Here’s why you’ll want this one in your suitcase:

1. It’s set at the seaside

   From deckchairs to dodgy fish and chips, Death of a Sandscratcher captures the chaos of a classic British coastal town, complete with eccentric locals, melting ice creams, and a string of suspicious accidents at the funfair.

2. It’s got a killer plot (literally)

   What starts as a relaxing beach break turns into a baffling mystery when Hettie and Tilly find themselves in the middle of a fairground murder spree. Forget your average cosy crime – this is paws-itively wild.

3. It’s laugh-out-loud funny

   If you love your mysteries served with wit and whimsy, Mandy Morton’s voice is a delight. Think Midsomer Murders meets The Wind in the Willows, but with cats!

4. No humans, just cats (and it works)

   Yes, the entire world is feline – and no, you don’t need to be a cat person to love it. The charm lies in the way these cats mirror our own ridiculousness. Hettie’s obsession with pie? Deeply relatable.

5. It’s totally standalone-friendly

   Never read the series before? No problem. Death of a Sandscratcher works perfectly on its own, though fair warning: you’ll probably want to go back and binge the rest after.

6. It nails that cosy crime fix

   Missing Agatha Raisin or Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club? This book slots right in, with clever twists, eccentric characters, and a tight-knit community hiding secrets.

7. It’s a book to make you smile

   Whether you’re travelling abroad or staycationing at home, you’ll want something that brings a little joy between chapters. This is feel-good fiction with claws.

8. It pairs beautifully with a cream tea

   Scones, seaside, and sleuthing, this book practically begs to be read with a cup of tea and something sugary. Preferably in the sun.

9. It’s a hidden gem from a brilliant indie publisher (us!)

   Published by Farrago, the home of humorous fiction to make you smile, this is a title you won’t see pushed in every supermarket, but should be on every reader’s radar.