The Rockpool Murder is the third in Emylia Hall's cornish cosy crime series and is every bit as good as it's predecessors. The central characters are Ally Bright, a policeman's widow and longtime resident of Porthpella, and Jayden Weston, a young ex-policeman formerly based in Leeds who has moved to Cornwall with his cornish-born wife. They join forces to create The Shell House Detectives around which the series is based. Each book features a wide-ranging cast of local characters each with their own story arc. The characters feel very real and their lives are developed alongside the investigation of the crime itself so although the crimes are self-contained in each book, to be involved in the personal stories of the Porthpella residents, it's best to begin with book one. There are at least three more books to come in the series which is great news! Highly recommended.

Emylia Hall creates a breath of fresh air with this suspenseful mystery that kept me engaged with every chapter. As they scramble to find a killer the story evolves and takes you on an exciting journey. This was my first book by Emylia Hall and I will be looking for her other books as this did not disappoint.

Another well plotted and entertaining mystery in this series. I was glad to catch up with the characters and the solid story kept me guessing.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This was a strong third entry in the Shell House Detectives Mystery series, it had everything that I was hoping for and enjoyed the mystery element to this. The characters were what I was hoping for and enjoyed that they continued to be a interesting read. I was never bored when reading this and hope there is more in this series. Emylia Hall has a great writing style and enjoyed reading this.

This is the third in the Porthpella series featuring Ally Bright and Jayden Weston. This time it’s a version of a locked room mystery when music legend Baz Carson is found dead at his 70th birthday party at his stunning cliff top mansion Rockpool House.
I absolutely loved the setting of The Rockpool Murder and the author once again transports the reader to the beautiful Cornish coast.. The characterisation is excellent and I love the developing relationship between Ally and Jayden.Although it appears that there may be changes ahead for them both so I hope this series continues.
Another compelling mystery that I would recommend. I’ve read all three novels in this series so I’d recommend starting at the beginning to get the characters backstory but this could be read as a stand-alone.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

Rock legend Baz Carson has assembled a party of close family and friends to celebrate his 70th birthday, and publication of his 'tell all' memoir, in his cliff-top Cornish house, but the morning after their arrival, his dead body is found floating in the swimming pool. It seems to be just an accident, perhaps exacerbated by health issues or partying the night before, and the police seem ready to dismiss it as such though at least one of the guests, Tallulah, Baz's first love from California, isn't convinced. Hearing of the Shell House Detectives, she hires them to uncover the truth, but this time Ally and Jayden may have got themselves into something a little too dangerous ...



And then a second body is found; very definitely murdered.



I really like this crime series from Emylia Hall, and this latest is no exception. There's a little change of pace from the previous two, with what is effectively a 'closed room' murder as if there is a murderer, they have to be one of those invited to Baz's party. There's an array of suspects - his ex-wife, their grown-up children, folks who knew Baz back in the old days - any of whom could have had motivation to murder, especially after reading Baz's memoir, and there's a series of twists, turns, and revelations before the murderer is pinned down.



There are changes afoot in the lives of the Shell House 'regulars' - after years of just considering her art as a hobby Ally has her first exhibition, and Jayden's former police boss turns up reminding him of the challenges and rewards of 'real' police work. Are things about to alter completely for the Shell House Detectives? I hope not.

There's everything here that I look for in cosy crime - a relatable cast of characters, an intriguing mystery, and a gorgeous setting.

The Rockpool Murder is the third instalment in the Shell House Detective series, where Ally Bright is the main character, and has Jayden, a retired policemen as partner. They both live in the coastal town of Porthpella where tension is running high at Rockpool.

This is an engaging mystery with a beautiful setting and amazing characters where we got the see old characters and being introduced to new ones. We have greedy family members, secrets and lies and we start to see the motives of each one while we ruled our suspects in and out.

It was such an amazing book, with twists and turns that don’t make the ending predictable, and the setting makes us even more immersed in the story. I would recommend you read the first book of the series’ first, but I don’t think you would be lost if you choose to start with this one.

Thank you, NetGalley & the publisher, for approving me to read this arc and write this review.

The mystery kept me guessing and the characters were interesting. I also like the setting. I look forward to more.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the third book in the Shell House Detectives series - cosy crime set in Cornwall. I have really enjoyed this series so far and The Rockpool Murder doesn't disappoint. I love returning to the main characters and lovely beach side locations that I can picture so clearly.
My only slight criticism of this one would be the vast number of new characters, which somewhat overcomplicated the plot.
Emylia writes beautifully though and I would gladly read anything she wrote.

I thought this was a fine story, but it wasn't particularly one I couldn't put down. I enjoyed it, but I am not as inclined to pick up another one. I read this as a standalone without knowing there was a previous book, I may have enjoyed it more if I had read it in order as part of the series, Overall, not bad, liked but didn't love.

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.