Publication: 6th August 2025 – Storm Publishing
Some holidays are to die for… others are just deadly.
A scenic tour of Cornwall’s dramatic coastline should be the perfect getaway for the awesome foursome – and it is – until the tour’s history expert takes a fatal plunge from Tintagel Castle.
Lady Marjorie Snellthorpe has seen enough suspicious deaths to know an accident when it isn’t one. While the local police write off the victim’s demise as a tragic mishap, Marjorie and her three unlikely companions – sharp-tongued Edna, charming Horace and methodical Frederick – start digging deeper.
What they uncover is a web of bitter vendettas among their fellow travellers. The victim had a talent for making enemies – from his vengeful ex-wife to students nursing old wounds. When a second member of their group barely survives a drowning attempt, the message is clear: the killer isn’t done.
Armed with savvy instincts, endless curiosity and a healthy supply of tea, can Marjorie and her friends solve the case before their Cornish adventure becomes their final cliff-hanger?
A delightfully British cozy mystery filled with friendship, wit and just enough red herrings to keep you guessing until the very last page. Fans of Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club will adore this.
Even though Murder on a Bus Tour is the seventh book in the Lady Marjorie Snellthorpe series, it’s the first book I read by this author so I can tell you that it can be easily read as a stand-alone and that the hints to their previous adventures make me want to read the other books.
The protagonist of the series is Lady Marjorie Snellthorpe, recently widowed and still feeling the absence of her beloved husband, she is a force of nature, managing to get into the investigations and get people to confide in her. Her travelling and detective companions are her vibrant cousin-in-law Edna, the charming and affable Horace, and the steady and thoughtful Fred.
It seems that whenever the four friends go on holiday, they get involved in a murder investigation, and this time is no different as, during a bus tour of Cornwall, a man falls to his death at Tintagel Castle. The suspects include a married couple who’s been behaving strangely since they first met them on the train, a crime author in search of inspiration, a PhD student with a grudge, and a local artist who is hiding something.
Murder on a Bus Tour is a fun cozy mystery. The story is well-developed and moves at a good pace and there is suspense and a few twists. The quirky characters are entertaining and their dynamics are interesting. Overall, this is an intriguing and engaging story, the perfect read to enjoy during the weekend for a few escapist hours.
A huge thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a proof of this charming mystery.
Dawn Brookes is an award-winning and occasional international bestselling author with an MA in Creative Writing. From an early age, she enjoyed losing herself in stories. After a four-decade career in nursing and midwifery, Dawn turned her hand to writing. With over twenty-three novels and more to follow, Dawn loves writing the stories she would enjoy reading. Her keen sense of humour comes out in her writing. “My years as a nurse, midwife, and community matron have given me a wealth of experiences to draw from,” Dawn explains. “I’ve seen firsthand how medical situations can quickly turn complex and even dangerous. I believe this knowledge adds an extra layer of authenticity to my mysteries.” Dawn’s passion lies in character-driven books, films and TV programmes. In her spare time, she enjoys playing golf, watching tennis, reading, travel (especially cruising), and adopting the occasional rescue dog. “I believe there are no limits to what a person can achieve if they set their mind to it, no matter what background we are born into, we should not be restrained by boundaries.” Check out her website for a free prequel novella to the Lady Marjorie Mystery series.
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