Book Review: Musseled Out by Barbara Ross (Maine Clambake Mysteries #3)

Stars: 5 out of 5

Pros: Fast paced, twisty story and strong characters

Cons: None to be found here

The Bottom Line:

Competition dies

Bringing some secrets to light

In fabulous book

Another Great Mysterious Trip to Maine

I had so much fun with the first two books in the Maine Clambake series, I couldn’t wait to come back and visit the Snowden clan again in book three.  Having just finished Musseled Out, I can assure you this is a return visit you don’t want to miss.

It’s the first week of October, and things are winding down for the season.  That means Julia Snowden has to face the decision she’s been putting off all summer, will she return to her job in venture capital in New York City or stay to help run the family clambake for future summers.  And if she is going to stay, what will she do over the upcoming off season?

Complicating the decision is the fact that the Snowden Family Clambake is potentially facing stiff competition next year as David Thwing is looking to extend his chain of restaurants into the area with a twist, he’s going to open a competing clambake instead.  Julia has a run in with the man down on the dock, and he is extremely unpleasant to her.  A few hours later, Julia is present when David is discovered dead on the boat of a missing lobsterman.  The police seem interested in Julia’s brother-in-law as a suspect since he’d had many public fights with the victim.  Unfortunately, Sonny is clearly hiding something.  What is his secret?  Who really killed David?

Once again, this book starts strong and the pace never slacks.  I was turning pages as quickly as I could to find out what clue Julia would uncover next and what it would mean.  With several characters hiding secrets, there was always some angle for Julia to be investigating.  As things are finally resolved at the end, I was surprised at the clues I had missed along the way.  Yes, that means the solution at the end is completely logical, and yet I still didn’t suspect until Julia figured it out.

The climactic scene is different from many in the cozies I read, and I loved it as a result.  I should have stopped reading when I reached it since my lunch hour was over, but I just couldn’t put the book down until I learned how things would be resolved.

The characters have always been strong in this series, and this book is no exception.  There’s actually a large cast of regulars, and all of them grow over the course of the story.  The new characters we meet here are equally developed.  Because the characters are so great, we feel the hits of the twists in the plot just as much as Julia does.

And what would a culinary cozy be without a recipe or two in the back.  This book actually includes eight mouthwatering recipes…if you like sea food, that is.  I actually am not a fan, so those six don’t tempt me.  However, the two non-sea food recipes, a pumpkin whoopie cookie and an apple pie, both sound great.

Musseled Out is a wonderful addition to an addicting series that left me wanting more.  If you haven’t met Julia yet, book your first clambake today.  As for me, I’ll be back as soon as the next one comes out.

Looking for more?  Here are the Maine Clambake Mysteries in order.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Giveaway!

I'm going to give away one copy of this book to a lucky person who leaves me a comment.  For the USA, it will be your choice of an ebook or a paperback.  For international winners, it would be an ebook only.

Please leave me a comment including your e-mail address so I can contact you if you win.  I will pick a winner next Tuesday, May 12th, so please leave your comment before 12:01 AM on 5/12 to be in the drawing.