I’m not sure if (Bella)Donna Nightshade is a great detective, but what I do know is that The End of the World Detective Agency series by Jo Silva is a great series. Pirate blood in her veins, a family that the word “odd” doesn’t begin to describe, and that electricity – and conflict – with her ex, Police Detective Sergeant Joe Enys – what’s not to like, to laugh about, to ponder, to just fully enjoy? And that’s only the beginning of the story about Donna ‘Deadly’ Nightshade.

Donna’s family, Donna included, does not follow the rules. But the way they push the boundaries, color outside the lines, and just stir things up is delightful, unpredictable, and irresistible. The narration, the dialogue, the pacing, the obscure but hilarious references, the witty asides, the ridiculous situations, the crazy characters who pop in and out, the never-ending stream of suspects, including of course members of the Nightshade family, make for a book that you just can’t put down. So many things I could quote to draw you in, but just read and experience it for yourself.

In Murder on a Cornish Isle, Donna’s Edge of the World Detective Agency is hired to spend a weekend undercover on St Michael’s Mount at a reunion of seven sometimes shady souls whose history goes way back to a war zone. It’s kind of a locked room mystery: they’re on an island, in a storm, power off, no way out and old friends are revealing themselves as maybe new, maybe old enemies. Who to believe, who to trust, who’s guilty as murder starts happening?

And in addition to the reunion of those old friends/enemies, there is the constant tension of the almost-reunion of Joe and Donna. Edge close, drop back, edge in again, she’s afraid to wonder, to speak, he’s afraid to reveal too much, has regrets about a certain assistant of his.

This book and this series are just so much fun, so funny, so witty, so enjoyable. I was thrilled to receive an advance copy of Murder on a Cornish Isle via NetGalley from Harper Collins UK One More Chapter and I hope, hope, hope that this series goes on and on and on. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own. ( )

private-investigators, Cornwall, sly-humor, situational-humor, series, verbal-humor, local-law-enforcement, reunion, veterans, snarky, small-town, small-business, threats, politicians, amateur-sleuth, infidelities, closed-circle-mystery, anaphylaxis, storms, tidal-island, romance, friction, friends, attempted-murder, investigations, murder, family-business, family-dynamics*****

Really, I have to start with a complaint about the varying names of this book. Not about the story itself!
First: this is not a boring, staid, suspenseful, detective procedural, but the investigation is good and well worth the reading time. It is a good cozy mystery with fascinating characters, sneaky twists, and incredible red herrings. Great cozy read!
Second: There is no way that any reader cannot laugh sox off! This is even more hilarious than the first episode of the Nightshade family and the Edge of the World Detective agency. The world building is fairly current but it still is a fantastic escape from the news media.
I requested and received an EARC from HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter via NetGalley. Thank you! ( )