Blurb
Helena Statham never imagined herself as a sleuth. But when she stumbles upon the body of a young woman while on a walk, she can’t resist the urge to discover who she was and how she got there. Even if it means upsetting the tight-knit community of the small New Zealand town she lives in, and uncovering secrets that have long been buried.
Thirty years ago, a young woman went missing, but no one tried to find out what had happened to her. As Helena investigates deeper, she learns more about what took place back then, putting herself in danger now.
Join Helena on her journey as she becomes an unlikely amateur detective, determined to uncover the truth and bring justice to the long-forgotten young woman whose story has been buried in silence for far too long.
Review
Helena Statham is strolling along the beach in her small New Zealand town when she discovers what looks like a skeletal human arm sticking out of the sand. A recent storm had shifted the land and uncovered the body. While the police perform their investigation, Helena does her own and soon realizes that her small community is hiding a terrible secret and not everyone wants the mystery of the long-dead woman to be solved.
Helena is a well-developed character with a normal family and life. She’s a fan of murder mystery fiction, so it was a clear step forward for her to turn amateur sleuth. She was relatable and easy to connect with. The story is told from multiple POVs, so we get a good view of what’s happening from various angles. I love the descriptions of New Zealand. The writing was so descriptive that I could easily picture the scenery.
Most of the murder mysteries I’ve read (which aren’t many) are fast-paced with lots of questions and danger at every turn, but this one was much more calming and peaceful. If you’re looking for a delightful read while relaxing, The Body at Back Beach is for you.
4 Stars
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