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SEA STATE

Jesse Stevens needs to escape her past, start a new life and feel safe.

The rugged coastline and tight-knit community of Castleby offers her that chance. Her new job with the local lifeboat crew gives her the stability and comfort she craves.

Her skipper, Doug Brodie, faces his own demons. He is struggling with survivor’s guilt, physical and mental scars, and a marriage teetering on the brink.

Jesse is desperate to put aside the dark nightmares and terrible memories.  As she and Doug grow closer, she wonders whether she can ever really live a normal life and be happy.

But Jesse is in grave danger. Someone is watching her; trying to control and manipulate her life.  Someone plans to make her life a living nightmare and return her to the hell she thought she had left behind. Will she ever be free?

REVIEWS

“From the very first page I was hooked and didn’t want to put it down. Easily drawn in to each of the characters and the story line. The book has a very personal touch to it and some how feels relatable. Did not want the book to end. Looking forward to the next in the series.

“Wonderful read from start to finish. Beautifully written and so very descriptive- it’s as if you are right there living the Castleby life. Can’t wait for the rest of the series!“

“A real edge of the seat read – so many twists that I couldn’t put it down. Thoroughly enjoyable book and well worth a read.”

“Oh my goodness, the blurb does not give justice to this book. It really is captivating and it is so nice to read a book with such an unusual setting. I firmly got involved in the lives and loves of the RNLI it was so well drawn. Then there was people smuggling and drug running. What a torrid life there is in a Welsh sea side. Then when I got to the end I found out that there was going to be more in the series. Wow I just cannot wait.”

SEA CHANGE

Sinister undercurrents at are work in the seaside town Castleby.

A young boy goes missing and another dies in suspicious circumstances.

Jesse Stevens believes she is safe after escaping from a madwoman who tried to kill her. But soon her worst nightmare returns. Her ex-partner has escaped from prison and is hunting her. She believes he will find her and kill her this time.

Ex-special forces soldier Rob Fox (Foxy) moves to Castleby to live a quiet life, cope with his grief and forget his past. He becomes friends with Sophie Jones who has returned to Castleby to look after her father, while she desperately waits for news about her soldier husband, who is missing in action. Sophie is unexpectedly attacked, unearthing a twenty-year-old unsolved murder. 

Two local thieves steal from the local mafioso and pay the ultimate price, leaving the police with a rising body count and a missing boy to find. 

Mystery, suspense and drama continue in the second of the Castleby Series.

REVIEWS

“This is as unputdownable as the first book in the series. Loved it.”

“This flowed beautifully from the very first page, I just didn’t want it to end because the characters are so real you could almost reach out and touch them. I absolutely loved it.”

“I love this story! I want to move here and be part of their lives. This is fast paced and punchy and I read it in two sittings. It was incredible.”

“This was a great second in the series, but could be read completely independently. The characters are absolutely impeccable. The plot is brave and fast paced. Brilliant.”

“I feel bereft now I’ve finished it. I miss the characters and Castleby. I loved the plot line and all the twists and turns – absolutely chilling in some ways and joyful in the next.”

SEA SHAKEN


All is not well in Castleby.

Jesse Stevens lies in a coma after being pulled off a cliff by a psychopath who escaped from prison to find her.
He is in hiding, also hurt from the fall, but fuelled with rage. He needs to make sure she’s dead. If she isn’t, he’ll finish the job once and for all.
Military Intelligence Officer, Sam Jones, missing presumed dead, returns from Afghanistan after two years of brutal torture in captivity. Struggling to cope, Sam has no desire to carry on living, or return to family life, with his wife, Sophie, and son, Marcus.
Sophie is desperate to help Sam recover and leans heavily on her friend and ex-forces soldier Foxy for support.
Castleby is plagued by a series of unexplained deaths among the elderly and that of a local fisherman. Inspector Steve Miller works closely with the new local GP, Kate Cooper, to try and find an explanation and they eventually uncover the sinister truth.

Intrigue, drama, suspense and a hint of romance continue in the third of the Castleby Series.

Her life hangs in the balance… He needs to be sure she’s dead…

REVIEWS

SEA SHAKEN

“Sea Shaken? I’m shaken after reading this – another superbly unputdownable book from J.M. Simpson. Brilliant. I loved it.”

“I think this is the best one yet. My heart ached for some of the characters (no spoilers!). In some places I wept, other places I laughed, what a rollercoaster. I love these books. I cannot recommend them highly enough.”

“This book is a god damn masterpiece (like all the others).”

“Reading these books is like coming home to meet old friends. I love them all, i never want these books to end! I loved this book as I have loved all the others.”

“Simpson is a veritable genius. These characters and the sense of place she creates. Stunning. I want to live here, have these people in my life.”

“Simpson is not afraid to explore tough subjects. But she does it carefully and respectfully and there are times when she leaves you breathless with heartache for some of the characters.”

SEA HAVEN

One tragic death. Five people know the truth. Who is to blame?

Hollywood darling Cassie Warner is tragically killed three weeks before Christmas in a car crash on the outskirts of Castleby. Her daughter, Tabatha, narrowly survives the crash. Detective Steve Miller suspects foul play and discovers evidence confirming he is dealing with a murder enquiry.

Local crime mafiosi, Mickey and Pearl Camorra’s empire is at risk from rival gangs who plan to take over. Anxious to avoid a violent and bloody turf war Detective Miller reluctantly supports them to keep control.

Ex-soldier Foxy takes in a troubled loved one and does all he can to help, but the odds are stacked against him.

As Detective Miller investigates the crash, he discovers a broken family with a long history of neglect and abuse. Digging deeper, he is faced with five potential suspects, but who is really to blame?

Murder, obsession, intrigue and suspense continue in the fourth of the Castleby Series.

REVIEWS

“This book was gripping from the first page to the last. There’s so much going on in the latest of J. M. Simpson’s Castleby series, yet despite all the different characters and their storylines, it was easy to follow. I loved the twists, turns, and emotions that resonated from every page. There was anger, grief, joy and suspense – what a combination! My favourite character, Foxy, was back. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again – we all need a Foxy in our lives! However, after reading Sea Haven, I have another favourite, Pearl. She’s amazing! I’d love to read a book where she’s the main character. She’s sharp, smart and sassy. I’ve followed the rest of this series, and I can honestly say that Sea Haven didn’t let me down – it’s way up there as one of my favourites reads this year.”

“Alongside the drama is plenty of humour, but also real heart. There are some moments which truly tug on the heartstrings and made me want to hug the characters involved. Some of our beloved characters are put through the ringer for sure! The Castleby series is now as familiar as an old friend; one I can see myself turning back to again and again in future. Sea Haven is a perfect addition to this lovely series, but I hope it doesn’t end here! I would love to see how different relationships and characters grown.”

“This was amazing book read it in a couple of days. Fast paced, brilliant characters, loved the plot of story. Full of tense moments, crime and thrills. If you want a new series to be addicted to then these are the books for you!”

“If you haven’t read the first three Castleby books, then where the hell have you been?! This is the most insane and addictive series I’ve known!
We follow old characters, and are introduced to new, and still, I seemed to be hooked to what their endings will be! If you need a great series to get stuck into, with mystery, tragedy, fun, love, friendship, and a great amount of seaside descriptions, then get stuck in!”

SEA RIFT

Old wounds run deep. Revenge has deadly consequences.

A dead body is found hanging in local woods. It contains a sinister message for Mickey Camorra. It seems his dark past is catching up with him. As Detective Steve Miller finds another body, he ties both deaths to the Tao crime family.  An old contact betrays them and the Camorra’s face their deadliest threat yet.

Mike Young is pleased to see an old flame return to Castleby. He’s hopeful they might rekindle their romance, but he soon discovers she is not all she seems.

Ex-soldier Foxy tries to move on after the death of his ex-wife. As he explores an unexpected new liaison, a rift with a close friend troubles him deeply, and he wonders about his future happiness.

Former hostage negotiator Nate Bennett moves back to Castleby, hoping the town will help heal his sick wife. When a baby is kidnapped from a cafe and the search intensifies, Nate finds himself face to face with the crazed kidnapper, as he desperately tries to save a baby’s life.

Revenge, betrayal, drama, and suspense continue in the fifth of the Castleby Series.

REVIEWS

“Absolutely bereft that this book has finished. Please let there be another one. Every unique character comes to life. The series is so well written. I have lost hours because I needed to know what happened next. Please hurry with the next book.”

“Sea Rift gets off to a gripping start before new characters arrive to accompany those we now know so well. Detective Steve with his never-ending troubles. The Camorra criminal couple and their dubious dealings. Sophie and Foxy – say no more! I absolutely rattled through this book. I enjoyed so much of the snappy dialogue (especially Steve and the pathologist), laughed aloud a few times, and at the end of each chapter wanted to read on to see what was happening elsewhere. Many of the characters are relatable and compelling – regular people in extraordinary situations – and the baddies are perfectly horrible. There are a few jaw dropping events and twists and turns, and the story threads come together in a web of brilliance at the end. The Castleby books remind me of a TV series – in the way that it follows lives, building as it goes, and instils a familiarity in the characters that makes the reader interested and care. There is underworld crime, real world romance, and a narration of the normal things that affect normal people. Basically everything. I would definitely recommend this book and can’t wait until the next one comes out.“

“Book 5 in the series and it’s just as good as book one. Found this book hard to put down just like the rest of them. The story was fast paced and had you hooked from page one. New characters appear to join Castleby which is already a tight community were the good ones are welcome and the bad ones get caught out. Can’t wait for the next book!“

“Was eagerly waiting for this book, the fifth in the Castleby series as had so enjoyed the previous four. The action takes off from page one with a vividly described horrifying scene raising many questions. If like me you’ve read the other books you’ll be pleased to be reacquainted with many characters such as Doug, Jessie, Maggie & Foxy. Equally new characters are cleverly brought into the town & intertwined new story threads develop. The excellent writing brings characters, stories & the place to life so clearly I can visualise it in my mind. The action is pacy & keeps the reader hooked so much so it is hard to put down. My only sadness was when the book was finished! Hoping there is more to come.”

Christmas in Castleby

When Tess Dutton arrives in Castleby to help in her sister’s restaurant for the Christmas period her worst nightmare awaits. Tess finds her sister unconscious at the bottom of her stairs, and a restaurant fully booked until Christmas.

Ex-Navy chef Griffin Jones returns to his late mother’s house trying to put his past behind him. He can’t forgive himself for what he did, and someone from his past won’t let him forget either.

Griffin steps in to help Tess in the restaurant, but he is haunted by his past. As he grows closer to Tess and their attraction blossoms, Tess receives a visit from an ex-lover, who wants to rekindle their romance.

Tess struggles when she finds out about Griffin’s past. But he’s being persecuted.

And then Tess’s life is threatened.

Someone is so full of hate and so intent on revenge, that the only solution is to kill.

Revenge, betrayal, suspense and romance continue in this Christmas special of the Castleby series.

Reviews

“A wholesome community, romance, betrayal, tons of suspense and some jaw dropping twists along the way, Christmas in Castleby is a fantastic read that should be top of your Christmas reads list. To be back with Maggie, Foxy and the gang at the most wonderful, festive time of the year is truly a great Christmas present.”

“The perfect blend of suspense and romance in a familiar coastal town. Tess arrives in Castleby to run her sister’s restaurant after her relationship fails and she leaves her career as a nurse. Griff returns to the town to sort his late mother’s house after a very traumatic few years. As an ex-Navy chef (and a brilliant one at that), he ends up helping out at the restaurant. But things don’t go smoothly. Things keep happening. They start off small, yet menacing – messages, phone calls, and unsettling deliveries. Though build to big things, dangerous things – damage to the house and personal attacks. Somebody has a vendetta and they are watching, waiting. As with the other books in the series, this story is a compelling read. It takes place in somewhere that feels familiar and many of the characters who we already know play a part. Very enjoyable. A great book (with the added bonus of recipe inspiration). Would definitely recommend. Looking forward to the next in the series!”

“The suspense builds in this story with new arrivals in Castleby as well as seeing some of the familiar characters back in action. It is a real page turner with danger lurking in the background. Couldn’t stop reading once I’d started.”