I was (am) a giant fan of Malliet’s Max Tudor series. I had always been aware of the St. Just series, but had never read one, and I am now a giant fan of this series as well. There are really very few practitioners of the traditional British detective novel working at the moment, and Malliet is one of the best. Her novels are very much golden age in pattern, with a series detective, a fast paced and tidy narrative, and in this case, a setting to die for – the Cornish coast.

Using a trope beloved of novelists from Agatha Christie to Deborah Crombie to Louise Penny, St. Just is on vacation with his fiancée (the wittily named Portia De’Ath - I hope she keeps her maiden name!) Like Crombie’s Duncan and Penny’s Gamache, St. Just seems to be the calm center of the storm. It made it completely believable that the local constabulary would turn to him for advice.

Malliet sets her scene beautifully, with St. Just and Portia lost on their way to their destination, enveloped by sheep, and at last carting their luggage up to a quaint seaside cottage with gorgeous views. I wanted to be there, and I really wanted to be there after their dinner at the foodie pub up the street. Malliet effortlessly begins to seed her canvas with the characters who will populate her mystery, making each one memorable and unique.

There’s Lord Bodwally; there’s the pub owner, Morwenna; there’s Sybil, who tends the vaguely pagan stone circle at the top of the cliff; there’s Sepia, the art gallery owner; and there’s the temporary vicar, Judith, cheerful in Hawaiian shirts. There’s also a resident celebrity.

Of course into this paradise a death must come, and Lord Bodwally is the first to go, his body discovered in his library by Portia. There are several factors that set this series apart from other series of its kind. One of Malliet’s sheer prose skill. Her use of the English language is light, humorous, and perfect. Her definition of character makes each memorable, giving each an appropriate presence in the plot.

In a more contemporary manner, she teases out the psychological backstories of most of the characters. Some are red herrings and some are not, but all are both relevant to the whole and make the reading experience a more vivid one. Her plotting, much like the great Agatha herself, is organic, which each element of the plot unfolding naturally from the one before it.

As I neared the end of the book (to my surprise, as I had been enjoying it so much the pages flew through my fingers faster than I might have liked) the various plot elements began to coalesce, providing a truly riveting denouement to the story.

I also grew fond of both St. Just and Portia, a kind, happily matched pair who seem destined to enjoy a long marriage together. The gentle joke which ends the book was spot on and the trip to the Cornish coast was absolutely priceless. I am now planning to read the rest of the series, in order, as these things are meant to be read – I’m just glad I’ve finally joined the party.

DCI St. Just and his fiancée Portia De’ath are having a little time away in Cornwall , but as you may expect it isn’t the quiet peaceful time that they had hoped for.
I really enjoy G.M Malliet’s writing in particular the St. Just series , the writing is descriptive , humorous at times and also keeps my interest throughout.
There are red herrings strewn across this who dunnit and it kept me guessing until the conclusion.
I’m looking forward to the next in the series .
A great read , highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley and Canongate Books.

I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read and review this book.

DCI St. Just and his crime fiction writer, fiancé Portia travel to the coast of Cornwall for a relaxing getaway. The last thought on his mind is getting involved in a murder investigation where too many people are unwilling to share the secrets of their past. Throw in a bit of druid lore about an old rock formation known as ‘The Fourteen Maidens’ and a squabble between the local fishermen and the wealthy incomers who are buying up the properties and the scene is set for conflict murder.

I enjoyed the setting of the story and the investigation which slowly unravels the murderer and the motive behind it. This story just shows that people are not always who they claim to be.

Thanks to NetGalley Severn House and G.M. Mallie for this fine ARC. My first St. Just mystery so I'm slow getting used to the characters and the author's rhythm.

The mystery definitely kept me guessing as so many people seemed to have a past! Definitely did not see that coming but the explanation worked pretty well. I'll try prior books and see how they are also.

The setting and history were delightful.

Not my usual genre of book but it’s good to give different things a try and I’m glad I did! A really good read. Well done.

This was the first book I've read by GM Malliet, but not the last! I really enjoyed the mystery, but most of all I enjoyed the setting. So much of Cornwall sounds so interesting and beautiful. I am anxious to go there! I enjoyed the characters and interested in reading more about Arthur St. Just. His fiancee is a very interesting character too. I highly recommend this book and look forward to more!

First in this series, but definitely not the last. The whole time I was reading this, I just kept thinking the BBC should do a series! The characters were each unique; there was a lord, fishers, a Michelin starred restaurant, a Hawaiian shirt wearing curate...all such fun. The mystery was intriguing and the conclusion was satisfying. Additionally, our hero and heroine are such a lovely couple and really seem to understand and support each other!

It's been ages since last I read a St. Just mystery and I was delighted to read a new novel in this excellent series.
It's a solid and twisty mystery but it's also a comedy of manners and book full of sharp social remarks.
The descriptions of the life in a small Cornwall town, the tension amongst the villagers and the wealthy weekenders are worth a sociological treaty in what is happening.
This is also the first mystery that deals with the aftermath of Covid, the Great Plague, and how it impacted everyday life.
That said the author delivers a highly entertaining and riveting story, there's plenty of fun and there're some very tense scenes that kept me on the edge.
I highly recommend this series and this novel as they're an excellent example of good mystery.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Really enjoyed this cozy crime murder. Loved the law enforcement and the general feel of the book. It was like reading a warm sunny day just unfortunately there was a murder. Really enjoyed it!

DCI Arthur St. Just and Portia De’Ath take a seaside holiday in Cornwall. Far from simply enjoying the idyllic setting, they are soon investigating a death. Funny, cozy fun for fans of traditional mysteries.

This is the first book of G.M. Malliet’s that is not about Max Tudor but a wonderful new character to follow..The vidid description of Cornwall feels like you are there and Inspector St Just is a very likeable.The story line keeps your attention and is a delight to read.I would highly recommend this book.

I received an advance copy of, Death in Cornwall, by G.M. Malliet. This is a very good book. The book kept me guessing til the end, which was great.

I am a fan of G M Malliet's two different mystery series and was looking forward to her return after several years of Cambridge detective Arthur St. Just. This traditional mystery was well worth the wait. DCI St. Just and his fiancée, Portia plan to take some well earned time off with a visit to a small village in Cornwall. As in most mysteries a murder occurs, half the village have means and motives and there are red herrings aplenty. I particularly liked the way the author's understated style of writing dealt with the Plague Time we have all been living these last 18 months. While most of us can not escape to Cornwall we can all enjoy the lovely descriptions of the countryside. Although this novel can be read as a stand alone I highly recommend the previous books in the series.

This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review…I enjoy this type of mystery and the characters are intriguing. The story is woven so that it is an enjoyable read by an author who is gifted. The characters come alive on the pages and I wanted to read more…good book.

3.5 stars

I haven't read the previous books in this series but I didn't have any trouble getting into this book. I think I'll check out the previous ones.

The book features very likeable main characters and I didn't guess the whodunnit.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Canongate Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, Canongate Books.

I enjoy this series and the realistic and all too human ptotrayal of the characters. The Cotnwall setting is very atmospheric and enhances the plot. Not sure how I feel about all the references to Covid - in particular using the “plague year” phrase over and over. And the references to the end of the Covid pandemic seem premature and unrealistic as some aspect of the virus will survive. The narrative can stand well on its own - too many pandemic references drags it down.