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Seaside Bookshop Mysteries #1
Fish out of Water
Amelia Barry, an IT security consultant from London (and yes, she is on the ASD spectrum), arrives at Leah by the Sea, a small seaside town in North Yorkshire to spend 3 weeks with her godmother, whom she hasn't seen for many years. Amelia needs a break from work, from her ex-boyfriend and from people. But instead, she finds an empty house, a stray cat and ... a dead body. Is the victim her godmother? And if not, where is her godmother, why does the police officer speak so strangely and could all those people leave her alone for a moment? Ah, well... and of course, who is the murderer and why did the woman need to die?
This is a clean cozy mystery with no gore, no violence and no swearing; written in British English (and therefore spelling and punctuation). May contain traces of the Yorkshire dialect.
This is a clean cozy mystery with no gore, no violence and no swearing; written in British English (and therefore spelling and punctuation). May contain traces of the Yorkshire dialect.
198 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 22, 2020
105 people are currently reading
285 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 30, 2024
Amelia is definitely an unusual character. My first impression was someone just out of a psych ward or other place where she hasn't had to do real-life situations, because she seems so overwhelmed by average people, and talking with these people. Slowly we get glimpses of her disability, or peculiarity. She has to have everything stated in simple and plain terms; she flounders over common expressions. "I'll be there in a minute" isn't the exact truth. "Do I need to spell it out" is all wrong unless the speaker plans to literally do that. And she's a counter. "He looked at her for five-hundredths of a minute."
The mystery is mildly interesting, not at all suspenseful. I thought it unrealistic how the officer told her everything, just as if she was a fellow investigator. In general he was pretty free with sharing info about the case--and so was his mother. Wouldn't fly in the real world, I hope. Though it seems he was the only policeman on this case and needed Amelia's help.
The mystery is mildly interesting, not at all suspenseful. I thought it unrealistic how the officer told her everything, just as if she was a fellow investigator. In general he was pretty free with sharing info about the case--and so was his mother. Wouldn't fly in the real world, I hope. Though it seems he was the only policeman on this case and needed Amelia's help.
February 1, 2024
Decent storyline but nothing stands out and needs better proof reading
June 11, 2023
Fish Out of Water
Amelia Barry, an IT security consultant from London, arrives to Leah by the Sea, a small seaside town in North Yorkshire to spend 3 weeks with her godmother, she hasn't seen for many years. Amelia needs a break from work, from her ex-boyfriend and from people. But instead, she finds an empty house, a stray cat and ... a dead body.
The heroine is a girl with a disorder. She takes things literally. But she figured out who was the culprit.
I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.
Amelia Barry, an IT security consultant from London, arrives to Leah by the Sea, a small seaside town in North Yorkshire to spend 3 weeks with her godmother, she hasn't seen for many years. Amelia needs a break from work, from her ex-boyfriend and from people. But instead, she finds an empty house, a stray cat and ... a dead body.
The heroine is a girl with a disorder. She takes things literally. But she figured out who was the culprit.
I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.
Read
July 2, 2025DNF - I’m struggling these days 🫠
February 15, 2024
Amelia Barry arrives in the lovely seaside town of Leah-by-the-Sea for a quiet vacation visiting her godmother. Shortly after she arrives, she finds a body on the beach and wonders if it is her godmother. The people in the small town are odd and gossipy and this is the first murder case for the police officer. Amelia only wants to be helpful, but her desire to do so may make her the next target.
This was a fun and quick cozy mystery. It captures small town life and how everyone knows everyone's business well. Amelia is a sweet character on the ASD spectrum, and I think it's accurately and respectfully portrayed. She's highly intelligent, logical, and detail oriented, but she struggles to read other people's body language, understand sarcasm and turns of phrases, and shows few emotions. It gives the book a unique perspective, but in the same turn, with it being from Amelia's point of view, we don't get to see layers in other characters.
This was a fun and quick cozy mystery. It captures small town life and how everyone knows everyone's business well. Amelia is a sweet character on the ASD spectrum, and I think it's accurately and respectfully portrayed. She's highly intelligent, logical, and detail oriented, but she struggles to read other people's body language, understand sarcasm and turns of phrases, and shows few emotions. It gives the book a unique perspective, but in the same turn, with it being from Amelia's point of view, we don't get to see layers in other characters.
April 29, 2021
Amelia is an interesting character indeed.
It is not often that I have read a book with a main character that has a disorder that has them being very at odds with the other characters in the book. Amelia seems like she falls under the autism spectrum as a highly functioning individual. Highly intelligent, logical to the extreme, and aware that her ‘weirdness’ makes others uncomfortable around her. It was interesting to see how a protagonist like this would function, but Amelia actually worked very well in this setting. Unfortunately I don’t think the book did her justice as there wasn’t enough time to give the her and other characters as much depth as they deserved. Still, watching Amelia interact with Sgt. Webb, Martha, Creepy Trudy, Mr. Palmer and others kept me engaged in the story.
3.5 stars ⭐️
It is not often that I have read a book with a main character that has a disorder that has them being very at odds with the other characters in the book. Amelia seems like she falls under the autism spectrum as a highly functioning individual. Highly intelligent, logical to the extreme, and aware that her ‘weirdness’ makes others uncomfortable around her. It was interesting to see how a protagonist like this would function, but Amelia actually worked very well in this setting. Unfortunately I don’t think the book did her justice as there wasn’t enough time to give the her and other characters as much depth as they deserved. Still, watching Amelia interact with Sgt. Webb, Martha, Creepy Trudy, Mr. Palmer and others kept me engaged in the story.
3.5 stars ⭐️
February 11, 2024
I was really disappointed with this story. The characters were unbelievable. The narrative felt forced and main characters was not likeable.
I appreciate the personal difficulties and sentiment the writer attempted to convey for the main character but i didn't feel it translated well to the page.
The police were unrealistic, freely providing way to much information in casual conversations. The kidnapping plot didn't work at all, felt more like an excuse to remove a character from the story for a while rather than a pivotal plot point.
This feels like a first time novelist, but all that being said I do see potential in this.
I appreciate the personal difficulties and sentiment the writer attempted to convey for the main character but i didn't feel it translated well to the page.
The police were unrealistic, freely providing way to much information in casual conversations. The kidnapping plot didn't work at all, felt more like an excuse to remove a character from the story for a while rather than a pivotal plot point.
This feels like a first time novelist, but all that being said I do see potential in this.
June 25, 2024
Good mystery; interesting main character
When I began the book I was not expecting a main character who is neurodivergent. For some, this might be off-putting. For me, once I realized it, I felt included; I felt seen. It was a good mystery as well and used Amelia's characteristics to help solve the mystery. Additionally, the main police character seemed to quickly recognize, and appreciate, her abilities and different behaviors. Thank you Emily Selby!
When I began the book I was not expecting a main character who is neurodivergent. For some, this might be off-putting. For me, once I realized it, I felt included; I felt seen. It was a good mystery as well and used Amelia's characteristics to help solve the mystery. Additionally, the main police character seemed to quickly recognize, and appreciate, her abilities and different behaviors. Thank you Emily Selby!
October 15, 2020
Wonderful read
I chose this. Book because it sounded like I might enjoy it.I ,ove Cozy mysteries.
The characters are wonderful, the plot engaging , and I really enjoyed the story line.
A wonderful read. Thank you. I will be reading more of Emily 's books. I hope you write many more in this series.
I chose this. Book because it sounded like I might enjoy it.I ,ove Cozy mysteries.
The characters are wonderful, the plot engaging , and I really enjoyed the story line.
A wonderful read. Thank you. I will be reading more of Emily 's books. I hope you write many more in this series.
January 28, 2021
An Odd Mystery
I have never read a mystery like this where the heroine was so "different". The character seems like she has autism or Aspburgers. Honestly, I know it was to build the character but I found it annoying. While the story was decent, there was such too much of a odd character for me.
I have never read a mystery like this where the heroine was so "different". The character seems like she has autism or Aspburgers. Honestly, I know it was to build the character but I found it annoying. While the story was decent, there was such too much of a odd character for me.
May 5, 2023
I thought this was such an unique cozy mystery. I found Amelia to be fascinating, and Ryan was such a sweet character. The story was well written but I think the story was driven by the author's excellent character development. I hope there will be more of this series. I want to find out what happens. Recommend reading.
February 14, 2024
A fun, well written mystery that engaged my curiosity without overloading my evening with emotional clutter (ie romance, horror or disgust). Reminded me of Nancy Drew from when I was a kid and I felt cozy & happy reading it. I really enjoyed both the writer’s style and Amelia’s personality. A perfect little novella to relax with a cup of tea and now I’m hooked and will keep this author in my TBR for when I’d like some guaranteed “cozy reading me-time.”
March 31, 2024
This was a mildly entertaining cozy mystery. I don’t think it was likely that I would be able to logically determine who did it because there weren’t really clues to get me there. I’d compare it to a Scooby doo mystery where you just get entertained by the character interactions and just go with the flow while mystery is uncovered for you.
April 25, 2022
Amelia is truly a fish out of water
Amelia is visiting her godmother to help her open a new bu. Amelia is a high functioning autistic, while walking on the beach she discovers a body. The adventures start as she tries to figure out how and why the murder happened.
Amelia is visiting her godmother to help her open a new bu. Amelia is a high functioning autistic, while walking on the beach she discovers a body. The adventures start as she tries to figure out how and why the murder happened.
February 29, 2024
Fun, intriguing
At first the main character was a little off-putting to me. Honestly, she hit a little too close to home, but as I got to know her, I felt better. The story was good, held my attention and definitely leaves me wanting to read the next one.
At first the main character was a little off-putting to me. Honestly, she hit a little too close to home, but as I got to know her, I felt better. The story was good, held my attention and definitely leaves me wanting to read the next one.
March 2, 2024
A British who did it book.
It wasn't my cup of tea, a British who did it book. Martha was kidnapped, one was killed. Who did it, well I won't spoil it. I was also bored with this book, just glad I'm done with it.
It wasn't my cup of tea, a British who did it book. Martha was kidnapped, one was killed. Who did it, well I won't spoil it. I was also bored with this book, just glad I'm done with it.
November 23, 2025
BOOK REPORT
I found this little cozy to be oddly soothing.
Which is sometimes exactly what I’m looking for.
Keeping on my Kindle app so I can read the second in the series at some point.
I found this little cozy to be oddly soothing.
Which is sometimes exactly what I’m looking for.
Keeping on my Kindle app so I can read the second in the series at some point.
November 14, 2020
I liked it enough to get the second in the series. Mistakes, of course. To be expected in these days of poor editing. An easy, cozy mystery.
July 4, 2022
Loved the characters and the story line. Didn’t like all the errors. There were so many it spoiled my enjoyment. Will try the next book in the series and hope there aren’t so many errors.
February 6, 2024
I do so enjoy Amelia and I look forward to more adventures with her.
February 17, 2024
Cute and cosy mystery that I absolutely loved reading. Amelia was a very unique character and I loved how the author portrayed that in the writing style.
March 2, 2024
Nice cozy mystery.
Thanks to the author for the digital copy.
Thanks to the author for the digital copy.
March 12, 2024
I know that writing is really hard. So it's hard to give a bad review. But gosh, the short sentences. And choppy paragraphs. I felt like I was reading a list of bullet points.
May 12, 2025
This is a 4.25 🌟 read rounded ⬇️ to 4 🌟.
February 14, 2026
Interesting
I had a little trouble warming up to this book. But I am glad i stuck with it. The plot was clever and the characters were well developed.
I had a little trouble warming up to this book. But I am glad i stuck with it. The plot was clever and the characters were well developed.
August 7, 2022
Amelia is an odd duck, but interesting.
October 28, 2024
Rather cute read for in between. Amelia is a rather special character, that gets a bit annoying over time, but then again not, when you really think about it. Definitely a book that won’t stick for long with me, but still enjoyed it.
April 4, 2022
You should only ask one question at a time!!! Is the dead woman Amelia’s godmother Martha??? Who kidnapped her and why and who is the dead woman??? I enjoyed the story and recommend the book.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews