Death at Castle Cove

Mary Grand

Description

'I thoroughly enjoyed this intriguing mystery set in a beautiful location with deliciously menacing undercurrents.' Frances Evesham

Island life suits Susan, and she can’t imagine ever moving from her beloved Isle of Wight. So it gives her real pleasure to see her young lodger Colette settle in to life by the sea, especially knowing that she has such a troubled past.

Susan’s days are comfortingly routine, starting every morning by exercising her beloved Rocco on Ventnor beach with her fellow dog walkers. The group may have bonded over their fondness for their canine companions, but over time their friendships have deepened.

So, when Colette dies in suspicious circumstances at Castle Cove, Susan is devastated to realise that the dog walking group were the last to see Colette alive, and one of her friends must have been responsible for her death.

And when Susan begins to suspect that the police are minded to put Colette’s death down to an accident, Susan decides she won’t rest until she solves the mystery and finds the murderer.

A brand new cosy mystery from the author of the bestselling The House Party. Perfect for fans of Frances Evesham, Faith Martin and LJ Ross.

'A masterclass in story-telling.' Owen Mullen

What readers are saying about Mary Grand:

‘What I love about Mary’s books is that every character acts suspiciously. You get to the end of a chapter, think you’ve worked it out and no! Another twist! Haha!’

‘This is another very enjoyable murder mystery from the skilful pen of Mary Grand. It is intelligently plotted with clever red herrings. I thought I knew the culprit approximately half way through and I was completely wrong. The characters are well created with distinct voices and personalities. The setting of the beautiful Isle of Wight is perfectly described. This was a really satisfying read.’

‘Cleverly written and perfectly executed. This author goes from strength to strength. 5 stars from me.’

‘Another great book from Mary. The twists and turns, secrets and lies, culminating in the mystery of whodunit, kept me interested and intrigued.’

Sujets

• Policier & Thriller
• Policier
• Thriller
• Sea Stories
• Mashups
• Women Sleuths
• Amateur Sleuth
• Traditional
• Holidays
• Thrillers
• Isla de Wight
• Inglaterra
• 21st century
• Cozy
• SpongeBob SquarePants
• Domestic
• Isle of Wight
• Animals
• Crime
• England
• Île de Wight
• Noir
• Fiction

Informations

• Publié par: Boldwood Books
• Date de parution: 08 mars 2023
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781804269008
• Langue: English

Extrait

DEATH AT CASTLE COVE


MARY GRAND
To Adèle: Thank you so much for all your friendship, kindness, and love. Thank you for being there through the highs and lows, and for the many smiles and slices of cake we have shared. xxx
CONTENTS



Note to Readers


Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Epilogue


Acknowledgments

More from Mary Grand

About the Author

Poison & Pens

About Boldwood Books
NOTE TO READERS

Ventnor is a holiday town on the Isle of Wight. Some details of the geography of the town have been changed to suit the story. The street where Susan lives is fictitious as is The Glanville Hotel and the nursing home. In the same way all the people in this story are completely fictitious.
Freshwater, likewise, is a town on the Island, but the hotel, The Seashells, is fictitious as are the people working in it
St Hilda’s and Bishopstone are fictitious places, although their geographical layout is based on real villages. The people in both are fictitious.
PROLOGUE
SUNDAY, 11 OCTOBER

This is a secret place. Safe and cosy by day, but tonight it feels isolated and eerie. Not many people know of Castle Cove, inaccessible to cars, it is one of those hidden magical places here on the island.
Enormous boulders have been placed to protect the land from the waves that crash into and erode it, and yet Colette, huddled among them, appears vulnerable and alone on this cold October evening.
Suddenly her white-blonde hair catches the wind. I don’t need to see her face to be reminded of how much her beauty hurts me. She is a fool to be down here on her own.
However, she is oblivious to the threat gathering in the sea salt air, making it too easy for me.
If only she’d stayed away from the island, left me alone with my secrets and my past. But she came, and she won’t stop digging until all my secrets have clawed their way out. She has left me no option, she has to die.
1
SATURDAY, 10 OCTOBER – ONE DAY EARLIER

Susan glanced at her young lodger as they left the house. Naturally very fair, Colette looked ghost-like today and Susan was concerned about her. Their cocker spaniels Rocco and Libs pulled impatiently on their leads as they began the steep descent to Ventnor beach to meet up with a group of fellow dog walkers. It was soon after sunrise on one of those crisp autumn mornings that Susan loved.
‘How are you feeling today? I can take Libs down if you want a lie-in. You had a late shift at the hotel.’
‘Nah, I need some fresh air,’ Colette replied and breathed in deeply. ‘It’s so cool I can just walk down to the beach whenever I want. It’s brilliant for Libs, she loves it here.’
Susan looked down at the little black cocker spaniel, head up and tail wagging in anticipation, and knew Colette was right.
‘The island suits you both.’
‘It does. I’ve not been back to the mainland once since I arrived. Sometimes I think I might never leave.’ Colette gave Susan a quick smile. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll not camp out with you forever.’
Susan grinned. ‘I’ve really enjoyed having you and Libs living with me over the past few months.’
‘Do you know what I’d really like to do?’ asked Colette, her voice quieter, less confident now.
‘Tell me.’
‘I’d like to study psychology. I want to work with children who have been abused and feel forgotten, I want them to know someone cares and understands them.’
‘That’s wonderful, Colette.’
‘I looked it up online, to see what I’d need. I managed to get my maths and English at GCSE, and I liked biology. I would have to do A levels first—’
‘You can do it, I’m sure. I know people who work at the college on the island. You could talk to them. I would support you in any way you need.’
‘Really? You don’t think I’m mad?’
‘Not at all. You are very bright; I am sure you could do anything you put your mind to. Now, are you working at the hotel today?’
‘Not cleaning, just the bar at lunch time. I’ve got this evening off. By the way, I had a call from the nursing home here, they want me to go up this morning.’
‘Really? Why’s that?’
‘They think they have found Gran’s locket.’
Susan stared in amazement. ‘Not the one you told us about on Thursday?’
‘Yes. The gardener found it when he was digging a new border yesterday morning.’
Susan blinked. ‘Didn’t you say your grandmother died something like three years ago? It would be quite remarkable for it to turn up now, but it would be wonderful for you if it has.’
‘Bit of a coincidence, isn’t it – you know, it turning up the day after I told our dog-walking group about it?’
Susan caught the ironic tone in Colette’s voice and looked over at her. ‘Sorry, am I missing something here?’
Colette shrugged. ‘I’ll have to see if it’s Gran’s locket first.’
Before Susan could ask her any more, she realised they were about to cross the road to go on to the Ventnor beach.
Susan, an islander by birth, had now lived in Ventnor for forty years. The town had been built following the steep zig-zag roads winding down from St Boniface Down to the beach below. Susan loved bringing her dog down here, either to walk on the beach or along the esplanade from the fishing haven at one end to the Spy Glass Inn at the other.
Ahead of her on the beach this morning, Susan saw some of the group of dog-walking friends.
This small group of friends met up, in some combination, most mornings. Apart from Susan and Colette, the group consisted of Nikki and Nathan, the owners of the hotel, The Glanville, with their chefs, Trystan and Torri. The only other members were Beatrice, a retired jeweller, and Robert, a retired police officer.
Today Susan could see just Nikki and Torri from the hotel standing with Beatrice.
Nikki looked over at them as they arrived and started frantically waving to them.
‘Now, I wonder what Nikki is so excited about today?’ commented Susan.
‘Oh, god – I think I know—’
Susan heard the tension in Colette’s voice, but before she could comment, she saw Nikki was running towards them, hand outstretched.
As usual, Nikki was wearing her faux fur coat. Her red hair and voluminous leather bag were flying wildly in the wind. Her docile black Labrador, Duke, followed quietly behind her.
‘What do you make of this?’ Nikki asked breathlessly. She thrust her left hand in front of Susan.
‘Oh, Nikki, congratulations.’
‘Thanks, yes, we’re finally engaged. Nathan gave me this late last night. We’ve had the hotel for three years and now we’re becoming proper grown-ups at forty! I’ve finally given in to the charms of my surfer boy.’
The small diamond ring on a thin gold band was far more delicate than any of the garish dress jewellery on her wrists and fingers. ‘I know, it’s miniscule.’ Nikki took her hand away. ‘One day, Nathan will replace it with a giant ruby or diamond but, until then, this is all I have.’
‘It’s a beautiful ring.’ Susan smiled up at Nikki.
Beatrice and Torri came to join them. Beatrice was a smart older lady in a silk headscarf, perfect make-up, mackintosh, and Hunter boots. She and Susan were both in their early sixties but couldn’t have looked more different. Unlike Beatrice, Susan had simply pulled on comfy jeans and a jumper, and thrown on an old parka. Her shoulder-length brown curly hair had the odd streak of grey, and her deep brown eyes now looked out from behind her smart new blue-framed Varifocals that replaced the numerous cheap pairs of reading glasses that were scattered around the house.
Beatrice leant forward and gently pulled Nikki’s hand towards her. She examined the stone in the ring and then, unsmiling, she let go of Nikki’s hand.
‘It may be modest but at least it is a genuine diamond.’
Nikki blushed. ‘You should be glad Nathan’s not embezzling hotel funds to buy me a decent ring.’
Beatrice pursed her lips. ‘I am sure Nathan would never do such a thing. You two have a lot more to lose than me if the hotel fails.’
Nikki turned to Colette. ‘Do you approve?’
‘Of course, congratulations,’ Colette replied quietly.
Susan glanced at Colette and wondered why she saw consternation in her eyes.
Beatrice suggested they let the dogs off their leads. Her Dalmatian, Biddy, went rushing off, tearing aimlessly but joyfully about. Nikki’s Labrador, Duke, didn’t go far, preferring to stay close by. Susan and Colette’s cocker spaniels ran to join Torri’s terrier, Max, and the three dogs, noses down, went off to dig holes and sniff out seaweed.
‘And are you going to tell us when the big day will be?’ asked Torri quietly, her soft Welsh tones coating her words. Torri was the pastry chef, working with her partner, Trystan, the inspirational and ambitious head chef at the hotel. Torri was huddled inside a large full-length waterproof, and you could just make out her grey eyes and red nose from under an orange woollen hat and scarf.
‘We’re not going to need you to make a huge cake if that’s what you’re thinking,’ laughed Nikki.
Susan noticed Torri didn’t laugh but looked down at the sand.
‘We’re not having anything like that,’ continued Nikki, oblivious to Torri’s feelings. ‘We’ve given notice to the registry office; we will get married in a month. It will all be very quick and understated – no guests or parties.’
Susan was surprised at Nikki’s plans for such a quiet wedding. Despite Nikki having maintained a pretty cynical view of marriage, Susan had assumed that if she ever did have a wedding, it would be some big, fancy occasion, with Nikki enjoying every moment of being in the limelight.
‘I k