Drawn and Buttered is the third book in a wonderfully satisfying cozy mystery series set at the Lazy Mermaid Lobster Shack in coastal New England. The Lazy Mermaid’s business has slowed to a snail’s pace–until a monster lobster claws his way onto the scene… With high season behind them, ballerina on-the-mend Allie Larkin and Aunt Gully are finally lying low. But then an unexpected guest … lying low. But then an unexpected guest arrives at the lobster shack: a crustacean so huge he’s dubbed Lobzilla around Mystic Bay and on social media. Soon, with everyone showing up for a peek in their tank, Allie and Aunt Gully have more on their plate than they can handle.
Meanwhile, another local establishment finds itself in hot water. In exclusive Rabb’s Point, a strange burglary breaches the elegant home of Royal Parrish. Allie takes it upon herself to help with the investigation but, before she can get to the bottom of the case, another alarm sounds: the Lazy Mermaid’s Lobzilla has gone missing and is on the loose! And bodies are beginning to pile up. . .
“Delightful…Full of New England coastal charm…and clever sleuthing [that] will keep you turning the pages.”–Krista Davis, New York Times bestselling author of the Domestic Diva mysteries
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It’s a couple of days before Halloween, and things have slowed down some at the Lazy Mermaid Lobster Shack. The summer tourist families are long gone, but some tourists are still in the area looking at the fall colors. However, there’s still plenty of excite going on, like the discovery of a giant lobster. Quickly dubbed Lobzilla by the community, he’s almost big enough to beat the world record. However, the morning after he’s found, he’s vanished.
If that were all Allie Larkin had on her mind, it would be one thing, but other odd things are happening in town, including a local witch who is doing everything possible to get Aunt Gully to join her coven. Then, on Halloween night, Lobzilla shows up again, only he’s next to a dead body. Can Allie figure out what is going on?
While the body doesn’t show up right away, we still have plenty of plot happening, including some sub-plots and time spent setting up suspects and motives. Everything continues to be blended together well after the murder takes place. The climax is creative and everything is explained by the time we turn the final page. I thought the sub-plot involving the witch might make the book darker than I would enjoy, but I thought it was handled perfectly. It gave the book a touch more Halloween atmosphere, but the characters treated it much like I would like to think I would. The characters have gotten sharper as the series has progressed, and that was true here again. The suspects are well drawn, Allie is a great lead, but my favorite continues to be Aunt Gully. Everything came together for a book I couldn’t put down and the strongest in the series to date.
Lots of excitement keeps the pace moving steadily along in the third book of the Lobster Shack Mysteries. Protagonist Allie Larkin’s ankle has mended and she’s ready to dance ballet once more. It’s Halloween in Mystic Bay, CT where Allie’s Aunt Gully’s popular lobster shack is located. It appears some local fraternity pranks are behind the suspicious vandalism going on in town, however; a gruesome murder takes place on Halloween in a spooky graveyard which spikes a local legend that one of the dead has risen and taken a sacrifice.
Author Shari Randall weaves a splendid web of deceit that cozy Readers are sure to enjoy. I like this cast of characters—both the regulars who I met at the start of the series, to the ones created for this particular book. I recommend this story and the previous two stories to cozy fans.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press. Thank you.
I really enjoyed this book! It was funny, entertaining, and unique. The characters are multi-dimensional and you just can’t help but root for Allie and Aunt Gully to succeed in whatever they put their mind to. Many times in cozy mysteries the protagonist is returning home after some part of their life has come to a close. I like that Allie is home because of an injury (she is a ballerina and cannot dance at the moment), but that part of her life is still a part of the book and that she can still pursuit that dream while finding new ones at the Lazy Mermaid Lobster Shack.
I really don’t want this series to end! I love it so much. Once again, we have a fantastic cast of characters and a well-written mystery. The way it’s written, this could be the end of our adventures at the Lobster Shack but I refuse to believe it. Easily read as a stand-alone, it doesn’t matter if you read them in order or not.
Thank you to NetGalley, Shari Randall, and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me the chance to read this story and share my honest thoughts and opinions with others.
Great book! This book had a giant lobster, which was fun. Also, a student is murdered and it seems to tie in with the history of a prominent family. Allie is on the hunt for a killer to clear a friend’s name. Allie also begins dancing again. Look forward to seeing what’s next!
The Lobster Shack Mystery Series, like a fine wine (which goes very well with lobster, by the way!), just keeps getting better and better! The third book, Drawn and Buttered, takes place at Halloween, and ghost stories about the most prominent founding family in Mystic Bay abound. Combined with a giant lobster (Lobzilla!) and a businessman trying to sweet talk Aunt Gully into selling her famous chowder recipe, things are hopping in this small Connecticut town, and that’s before a college frat boy is murdered in a cemetery! Heroine Allie Larkin must discover whodunit and why, and author Shari Randall’s storytelling kept me on the edge of my seat right up until the very end. Loved it! A+++
What pulled me into this story in the beginning was the enticing descriptions but what kept me reading was a plot that had numerous angles. From a kidnapped lobster and twisted history to stolen research and a despicable dancer there is a lot to keep a person guessing.
This is the third book in A Lobster Shack Mystery series but I had not read the first two and had no trouble following the story. Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
A delightful read that is full of quirkiness and laughter that you will not want to put down. Aunt Gully is the aunt we all wished we had in our lives. She is supportive, loving and ready to jump into the fray with you.
Drawn and Buttered is the third book in the Lobster Shack Mystery series but you can jump into the series at any time. Beware, once you take the plunge you will never want to leave. The series is your typical cozy mystery series with clean language, no gory detailed violence, and no offense sex scenes.
The vivid descriptions of Aunt Gully’s lobster rolls and chowder will have your mouth watering and your mind convincing you that you need to drive to the Connecticut coast immediately. Pretty soon I think my phone is going to automatically book me a plane ticket.
One of my favorite characters is Bronwyn and I keep hoping she makes more of an appearance that an occasional one. She is a great balance to Allie and Verity.
I hope you take a chance and visit my friends in Mystic Bay, Connecticut. I really think you would enjoy.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
Author Shari Randall delights again in this third installment of her Lobster Shack Mysteries.
I just put down my copy of DRAWN AND BUTTERED with a contented sigh. Spending time at the Lazy Mermaid Lobster Shack is always a pleasure. This trip was no exception. With more than one mystery to solve, series lead Allie has her hands full, and for us readers, that means an exciting tale of mystery filled enjoyment.
DRAWN AND BUTTERED was a fast moving, well plotted story with as many red herrings as there are lobsters sold at the Lobster Shack. I truly had no idea who the bad guy/gal was until I read the reveal. The ending has me questioning if this may be the end of the series, or just another layer of depth as the series goes on.
Whatever you do, get your claws on a copy DRAWN AND BUTTERED!
I just love this series – again, the characters and the setting is the best! I love how the author can whisk me away to the Lobster Shack where I can almost smell and taste the rest lobster rolls being served each day! In this new story, Lobzilla is discovered and locals request a safe place for Lobzilla to rest until he can be moved to a new location. The next day, it’s discovered Lobzilla is missing and the town goes on the hunt to find him! While looking for the newest celebrity, the Parrish family becomes a prominent fixture in our suspenseful tale. There family history is highlighted and is none too flattering to the prominent family of the area. While a party is being hosted at the homestead, a dead body is discovered in the family cemetery and may have a connection to missing Lobzilla! Don’t miss this new novel featuring some wonderful, heart warming and kooky new characters! I love the fast paced story and look forward to seeing Aunt Gully, Allie, Verity and company again soon!
murder, cozy-mystery, amateur-sleuth, women-sleuths, superstitions, suspense
It’s Halloween in the historic coastal area between Boston and New York and the frat boys really get carried away at the party held by the local bigwigs. It’s all fun and beer until one of them is murdered in the graveyard. Allie is a promising ballerina home from dancing while the broken ankle heals a lot more, but even as she works at her aunt’s lobster shack she just has to do some sleuthing when the police seem to focus on her elderly mentor.
Solid plot with engaging characters, plot twists, suspense, and red herrings. A very good read!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from St Martin’s Press via NetGalley. Thank you!