Murder in Montego Bay

Author/Guide: Paula Lennon

Why a Booktrail?

2000s: The song might have said Adjust to the driving ‘n’ I’m on my way It’s all on the right side in Montego Bay…but is everything and everyone on the right side of the law?

ISBN: 978-1-909762-41-1
Genre: Crime, Mystery

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What you need to know before your trail

In Montego Bay, Jamaica, privileged Chinese-Jamaican brothers Lester and Carter Chin Ellis have enjoyed a sheltered life as the heirs to the iced desserts empire Chinchillerz.

One fateful night, following a fiery encounter with local law enforcement the brothers are taken to Pelican Walk Police Station, where Lester is detained for drunk driving, while Carter is released without charge. But then Carter is shot dead within minutes of leaving the station his murder

Discredited Detective Raythan Preddy is put in charge of the murder case and is forced to accept the assistance of Detective Sean Harris, a Scottish lawman seconded to Jamaica. With his superiors watching his every move and the Chin Ellis family interfering with the investigation, Preddy is determined to catch the killer and save his career.

Locations

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Travel Guide

Visit Jamaica with Paula Lennon:

The tropical island of Jamaica is divided into fourteen parishes. The story is mainly set in the north-western parish of St James and most of the action takes place in the tourism capital, Montego Bay. This is where I am currently based and where I have had the opportunity to witness the good, the better, and the bad of the city. Montego Bay is vibrant and alive, with golden sunshine, white sandy beaches and plenty of day and night entertainment. The murder investigation follows the lives of the people who enjoy the high-life as well as those who inhabit the city’s dark underbelly and keep police officers busy.

On the trail you can take a stroll along the mile long Hip Strip (Gloucester Avenue) to experience the beaches, boutiques and bars. If the sun is draining your energy, rest for a while in the small yet picturesque Old Hospital Park from where you can watch the sea traffic as well as the planes descending towards Sangster’s International Airport. Ride a catamaran from the mainland to the bustling Freeport, home to well-heeled residents, five-star hotels, and popular hang-out spots like the Hard Rock Cafe. Visit downtown Montego Bay and walk the cobbled paths of Sam Sharpe Square where you’ll find statues dedicated to national hero Sam Sharpe, then make sure to tour the nearby National Museum West inside the Montego Bay Cultural Centre.

Booktrailer Review

Susan: @thebooktrailer

Murder in Montego Bay is set in an exciting place for a drama – there’s the descriptions of the island, the sprinkling of Jamaican patois which adds to the overall flavour and charm.

The murder mystery and the investigation are slow paced but then that mirrors the investigation without the modern day technology and help. It’s old school detective work and that works in its favour. It also makes a change when the lead investigator’s major vice is ganja tea rather than alcohol. The mix of Raythan Preddy and the Scottish detective Sean Harris is nicely done – the “You’re on my patch, watch yourself” kind of working relationship is fun to see unravel and amidst the shabby, old police buildings, things seem more helpless somehow
The setting and style of the novel made it for me and it was a nice “holiday’ spending time with the people amidst the heat and confusion of an island paradise gone wrong