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Joy Ellis
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MARSHLIGHT a totally gripping psychological thriller with a stunning twist (Detective Matt Ballard Mystery Book 4) Kindle Edition

by Joy Ellis (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 15,987 ratings
A new psychological thriller from bestselling author and British Book Awards Crime & Thriller of the Year nominee Joy Ellis.

MATT AND LIZ MAY HAVE RETIRED FROM THE POLICE, BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN A QUIET LIFE.

An old friend’s sister disappears without a trace. There’s no sign of foul play, but she’d been acting very peculiarly . . .

Meanwhile, Liz’s cousin Christie comes to stay. She takes an immediate — and uncharacteristic — dislike to the local bookshop owner, Gina. Why does everyone put up with her awful behaviour?

HUNTING WILL-O'-THE-WISPS ON THE MARSHES CAN BE A VERY DANGEROUS HOBBY.

Christie is convinced that Gina is manipulating everyone around her. Is she onto something dangerous or just pushing her new friends away?

No one believes her suspicions until another friend goes missing late at night on the misty Fen marshes.

Can Matt and Liz uncover the truth in time to save lives?

DISCOVER A TOTALLY ENTHRALLING PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER

What readers are saying about JOY ELLIS:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A terrific read that I guarantee the reader will not want to put down.” Hannelore

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Once you start you just can’t put it down the story line gets more intense and intriguing with every turn of the page.” Gordon

“The suspense starts on page 1 and continues through the twists and turns until the very surprising ending.” Linda Strong

“OMG, this book was fantastic. I absolutely loved it. I was gripped from the first page, but as the tension and suspense mounted throughout the book it just got better and better. And that ending, well, just WOW!” Dawn

“I absolutely loved it.” Viv

“Will keep you guessing until the end of the book.” Barbara

“What a book!!!” Sian

“I was so engrossed I sat up way too late to finish it in one sitting.” Elaine

THE SETTING
England's rural fenland is a strange place, with its never-ending fields, winding tracks, and long straight droves (the old livestock routes) that lead to nowhere. The lonely lanes are flanked either side by deep drainage ditches and are, for a good part of the year, filled with tall, whispering reeds. Closer to the Wash, high seabanks form a barrier between river and marsh, and the richly fertile soil of the drained land. But when the mists come down, as they so often do, perspective is destroyed and all sense of direction lost, and then the fens become a rather frightening place of mystery and danger. Somewhere that you do not want to be at night.

ALSO BY JOY ELLIS
THE BESTSELLING NIKKI GALENA SERIES
Book 1: CRIME ON THE FENS
Book 2: SHADOW OVER THE FENS
Book 3: HUNTED ON THE FENS
Book 4: KILLER ON THE FENS
Book 5: STALKER ON THE FENS
Book 6: CAPTIVE ON THE FENS
Book 7: BURIED ON THE FENS
Book 8: THIEVES ON THE FENS
Book 9: FIRE ON THE FENS
Book 10: DARKNESS ON THE FENS
Book 11: HIDDEN ON THE FENS
Book 12: SECRETS ON THE FENS
Book 13: FEAR ON THE FENS

JACKMAN & EVANS
Book 1: THE MURDERER’S SON
Book 2: THEIR LOST DAUGHTERS
Book 3: THE FOURTH FRIEND
Book 4: THE GUILTY ONES
Book 5: THE STOLEN BOYS
Book 6: THE PATIENT MAN
Book 7: THEY DISAPPEARED
Book 8: THE NIGHT THIEF

DETECTIVE MATT BALLARD
Book 1: BEWARE THE PAST
Book 2: FIVE BLOODY HEARTS
Book 3: THE DYING LIGHT
Book 4: MARSHLIGHT
Book 5: TRICK OF THE NIGHT

STANDALONES
GUIDE STAR
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  1. Book 4 of 6
    Detective Matt Ballard Mystery
  2. Print length
    396 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    July 8, 2021
  6. File size
    1.3 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
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  9. Enhanced typesetting
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From the Publisher

DISCOVER A SERIES OF GRIPPING THRILLERS FROM MULTIPLE #1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR JOY ELLIS

Perfect for fans of Rachel Abbott, Robert Bryndza, Mel Sherratt, Angela Marsons, Colin Dexter, or Ruth Rendell.

BEWARE THE PAST
FIVE BLOODY HEARTS
THE DYING LIGHT
MARSHLIGHT
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Customer Reviews
4.4 out of 5 stars 56,114
4.4 out of 5 stars 19,952
4.2 out of 5 stars 15,092
4.4 out of 5 stars 15,987
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Joy Ellis is the author of three series of mystery and detective novels.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B095Z4YYZD
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Joffe Books Mystery, Crime Thriller, Suspense Fiction
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 8, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.3 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 396 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1789318517
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 4 of 6 ‏ : ‎ Detective Matt Ballard Mystery
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 15,987 ratings

About the author

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Joy Ellis

Joy Ellis

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I was born in Kent but spent most of my working life in London and Surrey. I was an apprentice florist to Constance Spry Ltd, a prestigious Mayfair shop that throughout the Sixties and Seventies teemed with both royalty and ‘real’ celebrities. What an eye-opener for a working-class kid from the Garden of England! I swore then, probably whilst I was scrubbing the floor or making the tea, that I would have a shop of my own one day. It took until the early Eighties, but I did it. Sadly the recession wiped us out, and I embarked on a series of weird and wonderful jobs; the last one being a bookshop manager. Surrounded by books all day, getting to order whatever you liked, and being paid for it! Oh bliss!

And now I live in a village in the Lincolnshire Fens with my partner, Jacqueline, and three Springer spaniels and four little rescue, Breton spaniels. I had been writing mysteries for years but never had the time to take it seriously. Now I write full-time, and as my partner is a highly decorated retired police officer; my choice of genre is a no-brainer! I have an on-tap police and judicial consultant, who makes exceedingly good tea!

I have set my crime thrillers here in the misty fens because I sincerely love the remoteness and airy beauty of the marshlands. This area is steeped in superstitions and lends itself so well to murder!

I am lucky enough to be one of the amazing Joffe Books team of authors and am really enjoying being able to spend time doing what I love... writing!

The series so far:-

DI Nikki Galena, the Fen Series

Book One: Crime on the Fens

Book Two: Shadow over the Fens

Book Three: Hunted on the Fens

Book Four: Killer on the Fens

Book Five: Stalker on the Fens

Book Six: Captive on the Fens

Book Seven: Buried on the Fens

Book Eight: Thieves on the Fens

Book Nine: Fire on the Fens

Book Ten: Darkness on the Fens

Book Eleven: Hidden on the Fens

Book Twelve: Secrets on the Fens

Book Thirteen: Fear on the Fens

Book Fourteen: Graves on the Fens

Book Fifthteen: Echoes on the Fens

Detective Nikki Galena Books 1-3 Boxset

Detective Nikki Galena Books 4-6 Boxset

Detective Nikki Galena Books 7-9 Boxset

Detective Nikki Galena Books 1-5 Boxset

DI Jackman and DS Marie Evans series so far:-

Book One: The Murderer's Son

Book Two: Their Lost Daughters

Book Three: The Fourth Friend

Book Four: The Guilty Ones

Book Five: The Stolen Boys

Book Six: The Patient Man

Book Seven: They Disappeared

Book Eight: The Night Thief

Book Nine: Solace House

Book Ten: The River's Edge

Guide Star. A stand alone novel about love, loss and overcoming adversity.

Beware the Past. Detective Matt Ballard Book 1 A stand alone thriller still set in the Fens, but with new characters and very different feel

Five Bloody Hearts. Detective Mat Ballard Book 2 After overwhelming requests, this is a sequel to Beware the Past, with DCI Matt Ballard.

The Dying Light. Detective Matt Ballard Book 3 Matt Ballard is now retired, but he and Liz still take on difficult cases, but as private detectives.

Marshlight. Detective Matt Ballard Book 4. They might have retired, but things are far from quiet for Matt and Liz!

Trick of the Night. Detective Matt Ballard Book 5. Matt and Liz find themselves needing to work with some of their old colleagues in the Force when they embark on a sinister case that is far more serious than first thought.

The Bag of Secrets. Detective Matt Ballard Book 6. An abandoned carpet bag full of mysterious handwritten notes. A body in a marshy lagoon.

Ellie McEwan mysteries series:-

Book One: An Aura of Mystery

Book Two: The Colour of Mystery

Guard Her With Your Life. A standalone novella.

These are available in both Kindle and paperback and now practically all of my books are available as audio books.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
15,987 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers praise the book's psychological suspense elements and well-crafted plot, with one review highlighting the stunning twist at the end. Moreover, the book receives positive feedback for its wonderful characters, readability, and author quality. Additionally, customers appreciate the pacing, with one review specifically noting the amazing descriptions of the fens.

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27 customers mention "Suspenseful story"27 positive0 negative

Customers praise the book's suspenseful story, describing it as a corker with perfectly crafted plots and elements of psychological suspense, with one customer noting a stunning twist at the end.

"...The plot itself was perfectly crafted & I couldn't read it fast enough! I highly recommend this book!..." Read more

"...It is indeed what the subtitle says “a totally gripping psychological thrillers with a stunning twist”...." Read more

"...this book 5 stars because of the author's creation of a a wonderful, memorable, evocative antagonist." Read more

"...At that point it rapidly gets interesting and concluded very nicely with the suspect that the reader surmised is guilty." Read more

20 customers mention "Readability"20 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable and fun to read, with one describing it as a fascinating mystery.

"...Thank you Joy Ellis for several thoroughly enjoyable reading! I can hardly wait for the next one." Read more

"Another outstanding Joy Ellis book. 10 out of 10!" Read more

"...Joy Ellis is an outstanding author and her books are all outstanding." Read more

"Series 1-6. everyone is captivating and suspenseful. most enjoyable. Great reads." Read more

10 customers mention "Character development"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book.

"...The actions of other characters are also convincing. The result is a tale that moves with good pace and has the reader rooting for just desserts...." Read more

"...Terrifying. Riveting. Brilliant characters that I came to love — and worry about...." Read more

"...The characters are so real. The setting descriptions make you feel as if you are there...." Read more

"This may be one of her best! Perfectly paced and well timed. Each character is distinct, and his or her role in the story leaves only a very small..." Read more

8 customers mention "Author quality"8 positive0 negative

Customers praise the author's work.

"...of Joy Ellis books loved every one of them BUT this one is the best of the lot &t that is saying something...." Read more

"...These books are just the best. Joy Ellis is an outstanding author and her books are all outstanding." Read more

"...Well done. Another Ellis book that I could hardly put down." Read more

"...This current book was absolutely thrilling and was a fantastic story." Read more

6 customers mention "Pacing"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the pacing of the book, with one customer particularly appreciating the amazing descriptions of the fens and beautiful cottages.

"...Each of the returning characters Matt & Liz were as charming as ever but Christie Liz's cousin was a real star...." Read more

"...At first her descriptions of the countryside, the beautiful cottages, made me want to take a trip to the UK again...." Read more

"...Amazing descriptions of the fens that makes you feel you are right there!" Read more

"What a great read this was. Great creatures down to the very nasty bad guy to the oh so smart so called victims. Can't wait for the next one." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of her best!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I have read all of Joy Ellis books loved every one of them BUT this one is the best of the lot &t that is saying something. Each of the returning characters Matt & Liz were as charming as ever but Christie Liz's cousin was a real star. The plot itself was perfectly crafted & I couldn't read it fast enough! I highly recommend this book! Thank you Joy Ellis for several thoroughly enjoyable reading! I can hardly wait for the next one.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Mtlnative
    4.0 out of 5 stars Gripping indeed
    Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I spent an entire day reading this book, with short breaks for food and walking to clear my head. It is indeed what the subtitle says “a totally gripping psychological thrillers with a stunning twist”. I actually think there are two twists, however, because I think the “solution” that Matt Ballard comes up with at the end is wrong. Perhaps Ellis wrote it so that the reader would see what Ballard doesn’t see. Makes for an interesting “will the story continue” ending.
    I also enjoyed Ellis’ description of the fens in Norfolk in England. Slightly more southerly than Vera’s (Ann Cleeves) fens around Newcastle, Ellis describes these fens as magical but murderous. At first her descriptions of the countryside, the beautiful cottages, made me want to take a trip to the UK again. However, as the story turned more sinister, ugh, no.
    It’s still a corker of a story. If you like stories about good vs evil, if you love to get so engrossed in a story that you are shouting “No, NO, don’t fall for that!!” this is the story for you.
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  • steppie
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great book
    Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Another outstanding Joy Ellis book. 10 out of 10!
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  • R.R. Lexical
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Superb Sociopath Antagonist
    Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Matt Ballard and his wife Liz Haynes are retired police officers and now run a private investigation agency in Fenlands, England. The disappearance of a friend's gaudy sister constitutes the mystery, which becomes entangled with a cousin visiting the Fens to do research for a famous novelist. Cousin Christie befriends locals who seem to be under the control of a rich businesswoman. The apparent plot diversions make the book a bit slow to start, but eventually things get moving and united. The author does a magnificent job of painting an antagonist sociopath, whose actions seem real and perverse. The antagonist works to control and manipulate people, even unto death. The actions of other characters are also convincing. The result is a tale that moves with good pace and has the reader rooting for just desserts. I rated this book 5 stars because of the author's creation of a a wonderful, memorable, evocative antagonist.
    Helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars Murder Mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This book was difficult to read specifically because the author spent 50% of it building her characters & explicitly describing the houses, flowers etc. At that point it rapidly gets interesting and concluded very nicely with the suspect that the reader surmised is guilty.
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars My joy was not over the top.
    Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Marsha, marsha, marsha (apologies to the Brady Bunch) . I've read Joy Ellis before and have enjoyed those very much. This story though got bogged down near the middle by events that were more high school behavior than crime story. I found myself thinking move on, move on. But it does wind up in a satisfactory way. Just not the usual tense dramas I'm used to.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Linda
    5.0 out of 5 stars Totally Amazing Book
    Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Marshlight was just so fantastic and I couldn’t hardly put it down. It gets you pulled in right from the beginning. These books are just the best.

    Joy Ellis is an outstanding author and her books are all outstanding.
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  • J Skinner
    5.0 out of 5 stars Surprise Ending
    Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Another intricate plot by a great writer. If you’ve ever had the misfortune to be in a horrid relationship with a sociopath you will appreciate the evil way one person can wreck so many lives. Terrifying. Riveting. Brilliant characters that I came to love — and worry about. A surprise twist at the end — and all my questions, worries, & fears were resolved. Well done. Another Ellis book that I could hardly put down.
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • mepeewee
    5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Joy Ellis
    Reviewed in Australia on August 3, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Not quite the usual evil criminal activity I've become used to, but in every other way typical of Joy Ellis's writing - fully developed characters, excellent scene setting, and faultless plot development.
    You may be assured of a good read !
    Report
  • Andrew Edward Earl
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best Ever
    Reviewed in Germany on August 22, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Solid, believable characters, but the star of this book is the Fens themselves. Atmospheric, magical, mysterious and scary. This is indeed a masterpiece.
    Report
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Marshlight
    Reviewed in Spain on July 31, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Totally gripping tale from beginning to end.
    Having spent a little of my life on the fens,and enjoyed it I felt that I was being transported back their
    Report
  • Lorna Hall
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this book!
    Reviewed in Canada on January 6, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This author is awesome. This was the best so far from start to the end. I can’t wait to read more of her books!
    Report
  • Colin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant loved the
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 14, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Another great read in the series.
    The storyline is gripping and well written to keep you reading.
    Adding in Christie to the story really keeps you interested,and Matt and Liz are really great characters.
    I love this series of books
    Report

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