Deadly Return

The Seacastle Mysteries, Book 1

By: PJ Skinner

Narrated by: Esther Wane

Welcome to Seacastle, a neglected resort on England's south coast. Divorced, broke, and saddled with a malevolent rescue cat, Tanya Bowe has swapped investigative journalism for running a struggling vintage furniture shop. When her tech-savvy stepson, Mouse, invades her life, he's a reminder that the modern world moves faster than she does.

But life takes a darker turn when an old schoolmate is found dead in her family mansion. The police—led by Tanya's ex-husband, DI George Carter, are quick to call it an accident, but Tanya's instincts scream foul play. Determined to uncover the truth, she launches her own investigation.

As Tanya dives deeper, she must navigate a quirky cast of Seacastle locals, work around George's skepticism, and reluctantly accept Mouse's tech support—all while staying one step ahead of a killer who's ready to strike again.

Did Mel fall . . . or was she pushed? And can Tanya uncover the truth before the killer strikes again?

With its perfect blend of wit, intrigue, and seaside charm, Deadly Return is a treat for fans of cozy craft and hobby mystery, realistic mysteries, and twisty whodunits.

©2023 Parkin Press (P)2026 Tantor Media

Starting Over Never Looked So Suspicious

Deadly Returns (The Sea Castle Mystery #1) by P.J. Skinner was a really enjoyable start to what I think is going to be a fantastic cozy mystery series.
At the heart of the story is Tanya, a woman trying to figure out who she is after her life has been turned upside down. She's settling into a new home, building a new business, and trying to find her footing while navigating all the emotions that come with starting over. What I loved most was that her journey felt realistic. She still has feelings for her ex-husband, but she's also beginning to imagine what her future might look like.
The relationships in this book were one of my favorite parts. Tanya has a wonderful group of supportive friends who genuinely care about her, a great relationship with her stepson, and a potential new romance that develops at a believable pace. Both Tanya and the new man in her life are recently single, and I appreciated that neither of them rushes into anything before they're ready.
The mystery itself kept me guessing almost until the very end. Every time I thought I had things figured out, something would make me question my theory. It wasn't until the final chapters that all the pieces finally came together.
If you enjoy cozy mysteries with strong character development, supportive friendships, realistic relationships, and a mystery that keeps you guessing, this is definitely one worth picking up. I'll absolutely be continuing with the rest of the series.