Death at High Tide: An Island Sisters Mystery

At the start of this winning series launch from Dennison (the Honeychurch Hall mysteries), 36-year-old Evie Mead learns that her recently deceased older husband, Robert, has left her in financial difficulties, but a document discovered at his accountant’s office indicates she may have inherited Tregarrick Rock, a hotel on the island of Tregarrick off the coast of Cornwall. Accompanied by Margot Chandler, her glamorous Hollywood producer sister, Evie heads to remote Tregarrick to check out her possible inheritance. Nasty Jago Ferris claims he owns Tregarrick Rock, and denies knowledge of Robert and any such document, though Evie later finds a photo of them together next to a picture of Robert’s first wife in Jago’s office. Jago’s artist wife, Tegan, takes a particular dislike to Evie, and two hotel employees are conspicuously cool to the sisters. Two murders and a high tide cutting off the police heighten the suspense. Intriguing characters and an intricate plot lift this twist on Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. Cozy fans will look forward to further skullduggery on Tregarrick. Agent: Dominick Abel, Dominick Abel Literary. (Aug.)