Brenda H. (booksinvt) -
Helpful Score: 1
Muddled Through is the tenth installment in the A Maine Clambake Mystery series set in Bar Harbor, Maine and featuring Julia Snowden, manager of her family's clambake business located on Morrow Island. It's early Spring (otherwise known as Mud Season to us New Englanders) and things are quiet around town. Julia is trying to find her way after the recent breakup with Chris, losing her Winter restaurant job at Gus's and having to move back into her mother's house. Julia's sister Livvie is working part time at Lupine Design, the local pottery shop owned by Zoey Butterfield until things get busy on the island.
On an early morning walk, Julia stumbles upon the police swarming around Lupine Design and fearing something has happened to Livvie, she races to the scene. Someone has vandalized the entire shop, smashing thousands of dollars worth of merchandise. The police immediately suspect the building's other tenant, Phinney Hardison, the elderly antique owner who has a definite grudge against Zoey and her proposed plans to incorporate a Pedestrian Walk into Main Street. But, since the Pedestrian Walk is creating a lot of rift between neighbors it could be anyone trying to scare the newcomer Zoey away from town. When a few days later Phinney is found dead in their shared basement fingers now start pointing to Zoey. LIvvie begs Julia to help Zoey and before she knows it Julia finds herself once again involved in a murder mystery - this one with secrets that some would like to remain in the past.
A fast paced plot, an excellent setting and locale, a great cast of core characters and a hint at a new relationship make for a great addition to the series. This series continues to entertain and I look forward to many more adventures with Julia, her family and friends. I almost always suggest new readers start a series from the beginning but this latest story can definitely read as a stand alone.
On an early morning walk, Julia stumbles upon the police swarming around Lupine Design and fearing something has happened to Livvie, she races to the scene. Someone has vandalized the entire shop, smashing thousands of dollars worth of merchandise. The police immediately suspect the building's other tenant, Phinney Hardison, the elderly antique owner who has a definite grudge against Zoey and her proposed plans to incorporate a Pedestrian Walk into Main Street. But, since the Pedestrian Walk is creating a lot of rift between neighbors it could be anyone trying to scare the newcomer Zoey away from town. When a few days later Phinney is found dead in their shared basement fingers now start pointing to Zoey. LIvvie begs Julia to help Zoey and before she knows it Julia finds herself once again involved in a murder mystery - this one with secrets that some would like to remain in the past.
A fast paced plot, an excellent setting and locale, a great cast of core characters and a hint at a new relationship make for a great addition to the series. This series continues to entertain and I look forward to many more adventures with Julia, her family and friends. I almost always suggest new readers start a series from the beginning but this latest story can definitely read as a stand alone.
