Murder at Torre Manor
A Treggan Bay Mystery
Blurb
Albert Hooper is found dead in the immaculate sitting room of Torre Manor, a crossbow bolt through his chest and a half-finished drink on the carpet. In Treggan Bay, the timing is too neat to be chance.
Noah Yalland is meant to be on sabbatical—keeping his head down, drinking decent coffee at Drift, and pretending exile is a lifestyle choice. Then Detective Sergeant Scott Langdon, tired and stubborn in equal measure, needs Noah’s eye for detail and his willingness to ask the questions polite people avoid.
The last days of summer have already drawn cameras and hungry headlines, thanks to Issey Ashford and the press pack; now Torre’s death turns village chatter into something sharper. A prize bottle from the fête and talk of Landmark Syndicate circling the Hooper estate start to look less like gossip and more like motive.
As Noah and Scott trace the narrow paths between the manor, Kingsbridge station, and the wooded Whealings, every lead comes with a social cost—and Noah’s fragile new steadiness, and his growing attachment to Leo Petit, are caught up in the fallout. Who was invited in for that drink, who benefits if Torre changes hands, and who can disappear into the trees when the questions start?
Why you’ll love it: wry first-person sleuthing, coastal Devon atmosphere, and village politics under pressure.
Reviews
Murder at Torre Manor had such a strong sense of atmosphere that I felt pulled into the story almost immediately. The manor setting mixed with the coastal backdrop gave everything a slightly eerie but cozy feel, which made the mystery even more engaging. I enjoyed how the story slowly unraveled through hidden motives, old secrets, and unexpected twists. The pacing felt steady, giving the mystery time to build without dragging things out. I also liked spending more time with the recurring characters since they continue to grow and feel more familiar with each book in the series. This ended up being another really enjoyable addition to the Treggan Bay Mysteries. I especially liked the balance of suspense, small-town charm, and the moody manor setting that added extra intrigue to the story. A great read for cozy mystery fans who enjoy layered mysteries with atmospheric settings and plenty of secrets.
Murder at Torre Manor is the third book in the Treggan Bay Mystery series. While the story is a standalone, I highly recommend to read the other books to get a better sense of all the characters and the complex relationships at play. I really loved this story, how the mystery keeps
The coast of Devon is steeped in murder once again. Albert Hooper, owner of Torre Manor is found dead in his Sitting Room, shot, the bolt protruding from his chest. Journalist Noah Yalland is called to deal with the grieving nephew by DS Scott Langdon. Albert isn't known for having enemies as such, as he's quite reclusive. Almost the entire village has an alibi, they were all at the fête to raise funds to replace the church roof. The one person who is known to have a disagreement with Albert is found too inebriated to have done anything. Solutions and suspects are few and all too convenient. Noah's experience in investigative journalism leads to clues no one was looking for. When things get too much for Noah he seeks Leo's comfort, but this is very much about the case and not their relationship. It's nice to see a story where the MC is gay but that's not the driving force, just another aspect of who he is.
Read-alikes
- The Thursday Murder Club — Richard Osman 2020 · Mystery — Cozy crime
Shares wry, conversational sleuthing and a community where everyone knows everyone’s business. Aligns on village politics, gossip-as-information, and a light-on-graphic tone.
- Murder Must Advertise — Dorothy L. Sayers Mystery — Classic detective
Matches the “timing too neat” premise and the emphasis on detail-driven deduction. Also aligns with the social cost of questions and the way status and reputation shape suspects.
- The Likeness — Tana French Mystery — Psychological / police procedural
Fits the tone of an investigation that runs through tight-knit social circles and escalating pressure. Echoes the blend of procedural momentum with personal steadiness being tested.
- A Place of Execution — Val McDermid Mystery — Crime / procedural
Aligns with the press attention, hungry headlines, and community storytelling shaping the case. Also fits the “everyone knows your business” pressure-cooker dynamics.
- The Murder of Roger Ackroyd — Agatha Christie Mystery — Classic whodunit
Strong match for manor-house tensions, village chatter turning sharp, and a lead driven by observation. Supports a spoiler-light promise of suspects with social stakes and carefully placed details.
- A Quiet Life in the Country — T. E. Kinsey Mystery — Cozy / historical
Mirrors the dynamic of investigation pushing against manners and social expectations. Also aligns with a gentle, non-explicit romantic thread alongside a murder premise.