A Death at Silversmith Bay

I enjoy a good M.C. Beaton book, so when I had the chance to read A Death at Silversmith Bay, I jumped on it. This is my first book in the series. I wasn't unduly hampered by not having read books 1 and 2, although I suspect the backstory would be helpful. So, don't do like me – start at the beginning.

Jemima Jago, or Jem, is coming home to Penzance after having spent some time in the Scilly Isles. Imagine her surprise to find her flat occupied by a cat she doesn't recall owning, and her bathtub full of bags of smelly, messy garbage. Turns out her sister Tori is the one responsible, both for the cat and the garbage. When Jem sees what appears to be a bloody mallet in the trash bags, she has to figure out what happened.

When she and her friend Micki find Micki's sister-in-law with her head bashed in in her used bookstore, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that the bloody mallet in Jem's flat could well be what did Gina in. Jem earned a reputation as an amateur sleuth in Scilly, and the “Scilly Sleuth,” as she was dubbed now has to work out what happened, and whether her sister had anything to do with it.

A Death at Silversmith Bay is a light, enjoyable read. I liked the setting, as Cornwall is a place I've never been but would love to visit. The characters were entertaining and believable, even when they did some pretty stupid things. Wyatt the Walrus was a particularly humorous touch (although I'm sure the people in his path probably didn't find him amusing in the least!). The mystery kept me guessing, and when I'd think perhaps I had it figured out, bam, another suspect got knocked off the list.

And I want Jem's job! I'd love to be a librarian where I can take lashings of time off to go pursue interests outside of work. Are there any other bosses like hers in the world, and if there are, are they hiring?

If you're looking for an engaging, cleverly written mystery that will let you escape to Cornwall for a while, take a trip to Silversmith Bay. Five stars from me!

Disclaimer: I received an advance reader copy of this book from Bookouture and NetGalley. All opinions here are mine, and I don't say nice things about books I don't actually like.