Murder Most Eastern

Great Maine Mysteries #1

by Nellie H. Steele

A seaside Victorian. A skeptical artist. A cat with secrets. And a murder that won’t stay buried…

When struggling artist Emily Harper inherits a charming but creaky Victorian on the rugged coast of Maine, she expects a fresh start—what she doesn’t expect is cryptic notes, eerie visions, and a cat with an uncanny sense for trouble.

But nothing unsettles her more than the bracelet. A striking piece of tourmaline jewelry left behind in the house, it sends shivers up her spine whenever she wears it. At first, she chalks it up to stress—until she visits West Quoddy Head Lighthouse and is struck by a chilling vision of a man begging for his life. The next day, his body is found.

With a storm brewing, long-buried secrets rising to the surface, and a killer who will do anything to keep the past hidden, Emily must embrace the unexplainable—or risk becoming the next victim.

Fans of Ellery Adams and Carolyn Hart will love this twisty, atmospheric paranormal cozy mystery full of seaside charm, ghostly intrigue, and a heroine who refuses to back down—no matter how haunted her past may be.

Read now and sleuth the clues today.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Audiobook

210 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 28, 2025

About the author

Nellie H. Steele lives in the South Hills of Pittsburgh with her family and her many fur-babies. When she isn't writing, she enjoys teaching Statistics at a local university or watching her dogs and cats play in the yard.

Nellie is the author of the Cate Kensie Mystery Series, a cozy mystery series following the adventures of Dr. Catherine Kensie, a history professor turned Scottish Countess, and her beloved dog, Riley, as they navigate their new lives in their quirky Scottish highlands castle, solving mysteries along the way! She is the creator of the Shadow Slayers series, a suspenseful series with a supernatural twist! Follow the Shadow Slayers through time as they fight to banish darkness from the world. Nellie also writes an adventure series, Maggie Edwards Adventures. Follow Maggie Edwards as she travels the world solving mysteries and finding unique treasures!

Check out all Nellie offers at www.anovelideapublishing.com/novels, sign up for our newsletter to get the latest news about book releases or like us on facebook (facebook.com/anovelideapublishing) to keep up with us!

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good mystery

[Shawn Schafer · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars- I loved the idea behind this book. Paranormal mystery with a magic cat and a buried treasure. What’s not to love?

For starters the writing is very repetitive. How many times can an author describe what the protagonist’s heart is doing during times of anxiety and fear? 92. 92 times the author used phrases like “My heart skipped a beat” and “My heart hammered”. 92 times in 202 pages. It makes the writing and editing seem amateurish and takes away from the story.

Maybe I’m being petty but I feel like this book needs more polish.

That being said I will read book #2 when it comes out and I hope the author takes more time to get it right.

I should add that I won this book in a good reads giveaway.

[Jessica Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it can’t wait to read the next book

[Kristine Hall]

Based on the first quarter of the book that I read, this one isn't for me. However, I do think plenty of readers will blow past the things that niggled at me and will enjoy the story without being bogged down with the editing eye. (Blessing or curse, I always am.)

[Julie Carithers Overstreet · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome start to Nellie's new "Great Maine Mysteries" series. This is full of mystery, excitement, adventure, "magic" and a page-turner!!! Nellie never disappoints her readers!!! She is an brilliant author!!!

[Karen Siddall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun start to this new Maine-set cozy mystery series.

Murder Most Eastern is the debut book in author Nellie H. Steele’s new cozy mystery series set in Maine and aptly named Great Maine Mysteries. It introduces the main character and soon-to-be amateur sleuth, Emily Harper, and her unusually helpful and perceptive feline companion, Grayson. I enjoyed this fun cozy mystery from its vividly colorful cover art to its gothically atmospheric, rainy opening, all the way to its very final page.

Struggling artist Emily Harper moves to the Maine coast when her sister Becky dies suddenly in what appears to be a household fall, leaving her the sole beneficiary of her estate, which includes a renovated Victorian home, a considerable amount of money, and a precocious gray and white cat named Grayson. However, the inheritance comes with a clause: Emily must occupy the home for a full year before it all becomes hers.

Once installed in the house, Emily naturally wants to explore her new surroundings and, in particular, is drawn to the iconic West Quoddy Head Lighthouse. With Grayson, a very doglike cat, in tow, she visits the historic site where she meets Dr. Richard Bennett, a local historian who claims to have been collaborating with Emily’s sister on unraveling a legend of buried treasure out of the famed lighthouse’s past. According to Bennett, Becky had uncovered some new clues about the rumored treasure that indicated it was more than just a myth. But now someone unknown wanted that information and would stop at nothing to get it.

This cozy series debut is an intriguing and suspenseful blending of mystery and magic, featuring the regretful, brokenhearted Emily, an overly intuitive (and always hungry) cat, pirates’ treasure, and murder. I enjoyed the main character, who, not initially a cat person, comes to treat her new feline best friend like a human, and the reference to the Dark Shadows character in the cat’s naming. Something of a fish out of water, more comfortable in bustling Boston than rural Maine, I enjoyed reading about her getting to know her new home state: the scenery, the people, the food, and the famous sights. West Quoddy Head Lighthouse, the site of much of the action and speculation in the book, is the easternmost point of the continental United States.

The action moves at a steady if not spritely pace, with Emily’s discovery of her sister’s cryptic, handwritten journal, noting her research into the rumored treasure, and her beautiful but mysterious silver and tourmaline bracelet that, when worn, gives Emily an odd electrical tingling and short, vivid visions of the near future. Becky’s attorney and friend, Bill Anderson, is helpful but suspicious, as he pops up at unexpected moments, but later becomes the sounding board Emily needs to process all that is going on, even as she continues to wonder if he’s a friend or foe.

I recommend MURDER MOST EASTERN to cozy mystery enthusiasts.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Murder Most Eastern by Nellie H. Steele is a fast-paced scavenger-type murder mystery.

Can Emily find out what truly happened to her sister?

Emily Harper
Emily is our sleuth; currently, she doesn't have another occupation. She gave up her previous life when her sister died. To receive her inheritance, she must live in the house that Becky owned. Although living in the house seems to be dangerous, it is also cool and exciting. The home comes with Grayson, a very intuitive cat, and lots of other secrets.

I like Emily, and it sounds like her sister Becky was sweet and tenacious, much like Emily. Even though she doesn't actually know what she is after, Emily isn't about to stop. She is quite courageous. Emily quickly becomes friends with Bill and Martha, who both knew her sister.

The Mystery
It's kind of like a scary scavenger hunt. One that has been around for a long time with no winners. However, Becky and now Emily have a sort of paranormal artifact that seems to help them find the next clue or object. Then there is Grayson, the cat that also knows how to assist in finding the next step. Bill and Martha also help. Bill is an attorney and knows lots of people. Martha works at the library archives and has access to a wealth of information. Hopefully, it will be enough to complete the mystery before more people die.

Five Stars
My rating for Murder Most Eastern by Nellie H. Steele is five stars. I think the plotting of the mystery is well planned. The characters are believable, and I love the setting. I believe Ms. Steele has a great series start with Murder Most Eastern. I enjoyed the unique writing style used for the mystery. I recommend this to all cozy mystery readers.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Murder Most Eastern by Nellie H. Steele.

Until the next time,

This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove

[Roger Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚 Book Review by R.M. Campbell 📚
Murder Most Eastern
By
Nellie H. Steele

This is the first book in the Great Maine Mysteries and introduces us to Emily Harper, a struggling artist from Boston who unexpectedly inherits an antiquated, Victorian house from her sister, Rebecca, who was suddenly killed in an accident after falling down the stairs in her house. The secrets the house holds and the house’s caretaker, a gray and white cat named Grayson, add to the mystique of Emily’s new house along the rugged coastline of Maine. Upon settling in, Emily begins to find cryptic notes and experiences strange visions, especially when she finds and starts wearing a tourmaline bracelet. When she visits a local lighthouse, Emily gets a vision of a man begging for his life, only to be found dead the following day. Emily soon finds an ally in her sister’s lawyer, Bill Anderson, and the two set off on a dangerous quest to discover the secrets of the house, the lighthouse, and the ever-protective cat, Grayson.
This book was unputdownable from the very start. From the beginning, from Emily driving to her new home in Maine, to the discovery of the secrets, it was spellbinding. The characters were well written, with the interpersonal relationships intriguing. The plot had action, suspense, thrills, and surprise that will keep you turning the pages. The addition of the vigilant cat was a welcome bonus. Although the mood at times was dark, I found the story had its share of fun and clever twists that I enjoyed. This was an easy read, and I would highly recommend it. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader's Copy of this book.

[T K Nelson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is book one of a series. Emily inherits her sister’s estate. This includes a home overlooking the beach, a fair amount of money and a cat. The will stipulates Emily live in the house for one year. It’s easy for the unattached “starving artist” to pack her belongings and move to Maine.

Emily is drawn to a lighthouse up the coast. There she has a casual conversation with a man. After returning to the house, she finds a bracelet which seems to the source of visions. The first one she has sees the man from the lighthouse pleading with someone. Of course the man ends up a murder victim.

The sister’s lawyer, Bill, agrees to help Emily investigate a string of unusual occurrences. The cat seems to always be one step ahead of them -both figuratively and literally. The murderer is finally revealed.

The visions eventually allow Emily and Bill to put together the pieces of the mystery to locate a centuries old compass. The cat may or may not be magical. The book ends with finding a letter saying in addition to the compass they will need to find a spyglass, a locket, and a sextant. All are necessary clues. It appears each of this four book series will discover another clue leading to . . .something. . I’m not a fan of cliffhangers. Definitely not a fan of each book in a series being a cliffhanger leading to the next. The good news is the release dates are scheduled to be only a month apart.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder Most Eastern by Nellie H. Steele is the first book in the Great Maine Mysteries. I enjoyed the descriptions of the coast of Maine and the Victorian home that Emily Harper inherited (I wanted to move right in). I wish, though, that there had been more background on Emily (I am sure there will be in future books). I loved the cat, Grayson, who went everywhere with Emily (my cat, Dickens, was jealous because she would love to go everywhere with me) and was helpful in solving the mystery. I like that the whodunit involves the West Quoddy Head Lighthouse because an old lighthouse can hold many secrets. Emily, along with Bill Anderson, the attorney managing her sister’s estate, as well as Grayson set out to solve the mystery. There is intrigue, action, suspense, magic, and mayhem. At times, the mood was dark, but there were lighter moments to balance it out. Grayson is intuitive and protective (cats have sharp claws and teeth). It will be interesting to see what Emily gets involved in next time. Murder Most Eastern transports readers to the rocky coastline of Maine where there is an inviting Victorian, a perceptive cat, a tourmaline bracelet, a puzzling lighthouse, a wasted historian, a helpful lawyer, a stolen journal, and bizarre visions.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The back to school season is wearing me out and we are trying hard to settle back into a routine! I was worried that I was too close to my review deadline when I started this book, but fear not! I flew through this delightful mystery in one day (just two sittings) and am looking forward to reading more.

There is so much to like here! I do love a starting over story and that’s just what our main character Emily is doing. Yes, it’s under sad circumstances – her sister has passed away unexpectedly and left Emily her old house in Maine. Thanks to the descriptive writing I could easily imagine both the outside and inside of the house. I felt like I could reach through the pages and stroke Grayson’s beautiful fur. And what a smart cat – I would follow that cat anywhere!

The mystery is fast-paced and the coast of Maine gives it a spooky feel that kept me turning the pages. I had a slight guess as to the true culprit, but was very much engaged in the journey. The ending was excellent as it wrapped up the immediate mystery, but left me anxious to read more to see what else Emily uncovers.

This was a page-turning five star mystery!

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emily Harper's sister dies unexpectedly, leaving Emily her home - with the stipulation that Emily live there for a year. After Emily arrives at the old Victorian house in Maine, she finds a mysterious bracelet and her sister's cryptic notes about treasure in a lighthouse. She visits the local lighthouse and begins to see visions of someone in jeopardy. When the man she meets there ends up murdered, she works to solve that case as well as her sister's mystery.

I wanted to read Murder Most Eastern because the setting was appealing - especially the lighthouse.

This is a fast moving mystery and an enjoyable read. I like the plotting and the characters (especially Emily and her cat Grayson!). I enjoyed Emily's sleuthing, and look forward to future books in the Great Maine Mysteries series.

I recommend Murder Most Eastern for other cozy mystery fans, and especially for readers who also like a little spooky element in their mystery reads.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder Most Eastern is book #1 in the Great Maine Mysteries series by Nellie H. Steele.

Emily Harper moves to Maine after she inherits her late sister’s Victorian home.
Strange things happen, which she chalks up to grief for her sister until it becomes apparent that something really is happening. Emily has to figure out who she can trust because her life could be on the line. This is a great start to a new series. I started reading and could not put it down. I like Emily and felt realistic the way she was grieving her sister and didn’t just inherit the house and then go on with her life.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Katreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

MURDER MOST EASTERN by Nellie H. Steele
The First Great Maine Mystery

Although they weren't close, Emily Harper is devastated to hear of her sister's death. Upon inheriting Becky's Victorian with the proviso that she live in it a year, Emily leaves Boston behind and moves to rural Maine. Once in Becky's house she is filled with a sense of foreboding that even Grayson, Becky's cat, can't dispel. Though not one to believe in the mystical, Emily finds herself having visions after wearing her sister's bracelet, visions of the man she met at the lighthouse Becky was researching. When Emily returns to the lighthouse she discovers the man has been murdered. Does his death have something to do with the secrets Becky wrote about in her journal? If that's true, was Becky's death truly accidental? Will Emily discover the truth or will she be the next to die?

I found the plot of the first Great Maine Mystery fascinating: an accidental death that may not be so accidental, shifty historians, a wise cat, hidden artifacts that may have a mystical purpose all set within the beautiful backdrop of rural Maine.

I'm not sure how I feel about Emily. Her attitude towards Grayson irked me. While Emily grew attached to her she thought it was odd to talk to a cat and saying that she was just a cat. I suppose non pet people may think that way, but it bothered me. I did like how she was suspicious of others, but at times her actions put her in the too stupid to live category. Bill is a great character and I really liked Martha, the plucky librarian. But the character I liked best was Grayson, the cat. Grayson is a sturdy cat. I understand that. However, it's not necessary for the author to continually use the word waddle to describe her movements. She waddled here, she waddled there, she waddled everywhere! Most annoying.

I enjoyed the paranormal aspect to the story. While at times it did act a bit like a deus ex machina, it added another interesting layer to the story.

A little bit of mystery and a little bit of magick make MURDER MOST EASTERN an intriguing start to a new series.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder Most Eastern is the first book in the new Great Maine Mystery series by Nellie H. Steele. This book kicks off the series brilliantly, and I’m already excited to read more! This cozy mystery is sprinkled with a little bit of magic and a whole lot of charm!

When Emily Harper inherits a Victorian home on the coast of Maine, she doesn’t expect it to come with secrets nor a very intuitive cat named Grayson. She also didn’t expect the stipulation that she has to live in it for at least a year, but since she’s a starving artist in a tiny Boston apartment, she packs up what little she has and moves to Machiasport, Maine.

One thing that I appreciated about Murder Most Eastern is the fact that the author doesn’t throw a bunch of characters at us! In essence, only three main (human) characters are introduced: Emily, attorney Bill Anderson, and librarian Martha, who doesn’t even enter into the book until about halfway through. There are a few side characters, but they’re only important to the mystery. I’m sure that as the series continues, more main characters will be coming, but I liked that I only had to keep track of a few. I felt like the author made Emily very authentic in that she was really grieving the loss she experienced. You could feel her regret and sorrow. Bill becomes her first real friend as he helps her navigate the mystery that she finds herself in the middle of. Though the author doesn’t tell us his age, she says he is older, and I don’t think he’s meant to be any sort of love interest…just a good friend.

The mystery is very well-plotted, and it’s where the magical aspects come into play. Grayson, the cat, seems to have a definite human quality about her, and she’s the one who brings Emily’s attention to the bracelet which brings her some insightful visions. Though the murderer is apprehended, the entire mystery is not solved. That mystery is a “treasure” hunt. In Murder Most Eastern, Emily is able to find the first artifact that will help her on the hunt. I’m sure that this mystery will weave throughout the entire series.

I could not put this book down and easily read it in one sitting. Murder Most Eastern is a real page-turner that kept my interest with its atmospheric Maine setting, well-developed characters, and intriguing mystery. I highly recommend this 5 star book!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily Harper inherited her sister Becky's property, cat and a new life when she shifted to Jasper Beach in Machiasport. A murder at the Lighthouse complicated matters . Together with Bill , she is determined to find the truth . A captivating read from the start with a lot of suspense and an edge of the seat finish. I received this ARC copy and recommend this book to other readers .

[Kav · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the Maine setting and the lighthouse mystery was nostalgic for me since the first mystery I ever read involved a lighthouse. I was nine at the time, but still, it made an impression and a love for all things lighthouse and mystery was born! Throw in an opinionated cat and the hint of paranormal and I was definitely intrigued by Murder Most Eastern.

However, there are elements of the story that, well, lessened my enjoyment of the read. The cozy aspects of a cozy mystery series are just as important to me as the amateur sleuthing, and this story doesn't deliver on that score beyond the lighthouse and two older characters who befriend Emily. I really look forward to becoming immersed in a cozy setting and I just didn't experience that here. Also, some aspects of the mystery fell flat, partly because Emily just stumbles onto things by chance, but mostly because it looks like this is a serial type of series since we're left with a whopper of a cliffhanger with nearly everything unresolved at the end. Since I'm not a fan of serials, I'll stop reading at this point.

[Skater · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maine Murder with a Dash of Magic

Inheriting her sister’s home on the coast of Maine, Emily finds herself tracing clues, finding dead bodies, and searching for answers. Good start to the series.

[Heidi Turner Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

New adventures

Nellie writes great mystery books that keep readers guessing and interested. She is also a nice lady who interacts with her readers through Facebook groups as well as Facebook lives

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder Most Eastern

This is the sixth series Ive started and will continue until completion. Nellie H. Steele has quickly become one of my most favorite authors, all her books are great reads!

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast-paced mystery set near the most eastern lighthouse in the USA. Some magic was included with a bracelet and a cat, which was interesting. But there was some repetitive verbiage between the two main characters.

[June · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this book was good, my two star rating is because I dislike mysteries where the mystery is not solved within one book, involving a cliff hanger that forces you to read the rest of the books to solve the mystery.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder Most Eastern book 1

Emily inherits her sister’s home and cat. She gets friends and they look into Captain Black’s treasure hunt in the lighthouse. She has a bracelet that gives her visions.

[Sanderella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!! Can't wait for the next book in the series!! 🤗🌻

[Margaret McMorrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Needs editing

Interesting storyline but too much repetition of words, bobbed, stormed and so on. May not read next book in series.

[Audrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slow start, repetitive, formulaic. It had a lot of potential as a fun story, but reads like a draft or a work in progress.

[Catherine Olivolo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mystery with a twist

While I wanted to find out the secrets, I thought the story just a little bit simplistic. I really like the cat!

[Cheryl Bourdet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite scenario

Old house, secrets, hidden clues, possible treasure and a great cast of characters! One can’t go wrong with all this present!

[Pegi Dorothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute cozy mystery. Pleasant diversion. Hope the next book has more character development.

[Jodi Solum · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good mystery and also a treasure hunt. such a surprise who the killer was and very tense