Deadly Return by P J Skinner

 Deadly Return by P J Skinner

Deadly Return by P J Skinner was published on 9th June 2023 by Parkin Press.

My thanks to the author and the publisher for sending me a copy to review and to Love Books Tours for inviting me to take part on the tour.

Synopsis

While assisting with a routine house clearance, Tanya Bowe, a recently divorced, former investigative journalist, encounters her long absent schoolmate, Melanie Conrad. Not long afterwards, Mel is discovered lifeless at the foot of the stairs in the same house. The police are quick to deem it an accident, but Tanya's instincts scream murder.

Determined to discover the truth, she uses her skills to investigate Mel’s background. As she peels back the layers, Tanya uncovers a web of lies and blackmail at the heart of the Conrad family. The closer she gets, the more intricate and treacherous the puzzle becomes. With each revelation, Tanya's resolve strengthens, but so does the danger.

Can she unravel the secrets shrouding Mel's untimely demise before the killer strikes again?

In this captivating cozy mystery, Tanya walks the fine line between discovery and danger, guided by her unwavering determination to expose the truth and find justice for her friend.

My review

This is one of those lovely cosy crime mysteries that you need to put a few hours on one side for, prime the coffee machine, make sure that you have plenty of cake to hand and dive in.

As this is the first book in The Seacastle Mysteries I was intrigued as to how the main characters would be introduced and how they would work together to create a thread that will move forwards throughout the series. I was not disappointed as Tanya, regardless of what her ex husband thinks, is a strong character and she has laid the foundations to develop herself even further as the series progresses. She is a person that you warm to straight away and as she gets drawn into the mystery and different relationships you find yourself reading the situations as she does whilst she is trying to unravel the background behind the so-called accidental deaths.

The story draws you in, and you will need to refill your coffee cup and cut another slice of cake whilst you turn the pages, uncovering details of what Tanya discovers, with a little help from her friends.

If the rest of the series carries on like it has started in Deadly Return I, for one, am going to be hooked. 

A gripping 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 costy murder mystery.

About the Author

PJ Skinner is geologist who has spent thirty years roaming the planet and collecting tall tales and real-life experiences. Most of her postings were in remote and dangerous sites which provide background settings for her novels. She now writes fact-based novels from the relative safety of London. She still travels worldwide collecting material for the series and having her own adventures.

Twitter

@PJSkinnerAuthor

@KellyALacey 

@lovebookstours