Author: Emma Jameson
Book: A Death at Seascape House
Publication Day: 27/04/21
Description:
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.
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'A Death At Seascape House' by Emma Jameson.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Emma Jameson, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 27th April 2021.
This is the first book I have read by this author. It is also the first book in the 'Jemima Jago' series.
I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis. It also stated in the synopsis 'fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Betty Rowlands will love A Death at Seascape House.' I am a huge fan of Agatha Christie and Faith Martin so am looking forward to see if it lives up to this. 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 a 35 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. The benefits of third person perspective especially with 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.
Some of the chapters were dedicated to what happened in Jem's past. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
It is always worrying when starting a new series as you have no idea who the characters are. It is very important for me to bond with the main protagonist.
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 is just what I needed in this lockdown!! 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.
The storyline kicks off a brand new series with a bang!! 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.
The characters were an eclectic mix and I must admit I'm not quite sure what to make of Jem. At times I quite enjoyed her strong willed personality and then others she seemed to be a bit of an over the top brat if I'm brutally honest, which I always am when it comes to reviews. However, as the story developed she did start to grow on me. It will be interesting to see how her character develops in the next book which I'm looking forward to read. I also wasn't a big lover of the islanders as their attitude to Jem was disgusting considering how many years had passed since she had left. I can't say I was surprised when nobody seemed bothered by a certain person's demise!! At the same time the islanders attitude is very realistic as in a close knit community (which Emma did a brilliant job portraying) it is very likely that this is how people would react to someone in Jems position. I did bond with Micki immediately who seems like a larger than life character and also Hack. Pauley and Rhys slowly grew on me and it will be interesting to watch all their characters develop and the relationships between them.
Overall an intriguing cosy mystery in an idyllic setting which will keep hooked throughout.
Genres covered in this book include Mystery, Suspense, Murder 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, Fliss Chester and Agatha Christie.
293 pages.
This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 4 /5 (I enjoyed it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
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@EmmaJameson @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
Author Bio: 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
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/msemmajameson
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