The Shell House Detectives
A Shell House Detectives Mystery
by Emylia Hall
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
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Pub Date Jul 01 2023 | Archive Date Jul 15 2023
Amazon Publishing UK | Thomas & Mercer
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Description
"A cleverly plotted and thoroughly enjoyable book about dark deeds in beautiful places."—Elly Griffiths
Welcome to the coastal paradise of Porthpella, where murder lurks among the dunes…
Late one night, a distraught young man knocks on the door of retired and recently widowed Ally Bright’s remote home on the Cornish coast. But before she can make sense of his confused words, he’s gone—not to be seen again until he’s found the next morning at the foot of the nearby cliffs.
In an instant, the peace of Ally’s beachcombing life is shattered. Feeling responsible for the young man’s fate, she wants to help find answers—as does ex-cop Jayden Weston, whom Ally meets at the scene. He shares her certainty that there’s more to the story than attempted suicide. When it emerges that the man is newly released ex-offender Lewis Pascoe, and that Helena, the wealthy new owner of his grandmother’s home, has subsequently disappeared, the tight-knit community of Porthpella is thrown into turmoil.
Driven by their need to know more, the duo decide to investigate the mystery together. Is there a connection between the Pascoe family’s tragic history and Helena’s disappearance? And if there is a killer stalking Porthpella, do Ally and Jayden have what it takes to catch them?
A Note From the Publisher
Advance Praise
“What a fantastic book this is! Exquisitely written, set in Cornwall, great characters, and a gripping plot.…Who could ask for more?” —Jill Mansell, author of Promise Me
“Emylia was born to write detective fiction.” —Veronica Henry, author of The Impulse Purchase
“An expertly plotted and hugely compelling murder mystery.…Crime fans are in for a treat.” —Lucy Clarke, author of One of the Girls
“Certain to win the hearts of Richard Osman and Agatha Christie fans.” —Hannah Richell, author of The Search Party
“A big-hearted page-turner with twists you won’t see coming and the best pair of amateur sleuths I’ve read in a long time. I loved it!” —Lucy Diamond, author of Anything Could Happen
“My favorite new crime series.” —Ginny Bell, author of The Dover Café series
“Irresistible, beautifully written, and hugely compelling.…Kept me turning the pages for one more delicious chapter well into the night.” —Rosie Walsh, author of The Man Who Didn’t Call
“The Shell House Detectives is a hug of a book that is transporting and full of love, with a humdinger of a mystery at its big heart.” —Amanda Reynolds, author of The Assistant
“Gorgeous writing and a plot crammed with suspense, this is your perfect new crime series for 2023.” —Kate Riordan, author of The Heatwave
“Beautifully written, gripping, and so atmospheric.…One for fans of Richard Osman!” —Emily Koch, author of What July Knew
“The mystery is perfectly paced and the characters vivid and true, inviting us to join in as fellow sleuths as we unravel the secrets of the past. I can’t wait to return to Cornwall with Emylia Hall for the next adventure.” —Emma Stonex, author of The Lamplighters
“A treat of a book: immersive, suspenseful, full of twists and turns.…It’s as captivating as a Cornish summer. I loved it.” —Susan Fletcher, author of Eve Green
“A total delight.” —Sarah Winman, author of Still Life
“Captures the magic and beauty of Cornwall wrapped within a warm and engaging detective story. I loved it.” —Rosanna Ley, author of The Forever Garden
“Suspenseful, twisty and unputdownable...Loved it!” —Claire Douglas, author of The Couple at No. 9
“This beautifully written cosy coastal mystery packs a real punch! With wonderfully atmospheric prose and twists and turns aplenty, the plot will have you riding a wave of suspense long after you’ve turned the final page. If you love Cornwall, you will adore this book.” —Sarah Pearse, author of The Sanatorium
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781662505126 |
| PRICE | £8.99 (GBP) |
| PAGES | 384 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Jane F, Reviewer
Ally Bright’s peaceful life on the Cornish coast is shattered one night when a young man knocks on her door talking incoherently.
The next morning he’s doing at the foot of the nearby cliffs. Was he pushed? Overall a good mystery. Would recommend
Thank you to Emylia Hall, NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the arc of this book
Kaye T, Reviewer
Enjoyed this one a lot. Ally’s husband had been a policeman, and when he died she was left alone in her little cottage in Cornwall. When a near death on the beach, and a missing wife, she gets involved asking questions. With the help of new friends they work together to solve the cases. A good start to hopefully a new series. Look forward to more.
Jessica W, Reviewer
I received this copy from Netgalley on the read now section.
My review: It's okay. Personally I find it kind of bland. I don't find it very exciting or thrilling. It's definitely a mystery but I think it needs more umph. A bit more of something to make it want to read it. I didn't enjoy it enough to finish. I do appreciate the chance to try it though.
Beatrice M, Reviewer
The Shell House Detective was a fun book to read. I must admit that the beginning was a little confusing to follow but once I got into it I enjoyed it very much. It is the first in the Shell House Detective series. The book takes place in England in the town of Porthpella a seaside town. Ally Bright is the main character. She lives in a house called The Shell House with her dog, Foxy, at the end of a lane and overlooks the ocean. Her husband was a policeman who was loved by all died a year ago. One night she goes to bed but is awaken by Foxy as there is someone at her door late at night. A young man named Lewis Pascoe is there asking for her husband. He seems confused , He tells her that he just got out of prison and her husband promised him that he would help him. She tells him that her husband is dead. Upon hearing this he leaves. He also went to a house called Sea Dream that has been built where his grandmother use to live. The man who lives, Roland Hunter, tells him that his grandmother, Maggie Pascoe, sold him the house and moved away. She had recently died. He also leaves. Helena is his wife who was frightened by his arrival. Lewis again goes back to Sea Dream the next morning and confronts Roland again. Helena goes out for her run.
Jayden Weston has moved to Porthpella with his wife, Cat, who is pregnant with his first child. Cat grew up here and wanted to come home. Jayden was a policeman who has left the force because he was recovering from the death of his partner, Kiernan.
Jayden Weston is sitting in his truck overlooking the beach. He is there to surf. While in his car he sees a woman running but looks like not for fun but running away. When he looks up again she is not there. He goes to surf as he is learning. When getting out of the water he hears someone calling for help. He goes to see what the problem is. A man has fallen off the cliff and is lying on the rocks. The man is Lewis who is still alive but unconscious. Ally walking on the beach goes and finds out that the young man who arrived at her house is the one hurt. She and Jayden starting talking and she tells him that Lewis had come to her house the night before. Jayden suggests that they go for coffee as he is concerned about her. Lewis has been taken to the hospital and is ICU still unconscious.
Roland is concerned that his wife has not returned from her run. He reports it to the police as she is missing. Could her missing and Lewis's fall have something to do each other. His brother, Nathan is there for the weekend to visit. There are two other characters that make up this story. One is Saffron who owns the coffee shop and Gus Munro who is renting the house next to Sea Dream. He is an author who is there to write his novel and recovering from a recent divorce.
This is where the story takes off with Allie and Jayden deciding to find out more about Lewis and to try to find what happened to Helena. I will leave the story to the reader to enjoy and all the mystery that goes with it.
I loved the friendship that develops between Allie and Jayden as well as her relationship with Gus. I look forward to the next book in this series and what adventure the Shell House Detective Agency will getting into.
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC.
Bookseller 406853
This novel is settled at the sea. While reading you can smell it and hear the waves and the wind. The novel tells about the history of Porthbella and the resulting crimes. Apart from the interisting protagonists, which are carefully described, the absolutely main charakter is the ocean. Enjoy!
Yolanda C, Reviewer
I loved this cozy mystery. It was just a good sweet comfort read set in beautiful Cornwall . I really liked it . Thanks for letting me review this book to Netgalley and the publisher
Libby R, Reviewer
What a wonderful mystery to read on a cold winter's day. Taking place in Cornwall, the novel introduces us to a variety of characters, all bought together to solve a case that is linked to a man's suicide years before. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope the author plans to continue the series. For those readers looking for a good read, I highly suggest this mystery.
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