Very happy to receive this review of the Proof of the Pudding in the Western Morning News!
Som
Mike Truscott's Blog
VINTAGE BACK-IN-TIME TRIP WITH ‘NEW’ AUTHOR
It’s always a pleasure to discover a “new” author – the more so when the setting is your home town (Falmouth) and winding the clock back almost a century.
So if that’s your thing – as it is mine – allow me to introduce you to Marina Pascoe and her vintage murder mystery novels set in and around Falmouth in the 1920s, featuring two very likable main characters, Inspector George Bartlett and Constable Archie Boase.
Funny how things come about. I was just checking out my own posters (!) on display in the Falmouth Cancer Research UK shop when my eye was caught by another.
This one was flagging up a forthcoming “new crime writing workshop”, to be held at the Falmouth Hotel on September 30 - http://www.marinapascoe.com.
I got reading . . . then went onto her website . . . then booked my place for the workshop . . . then bought her first novel, Empty Vessels, which I have now just finished reading.
It’s all a little bit different from your modern everyday, fast-moving detective story (you’ll need an attention span of a bit more than today’s average 2.5 seconds), but it introduces some charming characters and is a delight for anyone wanting to be transported back into a different era, different world, different way of doing things, and certainly a very different Falmouth. And it’s all put together with a pace and style that very much grows on you. (Well, it did for me, anyway!)
Marina has lived in Somerset and Dorset for the past 30 years but confesses to getting home-sick for her home town of Falmouth.
She always likes to look for books about local interest when she goes back to Cornwall and was surprised to learn that there seemed to be no novel set in Falmouth.
Hence the inspiration for her Bartlett and Boase mystery series, which have gone from strength to strength.
I can confirm that she has just acquired at least one new fan, who will shortly be buying her second book, Too Many Cooks.
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Mike Truscott's Blog
VINTAGE BACK-IN-TIME TRIP WITH ‘NEW’ AUTHOR
It’s always a pleasure to discover a “new” author – the more so when the setting is your home town (Falmouth) and winding the clock back almost a century.
So if that’s your thing – as it is mine – allow me to introduce you to Marina Pascoe and her vintage murder mystery novels set in and around Falmouth in the 1920s, featuring two very likable main characters, Inspector George Bartlett and Constable Archie Boase.
Funny how things come about. I was just checking out my own posters (!) on display in the Falmouth Cancer Research UK shop when my eye was caught by another.
This one was flagging up a forthcoming “new crime writing workshop”, to be held at the Falmouth Hotel on September 30 - http://www.marinapascoe.com.
I got reading . . . then went onto her website . . . then booked my place for the workshop . . . then bought her first novel, Empty Vessels, which I have now just finished reading.
It’s all a little bit different from your modern everyday, fast-moving detective story (you’ll need an attention span of a bit more than today’s average 2.5 seconds), but it introduces some charming characters and is a delight for anyone wanting to be transported back into a different era, different world, different way of doing things, and certainly a very different Falmouth. And it’s all put together with a pace and style that very much grows on you. (Well, it did for me, anyway!)
Marina has lived in Somerset and Dorset for the past 30 years but confesses to getting home-sick for her home town of Falmouth.
She always likes to look for books about local interest when she goes back to Cornwall and was surprised to learn that there seemed to be no novel set in Falmouth.
Hence the inspiration for her Bartlett and Boase mystery series, which have gone from strength to strength.
I can confirm that she has just acquired at least one new fan, who will shortly be buying her second book, Too Many Cooks.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have had so many lovely reviews and comments about the Bartlett and Boase Mysteries and I thought I'd share a few of them here...thank you to everyone who has taken the time to contact me - it's great to have your support x
EMPTY VESSELS
'Great mystery! Wonderful characters. I am amazed I am the first to review this book. It is written in the golden age style. A little romance gives the characters depth. Ms Marina is a gifted author with a great talent for enabling reader to see the the scene. It is not a nail bitting thriller but a very pleasant read or listen, if you are an audible fan, get it for a car trip or for listening around the house. You will enjoy it.'
'What a great book, so well written, you can hear the footsteps in the street, feel the cold of the fog on your face and picture what every character is wearing. Brilliantly written, highly recommended.'
'A good book, well written with a good well scripted plot enjoyable read, awaiting the next in the series which will hopefully be soon? '
'Watch out Agatha Christie!'
'Brilliant book, can't wait for the next which I believe is due out in a few months.'
'A new duo of Police investigate a death in a Cornish Town. A good read.'
'As a Cornish resident I easily relate to the places mentioned in Empty Vessels so that makes it even more enjoyable for me. A great read!'
'Thank you for the reminder of the new book. Loved Empty Vessels.'
'This novel combines all the great attributes of English vintage murder mysteries. Time place and characters are all drawn perfectly within a great plot. Recommended 110% Next one please.!!!!!!'
'It was great, full of atmosphere and suspense, and it was really nice knowing Falmouth and recognising all the places.'
'A very good read. "Empty Vessels" is my first murder mystery read and it certainly won't be my last! A brilliant book that with every page has you wanting moreI read this book whilst on holiday in Falmouth on the recommendation of a friend of the author, I loved it. There are lots of twists and turns to the book and having seen the places the author talks of made it all the more enjoyable. It was so good I just had to get the next one 'Too Many Cooks' and have finished that too. Fantastic characters they are now like old friends!.'
"Just to let you know that my wife has just finished reading "Empty Vessels" and thoroughly enjoyed it. She said she enjoyed a good old-fashioned crime book, accurately written without graphic violence or bad language."
A thoroughly good read - well done!!!
"Having read your novel "Empty Vessels" with my annoyingly-critical eye of a police historian and as a former Falmouth Police officer who worked at Bartlett and Boase's station almost 40 years ago, I have to say that your book brought to life wonderful happy memories of my own time policing the streets of that delightful town. Your insistence on historical policing accuracy was refreshing, essential and well-placed. Congratulations on a riveting and enthralling story from someone who never reads novels! The plot kept even me on the edge of my seat for a whole windswept stormy day devoted to consuming your words. I look forward to the next visit to another of your works"
Simon Dell MBE
Police History Society and Devon & Cornwall Police Museum volunteer.
TOO MANY COOKS
'After I listened to the first book Empty Vessels, I could hardly wait for the second installment! These are great books written in the golden age style. I love the descriptive style of Ms Marina writing. Her characters are charming and the mysteries are intriguing. They keep you guessing all the way to the end. I also like the very real mentoring relationship between Bartlett and Boase. The characters are portrayed in such a way you wonder how there lives go forward. You just can't help yourself. I just found the third book and hope it will soon be recorded. These are just wonderful to listen to in the car.'
'Great follow up to Empty Vessels. B&B face murder, kidnap and madness. This duo just get better! '
'Brilliant book, as good as the first one. Can't wait for the next one.'
'Too many cooks by local author @MarinaPascoe...based around Falmouth, a great read!'
'Another great book by Marina Pascoe, I read this one hot in the heals of Empty Vessels whilst on holiday in Falmouth. Lots of twists and turns and more great characters, looking forward to the next one!'
'Great old fashioned mystery, especially if you come from Falmouth. No fancy high tech stuff just good old sleuthing. Really enjoyed the story and looking forward to reading the next book.'
A FOOL AND HIS MONEY
The third of the Bartlett and Boase mysteries by Marina Pascoe was long awaited for my trip to Lundy Island where I could consume it within two days! Marina has converted me completely with her style of writing into a novel reader which I thought I would never admit to!
Getting past my concerns as to whether Archie and Irene would ever get engaged and married I found the plot completely absorbing and easy to visualise myself in the streets of Falmouth and district having policed there over 40 years ago! Marina’s well researched historical content is a credit to her. With so many twists and red herrings this third book of the series had the potential to completely confuse, but the reader’s hand is held throughout the journey of these two detectives as they worked out all the potentially misleading paths of enquiries to find a murderer whose identity came as a complete shock! But then isn’t that the point of such a novel?! Marina has again not disappointed her gathering band of loyal followers and readers and this reviewer in particular. So will Archie get married? How long will we have to wait to know? I have another trip to Lundy soon Marina so don’t delay with a much looked-forward-to volume 4 !
Simon Dell MBE
Police Historian
'The latest episode to this series, is just as good as the previous two books. Could not put it down without reluctance. Well written, and I am eagerly looking forward to the next installment.'
'Really interesting to hear how you work. I've just started 'A Fool and His Money'. I'm enjoying every moment xx'
OTHER
'We live in Falmouth so its brilliant to have a real vision of the places in your book. Thankyou'
'Am loving these murder mysteries set in 1920's Cornwall - Thanks a million'
'Really looking forward to getting my hands on "A Fool and His Money". All the best. xx
'Great books, would love to see them as a TV series'
'Does that mean you've nearly finished the next book? I've got withdrawal symptoms at the moment...'
'Hi Marina, any more books due out, enjoyed Empty Vessels and too many cooks and fool and his money, keep em coming !'
EMPTY VESSELS
'Great mystery! Wonderful characters. I am amazed I am the first to review this book. It is written in the golden age style. A little romance gives the characters depth. Ms Marina is a gifted author with a great talent for enabling reader to see the the scene. It is not a nail bitting thriller but a very pleasant read or listen, if you are an audible fan, get it for a car trip or for listening around the house. You will enjoy it.'
'What a great book, so well written, you can hear the footsteps in the street, feel the cold of the fog on your face and picture what every character is wearing. Brilliantly written, highly recommended.'
'A good book, well written with a good well scripted plot enjoyable read, awaiting the next in the series which will hopefully be soon? '
'Watch out Agatha Christie!'
'Brilliant book, can't wait for the next which I believe is due out in a few months.'
'A new duo of Police investigate a death in a Cornish Town. A good read.'
'As a Cornish resident I easily relate to the places mentioned in Empty Vessels so that makes it even more enjoyable for me. A great read!'
'Thank you for the reminder of the new book. Loved Empty Vessels.'
'This novel combines all the great attributes of English vintage murder mysteries. Time place and characters are all drawn perfectly within a great plot. Recommended 110% Next one please.!!!!!!'
'It was great, full of atmosphere and suspense, and it was really nice knowing Falmouth and recognising all the places.'
'A very good read. "Empty Vessels" is my first murder mystery read and it certainly won't be my last! A brilliant book that with every page has you wanting moreI read this book whilst on holiday in Falmouth on the recommendation of a friend of the author, I loved it. There are lots of twists and turns to the book and having seen the places the author talks of made it all the more enjoyable. It was so good I just had to get the next one 'Too Many Cooks' and have finished that too. Fantastic characters they are now like old friends!.'
"Just to let you know that my wife has just finished reading "Empty Vessels" and thoroughly enjoyed it. She said she enjoyed a good old-fashioned crime book, accurately written without graphic violence or bad language."
A thoroughly good read - well done!!!
"Having read your novel "Empty Vessels" with my annoyingly-critical eye of a police historian and as a former Falmouth Police officer who worked at Bartlett and Boase's station almost 40 years ago, I have to say that your book brought to life wonderful happy memories of my own time policing the streets of that delightful town. Your insistence on historical policing accuracy was refreshing, essential and well-placed. Congratulations on a riveting and enthralling story from someone who never reads novels! The plot kept even me on the edge of my seat for a whole windswept stormy day devoted to consuming your words. I look forward to the next visit to another of your works"
Simon Dell MBE
Police History Society and Devon & Cornwall Police Museum volunteer.
TOO MANY COOKS
'After I listened to the first book Empty Vessels, I could hardly wait for the second installment! These are great books written in the golden age style. I love the descriptive style of Ms Marina writing. Her characters are charming and the mysteries are intriguing. They keep you guessing all the way to the end. I also like the very real mentoring relationship between Bartlett and Boase. The characters are portrayed in such a way you wonder how there lives go forward. You just can't help yourself. I just found the third book and hope it will soon be recorded. These are just wonderful to listen to in the car.'
'Great follow up to Empty Vessels. B&B face murder, kidnap and madness. This duo just get better! '
'Brilliant book, as good as the first one. Can't wait for the next one.'
'Too many cooks by local author @MarinaPascoe...based around Falmouth, a great read!'
'Another great book by Marina Pascoe, I read this one hot in the heals of Empty Vessels whilst on holiday in Falmouth. Lots of twists and turns and more great characters, looking forward to the next one!'
'Great old fashioned mystery, especially if you come from Falmouth. No fancy high tech stuff just good old sleuthing. Really enjoyed the story and looking forward to reading the next book.'
A FOOL AND HIS MONEY
The third of the Bartlett and Boase mysteries by Marina Pascoe was long awaited for my trip to Lundy Island where I could consume it within two days! Marina has converted me completely with her style of writing into a novel reader which I thought I would never admit to!
Getting past my concerns as to whether Archie and Irene would ever get engaged and married I found the plot completely absorbing and easy to visualise myself in the streets of Falmouth and district having policed there over 40 years ago! Marina’s well researched historical content is a credit to her. With so many twists and red herrings this third book of the series had the potential to completely confuse, but the reader’s hand is held throughout the journey of these two detectives as they worked out all the potentially misleading paths of enquiries to find a murderer whose identity came as a complete shock! But then isn’t that the point of such a novel?! Marina has again not disappointed her gathering band of loyal followers and readers and this reviewer in particular. So will Archie get married? How long will we have to wait to know? I have another trip to Lundy soon Marina so don’t delay with a much looked-forward-to volume 4 !
Simon Dell MBE
Police Historian
'The latest episode to this series, is just as good as the previous two books. Could not put it down without reluctance. Well written, and I am eagerly looking forward to the next installment.'
'Really interesting to hear how you work. I've just started 'A Fool and His Money'. I'm enjoying every moment xx'
OTHER
'We live in Falmouth so its brilliant to have a real vision of the places in your book. Thankyou'
'Am loving these murder mysteries set in 1920's Cornwall - Thanks a million'
'Really looking forward to getting my hands on "A Fool and His Money". All the best. xx
'Great books, would love to see them as a TV series'
'Does that mean you've nearly finished the next book? I've got withdrawal symptoms at the moment...'
'Hi Marina, any more books due out, enjoyed Empty Vessels and too many cooks and fool and his money, keep em coming !'