Great. Googly. Moogly.

This was just fantastic. Even the parts I struggled with [cue ugly crying at 12:30am] were excellent because I was feeling all the feels the characters were experiencing. There were a couple of parts I didn't love, but the overall book was just so good, with such real-life issues, that I found, in the end, these parts didn't affect me as much as I feared, and that overall, I really loved this one so much, "spots" and all. ;-)
I DO KNOW that as soon as this book was finished, I rushed to see when book 6 was coming out [and actually cheered out-loud when I saw the date] and now I am just sitting with this one, enjoying the excellent writing/storytelling and the solving of this good, puzzling mystery.

Kristin Atherton is just so good as the narrator of these books. She does an excellent job with all the voices [and there are MANY in this book] and I really enjoy how she makes Ally and Jayden come alive, how she can sound like a very annoyed 2 year old Jazzy, and and and...
I highly recommend these audiobooks; the narration is the perfect compliment to these already fantastic books.

Thank you to NetGalley, Emylia Hall, Kristin Atherton - Narrator, Thomas & Mercer, and Brilliance Publishing/Brilliance Audio for providing the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.

It was the cover design that drew me to this book as I haven't read any of the previous novels in this series. I loved the premise (I always go for an amateur detective story) and thought that the 'artist' angle was unique and interesting. When I started reading I was actually totally surprised at the first victim - it was one of those shock moments where someone is murdered who you were expecting to be a major character in the story. But I loved the surprise and it definitely made me take notice. My only issue with this story was that I felt like I was missing some important bits of info about the characters history. There has obviously been a lot of character development in the previous books and I wasn't 100% clear on a few things which I personally think would have been easier to understand if I'd read the earlier books. A solid murder mystery with an interesting setting.

Its time for the Porthpella annual arts festival and this year the organisers have managed to get a famous artist to return to his Cornish roots for the exhibition.

Harrison Loveday was born in Cornwall, but left when he was just a child. He feels no particular draw to the place, much preferring his life in Italy, but this year the invitation fits with his personal agenda so he decides to accept and dashes off a few lacklustre pictures for an exhibition.

As a local artist of some renown, Ally is one of the artists on the Arts Trail - a guided walk between local artists' studios - and has been invited to the opening drinks reception, taking along Gus as her plus one. But imagine her surprise when one of the other guests turns out to be none other than her first boyfriend Ray, they both knew Harrison when they were at art school.

Tragedy strikes when Harrison's agent drops dead in the middle of the party - the local police detective immediately suspects foul play, but who could it be? So few people knew her. Then graffiti appears daubed on some outdoor artwork and on a poster for the arts trail - is there a serial killer terrorising the town or is it just someone with a grudge against the arts trail?

There seem to be lots of suspects, especially when there is a second murder, and the Shell House detectives are called in by the arts trail's organisers to identify the vandal and restore faith in the exhibitions.

Another strong book in this cosy series, although I can't help but feel that having set up two potential budding/future romances the author is rowing back and introducing new elements *and I don't want it*. Also, I love, love, loved the covers for the previous books, they were striking and different and instantly recognisable - why suddenly change it?

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

Available on Kindle Unlimited.

Ally Bright is an artist using plastic waste from the coast and with traumatized ex-cop Jayden Weston they are the Shell House Detectives who are on call by their friends and relatives. I don't usually equate artists with threats and murder, especially in a village in coastal Cornwall. But that is what happens and it is Ally and Jaydens task to dig around the convoluted clues and relationships to solve it and bring whoever to the authorities. Another fine read in this addictive series.
The characters who keep bringing me back to this series are so very real.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital proof from Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley.
#TheArtsTrailKiller by @emyliahall_author #ShellHouseDetectivesMysteriesBk5
#cosycrime #cozymystery #crimefiction #detectivefiction #bookstagram #newbooks #cornwall #murdermystery #artists #cornishcoast #surfingwaves #privateinvestigatormysteries

The fifth in the Shell House Detective mystery series. The Cornish Coast, lots of possible culprits, a solid mystery, a celebrity artist all add up to a book that grips you at the first and keeps you hanging on for the thrill! Thanks #Netgalley and #Thomas&Mercer. for the eARC in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are mine.

Fifth in the Shell House Detective Mystery series. I have read them all to date.

Porthpella's arts community is celebrating its annual Arts Trail and this year they have a celebrity artist as the guest of honour. A death at the opening night party sets the scene for threats, fear and more death. Ally and Jayden are hired to help solve the case.

This was a good mystery with plenty of possible culprits and I enjoyed it as much as the four preceding books. My only tiny complaint is that Ally seems to have mentally regressed to her teenage years. And poor Gus! Hoping for a better resolution in the next book!

This book is very well written, keeps you entertained and on the edge of your seat.
This was such a fun and engaging read. The characters are great.
I found the characters extremely engaging, and the twists and turns throughout were great

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Emylia Hall for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Arts Trail Killer coming out April 8, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I really enjoyed the book right before this one in the series. So I was excited to get this book as well. I really enjoy murder mysteries. I thought it was a little on the long side. I wasn’t as into the plot as the last book. I really enjoy the characters though. So I will definitely check out more books by this author.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys murder mysteries!

This fifth installment in Emylia Hall’s Shell House Detectives series doesn’t disappoint. Set against the atmospheric backdrop of the Cornish coast, it weaves together art, mystery, and the comforting familiarity of a close-knit community.

What I love most about this series is its perfect balance—gripping crimes that keep you guessing, paired with warmth, wit, and characters who feel like old friends. In this one, the stakes feel a little higher, the emotions run deeper, and the mystery kept me hooked right to the end. After five books, I am so invested in these characters - Jayden, Ali, Cat, Mullins, Gus, Saffron…all massively have my heart. The ending had me so emotional.

If you’re after a cosy crime that doesn’t sacrifice clever plotting or emotional depth, this one’s for you. I’ll be counting the days till the next case lands in Porthpella 🐚🌊

In this book, the mystery is coiled in the tight grip of several emotional subplots. While some are not directly related to the mystery itself, they support the book well and add more depth to several characters, including one of the protagonists, Ally. The themes of this book, as with all books in this series, are history, love, community, and family, and the author explores them from various angles. And what I found intriguing is even when the themes explore a darker side there is still a tenderness in those moments.

Central to this mystery is the community art event, called the Art Trail. It brings to the book some new characters, all local artists. It also brings a blast from Ally's past, Ray Finch, an old boyfriend from many years ago. This throws regular character, Gus, into a tailspin. I think Gus is written to be that underdog character that the reader just hopes will catch a break. Other characters seem heading for changes in their lives, such as Saffron and even Jayden, the second protagonist. It appears this book was written to be a crossroads for many characters.

Another great addition to an enjoyable cosy mystery series. The mystery had me guessing and the characters are still strong.

Thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for providing a free copy of this book for an honest review.

This is the latest in the excellent Shell House Detectives series, set in Cornwall. Ally and Jayden once again find themselves tangled up in a mystery that initially involves a death at a party, and then a second death. Brilliantly paced and plotted, we also find out more about the characters that have started to feel like old friends. I love this series and hope that Emylia will write many more as it's so good.
With grateful thanks to Emylia Hall, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for my advance e-copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Springtime on the Cornish coast and Porthpella’s artistic community are throwing open their doors, welcoming visitors to the annual Arts Trail. And this year, celebrity artist Harrison Loveday is the guest of honour. However, the light mood soon darkens when there’s a dramatic death at the opening-night party, and after threatening messages start appearing around the village, fear takes over. Before long, Porthpella is shocked by a second brutal murder, and whisperings of a ‘serial killer’ start to circulate. The Shell House Detectives find themselves vying with the police to hunt down the killer, fast.
The fifth outing for Ally & Jayden & another very enjoyable cosy mystery. There are twists, turns & red herrings & I was left guessing until all was revealed. I love both Ally & Jayden & how they work together & complement each other. A well written captivating cosy mystery
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

There are many fans of this series, the characters and the beautiful surrounds. I tried but my conclusion is that this book and series is just not for me, The style didn't resonate, It all just took a bit too long and I found myself skipping parts and then did not finish.

I do appreciate the advance reader copy from Netgalley and Thomas Mercer publishers in exchange for an honest review.

Ali and Jayden, the Shell House Detectives are back, and this series just seems to get better.
Set in Porthpella in Cornwall where the annual Arts Trail is just starting, this year there is a featured artist, someone that Ali knew from her art school days. Then there is death, vandalism and threatening emails, the Arts Trail committee hire Ali and Jayden to find out who is responsible.
This is a well written book with suspects aplenty and full of twists, I really enjoyed reading it.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.

I think that Emylia Hall's excellent series does not garner the attention that it deserves. I have found every title in the Shell House Detective books to be enjoyable.

The stories are set in Cornwall with the area brought to live in a way that lets me recall past time there and leaves me wishing that I could go back.

The Shell House Detectives are Ally and Jayden. Ally's husband Bill was a local police officer who has died by the time that the series begins. She becomes close to a divorced writer, Guy, in the earlier books. Jayden stands out in the community where most people are white. He is married and at the time that this story begins, his second child has just been born. As a side note, credit to the author for acknowledging how difficult the days of parenting a newborn can be. Ally and Jayden began solving cases (of course) in the first of the series.

As this story begins, an arts festival is about to start. A famous artist has returned to be the guest of honor. Interestingly, he does not seem to bring his best work. He does bring an art dealer, semi significant other who (no spoiler because it happens early in the novel), is murdered. Was she the intended victim? Will there be other deaths? Is the graffiti that is popping up related to the murder? These are just some of the questions requiring answers in the story.

There are many characters to follow. The story line is involving.

Of interest to those who have followed Ally and Gus, a man from Ally's past has arrived for the festival. Will he and Ally rekindle their relationship? What has brought him back?

This book is about 400 pages long which I loved as I was happy to remain in the company of these characters.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this book. All opinions are my onw.

Note: The e book costs under $5.00 which amazes me

Pub date: 08 April 2025

The audio book:

I toggled between reading and listening as I often do. Listening while I exercise makes the time so much more enjoyable.

The narrator here is spot on...easy to understand, able to speak in the voices of the different characters and able to bring the story to life.

Really well done!

Thanks to NetGalley and the audio publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

I've somehow missed this series til now and I know I missed nuance and character issues that fans will appreciate in this installment but it still made a good read for a lazy afternoon. The Shell House team must quickly find the villain who murdered a gallery owner and. of course they do, with a few red herrings along the way. I liked the Porthpella setting (always like a setting in Cornwall) and the team is fun. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I'll look for this series again.

Another brilliant story about the Shell House detectives! This series is getting better and better as we learn more about all the characters, their relationships and the local community. There were some interesting new characters introduced in this book so I’m looking forward to seeing how their story develops; but I’m still hoping for a happy ending for Gus! The mystery side of the story was excellently plotted as always, with plenty of twists, turns and red herrings. I love the way Emylia Hall writes crime stories in such an elegant, literary way. One of the best crime writers around today!

The Fifth novel in the Shell House series sees a killer on the loose during the village's Arts Trail festival. To complicate matters Ally's art school boyfriend returns and Hayden is dealing with the traumas of fatherhood. I love the setting, all the characters and their contribution to the storytelling.

The fifth book in the Shell House Detective series; although you don't have to have read the previous four, I'd recommend it because the series is wonderful

The annual Arts Trail hits a major snag when one of the gallery owners is found dead - and then people start getting threats and one of the artists is killed, too.

Jayden and Ally (the Shell House Detectives) are commissioned to find out who's behind the threats and the murders - and they have a vested interest, as Ally's also one of the artists.

These books get better and better - there's a lovely community feel to it, the setting's gorgeous and the characters are very relatable. Lots of good twists, and lots of emotional depth with it. Thoroughly recommended.

The Arts Trail Killer is the fifth book in Emylia Hall's Shell House Detectives series. The village of Porthpella is preparing for their annual spring tradition, the Art Trail. The celebration turns deadly when a man Is found murdered. Soon threats begin appearing and a second death occurs. The Shell House Detectives are hired to investigate the crimes by some of the artists involved in the Art Trail. Jayden and Ally square off against the police department to find the killer.

This is such an enjoyable series. The small village on the Cornish cliffs setting is wonderful and I love the community that Emylia has built. The books always have a nice mixture of Ally and Jayden's personal lives and mystery. They are a great team and I love that we have a duo that is a man and a woman that are friends and not in a relationship. The mystery had some nice twists. I can't wait to see where the story goes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.