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Murder by the Sea

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A true-crime companion to the hit CBS Reality television series Murder by the Sea. The book features ten cases from around Britain featured in past series. These include the 1953 case of Blackpool poisoner Louisa Merrifield, the Pembrokeshire serial killer John Cooper and the Robert Mochrie family murder case from Barry, South Wales. Including exclusive interview material with relatives of the victims, former detectives, forensic experts, criminologists and barristers.

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 7, 2022

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Robin Jarossi

5 books26 followers

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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Pooja Peravali.
Author 2 books111 followers
March 14, 2023
Based on the CBS reality show Murder By the Sea, ten murders that took place in various seaside towns and resorts of Britain are recounted in this book.

I like true crime, but my medium of choice is podcasts – I very rarely watch it on TV. As such, I have never heard of this show, but the central theme of murder informed by location was one that sounded interesting to me. That the chapters had been derived from episodes of a show was evident from their structure, but this did not detract from the writing in any way.

I liked the book covered lesser known murders, as I had not heard of any of these cases before. The authors made sure to include variety in the chosen cases, whether it was the location, the motive, or the personality of the murderer. I also appreciated that they made sure to give voice to those who had been close to the victims, to make sure that their side was told.

However, I felt that the book sometimes came short of hitting the mark with the central idea. All the stories take place in seaside communities, but where the murders took place did not always have much impact on the cases. Sometimes, I didn’t even get a real sense of the place. As this was the selling point of the book, I wondered if the authors could have picked cases which better demonstrated this central theme.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Profile Image for Ruthy lavin.
453 reviews
July 10, 2022
True crime fans will really enjoy this well researched book about murders along the UK coastline.
I am a Pembrokeshire girl and the area is renowned for being a low crime area, so it was a big shock to read that 3 of the real cases featured happened here, in locations that I am very familiar with.
Like all true crime books, the stories can be harrowing at times, but from a forensic and criminal psychology perspective, they are extremely well written and in no way glamourise the crimes committed.

Profile Image for Valerity (Val).
1,114 reviews2,775 followers
June 28, 2022
This was a very entertaining true crime read based on a documentary series called CBS REALITY from Britain. It has 10 stories of murder along the sea coasts that were new to me, my favorite kind. Good researching and writing here. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Annarella.
14.2k reviews167 followers
July 13, 2022
It was an interesting series of true crime stories set in Uk by the seaside. I never saw the tv series but I liked the storytelling and the story were gripping.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Profile Image for UnproductiveMother89.
148 reviews5 followers
July 8, 2022
A collection of true crime stories from around the coasts of the UK. As a true crime fan I did enjoy this and hadn't read about any of the cases before so it was really interesting. I enjoyed that the book featured first hand information from people involved with each case. It also flowed really well as there are ten stories all together so it's compact and doesn't leave you bored. Thank you to #netgalley and #mardlebooks for this ARC.
Profile Image for Kelly.
314 reviews20 followers
November 19, 2022
I've not seen the TV series, but I do love a true crime compilation, and the premise - true crime set in seaside English towns - was intriguing. I've even been to a couple of the areas these crimes occurred in, and there's something about recognising the areas, streets, and landmarks mentioned.

With ten cases in the book, each one was set out quickly and succinctly with the facts - who was involved, who the victim was, and how justice was eventually served. Another thing that I appreciated was that none of the ten cases had been particularly publicised previous to its inclusion in the book. I also liked the inclusion of snippets from the investigators and victims involved, and felt that it added a bit more of a human dimension to the stories. Sometimes it's very easy to forget the people who have been affected by the realities of crime in favour of a titillating story.

A very enjoyable read for anyone who wants to read the book after seeing the series, for true crime aficionados, or as an entry point into the genre.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ad Lib Publishers for providing me with an ARC to review. All opinions are my own and freely given.
Profile Image for Sheila.
3,127 reviews126 followers
July 13, 2022
I received an ARC of, Murder by the Sea, by Robin Jarossi; David Howard. This book is so well written. Ten murders in the British Seaside, innocent people killed for no good reason.
Profile Image for Amanda.
2,026 reviews56 followers
July 19, 2022
Anybody who knows me well, knows that I am not only a book geek but I am also a true crime nerd, with a particular fascination for prisons. I seem to watch every British true crime show going. I must admit to having a particular fondness for the series ‘Murder By The Sea’, which was formerly hosted by Geoffrey Wansell and latterly by Dr. Nell Darby. So imagine my excitement, when I heard that a book to accompany the ‘Murder By The Sea’ series was due to be released. As soon as I was able, I grabbed a copy and squirreled myself away until I had finished reading. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Murder By The Sea’ but more about that in a bit.
Having watched all of the series, I was familiar with the cases featured in the book. What I particularly enjoyed about reading the book was that it added further details that weren’t or couldn’t be included in the television series. This helped to give me an even bigger picture and better understanding of how some of the murders were committed as well as gaining insight into the killer’s possible motivation(s) for committing such an awful crime. I started reading this book in the morning and by the evening I had finished reading it. I just couldn’t put the book down. I mean it wasn’t glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I couldn’t bear to miss a single detail of the crimes and the investigations leading to the apprehension of the perpetrator(s) of such awful crimes. I found ‘Murder By The Sea’ to be a gripping read, which kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘Murder By The Sea’ is superbly written. Prior to having read this book, I hadn’t actually read anything that Robin had written before. Having enjoyed reading this book so much, I will definitely be seeking out Robin’s other books. Robin has a writing style that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. He entices the reader into the book and then once he has your attention he doesn’t let you go until the last word on the last page. Even then I found myself thinking about the crimes featured in the story for a long while after I had finished reading the book itself.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed this informative and superb book. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
Profile Image for Miriam Smith (A Mother’s Musings).
1,798 reviews307 followers
July 21, 2022
Every now and again I like to take a break from crime fiction and read a true crime story. What’s better than a true crime story? That would be ten true crime stories. And “Murder by the Sea” is a superb collection of ten sinister crimes committed, all on our coastal shores of the United Kingdom.

Accompanying the CBSReality TV series of the same name and written by series director and interviewer David Howard and freelance journalist/contributor Robin Jarossi, we head to the coast for darkness and tragedy instead of sunny beaches, deckchairs and sandcastles.

I was quite keen to read this book, as I am familiar with the TV programme. Season One portrayed a local murderer in my home coastal area of Sunderland, which I remembered personally from my youth, so I knew the set up/basis to the crime telling.

Each case recounted in the book was particularly interesting in its own sense, I was already familiar with the ‘Bullseye’ murderer but the other cases were new to me and I thought that each one handled the victims and their families, sympathetically without glorifying the perpetrators as most true crime does.

I liked how each of the cases were told, some with an introduction to the location or just get straight down the the nuts and bolts of the crime and it’s victims. Each one unique and quite shocking, with exclusive additional material and insights that couldn’t be included in the original TV episodes. There’s also accompanying photos with each case.

This is the ideal book that you can pick up and put down as you please and as each case is in a nice chunk size, condensed with just the right amount of facts and testimonies that don’t bog you down, this really is an extremely readable book.

#MurderByTheSea - 5 stars

Thank you to Mel Sambells and Mardle Books for inviting me on the tour and for my copy of the book in return for an honest review.
Profile Image for Jaffareadstoo.
2,940 reviews
July 13, 2022
I'm not an overly enthusiastic reader of true crime because to be honest I'm scared of reading about those evil individuals who inflict such torment, and torture, on their victims and I haven't watched the TV series Murder by the Sea but something about this book title intrigued me especially as the seaside is one of my favourite places to visit and here in the UK we have hundreds of miles of beautiful, unspoiled, coastline. However, having said that, there is sometimes something a little bit sinister about a seaside town, maybe it's the thought of so many people, each with their own stories to tell, who pass through the towns all year round.

Murder by the Sea looks in depth at ten of the most chilling murders which have taken place in those seaside resorts we all know and love. Both Blackpool and Southport are just a short drive away from me and yet I wasn't familiar with any of the three cases which took place in these towns and which are mentioned in the book. Sometimes these stories of murder are just snippets in a local news item but as this in-depth study reveals there is usually a lot more to discover about these complex, and rather sensational, murder investigations.

With impeccable research and a fine eye for even the smallest of detail, the authors have done a great job of presenting the factual evidence of these heinous crimes. Crimes which have fractured families and shattered the peace of small seaside communities who are still reeling from having a killer in their midst.

Perfectly possible to read with no prior knowledge of the crimes, Murder by the Sea works as an adjunct, or introduction, to this True Life TV crime series.
526 reviews2 followers
July 7, 2022
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. I’ve never heard of the CBS series “Murder By The Sea” but it sounded like it’d be a good read. The cases were varied and interesting; ranging from a robbery gone wrong to the bizarre. Each chapter was very in depth about the police work. It’s crazy and sad what people will kill for. It’s interesting how some of these people thought they could outsmart the police. I feel in this day and age where everything is recorded and tagged; it’d be much harder to go about committing murder without eventually getting caught.
Profile Image for Donna Costello.
Author 9 books67 followers
July 1, 2022
Be prepared for a journey from where the land meets the sea, to where life meets death.

There is something sinister about a British seaside town. On the surface they’re all funfairs and breezy promenades. Yet dig a little deeper in the sand and you soon uncover an underworld of murder, madness, and mayhem…

I have not seen the Murder by the Sea TV series, but I did enjoy this book immensely.

Each case is set in dedicated chapters and contains quotes from investigations, forensics experts and sometimes victims of the perpetrator. The stories were well researched, the information wasn’t too heavy for the readers and overall, it was a compelling and enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Profile Image for Joanne.
206 reviews5 followers
July 7, 2022
Compelling true crime stories set in the UK. Not a big reader of true crime but this kept me interested. All set around the coast which I bizarrely enjoyed. Well written and well worth a read. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy
Profile Image for Karen Huxtable .
413 reviews30 followers
Read
August 4, 2022
Thank you to Tracy for the invitation to Random Things Tours and to Simon and Schuster for the copy of the book in return for a fair and honest review.

Emily is married to Nick with twins and they both went to Cambridge University, Emily studied Law and was heading for a great career, but something bad happened that she has never forgotten. Back then she was part of a group of friends, Lyla, Will and Henry, they head off to Italy one summer and Henry and Emily become an item. The story begins as Emily and Nick are about to attend a reunion at the university, the first time Emily has seen these people since she finished her studies.

From the outset there is a palpable tension in this story, which rises page by page. Emily and her sister Helen have always been close and what happened to Emily brought them even closer. Emily has never told Nick the details of what happened to her but it is all about to come out. As the story uncovers the reader gets to know the story behind the characters and Lyla, Will and Henry are all self entitled and unlikeable people. I liked the switching of the story between now, with a countdown and then as we relive what happened. I thought I knew where the book was going but I was surprised time and time again. This is a perfect summery read, full of revenge and retribution. I devoured it, it is fast paced and has plenty of drama, and a friends group that you would really do well to steer clear of !

5 stars *****
2,238 reviews30 followers
July 31, 2022
Princess Fuzzypants here: I have never watched the tv series from which this book is spun off. I suspect I would enjoy it if I had. True crime stories are always interesting as are the stories told in this tome. Other than the fact that they all took place in coastal areas and that most of the victims were elderly- but not all- the stories only are connected by the brutality and the disregard for human life.

A number of the killers were psychopaths. They were all evil and they almost to a person thought they were the smartest people in the room. Often their hubris led to their downfall. Sadly, that justice would not bring back the people they murdered or give any real solace to the family members left behind. A couple of the stories are a caution against the legal system that cavalierly releases very warped people from jails for previous crimes only to have them commit worse ones.

I found the stories heartbreaking and compelling. It is the kind of book that you could sit down and read from cover to cover or dip into piecemeal. It would probably be a good beach book- that is if you can ever feel safe again at the beach. Four purrs and two paws up.
Profile Image for Anni.
99 reviews1 follower
April 4, 2023
This is actually a really well written and researched collection of 10 murders occurring in multiple locations across the coast of the UK. Unlike some true crime stories, this one has a multitude of sources and quotes from involved parties, which have been collated from interviews, court hearings, and much more. I also like that the cases included in this collection ranged from domestic violence murders to serial killers and didn't contain just 10 cases, which were similar. All the cases included had different angles, and you really felt you knew the murderer and the victim thanks to the backstorys included from thorough research into those involved. There are some particularly harrowing ones, some extremely complex and others that are more cut and dry. It is disconcerting to read of so many horrendous crimes occurring on your coastal doorstep but because the book has been so well written in doesn't leave a bad taste in your mouth afterwards like some true crime non fictions. I put this down to the great storytelling of the authors whereby they can retell a gruesome crime but also provide you with closure on them. 5 star read and a must for anyone with interests in major crime.
Profile Image for Jo Shaw.
523 reviews34 followers
July 19, 2022
Murder by the Sea is a companion book for the tv series of the same name. Being quite partial to a good true crime tv show, I have seen episodes of Murder by the Sea, although none of the murders covered in the book. I was familiar with one of the cases within the book, possibly from another true crime show. The episodes of Murder by the Sea are very good, and I liked the fact that this companion book includes additional material and insights that may have been missed from the tv show.

The ten crimes covered in the book were all very different, and I have to admit that some shocked me a little, but also some of the crimes left me feeling puzzled because the motive was not always clear, but then that is the way that crimes are investigated and there are always cases where motive is never fully understood or explained by the murderer. It was interesting having input from not only detectives but also leading experts.

I found the writing style of the book engaging, and it kept drawing me in and making me want to read more. There are ten crimes covered in the book, in various locations around the coastline of the United Kingdom. I think many of us dream of living by the coast, I know I do, but the idyllic scenery, and family entertainment in seaside resorts clearly masks the more sinister events that can take place in these small towns by the sea.

Murder by the Sea is a great companion to the tv series, and a fascinating insight into some shocking murders that have taken place in the UK.
Profile Image for Denice Langley.
4,823 reviews46 followers
August 5, 2022
I like that review.....a beach read like no other.....Murder by the Sea is 10 case stories of Murder by the Sea. These stories have been presented on the reality television series but the book contains more information that was presented on tv. Very good true crime books are unique. The stories need to be fascinating enough to hold the attention without adding fictional details. The writing must be skillful, no one wants to read a list of facts and a boring wrap up. This companion book to a reality tv show has proven that Robin Jarossi has what is required to keep a reader hooked long after the show is over. Great writing all around.
Profile Image for Julia Aprelkova.
4 reviews
August 29, 2022
Easy read for the weekend with some interesting cases in it - the case of Louisa May Merrifield being the most curious as it happened in 1953 with Louisa getting hanged while her husband walked a free man out of court, but he probably was just as guilty. Good read if you haven't seen the TV show (which I haven't).
Profile Image for M Samuell.
153 reviews
January 4, 2023
Not what I was expecting.

Murder by the Sea is the behind-the-scenes look at the CBS Reality show of the same name wherein journalist and true crime author Geoffrey Wansell explores various murders in the United Kingdom. With 6 seasons dating back to 2018 I made the snap assumption that this was going to be a fast favorite. However, I should have taken a closer look at the source material.

The show itself frequently receives 6/10 or fewer ratings, citing issues like repetition and uninteresting content.
I would have gladly given the show a watch myself, except there are only a handful of later season episodes provided by niche streaming services on this side of 'the pond'.

Despite being a self-proclaimed 'anglophile', and true crime connoisseur, this one unfortunately missed the mark for me.

Right off the bat the book delves into: anti-American sentiment (not saying I am overly patriotic myself, but the bullying seemed a bit excessive), problematic overgeneralization, contradictory narratives, erroneous timeline jumping, unnecessary tangents, and several embedded images that are impossible to see in the ebook format (despite having 20/20 vision). And that is all evident within the first chapter. Unfortunately, despite wading through, these issues persist.

Most of the background feels like irrelevant padding and worked wonders as a late-night sleep aid.

If you are a fan of the show, go on and give this one a read (or better yet, a listen) otherwise you may be better off sticking to other, richer, true crime material.

[Thank you to NetGalley and Mardle Books for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.}
Profile Image for Rebecca Jamison.
560 reviews17 followers
November 20, 2022
I am fascinated by true crime and always have been but mostly the forensic and psychological side of it.

Murder By The Sea is made up of ten chapters, each a story about a murder that happened in a seaside town. Some of these in more recent days and some dating back to the 1950s.

It reads exactly like a documentary (this book is taken from one such documentary of the same name) with information on the towns, backgrounds to both victims and killers and quotes from the officers and doctors who worked on the cases. I did not want to put this down and surprisingly I'd only heard of one case. Another case though, I think will stay with me forever. Mathew Hardman, that's all I will say. Wow.

I found myself wanting to know more whilst reading and did have an extra little Google at some stories.

If you are a true crime fan, this is for you.
Profile Image for Dirty Dayna.
2,155 reviews109 followers
October 5, 2022
This was a very good true crime book about murders around England. I think a better cover would do wonders for this book. I liked nearly all of the stories presented as they were the right length to share the story. I also really liked that it wasnt only the "popular and well known crimes". We saw a few different types of killers in this presentation which I liked because it showed how sinister criminals are.
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