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Book Review
Reviewed: 25 June 2024

Murder an an English Pub

by: Alice Castle

Sarah Vane Mysteries - Book 1

  • Rating: full starfull starfull starfull starstar outline (4/5)

Who ever thought retirement would be boring, never moved to Merstairs

This is my first read of this author. I didn’t know what to expect. At the start we meet recent widow, Dr. Sarah Vane, retired. She has moved to the village of Merstairs near her childhood friend, Daphne.  Sarah doesn’t have a lot of room in her new home and Daphne offers to store Sarah’s husband’s things in her beach hut until Sarah is ready to let them go. 

As the story progresses we learn of the history between Daphne and Sarah (they are a bit of an odd couple), Sarah and her late husband (married for many years with two children), and of course the victim (pub owner). Charles, the antique store owner, and the seller of the beach hut to Daphne. He is also, a suspect. There are many characters and many motives. Hamish, Sarah’s dog and Daphne, keep the story light. 

The treatment of some heavy themes is handled very well. I like how Sarah is adjusting to her new life, embracing her grief (it has not been very long since her husband’s death), and learning her new strength.

As the mystery progresses, we learn about the town, the people - many are related to each other - and of course, the secrets. 

The murder resolution most likely will cause a moment of pause and reflection. If you were perpetrator, would you do the same thing? Does the reason justify the murder?

I can’t wait to see what’s next for Sarah in her new home in Merstairs.

Thank you to #NetGalley  for the opportunity to do an early read and share my thoughts on the story. 

Happy Reading!

Release Date: 3-July-2024
British, Cozy Mystery, Audiobook, Female Sleuth, NetGalley

Plot Summary

When retired doctor Sarah Vane moves to Merstairs, she has no idea that the quaint seaside town isn’t quite as friendly it seems, and something sinister is bubbling under the picturesque surface…

Recently widowed and looking for a fresh start away from city life, Sarah Vane moves into a lovely little cottage by the sea. The rustic charm is everything she hoped it would be, but her new home doesn’t quite have enough space for her things. Her old friend Daphne offers to store Sarah’s boxes in her messy beach hut, but while clearing it out, they are shocked to find a heavy trunk… containing a dead body.

They immediately recognise the poor man as pub landlord Gus Trubshaw. Sarah concludes that he was suffocated, but who could have wanted jolly Gus dead? Unimpressed by the police’s lack of interest, Sarah realises she will have to solve the case herself.

Soon, Sarah discovers that not everyone loved Gus as much as she’d thought. Could the killer be scoutmaster Bill, who was recently banned from the pub? Or perhaps it was antique store owner, Charles, who owned the beach hut before Daphne? Or was it brewery director Mr. Grimes, who was livid with Gus for squeezing him on the purchase price of his delicious ale? 

Just when the clues are starting to fall into place, the prime suspect is found strangled on the beach. And when Sarah discovers a deadly secret that links the two murders, she’s certain that a dangerous killer is roaming the streets of Merstairs. With the town in a panic, time is ticking for Sarah. Will she solve the mystery before it’s last orders for another victim?

Set off for the breezy English seaside and join Sarah on her adventures in quirky Merstairs, where nothing is quite as it seems! Fans of Agatha Christie, Betty Rowlands and Katie Gayle will be instantly hooked by this deliciously gripping cozy mystery.