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...
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[It was early morning at Seaspray Cottage and Detective Chief Inspector Mike McGuire was standing behind Pearl Nolan, the palms of his strong hands shielding her eyes]***
(Constable, 14 July 2020, 320 pages, paperback, #ARC from the publisher and voluntarily reviewed, #BlogTour 29 June via @RantomTTours)
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I don't read cosy mysteries very often but I wanted to read this book because it's set in Whitstable, a place I've never been but I like the sound of. That seems as a good a reason as any to read a book. This is far and above the standard of other cosy mysteries I've read and I might check out the author's other books. The setting works really well and the author does a great job of bringing Whitstable to life. It felt so real to me I could believe I was really there, helping Pearl. Pearl is a great character and I want to get to know her better. She's not in a good place here, caught between the people of the village she loves and has lived with for a long time and the developers who want to build new houses on the green open Downs. The locals oppose the development and Pearl, unfortunately, can see both sides of the argument. Then tragedy, or murder strikes, on both sides of the fence and Pearl is caught up in the whole mess. I had no idea who the killer was and loved the way the author uses suspense and misdirection. I'd highly recommend this.
