Murder On Mustique

Finding that I needed to turn the pages faster and faster to try and find out whodunnit, as I surely couldn't guess, proved this book's success on my Kindle.

Even if this story wasn't set on a small Caribbean island, it would have made for a great closed community murder mystery. Nevertheless, because of this writer's background, she perfectly describes the island, it's setting and community. One could easily close their eyes and be on the island, the accuracy is so good.

Having enjoyed the majority of the characters (some we were supposed to dislike), it was fitting that the policeman would do such a great job, despite a boss who was set against success.

I hope this writer has already penned the next in the series, with a similar setting, although it should not become Death in Paradise. Lady Vee has a long way to go, even if this means visiting other islands.

I'm left wondering if the coral came back to life, unlike the high death count.

I wasn't sure about this book when I started reading it but thoroughly enjoyed it. DS Solomon Nile returns home to Mustique after spending years in Oxford. He's the only full time policeman. Nothing ever happens there until people start being murdered and with help from Lady Vee and Lily Calder they start trying to find the murderer

Everyone who loves a murder mystery or good old detective novel will love this book. The characters are well developed and you can’t help but love the predictability of the books structure. The plot was well thought out and so the book raced along. With hints and clues woven through, you can’t help guessing who did it. There are a few surprises along the way... I won’t ruin them for you. A fabulous island murder, who done it?!?

I found this a fascinating book to read. I was about three-quarters of the way through it when I made the connection - Anne Glenconner is Lady Glenconner who was actually a lady-in-waiting to Princess Margaret. Her character is disguised as Lady Vee, but it made me wonder how much of the story is fiction and how much is autobiographical. It doesn't matter either way as it's a cracking story. Not only kept me interested, but I ended up reading it in one sitting.

Loved it.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I read a free advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

Wow! This is an amazing book, written by an equally amazing lady.

The story is beautifully crafted, full of wonderful personal touches.

Very exciting with a few very well hidden surprises.

Very highly recommended.

Anne Glenconner's autobiography Lady in Waiting is also an excellent read.

Mustique, the small private Caribbean island known for its white-sand beaches and legendary parties, conjures up images of glamour and elegance. In this compelling novel, tropical storm Cristobal is just about to hit this paradise island when a young American holidaymaker, Amanda Fortini, goes missing during an ocean swim and is later found murdered. Her disappearance sorely tests the abilities of the island’s only police offer, DS Samuel Wilton, who finds the local community strangely unwilling to help. Samuel encounters an unexpected source of help and advice in the personality of Lady Veronica Innerleithen, however: she is the co-owner and property developer of Mustique. Veronica has her own reasons for wanting to help Samuel: she has never got over the disappearance, of her god-daughter’s mother many years ago that happened in similar circumstances to Amanda’s. But sadly, Amanda and Lily’s mother are not the only women to disappear on this heavenly island…
With cleverly drawn characters, wonderful island descriptions and a tense plot that depicts the febrile, claustrophobic atmosphere in the aftermath of a crime in a small, secluded community, this novel offers not only an insight into a privileged Caribbean lifestyle but also a generous distraction from cold, wet UK autumns to those who choose to read it. Thoroughly recommended!

Murder on Mustique is a deliciously satisfying exotic read for whodunnit fans. I love crime, but (sorry folks) can't bear those set in gritty inner cities or dour environments. The backdrop of the island of Mustique is perfectly painted by a woman who knows it best. I'm not sure what I was expecting from this but it bypassed any preconceived notions I had about it being a light fluffy padded out read. Glenconner is a surprisingly deft and funny crime writer. In the opening pages a young entitled socialite goes missing, I did think oh here we go...but as the story unfolds into why she is missing and her work with a friend on saving the coral reefs around the island (bear with it - it's fascinating!) I was hooked. When another socialite is murdered and strange voodoo etchings on bits of coral are found close to those who had been killed the plot flies. Glenconner paints a fabulous cast of characters from the local police to the island's eccentric home owners, to the supporting islanders many of whom are staff and are rather fond of the millionaires who live on the private island - and the fondness is returned. This is a riveting escapist read which I adored. I really hope Lady Vee returns to help solve more crimes.

Oh I loved this book! Every now and then there’s a book you wish you hadn’t read as quickly as you did - so you could still spend time finishing it... but it was so good I finished it in three days!

Baroness Glenconners insights into the Mustique era of the parties, glitz and glamour of the 50s and 60s. Princess Margaret was gifted a ten-acre plot as a wedding present (Les Jolies Eaux) by Lady Anne’s former husband (the 3rd Lord Glenconner) who bought most of the island in 1958. Her personal experiences of life on Mustique are integrated into the story and make it come alive.

This is the perfect book for fans of Agatha Christie who want a touch of romance and island life in a story. It was exotic, mysterious and I had no idea who the ‘murderer’ was until the very end of the book! I loved Niles police character and learning about Lily - I’d love to read another follow on book featuring those characters again. I found myself googling the locations discussed in the book and wishing to visit Mustique... if only! I have to admit it was unusual reading a book where one of the main characters / voices is a more elderly woman but her history, curiosity and ferocious independence made her incredibly likeable.

The book is beautifully written and I would recommend it to anyone - I wish I had a hard copy that I could share. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I found it hard to get involved in this novel, but I’m glad I did. Set in the Caribbean, on a little island where most of the population were known to each other. A beautiful, gripping read trying to find out where Amanda was and what was happening on a normally peaceful island.

What an amazing read.Right from the very first page you are drawn in when Amanda disappears and her best friend Lily raises the alarm.
What follows is a fast paced mystery and murder on the beautiful island of Mustique.
You can’t turn the pages fast enough and nothing prepares for the shock at the end.
Five stars all the way.