Cover Image: A Body in Seaview Grange

A Body in Seaview Grange

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Seaview Grange, a stone mansion on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic is an upscale senior citizens’ residence. You wouldn’t expect to find a murder victim there. But Kate Palmer does. When she and her sister Angie moved to Lower Tinsworthy, they expected a peaceful retirement. Within weeks, Kate had solved a murder, found romance with handsome retired Detective Inspector Woody Forrest and begun renovations on Lavender Cottage, her new home. Home repairs are not inexpensive so Kate works three days a week as a nurse for the village doctor. After she’s assigned care for the Seaview Grange patients, her first visit is to Edina Martinelli, a retired opera singer. Within hours of learning that her new patient fears for her life, Edina is dead. There are six luxury apartments in Seaview Grange. Does one belong to a killer?

Although Woody and Angie urge her not to get involved, Kate looks for clues as she treats the other residents for various ailments. Will her search cost her her life?

While A Body in Seaview Grange is the second in an excellent series by Kate Palmer, it can be read as a standalone cozy mystery. This series has it all! Lower Tinsworthy, a charming location. Quirky, unforgettable village characters. A gin swilling sister. And Kate Palmer, an endearing 58 year old grandmother who makes solving crimes look easy. I can’t wait to see what Kate does next! 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Book0outure and Dee MacDonald for this ARC.

Was this review helpful?

Kate Palmer, a nurse at a local clinic in a Cornish seaside village, is the heroine in this story. She has a habit of being drawn into murder inquiries, and this time is no different. In this book she investigates three deaths that occur at a luxury retirement flat.
I enjoyed the first few chapters. The characters were well-drawn and the story moved at a good pace. Although I had not read the previous book, I was able to catch on to the relationships and situations very easily.
However the middle lagged. I especially found the repeated dialogue of Kate explaining everything to her boyfriend Woody tiresome since I as the reader had already experienced the incident previously with Kate.
I also did not have too much trouble guessing the identity of the murderer.
I did not like the ending, but that's a personal thing - I hate it when the protagonist makes foolish choices!
Overall, it's a good read if you like to visit new places via a book.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the book.

Was this review helpful?

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 she’s working part time as a practice nurse at the local doctors. She’s asked to do a home visit at the luxury retirement flats in Seaview Grange. 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.
This is the second book in the series & takes place a few months after the first. It could easily be read on its own. I loved that Kate’s budding romance with Woody is progressing & Angie’s still hitting the gin bottle & of course Barney needs his walks. Another engrossing read with Kate right in the middle of the action. She believes Edina was murdered & ferrets around but DI Robson isn't helpful, he's very patronising but as the body count rises, he realises Kate may be on to something. A lovely read with plenty of twists & turns & a bit of romance
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Was this review helpful?

Cozy mysteries are an excellent way to escape reality, travel to lovely places, meet quirky and likable characters, and being engrossed in a classic whodunit.
This story crosses all the checks and it does in a gripping and highly entertaining way, keeping you hooked and guessing.
I love Kate, she’s sensible and clever even if a bit too naïve at times. She’s a very empathic and nice character, well developed and interesting. I also love Angie, the over-the-top sister who seems to be the opposite of Kate.
There’s a lot of quirky characters in this story, they are well written and interesting.
The plot is tightly knitted, full of red herring and suspects, and it never drags as there’s a lot going.
The mystery is solid, I try to guess the culprit but the solution came as a surprise.
I’m left wondering what will happen to Kate, Woody and Angie in the next story, I can’t wait to read it.
It’s a highly enjoyable story that I strongly recommend.
Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Was this review helpful?

A cosy must read murder mystery novel... Set in Cornwall book 2 in the Kate Palmer series sees our sleuth delve into a murder mystery in the quiet retirement home Seaview Grange where a visit for a broken ankle turns into more when a resident is poisoned

Can Kate discover the murderer before they take another victim

Was this review helpful?

A Body in Seaview Grange is the second instalment in the Kate Palmer Mystery series, set in Cornwall, and it's the perfect cosy mystery to curl up with on these chilly Autumn evenings. 58-year-old divorced practice nurse Kate and her widowed sister, Angie, have recently moved from the pandemonium of London to the picture-postcard village of Lower Tinworthy in Cornwall after purchasing beautiful Lavender Cottage and hope to become accustomed to a slower pace of life. Kate is called out to Seaview Grange, a large Victorian house which had been converted into a retirement home offering several luxury flats for the elderly, to tend to Italian ex-opera singer Edina Martinelli, who has been complaining that the cast supporting her broken ankle is too tight. Working at Middle Tinworthy Medical Centre, it's a welcome change to get out of the surgery and visit Seaview which is seated on top of the cliffs in Higher Tinworthy overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, just as its name suggests. Edina informs her that the injury occurred because someone was trying to kill her, but naturally, Kate puts this down as her having a flair for the dramatic and thinks nothing more of it.

That is until she hears that Edina was poisoned and when bodies continue to drop Kate decides to put on her sleuthing hat and get to the bottom of it. The local police and even her beloved other half retired Detective Woody Forrest seem puzzled by the killings, so will Kate fare any better? This is a charming and completely enthralling mystery right from the get-go. The setting itself is most certainly treated as one of the characters and the descriptions reminded me of the chocolate-box English villages you see in Midsomer Murders. The actual cast of characters is beautifully developed, and I loved getting to know more about Kate and her sister who are reliable and very likeable, and each of the care home residents has their own unique and distinctive personality. It is a delightful cosy with a compelling plot, a series of compelling twists and turns and enough going on to keep you captivated from cover to cover. A highly recommended comfort read, and a real treat for cosy connoisseurs. Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.

Was this review helpful?

Kate Palmer is loving her new life in Cornwall, her job as a practice nurse and her  romance with newly retired Detective Inspector Woody Forrest, even if her sister does test her patience and enjoys the gin a little too much.

When a resident at Seaview Grange, a Victorian house which has been converted into retirement flats, asks for someone to visit Kate is delighted to oblige. With beautiful views and interesting occupants her trip is a pleasant change from her time spent at the doctor's surgery. Her patient, an ex-opera singer with a habit of singing very loudly, tells her she broke her ankle because someone is trying to kill her. Kate is sceptical until just a short time later the woman dies of a suspected overdose.

Although Woody implores her not to get involved Kate can't seem to keep away. Called in by various residents she finds herself on hand and able to ask the questions she is sure the new detective isn't. There is quite possibly a serial killer at The Grange, and Kate is getting a little too close for comfort.

Once again I enjoyed this author's work and found the sister, who was my biggest bugbear in book one, less of a problem. Kate and Woody are great together and the discovery of his real name was a favourite part for me. I hope there will be a third instalment as this is an improving and entertaining series so far.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions are my own. If you enjoyed the first book this is a very good follow-up, and it can also be read as a standalone.

Was this review helpful?

A Body in Seaview Grange is the second book in the Kate Palmer Mystery book. I enjoyed meeting her in book one and was excited to go back and see what she got up to next.
This time, Kate has been working at upmarket retirement flats, Seaview Grange in her role as a nurse at the local GPs. After her first visit, she hears that one of the women fears that someone might be trying to kill her. To begin with, she doesn't pay any attention to this until the same woman is rushed to the hospital and later dies. Kate can't help but get involved in the mystery and tries to find out what happened and who might be a murderer.
I do enjoy a good mystery read and this book certainly falls into that category. There are plenty of red herrings and clues to keep you guessing. Kate seemed to be able to get to the bottom of everyone's secrets, finding out who might have a reason to commit murder. It did keep me guessing until we were almost at the end. I was a bit more onto it than Kate though and spotted both who done it and would have avoided getting myself into quite so much trouble in the process.
This was a really enjoyable read. I'm looking forward to finding out what Kate manages to stumble across next.

Was this review helpful?

A charming book! Good writing, a solid cozy mystery. I really enjoyed the heroine, the setting and the storyline! I will definitely read the next book in the series!

Was this review helpful?

Sometimes wishes are granted. When I read and reviewed the first Kate Palmer cosy mystery I wrote that I hoped the book would turn into a series. I wasn't disappointed, both because it did turn into a series and because the second episode turned out to be a great read.
Kate's sister Angie still loves her gin and Kate herself keeps having difficulty not putting her nose into other peoples business when she suspect that a crime has been committed. Of course this will lead to some unexpected and dangerous situations.

In this episode Kate's lover, Woody Forest, has (semi) retired and Kate doesn't get on well with his replacement. In the mean time her relationship with Woody seems to develop into something deeper. And of course a couple of the villagers get killed in the meantime, the Tinworthy villages turn out to have at least as high a crime rate as Midsomer.

I want to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for prividing me with an ARC of this enjoyable book in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I can’t help myself passing an opportunity to read cozy murder mystery set in English country side. I can’t get enough of them.

This is the second book in Kate Palmer cozy mystery series. Kate was retired but working part time as a nurse at a local medical clinic in a seaside village in Cornwall. One day, she had to make a house call to see Edina at Seaview Grange, a block of flats habituated by old people. Edina was recovering from the fall from the stairs, which she alleges someone has tried to trip her over with the intention of bumping her out.

Next day, Edina was dead from drug overdose and Kate’s practice come under suspicion as they had prescribed them. Kate can’t help herself in investigating this murder despite suggestion from her lover Woody, a retired police officer to not get in the police’s way. As her involvement in the last murder over the summer put her life at the death’s door.

This was a short and sweet cozy story takes place in beautiful Cornwall. Kate is caring, nosy, gullible and with an itch to investigate. Her banter with Woody is heart-warming to read.

The old people at the Seaview Grange are gossipers, busy bodies, all has an axe to grind with Edina. Everyone comes under the suspicions and I was excited more when the body count mounting.

I could easily guess the killer but not quite sure about the motive.

As this book hints murder in the first book is gorier than the one here. Can’t wait to read the first book where it seems Kate has worked with Woody.

Overall, a good cozy mystery with well developed characters, lot of red herrings, countless suspects, and charms of bucolic riverside setting.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookoture for a copy of earc in exchange for the honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Nurse Kate Palmer once again finds herself involved in another mystery. Someone seems to be killing some of the inhabitants of a retirement home. Her personal life contributes interest and sub-plot.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of "A Body In Seaview Grange" in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was our second visit with Kate Palmer a practice nurse in Middle Tinworthy. As with the first book, this was an engaging story that was hard to put down because I was wanting to find out who was causing mayhem at the Seaview Grange - a home with 6 luxury flats in it in Upper Tinworthy.

Kate's sister Angie and their dog Barney are back in this story. As is (now) retired Detective Inspector Woody Forrest. Kate is asked to visit Edina Martinelli at Seaview Grange because she is complaining about the cast on her broken ankle being too tight. Once Kate is there Edina claims that someone is trying to kill her. The residents in the flats are all suspect - Hetty Patterson, Violet & Daisy - the Potter Twins, Gloria & Ollie Pratt, Cornelius Crow and retired Rev. Edgar Ellis. Sharon Starkey the cleaner is also suspect as she is blamed for the flex being left across the landing to the stairs where Edina fell. When Edina has to be taken to the hospital, Kate wonders if Edina was truly being threatened. After she dies, Kate feels that she show do some snooping even though Woody keeps telling her not to get involved. Everyone seems to have means and motive for wanting to hurt Edina. When another death happens at the Grange and Kate's own life is once again in danger - she realizes that perhaps she should have taken greater care and listened to Woody. The hero of the day is of course the Springer Spaniel Barney!!

Very much looking forward to book 3!!!!

Was this review helpful?

Dee Macdonald is back and as one of my fav authors was excited to read her new Kate Palmer book, Dee’s books are ‘feel good murder mysteries’ if that makes sense 😀 or tales of older folk going off and having adventures and almost at the complete other end of the spectrum of my usual reads, and I lover her books
This time Kate is back and ‘Seaview Grange’ is where she finds herself attending to a patient ( Kate is a nurse ) who tells her that she fears someone wants her dead, no one believes her and then of course when it happens Kate is back in her role of super sleuth and trying to solve the case, much to the disdain of the Policeman in charge of the case
The suspects are all at Seaview Grange and include a vicar whose reputation in his last parish he would rather keep hidden, a writer of horror books resplendent in a cape, twins who love a gossip and the couple who won the lottery and moved from the estate to one of the apartments and have a penchant for Kipling cakes
It’s then a satisfying whodunit and I really didn’t have a clue as all suspects had motive and reason but the killer when unmasked was a surprise
A good ending and the ground laid for Book 3 which Ive no doubt will be as good as this one
I really enjoy everything about this authors books and always feel happy to be back in the company of her characters that she writes so well
No surprises then that’s it

5 Stars
10/10

Was this review helpful?

A short and neat mystery in a small town and a 58 years old amateur sleuth. The plot and suspense are kept tight by an easy prose. I liked it more than the first book. A good one. 4.5 stars

Was this review helpful?

Kate, and sister Angie, have relocated to a Cornish village. Kate is a nurse and is sent to Seaview Grange to see Edna. Edna tried to convince everyone that someone is trying to kill her. When she ends of dead Kate is determined to find the killer. Great mystery and characters.
#ABodyinSeaviewGrange #NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

Is there an age limit to becoming an amateur detective? No, there most certainly is not and Kate Palmer is the living prove of that.
She is 58, but she is determined to find out who is behind the murders once again in this second book of the series. Just like the first time she almost gave us clear evidence that curiosity can definitely be the number one reason the cat can get killed (with her being the cat 😉 ). Fortunately she has a knight in shining armour to save her once more.
This book is a perfect example of how a cozy mystery should be written in my opinion.
I love it that the author always puts the focus on middle aged characters in her stories. The might be a bit more advanced in age, but they are alive and kicking.
Romance and suspense are a marriage made in heaven in this lighter mystery genre. 4 stars

Thank you, Dee MacDonald and Bookouture

Was this review helpful?

When Nurse Kate Palmer was called to attend a retired opera singer at Seaview Grange she didn't take much notice when Edina Martinelli said that someone was trying to kill her. Kate assumed that it was just Edina's imagination. Then Kate was called back and Edina was admitted to hospital where she died. The Police was not convinced that she was murdered but after looking in to her death they found that Edina was murdered. The other residents of Seaview Grange were suspected but with no evidence it came down to Kate try and find out who did it.
This is a cosy mystery with many twists and makes for an enjoyable read

Was this review helpful?

Kate, in her fifties, is a nurse at the local medical centre in her Cornish village. She’s called out to see a patient, Edina Martinelli, who has suffered a broken ankle. Edina tells Kate she is certain one of her neighbours Is trying to kill her. She has received threatening letters and the accident causing her broken ankle was a result of sabotage. Within days, Edina is dead by poisoning. Kate, much to the chagrin of her boyfriend, Woody, a retired policeman, starts investigating. Soon there is another death.
Not a taxing read, the characters are well developed. A cosy read that should appeal to many. Kate is a likable and sensible character, though she may be a bit too trusting in her nature.
Thanks to netgalley for an advance copy.

Was this review helpful?

A cozy mystery, I was attracted to it because it’s set in a small oceanside village in Cornwall. Kate Palmer, a nurse at the local medical center, has moved here with her widowed sister to start a new life. We learn that in book 1 she became involved with a murder investigation, and the detective, and this book continues on from there. After the suspicious death of one of her patients she had just seen at their posh retirement home on the edge of the Atlantic, Kate again gets drawn into trying to unmask the killer. The author’s depiction of the characters and their relationships is well done, the love, aggravation, and frustration between Kate and her sister are just one example.
There are plenty of suspects and another murder to keep things interesting. I did deduct one star because of the way Kate found out who the murderer was at the end, enough said without giving anything away. Looking forward to more in the series. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC, my review was not influenced by that,

Was this review helpful?