Book 2 of a wonderful cozy mystery series. I've read book one, so have been introduced to the main characters already. Encourage that, so you can meet Kate and her cop boyfriend Woody. Set in Cornwall, with lots of atmosphere and interesting characters. Highly recommend this series. Now off to book 3.

A cozy type mystery along the lines of Murder She Wrote or the Diagnosis Murder series on TV. The second in the Kate Palmer series, both excellent reads that gives readers enough clues to ALMOST figure out who done it.

This is the second in the series and can easily be read as a standalone, but I would recommend reading the first A Body In The Village Hall, just to get a better understanding of the characters.

A Body At Seaview Grange is a traditional British cozy mystery, not much blood, gore or violence, an idyllic village setting and some interesting suspects along the way.

Semi retired nurse Kate is pulled into the mystery surrounding Edina Martinelli, ex-opera singer and full-time diva, who annoyed almost every single one of her neighbours at the Seaview Grange. The police think Edina took too much of her prescription medication, but the woman herself was convinced that someone was out to kill her.

Kate is still on fine form, dogged and determined even though the police think Edina's death may have been an accident. I really enjoyed the development of the character, along with the addition of a new police inspector for her to butt heads with. There's also still a bit of romance with ex DI Woody Forrest, who reveals a few surprising facts about himself in this book.

As with the first novel I guessed the who quite early on, but the why wasn't clear until the killer was revealed.

A Body At Seaview Grange is a light-hearted mystery which is a perfect escape for a few hours.

Kate Palmer is a delightful main character, I truly enjoy her. Set in a Cornish village full of interesting characters, this is an excellent cozy mystery. The author gives us a wonderful whodunit with plenty of red herrings. I can't wait for book 3.

Kate Palmer is a nurse who has retired to a small Cornish village. When asked to take on some nursing home visits, she readily agrees ... anything to get her away from her sister who has an alcohol habit .. and a house that seems to be falling down around her head.

Kate finds ex-opera singer, Edina Martinelli, has been poisoned. Her death is said to to an overdose of a medication she's been taking for years. Edina was not suicidal, nor depressed... that leaves only one thing .. someone wanted her dead.

Kate is a bit of an amateur sleuth and joins forces with DI Woody Forrest to poke around and see what they can find. Kate finds suspects everywhere she turns .... but who knows more than they are telling? Who would have wanted this lady dead? And will this be the only death? What will happen when Kate gets too close to the truth?

This is well-written with characters that are in turn, nosy, quirky, but very friendly. I love the working relationship between Kate and the detective. I really got a kick from Kate and her sister .. and the dog. It's a real who-dun-it with a few twists and turns. This is an easy read and although 2nd in the series, is easily read as a stand alone.

Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy of this cozy mystery. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

A very cosy mystery almost to the point of Miss Marple, where the police are the idiots and the nurse, in this case, solves the crime, I did find it quite shallow and worked out who done it before a quarter of the book was read. This is the 2nd Kate Palmer not having read the 1st I can't comment on that but living in a village how many murders can it take surely there can't be a 3rd. Don't really like giving negative reviews as it must appeal to some people but sadly not for me.

Kate Palmer is a retired nurse who has found herself embroiled in a murder that is just too close to home. For starters, she finds her retirement short-lived when asked to use her nursing skills at a retirement home in Seaview Grange. This is a luxury location and Kate is all too pleased to assist.

Things take a very bad turn when one of the residents, a former opera singer named Edina Martinelli, has been murdered, with poison being the apparent cause. Circumstances are quite suspicious, especially since the medication involved is the very same one that Edina had been on for years. While some feel that the cause of death was suicide, Kate is just not so sure. Having previously been successful solving a murder, Kate takes it upon herself to step in to prove that the cause of death was indeed murder, and is determined to discover the killer.

Kate is not alone in this, however. Previously, she worked with close friend, recently retired DI Woody Forrest, when another murder occurred, so the pair work together yet again this time. Just as expected, Kate discovered that she was right - this was not a case of suicide. So, who is responsible for the murder? It doesn't take Kate long to determine that there are more than a few people that were disenchanted enough with Edina to want her dead. So then, who is the killer? Kate soon realizes that she must act with swift attention, especially since other apparent murders happen in rather quick succession.

What a great cozy mystery! I loved reading this enchanting book and seeing an older woman who proved quite adept at solving a heinous crime. I couldn't help but think of other older women crime solvers like Jessica Fletcher or Miss Marple while reading this book. Therefore, I was more than delighted while reading this well-written book.

A Body in Seaview Grange is the compelling second book in this Kate Palmer series. I did not get the chance to read the first book, but I had no problems feeling more than connected to Kate and her methods of solving this murder. I was more than drawn to this book and now look forward to continuing this series.

Many thanks to Bookouture for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Book Description:

Practice nurse Kate Palmer is ready for some peace and quiet in her little Cornish village, but there’s soon to be a murder on her doorstep…

Kate’s retirement in Cornwall hasn’t quite gone as planned – Lavender Cottage is in need of substantial repairs and her sister Angie’s fondness for gin does rather stretch the purse-strings.

So when Kate is asked to do some nursing at the luxury retirement flats in Seaview Grange, she jumps at the chance. The old Victorian house has stunning views of the sea and the retirees are a peaceful bunch. That is, until Edina Martinelli, a glamorous ex-opera singer, is found poisoned in her home.

Edina’s death is ruled an overdose by Digoxin, the same medication she had been on for years. But Kate is sure the woman she met was not suicidal, and with the reputation of her practice on the line, she decides to do some digging. Luckily she’s got the newly retired Detective Inspector Woody Forrest to help her…

It’s not long before Kate discovers evidence of foul play, and there’s no shortage of suspects. Was it the besotted vicar? The ill-tempered stepson? Or perhaps Edina’s neighbour finally had enough of her constant warbling. It seems everyone had a motive, but who amongst them had the stomach for murder? And will they kill again?

If you love murder mysteries by Agatha Christie, Faith Martin or Joy Ellis, then this page-turning novel will have you reading late into the night!

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'A Body in Seaview Grange ' by Dee MacDonald.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous

Publication date 12th November 2020

This is the first book that I have read by this author. It is also the second book in the 'Kate Palmer' series but can be read as a standalone.

I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover its intriguing synopsis. 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 35. The chapters are 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, 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. I have actually visited Cornwall on several occasions so am looking forward to see if I recognise anywhere.

This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonist is Kate Palmer. The benefits of third person perspectives 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.

This book is very smoothly written with vivid descriptions which really help you see what's going on around you as well as the storyline. The blurb and the cover compliment the novel perfectly.

The plot really sucked me in and I really enjoyed curling up on the sofa and getting dragged into this cosy mystery. The storyline was realistic which I always prefer as it makes it more enjoyable to read when you can see that it is something that could happen. Although it is part of a series it worked well as a standalone as any previous characters and relationships made were adequately explained in just the right amount of detail. This book is well constructed and traditional and what starts off as one murder becomes quite multi layered with all the characters backgrounds coming out. It was a very compelling read. The only downfall for me is I wasn't that surprised when the killer was revealed. However, I was surprised to find they worked alone as I was certain that another person was involved (I'd also worked out there was something going on between them but not quite what). I do, however, read alot of crime so just because I wasn't surprised it doesn't mean that another person wouldn't be.

THE characters were a delightful mix of personalities with intriguing backgrounds and each one was very compelling, especially a certain creepy one!!! I really enjoyed the main characters of Kate, Woody and Angie and think they really worked well together as a team, well Kate and Woody but I also enjoyed Kate and Angie relationship. I am certainly looking forward to reading more Dee McDonald's books especially the previous and any further books in this series.

Overall an intriguing and compelling cosy mystery that is perfect for Agatha Christie fans.

Genres covered in this novel include Mystery, Thriller, Cosy Mystery, Police Procedural and Crime Fiction amongst others.

I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Agatha Christie.

232 pages.

This book is £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 4/5 (I loved it but feel I need to remove one star as I wasn't shocked when I found out who the killer was ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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Author Bio:

Aged 18, Dee arrived in London from Scotland and typed her way round the West End for a couple of years before joining BOAC (forerunner of British Airways) in Passenger Services for 2 years and then as a stewardess for 8 years.

She has worked in Market Research, Sales and at the Thames TV Studios when they had the franchise.

Dee has since relocated to Cornwall, where she spent 10 years running B&Bs, and only began writing when she was over 70!

Married twice, she has one son and two grandsons.

https://twitter.com/dmacdonaldauth


Buy Links:

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Nurse Kate Palmer is called to Seaview Grange to visit former opera star Edina Martinelli. Days later Edina is dead, probably poisoned by her medication. There are a whole host of suspects but the lead officer even accuses Kate! Can Kate and her retired cop beau Woody discover the true killer...?
A Body in Seaview Grange is the sequel to A Body in the Village Hall and sees Kate Palmer using her natural inquisitiveness and people skills to investigate a death. Her job as a nurse gives her ample opportunity to visit other characters who open up to her due to her kind nature.
Edina has made plenty of enemies among the retirement apartment inhabitants so there are lots of suspects for Kate to investigate. Could it be the stepson who needs cash quickly, a jealous wife or someone fed up with her opera singing?
The murder is not graphically described and the traditional amateur detective style is reminiscent of Agatha Christie who I love. Kate calls upon retired detective Woody Forrest again to help her negotiate the awkwardness with the police as well as further develop their romance.
Kate's sister Angie is still causing concern due to her alcoholism and Kate is worried about her lover Fergal who may be taking advantage of her sister's desperation for attention. Kate's relationship with Woody also offers an extra emotional component to the plot and characters.
A Body in Seaview Grange is an enjoyable murder mystery with a very likeable lead character.

Never rule out the improbable since they are also the most probable. Not the exact Sherlockian quote, but it does apply when it comes to the second book in the Kate Palmer series by Dee MacDonald.

Kate figured her retirement in the Cotswall’s would be relaxing, but with an undependable sister and a cottage in need of repairs, Practice Nurse Kate is putting in days at the surgery to make ends meet. Being the newest member of the team, Kate is on call when in-home care is needed, and this time the request comes in for a check-up at the local retirement community called Seaview Grange. What Kate didn’t realize was her re-check with Edina Martinelli would also be the last for the annoying ex-opera singer when after a tumble down the stairs, Edina is found dead from a drug overdose. Needing to clear the name of the doctor suspected of overprescribing, Kate starts sticking her nose into the business of residents of Seaview. When she is sure that she has eliminated all the probable people, she is lured back, and going against her common sense, comes face to face with a devious killer.

Past characters are still there, Angie is as unpredictable as usual, but now with a twist of fate, she may have a future. Detective Inspector Woody Forrest has revealed his real first name, and much to Kate’s delight, she finds herself even more enamored. Now with Kate’s need to recover from her latest adventure, she will be jetting off to America to meet Woody’s family and another chance to see where their relationship is going.

I enjoy this series. Kate isn’t your usual vapid twenty-something sleuth with bouncing curls. She brings her experience and compassion, and though there are momentary character hiccups in good judgment, she finds herself in unusual and entertaining situations without going all Lucy and Ethyl on the reader.

This is the second book in the Kate Palmer series (The Body in the Village Hall was the first), and first I have read. It's very much an old school style book, ala Christie or Ellis. This is a charming quick read, that was light on chick lit and mystery. I had figuired out the who, but not the why, so it kept me reading until the end! Kate is a fun character- older, newly settled into her new life, but looking for something new , like a hobbie, which the case at Seaview Grange offers her! Looking for soemthing for the weekend, pick this one up!

4.5 stars

This is the second book in the Kate Palmer mystery series by Dee MacDonald.

Kate is a nurse doing some work at a luxury retirement community when one of the residents ends up dead. But she finds the doctor’s cause of death a bit fishy and begins to investigate and finds a whole lot more than she bargained for. Her boyfriend, Woody, is a DI Inspector newly retired and he assists her at times when she needs a little nudge in the right direction.

I thought this book was great. I had not read the first book in the series, yet it was easy to get into and the lives of the characters were so straightforward you didn’t get confused. This is definitely a series I want to dig into more. I will put it on my must read list for sure!

If you want to read a good cozy mystery, police procedural, detective fiction book, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

A Body In Seaview Grange by Dee MacDonald is the second book in the Kate Palmer Mystery series which is set in Cornwall. A cosy mystery that is so nice to read in the evening now the nights are drawing in. 58 year old Kate is a nurse, who has moved into a cottage with her sister Angie. They were both planning to retire but as always, they find that the repairs on the cottage are bigger than they first thought. Kate is working part time for the local doctors as a nurse. She is sent to Seaview Grange, to tend to a patient in one of the flats there. Edina, the patient is found dead and Kate ends up getting involved trying to find out what happened, much to the disdain of the polce on the case.
This is a classic who-dunnit and I really did have fun reading this. It is my first time reading a Dee MacDonald book and found it great. Kate is almost a Mrs Marple type of character and I could envision her trying to discover the culprit in the grange!
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the book so I could write this review today

I love a good murder mystery - and this author knows exactly how to write one!

Now settled in Cornwall at Lavender Cottage with her sister Angie, part-time nurse Kate Palmer finds herself 'volunteered' to attend patients in nearby Seaview Grange, a former Victorian house now converted to luxury retirement apartments. She finds the elderly residents to be welcoming but then one of them is found dead in her home, with suspected poisoning the cause. When it's traced to a prescribed medicine, it puts the surgery and Kate under the spotlight. Eager to clear her name, Kate cannot resist doing a bit of digging herself. With the suspects mounting up, Kate is warned to keep her distance and not put herself in danger - but can she act sensibly?

Another gripping read from the pen of this author - she really knows how to keep her readers on tenterhooks to the bitter end! I enjoyed the first in this series and felt as if I knew Kate that bit better this time round. There are some great characters here; with both Kate and her sister indulging in a little romance we are eased into a sense of false security until the murder occurs. The writing flows beautifully and the story unfolds at a perfect pace - I suspected absolutely everyone excluding the guilty party! An absolute pleasure to read this tantalising whodunnit; it's shaping up to be a grand series and well worth all five sparkling stars.

My thanks to both the publisher for my copy via NetGalley and to Book on the Bright Side for my spot on this tour; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

“A great new cozy mystery heroine”

Ah, Those were the days, back in my youth! When I would settle down, with the latest Agatha Christie acquisition from my local library and read into the wee small hours, to try and find out ‘whodunnit’, before sleep finally overtook me! Semi-retired District nurse, Kate Palmer, is shaping up nicely to become the modern day equivalent of the great lady’s ‘Miss Marple’ character. Kate has allegedly moved to Cornwall to live out a quiet retirement, but that story just doesn’t quite hang together somehow, as it sounds as though, sensible as she thinks she is, it can’t be coincidence that she can always be found in the thick of any local action, particularly murder, regardless of the danger.

A Body In Seaview Grange worked well as a stand alone story, as all the characters, their previous and current relationships were more than adequately explained and fleshed out. However I do wish that perhaps I had been able to make time to go back and read book #1 first, as there were quite a few references to events from that debut story, which I really wanted to know about, but maybe that’s just me being as curious as Kate herself is, as they bore no relevance to this current turn of events.

I really enjoyed Dee’s style of writing in this particular genre, although she has also written books in the genre of contemporary women’s fiction, which I haven’t read any of to date. The story has a beginning which really sets the scene, before Bam! the action kicks in full pelt and never lets up until the murderer is revealed and everyone breathes a collective sigh of relief!, and of course the ending is a personally satisfyingly happy one, for one of crime’s newest amateur sleuths!

This well-constructed, very traditional, text-book murder / mystery, becomes quite multi-layered and compelling, as events begin to spiral out of control at Seaview Grange. Who would ever have believed that a peaceful, coastal, retirement complex, could harbour such ill-will and malice, where everyone is a suspect, but is there only one murderer?

This case just goes to show that, ‘revenge really is a dish best served cold’!

Author Dee MacDonald, has total control over the situation as events twist and turn and the body count begins to rise. She even throws in a good few red herrings just to keep me guessing, and I never really did discover the genuine perpetrator from all the pretenders, until Kate gets up close and personal with them. Considering that the action is centred around one location, everything keeps moving along at a good pace, with the narrative and dialogue being visually observational, fluid and effortless, as Dee confidently negotiates the many moods and hidden agendas of her disparate cast of characters, allowing them to own their space and giving them a voice.

And boy! – do these people have plenty to say! They all have axes to grind, anger to vent and are on the lookout for a captive audience to tell their story to. Kate walks right into this maelstrom of discontent and tension, although to be fair, with her inherently inquisitive and stubborn nature, she does tend to make a rod for her own back, much to the growing despair of retired DI ‘Woody’ Forrest the new man in her life, her rather alcoholic sister Angie with whom she shares a house and the local police under the watchful eye of DI Bill Robson, who would really rather she left the detective work to the professionals.

As Kate quickly discovers, people can live and lead very complicated, difficult and distressing lives. However this group of rather ill-matched, self-centred and selfish individuals, have more trauma, angst and individual dramas going on, than I would ever have thought possible, making them rather an uneasy bunch to connect and engage with or become invested in, despite the care, attention to detail and passion Dee has invested in defining them, both visually and emotionally.

I do wonder just how many more murders and bodies, one small Cornish town has to offer, before Kate becomes a little predictable in her discoveries and meddling ways? Plenty I hope, as I have already grown quiet accustomed to seeing her bright red Fiat Punto around the place!

Kate Palmer & her sister moved to Cornwall. Whilst Angie dabbles in Art & gin, Kate works as a practice nurse at the local health centre. She gets asked to go & see a lady in some retirement flats who is complaining her ankle cast is too tight. Seaview Grange is home to a selection of quirky characters. Edina broke her ankle falling downstairs. She tells Kate that someone was trying to kill her. Kate attempts to reassure her that the ankle is fine & not to worry. She is called there again shortly after. Edina is seriously ill & dies in hospital. Kate is very concerned. Was Edina right about someone being out to get her? The new police inspector is not convinced when Kate tells him & asks her to keep out of things. After her last sleuthing she has a taste for mysteries & even Woody (retired cop & boyfriend) can't stop her questioning events- especially when Edina isn't the only dead body!

This is a delightful cosy mystery with quirky interesting characters & a good plot. It was every bit as enjoyable as the first. I'm already looking forward to Number Three! Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

This is the 2nd instalment in the Kate Palmer Mystery series by Dee MacDonald and features experienced nurse Kate who has relocated from West London to Cornwall along with her sister, Angie. The sisters have both moved into gorgeous Lavender Cottage in the picturesque village of Lower Tinworthy, hoping for a more peaceful life.

Kate is helping out at Seaview Grange luxury retirement flats to earn herself a bit of extra money for her retirement fund. Working at Middle Tinworthy Medical Centre, it's a welcome change to go to Seaview which is seated on top of the cliffs in Higher Tinworthy. The Grange has stunning views of the sea and she's pleased to be of service until resident Edina Martinelli, a glamorous ex-opera singer is found in her flat, having been poisoned. When more dead bodies eventuate, Kate decides to don her sleuthing hat...

Newly retired friend DI Woody Forrest is fortunately on hand to help her and they team up to figure out the puzzle of the killings. This is a superb cosy mystery with plenty of substance but still maintaining that cosy edge, with the chocolate-box cottage and alluring countryside locale. Divorcee Kate is an intrepid and caring character. Her fondness for sexagenarian Woody is charming to read about and they make an effective sleuthing duo. This is a comfortably paced, easy read with a hugely enjoyable plot, and a great cast of characters. It boasts a bucket-load of suspects with plausible motives, and many red herrings, twists and disclosures. A quality, well-plotted cosy with a fulfilling conclusion, A Body in Seaview Grange is the perfect novel to curl up with on chilly autumn evenings.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.

Having loved Dee Macdonald’s first Kate Palmer mystery, A Body in the Village Hall, I was so excited to read the second gripping title in this fantastic cosy series, A Body in Seaview Grange. Fast-paced, brilliantly witty and hard to resist, A Body in Seaview Grange is another must-read in the Kate Palmer series.

Be careful what you wish for – and that is certainly true for Kate Palmer who had moved to Cornwall for a quiet retirement and found herself involved in solving a murder! Still, Kate hopes to put her sleuthing days behind her for good and with a dilapidated cottage that needs renovating and a sister with a penchant for gin to keep on the straight and narrow, Kate has certainly got enough on her plate. With money being in short supply, Kate has picked up a few extra hours nursing at Seaview Grange, a luxury apartment complex for the elderly. A beautiful home with spectacular views and easy-going residents, Kate doesn’t think this part-time job will be any trouble, but when Edina Martinelli is found poisoned in her home, it looks like she might have spoken too soon!

The former opera singer’s death is ruled an overdose of medication which she had been on for years. Having met Edina, Kate cannot help but be skeptical as her former patient was anything but suicidal or careless and with the finger of suspicion pointing at her, it looks like Kate might have to put her sleuthing cap on again and get to the bottom of another perplexing mystery – helped by the handsome newly retired Detective Inspector Woody Forrest, of course!

As their investigation begins in earnest, Kate soon suspects foul play and there seems to be no shortage of suspects who all had a very good motive for wanting Edina dead. From a lovestruck vicar to a bad-tempered stepson and a nightmare neighbour, Kate must dig deep if she is to find the culprit. But will she find the killer in time – before another body is found?

A Body in Seaview Grange is a terrific contemporary cosy mystery packed with terrific characters, red herrings and shocking twists no one will see coming. Dee Macdonald blends suspense, tension and menace in one brilliant mystery that will keep readers guessing and turning the pages until the final surprising revelation.

Kate Palmer is such a brilliant sleuth. Not only is she an empathetic, intelligent, sharp and resourceful character, but I loved her developing romance with Woody and laughed and cringed along at some of her sister Angie’s antics.

A top-notch mystery from one of my new favourite cosy crime writers, I cannot wait for the next Dee Macdonald thriller featuring the formidable Kate Palmer.

Eureka! Eureka! I did it!! I guessed the killer right at the moment the character appeared in the book. And you would think that it were my Detective skills that zinged and zanged to lead me to the killer. Nopes, it was just pure instincts.

Kate, the nurse and amateur sleuth was back. She was called to one of the flats of the Seaview Grange to check on a patient with a broken ankle, and she found a friend in Edina Martinelli, who was sure someone was trying to kill her. She checked up on the opera singer frequently and on one occasion, she found her to be quite unwell. Later the same day, the grande dame died. She was poisoned. The pages of the book turned faster when I got an inkling of what could have happened.

Then came an attempted suicide followed by another murder, and it was Kate ramping up her investigation even when everyone warned he against it. She could get to the killer but at great peril to her own life. A couple of chapters described how far the killer would go to silence her.

All the residents and visitors were on the suspect list. After every few chapters, Kate would get a new suspect with whom the motives were the highest. Opposition from the local cop, support from the retired cop along with the residents in the building wanting to g wet to the truth made Kate speed up. Few characters in her life returned in this book, they gave me a glimpse of her personal life.

A fact niggled me while reading. Kate was a dedicated nurse, yet when the patient’s pulse was thready and low, and the patient looked to be at death’s bed, dehydrated, she didn’t call for the amulance. A cardiac patient on digitalis with the pulse low and barely palpable, every medical professional would know that it is an emergency. The fact Kate allowed herself to be swayed by the patient and asking a cleaner to check on her irritated the doctor in me, especially when the patient died. I didn’t like her much then. But this would not hurt anyone else’s sensibilities.

The rest of the book was quite fun and felt to be a perfectly cozy murder mystery.

This is a brilliant, highly entertaining, cosy murder mystery starring fifty-eight year old nurse Kate Palmer. Kate has moved to Lavender Cottage in Cornwall with her sister, Angie, with both planning to retire there. However, the much needed repairs mean that she's supplementing their income by working part time as a nurse at the local doctor's surgery. One of the patients she is sent to visit is Edina Martinelli, who lives in one of the six flats in Seaview Grange. When Edina, a retired opera singer, is found poisoned Kate can't help getting involved in the investigation, getting to know the other Grange residence and inadvertently putting herself in danger! Can she help identify the killer before they strike again or will she be their next victim?

This is an engaging page turner, with a range of great characters, plenty of red herrings and lots of twists to keep you guessing. It is a lovely mix of murder, mystery and romance, with a dash of humour to keep you smiling. Kate is a younger version of Miss Marple with a lover. The story has plenty of intrigue and I thoroughly enjoyed escaping into it, so much so that I've already been and bought myself a copy of the first book in this series, A Body in the Village Hall! Needless to say, that reflects how highly I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cosy mysteries!

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for my copy of this book which I have voluntarily read and honestly reviewed.