Monday, October 2, 2023

A Body in a Cornish Village

Title: A Body in a Cornish Village
Author: Dee MacDonald
Published: August 17, 2023 by Bookouture
Format: Kindle, 278 Pages
Genre: Amateur Sleuth
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Kate Palmer #7

First Sentence: There wasn't a cloud in the August Sky.

Blurb: Kate Palmer is delighted when she learns that her home, the beautiful seaside village of Tinworthy, is the setting for a new TV show. She’s even more excited when she, her handsome husband Woody and her drama queen sister Angie are all invited to be extras. But when the cameras start rolling, the trio are in for a nasty surprise when the film’s writer and producer, Crispin Wyngarde, drops dead.

Before long, rumours start flying and Angie is in the spotlight for murder. Kate knows her sister had a brief, stormy fling with Crispin during her younger days as an actress, but surely Angie couldn’t have hated him that much, could she?

Kate is certain of her sister’s innocence, and is determined to prove it. But who would want to kill Crispin and set the stage for Angie to take the fall? Could it be Fergal, Angie’s jealous boyfriend? Sonja, the eccentric director, who had a love-hate relationship with Crispin? Or gorgeous Guy, the hairdresser who’s held a grudge against the problematic producer for years?

Armed with a list of possible culprits, Kate sets out to interview everyone she can. Over cups of tea, secrets start to spill out about overheard conversations and mysterious money transfers. But just as Kate thinks she’s finally on the right track, her main suspect is found dead after a party in the village. To make matters worse, he’s one of Angie’s old flames too.

Kate needs to solve the crime – and quick – to save her feisty sister. Can she untangle the clues and get to the truth, before it’s curtains down for Angie? (GoodReads)

My Opinion: I feel disappointed that the Kate Palmer series has come to an end. It's hard to find many amateur detective series that feature middle-aged women. I wish more series didn't depend on bouncy curls and boyfriends who are conveniently detectives, which is overused in cozy mysteries. Though Kate does live in a small seaside town, it was enjoyable to follow her as she walks on trails and unravels the mystery.

However, I'm looking forward to Dee MacDonald's upcoming books. I hope they'll captivate me just as much as Kate and Angie did.

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