Clive Thompson heads for Whitley Bay caravan park to finish writing his novel. He’s never had a caravan holiday before and is warmly greeted by the manager, Liz Mathews, who lives on the park. She is single and cares for her ninety year old mother who has Alzheimer’s Disease. Clive meets the people in neighbouring caravans and has an amazing view from his veranda over the sea to St. Mary’s Lighthouse. However, Audrey goes missing during the night and Liz is beside herself with worry. The police are out looking for her, but disillusioned by their efforts, Clive begins his own investigations.
I love books set in the North East and Whitley Bay is such an idyllic setting for a holiday...and a suspected murder. Susan Willis paints a vivid picture of the area with her carefully crafted words and I think even if you've never been to Whitley Bay, you could quite easily imagine St. Mary's Lighthouse and causeway.
Clive is writing a book set in neighbouring Durham and he thinks that a holiday on his own will help him finish his book. He ends up investigating a death in real life when one of the owners of the caravan park is found dead on the causeway. This might make him sound like a bit of a busybody but I actually think he is just really helpful and kind.
The caravan park setting creates a wonderful mini-community and there are some colourful characters among Clive's temporary neighbours. I loved delving into their backstories and I felt like I was peeking through their caravan windows. One of the neighbours is hiding a huge secret but if anyone can get to the bottom of it, Clive can.
Death at the Caravan Park is a very entertaining cosy mystery in a fabulous setting. It's like a soap opera in a book with lots of secrets, a mysterious death and a bucketful of drama. A very enjoyable read and one to recommend to fans of cosy mysteries and North East based fiction.
I received a digital ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
My rating:
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About the author:
Susan is a published author of eight novels and six novellas with short stories published in Women’s Weekly magazines. She is now retired from Food Technology and scribbles away in County Durham. Writing psychological suspense and cosy-crime novels with strong, lovable North East characters, is her passion. Last year, she brought us, Clive’s Christmas Crusades, set in York. Following the Harrogate Crime Writing Festival, Susan wrote six Curious Casefiles which is now published by Northodox Press. She has incorporated up-to-date issues: poor mental health in a kidnap scene, the perils of social media, and an intruder on Skype.
Follow Susan Willis: www.susanwillis.co.uk
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Thanks so much for this review - it is my first and I'm thrilled that you enjoyed reading the story. Susan
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