The Shell House Detectives (A Shell House Detectives Mystery Book 1)

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Another character we get an insight into is Detective Sargeant Skinner. There are a few surprises there too! The first book in a new cosy mystery series. One of the strengths of this book is the characters. They were mostly well written. At times I thought they were awkward, but on the whole I did enjoy them. I did enjoy Ally very much, but I'm not yet sold on Jayden. Maybe he will grow on me a bit in future books, but I have read cosies before where the main character, or in this case one of the main characters, didn't work for me. It happens. But at least Ally and some other characters were engaging. I at least want to see if Gus will write the first chapter in his book! The overall mystery is well done. It's clever. It reminded me of Murder She Wrote, in a way. I'm note sure of it's the coastal setting, or the way the dialogue is written, or Ally, but Jessica Fletcher popped into my mind more than once. And that's not a bad thing.

She felt drained, suddenly, the need to be near people replaced by the far more familiar desire to be alone. I grew up in Devon, and I went to Cornwall for the first time when I was five years old. There was something about Penwith that captured my imagination even as that tiny girl. In later years I returned several times – exploring the Tate in St Ives with my sister, to a surf festival in Newquay where my husband’s band were playing – but it wasn’t until I started work on my third novel, The Sea Between Us, that I truly fell in love with that corner of the world. I think part of what intensified my connection to the place is the fact that I became a mother while working on that Cornish-set novel. Whenever I felt claustrophobic, or craving freedom, pushing the buggy through the streets of Bristol or awake through the small hours on night feeds, my mind turned to the landscape of West Cornwall and I felt lifted. The arrival of my son nine years ago signalled the start of a tradition of holidaying in St Ives with my family, and camping trips to Gwithian, so his infancy is very much tied to that corner of the world. We have so many precious memories.

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As the investigation proceeded, Jayden got help from some of his old coworkers He began to regain his confidence and sense of wellbeing. Another sweltering month in Charlotte, another boatload of mysteries past and present for overworked, overstressed forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan. The Harbour Lights Mystery is the 2nd book in the Shell House Detective series. It takes place in the town of Porthpella. Ally Bright owns The Shell House as well as a partner in the Shell House Investigation company. Jaden is an ex-policeman and her partner. There are the original characters in the town from the first book as well as the new characters that add to the story. Ally in particular is a triumph because she’s middle aged, unassuming and ostensibly a no-one following the death of her policeman husband, but her public persona belies an incisive mind, a compassionate nature and a tenacity and strength that bring her to life completely. However, what works so well here is that there is a wide enough cast for variety and reader interest, but, simultaneously, a narrow enough focus to afford development for characters like Tim Mullins with scope for the future. What Emylia Hall does so beautifully is to convey the thoughts and emotions of her characters and I admit to shedding a tear or two with them, both in joy and sadness. With books set in Cornwall’s wild and wonderful west, the Tuscan isle of Elba, the Swiss Riviera, and rural Hungary, Emylia’s work – whether crime or women’s fiction – is strongly influenced by place. Her writing and short fiction have appeared in a wide range of publications, including The Guardian, Elle, The Simple Things and broadcast on BBC Radio 6 Music.

The main character was Ally Bight. Ally was a widow who lived alone with her dog and liked to walk the beaches collecting seashells. Ally was still mourning the death of her husband Bill Bight a well-loved small town police sergeant. I’m always drawn to water, so whenever I need that fix, I head to the harbourside. Living in Southville, I love that Ashton Court is so close too: having such a vast green space on our doorstep feels like a gift, especially as I get a lot of my ideas when I’m out walking. A cleverly plotted and thoroughly enjoyable book about dark deeds in beautiful places."—Elly GriffithsGorgeous writing and a plot crammed with suspense, this is your perfect new crime series for 2023.” —Kate Riordan, author of The Heatwave The setting is also a big feature. Not just because it’s a part of the life of the community but is also (I felt) a character in its own right at times. Set before the tourist season begins, you can really feel the isolation as well as the beauty of the natural world. It’s December in Cornwall, and Mousehole harbour is illuminated with its famous Christmas lights. Ally Bright is among the crowd listening to the carol singers and then to the piercing screams that rip through the darkness. A body has been found, brutally murdered and dumped in a fisherman’s boat.

Ally and Jayden decided to develop a parttime detective agency. Ally decided not to move to Australia as her daughter had urged, but to stay in Cornwall. In an instant, the peace of Ally’s beachcombing life is shattered. Feeling responsible for the young man’s fate, she wants to help find answers—as does ex-cop Jayden Weston, whom Ally meets at the scene. He shares her certainty that there’s more to the story than attempted suicide. When it emerges that the man is newly released ex-offender Lewis Pascoe, and that Helena, the wealthy new owner of his grandmother’s home, has subsequently disappeared, the tight-knit community of Porthpella is thrown into turmoil. Captures the magic and beauty of Cornwall wrapped within a warm and engaging detective story. I loved it." - Rosanna Ley

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A treat of a book: immersive, suspenseful, full of twists and turns.…It’s as captivating as a Cornish summer. I loved it.” —Susan Fletcher, author of Eve Green As I am working on the manuscript for the 2nd edition of my book “Japan: The Basics“, and have written seven other books (including three novels) and am working on two other books (including a novel), I could certainly relate to the following, Other characters are Saffron who runs a coffee shop, and Gus Monroe who is renting a house near Sea Dream, he is there to write a novel. The mystery is perfectly paced and the characters vivid and true, inviting us to join in as fellow sleuths as we unravel the secrets of the past. I can’t wait to return to Cornwall with Emylia Hall for the next adventure.” —Emma Stonex, author of The Lamplighters In all honesty I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. This isn’t a genre I’m interested in reading (although I like to watch fictional crime series). Why read it then? I chose to read it because I’ve enjoyed Emylia Hall’s previous novels. And I’m so glad I did! If you’ve read this author’s previous books and you’re not sure about the change in genre, give this a go. You WON’T be disappointed. I guarantee it.

Ally Bright is a widow living alone in the small town of Porthpella in Cornwall. Following her husband Bill's death a year ago she has retreated into her shell and is contemplating moving to Australia to be closer to her daughter and her family. One night she is disturbed by a young man banging on her door, looking for Bill. He has just been released from prison and is disorientated, whilst he was in prison his only remaining relative, grandmother, sold her bungalow and newcomers have built a glass mansion in its place. In addition, his grandmother has recently died and no-one informed him. Too scared to help him, Ally turns him away. The Shell House Detectives is the first in a series, with the second book coming later in 2023. Had you mapped out the whole story arc before beginning, or did it only become clear to you when writing that this was the start of a much longer narrative? Jayden met Ally soon after, and they went for coffee at the shop of Saffron. They talked about Lewis Pascoe and whether foul play was involved. Ally felt guilty for not helping Lewis and wanted to help him now.

A Note From the Publisher

The Shell House Detectives is a hug of a book that is transporting and full of love, with a humdinger of a mystery at its big heart." - Amanda Reynolds Having learned Roland’s whereabouts, Sebastian came to Cornwall to confront Roland. Sebastian confessed to Ally that he killed Victoria hoping to get the family money. Sebastian and Roland got into a fist fight. Sebastian pulled a knife. Jayden intervened and got cut. In the melee Roland fell off an embankment, hit his head and died. The Shell House Detectives is a hug of a book that is transporting and full of love, with a humdinger of a mystery at its big heart.” —Amanda Reynolds, author of The Assistant