As usual, Ms Beaton realized that it was time to give her characters a break from Carsely and the Cotswolds, and we are treated to a hilarious description of a once popular seaside resort. Topical humor is one of this series’ main strengths, and here there are descriptions of a place where coastal erosion has been allowed to run riot, the hotel from hell and even the woes of retiring to rural France. Most of the cast of characters are in force too: crusty bachelor James, carefree and catlike Charles, Roy in his fancy-dress style of attire, caring Mrs Bloxby, savvy young Harry and gloomy Patrick. Having Agatha run a detective agency gives her realistic reasons to be plunged into crime solving, but despite the words on the reverse of the book she does not solve the case from a prison cell. It’s a teasing tale, with plenty of suspects and a fishery full of red herrings and leaves us satisfied with the conclusion, but eager for more. Satire and cozy crime have never been such excellent bedfellows.