I really wanted to love this cozy mystery set in a magical corner of Spain. I love novels I have travelled to and Estepona holds a special place in my heart.
My main issue with this story was that I really struggled to connect with any of the characters, especially the protagonist. I could not buy into the premise and purpose of this story. The plot and the devices used to move the story along felt clunky, convenient but not believable. I really wanted Astrid to get the validation and closeness she so clearly covets from her father, but even that dynamic - seemingly central to Astrid showing up in Estepona - left a lot to be desired. There were many supporting characters, but all rather flat and I was not invested in their story resolutions. The writing was colloquial, which at times served the story but often read more like the product of a creative writing course, resulting in distracting this reader. Several times, I stopped to highlight typos/descriptors used that seemed out of place or confusing.
Perhaps this book must be read as part of the series, not as a stand-alone - I may try to come back to this novel after reading the previous ones.
I appreciate the opportunity to read this advanced copy, and look forward to discovering other enjoyable titles from this publisher!

I was attracted to the vibrant cover design of this book, and I was hoping for a cheerful cosy mystery.

I hadn't read any books by this author before, but I thought this was lovely. As soon as I started reading it, I felt like it provided an escape - it was like reading and being teleported to somewhere warmer and sunnier. I found it quite funny too - the characters made me chuckle. The mystery was entertaining, and when I realised who the culprit was, it surprised me. If this is part of a series, I think I'd be interested in reading some of the others.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

Judging by the cover and the blurb I expected something light and funny. Mostly funny. With a crime twist.
What I got is a light, simple story with a crime twist, yes, but...
The crime is not a crime, the death is almost accidental and is not taken seriously by anyone. The villain is a sorry guy. The so-called heroine Astrid is not a hero by any means. The beginning is off in terms of where and how the story starts and the Astrid family relationship makes no sense. The whole thing is not clever, not surprising, not thrilling and not funny. And the biggest wth moment was at the very end when Astrids' dad makes a business offer to her.
I´m sure this book will have happy readers, because, after all, it is likable, but I still expect from literature more.

Syopnis:
Amateur sleuth Astrid Swift swaps the sporting summer in England for a British expat enclave in Spain, where everyone has a secret reason for leaving the UK.
The sunniest days, the deadliest nights.
Amidst the sun and sangria, something sinister is lurking on the Spanish coast. Usually a sleepy seaside enclave, Estopena has instead found itself rattled by a poison-pen campaign that is teasing out its residents' secrets on social media.
Astrid Swift sailed to the sunny beaches with the intention of reconnecting with her estranged father. Instead of an emotional reunion, though, she's been tasked with catching who's been threatening his new wife. Soon Astrid is entwined in the lives of these expats, from the boozy local heckler to the socially awkward beachcomber.
But can she find the internet troll before it's too late for the town? Or will each revealed secret tear this cosy community – including Astrid and her father – even further apart?
Review:
Astrid is a truly capable character. She't not a woman stumbling around and accidentally falling into the answer to the mystery. She's methodical, interesting, able to sail a boat on her own, and good at solving mysteries.
This is the perfect entrance into reading cosy mysteries if you want to try out the genre and the characters are unique and fun. Astrid's relationship with her dad (man he;s kinda awful) and her stepmom (wow she;s kinda young) are engaging beyond their surface level obstacles.

A fabulous murder mystery set in sunny Spain what more could you ask for?
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.
Highly recommend.

A cosy murder mystery on the beach what could go wrong! Like Astrid and the community of characters. Was well written and easy to read. Thank you for the advanced copy.

Visiting her estranged father on the coast of Spain, Astrid Swift finds herself looking into the theft of some pricy artwork. While she wants nothing more than to reconnect with her father, what’s a girl to do when she’s ask for help? Especially when her father insists he is in danger?

This was an enjoyable read, I can see lots of mystery fans reading this on the beach with a cold drink in one hand, thee book in the other, while sitting under the shade of the umbrella. Add this one to your summer reading list for sure!

Astrid Swift has had a tumultuous time lately and has decided to sail to Spain and surprise her somewhat estranged dad and his unpopular, to her at least, new wife. The weather and the coastal town of Estopena are beautiful and soon Astrid is thoroughly enjoying her impromptu visit and getting to know the locals and expats alike.

Not everything is perfect however, and when Astrid's stepmother, Jennifer, asks her to try and find out who is trolling the expat community online, she soon finds herself investigating who has insider knowledge of the secrets her new friends would rather continue to keep to themselves. As Astrid enjoys trying to get one step ahead of someone hiding in plain sight she discovers her family is also keeping things from her and then, when a body is found, her fun in the sun becomes deadly serious.

This is the third in M H Eccleston's excellent series and I loved it. Each book has become a better version of itself and Astrid is now a totally relatable, likeable, main protagonist and, once again, the author has provided her with a new set of friends to help solve the latest puzzle. As with the previous books there are hints about what might happen next and, as this has become a must read series for me, I will definitely be on the lookout for Astrid's next adventure.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book, which I thoroughly enjoyed, thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. As each book has a standalone mystery following on from the previous storyline they are best read in order. Highly recommended.

Enjoyable mystery, set on the Spanish coast. Although the third in the series, it’s easily read as a stand-alone. I liked this book very much. An interesting cast of English ex-pats, including the protagonist’s father and step-mother, live in a small Spanish town. When an online troll starts threatening to reveal the group’s respective secrets, Astrid Swift is asked to investigate. But all she wanted to do was reconnect with her estranged father. Well-written summer reading.

Although the book features a strong sense of place with a lively heroine, it did not appeal to me. I appreciate that Net-galley and the publisher gave me the opportunity to read this, and I am sure it will be popular with many readers, unfortunately it was just not my type of book.

This was a great mystery. I like how another counry was brought into the story it made it seem so real. I love the characters abd the mystery aspect of it. This book was approved by netgalley and the publisher for ne to read and review.

Omg, what a gorgeous summer read!

Death Comes to the Costa del Sol is the third book in the series starring Astrid Swift (already with the surname we start very well, Taylor Swifty we love you!).
However, in this summer murder mystery set on the Spanish coast, Astrid Swift will have to solve a series of thefts and robberies of pricless art! Our detective will immediately get to work to shed light on the mystery, save the city and also save her father who continues to say he is in danger!

I loved this book! I'm literally obsessed with mystery books but also a little romantic and comady and this book is just what I was looking for!
It's a perfect read to read on the beach under an umbrella, the writing is really smooth and clean and the story and the characters are fun and entertain the reader with their stories!

Really recommended if you are looking for a summer murder mystery read with a very strong and very funny protagonist!

Death Comes to the Costa del Sol is out everywhere on March 2, 2023, don't miss it!

Thanks to Netgalley, Aria & Aries, Head of Zeus and M.H. Eccleston for providing me with this e-ARC!