‘Murder at the Allotment’ by Julie Wassmer

Published by Constable,
14 May 2024.
ISBN: 978-1-40871994-7 (PB)

Julie Wassmer’s Whitstable Pearl Mysteries are familiar to many from the popular TV series currently being shown on British television inspired by her novels. ‘Murder at the Allotment’ is the tenth book in the series which features Pearl Nolan who is the owner of a seafood restaurant and runs her own detective agency.

Whitstable has become a popular location for ex-Londoners, and their presence is causing waves in the local community – not least in what was the peaceful haven of the allotments. Trouble begins when the DFLs (short for Down From Londoners, as they are called by the locals) express an interest in the site and the council decides to accommodate them by dividing existing plots into smaller parcels. Soon after, a series of anonymous complaints are submitted to the council but only about the long-term residents. One is even threatened with an eviction notice.

One of the new DFLs calls a meeting of all the allotment holders. Everyone expects that the meeting has been called to discuss the complains but it seems that the pushy incomer has something in mind. She wants to form an Allotment Association proposing herself as its chair. The others are quick to accuse her of sending the anonymous complaints. She promptly denies it, claiming this is the first time she has even heard of the complaints. Can she be believed? Even Pearl wonders if her look of surprise is genuine.

Before Pearl can begin to use her detective skills, a body is discovered in the new hot composter on the allotment brutally murdered by the composting fork.

Wassmer has a page-turning writing style, and the many engaging characters are well-drawn and memorable even to those new to the series. Her vivid descriptions of this seaside tourist town on the north Kent coast will soon have even those who have never visited Whitstable familiar with the location. Who knew that there were so many ways to serve the town’s famous oysters?

Lovers of cosy mysteries, with a fast-moving plot with lots of red herrings and multiple suspects will thoroughly enjoy this tenth book in the series.
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Reviewer: Judith Cranswick 
http://www.judithcranswick.co.uk   

 

Julie Wassmer is a television drama writer who contributed for almost twenty years to the popular BBC series EastEnders. She published her autobiography More Than Just Coincidence in 2010, in which she describes finding her long-lost daughter after an astonishing twist of fate. It was voted Mumsnet book of the year. The Whitstable Pearl Mystery is the first in her series of crime novels, involving multi-tasking private detective-come-restauranteur, Pearl Nolan. Julie lives in Whitstable and is well known for her environmental campaigning.  

https://www.juliewassmer.com/  

Judith Cranswick was born and brought up in Norwich. Apart from writing, Judith’s great passions are travel and history. Both have influenced her two series of mystery novels. Tour Manager, Fiona Mason takes coach parties throughout Europe, and historian Aunt Jessica is the guest lecturer accompanying tour groups visiting more exotic destinations aided by her nephew Harry. Her published novels also include several award-winning standalone psychological thrillers. She wrote her first novel (now languishing in the back of a drawer somewhere) when her two children were toddlers, but there was little time for writing when she returned to her teaching career. Now retired, she is able to indulge her love of writing and has begun a life of crime! ‘Writers are told to write what they know about, but I can assure you, I've never committed a murder. I'm an ex-convent school headmistress for goodness sake!’ Her most recent book is Journey to Casablanca 

http://judithcranswick.co.uk/