Game More, Pay Less
£5.49

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

You've subscribed to ! We will pre-order your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships and Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Disappearance at Oare: Now a major TV series, Whitstable Pearl, starring Kerry Godliman (Whitstable Pearl Mysteries Book 5) Kindle Edition

4.5 out of 5 stars 809 ratings

'While Oxford had Morse, Whitstable, famous for its oysters, has Pearl' Daily Mail

Disappearance at Oare is the fifth book in Julie Wassmer's popular crime series - now a major Acorn TV drama, Whitstable Pearl, starring Kerry Godliman as private detective and restaurateur, Pearl Nolan.

The Whitstable Pearl restaurant has been busy all summer while Pearl's detective agency has brought few interesting cases - until a prospective client calls . . .

Christina Scott confides that seven years ago she had the perfect life with a seaside home, a confirmed pregnancy and Steven, a loving husband - until one morning she woke to find herself alone. Christina's husband had vanished, taking nothing with him but his car - which was later found abandoned at the beautifully mysterious Oare Marshes.

Now, with the legal presumption of Steven's death about to be made, Christina shows a photograph to Pearl. It's not of him, but of her young son, Martin, who has grown up without his father but Christina is adamant he now deserves to know the truth. And will Pearl help her solve the riddle of Steven's disappearance?

DCI Mike McGuire warns Pearl she's on a fool's errand but the case resonates with Pearl as she begins to uncover secrets and lies that take her on a dangerous journey back into her own past, as well as Christina's...

Praise for Julie Wassmer's Whitstable Pearl Mysteries...


'While Oxford had Morse, Whitstable, famous for its oysters, has Pearl . . . True to the tradition of classic crime, [Julie Wassmer] weaves a strong story into a setting that has more to offer than murder and mayhem'
Daily Mail

'As light as a Mary Berry Victoria sponge, this Middle-England romp is packed with vivid characters' Myles McWeeney,
Irish Independent

'All of the thrills without any of the gore'
The Sun

'This is a quality title...a very entertaining read' The Puzzle Doctor

'My new favourite author in the genre' George Galloway

'A wonderful way to explore Whitstable . . . if you love cosy mysteries, then get acquainted with Pearl (and her mum and her cats!) and enjoy a trip to Whitstable through the eyes of this very convincing author'
Trip Fiction

'Proves she's mistress of her craft' John McGhie, author of
White Highlands

'Thoroughly enjoyable with a host of wonderful characters - I adore Dolly! - and evocative descriptions of Whitstable. Perfect for foodies too. Pearl is great and the ongoing will they/won't they love story with McGuire is compelling. Comforting, cosy and entertaining with excellent Agatha Christie-style reveals. I love these books!' Jane Wenham-Jones, author of
Mum in the Middle

'If you enjoy cosy crime fiction and you still haven't picked this series, then you are missing out'
Alba in Bookland

'Julie Wassmer really knows how to tell a story' -- Victoria Best,
Shiny New Books

'Good, solid whodunits, without gruesome details or gratuitous violence,
Murder on Sea may be just your cup of tea' -- Bec Stafford

'Come to Whitstable without actually coming to Whitstable. A good read!' Anthony Jemmett

Praise for the TV series

'Scandi noir meets the English seaside in Whitstable Pearl, a murder mystery series based on Julie Wassmer's novels...'
Drama Quarterly

'...explores all the murder and debauchery in the seemingly perfect English seaside town of Whitstable...'
Washington Post

'...you never know what might turn up, either on the menu or alongside an oyster boat.'
Wall Street Journal

Shop this series

 See full series
There are 10 books in this series.

In this series (10 books)

Product description

Review

While Oxford had Morse, Whitstable, famous for its oysters, has Pearl . . . True to the tradition of classic crime, [Julie Wassmer] weaves a strong story into a setting that has more to offer than murder and mayhem ― Daily Mail

If you like the TV series 'Midsomer Murders', then
May Day Murder should be right up your alley ― The Crime Warp

If you enjoy cosy mystery stories and good, solid whodunits, without gruesome details or gratuitous violence,
Murder on Sea may be just your cup of tea -- Bec Stafford

Thoroughly enjoyable with a host of wonderful characters - I adore Dolly! - and evocative descriptions of Whitstable. Perfect for foodies too. Pearl is great and the ongoing will they/won't they love story with McGuire is compelling. Comforting, cosy and entertaining with excellent Agatha Christie-style reveals. I love these books! -- Jane Wenham-Jones, author of Mum in the Middle

A tried-and-tested crime recipe with Whitstable flavours that makes for a Michelin-starred read ―
Daily Mail

With her talent for evoking the delights of good eating while enjoying the sea breeze, Julie Wassmer is the perfect deckchair companion -- Barry Turner ―
Daily Mail

If you enjoy cosy crime fiction and you still haven't picked this series, then you are missing out -- Alba in Bookland

Murder-On-Sea is just straightforwardly excellent cosy crime ... Julie Wassmer really knows how to tell a story -- Victoria Best ― Shiny New Books

From the Back Cover

The Whitstable Pearl restaurant has been busy all summer but Pearl's detective agency has brought few interesting cases - until a prospective client calls...

Seven years ago, Christina Scott had the perfect life: a seaside home, a confirmed pregnancy and Steven, a loving husband - until one morning she woke to find herself alone. Christina's husband had vanished, taking nothing with him but his car - which was later found abandoned at the beautifully mysterious Oare Marshes.

Now, with the legal presumption of Steven's death about to be made, Christina shows a photograph to Pearl. It's not of him, but of her young son, Martin, and Christina is adamant he deserves to know the truth.

DCI Mike McGuire warns Pearl she's on a fool's errand but the case resonates with Pearl as she begins to uncover secrets and lies that take her on a dangerous journey back into her own past, as well as Christina's...

'A tried-and-tested crime recipe with Whitstable flavours that makes for a Michelin-starred read' Daily Mail

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B076H5CMCL
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Constable
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 7 Jun. 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.0 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 253 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1472124937
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 5 of 10 ‏ : ‎ Whitstable Pearl Mysteries
  • Customer reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 809 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Julie Wassmer
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Julie Wassmer is a UK TV drama writer who wrote the BBC series EastEnders for almost 20 years until becoming author of the popular Whitstable Pearl Mystery crime novels - now a major new TV series, Whitstable Pearl, starring Kerry Godliman, Howard Charles and Frances Barber.

In 2010, Julie's memoir, More Than Just Coincidence, entered the Sunday Times Best Selling Non Fiction Top 20 and became Mumsnet Book of the Year. Her debut novel, The Whitstable Pearl Mystery, followed in 2015, published by the award winning Little, Brown Book Group.

Seven other books in the Whitstable Pearl Mystery series have since followed, with more on the way - including Murder at Mount Ephraim due out in August 2022. The second season of the TV series Whitstable Pearl is being filmed for screening later in 2022. Julie is an executive producer of the series which is made by Buccaneer - the production company behind Marcella - for the streaming service Acorn TV.

Julie lives on the coast in Whitstable where she shares a home with her husband, Kas, and cats, Maisie and Lily. She also spends a great deal of time campaigning on local and environmental issues.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
809 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 October 2024
    Whilst the characters are not like the tv series, the books stand up well. This has an interesting story that moves along.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 June 2018
    What a pleasure to read another book in the "Whitstable Pearl Mystery" series by Julie Wassmer. The new book is again set in her hometown Whitstable and adjacent areas in Kent. We meet old friends, Private Detective Pearl Nolan, her mother Dolly and others we have been acquainted with as well as new and interesting characters. The plot weaves gently through various locations and peoples' lives and one is reluctant to put the book down. Julie's descriptions of scenes both natural and manmade are like beautiful paintings, some moody and others full of light and colour.
    Throughout the book Pearl's investigations, her popular restaurant and the deepening relationship with DCI McGuire are all intertwined into the plot and the suspense is held until the last pages. The scenes and plot and insight into local life leave you with a desire to visit this interesting corner of the U.K.. The scenes and moods linger, the suspense is intensified making this book a very interesting and enjoyable one for your summer enjoyment! Be prepared for the unexpected ending!
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 December 2018
    She is redoubtable - Pearl Nolan. In time she will morph into Miss Marple. This is a super gentle series, perfect for rainy, dark November days. A string of possible suspects, yet we don't know if it's a disappearance or "pseudocide". Light on procedure but just enough to know what the law says; Pearl just keeps within it. Her relationship with McGuire develops but one senses there will ever be competition. A cosy read, fulfilling when one simply needs to be entertained and join in the story, which it is easy to do. I wish there was a sequel....
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 January 2020
    I think this is the 4th book of hers that I've read and I think it's the best to date. I really enjoyed it. it's been a real plus for me finding this author.
    I'm slightly biased because I grew up in Herne Bay many years ago so recognise all the names quoted and it has brought back many happy memories.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 May 2019
    I really enjoyed this book, it was very well written and held my attention from the beginning. The ending was a surprise and I could never have guessed, which is the sign of a very good writer! I love the setting, a mystery always seems much more atmospheric when by the sea and along the coast and having visited Whitstable in the past, made the whole story very real.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 April 2021
    The relationship between Maguire and Pearl is progressing well similar to Tommy and Tuppence in the Agatha Christie books I enjoy reading the stories of places I love and have lived in
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 April 2025
    The first part of this book dragged on a bit with an awful lot of descriptions about the characters and their lives, and Whitstable itself and the surrounding areas. So much so I skipped quite a lot. It only really got going towards the end. Hope future books aren't going to continue in the same vein.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 September 2018
    I have read all of Julie Wassmer books and have found they have a certain magic that draws you in. This latest of Julie Wassmer is even better and I could not put the book down as it was such a good read!
    One person found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Joseph Thomas
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another great story
    Reviewed in the United States on 20 September 2024
    She is a great story teller. You learn a lot about England.
  • Lynn Sharkey
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another great book in the series!
    Reviewed in Canada on 18 October 2024
    I love this author and hope that the television series returns soon!!
  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Pleasant series
    Reviewed in the United States on 19 August 2021
    Pearl is a woman with a mission to find out what happened to an artist seven years ago when he disappeared. Having followed every lead she hits a wall. Can she work it out?
  • Donna C.
    5.0 out of 5 stars The writing just keeps getting better...
    Reviewed in the United States on 1 June 2021
    One of my 2 favorites so far. Well written and it kept me guessing until the end. Can't wait to see what's next for Pearl.
  • Ethyl
    5.0 out of 5 stars Missing persons
    Reviewed in the United States on 26 June 2021
    Missing persons case takes Pearl to outlying areas with some interesting characters.

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?