5+ stars for The Body at Back Beach by KJ Sweeney #murdermystery #mystery #cozycrime #bookreview #mustread
- N. N. Light
- 9 hours ago
- 2 min read
Title: The Body at Back Beach
Author: KJ Sweeney
Genre: Murder Mystery
Book Blurb:
Helena Statham never imagined herself as a sleuth. But when she stumbles upon the body of a young woman while on a walk, she can't resist the urge to discover who she was and how she got there. Even if it means upsetting the tight-knit community of the small New Zealand town she lives in, and uncovering secrets that have long been buried.
Thirty years ago, a young woman went missing, but no one tried to find out what had happened to her. As Helena investigates deeper, she learns more about what took place back then, putting herself in danger now.
Join Helena on her journey as she becomes an unlikely amateur detective, determined to uncover the truth and bring justice to the long-forgotten young woman whose story has been buried in silence for far too long.
My Review:
Stumbling upon a skeleton on the beach thrusts Helena into the role of amateur detective. Her curiosity unearths secrets in her small town, deadly secrets. Can she bring justice to the murdered young woman, or will someone silence her forever?
The Body at Back Beach is a murder mystery set in a small beach town in New Zealand. KJ Sweeney pens a tale with lush narration, a complex plot, small town charm, and characters that throw suspicion everywhere but on themselves. To say I loved this murder mystery is a huge understatement. The Body at Back Beach is a mystery I couldn’t put down and stayed up late reading.
The star of this mystery is Helena. She’s a fearless heroine with a talent for detecting. I connected with her on so many levels. She’s determined to dig for the truth, no matter the cost.
This is KJ Sweeney’s debut mystery, and I must admit it impressed me. The plot progression, dialogue, characters arcs, foreshadowing, and mystery investigation are all well-written. I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Body at Back Beach and I hope the author makes this a series.
My Rating: 5+ stars
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Author Biography:
Kelly Jo Sweeney grew up in England before moving to New Zealand where she lived for 15 years with her kiwi husband and four wonderful children. An avid reader from an early age, crime novels have long been a favourite. She always likes to work out whodunnit before the big reveal and writing her own novels means that there’s at least one that she’ll always get right. Her debut novel is set in and inspired by the unique scenery of New Zealand, infusing her stories with a wonderful sense of place and atmosphere.
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Reviewed by: Nancy