Murder on the Downs
A controversial new property development is planned in Whitstable which will encroach upon the green open space of the downs, to the dismay of Whitstable residents who view this as the thin end of the wedge with regard to local wildlife conservation.
A campaign springs into life, spearheaded by a friend of Pearl’s family, Martha Laker. A committed environmentalist, Martha is no stranger to controversy herself. She has also managed to divide opinion across town, with the locals viewing her as their fearless champion while establishment figures seeing only an interfering agitator.
Tensions escalate between the developers and Whitstable residents, straining Pearl’s close relationship with London-born police officer, DCI Mike McGuire, who harbours concerns that the local campaign will spiral out of control. Pearl’s loyalties are torn, but the protest duly goes ahead – and newspaper headlines claim a moral victory for the residents in this David and Goliath battle.
But the victory is short lived when Pearl discovers a dead body on the downs…
‘A tried-and-tested crime recipe with Whitstable flavours that makes for a Michelin-starred read’ Daily Mail
ISBN: 978-1472130099
Publication date: 07 May 2020
Page count: 320
Imprint: Constable
Reviews
Murder on the Downs
Pearl Nolan has an unfortunate habit of finding bodies. When there is a murder in Whitstable, an occurrence more common than is decent for a quiet seaside resort, it is Pearl who invariably stumbles over the corpse.
Understandably, her semi-live-in-lover, a CID chief inspector, would rather she stuck to her day job running the best seafood restaurant in town.
Undeterred, Pearl sets out to identify the killer of three activists involved in a dispute over the development of a green site. Trouble is, the victims represent both sides of the argument. So where is the motive?
To find out, Pearl has to dive into the murky waters of local politics, a hazardous enterprise that puts her own life at risk.
Moving at a cracking pace, the story has Pearl, now an established readers’ favourite, with a more settled family life. If only she would stop finding bodies.
Murder on the Downs
This is a cozy mystery with a conscience. The author’s knowledge and love for the area of Whitstable and the Downs comes through clearly and the topical subject of the ever increasing need for more homes but being affordable for the locals and built sensitively without spoiling the natural beauty of the surrounding area is prevalent.
Pearl is a conflicted character – as a native to the area, her father was a Whitstable fisherman, she understands the locals dislike of what they call the DFLs – ‘the Down from Londoners’ but as her DCI boyfriend is himself from London, as well as being in the police, she finds herself at times facing the brunt of people’s distrust. However, with the body count rising, and with her inquisitive and at times, impulsive, nature, she can’t help getting involved, even if it means putting herself in situations where she shouldn’t!
It is not easy jumping into a series part way through where the characters are established however in this case I didn’t really feel disadvantaged by not having read the previous stories and I was still able to enjoy it even without the character development. I’m certainly now keen to see how the series started and get to know Pearl from the beginning.
This is an entertaining story, with a strong and sympathetic character in Pearl at its centre, a sense of community spirit (despite the murders!), delicious sounding food, and a wonderful sense of place. If you want a lighter crime read, then this is recommended.
Murder on the Downs
Read Julie Wassmer’s latest outing for private detective and restaurant owner Pearl Nolan, and you’ll conjure up an image of Kent’s coastal town of Whitstable being as violent as The Bronx. Nothing could be further from the truth.
In Murder on the Downs, Pearl is stuck between a rock and a hard place. A new property development is on the cards, encroaching upon the green open space of the Downs, a favourite spot for local residents. Soon, Pearl’s son Charlie and her Mum are joining the protest camp, led by force-of-nature environmentalist Martha Laker. But the developers are trying to persuade Pearl to be their mole in the community, putting her in a difficult position with everyone, including on-off boyfriend DCI Mike McGuire of the Canterbury Police.
Tensions escalate, and then the body count starts to rise….
Julie Wassmer has crafted another cosy murder mystery, set in this atmospheric Kent location where she has lived for 20 years. Along with regulars Pearl, Charlie, her Mum and DCI McGuire, we’re introduced to a host of colourful characters on both sides of the argument, at the same time as she deftly airs the real-life conflict of over-development versus opportunities for new homeowners.
‘A tried and tested crime recipe with Whitstable flavours‘ says the Daily Mail. ‘While Oxford has Morse, Whitstable, famous for its oysters, has Pearl.’
Julie has found a successful formula. Her Pearl mysteries are fun and well-crafted, as you’d expect from a professional TV drama writer who worked on Eastenders for almost 20 years. And for lovers of TripFiction, there’s the integral pleasure of the author’s passion for a sense of place:
I love the idea of location becoming almost another character in a novel, and I’m lucky to be able to feature not only a seaside location here in Whitstable, but also beautiful local countryside and the great city of Canterbury just a few miles away.‘
‘I know many readers will never be able to visit Whitstable in person, but I hope reading my books will allow them to feel they can still enjoy a welcome break here on our mysterious coast…‘
The very definition of TripFiction! And for this reader, who spent many of his formative years living in the area, the enjoyment of reading Murder on the Downs was as much about a nostalgic trip back to the region, as it was the story. My heart lifted when one of Julie’s characters ventured somewhere I knew as well as Pearl a lifetime ago. Tankerton, Whitstable, Canterbury, Chestfield, ‘the dual carriageway known locally as the Old Thanet Way‘, Borstal Hill, ‘the Old Neptune – the white clapboard pub that stood on Whitstable beach itself.’
Such happy memories from nigh on 50 years ago…and without all that murder and over-development.
Murder on the Downs
Murder on the Downs is the seventh book in the Whitstable Pearl Mystery series of books by Julie Wassmer, but is the first one I’ve read. It reads very well as a standalone, however, and is a sublime cosy mystery that makes for a perfect summer read.
Set against the backdrop of the seaside town of Whitstable, the story begins as Pearl and DCI Mike McGuire return from a blissful weekend away. But then news of a controversial new property development breaks and a campaign soon springs to life, spearheaded by friend of the family, Martha Laker. Tensions soon begin to escalate between the developers and the residents of Whitstable, causing problems between Pearl and Mike, who fears the local campaign is about to spiral out of control. But the protest eventually goes ahead, with the newspapers soon declaring a win for the people of Whitstable!
However, just as the residents begin to celebrate their victory, Pearl discovers a dead body on the downs…
What follows is a light but suspense filled cosy murder mystery that kept me guessing throughout. Murder on the Downs is a pure delight, the author bringing Whitstable vividly to life, her gorgeous writing instantly transporting me to the sights and sounds of this lovely seaside town. Filled with a cast of colourful characters who I quickly came to care about, this is a book that once started I could not put down, reading the whole thing in one sitting as I was enjoying it so much!
What a sublime read Murder on the Downs is! A gentle, character driven murder mystery tale that I did not want to end, I look forward to spending more time in the company of the residents of this lovely seaside town again very soon!
A light and easy read that I would highly recommend, Julie Wassmer has written the perfect book to lose yourself in this summer.