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Life's a Beach #1
Sun, Sand and Slaughter
Welcome to beautiful Sunrise Bay, where the beach is hot and the corpses are cold...
When Charlie Carter catches her fiance cheating with her best friend, she swaps power suits for swimsuits and moves to the idyllic seaside town of Sunrise Bay. Maybe a dose of vitamin sea can cure her broken heart.
Beautiful beaches aren’t the little town’s only attractions. It’s also the home of her feisty retired aunt, who soon has Charlie surrounded by new friends and fulfilling a lifelong dream of becoming a photographer. Everything is going swimmingly until Aunt Evie’s book club pal Peggy turns up deader than Charlie’s engagement.
Aunt Evie is convinced it was murder and will make waves big enough to swamp the whole retirement village unless Charlie does something about it. Charlie’s not convinced, but the more she discovers, the more she suspects that Aunt Evie is right—as usual. Now Charlie—with the help of one inquisitive four-legged neighbour—must use her keen photographer’s eye to spot the killer … before they take her out of the picture.
When Charlie Carter catches her fiance cheating with her best friend, she swaps power suits for swimsuits and moves to the idyllic seaside town of Sunrise Bay. Maybe a dose of vitamin sea can cure her broken heart.
Beautiful beaches aren’t the little town’s only attractions. It’s also the home of her feisty retired aunt, who soon has Charlie surrounded by new friends and fulfilling a lifelong dream of becoming a photographer. Everything is going swimmingly until Aunt Evie’s book club pal Peggy turns up deader than Charlie’s engagement.
Aunt Evie is convinced it was murder and will make waves big enough to swamp the whole retirement village unless Charlie does something about it. Charlie’s not convinced, but the more she discovers, the more she suspects that Aunt Evie is right—as usual. Now Charlie—with the help of one inquisitive four-legged neighbour—must use her keen photographer’s eye to spot the killer … before they take her out of the picture.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 8, 2022
439 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
About the author
Emerald Finn
9 books8 followersEmerald Finn loves books, tea, and chocolate, not necessarily in that order. Oh, and dogs. And solving mysteries with the aid of her trusty golden retriever. No, wait. That last bit might be made up.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 7, 2024
First in a new to me series and it was good fun.
Charlie Carter has recently moved to Sunrise Bay to escape from a broken romance and to live closer to her Aunt Evie. She is just beginning to sort her life out, starting up a photography business, when Evie's close friend dies and Evie suspects murder. Charlie begins to investigate, really just to pacify Evie, but then there are more deaths and Charlie's findings begin to sway the opinions of the police.
Of course one of the police officers is divorced, good looking and charming and there are definite sparks between him and Charlie. As the body count rises, events get more serious, but it was nice to watch Charlie taking her discoveries to the police and not putting herself directly in danger.
All in all this was a relaxing, easy to read cozy mystery with just the right amount of mystery, danger, romance and a cute dog. I will be back for more.
Charlie Carter has recently moved to Sunrise Bay to escape from a broken romance and to live closer to her Aunt Evie. She is just beginning to sort her life out, starting up a photography business, when Evie's close friend dies and Evie suspects murder. Charlie begins to investigate, really just to pacify Evie, but then there are more deaths and Charlie's findings begin to sway the opinions of the police.
Of course one of the police officers is divorced, good looking and charming and there are definite sparks between him and Charlie. As the body count rises, events get more serious, but it was nice to watch Charlie taking her discoveries to the police and not putting herself directly in danger.
All in all this was a relaxing, easy to read cozy mystery with just the right amount of mystery, danger, romance and a cute dog. I will be back for more.
October 16, 2025
Sun, Sand and Slaughter by Emerald Finn
Synopsis /
When Charlie Carter catches her fiancé cheating with her best friend, she swaps power suits for swimsuits and moves to the idyllic seaside town of Sunrise Bay. Maybe a dose of vitamin sea can cure her broken heart.
Beautiful beaches aren’t the little town’s only attractions. It’s also the home of her feisty retired aunt, who soon has Charlie surrounded by new friends and fulfilling a lifelong dream of becoming a photographer. Everything is going swimmingly until Aunt Evie’s book club pal Peggy turns up deader than Charlie’s engagement.
Aunt Evie is convinced it was murder and will make waves big enough to swamp the whole retirement village unless Charlie does something about it. Charlie’s not convinced, but the more she discovers, the more she suspects that Aunt Evie is right—as usual. Now Charlie—with the help of one inquisitive four-legged neighbour—must use her keen photographer’s eye to spot the killer … before they take her out of the picture.
My Thoughts /
3.5 rounded up 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Welcome to beautiful Sunrise Bay, where the beach is hot and the corpses are cold...
When Charlie Carter caught her fiancé and best friend together in the bedroom, her world as she knew it was irreparably damaged. Needing a total change of scenery to mend her broken heart, Charlie packed up her life and moved to the small seaside town of Sunrise Bay, hoping the sun, sand and sea air will work its magical powers and help her heal. Sunrise Bay and its residents might be an unknown, but there was one person that Charlie knew would welcome her – her feisty retired aunt, Evie. Aunt Evie was the only real relative Charlie had, (her mum had passed and her dad was out of the picture), and she was a force of nature. Growing up, Charlie always thought that her aunt moved through life with the energy of a hurricane. She took life by the horns and never second-guessed herself.
When elderly residents of her retirement village were turning up dead Aunt Evie is certain that there is a murderer among them and enlists Charlie's help to uncover the truth about what's happening to her friends.
In an effort to pacify her Aunt (because Charlie really didn't believe there was someone out there murdering retirement home residents) Charlie began to look into what happened. As she begins to investigate, Charlie realises her aunt might be right! And when another (homeless) local turns up dead, Charlie becomes convinced something sinister is going on.
This is the first book in the "Life's a Beach" cosy mystery series and is the perfect beach read. Finn has found just the right combination of (cosy) mystery, suspense, romance and of course, don't forget Rufus the dog! There is a tonne of potential for character growth and future storylines here at Sunrise Bay and I'll definitely be reading on.
Synopsis /
When Charlie Carter catches her fiancé cheating with her best friend, she swaps power suits for swimsuits and moves to the idyllic seaside town of Sunrise Bay. Maybe a dose of vitamin sea can cure her broken heart.
Beautiful beaches aren’t the little town’s only attractions. It’s also the home of her feisty retired aunt, who soon has Charlie surrounded by new friends and fulfilling a lifelong dream of becoming a photographer. Everything is going swimmingly until Aunt Evie’s book club pal Peggy turns up deader than Charlie’s engagement.
Aunt Evie is convinced it was murder and will make waves big enough to swamp the whole retirement village unless Charlie does something about it. Charlie’s not convinced, but the more she discovers, the more she suspects that Aunt Evie is right—as usual. Now Charlie—with the help of one inquisitive four-legged neighbour—must use her keen photographer’s eye to spot the killer … before they take her out of the picture.
My Thoughts /
3.5 rounded up 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Welcome to beautiful Sunrise Bay, where the beach is hot and the corpses are cold...
When Charlie Carter caught her fiancé and best friend together in the bedroom, her world as she knew it was irreparably damaged. Needing a total change of scenery to mend her broken heart, Charlie packed up her life and moved to the small seaside town of Sunrise Bay, hoping the sun, sand and sea air will work its magical powers and help her heal. Sunrise Bay and its residents might be an unknown, but there was one person that Charlie knew would welcome her – her feisty retired aunt, Evie. Aunt Evie was the only real relative Charlie had, (her mum had passed and her dad was out of the picture), and she was a force of nature. Growing up, Charlie always thought that her aunt moved through life with the energy of a hurricane. She took life by the horns and never second-guessed herself.
When elderly residents of her retirement village were turning up dead Aunt Evie is certain that there is a murderer among them and enlists Charlie's help to uncover the truth about what's happening to her friends.
In an effort to pacify her Aunt (because Charlie really didn't believe there was someone out there murdering retirement home residents) Charlie began to look into what happened. As she begins to investigate, Charlie realises her aunt might be right! And when another (homeless) local turns up dead, Charlie becomes convinced something sinister is going on.
This is the first book in the "Life's a Beach" cosy mystery series and is the perfect beach read. Finn has found just the right combination of (cosy) mystery, suspense, romance and of course, don't forget Rufus the dog! There is a tonne of potential for character growth and future storylines here at Sunrise Bay and I'll definitely be reading on.
April 29, 2022
Well, that was fun! After a slow start, things speeded up nicely, and there was a very tasty love interest on the horizon to warm the cockles of a girl’s heart.
Here’s the premise: Charlie Carter is escaping from a broken romance back in Sydney by settling in small-town Sunrise Bay, where the only person she knows is her aunt Evie. But she soon makes friends with Evie’s book group pals… and the dog next door, Rufus, who takes a shine to her. She’s soon getting a new business underway as a professional photographer, too - and then Evie’s neighbour dies and Charlie is roped in to investigate. Because although it looks like just another elderly lady dying of a heart attack, Evie’s convinced there’s more to it. And when even more locals turn up dead…
Well, you know how it goes in this sort of story. A range of suspects, of varying plausibility, a gradual uncovering of clues and did I mention the tasty love interest? I think I might have done… There was quite a lot of back story to squeeze in up front, hence the slow start, but once things began to hot up, it was a real page turner. I confess to being a shade surprised in the revelation of the murderer, because it was the one I’d had my eye on for a while and I’m usually wrong, but there you go - sometimes even easily red-herringed old me gets one right occasionally.
As the start of a series, this has loads of potential, not to mention a really tasty love interest. Hmm, did I mention that before? A fun read. Five stars.
Here’s the premise: Charlie Carter is escaping from a broken romance back in Sydney by settling in small-town Sunrise Bay, where the only person she knows is her aunt Evie. But she soon makes friends with Evie’s book group pals… and the dog next door, Rufus, who takes a shine to her. She’s soon getting a new business underway as a professional photographer, too - and then Evie’s neighbour dies and Charlie is roped in to investigate. Because although it looks like just another elderly lady dying of a heart attack, Evie’s convinced there’s more to it. And when even more locals turn up dead…
Well, you know how it goes in this sort of story. A range of suspects, of varying plausibility, a gradual uncovering of clues and did I mention the tasty love interest? I think I might have done… There was quite a lot of back story to squeeze in up front, hence the slow start, but once things began to hot up, it was a real page turner. I confess to being a shade surprised in the revelation of the murderer, because it was the one I’d had my eye on for a while and I’m usually wrong, but there you go - sometimes even easily red-herringed old me gets one right occasionally.
As the start of a series, this has loads of potential, not to mention a really tasty love interest. Hmm, did I mention that before? A fun read. Five stars.
April 20, 2022
I really liked Charlie and Aunt Evie's characters and hope to get to know the book club members better in future books. I hope Charlie and Curtis can get together a little more in future books as well. She seemed to get along well with Curtis's little girl.
I liked how Charlie figured out what was going on and simply pointed the police to the right person. She didn't have to confront them and took a lot of precaution to keep from it. Rufus was a great dog, and I got a kick out of what he did at the end! I've already borrowed the next book in KU.
I liked how Charlie figured out what was going on and simply pointed the police to the right person. She didn't have to confront them and took a lot of precaution to keep from it. Rufus was a great dog, and I got a kick out of what he did at the end! I've already borrowed the next book in KU.
January 30, 2023
A fun read
Many times, when I pick out a book to read in the evening, it's my version of television. I want exactly what this book delivers. The protagonist is likeable, the plot has a nice twist, and the thrilling scenes are not too stressful. Additionally, the prose are smooth, with some nice imagery. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have just downloaded book two for this evening.
Many times, when I pick out a book to read in the evening, it's my version of television. I want exactly what this book delivers. The protagonist is likeable, the plot has a nice twist, and the thrilling scenes are not too stressful. Additionally, the prose are smooth, with some nice imagery. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have just downloaded book two for this evening.
March 29, 2022
good
A new author for me. Charlie leaves the city after finding boyfriend in bed with best friend….her Aunt Evie wants her to solve the murder of her best friend Peggy. Throw in a hunky single cop. Charlie solves the murder and almost gets herself killed. I’m going to download the next one.
A new author for me. Charlie leaves the city after finding boyfriend in bed with best friend….her Aunt Evie wants her to solve the murder of her best friend Peggy. Throw in a hunky single cop. Charlie solves the murder and almost gets herself killed. I’m going to download the next one.
June 13, 2022
An easy crime book.
Slow intro to a standard single woman moving to a new place trying to start a new life. People start dying and she starts investigating to solve the murders. It was nice fun to read but not much into detective work and real mystery about the killer. There was no cliffhanger the mystery was just solved without too much drama.
Slow intro to a standard single woman moving to a new place trying to start a new life. People start dying and she starts investigating to solve the murders. It was nice fun to read but not much into detective work and real mystery about the killer. There was no cliffhanger the mystery was just solved without too much drama.
September 10, 2022
Charlie seeks new life and returns to the town she lived in with her aunt Evie. Little did she know she would find a corpse on the beach, She and her aunt believe the deaths of elderly people at the Home and the corpse found on the beach are related. Maybe they were not natural deaths. Curtis, the handsome town policeman, is on her side as she courageously investigates.
A nice cozy mystery.
A nice cozy mystery.
January 30, 2024
A light beach read with a cozy murder mystery – just my kind of book.
Charlie Carter moves to the beach to live close to her Aunt Evie and to start her own photography business. Her lively aunt gets her involved in solving a murder only her aunt believes happened. Of course she meets a handsome detective and solves the crime. A light and fun read.
Charlie Carter moves to the beach to live close to her Aunt Evie and to start her own photography business. Her lively aunt gets her involved in solving a murder only her aunt believes happened. Of course she meets a handsome detective and solves the crime. A light and fun read.
March 14, 2025
Perfect read
Read this book in one day and enjoyed every minute. Lately I've found too many books that have been more confusing than a good read. This tale was like watching a movie, the text providing scenes in my mind. I am going onto book #2 and hope it's just as well written as the first. Thank you Emerald.
Read this book in one day and enjoyed every minute. Lately I've found too many books that have been more confusing than a good read. This tale was like watching a movie, the text providing scenes in my mind. I am going onto book #2 and hope it's just as well written as the first. Thank you Emerald.
March 18, 2022
OMG
Loved this book and the author as well. Could not put it down till I was finished!!! Great characters,funny and serious story line! Truly a marvellous read with amazing and unforgettable characters. Cannot wait for # 2!!!!
Loved this book and the author as well. Could not put it down till I was finished!!! Great characters,funny and serious story line! Truly a marvellous read with amazing and unforgettable characters. Cannot wait for # 2!!!!
June 21, 2022
Is it old age or murder?
Aunt Evie suspects someone of murdering her friend Peggy. She gets her niece Charlie invoked and mayhem is unleashed. With a surprise ending that I did not see coming. Looking forward to reading more of Charlie's adventures.
Aunt Evie suspects someone of murdering her friend Peggy. She gets her niece Charlie invoked and mayhem is unleashed. With a surprise ending that I did not see coming. Looking forward to reading more of Charlie's adventures.
June 30, 2022
Loved it
The characters are very easy to relate to in this page turning mystery and the killer was a complete surprise to me which is very refreshing in a cosy mystery. Looking forward to reading the other two books in the series.
The characters are very easy to relate to in this page turning mystery and the killer was a complete surprise to me which is very refreshing in a cosy mystery. Looking forward to reading the other two books in the series.
August 1, 2022
Fun read!
This is a light and enjoyable read. Mystery, intigue, and a good start over theme. You never knew who "dunnit"
Delightful read! Great who dunnit, never knowing until the end! And will she weaken and take him back???
This is a light and enjoyable read. Mystery, intigue, and a good start over theme. You never knew who "dunnit"
Delightful read! Great who dunnit, never knowing until the end! And will she weaken and take him back???
January 30, 2023
Fun story
Love a story that starts out with a bang and the main character grows into a strong person. This book had it all; heartbreak, humor, friendship and family. Very good plot and world building.
Love a story that starts out with a bang and the main character grows into a strong person. This book had it all; heartbreak, humor, friendship and family. Very good plot and world building.
December 29, 2024
Best Friends
Just when Charlie hits romantic bottom, new friends turn up to encourage and support her. New friends, new town and fresh murders make her life complete. Join Charlie's book club and begin your new adventure.
Just when Charlie hits romantic bottom, new friends turn up to encourage and support her. New friends, new town and fresh murders make her life complete. Join Charlie's book club and begin your new adventure.
June 14, 2022
Very good
I enjoyed this book. It was well written. The characters were likeable, the setting gorgeous. The mystery was very good and I didn't figure it out right away.
I enjoyed this book. It was well written. The characters were likeable, the setting gorgeous. The mystery was very good and I didn't figure it out right away.
June 14, 2022
Sweet read.
The characters were good. Could have used a little further development. I would have liked a little more romance in it.
The characters were good. Could have used a little further development. I would have liked a little more romance in it.
June 17, 2022
Honestly, boring. Skimmed to the end. Killer was exactly who I suspected from the start.
July 28, 2022
Who killed Peggy O’Toole and why??? AND now several others??? Thank you, Rufus!!!! I enjoyed the story and recommend the book.
January 18, 2023
Great book
I'm hooked, I have to order the remaining books in the series . Can't wait to get the next one.
I'm hooked, I have to order the remaining books in the series . Can't wait to get the next one.
March 12, 2023
I enjoyed the book and the characters. Good easy read.
January 2, 2025
I've had this on TBR list for forever. It was a cozy and easy read. I borrowed it on Kindle Unlimited.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews