It is both exciting and frustrating to be at the cutting edge of a new cozy mystery series. Exciting, because yay a new cozy mystery series. Frustrating, because it’s like watching a TV show in real-time, and now I have to wait for new books to come out instead of getting to binge them like seasons of old TV shows on a streaming service.

About the Book

Tanya Bowe, an ex-investigative journalist, and divorcee, runs a vintage shop in the coastal town of Seacastle. When her old friend, Lexi Burlington-Smythe borrows the office above the shop as a base for the campaign to create a kelp sanctuary off the coast, Tanya is thrilled with the chance to get involved and make some extra money.

Tanya soon gets drawn into the high-stake arguments surrounding the campaign, as tempers are frayed, and her friends, Roz and Ghita favour opposing camps. When a celebrity eco-warrior is murdered, the evidence implicates Roz’s husband Ed, and Tanya finds her loyalties stretched to breaking point as she struggles to discover the true identity of the murderer.

Will she discover the truth before one of her friends is convicted of murder?

In this enthralling English, small-town, cozy mystery, Tanya finds herself torn between a search for the truth and loyalty to her friends. If you love a cozy whodunnit set at the seaside, with a cast of recurring characters, this is the series for you.

My Thoughts

I look forward to many more adventures of The Seacastle crew. Cozy Mystery is absolutely my favorite genre, though I’ll admit thrillers are tickling my fancy these days. But I think that a good cozy will always be my go-to for comfort. And Ms. Skinner is tackling the genre head-on. The start was a little slow, and a little expository, but that isn’t uncommon in the genre.

In this book, we welcome back all of the familiar characters from book one, which is something I love about series. You get to know characters better, explore their lives, and get comfortable with them. Of course, with cozy mysteries, you always have to be on their toes. Sure, the most prevalent characters have “plot armor,” but there are only so many people in a small town to kill off before someone we like dies a horrible death. Good think we’re only two books in. And since our main female character was a journalist, she has lots of contacts to swoop in and take the fall.

I loved the main cast of characters, just as much as I did the first time, and grew to love my favorites – Mouse, Tanya, and Harry even more. Tanya’s pesky cat is super cute, and her relationship with her ex-stepson is so charming. I am a sucker for a love triangle, and the author delivers on that line – a tried and true staple of the genre it seems. I even like how she’s turned that trope on its head, but I won’t consider it solved just yet. Never trust a mystery writer to give you all the answers too early.

The setting is charming and atmospheric. The plot this time allowed more exploration of the seaside, offering chilling views of life by the sea. I love the dialogue and banter between characters, and the antique information is interesting, even if I don’t really know much about it. This book contained some particularly amusing antique finds.

I will keep my eye on this series, waiting patiently – probably – for another installment, and snatch it up as fast as I can! I am so grateful to the author and Love Books Tours for including me on the tour, and look forward to more by Ms. Skinner.

Who’s It For

If you love cozies or just well-written mysteries, pick this up. If you’ve considered cozies, but haven’t made the plunge, do it! But, I’d start with the first book. It won’t truly hurt you to start with this one, but I’m a big believer in starting at the front of an author’s series. It sets things up more nicely. See my full review of that one, Deadly Return, here.

Content Warning: Suicidal Ideation, Murder, Adult Situations, Adult Language, Infidelity, and More

About the Author

PJ Skinner is a geologist who has spent thirty years roaming the planet and collecting tall tales and real-life experiences. Most of her postings were in remote and dangerous sites which provide background settings for her novels. She now writes fact-based novels from the relative safety of London. She still travels worldwide collecting material for the series and having her own adventures.

Books

The complete Sam Harris Adventure series of seven books covers the career of a female geologist, from rookie adventures in remote sites in Africa and South America, to forays in the the concrete jungle.PJ also writes under the pen names Kate Foley and Pip Skinner. The Green Family Saga (Kate Foley) starts with Rebel Green, set in Ireland at the beginning of the Troubles in the North. The second book in the series follows the fortunes of Isabella Green, and the third book, which was out in February 2023 is about Liz Green and Sean O’Connor. The first book in this series, Deadly Return, was published in July 2023.

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