Daily Archives: December 31, 2019

In this second book in the Desert Flowers Mystery series, Poppy Harmon is settling in, along with her two best friends, to being a real private detective.

Her daughter has returned to live with her, having served her time. That brings her boyfriend, Matt, ever more into her life.

If that weren’t enough, Poppy is serving on a jury in a trial which involves a famous singer who has been accused of assaulting a famous chef.

Poppy also runs into an old co-star of her ill-fated television mystery series. The co-star was also an old flame, of sorts. He wants Poppy to find his adult, though young daughter, who has recently disappeared. He also wants to take up where they left things in the past.

(more…)

This is the eighth book in the Maine Clambake mystery series. It is the first book I have read by author Barbara Ross. While I read it stand-alone, I suggest reading the earlier books as I was confused by the relationships as well as the characters. It was a little like dropping into a movie halfway through.

The book is definitely more dramatic than not. Generally, I expect some humor in cozy mysteries and this book did not have that. While not a suspense book, it is more of a straight mystery.

The characters live on the coast of Maine and make most of their money during the tourist season when people come to their lovely town and want to indulge in a real Maine clambake. My husband is from Maine and when I described the clambake to him, he agreed it was authentically portrayed.

The family has their share of drama with all sorts of revelations, both personal and historical, and some of those are contained in this book. There are multiple mentions of other things that had occurred in earlier books as well.

When a body is found on the island where the clambakes are held, suspicions fall immediately on the ex-con.

(more…)