Muddled Through (A Maine Clambake Mystery, #10), by Barbara Ross

 

 

This one had my full attention from the very first page. The characters were likeable, rather like people we might know or want to know, and the setting in a small, waterfront town was nicely described for us. Since I live in Alaska where many of our small but scenic towns, think Inland Passage, have dealt with the same issues of whether to cling to the past or move forward and try to cultivate more and more changes to bring in more cruise ships, tourists, and higher end businesses, I could definitely relate to the conflict Julia Snowden and the residents of Busman's Harbor, Maine, felt. Change can be scary.

Murder is scary, too. As the book opens, Julia is rushing to her sister's side after the pottery shop where Livvie works is badly vandalized. No one is injured but shop owner Zoey is devastated. This round of destruction is soon overshadowed by the discovery of the neighboring business owner, with whom Zoey has a difficult relationship, who is found dead in their shared basement space. There's no sign of forced entry either time and Zoey becomes the prime suspect. Is it significant that Zoey was far away, digging clay, when the vandalism occurred? Livvie doesn't believe for a moment that Zoey would kill anyone and asks her sister Julia to look into it.

Fast paced and boosting several side stories, including Julia's romantic life, or maybe lack of. Why do so many so loudly oppose the idea of a pedestrian mall during summer season? Zoey's soon dead neighbor was one of them while Zoey pushed for it. Where does Alice Rumsford, a well-respected resident, stand on the issue? Could she or her nephew Ben be involved? Why doesn't she tell Julia who took the incredible photos displayed at her home? Why didn't the man walking his dog see anything when he passed the store the morning of the vandalism? Why is Julia's ex seen talking to Ben after Julia has lunch with Ben one day? How about the man so determined to develop Busman's Harbor? Why is he buying up properties? Could he have wanted Phinney's business site enough to kill for it? What connection is there between those involved? Does the past impact the present?

All these questions and so many others will be answered as you read. It's a quick read and will keep you guessing. I liked Julia and those about her. Also, living in Alaska, I could relate to author Ross' analogy early on of Maine being like Lucy taunting Charlie Brown to kick the football as a comparison to how spring comes in and taunts us early on, only for the weather to fool us and turn miserable the next day. Alaska does the same thing. This is the 10th book in this series but worked well as a standalone.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #KinsingtonBooks for the invite to visit Julia in Busman's Harbor. I'll be back. Her Snowden Family Clambake sounds like a lovely excuse to visit.