´While Oxford had Morse, Whitstable, famous for its oysters, has Pearl´ Daily Mail
Murder Fest is the sixth book in Julie Wassmer´s popular crime series - now a major Acorn TV drama, Whitstable Pearl, starring Kerry Godliman as private detective and restaurateur, Pearl Nolan.
Pearl´s detective agency takes a back seat as she prepares to offer a warm welcome to a group of special visitors. A local Arts Festival is being held to honour a cultural exchange visit from representatives of Borken - Whitstable´s Twin Town in Germany.
Yet very soon, personality clashes surface among the participants; local politicians try to use the festival for their own ends while others jostle for improved billing on the festival programme. Tempers flare, old feuds re-surface and on the eve of the first event, a cryptic message - Murder Fest - is received by the local police. Before DCI Mike McGuire has a chance to investigate, the festival commences with an unscheduled event when a celebrated author is found brutally murdered . . .
Soon the only ´Arts´ on display are dark ones, as Whitstable´s celebration of local culture transforms into a real-life murder fest - offering Whitstable´s Pearl Nolan another mystery to solve.
Praise for Julie Wassmer´s Whitstable Pearl Mysteries...
´While Oxford had Morse, Whitstable, famous for its oysters, has Pearl . . . True to the tradition of classic crime, [Julie Wassmer] weaves a strong story into a setting that has more to offer than murder and mayhem´ Daily Mail
´As light as a Mary Berry Victoria sponge, this Middle-England romp is packed with vivid characters´ Myles McWeeney, Irish Independent
´All of the thrills without any of the gore´ The Sun
´This is a quality title...a very entertaining read´ The Puzzle Doctor
´My new favourite author in the genre´ George Galloway
´A wonderful way to explore Whitstable . . . if you love cosy mysteries, then get acquainted with Pearl (and her mum and her cats!) and enjoy a trip to Whitstable through the eyes of this very convincing author´ Trip Fiction
´Proves she´s mistress of her craft´ John McGhie, author of White Highlands
´Thoroughly enjoyable with a host of wonderful characters - I adore Dolly! - and evocative descriptions of Whitstable. Perfect for foodies too. Pearl is great and the ongoing will they/won´t they love story with McGuire is compelling. Comforting, cosy and entertaining with excellent Agatha Christie-style reveals. I love these books!´ Jane Wenham-Jones, author of Mum in the Middle
´If you enjoy cosy crime fiction and you still haven´t picked this series, then you are missing out´ Alba in Bookland
´Julie Wassmer really knows how to tell a story´ -- Victoria Best, Shiny New Books
´Good, solid whodunits, without gruesome details or gratuitous violence, Murder on Sea may be just your cup of tea´ -- Bec Stafford
´Come to Whitstable without actually coming to Whitstable. A good read!´ Anthony Jemmett
Praise for the TV series
´Scandi noir meets the English seaside in Whitstable Pearl, a murder mystery series based on Julie Wassmer´s novels...´ Drama Quarterly
´...explores all the murder and debauchery in the seemingly perfect English seaside town of Whitstable...´ Washington Post
´...you never know what might turn up, either on the menu or alongside an oyster boat.´ Wall Street Journal