''While Oxford had Morse, Whitstable, famous for its oysters, has Pearl''Daily Mail

The Whitstable Pearl Mystery is the first book in Julie Wassmer''s popular crime series - now a major Acorn TV drama, Whitstable Pearl, starring Kerry Godliman as private detective and restaurateur, Pearl Nolan.

Pearl Nolan always wanted to be a detective but life, and a teenage pregnancy, got in the way of a police career and instead she built up a successful seafood restaurant in her coastal home town of Whitstable - famous for its native oysters.

Now, at 39, and with son Charlie away at university, Pearl finds herself suffering from empty nest syndrome . . . until she discovers the drowned body of local oyster fisherman Vinnie Rowe, weighted down with an anchor chain, on the eve of Whitstable''s annual oyster festival.

Is it a tragic accident, suicide - or murder?

Pearl seizes the opportunity to prove her detection skills and discover the truth but she soon finds herself in conflict with Canterbury city police detective, Chief Inspector Mike McGuire. Then another body is discovered - and Pearl finds herself trawling the past for clues, triggering memories of another emotional summer more than twenty years ago . . .

Praise for Julie Wassmer''s Whitstable Pearl Mysteries...

''While Oxford had Morse, Whitstable, famous for its oysters, has Pearl . . . True to the tradition of classic crime, [Julie Wassmer] weaves a strong story into a setting that has more to offer than murder and mayhem'' Daily Mail

''As light as a Mary Berry Victoria sponge, this Middle-England romp is packed with vivid characters'' Myles McWeeney, Irish Independent

''All of the thrills without any of the gore'' The Sun

''This is a quality title...a very entertaining read'' The Puzzle Doctor

''My new favourite author in the genre'' George Galloway

''A wonderful way to explore Whitstable . . . if you love cosy mysteries, then get acquainted with Pearl (and her mum and her cats!) and enjoy a trip to Whitstable through the eyes of this very convincing author'' Trip Fiction

''Proves she''s mistress of her craft'' John McGhie, author of White Highlands

''Thoroughly enjoyable with a host of wonderful characters - I adore Dolly! - and evocative descriptions of Whitstable. Perfect for foodies too. Pearl is great and the ongoing will they/won''t they love story with McGuire is compelling. Comforting, cosy and entertaining with excellent Agatha Christie-style reveals. I love these books!'' Jane Wenham-Jones, author of Mum in the Middle

''If you enjoy cosy crime fiction and you still haven''t picked this series, then you are missing out'' Alba in Bookland

''Julie Wassmer really knows how to tell a story'' Victoria Best, Shiny New Books

''Good, solid whodunits, without gruesome details or gratuitous violence, Murder on Sea may be just your cup of tea'' -- Bec Stafford

''Come to Whitstable without actually coming to Whitstable. A good read!'' Anthony Jemmett

Praise for the TV series

''Scandi noir meets the English seaside in Whitstable Pearl, a murder mystery series based on Julie Wassmer''s novels...'' Drama Quarterly

''...explores all the murder and debauchery in the seemingly perfect English seaside town of Whitstable...'' Washington Post

''...you never know what might turn up, either on the menu or alongside an oyster boat.'' Wall Street Journal