Clammed Up by Barbara Ross is the first book in the new “Maine Clambake” mystery series. Publisher: Kensington, September 2013

Summer has come to Busman’s Harbor, Maine, and tourists are lining up for a taste of authentic New England seafood, courtesy of the Snowden Family Clambake Company. But there’s something sinister on the boil this season. A killer has crashed a wedding party, adding mystery to the menu at the worst possible moment.

Julia Snowden returned to her hometown to rescue her family’s struggling clambake business–not to solve crimes. But that was before a catered wedding on picturesque Morrow Island turned into a reception for murder. When the best man’s corpse is found hanging from the grand staircase in the Snowden family mansion, Julia must put the chowder pot on the back burner and join the search for the killer. And with suspicion falling on her old crush, Chris Durand, the recipe for saving her business and salvaging her love life might be one and the same.

Trying to save her family’s business, Julia opens up the island for a private wedding that is later marred when the best man is found dead. Jeopardizing what she has negotiated with the bank, Julia takes matters into her own hand by looking for a killer before her family’s business boils over.

The author did a great job in developing a mystery that grabbed my attention from the beginning, as I could not put this book down. The storyline was cleverly presented and the dialogue engaging. With a wonderful cast of characters led by a determined Julia, I can see this series on the bookshelves for years to come. I have never been to a clambake before but after reading “Clammed Up”, it is definitely on my bucket list. This is a great read that will have you salivating for more in this delightfully delectable whodunit.

FTC Disclosure: I received an advance reader copy of this book from the author.

previously posted on the Cozy Chicks blog