It’s summertime in Busman’s Harbor, Maine, and the clamming is easy—or it was until a mysterious new neighbor blocks access to the beach, cutting off the Snowden Family Clambake’s supply. Julia Snowden is just one of many townspeople angered by Bartholomew Frick’s decision. But which one of them was angry enough to kill? Beachcombers, lighthouse buffs, and clammers are outraged after Frick puts … outraged after Frick puts up a gate in front of his newly inherited mansion. When Julia urges him to reconsider, she’s the last to see him alive—except the person who stabs him in the neck with a clam rake. As she pores through a long list of suspects, Julia meets disgruntled employees, rival heirs, and a pair of tourists determined to visit every lighthouse in America. They all have secrets, and Julia will have to work fast to expose the guilty party—or see this season’s clam harvest dry up for good.
Praise for Iced Under
“Ross knows her Maine coast and her snowstorms. Both provide an atmospheric backdrop for a cozy that . . . picks up its pace when its focus returns to the living and the newly dead.”
—Kirkus Reviews
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Steamed Open by Barbara Ross, her 7th Maine Clambake Mystery, is another well-written tale in this cozy series. It’s the end of summer, and when a wealthy longtime resident passes away, the heir to her estate cuts off beach access on her property, raising the hackles of the residents of Busman’s Harbor. Not surprisingly, it isn’t long before the new heir is found dead, and Julia must sort through ancient family history to discover the motive for the crime. Lots of hidden secrets abound, and we even learn little bit more of Chris’ family background which is a nice addition to the story. I really enjoy this series, and Ms. Ross does a wonderful job of keeping the reader guessing right up until the very end of the book. I absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a (yes, pun is definitely intended!) cozy mystery to read! A+
Wonderful Coastal Maine Cozy Mystery
This book is seventh in a series and it stands alone very well. I have not read any of the prior books, but I plan to! The is a wonderful book! It takes time to explain coastal Maine; its heritage, livelihood and ecology. The mystery portion of the book is excellent. There are plenty of suspects with motive and opportunity. All of the characters are well developed and realistic. I plan on reading more of this author’s work. I received this book for free and this is my honest opinion.
Steamed Open is the seventh book in the A Maine Clambake Mystery series.
I’ve loved this series since the first book. I can always count on an interesting and well-written story with interesting and believable characters. I’ve never been to a clambake, but I never tire of reading what is included and what goes into the preparation of the clambake.
Beloved resident, Heloise “Lou” Herrickson, has left her property, including her house, lighthouse, and lighthouse keepers cottage to her grand-nephew, Bartholomew Frick. The first change that Frick makes is to install a fence and locked gate preventing clammers and residents access to the beach that they have enjoyed for years. The clammers, wielding their clam rakes and residents begin a boisterous protest but are informed that the matter will have to go through a court process to resolve. Julia thinks that if she can talk with Frick, that maybe some kind of agreement can be worked out. As she approaches the front door she meets Ida Fischer, the Herrickson’s housekeeper. Ida lets Julia know that she has just resigned and tells her where Frick was when she last saw him. It turns out to be a short meeting and Julia’s pleas of understanding fall upon deaf ears. Then as Julia is leaving, she is approached by a neighbor, Vera French, who wants to express her sympathies to Frick and get a look inside the house. Later that day as Julia is returning from Morrow Island after the evening clambake, she is met by the police who inform her of Frick’s death.
Julia is more concerned with who will inherit from Frick, than who the killer was, hoping that it isn’t anyone involved in the protest. But, at the same time, she feels that knowing who the other heirs that are mentioned in Lou’s will may point to the possible killer. This turns out to be a dilemma for her as the late husband’s godchild, Elizabeth Anderson, cannot be found. Also, there is mentioned in the will a daughter that no one seemed to know anything about and was written out of the will.
Also coming out in this book is more about Julia’s boyfriend, Chris. Chris has been mostly secretive about his past and family. Finally, Julia is able to get him to open up and explain why he limits his contact with them. Also, plans for the restoration Windsholme, the old family home on Morrow Island, are being reviewed so that construction may start soon.
Recipes are also included with the book.
It always wonderful to spend time with the enjoyable residents of Busman’s Harbor and I will definitely be watching for the next book in this great series.
Maine, tourist-town, cozy-mystery, family-dynamics, law-enforcement, suspense, murder-investigation *****
It’s a good thing that the primary target for murder got done in early because he was totally odious! The townsfolk are all hardworking people with a very short earning season who have just lost their beloved centenarian benefactor who bequeathed her seaside property to above rat. Being a small town, it’s the state police who bring in detectives and forensics, but sifting through the evidence isn’t as useful as it might be. Then there is the issue of line of inheritance to dig through! Julia is a local back from away and she is very good at digging into the past despite problems in her own life that threaten to derail family harmony and the business. Well crafted and with escalating suspense, plot twists and red herrings. A very good read!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!