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Dune House Mystery #2

Boats and Bad Guys

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Best friends, Suzie and Mary, are enjoying living together in Garber. They are settling into their new lives and are finalising the renovations on the spectacular B & B on the beach. They find the perfect painting to decorate one of the rooms. It is painted by a local, young artist who committed suicide years earlier.

But then they find something hidden in the frame that piques their curiosity and they want to find out its significance. During their investigations they begin to believe that the artist of the painting did not commit suicide and they try to discover the truth. But there are two dangerous men who want the truth buried. With a storm brewing they overcome many obstacles on their journey to uncover the facts before the evidence is lost forever.

Will Suzie and Mary’s quest for adventure land them in danger? Will they discover the truth before the bad guys silence them? Is love between Suzie and the mysterious captain, Paul, on the horizon?

165 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 30, 2014

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About the author

Cindy Bell

226 books328 followers

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5 stars
537 (43%)
4 stars
369 (29%)
3 stars
252 (20%)
2 stars
50 (4%)
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25 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
Profile Image for Mint.
151 reviews21 followers
August 28, 2021
While I liked how action-packed this novella was, I wouldn't recommend it for readers looking for a traditional cozy mystery.

I loved the premise of two protagonists stumbling across a mystery because of a note hidden in a painting. However, I didn't think that the 'mystery' was developed as much as it could have been.

I say 'mystery', because the mystery is quickly solved. While the protagonists Suzie and Mary do investigate, this investigation isn't particularly complex. To me, the final reveal was very obvious.

I understand that the short length of this novella may have made it difficult for Bell to fully flesh out the mystery and the characters, but I still found myself wishing for more. Perhaps the book could have been made longer, or perhaps some of the other subplots (eg. the romance) could have been cut down so as to give Bell more room to work with the mystery.

Readers should note that there is some violence in this book and mentions of suicide. When I read the book (August 2021), it was available through Kindle Unlimited.

For more of my reviews, please visit:
Profile Image for Julie .
4,254 reviews38k followers
October 13, 2015
Boats and Bad Guys by Cindy Bell is a 2014 publication.

Suzie and Mary find what appears to be a treasure map tucked behind a painting they purchased for their new B&B business. This discovery sends the two friends on a quest to discover what really happened to the artist who painted the picture and if there really is a hidden treasure.

This is a super short cozy mystery that solves a cold case and takes the ladies of a bit of a high seas adventure. There is a lot of action and suspense and of course the story moves at a very fast pace.

At this stage, the series is still settling into a rhythm, giving the reader a little more insight into the main characters, but also the secondary characters, like Paul and Jason. Since the story was so short, the set up was a little bit rushed through, and some details were not fleshed out, but this makes a solid 'lunch break' mystery and I'm looking forward to seeing what Suzie and Mary get up to next. 3 stars

Profile Image for  Gigi Ann.
632 reviews40 followers
March 12, 2015
My Thoughts...

This is the second book in the Dune House series, but also a stand-alone book. These books are nice comfortable cozy mystery afternoon reads. I rather enjoy them, and they are not stories that make you think to much and aren't full of crazy characters and etc.

Again I enjoyed this one enough to award it 4 stars. This book is part of my Kindle library.
2,378 reviews
June 19, 2023
4.5 stars

Another fast paced, cozy mystery that featured, I treasure map, a robbery, painting, and “suicide.” Mary and Suzie, once again, investigate with the help of Paul. And it was very intriguing and very quick. It had a lot of action and got into the meat of it pretty quickly. Also, there seems to be a budding romance between Suzie and that will seemingly come to fruition in the future books. It was just a very quick and easy read that I really enjoyed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kirby Manning.
39 reviews4 followers
February 1, 2015
Boats and Bad Guys. By Cindy Bell

This is the second book I have read in this series. Because I'm an Art Educator I don't care for the art work. The front cover looks too much like cartoon characters & too young & doesn't represent the characters. Art does sell & if I hadn't read the reviews I would not have bought the book based on the cover. The main characters are middle aged so there's a way to illustrate their age, making them appear attractive without making them appear ancient. My review on the last of book stated it might be for a younger audience, but in retrospect it's for someone older, who has experienced life & the twists and turns that happen to change the course of one's life. Someone older will appreciate the friendship that binds the two women. The story is their journey as they attempt to find a new path in life leaving their former life behind. I enjoyed the description of the home they are restoring & this story delves into the secrets of the town they have chosen to live in, as well as the people who live there. It's an accurate description of how small towns function. It has nice descriptions of the beauty of the area. It's a mix of mystery & romance, that's palatable,& age appropriate. It's a cozy read for a comfortable afternoon.
573 reviews5 followers
August 8, 2017
Putting yourself and others at risk for the sake of a little adventure was not smart. Disappointing tale at the very least.
2 reviews
June 5, 2023
I love historical events like this.
Boats and historical events are what make me love reading. Could you please share the sequel books of your series?

In fact, even though I started reading very late, I'm getting more and more immersed every day.

It is a great chance to read the books of important authors. I know that. I'm looking forward to your new books.

I am writing the importance of reading a book here for friends who want to read this book. I hope it will benefit sellers and customers...

Are the top 10 benefits of reading for all ages:

1. Reading Exercises the Brain

While reading, we have to remember different characters and settings that belong to a given story. Even if you enjoy reading a book in one sitting, you have to remember the details throughout the time you take to read the book. Therefore, reading is a workout for your brain that improves memory function.

2. Reading is a Form of (free) Entertainment

Did you know that most of the popular TV shows and movies are based on books? So why not indulge in the original form of entertainment by immersing yourself in reading. Most importantly, it’s free with your Markham Public Library card.

3. Reading Improves Concentration and the Ability to Focus

We can all agree that reading cannot happen without focus and in order to fully understand the story, we have to concentrate on each page that we read. In a world where gadgets are only getting faster and shortening our attention span, we need to constantly practice concentration and focus. Reading is one of the few activities that requires your undivided attention, therefore, improving your ability to concentrate.

4. Reading Improves Literacy

Have you ever read a book where you came across an unfamiliar word? Books have the power to improve your vocabulary by introducing you to new words. The more you read, the more your vocabulary grows, along with your ability to effectively communicate. Additionally, reading improves writing skills by helping the reader understand and learn different writing styles.

5. Reading Improves Sleep

By creating a bedtime routine that includes reading, you can signal to your body that it is time to sleep. Now, more than ever, we rely on increased screen time to get through the day. Therefore, by setting your phone aside and picking up a book, you are telling your brain that it is time to quiet down. Moreover, since reading helps you de-stress, doing so right before bed helps calm your mind and anxiety and improve the quality of sleep.

6. Reading Increases General Knowledge

Books are always filled with fun and interesting facts. Whether you read fiction or non-fictions, books have the ability to provide us with information we would’ve otherwise not known. Reading a variety of topics can make you a more knowledgeable person, in turn improving your conversation skills.

7. Reading is Motivational

By reading books about protagonists who have overcome challenges, we are oftentimes encouraged to do the same. The right book can motivate you to never give up and stay positive, regardless of whether it’s a romance novel or a self-help book.

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Profile Image for Jane.
1,276 reviews16 followers
February 13, 2022
This is the second book in the Dune House series.

Suzie Allen has finally become an interior decorator. She and her friend Mary are renovating the Dune House which Suzie inherited from her uncle.

Suzie’s original intention after inheriting the old house was to update it, decorate it and sell it for a nice profit. But once she became familiar with the house, and its place in the town’s history, she changed her plans.

So she decides to open it as a B & B, and along with Mary run it as a business.

They both head into town in search of a picture 🖼 for the house. In town they notice the locals are having an art fair; tents have been set up with their wares on display. Suzie finally settles for a frame with a painting of the ocean with reflections of the buildings along the beach including Dune House.

According to the man selling it, the owner passed away—jumped off a cliff —and the paintings were in her home. The paintings were relinquished to the town since there were no heirs. So they’re selling it off to raise money for a new wing for the library. Suzie decides to buy it.

Back in Dune House while they’re trying to set the paintings on the wall they find a map inside the frame of the painting—a hand-drawn map 🗺 with symbols and dashes to represent locations and movements.

Suzie and Mary both set out to investigate the death of the artist and find anyone who can give them an insight into the treasure map they found.

Cozy mystery. The bad guys were easy to spot early on on the book but still I enjoyed it. Looking forward to reading the next book.
2,015 reviews
January 28, 2025
it was okay but not enough to want to read anymore in the series.

Amazon synopsis:
Best friends, Suzie and Mary, are enjoying living together in Garber. They are settling into their new lives and are finalizing the renovations on the spectacular B & B on the beach. They find the perfect painting to decorate one of the rooms. It is painted by a local, young artist who committed suicide years earlier.

But then they find something hidden in the frame that piques their curiosity and they want to find out its significance. During their investigations they begin to believe that the artist of the painting did not commit suicide and they try to discover the truth. But there are two dangerous men who want the truth buried. With a storm brewing they overcome many obstacles on their journey to uncover the facts before the evidence is lost forever.

Will Suzie and Mary’s quest for adventure land them in danger? Will they discover the truth before the bad guys silence them? Is love between Suzie and the mysterious captain, Paul, on the horizon?
233 reviews
March 29, 2021
Suzie and Mary are making progress in fixing up the Dunes, aiming for opening as a B&B. Now it's time to hang the large painting in the living room, the first room the customers will see. But Suzie is having second thoughts about the painting, so the girls head down town to grab a meal. They find out they are holding an art festival, and of course they can't resist looking. And they find what Suzie considers the perfect paining for her living room, so they buy it. They lug it directly home, but Suzie decides she doesn't like the frame. Their solution: take the frame from the old painting and put it on the new one. They do it, they hang the painting, and they find something extra in the frame that came with the painting. You will love finding out about that painting. I sure did.
Profile Image for Leah M.
1,681 reviews62 followers
June 19, 2022
This definitely isn't a traditional type of cozy mystery - after reading this first one, I was hoping that the second one would get a little more involved, but unfortunately it didn't, and this clearly isn't the series for me.

There's a lot of potential here, so it's especially disappointing that the story is so predictable. Since it's so short, there isn't much in the way of development as far as the mystery. It's easy to figure out the mystery, who is behind it, and what is going to happen, so there isn't any surprise when it comes to the big reveal. In addition, there's hints of potential romance, but nothing really develops along those lines. It makes me wish that the story was longer so that it could be a little more involved, and potentially be a little more surprising.
Profile Image for moxieBK.
1,763 reviews5 followers
June 28, 2023
Boats and Bad Guys (Dune House Mystery #2) — Author: Cindy Bell/Narrator: Sara Morsey (8 chapters) May 7, 2023

This is an absolutely fun, quick, complete audiobook that delights me with each new book. I hope the author keeps putting narration on them.

Suzie and Mary are looking for the ideal picture for their B & B foyer. While thinking about changing the frame, an interesting artifact is revealed involving a woman who committed suicide years ago. When investigating their death, mysterious men start to rattle their search; they need to solve the mystery before someone else gets hurt.

Excellent plot and great narration.

Four stars.
2,258 reviews44 followers
June 4, 2019
Boats and Bad Guys (book 2) is a quick read that takes place where Seaside Secrets (book 1) left off. Suzie Allen and Mary Brent are likable 50-somethings. They are fixing up Dune House in the seaside town of Garber. These two good friends are enjoying the opportunity to live and work together. One day they buy a scenic picture by local artist Alexandria Black and decide to switch out the frame. They unexpectedly discover a map hidden inside the frame. This discovery leads to danger. I wish this story had been longer, but I like that the main characters are older sleuths.
Profile Image for Dawn.
399 reviews1 follower
June 2, 2018
I really enjoyed this mystery. When characters look into a death from the past, and no new bodies pop up it’s a lot more interesting than most stories to me. I enjoyed how while Suzie was looking into the past death, she discovers some information about the town and its history. It helps build the environment and the feeling around the town, it’s especially interesting when it’s at the beginning of a new series.
Profile Image for Beth Rose.
44 reviews
January 19, 2023
This is the second book in the Dune House Mystery series. I read the first one a week or so ago and really enjoyed it. It was the same for this one. It continues on as Suzie and Mary work on renovating Dune House, but they find themselves in another dangerous situation.
So far I just find this series to be a light and quick read. I enjoy the story and never have to think too hard when reading them. I'm looking forward to picking up the next one!
Profile Image for Wendy Hodges.
2,915 reviews43 followers
February 27, 2023
Only short but interesting with a treasure map. A mystery surrounding the suicide of a local artist inspires the friend duo into investigating, but the finding of a map puts them in the sights of a couple of undesirables. Didn't take long to read but the series is fairly light so makes a change from most of the books I read. There is a hint of romance in this one as well.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-readOriginalPage-turnerRealisticTwistedUnpredictableWittyWonderful characters
Profile Image for Larry.
3,093 reviews19 followers
November 17, 2025
This is a fun story about two middle aged women who stayed friends throughout most of their lives and were fixing up an old mansion to make it a Bed and Breakfast. The story starts out with Suzie wanting a painting to impress their customers when the people first came in. The painting they had wasn't quite right, so they traveled into town to see if they could find something else. This innocent venture turned into a whole lot of trouble for them. I definitely recommend this book.
288 reviews1 follower
May 13, 2023
You can

You can always expect a great story from Cindy. She does mystery, cozy mystery, and you can even get humour in her mysteries. Lots of imagination goes in her books. Cindy is so very talented. To say I like her books, would be an understatement! You will never be disappointed.
145 reviews1 follower
October 12, 2025
A nice Cozy Mystery

I enjoyed this book very much. I like that there were not too many characters to keep track of to pull off this captivating mystery. It was an easy read and I also like books that are not too long. I look forward to the next book in this series.
Robert Ericksen
Profile Image for Carl.
16 reviews1 follower
August 11, 2017
To easy

The writer had a good story line for the most part, but gives away to much. The villain is not a surprise nor is the ending. This is the second book in the series and I won't be reading any more.
667 reviews8 followers
April 9, 2020
FirehOuse Cozy Mystery book 3

This was another winner. This author writes wonderful storylines and great characters in every book. I highly recommend all her books and different series. Diana Romano
27 reviews1 follower
July 15, 2020
Another great book

This mystery series is wonderful. Easy to read and great storylines. The characters are great and it's nice to see their relationships grow. I really enjoyed this book and I'm off to book 3!
25 reviews1 follower
March 9, 2021
While renovating Dune House, Suzie and Mary, have to find the right pictures for the walls. Buying the perfect one for one room starts a treasure hunt of sorts. With bad guys chasing them they manage to solve a 10 year old mystery.
Profile Image for Brenda Ellis.
663 reviews8 followers
April 11, 2022
Sharp instincts

I'm enjoying these older characters using their strengths and instincts to their advantage. The descriptions of the area are making me wish I could actually visit.
877 reviews25 followers
July 20, 2022
Boats and Head Guys +2(

This is a very interesting story. Two ladies roving the country side.
They found what they were Interested in and moved right on into it. These two ladies are great sleuths. Come along for a good time of reading and laughs!
136 reviews
January 21, 2024
Yet Another Great Story!

Suzie and Mary get themselves into a real jam in this second book in the area of Dune House. It's A book I couldn't put down, as I just had to know what happened ASAP!
785 reviews
September 4, 2017
A worthy sequel

This is going to be a fun series to read. I enjoy the theme, the characters, and the setting. Good work.
Profile Image for gary c lehn.
1,724 reviews7 followers
December 1, 2017
Great story...

I enjoyed this story, the author has done a great job of telling her story of adventure and suspense. The characters find a little romance with the mystery.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews

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