Musseled Out by Barbara Ross

The busy summer tourist season is winding down in Busman's Harbor, Maine, but Julia Snowden senses trouble simmering for the Snowden Family Clambake Company. Shifty David Thwing - the "Mussel King" of upscale seafood restaurants - is sniffing around town for a new location. But serving iffy clams turns out to be the least of his troubles....

When Thwing is found sleeping with the fishes beneath a local lobsterman's boat, the police quickly finger Julia's brother-in-law, Sonny, as the one who cooked up the crime. Sure, everyone knows Sonny despised the Mussel King...but Julia believes he's innocent. Proving it won't be easy, though. It seems there's a lot more than murder on the menu, and Julia needs to act fast....  (summary via Goodreads)

I love going to Busman's Harbor and spending time with the Snowden family and all the residents there.  Barbara Ross has such a way with her writing that you feel like you are there.  You feel like the invisible sister of Julia and Livvie or you will want to be.

Julia returned home in the first book of the Maine Clambake Mystery books, Clammed Up, to help run the family clambake business before her mom loses everything.   As with Clammed Up, the second book Boiled Over, both involved murders that Julia was involved in "helping" the police solve the crimes.  

Now here we are with Musseled Out and Julia is still there.   Julia is facing a huge life-changing decision.  Her job in the city has been kept vacant but the bosses need to know if she will be returning and when or they will have to fill her position.  As she struggles with thoughts of leaving Busman's Harbor, her family, friends and her boyfriend, Chris, David Thwing is found tangled in the lines of a lobster boat.  And her brother-in-law Sonny seems to be on the top of the suspect list.  

As Julia works on proving Sonny's innocence, helping at the local's only restaurant, she uncovers some town secrets that involve those close to her.   She can't walk away from her family and town now or can she ??

The Maine Clambake Mystery series books are a treat to read.  The town is a town you could see yourself living in, the people are people you can see yourself helping out with whatever is needed.  You will be so inolved in the story that the end will be upon you before you know it.  But don't worry Fogged Inn will be here soon enough !!!

Review by Missi S.