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booklovingmom_'s review
4.0
Murder by the Seashore is the first book in the new California Bookshop Mystery series. Scarlett Gardner, a small bookshop owner, discovers a dead body on the beach. When she is questioned about the murder and it seems she is one of the prime suspects, Scarlett takes it upon herself to play Nancy Drew and search out the killer.
I found this to be your typical cozy mystery, which is in no means a bad thing. I love cozy mysteries and especially like finding new series I can start following. The main characters in this book are engaging and I enjoyed getting to know them. I also enjoyed the dynamics between them and getting to see just how awful Scarlett’s ex-boyfriend and ex-business partner, Connor, is. This was a good start to the series and I enjoyed it overall. There were parts of Scarlett’s sleuthing that made me think she wasn’t very good at detecting, but in the end she found the killer anyway. I think this has he potential to be a series I keep coming back to and I look forward to seeing what else is in store for Scarlett!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an audiobook version of this book! The narration was great!
I found this to be your typical cozy mystery, which is in no means a bad thing. I love cozy mysteries and especially like finding new series I can start following. The main characters in this book are engaging and I enjoyed getting to know them. I also enjoyed the dynamics between them and getting to see just how awful Scarlett’s ex-boyfriend and ex-business partner, Connor, is. This was a good start to the series and I enjoyed it overall. There were parts of Scarlett’s sleuthing that made me think she wasn’t very good at detecting, but in the end she found the killer anyway. I think this has he potential to be a series I keep coming back to and I look forward to seeing what else is in store for Scarlett!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an audiobook version of this book! The narration was great!
katreader's review
4.0
MURDER BY THE SEASHORE by Samara Yew
The First California Bookshop Mystery
Since her boyfriend and business partner dumped her, Scarlett Gardner is hoping she can make a go of her newly opened bookshop. When she discovers the dead body of a customer of the nearby pier, she comes under the scrutiny of Detective Maxwell. And when they learn the murdered woman left Scarlett a huge inheritance, she jumps to the top of the Detective's suspect list. With the help of her roommate best friend Scarlett decides to figure out, not only why the unknown woman left her a fortune, but who killed her before she winds up in jail and her beloved shop is forever known as the Murder Bookshop.
The first California Bookshop Mystery welcomes readers with a great setting, a bookshop on the beach, and an interesting mystery. The fact that not only the identity of Lorelai Knight's killer is in question, but who she actually was was a novel approach that kept me intrigued. There were lots of good suspects and some nice twists and turns.
While I like Scarlett she acts so young. I suppose because she is young, but as a business owner, and her roommate a successful lawyer, the two tend to act more like teenagers than professionals. While it's refreshing that mysteries don't appear to be her favorite genre, it's a bit embarrassing how inept she is when it comes to figuring out how to investigate. She's also very wishy washy, going back and forth between suspecting people of murder, then thinking they couldn't be guilty. I found Detective Maxwell to be a bit of an overbearing, overprotective, and domineering husband, but a decent detective. On the whole, the cast of characters is likable, but there's room for growth and development.
MURDER BY THE SEASHORE is an enjoyable start to a new series.
The First California Bookshop Mystery
Since her boyfriend and business partner dumped her, Scarlett Gardner is hoping she can make a go of her newly opened bookshop. When she discovers the dead body of a customer of the nearby pier, she comes under the scrutiny of Detective Maxwell. And when they learn the murdered woman left Scarlett a huge inheritance, she jumps to the top of the Detective's suspect list. With the help of her roommate best friend Scarlett decides to figure out, not only why the unknown woman left her a fortune, but who killed her before she winds up in jail and her beloved shop is forever known as the Murder Bookshop.
The first California Bookshop Mystery welcomes readers with a great setting, a bookshop on the beach, and an interesting mystery. The fact that not only the identity of Lorelai Knight's killer is in question, but who she actually was was a novel approach that kept me intrigued. There were lots of good suspects and some nice twists and turns.
While I like Scarlett she acts so young. I suppose because she is young, but as a business owner, and her roommate a successful lawyer, the two tend to act more like teenagers than professionals. While it's refreshing that mysteries don't appear to be her favorite genre, it's a bit embarrassing how inept she is when it comes to figuring out how to investigate. She's also very wishy washy, going back and forth between suspecting people of murder, then thinking they couldn't be guilty. I found Detective Maxwell to be a bit of an overbearing, overprotective, and domineering husband, but a decent detective. On the whole, the cast of characters is likable, but there's room for growth and development.
MURDER BY THE SEASHORE is an enjoyable start to a new series.
camilaqbaez's review
4.0
I'm not usually into cozy mysteries, but Samara Yew might've just turned me into a fan with this awesome story. So, there's Scarlett, who's now running a cute little beachside bookstore. One fine morning, she's out for a stroll on the beach, and She finds a dead body just lying there. But wait, it gets even wilder. Turns out, Scarlett's the lucky winner of the deceased's big fortune. Whoa, right? But here's the kicker: who the heck was this mysterious lady, and why'd she pick Scarlett as her heir?
I gotta say, this book had me hooked, and it wasn't just the murder mystery. The whole scene is set in this charming beach town that's straight out of a postcard. And Scarlett? She's just your everyday person who suddenly gets caught up in a murder investigation. Her roommate, who's a lawyer, is the kind of buddy we all wish we had, and their teamwork to crack the case keeps the story rolling. With plenty of plot twists and quirky characters that make you raise an eyebrow, this novel was a non-stop thrill ride.
I gotta say, this book had me hooked, and it wasn't just the murder mystery. The whole scene is set in this charming beach town that's straight out of a postcard. And Scarlett? She's just your everyday person who suddenly gets caught up in a murder investigation. Her roommate, who's a lawyer, is the kind of buddy we all wish we had, and their teamwork to crack the case keeps the story rolling. With plenty of plot twists and quirky characters that make you raise an eyebrow, this novel was a non-stop thrill ride.
lala001's review
4.0
This was such a good cozy murder mystery! I enjoyed this book so much. I was totally off oh how the killer was lol
Bookshop, murder and seaside town. Perfection!!!! I highly recommend.
Bookshop, murder and seaside town. Perfection!!!! I highly recommend.
booksy_tx_ana's review
4.0
Throughly enjoyed! I love cozy mysteries, and this has everything. A murder too close to home? Check! Is the main character roped into finding a murder? Check! Are things going wrong? Check! Scarlett kind of seems frantic and fumbles around as you’d expect an amateur to do. And she has such great help with a lawyer roommate /best friend! The cops seemed a bit incompetent and had me shaking my head several times. It kept me amazed and guessing for quite some time. It’s a great introduction to a new series and characters. I’m interested in seeing where they go from here.
I got this audiobook through netgalley for a review.
Come read with me on insta @booksy.tx.ana
I got this audiobook through netgalley for a review.
Come read with me on insta @booksy.tx.ana
hugbandit7's review
4.0
This was a fun read for a new series. As with most first books, some rough edges will need to be worked out. Scarlett is likable, owns a bookstore (and who doesn't dream of that?!), and has a good base of friends and family. However, when she stumbles across a body, her world turns upside down.
Like most cozies, Scarlett is suspected of doing the deed and has to solve the crime to clear her name. There isn't a love interest that appears, but it is only the first book!
There are many red herrings thrown into the mix of this story. I suspected several characters because those were some of the clues or suspicious behavior exhibited by some of the characters. Some characters are cleared quickly, and when the real murderer is revealed, it is quite a surprise. It was not someone I suspected. However, it makes perfect sense once the reasons behind it are revealed.
The book felt like it moved at a slightly slower pace initially but picked up speed as it progressed. There are several characters to dislike, primarily the recent ex-boyfriend, Connor. He is not redeemed in the book. I wonder if we will see more of him in future books since I think he provides some tension in the story.
I really like Scarlett's roommate, Lucia. She is whip-smart and manages to keep Scarlett out of too much trouble. I love how she relates everything to movies.
We give this new series 4 paws up.
Like most cozies, Scarlett is suspected of doing the deed and has to solve the crime to clear her name. There isn't a love interest that appears, but it is only the first book!
There are many red herrings thrown into the mix of this story. I suspected several characters because those were some of the clues or suspicious behavior exhibited by some of the characters. Some characters are cleared quickly, and when the real murderer is revealed, it is quite a surprise. It was not someone I suspected. However, it makes perfect sense once the reasons behind it are revealed.
The book felt like it moved at a slightly slower pace initially but picked up speed as it progressed. There are several characters to dislike, primarily the recent ex-boyfriend, Connor. He is not redeemed in the book. I wonder if we will see more of him in future books since I think he provides some tension in the story.
I really like Scarlett's roommate, Lucia. She is whip-smart and manages to keep Scarlett out of too much trouble. I love how she relates everything to movies.
We give this new series 4 paws up.
dnemec's review
3.0
Scarlett moved to Oceanside to open a bookstore with her boyfriend. But after dumps her and moves on to another job, she refuses to give up her dream and is hoping that Palm Trees and Page Turners will thrive regardless. Things are going well until Scarlett sees a dead body under the pier. And things only get worse - the deceased woman was actually poisoned, and a bottle of said poison is found behind the bookshop. Then Scarlett is notified that the dead woman, whom she had never met before the day she died, has left her a substantial inheritance. Is the deceased, Lorelai Knight, her birth mother? Is that why she has bequeathed Scarlett her family's fortune? Then Scarlett's roommate's nemesis, Martin, is killed on their doorstep. What exactly is going on here? Scarlett decides to take matters in her own hands and clear her name herself - no matter the consequences.
While it is a complicated story, this book will keep you on your toes, looking for more. Rather an enjoyable start to a new series. I will definitely be looking for more!
While it is a complicated story, this book will keep you on your toes, looking for more. Rather an enjoyable start to a new series. I will definitely be looking for more!
rants_n_reads's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
chrissyz's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this new cozy mystery. It was a quick read and kept me guessing until the end. It had no crass language or content which was a nice change of pace. I enjoyed the bookish content and the open ended plot points that have me interested in reading the next one.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read it!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read it!
magnoliapigeonbookblurbs's review
5.0
5/5 ⭐️!!!
What a fantastic debut from Samara Yew!! Murder by the Seashore such a murderously fun read!!
We follow Scarlett - a bookshop owner in SoCal whose life is turned upside down when she finds the body of a woman who has been murdered. Her business is quickly thrust into jeopardy when she is named a prime suspect due to a surprise inheritance! Now she must follow the clues, solve the mystery and catch a killer with the help of her friends to save her bookshop!
Full of quirky characters, great character development, twists and turns I never saw coming, adorable bookshop, beautiful scenery and a bff goals friendship - Murder by the Seashore is a must read for cozy mystery lovers!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
What a fantastic debut from Samara Yew!! Murder by the Seashore such a murderously fun read!!
We follow Scarlett - a bookshop owner in SoCal whose life is turned upside down when she finds the body of a woman who has been murdered. Her business is quickly thrust into jeopardy when she is named a prime suspect due to a surprise inheritance! Now she must follow the clues, solve the mystery and catch a killer with the help of her friends to save her bookshop!
Full of quirky characters, great character development, twists and turns I never saw coming, adorable bookshop, beautiful scenery and a bff goals friendship - Murder by the Seashore is a must read for cozy mystery lovers!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the arc in exchange for my honest review.