Rose
Trevelyan works as a photographer in west Cornwall. One day
she is called to the grand residence of one Gabrielle Milton
to take photographs that are going to be made into Christmas
cards. She likes her new client but is surprised to be invited
to a party shortly afterwards as they have not previously
met. Attending proves to be a wrong decision as her hostess
is murdered but being pushed from a balcony. The police look
interestedly in Rose’s direction, so it is time to turn
sleuth.
This is the first in a reprint of this popular series of seven
books, first published back in 1997. I had heard of the books
and was keen to sample them particularly as I too live in
the West Country. The author lived in Cornwall herself and
it shows; this is a realistic picture of a place where being
an outsider can be a lonely life and gives a warts and all
portrait of a rural coastal community. There is romance as
well as mystery for Rose is finally getting over her beloved
husband’s death and has more than one contender interested
in being more than friends. The mystery is entertaining enough
and to sum up this is a linear, traditional style of whodunit
rather in the style described as cozy in the US but thought
provoking rather than humorous. Rose misses her husband but
is blessed with good friends and solving a mystery adds a
new dimension to the life. I can understand why this series
is so popular and I look forward to reading them all and getting
to know the characters and setting better.
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