Death In A Deckchair: An Edward Crisp Novella

Edward Crisp #5

by Peter Boon

Edward Crisp receives an invite to a murder mystery event... but is all as it seems?

After solving several murders, Edward Crisp is hoping for a relaxing and uneventful summer break.

But eccentric local millionaire, Archibald Trent , has other ideas. Not only is he upsetting Chalk Gap residents by creating his own private area of the beach for his new, swanky hotel, he's invited Edward to the hotel launch event, which just happens to be a murder mystery event.

Not all is as it seems, and chaos ensues when Edward, along with his trusty teenage sidekick, Noah , and his journalist girlfriend, Fiona , find themselves trapped in the hotel with several people who want Archibald Trent dead... for real.

Can Edward solve the DEATH IN A DECKCHAIR?

And can YOU?

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This book is a novella about a 1/4 length of the full Edward Crisp novels. It can be read as a standalone story, or as part of the series (the timeframe is a few months after book 3, Death in the Closet).

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PRAISE FOR PREVIOUS EDWARD CRISP

'This book is a little treasure to be shared.'
'A happy place book.'
‘Wonderfully written with great characters, I can’t wait to read the next one.’
‘it took me back to the days of watching Miss Marple.’
'The perfect novel for a rainy day.'
‘I laughed, I cried, I shouted aloud and made more than a few wrong guesses.’
‘A fantastic traditional whodunnit brought to modern day.’
‘A real page turner and one I couldn’t put down.’

82 pages, Paperback

Published September 10, 2022

Reviews

[Patricia Moffitt · Rating 1 out of 5]

predictable

After reading 5 books by this author, the plots are very interchangeable. There is a lot of wokeness to them. I know these are current issues but the use of them is overdone. I started out liking them but now don’t tick I will bother with any more.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short so not as in depth as far as the mystery goes. It seems there's a big developer who's opening a fancy hotel in Chalk Cliff. Which is bad enough but, worse, he's managed to convince the town to let him make part of the beach private: only for his hotel guests. Of course, that doesn't go over well with the town.

So when Edward and Noah, and Edward's reporter friend Fiona are invited to a "murder mystery weekend" at the hotel, the family is dead set against them going. Noah, of course is gung ho, Edward is not really very enthused, but Fiona allows as it might be a chance to dig up some dirt on the guy and see if they can't get the whole 'private beach' thing overturned.

Of course, the 'murder' part of the weekend turns out to be the real thing. Further, there's a limited pool of suspects. The book is short -- and held my interest, but I must confess there were one or two points that felt a bit contrived. Still, a perfectly enjoyable entry in the series. On to the next.

[Mike Strong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short. Fun. Uncomplicated. This is what I love about Peter Boon's stories involving Edward Crisp, the amateur detective, and his side-kick Noah. In this very short entry, Edward and Noah (along with Edward's new girlfriend) find themselves invited to a new hotel development to solve a murder mystery. What starts off as a playful event turns into an actual murder. Fortunately, Edward is on hand to solve the case.

Once again, I'm simply astounded by how many murders take place in this little town.

[Cattie Whaley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read

Great Edward Crisp novella. Edward, Noah, and Fiona are back at it when invited to a big fancy hotel where there will be a murder mystery dinner. Unfortunately, their stay is less than perfect as an actual murder takes place. Quick read with our favorite characters trying to determine who did it. Highly recommend!

[Leanne Fisher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a fan of this series, I find the main characters very interesting and well written. I did find this book far too woke though, with too much focus of gender identity. I shall continue with the series, though.

[Gemma Kinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short but sweet episode in Edward's story. Very much looking forward to the next instalment.

[Jerry Summers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edward, Noah and Fiona are invited to the opening of a new resort in Chalk Gap and murder mystery event similar to the new Knives Out mystery Glass Onion. There is a non-binary twist.

[Liz Gates · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read, OK but a bit unbelievable.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun quick read, only downside was that it was such a quick read. Looking forward to reading the next full book.

[Helen Drew-Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’re back in Chalk Gap, home of amateur sleuth Edward Crisp and his family and friends, where a new luxury hotel, Grande, is opening, much to the disgust of Edward’s mother (Linda) and many of the locals. When Grande’s owner, multi-millionaire Archibald Trent, invites Edward, his foster brother sidekick Noah, and reporter girlfriend Fiona, to the VIP murder-mystery-themed opening, they don’t expect to be trapped in a room with Archie’s family and his disgruntled employee’s trying to catch a real murderer.
As with Peter Boon’s previous cozy murder mysteries this short story is fun and cleverly done. A whodunnit with enough surprises and twists to keep you guessing. Edward’s mother and Noah are still my favourite characters in this series, but all of Peter’s cast are interesting, diverse, and entertaining.
This novella can be read as a standalone but if you haven’t already read the previous Edward Crisp books, I strongly recommend you do.

[Donna Morfett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edward and Noah are back in a little novella again to solve a murder. They are invited to the new hotel of rich local man Archie Trent.
Archie has set up s murder/mystery weekend and insisted that Edward and Noah attend, along with Edwards girlfriend and journalist Fiona.
When they arrive things arent all as they seems and what the amateur detective duo (trio?!!) have walked into is a real murder.
For such a short book this manages to cover the of gender identity, pronouns, misgendering and transgender, along with family issues, betrayal, ageism and so much more. All in a lighthearted way.
As always this has an Agatha Christie feel to it, and it was great to be back in this little village and with these brilliant characters.
So excited for the next full length book.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love a new Edward Crisp story, this time, a novella!

This time our beloved Edward and Noah are invited to a murder mystery in the new hotel being built at the beach. With all murder mysterys all is not as it seems and the team are locked in a room to solve a real murder!

I absolutely love this series! Peter is a big Agatha Christie fan like myself and it shows in his writing. They are always a pleasure to read and I immediately put down everything to dive in as soon as i get my copy!

Can't wait for the new full length book coming out!

Peter, once again thank you for allowing me to be part of your incredible ARC team.

[What Is Chelle Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a brand new luxury hotel opening on Chalk Gap's seafront a lot of eyebrows have been raised! Especially by Linda Crisp! But when Edward, Fiona and Noah are invited to a murder mystery night at said hotel they have no idea what to expect - especially when the murder victim is the host!

In true Peter Boon fashion this book did not disappoint! With Noah's hilarity and Edward's talent for mysteries it's hard not to love this dynamic duo and everything they do together. And once again I didn't guess the murderer so I'm once again less than useless ha! Fabulous novella and I always cannot wait for my next Edward Crisp fix!