This book has enough twists and turns to shock your neck. This is book 2 in the series, The Edge of the World Detective Agency and I did not read book 1. I liked the characters and I enjoyed the setting on an island that is only accessible during low tide. Donna Nightshade and her very eccentric family are hired to provide security at a reunion of 7 high profile people who served together many years ago.
I loved the characters in this book and the hint of romance gets trickier as the book nears the end. What a great beginning for book 3.

Murder on a Cornish Isle by Jo Silva is a book featuring the Nightshade family. For anyone who has read one previously, this is all the review you will need. The Nightshade family is full of really “interesting characters,” including Belladonna Nightshade, the younger, who is currently trying to start a business to sustain them all. The business is the End of the World Detective Agency and it could be going better. In fact, they had had only one case. The members of her family included her uncle, Jago, a jack-of-all-trades and brilliant, when he chose to share with her; her aunts, Belladonna, the older, and Kerensa, who were twins; and her sister, Lamorna, who spent a lot of time with the fairies. The older Donna was currently serving a prison sentence for murder, after murdering a man who had sexually abused Lamorna. As it turns out, she and Kerenesa took turns being in prison, with one visiting the other, and the first leaving, and again, and again. This time, Donna would make it work. She accepted a job from Lady Helen who owned a castle on the cliffs and whose husband had loaned it to his godson for a reunion, of sorts. She was not happy, and just wanted her home protected. She was off the Antarctica. It turns out Joe, her lost love and a policeman, would be there, too, as one of the guests was the Home Secretary against whom threats had been made. His boss wanted to be sure not harm came to the woman.

As maladjusted as the Nightshade family is, they are smart and clever. Also several of them are good cooks so off they went to the castle with Jago as the chef. The very first night, somehow peanuts had be introduced to the triffle and the Home Secretary was taken ill. Fortunately one of the other guests was a doctor. This was a convoluted tale in which people were poisoned, blown up, and just disappeared. It all made little or no sense but they had eight hours to figure it out before Joe’s superior arrived to take it all in hand. Her answer to any crime was Donna Nightshade (the younger). It was funny, it was terrifying, it was morose, it was deceitful, but solve it they did. An entertaining book full of realistic crimes, and interesting characters, beyond the Nightshade family. Any time a politician is involved you can be sure there will be trouble.

Thank you Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. #Netgalley # HarperCollinsUKOneMoreChapter #JoSilva
#MurderOnACornishIsle

Clever and absorbing. I loved the Nightshade family.
Many thanks to Harpercollins UK and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Murder on a Cornish Isle has been mynintroduction to Jo Silva’s writing and I was very pleasantly surprised at how entertaining this book was. Set mostly on the Cornish island of Saint Michael’s Mount near Penzance, the story is packed with plot twists, red herrings, crazy characters, murder and mayhem. I really didn’t know what was going to happen next. Donna Nightingale and her family are a hoot, while the seven guests staying on the island are a fascinating bunch of people, some of them not very nice at all. Poor Penzance Detective Sergeant Joe 
Enys really has his hands full as heand Donna work to unravel the truth. This story is a fast-paced, intriguing page-turner and I loved it.

I really liked this book, it was different than anything else I've read which was a breath of fresh air. I will be recommending this to my friends, and auto buy this author!

From the moment I read this blurb....
'Seven high profile guests
An island cut off by a storm
Will there be a murder before the weekend is out?'
I was hooked and wanted to read this book. I wasn't disappointed.

There were so many twists and turns, it was paced perfectly, the characters are fantastic and there is still a bit of fun to the characters, story and writing. It is very entertaining and always fun to read a series and see what happens next and this fits the bill.

Entertaining, enjoyable, bring on the next one. I can't wait.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I loved this! It was fast paced and I loved the twists and turns. So good!
I just reviewed Murder on a Cornish Isle by Jo Silva. #NetGalley
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I loved The Wrecker's Curse and liked this one. It's a well plotted story and a solid mystery but i felt less involved even if I enjoyed it
Entertainaing and well plotted.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I’m not sure if (Bella)Donna Nightshade is a great detective, but what I do know is that The End of the World Detective Agency series by Jo Silva is a great series. Pirate blood in her veins, a family that the word “odd” doesn’t begin to describe, and that electricity – and conflict – with her ex, Police Detective Sergeant Joe Enys – what’s not to like, to laugh about, to ponder, to just fully enjoy? And that’s only the beginning of the story about Donna ‘Deadly’ Nightshade.

Donna’s family, Donna included, does not follow the rules. But the way they push the boundaries, color outside the lines, and just stir things up is delightful, unpredictable, and irresistible. The narration, the dialogue, the pacing, the obscure but hilarious references, the witty asides, the ridiculous situations, the crazy characters who pop in and out, the never-ending stream of suspects, including of course members of the Nightshade family, make for a book that you just can’t put down. So many things I could quote to draw you in, but just read and experience it for yourself.

In Murder on a Cornish Isle, Donna’s Edge of the World Detective Agency is hired to spend a weekend undercover on St Michael’s Mount at a reunion of seven sometimes shady souls whose history goes way back to a war zone. It’s kind of a locked room mystery: they’re on an island, in a storm, power off, no way out and old friends are revealing themselves as maybe new, maybe old enemies. Who to believe, who to trust, who’s guilty as murder starts happening?

And in addition to the reunion of those old friends/enemies, there is the constant tension of the almost-reunion of Joe and Donna. Edge close, drop back, edge in again, she’s afraid to wonder, to speak, he’s afraid to reveal too much, has regrets about a certain assistant of his.

This book and this series are just so much fun, so funny, so witty, so enjoyable. I was thrilled to receive an advance copy of Murder on a Cornish Isle via NetGalley from Harper Collins UK One More Chapter and I hope, hope, hope that this series goes on and on and on. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

A lovely cozy mystery, with plenty of twists and turns. As the title suggests it was set in Cornwall in Penzance. I enjoyed this sweet book. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

My second venture in to the world of The Nightshade family and still making me laugh out loud! Perhaps not quite as good as the first but still an extremely fun holiday read! Donna is asked to help out by the owner of St Michael’s Mount as there is to be a reunion held there involving some ex military top dogs plus the Home Secretary! Nadine Pinkerton Smythe aka Pinky has been receiving death threats and it’s Donna’s job to make sure nothing untoward happens! Detective Joe Enys from the local police is on hand too of course - he does like to keep an eye on Donna! The story did seem to get a little lost halfway through but I know I will definitely be on the lookout for the third instalment!

I loved this different take on a cosy crime mystery. Instead of taking place in a small rural village, we have the atmospheric setting of St Michael’s Mount in Cornwall and instead of locals, we have a group of high fliers including the home secretary, a journalist , a BA pilot and others who come to the castle for a reunion weekend.
The owners of the castle are away for the weekend and so would be private detective, Donna Nightshade and her unusual family are asked to investigate threats to the home secretary. If you add to this mix, the local police officer who is masquerading as a waiter and a storm which prevents anyone from arriving or leaving and you have all the ingredients for a great story.
It’s an unusual mix for a cosy crime as the prologue is quite dark and none of the characters gathered for the reunion are likeable. However, the Nightshade family add more than a little light relief especially Donna’s aunts who use the fact that they are identical twins in a very imaginative way.
The mix of characters works really well and the mystery is well though out with lots of twists and turns and several red herrings which prevent Donna and the reader from working out who the guilty person is. My only minor problem was that I wasn’t really happy with the ending although it was totally in keeping with the characters. I prefer to see justice being done more fairly.
Although this is the second in this series, it can be read perfectly well as a stand alone.
I received this ARC from the publishers, HarperCollinsUK via Net Galley but my thoughts and opinions of the book are entirely my own.

Edge of the World Detective Agency #2

Seven high profile guests. An island cut off by a storm.

After six long months with n new cases for her Cornish detective agency, Donna 'Deadly' Nightshade jumps at the chance to spend a weekend undercover on St Michael's Mount. With seven high profile attendees - including the Home Secretary - this is a high stakes case. As a storm descends on the tidal island, they're cut off from the rest of the world. Friends turn to enemies and before the rain has ceased; it's not just one murder Donna has to worry about - it's two.

St Michael's Mount is a stately house that's accessed by a causeway. Donna 'Deadly' Nightshade has been invited to spend the weekend there with seven high profile guests. A storm descends on the island, they're cut off from the rest of the world. And when the tide comes in, a body is found.

This book does read well as a standalone. It's a well written murder mystery filled with twists, turns and red herrings. I loved the authors writing style. The characters are well developed. There's some humour thrown into the mix. St Michael's Mount was a great setting for this 'locked room' cosy read.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter and the author #JoSilva for my ARC of #MurderOnACornishIsle in exchange for an honest review.

Enticing…
The second outing for the Edge of the World Detective Agency in this murder mystery featuring Donna (Deadly) Nightshade. Amidst the coves squirrelled away on the Cornish coast secrets lurk and Donna is about to find herself with a new case holding potentially extremely high stakes. As enjoyable and as entertaining as the first in this series, this is a delightful cosy mystery with plenty of twists and an enticing atmosphere.

It’s been a long time without a new case so Donna is excited to take on the special job at a weekend reunion. Wow. So much happens, I don’t want to give away any clues, so I’ll just say how much fun it was reconnecting with Donna and her wacky family.
I love this series and look forward to reading more!
Thanks to One More Chapter and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

4.5 stars
After six long months with no new cases for her Cornish detective agency, Donna ‘Deadly’ Nightshade jumps at the chance to spend a weekend undercover on St Michael’s Mount.
With seven high profile attendees – including the Home Secretary – this is a high stakes case. As a storm descends on the tidal island, they’re cut off from the rest of the world. Friends turn to enemies and before the rain has ceased it’s not just one murder Donna has to worry about – it’s two.
The second book in the series & it’s easily read on its own but I love series & have to start from the beginning so I’d recommend reading in order. A well written mystery with humour as well as twists & turns & of course, red herrings, I loved it & devoured it in a sitting & now impatiently awaiting the next book
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Murder on a Cornish Isle by Jo Silva is a murder mystery novel featuring detective Belladonna Nightshade who must solve not one but two complex and perplexing murders which take place on Saint Michael's Mount during the reunion of the Pimpernel club, which is a group of ex-military personnel who all met in Iraq who are up to no good in various ways. This book looks at the murder of the Home Secretary and also the murder of another member of the group. This leaves love birds Belladonna and Joe Enys the local police officer together interviewing the suspects to try and solve the murder while also battling their feelings of love.

This book started very dull and got to the point when I was so far in and was asking "When is the murder going to happen?". This was exactly when the murder did happen in the most bizarre way very quickly followed by the detective pair discovering a second murder. The murder mystery book keeps the reader on the edge of their seats to work out who the murderer or murderers are due to the many interesting and confusing clues. This book is a big puzzle for many.

I liked this book because it really is unique offering a storyline unlike any other I have ever read and to an extent going beyond the rules of story writing which is a great way to engage the reader. The book is incredibly gripping and left me up late at night as the pace of the book increased more and more making me as the reader more and more interested. This book will have many on the edge of their seats will the drama and may even have you laughing despite the horrific scenery which is occasionally present.

There is not much I can say I disliked about the book. As I said, it was a while before the action of the book started but I would say this was necessary to set the scene. The thing I really did not like about this book *#[Spoiler Alert] is that the perpetrators are not punished in any way, shape or form and literally get away with murder. Yes, ordinarily this would make for an interesting ending to the story. However, the people who got away with the murder and other related activities are all part of the bourgeoisie having come from the middle and upper classes with one of them being the Home Secretary, another being a leading doctor and many of the others being celebrities. This highlights how this section of society can often get away with their criminal conduct. Although one may think this is just fiction, one only has to think about the Covid-19 scandal where senior politicians had their party despite coronavirus restrictions. However, this part of the book isn't really a big criticism and is more of an opinion.

Altogether, I rate this book 3 stars making it a good book as it is an incredibly gripping thriller which will have the reader on the edge of their seats craving the secrets of the pimpernel club and getting more and more eager to get to the bottom of the gruesome murders. This is a book like no other and I would definitely recommend it as you will not be disappointed. I would like to say thank you to NetGalley, One More Chapter and Harper Collins UK for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book in return for an honest book review.

The second book in The Edge of the World Detective Agency series has an iconic setting, a celebrity cast of players and the Nightshade family, who are an effective if unlikely team of amateur sleuths. The humour is sparkling and gives this cosy mystery its unique edge. The plot is classic, with twists and a 'closed room' setting. All reunion attendees have many unlikeable traits, which is perfect for this genre. I like the characterisation, the location and the humour of this cosy crime novel.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

I loved the plot and the premises. Jo Silva is a fantabulous writer with absolutely brilliant and engaging storytelling. The list of suspects isn't long - no biggie that the perp is one of the guests. Donna and Joe are attracted to each other - hot damn!! Attention seekers and their dramas galore.

This is a locked room trope - or should I say stranded on an island in the midst of a blooming storm? Shocking developments in the second half of the story. Castles, ghosts of psychos past, and boom badaboom - um, I mean, things do get a bit explosive. *ahem*

Totally enjoyable story peppered with (big) chunks of quirky humour. My only niggle was the ending. Somehow, the explanations and the 'aha! gotcha!" moment wasn't up to my liking. Otherwise, this was an engrossing and entertaining read.

if you are looking for a murder mystery (locked room, remember!) with quirky characters and excellent storytelling, you might want to give Murder on a Cornish Isle by Jo Silva a try.

Netgalley provided me with an advance copy of this book under the title "Murder on a Cornish Isle" but it is listed on Goodreads under the vastly better title of "Murder on St. Michael's Mount". It is the second book in the series and I very much enjoyed the first one so I was expecting good things. It definitely delivered!

We find ourselves back in beautiful Cornwall where Donna Nightshade is finding her Detective Agency to be slow moving. She jumps at the opportunity to spend a weekend at a house party on St Michael's Mount, keeping an eye on the visitors' behaviour on behalf of the owners. Other members of the totally entertaining Nightshade family are dragged into working as cooks and waitstaff, and as you can expect with this family in charge things go very much awry.

I was very impressed with the whole book. The author writes in a very entertaining fashion and all of the Nightshade family are just a little crazy which gives her plenty of opportunity for fun. The setting in Cornwall is very dear to my heart and I have walked on the causeway pictured on the cover. It was some years ago though and I do not remember it being quite as smooth and neat as the cover art portrays it. I remember rocks and wet sand but as I say it was a long time ago.

Altogether an excellent read with a lovely Cornish feel, one amazing method of murder, a talking parrot and the continuing promise of romance for Donna and Joe. Maybe in the next book.