Murder on the Pier

A completely gripping cozy mystery novel (A Flora Steele Mystery, Book 2)

By: Merryn Allingham

Narrated by: Charlie Norfolk

Length: 7 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's Summary

Meet Flora Steele - bookshop owner, bicycle-rider, daydreamer, and amateur detective!

Sussex, 1955: When bookshop owner Flora Steele goes for a walk along the pier she isn’t expecting to spot a young woman’s body in the stormy waters below. And she’s shocked to discover the victim is someone she knows....

Convinced the death was not an accident, Flora persuades attractive local crime writer Jack Carrington to help her find out what really happened to poor Polly Dakers, a popular young woman with a complicated love life, who’d been at the heart of village life in Abbeymead.

Jack is reluctant to get involved in another murder case at first, but even he can’t deny that Polly’s fall seems fishy. An argument at a party, a missed hairdresser’s appointment, and a red woolen bobble found on the wooden boards where Polly last stood provide a trail of clues....

As they grow closer to solving the puzzling mystery, the unlikely pair stumbles upon several surprising secrets about those closest to Polly. A number of potential suspects begin to emerge. But who really disliked Polly enough to kill her? Was it Raymond, her jilted first love? Harry, her latest beau? Or Evelyn, Harry’s jealous estranged wife?

As the investigation brings them closer to the truth, Flora is intent on unmasking the killer - but will her stealthy sleuthing lead her down a dangerous path?

An utterly delightful cozy crime novel set in the fictional Sussex village of Abbeymead. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin, and Joy Ellis!

©2021 Merryn Allingham (P)2021 Bookouture, an imprint of Storyfire Ltd.

Critic Reviews

"Fantastic cozy mystery.... Fun to read.... This author knows how to keep the reader’s attention from the first chapter!" (Books and Benches)

Very difficult to listen to

I listened to the first book in this series and had some trouble with the narrator’s voice but the story was fairly interesting so I decided to get this second book. This was a mistake. The narrator’s was so irritating I could not get involved in the story and just wanted it to be over.

I tried to return it but was not allowed to.

Wonderfully engrossing and entertaining!

The characters are likable and draw you to care about them and want the best for them. The mystery was engaging and the killer well hidden in plain sight. overall a great read or listen. I can't wait to open the next in the series!

Voice of narrator is ingratiating-

It is a great story but the narrator detracts from how good the book could be.
Hopefully next book will find another narrator.

More fun and sleuthing with Flora and Jack!

The mystery was well presented. Flora's enthusiasm for getting involved and Jack's reluctance play well together. There friends help create the feel of village life. I am enjoying this series very much.

Enchanting!

I so enjoyed the first book in this series, that I wanted to continue the adventures with Jack and Flora! The story is well written, and I really like the narration by Charlie Norfolk. I don't appreciate it when the narrators change mid series, as I've developed an association between voice and character, so was very pleased Charlie has remained the narrator -- Charlie IS Flora for me. I'll be continuing on with the series, and will look for other things by this author.

Fan

Very entertaining book from beginning to end. I would highly recommend for any lover of mystery.

Cozy interesting and cheerful …

Cozies are my addiction. Think this series will be a good one. Give it a try !

Still really like

I still really like this cozy British mystery series. It's interesting, but keeping track of the characters took some work. My one star off came because I thought Flora's behavior was rather selfish and put the hero in danger. I still liked her, but that one part bothered me.

Enjoyable

Superb narrator. Enjoyable story, but also frustrating. The guilty person was obvious very early on to the reader, but Flora and Jack were completely oblivious despite gathering significant clues that should have lead them much sooner to the murderer. Still, despite Flora and Jack’s unbelievable ignorance, the lovely writing, character development, and other aspects of the story redeemed it. My affection for the characters and the village grew. I love forward to reading more of their adventures.

Great cozy set in the early 1950s

The author evokes a charming English village, post WWII. Flora Steele, the plucky heroine and amateur sleuth, is a great partner to Jack, a veteran journalist turned mystery writer. The narrator is perfect.

I preferred this to the first one!

An easy book to listen to, I found this second book in the series to be better than the first. The characters are more developed. The narrator is still irritating!

A great read

Even though I worked out who the murderer was before the end I really loved this story. Couldn't put it down. As someone who lives in Sussex & has been to the places mentioned many times, it made it even more fun to listen to. Onto book number 3, hope there's many more books in this series.

Delightful Escapism

Another warm and engaging story with wonderful characters. Exactly what.you need on a cold winters night. Loved it.

A great read

This is a lovely book with believable characters. I was on the edge of my seat more than once. This book is for fans of fireside crime. No gore. Lovely

Really enjoyable

What a great easy read that hit all the right spots. I always try to second guess what will happen next, but I don't always get it right. As I didn't till nearer the end of this book. Highly enjoyable book to just sit and read or listen as I did with this book. Charlie Norfolk read this story so well. Highly recommend this book

Thoroughly enjoyable

Really enjoyed this… the storyline had lots of twists and turns that kept me on my toes. The characters were very well put together and linked nicely with each other. Lovely insight into the structure, social expectations & dynamics of village community life in the 1950’s. Definitely recommend it.

Another good murder

This is my second book in this series. I really like them. The characters are good, believable and have layered personalities, which we’re seeing more of in this book. Good plot and I really like the narrator; she managed to capture and convey Flora’s character well I think.

Wonderful plot

Great read could not put the book down,Looking forward to the next.Wonderfully read too.

I'm really enjoying the Flora Steele adventures

This is my kind of book - nothing too aggressive or violent - similar to an Agatha Christie whodunit.
Easy listening, perfect to listen to last thing at night and when I'm dressmaking.

Lovely and relaxing

Beautifully read. I listen to these books to fall asleep to, so I wouldn't say it's the most dramatic story in the world but I don't mean that in a negative way! It's like a bed time story for adults that lulls you to sleep in a comforting way.