TESSA TALKS BOOKS

A Siren’s call… to murder

Former Met police officer Jodie ‘Nosey’ Parker is working a trial period as an auxiliary Detective Sergeant with the Penstowan police force. But living and working alongside DCI Nathan Withers – while still trying to grow her catering company – brings its own challenges, especially when Jodie’s attention is quickly taken up by the suspicious drowning of a local fisherman.

While tourists and locals alike are falling under the spell of the annual mermaid festival with its captivating legends of Sirens luring fishermen to their deaths, Jodie and Nathan fear they may have found themselves in the middle of a very real – and very dangerous – turf war. As the casualties start to stack up, they must face the likelihood that something sinister has been going on under their noses for some time…

What’s it about (in a nutshell): 

A Cornish Seaside Murder by Fiona Leitch is the sixth book in the Jodie’ Nosey’ Parker cozy mystery series that focuses on a murder at the beginning of the annual mermaid festival. It can be read as a stand-alone, but the reading experience would be better to read this series in order so the reader can follow the personal story as intended. 

Bullet Point Review: 

• Since this is a cozy mystery, I must talk about the mystery! I loved that the mystery includes some village lore surrounding mermaids in this series installment. That paranormal element is so fun, and I always love mythology. I only figured it out after the reveal, as plenty of red herrings and shenanigans kept my mind in puzzle mode from beginning to end. 
• I have absolutely loved and enjoyed watching the characters grow, change, and develop so amazingly authentically, especially Daisy (Jodie’s daughter). She is at an age where there are so many changes she will go through, and to see it as a part of each story in the series makes the characters closer to my heart. 

• The story skirts the boundaries between a police procedural and a cozy mystery. I liked the change for one story but wouldn’t want to see it in more stories. When the main character is a former policeman, that crossover is inevitable. Still, I do enjoy the boundaries of the cozy sub-genre. 
• This book in the series is not quite as humorous as others, though it begins with some fun scenes. I can’t say too much (to avoid spoilers), but I believe the next book will see more of the humor I’ve come to know and love. 
• I love that Leitch includes a recipe at the end of the story. There’s nothing more annoying than a story that gets your tummy grumbling and mouth-watering but does not include any recipes for the reader to try. And I try the recipes I find in stories though I must convert them to gluten-free, which has its own challenges. 
• Jodie “Nosey” Parker is the mom of Daisy, who is just entering her teen years, and she is a former police officer. She has moved back to her hometown and opened a catering business after promising her daughter she will no longer put herself in danger daily. Being back home is difficult for her, but her mom and daughter benefit from it in ways Jodie never expects. And she has met a man, Nathan Winters, who quickly became her significant other and allowed her to keep her ties with the police force since he is the local DCI. 
• The narration is done in the first person, which helps with the pacing consistency. Jodie Parker tells us her tale, and she is a great character to do so. 

• The pacing of A Cornish Seaside Murder is medium. Still, it is consistent, so the reading speed never feels cumbersome or mired down. 
• The story is set in a village, Penstowan, on the Cornish seaside (hence the title) during the annual Mermaid Festival. An excellent setting for a cozy is a village festival because that brings in new people and allows for naturally fun and humorous situations. 
• Read if you’re in the mood for: 
  • An adventurous, emotional, funny, inspiring, and mysterious story
  • A cozy mystery that skirts the boundaries of the sub-genre 
  • Family themes 
  • A main character that is well-developed and relatable 

Rating: 4.5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

TWO LIFELONG FRIENDS.

Jess loves her work as a high-profile lawyer in Charleston. But when her marriage implodes, she retreats to her childhood home on Cape Cod with her thirty-year-old daughter, Caitlin, hoping to regroup with her longtime best friend, Alison.

ONE BOOKSHOP BY THE BAY.

Alison’s career has taken a hit after twenty years as an editor for the magazine Cape Cod Living. But when she learns her beloved bookstore on the Cape is looking for new ownership, a new dream starts to form.

AND THE SUMMER THAT COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING.

As the two friends reopen the bookstore, they also open themselves up to the magic of second chances.

What’s it about (in a nutshell): 

The Bookshop by the Bay is a lovely second-chance story perfect for summer reading, especially if you find yourself by the pool, beach, or even the bay. 

Bullet Point Review: 

• What I loved most about this story is how utterly relatable it was for me. The characters’ dreams are my dreams, and watching them fulfill their dream just warmed my heart and made me feel like anything is possible. 

• Jess Coleman is a lawyer who recently experienced her marriage imploding. She returns home to get a break from her husband and her life in Charleston. Alison Page has been Jess’ best friend since childhood. She still lives in Cape Cod and works for a local magazine that once thrived but is now struggling. Both are in a place in their life where they need to make some significant changes. And they are both strong and supportive female characters that forge their own path. 
• I also loved that this is a story about mothers and their daughters, family, and friendships. Even one of these themes would make for a heartwarming story, so you can imagine what having all three in a story does for your heart. 
• It’s a bookish book, and I love a good bookish story, don’t you? 
• I didn’t really love the plotline regarding Jess’ marriage imploding. This one felt like it needed to be more authentic. Jess’s husband was too flippant about what he did, and considering he and his wife are lawyers, they would realize the legal complications behind what happened – trust issues aside. (I’m being vague to avoid any spoilers, no matter how small.) 
• Lastly, I enjoyed that this story is about learning more about yourself and taking risks to be true to yourself. I can’t think of a more empowering message than that. 

• This story is solidly and consistently a medium-paced read. I enjoyed that I did not feel mired down by the story. It just flowed with a natural feeling pace. 
• Chatham, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, is an idyllic little northeastern seaside town that sits snuggly near the bays and ocean surrounding Cape Cod. What a fantastic place to grow up, and it is the perfect place to set a story about dreams and make them a reality. 
• Read if you are in the mood for: 
  • Hopeful, Lighthearted, Relaxing story 
  • Medium pace 
  • A Character-driven Story 
  • Loveable Characters with strong development 

Ratings: 4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐