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Maine Clambake Mystery #12
Torn Asunder
A short boat ride from Busman’s Harbor, Maine, Morrow Island is a perfect spot for a wedding—and a Snowden Family Clambake. Julia Snowden is busy organizing both—until a mysterious wedding crasher drops dead amid the festivities . . .
Julia’s best friend and business partner, Zoey, is about to marry her policeman boyfriend. Of course, a gorgeous white wedding dress shouldn’t be within fifty yards of a plate of buttery lobster—so that treat is reserved for the rehearsal dinner. Julia is a little worried about the timing, though, as she works around a predicted storm.
When a guest falls to the floor dead, it turns out that no one seems to know who he is, despite the fact that he’s been actively mingling and handing out business cards. And when an injection mark is spotted on his neck, it’s clear this wasn’t caused by a shellfish allergy. Now, as the weather deteriorates and a small group is stranded on the island with the body—and the killer—Julia starts interrogating staff, family members, and Zoey’s artist friends to find out who turned the clambake into a crime scene . . .
Julia’s best friend and business partner, Zoey, is about to marry her policeman boyfriend. Of course, a gorgeous white wedding dress shouldn’t be within fifty yards of a plate of buttery lobster—so that treat is reserved for the rehearsal dinner. Julia is a little worried about the timing, though, as she works around a predicted storm.
When a guest falls to the floor dead, it turns out that no one seems to know who he is, despite the fact that he’s been actively mingling and handing out business cards. And when an injection mark is spotted on his neck, it’s clear this wasn’t caused by a shellfish allergy. Now, as the weather deteriorates and a small group is stranded on the island with the body—and the killer—Julia starts interrogating staff, family members, and Zoey’s artist friends to find out who turned the clambake into a crime scene . . .
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 23, 2024
176 people are currently reading
483 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Ross
39 books1,140 followersBarbara Ross is the author of twelve Maine Clambake Mystery novellas and six novellas. Her books have been nominated for multiple Agatha Awards for Best Contemporary Novel and have won the Maine Literary Award for Crime Fiction. Barbara and her husband live in Portland, Maine. Readers can visit her website at Maine Clambake Mysteries.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews
March 14, 2024
Although I vaguely recall this was meant to be the last in the series, I had forgotten until I got to the ending chapters and realized what the author was doing. Kudos to Barbara Ross for Torn Asunder, the 12th and final Maine Clambake Mysteries, and one of my all-time favorite cozy mystery series. Stuck on an island. Random guest at a wedding. Filled with secrets. Murder. Lies. Family connections. Drama. So many good things about it, and the ending was a lovely way to honor the characters. Definitely a series for newbies and industry faves to read. Perfect setting in Maine. Just made my day!
August 26, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ -NetGalley ARC
When I requested this book from NetGalley I didn’t notice that it said it was the 12th book in the series. I think the author tried to write this so it could be read as a standalone, but I don’t think it worked out that way. I felt like I was missing something. The story was interesting though and the characters amusing, so I did finish it and gave it four stars. The end has an epilogue 5 years into the future so I wonder if this is the last book? If not you might want to skip the epilogue since there is spoilers.
Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington Books/Kensington Cozies and Barbara Ross for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Published 04/23/2024
When I requested this book from NetGalley I didn’t notice that it said it was the 12th book in the series. I think the author tried to write this so it could be read as a standalone, but I don’t think it worked out that way. I felt like I was missing something. The story was interesting though and the characters amusing, so I did finish it and gave it four stars. The end has an epilogue 5 years into the future so I wonder if this is the last book? If not you might want to skip the epilogue since there is spoilers.
Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington Books/Kensington Cozies and Barbara Ross for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Published 04/23/2024
June 29, 2024
Dollycas's Thoughts
Windsholme, the mansion on Morrow Island is ready for guests and events. Julia's best friend Zoey Butterfield and her fiance Jamie Dawes will have the first events held there, with their rehearsal dinner, wedding, reception, and dance. The rehearsal dinner may have to be rushed due to a storm moving in but Julia is confident all the festivities with be a grand success.
What Julia hadn't counted on was one of the guests dying at the rehearsal dinner. The man appeared to know many people but after his death, no one knew the man's name or why he was even there. At first, it was thought he had a shellfish allergy but then an injection mark was discovered on his neck. With most of the guests back in Busman’s Harbor and the predicted storm's arrival, Julia assists her boyfriend in questioning the guests spending the night at Windsholme. They want to be sure the wedding can take place the next day so they need to find out who the wedding crasher was, who killed him, and why.
_____
I have traveled to Busman’s Harbor and the Snowden Family Clambakes since 2013 and enjoyed every trip. Julia, her family, and her friends have been through a lot over the years. All the characters evolved realistically as relationships changed or endured. They stayed strong keeping the clambakes going and worked through so many obstacles to turn Windsholme into all it could be. They did it all while murder after murder took place or a cold case needed a new investigation. Sadly, this book is the final chapters of the Maine Clambake Mysteries, and Ms. Ross has wonderfully ended the series.
Windsholme has been restored to its grandeur, and there was another season of clambakes and a summer filled with weddings. We delved into Zoey's life, and the wedding crasher's complicated murder was solved. Then Ms. Ross takes us ahead 5 years to share the future of the characters we have come to love over the 12 installments. She wraps the series up with wise words from Julia's mother. "Grab life. Grab love." "And hold on for the ride." The Maine Clambake Mysteries have taken readers on one heck of a ride and I am delighted to have been there for it all.
Torn Asunder is a fabulous ending to one of my favorite cozy mystery series. Thank you, Barbara Ross, for entertaining me, introducing me to such genuine characters, making me think to solve some complex mysteries, and for all the fun virtual trips to Busman's Harbor and Morrow Island.
For maximum enjoyment, this series is best read from the start.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Windsholme, the mansion on Morrow Island is ready for guests and events. Julia's best friend Zoey Butterfield and her fiance Jamie Dawes will have the first events held there, with their rehearsal dinner, wedding, reception, and dance. The rehearsal dinner may have to be rushed due to a storm moving in but Julia is confident all the festivities with be a grand success.
What Julia hadn't counted on was one of the guests dying at the rehearsal dinner. The man appeared to know many people but after his death, no one knew the man's name or why he was even there. At first, it was thought he had a shellfish allergy but then an injection mark was discovered on his neck. With most of the guests back in Busman’s Harbor and the predicted storm's arrival, Julia assists her boyfriend in questioning the guests spending the night at Windsholme. They want to be sure the wedding can take place the next day so they need to find out who the wedding crasher was, who killed him, and why.
_____
I have traveled to Busman’s Harbor and the Snowden Family Clambakes since 2013 and enjoyed every trip. Julia, her family, and her friends have been through a lot over the years. All the characters evolved realistically as relationships changed or endured. They stayed strong keeping the clambakes going and worked through so many obstacles to turn Windsholme into all it could be. They did it all while murder after murder took place or a cold case needed a new investigation. Sadly, this book is the final chapters of the Maine Clambake Mysteries, and Ms. Ross has wonderfully ended the series.
Windsholme has been restored to its grandeur, and there was another season of clambakes and a summer filled with weddings. We delved into Zoey's life, and the wedding crasher's complicated murder was solved. Then Ms. Ross takes us ahead 5 years to share the future of the characters we have come to love over the 12 installments. She wraps the series up with wise words from Julia's mother. "Grab life. Grab love." "And hold on for the ride." The Maine Clambake Mysteries have taken readers on one heck of a ride and I am delighted to have been there for it all.
Torn Asunder is a fabulous ending to one of my favorite cozy mystery series. Thank you, Barbara Ross, for entertaining me, introducing me to such genuine characters, making me think to solve some complex mysteries, and for all the fun virtual trips to Busman's Harbor and Morrow Island.
For maximum enjoyment, this series is best read from the start.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
November 24, 2023
Torn Asunder by Barbara Ross is the 12th cozy mystery book in the wonderful series: A Maine Clambake Mystery. I just loved this.
This is one of my top three cozy mystery series of all time. My mother introduced me to the delightful cast of characters in Busman’s Harbor, Maine…and I have never been the same since.
Julia Snowden and her entire family and set of friends are such a genuine group of characters. I have read every book and novella in this series, and each one just becomes better and better. I have grown up simultaneously with Julia as she has found her way back home and developed a life full of love, friendship, business ventures, and she has really come into her own. I love that she has found the handsome and supportive Tom, and together there is no culprit that cannot be caught.
I enjoyed this murder mystery, as well as the plot. I will not give anything away, but I won’t lie when I say I teared up at the end. Just wonderful and perfect. Do yourself a favor and read this series. You won’t regret.
5/5 stars enthusiastically
Thank you NG and Kensington Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 4/23/24.
This is one of my top three cozy mystery series of all time. My mother introduced me to the delightful cast of characters in Busman’s Harbor, Maine…and I have never been the same since.
Julia Snowden and her entire family and set of friends are such a genuine group of characters. I have read every book and novella in this series, and each one just becomes better and better. I have grown up simultaneously with Julia as she has found her way back home and developed a life full of love, friendship, business ventures, and she has really come into her own. I love that she has found the handsome and supportive Tom, and together there is no culprit that cannot be caught.
I enjoyed this murder mystery, as well as the plot. I will not give anything away, but I won’t lie when I say I teared up at the end. Just wonderful and perfect. Do yourself a favor and read this series. You won’t regret.
5/5 stars enthusiastically
Thank you NG and Kensington Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 4/23/24.
November 12, 2023
#TornAsunder #NetGalley is an outstanding end to a well loved series.
Join Julia Snowden as she celebrates the wedding of her best childhood friend Jamie, and Zoey, at the beautifully renovated Windsholme, House, a boat ride from Busman's Harbor in Maine.
Julia is thrilled for her friends and is enjoying her role of maid of honor, event planner and venue host.
Even though things don't go exactly according to plan, its warms her heart to see Jamie and Zoey so happy.
It isn't until later that a guest is spotted, but no one really knows who he is, it's assumed he's a guest of the bride, but no one knows for sure.
At the reception, the unknown guest suffers what appears to be an allergic reaction, and when the authorities get involved, it seems no one wants to admit their connection to the guest.
This story is well done and even though its the last in the series, Ms. Ross did a fantastic job of wrapping it up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.
Join Julia Snowden as she celebrates the wedding of her best childhood friend Jamie, and Zoey, at the beautifully renovated Windsholme, House, a boat ride from Busman's Harbor in Maine.
Julia is thrilled for her friends and is enjoying her role of maid of honor, event planner and venue host.
Even though things don't go exactly according to plan, its warms her heart to see Jamie and Zoey so happy.
It isn't until later that a guest is spotted, but no one really knows who he is, it's assumed he's a guest of the bride, but no one knows for sure.
At the reception, the unknown guest suffers what appears to be an allergic reaction, and when the authorities get involved, it seems no one wants to admit their connection to the guest.
This story is well done and even though its the last in the series, Ms. Ross did a fantastic job of wrapping it up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.
March 13, 2024
I enjoyed this book & the series. It’s bittersweet that it’s ending. I think it wrapped up everyone’s live really well. I’ll never forget Zoey & Jamies’ wedding. I loved that it gives up several glimpses of the future. #TornAsunder #NetGalley
July 6, 2024
I'd give it 2.5 stars.
I was thinking the whole time, they are really focusing a lot on the mystery and not on the town.
Then there was a time jump at the end and it became obvious the series was ending.
I wish I had known that ahead of time. I might have gone into the story with a different mentality.
I was thinking the whole time, they are really focusing a lot on the mystery and not on the town.
Then there was a time jump at the end and it became obvious the series was ending.
I wish I had known that ahead of time. I might have gone into the story with a different mentality.
April 13, 2024
Torn Asunder is the twelfth book in the Maine Clambake series. I've read several of the books and short stories in this series and have come to care about the main characters. Julia Snowden helps run her family business, the Snowden Family Clambake, on Morrow Island in Maine. The Snowden family has begun hosting weddings, and Julia's best friends Zoey and Jamie will be the first one. This adds an extra layer of stress for Julia because she wants everything to be perfect for her friends. Things are hectic, but the rehearsal dinner is going well until an uninvited guest dies from an apparent allergic reaction. A storm comes in stranding a few guests who weren't able to get off the island in time. Luckily, Julia's boyfriend Tom, a Maine State Police Detective, is there because soon it becomes clear the mystery man's death was no accident.
This is a series that gets better and better as it goes along. I like the writing style and the unique island setting. Julia has her hands full in this book, managing wedding preparations, reassuring her best friend, Zoey, helping Tom investigate the suspicious death, and contemplating her own future. The more Julia and Tom find out about the victim, the more potential suspects, and I really like the way they work together carefully questioning guests and staff to get to the truth. I missed the clues, so I was surprised when the identity of the killer was revealed. The book has a wonderful ending that fans of the series will love.
There are of course recipes included in this culinary cozy mystery! The author's note at the end of this book says this will be the final book in this series, so while the case being investigated is a standalone, readers who have finished at least a couple of the prior books will appreciate it more.
I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and Kensington Books, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
This is a series that gets better and better as it goes along. I like the writing style and the unique island setting. Julia has her hands full in this book, managing wedding preparations, reassuring her best friend, Zoey, helping Tom investigate the suspicious death, and contemplating her own future. The more Julia and Tom find out about the victim, the more potential suspects, and I really like the way they work together carefully questioning guests and staff to get to the truth. I missed the clues, so I was surprised when the identity of the killer was revealed. The book has a wonderful ending that fans of the series will love.
There are of course recipes included in this culinary cozy mystery! The author's note at the end of this book says this will be the final book in this series, so while the case being investigated is a standalone, readers who have finished at least a couple of the prior books will appreciate it more.
I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and Kensington Books, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
November 21, 2024
I have loved this series from the beginning but it is time for it to end. I was terribly disappointed in this final episode. It was very cut and dried. It was obvious who the man in the blue blazer was going to be and his killer was apparent from the get go. You didn’t need to be a detective to solve this one. No twists or surprises.
I had a terrible time keeping track of Dan and Derek, couldn’t the author have named one of them Charle? The whole plot was jumbled and confusing.
It wrapped up nicely at the end - they all lived happily ever after!! Glad to see her bid farewell to Busman’s Harbor with all those nice tributes to her friends and family.
A thank you to Selby Library in Sarasota. I suggested they purchase this book in LARGE PRINT and they did. It took six months to get to the shelf, but it was worth waiting for.
I had a terrible time keeping track of Dan and Derek, couldn’t the author have named one of them Charle? The whole plot was jumbled and confusing.
It wrapped up nicely at the end - they all lived happily ever after!! Glad to see her bid farewell to Busman’s Harbor with all those nice tributes to her friends and family.
A thank you to Selby Library in Sarasota. I suggested they purchase this book in LARGE PRINT and they did. It took six months to get to the shelf, but it was worth waiting for.
April 3, 2024
Wow, maybe I had heard that this was going to be the last in the series, but I didn't remember that when I started it. This is another great read in a truly wonderful series. I love Julia, her family, and the whole cast of characters, and this volume brings them all together for an exciting finale. With Zoey and Jamie's wedding being the first in the new improved mansion on Morrow Island we get a gathering of family and friends on the island for the wedding rehearsal and family dinner the night before the big event. When a guest appeared to have an allergic reaction, then dies, Julia and the police present, including Jamie's partner and Julia's boyfriend Tom handle the situation while getting the remaining guests off the island before a big spring storm sets in. When the smoke clears, we realize no one claims to know this guest, and this may not have been an accident. What follows is a fascinating mystery taking place around the chaos of a large storm and special wedding. Ms. Ross does an amazing job of wrapping up this series that I will miss deeply! Thank you to #NetGalley and #Kensingtonbooks for the opportunity to read.
March 8, 2024
As always, my wife and I were thrilled when we were approved on Net Galley to read this 12th. installment in the Maine Clambake Mystery series and post a personal review.
We read this book in record time, and put aside other life duties in favor of the pleasure of reading Barbara’s absolutely brilliant writing style. We have developed a personal bond with all the colorful main characters, and are so happy to trot along side of them as the story unravels.
This has to be Barbara’s best of all her “best” books she has written. The words just flowed, and the story got more and more emotional and gripping. This is a book you just don’t want to put down!
Besides the murder, there were other parallel intriguing situations that needed to get resolved…and they all were at the end… All of them!
The ending for my wife and I resulted in tears, and it answered so many questions. Readers will be absolutely surprised during the last pages, and surely we will hear much about it after this book publishes.
My recommendation: Get this book and read it quickly! You will love it!
Thank you Net Galley, Kensington and Barbara Ross for the privilege of reading this book, and for giving me a place to leave a stellar review.
We read this book in record time, and put aside other life duties in favor of the pleasure of reading Barbara’s absolutely brilliant writing style. We have developed a personal bond with all the colorful main characters, and are so happy to trot along side of them as the story unravels.
This has to be Barbara’s best of all her “best” books she has written. The words just flowed, and the story got more and more emotional and gripping. This is a book you just don’t want to put down!
Besides the murder, there were other parallel intriguing situations that needed to get resolved…and they all were at the end… All of them!
The ending for my wife and I resulted in tears, and it answered so many questions. Readers will be absolutely surprised during the last pages, and surely we will hear much about it after this book publishes.
My recommendation: Get this book and read it quickly! You will love it!
Thank you Net Galley, Kensington and Barbara Ross for the privilege of reading this book, and for giving me a place to leave a stellar review.
February 20, 2024
Zoey‘s wedding has finally arrived and Julia and her family are thrilled to be hosting it on their private island. At the rehearsal dinner a mystery guest shows up and no one knows who he is. And when he dies from what appears to be an allergic reaction, it puts the wedding plans in question.
With the wedding party, and a couple of extra guest stranded on the island during a terrible storm, Julia, and the three attendees in Law enforcement try to find out what happened in order to keep the wedding on track. With secrets lies and betrayals, can they sip through fact in fiction in order to solve the case, and save Zoey’s wedding day?
I always feel like I’m taking a vacation up on the East Coast when I read a book in this series. Not to mention I get a craving for lobster rolls. But the author does such a great job of transporting you to Maine, that you are engaged in helping Julia and the gang figure out what happened. One of my favorite cozy series!
With the wedding party, and a couple of extra guest stranded on the island during a terrible storm, Julia, and the three attendees in Law enforcement try to find out what happened in order to keep the wedding on track. With secrets lies and betrayals, can they sip through fact in fiction in order to solve the case, and save Zoey’s wedding day?
I always feel like I’m taking a vacation up on the East Coast when I read a book in this series. Not to mention I get a craving for lobster rolls. But the author does such a great job of transporting you to Maine, that you are engaged in helping Julia and the gang figure out what happened. One of my favorite cozy series!
December 4, 2024
I’ve only read a couple books in the series and a few short stories in holiday short story collection books. I liked her short stories a lot, and picked up one of her books. Really enjoyed it. I was familiar pretty much with the characters. I did not realize this book was the last in the series. Everything was wrapped up nicely as we get a look in the future at the end.
I don’t usually write too much about the mystery itself in my reviews because I don’t want to spoil anything. I thought this was a good mystery. I really had no idea who did it and it was fun figuring out who did do it! I never did get it right! (author) did a nice job, leading us through all the different suspects and their stories and connection to the deceased murder victim. Very cleverly woven plot & unique storyline I thought.
Well told story and a good ending to a series.
I don’t usually write too much about the mystery itself in my reviews because I don’t want to spoil anything. I thought this was a good mystery. I really had no idea who did it and it was fun figuring out who did do it! I never did get it right! (author) did a nice job, leading us through all the different suspects and their stories and connection to the deceased murder victim. Very cleverly woven plot & unique storyline I thought.
Well told story and a good ending to a series.
April 21, 2024
Julia is the wedding planning, venue manager and Maid of Honor for her friend, Zoey's dream wedding. Combining the rehearsal dinner with a clambake seemed like a good idea, until a corpse crashes the party. With the feeling of Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None", Julia and her boyfriend Tom, a Maine State Major Crimes Detective, must solve the murder while isolated on an island in the midst of a storm, before the wedding tomorrow. A wonderfully plotted mystery, wrapped in a beautifully rendered tale of family and love. A fitting and bittersweet ending to this wonderful series.
May 22, 2024
Lovely finish to the series that got me into cozies! I had no idea I’d enjoy the genre so much until Barbara Ross introduced me to Julia Snowden and her Maine clambake. I will miss the series, but I truly appreciate the full epilogue conclusion that honestly made me tear up a bit. I hope to see more from Ross, but I will happily revisit these someday after my memory inevitably forgets all the murderers ☺️
May 29, 2024
Julia’s best friend Zoe is getting married at the Snowden Family Clam Bake and a seemingly random stranger is there. If that wasn’t odd enough things get even weirder when he is found dead.
What a perfect ending to this series! So many of our favorite characters, strangers on the island, a great mystery and motive. I really appreciated that this final book in the series focuses around an event with a favorite character. And the epilogue to wrap things up was perfect.
What a perfect ending to this series! So many of our favorite characters, strangers on the island, a great mystery and motive. I really appreciated that this final book in the series focuses around an event with a favorite character. And the epilogue to wrap things up was perfect.
May 6, 2024
A Perfect Ending
Excuse me while I dry my tears. I warned you that if and when this series ended I would cry. I didn’t realize this was the last book until I got to the last chapter. Well played Ms. Ross well played.
I will miss this series. It fed my love to visit Maine especially during the summer. Lobster and the sound of the ocean. I could always feel the scenery as I read.
The series was tied up beautifully. Everyone is with who they should be and where they should be. The new generation of Busmans Harbor is in full swing and ready to carry the torch. Well let’s give them a few years.
Excuse me while I dry my tears. I warned you that if and when this series ended I would cry. I didn’t realize this was the last book until I got to the last chapter. Well played Ms. Ross well played.
I will miss this series. It fed my love to visit Maine especially during the summer. Lobster and the sound of the ocean. I could always feel the scenery as I read.
The series was tied up beautifully. Everyone is with who they should be and where they should be. The new generation of Busmans Harbor is in full swing and ready to carry the torch. Well let’s give them a few years.
May 7, 2024
It's bittersweet to read this last book of the series. I have loved each one and feel like I'm a member of this family. Thank you so much to Ms. Ross.
July 22, 2024
This is apparently the last in this series (I've read the first 5 only).
Julia Snowden is busy preparing Morrow Island and the Snowden Family Clambake to host the wedding of two of her best friends. Things are going well until someone shows up at the Rehearsal Dinner that she doesn't know. But the man is talking to several people, so she assumes he is just a guest's plus-one.
But the man collapses and dies during dinner. And though at first no one admits to knowing who he is, it turns out that a lot of people knew him and had a motive to do him harm.
The main story was readable enough. But it appears that the author decided to end the series and thought all-encompassing wrap up of everyone's story should be crammed into two short chapters. It just didn't feel cohesive to the rest of the stories leading up to it.
Julia Snowden is busy preparing Morrow Island and the Snowden Family Clambake to host the wedding of two of her best friends. Things are going well until someone shows up at the Rehearsal Dinner that she doesn't know. But the man is talking to several people, so she assumes he is just a guest's plus-one.
But the man collapses and dies during dinner. And though at first no one admits to knowing who he is, it turns out that a lot of people knew him and had a motive to do him harm.
The main story was readable enough. But it appears that the author decided to end the series and thought all-encompassing wrap up of everyone's story should be crammed into two short chapters. It just didn't feel cohesive to the rest of the stories leading up to it.
April 29, 2024
My mom tried a few years ago to get me to read a cozy mystery. She even loaned me one, but it was just a book in the middle of the series, I had no idea who all the people were and I just didn't engage. Then one day, I'm not sure where, I picked up "Clammed Up". I was hooked. I proceeded to purchase and check out from the library the entire series and read through book three in a few days over Christmas break. The entire series is well written from start to finish. The timeline moves along and not only does the main character age, but so do the people around her. It is a huge pet peeve of mine when time seems to freeze but seasons come and go and nobody ages.
I have always wanted to go to Maine, and these short trips to "the murder capital of the world" have been some of my favorite literary escapes.
Thank you Barbara Ross for sharing your talent. I have read everything I could find that you have penned. Enjoy the grandbabies and I will be looking for an invite to your next literary escape.
I have always wanted to go to Maine, and these short trips to "the murder capital of the world" have been some of my favorite literary escapes.
Thank you Barbara Ross for sharing your talent. I have read everything I could find that you have penned. Enjoy the grandbabies and I will be looking for an invite to your next literary escape.
June 3, 2024
I can certainly say I'm sad this series has now ended after this 12th and final book. I understand the need to end them in general, but I thought this was a very well-done series and I will miss it. The pacing of the romance part was appropriate and to some degree, surprising but not in a negative way, and the title of this particular one was perfect. What really impressed me about the Maine Clambake series was the depth of the reasons for the murders. The interpersonal tragedies that surrounded some of them were more profound than many cozy series use, yet not in such a way that I felt icky after having read them. They still had the tone of a cozy and read as one. Ms. Ross has written a beautiful set of characters, settings, and plots, and I learned much about a state and business I had never known anything about before. Adding it to my one-day vacation list!
November 17, 2024
I can't beieve this is the end of the series. I have been following these since the very beginning. I feel like I'm saying goodbye to an old friend.
Jamie and Zooey are getting married! This will be the first wedding Julia and fam host on Morrow Island. There is love all around. Julia's mom and Captain George, Julia and Tom and Jamie and Zooey. On the night of the rehersal dinner, a stranger appears at the celebration. During dinner he keels over dead. As Tom is already on the scene, he starts to investigate. He and Julia learn that this guy may not be a stranger, as more and more connections keep surfacing.
The story was wrapped up well, with use having a peek in to Julia's future.
Jamie and Zooey are getting married! This will be the first wedding Julia and fam host on Morrow Island. There is love all around. Julia's mom and Captain George, Julia and Tom and Jamie and Zooey. On the night of the rehersal dinner, a stranger appears at the celebration. During dinner he keels over dead. As Tom is already on the scene, he starts to investigate. He and Julia learn that this guy may not be a stranger, as more and more connections keep surfacing.
The story was wrapped up well, with use having a peek in to Julia's future.
January 8, 2025
June
This story has a couple of weddings and a murder. There is some family drama. This is mostly kept to the murder mystery part of the story. I thought that part would end differently. I didn't dislike the way the murder mystery ended. I didn't like the time jump at the end of the book. I would have liked the story have ended with the first wedding. It wasn't a bad way to end the series.
This story has a couple of weddings and a murder. There is some family drama. This is mostly kept to the murder mystery part of the story. I thought that part would end differently. I didn't dislike the way the murder mystery ended. I didn't like the time jump at the end of the book. I would have liked the story have ended with the first wedding. It wasn't a bad way to end the series.
June 27, 2024
4.2⭐The final Maine Clambake, #12 in the series, has all your favorites along with a twisty murder. Sad to see the end of this series, it was always a delight.
November 24, 2024
I can’t believe that was the last book of the series! I’m sad. These mysteries have been like a security blanket for me or like my favorite comfort food. I love Busman’s Harbor, Maine and all of the characters who reside there. The perfect cozies!
October 27, 2025
This is the last book in the series so lots of happy endings for all the characters. The book was an easy read. Sorry to see the series end but really enjoyed how it ended.
May 9, 2024
This was a great end to this series!! I have enjoyed all of the books, and though I am sad to see the series end, I do understand the reasons Ms. Ross has mentioned.
May 16, 2024
The last in a lovely series, I am so sorry to see it end. It was a lovely final book in a great series, wrapping up relationships, working a wedding clam bake, family. I enjoyed the mystery and was glad it wasn’t any main character. I enjoyed the sum up at the end and was sad to say farewell.
May 11, 2024
Wow !! I cannot tell you how sad I am after reading Torn Asunder, the twelveth and FINAL book in the Clambake Mystery Book series written by Barbara Ross. This series has been a part of my life for so long, I loved opening up the newest book and spending time with Julia, her family and friends at Busman's Harbor and Morrow Island. I'm not a fan of lobster or clam chowder but that didn't matter when the book was opened. These people became my family and I loved them all. When Julia and Chris broke up, I didn't think I could go on, let alone write a review. I was actually very upset with Barbara and couldn't understand why she would do that ... I would learn later that she had a different plan all along or maybe she just thought of it quickly while her fingers danced across the keyboard. It is not for me to question what goes on in an author's mind ... I have quite a few authors I consider friends and well you learn to overlook some things and have patience.
With Torn Asunder Barbara is going to have the series go off with a big bang !!! The very first wedding will be held at the newly renovated and remodeled Windsholme Mansion and it is Julia's best friend Zoey marrying Julia's longtime childhood friend and cop Jamie. Everything is going to be perfect !!! I cannot believe I typed that without laughing ... of course something is going to go wrong !! And it happens after the wedding reheasal during the cocktail party. An uninvited gentlemen collapses and dies. And no one knows who he is but a lot of people are lying !! Fortunately Zoey and Jamie are safe as neither of them knew him and they are telling the truth.
Luckily Julia's boyfriend Tom is there so he and Jamie take control of the situation and start talking to everyone who is staying overnight at the mansion. Unfortunately they believe that the deceased was injected in the neck with some kind of poison and that is what killed him and that dear reader is murder !!
Readers will love the story and Barbara ends the series beautifully by having the last chapter being five years later and you get to know where the characters end up, sadly some have died, but most are still alive and well ... and there are new additions running around Morrow Island !!
I sincerely hope that you have taken this journey with me and love this series as much as I have and if you are just reading about this series, please go and read all of the books so that you can love them as much as I have. Julia and her family and friends will always have a place in my heart and I know that I can go back and visit them whenever I want. That is one reason I love books ... even though you close the books, everything stays with you and you can always go back and open them again.
Barbara .... I wish you happiness on your retirement journey and hope you and your family make lots and lots of fun and interesting memories. THANK YOU for sharing your talent and stories with all us readers. I, for one, have enjoyed every minute spent in one of your books. And know that if you ever want to put "pen to paper", your devoted readers would love that as well !!!!! No, I'm not crying, you are. Xoxo
With Torn Asunder Barbara is going to have the series go off with a big bang !!! The very first wedding will be held at the newly renovated and remodeled Windsholme Mansion and it is Julia's best friend Zoey marrying Julia's longtime childhood friend and cop Jamie. Everything is going to be perfect !!! I cannot believe I typed that without laughing ... of course something is going to go wrong !! And it happens after the wedding reheasal during the cocktail party. An uninvited gentlemen collapses and dies. And no one knows who he is but a lot of people are lying !! Fortunately Zoey and Jamie are safe as neither of them knew him and they are telling the truth.
Luckily Julia's boyfriend Tom is there so he and Jamie take control of the situation and start talking to everyone who is staying overnight at the mansion. Unfortunately they believe that the deceased was injected in the neck with some kind of poison and that is what killed him and that dear reader is murder !!
Readers will love the story and Barbara ends the series beautifully by having the last chapter being five years later and you get to know where the characters end up, sadly some have died, but most are still alive and well ... and there are new additions running around Morrow Island !!
I sincerely hope that you have taken this journey with me and love this series as much as I have and if you are just reading about this series, please go and read all of the books so that you can love them as much as I have. Julia and her family and friends will always have a place in my heart and I know that I can go back and visit them whenever I want. That is one reason I love books ... even though you close the books, everything stays with you and you can always go back and open them again.
Barbara .... I wish you happiness on your retirement journey and hope you and your family make lots and lots of fun and interesting memories. THANK YOU for sharing your talent and stories with all us readers. I, for one, have enjoyed every minute spent in one of your books. And know that if you ever want to put "pen to paper", your devoted readers would love that as well !!!!! No, I'm not crying, you are. Xoxo
May 12, 2024
When a murder interrupts the wedding celebrations of Julia’s friends Zoey and Jamie, she must investigate so they can still get married.
This one felt different in a few ways. First, it is all pretty much confined to the island, so there is not really a tracking down of clues. We also got a lot of personal plot but that makes sense (spoiler ahead) when you get to the end and see there is a “five years later” epilogue (which Ross then confirms in the acknowledgments that this is the last book). It was a nice send off for Julia and crew, but definitely not my favorite of these mysteries.
I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This one felt different in a few ways. First, it is all pretty much confined to the island, so there is not really a tracking down of clues. We also got a lot of personal plot but that makes sense (spoiler ahead) when you get to the end and see there is a “five years later” epilogue (which Ross then confirms in the acknowledgments that this is the last book). It was a nice send off for Julia and crew, but definitely not my favorite of these mysteries.
I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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