The book
Eco-architect Olivia Wells’s return to the small Cornish seaside village of Penbartha is troubled. She’s taken leave from her successful life in Manhattan to create the legacy her godfather wanted, a sustainable group of entrepreneurs working out of his beloved disused railway station, boosting the local economy and bringing more life to the village.
But it seems that not everyone is as committed as she’d thought.
The day after an unexpected argument with someone she considered an ally, Olivia finds her friend’s murdered body. The tight-knit Cornish community closes ranks to protect Olivia, but the forensic evidence points in only one direction. Against all her instincts, Olivia finds herself relying on newcomer Jago Trevithick in her efforts to clear her name and help the police find the real killer.
With a dark web of secrets and lies becoming visible throughout Penbartha, who can Olivia really trust?
About Jane McParkes
Jane McParkes has wanted to be a crime writer ever since she discovered The Famous Five as a small child. Her dream was fulfilled in 2023 with the publication of the first of the Olivia Wells mysteries, a series of cosy Cornish crime novels with a green twist. The second, Deadly Treasures, is also available, and the third novel will be published in 2026
REVIEW
If you’re tired of the winter days growing shorter, wrapping up to escape the cold, and hunkering down until the sun comes back, why not treat yourself to a little holiday in the Cornish village of Penbartha? There’s a wonderful tea room in an old railway station office, a tight-knit community, and beautiful scenery.
I mean, there’s also murder and mayhem, but with New York eco-architect Olivia Wells and her adorable pooches on the case, don’t let that worry you. Returning to the Penbartha where she grew up, from her high flying job in New York to look after her god-father’s estate, Olivia quickly stumbles upon the body of her friend Libby, with whom she had recently had a disagreement. Frustrated by the police efforts to solve the case, Olivia begins sleuthing to find the answers before bodies pile up. Returning home after so long sees Olivia as a “fish out of water”, and we get to know the residents as she does, and we follow her closely as we begin to untangle the mystery and uncover the deadly secrets buried in this small Cornish community.
Described as a cosy mystery with an eco-twist, it’s fascinating to see the author use the cast of characters to show different ways of being “green’, from the small changes anyone can make to more outright activism. It’s woven into the story in a way that makes the reader think about their own actions, and only adds to the feel of the book and enhances the story.
Penbartha is such a lovely place, so beautifully described, it’s a disappointment it’s not real. But that’s the only disappointment. A Deadly Inheritance is a very accomplished debut from McParkes, showcasing a community that I love spending time with.
For the first time, the book is available in audio format, with clear narration that builds up the tension in the climax, leaving the listener on the edge of their seat.
Thank you to the publisher, the author, and Random Things Book Tours for the opportunity to review this excellent novel.
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