Another great book from Joy Ellis. Having left the police force Matt and Liz are now fully fledged private investigators and they use all of their investigative skills when Liz’s cousin Christie comes to stay. Christie is researching the myths and mysteries of the Fens but she becomes embroiled in a web of intrigue masterminded by a psychopath. Disconcerting and chilling at times this is an excellent read.

Another 'winner' by the phenomenal Joy Ellis. When I open a book by this author I know I am guaranteed a treat and I certainly wasn't disappointed this book was a real treat. It has several aspects to it: I psychopathic character, weird goings on with Jack-o-lantern, and cold case murder. All tie together perfectly towards the end where, as with the previous Matt Ballard books, we are left with the question: Who dunnit? I know who my money is on but I will leave you to make up your own mind and we may find out in future books who knows what Joy has in store for the characters.

Although this is very much a Matt and Liz book Gina and Christie are the main characters. Christie a lovely woman with a very caring nature who sees Gina for what she really is whereas Tom, Delphi and Jane see her through rose tinted glasses. Gina is a master manipulator she is very intelligent and uses this to maximum advantage to mess with peoples' minds. When Gina decides to use Christie in her games she even manages to get Christie doubting herself.

Christie, Liz' cousin, is a researcher for an author and arrives on the Fens to research Jack-o-Lantern and other mysterious goings on for Auden's latest book but she is in a race against time. Auden is ill and Christie need to get what Auden needs so finish his 'last' book. Matt is looking into a 2 year old murder of a young girl for his old boss and Liz is searching for Frances' sister, Amy who has disappeared. 3 seeming different investigations that all come together to make an absolutely gripping pageturner.

I seem to say this with every book but this could be Joy Ellis' best book yet.

5 golden stars from me

Book Four Matt Ballard private investigator is back with partner Liz Haynes.
Cannon Farm, Tanner's Fen are getting company her cousin Christie McFerran is bringing author Auden Meeres to stay as his new book setting for Marsh Light and Liz would be his favourite guide, not a well man and this could be his final novel both cousins are long over due a good catch up. I enjoyed this story, it was well written, had good narrative and good pacing and the characters were well developed and relatable. I read this quickly and would definitely recommend it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Another excellent addition to the Matt Ballard books by Joy Ellis. I love the setting of these books. A great read.

Thanks to Netgalley and Joffe Books for the ARC of this book.
Joy’s books are always a great read and this one did not disappoint.
Matt and Liz are not my first choice in Joy’s books as a find them a little too slow but this one was an exception. I love the way that all the characters , and there were a lot of them in this book, twist and turn and then all come together for a fantastic ending. The addition of characters from other books was nice too.
There may have been a few too many characters as you did wonder where you were going at times but it was still a really good read.
Can’t wait to read her next offering.

Another well written and descriptive read from Joy Ellis in the Matt Ballard series. I loved the characterisation, Margaret has to be my favourite character but I can't say the same for Gina! Plenty tension and descriptive passages of the Lincolnshire Fens and a complex case, make this another winner for the author which fans will enjoy. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

Joy Ellis books are always so entertaining. The fourth book in the Matt Ballard series and in my opinion the best one yet.The characters are interesting and the plot keeps you guessing right till the end.A thoroughly enjoyable book .

The many characters and plot of this book are relatable and the twists and turns makes for an interesting story. I loved the different connections and was drawn to the mysterious Fen marshes however it took me a little time to get my head around the storyline as a whole.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks to Netgalley and Joffe Books.

You can always count on Joy Ellis to provide a gripping murder mystery with twists and turns but this time she has excelled herself, a truly physiological thriller of the highest sort. Once you start you just can’t put it down the story line gets more intense and intriguing with every turn of the page. Great story well written more please

Holy moly! Marshlight by Joy Ellis really had me on the edge of my seat! Christie, a researcher for a famous author, travels all over the world to experience different locations as her blind boss cannot. His next book will be taking place in the Fens, where her favorite cousin, Liz, just happens to live. The Fens is a magical place. It's also the subject of many superstitions and there are several people eager to share their knowledge of all it has to offer.. It's a good thing that Liz and her partner, Matt, are Private Investigators because there is too much going on, in this town, for Christie to handle on her own.

This is a very enjoyable, easy read in the cosy crime category. The book is in fact the fourth in a series but seems to sit well as a standalone novel - certainly no prior knowledge of the characters is required and there do not seem to be any spoilers for previous books in the series.

The location - the Fens - plays a major part in the story, in fact it is probably better drawn than any of the characters, most of whom are fairly one-dimensional. Ellis seems to know the area and does a great job of integrating her local knowledge into the story - and the local legends presented at the end of the book.

The plot starts off with a missing person being reported, but that storyline isn't really followed through the book - there is a conclusion to the case at the end, but the story is more concerned with the psychological games being played (or are they?) - I can't say any more without spoilers.

Having never read anything by Joy Ellis before, I came to this - fairly long - book with no expectations - the writing is competent but there is an awful lot of exposition which is the reason for dropping one star from my rating. However, the book kept me reading. It's too long to complete in one sitting but it kept drawing me back and I looked forward to each reading session. I will definitely read more Joy Ellis if I have the opportunity, although she isn't an author that I would actively seek out.

This was a compelling and thoroughly enjoyable read from start to finish with a great storyline, interesting cast of characters and all capped off by skilful writing. It's well worth your time if you appreciate great storytellers.

Liz & and Matt were previously police detectives , now retired and working as private investigators .
When I read this book I was unaware that this title was the fourth in a series.
If I'm being honest this did detract the story for me a little , perhaps because I wonder what I may have missed out on !
The story is a friends sister disappears , after acting strangely. Then someone else disappears as well.
There are quite a few characters in the book which takes you down the road of thinking , is it her , or perhaps him.
The area the book takes place in ( the fens ) is a spooky , slightly oppressive atmosphere , and this shows in the book.
A twisty , full on suspense read, which keeps you guessing until the end.

When I requested this Joy Ellis novel I didn't realise that it was book 4 of the Detective Matt Ballard series but I'm glad I did, as the story works quite well as a standalone novel, It was just as atmospheric as the other Joy Ellis books with this one set amongst the Fenlands of Lincolnshire and it has a backstory of the mystery of the willo wisp and hobbylight storys from the area and it is a nice touch having some of the short stories at the end, Marshlight is a slow builder but Joy Ellis cleverly builds up the suspense to a interesting yet satifying conclusion, leaving it perfectly for another book, for which I can't wait.

I usually really enjoy Joy Ellis novels, they have lots of twists and keep the reader going until the end. Unfortunately I found this book quite disappointing, certainly not Joys best. It was fairly obvious from quite early on what the outcome was going to be. The characters were one dimensional and stereotyped . Not the best

Set in rural England's fen country, this story is deliciously atmospheric with superb descriptions of the land, plants (I want that arbour!), Reading Room (want that, too) and renowned marshes. Smidgens of folklore contribute to the air of mystery.

Retired police officers Liz and Matt are investigating a case as detectives. Christie, Liz's cousin, is sent to the fens to research the setting for an author's book and at first stays with Matt and Liz. But, as the book progresses, lives change and the unexpected happens. Christie quickly becomes friends with locals including Tom, Jane and Delphi. Condescending and bossy Gina isn't one of them. Those around her feel Gina is misunderstood. Christie wants to find out why. Meanwhile, she feels right at home in rural England. But murder rears its head and causes angst, rifts and suspicions.

Though atmospheric and tense between characters, this book is a bit light on suspense. However, the plot and subplots are beautifully written and seamlessly knit together. There is also a good balance of likeable and unlikeable characters.

My sincere thank you to Joffe Books and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this fabulous book!

Matt Ballad and Liz Haynes were at work in their private investigation office which they had set up since leaving the police when an email arrived from her cousin Christie . Christie worked for a best selling author as a researcher and was going to be visiting the Fens for research and local stories from the past as her employer was writing his latest book based there. When Christie arrives she makes friends quickly and thinks it would be a nice place to move to but she then meets Gina Spearman , who she takes an instant dislike to.
Events start to take a sinister turn and not everything is as it appears as Christie gets drawn into her friends problems.
I enjoyed reading the book but the characters that Joy Ellis writes about do not make this one of her best books.

Marshlight is the 4th in Joy Ellis' Matt Ballard series.

from description: "An old friend’s sister disappears without a trace. There’s no sign of foul play, but she’d been acting very peculiarly . . .

Meanwhile, Liz’s cousin Christie comes to stay. She takes an immediate — and uncharacteristic — dislike to the local bookshop owner, Gina. Why does everyone put up with her awful behaviour?"

Joy Ellis is one of my favorite authors, but the Matt Ballard series is not my favorite of her three series.

Gina is a game player, a manipulative woman who manages to berate and coddle, denigrate and reward her employees and friends. Christie sees this, but Gina's victims make excuses for her.

Ellis manages to bring to life some of her characters: Tom's mother Margaret, Ian, even Pip and Dominic. Strangely, the more important characters don't fare as well. The inability of Tom, Delphi, and Jane to see through Gina makes them seem quite dense.

NetGalley/Joffe Books
Mystery/Suspense. July 8, 2021.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I have liked every book this author has written and this was no exception. Fast paced story telling, great characters and had me hooked to the end. Would recommend.

Village life is anything but dull in MARSHLIGHT, an intricately plotted mystery by master storyteller Joy Ellis.

Matt Bowen and Liz Jones are settling into their new careers as private investigators in the Lincolnshire Fens. Liz has just given up the search for a friend’s missing sister who doesn’t seem to want to be found and Matt has been asked by the police to take on a cold case, the four year old murder of a local woman. Liz is delighted when her cousin Christie, a researcher for a popular author, comes to the Fens to stay with her while she gathers information for a new book. Christie quickly forms friendships, especially with Ian Hardy, a retired vicar. When he offers her use of The Mulberries, his late sister’s charming cottage and gardens, she happily moves in. While gathering data for the book, she meets Tom Parrish, manager of the local bookstore, and his employee, the effervescent Delphi. The bookstore is owned by Gina Spearman whom Christie immediately dislikes without apparent reason. There are reasons. Good reasons. Before Christie can understand what is happening, relationships will be fractured, cases will be solved and new deaths will occur.

Joy Ellis brings the fens alive! Her descriptions are so evocative that the marshland becomes a major character in MARSHLIGHT. Christie is a delightful new character. I want to read more about her and The Mulberries. This is a 5 star read.

Thanks to NetGalley, Joffe Books and Joy Ellis for this ARC.