Lead Review (Murder at St Alfred’s)
- Book: Murder at St Alfred’s
- Location: Whitstable
- Author: Julie Wassmer
Murder at St Alfred’s by Julie Wassmer, murder mystery set in and around Whitstable.
This is no.11 in the Whitstable Pearl Mystery series, firmly set in and around St Alfred’s. A church is depicted on the book cover, which, the eagle eyed Whitstable aficionados will know strongly resemble one of Whitstable’s own churches – St Alphege. In the Author’s Note, Julie states that St Alfred’s is intended to act as a tribute to several churches in the town, all of which hold a special place in the community.
Pearl and the locals are quickly introduced at the beginning of this novel for those who are new to the series. This novel, therefore, can emphatically be read as a stand alone. She is an amateur detective, she runs the Whitstable Pearl, a cosy eatery that specialises in delicious fish dishes. She is betrothed to DCI Mike McGuire (who is based in Canterbury), their wedding is hovering on the horizon. As any reader of the series knows, McGuire is largely ‘married’ to his work …. so when and how the two devoted partners can make is anyone’s guess.
Pearl’s prime concern is to find out what is going on with her grown up son, Charlie, who has clearly distanced himself and, as his mother, she is only too well aware that he is preoccupied with something.
She is called in by Reverend Pru, who shares that she has taken in, Ryan, a homeless young man and coincidentally a silver chalice has gone missing. Pru is emphatic that there is no link and it does seem that Ryan is establishing himself in the town, building a positive reputation.
Then a body is discovered in the church, someone has been bludgeoned to death by the altar cross.
There is a lovely sense of place, from the shimmering sea in all its hues, the birds, to mention of the Michelin starred restaurant at nearby Seasalter (that’s The Sportsman) and plenty of drives between outlying villages and trips to Canterbury – they all convey a sense of the beauty of the area.
This is a great series that has been adapted for TV (Acorn TV), starring Kerry Godliman as Pearl.
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