Murder By The Seashore by Samara Yew

In this new cozy mystery series debut, Murder by the Seashore: Scarlett Gardner relocates with her boyfriend, Connor, to open the Palm Trees and Page Turners bookshop in sunny southern California. Connor takes care of the business end, while Scarlett literally runs the bookshop. It’s the shop’s first season and everything is running smoothly UNTIL…

Connor (out of the blue), dumps Scarlett for a better business proposition somewhere else – he’s left her not only holding the bag, but a whole lotta books! Even though she’s struggling to keep the bookshop open, she’s determined to succeed.

But as if being ditched by Connor isn’t bad enough, one morning she finds a dead body under the pier right outside her shop! To her horror, it was a recent bookstore customer! The word is out about the murder outside the bookstore. Suddenly Palm Trees and Page Turners is flooded with customers. Unfortunately, the way the world is today – they aren’t there to buy books, but to post selfies on their social media accounts!

More chaos ensues when the local police detective starts eyeing Scarlett as a suspect. AND social media is heating up – more non-buying bookstore customers – now referring to her shop as the Murder Bookshop! Holy Moly!

Scarlett knows she’s got to do some investigating of her own to get this murder cleared up. She needs to have the solid reputation of her shop restored – and fast! Unfortunately there’s no clear motive.

Frazzled Scarlett is beginning to suspect everyone – from her best bookshop employee, to a local store owner, several lawyers – and even her ex-boyfriend, Connor! She’s beginning to wonder if she’s becoming overly paranoid or just plain delusional.

Then an unexpected call from a lawyer on behalf of his now deceased client, informs Scarlett she’s about to inherit some serious money!

Lucia, Scarlett’s roommate and best friend, is also an up and coming lawyer. She’s sticking right by Scarlett’s side through all the legalities of the inheritance. But here’s the thing: When it comes to money, it can bring out the worst in folks. Greed rears it’s ugly head. Unfortunately, someone is now out to permanently delete Scarlett!

I love this charming and fun whodunit!. It’s perfect to enjoy on a sunny weekend at home or tucked into your beach bag. The flavor of California oozes out of each chapter. Scarlett and Lucia are a perfect pair of amateur sleuths tying together the murder under the pier with Scarlett’s recent inheritance.

Murder By The Seashore is the first in the new California Bookshop series. Cozy fans will love this well-plotted and entertaining mystery. A sunny day at the beach and a good book – what could be better? Actually better would be grabbing a copy of Murder by the Seashore by Samara Yew! Can’t make it to the beach? No problem, let this book take you there!

A copy of this book and cover photo were provided by Crooked Lane Books.