Baz Carson, a music legend, purchased Rockpool House, the mansion atop a cliff on the Cornish coast, and with a curated guest list, he's ready to celebrate his 70th birthday and the publication of his memoir. The guest list will be the same select few of family and friends given space in his memoir. The only outsider who will stay at the mansion with Baz and the guests for the weekend is Saffron, owner of Porthpella's Hang Ten coffee shop, who will be the chef preparing all the meals. The weekend will be unforgettable.

Reminiscent of classic mysteries using the setting of locked locations as the setting that ends in a murder investigation, this is a contemporary delight. The locked location is the luxury mansion behind electric gates with a limited number of guests at the time of the crime.

The pairing of Ally Bright and Jayden Weston has added diversity of ages, life experiences, and investigation approaches. I also enjoy the secondary characters that add dimensions to life in Porthpella and broaden the scope of possibilities in the lives of Ally and Jayden.

I look forward to the continuation of the series.

Reviewer's Note: Each novel may be read as a stand-alone. Still, I recommend reading the books in the series in order to fully appreciate the characters as they evolve in life's decisions and adventures.

Thank you to Emylia Hall, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book.

Review of “The Rockpool Murder” written by Emylia Hall.

Available March 19/2024

Disclaimer: Please note that I received a Digital ARC of this book from NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer, in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

⭐⭐⭐☆☆

In “The Rockpool Murder” by Emylia Hall, the sudden death of music legend Baz Carson during his seventieth birthday celebration leads to a gripping race to uncover the truth, spearheaded by the dynamic duo of Ally Bright and Jayden Weston. While the multiple perspectives add complexity to the story, they occasionally overshadow the main characters’ narrative, and the supporting cast lacks depth.

In short, this just wasn’t the book for me. However, I read this as a standalone and perhaps if I had read it as part of the series, I might feel differently.

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Music legend Baz Carson is ready to welcome his closest friends and family to celebrate his seventieth birthday at Rockpool House, his stunning mansion set high on the cliffs on the Cornish coast. But the festivities come to an abrupt end when Baz is found dead, floating fully clothed in his infinity pool. Tallulah, a boho-chic Californian and Baz’s first love, is convinced that his death wasn’t an accident. Tallulah hires Ally Bright and ex-cop Jayden Weston to uncover the truth.
The third book in the series & whilst it could easily be read on its own I’m loving how the characters & their dynamics are developing. I really like both Ally & Jayden & thoroughly enjoyed the twists, turns & red herrings they encountered until solving the mystery. I also really enjoyed the regulars & how they feature & how they add to the story
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

The Rockpool Murder is set, of course, in Cornwall. This couple of private eyes are a nice balance of a not quite so young, single lady who is extremely intelligent but somewhat set in her ways and a younger married man who have joined forces to solve the various crimes around this sea-side tourist town. I have not read the first two books in the series yet, but this story can and does stand alone. The characters are well-written, and the scenery descriptions are excellent. Sometimes you feel the spray of the ocean and the sun on your face as you listen to the sea birds. The cozy mystery part is done well too. The only downside I had with the storyline is some of the suspects seem to behave a little bit too 'over-the-top' for my tastes but, then again, that's Rock-N-Roll people for you. Give it a go.

This is one of my favorite series, and this title doesn't disappoint. Ally and Jayden make such smart and personable amateur detectives. Not quite amateur, as Jayden's a former cop, and Ally is the widow of the village's police chief.

As usual, the relationships are complex and the writing is wonderful. I love Ally and Jayden's friendship and their relationships with all the other loved ones and villagers in their lives. A dead aging rock star, one with his loved ones gathered around on the day his tell-all memoir is published, makes a likely victim. His family members and associates span a range of personalities, and there's plenty to keep the plot moving along.

I always find myself highlighting bits of thoughts and conversation in this series. Things I want to go back later to think about because they're said in a fresh way. Not to imply this is a slow-paced, character-driven novel. It's not. It's just beautifully written.

I'm already waiting for book 4!

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Shell House detectives agree to take on a tricky case when they accept Tallulah's(yes, she's from California)request to find out who killed her rock star lover of 30 years ago. The problem is it appears Baz's death was an accident.
Baz had bought a hotel and had invited a select group to attend his 70th birthday party. His relations with the guests, with the exception of Tallulah, are prickly at best - ex-wife, estranged adult children, former band member and his business manger. When business manager, Rupert is found murdered in his cottage the police begin looking for suspects. Unfortunately, almost all the party guests have motives. Ally and Jayden work together again to solve the crimes. Family grudges are aired as well as long held resentments by a former band member.
This is the third in a series that shows lots of promise. The setting in the Cornish seaside is perfectly done and adds to the tension. Ally and Jayden and two secondary characters are nicely done. There's a hint that Ally may soon be open to her neighbor Gus's romantic interest. All in all, a good story that will keep you guessing until the end.
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the advanced readers copy.

Much like book two in this series, this book injects multiple POVs into the book that removed me fro the two protagonists, Jayden and Ally. They are the Shell House Detectives, so why is so much of this book not focused on them? Especially when the book is focusing on the mystery. It's an unusual decision in the book.

It felt like when Ally or Jayden are the focus, it's more on the cosy side instead of the mystery. I do enjoy the cosy side of cosy mysteries. I would have to, or I wouldn't enjoy so many of the sub-genre. But, I need my protagonists to be prominent in the mystery side and the cosy side of things.

The mystery in this book is well done, and that's what makes this so frustrating for me. It's a good mystery, but I needed more from the protagonists in actively investigating the crime. There is a moment when they hatch a plan, but that felt whole section felt odd to me and almost unplanned, as if it were written on a whim. It wasn't investigating a crime. I don't know what it was, but it felt more rambling than anything else.

I adore so many of the characters in this series, and I want to love each book in this series. There are some great moments in this book for Ally on the cosy side of things. Some realisations as well, which makes you wonder what book four will bring. And I will read book four because I want to know. But, I hope the POV focuses more and Ally and Jayden in the next book.

Link to video review will be added soon.

The third in the Shell House Detective series. I have read them all.

The Shell House Detectives are Ally, an older woman and an artist, and Jayden, a younger man with a wife and a small child. Jayden was a policeman until he was involved in a serious incident and decided to leave the force. Now he and his wife manage a camping ground on the beautiful Cornish coast. Ally and Jayden have a beautiful friendship which reminds me very much of Vera and Joe in Ann Cleeves' well known series.

There is a suspicious drowning followed by a murder and Ally and Jayden become involved in the investigations. The mystery is very complicated and it is hard to predict the guilty party! The ending is sweet when events push Ally and Gus towards each other. I hope this may be developed in future books. Altogether an enjoyable read.

This cosy crime novel set on the Cornish coast features loveable characters and plenty of wee twists and turns.

Our amateur detective team consists of dad and ex-police Jayden and cosy artist and retiree Allie (who majorly reminds me of my mum which is probably why I like her!). When retired rockstar moves to the coast and invites ghosts from his past to attend his 70th birthday party, the last thing anyone expects is to find him floating facedown in the pool the same day.

This backdrop creates an effective closed room mystery, where I was able to guess some but not all of the twists which is refreshing for me in this genre. I have not read the previous books in this series but I will certainly go back and check them out now! Huge thanks to NetGallery for the advance copy of this book!

Another great mystery set in the scenic and beautifully described Cornwall. This has the feel of a country house mystery with a set number of suspects. However there are plenty of red herrings thrown in to keep you guessing. It kept me guessing until the end and no for once I didn't guess the correct person, Lovely to meet Jayden and Allie again with lots going on in there lives. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

4.25

I think this might have been my favorite in the series so far. I really enjoy watching Ally and Jayden’s adventures and how they continue to grow in their detective work through the books. I loved this new set of characters from the Carson family and thought they helped us learn more about the established characters. I’m hoping this series will continue!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

<i>Hate born out of love is the strongest kind</i>

This cozy beach detective mystery was cute. A very tasteful one too. I find myself coming back to cozy books to enjoy a fresh clean slate of what I usually read. I really enjoyed this one.

RockPool Murder 3 is about relationships, friendships, murder, justice system, and even cute pastries and desserts.

The twists in this book were good. I was shocked that my “Who Done It?” Was actually wrong. That one I was shocked by. Overall, a cute read and definitely will be coming back to this author for more cozy beach vibes with a murder mystery twist.

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas &Mercer for this ARC!

Music rockstar legend Baz Carson had planned to host his closest friends and family to celebrate his seventieth birthday at Rockpool House, his stunning white mansion set high on the cliffs on the Cornish coast. But the festivities come to an abrupt end when Baz is found dead in his swimming pool. Tallulah, an American woman who was Baz’s first love, is convinced that his death wasn’t an accident. Baz had just published his tell-all memoir, and the list of those who might wish him harm is long. However with just only eight guests at Baz’s luxury, gated home, who could have killed him—and why? Tallulah hires Ally Bright and ex-cop Jayden Weston to uncover the truth. It’s a case that becomes a race against time, and one that will push Ally and Jayden to their limits as they draw ever closer to a killer. It was my first time reading the Shell House Detectives and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the characters and the Cornish sea-side town. I look forward to seeing their new adventures. Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the eARC.

Cornish-coast, ex-cop, local-gossip, local-law-enforcement, artist, small-town, mystery, murder, crime-fiction, suspense, series, closed-circle-mystery, dysfunctional-families, dysfunctional-people, pet-dog, widow, relationships, family-dynamics, famous-persons, investigators*****

A music industry celebrity hosts a house party for his 70th birthday but winds up dead in the pool. Permanent residents of the area include a burned-out former PC turned campsite manager and the widow of a former detective now an eco-artist. Together, they have become the Shell House Detectives, and they are expected to solve the crime before the next murder occurs. I enjoyed the first two and this has no disappointments.
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley. Thank you!
Available 19 Mar 2024 #ShellHouseDetectivesBk3

This series gets better and better! Picking up one of the Shell House detective books feels like going on holiday and meeting old friends. The setting is gorgeous and beautifully described. I love reading the chapters from the point of view of different characters, and my favourite of the 5 core characters changes with each story. The mystery is intriguing with plenty of red herrings and twists and turns, and a gasp-out-loud moment with this one. Absolutely loved it and was thrilled to see the series will continue for three more books!

I really enjoyed reading the third book in the series. The plot was engaging with unexpected twists that kept me on edge. The characters were relatable, and the situations were were engaging and realistic. However, I did feel that some of the descriptions or story fillers were a bit too lengthy. Additionally, in an attempt to keep the reader guessing about the plot, there were misdirections which made it challenging to keep track of the story. Nevertheless, it was a good book overall, and I would be interested in reading more books by the same author.

Beguiling Setting..
The third outing in the Shell House Detectives Mystery series featuring a most unlikely group of sleuths in a beguiling setting. Baz Carson was preparing to welcome one and all to his stunning cliff side Cornish mansion in order to celebrate his birthday - any carousing comes to a sudden finale when his very dead body is discovered in his own infinity pool. As the sleuths are recruited to find the truth, they find themselves in a deadly race to find a killer. Another engaging and enjoyable addition to this series with a delightful cast of characters, a beautiful backdrop and a pacy plot with a solid mystery at its very heart.

Utterly fabulous. Third in the series, and you don't need to have read the other two because Emylia catches you up on the situation (but I'd suggest you read them anyway as they're an excellent read). Beautiful descriptions of Cornwall make you feel as if you're there with the Shell House detectives. Good mystery (I love musicians in books) with a dysfunctional set of family and friends making a good cast of potential murderers (I didn't guess). The characterisation is fabulous and it's lovely to see Ally and Jayden's personal-life dilemmas mixed in with the sleuthing. Delighted to see that there will be another three in this series; I'm very much looking forward to the next one. Five stars (if I could give more, I would).

Three and a half stars.

The third outing for our unlikely detectives, consisting of Jayden West, a former PC turned campsite manager, Ally Bright, the widow of a former detective, and Gus, a retired geography teacher turned author.

Baz Carson, legendary rock star, is turning seventy and has invited his ex-wife, remaining band mates, manager, children, grandchild, the son of the love of his life, and a former lover to his new mansion Rockpool House in Cornwall for a birthday bash. Meanwhile, Ally meets Baz' former lover Tallulah at the gallery where she is about to exhibit some of her artwork. The two women form a bond, so when Baz is found dead floating in his pool just hours after he and Tallulah meet for the first time in thirty years she begs Ally for help in discovering who killed him, even if the police think that there is no foul play. Then a second person at the party is killed, and everyone is arrested, including Saffron who has been hired to cater the party.

There are lots of tensions between the guests which only intensify after the second death.

In my review of the last book in this series I complained that there was too much personal history, but that wasn't a problem with this novel. In fact, I love that PC Mullins is starting to become a more rounded character (and indeed person) as the series progresses.

However, I did feel that in the attempt to keep the reader guessing about whether Baz was murdered, and if so by whom, and whether there is a link to the murder of the second person there were too many red herrings. It may of course just be sour grapes because I thought *someone* was clearly the guilty person almost from the start and turned out to be totally wrong. Also, even after the event, I have trouble in recalling who did what and why.

Final shout out to the covers of these books, I love them.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

Also available on Kindle Unlimited.

"'It is a good idea, isn't it? This party? I won't live to regret it?' 
'A party is always a good idea.'
But as the buzzer sounds again - impatiently and raucously - and Baz heads out of the kitchen, Saffron feels a sudden sense of foreboding. It comes out of nowhere, as quick and powerful as a rip current. 'A party is always a good idea,' she repeats to herself. Only this time with less conviction."

Book three of The Shell House Detectives, cosy crime series, see amateur detectives Ally and Jayden investigating the death of a famous, aging rocker, who's retired to Rockpool House in Cornwall. 

I enjoyed being back in Porthpella, enjoyed reading what happens next and may be in the future for friends Ally, her dog Fox, Jayden (a former police officer), Saffron and Gus. A locked room mystery in a large, cliffside mansion during a hot summer, made for a dramatic setting and introduced new characters - the dislikeable, greedy family and friends of musician and songwriter, Baz Carson, celebrating his 70th Birthday. This made for a pool of suspects, who all had motives that the police, including Sergeant Mullins as usual, are investigating. There are twists and turn as the reader learns more about the characters and suspects are ruled in and out. An engaging mystery, a gorgeous setting and great characters make this a series to get stuck into.