Written by Amanda James

 

 

 

 

Matthew Trevelyar leaves his job in London to return to his Cornish roots in the village of St. Agnes. After losing his wife to leukaemia, he wants to make a fresh start.

His new life is going well until Matt returns to hiss cottage to discover a grim warning on his doorstop. The message is clear – Leave now and go back to London.

Not wanting to give up his new life, Matt eventually discovers that there has been a 200-year-old feud between his family, the Trevelyars, and another local family the Penhallows.

When Matt learns that one of his ancestors burned down a barn belonging to the Penhallos, and that a child died in the fire, he understands why his family name is mud.

But why is Matt paying for the sins of his ancestors now? And is there more to the feud than meets the eye?

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Substantive and Suspenseful Read! 

 

An exciting, intelligent read set in Cornwall encompassing great ocean views and tantalising tales of the folklore and feuds for which that county is renowned.

Having lost his wife to cancer, Matt Trevelyar decides a fresh start is needed and where better than back to his Cornish roots? A teacher, Matt secures a job in St. Agnes – exactly where his grandparents lived decades ago. Happy with his rented cottage and his new position at Penhallow School, Matt is shocked to find a message waiting outside his home .. one which makes it very clear he is not welcome! But this is only the beginning of his troubles . . .

What a story! Beautifully crafted and skilfully-plotted, this intriguing novel kept my attention solidly throughout. When I wasn’t actually reading, I was mulling over the events, dreaming about the characters and considering the possibilities of what was going to happen next. The residents of St. Agnes range from being enchanting to nasty and obnoxious making this a substantive and suspenseful read as we follow Matt through various ups and downs and ruminate as to how it’s all going to end. Trust me, the final pages are worth waiting for and, like me, you may well feel as if you’ve had a lively Cornish break, meeting the locals and drinking in the scenery. This is a fine novel, one I thoroughly enjoyed and well worth each one of the five shining stars I’m happy to give it.

My thanks to publisher Bloodhound Books for both my advance copy of this novel, and the invitation to be a part of this Blog Blitz. As always, this is my honest, original and unbiased review.

 

Tags: psychological thriller

• Format: ebook, paperback
• Size: 242 pages
• Publisher: Bloodhound Books
• Publication Date: 15 April 2019
• Purchase Links: Barnes & Noble
•                                 amazon

 

 

Meet the Author

 

 

Amanda has written since she was a child, but never imagined that her words would be published, given that she left school with no real qualifications of note apart from an A* in how to be a nuisance in class. Nevertheless, she returned to education when her daughter was five and eventually became a history teacher. Then in 2010, after many twists and turns, the dreams of becoming a writer came true when her first short story was published. Amanda has written many short stories and has six novels currently published.

Amanda grew up in Sheffield but now has realised her lifelong dream of living in Cornwall and her writing is inspired every day by the dramatic coastline near her home. She has sketched out many stories in her head while walking the cliff paths. Four of her mystery / suspense novels are set there: Somewhere Beyond the Sea, Summer in Tintagel, Behind the Lie and Rip Current which was published by Bloodhound Books in April 2018.

Amanda, known to many as Mandy, spends far more time than is good for her on social media and has procrastination to a fine art. She can also usually be found playing on the beach with her family, or walking the cliff paths planning her next book.

 

Follow Amanda

Amanda’s Blog: http://mandykjameswrites.blogspot.com/

Twitter: @akjames61

Facebook: mandy.james.33