Summer of The Shell House

It’s just over a month since The Shell House Detectives was released and I couldn’t be happier with how it’s going. The reader reviews are amazing, and I absolutely love knowing that my Porthpella crew are being taken to readers’ hearts.

I’m very grateful to everyone who has read and reviewed the book so far. A special shout-out to all the book bloggers who took part in the tour ahead of publication! The support of this novel-loving community is so valuable.

I was chuffed to see The Shell House Detectives appearing in the press too. It was included in Good Housekeeping’s Top 50 Books of Summer (a list that only included a handful of mysteries and thrillers). Meanwhile Fabulous mag deemed it ‘a total treat’, The Sun said ‘an intriguing mystery that perfectly captures how a seaside community is rocked by murder’, and The People’s Friend declared it ‘mystery with heart! Fans of intriguing crime mysteries will adore this brand-new series, which is just crying out to become Sunday evening television.' Smiles for miles.

I spent publication day, the 1st July, in Cornwall, with an event at the stunning Morrab library in Penzance. Set in botanical gardens overlooking the sea, in an atmospheric old mansion, this is surely one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. It was a treat to meet library goers and talk about my Shell House series with such an enthusiastic and warm crowd. And it was pretty special to wake up in the heartland on release day – and get sand between my toes and salt water on my skin.

Last week I had the pleasure of joining bestselling author Jane Shemilt (whose fab new novel All Her Secrets publishes later this month) in an event with the marvellous Max Minerva’s bookshop. We talked to a packed-out room about writing on the brighter/darker side of crime, conflict in picturesque settings, and crafting character – amongst many other things. It’s always so fascinating to compare notes on process with another writer and Jane is one classy act.

I really enjoyed talking to Tiffany Truscott on BBC Radio Cornwall too. There’s a 10-minute clip of our conversation here, where we chat about the setting for the story, the magical act of transportation through writing, and the joy of early morning beach walks in Gwithian.

Another exciting thing about publication? My collaboration with Atlantic Blankets, makers of the most gorgeous woollen and recycled cotton blankets. We marked publication day with a giveaway on the Atlantic Blankets’ Instagram: blanket + book = joy. Their vibe is ‘cosy coastal’ – how perfect a match? – and I love everything about this Cornish family business. The picture I used for this post is by talented Megan Hemsworth, who took all the photos for the promotion, one gorgeous sunny evening in the dunes.

As I write this update, my mind is deep in the third book in the Shell House series, The Rockpool Murder. I’m on a busy edit schedule this summer, with publication planned for spring 2024. Meanwhile in just over two months’ time readers will be able to get their hands on book two, The Harbour Lights Mystery. This series is my absolute happy place – and I’m just so delighted it feels that way for readers too. Have YOU been to Porthpella yet?