I think that Emylia Hall's excellent series does not garner the attention that it deserves. I have found every title in the Shell House Detective books to be enjoyable.

The stories are set in Cornwall with the area brought to live in a way that lets me recall past time there and leaves me wishing that I could go back.

The Shell House Detectives are Ally and Jayden. Ally's husband Bill was a local police officer who has died by the time that the series begins. She becomes close to a divorced writer, Guy, in the earlier books. Jayden stands out in the community where most people are white. He is married and at the time that this story begins, his second child has just been born. As a side note, credit to the author for acknowledging how difficult the days of parenting a newborn can be. Ally and Jayden began solving cases (of course) in the first of the series.

As this story begins, an arts festival is about to start. A famous artist has returned to be the guest of honor. Interestingly, he does not seem to bring his best work. He does bring an art dealer, semi significant other who (no spoiler because it happens early in the novel), is murdered. Was she the intended victim? Will there be other deaths? Is the graffiti that is popping up related to the murder? These are just some of the questions requiring answers in the story.

There are many characters to follow. The story line is involving.

Of interest to those who have followed Ally and Gus, a man from Ally's past has arrived for the festival. Will he and Ally rekindle their relationship? What has brought him back?

This book is about 400 pages long which I loved as I was happy to remain in the company of these characters.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this book. All opinions are my onw.

Note: The e book costs under $5.00 which amazes me

Pub date: 08 April 2025

The audio book:

I toggled between reading and listening as I often do. Listening while I exercise makes the time so much more enjoyable.

The narrator here is spot on...easy to understand, able to speak in the voices of the different characters and able to bring the story to life.

Really well done!

Thanks to NetGalley and the audio publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

The official opening night for Porthpella’s Art Trail is upended when a guest dies, possibly poisoned. The police set to work but so do the Shell House Detectives. This part of the Cornish coast becomes a fearful place to live in.

Well written and well narrated novel (I listened to the audiobook). Good characters in this twisty murder mystery.mmany are in danger but who from and why? There seems to be a long list of suspects but will more die before the killer is caught?

The Arts Trail Killer
Publishes April 8, 2025

The Arts Trail Killer by Emylia Hall narrated by Kristin Atherton. This was an amazing mystery/thriller. One that pulls you and has a tight grip until the very end. Springtime on the Cornish coast welcomes visitors to the annual Arts Trail, but instead of a welcoming and happy time the mood drastically changes when there is a dramatic death at the opening night party. Threatening messsges begin popping up all over the village, soon enough fear sets in and then a second brutal murder happened. The Shell House Detectives find themselves in the middle of these crimes with the police as they try to hunt down the killer as fast as possible. A growing list of subjects, rivalries and hidden agendas are unhidden, but the question is who has the means and motive to commit these crimes.
This was my first Shell House Detectives mystery and it did not disappoint. I loved this book, it’s the perfect cozy murder mystery. I didn’t realize until after I finished this that it was part of a series but even though it is, I was able to listen and know what was going on in this book and will 100% be going back to listen to the rest of this series. There were so many twists and it was emotional and it just kept building every minute that passed in the book.

Thank you Netgalley and Brilliance Publishing for the ALC audiobook. This review is voluntary and all my own words.

This cozy mystery has it all - British seaside village, community art festival and murder…. murders. The She’ll House Detectives are on the case but can they find the killer before there are more victims? This is the 5th book by Emylia Hall in the series. I think it would help to read the previous books to understand the characters better. I enjoyed it as a standalone book but missed out on the characters backstory. Kristin Atherton did an excellent job with the narration.

Thank you to NetGalley & Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for letting me read this ARC.

A cozy murder mystery that takes place in a small town on the Cornish coast (UK) the weekend of the Arts Trail where tourists and locals alike get to visit working artists in their studios. This year there is a celebrity guest artist, which means fewer spots for the town’s local artists. The action starts at the invitation-only opening reception, when the famous artists’ clingy gallery representative dies from ingesting poison.
In earlier books in this series (which I haven’t read), we were introduced to a crime-solving detective duo known locally as the Shell House Detectives. Jayden now has a second child with his wife, whilst Ally is still getting over the loss of her husband. They, of course, get involved and seem to work companionably with the local police. Themes of postpartum depression and loves lost and found figure prominently. A solid mystery with a few twists and a solid ending.
My thanks to the author, publisher, producer, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook #TheArtsTrailKiller for review purposes. Publication date is 8 April 2025.

The Arts Trail Killer is the fifth book in Emylia Hall's Shell House Detectives series. The village of Porthpella is preparing for their annual spring tradition, the Art Trail. The celebration turns deadly when a man Is found murdered. Soon threats begin appearing and a second death occurs. The Shell House Detectives are hired to investigate the crimes by some of the artists involved in the Art Trail. Jayden and Ally square off against the police department to find the killer.

This is such an enjoyable series. The small village on the Cornish cliffs setting is wonderful and I love the community that Emylia has built. The books always have a nice mixture of Ally and Jayden's personal lives and mystery. They are a great team and I love that we have a duo that is a man and a woman that are friends and not in a relationship. The mystery had some nice twists. I can't wait to see where the story goes next. Kristin Atherton goes a great job with the narration. I highly recommend getting the audiobooks for this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Engaging and Suspenseful Thriller with a Unique Setting ★★★★☆

The Arts Trail Killer is a gripping crime thriller that keeps you hooked from start to finish. The novel's premise—a serial killer targeting artists along a scenic trail—adds a fresh and chilling twist to the genre. The atmospheric descriptions of the art world and the outdoor settings create a vivid backdrop for the unfolding mystery.

The protagonist, a determined detective with a compelling backstory, is well-developed, making it easy to root for them as they piece together the clues. The pacing is solid, with just enough twists to keep the reader guessing. While some parts of the investigation felt slightly predictable, the overall execution was strong, and the climax delivered a satisfying punch.

If you enjoy crime thrillers with a creative edge, The Arts Trail Killer is definitely worth the read. It balances tension, character depth, and a unique setting to create an engaging experience.