#TheHighTideMurder #NetGalley
Emylia Hall has become one of my favorite authors of traditional mysteries. Each of her titles is now a must read for me with my always looking forward to the next in the series.
This time, as the story opens, Jayden and Cat are celebrating with some time alone at an ultra luxury hotel in Cornwall. (If it weren’t for the nefarious events, I would certainly stay there!) The two run into someone with whom Cat went to school. Summer is now a travel blogger on a paid junket that she hopes to enjoy with her boyfriend, Blake.
However, soon so many things go wrong. An ex (abusive) policeman is murdered leaving behind a number of suspects but not many mourners. Summer’s boyfriend and others are arrested.
Are the crimes related to abusive police tactics? Broken promises? A 40 year old “accident?” The pages will turn as readers watch for the resolution.
Ally and Jayden have been hired to look into the case. Readers can trust that they will solve it as Hall tells an involving story.
I love the settings of the Shell House series. The light, the water and the atmosphere of Cornwall are so vivid in these stories. I also very much like spending time with the many recurring characters and watching their relationships evolve and grow.
I highly recommend this book and series. I feel that it is most deserving of more attention and readers.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK-Thomas Mercer for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 04 November 2025
Post first published on 25 December 2025
Description:
from the publisher
“Atmospheric, propulsive, and menacing . . . the perfect mystery to curl up with this autumn.”—Lucy Clarke
“Few writers can pull off a devilishly twisting mystery while infusing the story with such soul” —Emma Stonex
A violent storm. An isolated hotel. A brutal murder. The Shell House Detectives are on the case—and everyone here is a suspect.
The High Tide Hotel, overlooking stunning Trebaron Cove, is a dream destination for an autumnal getaway. But the serene atmosphere of this luxury enclave is shattered when the body of a guest is discovered on the terrace, directly below their balcony.
The victim’s friend is adamant that this was no accident, and when it emerges that the dead man was a detective with a chequered past, the police enquiry intensifies. Meanwhile fellow guest Jayden, one half of the Shell House Detectives, wastes no time in bringing Ally on board to help find the killer.
With the hotel cut off by a storm on the night of the murder, everyone at the High Tide is a suspect. As Ally and Jayden delve deeper into the pasts of both guests and staff, they uncover a mass of secrets and complex connections. Who wanted this man dead—or rather, who wanted him dead most? As the tide turns, the investigation leads them into a life-or-death situation. Who will pay the final price for discovering the truth?
A Note From the Publisher
Emylia Hall lives in Bristol with her husband and son, where she writes from a hut in the garden and dreams of the sea. She is the author of the Shell House Detective Mysteries, a series inspired by her love of Cornwall’s wild landscape. The first, The Shell House Detectives, was a Kindle Top 10 Bestseller, with the rights being optioned for TV. The High Tide Murder is her sixth crime novel. Emylia has published four previous novels, including Richard and Judy Book Club pick The Book of Summers and The Thousand Lights Hotel. Her work has been translated into ten languages, and broadcast on BBC Radio 6 Music. She is the founder of Mothership Writers and is a writing coach at The Novelry.
Instagram: @emyliahall_author
X: @emyliahall
Editorial Reviews
Review
‘Atmospheric, propulsive, and menacing—plus all the deliciously cosy Shell House vibes—The High Tide Murder is the perfect mystery to curl up with this autumn.’ —Lucy Clarke
‘A new Emylia Hall novel is always such a treat and The High Tide Murder did not disappoint. I was gripped from the very first page, unable to put the book down until the end. A brilliant cast of characters, brimming with emotion and intrigue, all set against an escapist Cornish backdrop. What more could you want?’ —Libby Page
‘I loved this book for its intelligent plotting, its bursting heart, its clever surprises, and its company of characters who have fast come to feel like family. Few writers can pull off a devilishly twisting mystery while infusing the story with such soul; I savoured every page of this wonderful, life-affirming read and cannot wait for the next one.’ —Emma Stonex
‘Windswept and utterly unputdownable, this is the perfect winter read. The Shell House detectives are fast becoming my favourite literary duo and Emylia Hall is a genius. Brilliant!’ —Veronica Henry
Other Emylia Hall books:
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 