For some reason I’ve always tended to avoid anything under the genre of ‘cosy’. I don’t know what it is, but the idea of a ‘cosy’ book, just doesn’t sit well with me.
However, even though Murder on the Rocks is classified as a ‘cosy mystery’ I thoroughly enjoyed it! I loved the Agatha Christie-esque (or should that be Christie-ish?) feel that it had to it – sort of like Murder on the Orient Express: an eclectic group of individuals, one of whom just had to be the murderer! Which one is it?
This time around, it’s a group of writers. Hosted by bestselling author Joseph Gordon, one of their group – James Fairview – has been murdered. PI Jordan Jenner is brought in to investigate. Only recently returned from compassionate leave after the death of his mother, it’s clear that Jenner’s mind isn’t quite back on his work. And it’s here that I started to think that I was coming into the story at a disadvantage and had maybe missed something. One gets the feeling from Strange’s writing style that this is not the first book in the series … but it is! From the start, he very cleverly insinuates that the reader doesn’t know everything.
As Jenner proceeds with his investigation he starts to discover clues that might suggest that his mother’s death wasn’t as clear cut as he’d imagined. It seems that she knew these writers and had a connection to them. He wouldn’t have known this, not having had much to do with her in the years before her death. In fact, Jenner is quite an insular guy, preparing to keep to his own company and that of his cat, Oscar (an endearing character indeed!)
As we get to know all the suspects, we realise they’re not the nicest bunch. But some of the best writers are known to create the most unlikeable characters who keep readers the most intrigued! The twists are abundant and the pace is perfect. The short chapters make this one of those books that you read and tell yourself ‘just one more’ before realising that it’s 2 am!
Highly recommended 4-star reading!
Author Bio:
J.S. Strange is an author from Wales, United Kingdom. He writes crime, mystery and horror. His first novels, published in 2016 and 2017, were set in an apocalyptic London. Murder on the Rocks, is the first in a cozy crime mystery series, featuring a leading gay male detective.
Murder on the Rocks was written by Strange for many reasons. One of those reasons was a lack of representation within the crime genre, particularly with detectives and sleuths. Strange created Jordan Jenner, a private investigator, who lives and works in Cardiff. Murder on the Rocks was written with the intention of shining light on Cardiff, and bringing Cardiff, and furthermore, Wales, into the crime genre.
Strange’s previous works, such as ‘Winter Smith: London Burning’, also explored LGBT themes, and featured socialite Winter Smith escaping a zombie apocalypse. ‘London’s Burning’ became an Amazon best-seller in LGBT fiction.
When Strange doesn’t write, he works in television. He also presents a radio show all about the paranormal. He has an enthusiasm for Britney Spears and cats.
Jack can be reached on Twitter: @JackSamStrange
Social Media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JackSamStrange @JackSamStrange
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JackSamuelStrange/
Website: https://jacksamstrange.com/?fbclid=IwAR1DGDgRPWre63XkLzW8kkcnBy2BBZ2g9TFTNU71K8vnJUDDapY_6igh4nA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jsstrange/
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/l/B01AUNFQ78?_encoding=UTF8&redirectedFromKindleDbs=true&ref_=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1&rfkd=1&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
Purchase Links:
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Murder-Rocks-Mystery-Jordan-Mysteries/dp/1527235521/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/murder-on-the-rocks/j-s-strange/9781527235526
Thank you so much to Emma Welton of Damp Pebbles Tours and brand new Publishing house, Panther Publishers for inviting me on the blog tour. Look at what other bloggers are saying about Murder on the Rocks …
Jan's Book Buzz 
Thanks so much, Janice x
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