Hi, I’m Julia Snowden. Back in March, I left my job in venture capital in New York to return to Busman’s Harbor, Maine to save my family’s failing clambake business.
Twice a day, the Snowden Family Clambake Company loads two hundred customers aboard our boat and takes them to a private island where we feed them clam chowder, followed by twin lobsters, steamers, an ear of corn, a potato, an onion and an egg, with blueberry grunt for dessert. The meal is cooked over rocks heated by a hardwood fire, then covered by seaweed and canvas tarps. The clambake combines a harbor tour, relaxed time on a Maine island, and a delicious meal.
My dad, who founded the Snowden Family Clambake Company, died five years ago. Since then, the clambake has been run by my brother-in-law, Sonny. At the height of the economic boom, Sonny and my mother took out an enormous loan, using the island, our boat, and my mother’s house in the harbor as collateral. Then the recession hit and tourism dwindled. By the time my sister Livvie intercepted a message from the bank, we stood to lose it all. Livvie’s panicked phone call brought me back to Busman’s Harbor.
Since March, I’ve stayed at my mom’s house and worked hard everyday, renegotiating our loan, marketing the clambake and getting the island ready for the season. When living and working with family gets to be too much, I head to Gus’s restaurant. Gus’s hasn’t changed since I was a child. Same round-topped gas pump out front, same candle-pin bowling alley inside, same plain but tasty food served in red-checkered paper boats. And same policy of “no strangers.” Gus doesn’t serve food to anyone he doesn’t know personally. I have no idea how he gets away with this.
For the last few months, my junior high crush, Chris Durand, and I have “happened” to meet for lunch at Gus’s every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Chris is the one person in my life who’s not a family member, vendor or employee and he’s the only person who knows how scared I am the business will fail. Our relationship’s not a “thing,” exactly. I’m not sure what it is.
The clambake opens to the public in just a few days. But before we open, we’ll hold a wedding on the island for one of my friends from New York. Michaela isn’t a close friend, we ran on the outer periphery of the same crowd. I’ve met her fiancé Tony a few times as we’ve planned their wedding. He seems like a nice enough guy. I have the impression he’s paying for the whole shindig.
For now, I’m hopeful. The bank’s agreed not to call our loan if we meet our revenue targets every week from now until Columbus Day. All we need is good weather, a good tourist summer and good luck. If Michaela’s wedding goes well, I it will be a great omen for the whole season. And if it doesn’t—I don’t want to think about the consequences.
Barbara is giving away one (1) copy of “Clammed Up.” Leave a comment to be included in the giveaway. Contest ends September 3; US entries only.
Meet the author
Barbara Ross’ novel, Clammed Up, first in her Maine Clambake Mystery series, will be published by Kensington on September 3rd. Barbara and her husband own the former Seafarer Inn in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. From her perch on the Seafarer’s wide front porch, Barbara’s had a chance to observe the quirks of life in a small resort town, along with the stunning harbor views.
Barbara is also a co-editor/co-publisher at Level Best Books, which will release its eleventh anthology Best New England Crime Stories 2014: Stone Cold in November.
For more information, check out Barbara’s website, on Twitter or on Facebook.
Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
This book has been on my wish list for months, I would love to win a copy!
This is going to be a great series.!
Would love to win!
Barbara, this is surely going to be a terrific series! I love New England cozies, and can’t wait to read this one.
Sounds good. I have always wanted to go to Maine but haven,t made it yet.
Just added this to my wish list. Wonderful setting for a new series. Thank you.
I’ve had this one in my Wish List since the first time I heard about it. Still sounds like a great book!
I’ve never read a book about clambakes. This sounds like a series I would enjoy! Thank you for the giveaway!
Sounds like my kind of read. Would love a copy.
Thank you for the chance to win. This sounds like a good book
I love finding new cozies to read – love the cover! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
I love the setting. It sounds so relaxing and fun. I would love towin a copy!
The fact that this book takes place in Maine, a place I have always wanted to go drew me to this book. I would love to win a copy but if I don’t I will buy one.
a new cozy series!! yays!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!!
A clambake in Maine—what a perfect setting!! I want to read this book.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I’ve heard great things about your book, Barbara. I’m looking forward to reading it. Fingers crossed I win.
I have been to a Virginia clambake but not a Maine!
I can’t wait to meet Julia and read this book. So excited!!
Have not been fortunate enough to visit Maine, this sounds like a good way to get a picture of what I am missing. Would love to win the book.
I have entered every contest I’ve seen for this book lol :), I’m hoping this will be the lucky one. I love New England spent most of my holidays there from age 6 till about 10 yrs ago. This sounds really great. I’d just love to win
i love clam chowder! My grandmother used to make the best! I know I will love this new series. Thank you for introducing it to us and for the chance to win.
Sounds great. I’m originally from Nova Scotia so Maine and the east coast hold a special place in my heart. It would be great to win a copy of Clammed Up, thanks for the giveaway.
Another fun sounding series. I would love to win a copy. Thank you for the give-aways.
Thanks for great giveaway
I love Maine. It is my favorite vacation spot. I would love to win a copy of this book! Thanks!
Wish I could go on a clam bake. Sounds wonderful, as does the book. I look forward to reading it.
Thanks for the review and the giveaway. I am adding the to my tbr pile for sure. Hope to win the book so I have excuse to take a book break from packing. lol I really need to get it done.
Thanks, everybody! Best of luck in winning the book. I really hope you enjoy it. I loved writing it here on the beautiful Maine coast.
Just a couple of days until my copy arrives..can’t wait to be transported back to Maine
Nothing better than a Maine Clam Bake and a whodunnit! Would love to find a new series to follow! Thanks to Barbara and to Dru for hosting!
I’m all about clam bakes and seafood, just ask any of my friends. I’d love to win this book and find out how it ends.
NoraAdrienne(at)gmail(dot)com
Never been on a clam bake and I love to read books about things I haven’t tried. This sounds great.
Great insight into Julia!!!
This looks like a really good book, nothing like good food and a mystery
Thank you for the chance to win this book, love the title and the cover.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
A new series? Hooray! I’m looking forward to reading Clammed Up. Thanks for the review & giveaway.
Just found this site. I’m so excited. And even a book giveaway. Thanks so much.
This one looks really good and I love the cover.
Love Maine and just about everything and anything to do with it.
Thanks everybody. Good luck with the contest. So glad so many people like the idea of a Maine book and the cover. Will pass thanks along to the cover artist through my publisher.
Thanks Barbara for giving a glimpse into Julia’s day.
Julia’s day sounds rather interesting, and so I would love to be the recipient of Clammed Up and get to read a lot more about her. Thank you for offering this giveaway. Anything about Maine is special to me as I live in New England and love the northern states where we go for many vacations. Thanks again..
contest is closed.
Congrats to Lori C. who won a copy of “Clammed Up”