The Lone Island Mystery
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Amazon Publishing
Published:28th Apr '26
Should be back in stock very soon
'Packed with atmosphere, heart and a rising sense of menace.'—Gilly Macmillan
'My favourite cosy crime writer.'—Lucy Clarke
A wealthy family. An isolated island. A dead body. Is it a tragic accident or foul play? The Shell House Detectives are investigating again…
Lone Island is a remote and windswept spot, but for nature reserve warden Pippa Grant it’s always been a haven. Until a body washes ashore—and she’s the one to find it.
The police believe the deceased, Axel Marks, accidentally fell from the cliffs near Porthmerrin House, the grand estate on the mainland where Axel’s mother once served as housekeeper to the Grey family. But Pippa is adamant that there’s more to Axel’s death, and begs Ally and Jayden, the Shell House Detectives, to take the case.
Soon it emerges that Axel had a troubled past, and a complicated history with both Edward Grey and his son, Lucas. As the reasons behind Axel’s visit to Porthmerrin become clear, Ally and Jayden feel sure that the house holds the key, and both owners and staff come under scrutiny. But when the police switch their focus back to Lone Island, Ally and Jayden are forced to question whether it’s their client who has something to hide.
Was Axel murdered out of jealousy and greed, or because of an ancient betrayal? And how far will the killer go to achieve their ultimate goal? As Ally and Jayden finally bring the devastating truth to light, it’s clear that Axel’s death was just the beginning of the story…
‘The Lone Island Mystery is packed with atmosphere, heart and a rising sense of menace that’ll keep you turning pages propulsively. The setting is stunning, too. Pure escapism for the cosy crime lover.’ —Gilly Macmillan, bestselling author of The Nanny and What She Knew
‘What bliss to return to the Cornish village of Porthpella and Emylia Hall’s wonderful cast of characters for another brilliantly twisty mystery. The writing is sublime, the characters are so well-drawn they feel like old friends and the page-turning plot kept me guessing the whole way. The Shell House Detectives series just gets better and better — The Lone Island Mystery might be my favourite so far!’ —Lucy Diamond, bestselling author of The Beach Cafe
‘The Lone Island Mystery has everything you could wish for in a crime novel: a twisting, clever, keep-you-guessing plot; a vibrant cast of characters in which no one is quite what they seem; and a gorgeous, utterly transporting Cornish coastal setting. Fans of the series will relish Ally and Jayden’s newest puzzle, which tests the detectives’ skills to the limit, drawing them into a labyrinth of hidden pasts, broken bonds, and long-buried secrets. Emylia Hall’s latest is a deeply enjoyable, beautifully written, and devilishly smart story, and she is my favourite Cornish crime writer. Fabulous.’ —Emma Stonex, bestselling author of The Lamplighters
‘Another cracker from Emylia Hall. Gripping, emotionally rich, and brilliant characters. I don’t typically read crime but I am a huge fan of this series for the way it blends all the best bits of women’s fiction with the pace and intrigue of a mystery. Bravo!’ —Libby Page, bestselling author of The Lido
‘The Lone Island Mystery has everything I could have wanted from the next instalment of The Shell House Detectives: a remote, windswept island, a mysterious death, and a cast of intriguing suspects. Another beautifully written novel from my favourite cosy crime writer.’ —Lucy Clarke, bestselling author of The Castaways and One of the Girls
‘The world of the Shell House Detectives is so well-drawn that each new book feels like a reunion with old, beloved friends. This latest instalment is no exception, with another deliciously twisting plot of old resentments and simmering tensions, all played out against the epic backdrop of west Cornwall.’ —Kate Riordan, bestselling author of The Heatwave
ISBN: 9781662533891
Dimensions: 200mm x 133mm x 25mm
Weight: 340g
395 pages