This is book #3 in the Melissa Craig Mysteries series. Whilst it can be read as a standalone, it does make sense to read the books in order for continuity. This book has previously been published in 1993 under the title Over The Edge but has had, along with the rest of the series so far, a makeover and new title thanks to its Publishers, Bookouture.

We are back with Melissa Craig in this cosy crime series. Melissa and her friend Iris are in France. Iris has gone to teach an art course and Melissa is doing some research for her next crime book. When a man’s body is found at the bottom of a cliff, Melissa is there ready to help with her expert crime solving abilities. Was it an accident, or was he pushed? The answer becomes obvious when a second body is found, almost exactly in the same spot. With lots of suspects to choose from, can Melissa work out what is going on?

A refreshing change in scenery for the third book in this series. I love the village of Upper Bembury, where Melissa lives, but thoroughly enjoyed the different view I was given from their visit to France. As usual with this series of books you do work out quite early on what is going on, but I have to say this book made me work a bit harder in working out the culprit! There are a lot of suspects in the story and any of them could have won first prize in the ‘Who Done It’ category!

The beauty of these books are there is no blood and gore, and whilst there are more murders than you can imagine, it’s all done in a nice and rather jolly way!! As I have said on the reviews for the previous books, I love Melissa’s character! She comes across as a bit of a busybody and always wants to know everyone’s business, but you just know she has a heart of gold really!! I also loved the fact that even though all she really wants is a quiet life, murder and mystery seems to follow her around, even across to the Continent!

A great murder mystery story with some humour thrown in, ideal for Agatha Christie and MC Beaton fans! I shall look forward to reading the next book in the series!

Another mystery to be solved by Melissa, the crime writer. An old fashioned way of investigating, the first two books had its quaint English charm. This book was set in the French countryside. Though the landscape appeared charming, the book lacked its overall appeal. Though I loved Melissa, the other characters were just okay. I couldn't get into the investigation too. I needed a bit more mystery to keep my interest running.
Overall a good book by Betty Rowlands

Mel Craig’s investigations continue in this third retitled adventure. This time set in France. A quirky cast of characters makes this an enthralling mystery with the ‘who done it’ factor complicated by historical revenge and modern love interests. Another fascinating, quick read from the pen of Betty Rowlands.

Loads of suspects with loads of reasons for them to be killers but not enough of plausible clues. Melissa was faced with an fathomable task to help the picturesque French police officer solve the peculiar cases with the unusual features.

Review was based on an ARC that was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I've only just discovered Betty Rowlands thanks to NetGalley and I have to admit I love her writing, reading her stories, I find its invokes memories of watching the great Margaret Rutherford as Miss Marple there is a simple charm to them and you just become immersed in the narrative. The characters are all likeable especially Melissa Craig the main character , a famous author who writes detective stories and who has moved to the Cotswolds for a quiet life but keeps getting caught up in real life murders and mysteries, the stories all develop at a steady pace and If you like a cosy murder mystery this is for you. I look for ward to the next one

Although the first two stories in the Melissa Craig series were a gripping must read, the 3rd book failed to live up to my expectations and was very disappointing, set in France it does not enthral and I'm hoping the 4th story is a lot better

A delightful whimsical read from the pen of Betty Rowlands. Set in France she evokes the unique scenery and lifestyle of this country while at the same time drawing the reader in with her expert vignettes of local characters. Whilst a crime novel it’s old style but this doesn’t distract from the book. The writing flows, flitting from scene to scene as the body count rises. The pace is gentle but just bubbling underneath the surface, Rowlands skill as both a writer and shrewd observer of a certain type of middle-class English woman stands out. There’s a touch of the Barbara Pym here, Pym crossed with dear old Agatha. A book to be savoured for the words and the expert characterisations much as for the plot.

I have read both books in this series so far so was looking forward to reading this one. However I have to say I didn’t enjoy this one nearly as much, set in the French countryside it wasn’t an easy a read as the others which were set in the English countryside. The other characters seemed to be lacking in something to make them more believable. I will still have a read of other books in this series but I hope they will be more like the first two books.

A cultural center in France is the setting of Murder on the Clifftops by Betty Rowlands. It’s not clear what time period it is as there is talk of characters being present at nazi interrogations so I am assuming that maybe the 1990s would be the latest to still have WWII survivors who are still able to do manual labor.

While the setting of the story is beautifully described I feel that the characters lacked something to make them come alive so you would care about them.

I had a very hard time getting into the book and I believe that was caused in a large part because I just didn’t care about the characters. The ending came very abruptly almost like I have written the requisite pages and will summarize the ending with the main character explaining it to a bunch of people.

Sorry I didn’t care for the book and would not recommend it. I got this book from NetGalley and thank them and Bookouture for the free copy.

3 stars.

The English countryside of the first two books in this series is replaced by a baking hot French summer for the third. Set in the Cévennes mountain range, Melissa is researching a new novel while Iris teaches an art course for an old friend at his new residential educational facility.

Once again this book hits the spot as an easy to read cosy mystery and I found myself lost in its pages almost immediately. The details of the research Melissa is undertaking was fascinating and the mix of characters worked brilliantly. I didn't guess the killer and was surprised by the identity of the culprit. As always there was a wealth of red herrings to keep me guessing.

I am thoroughly enjoying this series of books and was able to read an advanced copy of this novel  thanks to Netgalley. I hope all of these stories will be re-issued as I would love to read them all.

A very good story, kept you guessing till the end. No blood and guts and but very enjoyable. Melissa Craig is a down to earth likeable character. Set is South of France gives an interesting Mediterranean flavour to this story. Looking forward to more from this author.

This third book in the Melissa Craig mysteries had a better storyline, and was more realistic than her first two book - but I really enjoyed the other two better. Again, as with the other two, it was a page turner and one that kept me up late, the background story was good and it moved along well, and I love the fact that there isn't any "to be continued..." endings.. Waiting to see what the next book brings.

In the third book in the series, Melissa & Iris find themselves at an artists' retreat in France. The peace is shattered when the body of a man is found at the bottom of a cliff. And, a couple of days later, another.

As ever, there is no shortage of suspects.

Having read the first two books and enjoyed them, I was disappointed with this one, finding the characters unrealistic and irritating

I really loved the main characters and the brilliant plot. I read this book in one sitting and could not put it down. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.