Another dead body is found near the Gray Whale Inn and to innkeeper, Natalie, it is personal. Once again, it's one of her guests which makes for running her B & B a little tricky. The body is that of Dirk DeLeon, one of the leaders of a weight loss group who had all just checked in the day before. Natalie found him facedown on the rocks. Talk about not wasting any time getting to the main event!
As in the last two books in the series, Natalie is either one of the suspects or the close friend of a suspect and feels she must solve the crime to save her fledgling inn from going under. She's put all her resources into this venture, not to mention her heart and soul. After all, who wants to stay at a B & B where the guests are murdered off and the police keep shutting down her kitchen?
But with the help of some Cranberry Island natives and a lot of snooping around, Natalie fingers the murderer after nearly being bumped off herself. You'd think she would know better after her last two skirmishes with amateur sleuthing. She really knows how to get people riled up!
One of the things I like about this series is the setting: a very small island off the coast of Maine. Of course, the personable characters make the series enjoyable too. There's Charlene, Natalie's best friend, who runs the country store and post office. John, part time deputy and woodcarver, fills the romance slot. His little cottage is conveniently set right behind the B & B and he and Natalie are getting more emotionally attached in each book. The old Gray Whale Inn is almost a character in itself. I can almost feel the homey ambiance and smell the tantalizing aromas of home baked goodies emanating from Natalie's kitchen.
Just a fun series with a lot of atmosphere for those times you want to read something light. Murder Most Maine is #3 in the Gray Whale Inn series. Recipes are included at the back of the book. 3.5***
Disclosure: A review copy of the book was obtained through the county library system. Thanks to our tax dollars!
I love this series! The author lives here in my area or at least lives here part of the time. I think that #4 is finally coming out late this fall. She's been writing urban paranormal books or something. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI think I read one of these a couple years ago but am looking forward to going back and putting them on the fun list. I love to have books like this as a sort of "after dinner mint" to a heavy meal.
ReplyDeleteSounds like such a comforting read, even if it's about a murder! I should check out this series. Thanks for reviewing it!
ReplyDeletea 'fun list'..that's what I need, a fun list!
ReplyDeleteAnd this would be on the list...a Maine island, a lighthouse on the cover, a murder...I am weak in the knees.
Sounds cute. Maybe one day I will get round to it :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a series I might like.
ReplyDeleteRe: the Penguin... He goes up for auction in October, with monies to benefit the zoo and local children's hospital. I'd say he should bring in a tidy sum!
I don't think I'd consider staying in her B&B!
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