Death at High Tide

When Evie Mead’s husband, Robert, suddenly drops dead of a heart attack, a mysterious note is found among his possessions. It indicates that Evie may own the rights to an old hotel on Tregarrick Rock, one of the Isles of Scilly.

Still grieving, Evie is inclined to leave the matter to the accountant to sort out. Her sister Margot, however, flown in from her glamorous career in LA, has other plans. Envisioning a luxurious weekend getaway, she goes right ahead and buys two tickets, one way, to Tregarrick.

Once at the hotel, used in its heyday to house detective novelists, and more fixer-upper than spa resort, after all, Evie and Margot attempt to get to the bottom of things. But the foul-tempered hotel owner claims he’s never met the late Robert, even after Evie finds framed photos of them—alongside Robert’s first wife, in his office. The rest of the island inhabitants, ranging from an ex-con receptionist to a vicar who communicates with cats, aren’t any easier to read.

But when a murder occurs at the hotel, and then another soon follows, frustration turns to desperation. There’s no getting off the island at high tide. And Evie and Margot, the only current visitors to Tregarrick, are suspects one and two. It falls to them to unravel secrets spanning generations, and several of their own if they want to make it back alive.

Series: An Island Sisters Mystery – Book #1
Author: Hannah Dennison
Genre: Cozy Mystery/Hotel
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Page Count: 304

Rating:

In this new series, “An Island Sisters Mystery,” Death At High Tide gives us an introduction to Evie and Margot, sisters with more in common then readers will initially expect. Set in a hotel in an out of the way island that can only be accessed during low tide, we learn about family secrets, old wounds, and a possible future.

The characters in this first book are invigorating. The sisters appear to be very different from each other, but they learn and grow throughout the story, and towards the end, we begin to understand what makes them special. The hotel is a large part of this story as the series is based on it, and though it is described as old and in need of updating, it holds charm and promise of what it can become. Detective Patty would be a great character in her own series. I liked her attitude and the way she handles everything, especially the sisters.

I love the setting. A hotel that can only be reached by boat or a weird type of tractor is unique, although Agatha Christie used something similar. This story does have the feel of Ten Little Indians as well, making Christie fans want to check it out. Many of Christie’s books began at a hotel or by the sea, so this new book is not out of the ordinary. There are plenty of suspects, twists, and turns, and possible scenarios that can and do evolve into real evidence and a solution most will see coming.

In general, the characters are a bit rough around the edges, but with the first book in a series, this is not uncommon. The victim was not likable, but readers will want to know who the killer is even if they don’t care about the motive. The pace is good, and the writing smooth and precise. I will be checking out the next book in the series, which hopefully will continue to feature the hotel as the backdrop, and recommend readers read Death At High Tide with an eye towards future installments.

More cozies readers may enjoy include Leslie Meier’s long-running “A Lucy Stone Mystery” or perhaps Jane Willan’s unique “A Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn Mystery”.

About the Author:

Hannah Dennison is the author of several fan-favorite series’. British born, Hannah originally moved to Los Angeles to pursue screenwriting. She has been an obituary reporter, antique dealer, private jet flight attendant, and Hollywood story analyst. For many years Hannah taught mystery writing workshops at the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program in Los Angeles, California. She has served on numerous judging committees for Mystery Writers of America.

After twenty-five years of living on the West Coast, Hannah returned to the UK, where she shares her life with two crazy Hungarian Vizslas. She enjoys all country pursuits, movies, and theatre, reading, and seriously good chocolate.

Contact Hannah: https://www.hannahdennison.com/contact

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