In the spring, a neighbor came to Ally Bright for assistance, with Ally receiving guidance on how to proceed and help from Jayden Weston. Success by the widow of the former police sergeant in Porthpella, and a former cop from Leeds evolved into Ally and Jayden forming a partnership known in the community as the Shell House Detectives.

The joyful sights and sounds of Mousehole Harbour on the Cornish coast delight everyone enjoying a night during the Christmas holiday season. They are interrupted by screams that vibrate and penetrate the senses of all who hear them, including Ally and her neighbor Gus Munro. What involvement will the Shell House Detectives have in this case?

The mystery is well-written with interlocking pieces that are more intricate than the speculation of the investigation first suggests, even with the awareness that the victim was well-known but not well-loved by the community. Ally and Jayden's differences in ages naturally have different perspectives from their life experiences, and it is thoughtfully portrayed through their thoughts on their personal lives and approaches when working on a case.

I look forward to the continuation of the series.

Reviewer's Note: I discovered Book 1 on NetGalley and loved the characters, so I was delighted that a series was planned. Each novel may be read as a stand-alone. Still, I recommend reading the books in series order to fully appreciate the characters as they evolve in life's decisions and adventures. ( )

Not quite as good as the first story, but gently engaging. ( )

Cornish-coast, ex-cop, local-law-enforcement, local-gossip, small-town, crime-fiction, series, pet-dog, relationships, family-dynamics, widow, murder, mystery, investigations, investigators****

Ally Bright is the still grieving widow of former Sergeant Bill Bright whose daughter wants her to move to Australia, trying to find her place in life, and can't quite get back to her artistic use of plastic waste from the coast.
Jayden Weston is an ex-cop suffering survivor's guilt from the death of his partner, recently moved to Cornwall to live near the in-laws as he and his wife learn how to live now that they have their first baby.
Together Ally and Jayden begin working as the Shell House Detectives once again and delve into the mystery of a note in the pocket of a murdered man known in the village. They find out many things, not all of them pleasant or for town consumption. The characters are so clearly portrayed that I felt as if I had known them for years. The investigation is filled with red herrings and a few unexpected twists. I liked this one just as much as the first.
I requested and received an EARC from Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley. ( )