This is the second in the Shell House Detectives series and I was pleased to return to Cornwall and Allie and Jayden as I loved the first in the series,
A local chef is found murdered in Mousehole and once again Allie and Jayden are drawn into the investigation.
I love how the author really gives a sense of both the beautiful landscape in Cornwall and the issues faced by local communities. Once again I found myself transported to an area I love and the lives of the characters. I did think this was a weaker plot than book 1 but the strength of characterisation and the setting kept me reading.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
3.5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this cosy crimes series so it has been a real pleasure to return to Cornwall to see what The Shell House Detectives get up to in this latest offering from this talented writer
The discovery of a murder victim in the festively decorated Mousehole harbour upsets the local community during their annual carol singing in December and when the identity of the victim is known there are people in the community who have no reason to mourn JP Sharpe's tragic demise. With the local police doing what they can to find the murderer, private detectives, Ally Bright and her Shell House detective partner, Jayden Weston are tasked with finding the identity of someone who hasn't wanted to be found for over thirty years and in doing so they become inextricably linked to the murder case. With more questions than answers this complicated plot veers off in several different directions and I had enjoyed trying to put together all the jigsaw puzzle pieces in this complex murder mystery. The Harbour Lights Mystery flows well, the many twists and turns of the plot certainly keep up the momentum and the characters who flit into and out of the story bring their own special brand of Cornish warmth, wit and charm.

As always, Cornwall forms an integral part of the story, we learn of the challenges facing local fishermen, the anguish of not having enough money and the constant worry of businesses who need to thrive during the tourist season so that they may survive the leaner months of winter. I've thoroughly enjoyed my visit back to Cornwall and love spending time with The Shell House Detectives and look forward to the next book in the series, which I hope is coming soon.

I really enjoyed this second book in the series although it could stand alone.
An arrogant chef is dead but why?
Twisting and turning, adding colour to the community this story allows the duo from book one to use their blend of thoughtfulness and skill to solve the mysteries unearthed by the murder

This was a fun cozy mystery. I liked the plot and the characters were a lot of fun. Very much recommend this book.

This is the second book in this series and I must say I missed the first book. But I still enjoyed this book, the characters and the writing worked well for me. There is mystery and it is intriguing and I really enjoyed the setting and the descriptions as I felt I was there. I do feel like I now want to read the first and then revisit this one to see it it changes things.

So for now I will give it 3 1/2 stars and will search out the first book in the series and see what I have missed.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is the second in Emylia Hall's series, The Shell House Detectives, and it does not disappoint. The characters introduced in the first book are back with another mystery to solve, once again set in the western reaches of Cornwall. This time, shortly before the famous Christmas lights are turned on in Mousehole harbour, a body is discovered in a fishing boat - that of the deeply unpleasant chef at the local gastropub. The discovery sets off a chain of events and leads Ali and Jayden, the Shell House detectives, along a twisty and at times dangerous path even though they are not directly investigating the murder itself. Emylia Hall writes well. The Cornish setting captures both sides of Cornish life - with tourists and out of season. All of the characters in this promising series are likeable and very realistic. Each has their own backstory and their own challenges in life, creating a multi-stranded tapestry through which the murder investigation is woven. I am delighted to learn that a third book is already in the works. Highly recommend this cosy crime series.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC. I loved this cosy and yet intriguing mystery. Great story and characters and really well written.

The Shell House Detectives are back. Thrown together over the solving of a murder case, unlikely couple Ally, the widow of a retired country policeman, and Jayden a much younger ex-city cop have set up the Shell House Detective Agency. Over summer they've solved some low key cases but the approach of Christmas finds them on the fringes of another murder.

Ally Bright is in Mousehole for a fun evening of carols and Christmas lights when the evening's festivities are cut short by the discovery of a dead body. Her friend Gus, despite being a budding crime writer, wants to head home immediately, but Ally is eager to find out more. This time, though, she really does have to leave things to the police.

The dead man is quickly identified as J P Sharpe, a chef at a local restaurant, and someone with a string of enemies. An added complication is an unposted letter found in his coat pocket, which might be the solution to a local family mystery. This is something Ali and Jayden can get involved in, especially as they know those involved, but their inquiries lead them back to the killer and a dangerous situation they may not be able to get out of.

I really enjoyed the first in this cosy crime series, The Shell House Detectives, and if anything this return to Porthpella is better. I felt there was more opportunity this time for Hall's ability to create atmosphere and location. The real Cornish fishing village of Mousehole, setting for the murder; with its jolly festive lights sharply contrasting with the empty dunes and lonely out-of-season vibes of Porthpella.

There's also opportunity to get to know the characters better. To explore Ally's unsettled relationship with Gus, Jayden's absorption with fatherhood and misgivings about leaving the police force, plus the lives and backstories of the 'supporting cast' of Saffron, the cafe-owning surfer, and Mullins, the inexperienced and slightly immature local policeman.

If you're looking for a Christmassy cosy crime adventure this is perfect, but if you're looking for a snow-filled coming-of-age mystery I'd also add a suggestion to track down one of Emylia Hall's earlier novels - A Heart Bent Out of Shape

It’s the characters who really make this book. The murder investigation is almost incidental and not actually what Ally and Jayden are looking into. Although their search for a missing person of sorts does rather overlap with the murder case. I was pleased to see Mullins grow in confidence in his police role and receive some recognition for his abilities too. Long term renter Gus makes his quiet presence felt and I would like to see more of him in another book. We get to know more about Saffron who is the focus of the mystery in this book. I could really sympathise with Jayden’s exhaustion as a new parent while also feeling that all consuming love for his small daughter. Emylia Hall writes so well about the intricacies and complications of relationships and life that even the more incidental characters feel very authentic and well rounded.

The Cornish setting is wonderful to revisit and the author’s vivid descriptions bring both fictional Porthpellow and real Mousehole vividly to life. We get to know a community which is not just holiday makers but year round residents with all their traditions. I hadn’t heard about the Mousehole Harbour Lights before but now that I’ve had a look at the website, I’d love to go and visit sometime. https://www.mouseholelights.org.uk/

The Harbour Lights Mystery is another compelling read from Emylia Hall. It is so well written with lots to keep the reader guessing and turning the pages. She has created a great partnership in Jayden and Ally and this perhaps unlikely pair of detectives complement each other perfectly. I highly recommend this intelligent, absorbing and emotionally engaging read.

I have long been a fan of Emylia Hall's books and was thrilled to discover she was writing a cosy crime series set in Cornwall. I loved The Shell House Detectives and was delighted to be able to read this second book in the series. Returning to the characters of Ally, Jayden, Saffron etc felt like revisiting old friends. This plot was twisty and the sense of place was very atmospheric. Emylia is a great author.

This second story in the Shell House Detectives Mystery series felt just like coming home!

I loved that the pace kept up all the way through. Once the crime has been committed, the suspects and their lives are laid out for us (but some secrets are held back until later of course). I had my suspicions about half-way through, changed my mind a couple of times, but was still shocked at how far one person was willing to go!

Jayden’s life has changed with the arrival of baby Jasmine (who is now 9 months old) but he still has a key part to play. One scene in particular gave me palpitations! Emylia Hall’s writing really brought this to life, so much so that it was me there feeling and experiencing everything he did. OMG, I have goosebumps reliving it now. I didn’t see that coming!

As in all types of relationships, Ally and Jayden are still finding the balance to who they are as a team. I enjoyed the push and pull, the conflict of decisions and the compromising.

I was hoping Saff would have a larger part to play in this story but I wasn’t expecting what was coming for her! I really enjoyed getting to know her. Such an emotional rollercoaster with what happens. And Broady! just goes to show how easy it is to make assumptions …

Another character we get an insight into is Detective Sargeant Skinner. There are a few surprises there too!

Oh yes and another thing I loved – the custom/old tradition in Mousehole of Tom Bawcock and the Stargazy Pie and how it weaves through the story.

Something I realised when I finished reading The Harbour Lights Mystery, there’s an array of human motivation and behaviours in the rawness and vulnerability of all the characters; Trip Stephens, Bev Potter and her husband Neil, Phil Butt and his wife Melissa, Dominic and Wilson. The murder and investigation are gripping enough (I found it hard to put the book down) but when you throw into the mix their vulnerability and emotions, this is such a powerhouse of a story.

An easy 5* from me!

I love this series. It's a cozy in the sense of a non-professional detective, but the main solvers are the widow of a police chief and a former police officer. They want to solve mysteries, and there's none of the "but I'm a baker/seamstress/crafter/brewer/barista, and I really shouldn't get involved" aspect that's of course a trope of cozy series (and I like some of those very much too:>).

This author does such a great job of making this feel like a real place with real people and real problems and feelings. Both Ally and Jayden feel like completely real characters. I would know them if I met them at a party. And she also makes me care about the secondary characters, like Saffron and Bev. Even though we pop in and out of different characters' lives, I both care about them and I don't get them confused with each other.

The writing is really good. It's complex and subtle and yet fast-reading. She really sets a mood. When someone is about to reveal something important: "In the tree above them, a wood pigeon takes off with a clapping of wings that sounds like gunfire."

I always like the mystery and the actions Ally and Jayden take to solve the mystery. But I also feel tender and invested in the various characters' problems. Is Cat cheating on Jordan? What will Ally do about Gus? How will Bev fix the mess she's gotten herself into. These are bighearted books, and I look forward to the next one.

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second installment in the Shell House Detective cozy mystery series. I really liked this one and it picks up where the second one leaves off. This takes place in Porthpella and this small town continues to draw you in. I love the imagery of the ocean in the winter and the small town characters that keep taking shape from the first book. This story takes place just before Christmas in Cornwall and the traditions of this small town add a nice cozy element. I'm excited to read the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! I had a hard time getting into it at first, I think they just threw too many characters at me to keep up! Once I got a couple of chapters in, I couldn't put it down! It was a cute cozy Christmas mystery that I would recommend to a friend!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

When I discovered the second book in the Shell House Detectives series was available, I simply had to grab a copy. I enjoyed the first book with the protagonists, Ally and Jayden. I also recalled Shell House, Ally's home near the sea. In reality, probably described too close to the sea for real life, but the house in book one was magical in its description.

My preference for cosy mysteries is for the POV to focus on the protagonists. After all, they are investigating the mystery. This book switches through many POVs. I lost count of how many there were, but Ally and Jayden appear often forgotten as the story focus shifts. Other readers may not mind that approach, but I think it removes the protagonists from the mystery. And that was a shame, because I thought book one focused on them more.

Unlike the first book, this also took a long time to engage me. I'd say I was a third of the way into the story before I felt drawn into the plot. Part of that is because of the multi-POV removing our protagonists from the story. But I also think it's because the story casts all the new characters in suspicion with a heavy hand. It seemed every new character could have been guilty. On the one hand, it offers a range of suspects and red herrings, which I do enjoy. But on the other hand, it felt a little forced.

The overall mystery is well done. It's clever. It reminded me of Murder She Wrote, in a way. I'm note sure of it's the coastal setting, or the way the dialogue is written, or Ally, but Jessica Fletcher popped into my mind more than once. And that's not a bad thing.

I'll be interested in what book three brings to the series.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for provided a copy of this book for an honest review. All comments are my own.

Ally , Jayden and the residents of the Cornish town of Porthpella return for another shell house detective mystery.
Ally and her friend and neighbour Gus are in Mousehole admiring the Christmas lights and listening to local carol singers when a scream halts the joviality of the evening .
A local chef is found dead inside a local fishing boat .
Ally and Jayden begin to look into the case and also help out a friend to find the identity of her father.
The writing is easy to read and the characters are like meeting up with old friends .
This is a book to sit back and enjoy , feet up and a hot chocolate and a perfect Christmas mystery read!
Looking forward to the Shell house detectives next case ,
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer .

A really well written book - you know you're in good hands and I enjoyed the setting, characters and twists. Recommended

The Harbour Lights Mystery is the 2nd book in the Shell House Detective series. It takes place in the town of Porthpella. Ally Bright owns The Shell House as well as a partner in the Shell House Investigation company. Jaden is an ex-policeman and her partner. There are the original characters in the town from the first book as well as the new characters that add to the story.

Ally and Gus are visiting the town of Mousehole to see the harbour lights. While there they hear a scream and to to investigate. They find that there is a dead body of the chef from a restaurant, Mermaid's Rest, John Paul Sharpe (JP), The body is found in the dingy, The Sea Pup who is owned by Trip Stevens. A letter is found in his pocket addressed to Saffron Weeks telling her that he is her father - later determined that he is not. Saffron goes to Ally and Jaden asking them to try to find her father.

This is where I will leave the story to the reader to enjoy as there is too much to put on paper. The reader will be surprised at the ending of who killed John Paul with an exciting ending. The book ends with the celebration of Tom Cowcock Day. Saffron hosted a get-to-gether at the Shell House to celebrate the occasion.

I have enjoyed this series and look forward to the 3rd book to see what Ally and Jaden get into.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for this ARC.

This was a pleasant surprise! The writing was excellent, the characters all felt real and distinct, and the mystery kept me guessing till the end. I actually had to go back and reread certain chapters to check on some of the clues that were laid.

Usually I read the first book in a series before reading any further, but I didn't feel like I lost anything by starting here at book 2. I am curious which characters show up in Book 1 (like Saffron and Mullins) and I'm sure the relationship between Ally and Jayden would have been even more rewarding, but this book gave me all the feels. I definitely want to read more of this series. Emylia Hall has a wonderful way with words, and hits a lot of topics (new parenthood, difficult job market, being a widow, etc) without being over-the-top. The mystery was good as well, but the payoff was in the characters' relationships (my personal favorite being Bev with my second favorite being Phil).

At times I did think it was a bit slow - mostly the Saffron bits - but the ending picked up and I could picture the location.

The second book in the Shell House Detective series and every bit as good as the first.

The series is set in beautiful Mousehole in Cornwall, England. Ally Bright is an older, recently widowed woman who has made friends with Jayden, a younger, married, ex policeman. In the previous book they worked together to solve a murder and here they are doing the same again.

I enjoyed everything about this book. I loved the scenery and the descriptions of places I know from childhood holidays. I really like both main characters, especially since they work seriously at their investigations and do not do silly things as MCs do in many Cosies. I found the mystery and the resulting investigation to be interesting and never dull.

I hope there will be more books in the series for me to read!