The #TFBookClub reads ‘Murder on the Downs’ set in Whitstable, Kent

20th June 2020

#TFBookClub July/August – ‘Murder on the Downs’ set in Whitstable, Kent

Our latest #TFBookClub outing takes us to WHITSTABLE on the NORTH KENT coast for another Pearl Nolan mystery, with Murder on the Downs by Julie Wassmer.

Murder on the Downs

The Whitstable Pearl mysteries are a delightful combination of seafood, murder, and a multi-tasking heroine on the north coast of Kent . . .

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…

Apply for a copy to read along:

If you would like to apply for a copy to read along with us during July and early August 2020, just leave a COMMENT below and tell us whether you prefer PAPER or PDF – by midnight 30th June 2020. (Paper copies UK ONLY). The first names out of the hat on Wednesday 1st July 2020 will be sent copies of the book.

It might still be challenging for the publisher to send out print copies of the book, so please also be open to reading a digital PDF copy instead.

After that we can all start turning the pages and share our thoughts over the subsequent weeks.

In order to read along, you do need to to be a TripFiction member. Please sign up to become a member of TripFiction if you are not already. Simply scroll down on this link until you get to the JOIN NOW tab.

We will be in touch if you are one of our lucky readers, and hopefully you’ll receive your copy of the book early in July. Don’t forget, applications close midnight, 30th June 2020!

Andrew and Tina for the TripFiction team

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Comments

  1. User: Rocky van de Benderskum

    Posted on: 29/06/2020 at 3:57 pm

    I’m very interested in reading this not sure if it would be my literary choice but who knows till you try it?
    I would prefer but I’m open to pdf

    Comment

  2. User: Teresa Starr

    Posted on: 24/06/2020 at 5:59 am

    Would love a paper copy of the book.

    Comment

  3. User: Claire

    Posted on: 23/06/2020 at 8:25 pm

    A paper copy would be great.

    Comment

  4. User: Sara Rosemary Hill

    Posted on: 23/06/2020 at 6:13 pm

    Paper copy if possible please. I don’t really know Kent but would like to read about it.

    Comment

  5. User: Julie Wassmer

    Posted on: 23/06/2020 at 11:24 am

    I’m so pleased that my new book, Murder on the Downs, has been chosen for Trip Fiction’s Book Club Read and thrilled that so many readers are applying to read the book and take part. Lovely comments! Thank you! Julie Wassmer x

    Comment

  6. User: Alan W

    Posted on: 23/06/2020 at 6:13 am

    Can’t wait to read your latest book, paper copy please..

    Comment

    1 Comment

    • User: Julie Wassmer

      Posted on: 23/06/2020 at 12:14 pm

      Hi Alan,

      I do hope you enjoy my new book, Murder on the Downs, and that you don’t guess…whodunit.

      Kind regards,

      Julie Wassmer

      Comment

  7. User: Lesley Morton-Evans

    Posted on: 22/06/2020 at 9:08 pm

    I almost bought a house in Whitstable ! Would love the opportunity to join in with this latest TF book club selection.
    Would prefer a paper copy please. Fingers crossed.

    Comment

    1 Comment

    • User: Julie Wassmer

      Posted on: 23/06/2020 at 12:13 pm

      Hi Lesley,

      I saw your comment about having almost bought a house here in Whitstable and, as one reviewer wrote about my books, you can always…”come to Whitstable without coming to Whitstable!”
      So I do hop you enjoy Murder on the Downs.

      Kind regards,

      Julie Wassmer

      Comment

  8. User: philatel

    Posted on: 21/06/2020 at 10:00 pm

    This sounds like a good read for the summer – paper copy please.

    Comment

  9. User: LisaRowsell

    Posted on: 21/06/2020 at 3:39 pm

    I’d love a paper copy please.

    Comment

  10. User: Vicki Langford

    Posted on: 21/06/2020 at 12:11 pm

    Would so love a copy in paperback please.

    Comment

  11. User: Amanda51

    Posted on: 21/06/2020 at 11:20 am

    Hi TripFiction Team. I’d prefer a paper version of the book but as you say if that proves challenging then by all means a digital version is fine also.

    Thanks.
    Amanda

    Comment

  12. User: lapsapchung

    Posted on: 21/06/2020 at 8:20 am

    I’ve only started to explore Kent and its coastline in recent years and indeed was planning a trip there just as we went into lockdown, so that got cancelled. But even if I can’t go there, I’d love to read a book set there! Paper copy please if the CV situation permits!

    Comment

    1 Comment

    • User: Julie Wassmer

      Posted on: 23/06/2020 at 12:11 pm

      Hi there,

      I’m sorry that you didn’t manage to get to Whitstable due to lockdown but as one reviewer wrote about my books: “Come to Whitstable without coming to Whitstable!”
      I do hope you enjoy Murder on the Downs.

      Kind regards,

      Julie Wassmer

      Comment

  13. User: Nicole

    Posted on: 21/06/2020 at 8:16 am

    I’d love to join in! A PDF copy would be fine for me. 🙂

    Comment

  14. User: Sarah Boyce

    Posted on: 21/06/2020 at 7:01 am

    Hi, I’d love to join in by reading this!

    Comment

  15. User: lindarumsey

    Posted on: 20/06/2020 at 10:06 pm

    I love a good mystery. A paper copy please if possible.

    Comment

  16. User: Jean

    Posted on: 20/06/2020 at 9:37 pm

    Fabulous setting for an exciting adventure

    Comment

    1 Comment

    • User: Julie Wassmer

      Posted on: 23/06/2020 at 12:10 pm

      Hi Jean,

      I can promise you a very exciting ending too – involving a very high windmill.

      I do hop you enjoy Murder on the Downs.

      Kind regards,

      Julie Wassmer

      Comment

  17. User: Allana Turner

    Posted on: 20/06/2020 at 4:23 pm

    Print copy if possible please!

    Comment

  18. User: Andrea Hedgcock

    Posted on: 20/06/2020 at 3:59 pm

    Paper please! I’ve read one of the earlier titles and enjoyed it immensely.

    Comment

    1 Comment

    • User: Julie Wassmer

      Posted on: 23/06/2020 at 12:08 pm

      Hi Andrea,

      I’m so pleased you enjoyed one of the earlier books in my series – and I hope you feel the same about Murder on the Downs.

      Kind regards,

      Julie Wassmer

      Comment

  19. User: Miriam Smith

    Posted on: 20/06/2020 at 3:51 pm

    I would be honoured to take part In this months book club sounds great if any available spaces! Paperback if possible please.

    Comment

  20. User: Leah Tonna

    Posted on: 20/06/2020 at 3:50 pm

    PAPER please.
    I live on the South Downs just below Highdown Hill, & love reading detective stories set in locations I know. This one looks a cracker!

    Comment

    1 Comment

    • User: Julie Wassmer

      Posted on: 23/06/2020 at 12:05 pm

      That’s great, Leah.
      I really hope you enjoy my new book.
      Thanks for applying.

      Kind regards,

      Julie Wassmer

      Comment

  21. User: Rachel Hall

    Posted on: 20/06/2020 at 3:19 pm

    This sounds ace, like a meatier and more modern version of Agatha Raisin and a perfect cosy to accompany the easing of lockdown!

    I would love to take part and would prefer a paper copy is chosen but I am very happy to read a PDF version if not. Thank you very much!

    Comment

    1 Comment

    • User: Julie Wassmer

      Posted on: 23/06/2020 at 12:07 pm

      That’s great, Rachel.
      The Agatha Raisin books are actually published by the same author as my own: Constable at Little, Brown – and Hachette.
      I really hope you enjoy Murder on the Downs.

      Kind regards,

      Julie Wassmer

      Comment

  22. User: Janine Phillips

    Posted on: 20/06/2020 at 2:42 pm

    I’d like paper please x

    Comment

  23. User: Claire Broomsgrove

    Posted on: 20/06/2020 at 2:40 pm

    Sounds a great summer read. Paper copy please.

    Comment