Murder Fest

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

Murder Fest is the sixth 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’s detective agency takes a back seat as she prepares to offer a warm welcome to a group of special visitors. A local Arts Festival is being held to honour a cultural exchange visit from representatives of Borken – Whitstable’s Twin Town in Germany.

Yet very soon, personality clashes surface among the participants; local politicians try to use the festival for their own ends while others jostle for improved billing on the festival programme. Tempers flare, old feuds re-surface and on the eve of the first event, a cryptic message – Murder Fest – is received by the local police. Before DCI Mike McGuire has a chance to investigate, the festival commences with an unscheduled event when a celebrated author is found brutally murdered . . .

Soon the only ‘Arts’ on display are dark ones, as Whitstable’s celebration of local culture transforms into a real-life murder fest – offering Whitstable’s Pearl Nolan another mystery to solve.

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