- Title: Crossing the Line
- Author: Isabella Muir
- Narrator: Charles Johnston
- Publisher: Isabella Muir on December 16, 2020
- Genre: Murder Mystery
- Length: 7 Hours 5 Minutes
- Formats Available: Paperback, Audio, & Digital
- Rating: 4/5
Trigger Warnings: Death of a Child, Domestic Abuse
Many thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources and Isabella Muir for providing me with an Audible copy of Crossing the Line with a request for an honest review.
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Crossing the Line Blurb
Tragic accident or cold-blooded murder?
Retired Italian detective, Giuseppe Bianchi, travels to England to escape one tragic death, when he comes face-to-face with another. When the body of a teenager is found on a Sussex beach, Giuseppe is drawn to the case – a case with no witnesses, and a case about which no one is prepared to talk.
National news reports of a missing 12-year-old in Manchester spark fear across the nation. The phrase “stranger-danger” filters into public consciousness. Local reporter, Christina Rossi, already has concerns about her local community. Families are not as close-knit as they first appear.
As the sea mist drifts in and darkness descends, can Giuseppe and Christina discover the truth and prevent another tragedy?
Crossing the Line is the perfect listen for everyone who loves Agatha Christie style twists and turns, with a Mediterranean flavor. Imagine the charismatic Italian police series, Montalbano, combined with those TV favorites set in the 1960s – Endeavour, George Gently, and Call the Midwife.
Provided by Rachel’s Random Resources for Tour Use
My Review
Crossing the Line is a fantastic murder mystery. The intrigue is captivating. I enjoyed every minute of listening to the gentle tones of Charles Johnston. Johnston captures the mood in every sentence. There were parts where I couldn’t catch my breath from the intensity of the scene. Isabella Muir may be my new favorite murder mystery author.
The story plays out along the beach in Sussex, England. I felt the waves pushing against the shoreline. I felt the cold sea-mist on my face as Christina found the body that fateful afternoon. The blooms in Rose’s cottage garden were easy to see and smell. Being able to get lost in the atmosphere of the book was amazing.
My only problem with the audio was that Guiseppe’s accent was too strong. I had trouble grasping the words. The Italian accent was strong. But, even still, the tone was soothing. Johnston is a great narrator.
I award Crossing the Line 4 out of 5 stars. The audio version will satisfy any fan of the format. I highly recommend this book to those of you who love the titles of Agatha Christie. Muir is similar and a delight to read.
About the Author – Isabella Muir
Isabella is never happier than when she is immersing herself in the sights, sounds and experiences of the 1960s. Researching all aspects of family life back then formed the perfect launch pad for her works of fiction. Isabella rediscovered her love of writing fiction during two happy years working on and completing her MA in Professional Writing and since then she has gone on to publish six novels, three novellas and two short story collections.
Her latest novel, Crossing the Line, is the first of a new series of Sussex Crimes, featuring retired Italian detective, Giuseppe Bianchi who is escaping from tragedy in Rome, only to arrive in the quiet seaside town of Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, to come face-to-face with it once more.
Her first Sussex Crime Mystery series features young librarian and amateur sleuth, Janie Juke. Set in the late 1960s, in the fictional seaside town of Tamarisk Bay, we meet Janie, who looks after the mobile library. She is an avid lover of Agatha Christie stories – in particular Hercule Poirot. Janie uses all she has learned from the Queen of Crime to help solve crimes and mysteries. As well as three novels, there are three novellas in the series, which explore some of the back story to the Tamarisk Bay characters.
Isabella’s standalone novel, The Forgotten Children, deals with the emotive subject of the child migrants who were sent to Australia – again focusing on family life in the 1960s, when the child migrant policy was still in force.
Author’s Social Media Links: Twitter | Facebook | Website
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