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Murder at Sea Oats Beach: A cozy mystery beach read
Breanna Hart is volunteering at the animal shelter and living her best life in a North Carolina beach town, but that changes when the police chief is found dead under mysterious circumstances inside the cage of her favorite dog. Everyone has the dog tagged as the murderer, even the handsome police officer in charge of the investigation, and the pooch is put on the euthanasia list. In spite of being new in town and dealing with both a social phobia and a secret, will Breanna be able to solve the crime and prove the dog's innocence? Will she be able to find his forever home so she can embrace the salty seaside life and find a forever home for herself?
- GenresCozy Mystery
275 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 20, 2024
About the author
Karen C. Whalen
20 books111 followersKaren C. Whalen is the award-winning author of three cozy mystery series. The Dinner Club Mysteries features Jane Marsh, an empty nester who hosts a gourmet dinner club. The Tow Truck Mysteries stars Delaney Morran, a super feminine shoe-a-holic who drives a tow truck. Both are about strong friendships and family ties set in Colorado. The Sea Oats Beach series is a cozy mystery – beach read set in Coastal Carolina. Her books are similar to those written by authors Jessica Beck, Joanne Fluke, Leslie Meier, Cindy Bell, and Laura Childs.
The first in the Dinner Club series, Everything Bundt the Truth, tied for FIRST PLACE in the Suspense Novel category of the 2017 IDA Contest. The third in the Tow Truck series, Eyes on the Road, was a SECOND PLACE winner of the 2023 Firebird Book Awards in the Cozy Mystery category. The first in the Sea Oats Beach Mysteries, Murder at Sea Oats Beach, won the 2024 Firebird Book Awards in the Summer Beach Read category.
She worked for many years as a paralegal at a law firm in Denver and had been a columnist and regular contributor to The National Paralegal Reporter magazine. She loves to host dinner clubs, ride bicycles, hike in the mountains, walk on the beach, and read cozy murder mysteries.
KCW Books, LLC
The first in the Dinner Club series, Everything Bundt the Truth, tied for FIRST PLACE in the Suspense Novel category of the 2017 IDA Contest. The third in the Tow Truck series, Eyes on the Road, was a SECOND PLACE winner of the 2023 Firebird Book Awards in the Cozy Mystery category. The first in the Sea Oats Beach Mysteries, Murder at Sea Oats Beach, won the 2024 Firebird Book Awards in the Summer Beach Read category.
She worked for many years as a paralegal at a law firm in Denver and had been a columnist and regular contributor to The National Paralegal Reporter magazine. She loves to host dinner clubs, ride bicycles, hike in the mountains, walk on the beach, and read cozy murder mysteries.
KCW Books, LLC
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
May 27, 2024
Thank you to BookSirens for the free advanced copy. I leave this review voluntarily.
This is a cozy beach mystery where Breanna has moved to Sea Oats Beach to start a new life. She has social anxiety which causes her to be awkward and unsure. She is renting a cottage and volunteers at an animal shelter. The chief of police is found in a dog’s cage and it is believed by some that the dog killed the man. Breanna doesn’t believe it and won’t accept the explanations she receives so she tries to prove the dog’s innocence. Breanna does make some friends but sometimes alienates them with her obsession with the dog. The writing is simple making it a quick read. At times, I felt it may have been too simple or the language used not quite right - maybe because it is from an area of the US that I’m not familiar with. A few things are going on with the story - her anxiety, her family, her friends, possible love interests, her thoughts on getting a job or going to school, her living arrangements. Perhaps too much going on??? However, I did enjoy it and would
Recommend.
This is a cozy beach mystery where Breanna has moved to Sea Oats Beach to start a new life. She has social anxiety which causes her to be awkward and unsure. She is renting a cottage and volunteers at an animal shelter. The chief of police is found in a dog’s cage and it is believed by some that the dog killed the man. Breanna doesn’t believe it and won’t accept the explanations she receives so she tries to prove the dog’s innocence. Breanna does make some friends but sometimes alienates them with her obsession with the dog. The writing is simple making it a quick read. At times, I felt it may have been too simple or the language used not quite right - maybe because it is from an area of the US that I’m not familiar with. A few things are going on with the story - her anxiety, her family, her friends, possible love interests, her thoughts on getting a job or going to school, her living arrangements. Perhaps too much going on??? However, I did enjoy it and would
Recommend.
April 27, 2024
Breanna Hart, a young woman from Chicago, moves to a small touristy city on the Outer Banks of North Carolina she had chosen on a whim after her relationship with a boyfriend ended. Unsure of what she wants to do with her life, she felt the need for a change of scenery and a fresh start. After renting a house near the beach, she volunteered at the local animal shelter because she had a vague idea about becoming a veterinarian and had experience in Chicago as a dog walker, a job she enjoyed and was good at.
In the seaside town of Sea Oats Beach, Breanna meets a colorful cast of characters: the vet tech supervisor at the animal shelter Claire Goldman; a handsome police officer who Breanna finds attractive Ty Whitaker; a beach Italian ice vendor and surfer dude Roscoe Blue; animal control officer Serenity Creede; and kindly bait shop owner Emma Truax.
Tensions rise when Claire arrives at the shelter to discover the local police chief dead inside the cage of a French bulldog mix named Samson that Breanna has developed a deep affection for. The dead chief has a head injury and what appears to be multiple dog bites on his body. Ty Whitaker takes over as interim chief and takes charge of the murder investigation. While the authorities aren’t certain whether the chief died from a blow to the head or from being mauled by the dog, because of the bites, Samson gets marked for destruction as a dangerous animal.
Convinced that Samson is innocent, Breanna decides the only way to save him when the police don’t seem to make any progress is to investigate the murder herself and identify the killer. When even Ty and some of her friends end up on her suspect list, friction quickly develops and then unexpected events conspire to make Breanna’s life miserable. She gets dismissed as an animal shelter volunteer, gets kicked out of the rental she has grown to love, and feels abandoned by many of her new friends. But Breanna, determined to save Samson, refuses to give up.
I don’t read and review many cozies because I gravitate more toward crime thrillers and hard-boiled detective mysteries. But when offered an advance copy of Murder at Sea Oats Beach. I found the book’s description intriguing and accepted it. Just because I don’t read a lot of cozy mysteries doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy a good one when I do, and this is a very well-written and entertaining book.
I really liked the main character, Breanna, who felt utterly realistic and likeable. And without exception, the remaining cast of characters are all well-developed and interesting. I found it more of a character-driven than plot-driven story, but that’s right up my street. I easily read it in one sitting because once I tucked into it, I didn’t want to put it down because I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. And of course, I was rooting for Breanna to save Sampson throughout. It turned out to be an entertaining mystery with good pacing and one where the author does an excellent job of concealing the villain until the very end.
Those who enjoy reading cozy mysteries with a touch of humor and romance will enjoy Murder at Sea Oats Beach. It makes for an excellent beach read and I highly recommend it to fans of the genre. Even if you’re like me and tend toward reading books on the darker, grittier end of the crime fiction scale, you may find this fun and entertaining novel makes for an enjoyable change of pace.
I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher for consideration of a review. This review represents my honest opinions.
In the seaside town of Sea Oats Beach, Breanna meets a colorful cast of characters: the vet tech supervisor at the animal shelter Claire Goldman; a handsome police officer who Breanna finds attractive Ty Whitaker; a beach Italian ice vendor and surfer dude Roscoe Blue; animal control officer Serenity Creede; and kindly bait shop owner Emma Truax.
Tensions rise when Claire arrives at the shelter to discover the local police chief dead inside the cage of a French bulldog mix named Samson that Breanna has developed a deep affection for. The dead chief has a head injury and what appears to be multiple dog bites on his body. Ty Whitaker takes over as interim chief and takes charge of the murder investigation. While the authorities aren’t certain whether the chief died from a blow to the head or from being mauled by the dog, because of the bites, Samson gets marked for destruction as a dangerous animal.
Convinced that Samson is innocent, Breanna decides the only way to save him when the police don’t seem to make any progress is to investigate the murder herself and identify the killer. When even Ty and some of her friends end up on her suspect list, friction quickly develops and then unexpected events conspire to make Breanna’s life miserable. She gets dismissed as an animal shelter volunteer, gets kicked out of the rental she has grown to love, and feels abandoned by many of her new friends. But Breanna, determined to save Samson, refuses to give up.
I don’t read and review many cozies because I gravitate more toward crime thrillers and hard-boiled detective mysteries. But when offered an advance copy of Murder at Sea Oats Beach. I found the book’s description intriguing and accepted it. Just because I don’t read a lot of cozy mysteries doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy a good one when I do, and this is a very well-written and entertaining book.
I really liked the main character, Breanna, who felt utterly realistic and likeable. And without exception, the remaining cast of characters are all well-developed and interesting. I found it more of a character-driven than plot-driven story, but that’s right up my street. I easily read it in one sitting because once I tucked into it, I didn’t want to put it down because I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. And of course, I was rooting for Breanna to save Sampson throughout. It turned out to be an entertaining mystery with good pacing and one where the author does an excellent job of concealing the villain until the very end.
Those who enjoy reading cozy mysteries with a touch of humor and romance will enjoy Murder at Sea Oats Beach. It makes for an excellent beach read and I highly recommend it to fans of the genre. Even if you’re like me and tend toward reading books on the darker, grittier end of the crime fiction scale, you may find this fun and entertaining novel makes for an enjoyable change of pace.
I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher for consideration of a review. This review represents my honest opinions.
May 8, 2024
Karen C. Whalen wrote this cozy mystery as the first part of her new series.
The female main character is Breanna, a special young women with SAD ( Social Anxiety Disorder). She is a new resident at Sea Oat Beach and has just recently started to work as a volunteer at the local animal shelter.
She is still adjusting to her new life in North Carolina and getting comfortable with a lot of new challenges, when she too soon finds herself in the middle of an unsolved crime.
Der local chief of police was murdered at the animal shelter. The only suspect seems to be Samson, a recent addition to the dogs in the shelter, a french bulldog with one blind eye, with whom Breanna already has established a good connection. Contrary to the opinion of others is she convinced of his innocence. She wants to solve the crime to prevent the decreed killing of Samson. She starts her own private investigation and soon has a list of suspects and people without alibi, which might have had the reasons and possibility to assasinate the chief of police.
As a long-time experienced detective story reader the person behind the murder was soon obvious for me and I couldn’t find the crime part of the story exciting any longer.
But the book has some other strength, especially when it shows us the personal development of Breanna, who is becoming more and more courageous and despite her fears stands up for something she deeply believes in. She even takes risks to do so and subsequently, she is coping better and better with her SAD and she finds some new friends, too.
She is also a tiny bit in love with someone and if or how that goes on, will probably be resolved in the following books of the series.
If you don’t like dealing with much suspense while reading your books and are more the type for cozy detective romance, this book is clearly recommended.
I received an Advanced Readers Copy for free and leave this review voluntary.
The female main character is Breanna, a special young women with SAD ( Social Anxiety Disorder). She is a new resident at Sea Oat Beach and has just recently started to work as a volunteer at the local animal shelter.
She is still adjusting to her new life in North Carolina and getting comfortable with a lot of new challenges, when she too soon finds herself in the middle of an unsolved crime.
Der local chief of police was murdered at the animal shelter. The only suspect seems to be Samson, a recent addition to the dogs in the shelter, a french bulldog with one blind eye, with whom Breanna already has established a good connection. Contrary to the opinion of others is she convinced of his innocence. She wants to solve the crime to prevent the decreed killing of Samson. She starts her own private investigation and soon has a list of suspects and people without alibi, which might have had the reasons and possibility to assasinate the chief of police.
As a long-time experienced detective story reader the person behind the murder was soon obvious for me and I couldn’t find the crime part of the story exciting any longer.
But the book has some other strength, especially when it shows us the personal development of Breanna, who is becoming more and more courageous and despite her fears stands up for something she deeply believes in. She even takes risks to do so and subsequently, she is coping better and better with her SAD and she finds some new friends, too.
She is also a tiny bit in love with someone and if or how that goes on, will probably be resolved in the following books of the series.
If you don’t like dealing with much suspense while reading your books and are more the type for cozy detective romance, this book is clearly recommended.
I received an Advanced Readers Copy for free and leave this review voluntary.
June 19, 2024
If you love a good mystery, the beach and a bevy of cute, cuddly animals, you’ll love this new cozy mystery beach read, Sea Oats Beach by Karen Whalen.
Breanna Hart is a lovely, introverted 25-year-old who left her home in Chicago to live near the beautiful beaches along the southern North Carolina coast. She has a secret of why and how she arrived there, and having Social Anxiety Disorder she finds herself in the middle of lots of people and even more animals when she volunteers at the animal shelter. The furry friends relax her and make her happy, but she must adjust to the people she encounters daily—she needs them to navigate her new hometown, her job, and relieve her tendency for social awkwardness and seclusion.
Surrounded by quirky and colorful local characters, including police, politicians, and outgoing women friends, Breanna slowly comes out of her shell, is enjoying new people and social situations, only to be embroiled in a murder at the animal shelter where she plays amateur sleuth to save a beloved French bulldog.
The murder and other mysteries keep you engaged to the very end. Breanna’s charm along with fun friends, social activities, surfer guys, long walks on the beach, all come to a climax with endings and changes she never anticipated.
With mysteries of all kinds, especially the murder, and maybe a love interest, this is a quick read, a luscious beach read and fun in so many ways. It’s fresh, well-written and engaging, especially on your summer vacation. So buy it to take to your favorite beach or vacation place, or stay at home and escape to Breanna’s surprising world!
Breanna Hart is a lovely, introverted 25-year-old who left her home in Chicago to live near the beautiful beaches along the southern North Carolina coast. She has a secret of why and how she arrived there, and having Social Anxiety Disorder she finds herself in the middle of lots of people and even more animals when she volunteers at the animal shelter. The furry friends relax her and make her happy, but she must adjust to the people she encounters daily—she needs them to navigate her new hometown, her job, and relieve her tendency for social awkwardness and seclusion.
Surrounded by quirky and colorful local characters, including police, politicians, and outgoing women friends, Breanna slowly comes out of her shell, is enjoying new people and social situations, only to be embroiled in a murder at the animal shelter where she plays amateur sleuth to save a beloved French bulldog.
The murder and other mysteries keep you engaged to the very end. Breanna’s charm along with fun friends, social activities, surfer guys, long walks on the beach, all come to a climax with endings and changes she never anticipated.
With mysteries of all kinds, especially the murder, and maybe a love interest, this is a quick read, a luscious beach read and fun in so many ways. It’s fresh, well-written and engaging, especially on your summer vacation. So buy it to take to your favorite beach or vacation place, or stay at home and escape to Breanna’s surprising world!
June 28, 2024
Innocent until proven guilty should apply to dogs, too!
Breanna was a memorable and relatable protagonist. Her compassion for others instantly endeared me to her. It was interesting to see how her flaws influenced the decisions she made. Specifically, her impulsiveness was both a great way to push the plot forward and an impediment to her goals depending on the scene. I also appreciated how much effort was put into describing how social anxiety affected every facet of her life. This isn’t a mental illness I’ve seen mentioned very often in fiction, but Ms. Whalen struck a chord with how accurately and sympathetically she wrote about it.
I would have liked to see the mystery play a bigger role in how the storyline rolled out. There was so much attention paid to everything else that was going on that it took longer than I would have preferred for Breanna to start investigating what really happened to the police chief. Mysterious deaths aren’t common in small, quiet towns, so I was expecting the characters to react more strongly to such a turn of events.
Small town politics can be complex and frustrating, especially for newcomers. I enjoyed this deep dive into what it can be like to move to a new place and try to join an insular community. Breanna was completely unprepared for the nuances of it all, and I nodded along as she slowly realized just how much she had to learn about the friends and neighbors she was still beginning to get to know.
Murder at Sea Oats Beach was a playful summer read.
Breanna was a memorable and relatable protagonist. Her compassion for others instantly endeared me to her. It was interesting to see how her flaws influenced the decisions she made. Specifically, her impulsiveness was both a great way to push the plot forward and an impediment to her goals depending on the scene. I also appreciated how much effort was put into describing how social anxiety affected every facet of her life. This isn’t a mental illness I’ve seen mentioned very often in fiction, but Ms. Whalen struck a chord with how accurately and sympathetically she wrote about it.
I would have liked to see the mystery play a bigger role in how the storyline rolled out. There was so much attention paid to everything else that was going on that it took longer than I would have preferred for Breanna to start investigating what really happened to the police chief. Mysterious deaths aren’t common in small, quiet towns, so I was expecting the characters to react more strongly to such a turn of events.
Small town politics can be complex and frustrating, especially for newcomers. I enjoyed this deep dive into what it can be like to move to a new place and try to join an insular community. Breanna was completely unprepared for the nuances of it all, and I nodded along as she slowly realized just how much she had to learn about the friends and neighbors she was still beginning to get to know.
Murder at Sea Oats Beach was a playful summer read.
Read
June 28, 2024I loved this start to a new series, Sea Oats Beach by Karen Whalen. I love anything that has to do with beaches on the NC or SC coast and this book did not disappoint me.
Breanna Hart ileft her home in Chicago to live near the beautiful beaches along the North Carolina coast near Wilmington and Mrytle Beach, SC. She has a secret and is a bit socially awkward, but thrives on taking care of animals at the local animal shelter. She communicates best with her furry friends and does a great job at volunteering at the local shelter.
We are introduced to numerous quirky characters and just as Breanna is getting to know her co-workers and others, she gets wrapped up in a murder at the animal shelter where a beloved French bulldogSamson has been accused of biting someone to death. Breanna doesn't think so, and sets out to solve the mystery.
The murder and other mysteries keep you engaged to the very end. Breanna's secret comes out and it is calming to walk with her on the beaches. She know's in her heart that Samson is innocent, but she is a bit awkward in talking to her friends and accusing them of not having alibis.
This was a quick read, just perfect at the beach or relaxing in a hammock, listening to the ocean. Pick it up and read it to find out what happens to our Breanna and Samson!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Breanna Hart ileft her home in Chicago to live near the beautiful beaches along the North Carolina coast near Wilmington and Mrytle Beach, SC. She has a secret and is a bit socially awkward, but thrives on taking care of animals at the local animal shelter. She communicates best with her furry friends and does a great job at volunteering at the local shelter.
We are introduced to numerous quirky characters and just as Breanna is getting to know her co-workers and others, she gets wrapped up in a murder at the animal shelter where a beloved French bulldogSamson has been accused of biting someone to death. Breanna doesn't think so, and sets out to solve the mystery.
The murder and other mysteries keep you engaged to the very end. Breanna's secret comes out and it is calming to walk with her on the beaches. She know's in her heart that Samson is innocent, but she is a bit awkward in talking to her friends and accusing them of not having alibis.
This was a quick read, just perfect at the beach or relaxing in a hammock, listening to the ocean. Pick it up and read it to find out what happens to our Breanna and Samson!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 17, 2024
LOVED THIS!
I loved this book! It's a well written, good story and mystery. The setting is a southern beach town, with beautiful imagery. The characters are wonderful, and feel like real people. None are perfect, and their good and not so good issues are shown. And best of all, the story is just TOLD. There are not a series of "catch phrases" preceding ridiculous descriptions that have been happening in a lot of books I've been reading recently.
Breanna has recently moved to Sea Oats Beach. She is awkward socially, struggling with a number of challenges, but she's an amazing young woman who plows ahead does what she feels needs doing. When the police chief is found dead in the cage of a dog at the animal shelter she volunteers at, she is compelled to solve the mystery in an attempt to save the dog's life. There are a number of suspects, and the ending was, to me, a surprise, but all made sense when I read it.
I don't know if this is the start of a series, but I sure hope so. MORE, PLEASE!!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I loved this book! It's a well written, good story and mystery. The setting is a southern beach town, with beautiful imagery. The characters are wonderful, and feel like real people. None are perfect, and their good and not so good issues are shown. And best of all, the story is just TOLD. There are not a series of "catch phrases" preceding ridiculous descriptions that have been happening in a lot of books I've been reading recently.
Breanna has recently moved to Sea Oats Beach. She is awkward socially, struggling with a number of challenges, but she's an amazing young woman who plows ahead does what she feels needs doing. When the police chief is found dead in the cage of a dog at the animal shelter she volunteers at, she is compelled to solve the mystery in an attempt to save the dog's life. There are a number of suspects, and the ending was, to me, a surprise, but all made sense when I read it.
I don't know if this is the start of a series, but I sure hope so. MORE, PLEASE!!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 24, 2026
I choose this as a beach week read at Sunset Beach. Sunset Beach is one of the local barrier islands the author likely has modeled for this murder mystery. That said, it is a much different novel from the murder mystery types I typically read (Michael Connelly she is not). I did enjoy this novel. It was easy to read and it moved quickly. It was a study of the various people Breanna met during her stay on Sea Oats Island. Not a deep dive, but very good top line sleuthing. I can sit on our rental deck, see the pier, and assume Emma is inside selling coffee. The waves here usually are too small for surfing, but sometimes we do see kids trying their boards. There is an Italian Ice store in town, and this island is three miles long as in the book. At one end of the island there is a bird sanctuary. The police station is across the waterway, and I do not know if there’s an animal shelter connected. I will check that out. And I will look for another good book from Karen Whalen for our next beach week trip.
June 20, 2024
I really loved this story. I think it had just about everything….. Friendship, love, jilted lover, happiness, sadness, and a deep sense of (I felt) despair.
Breanna has recently moved cross country to Sea Oats Beach, and island off the coast of N. Carolina. She finds a cool air BNB, and rents it. She makes new friends, which is difficult for her as she has social anxiety.
She volunteers at the local animal shelter and discovers a cute Frenchie who inadvertently becomes the prime suspect in a murder. Bree struggles to find the killer and must also do so before the little dog is put down. Is it one of her friends? Someone else who's been on the island??
A literal 11th hour discovery of the murder weapons and who the murderer was is uncovered ….. But is Bree in time to save the little dog?
I highly recommend this story and I really hope there will be a book two!
I received an ARC of this book and am leaving my voluntary review.
Breanna has recently moved cross country to Sea Oats Beach, and island off the coast of N. Carolina. She finds a cool air BNB, and rents it. She makes new friends, which is difficult for her as she has social anxiety.
She volunteers at the local animal shelter and discovers a cute Frenchie who inadvertently becomes the prime suspect in a murder. Bree struggles to find the killer and must also do so before the little dog is put down. Is it one of her friends? Someone else who's been on the island??
A literal 11th hour discovery of the murder weapons and who the murderer was is uncovered ….. But is Bree in time to save the little dog?
I highly recommend this story and I really hope there will be a book two!
I received an ARC of this book and am leaving my voluntary review.
July 18, 2024
Favorite Quotes:
Don’t be ugly, y’all.
My Review:
This was an entertaining quick, and humorous read with an endearing main character who was socially awkward to a painful degree. Breanna was trying to put herself forward and work on her social phobias while also attempting to save a shelter dog from euthanasia. To save the dog, Breanna needed to solve a murder while hitting roadblock after roadblock within the small beach town community.
This crafty author has obviously been keenly observant of this type of condition and knows it’s easier to be bold for someone else than for oneself. The characters were authentically quirky and amusing and the small-town tactics and scenarios were realistically framed while prodding my curiosity for the motives behind the troublesome behaviors. I am looking forward to watching Bree’s progress in future installments.
Don’t be ugly, y’all.
My Review:
This was an entertaining quick, and humorous read with an endearing main character who was socially awkward to a painful degree. Breanna was trying to put herself forward and work on her social phobias while also attempting to save a shelter dog from euthanasia. To save the dog, Breanna needed to solve a murder while hitting roadblock after roadblock within the small beach town community.
This crafty author has obviously been keenly observant of this type of condition and knows it’s easier to be bold for someone else than for oneself. The characters were authentically quirky and amusing and the small-town tactics and scenarios were realistically framed while prodding my curiosity for the motives behind the troublesome behaviors. I am looking forward to watching Bree’s progress in future installments.
April 26, 2024
I really liked Murder at Sea Oats Beach, and I highly recommend the book.
Looking for a change Breanna Hart moves to the Island of Sea Oats Beach hoping to start over. Just as she accepts a job at a local animal shelter the Chief of Police is murdered in the cage of Breanna's favorite dog. The book has a number of twists and turns, and Breanna is faced with many obstacles as she attempts to solve the case. The story has some fun characters and their stories have great potential to become a great cozy mystery series. I hope the author writes more stories about Sea Oats Beach and Breanna. This was such a fun book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Looking for a change Breanna Hart moves to the Island of Sea Oats Beach hoping to start over. Just as she accepts a job at a local animal shelter the Chief of Police is murdered in the cage of Breanna's favorite dog. The book has a number of twists and turns, and Breanna is faced with many obstacles as she attempts to solve the case. The story has some fun characters and their stories have great potential to become a great cozy mystery series. I hope the author writes more stories about Sea Oats Beach and Breanna. This was such a fun book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 13, 2024
This was quite enjoyable and a relaxing type of read. Breanna has moved to Sea Oats for a while. She suffers from social anxiety disorder and is volunteering at a dog shelter when the chief of police is found murdered. The blame lies with Samson, a rescue dog, and Bree is determined to save him from being put down as a result.
I enjoyed the setting and the dogs tugged at my heartstrings. Bree is quite awkward which leads to some funny moments. The identity of the killer became obvious to me soon enough but I enjoyed how everything led up to that moment. I would read more if this turns out to be a series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I enjoyed the setting and the dogs tugged at my heartstrings. Bree is quite awkward which leads to some funny moments. The identity of the killer became obvious to me soon enough but I enjoyed how everything led up to that moment. I would read more if this turns out to be a series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 20, 2024
This was one of the best books I’ve read, from the awesome Carolina beach setting to the new group of friends Breanna made—and of course, all the adorable dogs! I wished I could kiss Samson’s gooshy little face. I had a gut feeling from kinda early on who the killer was and the reason. But I always enjoy the process of clue-finding and going down the various rabbit holes of evidence and possible suspects. Bree (yeah, I feel like we’re friends now and can call her that) really made great progress in a short amount of time. To make so many new friends for someone with her social disorder was pretty cool. I can’t wait for the next book!
May 8, 2024
Excellent!! This one resonated deeply with me. Samson stole my heart immediately. This story kept me on the verge of tears, constantly worrying about Samson's fate. Someone had to be vile to want to harm that little one eyed dog!! The victim wasn't well liked by many, but money and jealousy were winning over truth. I was heartsick. Finally, Bree comes through with somethings that just can't be ignored. Yay for Bree and tenacity and justice. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest opinion.
May 13, 2024
Murder at the Sea Oak Beach is book 1 in A Cozy Mystery Beach Novela by Karen C Whalen. I think that this was a sweet and easily enjoyed cozy. Bree always wanted to work with animals and live on the beach. Volunteering at the animal shelter and falling in love with rescue Sampson makes her life complete, until the dog is framed for murder. I found that the author wrote characters I enjoyed reading about and the foundation for the series is perfect. I think there might be a romance between Ty and Bree..time will tell. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
June 21, 2024
Great start to a new series!
I have enjoyed everything that Ms Whalen has written and this new series is no exception. A likeable some what flawed main character, a wonderful coastal beach town, and furry friends! When the police chief is found dead in the cage of a new shelter dog, everyone blames the dog. But Breanna is convinced the chief was murdered. Can she save Sampson from being euthanized without becoming the next victim? Well written with a well developed group of main characters, and a great beachy setting.
I received an ARC. This is my honest review.
I have enjoyed everything that Ms Whalen has written and this new series is no exception. A likeable some what flawed main character, a wonderful coastal beach town, and furry friends! When the police chief is found dead in the cage of a new shelter dog, everyone blames the dog. But Breanna is convinced the chief was murdered. Can she save Sampson from being euthanized without becoming the next victim? Well written with a well developed group of main characters, and a great beachy setting.
I received an ARC. This is my honest review.
June 27, 2024
Breanna Hart, Volunteers at animal shelter. She was previous a dog walker walking many dogs so she is a great volunteer.
The Police Chief is found dead in one of the dogs kennel. He had bite marks on him so Samson a dog is suspected of killing him and Samson is put in quarantine and schedule for euthanasia. Breanna fights hard to find murder to free Samson.
Really enjoyed this book.
I received an advance review copy, ARC, for free, and I am leaving an honest opinion and voluntary review
The Police Chief is found dead in one of the dogs kennel. He had bite marks on him so Samson a dog is suspected of killing him and Samson is put in quarantine and schedule for euthanasia. Breanna fights hard to find murder to free Samson.
Really enjoyed this book.
I received an advance review copy, ARC, for free, and I am leaving an honest opinion and voluntary review
June 10, 2024
Did Samson kill the police chief? Breanna doesn't think so and starts her own investigation. I really enjoyed this book. The writing style, the story and the characters are good. I like it that the main character is not ’’perfect’’. She has to deal with an anxiety disorder. It makes the story much more real.
I received an advance review copy for free and I’m leaving a voluntary and honest review.
I received an advance review copy for free and I’m leaving a voluntary and honest review.
June 28, 2024
A fast-moving story about a twenty-five-year-old Breanna Hart with social anxiety daring herself to step into a new life a thousand miles from Chicago to the seaside town of Sea Oats Beach, NC. She quickly makes friends with the animals as a volunteer at the shelter and has to get out of her comfort zone to save one of her canine friends' lives. It's a great story, full of suspense, and a great cozy mystery beach read!
March 13, 2025
Exactly what the description says. Not the sort of book I usually read but occasionally the brain needs a rest from action packed suspense thrillers. In spite of being quite stressful near the end - dog lovers in particular will feel it - this was a pleasure to read. It's amusing how Breanna, the principle character 's social anxiety causes her to over think everything she does and says and how others see her to the nth degree, but it must be a debilitating condition. Book 2 is on its way
June 4, 2024
First in series by a new author for me. The story flows great and is entertaining. The characters are realistic with faults and all. Deals with some taboo subject some readers may not like such as, cheating in a relationship. Loved all the four legged friends. Good start. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 28, 2026
A charming and suspenseful cozy mystery with plenty of heart. Breanna’s determination to save an innocent dog while uncovering the truth behind the police chief’s mysterious death makes for an engaging read. I loved the combination of seaside life, an adorable canine companion, romance, and a puzzling crime. A delightful story for mystery and animal lovers alike!
August 11, 2026
Mysteries inside a mystery
I love the setting of this story and the mysteries that were tucked inside the murder mystery. I will definitely put Sea Oats Beach on my favorite series list.
I love the setting of this story and the mysteries that were tucked inside the murder mystery. I will definitely put Sea Oats Beach on my favorite series list.
April 8, 2024
Loved it! I wanted to adopt Samson myself.
June 26, 2024
This was a fantastic read! Kept my attention, the character development was sooo good! I loved Sampson and the premise of the mystery was refreshing.
September 19, 2024
Very cute and easy read!
September 21, 2024
Really liked this book. I liked all the characters and left you guessing until the end.
March 3, 2025
Love it! It was one of those you can't put it down books that you just have to find out who did it and find out what happens to Samson. You'll find out who Samsan is when you read it.
April 8, 2025
murder at sea oats beach:
Wow wow what a great book.
I didn’t realize who the killer was until the last chapter.
Keep the good books coming please
Wow wow what a great book.
I didn’t realize who the killer was until the last chapter.
Keep the good books coming please
July 27, 2026
So adorable I can’t wait to read the next one
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