At age 70, Bunny Howard is determined to prove that she is just as useful as anyone else. Who knew it would be the new bookclub at Tides that would provide the opportunity? They are deep into a murder mystery, and Bunny has noticed that the strange behaviors of the Inn’s mysterious guest are eerily similar to that of the killer in the book!
Sam Campbell lost the two things in life that were worth living for—his wife and his job as a police detective. If it wasn’t for his dog, Dooley, he’d have no reason to get up in the morning, until he meets Bunny. He’s sure she’s up to something suspicious. Dusting off his detective skills to investigate her nefarious activities gives him a renewed zest for life.
Meanwhile, Claire is catering to her customer with dogs by baking up a new line of dog treats along with her famous pastries. Unfortunately, someone else in town has the same idea, and it’s Claire’s least favorite person, her ex-husband’s new trophy wife.
Jane has something going on at Tides besides the mysterious guest. Mike is acting weird and Jane is worried. Not that long ago, he mentioned something about their future. Is he ready to pop the question, and does Jane want him to?
My first Meredith Summers book, and it was wonderful. I had the pleasure in listening to Hollis McCarthy narrate for all of the beautiful characters.
Bunny is a great crossword puzzle solver, artist, beach walker, and soon to be crime solver.
Claire is the owner of "Sandcastles Bakery" were she makes delicious pastries, like cannoli (my favorite), carrot 🥕 muffins, and dog treats "Beach Bones".
Jane & her golden retriever Cooper own & run the old Victorian Seaside Inn called "Tides". This is were they hold their bookclub, and it's also were our only guest Mr.Smith is staying.
Sam, the widower & retired police detective with his faithful & lovely dog Dooley are invited to join their bookclub. Let the fun begin.
I like this smart advice. ("Keeping memories is good, but don't let them over shadow everything your doing now. Don't let old memories prevent you from moving on to make new ones.".)
Such a perfect ending. Bunny loves convertibles, and I love this book. Enjoy ❤️.
This is the last in the series (so far) and the best, in my opinion. The audiobooks are shorter than most, and the characters and stories are lighthearted and easy—just what I like for listening in the car. This one has an element of suspense, which was especially fun.
A Delightful Blend of Mystery and Charm: Seaside Bookclub Delivers! I just finished Meredith Summers' Seaside Bookclub, and let me tell you, it was an absolute treat! As someone who loves a good murder mystery with a side of cozy charm, this book hit all the right notes for me. I’m giving it a solid 4.5 stars because it perfectly balanced the suspense of a crime story with a wonderfully light-hearted and fun atmosphere. The true star of the show for me was Bunny Howard. At seventy, she's determined to prove her worth, and the way she stumbles into her own real-life mystery thanks to her new book club at Tides Inn is just brilliant. Her keen observations about the inn's mysterious guest, eerily mirroring the killer in their current book, had me completely hooked. You can't help but root for Bunny as she navigates her amateur sleuthing! Then there's Sam Campbell, the retired detective who’s lost his spark. His interactions with Bunny, fueled by his suspicion of her "nefarious activities," were incredibly entertaining. It was genuinely heartwarming to see how Bunny, even unwittingly, helps him rediscover his zest for life. And Dooley, his dog, added such a sweet touch to their dynamic. Beyond the central mystery, Summers weaves in delightful subplots that add layers of richness to the story. Claire's culinary endeavors, especially her new line of dog treats, were a fun diversion, and the rivalry with her ex-husband's new wife brought some relatable friction. And Jane's personal conundrum with Mike kept me guessing about their future – is a proposal on the horizon, and what will Jane decide? These interwoven stories kept the pacing lively and ensured there was always something engaging happening. What I truly appreciated was how Summers managed to maintain a cheerful and engaging tone even with the underlying crime suspense. It never felt too dark or heavy, striking that perfect balance between intriguing mystery and feel-good narrative. If you're looking for a book that will keep you guessing while also making you smile, Seaside Bookclub is definitely one to pick up. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Bunny and the gang, and I'm already looking forward to my next visit to the Seaside Bookclub!
This is the 6th book of the Lobster Bay series. I love that each book in this series seems to bring different characters in the quaint town of Lobster Bay to the forefront. Sam is a retired detective who lost the most important part of his life when his wife passed. He has struggled to find a reason to get up in the mornings. If it wasn't for his dog Dooley, he probably wouldn't have found the motivation to leave the house, that is until he met Bunny.
The friends of Lobster Bay decided to start a book club where they meet each month at Tides, the Inn that Jane and Andie own. The first book is a mystery and Bunny, a feisty widow, has really gotten into it. So much so, she starts to suspect that a guest at the Inn, Mr. Smith, is a killer. Sam's detective skills come alive when he witnesses Bunny lurking around and following Mr. Smith. They decide to team up to see just what Mr. Smith is up to. Could they have a killer staying at the Inn?
Jane is getting suspicious as to why Andie and Mike were spotted at the local hardware store and then at the Inn. She knows they are hiding something, but what could that be? She has her suspicions, and it scares her a bit.
Then over at the bakery, Claire is making dog treats that she is calling Beach Bones. The thing is, that some of her customers are telling her that someone in another town is also selling dog treats by the same name. Claire has her daughter checking on trademarks as she is puzzled and wonders if someone has stolen the name from her. Will Claire be able to continue selling her Beach Bones?
This was a great book with a few mysteries. I loved it and highly recommend this sweet Women's fiction.
Quote:
“Keeping memories is good, but don’t let them overshadow everything you’re doing now. Don’t let old memories prevent you from moving on to make new ones.”
The story centers around a new character, Sam Campbell, a retired detective who is trying to find his footing, and the introduction of a book club at Jane's Inn at Tides. The book club is reading a murder mystery, but one of its members, Bunny, decides she's going to find a real mystery right there at the inn. Bless Bunny's seventy-year-old heart. I swear I had to do a dramatic eye-roll at least once per chapter! 👀 She's so determined to prove she's useful that she starts investigating a new, quiet guest as if he's the killer from their book! Her antics are completely over-the-top, but they definitely inject some fun, slightly chaotic energy into the story. It's the kind of busybody behavior that you just have to chuckle at, even if you want to tell her to just sip her tea and relax.
But, as always, the heart of the book is the incredible friendship among the original Lobster Bay crew. We get to check in with Jane, Claire, Maxi, and Andie, and it’s like sitting down with your favorite group of girlfriends. Claire is dealing with a rival dog treat business (of all things!), and Jane is stressing about her relationship with Mike. Through all the individual drama and life challenges, their bond is a constant. They offer each other support, business advice, and the perfect amount of wine and honest talk. This series is just a wonderful reminder of how important those deep, shared connections are in getting through life's weirdness (and finding a little bit of unexpected romance and mystery along the way!).
Seaside Bookclub (Lobster Bay #6) by Meredith Summers
This was my first book by Meredith Summers, and I must say, I really enjoyed it! I was on the hunt for a shorter audiobook, and Seaside Bookclub turned out to be the perfect choice. Set in the charming town of Lobster Bay, the story introduced me to some truly interesting characters. Sam, an ex-detective who lost his wife a few years ago, stood out as a deeply complex character with a lot of emotional depth. Bunny, a lively widow, added an extra layer of fun and intrigue to the plot as she becomes convinced that one of the inn guests is a killer.
The storyline itself was engaging, with just the right amount of mystery to keep things exciting without being overly complicated. It was a delightful mix of small-town charm, quirky characters, and a hint of suspense that made it an enjoyable listen.
Hollis McCarthy's narration was exceptional. It was easy to follow, with her distinct voices for each character making it clear who was speaking at any given time, adding to the overall experience.
Overall, this was a fun, lighthearted listen, and I’m excited to explore more of Meredith Summers' books in the future. If you're looking for a cozy, mysterious read with lovable characters, Seaside Bookclub is definitely worth checking out!
This is the sixth in the Lobster Bay series. What I enjoy about this series is the rotation of who is lifted to the front of the story in each book; it varies per book. I enjoyed the Bunny/ Sam angle in this mystery. Sam is an ex-detective who lost his wife a few years ago. Bunny is a lively widow that thinks an inn guest is a killer. The story line was interesting.
Jane, an owner of the inn thinks her boyfriend Mike is going to prose and she isn’t sure she’s ready. Claire, a book club member and bakery owner has developed a dog treat that she has named. Turns out to be the same name of a dog treat her ex-s trophy wife has developed. What does she do. Each of these women bring interesting aspects to the overall story. I enjoyed them all. Ms. Summers intertwines the stories well and the ending made me smile.
I always enjoy the stories in this series. I was given an advanced copy and these are my own opinions.
Seaside Bookclub is the sixth book in the Lobster Bay series by Meredith Summers.
This book like the others in the series are stand-alone reads. I really enjoy that there is a different character that is the "center" of the story.
I love that Bunny is a 70-year-old main character that is an active widow and this is her first time going to the book club. Bunny sees something outside and is convinced something sinister is going to happen.
Jane and Claire who we meet in the other books have side stories too which are really great and rounds out the story.
I really love this series that is Womens Fiction, part romance and a little mystery.
Highly recommend reading all books in this series!
Seaside Bookclub is the 6th book in the Lobster Bay series. This is a mostly women's fiction series with romance and a minor mystery woven into the storyline. This book as all the others are standalone books. Bunny Howard is attending the first book club meeting, and the single guest at the inn is giving Bunny serious bad vibes as he is lurking outside in the hallway while the book club is meeting and she observes him acting in unusual ways in different parts of town. She believes he may be planning a murder and she's determined to stop him drawing in a widowed and retired police detective into her scheme.
Whilst I enjoyed the simplicity of the previous books in this series, seeing the characters develop and reading their individual storylines, this one I found to be less believable. Just because a book club read centres around a murder mystery doesn’t mean a somewhat similar event will happen in Lobster Bay… a little too forced, verging on ridiculous. Maybe I’m just tired of the predictable storylines now, but I did enjoy the rest of the series, they were quick easy reads, leaving you wanting to know more about the characters’ lives. Although there’s another book in this series I think I’m done with it now, ready to move on to something more interesting.
First time I read this author. This is a cute story and no clue as how the story would go. Usually these cozy mysteries are very predictable. I enjoyed all the characters and the parts they played. The mystery starts with a book club which meets in The Tides, a hotel bed & breakfast , and a mysterious man who is staying at the hotel. Lots of cookies and pastries are eaten along the way, so beware, you might get hungry.
Frustrating because I have grown so attached to the people. Thought this was the last book in the series but it appears to be a bridge to possibility of more. I don't often read an entire series and had made an exception with this because of my attachment to the characters. I think I'm done even if there are more to come.
Very sweet stories, however I found an error. When Sam drives his Corvette, he tells his dog to get in the backseat in case another passenger wants a ride. Chevy Corvettes have never had a backseat, they have always been two door/two passenger cars. Maybe more research should have been done or another convertible chosen. Minor detail that bugged me.
I loved so loved this book. Intriguing, mysterious page turner that's hard to put down. The characters all have a secret to keep for a big surprise and a mysterious guest has been acting and doing strange things or is it just the imagination of reading to many mystery book. A must read. Enjoy.
I enjoyed this book. The author had enough suspense to keep me interested. The language was clean in every respect. I appreciate that a lot since it is hard to find in current literature. The plot was fun and captivating. The romance was sweet. A very good cozy cottage read.
I love this series! All of the main characters are nice, caring people. They are all different ages, in all different circumstances. The setting is a small beach town. The mysteries are relatable. You just feel contented when the book ends! Can’t wait for the next one!
I have been eagerly waiting for this book since I finished the rest of the series. This book did not disappoint and I hope that Meredith Summers continues with more books in this series. It was an easy read that I did not want to end. Well done!
Everything in this series: creative, well written characters, and a delightful ocean & small town setting makes it a priority read for the summer! And I need to get to the beach!!
The story revolves around 70 year old Bunny and her staking out and following Mr. Smith, a guest at The Tides Hotel. While Bunny is watching Mr. Smith, someone is watching her odd behavior. This was a delightfully, light read. I enjoyed it very much.
This mystery was okay. I read it in about two hours. Interesting characters. But, some editing is needed. When the dog, Dooley, is introduced, he's a Bloodhound mix. Later on he's a beagle mix. Oops!
This is a pleasant book, one of old friends and new, each of whom has his and her own story. With a secret and a mystery going on, Summers has created a delightful opportunity to relax with something not too…not too anything. I like the book very much.
This was a fun book! I loved how the "coincidences" worked out in the end. Bunny was a great character. At first I thought she was a bit of a silly old woman, but then I realized that she was much more than I had initially thought, in a wonderful way.
I haven’t read any other books in this series so I’m not able to compare it. The book itself is pretty short (177 pages). I thought the boon was okay but didn’t peak my interest at all. Even as a summer read, the book didn’t ingest me at all.
Another fun entry into the Lobster Bay series, featuring two people we have not gotten to know yet. The usual suspects are still here and the story is a cute one. I am enjoying this series. It's light and fun and just what I need right now.