Member Reviews
⭐⭐⭐⭐
This series is just so utterly addictive (the tag line is not lying). Well written. Wonderful setting. Intelligent and engaging plot. Wonderful characters. Plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing. I am not a HUGE fan with the direction the romance is going (#teamHack), but Rhys is a likable guy, still #TEAMHACK...😂 Not much left to say, I am loving this series and can't wait to get my hands on the next book!
**ARC Via NetGalley**
The lack of love interests in this third offering in the Jem Jago Mystery series makes this book so boring, I'm struggling at almost 50% for a reason to finish it.
This time, Jem heads back to her flat in the city and finds her sister squatting in it and in possession of a bloody mallet (aka murder weapon). Her sister is so unlikeable, I should've stopped after chapter 1. Then, there's "friend drama" with Micki that is cringeworthy and out of character and only brief mention of Hack and Rhys (who has all the makings of a swoon-worthy hero and should be sleuthing WITH Jem), The mystery is soooo slow to build and involves such lame characters, it doesn't hold my interest at all.
I have so many good books calling my name from my TBR pile that I"m going to do something I RARELY do and bail on this halfway through.
I don't care who the killer is and I really don't care about Jem or her sister. Let me know when Rhys gets his own series!
This story features characters that are like old friends to me ie. Jem, Rhys, Pauley and Micki , since I read the Jemima Jago book directly preceding this one. The book was well plotted with personable characters and lots of action. I highly recommend this cozy mystery to other mystery readers.
A Death at Silversmith Bay by Emma Jameson is the third in the Jemima Jago Mystery Series. This series is set in England and follows the exploits of a librarian turned sleuth who has returned to the area where she grew up. This particular installment involves not only Jemima but also her younger half-sister, Tori, as they investigate the murder of a bookstore owner who has family ties to a friend of Jemima as well as to a boy that Tori is interested in.
As this story unfolds, the author introduces new characters into Jemima's life but also brings in some of the characters from the previous installments of this series. There is additional focus on Jemima's personal life concerning both her boyfriend from when she was growing up and her interest in a detective that she has had dealings with in the earlier books as well as his former girlfriend who is one of the police officers investigating this particular crime.
Within the storyline, the author introduces many different players who each appear to have motives for seeing the victim dead and creates the potential for misdirects and multiple red herrings especially when another body turns up shortly after having a discussion with Jemima and crew. I particularly enjoyed the depth that this author has created for her characters giving the reader the opportunity to connect with them in many different ways.
Although I have not read the earlier books in this series, the history details that the author referred to in this book has me intrigued to go back and read them as well as look forward to seeing where Jemima goes from here both personally and professionally.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Bookouture in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I will start by saying that I have not read the earlier books in this series – the book was certainly accessible without these, however I do think that reading them first would fill in some gaps.
When Jemima Jago returns to Penzance after spending the summer in the Scilly Isles (where she solved a couple of murders!), she finds somebody living in her flat, a cat that she doesn’t own & a horrendous stench – that would be her half-sister Tori, a stray cat that soon earns the name of Wotsit, and a large pile of rubbish in the bathtub! Why there is so much rubbish in the bathtub is unclear, but when she spots a croquet mallet with blood on it, things take a sinister turn. The discovery of a dead body the following day thrust Jem into another murder investigation. Is Tori involved?
There are a number of characters who seem to be acting suspiciously and many have a motive for wanting the victim dead. How are they linked? Who is telling the truth?
I was not entirely invested in the characters, but perhaps if I read more of the books in the series, I will get to know them better. There are quite a lot of them & they are an eclectic mix. I think Jem is one of those characters that you will grow to enjoy, as she has quite a strong personality - I found it a bit unrealistic that she was just able to take time off work to investigate the crime! . I found younger sister Tori to be annoying & immature - my favourite character was definitely Wotsit the cat!
The storyline starts quite slowly and finishes in a rush, and the ending was not as strong as I would have liked. However, overall it is a decent cosy mystery with some good ideas & moments of humour, set in an idyllic location.
Disclosure: I received an advance reader copy of this book free via NetGalley. Whilst thanks go to the author & publisher for the opportunity to read it, all opinions are my own & my review is left voluntarily.
Jem Jago has returned "home" to Penzance after spending the summer cataloging a library at her childhood village in the Scilly Islands. She finds a pile of garbage in her bathtub and her half sister in her bed in her apartment. Among the garbage is a mallet with hair and blood on it. Her sister is now a suspect.
Jem and friends who come over from the Islands work hard to clear her sister and also the husband of the victim who is a cousin of Jem's friend.
I especially love Jem's fierce loyalty to her family and friends and determination that the wrong person NOT be convicted even to her own personal cost.
Jem doesn't make much progress on deciding which love interest is the one. Complicating this is the help they both give in figuring out "who dun it".
This book can be read on its own, but is better if you read the previous books first.
Jem returns to her flat in Penzance to discover a squatter, a cat and a bath full of rubbish. One of the bin bags contains a mallet that looks like it has been used as a weapon. Things don't improve the following day when she discovers a body...
A Death at Silversmith Bay is the third book to feature amateur sleuth Jemima Jago and it is the best so far! There are no spoilers about events in the previous books. I have reviewed A Death at Seascape House and A Death at Candlewick Castle.
Jem finds herself embroiled in a new murder case when her sister crashes back into her life with a crazy story and a bloodied mallet. The cops aren't much help and Jem needs to solve the case in order to protect her sister. There are plenty of characters acting suspiciously and with an apparent motive so there are twists to enjoy.
The humour was much more apparent in this novel and I loved the addition of Jem's sister Tori. I have really grown to like Jem and especially in this book she has wonderful relationships with her friends and family. The continued love triangle with old flame Rhys and new romantic interest Hack still featured in this book and I still have no idea which man she should choose!
A Death at Silversmith Bay is an enjoyable cosy murder mystery and I look forward to the next book in the series.
I enjoy a good M.C. Beaton book, so when I had the chance to read A Death at Silversmith Bay, I jumped on it. This is my first book in the series. I wasn’t unduly hampered by not having read books 1 and 2, although I suspect the backstory would be helpful. So, don’t do like me – start at the beginning.
Jemima Jago, or Jem, is coming home to Penzance after having spent some time in the Scilly Isles. Imagine her surprise to find her flat occupied by a cat she doesn’t recall owning, and her bathtub full of bags of smelly, messy garbage. Turns out her sister Tori is the one responsible, both for the cat and the garbage. When Jem sees what appears to be a bloody mallet in the trash bags, she has to figure out what happened.
When she and her friend Micki find Micki’s sister-in-law with her head bashed in in her used bookstore, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that the bloody mallet in Jem’s flat could well be what did Gina in. Jem earned a reputation as an amateur sleuth in Scilly, and the “Scilly Sleuth,” as she was dubbed now has to work out what happened, and whether her sister had anything to do with it.
A Death at Silversmith Bay is a light, enjoyable read. I liked the setting, as Cornwall is a place I’ve never been but would love to visit. The characters were entertaining and believable, even when they did some pretty stupid things. Wyatt the Walrus was a particularly humorous touch (although I’m sure the people in his path probably didn’t find him amusing in the least!). The mystery kept me guessing, and when I’d think perhaps I had it figured out, bam, another suspect got knocked off the list.
And I want Jem’s job! I’d love to be a librarian where I can take lashings of time off to go pursue interests outside of work. Are there any other bosses like hers in the world, and if there are, are they hiring?
If you’re looking for an engaging, cleverly written mystery that will let you escape to Cornwall for a while, take a trip to Silversmith Bay. Five stars from me!
Another librarian/sleuth cozy mystery, this one set in the UK. Jem returns to her flat to discover her half-sister has moved in, and there is a pile of garbage in her bathtub. Oh, and a cat! The garbage pile has a blood-stained croquet mallet and this leads Jem to connect it to a recent murder. She then uses clues to find the murderer, exposing them in a Poirot-like manner at the end. It was an interesting read, but not exceptional. Characters were rather mudane; the most unique one isn't around long enough.
Jemima Jago's life is often complex and none more so than when she returns to Penzance. Not just juggling her career and home life, she has an unexpected houseguest and makes a gruesome discovery. Jemima is the quirky amateur sleuth that defines the cosy mystery genre. She has family drama, mysteries to unravel, and romantic entanglements and still manages to solve the crime ahead of the police.
If you are a fan of Cornish life, fun sleuthing and a host of unique characters, this cosy mystery is worth a read.
I received a copy of this book from Bookouture via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Jemima Jago is back working in her antique bookshop and happily living life in her new house. While on a trip to Penzance and visiting Tatteredly’s one of a kind secondhand bookstore, Jem and her best friend Micki discover a dead body. The body of Gina Marrack, the owner of Tatteredly’s bookshop found among the stacks in the store. Jem and Micki are immediately on the case. They have to find who the murderer is before it’s too late. Jem begins questioning Gina’s friends and discover that a real estate developer wanted to buy out Gina’s bookshop. Gina didn’t want to sell. So, was the developer not willing to take no for an answer? Jem must find the culprit before she becomes the next victim. I always enjoy cozy mystery stories and this one did not disappoint. I enjoyed the banter between the characters and the twists of the story kept me guessing until the very end. I was completely hooked on this story and was totally surprised at whodunnit. I loved the description of Penzance and the village bookshop. It sounds like a wonderful place to visit. I highly recommend this series, it is definitely a must read.
Thank you Emma Jameson for a wonderful addition to the Jemima Jago Mystery Series. I really enjoyed the plot twists and turns and the end of the story and series was perfect. I enjoyed it very much and I highly recommend it.
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'A Death At Silversmith Bay' by Emma Jameson.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Emma Jameson, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 21st February 2022.
This is the third book I have read by this author. It is also the third book in the 'Jemima Jago Mystery' series but can be read as a standalone. I have previously read 'A Death At Seascape House' which is the first book in the 'Jemima Jago Mystery' series and 'A Death At Candlewick Castle' which is the second book in the series which I also recommend.
I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that 'Fans of M.C. Beaton, Faith Martin and Agatha Christie will be totally hooked!'. I am a huge fan of Faith Martin and Agatha Christie so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Emma Jameson and if this is half as good as 'A Death At Seascape House' and 'A Death At Candlewick Castle' it is sure to be a page turning read. 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 31 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.
Yet another absolutely fantastic read from the very talented Emma Jameson!!! Well done Emma 👏 👏 👏!!!
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 was much needed!! 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 and also quite amusing.
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. This book is such an easy read with the words flowing I just could not put it down. I absolutely love the atmosphere and really feel like Cornwall is becoming my second home. I'm especially looking forward to visiting again in real life next year and will be keeping an eye on some of the places mentioned in the book to see if I recognise anywhere Emma based the storyline on. Emma's first two books are based in St. Morwenna so it was a pleasant surprise to be visiting Penzance more in this one although I must say I did miss my Morwenna friends it was still an enjoyable new experience!!! I am definitely looking forward to returning to Morwenna but also exploring more of Penzance. I actually find it quite delightful that I have now got 2 places to look forward to visiting every time I step into Emma and Jem's adventures!!! I adored the Wyatt the walrus adventures and strangely enough we have had Wally the walrus visiting us in Wales so, although I'm unsure if this is the one and same walrus, it was great fun reading about him and hearing that Wyatt visits Wales and Ireland to as done Wally!! I absolutely adore the Jem Jago series and am thoroughly looking forward to reading the next book in this fantastic series that I have loved from the start!!!
Although this is the third book in the series I had absolutely no problems reading it without the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.
The characters were an eclectic mix. I must admit I'm not quite sure what to make of Jem at the start of the series as at times I quite enjoyed her strong willed personality and she has definitely grown more on me since first meeting her in 'A Death At Seascape Hoise'. However, since reading 'A Death At Candlewick Castle' and now this fantastic read I can definitely say I am now one of her biggest fans!! I absolutely adore her attitude and love watching her relationships with friends and more grow, develop and change over the books. I bonded with Micki immediately in the first book and loved meeting her larger than life character again along with Hack. Pauley and Rhys in both the following books. They have turned into friends for me and I look forward to meeting them every time. They all have their own quirks and habits and all work perfectly together. I loved meeting the new characters in this series especially Tori who I am looking forward to getting to know more and one cannot forget about Wotsit who is just a typical, but memerable, cat!! I am intrigued to find out if PC Stacy Kellow becomes a part of Jem's team and if things will reignite between herself and Hack along with Jem and Rhys. So much to look forward to in the next epic adventure, I just cannot wait!!! Their team dynamic works really well and i have become completely invested in them.
A huge congratulations to Emma on yet another successful novel, here's to the next book in this explosive series 🥂
This is exactly why this series is one of my favourite and you Emma are on og my favourite authors!!!
Overall an intriguing, page turning, cosy mystery in an idyllic setting which will keep you hooked throughout.
Genres covered in this novel 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, Agatha Christie and anyone looking for a page turning cosy mystery!!!
263 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon or free on kindle unlimited (at time of review) which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#ADeathAtSilversmithBay #Bookouture #EmmaJameson #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@EmmaJameson @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?ref=bookmarks
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__tn__=%2As-R
Jemima Jago, the librarian/Scilly (not silly) Sleuth, is back in this third installment in the series, and it just keeps getting better and better!
After a rocky first meet with her in book 1, I’ve become super invested in Jem’s life and that of her friends. After a couple of murder solves under her belt during her stay in the islands, she’s back in Penzance to go back to work (not only of amateur sleuthing lives a girl). When she gets back home she finds there her sister Tori and what looks like a murder weapon but, where’s the body? In true amateur sleuth fashion she won’t take long to find it.
This series is becoming so much fun to read. The setting is fantastic and the characters just keep growing themselves. Although there’re some recurring characters from past books, here is Tori the one with a more important role. I liked the sister’s relationship and how Jem was so supportive of Tori even when she had reasons enough to kick her butt to the curb.
The mystery was nice too with plenty of suspects and red herrings thrown around to keep you on your toes.
I’m loving the evolving relationships between the characters. There’s still a love triangle situation and, although the balance seems to be have been tipped to Rhys’ side, nothing’s set in stone yet so I’m curious to see how Jem going back to the islands will affect this.
With a picturesque setting, a cast of lovely characters and a nice mix of cozy mystery and humor, “A death at Silversmith Bay” is a great addition to the series and I’m really looking forward to more installments to find out how Jem’s story continues.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
A death at silversmith bay by Emma Jameson.
A Jemima Jago Mystery Book 3.
Librarian Jemima Jago can’t resist a whodunnit, but finding a body in a bookshop is a plot twist she could never have expected…Jem Jago is back at work with her antique books, and spending her weekends exploring her new home. On a trip out to picturesque Penzance to visit local gem Tattteredly’s second-hand bookstore, Jem and her best friend Micki get more than they bargained for when they discover the body of the beautiful Gina Marrack, the owner, dead among the stacks…Unable to resist a real-life mystery, Jem convinces Gina’s friends to talk. She learns Gina wasn’t actually well liked in her little corner of town. A property developer had been sniffing around the street for some time, but Gina had refused to sell up. Did the rowdy real estate agent bump off poor Gina, looking for a quick pay day? Or was her jilted ex-lover out for revenge?Poking around the scene of the crime, Jem finds an unusual book out of place on the meticulously organized shelves. Could this be a vital clue? And can Jem get to the bottom of the murder before the terrible tale comes to an end for her too?
A great read with good characters. I liked the story. This is a good series. 4*.
Jemima Jago had spent a few months on the Isles of Scilly, and while there she gained some notoriety - she became known as Scilly's very own sleuth. Back home in Penzance, she plans on getting back to her job as a special collections librarian. As the story opened, Jem was surprised to find her sister Tori in her home. More significantly, Jem had called the police in order to try to figure out what was going on, especially considering that she thinks she found a possible murder weapon, This is when she realized that one of the officers, DS Conrad, was going to be a difficult fellow that she might have to evade why she sought to find out what happened.
Jem was quite certain that she left her home tidy, yet her apartment was overpowered by a rank odor. What is more is that Jem soon discovers significant evidence of yet another murder. Tori has a story, a rather wild one at that, and things just do not add up for Jem. Quite naturally, she plans on getting to the bottom of the recent turn of events. More than adept at solving crimes. Jem doesn’t shrink back for a single moment.
With the aid of her friends, most notably Micki Latham, Jem pays close attention the fact that there is definitely evidence of murder and this leads them to travel to a bookstore. This is how they discover who the murder victim was. Another character of note is Rhys Tremayne, Jem’s former (possibly future?) boyfriend, and he also assists in the investigation. Let’s not forget Wotsit, the cat that Jem found in her apartment that apparently is now her pet. Meanwhile, as the story progressed, it seems that Rhys was not the only one that Jem is thinking about in a romantic sense. It will be rather interesting to see how that develops in future books in this series.
What an enjoyable cozy mystery and a very nice addition to the series. The setting, the characters, and the intrigue made this book a thoroughly engaging read. The first two books are A Death at Seascape House and A Death at Candlewick Castle. I am very much looking forward to continuing the series with the next story.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
I’m a big fan of Emma Jameson. The more Jemima Jago mysteries I read, the better I like her. So I was pleased to be offered the opportunity to read an advance copy of A Death at Silversmith Bay in exchange for my honest review. It is advisable to read the first two in this series for the context they provide. But that is not to say this can’t be be read as a stand alone. It can.
This volume is set in Penzance, rather than in the Scilly Islands—-good news for me because though I aspire to go the Scillies someday, I have not done so, but have been Penzance.
When Jemima’s sister Tori shows up unexpectedly, so does a mysterious broken croquet mallet that appears to have blood and hair on it. Tori’s new boyfriend, his not so nice mate, and his “crazy” aunt complicate things nicely right away. I quickly got engaged in the plot of this mystery novel, and but have especially enjoyed the characters. Nutty Natty especially.
The mystery involves the death of a bookshop owner, a group of merchants in the same block, whose plans to sell have been thwarted, and the unexpected appearance of old friends. It’s not a hard read but will keep you entertained. I’m happy that I can wholeheartedly recommend it.
There is a lovely setting for this third instalment in this series featuring librarian and part-time sleuth Jemima (Jem) Jago. Jem and her friend Micki discover the body of Micki’s former sister-in-law, Gina Marrak whilst on an adventure to Penzance. This is a fantastic continuation of the series and a gritty cosy mystery with plenty of intrigue and drama. There are some great characters in this story and Jem’s sister adds another level of complexity as to whether or not she has any involvement in the crime. Jem's friends are a likeable bunch, there are red herrings scattered about and I loved the vividly described locale. With hints of romance, A Death at Silversmith Bay is a fantastic, richly drawn cozy and with the promise of interesting things to happen in future instalments.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
I still like the author's other series "Lord and Lady Hetheridge" best, but Jem Jago grows on me a little more in each book I read.
A Death at Silversmith Bay is set in Penzance, Cornwall, a place I know well and remember fondly for its perfect fish and chips and some lovely holidays I have spent there. Over the last two books Jem has developed a name for herself in the field of amateur detecting. Unfortunately since this took place on the Scilly Isles she is now known as the Scilly Sleuth. Not the best title really.
Jem and her friends work together to find the murderer in this latest book. They manage some solid sleuthing without getting themselves into trouble and of course solve the case when the police cannot. Jem has difficulty choosing between two charming men - lucky lady. The decision has been deferred to another book so I will be obliged to keep reading! Some authors know just how to pull the readers in don't they!
It's an entertaining and compelling addition to this series and I liked it even if it wasn't a favorite.
I was glad to catch up with Jemina and the cast of characters and the solid mystery kept me guessing.
There's plenty of humour and it's a light read that made me smile and kept me reading.
My only issue was with Tori as I don't think I would be so forgiving if you trash my place and also states your legal right as a squatter. That said I found Tory an unbearable brat.
Even if it can be read as a stand alone it's better read the books in order.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Jemima Jago is a librarian who
Solved a murder or two.
She's earned a nickname
As the 'Scilly Sleuth' from her fame!
Not anticipating any further chance
To play detective back in Penzance,
She's shocked to discover
A weapon then a body, soon after each other.
Look out for Alice in Wonderland themes
As Jem uncovers plots and schemes
I loved the references to characters, too,
I hope so will you!
With old friends and new folks, too
Jem can't resist looking - could you?
There are plenty of potential killers there
But just who is the one who'd dare?
There's plenty of mystery and clues
Laughter, death and funny news
Wyatt is such a surprise
As Hack would soon realise!
A great read, with everything to make it fun
With twists all through until it is done
I highly recommend this very English mystery
And hope you'll enjoy it, just like me!
For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
I throughly enjoyed reading it and this is my honest review.