Book Review: Danger at the Cove by Hannah Dennison

Danger at the Cove (Island Sisters Mystery #2). Hannah Dennison. Minotaur Books (2021). 304 pages. Genre: Cozy Mystery.

First Line: "'Do you mind moving those plants into the potting shed before you run my errand, Ollie?'"

Summary:  Sisters Evie and Margot are making some progress on the renovations they have undertaken to Tregarrick Rock Hotel.  The hotel is located in the Isles of Scilly and can only be reached by boat. The grand reopening is approaching and the sisters are working hard to get everything ready.  When an old friend of Margot's announces she is on her way, Margot doesn't tell her they aren't ready yet.  Margot and Evie do their best to clear out one guest room and prepare it for their guest. To make matters more complicated, the time between tides is even shorter than normal due to a supermoon.  When one of the hotel employees doesn't return in time to beat the tide, Evie begins to worry.  Another unexpected guest, a power outage and a sunken ship add more complications. Will Evie be able to unravel the mystery before it is too late?

My thoughts:  There is a lot going on in this story.  Unexpected guests, power outages, construction workers staying on site, the supermoon, a shipwreck and cleaning out a bedroom that contains a secret door.  All of these lend an eerie quality to the story.  

Evie is still grieving the loss of her husband.  Some days are better than others, but she is doing her best to move on.  She has thrown herself into the work at the hotel.  Margot has as well.  She left her life in Hollywood and really feels it was for the best.  But when an old Hollywood friend drops in for a visit, Margot begins missing the old lifestyle.  But, Evie is able to remind her why she made the choice she did and encourage her to stick with it.  I like the relationship the two of them have. 

Margot's friend, Louise, is a different story.  She seems to forget that she recently became a widow and has become infatuated with a new man.  She is overly impressed by money and prestige.  She takes a pill for everything and anything.  She was not a likeable character.  However, there are several other secondary characters that are well developed and add to the story.

The mystery was complicated and multifaceted.  Several people seem suspicious and some don't seem suspicious that maybe should. There is a lot to sort out.  D.S. Patricia Williamson is on the case and she is quite capable.  She is blunt and cunning and very good at her job.  I can't say that I particularly like her, but she gets the case solved. 

The supermoon that will cause the tide to go out further than normal was fascinating. On one particular day, the tide will stay far enough out that a shipwreck will be visible.  The hotel staff has plans to take a trek to the location.  It was interesting to learn something about the many shipwrecks off the Isles of Scilly.  

This was a satisfying mystery and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for the sisters.