Come Shell or High Water

A Haunted Shell Shop Mystery #1

by Molly MacRae

When widowed folklorist Maureen Nash visits a legendary North Carolina barrier island shell shop, she discovers its resident ghost pirate and the mystery of a local’s untimely death . . . As a professional storyteller, Maureen Nash can’t help but see the narrative cues woven through her life. Like the series of letters addressed to her late husband from a stranger—the proprietor of The Moon Shell, a shop on Ocracoke Island, off the coast of North Carolina. The store is famous with shell collectors, but it’s the cryptic letters from Allen Withrow, the shop’s owner, that convince Maureen to travel to the small coastal town in the middle of hurricane season. At the very least, she expects she’ll get a good story out of the experience, never anticipating it could end up a murder mystery . . .   In Maureen’s first hours on the storm-lashed island, she averts several life-threatening accidents, stumbles over the body of a controversial Ocracoke local, and meets the ghost of an eighteenth-century Welsh pirate, Emrys Lloyd. To the untrained eye, all these unusual occurrences would seem to be random misfortunes, but Maureen senses there may be something connecting these stories. With Emrys’s supernatural assistance, and the support of a few new friends, Maureen sets out unravel the truth, find a killer, and hopefully give this tale a satisfying ending . . . while also rewriting her own.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Paranormal, Fiction, Ghosts, Cozy, Fantasy

321 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 24, 2024

About the author

Molly MacRae spent twenty years in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Upper East Tennessee, where she managed The Book Place, an independent bookstore; may it rest in peace.

Before the lure of books hooked her, she was curator of the history museum in Jonesborough, Tennessee’s oldest town.

MacRae lives with her family in Champaign, Illinois, where she connects children with books at the public library.

Reviews

[Lydia Wallace]

I really enjoyed this book. What a great author. As soon as I started reading this book I couldn't put it down. It is a pretty thick book but I wanted it to continue.

I delighted in getting to know Maureen Nash, the protagonist in this first book in a series, plus the quirky characters that we both met upon arrival on this remote and beautiful island that is only reachable by ferry or boat. I could just picture the characters and the beautiful surroundings. Highly recommend.

[Linda Langford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Widow, Maureen Nash, a former biologist who studied freshwater mussels, is on vacation on Ocracoke Island off the coast of North Carolina. She’s come to see The Moonshell, a shop belonging to Allen Withrow. The island is a mess from Hurricane Electra, and Maureen stumbles over a corpse near the beach whose identity will just about ruin her plans.. She also swears she sees a ghost and meets a very quirky and eccentric brother and sister—Burt and Glady—who help solve the crime.

I enjoyed this whimsical, yet far-fetched, light, para-ghost cozy mystery. There’s not very much haunting going on, but plenty of humor! The ocean setting is nice, and the seashells unique, and the island’s quirky residents are interesting. The premise of a ghost living in a shell is reminiscent of a genie in a bottle tale, with ghost Emrys Lloyd, being mostly a shy lurker. Burt and Glady interact like actors in an old slapstick comedy sitcom! Of course, there’s the requisite bad guy and dimwitted law officer. “Come Shell or High Water” is an entertaining read. The author adds recipes at the end. Enjoy!

I honestly reviewed an unedited, digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. all opinions are my own.

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting premise based on the synopsis but from the get-go, we’re thrown into a story that is very confusing. I get that Maureen is also confused but it makes for a quick jump into the first of a series with nothing established so you’re floundering trying to figure things out, and not in a good way; so many characters and scenes are introduced that it’s hard to get your bearings. Then the writing style was strange. I’m not sure how to describe it but maybe the short sentences make it seem clipped and this adds to the difficulty in connecting with the characters and the book on the whole. Sometimes a reader is just not compatible with the author and I think that might be the case with this one. I don’t think I will continue with this series.

I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Come Shell or High Water by Molly MacRae is the first book in the new paranormal cozy A Haunted Shell Shop Mystery series. As with most cozy mystery series the A Haunted Shell Shop Mystery will feature a new mystery to be solved in each book so they can be read as a standalone if choosing to do so. Of course there will be some character development carrying over from book to book for those who follow from the beginning.

Maureen Nash was recently widowed and is retired from her job as a malacologist, someone who studies mussels, and is also a folklorist weaving stories. When Maureen received letters address to her former husband from a man who owns The Moon Shell, a shop on Ocracoke Island, off the coast of North Carolina she can’t help but be curious and decides to visit the Island but just happens to arrive right after a hurricane has passed.

What Maureen didn’t expect to find on the Island was a dead body as soon as she arrived and when it’s found to be the very man she came to see she becomes a suspect looking to clear her name and with the help from some new friends and a ghost she finds on the island Maureen vows to find the murderer herself.

I am normally a huge fan of books that cross over genres with being someone who likes to read a lot of different genres myself so Come Shell or High Water by Molly MacRae seemed to be right up my alley. Unfortunately though this one got off to a very rocky and dare I say confusing start for me so I found myself trying to keep up. It sort of dumps a reader in but also then switches back and forth between different things in the beginning so it was hard to get hooked into the story. Probably not a series I will return to myself but others did enjoy this one more than I did so if you like a cozy with some paranormal and a lot of quirkiness this may be for you.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/

[Carlymor · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 🌟 When widow Maureen Nash decided to visit Oracoke Island, she stumbled upon a murder and ended up as one of the main suspects. This started out really confusing. I didn't like the brother and sister neighbors at first, finding them annoying. After almost abandoning this many times, I just made myself finish it. I'm happy to say it did get better and the siblings ended up more quirky than annoying.

[Sunnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute cozy mystery with three terrific recipes in the back.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dollycas's Thoughts

In this first Haunted Shell Shop Mystery, former biologist and professional storyteller Maureen Nash has come to Ocracoke Island, off the coast of North Carolina, to learn why a man from there sent her late husband a bunch of letters. She had traveled to the island with him and their family several times years ago but has no clue why anyone from the island would be contacting him now. Hurricane season is not the best time to travel to the island. Hurricane Electra had just passed through the area, but she needed answers. If nothing else she may get a story to tell about her mysterious adventure.

Her arrival goes seriously awry when she finds herself on the floor semi-conscious hearing two people discussing her and her car. The word "DEAD" comes out of her mouth more forcefully than intended and she remembers where she was before ending up on the floor. Maureen had stumbled over a dead body and she thinks she remembers where. Being the newcomer on the island she is Deputy Brown's prime suspect but she is still confused by the other voice she keeps hearing, which she will come to find out is the ghost of Emrys Lloyd, an eighteenth-century Welsh pirate. A ghost who knew the deceased very well. Can her new friends help her find a killer and get the local police off her back? or will her story come to a violent end?

_____

Maureen Nash loves seashells of every variety so Ocracoke Island would have been wonderful without the dead body. She is trying to figure out how to live life without her husband by her side. She has two grown sons, Kelly and O'Connor. They are both worried about their mom now that she is a murder suspect and stay in constant touch with her. She does her best to reassure them. Maureen meets Burt and Gladys Weaver when they find her in The Moon Shell unconscious sans her shoes and socks. The elderly siblings are a hoot and quickly attach themselves to Maureen. She is not totally honest with them but they really don't let her get a word in edgewise. She heard another voice as she was waking up and soon realizes it is a ghost that only she can see and hear. They form a unique friendship. Ms. MacRae's characters easily drew me into this story.

Maureen has rented a cute compact house on the island. "Like a jigsaw puzzle all the basics and a few extras" fit together in the place. The "mousehole" is perfect for one person. The author's descriptions made it very easy to visualize. She aptly described The Moon Shell shop too from its porch to the office to the shelves and other nooks and crannies. The island is like a typical small town where the gossip flies but I do believe there are more quirky characters than typically found in most small towns.

Ms. MacRae has written a very entertaining and interesting mystery that stretched my imagination in places. It is filled with a plethora of twists, turns, secrets, lies, and misdirection.  The showdown was crazy good with a very unexpected character coming through in the end. A lot happens within these pages and I didn't have the guilty party pegged until they were revealed.

With an appealing mature protagonist, some curious supporting characters, a unique setting, and an intriguing mystery laced with plenty of humor Come Shell or High Water is an enjoyable lighthearted cozy ghost mystery. I am interested to see what Ms. MacRae has planned for these characters next.

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 Kensington Cozies and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

#ComeShellorHighWater #NetGalley is a fantastic new book my Molly MacRae.
Maureen Nash is a malacologist, someone who specializes in fresh water mussels.
Maureen lost her husband unexpectedly and she's trying to navigate life without him, and a trip to Ocracoke Island, off the coast of North Carolina has her questioning everything.
Not only is the island a special place, there are secrets that are buried deep, and not everyone wants her to uncover them.
This is a fantastic book and well written. From the very beginning I found myself wondering what was going to happen and each chapter brought a new surprise to me.
The story is fascinating and I enjoyed every word.
I'm looking forward to reading more in the series and recommending this book to other people.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.

[Lady Galaxy · Rating 3 out of 5]

UPDATE... 07/17/24 I started to feel guilty about giving a one star rating when I didn't finish the book, so I decided to go back and finish it before giving it a star rating. As I got past the 25% mark, it started to get more interesting. Time will tell if I can stick with it and if it will start to redeem itself.

07/19/24 I finished the whole book, and am able to upgrade from 1 star to 3 stars, though I'll admit it's more like 2.75 stars. It's hard to overlook that really awkward beginning. I'm still find Burt and Glady annoying, but I do like the ghost and the kid. I liked the middle a lot more than the beginning. That's the Molly MacRae story telling I was expecting. I still think the beginning is a hot mess, so I'm leaving my original review below. The ending seemed a bit rushed and left a lot of threads dangling. I assume those will be wrapped up in the next book. I just hope the next book gets off to a better start. For those who started the book and were ready to give up and are reading reviews to see if the book is worth finishing, I'd say to keep at it just a little longer. You might be surprised.
______________

It makes me sad to give a Molly MacRae book such a low rating because I love her Haunted Yarn Shop series. The first few chapters were beyond confusing. Those vital introductory chapters should draw the reader in and make her want to get to know the characters better and figure out the mystery. The characters of Glady and Burt were beyond annoying not to mention I found them hinky, shifty, and did I mention ANNOYING. The inept sheriff is such an overused TROPE that it's become a caricature. I reached the point where I just wanted to scream at Maureen to turn around and go back home. According to some of the reviews I've read, it gets better eventually, but I don't want to spend any more time listening to the bickering adult siblings who seem to have gotten stuck at age 12. There are too many other books waiting in my to be read list.

[Sue Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pleasant cozy, but a bit confusing in the beginning. Normally I am a sucker for cozies with a whiff of the paranormal...ghosts or witches, but I only liked, not loved, this one. The lead character, Maureen Nash, has retired from her career as a maracologist, a marine biologist who studies mollusks. She came to Ocracoke Island immediately post-hurricane to hunt for shells tossed up on shore. Unfortunately, she thinks she saw a body, but she is now knocked out in a shell shop instead of the beach. And her so-called rescuers are a tad eccentic. Thanks to netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jenn]

DNF. Not enjoying the writing on this one.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molly MacRae's newest cozy mystery series gets off to one "shell" of a start with COME SHELL OR HIGH WATER.

Folklorist and shell researcher Maureen Nash is a charming protagonist to helm this series, and it starts off in just about the most unique way possible. Upon arriving in the delightful island community of Ocracoke, NC, Maureen becomes an unreliable narrator in the most fascinating of ways. I must say, this had to be one of the most engaging experiences I've had starting a new series. Without giving away any spoilers, the way MacRae writes the opening scenes will have the reader and Maureen falling down the rabbit hole together in the best way possible.

COME SHELL OR HIGH WATER is a fabulous start to a new cozy mystery series full of fun characters, idyllic scenery, and a quirky ghost—I highly recommend picking this one up!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Molly MacRae has written some terrific mysteries, but seems to be groping for a series idea that will catch on. I don't know if it's she or her publishers who want her series to have a supernatural element, but she's had a haunted yarn shop and a Scottish bookstore and now a haunted shell shop as her settings. While her writing is always great (barring the feeble "shell" puns in this one!), i like her feisty heroines a lot more than her ghosts. Maureen Nash turns up on Ocracoke Island in the wake of a hurricane, and is assumed to be the long-awaited new employee at the local shell shop, whose owner she finds dead. She doesn't tell them the truth, which is more complex and harder to believe. Even more unbelievable is her meeting with a long-dead pirate who helps her with her investigations to the best of his (limited) abilities.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Within very few pages retired malacologist and professional storyteller recently widowed Maureen Nash is terrified when crossing the waters in the wake of a hurricane to the Barrier Island, Oracoke, slips in household water that has developed an electrical charge, met a 274 y/o ghost of a pirate, and gotten a concussion to complicate the electrical scrambling. Then things really get going!
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from Kensington Books | Kensington Cozies via NetGalley. Thank you!
#HauntedShellShopMysteriesBk1

[Margie Bunting · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Molly MacRae's Come Shell or High Water, the first in her new Haunted Shell Shop mystery series, fiftyish recent widow Maureen Nash is all about shells--she searches for unique ones, researches them, and even works telling stories about their history and folklore. On a trip to Ocracoke Island, off the coast of North Carolina, to find shells unearthed by a hurricane, Maureen rescues a huge, intricately carved shell from the waves and stumbles over a man's dead body in the process. Knocked unconscious, she awakes in the town's shell store, wondering what has happened to her. An elderly brother and sister who live nearby tell her that the dead man is the store's proprietor, who said he was going to check on a mother and daughter at the end of the island but never returned.

What follows involves the real reason Maureen came to the island (revealed later in the story), a plethora of murder suspects (including Maureen herself), and the ghost of an 18th Century pirate. I enjoyed being steeped in the culture and environment of Ocracoke, and--of course-- learning about shells. I also appreciated Maureen's lovely relationship with one of her adult sons. It took me a while to become accustomed to the writing style and pace--very different from the author's earlier series. The pirate has potential, but I didn't connect with him or with Maureen because we don't know much about either of them yet. I would also like to learn more about Maureen's late husband, since he is referred to in flashbacks. Because this is the first in a series, I expect that the main characters will become more nuanced and substantial as their stories progress.

My review is based on a complimentary pre-release copy of this book.

[Sally Kilpatrick]

Fun cozy about...shells. Maureen, a widow, is an expert on freshwater shells who's come to the Outer Banks to meet with a shell shop owner. Just one problem: the shell shop owner is dead, and now she's a prime suspect.

Fun cast of supporting characters, as one would hope from a cozy. Bonus ghost which gives the story a slight Ghost and Mrs. Muir vibe.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I liked this one. Fun setting and I liked the ghost. The mystery was good and I didn’t see the culprit coming.

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read. Slow in spots that dragged the intrigue down for me. Will read the next in series

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Come Shell or High Water" by Molly MacRae is a great first book to the new "A Haunted Shell Shop Mystery" series. Maureen Nash is visiting vacation island spot she used to go to with her family before her husband passed away. While there she winds up getting involved in solving a murder and possibly a bit of a treasure hunt. She's also seeing things, specifically a pirate ghost. Luckily he's a polite and helpful ghost.

I have to say that I didn't quite see that person as the culprit in the end. After my main culprit got taken out I was a bit at a loss for who to suspect. I had suspicions but not strong ones and for sure not the person who it ended up being. I look forward to more from this series.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

COME SHELL OR HIGH WATER, the debut novel of Molly MacRae's Haunted Shell Shop Mysteries is utterly delightful. Newly widowed Maureen Nash arrives at Ocracoke Island in time for a hurricane that knocks her unconscious right after she stumbles over a dead body. She comes to in the home of Glady and Burt, two eccentric but charming elderly siblings. Maureen soon learns that the dead man, Allen Withrow, was murdered and she's under suspicion. Allen owned a shop called The Moon Shell that's haunted by a centuries-old pirate named Emrys. With the help of her three new friends, Maureen finds Allen's murderer as well as the reason why he'd been writing to her husband. An enjoyable cozy read!

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mystery itself wasn't that hard to solve once the focus of the book moved from establishing Ocracoke and Maureen's part in it. Getting to that point, though, takes a good half or more of the book. Getting Maureen's wits back after she wakes up on the floor of the shell shop takes way too long. If I had been reading the book in print, I would have gone into skimming mode.

https://pussreboots.com/blog/2024/com...

[Jillian Digiantonio · Rating 3 out of 5]

This sounded like a fun, summer, beachy cozy mystery with the added bonus of a ghost! While I enjoyed the mystery, setting in the Outer Banks, and learning about shells, the characters overwhelmed at times. At the beginning, it felt like you were dropped into a story and didn't have all the pieces, making it a frustrating experience for me. I needed more world and story building to help me enjoy the story to the fullest.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

[Karen Stallman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5 stars

The first installment in the 'A Haunted Shell Shop Mystery' series, 'Come Shell or High Water' by Molly MacRae, is a captivating debut that sets the stage for a promising new series. Set on Ocracoke Island off the coast of North Carolina, this mystery novel expertly weaves together elements of suspense, humor, and supernatural intrigue.

When widowed folklorist Maureen Nash visits a legendary North Carolina barrier island shell shop, she discovers its resident ghost pirate and the mystery of a local’s untimely death . . .

MacRae's writing is engaging, and her characters are well-developed and relatable. The story is skillfully paced, with unexpected twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the very end. The author's vivid descriptions of the island setting and its quirky inhabitants add to the book's charm.

Overall, 'Come Shell or High Water' is an excellent start to the 'A Haunted Shell Shop Mystery' series, and I eagerly anticipate the next installment. If you're a fan of cozy mysteries with a paranormal twist, this book is definitely worth checking out."

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Kensington Cozies and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[OpenBookSociety.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://openbooksociety.com/article/c...

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

I looked forward to this opening mystery of its new series since I first heard about it. Happily, it exceeded my expectations in the kind of wonderful way that will keep me eagerly looking for the next one. The author delighted this appreciative reader and armchair traveler with descriptions of Ocracoke Island in the Outer Banks.

Maureen had driven to Hatteras Landing to take the ferry to Ocracoke. Hurricane Electra was leaving the area, continuing to dump heavy rains and strong winds that shut down the ferry. She ran into Patricia, a local National Park ranger and a good friend from their college days. Against policy, Patricia gave Maureen a hair-raising ride to Ocracoke in her park service boat and later, a ride to the tiny rental she would live in for the next three weeks.

Maureen’s destination is Moon Shell, to meet the owner, Allen Withrow. He sells collectible and costly shells from the quaint old shop. She has fond memories of visiting it when she, her late husband, and their sons spent several summer vacations on Ocracoke almost fifteen years ago. When the rain had almost stopped, Maureen walked to the nearby beach before going to Moon Shell.

At the beach, Maureen saw a huge, amazing shell in the water that she struggled to capture and take with her. Scenes had been hand-carved into it, and she wondered how the rare find ended up in the ocean. Within a short time after leaving the beach through a wooded area, she tripped over something – a man with a knife sticking out of his chest! She ran. A short time later, she awoke inside a building without her shoes or socks. She heard voices that she didn’t recognize, and the people speaking didn’t know who she was or if she was alive.

Glady and Burt, elderly yet active siblings, lived across the street from Moon Shell. They were close friends with Allen. What little she remembered was that she ran through another downpour toward Moon Shell, clutching that huge shell, wanting a safe place in case the killer was nearby. She got an electrical shock when, unable to see the water on the floor due to the darkness, she tried to turn on a lamp. Glady and Burt had run there after seeing the light flash inside to find Maureen lying on the floor. They thought she was someone Allen was expecting to arrive and help him at the shop. As readers, we don’t know why Maureen is there until later in the story.

They contacted Deputy Frank Brown before going back out with Maureen to find the man she tripped over. When Maureen, Glady, and Burt found the man, he was lying face down. Deputy Brown arrived, turned the man over, and said that the dead man was Allen. He had a deep wound in his chest, the knife was gone, and the back of his head had been hit hard. Deputy Brown quickly determined Maureen to be his prime suspect.

Maureen had to recover from the electric shock and the horror of having tripped over a dead body. Then later in the shop, she met Emrys Lloyd, a ghost from the 18th century. Maureen never believed in ghosts before. Now, as she searches for a killer to save her own skin, one of those she relies on for help has a flickering wardrobe, including a tri-corn hat and knee breeches, but no skin or bones. As she, Glady and Burt became friends, Maureen certainly couldn’t tell them about Emrys…

This is Molly MacRae at her finest. With excellently described, primarily middle-aged or older characters in this fabulous mystery, she has offered a cozy mystery that is a compelling, suspenseful read. There are twists and turns that surprised, delighted, and even frightened this reader at times, and a bad guy I never anticipated. I highly recommend this first of what I hope is the beginning of a long running new series. And where else would we find three recipes for Burt’s tasty muffins?

[Karen (BaronessBookTrove) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.


Come Shell or High Water by Molly MacRae has our sleuth questioning her sanity.

What does Allen Withrow have anything to do with her husband?

Maureen Nash
Maureen Nash is a young widow with two young adult sons who have decided to come to Ocracoke Island, North Carolina, because of some letters. I have to admit that I didn't know if I would like Maureen, but as I got further into the book, I liked her. Maureen loves to tell stories. She was a malacologist until she retired but can now talk to a ghost pirate named Emrys Lloyd. I like how Maureen is focused on trying to figure out what happened to her before she had her concussion and why Allen Withrow sent her husband those letters.

The Victim
Allen Withrow was a very conflicted character when he was alive. He was born on the island but traveled a lot because of his father. His mom brought the two of them back to Ocracoke, and then he stayed put—well until Allen decided to leave. He wasn't a great person, and Maureen started to understand that while she was investigating his death. I don't think that he deserved to die, especially the way that he did, even if he didn't do a lot of good deeds, but he did make up for that after he died.

Five Stars
My rating for Come Shell or High Water by Molly MacRae is five stars. I also recommend it, as it's a great book. The two biggest things that brought me to this book were the cover and the plot summary. Ms. MacRae crafted an amazing read, and I can't wait to see what Maureen, Emrys, and the others on the island get up to in the next book. This author has made me a fan of her writing after this book.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Come Shell or High Water by Molly MacRae.

Until the next time,



Happy Reading!

This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove

[K.A. Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

COME SHELL OR HIGH WATER is the first book in the brand-new Haunted Shell Shop mysteries by Mollie MacRae. I just loved this book, with its quirky protagonist, Maureen Nash, and her humorous mannerisms, shell and sea puns that will make you either groan or giggle, and her outlook on life. First off, Maureen is a woman with grown sons, and is finding her way after losing her husband the year before. It gives her a different perspective on life than a twenty-something-year-old and is one more relatable to older readers. Not only is Maureen a former malacologist, but she’s also a professional storyteller… and tells a story she does! From the opening sentence, which is an attention grabber for sure, to meeting an eighteenth-century Welsh ghost pirate, to investigating with her new octogenarian neighbor, the tale kept me enthralled. You can’t help but admire the cast of characters—they’re entertaining and exhibit the fine qualities of a small island community, which are helpful busybodies to assist however they can.

The characters drew me in and the mystery kept me turning pages. The murder happens early on with hints of a mysterious secret Maureen seems to be keeping too. After all, she really wasn’t supposed to be on the island and she’s not telling anyone how she got there since the ferry service closed because of the hurricane. But, since she’s the one that stumbled across the body and can’t account for her actions, Maureen becomes the number one suspect of local law enforcement. With the help of her elderly neighbors (who are a hoot themselves!), and the ghost pirate, Maureen investigates the murder. With twists and turns galore, I didn’t want to put the book down. There were plenty of clues to follow, suspects and red herrings to trick me, but in the end, I just wanted to sit back and enjoy the rollicking tale. This book has one shell of an ending that makes me fervently wish the second book was already in hand!

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Come Shell or High Water is the first book in a new light paranormal cozy shopfront mystery series by Molly MacRae. Released 25th June 2024 by Kensingon, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

The author is prolific and experienced especially with the genre. This is a nicely written, entertaining, and engaging series starter with a light paranormal twist set in the Outer Banks. The MC is a widowed folklorist and former malacologist (invertebrate snail/shell expert), hence the seashells. Arriving during hurricane season, she's trips over a body, almost gets drowned, and meets the ghost of a pirate.

Being firmly cozy, there are eccentric and quirky characters aplenty. The book starts with a chaotic and crisis filled opening (MC Maureen is very nearly drowned), and an abundance of characters to start with, but for readers who bear with the chaos, it soon resolves into a fun and readable story.

The unabridged audiobook format has a run time of 10 hours 26 minutes and is capably read by Callie Beaulieu. She has a well modulated alto voice and delineates the characters clearly, and manages to make the often rapid fire dialogue understandable in context. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read.

Four stars. It's a promising start to a new paranormal cozy series. It would be a good choice for public library acquisition, home use, or a buddy read.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Moondance · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the tail end of a hurricane, half-drowned in the chaos of whirlwind, deluge, thunder, and lightning, I washed up on Ocracoke Island.

Maureen Nash arrives on Ocracoke Island after a hurricane to find answers to letters her late husband received from Allen Withrow. Within a few hours of her arrival, Maureen is electrocuted, discovers the body of Allen, and acquires a Welsh pirate ghost as a new companion.

This story has a new twist to the cozy genre. Maureen is a former malacologist (a biologist that studies freshwater mussels) and a professional storyteller. After a traumatic incident, she is also able to see and hear a two hundred plus year old Welsh ghost pirate, Emrys Lloyd.

The story is filled with quirky characters and odd conversations. I wasn't quite sure how to take Burt and Glady Weaver. Are they friend or foe? The plot thickens as we learn more about them throughout the story. The mystery is very twisted with lots of information about past crimes (both current and years old), questionable ownership/inheritance of the Moon Shell, and missing money.

There were a couple of points that really made me like the story. I have worked with a craniofacial surgeon for the past forty years. Having a character with a repaired cleft lip was handled quite well. I was pleased that Corina "Coquina" seemed well adjusted and did not view her scar as a disability. I'm also involved with a trapping program for feral cats, so I was really pleased that the ginger kitty is described as a member of a local feral colony that has been trapped, spayed and returned to her territory.

I didn't pick up on the culprit until right before Maureen and Glady realized who it was. I loved Emrys' involvement in the apprehension of the murderer.

I am intrigued enough with this debut that I look forward to seeing what will happen with the characters in the next book.

3.5 stars

[Katreader · Rating 3 out of 5]

COME SHELL OR HIGH WATER by Molly MacRae
The First Haunted Shell Shop Mystery

Convincing her friend Park Ranger Patricia Crowley to bring her to Ocracoke Island right after a hurricane may not have been the best decision, but Maureen was eager to get some answers only found on the island. After finding an exquisitely carved shell in the water and literally stumbling across a dead body, Maureen wakes up in the shop with two concerned senior citizens peering at her. Swearing she saw a man in a tricorn hat and hearing a voice no one else can hear Maureen wonders how badly she's been hurt. Unsure of what happened and with gaps in her memory she'll try to piece things together. But on the island who can she trust?

I had such high hopes for this series, shells, an island setting, and a ghost! Instead I found a convoluted storyline and unpleasant characters. The beginning of the story is very confusing with the reader as baffled as Maureen as to what happened to her. She's just arrived, then she wakes up in the Moon Shell shop, then it's back to just after she arrived and she's exploring. She has gaps in her memory, which is fine, but the reader is also clueless as to what's going in. None of the characters are trustworthy, thus difficult to forge a bond with or even like. The little girl is annoying and even Maureen has secrets. She's fairly judgemental too, at least when it comes to pirates. Eventually the confusion began to clear and I was intrigued to discover the various truths. I found the very end quite compelling piquing my interest in reading the next book in the series.

The first book in a new series COME SHELL OR HIGH WATER has seashells, a pirate ghost, and secrets aplenty. There are also delicious sounding recipes for some of the muffins that Burt makes.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those amazing books which makes you sigh in contentment as the mystery is solved and yet there is sadness in closing the book after the final page. Fortunately there is a second book promised!

The opening line is one of the best I have ever read. It is a magnificent variation on the classic “it was a dark and stormy night.” Actually the first few chapters are wonderful introductions to the unique characters and to island life. Glady’s and Bert’s discovery of the main character, Maureen, is a hoot from beginning to end.

Maureen herself is a fully-fledged and multi-layered character. The story is told from her perspective, allowing for some memory holes following her shocking introduction to island life. She is a fairly recent widow, still missing her husband and yet strong enough to move forward to find answers to many of the questions that face her on the island.

The initial question is the body she stumbled over on her initial night on the island. There are plenty of possible potential murderers along with sufficient red herrings and misdirection to lead to a surprise villain and an intense climax. Oh, and a most interesting ghost of an accidental pirate.

The author has a marvelous talent in not only creating unique characters the reader grows to care about, but also in setting the scene. There are times where I could almost taste the salt air as the seagulls screeched overhead.

Laughing like a gull, I went down to stand just out of reach of the curling waves. A line of pelicans skimmed the water a dozen yards from shore. The ever-present circus of sandpipers ran after waves, then turned to let the waves chase them. I spread my arms wide to the blue sky, doing a slow twirl to take in my unpopulated paradise, only to find I wasn’t alone after all.