Killer Brownies: A Sea Glass Beach Mystery

by Amelia Pine

A seaside milliner. A suspicious death. A batch of brownies no one should have eaten.

When milliner Paige Andrews traded big-city chaos for the breezy calm of Sea Glass Beach, California, she expected sunshine, surf, and a few eccentric customers...not a murder. But when a local baking influenceer turns up dead after a batch of her famous Killer Brownies, the sleepy coastal town suddenly feels anything but peaceful.

With her beagle Lola sniffing out clues, Paige is soon tangled in a web of jealous exes, competitive bakers, and sticky family secrets. The sheriff calls it an accident. Paige calls it suspicious. And when another “sweet treat” goes deadly, she realizes the killer’s recipe isn’t finished yet.

Can Paige whip up the truth before the killer serves another victim?

Perfect for fans of Ellie Alexander, Joanne Fluke, and V.M. Burns, Killer Brownies is the first book in the heartwarming (and mouthwatering!) Sea Glass Beach Mysteries-a cozy blend of seaside charm, small-town secrets, and amateur sleuthing with a dash of sugar and salt air.

If you
• beachside mysteries with humor and heart
• clever women sleuths and adorable dogs
• baking, friendship, and a touch of romance
• a picturesque coastal town full of quirky locals

…then you’ll adore Killer Brownies!

Start your adventure in Sea Glass Beach today-where every sunset hides a secret, and every brownie might be your last.

Book 1 in the Sea Glass Beach Mysteries by Amelia Pine

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Fiction, Cozy

294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 5, 2024

Reviews

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Killer Brownies (A Sea Glass Beach Mystery #1)" by Amelia Pine is set in Sea Glass Beach, California and follows Paige Andrews as she and her dinner club group investigate the death of cooking influencer Justin Thyme. She's doing all this while trying to juggle her busy schedule working as a bridal millinery designer and new dog mom.

The mystery did keep me guessing. There were several potential suspects. Each of the suspects had a good motive for anger and benefit from Justin's passing. There was one person in particular I kept focusing on but I'm not totally sure why, maybe gut instinct after binging cozy mystery books for a little over a year.

I'm excited to see where this series goes. I say this partly because the millinery aspect is interesting to me. I've done a little myself while in school and I find it interesting what books like this include. The recipes sounded delicious as well. I may have to try some of the tips that were mentioned.

Update note after listening to audiobook:

This narrator does a great job at making each character unique. There's a different tone or accent for each character and they stay consistent. They brought the characters and book to life.

[A Look Inside: Reviews and Interviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amelia Pine’s Killer Brownies offers a delightful mix of cozy mystery, wit, and charm in the first book of the Sea Glass Beach Mysteries series. Set in the picturesque yet enigmatic town of Sea Glass Beach, California, this novel pulls readers into a sunny world where murder lurks just beneath the surface of its idyllic coastline. Pine successfully combines elements of mystery, humor, and heart to create a captivating whodunit that will undoubtedly appeal to fans of cozy mysteries.

At the center of the story is Paige Andrews, a milliner and bridal boutique owner who has settled into her new life by the beach, enjoying the quiet charms of small-town living with her rescue beagle by her side. Paige is a relatable and engaging protagonist, possessing a unique combination of style, wit, and vulnerability that makes her a compelling amateur sleuth. When an internet-famous food personality is found dead, and her close friend Abby is suspected of the crime, Paige is thrown into an unexpected investigation. Her journey to uncover the truth is full of twists, turns, and occasional moments of danger, balancing suspense with lightheartedness.

Pine excels at character development, populating the novel with a cast of quirky and lovable figures that enhance the story's depth. The friendships between Paige and her circle of close-knit confidants bring a warm and engaging dynamic, while the antagonist remains cleverly concealed until the final moments. Each character contributes meaningfully to the narrative, and their unique personalities add layers of intrigue and humor.

The mystery itself is skillfully woven, with clues dropped subtly, keeping the reader guessing without revealing too much too soon. Fans of the cozy mystery genre will particularly enjoy the balance of suspense and humor, and the charming setting of Sea Glass Beach provides the perfect backdrop for both. Pine's writing is engaging and paced well, keeping the tension alive while giving readers time to savor the atmospheric details.

Overall, Killer Brownies serves up a delightful, page-turning mystery filled with endearing characters, humor, and just the right amount of danger. It’s the perfect beginning to a promising series, leaving readers eager to visit Sea Glass Beach again and follow Paige’s sleuthing adventures in future installments.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Susan Reads Cozies · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the main character, Paige, right away. She is a fellow mystery lover. Paige talks about so many great mysteries she has read. Sea Glass Beach sounds like the best beach town to live in. I also really liked the idea of the Dining Club.
 
 There were so many suspects. Just when you think you have the suspect in mind, something happens and you need to change course. I am excited to see what happens next for Paige and her dog, Lola.
 
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lee Villiers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely cozy mystery beach read. I could practically smell the salty air. Sea Glass Beach is definitely the kind of place I want to visit again soon. We had a lovable friend group, eccentric towns people and a beagle! The mystery kept me guessing but everything wrapped up nicely. Plus, we have a beagle! A very lovable rescue beagle named Lola. I definitely recommend this book.
Thank you to the author for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

[marita lazarus · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute start - looking forward to reading more of this series.... fingers crossed it stays good or gets better.

[Vic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable cozy mystery with lots of great characters. New author and first in series. Set in a picturesque California beach town. The mystery does give you a lot of suspects and keeps you guessing until the end. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the premise of this debut series. This is a debut author (as best I can tell) and she has a nice and easy writing style. I look forward to seeing more from her. I enjoyed the characters and they had good development and I liked the interpersonal connections b/t the cast of characters. My one complaint is that I thought the MC was a little too "much." She's a milliner (which is super cool, I look forward to learning more about that profession), a fantastic baker, a wonderful gardener, AND a sleuth? Even in the cozy mystery world, it's a little hard to swallow.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Eliz Marino · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC and this is my voluntary review. A great fast read clean cozy that I found hard to put down. Paige lives in Sea Glass Beach and has a great group of friends that have a dining club. When Abby becomes a person of interest in a murder Paige and friends work together to solve this case. With Lola her trusty beagle by her side Paige investigates each suspect to get st the truth. A good suspenseful book with lots of twists and turns.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A debut cozy mystery from a debut author! Killer Brownies is the first book in A Sea Glass Beach Mysteries. It has a great setting, likeable cast, lots of foodie descriptions and a captivating case to solve. Added bonus: it includes a few recipes and that cover art is extra cute.

This story takes place in Sea Glass Beach, CA. I loved hearing about sandy walks, ocean waves and numerous surfers. The local small businesses were super charming too.

Paige was a great protagonist and quite a busy lady. She works as a milliner who creates custom headwear for brides or special events. I really enjoyed hearing about her creative profession. She’s also a foodie and baking enthusiast. She might get her recipes from cookbooks, but it was fun seeing her add her own twists to it. She’s also a new dog owner after adopting a sweet beagle named Lola. I loved her close group of friends who double as her dinner club / sleuthing partners. Throw in a charming, single dad veterinarian and you can’t help but like the cast.

The mystery was light, well paced, and full of twists. There were numerous plausible suspects that kept me guessing throughout the entire story. I selected the correct culprit, but my guess definitely wavered a couple times as more clues and red herrings were revealed. I liked that the victim was a cooking influencer. It helped give the story a young, fresh feeling.

Overall this was a quick, enjoyable read. I would definitely continue the series based on wanting to see the characters develop more. The author did announce that the sequel, Killer Fruitcake, will release in November.

I did receive an ARC - all opinions are my own.

[Helen S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A debut clean cozy series by a debut author! This book is fresh, contemporary, and well-written.

I binge read this book last night. It checked all my clean cozy boxes.

urbandictionary.com defines "killer" as very cool, outstanding, satisfying, really badass. If a smart, fun, 30something protagonist with a head on her shoulders, a quirky set of friends and family, a rescue beagle, and a beautiful coastal California setting is killer, KILLER BROWNIES is killer.

Paige works remotely out of her adorable beach cottage for a Beverly Hills bridal boutique. She designs and sometimes makes custom hats. Bridal millinery is her job but her life is busy and full.
She bakes as a hobby. I loved that she always hacks the recipe she's using and sometimes it doesn't work that well. She is a rescue dog mom. She's interested in her neighbor the hunky veterinarian.
Paige's dining club friends and her mom (plus, grudgingly and warily, Mom's boyfriend the chief of police) are her life. These are people I want to be friends with IRL.

I wanted to learn more about Paige's millinery career. Hopefully, the author will include more in the future. I'm looking forward to the further adventures of the characters and the further development of Chief Rick.

I truly could not guess the culprit until the reveal. All the suspects have believable motives for murder. And the ending leaves you feeling upbeat.

KILLER FRUITCAKE, the second book in the series is scheduled for release in early November. I've already pre-ordered.

[Susan May · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm sure the rest of the series will be fun as the protagonist moves forward in new adventures and opportunities to solve mysteries with her friends.

 

I found this to be a very enjoyable read. The author did a great job with the story and character development.  The characters were easy to like and there is also a big variety of suspects.  Paige is a very intriguing character. She has a happy life, a dog she adores, a wonderful garden and is very creative in her desgns as well as her baking.  In fact her baking was what got her involved in the first place. A murder victim found with her killer brownies. This caused Paige and her friends to become amateur detectives. The way they all worked together to solve the murder was very  interesting. The descriptions of all the homes and food was incredible. This is truly a cozy mystery that will keep you turning the pages. Paige and her friends will entertain you from start to finish.

[John Hinchliffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version of this book.
Quirky characters, and intrigue make Killer Brownies by Amelia Pine a good listen. This is the first book in the Sea Glass Beach Mysteries series. The plot keeps you guessing until the end without relying on over-the-top drama. There is humour and mystery, all set against the backdrop of Sea Glass Beach. The murder isn’t too gruesome, and the clues unfold in a clever way. Bobbie Gentili's narration is excellent and enthusiastic bringing warmth and personality to each character. Recommended. I am looking forward to diving into the next book, Killer Fruitcake at some point!

[The Mundivagant Bookery · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am embracing my Miss Marple period of life. This book is definitely a cozy mystery. I didn’t actually predict completely or entirely correctly who the culprit was before the last 2 chapters. That is a good sign for me when it comes to a mystery novel. I love that the recipes that are talked about in the book are given to us at the end. This was a perfect vacation read for me and I am looking forward to second book in this series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Siobhan D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the narration of Bobbie Gentili

Paige and her dinner club find themselves looking into the murder of Justin Thyme who was a cooking influencer. All at the time looking after her new beagle dog and working as a bridal millinery designer. All set in Sea Glass Beach.
As the group dig into the death suspects with great motives keep popping up.
This book had me guessing and even wanting to visit Sea Glass Beach. Great characters, the right amount of suspense, that will keep you loving this cozy mystery.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this new to me series by a new to me author. The characters were amazing and people I’d definitely be friends with. My favorite was Kevin, what a hoot! He’s such a fun character and together they all made up the Beachside Dining Club that was more than just friends in this book. They sleuthed together and took down a killer in the process. They celebrated a special Friendsgiving at the end which nicely wrapped up any loose ends of the story. I can’t wait to borrow the next book!

[Daphne Parris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Killer Brownies

This book was Fantastic and I would Highly recommend it. The storyline and the characters had me on a page turning frenzy. It leaves you wondering what is happening and who was behind the things that were happening in the small town and how much of some things were the characters actually going to put up with before they did what they needed to do. Great Mystery Book.

[Pat · Rating 2 out of 5]

interesting

an interesting read BUT vsery hard to follow with too many side bits. The plot is a common one and the ending easy to figure out.

[Cozy Champagne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Killer Brownies is the first book in the Sea Glass Beach Mystery Series by Amelia Pine. The amateur sleuth is Paige Andrews, a milliner (hat maker) in her mid-30s.

I fell in love with this cute cozy mystery series on page one! The sleuth’s profession,the characters, and the setting hooked me immediately.

The story takes place in a charming California beach town with pelicans, sandpipers, and surfers.

Paige lives in a quaint cottage with her cute rescue beagle. She is good at her job and has a great group of quirky friends, the Beachside Dining Club, who gather monthly to eat food and share gossip.

Paige loves to bake and gets adventurous by adding her own twists to recipes. The many yummy food descriptions throughout made me hungry! I loved that the story included three bonus recipes at the end. I plan on making all of them!

The mystery was very good. The victim wasn't super likable, so there were plenty of suspects to keep it interesting.

Amelia Pine is a great writer. She has a clear understanding of the cozy genre and hit all of the marks: a cozy setting, a quirky community, a smart and sweet sleuth, a cute pup, fun hobbies, and interesting occupations for all the main characters.

I listened to the audio version and enjoyed the narrator. She does a good job of bringing the characters to life and giving everyone a unique voice.

I loved Killer Brownies and can't wait to go on more sleuthing adventures with Paige and the Beachside Dining Club!

[Tom Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sea Glass Beach is a place I’d like to visit. The book gives you an impression of close-knit friends who enjoy each others’ company. I love their banter and how they support each other.

All of this contributes to how the murder is solved. Good pacing and there’s no point in the story that drags the reader down. It’s all lots of fun.

Audio Book Update: Killer Brownies is so much fun to listen to. The narrator is fantastic and really does justice to the funny, fast-paced story.

[Lu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice group of friends that support each other
Made me want to go to the beach. Great descriptions of scenery
Clean
Humorous and cozy mystery, amateur sleuths