A slow, average mystery that falls slightly short of what it's trying to do - a fun read but nothing groundbreaking. Cosy crime with less than lovable characters just about sums things up!

I didn't realize this was the third book in a series, but at no point did I feel like I was missing any information.

I didn't really like most of the characters, so I had trouble getting into the book. I feel really indifferent toward this book, so I'm giving it 3 stars.

I hadn't realised this was the third book in the series, and quite honestly it really doesn't show. If I went back to read the other two it might add a little background but at no point did I feel I was missing a back story.

Now I've lived in Spain and met many expats so I was expecting to enjoy this, but for me it never really clicked. The whole premise of threatening twitter messages simply didn't ring true, particularly before any secrets were revealed, and the convenient co-incidences and discoveries too implausible for a very busy tourist resort. I didn't really take to most of the characters, in particular Astrid herself although she did soften up a little once she found her partner in crime, and I throughly enjoyed the final act of revenge on one particular piece of work.

This was requested when I first found out about NetGalley and I had requested so many ARCs that I could not get to all of them before they were archived. I really wanted to get to this one, as it seemed interesting. If I can find this somewhere for a reasonable price, I will try to get it! I am giving this book three stars, as I don't want to give it a good or bad rating, since I did not get to it and we have to leave a star rating.

I love Astrid and her sailing mystery adventures! This third installment finds her in the Costa del Sol in a British ex-pat enclave and trying to build a closer relationship with her father, who has been largely absent for most of her life. He lives in Spain with his new wife, Jennifer, who is a hairdresser to the small English community there, and is someone Astrid hasn't warmed to over the years.

Someone has set up a Twitter account trolling the ex-pats and threatening to reveal all their secrets and Jennifer asks Astrid to try and figure out who it is, before these secrets devastate the little group.

All told, the secrets aren't *that* explosive, but it was fun to follow Astrid while she tried to work out who it was. I did guess before she did, but that didn't take away my enjoyment of the story. I like her confidence and her attitude towards everything she does. She's able to stand up for herself, too, which is great, as well as admit when she's wrong about things. I think she's a terrific character.

The mystery got a bit lost in book 2, but I think the plotting and story are back on track in this one, particularly because there are a lot of characters to keep track of here, all of whom are quite well-done and individual. I'm an ex-pat myself, although not a British one, and so could spot the British stereotypes in the group. The reticence of the English to talk about things was both well-done and particularly frustrating, although I appreciate younger folks probably don't get it (my mother is the dictionary meaning of this particular foible).

I'm already looking forward to the next one in the series! Recommended.

Fun and enjoyable vacation cozy which kept me engaged and reading. I had an enjoyable afternoon with the cast if characters and setting in thus well plotted cozy.

This is very enjoyable book. The main character Astrid knowledge of art makes the story line fun and enjoyable. This is a great start to a series if there is more to come. If author writes more I’d be willing to try more

Amateur sleuth Astrid Swift swaps the sporting summer in England for a British expat enclave in Spain, where everyone has a secret reason for leaving the UK. I loved this one, I am now going to purchase the rest of the authors books that I haven’t read yet. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this early copy.

Finished Death Comes to Costa Del Sol last night.

It's the end of the summer season in the harbour town of Estepona. The holiday makers are heading home, leaving the British expats to reclaim their little corner of paradise. Among them is art restorer Astrid Swift's estranged father. She's sailed into town to reunite with him but has instead been tasked with catching an internet troll who's been threatening his wife online.

Soon, Astrid is entwined in the lives of these expats, from the boozy local heckler to the socially awkward beachcomber. And then she discovers a body in the bunker of the golf course...

I really enjoyed this story, full of quirky characters, an eclectic mix of people and twists, and turns at every corner. I raced through trying to discover who the 'Costa del Troll' was and who was behind the poison-pen campaign threatening to expose secrets of the ex-pats. I loved following Astrid through the story as it started to unravel, a strong & thoughtful character. This is the third Astrid book, I've not read the other two, but I will now. It's definitely a summer read & one for the beach.

Thank you for taking me on such a fun journey to Costa Del Sol and for the advanced copy @mheccleston
& @netgalley 💞📚

This started out well and then stalled. I think my biggest issue with this is that the investigation revolves around Twitter and tweets by a particular account but no investigation is actually done on Twitter; in fact, it doesn’t seem like there’s much investigation done at all. It’s just Astrid bumbling around a beautiful setting hoping clues fall in her lap. The story starts to drag once the investigation starts and never really picks up. I enjoyed learning more about painting restoration but even these sections were drawn out and dragged. I liked Astrid but found that this story could have been so much shorter. I may go back and try the other two in the series.

This cozy crime was ok, however it felt a little clunky and the story dragged somewhat. Also found it somewhat hard to sympathise with some of the characters.

2,5 rounded up to 3.

I wasn’t aware this was part of a series, had I read previous books I may have enjoyed this more.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my review.

A quick and easy cosy mystery that I finished in a day. It was well written and had a cast of well developed and quirky characters. I really enjoyed it and I love the cover too

This was a fun cozy! I didn’t realize it was one in a series so I’m excited to check out the others.


I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

If you want to remember summer in Spain then read this as it gives you a bit of everything to escape the winter. The vibrant cover will make you take a look and once you start it keeps you reading. characters that work well and sunshine, what more could you want.

Further adventures with Astrid Swift, now in Spain trying to reconnect with her father. She gets mixed up with a bunch of expats all with their own secrets and problems. Most enjoyable read. Thanks to Netgalley.

Secrets and mysteries on the shore, all the local's townies that all have their own stories. Taking on repairing your relationship with your estranged father, to helping his new wife is a hard one to swallow. Pushing forward and rooting to for the truth, will this bring them closer or tear them farther apart? I loved this small-town mystery!

Book Review - Death Comes to Costa del Sol by MH Eccleston

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher Head of Zeus for the opportunity to read this fun cozy mystery book. I didn’t realize when I started it that it is the third in a series. My preference is to read series in order to get the best context. That said – it was entertaining and fun. At first I wasn’t sure about the characters and the plot but I stuck with it and I’m glad.

It’s a complex little story with amateur detective Astrid Swift traveling to Spain to visit her father and his new wife – with whom her relationship has been a bit strained. When she arrives it is clear that something is wrong. Her father believes his life is threatened and local art has gone missing. For some reason, some troll is trying to harm all the quirky ex-pats living locally by revealing their deepest secrets on Twitter. Her stepmom asks Astrid for help in figuring out what’s going on before anyone else’s secrets are divulged. The group of ex-pats is varied and a bit eccentric and make for fun reading.

I liked it enough to go back and consider the first two books in the series.

Eccleston masterfully weaves together the plot, creating a world of glamour, wealth, and secrets. The characters are well-developed and complex, adding depth to the story and making it difficult to guess who the killer may be. West is a strong and determined protagonist who is willing to go to great lengths to solve the case, even if it means putting herself in danger.

The setting of the novel is beautifully described, making readers feel like they are right there on the Costa del Sol. The pacing is excellent, with just the right amount of tension and action to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

I didn’t check to see if this book was book 1 in the series. Even though it was book 3 I was still able to keep up with the previous information. She falls in love with this little town and the people there. She is having to save her dad and her step mom who she can’t stand. I felt the weather and the location through the authors words. I loved how she was going to jump into solving the mystery since she had solved some before. I know my mom would love this book.

Death comes to the Costa del Sol by M.H Eccleston.

It's always a pleasure to return to Astrid and her boat.. so, this time Astrid is visiting the costa to catch up with her father and stepmother and she discovers that not everything is not as rosy as looks living in paradise.

Astrids parents like to meet other ex-pats and when the group start to receive threatening tweets, that would release their deepest secrets to the world.. Astrid is asked to investigate, and she jumps at the chance while also making plans to reconnect with her father and find out about the rift with between her late uncle and father.

A great mystery that is neatly wrapped up with a very satisfactory ending, its full of humour... I loved it and I hope to meet Astrid again...

#DeathComestotheCostadelSol #NetGalley #mystery #cosy #Spain