What do you think?
Rate this book
Books by the Bay Mysteries #3
The Last Word
Olivia Limoges and the Bayside Book Writers are excited about Oyster Bay's newest resident: bestselling novelist Nick Plumley, who's come to work on his next book. But when Olivia stops by Plumley's rental she finds that he's been strangled to death. Her instincts tell her that something from the past came back to haunt him, but she never expects that the investigation could spell doom for one of her dearest friends...
313 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 6, 2011
206 people are currently reading
1688 people want to read
About the author
Ellery Adams
66 books5,221 followersUSA Today and New York Times bestseller author Ellery Adams has written over forty novels and can’t imagine spending a day away from the keyboard. Ms. Adams, a Native New Yorker, has had a lifelong love affair with stories, food, and rescue animals. She likes to spend her free time rearranging the bookshelves in her home in central North Carolina.
Ellery's Series Include: Secret, Book, & Scone Society (Kensington) Book Retreat Mysteries (Kensington) Books By the Bay Mysteries (Berkley Prime Crime), Charmed Pie Shoppe Mysteries ((Berkley Prime Crime), Molly Appleby Antiques & Collectibles Mysteries (Beyond the Page), and Hope Street Mysteries (Beyond the Page).
Ellery also writes genre-blending fiction focusing on women and their inner monsters. Her first release in this exciting new direction is Invasive Species, which hits the shelves 4/14/206.
For book club guides, bibliotherapy lists, and recipes, please visit www.elleryadamsbooks.com
Ellery's Series Include: Secret, Book, & Scone Society (Kensington) Book Retreat Mysteries (Kensington) Books By the Bay Mysteries (Berkley Prime Crime), Charmed Pie Shoppe Mysteries ((Berkley Prime Crime), Molly Appleby Antiques & Collectibles Mysteries (Beyond the Page), and Hope Street Mysteries (Beyond the Page).
Ellery also writes genre-blending fiction focusing on women and their inner monsters. Her first release in this exciting new direction is Invasive Species, which hits the shelves 4/14/206.
For book club guides, bibliotherapy lists, and recipes, please visit www.elleryadamsbooks.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 304 reviews
July 3, 2018
Bestselling novelist Nick Plumley has come to Oyster Bay, NC to research and write his next novel. Olivia Limoges and the other members of the Bayside Book Writers are happy to welcome Nick into the fold. He seems very curious about the house that one of the members just purchased, but as it was a location mentioned in his first book, it seems a normal curiosity. But then Olivia discovers discovers Nick dead in his rental house. Someone strangled the author. Olivia and the other writers scramble to discover who would have wanted to stop Nick's new book enough to kill him. The investigation turns out to be quite complex involving war-time intrigue, lost love and revenge. And, in the end, Olivia will lose a dear friend.
The Last Word is the third book in the Books By The Bay series. It's by far the best in the series so far IMHO. The characters have developed so much more, and Olivia (who can be a real snooty piece of work sometimes) is actually starting to really grow on me. The mystery is complex with lots of interesting twists and turns, and a surprise or two. The suspense didn't stop until the very end. Although the story started off a bit slow....once it got rolling, it really got interesting and suspenseful. I like how Ellery Adams doesn't draw her stories to an abrupt close right after the mystery is solved. The ending is always a mix of tying up loose ends, and finishing out character development. I prefer that to an oh-they-caught-the-killer-so-The-End sort of finish. At times, I do find myself rolling my eyes a bit when the characters get a bit too emo or melodramatic about their love life or personal situations, but that's just me...I don't care for romance novels. So when the scenes lean too far in that direction....I do end up channeling my inner Olivia. ha ha. I listened to the audio book version of this novel and one of the love scenes actually made me bust up laughing. Just something about the narrator's almost dead pan voice reading about hands cupping breasts and hot desire just struck me as funny. I admit to hitting fast forward a couple times to get past that part.....mostly because I had a construction crew here working on my roof and didn't want them to overhear bits about kissing and breast cupping. (cue giggles again). Not to mention my 13-year old son teasing me about listening to "kissy face'' books. :) (insert more giggling).
I'm enjoying this series. The mysteries are unique and very creative. The characters are interesting. I like how snippets of the novels the Bayside Writers are working on are included in the story as the group critiques each other. All in all, a great series so far! There are 8 books in total....so 3 down....5 to go! :) On to the next!
The Last Word is the third book in the Books By The Bay series. It's by far the best in the series so far IMHO. The characters have developed so much more, and Olivia (who can be a real snooty piece of work sometimes) is actually starting to really grow on me. The mystery is complex with lots of interesting twists and turns, and a surprise or two. The suspense didn't stop until the very end. Although the story started off a bit slow....once it got rolling, it really got interesting and suspenseful. I like how Ellery Adams doesn't draw her stories to an abrupt close right after the mystery is solved. The ending is always a mix of tying up loose ends, and finishing out character development. I prefer that to an oh-they-caught-the-killer-so-The-End sort of finish. At times, I do find myself rolling my eyes a bit when the characters get a bit too emo or melodramatic about their love life or personal situations, but that's just me...I don't care for romance novels. So when the scenes lean too far in that direction....I do end up channeling my inner Olivia. ha ha. I listened to the audio book version of this novel and one of the love scenes actually made me bust up laughing. Just something about the narrator's almost dead pan voice reading about hands cupping breasts and hot desire just struck me as funny. I admit to hitting fast forward a couple times to get past that part.....mostly because I had a construction crew here working on my roof and didn't want them to overhear bits about kissing and breast cupping. (cue giggles again). Not to mention my 13-year old son teasing me about listening to "kissy face'' books. :) (insert more giggling).
I'm enjoying this series. The mysteries are unique and very creative. The characters are interesting. I like how snippets of the novels the Bayside Writers are working on are included in the story as the group critiques each other. All in all, a great series so far! There are 8 books in total....so 3 down....5 to go! :) On to the next!
February 22, 2019
Ellery Adams is one of the rare “cozy mystery” authoresses I like because this series highlights a forty year-old heroine. As much as I abhor violence, this sub-genre can be saccharine. However, I had read a spree of “standard mystery” from 1927, 1930, and 2000 set in 1893. I needed modernity, therefore “The Last Word”, 2011, was just the ticket. I loved the first two volumes. Now there was a lot to summarize. Olivia is getting to know a brother and sister-in-law, with whom she is launching a restaurant and my favourite element is seeing her fall in love with her premature nephew.
It was fascinating that North Carolina had a WWII prison camp, encouraging inmate artwork and other wares as incomes. Paintings and paternity are the key mysteries, which intrigued me. However, the huge updates, or the slough of big-name classics ahead of this, flattened the narration and dialogue with a lacklustre effect of telling the reader everything, instead of showing them. I council my dear Ellery to please reward sequential readers by skipping explanations we no longer need. I cannot stand Dixie. We don’t need to keep hearing that she is a dwarf, who decorates her eatery with theatre posters. This does not succeed at making her seem any less a cardboard figure. It is repetitive and her dialogue is cliché. If she does not sleuth, leave her out once in a while.
At last, the dialogue become natural and I was stunned by a denouement, far superior to the classic mysteries! I complained that the murder motives by Margery Allingham and Dorothy Sayers were nonsense. While their characterization and narration were engagingly rich, Ellery built up to a jaw-dropping murderer identity and a motive so believable, even I sympathized with it. She writes families and mysteries superbly.
It was fascinating that North Carolina had a WWII prison camp, encouraging inmate artwork and other wares as incomes. Paintings and paternity are the key mysteries, which intrigued me. However, the huge updates, or the slough of big-name classics ahead of this, flattened the narration and dialogue with a lacklustre effect of telling the reader everything, instead of showing them. I council my dear Ellery to please reward sequential readers by skipping explanations we no longer need. I cannot stand Dixie. We don’t need to keep hearing that she is a dwarf, who decorates her eatery with theatre posters. This does not succeed at making her seem any less a cardboard figure. It is repetitive and her dialogue is cliché. If she does not sleuth, leave her out once in a while.
At last, the dialogue become natural and I was stunned by a denouement, far superior to the classic mysteries! I complained that the murder motives by Margery Allingham and Dorothy Sayers were nonsense. While their characterization and narration were engagingly rich, Ellery built up to a jaw-dropping murderer identity and a motive so believable, even I sympathized with it. She writes families and mysteries superbly.
December 26, 2022
This is book # 3 in the Books By the Bay cozy mystery series featuring Olivia Limoges, her dog Haviland, and a group of writers who meet regularly to discuss their works in progress.
Olivia’s friend Harris Williams has just found the perfect house; built in the 1930s the house was moved to its new location to make way for a development. Olivia is surprised to learn that a famous author, Nick Plumley, is in town and also interested in the same house. After Harris moves in and begins renovations, he discovers a valuable painting hidden in a staircase. Could this be a reason for Plumley’s interest? Before Olivia can ask him, Plumley is murdered.
Well, there is much to be unpacked in this story. There’s the history of the nearby prisoner of war camp that housed Germans during WW2, and an escape from that camp that resulted in a guard being killed. The painting Harris uncovers seems to have a connection to the POWs.
There’s also the subplot of Olivia’s and police chief Rawlings nascent relationship. Can they put their pasts behind them and form an adult attachment? One thing I like about this series is how Adams slowly gives out the backstory of the characters, letting readers get to know Olivia, her extended family, and the residents of Oyster Bay over the course of the series.
Olivia’s friend Harris Williams has just found the perfect house; built in the 1930s the house was moved to its new location to make way for a development. Olivia is surprised to learn that a famous author, Nick Plumley, is in town and also interested in the same house. After Harris moves in and begins renovations, he discovers a valuable painting hidden in a staircase. Could this be a reason for Plumley’s interest? Before Olivia can ask him, Plumley is murdered.
Well, there is much to be unpacked in this story. There’s the history of the nearby prisoner of war camp that housed Germans during WW2, and an escape from that camp that resulted in a guard being killed. The painting Harris uncovers seems to have a connection to the POWs.
There’s also the subplot of Olivia’s and police chief Rawlings nascent relationship. Can they put their pasts behind them and form an adult attachment? One thing I like about this series is how Adams slowly gives out the backstory of the characters, letting readers get to know Olivia, her extended family, and the residents of Oyster Bay over the course of the series.
April 21, 2015
When it comes to sequels, you have the good ones and the really good ones and the ones that you just love.
The third in the Books by the Bay series, I just loved. I was going to give this the usual 4 but no. There was a lot that happens in this one. I just loved while the mystery was going on, the book writer's club had their own arc or were going through an arc. Especially Olivia. I liked her character from book 1.
Sure I wasn't sure if I was going to like her, or any of the book writer's club to be honest. But they grow on you. They really do and what helps immensely is the writing style. Just the pace while slow is perfect for this series.
Yet another murder mystery the book writer's club find themselves in. This time is has to do with an author. And oh boy was this sad to read what with the reveal of the mystery, etc.
Also that ending was adorable. The setting is especially good and sounds cozy. Perfect for a cozy mystery it seems. And doesn't help that the food descriptions in these and well any cozy mystery sounds delicious. Really good series. Looking forward to the next book.
The third in the Books by the Bay series, I just loved. I was going to give this the usual 4 but no. There was a lot that happens in this one. I just loved while the mystery was going on, the book writer's club had their own arc or were going through an arc. Especially Olivia. I liked her character from book 1.
Sure I wasn't sure if I was going to like her, or any of the book writer's club to be honest. But they grow on you. They really do and what helps immensely is the writing style. Just the pace while slow is perfect for this series.
Yet another murder mystery the book writer's club find themselves in. This time is has to do with an author. And oh boy was this sad to read what with the reveal of the mystery, etc.
Also that ending was adorable. The setting is especially good and sounds cozy. Perfect for a cozy mystery it seems. And doesn't help that the food descriptions in these and well any cozy mystery sounds delicious. Really good series. Looking forward to the next book.
March 30, 2015
This book started off slow, but around page forty it picked up and became a great, fast read!
The characters have improved, in my opinion, since the start of the series. They all have shown more depth and understanding and each thing that happens to them leaves you wanting to protect them, just like you would your friends. However, Olivia can be slightly arrogant at times, but it doesn't take away from the book.
The setting is flawless and so is the mystery, I would have never guessed the killer in this book and it broke my heart when you found out who it was.
Overall a great book. It was had to get into and the chapters were a bit long for my taste, but it didn't take away from the book. I'm really looking forward to the next book!
The characters have improved, in my opinion, since the start of the series. They all have shown more depth and understanding and each thing that happens to them leaves you wanting to protect them, just like you would your friends. However, Olivia can be slightly arrogant at times, but it doesn't take away from the book.
The setting is flawless and so is the mystery, I would have never guessed the killer in this book and it broke my heart when you found out who it was.
Overall a great book. It was had to get into and the chapters were a bit long for my taste, but it didn't take away from the book. I'm really looking forward to the next book!
January 31, 2021
I love this series. This is book #3 in the series. The murder mystery was very good with a story steeped in art and history woven into it. I enjoyed visiting with Olivia and her seaside town, along with getting to know her better. I loved seeing the family side of her storyline continue to grow. I loved seeing her personal growth in this story, and the romance is wonderful! And of course I adored seeing her furry companion, Haviland, as well.
January 25, 2018
Olivia Limoges is a character you'll feel you've known for a long time. This is the third book in the series, and the only one I've read so far. I swear Olivia's dog Haviland wants to steal the show. He's so darned cute and knows it. It's certainly a page-turner and worth reading if you love cozy mysteries.
June 4, 2021
The ice queen melts! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I always enjoy the mixing of past and current events and I wanted to know what happened. What I don’t like about Olivia is how aloof she always seems and I think she’s getting better. Looking forward to reading the next book. #readforkimberly
December 11, 2011
This novel entertained me on so many levels that I find it rather hard to review. "The Last Word," is an historical fiction murder mystery set in modern times. The book is in Oyster Bay, North Carolina which has held some amazing, to me, secrets that are explored as the setting for the crime.
Olivia Limoges is the main character who continues to grow throughout this series. One thing we know about Olivia is that she cares for her friends which are picked with extreme care. Olivia does not love easily, but, her generosity of spirit when she does is immense.
This book covers the gamut of emotions which is a rarity in a murder mysteries. I laughed, cried, caught my breath, felt saddened, felt joyous, and finally felt that I, as a reader was myself a friend of Olivia's now.
The murder was complex and involved a section of history unknown to myself. Ms. Adams made me feel as though I was present at the New Bern Prison Camp and knew the parties personally. I could sense the atmosphere of the times and understood the reasoning behind the original murder. The skillful writing allowed me to understand the passion behind the next murders. Also, the greed and total destruction of families during war times that follow us through decades.Even though the crimes are solved, I was left with the pain of the shadows that will continue to haunt Oyster Bay and it's inhabitants.
This was a powerful book and I hope many persons will read it. I look forward to the next installment.
Olivia Limoges is the main character who continues to grow throughout this series. One thing we know about Olivia is that she cares for her friends which are picked with extreme care. Olivia does not love easily, but, her generosity of spirit when she does is immense.
This book covers the gamut of emotions which is a rarity in a murder mysteries. I laughed, cried, caught my breath, felt saddened, felt joyous, and finally felt that I, as a reader was myself a friend of Olivia's now.
The murder was complex and involved a section of history unknown to myself. Ms. Adams made me feel as though I was present at the New Bern Prison Camp and knew the parties personally. I could sense the atmosphere of the times and understood the reasoning behind the original murder. The skillful writing allowed me to understand the passion behind the next murders. Also, the greed and total destruction of families during war times that follow us through decades.Even though the crimes are solved, I was left with the pain of the shadows that will continue to haunt Oyster Bay and it's inhabitants.
This was a powerful book and I hope many persons will read it. I look forward to the next installment.
January 16, 2016
I have loved all the books in this series but this one is the best so far and brings to light the authors amazing growth as a writer. Ellery Adams takes a little snippet of North Carolina history, unknown to most people, and masterfully weaves a mystery featuring the characters we have gotten to know and love right into that history making it relevant today. It is absolutely brilliant.
The way the mystery unfolds surprised me but it just flowed so naturally it couldn’t have played out any other way.
Ellery writes books I really get caught up in, yes to use my tagline, I “escape” effortlessly into her stories, like I am actually smelling the ocean, feeling the wind and hearing the ocean waves hitting the beach. I used to think it was because the best vacation our family ever had was a week spent at Caswell Beach, North Carolina, several years ago so I already had a picture of this seaside town in my mind, but reading this book I realized it was the author’s words taking me there, not some old memory. In fact if we ever returned I wouldn’t be surprised to find someone just like Olivia treasure hunting along the beach will her canine friend by her side.
It is always the right time of year to take a mini vacation to Oyster Bay. I promise you will enjoy every minute of your trip.
The way the mystery unfolds surprised me but it just flowed so naturally it couldn’t have played out any other way.
Ellery writes books I really get caught up in, yes to use my tagline, I “escape” effortlessly into her stories, like I am actually smelling the ocean, feeling the wind and hearing the ocean waves hitting the beach. I used to think it was because the best vacation our family ever had was a week spent at Caswell Beach, North Carolina, several years ago so I already had a picture of this seaside town in my mind, but reading this book I realized it was the author’s words taking me there, not some old memory. In fact if we ever returned I wouldn’t be surprised to find someone just like Olivia treasure hunting along the beach will her canine friend by her side.
It is always the right time of year to take a mini vacation to Oyster Bay. I promise you will enjoy every minute of your trip.
March 13, 2015
I have loved every single book in this series- if you haven't read any of them yet you are missing out! I really like that each of the characters keep moving forward and I especially love Haviland and the beachy setting. This book was complex and interesting and taught me a bit about history. A great read!
November 1, 2021
I'm so glad I returned to this series. I was quickly swept into the story with the wonderful characters and picturesque setting. Olivia is a great character and clearly has the mind of a writer. Her thoughts have an almost dreamlike quality to them and with wonderful sweep descriptions. The author is such a good storyteller and has quite the way with words. This story was emotional, both surrounding the mystery, and in Olivia's personal life. I can't tell which I enjoyed more, but I do love seeing Olivia's emotional growth and of course all the meetings of the writers club. I also appreciate that Chief Rawlings uses his friends' help and doesn't treat them like nosy parkers, but actually understands how they are assets to catch a killer. The ending for this one was surprisingly sad and poignant and Olivia does a wonderful job handling the situation with care. I am so ready for some romance between Chief Rawlings and Olivia!
January 17, 2024
Another wonderful installment in the Books by the Bay series! Ellery Adams is master at crafting wonderful stories with complex characters and relationships. I love every visit to Oyster Bay more than the last. I wish the series didn't end, but fortunately, Ms. Adams continues write other wonderful series with equally engaging characters and storylines. I must say, this particular work is one of my personal favorites. As a native Virginian who has been vacationing the beautiful coastal beaches of NC since childhood, I was very surprised to learn of the World War II POW camps in the area, among others in North Carolina for the first time. To my delight, Ms. Adams has created a mystery with ties to real local history! Highly recommend. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 4, 2017
I cannot really review this book; there is too much going on that even the tiniest hint from a review would ruin. And this is NOT a story you want to ruin for anyone.
This is by far one of the best series I have ever read; I have blown through these first three and all I want is MORE, MORE, MORE.
Fantastic read.
This is by far one of the best series I have ever read; I have blown through these first three and all I want is MORE, MORE, MORE.
Fantastic read.
February 25, 2020
The evolution of this series has swept me right along with the characters. In this episode, Adams pulls a little known NC historical event out and makes it relevant to the modern day in Oyster Bay. Nothing pulls me in faster. The characters continue to grow and mature, as do their relationships. And I am thrilled to see the familial bond blooming between Olivia and her brother. The story twists and turns and then throws another curve ball, which made my deduction of the culprit impossible. I loved every word, and can't wait to delve into the next chapter in the story of the Bayside Writers.
February 12, 2012
Okay, another cozy where the lead woman character gets involved in solving local murders and also has a relationship with the town police chief. This one has more meat to it than other cozies.
First of all, there is a writers circle. Olivia and Sawyer, the police chief, are in the group. All are budding writers, and the group meets on a regular basis to critique each other’s works. They take turns submitting a chapter for the others to read and then they meet to critique the work. You do get to read snippets of the chapters in these books.
Actually, the whole group, not just Olivia, gets involved in trying to investigate and help solve the murders. They don’t seem to be overly intrusive, as some protagonists seem to be in some cozies. Maybe that’s why the chief tolerates and accepts their help; and maybe, I’m so forgiving of the amateur investigators and tolerate them myself is that I am fond of them and engrossed in the series so far.
Secondly, Olivia is a very complex character, which leads me to be more accepting and tolerant of her amateur investigations. She has her demons, which you learn more about as you read the books. She is not just some nosy woman that can’t help herself from investigating and trying to solve the murder on her own and ends up getting herself in near death situations.
But, Olivia does get herself in a near death situation in this book; yet I still like her. I think it’s the fact that she wasn’t just confronting a murderer on her own, but realizing who the villain was and racing to help a friend in peril. She also realizes in this book that she would like her relationship with Sawyer, the police chief, to develop into something more than a friendship. However, that will need to be developed in another book, which I hope will be coming out soon.
First of all, there is a writers circle. Olivia and Sawyer, the police chief, are in the group. All are budding writers, and the group meets on a regular basis to critique each other’s works. They take turns submitting a chapter for the others to read and then they meet to critique the work. You do get to read snippets of the chapters in these books.
Actually, the whole group, not just Olivia, gets involved in trying to investigate and help solve the murders. They don’t seem to be overly intrusive, as some protagonists seem to be in some cozies. Maybe that’s why the chief tolerates and accepts their help; and maybe, I’m so forgiving of the amateur investigators and tolerate them myself is that I am fond of them and engrossed in the series so far.
Secondly, Olivia is a very complex character, which leads me to be more accepting and tolerant of her amateur investigations. She has her demons, which you learn more about as you read the books. She is not just some nosy woman that can’t help herself from investigating and trying to solve the murder on her own and ends up getting herself in near death situations.
But, Olivia does get herself in a near death situation in this book; yet I still like her. I think it’s the fact that she wasn’t just confronting a murderer on her own, but realizing who the villain was and racing to help a friend in peril. She also realizes in this book that she would like her relationship with Sawyer, the police chief, to develop into something more than a friendship. However, that will need to be developed in another book, which I hope will be coming out soon.
December 13, 2011
The Last Word is the third in the Books By The Bay Mystery series, and in my opinion the best one.
Olivia has a full plate these days, what with her trying to help Harris find his dream house, working with Laurel and her personal problem and the opening of a new restaurant to be run by her half brother. Then the famous author Nick Plumley takes up residence in Oyster Bay. It is thought he has moved here to work on his sequel to his award winning book. It seems that he wants the same house that Harris wants. Then Harris finds painting hidden in the house and it is learned that it was done by a POW in WWII camp that was located not far from Oyster Bay.
As the story unfolds, Olivia's concerned with the birth of her nephew who has to have emergency surgery and this gives her time to think about why Plumley just has to have the same house Harris. Upon returning to Oyster Bay, Olivia decides to visit Plumley and take the painting to show him. But, arriving at the house where he is living she finds that he has been killed.
Olivia in researching the history at the camp soon learns that two of the prisoners had broken out of the camp and killed one of the guards in the process. These prisoners had had some freedoms while interned at the camp and one had struck up a friendship with a young girl in Oyster Bay.
Now it is up Olivia to unravel the history of the paintings, understand just which of the prisoners had killed the guard and to finally tie it back to the murder of Plumley.
Another wonderful story from Oyster Bay. All the interesting characters from the previous books are back to help Olivia to solve the mystery.
Looing forward to the next book of Oyster Bay, Written in Stone. Which will be ut around September or so.
Olivia has a full plate these days, what with her trying to help Harris find his dream house, working with Laurel and her personal problem and the opening of a new restaurant to be run by her half brother. Then the famous author Nick Plumley takes up residence in Oyster Bay. It is thought he has moved here to work on his sequel to his award winning book. It seems that he wants the same house that Harris wants. Then Harris finds painting hidden in the house and it is learned that it was done by a POW in WWII camp that was located not far from Oyster Bay.
As the story unfolds, Olivia's concerned with the birth of her nephew who has to have emergency surgery and this gives her time to think about why Plumley just has to have the same house Harris. Upon returning to Oyster Bay, Olivia decides to visit Plumley and take the painting to show him. But, arriving at the house where he is living she finds that he has been killed.
Olivia in researching the history at the camp soon learns that two of the prisoners had broken out of the camp and killed one of the guards in the process. These prisoners had had some freedoms while interned at the camp and one had struck up a friendship with a young girl in Oyster Bay.
Now it is up Olivia to unravel the history of the paintings, understand just which of the prisoners had killed the guard and to finally tie it back to the murder of Plumley.
Another wonderful story from Oyster Bay. All the interesting characters from the previous books are back to help Olivia to solve the mystery.
Looing forward to the next book of Oyster Bay, Written in Stone. Which will be ut around September or so.
December 28, 2011
When last we saw Olivia Limoges, she had just discovered a long-lost half-brother living on a nearby island. Coincidentally, as Olivia is a restaurateur, Hudson runs a diner. Unfortunately, it's not doing too well, and he's having trouble supporting himself and his growing family. Olivia persuades him to move to Oyster Bay and take over her new venture, The Bayside Crab House.
Meanwhile, Olivia meets well-known author Nick Plumley, who is thinking of settling in the town. Invited to visit him at the house he's renting, she's surprised that no one answers when she knocks on the door. Looking through the window, she sees him lying on the floor.
Although something of a "loner", Olivia has an incredibly busy life. She owns two restaurants, belongs to a closely-knit writer's group (which also helps the local police solve crimes), and is helping her newfound relatives get back on their feet.
Unlike many authors who portray their protagonists as having no negative qualities, Olivia has many facets. Although the wealthy woman is generous and philanthropic, she is not above using her resources to ensure that things happen to her liking.
One of the delights of this series is the samples of work from the writer's group. Before each meeting, one member sends a chapter to the others for their critiques. These excerpts are included in the story as Olivia reads and comments on them.
Will any of the group members ever be published? Will Olivia open herself to a romantic relationship? These questions may be answered in the next installment, Written in Stone, a preview of which is included at the end of the book, though no publication date is given.
Meanwhile, Olivia meets well-known author Nick Plumley, who is thinking of settling in the town. Invited to visit him at the house he's renting, she's surprised that no one answers when she knocks on the door. Looking through the window, she sees him lying on the floor.
Although something of a "loner", Olivia has an incredibly busy life. She owns two restaurants, belongs to a closely-knit writer's group (which also helps the local police solve crimes), and is helping her newfound relatives get back on their feet.
Unlike many authors who portray their protagonists as having no negative qualities, Olivia has many facets. Although the wealthy woman is generous and philanthropic, she is not above using her resources to ensure that things happen to her liking.
One of the delights of this series is the samples of work from the writer's group. Before each meeting, one member sends a chapter to the others for their critiques. These excerpts are included in the story as Olivia reads and comments on them.
Will any of the group members ever be published? Will Olivia open herself to a romantic relationship? These questions may be answered in the next installment, Written in Stone, a preview of which is included at the end of the book, though no publication date is given.
December 26, 2011
I love revisiting Oyster Bay and its inhabitants. This time Olivia Limoges, accompanied by her standard poodle Captain Haviland, is about to open a new restaurant. She's hired her new-found half brother as chef--but he brings with him family problems that distract him from the task at hand. Meanwhile, author Nick Plumley has arrived in town, but before he can come to address the local writers group, he's found murdered--with pages from his own book stuffed into his mouth.
Olivia has a complex personality, and trust has been foreign to her in the past. Through the course of the series she slowly emerges from her cocoon of self-protection, thanks to the friendships she's made in her writer's group as they investigate crime in her seaside hometown.
Another stellar outing in this lovely series.
Olivia has a complex personality, and trust has been foreign to her in the past. Through the course of the series she slowly emerges from her cocoon of self-protection, thanks to the friendships she's made in her writer's group as they investigate crime in her seaside hometown.
Another stellar outing in this lovely series.
September 24, 2016
This series just gets better and better!!! I love Olivia, Haviland and her circle of friends, employees and know family!!!! On top of all this The Last Word, includes a history lesson and there is nothing I love more added to my mysteries than a little something learned!!!!!! This mystery starts with a famous author summering in the area, adds a little found art, and then a great history lesson woven flawlessly into the story!!!! Keep them coming Ellery Adams!
January 8, 2018
Very light reading; a fun cozy series about a book writers' club.
December 18, 2016
4.5
This book was filled with a lot of love and in depth information. Ellery really did research on this back story and it fit well with the creation. Great work.
This book was filled with a lot of love and in depth information. Ellery really did research on this back story and it fit well with the creation. Great work.
August 10, 2018
4.5 estrelas
Gostei dos 2 livros anteriores mas este foi o melhor, muito comovente, tanto no caso policial como nos desenvolvimentos na vida de Olivia.
Muita comoção, sem dúvida.
Gostei dos 2 livros anteriores mas este foi o melhor, muito comovente, tanto no caso policial como nos desenvolvimentos na vida de Olivia.
Muita comoção, sem dúvida.
December 12, 2017
The Last Word by Ellery Adams kept me listening/reading throughout the afternoon. Ms. Adams has some of the best complex characters I've found in any mystery series. There was a lot involved in this one as Olivia has to not only solve a mystery but must make some decisions about her own life as well. Then there is Laurel and her home life versus professional life. Milay (not sure of her spelling) finally beginning to see the light into her own romance. Harris, who now owns a home, who finds much more than he bargained for after the purchase. Murder, twists and romance all make this an easy read.
October 17, 2019
A new writer has come to town to write semi-fictional accounts of the lives of those who were German POWs and the guards and townsfolk during WWII. When he is found murdered by an unknown person and the painting of another POW is found in the house purchased by another member of the writer's group, Olivia helps to find out what really happened all those many years ago.
The story was interesting and a good read. I have been reading this series out of order and it was not a hardship to follow along. You meet the half-brother, his wife, and child and learn about their past lives in this story. I am looking forward to reading more from the series.
The story was interesting and a good read. I have been reading this series out of order and it was not a hardship to follow along. You meet the half-brother, his wife, and child and learn about their past lives in this story. I am looking forward to reading more from the series.
February 26, 2019
Another great addition to the Books by the Bay Mystery series! I've been reading the books very out of order, but each book reads well individually while still giving depth to each character throughout the series. Seeing Olivia's transformation as a character and learning to let people in was the best part of this book. Yes, the mystery was great, hard to solve and very unique, but the last line of this book filled me with hope and happiness for Olivia's future.
September 15, 2020
I was especially taken by the ending. The last two chapters were sensational! There were some parts of the book that were difficult to get through because they involved people and events that occurred years ago, but possibly that may not be a problem to other readers. Maybe it's just me! But, all in all, it's a great cozy mystery story, and I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series. I love all of this author's books!
November 7, 2017
Olivia is growing on me and I feel like I have a better idea who she is as a character. She’s fairly reticent, even in her internal monologues, and the addition of her family here helped warm her up a bit for me. The mystery in this one felt solid and I really enjoyed the history and art here. Overall – good read and one I enjoyed more than book 2.
August 11, 2019
A light and lively cozy. No heavy lifting required.
April 29, 2020
This Book is so good. I love this book from the beginning to the end.
I give this Book 5/5 Stars. I highly recommend this Series called A Book By The Bay Mystery. This series is so good. This is book #3 in the Series.
Happy Reading :)
I give this Book 5/5 Stars. I highly recommend this Series called A Book By The Bay Mystery. This series is so good. This is book #3 in the Series.
Happy Reading :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 304 reviews