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Maine Clambake
Mystery #2
Barbara Ross
Kensington
May 6, 2014/ ISBN 978-0758286871
Cozy Mystery
Reviewed
by Linda Morelli
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The first book in the series,
Clammed Up, was nominated for an Agatha Award for Best
Contemporary Novel as well as the RT Book Reviews, Reviewer's
Choice Best Book Award for Amateur Sleuth. Next release, Mussled
Out, is scheduled for a 2015 release.
Julia Snowden is planning the Snowden Family Clambake during
Busman’s Harbor, Maine, Founder’s Weekend. Her sister’s
husband Sonny and a young helper, Cabe Stone, designed a twenty
foot long contraption placed on the concrete pier to cook the
mounds of food needed to feed the hungry tourists. When the
fire’s lit, the flames roar to life as though fueled by
grease. Then a charred human foot and part of a leg fall out
of the fire onto the pier, and it’s apparent that –
ahem – murder is afoot…
Suspicion falls upon Cabe, who has disappeared. Julia tells
Lieutenant Binder that she can’t believe the young man
is guilty. Determined to prove his innocence, she uncovers an
intriguing mystery – one that places her very life in
danger.
Barbara Ross has written a thoroughly enjoyable cozy mystery.
Her vivid descriptions made me feel as though I was in Busman’s
Harbor, savoring the sun and cool breezes. Her characters were
skillfully drawn, each with personal quirks and secrets, yet
people who would go out of their way to help each other. Julia
is a fully developed protagonist who is unsure of her future
– and her current boyfriend, Chris. Yes, years ago he
was a rover, but can she trust him now? Having lived in New
York for nine years, she now feels like an outsider and contemplates
returning to her old life once the family business is restored.
Boiled Over is no ordinary cozy mystery, but a delightful
buffet of small family relationships and small town friendships,
a touch of history and a sensitive, growing romance. The solid
plot, replete with intriguing twists and turns, held me enrapt
to the very last page. I loved it and can’t wait to encounter
these wonderful characters in the author’s next release. |
| Reviewer
Linda Morelli is the award winning author of three published
romance novels. |
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