Murder at the Seaside Hotel

Murder at the Seaside Hotel follows amateur sleuth Kitty Underhay as she investigates a suspicious death at her grandmother's hotel in 1930s England. When a guest is found dead in the hotel library, Kitty teams up with ex-army captain Matthew Bryant to uncover the truth. The investigation leads Kitty through the grand seaside town of Dartmouth, from its bustling harbor to its secret wartime activities. She must navigate a web of guests and locals who all seem to have motives and connections to the victim. With historical details of pre-war Britain as backdrop, this traditional murder mystery combines elements of classic detective fiction with romance. The story explores themes of family loyalty, class divisions in interwar society, and the lingering effects of the Great War on a changing England.

Readers call this a cozy mystery with engaging seaside town descriptions and authentic 1950s period details. The protagonist Judy Masters resonates with fans for her curiosity and tenacity in solving the crime. Likes: - Post-war Brighton setting creates nostalgia - Sub-plots involving Judy's personal life add depth - Side characters feel distinct and memorable - Clean mystery without graphic content Dislikes: - Some find the pacing slow in the first third - Several readers note predictable plot points - A few mention unrealistic dialogue - Complaints about repetitive inner monologues Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (296 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.3/5 (1,842 ratings) Amazon US: 4.2/5 (743 ratings) "A charming British mystery that makes you feel like you're right there in 1950s Brighton" - Goodreads reviewer "The middle section drags before picking up for the finale" - Amazon reviewer

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🌊 The book is part of the Flora Steele Mystery series, set in the charming fictional town of Abbeymead during the 1950s post-war period in Sussex, England. 🏨 The Seaside Hotel featured in the story was inspired by the grand Victorian-era hotels that lined Britain's coastal resorts during their heyday in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 📚 Author Merryn Allingham previously wrote historical romance novels under the name Isabelle Goddard before transitioning to mystery writing. 🔍 The protagonist, Flora Steele, owns a bookshop in the town – reflecting a common theme in British cozy mysteries where amateur sleuths often have literary connections. 🇬🇧 The novel captures the essence of 1950s British seaside holidays, a period when coastal towns experienced their last great boom before the rise of affordable overseas travel changed vacation habits forever.