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A review by beate251
Sun, Sea, & Murder by J.S. Savage
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Thank you to NetGalley and J.S. Savage for this ARC.
The owner of the Orange Tree Hotel somewhere in Spain has been murdered in a locked room, and the suspects are a slew of British guests, four of whom are taking turns narrating the story, with clearly distinct voices.
This is a cozy murder mystery that can be treated as a quick, sun- drenched beach read. It is well-written and interesting, but the Spanish police are depicted as arrogant idiots, which is why two of the guests decide to do their own investigations. Pretty much everyone seems to either have a motive or something else to hide, so we get plenty of red herrings. The second murder doesn't quite fit in tone, it's cruel (although he had it coming).
I have to say, the solution comes out of left field because we are never given the information we would have needed to get there on our own. As I'm always the last one to figure it out anyway, it didn't bother me unduly but some sleuthers are more competitive than I am. As it is, I treated it like an episode of Death in Paradise where I admire the scenery until the inspector suddenly jumps up, mumbles "but of course!" and runs out of the room to check the final clue then gathers everyone together for the reveal.
I have to admit I didn't care as much about the murders as about the fun mix of people and their backstories - I think the author's strength really lies in describing people and their relationships to each other, which makes it an enjoyable read. Bless Terry, who is just generally clueless but particularly doesn't understand women and the modern world!
This book is on Kindle Unlimited now. Grab it.
The owner of the Orange Tree Hotel somewhere in Spain has been murdered in a locked room, and the suspects are a slew of British guests, four of whom are taking turns narrating the story, with clearly distinct voices.
This is a cozy murder mystery that can be treated as a quick, sun- drenched beach read. It is well-written and interesting, but the Spanish police are depicted as arrogant idiots, which is why two of the guests decide to do their own investigations. Pretty much everyone seems to either have a motive or something else to hide, so we get plenty of red herrings. The second murder doesn't quite fit in tone, it's cruel (although he had it coming).
I have to say, the solution comes out of left field because we are never given the information we would have needed to get there on our own. As I'm always the last one to figure it out anyway, it didn't bother me unduly but some sleuthers are more competitive than I am. As it is, I treated it like an episode of Death in Paradise where I admire the scenery until the inspector suddenly jumps up, mumbles "but of course!" and runs out of the room to check the final clue then gathers everyone together for the reveal.
I have to admit I didn't care as much about the murders as about the fun mix of people and their backstories - I think the author's strength really lies in describing people and their relationships to each other, which makes it an enjoyable read. Bless Terry, who is just generally clueless but particularly doesn't understand women and the modern world!
This book is on Kindle Unlimited now. Grab it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Murder, Grief, Toxic relationship, and Injury/Injury detail