The Birthday Girl is the first instalment of Sarah Ward’s Pembrokeshire-based crime fiction series about Mallory Dawson. A former detective, Mallory comes to Eldey – a fictional Welsh isle inspired by Caldey Island – for a job interview as night manager at the Cloister hotel. Awarded the position, she starts immediately, making connections with the hotel’s staff and guests, but the sudden death of a receptionist is where trouble begins: something suspicious is happening.
Mysterious deaths of guests at The Cloister are increasing each day, and a deadly storm cuts off all contact with the outside world. With her previous line of work in mind, and convinced guests are being poisoned, Mallory takes matters into her own hands, questioning every guest’s next move with a view to discovering who the Birthday Girl really is.
This is a crime novel that will keep you on your toes. Ward is a brilliant author, one whose writing undoubtedly sets the perfect scene at the Cloister. The anticipation of discovering who the killer is will make you want to devour The Birthday Girl in one sitting; this south-west Wales-based crime novel is a thoroughly entertaining read.
The Birthday Girl, Sarah Ward (Canelo)
Price: £9.99/£1.99 Ebook. Info: here
words CHLOE MULLIS
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