Friday Cozy Mystery Review: Stowed Away by Barbara Ross

From the publisher:

It’s June in Busman’s Harbor, Maine, and Julia Snowden and her family are working hard to get their authentic Maine clambake business ready for summer. Preparations must be put on hold, however, when a mysterious yacht drops anchor in the harbor—and delivers an unexpected dose of murder . . .

When Julia’s old prep school rival Wyatt Jayne invites her to dinner on board her billionaire fiancé’s decked-out yacht, Julia arrives to find a sumptuous table set for two—and the yachtsman dead in his chair. Suspicion quickly falls on Wyatt, and Julia’s quest to dredge up the truth leads her into the murky private world of a mega-rich recluse who may not have been all that he seemed . . .


My thoughts:

I'm such a fan of the Maine Clambake Mystery series, and this book (the sixth in the series) did not disappoint. The story starts with Julia and her family--characters that are such a joy to visit with every book--deciding if they'll renovate or restore the family home on Morrow Island, all while preparing for the clambake season.

Old school 'friend' Wyatt is there to help with the renovation assessment, along with her wealthy, reclusive boyfriend who is nearby on his yacht. It takes a while before there is a crime, but it's clear later that there were a lot of characters to introduce and clues to plant. There something of a twist at the end which I saw coming, but Ross still pulls it off. This felt very much like an Agatha Christie mystery to me, which is a big compliment.

Great mystery, and this sixth book shows how a cozy mystery doesn't have to be repetitive. Barbara Ross has to be one of my favorite cozy mystery authors: she keeps the story and characters intelligent, but manages to create that cozy context readers come back for.

If you're not familiar with the series, I highly recommend starting with the first book, Clammed Up.

**NetGalley provided advanced copy for review**

Birthday, birthday, birthday...

It's my birthday today! Also, it's my book birthday for Code Name 711, and Double Vision launches in paperback today. That's, like, a triple birthday.

This calls for cake...

I had my fun over the weekend at the SCBWI Southern Breeze Wik conference in Birmingham (there were other people providing food and cake, pretty awesome). I got inspired, learned more stuff about the seriousness of Alabama college football (dude...), and caught up with good friends. This picture was taken by Jo Kittinger (I forgot to take pics, once again...)

So this is a great week for me. And the fun doesn't end: the Code Name 711 Blog Tour is in full swing--check out the tour stops below! There will be virtual cake, interviews, reviews, and BOOK GIVEAWAYS (those must go in all-caps, of course).

Have a great day, YA Sleutheri. The cake is on me...

Double Vision: Code Name 711 Blog Tour Stops

Oct 7: Librarian extraordinaire Ms. Yingling reviews Double Vision: Code Name 711

Oct. 7: Criminal Element is giving away a Top-Secret Spy Kit for kids, including the first and second book in the Double Vision series.

Oct. 8: Double Vision is MG Ninja’s book of the week. There’s an interview and a review!

Oct 8: Check out this great review of Code Name 711 at Our Thoughts Precisely...

Oct. 15: Launch day! Look for an interview at Sleuths, Spies and Alibis plus another GIVEAWAY of books… Also, virtual cake and lemonade is on me.

Oct. 16, 17: Buried in Books reviews Double Vision, plus another GIVEAWAY:

Oct. 18: Unleashing Readers—a review of Code Name 711 and interview and GIVEAWAY…

Oct. 21: This Kid Reviews Books—cool kid Erik gives his verdict on Linc’s second adventure, and another GIVEAWAY

Oct. 23: Word Spelunking—an interview and GIVEAWAY

Oct. 25: The ever amazing in-the-know Pragmatic Mom reviews Code Name 711, plus another GIVEAWAY:

Oct. 28: An interview at Caroline Starr Rose’s blog feature,Curriculum Connections—find out how Code Name 711 can be used in the classroom! Plus, a GIVEAWAY…

Oct 29: Another amazing librarian, YA Booknerd, reviews Code Name 711.. Plus, a GIVEAWAY…

Oct. 30: A review at Kids Mystery Book Reviews! And an interview on Nov. 4...

Do you review books you don't like?

In my quest to be a better reader and review more books, I (of course) immediately hit a snag. The book I just finished reading? I didn't like it...

And it wasn't an 'it was okay, just not the best' kind of dislike--I really, really didn't like it. The only reason I finished it was because I bought it, and thought I should finish. Like when you buy those store-brand ginger snaps, and you eat them in spite of their sucky-ness.

I decided not to review the book, since it could be just me. And as an author, I know how much those bad reviews can sting.

How about you, YA Sleutheri? Do you review books you don't like?

How to be a good reader

As a newbie author, you learn a few things along the way.

Okay, so you learn a lot of things. Like how fun it is to meet new readers at a book signing. How you have to introduce yourself to Barnes and Noble customers, because no one will find you if you stay at your table, hidden behind the Nook display. How perfect strangers, in person or just on Twitter, can be so supportive of you and your book, even though they barely know you. People can be pretty awesome.

The hard part about being a debut is asking for that awesomeness. Asking people for help, that is. To come see you at a book signing, so you don't look so sad. And to review your book if they like it. Having my own book to sell made me realize that I haven't always been such a good reader. Because as an author, you're a reader first, and I've read a boatload of books. But how many have I actually reviewed at various outlets? Not many...

So this year, I'm resolving to be a better reader (a very, very late 2013 resolution, I know). This was inspired by author friend Simon Wood, who wrote a great blog post: 5 Things A Reader Can Do To Help Their Favorite Writers. Check it out, it's good stuff.

And thank you, awesome readers who've supported me so far. You inspire me to be a better reader myself.