Engaging Mystery..
The fourth entry in the Coffin Cove mystery series finds Andi, journalist turned amateur sleuth, on the trail of a killer. Or is she? As, this time, it’s her father who appears to be the prime suspect. With a mess of murder and mystery to sift through, Andi becomes determined to clear his name. Another engaging and compelling instalment to his series with a nicely drawn cast, a convincing setting and an interesting plot.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy of The Vile Narrows, the fourth novel to feature journalist Andi Silvers, set in the fictional town of Coffin Cove in British Columbia.

Professor Gerald Weber is found murdered in the local museum. A witness claims to have seen him arguing with Bob Hines, Andi’s dad, but Bob is missing and thus a person of interest to Inspector Fowler. Andi is determined to find her dad and clear his name, but her calculations change when Gerald’s 100 year old father is found murdered in an identical manner.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Vile Narrows, which is a great story with some unexpected twists and turns. Although it is told from several points of view, which is a more modern format, the novel has the feel of old fashioned storytelling. There are plenty of people with shady behaviour, but not many hints about the who and the why, so it’s a guessing game throughout. I had an inkling, but nothing definitive to go on, so I was glued to the pages from start to finish.

I think that this series goes from strength to strength. I wasn’t overly enthusiastic about the first novel, but the series has grown on me. The author is strong on the politics and discontent in a fading small town, with a subplot of right wing activism and the challenges of trying to turn the town around, but, perhaps not quite as strong on characterisation as there is little introspection and they seem defined by the requirements of the plot. That’s ok by me as I found the plot absorbing and might have chafed if the action stopped for a spot of navel gazing. The plot moves along at a fast clip with a series of further crimes, some more serious than others, while Andi tries to solve the murders and find her father. His story is rooted in past novels, so it might be wiser to read the novels in order.

The Vile Narrows is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

suspense, series, family, murder-investigation, crime-thriller, intrigue, small-town, investigative-journalist, suspicion, Western-Canada, lies, secrets, RCMP****

I really wish that I had read the earlier books in the Coffin Cove Mysteries as this one did not stand alone for me. Town sleuth Andi Silvers is an investigative journalist personally involved with the victims but a lot of the other relationships and histories were a muddle to me. If you like fast paced aggressive mysteries, you will love this series.
I requested and received an EARC from Joffe Books via NetGalley.

Murder becomes personal for investigative reporter Andi Silvers in The Vile Narrows, fourth in the excellent Coffin Cove series. Two men are seen fighting outside the local museum. In the morning, Professor Weber is dead and the main suspect is Andi’s father Bob Hinton, who is now missing. Andi knows she has to find him before he is arrested. The search will lead her to toxic waste disposal, kidnapping, another murder and a threat to her own life.

Jackie Elliot has delivered another perfect thriller. The town of Coffin Cove with its atmospheric, setting and interesting history, is slowly changing from a quaint fishing village to a tourist attraction. Andi and Harry Brown make good partners and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens in the next in this well-written series. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Joffe Books and Jackie Elliot for this ARC.