, a veteran campaigner against anything and everything the local council wants to introduce and as such is not always popular, but it’s still unpleasant when his body is dragged up from under the pier the following day.
Astrid begins to ask questions about Victor, starting with a group of new found friends who form a local art club and meet in a shed in the gardens of the local “English Trust” property and then another body is found in the greenhouse. Between them they use their skills, contacts and knowledge of the island to investigate.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Astrid is an interesting character with an intriguing backstory and I felt the connections with the art world made for a unique twist. The art club characters are an eclectic and inclusive bunch that gelled well together. The difference in their ages, backgrounds and social statuses opened doors in the investigations that worked to advantage.
This was a good summer read incorporating the art world and sailing as well as murder and the mystery of a missing person.
A very enjoyable read.
July 4, 2022
When I saw that this was an art mystery and set on the Isle of Wight, I wanted to read it. I'm glad I did. Astrid Swift, art restorer, is on the Isle of Wight to appraise the nautical paintings of a deceased billionaire. She has arrived just in time for Cowes Week regatta so the place is packed. Add to her job and the festivities, the is a killer in their midst. The body of a disliked local turns up under a pier, sleeping with the fishes. As Astrid has already had success unmasking a killer she decides she can do it again. With help of a local art group who welcome her as a member, off they go to find out who done it. Added to the mystery is the three year old disappearance of one of the dead billionaire's daughters who was lost at sea.
Overall I found it to be an enjoyable read due to the setting and the art theme. As I had somehow missed the previous book in the series, The Trust, I do want to get a copy and find out how Astrid got involved in sleuthing. The next in the series, Death Comes to the Costa Del Sol is due out April 13, 2023 and it's now on my TBR list.
My thanks to the publisher Head of Zeus and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Overall I found it to be an enjoyable read due to the setting and the art theme. As I had somehow missed the previous book in the series, The Trust, I do want to get a copy and find out how Astrid got involved in sleuthing. The next in the series, Death Comes to the Costa Del Sol is due out April 13, 2023 and it's now on my TBR list.
My thanks to the publisher Head of Zeus and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 22, 2022
Death in the Isle is the second book in the Astrid Swift series and she’s off to Cowes Week and she must be the only person who sails a ship that doesn’t know what Cowes Week is. I don’t own a boat and even I know what Cowes Week is, anyway she’s not there for the boats she she’s there to look at a dead billionaires collection of paintings to see if there’s anything worth flogging and finds out about a sailing wunderkind who went missing and was never found.
Astrid has had a summer of good Cob loving and pints with Kath and has had a complete personality transplant. I don’t know what’s happened to her she’s become all nice. I don’t like it. I don’t trust it. She left Cob without a backward glance and I can’t forgive her for it. It’s not even my imagination because the personality change is addressed and is put down to her previous unhappiness. But the point was Astrid wasn’t unhappy in her previous life she liked her job and her fancy flat and her fancy husband before she found out her was cheating on her. So it doesn’t stack up. I liked snobby Astrid. Nice Astrid is tepid. I get why the writer has done it but I’m not happy about it. The plot itself was was a wild ride, it’s all over the place and I love that about it. But bring back snappy Astrid!
Astrid has had a summer of good Cob loving and pints with Kath and has had a complete personality transplant. I don’t know what’s happened to her she’s become all nice. I don’t like it. I don’t trust it. She left Cob without a backward glance and I can’t forgive her for it. It’s not even my imagination because the personality change is addressed and is put down to her previous unhappiness. But the point was Astrid wasn’t unhappy in her previous life she liked her job and her fancy flat and her fancy husband before she found out her was cheating on her. So it doesn’t stack up. I liked snobby Astrid. Nice Astrid is tepid. I get why the writer has done it but I’m not happy about it. The plot itself was was a wild ride, it’s all over the place and I love that about it. But bring back snappy Astrid!
June 19, 2022
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review. I debated giving this 3 stars as a decent story, but it fell a little short, so after careful thought, I’ve rounded it down a bit. It felt as though this was a sailing story with a few crimes thrown in, rather than a murder mystery which features boats. The whole Celeste/Harlow thing could have been bigger, but was almost filler. The development thing had potential, then fizzled out. It felt like all the bits that could have actually been mystery and a bigger role, were sacrificed for showing off about boats and sailing, I felt a bit let down sadly.
Several typos throughout the book, and at one point, Annabelle becomes Cynthia and then back again - this should have been picked up in edits. Overall, it’s an OK book, and I wouldn’t necessarily be averse to reading further ones, but I’ve got plenty others I’d prioritise first.
Several typos throughout the book, and at one point, Annabelle becomes Cynthia and then back again - this should have been picked up in edits. Overall, it’s an OK book, and I wouldn’t necessarily be averse to reading further ones, but I’ve got plenty others I’d prioritise first.
November 22, 2024
I enjoyed the first book in this series which was a fairly well written, easy read, cozy crime. I gave it three stars, it was what it said it would be. In this, the second in the series, art conservator Astrid is off to the Isle of Wight for a job and, as expected, gets involved in a series of murders. Astrid loves the idea of being an amateur sleuth, but this time she has a group of would be artists join her in the investigation and, unlike the great co-characters in the first book, these were all a bit much for me. It became quite ridiculous. Similarly, the character of Astrid was painful, a true bossy know it all, sticking her oar in to everyone's business outside of the mystery, and telling ridiculous lies along the way. There are some wonderful bossy quirky characters out there, Olive Kitteridge comes immediately to mind, but Astrid was not well drawn and was both unrealistic and unpleasant. As to the ending and the work of Astrid "James Bond" Swift ... hmmm!
I wonder if this was a blip and book three will return to the realms of the easy read cozy crime or fall further into the realms of the ridiculous. Even cozy has to have a degree of realism, doesn't it?
Glad others have loved it, it just wasn't for me.
I wonder if this was a blip and book three will return to the realms of the easy read cozy crime or fall further into the realms of the ridiculous. Even cozy has to have a degree of realism, doesn't it?
Glad others have loved it, it just wasn't for me.
September 12, 2024
It was really hard to believe that the main character kept getting herself into such stupidly bad situations but then somehow was smart enough to figure a way out. Example: she didnt realize a man (the killer of course) started sending her texts without ever getting her phone number, but somehow worked out that both the murder victims had the same mud on their shoes immediately? Or she goes out on a boat alone with a guy she doesnt know (or like) even after he specifically asks her to leave her phone at home, but then is able to outsmart both him and his killer henchman when shes only been sailing for about 3 months? I liked the first one because i really liked the secondary characters, and they are good in this book too (very similar to the first, just more of them) but since each one is in a new place the secondaries change every time so you dont get to know them better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2022
The Trust was absolutely gripping, and Death On The Isle is even better. Astrid Swift sails to to Isle of Wight, slap bang into the middle of Cowes Week to work on the art collection of a late billionaire, and find out what happened to his sailing prodigy daughter who went missing at sea. Her latest case is an intoxicating mix of grit and high society sailing glamour -- a mysterious figure is on her trail as she uses her forensic art skills to solve the death of a local nimby who ends up as crab bait under the pier. Not everyone is what they seem, and there's a good chance the killer will catch her before Astrid works out who is really on her side.
June 26, 2022
Astrid was meant to be evaluating paintings at a mansion on the Isle of Wight not solving a murder but here we are! She's sailed to the Isle to look at nautical themed paintings (there's a whole sailing theme to this) and then finds a body under the pier. The victim was not, in the cozy tradition, well liked, so there are a number of suspects. Astrid makes friends with a loose group of artistically inclined residents and visitors and together they solve the crime. I'd not read the first book so this was a standalone for me and it was fine that way. While the mystery itself was not too tricky, I liked the setting and Astrid is entertaining. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
February 11, 2023
A fun cosy crime set on the Isle of Wight, starts off with art restoration and then all goes crazy.
Astrid is an art restorer and is hired to check out and value some paintings on the Isle of Wight, so off she goes in her boat to investigate. Before long she is embroiled in a murder case along with her new art chums.
This was a fun read, but I do feel like I missed a lot of back story, not having read book 1 first, my fault, I should learn to check. Astrid was a lovely if meddling character, she was flawed but loveable. I liked the secondary cast of characters and the mystery was clever, although not wrapped up in a neat bow.
Astrid is an art restorer and is hired to check out and value some paintings on the Isle of Wight, so off she goes in her boat to investigate. Before long she is embroiled in a murder case along with her new art chums.
This was a fun read, but I do feel like I missed a lot of back story, not having read book 1 first, my fault, I should learn to check. Astrid was a lovely if meddling character, she was flawed but loveable. I liked the secondary cast of characters and the mystery was clever, although not wrapped up in a neat bow.
December 14, 2024
Astrid was hired to asses some inherited nautical paintings in the Isle of Wight for 2 weeks. Enough time to asses her personal life since embarking into a relationship with Cobb just after divorcing her cheating husband. While on the Isle she made friends with a group of amateur yet gifted artists who would soon be her murder club. The Isle even had its own local mystery~ the disappearance of the daughter of the Isle's prominent family and then there is the town's rags to riches celebrity. It would turn out that one of these legends would stoop to murder for Pride & and thwarted ambitions rooted in the past and carried into the present. Another good one.
September 5, 2022
⭐⭐⭐
I quite enjoyed the first book in this series and was excited to dive into this second book and see what Astrid would get up to this time. Unfortunately, i just didn't love this one. The art assignment aspect was non existent, as was the Celeste/Harlow storyline. Which frankly I was more interested in than the center mystery. 🤷🏻♀️ None of the secondary character's stood out for me, and Astrid herself was pretty annoying through the entire book. I am still onboard to give book three a read, with my 🤞🏻 I enjoy it more than this one.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
July 2, 2022
I haven't read the first in series, so I can't comment on any continuity. The story itself is a pretty good whodunit and I had no trouble following the art conservator assessing a maritime artwork collection on the Isle of Wight. It was all the sailing references that had me at disadvantage. But the sometimes peculiar characters and sly humor made it all worthwhile to stay up late to finish.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Head of Zeus/an Aries Book via NetGalley. Thank you!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Head of Zeus/an Aries Book via NetGalley. Thank you!
July 30, 2022
I loved the Trust and loved Death on the Isle. This is becoming a favourite cozy mystery series as the stories are highly entertaining, well written, and compelling.
This one is set on the Isle of Wight and I was glad to catch with Astrid.
The plot is fast paced and kept me turning pages and guessing.
Can't wait to read the next book.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
This one is set on the Isle of Wight and I was glad to catch with Astrid.
The plot is fast paced and kept me turning pages and guessing.
Can't wait to read the next book.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
March 14, 2023
A much lighter read. (The last novel I read was "A Little Life" by Hanya Yanagihara!!) A quite enjoyable murder mystery with a feisty, female leading character determined to get to the bottom of a series of suspicious deaths she comes across in a trip to the Isle of Wight.
Not a particularly satisfactory ending, but then I suppose the “all tied up and sorted” ending is a bit of a cliché, so this was at least credible
Not a particularly satisfactory ending, but then I suppose the “all tied up and sorted” ending is a bit of a cliché, so this was at least credible
April 24, 2024
I chose this book because it was based on the Isle of Wight, one of my favourite locations.
Relating to a drowning that did not, initially, look suspicious, Astrid Swift nosed around looking for more reasons why that person had died, leading her down a local mystery of some years.
It's a fun and easy book to read, excellent summer-time reading. The beginning grabs your attention, making you want to continue.
Relating to a drowning that did not, initially, look suspicious, Astrid Swift nosed around looking for more reasons why that person had died, leading her down a local mystery of some years.
It's a fun and easy book to read, excellent summer-time reading. The beginning grabs your attention, making you want to continue.
July 27, 2025
Last month I was hiking on the Isle of Wight. Now I'm reading a book set there! A friend who was on the walking trip with me shared this book and I enjoyed it as much for the sense of place (I recognized many of the settings of the book - Wight IS tiny!) and the characters, who were all a bit shallow but coalesced into a fun group to spend a few hours with. I'm even (sort of!) inspired to look for the other books this author wrote about Astrid - apparently this is the second of a series.
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