It’s a real pleasure today to be joining the blog tour for the latest book from Mary Grand, Death at Castle Cove, and to be sharing my review. Published by Boldwood Books on 8th March, this excellent read is now available via Amazon for kindle (just 99p, or free via Kindle Unlimited), in paperback, and as an audiobook. My thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support, and to the publishers for my advance reading e-copy (provided via netgalley).
Although murder mysteries certainly aren’t my usual reading, I’ve become a real fan of Mary’s books. Her first novel for Boldwood, The House Party, had me entirely gripped throughout – that claustrophobic Isle of Wight setting, the wonderfully drawn characters, the layers of secrets, and an ending that took my breath away (you can read my full review here). The Island followed, and it was even better – driven by its characters and their convoluted relationships, with a really compelling story and some real surprises along the way (you’ll find my review here). And then there was Good Neighbours – a tight little community where no-one was quite what they appeared to be, the atmosphere of suspicion and threat, and some wonderful storytelling where the author had me looking in entirely the wrong direction (you’ll find my full review here). And now we it looks like we might just have a series to look forward to – how wonderful!
Island life suits Susan, and she can’t imagine ever moving from her beloved Isle of Wight. So it gives her real pleasure to see her young lodger Colette settle in to life by the sea, especially knowing that she has such a troubled past.
Susan’s days are comfortingly routine, starting every morning by exercising her beloved Rocco on Ventnor beach with her fellow dog walkers. The group may have bonded over their fondness for their canine companions, but over time their friendships have deepened.
So, when Colette dies in suspicious circumstances at Castle Cove, Susan is devastated to realise that the dog walking group were the last to see Colette alive, and one of her friends must have been responsible for her death.
And when Susan begins to suspect that the police are minded to put Colette’s death down to an accident, Susan decides she won’t rest until she solves the mystery and finds the murderer.
It was only when I finished this book – and I so enjoyed it! – that I noticed the publishers were calling it a “cosy mystery”, and it did send me down a bit of a Google rabbit hole. I’ve never been much of a one for violence and gore, but I do like a bit of tension and atmosphere which is something the author always reliably delivers. And I was interested to see that the distinction tends to be between “cosy” (I can’t bring myself to write it with a “z”!) and “hardboiled”: originally coined for Golden Age detective fiction, “cosy” generally means (with thanks to Wikipedia) that any sex and violence occur off stage, the detective is an amateur, and the crime and its detection take place in a small, socially intimate community. So yes, this book certainly is, by that definition, a “cosy” – but interpreted in a way that has become entirely the author’s own.
I always particularly enjoy the Isle of Wight setting – this time, we find ourselves in Ventnor – and the author’s descriptions of various locations around the island only make me want to visit it more, whether it’s the coves and beaches, the winding backstreets or the wide open spaces. And another element I always love is the author’s talent for characterisation. Our amateur sleuth Susan has a sympathetic and in depth back story – the shock of her husband leaving her, her daughter’s concern about her isolation (perhaps with a touch of self-interest too), and the friendships she’s built while walking her dog Rocco on Ventnor beach each morning. Taking in troubled Colette as her lodger eased her own loneliness – and when she’s found dead at Castle Cove, and the police seem content to write off her death as an accident and move on, Susan becomes determined to uncover the truth.
Colette’s death follows a bit of a confrontation (and I really mustn’t spoil the story…) and Susan reaches the unavoidable conclusion that one of the dog walking group must have been responsible. And it turns out that every single one of them has a past life and a few secrets they’d prefer remained that way – and the harder Susan digs for clues, the more the threat comes closer to home. Every single member of the group is quite wonderfully drawn, and the finger of suspicion points to each of them in turn (and sometimes moves away – only to move back again…). I really shouldn’t have favourites, but I was particularly engaged by Beatrice – my goodness, she had a past you wouldn’t ever have imagined. And poor ex-policeman Robert, who Susan keeps strictly at arm’s length when he just wants to look after her… or then again? Alice is a quite wonderful character too – a nursing home resident who’s certainly still in possession of every one of her marbles, frequently making me smile, and the perfect foil for Susan as she debates and considers her next steps.
The whole story is so well told, Susan refusing to let things lie, the suspects shuffling for position, the atmosphere thickening, the tension steadily building – and when the pieces finally fall into place (with more than a touch of real drama), the author once more had me facing in totally the wrong direction. And I must add that I really liked the emotional content to this one too – although Colette’s life was brief, there’s no possibility at all that she will be forgotten, and that most definitely brought a tear to my eye.
I really thought this was the author’s best book yet – I certainly couldn’t put it down, and read well into the early hours to get to its unexpected, but totally believable, outcome. And I do hope we’ll see Susan and Alice joining forces again – more please Mary! This is one I’d highly recommend to all – whether you’re a crime fiction reader or not, and whatever your preferred flavour.
About the author
Mary Grand writes gripping, page-turning suspense, with a dark and often murderous underside. She grew up in Wales, was for many years a teacher of deaf children and now lives on the Isle of Wight where her Boldwood novels are set.
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Thank you so much Anne, for this lovely and thoughful review. I am so pleased you enjoyed the book. Your thoughts about ‘cosy’ are so intereresting and I have been down that rabbit hole many times myself! I think this book probably fits into both ‘cosy ( and yes, i hate the cozy as well but it’s out there and so I have to use it sometimes!) and gold age camps. My biggest influence in writing crime has to be Agatha Christie, I was brought up on her books and still re read them, but I also love a cosy! I do think the cosy genre is growing and starting to cross over more genres which is interesting. For example Richard Osman’s books are classed as cosy but have some quite dark themes in. It is an interesting debate! Thank you so much Anne for your support and encouragment. Yes there is another book with Susan and Alice, I am working on it now. I’d not started off writing a series but I couldn’t let them go! Thank you again, with best wishes Mary x
I found that whole “what is a cosy” exploration fascinating, Mary – I’d never really questioned the term before, and you’re absolutely right, the crossover into other genres is definitely growing. I think I’m a fan – although it might be that I’m just a fan of your writing, and delighted to read that we’ll be spending more time with Susan and Alice. The review, as always, was my absolute pleasure xx
You say “cosy”, I say “cozy” but I know we all agree that this book is a must read!
Absolutely, Jenna! x