Kerry Godliman Returns With More Mysteries in Whitstable Pearl Season 3
Last Updated on August 6, 2026
Whitstable Pearl is a gem in the world of cozy crime TV, blending small-town charm with intriguing mysteries.
Set in the picturesque seaside town of Whitstable, the show focuses on Pearl Nolan, a restaurant owner who runs a part-time detective agency.
What makes Whitstable Pearl so enjoyable is its perfect balance of relatable, down-to-earth characters and well-crafted mysteries that never feel too dark or heavy.
The show taps into the core appeal of cozy crime — a genre that thrives on comforting settings, likeable sleuths, and puzzles that keep us guessing.
With Pearl at the heart of the story, the series delivers a refreshing mix of amateur sleuthing, heartwarming relationships, and just the right amount of suspense.
It is an escape into a world where justice is served, all wrapped up in a comforting package providing light, enjoyable entertainment that leaves us eager for the next mystery.
And thankfully, those mysteries are just around the corner as Season 3 is scheduled to drop on October 21st on Acorn TV.
If you haven’t already watched the first two seasons, let me give you a quick recap.
The Story So Far…
The series is set in the coastal town of Whitstable, Kent, and stars Kerry Godliman as Pearl Nolan.
Pearl is a single mother of a grown son who runs the Whitstable Pearl, a seafood restaurant, with her mother.
She’s also a private detective, having previously trained as a police officer before her career was cut short.
Pearl’s dual roles as a restaurateur and private investigator form the core of the series. Her detective work often brings her into conflict with the local police, particularly DCI Mike McGuire (Howard Charles), a newcomer to the town.
Each episode typically revolves around a new mystery that Pearl investigates, often in parallel or competition with the official police investigation.
These cases range from suspicious deaths to missing persons and other crimes that occur in the seemingly idyllic coastal town.
The relationship between Pearl and DCI McGuire is a central element, evolving from initial conflict to grudging respect and possibly romantic tension.
So far, that tension hasn’t been resolved but occasionally has come close, though DCI Maguire is a bit of a closed book. It also doesn’t help that at one stage, Pearl was romantically involved with somebody else!
The will-they-wont-they is excellent but not overdone and while there’s always a ‘nearly’ it never overshadows the central mystery at the core of each episode.
What If You Don’t Have Acorn TV?
Firstly, I highly recommend Acorn TV if you’re a fan of all things cozy mystery.
That aside, the show airs on other channels after it has already been released on Acorn.
So, in the UK, you can also catch it on Sky via UKTV Play or buy it on Apple TV.
In the US, it is on Acorn TV, with one season on Hoopla and seasons you can purchase on both Apple TV and Amazon.
Primarily, it is an Acorn Original, so that’s where you are guaranteed to watch it.
The Original Novels by Julie Wassmer
The tv series is based on the mystery novels by Julie Wassmer and are known as the Whitstable Pearl Mystery series.
The show sticks very closely to the source material in that the main character is Pearl Nolan, a local restaurant owner who decides to open a private detective agency.
She also has a son who is attending university in nearby Canterbury, Dolly is her free-spirited mother and DCI Mike McGuire is a police officer who initially clashes with Pearl but grows to appreciate her involvement.
The books in order are:
- The Whitstable Pearl Mystery
- Murder-on-Sea
- May Day Murder
- Murder on the Pilgrims Way
- Disappearance at Oare
- Murder Fest
- Murder on the Downs
- Strictly Murder
- Murder at Mount Ephraim
- Murder At The Allotment
The first book was published in 2015, and as of 2024, there are ten books in the series.
With engaging stories, well-drawn characters, and its strong, unconventional female lead, the books have a dedicated following, particularly among fans of historical and cozy mysteries.
