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Rose Trevelyan #1
Snapped in Cornwall
The first in a series of crime mysteries set in Cornwall, where photographer Rose Trevelyan's peaceful life is rocked by the murder of a female client she hoped would become a friend
167 pages, Paperback
First published February 24, 1997
602 people are currently reading
403 people want to read
About the author
Janie Bolitho
34 books35 followersAka Jodie Sinclair.
Born in Falmouth, Cornwall, Janie Bolitho enjoyed a variety of careers - psychiatric nurse, debt collector, working for a tour operator, a book-maker's clerk - before becoming a full time writer. She died of breast cancer in 2002.
Born in Falmouth, Cornwall, Janie Bolitho enjoyed a variety of careers - psychiatric nurse, debt collector, working for a tour operator, a book-maker's clerk - before becoming a full time writer. She died of breast cancer in 2002.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
March 24, 2010
I’ve been walking past Janie Bolitho’s books in the library for a while now. And I’ve always meant to give them a try, but they never quite made it to the front of the queue. Finally, when I started my Read Cornwall campaign I decided that I had to read a proper Cornish mystery. And so I brought home Snapped in Cornwall, the first of seven mysteries featuring Rose Trevelyan.
Rose lives a mile away from me, in in the fishing port of Newlyn. She’s a photographer, living quietly since she was widowed a few years ago. Her portrait is simply but very well painted. All of the little details were right, and she could easily be someone I passed in the street and I liked her enough to want to know what happened and to keep turning the pages.
And then there was Gabrielle Milton, who hired Rose to photograph her new country home. She and Rose got on, they could have become friends. And Garielle invited Rose to a party – only for Rose to discover her body below a balcony.
It seemed that Gabrielle had been pushed. But who pushed her. Her unfaithful husband? His mistress. Her son, who desperately needed the money he believed his mother would leave him? His ambitious fiancé? The local woman who believed that Gabrielle was after her husband?
An interesting and eminently believable band of suspects and a simple, uncomplicated mystery.
Rose is drawn in because she found the body and because her own bereavement led her to offer the right kind of support to Gabrielle’s loved ones. It’s little contrived, she finds out things a little too easily, but Janie Bolitho just about gets away with it. Because her characters, their relationship, their behaviour, they all have the ring of truth.
And of course she uncovers the truth. It was believable, without being obvious.
Snapped In Cornwall is a simple traditional mystery, easy to read, and it captures Cornwall and the Cornish beautifully – everything happened within a few miles of me in places I know well and I have to say nothing at all jarred. It would make wonderful television.
I won’t be rushing to the library for the next installment, but I’ll definitely be picking it up one of these days.
Rose lives a mile away from me, in in the fishing port of Newlyn. She’s a photographer, living quietly since she was widowed a few years ago. Her portrait is simply but very well painted. All of the little details were right, and she could easily be someone I passed in the street and I liked her enough to want to know what happened and to keep turning the pages.
And then there was Gabrielle Milton, who hired Rose to photograph her new country home. She and Rose got on, they could have become friends. And Garielle invited Rose to a party – only for Rose to discover her body below a balcony.
It seemed that Gabrielle had been pushed. But who pushed her. Her unfaithful husband? His mistress. Her son, who desperately needed the money he believed his mother would leave him? His ambitious fiancé? The local woman who believed that Gabrielle was after her husband?
An interesting and eminently believable band of suspects and a simple, uncomplicated mystery.
Rose is drawn in because she found the body and because her own bereavement led her to offer the right kind of support to Gabrielle’s loved ones. It’s little contrived, she finds out things a little too easily, but Janie Bolitho just about gets away with it. Because her characters, their relationship, their behaviour, they all have the ring of truth.
And of course she uncovers the truth. It was believable, without being obvious.
Snapped In Cornwall is a simple traditional mystery, easy to read, and it captures Cornwall and the Cornish beautifully – everything happened within a few miles of me in places I know well and I have to say nothing at all jarred. It would make wonderful television.
I won’t be rushing to the library for the next installment, but I’ll definitely be picking it up one of these days.
April 2, 2020
Good. Will read another.
April 15, 2021
Easy-going read, detective story with an art background on Cornwall coast.
August 16, 2011
I really enjoyed this. I had previously found one of her cornish mysteries at our library, then looked them up on amazon and ordered a bunch of them. I specially like her descriptive passages. Some mystery writers don't bother. It makes the location matter and since Cornwall is such a lovely area, I think this adds a lot. Of course that would be a moot point if the rest of her writing wasn't good, but this was a good mystery. I liked it very much. I don't like the ones that are too violent or written more as thrillers. I think this might qualify as a cozy mystery, without being overly cozy :)
June 2, 2021
A good start to this series
July 27, 2019
Cornwall and murder mysteries are two of my favourite things and whilst this book has both, and I therefore should have loved it, it was just a bit average.
I didn't find myself engaging with any of the characters and that was probably my problem. Whilst they were realistic, I wasn't enamoured with how the author painted Rose, the constant glasses of wine, no food, sleep, repeat etc.....
The murder itself was an ok plot, there were plenty of suspects to pick from and whilst quite simplistic in its content the ending and the reveal was satisfying enough.
If you want decent cosy crime, just pick up an Agatha Christie.
I didn't find myself engaging with any of the characters and that was probably my problem. Whilst they were realistic, I wasn't enamoured with how the author painted Rose, the constant glasses of wine, no food, sleep, repeat etc.....
The murder itself was an ok plot, there were plenty of suspects to pick from and whilst quite simplistic in its content the ending and the reveal was satisfying enough.
If you want decent cosy crime, just pick up an Agatha Christie.
January 17, 2016
Not very well written. Repetitive: main character Rose heads out in beautiful Cornish countryside to a photo shoot, comes home drinks wine, heads out, attends party, murder takes place, goes home drinks wine, more countryside, photoshoots, wine, phone message, meets person at pub, drinks, meets suspect who tells more than is realistic, more phone messages, meets another person, friend comes over, drinks wine, more photo shoots, overhears suspects talking about family personal business, more countryside...aghh.
March 2, 2018
2.5 I was drawn in by the Cornwall setting, but as far as that is concerned, this mystery could have been set anywhere. A light little mystery, not much there, but pleasant.
June 15, 2018
The first in the series of mysteries about a photographer/artist, Rose Trevelyan, who lives in Cornwall. I was mainly drawn to beautiful descriptions of the villages and countryside of Cornwall. The plot pushes the boundaries of credulity at times: too many strangers providing too much information for Rose who just happens to show up at the right time. Apart from that, the novel was appealing, perfect for a train ride or plane flight or for a summer evening’s read. This series would likely appeal to fans of Alexander McCall Smith’s Isabel Dalhousie series—likeable characters and an absence of any gore.
February 12, 2024
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars
May 1, 2020
This is a pleasant book with a mild mystery. The protagonist is Rose, an artist who is widowed. Sheis invited to a party at a wealthy client's home. Unfortunately, the hostess is killed. although Rose has the barest connection to these people she begins to investigate making observation and eliciting statements that are quite surprising.
I liked Rose and the fact that a middle-aged woman is the lead. She is intelligent and attractive but not unrealistically so. The secondary characters are charming as is the Cornwall locale. The mystery is mild with really no suspense. I identified the doer quite early on. It is more a book about coming to terms with life after the death of a loved one than a true suspense novel. Quick, mild, pleasant and forgettable.
I liked Rose and the fact that a middle-aged woman is the lead. She is intelligent and attractive but not unrealistically so. The secondary characters are charming as is the Cornwall locale. The mystery is mild with really no suspense. I identified the doer quite early on. It is more a book about coming to terms with life after the death of a loved one than a true suspense novel. Quick, mild, pleasant and forgettable.
January 30, 2017
3:5 stars
For this first in the series.
Good setting for the crime, well written character's.
Mystery crimes aren't my usual read, and I got this for Christmas from a friend who loves Cornwall.
It was a good, easy read.
I would read more in the series.
For this first in the series.
Good setting for the crime, well written character's.
Mystery crimes aren't my usual read, and I got this for Christmas from a friend who loves Cornwall.
It was a good, easy read.
I would read more in the series.
October 11, 2018
A charming simple little read. Characters are more complex than you would think and story keeps you in suspense throughout. Part of a compelling who done it series. Worth reading.
December 11, 2023
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Snapped In Cornwall could be mistaken for a cozy mystery. I admit it is, and no disrespect to those who like light mysteries with lots of wine, local scenery, and painting on the beach, but this is well written with characters that engage and I feel a step up from the usual cozy, where perhaps the cat solves the mystery.
I too thought this series would be a lightweight English seaside relaxation where perhaps someone dies, but I was pleasantly surprised.
Rose Trevelyan is a photographer and painter making a living in Cornwall. She sometimes feels she'll always be an outsider to her neighbours and friends simply by not growing up in the area, where everyone knows each other. Asked by new resident Gabrielle Milton to take some photos for Christmas cards, she finds she likes the woman and looks forward to becoming friends. Invited to the Milton's party, she brings the proofs along for them to see, and Rose meets the London-based husband, the greedy son and his fiancé, the husband's secret mistress, and various other locals, some who are working the event. The friendship is not to be when Rose discovers someone has pushed Gabrielle off a balcony onto her garden paving stones. Enter Detective Inspector Jack Pearce, tall with classic Cornish good looks, who interviews everyone present. Not only a slight outsider to the community, she's also outside the Milton family, which makes it easy for everyone to overly confide in Rose. Soon, she has figured out as much as Jack Pearce, who seems to find excuses to drop by her house for information and a coffee. Rose is a photographer and not a sleuth, more like an interested bystander who happens to reluctantly get caught up in the middle of it. During this she still finds time to fulfill her painting and photographic work, visit with her best friends Barry and Laura, and yes, have a little more wine. There are only a handful of suspects, mainly family, and the person you might think is the culprit - you're right.
There is something about this series beyond entertainment that intrigues. Janie Bolitho has a knack of capturing characters that are well drawn and I found it a pleasure to discover them - and at the end, cozy mystery or not, look forward to each of them returning again in the next book. Set in Cornwall, this is filled with local light and colour, a place where you'll understand the word chiaroscuro.
Bolitho was born in Cornwall and wrote seven of this series before she died in 2002.
Snapped In Cornwall could be mistaken for a cozy mystery. I admit it is, and no disrespect to those who like light mysteries with lots of wine, local scenery, and painting on the beach, but this is well written with characters that engage and I feel a step up from the usual cozy, where perhaps the cat solves the mystery.
I too thought this series would be a lightweight English seaside relaxation where perhaps someone dies, but I was pleasantly surprised.
Rose Trevelyan is a photographer and painter making a living in Cornwall. She sometimes feels she'll always be an outsider to her neighbours and friends simply by not growing up in the area, where everyone knows each other. Asked by new resident Gabrielle Milton to take some photos for Christmas cards, she finds she likes the woman and looks forward to becoming friends. Invited to the Milton's party, she brings the proofs along for them to see, and Rose meets the London-based husband, the greedy son and his fiancé, the husband's secret mistress, and various other locals, some who are working the event. The friendship is not to be when Rose discovers someone has pushed Gabrielle off a balcony onto her garden paving stones. Enter Detective Inspector Jack Pearce, tall with classic Cornish good looks, who interviews everyone present. Not only a slight outsider to the community, she's also outside the Milton family, which makes it easy for everyone to overly confide in Rose. Soon, she has figured out as much as Jack Pearce, who seems to find excuses to drop by her house for information and a coffee. Rose is a photographer and not a sleuth, more like an interested bystander who happens to reluctantly get caught up in the middle of it. During this she still finds time to fulfill her painting and photographic work, visit with her best friends Barry and Laura, and yes, have a little more wine. There are only a handful of suspects, mainly family, and the person you might think is the culprit - you're right.
There is something about this series beyond entertainment that intrigues. Janie Bolitho has a knack of capturing characters that are well drawn and I found it a pleasure to discover them - and at the end, cozy mystery or not, look forward to each of them returning again in the next book. Set in Cornwall, this is filled with local light and colour, a place where you'll understand the word chiaroscuro.
Bolitho was born in Cornwall and wrote seven of this series before she died in 2002.
December 25, 2018
A brilliant book, I just love these Cornish mysteries novels. They are quite short and easy to read, but you just never want these novels to end.
This is the first of seven in the Rose Trevelyan series. Rose is an artist/photographer who lives in Newlyn in Cornwall. She is instructed by Gabrielle Milton to take some photographs of her house to use as Christmas Cards. She later decides to hold a party and invites Rose along for the event. During the party Gabrielle is found dead.
Rose becomes obsessed with the whole thing and can't help but get involved with the Miltons, intent on finding the killer. DI Jack Pearce is officially involved and enters Rose's life in a big way.
The story ends quite dramatically and it's not obvious which person committed the murder, which makes the book even more thrilling. I only have three more of the books to read and I will savour every one of them!
This is the first of seven in the Rose Trevelyan series. Rose is an artist/photographer who lives in Newlyn in Cornwall. She is instructed by Gabrielle Milton to take some photographs of her house to use as Christmas Cards. She later decides to hold a party and invites Rose along for the event. During the party Gabrielle is found dead.
Rose becomes obsessed with the whole thing and can't help but get involved with the Miltons, intent on finding the killer. DI Jack Pearce is officially involved and enters Rose's life in a big way.
The story ends quite dramatically and it's not obvious which person committed the murder, which makes the book even more thrilling. I only have three more of the books to read and I will savour every one of them!
October 19, 2023
This is book 1 in the Rose Trevelyan series written by the late author Janie Bolitho. It was back in 2019 during my last visit to England when in a charity shop I found 3 of her books and "snapped" them up (3 for 1 Pound)...the murders are set in Cornwall (as you can tell by the titles!) in an area we visited a few times and I can picture Rose and her home and all befalls her village in my mind's eye which makes it all the more special. I very much enjoyed meeting all the characters I had previously read about in book #3 and it fills in some of the blanks for me. I was fortunate enough to find all 7 of the books of this series for sale online and am now reading from the beginning. Even though murder is the star of these stories it is a most lovely thing being "in Cornwall" and enjoying the visit as you try to figure out who the culprit might be right along with Rose herself!
June 3, 2021
An interesting book and short enough to read in a day. It's about Rose - a painter - who is involved in a murder and wants to dig a bit to discover what went on.
I feel Rose is a character who will grow - this is a first in the series but at the moment all she seem to do is drink and have very little sleep.
Lots of long descriptions about the Cornish countryside - some a bit over long, but a good plot and some interesting characters. I will be interested in seeing how our main protagonists develop in this series of books.
I feel Rose is a character who will grow - this is a first in the series but at the moment all she seem to do is drink and have very little sleep.
Lots of long descriptions about the Cornish countryside - some a bit over long, but a good plot and some interesting characters. I will be interested in seeing how our main protagonists develop in this series of books.
July 25, 2023
This was recommended to me by a volunteer where I work. Not the type of book I usually read, this was a bit Miss Marple/ Murder She Wrote in feel. A photographer/ painter gets embroiled in a murder, and starts snooping to solve it.
The characters were OK, the story was well written, but I did suspect the culprit from about 1/3rd of the book. Not much to say really, it was quite vanilla and inoffensive, and the images of Cornwall conjured were lovely (but still didn't make me want to visit - too many people!).
OK for a change, but not for me.
The characters were OK, the story was well written, but I did suspect the culprit from about 1/3rd of the book. Not much to say really, it was quite vanilla and inoffensive, and the images of Cornwall conjured were lovely (but still didn't make me want to visit - too many people!).
OK for a change, but not for me.
August 17, 2017
Found this book when looking for a Cornish murder mystery novel as I was heading there on holiday. Didn't realise it was a series of 7. Have now read the first 4 already.
Easy quick reads with a good eye for Cornish detail. The stories are good and keep you guessing long enough. Rose is a bit frustrating for me at times and often overly rude to those closest to her, but in the end it always works out.
A good book and such a shame the author died so young.
Easy quick reads with a good eye for Cornish detail. The stories are good and keep you guessing long enough. Rose is a bit frustrating for me at times and often overly rude to those closest to her, but in the end it always works out.
A good book and such a shame the author died so young.
August 19, 2023
Quintessential cozy mystery. Nice descriptions of the Cornish countryside and villages. The main character, Rose, is likable and engaging. I guessed “who dunnit” early on, but raced through the book to see how the culprit would be revealed and what would happen between Rose and Jack. (A lot of wine consumed in the process, by Rose, I mean, not by me, but I was tempted, LOL). Chances are I will read one or more sequels.
August 17, 2017
Short and sweet. An interesting little cosy mystery with a relatable main character, Rose, who gets drawn into the usual small village murder mystery. It's fairly fast paced and because it is on the shorter side I just flew through Snapped in Cornwall in one sitting.
Will keep an eye out for more books in this series.
Will keep an eye out for more books in this series.
August 25, 2021
I liked the idea of a mystery novel set in Cornwall, and the artistic background of the main character was interesting enough. I felt the setting was credible and well described. The plot was well developed too but I didn't particularly root for Rose, and I found the omniscient POV and the choice of changing the perspective sometimes even within the same scene a little annoying.
November 19, 2021
I liked that I could recognise the settings for this story (because I live in Cornwall) but I'm not sure that the descriptions of places were as good enough to paint a picture for someone who didn't know the area. I also felt that the plot struggled especially where the author had to find ways of Rose discovering facts from the family of the deceased, it just didn't ring true.
January 19, 2022
Quite enjoyed this book. Although it took a while to get to the interesting bit.
I suppose about half way through it livened up and things started happening.
I might read others in the series, if I come across any.
It was a bit unputdownable towards the end, but as it is quite a short book, the end seemed a bit rushed.
Not much detective work to see, but an o.k. book.
I suppose about half way through it livened up and things started happening.
I might read others in the series, if I come across any.
It was a bit unputdownable towards the end, but as it is quite a short book, the end seemed a bit rushed.
Not much detective work to see, but an o.k. book.
October 24, 2023
Although the story line was a little difficult to follow to begin with, the more you read and learn about the characters the more it makes sense it was a very intense book especially towards the ending the reson for a 4 ☆☆☆☆ rating is purely because I did find myself getting a little lost in what was happening but if you love murder mystery I would definitely recommend 😀
January 21, 2024
Enjoyed this book very much. The heroine Rose Trevlyn is well drawn out, a very likeable person and as a widow she is really believable. The story is good but a little predictable. I enjoy the characters and will follow up and i believe i will enjoy the next book in the series. I like the location close to the sea in Cornwell. Please keep writing this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2017
I have enjoyed the first 6 of this series and am looking forward to reading no 7. I do wish that she would not play Jack on a string for so long.she appears to want her cake and eat it.! Apart from that good easy light reads .
January 31, 2021
It is a gentle murder mystery. Reminds me of midsummer murders. Small village everyone knows everyone, isn’t as stressful as other murder books. Did suddenly pick up pace at the end which was odd for how the rest of the book read which was unexpected but a good way to end it
August 5, 2021
Lovely gentle murder mystery (if you can have such a thing ) with a hint of romance. Will definitely be reading the others in the series. Makes a nice change from reading about blood guts and gore 😊.
September 23, 2022
An enjoyable who done it set in Cornwall. Rose Trevelyan, the artist, is the protagonist & she gets herself embroiled in situations. I like Rose’s character & it’s a pleasure to read Bolitho’s descriptions about the Cornish coast & life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews