Murder on a Cornish Isle

Edge of the World Detective Agency #2

by Jo Silva

Seven high profile guests
An island cut off by a storm
Will there be a murder before the weekend is out?

After six long months with no new cases for her Cornish detective agency, Donna ‘Deadly’ Nightshade jumps at the chance to spend a weekend undercover on St Michael’s Mount.

With seven high profile attendees – including the Home Secretary – this is a high stakes case. As a storm descends on the tidal island, they’re cut off from the rest of the world. Friends turn to enemies and before the rain has ceased it’s not just one murder Donna has to worry about – it’s two…

Genres: Fiction, Romance

334 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 17, 2023

Reviews

[Phrynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Netgalley provided me with an advance copy of this book under the title "Murder on a Cornish Isle" but it is listed on Goodreads under the vastly better title of "Murder on St. Michael's Mount". It is the second book in the series and I very much enjoyed the first one so I was expecting good things. It definitely delivered!

We find ourselves back in beautiful Cornwall where Donna Nightshade is finding her Detective Agency to be slow moving. She jumps at the opportunity to spend a weekend at a house party on St Michael's Mount, keeping an eye on the visitors' behaviour on behalf of the owners. Other members of the totally entertaining Nightshade family are dragged into working as cooks and waitstaff, and as you can expect with this family in charge things go very much awry.

I was very impressed with the whole book. The author writes in a very entertaining fashion and all of the Nightshade family are just a little crazy which gives her plenty of opportunity for fun. The setting in Cornwall is very dear to my heart and I have walked on the causeway pictured on the cover. It was some years ago though and I do not remember it being quite as smooth and neat as the cover art portrays it. I remember rocks and wet sand but as I say it was a long time ago.

Altogether an excellent read with a lovely Cornish feel, one amazing method of murder, a talking parrot and the continuing promise of romance for Donna and Joe. Maybe in the next book.

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing I know is that as one walks out across the causeway to St. Michael’s Mount, there is a clear sense of leaving the modern world behind and stepping back in time to this island’s incredible history. That same sense of ‘leaving’ grips readers as they leave reality, “descend into madness,” and enter the crazy world of the infamous Penzance family - the Nightshades.

What a perfect setting for this Edge of the World Detective Agency installment. This section of Cornwall is dramatic; steep cliffs dropping to the sea and hidden coves along the waterfront. The Mount (“a goth’s dream”) is a tidal island, linked to the quaint town of Marazion by a causeway, making it a perfect location for a ‘locked room’ cozy mystery!

After a dry spell in her amateur detective business, Donna Nightshade eagerly accepts a case to work undercover at St Michaels Mount where she’ll be rubbing shoulders with high-profile attendees. Amidst the merriment, a storm hits this tidal island and the partygoers are cut off from the mainland. The unease and trepidation increase when there’s a murder discovered …

Although this is the second installment of the series, author Jo Siva makes sure that her new readers feel comfortable right away by giving a little background to get them up to speed. It can be read as a standalone.

I love a book that drives me to Google. I learned all about Lord and Lady St Leven who live there at present. They seem nothing like the St Clement family!

This book will have you dreaming of a Cornish cream tea and leave you with a Cheshire cat-sized smile.

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 Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edge of the World Detective Agency #2

Seven high profile guests. An Island cut off from a storm.

After six long months with no new cases for her Cornish detective agency, Donna 'Deadly' Nightshade jumps at the chance to spend a weekend undercover on St Michael's Mount With seven high profile attendees - including the Home Secretary - this is a high-stake case. As a storm descends on the tidal island, they're cut off from the rest of the world. Friends turn to enemies and before the rain has ceased; it's not just one murder Donna has to worry about - it's two.

St Michael's Mount is a stately home that's accessed by a causeway. Donna 'Deadly' Nightshade has been invited to spend a weekend there with seven high profile guests. A storm descends on the island, they're cut off from the rest of the world. And when the tide comes in, a body is found.

This book does read well as a standalone. It's a well written murder mystery filled with twists, turns and red herrings. I loved the authors writing style. The characters are well developed. There's some humour thrown into the mix. St Michaels Mount was a great setting for this 'locked room' cosy read.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter and the author #JoSilva for my ARC of #MurderOnACornishIsle in exchange for an honest review.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cosy, funny and utterly bonkers read set in a beautiful location with weird, wonderful characters. Would love to read the other books in this series! Creative, funny dialogue really made it - quite quirky stuff.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot has potential but it was not very well executed. There are a lot of characters and almost half of the book is getting to know the characters, which then left the murder and investigation feeling rushed. I did guess the ending early on which was a shame. There were also a few errors in the book with spelling mistakes, rubidium and lithium being mixed up and mainly the incorrect character being written, a couple of times Matt was said instead of Miles, which made getting my head round the characters more confusing. This also meant I had to go back and re-read some parts thinking I’d missed some of the plot. Overall it was alright, I just wish there was more mystery and the errors in the book meant I had to mark a star down

[Allia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn’t expecting the humour, quite enjoyed it.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder on a Cornish Isle by Jo Silva is a book featuring the Nightshade family. For anyone who has read one previously, this is all the review you will need. The Nightshade family is full of really “interesting characters,” including Belladonna Nightshade, the younger, who is currently trying to start a business to sustain them all. The business is the End of the World Detective Agency and it could be going better. In fact, they had had only one case. The members of her family included her uncle, Jago, a jack-of-all-trades and brilliant, when he chose to share with her; her aunts, Belladonna, the older, and Kerensa, who were twins; and her sister, Lamorna, who spent a lot of time with the fairies. The older Donna was currently serving a prison sentence for murder, after murdering a man who had sexually abused Lamorna. As it turns out, she and Kerenesa took turns being in prison, with one visiting the other, and the first leaving, and again, and again. This time, Donna would make it work. She accepted a job from Lady Helen who owned a castle on the cliffs and whose husband had loaned it to his godson for a reunion, of sorts. She was not happy, and just wanted her home protected. She was off the Antarctica. It turns out Joe, her lost love and a policeman, would be there, too, as one of the guests was the Home Secretary against whom threats had been made. His boss wanted to be sure not harm came to the woman.

As maladjusted as the Nightshade family is, they are smart and clever. Also several of them are good cooks so off they went to the castle with Jago as the chef. The very first night, somehow peanuts had be introduced to the triffle and the Home Secretary was taken ill. Fortunately one of the other guests was a doctor. This was a convoluted tale in which people were poisoned, blown up, and just disappeared. It all made little or no sense but they had eight hours to figure it out before Joe’s superior arrived to take it all in hand. Her answer to any crime was Donna Nightshade (the younger). It was funny, it was terrifying, it was morose, it was deceitful, but solve it they did. An entertaining book full of realistic crimes, and interesting characters, beyond the Nightshade family. Any time a politician is involved you can be sure there will be trouble.

Thank you Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. #Netgalley # HarperCollinsUKOneMoreChapter #JoSilva
#MurderOnACornishIsle

[Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly I would say you can read this book as a stand alone and don’t have to have read the previous book The Wreckers Curse, however I have already read that one and personally I’d recommend reading it first because you will learn so much more about the Nightshade family. You’re told what you need to know from previous happenings so you can follow the story in book no. 2, but I honestly think you will get so much more from this book if you already know some of the main characters.

Even though I’m not really a great fan of detective stories, be they police detectives or private investigators, I chose to read the first one because it is described as humorous and also because I’ve read other books by this author aka Melanie Hudson and enjoyed them. With the first one I thought, I’ll give it a go, and thoroughly enjoyed it so naturally I had to read this one because I wanted to know – “what’s next I wonder?”

The setting is perfect. A large house on an isolated island just off the mainland, accessed by a causeway but cut off by a storm. As it says in the blurb a reunion get together of old comrades who all served in one capacity or another during the war in Iraq, including the Home Secretary. They’ve hired the house to hold their party, with catering and ‘protection’ provided by none other than the Nightshade family. It’s not long before murder occurs and it’s down to Donna Nightshade and her friend Detective Sergeant Joe Enys to follow the trail and find out who dunnit.

The aforementioned Home Secretary, nicknamed Pinky is female and it wasn’t difficult at all to guess which real Home Secretary this character might be based on. It’s another fun read with lots of humour and madness but with an excellent plot, having many twists, turns and red herrings, not to mention imaginative ways to murder someone. It will certainly keep you guessing as well as amused and if there is to be a book 3? I’ll definitely be reading it.

[Janette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this different take on a cosy crime mystery. Instead of taking place in a small rural village, we have the atmospheric setting of St Michael’s Mount in Cornwall and instead of locals, we have a group of high fliers including the home secretary, a journalist , a BA pilot and others who come to the castle for a reunion weekend.
The owners of the castle are away for the weekend and so would be private detective, Donna Nightshade and her unusual family are asked to investigate threats to the home secretary. If you add to this mix, the local police officer who is masquerading as a waiter and a storm which prevents anyone from arriving or leaving and you have all the ingredients for a great story.
It’s an unusual mix for a cosy crime as the prologue is quite dark and none of the characters gathered for the reunion are likeable. However, the Nightshade family add more than a little light relief especially Donna’s aunts who use the fact that they are identical twins in a very imaginative way.
The mix of characters works really well and the mystery is well though out with lots of twists and turns and several red herrings which prevent Donna and the reader from working out who the guilty person is. My only minor problem was that I wasn’t really happy with the ending although it was totally in keeping with the characters. I prefer to see justice being done more fairly.
Although this is the second in this series, it can be read perfectly well as a stand alone.
I received this ARC from the publishers, HarperCollinsUK via Net Galley but my thoughts and opinions of the book are entirely my own.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not sure if (Bella)Donna Nightshade is a great detective, but what I do know is that The End of the World Detective Agency series by Jo Silva is a great series. Pirate blood in her veins, a family that the word “odd” doesn’t begin to describe, and that electricity – and conflict – with her ex, Police Detective Sergeant Joe Enys – what’s not to like, to laugh about, to ponder, to just fully enjoy? And that’s only the beginning of the story about Donna ‘Deadly’ Nightshade.

Donna’s family, Donna included, does not follow the rules. But the way they push the boundaries, color outside the lines, and just stir things up is delightful, unpredictable, and irresistible. The narration, the dialogue, the pacing, the obscure but hilarious references, the witty asides, the ridiculous situations, the crazy characters who pop in and out, the never-ending stream of suspects, including of course members of the Nightshade family, make for a book that you just can’t put down. So many things I could quote to draw you in, but just read and experience it for yourself.

In Murder on a Cornish Isle, Donna’s Edge of the World Detective Agency is hired to spend a weekend undercover on St Michael’s Mount at a reunion of seven sometimes shady souls whose history goes way back to a war zone. It’s kind of a locked room mystery: they’re on an island, in a storm, power off, no way out and old friends are revealing themselves as maybe new, maybe old enemies. Who to believe, who to trust, who’s guilty as murder starts happening?

And in addition to the reunion of those old friends/enemies, there is the constant tension of the almost-reunion of Joe and Donna. Edge close, drop back, edge in again, she’s afraid to wonder, to speak, he’s afraid to reveal too much, has regrets about a certain assistant of his.

This book and this series are just so much fun, so funny, so witty, so enjoyable. I was thrilled to receive an advance copy of Murder on a Cornish Isle via NetGalley from Harper Collins UK One More Chapter and I hope, hope, hope that this series goes on and on and on. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am enjoying this series of mysteries that take place in Cornwall. The main character, Donna Nightshade is part of an "interesting" family of women and and uncle. They have several "businesses" but, Donna has started a side business involving a detective agency with herself as the detective. But it's been slow going until she is asked to provide security for a reunion of soldiers from Iraq on St. Michael's Mount. It is a wonderful "locked room mystery" with lots of red herrings and false leads. Plus there is a bit of a love interest between Donna and Joe Enys, the town's police constable. Looking forward to the next installment!!

Oh, just wanted to add that I visited St. Michael's Mount a few years ago and it is beautiful. We walked across the causeway and then road back to the mainland in a boat. Standing on the wall of the castle with the wind blowing through our hair, watching the boats as the tide comes in was amazing!! It is a stunning place and a wonderful place to have a mystery!!

[Emma Tuckwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟

Murder on a Cornish Isle is an absolute treat, equal parts cozy, chaotic, and cunning. From the very first page, the Cornish flair had me wrapped up like a warm blanket on a stormy coastal night. It felt less like reading a book and more like sitting down with an old friend who had one hell of a story to tell.

The wonderfully whacky Nightshade family stole the show for me, utterly charming in their law-skirting ways, each one a delightful mystery in their own right. They’re the kind of fictional oddballs you wish you could actually visit for tea (and maybe an alibi).

As for the plot? Just when I thought I had everything neatly figured out...bam! A twist. Then another. Then a twist on the twist. Silva plays with expectations in the best way, never letting things settle too long before pulling the rug out again.

A thoroughly enjoyable read, packed with heart, humour, and just the right dose of darkness.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
After six long months with no new cases for her Cornish detective agency, Donna ‘Deadly’ Nightshade jumps at the chance to spend a weekend undercover on St Michael’s Mount.
With seven high profile attendees – including the Home Secretary – this is a high stakes case. As a storm descends on the tidal island, they’re cut off from the rest of the world. Friends turn to enemies and before the rain has ceased it’s not just one murder Donna has to worry about – it’s two.
The second book in the series & it’s easily read on its own but I love series & have to start from the beginning so I’d recommend reading in order. A well written mystery with humour as well as twists & turns & of course, red herrings, I loved it & devoured it in a sitting & now impatiently awaiting the next book
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really, I have to start with a complaint about the varying names of this book. Not about the story itself!
First: this is not a boring, staid, suspenseful, detective procedural, but the investigation is good and well worth the reading time. It is a good cozy mystery with fascinating characters, sneaky twists, and incredible red herrings. Great cozy read!
Second: There is no way that any reader cannot laugh sox off! This is even more hilarious than the first episode of the Nightshade family and the Edge of the World Detective agency. The world building is fairly current but it still is a fantastic escape from the news media.
I requested and received an EARC from HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter via NetGalley. Thank you!

[Charlie Medcalf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murder on a Cornish Isle by Jo Silva is a murder mystery novel featuring detective Belladonna Nightshade who must solve not one but two complex and perplexing murders which take place on Saint Michael's Mount during the reunion of the Pimpernel club, which is a group of ex-military personnel who all met in Iraq who are up to no good in various ways. This book looks at the murder of the Home Secretary and also the murder of another member of the group. This leaves love birds Belladonna and Joe Enys the local police officer together interviewing the suspects to try and solve the murder while also battling their feelings of love.

For my full review please visit: https://cembookportal.blogspot.com/20...

[Shelagh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder on a Cornish Isle has been mynintroduction to Jo Silva’s writing and I was very pleasantly surprised at how entertaining this book was. Set mostly on the Cornish island of Saint Michael’s Mount near Penzance, the story is packed with plot twists, red herrings, crazy characters, murder and mayhem. I really didn’t know what was going to happen next. Donna Nightingale and her family are a hoot, while the seven guests staying on the island are a fascinating bunch of people, some of them not very nice at all. Poor Penzance Detective Sergeant Joe 
Enys really has his hands full as heand Donna work to unravel the truth. This story is a fast-paced, intriguing page-turner and I loved it.

[Miki Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been very quiet on the private detective side and Donna is please when Lady St Clement from St Michael's Mount asks her to work at a reunion organised by her nephew. The Home Secretary, Pinky, will be there and has been in receipt of death threats. She doesn't want to bring her personal protection detail and Donna is charged with keeping her safe.
As with all these things, the best laid plans aren't always the correct ones and when the Pinky turns up dead the race is on to find the murderer before the tide goes out and the causeway is open once more.
An easy to read tale.

[Jane Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in The Edge of the World Detective Agency series has an iconic setting, a celebrity cast of players and the Nightshade family, who are an effective if unlikely team of amateur sleuths. The humour is sparkling and gives this cosy mystery its unique edge. The plot is classic, with twists and a 'closed room' setting. All reunion attendees have many unlikeable traits, which is perfect for this genre. I like the characterisation, the location and the humour of this cosy crime novel.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

[Barbara Deeprose · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Good Read

Donna Nightshade is struggling to get her private detective agency up and running so when she is offered the job of protecting the home secretary who is attending a reunion on St Michaels Mount in Cornwall, she jumps at the chance. Unfortunately the home secretary is murdered and then her body disappears. Donna again teams up with DS Joe Enys to solve the case. I always enjoy reading books set in Cornwall, particularly when they are set in places I know, and you don't get better than St Michaels Mount. There is plenty of humour in the book too.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has enough twists and turns to shock your neck. This is book 2 in the series, The Edge of the World Detective Agency and I did not read book 1. I liked the characters and I enjoyed the setting on an island that is only accessible during low tide. Donna Nightshade and her very eccentric family are hired to provide security at a reunion of 7 high profile people who served together many years ago.
I loved the characters in this book and the hint of romance gets trickier as the book nears the end. What a great beginning for book 3.

[Roo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in this series and it didn’t disappoint. Donna Nightshade has another mystery to solve in this who did it mystery set in a stately house which is accessed by a causeway. The tide comes in along with a storm and then a body is found.

This book is packed full of mystery, full of interesting characters and set in an incredible location.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really didn’t know what to expect with this book as the front cover looks like a soppy sort of novel - I was pleasantly surprised. This book was gritty and gripped my all the way through. Loved the quirky characters and the balmy plot. Really entertaining read.
I listened to this as an audiobook and found the narrator excellent. She really worked hard to bring each character to life. Excellent!

[Lauren Gee-McMahon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it! St Michael's Mount is one of my favourite places so it was so good to be able to fully immerse myself and imagine the setting so well. Love the Nightshade family dynamic and this one had a lot of fun and humour in it as well as mystery and intrigue. The backdrop of stunning Cornwall just makes it even better!

[Mark My Words · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely little romp on an island in Cornwall (one of my favourite places in the world) isolated from the mainland with a few twists and turns. You need to pay attention to who is who, and where, but I thought it a great read that certainly kept my attention. I am looking forward to reading any other books by Jo Silva. Thank you

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved The Wrecker's Curse and liked this one. It's a well plotted story and a solid mystery but i felt less involved even if I enjoyed it
Entertainaing and well plotted.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Desertlass · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a 3.5 for me. I liked it, but doubt I'd reread it, which is my indication of a 4. It was a fun and creative romp, but the writing style was just too frenetic and chaotic for me. I must be getting old.

[Emma Hardy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good fun read and good to see where this series goes next. Michaels Mount is a perfect backdrop too. Great setting, good characters.

[Chrys · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fabulously quirky second book in, what is shaping up to be, a great series. You don’t need to, but I would recommend reading the first one first.
I love the Nightshade family, with their unique brand of chaos, and how trouble seems to follow them, although maybe they are troublemakers.
This is a great take on the classic locked room mystery, and I really enjoyed getting to the bottom of the mystery. And I now really need to get to St Michael’s Mount, although maybe not during a storm.

[Jo Ericksen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crazy family and lots of laughs.

Lots of interesting people to get to know. Interesting story line that kept me thinking about who is doing what to who.

[Eloise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfect cosy read for a Cornish beach :)