Whale of a Crime by Mona Marple

 

A Whale of a Crime by Mona Marple

A Whale of a Crime (A Yorkshire Coast Cozy Mystery) by Mona Marple

About A Whale of a Crime

 

A Whale of a Crime (A Yorkshire Coast Cozy Mystery) 

Cozy Mystery 

1st in Series 

Setting - FLAMBOROUGH, YORKSHIRE COAST, ENGLAND 

Independently Published (April 30, 2025) 

Print length ‏ : ‎ 254 pages 

 

After ten years away, Ryan Kennedy never planned on returning to Flamborough—the tiny Yorkshire village he once called home. But when his fiercely independent gran, Iris, needs him, he finds himself back behind the counter at her chaotic seaside bookshop, wrestling with jammed tills, nosy villagers, and the memories he’s spent years trying to forget.

What Ryan doesn’t expect is to be swept straight into the heart of a murder investigation.

When a mysterious boat appears on the beach and a body turns up at the exclusive Whale Watch Weekend picnic, all eyes turn to the cliffs—and to the secrets the village has been keeping. As Ryan and Iris dig into the tangled history of the victim, long-buried truths begin to surface, not just about the case... but about the night Ryan’s own husband died.

With the tide cutting them off, a killer on the loose, and a very observant dog named Bracken by their side, Ryan and Iris must work fast—because in Flamborough, the past doesn’t stay buried, and the sea has a habit of washing everything to shore.

For fans of twisty village whodunits, seaside charm, and heartfelt mysteries with a slow-burning emotional pull, A Whale of a Crime is the unforgettable first instalment in a brand-new series.

Excerpt

 

“He hadn't expected it to feel like this—like being punched in the gut and wrapped in a warm blanket all at once.” “Welcome home, little brother.” “Because I very much doubt Vic decided to bash his own head in with a decorative whale.” “You could dress a Flamborough lad in all the fancy clothes you liked, but the salt air would always find a way in.” “They were trapped until morning. Six suspects, one murder weapon, and Iris’ grandson caught in the middle of it all.”

About Mona Marple

Mona Marple writes charming cozy mysteries filled with quirky characters, twisty whodunits, and settings you’ll wish you could visit—especially if you love a bit of seasonal sparkle. Best known for her beloved Candy Cane Hollow series, Mona creates worlds where murder meets mistletoe and sleuthing pairs perfectly with a cup of tea. When she’s not writing, Mona can be found walking her Labradoodle, Coco, plotting her next murder (on the page, of course), or hosting reader parties in her cozy online community.

Author Links

WEBSITE: WWW.MONAMARPLE.COM 

 FACEBOOK: WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MONAMARPLEAUTHOR 

FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/332562544209625 

INSTAGRAM: WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/MONAMARPLE 

My Thoughts

A Whale of a Crime by Mona Marple is the first A Yorkshire Coast Cozy Mystery.  The characters are developed and relatable.  I like that the point of view alternates between Ryan and his feisty gran, Iris. It allows readers to get different perspectives. I really appreciated that at the beginning of each chapter it stated whose perspective it was in (no guesswork needed). Ryan’s support dog, Brecken, is adorable, and he is helpful to the investigation. The story had a good premise.  The mystery was interesting.  There were several suspects as well as misdirection.  The book ends with a cliffhanger which makes me curious about what shenanigans Iris and Ryan will get into next time in Murder at the Lighthouse.  A Whale of a Crime is a cute cozy with a seaside bookshop, a Whale Watch Weekend, residents with secrets, a boat and a body, a clever canine, an energetic gran, missing money, and troubling truths.

A Whale of a Crime is available from Amazon.  The next A Yorkshire Coast Cozy Mystery is Murder at the Lighthouse.  You can find Mona Marple's other cozy mysteries here.  Are you ready for the giveaway?  As part of the tour, Mona Marple is giving away an ebook copy of any (one) of her books (winners choice) and a $10 Amazon Gift Card!  To enter the giveaway, click here or enter via the Rafflecopter form below.  Do not forget to leave a comment for an extra entry.  Good Luck!  Thank you for joining me today.  I will return on Thursday, June 5 with Bodies and Battlements by Elizabeth Penney.  It is the first book in The Ravensea Castle series.  I hope that you have a cheerful day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

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Tour Participants

June 4 – Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

June 4 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

June 4 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT

June 5 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 5 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

June 5 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

June 6 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW

June 6 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

June 6 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

June 7 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

June 7 – Angel's Book Nook – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

June 8 – Boys' Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT

June 8 – Sneaky the Library Cat's blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

June 9 – Novels Alive - REVIEW

June 9 – Frugal Freelancer – AUTHOR GUEST POST

June 9 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 10 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW

June 10 – Sarah Can't Stop Reading Books – REVIEW

June 10 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR GUEST POST

June 11 – Melina's Book Blog – REVIEW

June 11 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER GUEST POST

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

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