Cozy Review: Iced Under

 * Book 5 in the Maine Clambake series * 

Someone mails Julia's mother a missing family heirloom, worth a fortune in the dead of winter. Julia's determined to uncover more details about her mother's long lost family. They squabbled over the family fortune and split up years ago. This is the first contact Julia's ever had with that side of the family.

With the help of information from the historical society and the internet, Julia's able to track her family down in Boston. But when she arrives, a family member has just died - murdered.

Now Julia's trying to untangle the truth from reality amidst all the family drama.  Could one of them be responsible for murder?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I loved Julia tracking down how the package came to her family - including her time in the historical society. I loved learning about the family from the past - especially how they made their fortune. I loved meeting her new family members - what a cast of characters. I loved how this new information changes everything for Julia and her family. I can't wait to see what happens next! I love how the action happened right before a huge snow storm and Julia needed to get home before then, it increased the tension in the book. A perfect cozy to read during the winter, snuggled up under a blanket. 

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: ARC sent for review

Final Thoughts: Another great addition to the series, be sure to scoop this one up. Highly recommended for cozy sections in all public libraries. 

Upcoming Mysterious Saturday Review: Fogged Inn

* Book 4 in the Maine Clambake series *

Julia and Chris have their new adventure up and running - until one foggy night. A car crash blocks the street, keeping diners in their restaurant longer than normal. In the morning, Gus discovers a stranger in the walk in fridge - murdered.

Julia and Chris identify him as being in the restaurant last night. But they're not aware how he manged to get back inside or how he died.

Still the death effects their business and Julia can't help but look into the murder. She realizes that all the couples at the restaurant that night paid with a gift card. Could someone have wanted them all in the room at the same time?

Julia's not resting until she solves this murder and things go back to normal.

My Thoughts: I really love this series - it makes me long to visit Maine and to eat good food! I really like how things have evolved with Chris and Julia. I love their new adventure into the restaurant business.

I love how the story wove together between the past and the present. Those past summers sounded magical - great friends and lots of fun. But the horrors the group went through was really very sad.

I like how the fog rolls into town and everything seems a little quieter without the summer tourists. It's fun reading about a small town throughout the seasons. 

I'm quite looking forward to what happens next in Busman's Harbor...

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: ARC sent for review
Release Date: March 2016

Final Thoughts: A fantastic slice of life in Maine with great food and good friends - you can't go wrong with this cozy series!

Mysterious Saturday Review: Musseled Out

* Book 3 in the Maine Clambake Mystery series *

Julia isn't sure which direction her life will take her - should she move back to New York now that the family business is back on her feet? Should she take an apartment for the winter?  She has big decisions to make and little time to make them.

The family business now has competition - until the man turns up dead. Sonny (Julia's brother-in-law) hasn't held back his opinions of the man. He's also not telling the truth about where he was on the day of the murder. Julia's sister asks her to look into the matter and Julia can't say no. She has no idea what she uncovers could backfire on her own personal life.

My Thoughts: I really love this series - for the small town Maine setting, the characters in town, and the food.

The small town is the perfect setting for this series - lots of gossip, lots of people who never moved away, and lots of tourists.

I love getting to know more of the townspeople - especially Gus and Mrs. Gus. I enjoy Julia's chats with Quentin - even though they don't often go the way she expects them to go.  I liked learning more about Sonny and Livvie, even though I felt really bad for them too. I liked learning more about Chris - from his past to his secrets.

The food in this series always makes me hungry from the clam bakes to the dishes cooked.  I'm impressed with Chris's talent.  I loved learning about Genevieve's chef story. I love the crowd and the moments in Gus's place. I love how food brings people together in this series. 

I really liked the ending and can't wait to see where it leads.  

Cover Thoughts: Lovely - simple and mouthwatering
Source: ARC sent for Review

Final Thoughts: A great mystery with plots twists, small town charm, and well rounded secondary characters. This series is a real treat!

Mysterious Saturday Review: Boiled Over

* Maine Clambake series book 2 - Book 1 Review *

Julia Snowden wants to belong to Busman's Harbor. After leaving for college and then finding a job in New York City, she's always felt like an outsider when she returns home. Now that she's back living in Maine, she decides that something needs to be done. She joins the Founder's Day Committee.

The festival's off to a great start until a body's discovered in the clam bake oven.

One of Julia's workers was seen fleeing the scene. N one can find him. Julia was so desperate to hire someone, she failed to complete the proper background check. As a result, they know next to nothing about Cabe.

Julia refuses to believe that Cabe murdered someone. The more she digs into his background, the more questions arise. 

My Thoughts: The second book in the series doesn't disappoint. I love the setting - it's both beautiful and believable with the small town charm and also the gossip grapevine.  I like how there are lots of secrets and the town protects their own. Plus, everyone has an opinion about your life.  I love the food - you can almost smell the goodies; it makes my mouth water. I love the plot twists. I appreciate how Julia's trying to become part of the community. Mystery blends with the romance, making me anxious for the next book in the series.

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: my Library 

Mysterious Saturday Review: Clammed Up

Julia put her life on hold in Manhattan and came back to Maine in an attempt the family business. She whipped up a business plan for the summer in an attempt to save her mother's house, the business, and her mother's family island.  The first even of the clam baked summer is a wedding on the island.

It's a disaster. The best man's murdered in the mansion on the island. Just as the police let Julia's business back running, a fire breaks out. Now the business is closed indefinitely until the culprit can be caught. The bank's not happy. If Julia doesn't help figure out the murderer, her family could lose everything.

My Thoughts: The first in a new series made me crave seafood and the Maine coast in this delightful start to a new series. I loved hearing about the clambake and the food served  - seemed like a perfect outing (minus the murder and the fire). I loved the small town charm - especially Gus's. The island seems like a perfect place to play as a kid. So looking forward to seeing what happens next to Julia and her family. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library