Review: Foxglove Copse by Alex Beecroft

Title: Foxglove Copse (A Porthkennack Novel)

Author: Alex Beecroft

Length: 245 Pages

Category: Contemporary, Suspense/Thriller

At a Glance: I have to say I enjoyed Alex Beecroft’s writing style in this novel set in the small Cornish seaside town. It’s somewhat mystical, with suspense and danger, magic and a few scenes that are a little gory.

Reviewed By: Maryann

Blurb: After a massive anxiety attack, Sam Atkins left his high-powered job in the City and committed himself to life on the road in a small van. Six months in, he’s running out of savings and coming to the conclusion that he might have to go home to his emotionally abusive family.

Needing time to think, he takes a walk through a copse by the Cornish roadside, only to stumble upon the body of a ritualistically killed sheep. As he’s trying to work out what the symbols around the animal mean, the sheep’s owner, Jennifer, and her nephew, Ruan Gwynn, come upon him.

Ruan is a kind-hearted young man with a large supportive clan, and since he and Sam feel almost instant attraction, he doesn’t want to believe Sam is a sheep-killing cultist. In fact, the moment he lays eyes on Sam’s miserable solitary life, he wants to rescue the man. But as the killings escalate, he and Sam need to stop whoever is actually to blame before they can concentrate on saving each other.

Review: Sam Atkin is escaping from his wealthy family and their lucrative business. He could no longer bear the thought of investing people’s money, never knowing what the outcome would be. Investing became terrifying to him and caused him to have a massive anxiety attack. Now, he lives a solitary life on the road, and finds himself in Cornwall, in Foxglove Copse, where he settles in for the time being. When he becomes overwhelmed he still suffers from panic attacks, but his expertise with computers and developing applications help him to keep calm.

After traveling for so long, Sam takes a walk—and finds a mutilated sheep with sigils that would suggest witchcraft. It’s at the scene of the crime that he first meets Ruan Gwynn, which leads to Sam being considered a suspect. When he is cleared of any wrongdoing, he and Ruan find themselves in more than a mystery. The case turns interesting in not only the witchcraft but in the mysterious caves, Sam’s missing laptop, suicides, cyberbullying, and the mysterious Lusmoore family and what they hold over the clans of Foxglove Copse.

Ruan and Sam make a special connection which grows into a sweet romance. Ruan’s life is the very opposite of Sam’s, with a loving and supportive family that Sam, at times, doesn’t understand. As Sam becomes more familiar with Ruan and his family, he knows this is what he really wants. But, he questions if Ruan wants him to stay around or to move on. Ruan is such a charmer, easy going and humorous at times, which is very different from the shy and nervous Sam.

I haven’t read any of the other novels in the Porthkennack series, but the blurb for this one caught my interest. I didn’t get the feeling that I would have to read any of the previous books, as it holds firm as a standalone. I have to say I enjoyed Alex Beecroft’s writing style in this novel set in the small Cornish seaside town. It’s somewhat mystical, with suspense and danger, magic and a few scenes that are a little gory. Besides a fairly good mystery, the storyline also has some interesting characters and friendships, as well as covering acceptance, family dynamics and love. This may not be to everyone’s liking, but I found this to be a unique and enjoyable read.

You can buy Foxglove Copse here:
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