The Arts Trail Killer

Love...Art...and a Serial Killer?

Things are busy in Porthpella as the town prepares for The Arts Trail. Ally has somewhat reluctantly agreed to participate, opening up her studio to share her work. Jayden has a new baby boy and all that the new birth is bringing to the family (postpartum, sibling rivalry, terrible twos, guilt). Gus has finished his book and dealing with trying to get it published. All that and murder too.

This story gives the reader more of Ally’s backstory as we meet her first love, Ray Finch, who is attending The Arts Trail. He is also one of the people who have hired Ally and Jayden to investigate the murder of the event’s special guest artist. This is huge for the pair as they often end up investigating without pay. Added to that the artist was the second person to be killed in a matter of days. 

As both Ally and Jayden deal with their own personal challenges, they also race to find the killer before anyone else dies. Along the way, they check-in and inform regularly the police who on the surface appear to listen to them grudgingly. I like that Ally and Jayden, keep calling them despite how it seems they get on the police’s nerves. The dual does not run off purposely into danger situations thinking only they can solve things. 

The characters are very human, very personable, with depth that can be related to. I think the Shell House Detectives are a great pair, Ally with her age, wisdom, and unique perspective. Jayden with his youth, police training, and cultural differences. The two are both fair-minded and balance each others’ strengths and weaknesses well.

In the middle of the murders there are some romance/relationship challenges with favorite friends, Saffron and Gus. Their storylines are expertly woven through, not a distraction, not an awkward aside.

The murders…very well plotted. The way they were executed and the suspects kept me on my toes. I admit, I didn’t figure this one out and I think that is great. 

One thing I didn’t get was the ending. I was not quite sure that it meant. I re-listened to it a couple of times and made a couple of guesses. It doesn’t take away from the overall enjoyment of the story but did leave me with a puzzle I’d like to solve.

I look forward to the next adventures of Porthpella’s Shell House Detectives.

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

Happy Reading!