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Book Review of Death and a Pot of Chowder (Maine Murder, Bk 1)

Death and a Pot of Chowder (Maine Murder, Bk 1)
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Death and a Pot of Chowder is the debut of the A Maine Murder Mystery series set on Quarry Island, Maine and featuring Anna Winslow, stay at home Mom. Anna has lived her entire life on Quarry Island, married at a young age to her lobsterman husband Burt, and is now raising her sometimes moody fourteen year old son Jake.

There aren't that many full time residents on Quarry Island and Anna living just a few doors down from her childhood home is surrounded by her mother, grandmother and Burt's brother, Carl. Carl works alongside Burt lobstering and has a reputation as a playboy. When Burt discovers Carl's boat abandoned and floating adrift off the coast, an all out search begins for him. Unfortunately, Carl's body is recovered but what is first thought to be an accidental drowning soon turns into a case of murder.

With her husband seen arguing with Carl earlier that day, Anna is devastated when Burt is arrested for murder. Determined to clear Burt's name, Anna sets out with the help of her recently discovered half sister Izzie to track down the killer. Plenty of suspects surface including Carl's ex girlfriends, but the thing that worries Anna most is that Jake and his best friend Matt Martin are suddenly fighting and acting as though they have something to hide.

A fast paced plot with engaging characters, a touch darker than a typical cozy, but a refreshing change with a heroine that is married and not a part of the dreaded love triangle. The resolution to the murder is shocking and the author pens enough twists that readers will definitely want to pick up the next in the series to see what's next in store for Anna.