What do you think?
Rate this book
Dune House Mystery #1
Seaside Secrets
Suzie Allen gets a call to inform her that her estranged Uncle Harry has passed away and has unexpectedly left her Dune House, a beautiful house on the beach that was once a Bed and Breakfast. With her best friend, Mary, going through a messy divorce, the two decide to get away and go to the small town of Garber to see the house.
Despite the stunning setting, the house has been neglected for years and is in a terrible state of disrepair. Suzie and Mary make the decision to refurbish the house together.
But then, Suzie and Mary start finding evidence that maybe Uncle Harry didn’t die of natural causes. Suzie’s investigative background as a journalist takes over and the ladies go on a search to discover what secrets the house holds. Will these secrets reveal a dark side to Suzie’s strange cousin, Jason?
Was the decision to refurbish Dune House the worst mistake of their lives? Or is this the beginning of an exciting new chapter?
Despite the stunning setting, the house has been neglected for years and is in a terrible state of disrepair. Suzie and Mary make the decision to refurbish the house together.
But then, Suzie and Mary start finding evidence that maybe Uncle Harry didn’t die of natural causes. Suzie’s investigative background as a journalist takes over and the ladies go on a search to discover what secrets the house holds. Will these secrets reveal a dark side to Suzie’s strange cousin, Jason?
Was the decision to refurbish Dune House the worst mistake of their lives? Or is this the beginning of an exciting new chapter?
165 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 27, 2014
1133 people are currently reading
853 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews
February 22, 2015
Definitely a light read; too light. Very simplistic story about a woman who inherits an old rundown house on a beach that had once been a bed and breakfast. She and her best friend go to check it out and while cleaning it up, discover a mystery.
There’s no real depth to the either the tale or the characters. It had more of a feel of reading a book report than a mystery. No twists and turns. No feel of being in a character’s head to experience their emotions. The climatic confrontation started off with some promise, but that too was glossed over.
Picked this up when it was offered for free, but I can’t see myself reading any others in this series.
There’s no real depth to the either the tale or the characters. It had more of a feel of reading a book report than a mystery. No twists and turns. No feel of being in a character’s head to experience their emotions. The climatic confrontation started off with some promise, but that too was glossed over.
Picked this up when it was offered for free, but I can’t see myself reading any others in this series.
July 26, 2015
Seaside Secrets by Cindy Bell is a 2014 publication.
This is the prequel to the Dune House mystery series featuring Suzie and Mary, life long friends who are about to embark on a new chapter in their lives.
Suzie finds out her Uncle Harry has passed away and left her Dune House, a large home situated on the beach in the small town of Garber. It's a mystery as to why Harry didn't leave the house to his son Jason, so Suzie heads to Garber to see the house she has inherited and meet her cousin.
Mary is Suzie's best friend, and at the moment she his going through a heated divorce, so she travels with Suzie to see Dune house and offer support.
The pair slowly begin to realize that Uncle Harry may not have died of a heart attack as originally thought, and foul play may have been involved. Could Dune house be the reason or is there something even more sinister going on? Could Suzie or Mary be in danger?
I'm thinking I picked this one up from the kindle store while it was on a special promo. I liked it well enough to add the next two books in the series to by TBR list.
I enjoy cozy mysteries and have found myself reading more and more of them lately. I like the idea of restoring Dune House and turning it into a B&B, I love the friendship between Suzie and Mary, which gives the series a solid beginning. The mystery is not overly complicated which is usually the case with cozies, but it held my interest and kept me guessing.
Overall not a bad way to start a new series. 3.5 rounded to 4
This is the prequel to the Dune House mystery series featuring Suzie and Mary, life long friends who are about to embark on a new chapter in their lives.
Suzie finds out her Uncle Harry has passed away and left her Dune House, a large home situated on the beach in the small town of Garber. It's a mystery as to why Harry didn't leave the house to his son Jason, so Suzie heads to Garber to see the house she has inherited and meet her cousin.
Mary is Suzie's best friend, and at the moment she his going through a heated divorce, so she travels with Suzie to see Dune house and offer support.
The pair slowly begin to realize that Uncle Harry may not have died of a heart attack as originally thought, and foul play may have been involved. Could Dune house be the reason or is there something even more sinister going on? Could Suzie or Mary be in danger?
I'm thinking I picked this one up from the kindle store while it was on a special promo. I liked it well enough to add the next two books in the series to by TBR list.
I enjoy cozy mysteries and have found myself reading more and more of them lately. I like the idea of restoring Dune House and turning it into a B&B, I love the friendship between Suzie and Mary, which gives the series a solid beginning. The mystery is not overly complicated which is usually the case with cozies, but it held my interest and kept me guessing.
Overall not a bad way to start a new series. 3.5 rounded to 4
June 18, 2022
This was a cute, short start to a cozy mystery series, and I figured I'd give it a shot since I got a few of the later books for free through Amazon.
I liked the characters of Suzy and Mary, although I would have liked there to be a bit more depth to them and the story. I guess it would be difficult to do with such a short book, so maybe I would have liked this more if they were a tiny bit longer. One of my favorite parts of the story is that Suzy is an older protagonist, and is happy with her choice not to have gotten married or have children.
The story was pretty straightforward, and it wasn't as convoluted as some of the other cozy mysteries that I've read lately. However, this made it easy to figure out who was behind the murders, since there wasn't really any room for red herrings in the story. I'm hoping for more depth to be in the series in later books.
I liked the characters of Suzy and Mary, although I would have liked there to be a bit more depth to them and the story. I guess it would be difficult to do with such a short book, so maybe I would have liked this more if they were a tiny bit longer. One of my favorite parts of the story is that Suzy is an older protagonist, and is happy with her choice not to have gotten married or have children.
The story was pretty straightforward, and it wasn't as convoluted as some of the other cozy mysteries that I've read lately. However, this made it easy to figure out who was behind the murders, since there wasn't really any room for red herrings in the story. I'm hoping for more depth to be in the series in later books.
November 10, 2020
Uncle Harry has passed away and his niece, Susan Allen has inherited his large house by the sea.
Mary, Susie's best friend is going through an unpleasant divorce. The two friends decide to go to see the house that Susan has received.
The house was a bed and breakfast but needs a lot of repair. They decide to restore it and use it as a bed and breakfast again.
However, Susan and Mary find some clues that Harry may have been helped along in passing sooner than he should have. Have they made a mistake coming to remodel the house? Mary and Susan find themselves in the road of a killer determined not to let them find out what is going on.
Cute and easy mystery. Moves along quickly. More of a short story.
Mary, Susie's best friend is going through an unpleasant divorce. The two friends decide to go to see the house that Susan has received.
The house was a bed and breakfast but needs a lot of repair. They decide to restore it and use it as a bed and breakfast again.
However, Susan and Mary find some clues that Harry may have been helped along in passing sooner than he should have. Have they made a mistake coming to remodel the house? Mary and Susan find themselves in the road of a killer determined not to let them find out what is going on.
Cute and easy mystery. Moves along quickly. More of a short story.
August 16, 2017
Very short and obvious killer
Fisrt, I'd give this a 3 1/2 or a bit higher. The story was good enough, but short on length and therefore on more development. Likeable main characters and a nice setting. Very nice writing style.
Fisrt, I'd give this a 3 1/2 or a bit higher. The story was good enough, but short on length and therefore on more development. Likeable main characters and a nice setting. Very nice writing style.
March 31, 2024
Pretty run of the mill, not a lot of mystery but it’s alright
February 11, 2021
An easy and enjoyable read.
July 31, 2017
This is a quick read novella, setting up for a series about amateur sleuths.
The first few pages are a local history lesson; then the phone rings and the lady who answers thinks of another page of history before we get started. Much better would have been just to start the story and then feed in the backstory through conversations and letters - as largely happens anyway. A single lady, retired from having been a journalist, and her friend whose husband is divorcing her, head off to a beachside house which the singleton has inherited. This old building used to be a B&B but at the time they find it, the elderly owner had lived reclusively for a few years so in good female style they take to cleaning up and seeing how much repair work is needed.
Some mysterious issues between the deceased man and his son, the local police officer, cloud the inheritance, and some prominent local citizens also feel the house should be bulldozed. Maybe the land is worth more for development, or maybe there are other reasons.
I have to take against a scene at the end. Nobody but nobody would willingly sit in a chair to be tied up when the petrol has been spread and the matches produced. Nobody. Why not pick up a weapon or grab a bucket of water? Why not keep arguing to buy time? Why not fumble for your phone to call 911 as you talk or run? He's threatening to shoot your friend? Your friend is going to die anyway if the place goes on fire. Other than this stupidity I liked the story.
The series seems to be aimed at mature ladies and does not as yet feature a dog, cat or cookery but it might be only a matter of time before it fits the stereotypes. I would read more as I am guessing the B&B will be reopened and turn into a lively place.
I downloaded a free copy. This is an unbiased review.
The first few pages are a local history lesson; then the phone rings and the lady who answers thinks of another page of history before we get started. Much better would have been just to start the story and then feed in the backstory through conversations and letters - as largely happens anyway. A single lady, retired from having been a journalist, and her friend whose husband is divorcing her, head off to a beachside house which the singleton has inherited. This old building used to be a B&B but at the time they find it, the elderly owner had lived reclusively for a few years so in good female style they take to cleaning up and seeing how much repair work is needed.
Some mysterious issues between the deceased man and his son, the local police officer, cloud the inheritance, and some prominent local citizens also feel the house should be bulldozed. Maybe the land is worth more for development, or maybe there are other reasons.
I have to take against a scene at the end. Nobody but nobody would willingly sit in a chair to be tied up when the petrol has been spread and the matches produced. Nobody. Why not pick up a weapon or grab a bucket of water? Why not keep arguing to buy time? Why not fumble for your phone to call 911 as you talk or run? He's threatening to shoot your friend? Your friend is going to die anyway if the place goes on fire. Other than this stupidity I liked the story.
The series seems to be aimed at mature ladies and does not as yet feature a dog, cat or cookery but it might be only a matter of time before it fits the stereotypes. I would read more as I am guessing the B&B will be reopened and turn into a lively place.
I downloaded a free copy. This is an unbiased review.
October 19, 2019
Mysterious
Held mystery of who was killed by who up to the very end. Well done. Can’t wait to read more.
Held mystery of who was killed by who up to the very end. Well done. Can’t wait to read more.
August 20, 2020
Passable, for the genre. I'll read the next one and see about if I read more than that. The writing style feels a little young. Like it is written for middle school age. It feels like it took as long to write as it did for me to read.
May 14, 2023
Read book one in the boxset
November 6, 2025
3.5 stars
June 25, 2017
Way too short and simple. More time on introduction than mystery. Solved as quickly as it is found with no puzzle, sleuthing, or investigation. What a waste of time to read! 2 star
March 9, 2021
Suzie inherits Dune House from an uncle she hardly knew. With her childhood friend, Mary, she goes to the place to find out why. With her cousin on the local police force and her investigating background as a reporter she turns up evidence that maybe her uncle didn't die on natural causes. All this while they are redoing Dune House to turn it into a B & B.
January 28, 2023
Fun read
This was a quick fun read with some mystery mixed in. I love books about starting over no matter the age. I like the old adage of when one door closes another opens. That's the case with these two friends and their n e w leaf actually gives closure to a cousin she had never met. All in all a good book.
This was a quick fun read with some mystery mixed in. I love books about starting over no matter the age. I like the old adage of when one door closes another opens. That's the case with these two friends and their n e w leaf actually gives closure to a cousin she had never met. All in all a good book.
October 31, 2016
The story was too short and needed editing. It's really disappointing because there was definitely unmet potential. It felt rushed and undeveloped- more of an outline. Perhaps the later books are better, but I'm not spending the time to find out - too many other options
April 9, 2020
Dune House Cozy Mystery Series book 1
This is the first book with this author but it will not be the last. This author writes wonderful storylines and great characters. I highly recommend all her books to everyone who loves cozy mysteries. Diana Romano
This is the first book with this author but it will not be the last. This author writes wonderful storylines and great characters. I highly recommend all her books to everyone who loves cozy mysteries. Diana Romano
September 22, 2017
Too much explaining, too little story
When it takes several pages before you even meet the main character, you know a book is a dud. They say “show not tell” for a reason...
When it takes several pages before you even meet the main character, you know a book is a dud. They say “show not tell” for a reason...
September 19, 2023
Love this new series. Great cozy mystery.
July 14, 2020
Good book
Good book with great mystery storyline. Love the strong female leading ladies! I am going to like this series! On to book number 2!!
Good book with great mystery storyline. Love the strong female leading ladies! I am going to like this series! On to book number 2!!
December 8, 2023
A cute, fast cozy read. Just what I needed.
April 15, 2024
Seaside Secrets is book one of the Dune House Mystery series by Cindy Bell. Suzie Allen was at a crossroads with what she wanted to do with her life, and her friend Mary was going through a miss divorce when her Uncle Harry's solicitor notified Suzie Allen that she had inherited her Uncle Harry's home. Suzie and her friend Mary look at Dune House to see if they can develop into a Bed and Breakfast place. However, while there, they found themselves amid a mysterious disappearance- the Mayor's wife. The readers of Seaside Secrets will be on the edge of their seats as they follow Suzie and Mary's journey to uncover the truth.
The Seaside Secrets is the first book I have read by Cindy Bell, and it is an excellent, cozy mystery. I engaged with the story and its characters from the first page, and I did so until the end. I love Cindy Bell's portrayal of her characters and how they intertwine throughout this book. The Seaside Secrets is well-written and researched by Cindy Bell. I like Cindy Bell's description of the characters, which complemented the book's plot.
Seaside Secrets delivers a compelling mystery and imparts profound life lessons. It highlights the significance of understanding family finances and the potential risks of joint properties. Furthermore, it delves into the complex dynamics of control and power, leaving the reader with a deeper understanding of these issues.
I recommend this book.
The Seaside Secrets is the first book I have read by Cindy Bell, and it is an excellent, cozy mystery. I engaged with the story and its characters from the first page, and I did so until the end. I love Cindy Bell's portrayal of her characters and how they intertwine throughout this book. The Seaside Secrets is well-written and researched by Cindy Bell. I like Cindy Bell's description of the characters, which complemented the book's plot.
Seaside Secrets delivers a compelling mystery and imparts profound life lessons. It highlights the significance of understanding family finances and the potential risks of joint properties. Furthermore, it delves into the complex dynamics of control and power, leaving the reader with a deeper understanding of these issues.
I recommend this book.
January 16, 2022
Suzie Allen receives a call from a lawyer informing her that her uncle Harry Allen recently passed leaving his house—Dune House in Garber to her. The house was formerly converted to a B&B by her uncle and his late wife. Why did her uncle will the house to her and not his son Jason?
Suzie worked as an investigative journalist and her job had left her with a comfortable retirement. Since retiring Suzie’s taken up interior decorating and has been passionate about the history of old buildings and how they had changed through the years.
Earlier, her friend Mary Brent had called her to tell her that she’s fed up with her marriage and could use a break. Suzie invites Mary to come over.
So they both decide to take the trip together to Suzie’s uncle's house in Garber. When she takes a look at the rundown house, she starts making plans to refurbish it so she could maybe sell once it’s fixed up.
Later, Suzie and Mary are pulling up the carpets in the living room and come across a hidden safe. Upon close inspection, they find stacks of papers as well as a small key. One of the papers lists a bank and box number.
Soon after, Suzie finds more clues left by her uncle that suggest that he didn’t die of natural causes.
I enjoyed this short read. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Suzie worked as an investigative journalist and her job had left her with a comfortable retirement. Since retiring Suzie’s taken up interior decorating and has been passionate about the history of old buildings and how they had changed through the years.
Earlier, her friend Mary Brent had called her to tell her that she’s fed up with her marriage and could use a break. Suzie invites Mary to come over.
So they both decide to take the trip together to Suzie’s uncle's house in Garber. When she takes a look at the rundown house, she starts making plans to refurbish it so she could maybe sell once it’s fixed up.
Later, Suzie and Mary are pulling up the carpets in the living room and come across a hidden safe. Upon close inspection, they find stacks of papers as well as a small key. One of the papers lists a bank and box number.
Soon after, Suzie finds more clues left by her uncle that suggest that he didn’t die of natural causes.
I enjoyed this short read. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
September 1, 2023
This was a good book with interesting characters and a fascinating old house. *
Amazon synopsis:
Suzie Allen gets a call to inform her that her estranged Uncle Harry has passed away and has unexpectedly left her Dune House, a beautiful house on the beach that was once a Bed and Breakfast. With her best friend, Mary, going through a messy divorce, the two decide to get away and go to the small town of Garber to see the house.
Despite the stunning setting, the house has been neglected for years and is in a terrible state of disrepair. Suzie and Mary make the decision to refurbish the house together.
But then, Suzie and Mary start finding evidence that maybe Uncle Harry didn’t die of natural causes. Suzie’s investigative background as a journalist takes over and the ladies go on a search to discover what secrets the house holds. Will these secrets reveal a dark side to Suzie’s strange cousin, Jason?
Was the decision to refurbish Dune House the worst mistake of their lives? Or is this the beginning of an exciting new chapter?
Amazon synopsis:
Suzie Allen gets a call to inform her that her estranged Uncle Harry has passed away and has unexpectedly left her Dune House, a beautiful house on the beach that was once a Bed and Breakfast. With her best friend, Mary, going through a messy divorce, the two decide to get away and go to the small town of Garber to see the house.
Despite the stunning setting, the house has been neglected for years and is in a terrible state of disrepair. Suzie and Mary make the decision to refurbish the house together.
But then, Suzie and Mary start finding evidence that maybe Uncle Harry didn’t die of natural causes. Suzie’s investigative background as a journalist takes over and the ladies go on a search to discover what secrets the house holds. Will these secrets reveal a dark side to Suzie’s strange cousin, Jason?
Was the decision to refurbish Dune House the worst mistake of their lives? Or is this the beginning of an exciting new chapter?
March 5, 2023
I'm sorry. I hate giving bad reviews but I couldn't get past page 4 due to the sentence "She knew that Mary's children, a boy Benjamin, and a girl Catherine, were away at college." Seriously! If one of them is trans explain that, otherwise such obviously gender-specific names will "show" without the need for you to tell me.
If this had been the only issue I had with the writing I would have glossed over it and continued but this is just a sample of how the whole first few pages were written. All short sentences that tell without any showing. I just couldn't take it. If anyone wants to reply to this and tell me that it gets better maybe I'll give it another try but until then, no thanks.
I hope her writing improved in future books at least. I want to cheer for new authors and hold out that hope!
If this had been the only issue I had with the writing I would have glossed over it and continued but this is just a sample of how the whole first few pages were written. All short sentences that tell without any showing. I just couldn't take it. If anyone wants to reply to this and tell me that it gets better maybe I'll give it another try but until then, no thanks.
I hope her writing improved in future books at least. I want to cheer for new authors and hold out that hope!
March 28, 2021
Suzie Allen has a best friend. Her name is Mary, and Mary has just found out that her husband is divorcing her. Suzie used to be an investigative reporter, but she hasn't worked, or needed to work, in some years now, so she is more than available to help her friend through this transition. Suzie just got a phone call from a small-town lawyer telling her that her uncle has died and has left her the bed and breakfast he owned. Suzie decides that going down there, a place she hasn't seen since childhood, would help her and help her friend as well. So Suzie and Mary pack up and head for the shore to see what Dune House has to offer. The writer has a smooth relaxed style to her writing, the kind that makes you feel like you are visiting and old friend. I liked the book.
June 26, 2020
Short, yet fun and fast paced.
I didn’t have high hopes for this book, but I was pleasantly surprised by what I found. The characters are pretty decent considering there is not a lot of time to get to know them, and I liked the brief prologue letting the reader know the background of Dune House and the town without being repetitive and info dumpy later.
The mystery unfolds pretty quickly once the clues start rolling in, and while there is no subtlety with trying to hide the identity of the killer, it was fun to watch it unfold as the characters discovered who did it.
3 stars ⭐️
I didn’t have high hopes for this book, but I was pleasantly surprised by what I found. The characters are pretty decent considering there is not a lot of time to get to know them, and I liked the brief prologue letting the reader know the background of Dune House and the town without being repetitive and info dumpy later.
The mystery unfolds pretty quickly once the clues start rolling in, and while there is no subtlety with trying to hide the identity of the killer, it was fun to watch it unfold as the characters discovered who did it.
3 stars ⭐️
June 18, 2023
4.5 stars
I had a good time reading this. It was a great introduction to a series with many familiar cozy mystery mean. This one featured two friends, Mary and Suzie as Suzie, just inherited B&B from her uncle. As they are fixing up the property, they found that her uncle left clues to a possible murder, which later might have led to it his own. The friends along with her cousin, who was a cop, investigate this mystery. I was very quick paced, yet very suspenseful, and I liked how all the pieces of the puzzle came together. Even though it was a short read, it was an engaging read. And I look forward to reading more in a series.
I had a good time reading this. It was a great introduction to a series with many familiar cozy mystery mean. This one featured two friends, Mary and Suzie as Suzie, just inherited B&B from her uncle. As they are fixing up the property, they found that her uncle left clues to a possible murder, which later might have led to it his own. The friends along with her cousin, who was a cop, investigate this mystery. I was very quick paced, yet very suspenseful, and I liked how all the pieces of the puzzle came together. Even though it was a short read, it was an engaging read. And I look forward to reading more in a series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2023
Seaside Secrets (Dune House Mystery #1) — Author: Cindy Bell/Narrator: Sara Morsey (8 chapters) May 7, 2023
Suzie Allen’s estranged uncle leaves her a beach house; her best friend Mary is going through a devastating divorce. When the two women travel together to check out the beach house and decide what to do with it, they fall in love with the dilapidated house and decide to renovate it. However, in the middle of renovating it, they find evidence that Uncle Harry didn’t die of natural causes. Could he have been murdered?
Great beginning to a new series by this author.
The narrator fits with this great quick listen.
Three stars.
Suzie Allen’s estranged uncle leaves her a beach house; her best friend Mary is going through a devastating divorce. When the two women travel together to check out the beach house and decide what to do with it, they fall in love with the dilapidated house and decide to renovate it. However, in the middle of renovating it, they find evidence that Uncle Harry didn’t die of natural causes. Could he have been murdered?
Great beginning to a new series by this author.
The narrator fits with this great quick listen.
Three stars.
October 5, 2025
I found the first 10 books of this series at my local thrift store earlier in the year. I've been wanting to get more into cozy mysteries and figured I start out with these and I'm sure glad I did! Seaside Secrets definitely lives up to its name and even though it's short, it grabs you from the very first page!
I love the friendship that Susan and Mary have! Susan inherits a B&B while Mary is looking for a fresh start after her divorce. So when they arrive in town, they are met with resistance from her cousin, Jason and the mayor. But as Susan and Mary start cleaning up Dune House, the house starts revealing secrets that raise suspicion into the death of Susan's uncle.
I love the friendship that Susan and Mary have! Susan inherits a B&B while Mary is looking for a fresh start after her divorce. So when they arrive in town, they are met with resistance from her cousin, Jason and the mayor. But as Susan and Mary start cleaning up Dune House, the house starts revealing secrets that raise suspicion into the death of Susan's uncle.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews