I have a fondness for cozy mysteries. And I'm always on the lookout for new series. My latest find is Murder at an English Pub by Alice Castle - and this is book one in a new series!
Before turning to crime, Alice Castle was a UK newspaper journalist for The Daily Express, The Times and The Daily Telegraph. Her latest cozy mystery, set in fictional seaside town Mersta s, stars retired GP Sarah Vane. It will be published in July by Bookouture, who also publish Alice's nine-book Beth Haldane Mysteries series set in south east London. Alice also writes psychological thrillers for HQDigital as A.M. Castle.
"Retired doctor Sarah Vane moves to Merstairs, she has no idea that the quaint seaside town isn’t quite as friendly it seems, and something sinister is bubbling under the picturesque surface…"
Sarah doesn't have a lot of faith in the constabulary of this small villager. Sarah is curious by nature and can't help but launch her own investigation into the crime. She is helped (or perhaps hindered) by her longtime and somewhat scatterbrained friend Daphne. I quite like Saras as a lead character. And let's not forget Hamish - her black Scottie dog.
Sarah meets the villagers one by one and endeavors to interview them without it appearing so. There's a broad bunch of residents that could be the culprit. But just as Sarah thinks she has the answer - new information is uncovered. I think Castle does a great job of keeping the reader guessing right through to the last pages.
Castle has created a detailed setting in Merstairs that appealed to me. Especially her little cottage.
And given that this is a cozy, it's best read with a pot of tea, a quilt on your lap and a dog at your feet. I'll be watching for the second book in this series.
Website:https://alicecastleauthor.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AliceMCastle
Bookouture Email Sign Up: https://www.bookouture.com/alice-castle.
