Muddled Through by Barbara Ross

 Muddled Through

Book Summary

Mud season takes on a whole new meaning in the coastal town of Busman's Harbor, Maine, when local business owners sling dirt at one another in a heated feud over a proposed pedestrian mall. Vandalism is one thing, but murder means Julia Snowden of the Snowden Family Clambake steps in to clean up the case . . .
 
When Julia spots police cars in front of Lupine Design, she races over. Her sister Livvie works there as a potter. Livvie is unharmed but surrounded by smashed up pottery. The police find the owner Zoey Butterfield digging clay by a nearby bay, but she has no idea who would target her store. Zoey is a vocal advocate for turning four blocks of Main Street into a pedestrian mall on summer weekends. Other shop owners, including her next-door neighbor, are vehemently opposed. Could a small-town fight provoke such destruction? When a murder follows the break-in, it’s up to Julia to dig through the secrets and lies to uncover the truth . . .

My Thoughts

Muddled Through by Barbara Ross takes us back to Busman’s Harbor, Maine.  Julia Snowden finds herself embroiled in another mystery courtesy of her sister, Livvie.  Livvie works at Lupine Designs owned by Zoey Butterfield in the off season.  Zoey is a potter who makes beautiful plates, cups, bowls, platters, and other related items.  Julia gets a frantic call from her sister.  She rushes down to the shop to find the place destroyed.  Someone managed to get into the shop in the early hours and destroy the store’s inventory.  Zoey had been out collecting clay, so she was no in her apartment above the shop.  The day after a raucous town meeting, Phinney Hardison is found dead in the basement of Lupine Design.  Zoey is the prime suspect since it is her shop, she had access, and she had an altercation with the victim at the town meeting the previous evening.  Zoey and Phinney were on opposite sides of pedestrian mall matter.  Livvie asks Julia to investigate and prove Zoey’s innocence.  Julia has her work cut out for on this case.

Muddled Through by Barbara Ross is the tenth A Maine Clambake Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone since the necessary background information is provided.  Barbara Ross has a casual writing style.  It is friendly and engaging.  It makes her stories easy to read.  Julia Snowden is single after parting ways with Chris Durand. She has returned to her mother’s home since Gus needed Julia’s apartment for family.  It is spring in Maine which means it is the muddy season.  The mud and rain make it difficult to get around.  You need to have sturdy wellies if you are going to be out and about.  The town is in an uproar over the proposed pedestrian mall.  Four blocks of Main Street would be blocked to road traffic on Friday and Saturday evening during July and August.  Shops could set out their wares and restaurants could offer outdoor dining (a street festival vibe).  Zoey Butterfield, a local potter and store owner, is in favor of the pedestrian mall.  Phinney Hardison is not in favor of the mall or tourists.  He still considers Zoey a flatlander.  

Phinney is found dead in Zoey’s basement which leads to a major investigation.  Julia is a curious person by nature.  She likes to know the answers, so it does not take much persuasion to convince her to look into the crime.  Julia asks questions, looks up information online, and searches for clues.  The mystery becomes interesting in the second half of the book.  I enjoyed following Julia as she gathered intel.  I love solving whodunits.  I had an inkling as to why a certain person committed the crime, but I was not completely sure until Julia uncovered the final clue.  The reveal is suspenseful and suits the series.  Julia is still trying to get over Chris Durand.  Zoey gives her some good advice.  It looks like there is a potential love interest or two for Julia (when she is ready).  I enjoy the author’s descriptions of Maine.  It sounds like a beautiful area.  I liked meeting Alice Rumsford (a local philanthropist).  I hope we get to see more of her in the future.  Muddled Through is a wicked fun time with messy mud, pulverized pottery, ardent debating, mall melee, a slain neighbor, key conundrum, a brilliant breakthrough, and a questioning Julia.

Muddled Through will be out on Tuesday, June 28 and it is available for preorder from Amazon*.  You can find the other nine A Maine Clambake Mysteries here.  Barbara Ross has Hallowed Out releasing on July 26.  You can follow Barbara Ross on Amazon to receive an email when she has a new book release.  Thank you for visiting today.  Tomorrow I am sharing my thoughts on Her Darkest Secret by Jessica R. Patch.  I hope that you have a relaxing day. I am heading outside to complete a few tasks.  I am working on our seating area.  I have finished putting together the new rockers.  I am getting rid of the Adirondack chairs (too low).  I am putting down a new carpet that goes with the colors of the rockers and side table (various blues).   This will probably be my last outdoor chore for the next two months.  It is getting too hot to work outside even for a short period of time.  I have plenty to keep me busy inside where it is cool.  Take care, stay cool, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Halloween Party Murder by Leslie Meier, Barbara Ross, and Lee Hollis

 Halloween Party Murder

Book Summary

Small town traditions are celebrated throughout Maine during the holiday season. But when it comes to Halloween, some people are more than willing to reap a harvest of murder ...

HALLOWEEN PARTY MURDER by LESLIE MEIER

Tinker's Cove newest residents Ty and Heather Moon turn their Victorian home into a haunted house to raise funds for charity. But the Halloween fun turns to horrific fright when Heather overdoses on tainted drugs--and Ty finds himself accused of murder. Digging deep into the story, journalist Lucy Stone uncovers some sinister secrets in the Moons' past linked to a conspiracy in her hometown...

DEATH OF A HALLOWEEN PARTY MONSTER by LEE HOLLIS

Everyone attending Island Times Food and Cocktail columnist Hayley Powell's Halloween bash is dressed as their favorite movie monster from the Bride of Frankenstein and Jaws to Chucky and Pennywise the clown. But when partygoers stumble upon Boris Candy's bludgeoned costumed corpse, it falls to Hayley to discover who among her guests wanted to stop the man from clowning around permanently...

SCARED OFF by BARBARA ROSS

Three teenage girls having a sleepover on Halloween night get spooked when high schoolers crash the house for a party. But no one expected to find a crasher like Mrs. Zelisko, the elderly third floor tenant, dead in the backyard--dressed in a sheet like a ghost. With her niece traumatized, Julia Snowden must uncover who among the uninvited guests was responsible for devising such a murderous trick..

My Thoughts

Halloween Party Murder by Leslie Meier, Barbara Ross, and Lee Hollis contains three fun Halloween themed novellas.  Halloween Party Murder by Leslie Meier, Death of a Halloween Party Monster by Lee Hollis, and Scared Off by Barbara Ross are the three novellas.  Each novella relates back to a series written by that author (A Lucy Stone Mystery, A Hayley Powell Food & Cocktails Mystery, and A Maine Clambake Mystery).  The three stories go well together with all of them set in Maine and involving a Halloween Party.  I enjoyed reading all three Halloween-themed stories.  Lee Hollis’ was intriguing as it was a closed room mystery.  It has Hayley Powell trying to figure out which of her guests could have committed murder.  Halloween Party Murder by Leslie Meier picks up where Haunted House Murder ended.  A haunted house turns deadly.  Scared Off has Julia’s niece calling for help when a sleepover ends up with an out-of-control party.  The police arrive to find the homeowner’s renter dead in the backyard.  All three books are well-written with great characters and steady pacing.  It is fun catching up with the characters from these entertaining cozy mysteries. These are three fun Halloween treats. Halloween Party Murder contains three spooktacular tales that have Halloween hijinks, mysterious murders, a creepy clown, startling screams, troubled teens, problematic party, and three stellar sleuths. 

Halloween Party Murder is available from Amazon*.    A Hayley Powell Food & Cocktails Mysteries here.  Lee Hollis' novels here on Amazon. Lee Hollis has Murder at the Bake Sale publishing November 30.  It is the 2nd A Maya and Sandra Mystery.  You can find the other A Maine Clambake Mysteries here.  Barbara Ross has Jane Darrowfield and the Madwoman Next Door releasing December 28.  It is the 2nd A Jane Darrowfield Mystery.    You can find all of Barbara Ross' novels here.  You can find Leslie Meier's A Lucy Stone Mysteries here.  Easter Bonnet Murder is the next A Lucy Stone Mystery and it will be out on January 25, 2022.  You can find all of Leslie Meier's books here.  Thank you for visiting me today.  I am taking Sunday off and will return on Monday with Deadly Summer Nights by Vicki Delany.  It is the first novel in A Catskill Summer Resort Mystery series.  I am a stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for this novel.  There will be an excerpt, recipe, and a giveaway.  Please find a moment to stop by.  I hope that you have a fun weekend.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Shucked Apart by Barbara Ross

 Shucked Apart by Barbara Ross

Book Summary

It is May in Busman’s Harbor, Maine where Julia Snowden is working on finding employees for the upcoming season which begins on Memorial Day.  Julia is interrupted by her boyfriend, Chris Durand who has brought his friend, Andie Greatorex.  Andie was assaulted and robbed of $35,000 of spat (oyster larvae) just after arriving home from purchasing it.  Andie feels that someone is trying to warn her off because she has applied to lease additional space for oyster beds.  There is also a time factor with the oyster seeds.  If they are not properly cared for, they could die.  Julia has a variety of suspects from rival oyster farmers, lobsterman, to a resident who does not like their view marred.  Before Julia can make headway in the investigation, she finds Andie murdered with a shucking knife in her neck.  The killer obviously felt threatened.  Julia needs to figure out which person she questioned could be the killer.  

My Thoughts 

Shucked Apart by Barbara Ross is the 9^th A Maine Clambake Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series or may have missed a book or two.  Reading the earlier books, though, will provide more background on Julia, her family, friends, and the business.  It is May and the season has not begun yet in Busman’s Harbor, Maine.  Julia Snowden is surprised when her boyfriend, Chris Durand brings his poker buddy, Andie Greatorex to visit her (where she learns Andie is a woman).  Julia is told that Andie was attacked and robbed of the oyster larvae (spat) she had just purchased. Andie would like Julia to use her sleuthing skills to see if she can uncover the guilty party.  This is a different type of case for Julia.  She does have some extra time on her hands, so Julia agrees to do a little digging.  Julia questions several people including Andie’s ex-partner (business and personal), a lobsterman, a rival oyster farmer, and a neighbor of Andie’s.  Julia has barely begun her investigation when Andie is murdered.  The mystery provides us with a couple of suspects, a red herring, and subtle clues. There was a nice surprise in this whodunit.  It was nice to catch up with Julia before the busy season begins.  We do see Chris, but the other regulars are largely absent (one or two only briefly mentioned).  I must admit that I am not a fan of Chris’s. He is a nice man, but he does not seem like the right person for Julia.  I could tell the author did her research on oyster farming.  It was interesting learning how oysters are raised and harvested (not that I would ever eat one).  I enjoyed the beautiful descriptions of Maine as well and I liked that we left Busman’s Harbor to visit nearby Damariscotta.  We also learn about the rivalry between lobsterman and oyster farmers plus how residents feel about the oyster beds.  I thought Shucked Apart was easy to read with a likeable main character.  The pacing varied in this story.   While Shucked Apart is not my favorite book in this series, I still enjoyed my visit.  Shucked Apart is a charming tale with oyster offspring, rival lobsterman, employee problems, lease barriers, and sly sabotage. 

Shucked Apart can be obtained from Amazon*.  You can find the other A Maine Clambake Mysteries here.    Barbara Ross also writes A Jane Darrowfield Series.  Barbara Ross along with Leslie Meier, and Lee Hollis has Halloween Party Murder publishing August 31.  Thank you for checking out my review today.  I am featuring Dreams Rekindled by Amanda Cabot tomorrow.  It is the second book in the Mesquite Springs series. I hope all of you have cheery day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Jane Darrowfield, Professional Busybody by Barbara Ross

Welcome! Today is my mother's 75th Birthday!  This picture was taken over 35 years ago!  It is my mother, myself, and my sister.  I would normally be taking her out for a special dinner.  However, since we live in Florida (which seems to be a hot zone for the disease) and she is considered high risk, I will be cooking the dinner of her choice.  I was surprised when she picked fried chicken until she explained that it was what she had as a child on her birthday.  There will also be a cake with plenty of  the buttercream frosting that she loves.  There will be coleslaw from the Colonel as well (she loves it).  I also have to fry chicken for her dog, Tuxxe (her baby).  The things we do for those we love!  Do you have birthday traditions in your family?

Aerial view of Cambridge, Massachusetts

Jane Darrowfield, ProfessionalBusybody by Barbara Ross has Jane Darrowfield looking for ways to keep busy since she retired.  She has already organized everything in her home, planted a garden, and traveled.  After helping a friend with a thorny personal problem, other people within West Cambridge began coming to Jane for assistance when they had a situation that needed fixed quietly.  For the first time, Jane is being offered money in exchange for her help.  Paul Peavey is the executive director at Walden Springs which is a lifecare community for active adults 55 and over.  Paul is asking for Jane to move into a guest suite and help restore harmony within the community.  Jane soon finds that Walden Springs is reminiscent of high school with the various cliques and in-fighting.  Jane wakes up the next day to find the complex crawling with police officers.  A member of the popular faction has been murdered and Paul asks Jane to locate the killer.  The suspect list is lengthy since the victim was not well-liked.   Jane will need to keep her wits about her if she is to solve this mystery without becoming the next victim.

55+ Active Adult Community

Jane Darrowfield, ProfessionalBusybody by Barbara Ross is the debut of A Jane Darrowfield Mystery series.  Jane Darrowfield is retired from the telephone company and her only son lives on the west coast.   After organizing her house and traveling, Jane is at loose ends.  Playing bridge with her three friends does not take up all her time.  Jane has discovered that she is good at solving problems and word has spread within the town.  Now Jane has a paid assignment.  She needs to uncover why the various cliques at an over 55 community are at odds with one another.  Things go well until one of the ring leaders turns up dead.  Jane Darrowfield is a spirited main character.  She is smart, notices details, and likes to be active. I like that she is an older protagonist.  Jane has her three friends (Helen, Phyllis, and Irma) with whom she plays bridge regularly.  Phyllis enlists Jane’s help in weeding through the men interested in dating her since her own judgement is not to be trusted.  Phyllis has created profiles for the two of them on a dating site and arranged coffee dates for Jane with the top matches.  I found the dates to be entertaining.  I just loved the baristas reactions.  I thought Jane Darrowfield, Professional Busybody contained good writing, it was just the right length, and it had a steady pace.  The mystery was interesting with a variety of suspects.  Jane questioned people, followed leads, and searched for clues.  It was fun solving this clever whodunit.  I look forward to the next A Jane Darrowfield Mystery.  Jane Darrowfield, Professional Busybody is charming cozy mystery with a gone golfer, suspicious suspects, surprising secrets, a crafty killer, and a smart senior sleuth.

Jane Darrowfield, Professional Busybody is available from Amazon*.  Jane Darrowfield and the Madwoman Next Door comes out October 27 as a Barnes and Noble exclusive.  We will have to wait for the 2nd book A Jane Darrowfield Mystery to be available through Amazon (in a year).  Shucked Apart is Barbara Ross' next release in A Maine Clambake Mystery series and it will be out on February 23, 2021.  I appreciate you stopping by today and reading my latest review.  Tomorrow I plan on featuring An Appalachian Summer by Ann H. Gabhart.  I was fortunate to win a copy.  May you have a fulfilling day.  Take care, stay safe, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

  

*This post contains affiliate links.

Sealed Off by Barbara Ross

Welcome!  Barbara Ross is the author of A Maine Clambake Mystery series as well as Jane Darrowfield Mysteries (Jane Darrowfield, Professional Busybody releases June 30, 2020).  She has won the Maine Literary Award for Crime Fiction and has been nominated for multiple Agatha Awards for Best Contemporary Novel.  Barbara and her husband live in Portland, Maine.  

Sealed Off by Barbara Ross returns readers to Busman’s Harbor, Maine where it is October which means the season is coming to an end.  Julia Snowden runs Snowden Family Clambake Company alongside her mother, sister and brother-in-law on Morrow Island.  They are glad the season is  ending because they are tired of the bickering between Jason Caraway and Terry Durand over Emmy Bailey.  The last thing Julia wants to do is fire her boyfriend’s brother.  The demo crew has arrived at Windsholme for the first stage of the renovations to their old family home.  They end up doing demo work on the wrong floor and uncover a room that had been completely sealed off with all the furnishing as well as a woman’s belonging completely intact.  Julia finds an old diary belong to the governess who inhabited the room in 1898.  The entire family is curious to learn what happened to Lilly Smythe including visiting relatives Marguerite and her granddaughter, Tallulah.  Unfortunately, things escalate between Terry and Jason.  The next day, Julia goes to fire Terry, but she cannot find him nor Chris’s boat where he is residing.  Jason along with his ex-wife are also no-shows.  Julia pitches in to help with the fire and finds Jason dead by the woodpile.  Terry, of course, is at the top of the suspect list and Chris implores Julia to don her sleuthing cap to clear Terry of any wrongdoing. Can Julia reel in the killer before Terry ends up back behind bars?

Sealed Off by Barbara Ross is the eighth A Maine Clambake Mystery.  It can be read on its own for those who have just discovered this series.  Julia Snowden has her hands full in Sealed Off between running the family business, getting ready for the opening of the winter restaurant she runs with Chris, the renovations at Windsholme, the murder of an employee, visiting relatives and the hidden room.  Marguerite is an elderly relative who lived at Windsholme when she was a child and is visiting Busman’s Harbor with her granddaughter, Tallulah.  She is arriving to take a last look at the house before the renovations begin.  I like that she can describe what the once stately summer home looked like when it was at its prime.  I enjoyed Marguerite’s readings of the diary.  I admit that I found the story of the nanny more compelling than the modern day whodunit.  I just loved the descriptions of the room’s furnishing and the beautiful clothing the governess left behind.  I was a little disappointed with the outcome (but that is just me).  Jason Caraway and Terry Durand bickering about Emmy Bailey was unprofessional and I was surprised that Julia let it go on as long as she did (I know it is fiction—but I thought it odd).  No one has bothered to tell Emmy that her daughter could be Terry’s child and that Huntington’s runs in the family.  I was happy that this particular storyline is put to bed by the end of the novel.  The death of Jason Caraway along with what happened to the missing demo crew worker was not a head scratcher.  There was a lack of suspects plus obvious clues that made this puzzle a snap to solve.  There were some exciting suspenseful moments that I relished.  I would like to see Julia and Chris’s relationship progress.  They are happy, but I wonder what the future holds for them especially regarding children.  Sealed Off is a good story, but it is not my favorite in the series.  I am, though, looking forward to the next A Maine Clambake Mystery.  This is a series that I enjoy reading with its charming town and engaging characters.  Sealed Off has demolition drama, squabbling suitors, a recondite room, a discovered diary, and fine food.

Sealed Off is available through Amazon* along with other major booksellers (Barnes & Noble, Kobo, iBooks).  Clammed Up is the first book in A Maine Clambake Mystery series and it is available through Kindle Unlimited.  You can find a list of all the novels in A Maine Clambake Mystery series here.  Don't forget that Jane Darrowfield, Professional Busybody by Barbara Ross will be out on June 30.  Thank you for reading my review.  The Shape of Night by Tess Gerritsen is on deck for tomorrow.  I hope that you have an amazing day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

Nogged Off by Barbara Ross

Hello!  I hope you have had a good week and are enjoying a relaxing day. A Mystery Before Christmas by Adriana Lucio* releases on November 20.  It is the third An Italian Village Mystery.  Thin Ice by Paige Shelton comes out December 3 along with Holiday Homecoming Secrets by Lynette Eason.  Verse and Vengeance by Amanda Flower is available on December 10.  It is A Magical Bookshop Mystery.

Nogged Off by Barbara Ross has Julia Snowden finally letting go of her Tribeca apartment.  Imogen Geinkes has been subleasing the apartment and has agreed to take over the lease.  Julia arrives to find Imogen crying because she lost her job and her boyfriend within one week.  Imogen is now unable to take over the lease or buy the furniture plus she has nowhere else to go.  Julia quickly rents a moving truck, packs up the contents of her apartment and invites Imogen to spend Christmas with her family in Busman’s Harbor, Maine.  The arrive home in the middle of the night so Julia leaves the moving van in her mother’s driveway.  The next morning the van is gone.  The police find the moving van in a remote location with Imogen’s ex-boyfriend dead inside.  Julia wants to tie up this investigation quickly so she can enjoy the holiday with her family.  Things, though, do not go quite as planned.

Nogged off by Barbara Ross is a part of the A Maine Clambake Mystery series.  If you read Eggnog Murder which came out a year ago (three novellas in one book), then you have already enjoyed Nogged Off.  Julia Snowden goes to clear out her Tribeca apartment and ends up taking Imogen Geinkes home to her mother’s house for the holidays.  Murder and confusion soon ensues.  I enjoyed reading Nogged Off.  It is well-written and proceeds at a steady pace.  Julia, Chris, Gus, Julia’s mother are all included in the story.  It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series.  I thought the whodunit was clever with a surprising twist.  In addition, there are some mysterious happenings at the Snowden house.  They are beginning to wonder if the house is haunted.  I enjoyed the humor sprinkled throughout Nogged Off.  Nogged Off is an entertaining novella with a curious mystery, Christmas traditions, good food, family, friends, humor and a little mayhem. 

Nogged Off is available in ebook through Amazon* (Amazon UK).  Sealed Off is the next A Maine Clambake Mystery which comes out on December 31.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I plan on sharing my review of A Precious Gift by Shelley Shepard Gray next time.  It is part of The Walnut Creek series.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

Haunted House Murder by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis, and Barbara Ross

Hello!  Read and Buried by Eva Gates, Christmas Angels by Nancy Naigle, and The Painted Castle by Kristy Cambron are out today.  Christmas Sweets by Joanne Fluke, Laura Levine and Leslie Meier releases October 29 along with Apple Cider Slaying by Julie Anne Lindsey.  Pretty Little Fliers by Erin Johnson premieres on October 25.  It is the first tale in Magic Market Mysteries.  A witchy story is perfect to read at this time of year.

Haunted House Murder by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis and Barbara Ross contains three haunted house themed cozy mystery novellas.  Haunted House Murder by Leslie Meier returns readers to Tinker’s Cove, Maine where Lucy Stone is watching her grandson, Patrick for a couple of months.  Ty & Heather Moon have bought a dilapidated home near the elementary school and residents are looking forward to them restoring the old home.  People are disappointed with the Moo’s unfriendliness and lack of fixing up.  Instead, there are screams, flickering lights and other odd noises coming from the home at all hours.  It is unusual but it is not criminal.  But then a dare escalates the problem and sends Lucy into a panic.  What is happening at the haunted house?

Death by Haunted House by Lee Hollis gives Hayley Powell new neighbors.  Damien Salinger and his family move into the home next to Hayley after it has sat empty for years.  There are numerous rumors surrounding the mysterious home which Hayley’s husband is happy to share with his kids.  Hayley sees Damien arguing with his realtor and then she goes missing.  Danny points the finger at Damien and enlists the kids in his investigation.  When Hayley stumbles upon the body, she soon finds herself doing a little digging into her new neighbors.

Hallowed Out by Barbara Ross welcomes us back to Busman’s Harbor, Maine.  Harley Prendergast has started a Halloween Haunted House Tours to go along with the towns weeklong Halloween celebration.  A reenactment of a Prohibition-era shootout at Gus’s restaurant leads to the death of the actor playing rumrunner, Ned Calhoun.  Julia Snowden dives into the case to find the man’s killer while dealing with ghostly problem at her mother’s home.

Haunted House Murder contains three entertaining Halloween themed cozy mysteries that are all set in Maine.  They are well-written and engaging with developed characters.  You can read one or all three.  They can be read as standalone for those unfamiliar with the series.  Death by Haunted House takes readers back to October 29, 2009 with Hayley Powell and her family.  I do not know how Hayley put up with her husband, Danny.  He is more of a child than her kids, but Danny was certainly entertaining.  Lucy Stone is busy with work plus taking care of her house, hubby and daughter who is still at home.  Then she agrees to watch Patrick.  Lucy finds it challenging to keep up with a child under ten who goes to soccer and has homework.  I could relate when she was trying to teach Patrick fractions (my father sat with me for hours trying to teach me).  Julia gets roped into helping with a reenactment and finds herself in the middle of a real gunfire.  When not looking for the killer, she is curious about the unusual problem at her mother’s house.  She refuses to believe a ghost has suddenly appeared.  I enjoyed all three cozy mysteries with the haunted house theme.  They put me in the mood for Halloween which is such a fun time of year with the decorations and costumes.  There are recipes included as well.  Be prepared for a hauntingly good time with our three female sleuths in Haunted House Murder.  

Haunted House Murder is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes and other major booksellers.  Barbara Ross writes A Maine Clambake Mystery series and you can find a list of the books in the series here.  Nogged Off will be out on October 29.   Lee Hollis is the author of A Hayley Powell Mystery series which you can find here.  Death of a Blueberry Tart comes out March 31. Leslie Meier is the creator of of A Lucy Stone Mystery series.  You can find a complete list of A Lucy Stone Mysteries here.  Invitation Only Murder will be out on November 26 and it is the 26th A Lucy Stone Mystery.  Thank you for visiting today.  Tomorrow I am participating in the Celebrate Lit Tour for The Painted Castle by Kristy Cambron.  It is the third A Lost Castle Novel.  I hope that you have a spooktacular day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

  

Steamed Open by Barbara Ross: Review and Giveaway!

Steamed Open (A Maine Clambake Mystery)

by Barbara Ross

About the Book

Steamed Open (A Maine Clambake Mystery)

Cozy Mystery

7th in Series

Kensington (December 18, 2018)

ISBN-10: 1496717945

ISBN-13: 978-1496717948

Digital ASIN: B07BV3RCDG

It’s summertime in Busman’s Harbor, Maine, and the clamming is easy—or it was until a mysterious new neighbor blocks access to the beach, cutting off the Snowden Family Clambake’s supply. Julia Snowden is just one of many townspeople angered by Bartholomew Frick’s decision. But which one of them was angry enough to kill?

Beachcombers, lighthouse buffs, and clammers are outraged after Frick puts up a gate in front of his newly inherited mansion. When Julia urges him to reconsider, she’s the last to see him alive—except the person who stabs him in the neck with a clam rake. As she pores through a long list of suspects, Julia meets disgruntled employees, rival heirs, and a pair of tourists determined to visit every lighthouse in America. They all have secrets, and Julia will have to work fast to expose the guilty party—or see this season’s clam harvest dry up for good.

About the Author

Barbara Ross is the author of the Maine Clambake Mysteries. The first book in the series, Clammed Up was nominated for an Agatha Award for Best Contemporary Novel, the RT Book Reviews, Reviewer’s Choice Best Book Award for Amateur Sleuth and was a finalist for the Maine Literary Award for Crime Fiction. She is co-editor/co-publisher of Level Best Books, which produces anthologies of crime stories by New England authors. She writes at her home overlooking the harbor in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. Barbara blogs with the Wicked Cozy Authors and Maine Crime Writers. Readers can visit her website at MaineClambakeMysteries.com.

My Thoughts

Steamed Open by Barbara Ross has readers journeying to Busman’s Harbor, Maine in the height of tourist season in the month of August.  Julia Snowden is on the Jacquie II with the rest of the town for Heloise (Lou) Herrickson’s memorial service and to scatter her ashes.  Lou’s heir, Bartholomew Frick arrives at the last minute is a fancy new red Porsche.  Bart inherited Herrickson Point along with a privately owned lighthouse.  The next day, everyone is shocked when they arrive at the beach access road to find a newly installed gate.  The clammers and lighthouse enthusiasts are particularly upset by this afront. Since Snowden Family Clambake relies on the clams that the clammers find on that beach, Julia decides to visit Bart Frick and see if she can get him to change his mind (maybe he is not aware of the problem he has caused).  Unfortunately, there is no reasoning with the rude man and Julia soon departs.  When Julia returns to the pier that evening, she is greeted by the local police.  Bart was found stabbed in his home with a clam rake and Julia was one of the last people to see him alive (besides the killer, of course).  When Lou’s former housekeeper, Ida Fischer ends up at the top of the suspect list, the Snugg sisters ask Julia to don her investigator’s cap once again (not that Julia needs an excuse).  Bart may not have been in town long, but he quickly managed to anger a significant number of people.  Julia wades through the suspect pool to identify Bart’s killer while manages the clambake business and discovering what is bothering her boyfriend, Chris. 

Steamed Open is the seventh A Maine Clambake Mystery.  It can be read alone if you have not read any of the previous books in the series.  I enjoyed Barbara Ross’ conversational writing style.  It makes for a light, airy cozy mystery that is easy to read.  We get to experience the day-to-day running of the Snowden Family Clambake with Julia and her family.  It is interesting to learn more about Maine and the clamming industry.  I enjoy the descriptions of the area especially the beautiful home the Snowden’s own on their island.  The mystery is uncomplicated, and the killer is easily identified (might as well have been a giant neon sign over the persons head flashing “killer”).  There are several viable suspects including a couple determined to visit as many lighthouses as they can (they are not going to let a gate stop them). I am glad that we learned more about Julia’s boyfriend, Chris in Steamed Open.  His story is heartbreaking.  I did find his obsession with Vanessa a little odd despite the explanation.  I hope that Chris will be more open to talking about the future with Julia now (he really needs to get counseling).  There is repetition of information that I could have done without and lack of details about characters (i.e.—Chris’ last name, Livvie’s last name).  Steamed Open is an upbeat cozy mystery that will have you yearning for warm days and sandy beaches with a cool drink nearby.

You can find a complete list of the books in A Maine Clambake Mystery series here on Amazon.  Steamed Open is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo. In honor of the tour for Steamed Open, there is a giveaway.  You can click here to enter or use the Rafflecopter form below.  Please take the time to visit the other stops on the tour to check out recipe, guest posts and character interviews.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I will feature Seasons of An Amish Garden by Amy Clipston tomorrow.  I hope you have a delightful day.  Take care of yourself and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

January 7 - The Avid Reader – REVIEW

January 7 - Mallory Heart's Cozies – REVIEW

January 7 - Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT, RECIPE

January 8 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews -REVIEW

January 8 – Cozy Up With Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST

January 8 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

January 9 – Laura`s Interests – REVIEW

January 9 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT, RECIPE

January 9 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT

January 10 – My Journey Back-The Journey Back – SPOTLIGHT

January 10 – Valerie's Musings – GUEST POST

January 10 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

January 11 – Rosepoint Publishing - REVIEW

January 11 – Community Bookstop – REVIEW

January 11 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT, RECIPE

January 12 – I'm All About Books – SPOTLIGHT  

January 12 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

January 12 – A Wytch's Book Review Blog – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

January 13 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW

January 13 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews - SPOTLIGHT

Yule Log Murder by Leslie Meier, Barbara Ross and Lee Hollis

Happy Friday!  I hope you have had a lovely week.  Death and Daisies by Amanda Flower will be out on November 13 along with A Seat by the Hearth by Amy Clipston and Murder at Harbor Village by G.P. Gardner.  So many delightful books have been published recently and there are not enough hours to read them (or bookshelves to hold them).

Yule Log Murder contains three short cozy mysteries by Lucy Stone, Barbara Ross and Lee Hollis.  Yule Log Murder by Leslie Meier takes us to Tinker’s Cove, Maine.  Lucy is playing an extra in the period film, Guinevere being filmed at Pine Point.  Lucy finds it tedious until the cook’s assistant is found dead smothered in pink icing from a yule log and a knife to the stomach.  When Phyllis Lundquist’s relative is arrested for the crime, Lucy is tasked with finding the culprit.  She must work in her sleuthing in between working at the paper, her role in the film and the final preparations for Christmas.  Lucy gets an early Christmas present when her son, Patrick and his family arrive to celebrate the holidays.  Surprise turns to shock when she encounters their new pit bull, Skittles and hears their unexpected news.  Spending time on the set tracking down a killer sounds like a welcome escape to Lucy.

Lee Hollis entertains readers with Death by Yule in Bar Harbor, Maine.  Hayley Powell’s holidays are not starting off as planned when her son, Dustin becomes snowed in with his father.  Her daughter, Gemma arrives with her new actor boyfriend, Conner who seems too perfect.  They attend Liddy’s annual Christmas party which has a significant number of party crashers including local bad boy, Ryan Toledo.  After an altercation between Ryan and Conner over Gemma, Ryan is escorted out of the party.  A few hours later, Ryan is found in the woods near Liddy’s house with remnants of one of Hayley’s Yule logs on his body.  Connor is at the top of the suspect list and a distressed Gemma asks Hayley to clear his name.  Which resident of Bar Harbor is getting an orange jumpsuit for Christmas?

Logged On by Barbara Ross is set in Busman’s Harbor, Maine.  Julia Snowden wants to start her own Christmas tradition and she has decided it will be a Buche de Noel (oh dear).  Julia is not going to let the fact she cannot make a decent one stop her.  Julia’s mother suggests she consult their crusty neighbor, Mrs. Odile St. Onge.  The baking lessons begin, and they give Julia a chance to learn more about the reclusive woman.  Julia has noticed that Mrs. St. Onge’s caregiver quit showing up recently along with her grand-nephew which leaves the older woman without assistance.  She decides to investigate the matter, and Julia is dismayed when she learns that Mrs. St. Onge has had a few relatives pass away during the holidays after eating her Buche de Noel.  The more Julia learns the more alarmed she becomes.  Julia is determined to get answers, but she is wary of becoming the next victim. 

Yule Log Murder contains three entertaining cozy mysteries.  While the three tales are part of existing series, you can read them as standalones.  I enjoyed visiting some of my favorite characters during the holiday season.  Yule logs are woven into each story.  While these delectable cakes are beautiful, they are not easy to make.  There are friendly characters, charming small towns, holiday cheer and mysteries in each novella.  All three are well-written with steady pacing and good flow.  I was a little surprised by what is happening with Patrick Stone’s family in Yule Log Murder.  They are not as I remember them, and I hope we see significant changes before they appear in the series again (I know I am being vague, but I do not want to spoil it for you).  All three mysteries have humor, but I found myself laughing more at Julia’s antics in Logged On.  All three crimes can easily be solved, but they are still pleasing to read (I stayed up very late finishing this collection).  I am giving Yule Log Murder 4 out of 5 stars.  Find yourself a comfy chair to relax in while reading the diverting and merry novellas in Yule Log Murder.

Thank you so much for visiting today.  What are you currently reading?  I am always looking for new books and authors (and so is my mother).  I will be sharing my review of High Crimes by Libby Fischer Hellmann tomorrow.  It is the fifth novel in The Georgia Davis PI series. I hope you have a fulfilling day.  I will return tomorrow.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader