1945, Daisy’s life is turned upside down when her home burns down with her mother inside. While recovering in hospital, the war ends and she finds herself without a job as well as neither a home or family. The local priest helps her to find a new role as an assistant whose tasks include working in a hotel. One day a murder occurs and Daisy is convinced the police have the wrong man…
Death at the Dolphin is a stand alone, cosy murder mystery novel set in Oxfordshire, England in 1945.
Daisy is a wonderful lead character and the narrative is written from her first person perspective. We are instantly sympathetic to her due to her guilt over her mother’s death. She has had an important role in national security during the war but is then at a loss during peace time. The murder gives her a purpose again, especially when an Austrian Jewish refugee is accused.
The victim is a retired teacher who was passionate about social justice so who could have wanted her dead? There is little forensic information which is appropriate to the genre of cosy murder mystery. I can easily imagine this being made into a TV drama and there is a good antagonism between Daisy and the lead detective Inspector Thaxted.
I enjoyed the larger than life characters of JB and Declan, as well as the myriad of potential suspects. The setting of the hotel means that guests and staff all fall under Daisy’s suspicion. The aftermath of the war feels like it is authentically represented through the attitudes of the characters as well as the devastation many have experienced.
Death at the Dolphin is a very enjoyable murder mystery with a strong narrator and plot.
DEATH AT THE DOLPHIN BY GRETTA MULROONEY
Even in peacetime, death is just around the corner.
London, VE Day, 1945. As Britain takes its tentative first steps into peace, Daisy Moore’s secret wartime work at Whitehall comes to an end.
Convinced that she caused her mother’s death, homeless and with no other job in sight, Daisy should be happy to find herself in Fernfield working at the Dolphin hotel. Instead, she finds the quiet corner of Oxfordshire oppressive and small, and she misses London.
Then a body is found in one of the rooms with the head bashed in by a stone dolphin from the window ledge. The victim is Lucinda Laidlaw, a local charity worker and a pacifist. The villagers thought she was a busybody, and they don’t like foreigners.
Daisy is sure she can use her skills to identify the killer. She spent the war decoding ciphers, and murder is surely just another puzzle. But Inspector Thaxted isn’t convinced he needs the help.
The list of people who wanted Lucinda dead keeps growing and Thaxted’s investigation is going nowhere. Then Thaxted’s prime suspect, a young Jewish refugee, is attacked and left for dead. Can Daisy and the inspector work together to find the killer before anyone else dies?
Discover a brilliant 1940s-set murder mystery. Fans of Hilary Green, N.R. Daws, Mike Hollow, Anthony Horowitz, Elly Griffiths and T.P. Fielden will devour it.
READERS LOVE GRETTA MULROONEY:
“I love British mysteries and this one was fabulous.” Libby R.
“This is Gretta Mulrooney at her best . . . I loved the compassionate style of writing with lots of surprises and an ending which made me gasp out loud!” Carol S.
“Well written and plotted — as are all of Ms. Mulrooney’s books — this was a treat.” Joyce F.
“As always with this author, it was a clever and brilliantly-written plot, with a totally unexpected twist at the end.” Mandy B.
GRETTA MULROONEY
Gretta Mulrooney was born in London of Irish parents and did an English degree in Derry. She has been published for over twenty-five years; children’s books, short stories, literary fiction which won critical acclaim and crime fiction. She has also written for the BBC and Radio Four.
Gretta has always been an avid reader of crime fiction and decided, in retirement, to turn to crime. She has written nine novels featuring a London based private detective, Tyrone Swift. She has also started a new police-based series featuring DI Siv Drummond, set in the fictional Sussex town of Berminster.
BOOKS BY GRETTA MULROONEY
THE TYRONE SWIFT DETECTIVE SERIES:
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THE LADY VANISHED
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BLOOD SECRETS
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TWO LOVERS, SIX DEATHS
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WATCHING YOU
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LOW LAKE
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YOUR LAST LIE
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HER LOST SISTER
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MURDER IN PEMBROKESHIRE
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BOUND BY LIES: THE DETECTIVE TYRONE SWIFT TRILOGY
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DETECTIVE TYRONE SWIFT BOOKS 4–6 BOX SET
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THE COMPLETE TYRONE SWIFT MYSTERY BOX SET
DETECTIVE INSPECTOR SIV DRUMMOND:
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THESE LITTLE LIES
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NEVER CAME HOME
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MURDER BY THE SHORE
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DETECTIVE SIV DRUMMOND BOOKS 1–3 BOX SET
STANDALONE NOVELS:
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OUT OF THE BLUE
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LOST CHILD
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COMING OF AGE
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DEATH AT THE DOLPHIN
SHORT STORIES:
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JOFFE BOOKS MURDER MYSTERY & SUSPENSE SHORT STORY COLLECTION
FOLLOW GRETTA ON
Sunday has always been the favourite child of her parents but this holiday she has a disagreement with her family and leaves. Her sister Annie is convinced that something sinister has happened: she saw Sunday arguing with someone on top of a cliff, her parents and siblings are acting strangely but no one is interested in trying to find her…
The Favorite Child is a psychological thriller set in America (hence the spelling of favourite in the title!) I will just say that I was not keen on Sunday as a first name and found it jarring throughout the book but this is my personal opinion.
I was instantly hooked on this book. The favoritism and family dynamics are fascinating. The dad is a famous family guru but he treated one of his own children as a favourite and did nothing to combat the sibling rivalry. Annie does not remember any of the terrible things her older siblings did to Sunday when they were children and starts to doubt herself in the face of her family’s united opinion.
Tension and suspense build from the very beginning. The whole family’s attitude to Annie and her pregnancy is hideously claustophobic and beyond uncomfortable. I wanted to scream and shout at Annie to leave the house and get away from her family as soon as possible. She should have followed her instincts but I did fear for her unborn child and felt that her family had a point in being concerned.
The majority of the book is written from Annie’s first person perspective but there are a few chapters set in the past which show the siblings as children. This shows how their lives and relationships have been shaped by their parents’ attitude to family life. In turn, this informs how the characters behave in response to Sunday’s disappearance but with increasingly dangerous overtones.
The Favorite Child was an intriguing thriller that maintained the suspense until the end.
Book Blurb
Annie’s sister has gone missing. Why doesn’t anyone care?
Annie feels like she’s at a good place in her life. Happily married, expecting her first child, enjoying a vacation with her extended family at their beautiful coastal home.
But then her sister, Sunday, suddenly goes missing.
Annie is immediately concerned, but the rest of the family assure her that everything’s fine, this is the kind of thing Sunday does, she’ll be back…
But Annie knows in her heart that something is very wrong. And she won’t rest until she sees her sister safe and well.
As Annie digs for the truth, she realizes that some of her family are not what they seem. And as she draws closer to uncovering their horrifying secret, Annie finally understands that she and her unborn child are in terrible danger…
Author Bio
Cathryn Grant writes psychological thrillers, psychological suspense, and ghost stories. She’s the author of twenty-three novels. She’s loved crime fiction all her life and is endlessly fascinated by the twists and turns, and the dark corners of the human mind.
When she’s not writing, Cathryn reads fiction, eavesdrops, and tries to play golf without hitting her ball into the sand or the water. She lives on the Central California coast with her husband and two cats.
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TRIGGER WARNING: miscarriage, surrogacy
Grace agrees to act as a surrogate to Marcia and Travis but begins to feel uncomfortable at their intensity. She then becomes fearful when she receives notes warning her she is making a mistake…
Perfect Parents is a psychological thriller set in America. It centres around miscarriage, infertility and surrogacy which some readers may find upsetting.
The book is written from Grace’s first person perspective in the present day but also some chapters show her devastating past. She is selflessly acting as a surrogate but is haunted by the sadness of her past. Meanwhile, the new parents are overbearing and possessive. This creates a huge tension and claustrophobic atmosphere. Grace wants her own space especially when someone starts to warn her off going through with the surrogacy.
There was a huge amount of emotion in this book and I felt able to empathise with every character. The past and present events are captivating thanks to the strong narration from Grace but it is easy to understand how the other characters feel. The thriller elements develop gradually as the tension and perceived danger increase and Grace feels more intimidated by the couple and others.
Perfect Parents was an enthralling thriller with a good central plot, skilfully narrated.
I have previously reviewed Liar Liar by L.G. Davis
Perfect Parents book description:
I gave them my baby… but can I trust them?
Giving away my child is the hardest decision I have ever had to make. But when I move into the Thorpes’ stunning home so they can support me through the pregnancy, it seems like they are everything I could have hoped for. They cook me delicious, healthy meals and make sure I’m getting the best medical care. They never question my background, or why I am giving them my child.
But before long, I begin to wonder if something is very wrong with the Thorpes. I try to ignore how Travis lets his hand linger on mine for a little too long, and how Marcia comes to check on me during the night. I tell myself that when they control and monitor my movements, it’s just because they care.
Keeping my baby safe and making sure they are going to the perfect family means everything to me. But when a threatening note turns up outside my door and I begin to unravel the Thorpes’ secrets, I realise I may not make it out of here alive.
After everything I’ve been through, I’m not going to give up without a fight. And I’ll do anything to keep my baby safe…
A heart-pounding and totally gripping read that will have you glued to the pages late into the night. Perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train, I Am Watching You and Shari Lapena.
Author Bio:
Liz’s story began in a refugee camp in Angola, where she spent the first eight years of her life. After that, she spent some years in Namibia (her home country), South Africa, and Germany. She now lives in Vienna, Austria, with her husband and two children. Liz wrote her first full-length novel at eighteen and hid it in a box under her bed. Several others soon followed it. Her passion lies in writing edge-of-the-seat psychological thrillers that give readers the same rush they would get on a rollercoaster.
Instagram: @lgdavisauthor
TikTok: @lgdavisbooks
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Nessa is a struggling single mum without a home or a job. She inherits a letter and the key to a cottage from her grandmother and this gives her a chance for a fresh start. But the cottage is scheduled for demolition so she must fight for the past and her future.
The Key to the Last House Before The Sea is a warm and emotional novel. It is the fourth book in Liz Eeles’ Heaven’s Cove series but would work as a standalone novel.
Nessa is finding life tough at the moment. Her ex is useless and her mother in law is overbearing. Her employer retired and closed the business so she has no work and her grandmother just died. She is shocked to inherit the deeds and a key to a derelict cottage. But this also seems doomed as the area is due to be redeveloped. Whilst staying at a guest house, she meets Gabriel who is a city slicker and reveals that he is the property developer about to destroy her final chance at a fresh start.
There is a wonderful tension between Nessa and Gabriel. He has a softer side which we have knowledge of thanks to the alternating perspectives. His father is domineering and doesn’t appreciate what he perceives as weakness. Gabriel’s artistic side is crying out to be released and I was keen for Nessa to see his hidden qualities. Both characters need to find the courage to stand up to their family and be confident in themselves.
The scenery is brought to life through vivid descriptions. I was swept up in the story of the main pair but it was also nice to catch up with characters from the previous books. The tone of the book is uplifting as the plot centres around being true to one’s self whilst appreciating the natural world, friendships and family.
The Key to the Last House Before The Sea was a wonderful book and may be my new favourite book in the series!
Book Description:
Tears trickling down her cheeks, she recognises her grandmother’s writing scrawled across the manila envelope. Inside is an engraved key that sits heavy in her hand. Will the tumbledown cottage be the start of a new life – or will it tear her life apart?
With her back to the sparkling sea, single mum Nessa stands in the doorway of the stone cottage her grandmother left behind. If she can just fix up the crumbling walls and make the empty hearth cosy again, it will be the perfect home for her little daughter Lily – and their only option if they want to stay in the village of Heaven’s Cove. But a rap on the door soon shatters her plans…
Although Gabriel Gantwich has a smile on his handsome face, the papers he’s clutching say his father’s company owns the house. They plan to knock it down, destroying Nessa’s last link to her family history – and Lily’s last hope for a home in Heaven’s Cove.
Reeling, Nessa is furious that an outsider could take away her child’s future. She has just thirty days to renovate the cottage – and prove it’s hers. As she and Gabriel clash over every detail, Nessa barely notices that even though they argue, their talks are fuelled by the same passion. And beneath his tough exterior, Gabriel appreciates the beauty of the sunset bathing the clifftop cottage in soft pink light as much as she does…
But one stormy night, Nessa gets a desperate phone call about Lily. Forced to choose between her family’s past and her daughter’s future, will she end up losing everything? Or will Gabriel finally realise what truly matters, and help Nessa make this beautiful place a home?
An absolutely stunning, heartbreaking and uplifting read that will sweep you away to the wild Devon coast. Perfect for anyone who loves Trisha Ashley, Debbie Macomber and Jean Grainger.
This book can be enjoyed as a standalone.
Author Bio:
Liz began her writing career as a journalist for newspapers and magazines before moving into the health sector as a communications manager and press officer. The low point of her career was abandoning an interview with Cliff Richard after two questions because she was about to faint – her excuse is that she was newly pregnant at the time.
Liz is from Gloucestershire but now lives by the sea in West Sussex with her husband and grown-up daughter. She spends a lot of time meaning to meditate, avoiding exercise, and missing her son who lives in London.
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Ailsa has never left the small Scottish island where she grew up. Now she has her mother’s old job and is raising her own son Kyle. Her world turns upside down when Jonah returns to the island after 11 years: the first time he has been back since his brother died. Can they form a tentative friendship again so will the past continue to haunt them?
Childhood Sweetheart is a domestic drama novel with hints of psychological thriller, set on a remote Scottish island.
The book is written mainly from Ailsa and Jonah’s perspectives. Some chapters are set in the past to show us what life was like for the pair growing up. It demonstrates the state of their relationship and the importance it had for them. Both main characters are haunted by the past and the loss of Jonah’s brother Callum.
There is a lot of high emotion and tension right from the beginning. Callum’s drowning split up the main pair but they have never forgotten each other. Their lives have been significantly affected by their past experiences and both feel that theynever reached their potential. Ailsa has the constant worry of dealing with the needs of her autistic son and there is a question mark over his father’s identity.
The pace of the book is slow to begin with, setting the scene and establishing the characters. It also provides the reader with anticipation with plot development hints amongst the uneasy atmosphere. There are several twists as the narrative progresses and the mystery and suspense elements are maintained until the end.
Childhood Sweetheart had plenty of drama and twists, and I liked the two main characters, wanting them to find closure.
Book Description:
Bang. Bang. Bang. I jump as the knocks on the window crash above the roaring wind outside. Who could it be, at this late hour? I open the curtains and peer outside. ‘Hello?’ But the dark, the rain and the empty lane are all I see.
It’s been eleven years since I last saw Jonah, after his brother died that stormy summer night. And now, without warning, he’s back, living in his old house next door just like old times, on the remote Scottish island that is home. Where I used to imagine we’d stay, together, forever, sharing our lives and our secrets as we always had. But that was before.
Jonah’s not the sweet boy I once knew. His mood is changeable, his behaviour unstable, our brief conversations are forced and awkward. And then the knocks on my window begin. It can only be him, but why, and what does he want? I used to love him. Now I don’t even want to invite him in.
Because after all these years, I see our childhood secrets, the ones we swore never to reveal, in a newly terrifying light. Was his brother’s death truly an accident? Could Jonah’s secrets have been worth killing for? And how safe am I now, on this isolated island, with the man I used to love…?
A totally addictive and twisty psychological thriller with a jaw-dropping twist. Anyone who loves The Woman in the Window, The Wife Between Us and The Housemaid won’t beable to put Childhood Sweetheart down!
Author Bio:
Wendy Clarke was a teacher until the small primary school where she worked closed down. Now she is a writer of psychological suspense but is also well known for her short stories and serials which regularly appear in national women’s magazines.
Wendy has two children and three step-children and lives with her husband, cat and step-dog in Sussex. When not writing, she is usually indulging in her passion for dancing, singing or watching any programme that involves food!
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