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Monterey Bay Murder
A fur-raising whodunit as dog groomer Amanda Warren and Grok, her talking cat, dive nose-first into a whisker-twitching mystery!
In the small coastal town of Ocean Wood, where the salty breeze carries butterflies and secrets, Amanda’s quest to restart her life takes a wild turn as a diver washes ashore, a speargun bolt piercing his chest.
The once-tranquil marina turns into a hotbed of suspicion, with Amanda’s friend Ben as a prime suspect. Amidst celebrities, betrayals, and shakedowns, Amanda and Grok team up to clear Ben’s name.
Together, they discover that the marina harbors more than just boats. With a cast of quirky friends and Grok's uncanny investigative skills, Amanda sails into the heart of the mystery, determined to expose the true culprit.
Can Amanda and Grok untangle this fishy business before the killer strikes again?
This new installment in the Amanda Warren Cozy Animal Mystery Series has a complete mystery and can be read as a stand-alone. Dive into a world of clues and intrigue with our amateur sleuths as they navigate unexpected twists and dangers to solve the crime.
In the small coastal town of Ocean Wood, where the salty breeze carries butterflies and secrets, Amanda’s quest to restart her life takes a wild turn as a diver washes ashore, a speargun bolt piercing his chest.
The once-tranquil marina turns into a hotbed of suspicion, with Amanda’s friend Ben as a prime suspect. Amidst celebrities, betrayals, and shakedowns, Amanda and Grok team up to clear Ben’s name.
Together, they discover that the marina harbors more than just boats. With a cast of quirky friends and Grok's uncanny investigative skills, Amanda sails into the heart of the mystery, determined to expose the true culprit.
Can Amanda and Grok untangle this fishy business before the killer strikes again?
This new installment in the Amanda Warren Cozy Animal Mystery Series has a complete mystery and can be read as a stand-alone. Dive into a world of clues and intrigue with our amateur sleuths as they navigate unexpected twists and dangers to solve the crime.
238 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2024
13 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Seren Star Goode
5 books34 followers
Seren (Star) Goode was born in the Midwest with itchy feet and a dream of far-off places. She loves traveling the world, walking on the beach, and curling up with a good cozy mystery or sci-fi book and a hot cup of tea.
A Jane-of-all-trades, Seren has studied English, design, marketing, metalsmith, pottery, juggling, and archeology. She started writing fiction in middle school and thoroughly blames her family for encouraging this habit. A big fan of making her characters do their own work, Seren loves to sit back and watch them unravel a mystery or dig for the truth. When she isn’t on the road, she is at home on the Central Coast of California, plotting her next book and trip with her songwriter husband and puppies, Clairey and Izzy.
Connect with Seren here:
★ Website: https://www.serengoode.com/
★ Newsletter: https://www.serengoode.com/cozybooks-nlt
★ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SerenGoode
★ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serengoodew...
★ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/SerenGoodeW...
★ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@serengoodewrites
Author also writes as Seren Goode
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 13, 2024
Amanda Warren left her home to find a new one -- hopefully her twin sister Alexandria will forgive her after years of estrangement. But when she arrives in Ocean Wood, there's no trace of Alexandria, and no one seems to know where she's gone...not even her cat, Grok, whom Amanda discovers she can understand.
She's trying to get her dog washing business off the ground, but she keeps running into trouble. Like this morning, when her friend Ben called her frantically for help. She goes to the marina where he's just moved in with his boat, only to find it's taking on water. She tries to corral his dog Qbert, but it seems the dog has found something more interesting...a body. Now Ben's a suspect in the murder, and he' wondering if he should just move back to his former home. Amanda realizes the only thing she (and Grok) can do is find the real killer...if she can make it without getting killed...
I wanted to read this book because I love mysteries and I love cats. I really didn't know what to expect, especially the fact that Grok can communicate with Amanda, who appears to be a little bit psychic herself in this matter. Grok can do things humans can't, and his help is invaluable.
When the diver, Tobias, is killed, a clue points to Ben as the killer, Which he isn't. But who is? Amanda thinks anyone who was at the marina during the time of death could be a suspect. But with the chief of police hating her, and the lead detective telling her to stay out of it, she needs to be stealthy about it or her own goose might be cooked.
So she enlists the help of friends she's made, and in between her grooming jobs she looks for clues pointing to someone else, which means asking questions. A lot of questions, which could put her in the hot seat (and does).
The one thing I didn't care for in this book is Amanda walks right up to people and asks them about the murder. She might as well state: "I think you killed Tobias. Time to 'fess up." It's a tad uncomfortable to read. There are ways to surreptitiously ask questions without people actually figuring out what you're doing. Also, less chance of being discovered doing it. But she actually has no tact about it, so that was why I deleted one star.
However, in the end we discover the murderer, and Amanda is right in the thick of it, and saved by an unlikely hero, which was surprising and rather fun to read about. All in all, I enjoyed the story and will continue with the series.
I received a copy of this book from Hidden Gems Books but this in no way influenced my review.
She's trying to get her dog washing business off the ground, but she keeps running into trouble. Like this morning, when her friend Ben called her frantically for help. She goes to the marina where he's just moved in with his boat, only to find it's taking on water. She tries to corral his dog Qbert, but it seems the dog has found something more interesting...a body. Now Ben's a suspect in the murder, and he' wondering if he should just move back to his former home. Amanda realizes the only thing she (and Grok) can do is find the real killer...if she can make it without getting killed...
I wanted to read this book because I love mysteries and I love cats. I really didn't know what to expect, especially the fact that Grok can communicate with Amanda, who appears to be a little bit psychic herself in this matter. Grok can do things humans can't, and his help is invaluable.
When the diver, Tobias, is killed, a clue points to Ben as the killer, Which he isn't. But who is? Amanda thinks anyone who was at the marina during the time of death could be a suspect. But with the chief of police hating her, and the lead detective telling her to stay out of it, she needs to be stealthy about it or her own goose might be cooked.
So she enlists the help of friends she's made, and in between her grooming jobs she looks for clues pointing to someone else, which means asking questions. A lot of questions, which could put her in the hot seat (and does).
The one thing I didn't care for in this book is Amanda walks right up to people and asks them about the murder. She might as well state: "I think you killed Tobias. Time to 'fess up." It's a tad uncomfortable to read. There are ways to surreptitiously ask questions without people actually figuring out what you're doing. Also, less chance of being discovered doing it. But she actually has no tact about it, so that was why I deleted one star.
However, in the end we discover the murderer, and Amanda is right in the thick of it, and saved by an unlikely hero, which was surprising and rather fun to read about. All in all, I enjoyed the story and will continue with the series.
I received a copy of this book from Hidden Gems Books but this in no way influenced my review.
March 28, 2025
These are fast, fun reads! I love Grok!
August 25, 2024
I was so excited for this second book to come out because I thought the first book in this series was fantastic. It did not disappoint! Just a really fun mystery… with great characters who live in a town I’d love to live in. Loved this as much as the first book!
August 4, 2024
I received this book as an ARC with no expectations of a postitive review. Amanda came to Ocean Wood to repair her relationship with her sister. When she arrived, her sister had disappeared. She has met some wonderful people who have become her friends. Among them is Ben who is the medical examiner. She also has her sister's cat, Grok, who only she and her sister can hear talk to them.
Ben has purchased a boat that he has at the marina. During the night, he is waken by his dog, Qbert. The boat is taking on water. He spends the night trying to bail out the water. In the morning, he calls Amanda for help. Amanda comes down to the marina to find Ben in a state. He asks for help with Qbert. As she is with Qbert on the dock, he begins to bark and goes to the edge of the dock. Amanda goes to investigate. She reaches down and finds a body. This begins the story of trying to prove that Ben is not the killer. Join this wonderful cozy mystery unfold.
I have never read Ms, Goode before, but I will be looking forward to reading more of her books.
Ben has purchased a boat that he has at the marina. During the night, he is waken by his dog, Qbert. The boat is taking on water. He spends the night trying to bail out the water. In the morning, he calls Amanda for help. Amanda comes down to the marina to find Ben in a state. He asks for help with Qbert. As she is with Qbert on the dock, he begins to bark and goes to the edge of the dock. Amanda goes to investigate. She reaches down and finds a body. This begins the story of trying to prove that Ben is not the killer. Join this wonderful cozy mystery unfold.
I have never read Ms, Goode before, but I will be looking forward to reading more of her books.
December 31, 2024
4.5 stars.
I really enjoyed this book, especially after the first chapter with Amanda. Then it keeps getting better and better after that.
Initially, it seemed kind of hurried, but I think that's because this novel is better if you've read the first book in the series before starting it. It's technically stand-alone, but there are too many references to the first book to not be curious.
So, I stopped reading this one halfway through and started reading Monterey Bay Mystery. It wasn't necessary, but I'm glad I did. I like this series a lot, and I intend to finish it. I like the pacing, the characters, Grok (a talking cat with amnesia), and the relatability of the day-to-day events.
Amanda is a dog groomer who ends up solving mysteries, pretty much out of necessity. In Monterey Bay Murder, a dead body is found under/near her friend's boat. This leads to Ben being a prime suspect. This leads to Amanda, once again, playing amateur detective.
A really enjoyable book, and series. Plus, I kind of had a thing for the detective.
I really enjoyed this book, especially after the first chapter with Amanda. Then it keeps getting better and better after that.
Initially, it seemed kind of hurried, but I think that's because this novel is better if you've read the first book in the series before starting it. It's technically stand-alone, but there are too many references to the first book to not be curious.
So, I stopped reading this one halfway through and started reading Monterey Bay Mystery. It wasn't necessary, but I'm glad I did. I like this series a lot, and I intend to finish it. I like the pacing, the characters, Grok (a talking cat with amnesia), and the relatability of the day-to-day events.
Amanda is a dog groomer who ends up solving mysteries, pretty much out of necessity. In Monterey Bay Murder, a dead body is found under/near her friend's boat. This leads to Ben being a prime suspect. This leads to Amanda, once again, playing amateur detective.
A really enjoyable book, and series. Plus, I kind of had a thing for the detective.
July 31, 2024
Amanda’s cat Grok noticed a man following her and since Grok could talk he told her about the man. Amanda is a mobile dog groomer. When Amanda arrived in town at her sister’s house there was a dead body and her sister was
missing Her friend called her to come to the Marina. His boat was sinking and he was bailing it out but his dog would not stop barking so he wanted Amanda to take the dog for awhile. The dog would not leave the pier until he got the humans to realize there was a dead body. Now Amanda needs to find a murderer and her sister. Very suspenseful book. Very good read. Highly recommend it. It was easy to read but hard to put down.
I received an advance review copy, ARC, for free, and I am leaving an honest opinion and voluntary review.
missing Her friend called her to come to the Marina. His boat was sinking and he was bailing it out but his dog would not stop barking so he wanted Amanda to take the dog for awhile. The dog would not leave the pier until he got the humans to realize there was a dead body. Now Amanda needs to find a murderer and her sister. Very suspenseful book. Very good read. Highly recommend it. It was easy to read but hard to put down.
I received an advance review copy, ARC, for free, and I am leaving an honest opinion and voluntary review.
July 31, 2024
Amanda is heading to the West Coast to start her life over, hopefully with her sister's help. However, when she arrives at her sister's house she's missing. Add a corpse and a large, talking, amnesic cat and life is certainly taking a turn towards a more interesting direction. Throw in some quirky friends and a bunch of confused neighbors and you have an interesting, cozy mystery that is quick to read. The only issue I had with this story might be the transitions between the two main points of view. Otherwise, I look forward to the next episode in this new mystery series and, perhaps, a few more answers to some of the other unsolved mysteries.
I'm a member of the ARC team and have left an honest review voluntarily.
I'm a member of the ARC team and have left an honest review voluntarily.
February 10, 2025
This was a busy book with many clues and red herrings too! I’m not interested enough to pay for the next one in the series!
Amazon synopsis:
In the small coastal town of Ocean Wood, where the salty breeze carries butterflies and secrets, Amanda’s quest to restart her life takes a wild turn as a diver washes ashore, a speargun bolt piercing his chest.
The once-tranquil marina turns into a hotbed of suspicion, with Amanda’s friend Ben as a prime suspect. Amidst celebrities, betrayals, and shakedowns, Amanda and Grok team up to clear Ben’s name.
Together, they discover that the marina harbors more than just boats. With a cast of quirky friends and Grok's uncanny investigative skills, Amanda sails into the heart of the mystery, determined to expose the true culprit.
Amazon synopsis:
In the small coastal town of Ocean Wood, where the salty breeze carries butterflies and secrets, Amanda’s quest to restart her life takes a wild turn as a diver washes ashore, a speargun bolt piercing his chest.
The once-tranquil marina turns into a hotbed of suspicion, with Amanda’s friend Ben as a prime suspect. Amidst celebrities, betrayals, and shakedowns, Amanda and Grok team up to clear Ben’s name.
Together, they discover that the marina harbors more than just boats. With a cast of quirky friends and Grok's uncanny investigative skills, Amanda sails into the heart of the mystery, determined to expose the true culprit.
August 5, 2024
This was an enjoyable if unusual book, the second in this series. It’s written partly from the perspective of Grok, a large Maine Coon who has the ability to talk to and be understood by two sisters, Alexandra and Amanda. Amanda owns the Pink Power Wash and Groom RV and has recently traveled from Ohio to Ocean Wood, on the California coast, hoping to reunite with her twin. She discovers that her sister has gone missing, and solves the murder mystery in her house, but Alexandra is still missing. Visiting her friend Ben, who has just bought a rather dilapidated boat, and Qbert, his sheepdog discovers a dead body in the water. A fun mystery, especially with the animals!
August 26, 2024
Amanda returns to Ocean Bay to repair her relationship with her twin Alexandria a PI. Grok the cat that talks to Amannda and Alexandria is now Amanda's responsibility since her sister has vanished. Amanda has a mobile pet grooming rv and has met several new people thru her business including Ben a medical examiner and his dg Qbert. Ben fulfills a dream of buying a boat to live on at the marina. The boat has problems including a dead body floating under his boat. Amanda helps Ben prove his innocence. I would recommend this book. I received this book with the understanding I would leave a honest review.
January 1, 2025
When Amanda's friend Ben was a person of interest in a murder at the marina, she was scrambling to get some answers and clear his good name as the medical examiner. She was also trying to make sense of her sister's casebook and other items. If only she could figure out where her elusive sister went.
Amanda and Grok did their investigation and their new friends helped too, but Amanda got some extra help during the showdown she sure never expected. With the mystery and murder solved and Ben's good name cleared they were finally able to get with friends and have a nice party on his new boat. Can't wait to dig into the next book.
Amanda and Grok did their investigation and their new friends helped too, but Amanda got some extra help during the showdown she sure never expected. With the mystery and murder solved and Ben's good name cleared they were finally able to get with friends and have a nice party on his new boat. Can't wait to dig into the next book.
November 9, 2024
Monterey Bay Murder was a very entertaining story that kept my attention all the way through. I loved the characters, from the relatable Amanda, to the grumbling Grok, the talking cat who helped solve murders. Centered around a boat marina, this mystery had constant action and questions going on. It kept me wondering the whole time who was going to be killed and who was doing the murdering. There was also an underlying mystery of where Amanda's sister disappeared to. I definitely recommend this book.
July 23, 2024
Amanda's friend Ben becomes a murder suspect. She, with the help of her sidekick Grok, try to clear his name. This is a fun and cozy to read. The nice writing style makes it easy to read. It's a good story with likable characters.
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.
August 5, 2024
I'm voluntarily leaving a review after receiving a free copy. A call for help has Amanda discovering another body and Ben is a suspect. Amanda in her attempts to clear Ben's name gets into trouble but does solve it in the end. It was a good thing help was near to save her. Clues given about Grok make me even more curious. It was a good mystery with the killer not revealed until the end.
July 29, 2024
I love this book! It has humour, delightful characters, a captivating story, and the amazing Grok. Five solid gold stars!
A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.
A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.
July 31, 2024
I like this series more and more! I love Grok and his high-handed grumpiness. I love Amanda. I hope that when she finds her sister they join forces…I think they would be unstoppable. This was a fun book to read and I enjoyed the craziness that poor Ben was going through. I loved it!
August 4, 2024
A murder will rock the town when a diver washes ashore with a spear in his chest. Now she needs to find the answers of the crime. Who is behind it? Can she find the answers? Will there be more? See how she gets on
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review
August 11, 2024
Amanda is asked for help when Ben's boat is taking on water, but then she finds a body. While trying to clear Ben's name she gets in over her head.
Great cozy mystery with some laughs and a few surprises. Really fun to read and follow along. The characters are so realistic and who can resist a few furry team mates?
I received a copy of this book from the author. I am leaving an honest and voluntary review.
Great cozy mystery with some laughs and a few surprises. Really fun to read and follow along. The characters are so realistic and who can resist a few furry team mates?
I received a copy of this book from the author. I am leaving an honest and voluntary review.
August 9, 2024
Suggest you read in order not stand alones. Strong characters, twists and turns. So interested in the cat’s history and what is up with the sister.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews