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A review by bookwyrm_lark
Death at High Tide by Hannah Dennison
4.0
When Evie’s much-older husband dies, leaving her in financial straits but with the potential inheritance of a hotel in the Isles of Scilly, her glamorous sister Margot persuades her to take a weekend trip to scope out her legacy. But the hotel isn’t quite the luxurious, welcoming resort the sisters envisaged, and soon its faded charms are marred by murder.
Death at High Tide pulled me in immediately, and kept me turning the pages. It’s a great set-up for the series, introducing us to Evie, Margot, and several other characters who I suspect will become series regulars, including a possible love interest and the island’s female police constable. Dennison excels at creating believably quirky characters, and the island has its share, from perennial guest Lily and her cat Mister Tig to the local vicar and the aforementioned constable.
Tregarrick Rock itself is wonderfully atmospheric, and I found myself wishing I could go there to experience the hotel’s lush gardens and windswept isolation for myself. High tide cuts the hotel off from the nearby island and village of Tregarrick, adding to the locked-room (locked-island?) suspense as first one, then another character falls victim to an unknown killer. The mystery plot is well-constructed, and Dennison’s sure hand makes sure the pacing doesn’t falter. But it’s the characters and setting that really make Death at High Tide shine. I’m already looking forward to the next book, and Evie’s further adventures on the island of Tregarrick.
Death at High Tide pulled me in immediately, and kept me turning the pages. It’s a great set-up for the series, introducing us to Evie, Margot, and several other characters who I suspect will become series regulars, including a possible love interest and the island’s female police constable. Dennison excels at creating believably quirky characters, and the island has its share, from perennial guest Lily and her cat Mister Tig to the local vicar and the aforementioned constable.
Tregarrick Rock itself is wonderfully atmospheric, and I found myself wishing I could go there to experience the hotel’s lush gardens and windswept isolation for myself. High tide cuts the hotel off from the nearby island and village of Tregarrick, adding to the locked-room (locked-island?) suspense as first one, then another character falls victim to an unknown killer. The mystery plot is well-constructed, and Dennison’s sure hand makes sure the pacing doesn’t falter. But it’s the characters and setting that really make Death at High Tide shine. I’m already looking forward to the next book, and Evie’s further adventures on the island of Tregarrick.