All Is Now Lost

by Laura Elizabeth

Welcome to Mongin Island, the South Carolina Lowcountry home of Carr Jepson and the cozy Books & Brew bookstore, where hot and cold tea are not the only things brewing. Book #1 of The Island Mysteries series finds Carr Jepson arriving alone on Mongin Island, ready to start the next chapter of her life. Accessible by boat, Mongin Island has very few cars, no busy roads, no crowds, no traffic lights, no bridge, but boasts gloriously oak-lined roads, beaches of powdery white sand, marshes with tall beach grasses and an empty storefront that speaks to an unanswered dream in Carr's creating a gathering spot that happens to sell books. Recognizing that the Books & Brew's bare walls could use some "island life," Carr decides to photograph the glorious island scenery. Promising a truly unique sunrise photo, Carr's friend Barb takes her to Governor's Point, an abandoned property that was supposed to be an exclusive waterfront neighborhood. The now neglected property is overgrown and is Barb's secret hideaway for enjoying some of the island's most spectacular water views. But what the two women find in the water that morning sets off a mystery that crisscrosses the island and surfaces the many reasons, some of them deeply rooted in the island's once-turbulent history, that families have come to love this spot in the Atlantic for many generations. If you love cozy mysteries or you're looking for your next beach read, you'll find this page-turner riveting. Be prepared to be swept into Carr's journey as an amateur sleuth.

Genres: Mystery

202 pages, Hardcover

Published September 12, 2023

About the author

My journey of writing island mysteries began one April day, many years ago, as I waited to board the ferry to Daufuskie Island, South Carolina, for the very first time. My son assured me, in a knowing voice, we would be back at that exact spot many more times. He felt what I felt: the wonder, the pull that only this special place offered us. We were captivated as a family.

As a family we rode the island's highs and lows. Through all our vacations and adventures we always left energized, restored, and whole again. Daufuskie is its own magic. There is something immediately compelling about a place that can speak to you with its quiet, that can inspire you with its beauty, that can encourage you to dream by sharing its natural bounty, and that can welcome you with possibility tucked into its mystery.

In June 2020 I began a quiet campaign to connect individuals who I believed might be able to help the island with some of its large restoration and development projects. From this work I was able to share my passion for Daufuskie and introduce this special place to people all around the world. Several of these new contacts, along with my family, encouraged me in this endeavor we now call The Island Mysteries. From this, Mongin Island was imagined.

My heart is full of gratitude for those who walked with me on this journey, and for you who choose to read these stories. My hope is that you find a place that fills you with joy, peace, and a little island magic.

Reviews

[David Crumm · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Perfect Cozy Mystery for this Summer

I just realized I've had this cozy mystery by Laura Elizabeth on my "currently reading" list on my homepage in Goodreads for a year tomorrow! Of course, I've finished it, but I never wrote a review sharing my overall thoughts with friends—so, here goes.

Laura sets this mystery on the very real Daufuskie Island off the Atlantic Coast, the island made famous by Pat Conroy and that has been featured in subsequent films. Pat's original novel The Water Is Wide came out just when I was starting college in the early 1970s and swept me up in its dramatic story of his work as an idealistic young teacher on Daufuskie. And, for various reasons, Pat also made up a name for the island: Yamacraw, he called it.

Of course, Laura is well aware of the island's long and fascinating history—and Pat Conroy's life and work—because she is deeply involved in the island's life personally. Following his example, she renamed the island again, this time as Mongin Island. As much as Laura loves the island and actually is encouraging people to visit Daufuskie, she doesn't want any confusion about the island being an unsafe place. After all, she is writing a cozy mystery series. Hence, like BBC cozy series we all love, she followed the convention of fictionalizing the name.

What Laura understands is that cozy fans love the characters and then the adventure, but they're not as interested in the gore and horror of other mystery genres. Laura's readers fell in love with the characters they have met over the past year in this novel so deeply that they urged her to get the second novel out. It's coming later this year, in fact.

Plus, Laura already is turning her novels into theatrical experiences. There were several sold-out dinner theater "cozy mystery nights" already with the first book and in early 2025, she's booked for more of those. So, what I'm trying to underline here is that: You don't need to take my word for it; there are thousands of fans of this new series of cozies already out there.

And, yes, it has helped to encourage folks to visit Daufuskie, which is quite a challenge. The ferries are more expensive than a lot of casual travelers might want to invest. And the island itself remains a lovely slice of Atlantic flora and fauna, but is not packed with tourist amenities. There are some rentals on the island and I've learned that Laura even partnered with one of the main rental groups to place a copy of her book in each little home for guests.

So, this truly is a "cozy" cozy—warmly embraced by the real-life community that it celebrates.

[Cynthia Wasco · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Is Now Lost by Laura Elizabeth was a delightful read. Mongin Island sounds like a delightful place to live and visit. A beachy vibe with southern hospitality and charm. The mystery, wrapped with a little local history, kept me on my toes til the end! Amateur sleuth, Carr Jepson, is quick, inquisitive, and has a sleuthing-sense like no other….she also runs the island’s only bookstore and tea shop, Books & Brew. I can’t wait for more stories from The Island Mysteries.

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"All Is Now Lost" is a good first book to Laura Elizabeth's new cozy mystery series "The Island Mysteries." The story follows typical cozy mystery set ups. Main character looses a loved one, makes a big life change to follow their dreams and gets sucked into a mystery. I kept jumping around in suspects but did land on the actual culprit for the most part.

It was a little run on sentences/monologuing from time to time. It was mostly around when someone was asking questions. I wanted to say "give the other person a chance to answer before asking anything more." Over all a good start to a new series that can only keep growing.

[Kimberly Parrish · Rating 4 out of 5]

All is Now Lost

This Spring (2025), I met the author by happenstance at a book signing that I was unaware of at a gift shop in Beaufort, SC. Even though I came across her and her table before the book signing technically began, Laura was very friendly and gave me an “elevator pitch” of her books. They sounded right up my alley, and I bought them both! On plane rides from South Carolina to Seattle, I read the first book in its entirety. It was a quick and easy read, which was just what I wanted! Laura’s writing allows the reader to envision themselves there with the characters in their day-to-day lives. The characters are relatable, and the story takes you on a mini, mystery-solving trip to the Low Country! I truly haven’t wanted to read a physical (not audio) book this intently in quite a while. Do not pass on Laura Elizabeth for some of the bigger names. This book was truly the right mix of mystery and fun!

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love it because I love Daufuskie and some of the descriptions and location names used were fun to have included but I just couldn’t get past the thought that no real police investigation would allow and encourage such sleuthing from island residents in this manner.

[Elisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laura Elizabeth’s debut novel “All is Now Lost” invites readers on a initially benign journey to the South Carolina Lowcountry where life is slower, sunrises and sunsets are gifts, the people are gracious and familiar, and time is on your side. That is, until an unfortunte event disturbs the tranquility of Mongin Island life as the residents know it. The protagonist, Carr Jepson’s, dream of relocating to the island with her husband to slow the pace of their busy metropolitan lifestyle was thwarted by an unexpected and mysterious event and thus propels Carr into unfamiliar territory where courage and self-reliance prevail.

A mysterious murder on the island creates just the right amount of distraction from Carr’s own personal grief and a reassurance in herself that she requires to rediscover her truth, prove that the island residents are indeed a family, and that family’s can muster up great resolve and determination to preserve the treasure that is the Lowcountry. A successful breakout debut novel in TheIslandMysteries.com series of author, Laura Elizabeth.

[Douglas Brouwer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a treat to read All Is Now Lost. I've already downloaded the next island mystery. Full disclosure: I spent a week on Daufuskie Island, where the author draws her inspiration, and it is indeed a magical place, as the author claims. The characters are interesting, accessible, and believable. I loved learning a little of the island lore, and I love the resolution to the mystery described in the book. I can't remember the last time I finished a book - a murder mystery, no less! - with a big smile on my face.

[Bonnie Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a first time author, Laura Elizabeth brilliantly captures the essence of the real location on which fictionalized Mongin Island is based. New bookstore owner Carr Jepson is a likable, amateur sleuth and the eclectic mix of believable characters makes the island community come alive. Although the writing starts out a bit stilted, it's easy to get caught up in the story as Carr begins piecing together clues that lead readers down the path of solving the island mystery.

[Eileen P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the relaxing atmosphere of this book. The idea of living on an island in a tight-knit community is very compelling. The bookstore where people could gather is also appealing. Deputy Julie having Carr help investigate was a big irresponsible. Luckily nothing bad happened to Carr or Barb. I love their comfortable friendship.

[Beth Picard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! The island where it takes place is enchanting, I was immediately taken with the characters and couldn’t wait to find out what had happened. Wonderfully written and a joy to read! Can’t wait for the second in the series to come out this fall!

[Rebecca Antal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had just visited Daufuskie island where I discovered this book. She names the island something different in the book but it’s cool because I know some of the places she references. It was a fast read and kept me engaged the whole time. Can’t wait for the next one.

[Rob Shackleford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laura Elizabeth has created a cozy mystery well worth the read.
Love it.

[Nicole Bentley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and the murder she wrote vibe. The author was very detailed and I felt like I knew her characters intimately. I look forward to reading more!