‘A St Ives Christmas Mystery’ by Deborah Fowler

Published by Allison & Busby,
24 October 2024.
ISBN: 978-0-749033193-0 (HB)

Merrin McKenzie met her husband when they were both undergraduates and after their marriage they continued to live in Bristol. Adam McKenzie moved up the ranks of the police force to become a chief inspector and Merrin worked as a solicitor. When tragedy strikes and Adam is killed, Merrin feels that she cannot not bear to continue living in the house they had bought and lived in together, especially now that their only child, Isla, is away at university. She decides to sell up and, accompanied by Horatio, a rescue parrot with attitude, she moves back to her childhood home, the coastal town of St. Ives in Cornwall.

For some time, Merrin has felt disillusioned with her work for the Family Court and does not regret leaving her legal practice. However, a new job is forced upon her and it is one that she would much prefer to pass to someone else. Merrin hates cleaning and has certainly never had an ambition to become a cleaner but her oldest friend, Clara, is overextended and in desperate need of a cleaner to service the two holiday cottages she owns. Although Merrin’s lack of domestic skill means that the changeovers are not seamless, they get done, until Merrin goes into the bedroom of one of the cottages and discovers a dead man in the bed. From the way the young man is laid out, it is evident that, whether or not he died by violence, his body has been moved to its present position.

Finding the young man brings back memories of Adam’s death but Merrin manages to internalise her reaction. In fact, she is so successful that the investigating officer, Inspector Louis Peppiatt, regards her with some suspicion and shows scepticism about her observations regarding the death. However, when Louis realises that she is the widow of Adam McKenzie his attitude changes, because he had met Adam and greatly admired him. There are no identity documents on the young man’s body and his dental records are not in the system. While Louis conducts the official investigation, Merrin continues to quietly make enquiries of her own. She is helped from a distance by her daughter, Isla, who makes a considerable contribution towards solving the mystery. At the same time, she is hindered by Clara, who takes shameless advantage of their long-time friendship, and persuades her to foster, William, the ugliest dog in the world, and at first the unfriendliest dog as well. This imposition works out well for Merrin, because she befriends and adopts William, and his affection enhances her enjoyment of her new home.

The investigation continues and another death occurs as the violence grows more extreme. Merrin and Louis start to co-operate more closely and Merrin discovers a way to use her training as a solicitor in a way that serves justice and protects the vulnerable. As Christmas comes around, life is better for Merrin and Isla than they had believed possible and, while never forgetting Adam, Merrin feels ready to move on with her new life in St Ives.

A St Ives Christmas Mystery is the first book in a new series featuring Merrin McKenzie. It is a heart-warming, cosy mystery, with a central character that is engaging from the first page. Indeed, all the characters in the book are likeable, especially Merrin, Isla and Louis. The plot is well constructed and deals with modern crimes and problems.

This is a superb start to what promises to be a delightful series, and it is an excellent Christmas mystery in a wonderful seaside setting. I enjoyed this book very much and wholeheartedly recommend it.
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Reviewer: Carol Westron

Deborah Fowler's first short story was published when she was seventeen. Since then, she has published over six hundred short stories, novels, a crime series and several works of non-fiction. Deborah lives in a small hamlet just outside St Ives and A St Ives Christmas Mystery is the first in a new series set against the beautiful backdrop of the West Cornish coastline.

Carol Westron is a successful author and a Creative Writing teacher.  Her crime novels are set both in contemporary and Victorian times.  Her first book The Terminal Velocity of Cats was published in 2013. Since then, she has since written 8 further mysteries. Carol recently gave an interview to Mystery People. interview

www.carolwestron.com
To read a review of Carol latest book click on the title
Death and the Dancing Snowman