The Rockpool Murder by Emylia Hall

I’m delighted to be sharing my thoughts on the third book in the The Shell House Detectives Mystery, The Rockpool Murder. 

The Rockpool Murder by Emylia Hall

• Category  :  Crime, Thrillers & Mystery
• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C6NJ6KJT
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Thomas & Mercer (19 Mar. 2024)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• File size ‏ : ‎ 5170 KB
• Amazon  |  Waterstones  |  Goodreads

The Rockpool Murder Summary

A stunning Cornish house, a shocking death—can The Shell House Detectives catch a killer hiding in plain sight?

Music legend Baz Carson is ready to welcome his closest friends and family to celebrate his seventieth birthday at Rockpool House, his stunning mansion set high on the cliffs on the Cornish coast. But the festivities come to an abrupt end when Baz is found dead, floating fully clothed in his infinity pool.

Tallulah, a boho-chic Californian and Baz’s first love, is convinced that his death wasn’t an accident. He’s just published his tell-all memoir, and the list of those who might wish him harm is long. But with just eight guests at Baz’s luxury, gated home, who could have killed him—and why?

Tallulah hires Ally Bright and ex-cop Jayden Weston to uncover the truth. It’s a case that becomes a race against time, and one that will push Ally and Jayden to their limits as they draw ever closer to a killer. A killer who’s hiding in plain sight and feels they have nothing to lose…

The Rockpool Murder Review

Firstly, I absolutely love this series!  I’m so excited that after The Rockpool Murder we have three more novels to come!  Yes!  The rights have been optioned for a TV series and I’m pretty much excited about that too.  I feel as if I know these characters well now and would love to see them acted out on the screen.

Loved being back with Ali and Jayden (and everyone!) seeing their lives move on and the chances they take – Ali putting herself out there with her art and moving on a bit more from her grief, Jayden making a tough decision (I had no idea what he would choose but did think he would lean one way – when we find out his decision, I loved the why!).  I really enjoy the underlying family theme to these stories.

This time there is an interesting cast of characters staying at The Rockpool house for Baz’s birthday.  Dysfunctional family and underhand business relationships are hard to navigate at the best of times but when there’s a crisis ripping off masks, vulnerabilities and bitterness are there for all to see … I found it easy to identify with each and every one. Our very own Saff is doing the catering and gets caught up in it all.  As does Gus.  Dear, sweet, Gus, who has his own problem to solve and had me barely breathing as I sat with Ali and Jayden waiting to hear. 

As in the previous stories, I had my suspicions about the perpetrator/s and again, I was wrong.  I should have known not to second guess after realising who was in the prologue wasn’t who I thought it was!  Very clever.

Emylia Hall’s writing style makes it so very easy to step into these people’s lives and experience everything they do.  The weather and settings are an intrinsic part of the story (OMG the heat!  And the storm!) adding the unexpected and very tense moments.

With Ali’s unexpected visitor, Jayden’s news and Gus (hopefully!) being a permanent fixture, there will definitely be more changes to come.  I can’t wait for November and the publication of The Death at the Vineyard.

Another easy 5* read in this series.

Related Books

• The Shell House Detectives (the first book in the series)
• The Harbour Lights Mystery (second book in the series)
• The Thousand Lights Hotel
• The Sea Between Us
• A Heart Bent Out Of Shape
• The Book of Summers