It’s a real pleasure today to be sharing my review of the latest book from Mary Grand, A Halloween Murder: published by Boldwood Books on 7th July, it’s now available via Amazon for kindle (free via Kindle Unlimited), in paperback and hardcover, and as an audiobook. My thanks to the publishers for my advance reading e-copy (provided via netgalley).
No tour organised by Rachel this time – I think Boldwood must be cutting back – but I enjoy Mary’s well-written cosy mysteries so much that I’d already downloaded this one and earmarked a date in my diary (which I then missed – apologies for not reviewing on publication day as I intended!). This series, The Isle of Wight Killings – every book readable as a standalone, although you’ll miss out on the character development – is one I’m so enjoying. We first met amateur sleuth Susan in Death at Castle Cove (now republished as A Seaside Murder), doggedly refusing to let things lie and determined to uncover the truth about the death of her young lodger (you’ll find my full review here). Then Death at St Jude’s (now called A Parish Murder – I hope you’re keeping up!) was a standalone sequel – Susan making a fresh start in the village of Bishopstone, a community shaken by a sudden death, full of twists and turns as she tries to join up the pieces, the tension and intrigue steadily mounting (you’ll find my full review here). And then came A Christmas Murder (ah, now I understand why those first two titles were changed!), set at Bishopstone Manor, and perhaps my favourite so far (you’ll find my review here) – one I’d highly recommend for the festive season should my usual Christmassy romances not be quite your choice of reading!
So, Halloween this time – let’s take a closer look…
Susan has always taken comfort in the peaceful rhythm of life on the Isle of Wight. But when her daughter Zoe invites her to a Halloween ghost walk at a remote castle, Susan has a sense of foreboding she can’t quite shake.
It’s meant to be a bit of fun for the group of old school friends, the thrill of an overnight stay behind the castle’s ancient gates. But when one of them is found dead, the weekend away takes a sinister turn. With the castle locked down and the group trapped inside, it soon becomes clear the killer would have been amongst them.
As the police begin their investigation, Susan can’t stand by and watch. She knows her daughter, and she knows Zoe’s friends – none of them could be capable of such a terrible act. Could they?
A gripping cosy mystery from the number one bestselling author of A Christmas Murder, perfect for fans of Frances Evesham, Faith Martin and LJ Ross.
A group of former school friends – including Susan’s daughter Zoe – are reuniting for Halloween weekend, with a concert planned to mark the retirement of their former music teacher. Barrister Maxine, contemplating the likely end of her marriage, is joined by husband Gino: they’re staying in an apartment within the walls of Carisbrooke Castle, together with Nick and girlfriend Annika, who will be performing at the concert. Zoe, and local friend LeAnne – now a successful restauranteur – are both staying with Susan, and she’s delighted to be invited to join them all for a nighttime ghost walk. But there are tensions within the group, and Susan feels generally uneasy.
When one of the group is found dead in the courtyard below the battlements, there’s a clear cast of suspects – this is very much a locked room mystery, as no-one can enter or leave the castle at night, so one of the group must be the killer. And when the individuals start to turn on each other and the finger of suspicion begins to point towards her daughter Zoe, seen on the battlements after the ghost walk, Susan – despite being warned off by the police, who now know her well – feels compelled to get involved in the investigation.
This was a really compelling mystery, becoming increasingly complicated by further discoveries, the pages turning ever faster. Every one of the suspects, each taking their turn in the frame, is equally credible – and the characters are so complex and well drawn, with many more dark secrets uncovered as the story unfolds. Susan digs into the hidden detail, with the assistance of her elderly but logical-minded friend Alice at the local nursing home – although distracted at times by the arrival of her new neighbour, concerns about Zoe’s future plans, and the possible departure of her ex-police friend Robert to help his own daughter in France. And they were distinctly more successful than I was in putting the clues together – the perpetrator, when finally uncovered, came as a surprise, but not a left-field one because all the clues were always there.
The pacing is excellent, as always, as the tension builds – and the story itself has distinctly dark edges. I’ve grown particularly fond of Susan, her internal monologue when weighing up the evidence and testing her theories, taking every opportunity to walk her dogs even when it means putting herself in the path of danger (I’ve now learned when to look away…). The location is simply perfect, with Carisbrooke Castle (wonderfully described) now firmly on my “must visit” list, very much another character in the story. And I rather like the close community of Bishopstone too – where everyone knows everyone else, and there’s not much that escapes the notice of Tracy at the village shop who usually has her own “take” on events.
Another excellent read from a favourite author. I might not read cosy mysteries very often, but this is a series I’m very much enjoying – and this another book I would strongly recommend to others.
About the author
Mary Grand is the bestselling author of murder mysteries set in the current time but in the style of classic whodunnits. These are set on the Isle of Wight where she lives and writes, and the island lanscape is an important feature of her books. The first three novels with Boldwood, starting with The House Party, are stand-alone murder mysteries. The next three are part of a series featuring amateur detective Susan Flynn, starting with A Seaside Murder (originally published as Death At Castle Cove). The latest, A Christmas Murder, was a number one best seller on Amazon UK.
Mary’s writing career started with three self-published novels starting with Free to Be Tegan, which is set in Wales, where Mary was born and grew up, and two anthologies of short stories Catching the Light and Making Changes. These earlier novels are in the women’s fiction genre, featuring central characters who find strength in overcoming adversity.
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Thank you so much Anne, for this fabulous review, You read so many books and yet you write about each one in such detail and so perceptively, it’s a gift and incredible hard and dedicated work. I do hope you come and visit Caribrooke Castle , I’d love to pop up and buy you a cake and coffee in the very nice cafe there! I’m thrilled you enjoyed the story, thank you xx
And always such a pleasure Mary – this series just gets better and better! xx