Sally Rigby’s The Victims of St Just is the eighth installment in her Cornwall Murder Mystery series, featuring Detective Inspector Lauren Pengelly and Detective Sergeant Matt Price. Set against the atmospheric backdrop of Cornwall, the novel combines a classic closed-circle mystery with a modern police investigation. The audiobook is narrated by Clare Corbett.

The story begins at Tredown Manor, an elegant Cornish estate that has been transformed into an exclusive venue for gourmet cookery courses. Celebrity chef Lydia Yeoman has gathered a select group of guests for what should be a luxurious and enjoyable weekend. Instead, the event quickly turns deadly. Lydia’s boyfriend and business partner, Russell Keene, is discovered dead inside a commercial freezer. The circumstances are disturbing enough, but the detectives soon learn that Russell was poisoned before he was trapped inside the freezer. What initially looks like a bizarre murder becomes an increasingly complicated investigation.

Lauren Pengelly and Matt Price take charge of the case and begin examining everyone connected to the manor. Because the estate is relatively isolated and the number of guests is limited, the detectives quickly narrow their attention to the people who were present. Unfortunately, almost everyone seems to have something to hide. As Lauren and Matt investigate, they uncover strained relationships, personal grudges, secrets, and possible motives. The question isn’t simply who could have killed Russell, but who had the opportunity and the means to carry out such an elaborate crime.

The investigation takes another disturbing turn when another guest is attacked, making it clear that Russell’s death may not be an isolated incident. The killer could still be among them, and Lauren must work quickly before another person becomes a victim. The detectives methodically piece together the evidence, separating genuine clues from red herrings. As new information emerges, suspicion moves from one person to another, and the seemingly respectable guests reveal increasingly complicated connections to Russell. Eventually, Lauren and Matt bring together the various pieces of the puzzle to uncover what really happened and identify the person responsible.

The Victims of St Just is an entertaining British murder mystery that successfully blends the traditional locked-room/closed-circle formula with a police procedural. The murder itself is an excellent hook. Finding a victim inside a freezer is unusual and immediately raises questions about how and why the crime was committed. Adding the poisoning makes the case even more intriguing, giving Lauren and Matt several possibilities to investigate.

Rigby also does a good job creating a group of suspects who all have believable reasons for wanting to keep parts of their lives private. The characters aren’t simply divided into obvious good and bad people. Instead, Lauren has to determine which secrets are relevant to the murder and which are merely personal embarrassments. The result is a mystery filled with red herrings, changing suspicions, and gradual revelations. Readers who enjoy trying to solve a murder alongside the detectives should find plenty to keep them guessing.

Lauren Pengelly and Matt Price continue to make an appealing investigative team. Their professional relationship feels natural, and their different personalities complement one another. The novel does, however, concentrate more heavily on the current investigation than on the detectives’ personal lives. Readers who have followed the series from the beginning may want more development of the recurring characters outside the case, but those primarily interested in the mystery will likely appreciate the focus. There’s a side story of Lauren having a stalker, which also left me guessing. I had some initial guesses there, but I think that’s my bias of wanting to see a relationship develop between Lauren and Matt.

The story moves at a brisk pace, with the second attack adding urgency to the investigation. Rather than allowing the mystery to become bogged down in lengthy character development, Rigby continually introduces new information and complications. Tredown Manor is an effective setting. The luxurious surroundings and sophisticated cookery event provide an interesting contrast to the violence taking place behind closed doors. The isolated location also strengthens the classic mystery atmosphere: the killer is likely somewhere within a relatively small circle of suspects.

Clare Corbett’s narration is well suited to the story. With numerous suspects and characters to keep track of, clarity is particularly important in an audiobook mystery, and her performance helps keep the investigation easy to follow. I find her narration intrinsic to Rigby’s books at this point. After all of the books I’ve listened to, I recognize the voices she uses for various characters. At just under seven hours, the audiobook is also a manageable length. The story doesn’t feel unnecessarily stretched, making it a good choice for listeners who prefer mysteries that maintain momentum from beginning to end.

The book can also be read as a standalone, although readers familiar with the earlier installments will have more background on Lauren, Matt, and the supporting characters.

The Victims of St Just is an enjoyable addition to Sally Rigby’s Cornwall series. Its unusual murder, isolated setting, collection of suspicious characters, and steadily unfolding clues create an entertaining mystery that should appeal to fans of British crime fiction. The novel’s greatest strength is its ability to keep the investigation moving while continually changing the reader’s suspicions. Although the personal lives of Lauren and Matt receive less attention than the murder itself, the focused approach works well for a story built around solving a crime.

Note: Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and author Sally Rigby for the advance reader copy of this book. This review will also be posted on NetGalley. This is my unbiased review of the book.

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