Milkshakes, Mermaids, and Murder by Sara Rosett is the eighth book in the “Ellie Avery” mystery series. Publisher: Kensington, October 2013

Ellie Avery planned a perfect family getaway: fun in the sun on Florida’s Gulf Coast, with a side visit to the eBay vendor who’d mistakenly sent her the wrong handbag. But what should have been a simple exchange turns into a fatal transaction when Ellie discovers Angela495 floating face-down in her pool.

With some savvy snooping, Ellie learns that Angela’s dangerous double life included blackmail, compromising photos, and a scandalous secret that threatens a local celeb. When a kidnapping shatters her family’s safety, Ellie leaves the white sands behind to face down a killer whose warm Southern charm masks a cold, cold heart.

This series continues to get better with each book published and this is the best one yet keeping me engaged throughout this fast-paced and action-filled drama that pit Ellie against a dangerous opponent. I enjoyed this wonderfully crafted mystery that had me rooting for Ellie as she search for the persons responsible in this lighthearted whodunit. The author did a good job in keeping the mystery light and fresh with a solid plot that quickly became a page turner. Ellie is a great protagonist and I love how her family comes first in all that she does, even when she comes upon a crime scene by doing what is right. This is a fun series and I look forward to more adventures with Ellie and her family.