The Cornish summer burns hotter than it has in 15 years – but beneath the sunshine, something sinister stirs.

When eco-architect Olivia Parkes unveils her latest project – a cliffside manor reborn as a luxury eco-hotel – she expects acclaim, not chaos. And the return of her partner Jago Trevithick KC, a brilliant but broken barrister, who is seeking peace by the sea.

But peace is short-lived. A waitress is found dead in the hotel pool.

Who wanted her gone – and why?

Has the dark side of Jago's work followed him to Cornwall?

Or is someone close to Olivia hiding deadly secrets?

As whispers spread through the sun-bleached village, Olivia and Jago must uncover the truth before the tide turns red again.

In a paradise built on lies and long-buried sin, can love – or anyone – survive the truth?

Reader Reviews

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Brilliant Cornish Crime!'

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Superb read!The next book in this fabulous series!'

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Thoroughly enjoyable read and brilliantly written!'



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 A Deadly Inheritance, the first of the Olivia Wells mysteries, a series of cosy Cornish crime novels with a green twist. The second is Deadly Treasures, and the third novel will be published in 2026.