Foul Play at Seal Bay: The start of a page-turning cozy murder mystery series from MILLION COPY BESTSELLER Judy Leigh

by Judy Leigh

Jilly Bond (Narrator)

A brand-new series perfect for Richard Osman readers and all fans of a page-turning whodunnit. From MILLION COPY BESTSELLER Judy Leigh

It was meant to be the start of quiet season in the sleepy Cornish village of Seal Bay, but not for sexagenarian librarian and wild swimming enthusiast Morwenna Mutton.

Because when a local businessman is found on the beach with a bread knife is his back, bungling police officer DI Rick Tremayne is soon out of his depth. Morwenna knows it’s going to be down to her to crack the case.

The list of people the victim upset is long, the evidence is slight, and an arrest illusive. Morwenna has plenty to occupy her time what with ghostly goings-on at the library and skullduggery at her granddaughter’s school, but she could never resist a challenge. And even the most ruthless of murderers should quake at the sight of this amateur sleuth getting on her bike to track them down.

If you love Miss Marple and The Thursday Murder Club, then you'll love The Morwenna Mutton mysteries.

Readers love Judy Leigh:

‘Brilliantly funny, emotional and uplifting’ Miranda Dickinson

'Lovely... a book that assures that life is far from over at seventy' Cathy Hopkins

'Brimming with warmth, humour and a love of life… a wonderful escapade’ Fiona Gibson

'Judy’s done it again. Every woman over a certain age should read this wonderful book' Jennifer Bohnet

‘Loved this from cover to cover, pity I can only give this 5 stars as it deserves far more’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review

‘I loved reading this book, great characters and this author certainly knows how to put a good story together. I'm really looking forward to reading more books by her’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review

‘This book is yet another triumph from an author who never disappoints me, and very much recommended’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review

• ISBN13: 9781837514557
• Publish Date: 7 August 2023
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Boldwood Books Ltd
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 254
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Foul Play at Seal Bay is the first book in a shopfront cozy series by Judy Leigh. Released 7th Aug 2023 by Boldwood Books, it's 298 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The second book in the series, Bloodshed on the Boards, is also currently available on KU.

This is a nice, well written cozy set in Cornwall, featuring an eccentric 61 year old amateur sleuth and her friends and family. The untimely death of a local almost entirely unlamented businessman from London has the close knit community aghast, and it soon becomes clear that the local inspector is not up to the task. 

The language is entirely clean (there are a few colloquial uses of "bleddy" but nothing worse), there are no graphic descriptions on-page, and the resolution, and denouement are mostly satisfying, if heavily foreshadowed. The writing is competent and the dialogue not clunky or awkward.

There are currently 2 books in the series. It would make a good choice for a short binge or buddy read. Although reviewers have compared it to Osman's Thursday Murder Club, it compares better (and more favorably) to Peter Boland's Charity Shop Mysteries. 

Four stars. It would be a good choice for readers who enjoy light amateur sleuth cozies featuring eccentric mature female sleuths. Morwenna is charming and refreshingly intelligent.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.