Fans of Jody Brettkelly’s debut murder mystery, Bay of Plenty, have something to celebrate – the second book in the three-part Isla Joyson series, Martyrs’ Convent, has just been released and is available now at Paper Plus Whakatāne.

Brettkelly, a former barrister turned journalist who grew up in the Eastern Bay and now lives in California, saw her first novel reach No 119 on Amazon.

Like her first book, her second blends fast-paced mystery with insider knowledge from her real-life journalism career.

In Martyrs’  Convent, returning character Isla Joyson – a journalist and amateur sleuth – races to uncover the truth behind a drowned nun, a shadowy convent, and a manipulative duke.

Described by Brettkelly as “propulsive right from the beginning”, the book can be read as a stand-alone, and is pitched as a perfect beach read for fans of the film Saltburn, and writers Ruth Ware and Lucy Foley.

“A lot of people say you can read it in a day,” said Brettkelly.

While Bay of Plenty was set in a fictionalised version of Ōhope and Whakatāne – where Brettkelly spent her childhood – Martyrs’ Convent shifts scenes to London.

The idea for the story came from Brettkelly’s time working as a journalist in the UK, and when she covered a story about a convent.

“Just opposite Hyde Park Corner is a cloistered convent, a silent order who pray and go about their day. I thought it would be amazing to have a mystery set in a convent.”

She also drew inspiration from stories she covered involving British high society and castles.

Brettkelly said her own aunty is a nun, giving her insight into convent life.

Unlike her debut novel, which took nearly a decade to complete, Martyrs’ Convent was written in just 10 weeks.

Brettkelly is already working on multiple upcoming releases.

The third book in the Isla Joyson series is due next year, alongside a stand-alone mystery and a romantic comedy set in Gloucestershire – which features two characters introduced in Martyrs’ Convent.

Brettkelly is back in Ōhope for a few months with her husband, economist and podcaster Kevin Coldiron.

They try to return each year to spend time in her hometown. You might even catch her swimming with the local ocean-swimming group.

She’ll also be meeting readers at a book signing at Paper Plus Whakatāne, tomorrow from 12pm-1pm.

For more about Brettkelly’s writing or to follow her latest releases, visit her website: jodybrettkelly.com

Book giveaway
To celebrate the release, The Beacon is giving away a copy of both Bay of Plenty and Martyrs’ Convent. To enter, email [email protected] with Martyr’s Convent in the subject line. Entries close Monday at noon, and the winner can collect the books from the Beacon reception.