It’s summertime in Busman’s Harbor, Maine, and the clamming is easy—or it was until a mysterious new neighbor blocks access to the beach, cutting off the Snowden Family Clambake’s supply. Julia Snowden is just one of many townspeople angered by Bartholomew Frick’s decision. But which one of them was angry enough to kill?
Beachcombers, lighthouse buffs, and clammers are outraged after Frick puts up a gate in front of his newly inherited mansion. When Julia urges him to reconsider, she’s the last to see him alive—except the person who stabs him in the neck with a clam rake. As she pores through a long list of suspects, Julia meets disgruntled employees, rival heirs, and a pair of tourists determined to visit every lighthouse in America. They all have secrets, and Julia will have to work fast to expose the guilty party—or see this season’s clam harvest dry up for good. (Summary via Goodreads)
I am a HUGE fan of the Maine Clambake Mystery series by Barbara Ross !! I am a HUGE fan of the state of Maine so it makes sense that I would love this series as it is set in Maine !! But there is so much to love about this series !
You cannot help but fall in love with the main character Julia, her family and the neighbors, her family business and the fact that when there is a murder Julia jumps right in with both feet to "help" the local police department solve the case. Even though Julia has her hands full running the family's clambake business and its summertime which is when they are at their busiest, when there is a murder Julia is off and running......even if the murdered person is basically a stranger.
Ross knows how to capture the readers attention as soon as you open the book and keeps your attention until you have read the last word and even after you close the book, Busman's Harbor will stay with you for a while. How can it not ? The way the story is written, you feel like you are a part of their community and not just someone passing by. You feel like you have a seat at the counter at Gus's and you feel like you are enjoying lunch with everyone employed at the Snowden Family Clambake....but the best is hanging out with Julia as she solves another murder in her close knit town.
Steamed Open is the seventh book in this wonderful series and I cannot help but hope that there are many, many more books in this series. I need to return to Busman's Harbor as many times as I can...... Thank you Barbara for allowing me and all your other faithful readers the chance to take a vacation while sitting in our own living rooms !!!
Review by Missi S.
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