Really good read! I did not realize that it was part of a series bur I enjoyed it otherwise. I will go back and read the other books and look forward to reading any of the future books by this author. I particularly enjoyed reading about the locations where the story takes place.

Andi Silvers has settled in Coffin Cove and is working on the local paper as a reporter. Then some remains are found at a demolished cottage in the picturesque little settlement in Northern Canada, obviously forty or fifty years old.

Digging for info on the remains, old secrets begin to rise to the surface, and certain more powerful people would prefer the secrets stay just that—secret.

Given that this is my first in the series and this is Book 3, I seem to be missing a little backstory. I was busy sorting out main characters with the support characters when more were added, including PC Beth Stanton. (New to the story and new to the team?) Inspector Vega is supposed to be taking a break, but that isn’t working out well for him. The switch to the Yukon characters was a bit disorienting.

I’m not sure why I struggled with this novel. Perhaps an inability to engage with the protagonist, the confusion of multiple characters, or switch of locations. The investigation continued but didn’t seem to make much headway and as the plot swung into the conclusion became more brutal to the point of gratuitous violence and disbelief. I couldn’t buy survival of that last horrific scene.

A murder mystery set in Coffin Cove, Canada. It was interesting to read about places I am not familiar with and the histories of Coffin Cove and Hope Island. Issues such as colonialism, rascism, abuse of girls/women and modernisation are all included and added to the intrigue.
In all I thought it interesting and entertaining.

I hadn't' read anything in this series before and I enjoyed the setting and characters which were authentic and interesting. Would read the others in the series happily.

The Scoop…
The third in the Coffin Cove series of mysteries and things seem to be going well for Andi. She’s beginning to feel like the Cove is finally home. Then, a body turns up on a nearly island and Andi wants the scoop. It’s not long before a web of intrigue, lies and disturbing events begins. With a solid mystery at heart, a credible cast, a beautifully described location and an intriguing storyline this is a worthy addition to the series.

Residents of picturesque Coffin Cove are awaiting the opening of the redesigned Fish Factory, hoping to attract tourism. Andi Silvers has settled into a comfortable, satisfying relationship with fisherman Harry Brown. The town has partnered with the local Three Cedars First Nation to develop nearby Hope Island, once home to a commune of abused women. But when a body is discovered under a ramshackle cottage on the island, the mystery of its identity will lead to long held secrets, blackmail and murders, with a trail that goes far beyond Coffin Cove.

The third volume in the Coffin Cove series is, if possible, better than the first two and can be read as a standalone thriller. Jackie Elliot has created strong, sympathetic characters. Andi is still dealing with alcoholism and finding her way with steady Harry, Inspector Vega is trying to avoid returning to Coffin Cove, Jim would like to retire and Hepzibah is still managing the café. And again, the location is the star. Atmospheric Coffin Cove with its long, varied history is a place where’d I’d like to vacation. I’m looking forward to the next in this excellent, readable series! 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Joffe Books and Jackie Elliott for this ARC.