Return to Cascade Bay

by Claire Blackwood

Her new restaurant's first course? Murder on ice.

Elsie Hargrove left town to find adventure. Murder found her when she came home. After ten years of adventuring around the world, Elsie returns to her hometown of Cascade Bay with a transform the town's abandoned riverside restaurant into an upscale dining destination. But when a local business tycoon is found dead in her walk-in freezer on opening night, Elsie's fresh start becomes a deadly puzzle.

Working alongside Detective Jack Goodman—her former high school classmate who's grown intriguingly compelling—Elsie discovers her hometown harbors secrets darker than she ever imagined. As more bodies surface and long-buried scandals come to light, it becomes clear that Cascade Bay's quaint facade masks a web of blackmail, corruption, and revenge.

With her restaurant's future at stake and a killer watching her every move, Elsie must decide if she'll run again or stay to face the truth—even if it means confronting her own past. In this atmospheric mystery where everyone's a suspect, and nothing is quite what it seems, coming home might be the most dangerous adventure of all.

Fans of Kerry Greenwood’s Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Louise Penny's Three Pines series, Joanne Fluke's culinary mysteries, and M.C. Beaton's Hamish Macbeth book will love this charming cozy mystery with a strong female lead.

Genres: Novella

154 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 14, 2025

Reviews

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally! Someone who knows how to write a story! The clues are numerous, the characters interesting, and the plot is easily followed. The premise is finding out why one of Cascade Bay's prominent citizens was killed and by whom. The answer came out of left field for me at least. I most definitely recommend this book.

[Skater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick Fast Fun

Like an old classic mystery tv show, Return to Castle Bay, is fun ,fast, highly enjoyable read. Elsie, returns home in a cloud of mystery after spending 10+years abroad. As we get to know a little about her we get to help solve a murder. Queue the 60’s California jazz and enjoy the ride.

[Danny Glover · Rating 3 out of 5]

Return to Cascade Bay a Light and Fun Read

The characters seemed to be waiting to be planted in the story. The protagonist was overqualified, so that she didn’t need to make much effort. Things were a bit too easy. Still, the characters are endearing, and the story held my interest. A light and entertaining read!

[Lynne Donnelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this

Wonderful book. Fast moving, great characters.
Would like to be in that town. Will look forward to another mystery. Cascade bay is interesting

[Janet Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an entertaining mystery. Enjoyable to read. Short chapters that make you want to always read more. Highly recommended.

[Chili Diane Evance · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly exciting book. So many twists and turns. And Elsie was able to decipher all the ins and outs, right to the end. Kept me intrigued.

[Kathleen Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced. Interesting main character. Looking for to the next book.

[Melissa Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting characters

The main character is a mystery, coming home after a decade, during which she apparently learned a lot. Then she needs solve a new mystery. Fun read.