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Jemima Jago Mystery #4

A Death at Neptune Cove

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A birthday beach party gone wrong, buried treasure and… a dead body? This might be Jemima Jago’s most baffling case yet!

When Jem knocked on the door of an isolated cottage overlooking the beautiful Neptune Cove, she was hoping for help fixing a birthday cake baking disaster. She was not expecting to find the tenant dead on the tiled floor, specks of blood on the collar of his navy and red satin pajamas…

The victim is Arthur Ajax, a handsome and wealthy American businessman who arrived in the Isles of Scilly as a tourist ten months ago and never left. There have been rumors about him in town – he was known for his extravagant lifestyle – perhaps he’d gone overboard, could his death be connected to an unpaid debt?

Later that same evening, Jem stumbles across a hoard of buried jewelry, dug up from the dunes by little dog Buck, and she immediately wonders if they could be connected to the rich man’s murder. It’s not every day you find expensive—and very real looking—sapphire earrings stashed away in an antique biscuit tin!

Jem seeks help from local jewelry expert to identify the gems. But when he suddenly goes missing, Jem knows someone is trying to cover their tracks. Can she catch the killer before he makes her walk the plank too?

275 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 29, 2022

265 people are currently reading
119 people want to read

About the author

Emma Jameson

33 books497 followers
Also known as S.A. Reid.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
Profile Image for The Sassy Bookworm.
4,069 reviews2,873 followers
November 29, 2022
⭐⭐⭐⭐ -- Great cover on this one!

This is honestly such a delightful little series! This was another great addition. Same fantastic writing. A great setting. Well paved. A mystery that kept me guessing. Wonderful characters. What's not to love? Well, one small thing. I am (and will always be) #teamHack I just think she has way more on page chemistry with him than Rhys, and I was not a fan the way Jem treated Hack and the way the author left things at the finish of this one. However, what can you do? That's not the direction the author choose to go in. 🤷🏻‍♀️ This series is still a lot of fun and I can't wait to dive into the next book!

**ARC Via NetGalley**
Profile Image for Javier.
1,185 reviews304 followers
October 2, 2022
Jemima Jago, a.k.a. the Scilly Sleuth, is back for the fourth time in another installment of this fun cozy mysteries series.

A surprise birthday party at Neptune Cov goes awry when Jem falls on the birthday cake and she and Pauley go to Neptune Cottage to try to salvage it, but instead they find the tenant dead on the floor. A buried treasure and evidence of fraud will complicate matters even more, but Jem and her friends will be there to catch a murderer.

I really like how this series is evolving. Not only Jem’s character has truly grown since book one (here’s even mentioned how she’s not the same woman she first arrived to the island), but all the supporting characters are evolving and getting their chance to shine. It was great to see how we got to hear from Pauley and Rhys’ POVs, and this time the investigation was more of a team effort and not focused only on Jem.

Although the mysteries are self conclusive in each installment, I would truly recommend to read the series in order, as the personal lives of the characters have been developing over the four books, so it will help you to understand their dynamics. It’s been great to see the love triangle situation resolved at last, although I’m a bit sad for Hack.

The setting is one of the biggest successes of the series. The small town community feel around the island works perfectly for the cozy mysteries and always makes me wanna move there (or take a trip aboard the Bellatrix at least!).

There are plenty of suspects and red-herrings to keep you on your toes. There was one that had me convinced I had guessed the culprit, for me to be proven completely wrong at the end so, well done!

Another great addition to the series. I can’t wait to meet back Jem and Co.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Bookworm86 .
1,992 reviews137 followers
October 5, 2022
BLOG TOUR REVIEW 


Review for 'A Death At Neptune Cove' by Emma Jameson. 


Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Emma Jameson, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous 


Publication date 29th September 2022.


This is the fourth book I have read by this author. It is also the fourth book in the 'Jemima Jago Mystery' series but can be read as a standalone. I have previously read 'A Death At Seascape House' which is the first book in the 'Jemima Jago Mystery' series, 'A Death At Candlewick Castle' which is the second book in the series and 'A Death At Silversmith Bay' which is the third book in the series and I would highly recommend each one. 



I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that 'Fans of M.C. Beaton, Faith Martin and Agatha Christie will be hooked by A Death at Neptune Cove.'. I am a huge fan of Faith Martin and Agatha Christie so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Emma Jameson and if this is half as good as 'A Death At Seascape House', 'A Death At Candlewick Castle' and 'A Death At Silversmith Bay' it is sure to be a page turning read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture  that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).


This novel consists of 28 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!


This book is based in Cornwall, England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture. The fact that this book is based in Cornwall is even better as I have been on holiday in Cornwall many times so may even recognise some places Emma has set the book around. 


This book is written in third person perspective with the main protagonist being Jemima Jago, Rhys Tremayne and Pauley Gwyn. The benefits of third person perspective especially with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything. 


Yet another absolutely fantastic read from the very talented Emma Jameson!!! Well done Emma 👏 👏 👏!!! 



This book was very well written and the vivid descriptions really made me feel that I was in Cornwall with the sea air and sand all around me. It felt like a lovely mini holiday which was much needed!! The synopsis and cover worked perfectly with the storyline. I really liked that the chapters all had their own headings that resonated with the events of that chapter and many were direct quotes from the chapter itself and also quite amusing. 

 


The storyline itself is a mix of slow and fast paced, starting off quite slow and picking up speed throughout. I would liken it to to a rollercoaster with the first quarter being the build up as you get to the top and then the rest of the ride being fast paced filled with twists, turns, some suspense, tension and a shock at the end!! One I never expected which I am very pleased to report, not a huge fan of books that I have it all figured out by 50%. I loved that it had so much book talk, which was to be, if not expected then definitely hoped for as our protagonist is a librarian. This is a perfect beach read or one to curl up with in front of a fire. The setting and atmosphere is perfectly portrayed for a cozy mystery. This book is such an easy read with the words flowing I just could not put it down. I absolutely love the atmosphere and really feel like Cornwall is becoming my second home. I'm especially looking forward to visiting again in real life next year and will be keeping an eye on some of the places mentioned in the book to see if I recognise anywhere Emma based the storyline on. Emma's first two books are based in St. Morwenna and her third book in Penzance so it was  pleasant surprise to be exploring Bryher in this book. I am definitely looking forward to returning to Morwenna but also exploring more of Penzance. I actually find it quite delightful that I have now got 3 places to look forward to visiting every time I step into Emma and Jem's adventures!!! I loved that in this book we get to see what is going on through the eyes of Paulie and Rhys and see how they are feeling and hope Emma continues in this theme in the next book. It would be interesting to see more of what Hugh is feeling and seeing too. I absolutely adore the Jem Jago series and am thoroughly looking forward to reading the next book in this fantastic series that I have loved from the start!!! 


Although this is the fourth book in the series I had absolutely no problems reading it without the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.    


The characters were an eclectic mix. I must admit I'm not quite sure what to make of Jem at the start of the series as at times I quite enjoyed her strong willed personality and she has definitely grown more on me since first meeting her in 'A Death At Seascape Hoise'. However, since reading 'A Death At Candlewick Castle', 'A Death At Silversmith Bay' and now this fantastic read I can definitely say I am now one of her biggest fans!! I absolutely adore her attitude and love watching her relationships with friends and more grow, develop and change over the books. It was intriguing to see that Jem and Rhys are finally in a relationship but it will be interesting to see how long it lasts with Hack on the scene who is obviously not happy about this development!! However, I do think that what she did towards to the end of the book will cause a shift in their friendship so I'm definitely looking forward to what happens next!! It has also been intriguing watching Kenzie grow and her attitude change as she develops. Although she did seem to be a bit of a brat a few times there were other points where she showed her maturity. However, nobody can really blame her for acting out with a mother like Lissa. Lissa is a complete embarrassment and should be ashamed of how she acts especially being a mother. I would be mortified if she was my sister let alone mum!! Bart is his usual self in this book, some things never change and I'm glad they don't. My heart went out to Clarence in this book who is a larger than life character and who I have really bonded with from the start. I bonded with Micki immediately in the first book and loved meeting her larger than life character again along with Hack. Pauley and Rhys in both the following books. They have turned into friends for me and I look forward to meeting them every time. They all have their own quirks and habits and all work perfectly together. I loved meeting the newer characters again in this series especially Tori who I am looking forward to getting to know more and one cannot forget about Wotsit who is just a typical, but memerable, cat!!. So much to look forward to in the next epic adventure, I just cannot wait!!! Their team dynamic works really well and i have become completely invested in them. 


A huge congratulations to Emma on yet another successful novel. This is exactly why you are one of my favourite authors and here's to the next book in this explosive series 🥂 


This is exactly why this series is one of my favourite and you Emma are on og my favourite authors!!! 


Overall an intriguing, page turning, cosy mystery in an idyllic setting which will keep you hooked throughout. 


Genres covered in this novel include Mystery, Thriller, Cozy Crafts & Hobbies Mystery, Cozy Culinary Mystery, Cozy Animal Mystery, Suspense, Murder, Police Procedural, Crime Thriller and Cozy Mystery amongst others. 


I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Faith Martin, Clare Chase, M.C. Beaton, Fliss Chester, Agatha Christie and anyone looking for a page turning cosy mystery!!! 



274 pages.


This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon or free on kindle unlimited and £7.99 in paperback (at time of review) which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!! 


Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook. 


Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews 


#ADeathAtNeptuneCove #Bookouture  #EmmaJameson #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour #JemimaJagoMystery 

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Profile Image for Robin Loves Reading.
2,900 reviews468 followers
September 30, 2022
Jemima Jago has put together a last-minute birthday party but then the birthday cake was all but ruined. Knocking on the door of a nearby cottage while at Neptune Cove with hopes of fixing the cake nets Jem a real shock. The householder is dead. Sadly, this is not the first dead body that Jem as stumbled upon. She uses her finely honed skills of deduction and logic to try and discover what has happened.

It doesn’t take Jem long to discover the identification the victim, who was a business from America. Apparently he had been living on the Isles of Scilly for quite some time, and as things turned out, had been the victim of gossip and rumors. Someone wanted him dead and Jem is determined to discover who that was and to bring that individual to justice.

Not sure if it is a coincidence or not, Jem’s flame Rhys and his dog, were about and Rhys’s dog dug up a cache of gems on the beach. Not one to believe in coincidences, Jem soldiers on, more determined than ever. Talking to anyone who knew the victim, and learning about his extravagant lifestyle, Jem and Rhys find themselves deeply embroiled in a world previously unknown to both of them.

Meanwhile, Jem is determined to have that birthday party for fourteen-year-old Kenzie, thus she has more than enough on her plate. With a determined Jem, excellent pacing and a light touch, A Death at Neptune Cove was another enjoyable read in this wonderful cozy mystery series.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
4,392 reviews57 followers
September 30, 2022
3 1/2 stars. Jemima Jago, librarian and amateur sleuth, found a body in a rented cottage and of course it turned out to be murder. Determined not to let a close-minded detective railroad an innocent friend into jail, she jumped in to investigate...

I have read some of Emma Jameson's other series and have always been engaged by the depth of her characters. It is not different in this series. Though this is the first one in this series I have read--it is the fourth in the series--it was not necessary to have read the other books to understand what was going on in this one but it was obvious there is a lot of context I have lost by not reading them. These were well-developed characters who struggled with relationships, careers and being true to oneself.

The mystery was solid, the location interesting and the relationships were strong even if they were not perfect. It was all the more realistic that way. I will definitely be reading more of this series.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest opinion.
Profile Image for Mellissa Bushby.
Author 3 books49 followers
October 8, 2022
Reading a Jem Jago is always a pleasure, especially towards the end. I find that the first one third was a bit laggy, and sometimes - just sometimes - the humour is a little too much, almost as if everything is a big joke.

But those really are my only criticisms. Characters are well-portrayed (Rhys is one of a kind) and so is Jem, who I really warmed to this time around. Apart from the slight drag in the beginning, this was a solid read.

Till next time Jem Jago, always a pleasure. 3 and a half stars, rounded up.

Thanks to NetGalley for my ARC.
Profile Image for Nicola “Shortbookthyme”.
2,388 reviews135 followers
October 6, 2022
Stumbling upon a dead body has Jemma and her friends on the hunt to find out what happened.
A Death at Neptune Cove is a fun, fast paced, cozy mystery.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Mila.
726 reviews32 followers
November 3, 2022
I like how this is set in current day 2022 mentioning Uber and drone mail delivery. Lots of humour in between corpse discoveries.
Profile Image for Lisa.
603 reviews65 followers
October 20, 2022
I previously had the opportunity to review the third in Emma Jameson’s Jemima Jago series, A Death at Silversmith Bay. It was delightful, so I was pleased to have the chance to be on the blog tour for A Death at Neptune Cove.

Emma Jameson does not disappoint!

Jem is only trying to find help fixing a squashed birthday cake when she and Pauley let themselves into Neptune Cottage. Instead of a helping hand, though, they found the tenant, one Arthur Ajax, dead on the kitchen floor. The murder weapon? Apparently a loaf of pumpernickel bread. Clarence, a local amateur baker, handed them out to everyone. Jem realizes the police will take this to mean Clarence was the killer, so she and her friends jump into action to figure out who really dunnit.

And not only is there a murder. There’s also treasure! Rhys Tremayne’s little dog Buck unearths a cache of jewels. Are the jewels related to the dead man? Jem is determined to find out.

This is another fun read! Arthur Ajax is definitely not what he seems. Several things don’t make sense – a stash of letters addressed to someone else and a very expensive sewing machine found in the cottage don’t seem to fit what people know of Arthur. The more Jem digs, the more she realizes that several people might have wanted to see an end to him. As they unravel the clues, we get international intrigue, a yacht that Arthur may or may not have owned, and a line of hearts he trifled with that could wrap around the island. The twists and turns kept me guessing.

The island setting is, as always, delightful. I want to visit the Isles of Scilly now. Jameson uses the environment and the things associated with it, particularly boats, to good effect here.

And I was thrilled to see progress in Jem and Rhys’ relationship! I give nothing away, but they do make me smile.

This is another tremendously enjoyable read from Emma Jameson, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good cozy with a side of romance and a lovely British setting. Five stars from me!
Profile Image for Caroline|Page~Turners.
579 reviews15 followers
September 30, 2022
Jemima Jago arrives at a hidden cottage overlooking Neptune Cove. She arrives with the intent to salvage a birthday cake disaster. However, she gets more than she bargained for when she finds a dead body on the kitchen floor of the cottage. Arthur Ajax, the victim and extremely rich businessman is from America. He arrived in the Isle of Scilly on vacation and never left. Later that day, Jemma is out in the dunes with her little dog Buck who digs up a treasure trove of buried jewelry. Jemma wonders if the buried jewelry is somehow tied to the mysterious death of Arthur. Jemma takes the jewelry to a local jeweler to see if he may know who the jewelry belongs to. But when he unexpectedly goes missing, Jemma knows for sure it is all connected to Arthur. She must find the killer before they take the opportunity to kill again.

I truly enjoyed this wonderful cozy mystery. The humorous banter between the characters in this story was so enjoyable. The fabulous plot was well written and definitely kept me completely hooked. I loved the role that Buck played in this story, he was a welcome addition to the book. This was an absolutely amazing series and I’m not ready for it to end. Jemima Jago was a loveable character, and I always looked forward to reading her next adventure. This is a definite must read for all cozy mystery fans.

Thank you Emma Jameson for such a wonderful and enjoyable addition to the Jemima Jago Mystery Series. I loved this series so much and I highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Danielle Bush.
1,931 reviews25 followers
August 25, 2022
This is another great installment in the Jemima Jago mystery series!
When we begin our story we are throwing a birthday bash for Kenzie, but after falling on the cake, Jemma and Pauley head off to the closest house to see if the cake can be salvaged. What do they find? Well it's Jemma so, of course, it's a dead body, and he looks to have been killed via a frozen loaf of bread to the back of the head (that's a new one)

Of course, Jem can't help but start investigating this intriguing case, especially when they find out poor Clarence is a suspect. I loved how all of Jemma's friends are helping on this investigation, and that we get chapters from Rhy's and Pauley's POVs. Also, can I just say how happy I am that Jemma has finally picked a guy, and it's exactly who I hoped it would be! ( they actually kind of make it official at the end of the last book, but I loved how their relationship progress in this one)

The mystery of who killed Arthur Ajax is probably one of the most complicated ones they have solved so far. There is no end to the number of suspects as Arthur loved to play the field and had a lot of past lovers with endless reasons to want him dead. A cache of jewels, a gentlemen thief, and a missing yacht, are all seemingly connected but how do the pieces fit together? You'll just have to read it and find out!

I cannot wait to see what Jemma and her crime-solving crew are going to get up to next!
Profile Image for Scilla.
2,015 reviews
September 24, 2022
Jem and Pauley have planned a birthday party for Kenzie at Neptune Cove. However, when Jem falls on the special cake Pauley has made, they go to Neptune Cottage to try to repair the cake and find a dead body who has been hit over the head by a frozen loaf of bread. Pauley recognizes him as Arthur Ajax, a man in whom she was interested. They call Hack, the local police. Before the police arrive, they search the cottage and find a very expensive sewing machine and a pile of letters addressed to John R. Derry. After the police arrive, the party is moved back to St. Morwenna. Before they leave, Rhys finds a tin box with jewelry burried in the sand. As usual, Jem MUST continue to investigate, and Pauley and Rhys help her.

The case appears possibly to relate to John Derry of the letters, who they find was involved in international fraud, and/or a man named Derrick Christensen, who was on the UK most wanted list and has disappeared. Arthur Ajax was definitely a new name for the dead man, and he could be either one of the hunted men, or he could be blackmailing one or the other. Was Ajax burying treasures, or was there someone else? And who owns the beautiful Sunseeker boat which has been seen off and on?

This is an excellent mystery which becomes very exciting as the book nears it's end. This is an exciting addition to the series.
Profile Image for loopyloulaura.
1,542 reviews21 followers
October 13, 2022
Jemima Jago is trying to celebrate a friend's birthday when she finds a murder victim in a secluded cove. It soon becomes clear that the victim had many lovers as well as a secret past, but who wanted him dead?
A Death at Neptune Cove is the fourth amateur sleuth Jem Jago book, set on the Isles of Scilly with trips to mainland Cornwall.
Once she has recovered from her shock at finding another body, Jem uncovers that the victim had a multitude of enemies. This sets her and her friends off on an investigation into the man's love life as well as his true identity and possible jewel heists.
The love triangle of Jem, Hack and Rhys, which has simmered over the previous books, may have finally been resolved but I am not sure who I think she should be with. I liked the mix of personal relationships as a background to the murder case.
The tone of the book is quite light hearted and the dialogue ripples with teasing and humour. Even the supposed murder weapon is amusing: a frozen loaf! The victim himself doesn't not appear to be very easy to like despite his attractiveness to a number of suspects. I had a lot more sympathy with the poor people he used and discarded!
A Death at Neptune Cove is an enjoyable and light hearted murder mystery.
Profile Image for Elaine - Splashes Into Books.
3,891 reviews136 followers
October 18, 2022
The Scilly Sleuth strikes again in this cosy island mystery....

A birthday party for a teen,
At Neptune Cove, it sets the scene.
A trip, the cake cushions the fall
Help's needed to sort it so on a neighbour they call...

The lights are on but no one answers the door
Then they see the body on the kitchen floor.
An American business man who came here to stay
Will never again see the light of day.

With rumours, secrets and blatant lies
Jem into the victim's life tries to spies.
When jewellery is found buried in the sand
Is it connected? Was it planned?

Travel around the islands with Pauley and Jem, too,
As they and their friends try to uncover a clue
To help them identify just who the victim could be
And bring the killer to justice as you'll see.

There's murder, mischief, gossip and lies
Plenty of twists and more than one surprise!
This is another engaging mystery that's great to read
And could well be the next book that you also need!

For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
I highly recommend it in this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Janet.
5,198 reviews65 followers
September 29, 2022
When Jem falls on the birthday cake Pauley made they go to Neptune Cottage to see if it can be salvaged. They’re not expecting to find the tenant dead on the tiled floor. The victim is Arthur Ajax, a handsome and wealthy American businessman who arrived in the Isles of Scilly as a tourist ten months ago and never left. Later that same evening, Jem stumbles across a hoard of buried jewellery, dug up from the dunes by little dog Buck, is there a connection?
This is the fourth outing for Jemima & is another well written captivating read. It could easily be read on its own but I’ve to start a series from the beginning & I love how the characters & relationships have developed over the four books. There are twists & turns as well as, of course, red herrings & I found myself engrossed & read well into the night to finish it. I also love the descriptions of the island
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Profile Image for Mary.
813 reviews
October 1, 2022
A Death at Neptune Cove by Emma Jameson

Jem Jago and friends, on the (oh-so-complicated) case, a most satisfying twisty mystery. It begins, innocently enough, with a birthday party for Kenzie, a show of love intended to cheer her up, but then Jem trips and falls splat! on the special cake, which is only the beginning of the troubles. I don’t want to spoil suspense, so just a partial list of complications will have to suffice: dead body . . . buried treasure . . . stuffed shark and swordfish . . . mystery sailboat . . . scam with “alien’s” healing powers . . . expensive sewing machine with torn silk fabric . . . and why am I mysteriously craving pumpernickel? The investigations goes better with the help of willing friends, hunting bad guys and standing up to authoritarian obstacles. 
I love this series (you don’t have to read in order, but you could) and I would watch it if someone cared to dramatize it (Netflix? if you’re reading this, just do it!)
Profile Image for Diana.
709 reviews9 followers
November 28, 2022
A Death at Neptune Cove is written by Emma Jameson.
The title is a Jemima Jago Mystery, Book #4.
Ms. Jameson has written several series - Jemima Jago Mystery series, Dr. Benjamin Bones Mystery series and Lord and Lady Hetheridge Mystery series.
I like the writing of Ms. Jameson. It is upbeat, definitely ‘cozy and cute’ and there is a mystery involved in all of her books. The locations here - Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are great fun and interesting to read about.
I think some of the characters are a bit ‘over the top’ - silly and quite unrealistic at times, especially the character of Lizzie. I know (think) that authors exaggerate their characters at times in order to make a point, but there is a limit. I like cute and quirky, but not too silly.
I think it is the friendly, upbeat writing style that keeps me going with this particular series; that
and the location and its history.
***
17 reviews2 followers
October 9, 2022
Reading any book written by Emma Jameson is enjoyable and satisfying. Her main character in this series, Jemima Jago, is a librarian with a penchant for stumbling upon and solving murders. In the first book of the series, Jemma lives in Penzance, coming home to the place where she grew up, the unique and beautiful Scilles Islands, off the coast of Cornwall. Jemma has been a loner, moving from job to job to satisfy her professional interests. She is suddenly surrounded by friends and family who create challenges for her personal struggles and help her solve the mysteries she cannot resist. The series is as much about her journey reconnecting with old friends and family, figuring out her place in the world, as it is about finding the culprits of murders. I highly recommend reading this series from the beginning, A Death at Seascape House.
Profile Image for Jan.
6,531 reviews100 followers
October 4, 2022
Citizen Snoop aka Scilly Sleuths.
Welcome to the Isles Of Scilly. Accessible only by water (or helicopter) are an archipelago off the south westernmost coast of Cornwall.
This is fourth in a fun series about a librarian/amateur sleuth and the good friends who work together with he to find justice instead of the most convenient answer. The obvious villain is the DCI of Devon/Cornwall who always puts himself first and goes out of his way to make things difficult for Jemma and the local constabulary. But finding out who is the villain who murdered a summer person with some unsavory habits is the real mystery. Great addictive read!
Tamsin Kennard is a fun voice actress who really adds really good things to the story/characters.


Bookouture
Profile Image for Diane Shearer.
1,203 reviews10 followers
August 21, 2023
What a disappointment. None of the charm of the first three, no humor, no literary tie in, really distasteful subject matter. Plot holes and unresolved issues abound. The murder victim is a criminal man whore yet everyone is in love with him. A girl has a crush on a gay guy. A guy has a crush on a straight guy while sleeping with the man whore (Ewwww). Half the single men in the Scilly Isles are apparently gay and promiscuous. The straight guys are dating while married. (Ewwww). No wonder Pauley and Micki are still single. None of this is fun to read. Skip this one. I’m going to read the next one, but if it doesn’t improve I’m done with this author. Too bad. The first three were a lot of fun. This one is just icky.
Profile Image for Nikki.
1,426 reviews12 followers
October 5, 2022
The latest cozy mystery in the Jemima Jago series set on the Isles of Scilly.

Jemma has the habit of finding dead bodies which have met an unfortunate end, but with her best friend Pauley and new boyfriend Rhys, together with Sargeant Hack of the local Police force, she usually finds the murderer. This is much to the consternation of a certain DS Conrad on the Mainland, also her Boss at the Courtenay Library where she is Head of Special Collections.

I couldn't put this book down and didn't guess the ending. Each book is a standalone cozy mystery but the books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and series.
Profile Image for Glenn Younger.
Author 4 books5 followers
December 12, 2025
A mish mash

A gorgeous gay gets murdered. Gay lovers suspected. No real red herrings.

People pairing off. A very lukewarm sex scene that is supposed to be hot, but it’s not.

DC Conrad—brought in for tension— is boringly predictable. He gets Jem in trouble with her boss, but it’s water off her back. She quits instead of fights. It’s all handled off stage where it affects us the least.

A rushed ending. Was that supposed to create suspense and tension? It didn’t.

Sorry, but this one is not as memorable as the others. Everything either comes too easy or it is too too predictable. It’s a mish mash of superficial mediocre.
Profile Image for Cozy Reviews.
2,050 reviews5 followers
September 9, 2022
This is the 4trh in series set on a idyllic island of St. Morwenna with librarian Jemima. I enjoy the picturesque setting in this seires and the capable protagnist. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinion is my own .

Jemima has two mysteries to solve in this next in series. She finds a dead body and a cache of jewelry. .If the two are related its up to her and her savvy skills to solvle the mysteries. A fast paced mystery and a strong addition to the series. A fun read .

Profile Image for Annarella.
14.2k reviews167 followers
October 9, 2022
This is one of those series I enjoy reading as I want to know what is going on the character's life. There's a lot of character development and I was glad to see how things changed and one my pet peeve in cozy mystery was solved.
It's the best book in this series so fare and I thoroughly enjoyed the solid mystery that kept me guessing.
The characters are becoming more and more interesting and loved the setting.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Profile Image for Louis Deegan.
87 reviews1 follower
October 12, 2022
I'm missing something here. Fun reads and all, these plots and descriptions are (pun intended) foggy.
The descriptions of the sailboat action are ludicrous: where is the crew to handle this craft? Surely one man can not, alone, get this craft moving. Floors are decks etc. Other sea action in small craft bounce around.
The back and forth with conjecture as to who may be guilty abound; seems like fill. I will probably stop here. The first books were somewhat better which I enjoyed, but Not this one.
Profile Image for Roz.
708 reviews16 followers
October 24, 2022
Another case for amateur sleuth Jem Jago and her friends which involves murder, blackmail, treasure hunting and much more.

Well written and with lively descriptive writing about the area this is a good book, best read after the first three to get a good idea of the main characters and their motivations and relationships to each other. Loving the new budding romance for Jem and looking forward to reading more about this in the next book.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Marnie.
776 reviews1 follower
July 5, 2025
I enjoyed being back with Jemima and co for this latest instalment. With its magical setting, I was transported into the pages watching from the sidelines as it all unfolded.

The mystery entails the death of a wealthy business man, Arthur Ajax, who’s body Jemima stumbles upon when seeking help for a baking disaster. From there she becomes embroiled in this intriguing case, where there more to it than meets the eye…

An enjoyable and entertaining read from start to finish, A Death at Neptune Cove is a great addition to this series.
1,018 reviews14 followers
October 1, 2022
Jem simply can’t help investigating after she and her friend Pauley discover a body at Neptune Cove. Sticking her nose into police business always gets her into trouble, but this time her boss is not happy with her. Jem’s snooping often leads her into dangerous situations. Set on Scilly, Jem weekends on the island where her boyfriend and her best friends live. A fantastic setting, fun characters, and a good mystery make this a fun read.
408 reviews3 followers
October 2, 2022
great read

Jen Jago’s books the beginning I generally find them a bit confusing but as I keep reading I can’t put them down. I was a bit sorry for Hack, but really happy foe Jem and Rhys. I am not sure about the end, I liked the idea of the Special Collection Library Expert with a flair for investigation. I am not sure about the other way around. I’ll have to wait for the next book. Though I did like that she didn’t submit to her boss and squashed Conrad’s threats.
48 reviews1 follower
October 18, 2022
Jem Jago - Not an amateur any longer

Jem and friends are celebrating Kenzie's birthday, but what's a birthday party without a body. This adventure was full of misdirection and leads. Jem is met with more resistance than usual from the police, even her friend Hack. But in the end all is well. Emma Jameson has a way of pulling you into all the layers of the case. I'm sure this installment of Jem's adventure will have you on the lookout for the next book. Thanks Emma.
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