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Edge of the World Detective Agency #1
The Wrecker's Curse
Donna Nightshade’s first rule of shred.
Things rot quicker that way – cabbages, flowers, dead bodies … When Donna branches out from floristry to private investigation and opens The Edge of the World Detective Agency, the last thing she expects is to have a murder fall into her lap almost immediately. Now, normally she wouldn’t be one to look a gift horse in the mouth, but there’s one significant problem with the case – all the evidence points to Donna as the murderer!
Donna may have hated the man, but she’s not the only one who had the means and motive, so she dons her deerstalker. Staying two steps ahead of the police – specifically her ex, Detective Sergeant Joe Enys – won’t be easy, but with pirate blood in her veins nothing can stop ‘deadly’ Donna from claiming her bounty and making the real culprit walk the plank!
Things rot quicker that way – cabbages, flowers, dead bodies … When Donna branches out from floristry to private investigation and opens The Edge of the World Detective Agency, the last thing she expects is to have a murder fall into her lap almost immediately. Now, normally she wouldn’t be one to look a gift horse in the mouth, but there’s one significant problem with the case – all the evidence points to Donna as the murderer!
Donna may have hated the man, but she’s not the only one who had the means and motive, so she dons her deerstalker. Staying two steps ahead of the police – specifically her ex, Detective Sergeant Joe Enys – won’t be easy, but with pirate blood in her veins nothing can stop ‘deadly’ Donna from claiming her bounty and making the real culprit walk the plank!
384 pages, Paperback
First published March 10, 2023
78 people are currently reading
415 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
March 9, 2023
First book in a new series by a new (to me) author. It was delightful and totally unexpected!
Set in beautiful Cornwall, the characters were quirky and slightly magical, the writing was good and the mystery was totally unpredictable. Well done to the author for writing an excellent cosy mystery whilst avoiding some of the normal characteristics of the genre.
The main character is Belladonna Nightshade, commonly known as either Donna or Deadly. The author makes great use of everything Cornish - scenery, well known places, common Cornish names. As she worked her way through all the places I used to visit as a child on holiday - Penzance, Porthleven, Minack Theatre and more - I was rapt.
There is a love interest too which will be interesting to follow in future books. I very much look forward to it.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Set in beautiful Cornwall, the characters were quirky and slightly magical, the writing was good and the mystery was totally unpredictable. Well done to the author for writing an excellent cosy mystery whilst avoiding some of the normal characteristics of the genre.
The main character is Belladonna Nightshade, commonly known as either Donna or Deadly. The author makes great use of everything Cornish - scenery, well known places, common Cornish names. As she worked her way through all the places I used to visit as a child on holiday - Penzance, Porthleven, Minack Theatre and more - I was rapt.
There is a love interest too which will be interesting to follow in future books. I very much look forward to it.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
February 13, 2023
What a breath of fresh air for the mystery genre! Belladonna Nightshade, a florist, hangs up her tools and branches off into investigative work when she opens ‘The Edge of the World Detective Agency.’
It doesn’t take long before her first case tests her in unimaginable ways.
The humour and wordplay at work are fantastic; I loved the Fitbit warning! The sense of place and the author’s ability to put me there are outstanding, and her cast of characters is unique and engaging. The inclusion of the folklore was a great addition, as was the crossover botanicals knowledge becoming useful for her deductive skills.
I’ve loved the author’s historical fiction books and this was good for me to see how capable she is with other genres. I look forward to book two this summer, “Murder on the Mount,” set in France. Thank you to the lovely people at Harper Collins UK/One More Chapter for inviting me to read this refreshing galley.
I was gifted this copy by HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
It doesn’t take long before her first case tests her in unimaginable ways.
The humour and wordplay at work are fantastic; I loved the Fitbit warning! The sense of place and the author’s ability to put me there are outstanding, and her cast of characters is unique and engaging. The inclusion of the folklore was a great addition, as was the crossover botanicals knowledge becoming useful for her deductive skills.
I’ve loved the author’s historical fiction books and this was good for me to see how capable she is with other genres. I look forward to book two this summer, “Murder on the Mount,” set in France. Thank you to the lovely people at Harper Collins UK/One More Chapter for inviting me to read this refreshing galley.
I was gifted this copy by HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
March 10, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up.
The Edge Of The World Detective Agency Book 1.
When Donna branches out from floristry to private investigator and opens The Edge of the World Detective Agency, the last thing she expects is to have a murder fall into her lap almost immediately. Now, normally she wouldn't be one to look a gift horse in the mouth, but there's one significant problem with the case - all the evidence points to Donna.
This is a descriptively written story that's set in Cornwall. Belladonna (Donna) Nightshade set up the private detective agency. She is hired by a family member, but she didn't expect to be the main suspect in a murder investigation. To make matters worse than they already are, it's her ex-boyfriend that's investigating the murder, and he's arrested her before. There's some humor to this cosy murder mystery. There's lots of twists and some well-rounded and likable characters.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter and the author #JoSilva for my ARC of #TheWreckersCurse in exchange for an honest review.
The Edge Of The World Detective Agency Book 1.
When Donna branches out from floristry to private investigator and opens The Edge of the World Detective Agency, the last thing she expects is to have a murder fall into her lap almost immediately. Now, normally she wouldn't be one to look a gift horse in the mouth, but there's one significant problem with the case - all the evidence points to Donna.
This is a descriptively written story that's set in Cornwall. Belladonna (Donna) Nightshade set up the private detective agency. She is hired by a family member, but she didn't expect to be the main suspect in a murder investigation. To make matters worse than they already are, it's her ex-boyfriend that's investigating the murder, and he's arrested her before. There's some humor to this cosy murder mystery. There's lots of twists and some well-rounded and likable characters.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter and the author #JoSilva for my ARC of #TheWreckersCurse in exchange for an honest review.
August 20, 2023
This was a wild ride! A little past the halfway point I really got into it and I have to say that I think it perfectly balances between staying true to its genre and doing something original. I look forward to discussing it in my crime reading group!
March 18, 2024
The plot twists keep you guessing, and not always what’s coming next but how all the characters are involved with each other. I kinda want to go to the Cornwall coast now. This is a fun and cozy way to investigate. A little Miss Marple with a little Wisteria Ladies…
November 10, 2024
Thank you to the lady in Shrew Books , Fowey, who recommended this Cornish mystery to me. It's funny and very entertaining.
August 1, 2024
Started okay but it just sillier and sillier.
June 5, 2025
3.7stars actually
May 14, 2024
The Cornish Curse is a light and funny who dunnit with a rather quirky cast of characters. I was compelled to buy the audio version as I knew that the dramatised narration would do the characters better justice than my inner reading voice.
To enjoy this series you should start with this book as it outlines the history of Donna's family, pertinent family members and what makes them special compared to the ordinary people in their town.
In this first instalment, Donna goes around in circles trying to find the identity of a killer when all the evidence points to her. The local detective tries to give her the benefit of the doubt but time is running out.
Chaos, twists and turns, blackmail and subterfuge abound and it's very humourous and witty in its unfolding. I couldn't put the book down and listened to it at every available opportunity. The narration was excellent and I'll continue with the series in audio.
To enjoy this series you should start with this book as it outlines the history of Donna's family, pertinent family members and what makes them special compared to the ordinary people in their town.
In this first instalment, Donna goes around in circles trying to find the identity of a killer when all the evidence points to her. The local detective tries to give her the benefit of the doubt but time is running out.
Chaos, twists and turns, blackmail and subterfuge abound and it's very humourous and witty in its unfolding. I couldn't put the book down and listened to it at every available opportunity. The narration was excellent and I'll continue with the series in audio.
February 22, 2023
A cosy mystery type book, a whodunnit. It’s not my usual genre and not really something I normally choose to read. However, I was intrigued, as this author writes under a different name and I’ve read four of her books, two historical and two contemporary fiction. Described as a fun read, I had to give it a go just to see what it was like. After all I don’t mind crime fiction as long as it’s not too bleak.
The story surrounds the oddest of families, the Nightshades holed up on a crumbling family estate in Cornwall, headed up by Donna Nightshade, who as well as running a floristry business has decided to take up Private Investigating as a side line. She’s had the business cards printed and who should be her first customer but her nefarious uncle who has recently turned up like the proverbial bad penny. You can tell how bad he is, his wife is in a secure hospital after pleading insanity when she tried to kill him. There are many more slightly batty characters in amongst the Nightshade family, including a parrot and when murder is committed, well, the suspect could be any one of the family members or even someone from the wider community, the finger is pointed at each of them, with the odd dodgy confession thrown in to put you off the scent.
Normal people these are not, and nor is it your run of the mill whodunnit. There is much humour and satirical wit, with a plot that verges on farcical, and taking a wander down Lidl’s middle aisle, for me, will never be quite the same again. I’ve never read a cosy crime book so have nothing to compare this book with, but it’s certainly a fun read which will have you laughing out loud and at the same time scratching your head wondering what crazy confession might come next. With lots of twists, turns and tall stories this book will keep you flying through the pages until you reach it’s final, action packed conclusion. There is even a little romance in there too.
The story surrounds the oddest of families, the Nightshades holed up on a crumbling family estate in Cornwall, headed up by Donna Nightshade, who as well as running a floristry business has decided to take up Private Investigating as a side line. She’s had the business cards printed and who should be her first customer but her nefarious uncle who has recently turned up like the proverbial bad penny. You can tell how bad he is, his wife is in a secure hospital after pleading insanity when she tried to kill him. There are many more slightly batty characters in amongst the Nightshade family, including a parrot and when murder is committed, well, the suspect could be any one of the family members or even someone from the wider community, the finger is pointed at each of them, with the odd dodgy confession thrown in to put you off the scent.
Normal people these are not, and nor is it your run of the mill whodunnit. There is much humour and satirical wit, with a plot that verges on farcical, and taking a wander down Lidl’s middle aisle, for me, will never be quite the same again. I’ve never read a cosy crime book so have nothing to compare this book with, but it’s certainly a fun read which will have you laughing out loud and at the same time scratching your head wondering what crazy confession might come next. With lots of twists, turns and tall stories this book will keep you flying through the pages until you reach it’s final, action packed conclusion. There is even a little romance in there too.
March 21, 2023
The Wrecker’s Curse by Jo Silva is part of a series but could be read as a stand-alone. It was an interesting premise: a family “cursed.” It was also a matriarchal family, with both “powers” and real estate passing down through the women, a woman: Donna “Deadly” Nightshade. There were two living now: one was in prison, rather in an insane asylum; the other was at home running the family. Now, the second Donna was to be arrested for murdering the same man the first one had tried to kill. He was a bad man, everyone agreed. The family held lots of secrets, not least of which was why the first Donna had tried to kill this man, her husband. They lived on the coast in Cornwall. Lots of hills, cliffs, and water. Light houses and lanterns.
A group of interesting characters, from the Nightshade family to the police officer who had been in love with Donna(younger) for years. Well-written, interesting characters. Interestingly all the Nightshades and their friends had motives; they also had means and opportunity. Plus, it appeared they were covering for one another. This book was an interesting conundrum. I didn’t see the end coming and I’m usually good at it. There were twists and turns that the author didn’t introduce until well into the “investigation.” Not sure if that’s fair, or if it was disclosed in the earlier book. I enjoyed this book. It kept me interested and thinking.
I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The Wrecker’s Curse by Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #HarperCollinsUKOneMoreChapter #JoSilva #TheWreckersCurse
A group of interesting characters, from the Nightshade family to the police officer who had been in love with Donna(younger) for years. Well-written, interesting characters. Interestingly all the Nightshades and their friends had motives; they also had means and opportunity. Plus, it appeared they were covering for one another. This book was an interesting conundrum. I didn’t see the end coming and I’m usually good at it. There were twists and turns that the author didn’t introduce until well into the “investigation.” Not sure if that’s fair, or if it was disclosed in the earlier book. I enjoyed this book. It kept me interested and thinking.
I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The Wrecker’s Curse by Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #HarperCollinsUKOneMoreChapter #JoSilva #TheWreckersCurse
March 9, 2023
When Belladonna Nightshade aka Donna branches out from floristry to private investigation and opens The Edge of the World Detective Agency, the last thing she expects is to have a murder fall into her lap almost immediately. Now, normally she wouldn’t be one to look a gift horse in the mouth, but there’s one significant problem with the case – all the evidence points to Donna as the murderer!
Staying two steps ahead of the police – specifically her ex, Detective Sergeant Joe Enys – won’t be easy, but with pirate blood in her veins nothing can stop ‘deadly’ Donna from claiming her bounty and making the real culprit walk the plank!
A new author to me & a new series. It took me a little while to get into the story & the author’s style but after the first few chapters I found myself absorbed not only in the murder but also in the descriptions of Cornwall. It was also unpredictable & different from other cosy mysteries – maybe the reason it took me a while to be engrossed! The characters were well portrayed & had depth & I really liked Donna & Joe, I’ll be interested to see what turns their relationship take
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Staying two steps ahead of the police – specifically her ex, Detective Sergeant Joe Enys – won’t be easy, but with pirate blood in her veins nothing can stop ‘deadly’ Donna from claiming her bounty and making the real culprit walk the plank!
A new author to me & a new series. It took me a little while to get into the story & the author’s style but after the first few chapters I found myself absorbed not only in the murder but also in the descriptions of Cornwall. It was also unpredictable & different from other cosy mysteries – maybe the reason it took me a while to be engrossed! The characters were well portrayed & had depth & I really liked Donna & Joe, I’ll be interested to see what turns their relationship take
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
March 12, 2023
What a great detective story that’s set in beautiful Cornwall. The author describes the location so well and all the characters perfectly.
Donna who’s a want to be detective has a murder to solve, when Jack turns up dead at her play. Who did it and why? Loved the little clues and the back stories.
Great little mystery that’s easily readable in one sitting.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.
Donna who’s a want to be detective has a murder to solve, when Jack turns up dead at her play. Who did it and why? Loved the little clues and the back stories.
Great little mystery that’s easily readable in one sitting.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.
August 21, 2023
Cosy crime written in a cosy, light style as though by a 15 year old. DNF
March 11, 2023
This could be the sleeper book of the year. It gets off to a slow, weird, lumbering start. Almost weird enough to be irritating. It’s goofy and a little hard to follow, the rhythm seems a little off, facts that we think we need to know seem to be jumbled up. But stick with it. Soon it slows down or speeds up or you adjust to the rhythm or something. Whatever it is, you get more and more familiar and comfortable with the narration, dialogue, and pacing. Then you start to smile, then chuckle, then laugh out loud.
About a quarter of the way in, it just picks up and takes off. Suddenly you don’t want to – and can’t - stop turning pages. You think you know where the story is going but you’re probably wrong. The weird characters, weird environment – well, everything is still weird, but every separate part starts to find its place, to fit. And to be very, very intriguing. It’s funny, but it’s dark. Bad people, bad history, bad things happening. It put me in mind just a bit of the latest Stuart MacBride mystery, and that’s a very good thing.
The first-born woman of every generation of the Nightshade family is named Belladonna Nightshade and subsequently known as Donna or ‘Deadly’ and is also the heir to the Penberth throne – in charge and responsible for the family. And what a family. “Our” Donna is Deadly Nightshade XIII. She’s in charge because her Aunty Donna was certified insane and sent to prison after trying to kill her husband, Jack. The current Donna has been in prison (put there by her ex, Detective Sergeant Joe Enys}. And that’s just the beginning. Wait until you meet Jack and Donna’s sister Lamorna and Aunty Donna and Aunt Kerensa and Uncle Jago. That’s only the family; the residents of Penzance are equally . . . interesting? fascinating? weird?
There’s a murder. Donna is the main suspect and Joe is investigating. You get the feeling there is still something between these two exes, but since, you know, there’s that whole he’s the one responsible for sending her to prison thing you aren’t really sure where this might go. Since Donna just opened her detective agency – and since it’s her butt on the line – she decides to investigate, too. She can’t believe any of her friends could be guilty; he is looking for anyone but Donna to have done it. They bump heads. A lot.
I almost gave up at the beginning or resigned myself to slogging through because it was an ARC. But what a mistake that would have been. This book is so much fun to read that you forget to even try and solve the case; you are having too much fun being taken for the ride. And good luck solving it anyway, with twists within twists within twists. Just when you are nodding your head thinking how amazing the solution is – there is another twist! The last quarter of the book zips along at breakneck speed, and all you can do is hang on for dear life and enjoy – love – every word.
Thanks to Harper Collins Publishers One More Chapter for providing an advance copy of The Wrecker’s Curse via NetGalley. I am so glad I stuck with it, because once it got going it went straight to the top of my reading stack and stayed there until I was finished, and I cannot wait for the next book in what promises to be an amazing series. Great writing, great author, great characters – just great. I am voluntarily leaving this review; all opinions are my own.
About a quarter of the way in, it just picks up and takes off. Suddenly you don’t want to – and can’t - stop turning pages. You think you know where the story is going but you’re probably wrong. The weird characters, weird environment – well, everything is still weird, but every separate part starts to find its place, to fit. And to be very, very intriguing. It’s funny, but it’s dark. Bad people, bad history, bad things happening. It put me in mind just a bit of the latest Stuart MacBride mystery, and that’s a very good thing.
The first-born woman of every generation of the Nightshade family is named Belladonna Nightshade and subsequently known as Donna or ‘Deadly’ and is also the heir to the Penberth throne – in charge and responsible for the family. And what a family. “Our” Donna is Deadly Nightshade XIII. She’s in charge because her Aunty Donna was certified insane and sent to prison after trying to kill her husband, Jack. The current Donna has been in prison (put there by her ex, Detective Sergeant Joe Enys}. And that’s just the beginning. Wait until you meet Jack and Donna’s sister Lamorna and Aunty Donna and Aunt Kerensa and Uncle Jago. That’s only the family; the residents of Penzance are equally . . . interesting? fascinating? weird?
There’s a murder. Donna is the main suspect and Joe is investigating. You get the feeling there is still something between these two exes, but since, you know, there’s that whole he’s the one responsible for sending her to prison thing you aren’t really sure where this might go. Since Donna just opened her detective agency – and since it’s her butt on the line – she decides to investigate, too. She can’t believe any of her friends could be guilty; he is looking for anyone but Donna to have done it. They bump heads. A lot.
I almost gave up at the beginning or resigned myself to slogging through because it was an ARC. But what a mistake that would have been. This book is so much fun to read that you forget to even try and solve the case; you are having too much fun being taken for the ride. And good luck solving it anyway, with twists within twists within twists. Just when you are nodding your head thinking how amazing the solution is – there is another twist! The last quarter of the book zips along at breakneck speed, and all you can do is hang on for dear life and enjoy – love – every word.
Thanks to Harper Collins Publishers One More Chapter for providing an advance copy of The Wrecker’s Curse via NetGalley. I am so glad I stuck with it, because once it got going it went straight to the top of my reading stack and stayed there until I was finished, and I cannot wait for the next book in what promises to be an amazing series. Great writing, great author, great characters – just great. I am voluntarily leaving this review; all opinions are my own.
February 15, 2023
5* Completely wacky
The Wrecker’s Curse reflects (exaggerates) the eccentricities of the British people, in particular the Cornish. Because the humour is so British, sadly this excellent book is unlikely to be appreciated or understood by US readers. The author, Jo Silva, has brought wicked sarcasm and snark into her character's thoughts, conversations and actions, all resulting in a very funny book, it's a cross between farce and chaos within a murder mystery. The plot contains constant twists and turns to hide the identity of the murderer, all is revealed at the very end.
I would love to have read this on a beach (in Cornwall), unfortunately I was stuck in bed fighting a nasty bug. I'm sure that my fuzzy brain missed a lot, there's so much here that warrants a second reading. Feeling still under the weather, I won't add my impression of the plot, anyway you've probably read what other reviewers think. I strongly recommend The Wrecker’s Curse, it's great.
Watch out for the second book in the series, Murder on the Mount, due to be released later this year.
ARC generously supplied by HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley, this review is my personal, unbiased opinion.
The Wrecker’s Curse reflects (exaggerates) the eccentricities of the British people, in particular the Cornish. Because the humour is so British, sadly this excellent book is unlikely to be appreciated or understood by US readers. The author, Jo Silva, has brought wicked sarcasm and snark into her character's thoughts, conversations and actions, all resulting in a very funny book, it's a cross between farce and chaos within a murder mystery. The plot contains constant twists and turns to hide the identity of the murderer, all is revealed at the very end.
I would love to have read this on a beach (in Cornwall), unfortunately I was stuck in bed fighting a nasty bug. I'm sure that my fuzzy brain missed a lot, there's so much here that warrants a second reading. Feeling still under the weather, I won't add my impression of the plot, anyway you've probably read what other reviewers think. I strongly recommend The Wrecker’s Curse, it's great.
Watch out for the second book in the series, Murder on the Mount, due to be released later this year.
ARC generously supplied by HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley, this review is my personal, unbiased opinion.
June 27, 2024
It took me a while to get into this book, probably between 5-10 chapters but once I got through them, I loved it! It was hard learning all the different characters and that’s not normally an issue for me but perhaps it’s because I haven’t read properly for about 3 weeks and this was my easing back into reading choice 😂 I ended up loving all the characters and the storyline and like any good murder mystery book there were a lot of twists and turns. Some that I saw coming and others that I didn’t. Some of the characters were super quirky and had names I’ve never heard of before like Kerensa and Lamorna. Without spoiling too much of the story it includes murder, drugs, witches, pirates and most importantly, Cornwall 🤩😍 After the initial struggles it was an easy read and I would recommend it to any crime/murder mystery book lovers. I’m looking forward to reading the other two books in this trilogy but I have decided to read something else in between just so it doesn’t feel like I’m reading the same thing and it becomes too repetitive which I have found with some book series in the past.
February 16, 2023
The Nightshade Family
An entertaining Who Dun It detective story. One murder, many suspects.
Donna Nightshade, just starting out as a detective never thinks she will be investigating a murder where she is the prime suspect. Besides that she would not believe that her whole family and all of her friends would also become suspects, nor that she would be investigating it with the policeman who sent her to prison once. The very one she shared many teen years with and still has a crush on.
Delightful and humorous at times this is a nice easy going book to read on a leisurely weekend or when you just want a little something not too dramatic.
I especially enjoyed the characters and their unique ways about them. They each carried secrets and it seemed that no one was who they said they were or should have been. A very twisted plot. I liked the ending.
Thanks to Jo Silva for writing the book, to Harper Collins U.K., One more chapter for publishing it and to NetGalley for providing a platform to receive a copy for reading and reviewing.
An entertaining Who Dun It detective story. One murder, many suspects.
Donna Nightshade, just starting out as a detective never thinks she will be investigating a murder where she is the prime suspect. Besides that she would not believe that her whole family and all of her friends would also become suspects, nor that she would be investigating it with the policeman who sent her to prison once. The very one she shared many teen years with and still has a crush on.
Delightful and humorous at times this is a nice easy going book to read on a leisurely weekend or when you just want a little something not too dramatic.
I especially enjoyed the characters and their unique ways about them. They each carried secrets and it seemed that no one was who they said they were or should have been. A very twisted plot. I liked the ending.
Thanks to Jo Silva for writing the book, to Harper Collins U.K., One more chapter for publishing it and to NetGalley for providing a platform to receive a copy for reading and reviewing.
March 7, 2023
I thank the author, Harper Collins UK/One More Chapter, and NetGalley for the opportunity to enjoy this ARC.
This story was bright, fast paced and enjoyable. In the murder mystery, the red herrings and potential suspects kept my head spinning! We end up with more secrets at the end than at the beginning.
I loved the physical setting and kept checking my maps to follow along. Donna's family situation is unusual and colorful, to say the least. The hints into the backstory are a common writing gambit these days, which I can find tedious when I just want to know what happened rather than being patient as the details are doled out--maybe--in the next installment. My heart belongs to Ruby the macaw.
Donna's romantic choices are pretty juicy, too. Will she stick with her young love or is there are new candidate on the horizon? What will happen with her family, especially the unusual and talented young Lamorna?
I am definitely on board for the next pirate adventure from Ms. Silva and our friends at the Edge of the World Detective Agency!
This story was bright, fast paced and enjoyable. In the murder mystery, the red herrings and potential suspects kept my head spinning! We end up with more secrets at the end than at the beginning.
I loved the physical setting and kept checking my maps to follow along. Donna's family situation is unusual and colorful, to say the least. The hints into the backstory are a common writing gambit these days, which I can find tedious when I just want to know what happened rather than being patient as the details are doled out--maybe--in the next installment. My heart belongs to Ruby the macaw.
Donna's romantic choices are pretty juicy, too. Will she stick with her young love or is there are new candidate on the horizon? What will happen with her family, especially the unusual and talented young Lamorna?
I am definitely on board for the next pirate adventure from Ms. Silva and our friends at the Edge of the World Detective Agency!
February 13, 2023
This was recommended to me as the first in a new comedy crime series and for me, it really lived up to that billing!
Belladonna Nightshade is diversifying her businesses and starting up The Edge of the World Detective Agency! Her first case tests her belief in her friends and family and possibly reawakens a past love.
The characters were well written and the way they interacted and flowed around each other was fun to read. I've never been to this part of Cornwall but the descriptions of the locations gave me a great view into where this story was staged.
I do still have questions about Donna's past and her relationships, past and possibly future so I'm going to be looking forward to the next book in this series too!
Belladonna Nightshade is diversifying her businesses and starting up The Edge of the World Detective Agency! Her first case tests her belief in her friends and family and possibly reawakens a past love.
The characters were well written and the way they interacted and flowed around each other was fun to read. I've never been to this part of Cornwall but the descriptions of the locations gave me a great view into where this story was staged.
I do still have questions about Donna's past and her relationships, past and possibly future so I'm going to be looking forward to the next book in this series too!
August 8, 2023
Donna Nightshade decides to start up as a private detective to top up her earnings as a florist. There follows a murder in which she is the prime suspect and she has to try to prove her innocence.
I actually received an advance copy of the next book in the series and bought this first one to give me the background. To be honest I love anything set in Cornwall, so it was off to a good start, however I found myself really enjoyed this book anyway. In the words of Blackadder there are more twists and turns than in a twisty thing right up to the end and I devoured the story in one day. Highly recommended for those who enjoy cosy mysteries or are interested in trying one. Now off to read the next one in the series......
I actually received an advance copy of the next book in the series and bought this first one to give me the background. To be honest I love anything set in Cornwall, so it was off to a good start, however I found myself really enjoyed this book anyway. In the words of Blackadder there are more twists and turns than in a twisty thing right up to the end and I devoured the story in one day. Highly recommended for those who enjoy cosy mysteries or are interested in trying one. Now off to read the next one in the series......
February 14, 2023
Thank you to @netgalley and HarperCollins Publishers UK for this ARC. Belladonna Nightshade aka Donna or Deadly is the owner of estate passed down through several generations of women. She is also a florist and just recently opened The Edge of the World Detective Agency. Her first client unfortunately is her infamous Uncle who shows up after going missing for several years. He wants her to find who is threatenign to kill him. Before she even starts her investigation, he in fact is found murdered. Between her and the local detective, maybe they can find out who did it or is everyone guilty? Cute and quirky. #TheWreckersCurse #JoSilva #HaperCollinsUK #March2023
October 5, 2023
Good Once I Got Into It
i love books set in Cornwall but this was one of those books I struggled with at first. I think what kept me going, was that it is set in Penberth Cove, a lovely place which is one of my must visit every time we are in Cornwall. Donna Nightshade is a florist but is keen to become a private detective but as she starts to put her dream into reality a member of her own family is murdered and Donna becomes a prime suspect. With the rest of the family chipping in, will Donna be able to solve the mystery of who killed her Uncle Jack before she is arrested by her one time love DS Joe Enys.
i love books set in Cornwall but this was one of those books I struggled with at first. I think what kept me going, was that it is set in Penberth Cove, a lovely place which is one of my must visit every time we are in Cornwall. Donna Nightshade is a florist but is keen to become a private detective but as she starts to put her dream into reality a member of her own family is murdered and Donna becomes a prime suspect. With the rest of the family chipping in, will Donna be able to solve the mystery of who killed her Uncle Jack before she is arrested by her one time love DS Joe Enys.
February 10, 2023
The Edge of the World Detective Agency is out in the far reaches of Cornwall and is run by Belladonna Nightshade. All of the Nightshade family are a bit different and have the names to go with it. Some of the humour is particular to this area and there is an immersion in the myths/legends of this pirate ridden area.
But this is more than a fun read, it is a good cozy mystery with fascinating characters, sneaky twists, and incredible red herrings. Great read!
I requested and received an EARC from HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter via NetGalley. Thank you!
But this is more than a fun read, it is a good cozy mystery with fascinating characters, sneaky twists, and incredible red herrings. Great read!
I requested and received an EARC from HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter via NetGalley. Thank you!
March 6, 2023
A fantastic and amusing read.
Donna Nightshade has decided to set up her own detective agency and the story that follows is guaranteed to keep the readers interested!
Donna’s family are eccentric and odd to say the least ,
The book is intelligently written with comedy , sarcasm , murder and peculiarity at its heart making for an entertaining and intriguing read.
I’m looking forward to the next book in this series and wondering how it can better this one!
A great cosy mystery read set in a beautiful part of the country.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter.
Donna Nightshade has decided to set up her own detective agency and the story that follows is guaranteed to keep the readers interested!
Donna’s family are eccentric and odd to say the least ,
The book is intelligently written with comedy , sarcasm , murder and peculiarity at its heart making for an entertaining and intriguing read.
I’m looking forward to the next book in this series and wondering how it can better this one!
A great cosy mystery read set in a beautiful part of the country.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter.
July 19, 2023
The Wrecker's Curse is a quirky, unusual and compelling read. The author has certainly broken new ground in the cosy crime genre with this first instalment of The Edge of The World Detective Agency series. The characters are all well-drawn and believable and along with the evocative descriptions of familiar Cornish locations, the story keeps within the realm of reality at the same time as having an intriguing element of magic running through it. Despite the occasional dark episode, it is a funny and delightful read and I look forward to book 2.
October 29, 2025
Reading the first page of this made me so scared because I thought how on earth am I going to get through this. Thankfully it was a joke and the whole book was so light-hearted and funny, with a sprinkle of murder and crime. I did struggle to get my head around it to begin with because I had surgery at the start and so it was hard to focus on anything. But as I got further into it I did enjoy it, but I was still none the wiser what on earth was going on and who actually was the murderer. But by the sounds of it, DS Enys hadn't a clue either! It was wacky!
February 10, 2023
A fun Cornish mystery with plenty of colourful characters to keep me entertained along the way. As a Cornishwoman, it can sometimes be tedious when people write about Cornwall and get it wrong. No chance of this here as this author clearly knows her Cornish stuff, even though the stereotypes were exaggerated for good humour. The names were a bit similar Jago, Jack, Jo, 2 Donnas but otherwise a good and engaging read.
March 5, 2023
This isn't your typical mystery. Donna, who comes from a long line of pirates, is the heir to Penberth Manor. Nevertheless, her uncle is willing to take whatever steps necessary if it means getting it back. Will he follow through on his threats and commit another murder?
As the scene was being set, the beginning moved somewhat slowly, but the story had an elaborate plot and a few very unique characters that kept me interested. The story does have a few dark spots, however, that kept me from really enjoying it. Thanks to One More Chapter and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
As the scene was being set, the beginning moved somewhat slowly, but the story had an elaborate plot and a few very unique characters that kept me interested. The story does have a few dark spots, however, that kept me from really enjoying it. Thanks to One More Chapter and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
March 10, 2023
The Wrecker's Curse is a fast-paced, fun, cosy mystery set in Cornwall, with vibrant characters, culture, and legends. The mystery is well thought out, with plenty of suspects and twists. There are believable character dynamics, and the humour is satirical and witty. I like the characters, the engaging mystery and the Cornish setting of this story,
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
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