A DEATH AT SEASCAPE HOUSE

 

SYNOPSIS

With its sweeping sandy beaches and rolling emerald hills, the island of St. Morwenna is an idyllic escape. But behind the perfectly pruned primroses and neighborly smiles a killer lies in wait…

When librarian Jemima Jago is offered the opportunity to catalogue Cornwall’s largest collection of antique shipwreck records it is a dream come true. The only problem? The collection is housed on the island of St. Morwenna, the childhood home she left years ago and vowed never to return to.

Shortly after Jem arrives back in town, island busybody and notorious grump Edith Reddy is found dead, with duct tape clamped over her mouth and nose. Jem, caught seemingly red-handed at the scene of the crime, mistakenly becomes the police’s number one suspect. The handsome Sergeant Hackman in particular can’t seem to leave Jem alone…

Jem must take matters into her own hands if she wants to clear her name. Snooping around Edith’s once-grand home, she is struck by the mess before her. The bedroom is completely ransacked and in the living room all the photographs have been removed from their frames. Was Edith’s death simply a break-in gone wrong, or is there more to the mystery that the police are missing?

Jem has a sharp eye for a clue and she soon realizes that many of the island’s eccentric residents had reason for wanting Edith out of the way. Could Declan, the curious café owner, or Bart, the fishy ferryman have killed Edith? Jem won’t rest until she uncovers the truth, but doing so will put her right in the killer’s line of sight…

A totally charming cozy mystery from the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Emma Jameson. Brimming with intrigue and warm humor, fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Betty Rowlands will love A Death at Seascape House.

Title: A death at Seascape House

Author: Emma Jameson

Series: Jemima Jago Mysteries #1

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication date:  April 27, 2021

Purchase Link

https://geni.us/B08WLVLD9Nsocial

Emma Jameson is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Lord & Lady Hetheridge cozy mystery series. Book #1, ICE BLUE, Book #2, BLUE MURDER, Book #3, SOMETHING BLUE, Book #4, BLACK & BLUE, Book #5, BLUE BLOODED, and Book #6, BLUE CHRISTMAS are available now.

Her newest venture with digital publisher extraordinaire BOOKOUTURE is the Jem Jago cozy mystery series.

Ms. Jameson is also the creator of amateur sleuth Dr. Benjamin Bones. Set in Cornwall during the Second World War, book #1 is MARRIAGE CAN BE MURDER; book #2 is DIVORCE CAN BE DEADLY. Dr. Bones fans will also want to read the companion series, Magic of Cornwall. This includes DR. BONES AND THE CHRISTMAS WISH and DR. BONES AND THE LOST LOVE LETTER, two charming novellas set in untamed, romantic Cornwall.

Social Media Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emmajamesonbooks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/msemmajameson

REVIEW

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐💫

A death at Seascape House is the first installment in a new cozy mysteries series. I’m always up for a good cozy murder mystery and if the amateur sleuth is a librarian even better! I love where there’s book talk in a story.

I must confess that it took me a while to connect with the story and its characters. At first they were all quite unpleasant and could not understand Jem’s passiveness to all the islanders attacks, especially when all their beef with her was because of something that happened 20 years ago when she was a teen.

With everyone thinking her guilty of her arch nemesis’ murder Jem takes upon herself to find the truth along some old and new friends. For someone who claimed to be quite reserved with strangers she sure was very chatty with people she had just met! 😅 I loved how Micki felt like a closer friend than the ones she knew from her childhood.

The pace picked up halfway through when revelations started coming to light and we’re finally explained what happened during her time in St. Morwenna 20 years before.

The setting was lovely and the close knit community very well portrayed. As the story progressed Jem became less bratty so I could finally warm up to her. I also loved how she managed to rekindle her friendship with Pauley and I’m curious to see where that hint about a love triangle will go.

After a bit of a slow start, A death at Seascape House turned out into an enjoyable cozy mystery, with characters that will grow on you and the promise of interesting things to happen in future installments.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.