I’m delighted to be sharing my thoughts on Death at the Vineyard, the fourth book in the Shell Houses Dectectives by Emylia Hall.
- Category : Crime, Thrillers & Mystery
- ASIN : B0CYHLVQZ9
- Publisher : Thomas & Mercer (15 Nov. 2024)
- Language : English
- File size : 5793 KB
At Shoreline Vines, high on the Cornish cliffs, the Harper family are preparing to welcome glamorous investor Celine Chevalier to their vineyard.
They desperately need Celine’s backing to keep their business afloat. But everything is jeopardised when a body is found in one of their fields. Police believe the death was a tragic accident but the victim’s family suspect otherwise and turn to the Shell House Detectives to investigate.
As Ally and Jayden question the community, they discover that Shoreline Vines has always been shrouded in mystery. There are old rumours about buried bones, and even a curse on the land itself. Are these just local myths or is there something sinister hidden in the vineyard’s past?
As tensions reach breaking point, Ally and Jayden must uncover the truth, in a gripping story of family secrets and shocking betrayals.
The Death at the Vineyard Review
The Shell House Detectives are back in what I think is their most layered and emotionally gripping case yet!
Emylia Hall masterfully layers intrigue, with rumours of buried bones and a land curse adding depth to the central mystery. The tension simmers beneath the surface, never quite what it seems, keeping the reader guessing with every chapter.
The story opens with a prologue that immediately piques intrigue (why so clandestine? who is it?) before settling into Ally’s reflections on a cherished summer visit from her daughter Evie and grandson. Jayden, too, is adjusting to life with his growing family, (Jasmine is now 20 months old)—a detail that adds warmth and realism to his character. But their personal moments soon give way to a new case when Russell Tremaine is found trampled in a field of bullocks. Though the police rule his death an accident, his father, Shaun, suspects otherwise and turns to Ally and Jayden for answers.
Shoreline Vines is a vineyard with a complicated past. When prospective investor Celine Chevalier arrives, I gained a different perspective on the owners and had lots of questions! As always with this series, I tried to figure out the answers and although partly right about one thing, way off the mark with another … the conflict in one situation doesn’t lay far below the surface but even that isn’t as straighforward as it looks.
Beyond the mystery, this story delivers emotional depth that really tugged at my heartstrings. I’m so invested in the community! Without spoiling too much, Wilson and Saff’s storyline had me on tenterhooks —I almost made it to the end without tears, but one moment undid me. Emylia Hall is so clever at layering emotions, proving once again why this series is so compelling.
What makes this novel particularly stand out for me is how much the Shell House Detectives have grown—not just with their confidence in their skills, but in their standing within the community. This time, the police aren’t dismissive; instead, Ally and Jayden find themselves working alongside them. Ally’s detective instincts truly shine in this instalment, her determination and sharp eye leading to some truly shocking revelations. The case is riddled with twists and turns, each reveal more satisfying than the last.
The Death at the Vineyard is a thrilling, unputdownable read. With its intricate storytelling, suspenseful twists, and emotional resonance, it cements The Shell House Detectives series as a must-read. And with that intriguing hint about Broady’s brother, I can’t help but wonder—has Emylia Hall already set the stage for their next case? I, for one, can’t wait to find out.
Emylia Hall delivers another fabulous mystery, weaving family secrets, shocking betrayals, and the ever-evolving dynamic between Ally, Jayden, their loved ones and the community.
Books in the Shell House Detectives series
- The Arts Trail Killer
- Death at the Vineyard
- The Rockpool Murder
- The Harbour Lights Mystery
- The Shell House Detectives
About the Author
Emylia Hall lives with her husband and son in Bristol, where she writes from a hut in the garden and dreams of the sea. The Shell House Detectives is her first crime novel and is inspired by her love of Cornwall’s wild landscape. Emylia has published four previous novels, including Richard and Judy Book Club pick The Book of Summers and The Thousand Lights Hotel. Her work has been translated into ten languages and broadcast on BBC Radio 6 Music. She is the founder of Mothership Writers and is a writing coach at The Novelry.
You can follow Emylia on Instagram @emyliahall_author and on Twitter @emyliahall
