Hilarious, nostalgic and unmistakably British, with a genuine mystery at its core
The Gurning Bay Mystery arrives Spring 2026
A new series from author and award-winning journalist Bernard Bale
Matthew James Publishing is delighted to announce the acquisition of The Gurning Bay Mysteries, an uplifting new cosy-crime series by author and award-winning journalist Bernard Bale. The series will launch in Spring 2026 with The Gurning Bay Mystery.
Worldwide rights to the series were acquired in a direct deal with the author by James Shaw, Publishing Manager at Matthew James Publishing.
Set in the wonderfully eccentric seaside town of Gurning Bay, the series blends the gentle puzzle-solving of cosy crime with a witty, chaotic, and unmistakably British sense of humour. While the stories are filled with laugh-out-loud moments and a cast of gloriously oddball characters, they remain true whodunnits.
The Gurning Bay Mystery, the first book in the series, is set in the winter of 1959 as the peace and quiet of Gurning Bay is shattered. A local man is found zipped inside a sleeping bag, surrounded by tins of beans. Enter Sergeant Arthur Pounder, who, alongside his enthusiastic son Elvis, is tasked with investigating this most baffling of deaths. The investigation quickly spirals into chaos, with more twists and turns than the Teacups on the pier.
This combination of heartfelt, character-driven comedy and a most satisfying mystery sets the tone for the entire series.
Bernard Bale said:
“Gurning Bay and its characters have become very special to me, so I am delighted that this lovely seaside resort, its people, its ups and downs and its downs and ups are in the hands of a publishing house like Matthew James. Enjoy your visit to Gurning Bay and don’t worry about the bucket and spade – you can get those at a kiosk near the pier…”
James Shaw, Publishing Manager at Matthew James Publishing, said:
“The Gurning Bay Mysteries is a nostalgic cosy-crime series with an old school sense of humour”. He continues: “Bernard expertly plays with the audience’s expectations to deliver stories that are both laugh-out-loud funny and totally enthralling”.
Full of eccentric personalities and good old-fashioned British humour, with a genuine mystery at the core, The Gurning Bay Mysteries promise readers a cosy and nostalgic slice of escapism coupled with genuine intrigue and an inordinate amount of cups of tea.
The Gurning Bay Mystery by Bernard Bale will be published in paperback, ebook, and hardback formats in Spring 2026. More information will be shared closer to publication.
About Bernard Bale
Bernard Bale is an award-winning journalist and author. He has published more than thirty-five books as well as countless newspaper and magazine articles, scripts and speeches. Bernard worked in Fleet Street writing about everything from the Royal Family and politics to show business and sport, with some serious investigations in his time, too. Bernard has estimated that he has written more than twenty-five million words, winning a few awards along the way.
Bernard’s observations of people, coupled with a sense of fun that is second to none, mean that he breathes life into even the most potentially boring subjects and in his Gurning Bay stories, he is guaranteed to have you on the edge of your seat either with suspense or because you are laughing out loud.
About Matthew James Publishing
Matthew James Publishing is an imprint of Andrews UK. Matthew James Publishing focuses on high-quality contemporary fiction and popular non-fiction books.
