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Meg Reed Investigates #3
A Body at the Beach
When reporter Meg Reed discovers a body during what should have been a fun surf lesson, she knows immediately that this was no accident.
Meg arrived in Hood River to cover the prestigious King of the Hook windsurfing competition for her magazine, hoping for a straightforward assignment involving sun, sand, and spectacular stunts. Instead, she finds herself struggling to stay afloat during a surf lesson when she discovers the lifeless body of a superstar windsurfer.
With the competition in chaos and the small town buzzing with rumors, Meg can’t resist investigating what really happened on the water that morning. Between dodging heat exhaustion, navigating romantic confusion with her best friend Matt, and uncovering long-buried grudges in the tight-knit surfing community, she realizes that beneath Hood River’s laid-back exterior lurk some seriously dangerous currents.
But with a murderer still on the loose, she’ll need a healthy dose of determination, a strong mocha and her trusty reporter’s instincts to survive this story.
This delightful cozy story combines small-town charm with pulse-pounding suspense, perfect for readers who love their mysteries served with a side of outdoor adventure and a dash of romance. For fans of Tonya Kappes, Ellery Adams and Lauren Elliott.
A Body at the Beach was previously published as Silenced in the Surf.
Readers love reporter Meg
“A fun and entertaining series… I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“The best one yet. I enjoyed everything about this the characters, the descriptions, the mystery, the suspense and the humor. I would highly recommend this book (and series) to any cozy lover.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“A truly enjoyable read.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“From her first book I was hooked!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Perfect vacation read… the perfect amount of mystery and escape… I look forward to her next adventure!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Always engaging… wonderful scenery and plenty of excitement. Characters are oozing with chemistry.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Wonderful book. I love the storyline and it’s a fun, clean read. I can’t wait for the next one!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Meg arrived in Hood River to cover the prestigious King of the Hook windsurfing competition for her magazine, hoping for a straightforward assignment involving sun, sand, and spectacular stunts. Instead, she finds herself struggling to stay afloat during a surf lesson when she discovers the lifeless body of a superstar windsurfer.
With the competition in chaos and the small town buzzing with rumors, Meg can’t resist investigating what really happened on the water that morning. Between dodging heat exhaustion, navigating romantic confusion with her best friend Matt, and uncovering long-buried grudges in the tight-knit surfing community, she realizes that beneath Hood River’s laid-back exterior lurk some seriously dangerous currents.
But with a murderer still on the loose, she’ll need a healthy dose of determination, a strong mocha and her trusty reporter’s instincts to survive this story.
This delightful cozy story combines small-town charm with pulse-pounding suspense, perfect for readers who love their mysteries served with a side of outdoor adventure and a dash of romance. For fans of Tonya Kappes, Ellery Adams and Lauren Elliott.
A Body at the Beach was previously published as Silenced in the Surf.
Readers love reporter Meg
“A fun and entertaining series… I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“The best one yet. I enjoyed everything about this the characters, the descriptions, the mystery, the suspense and the humor. I would highly recommend this book (and series) to any cozy lover.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“A truly enjoyable read.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“From her first book I was hooked!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Perfect vacation read… the perfect amount of mystery and escape… I look forward to her next adventure!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Always engaging… wonderful scenery and plenty of excitement. Characters are oozing with chemistry.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Wonderful book. I love the storyline and it’s a fun, clean read. I can’t wait for the next one!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- GenresFiction
276 pages, Paperback
Published September 3, 2025
178 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Ellie Alexander
79 books3,041 followersEllie is a voracious storyteller and a lover of words and all things bookish. She believes that stories have the ability to transport and transform us. With over forty published novels and counting, her goal is to tell stories that provide points of connection, escape, and understanding.
She loves inhabiting someone else’s skin through the pages of a book and is passionate about helping writers find their unique storytelling lens. As a writing teacher and coach, she guides writers in crafting the story they’ve always wanted to tell while navigating the path to publication that’s right for them.
Find out more about Ellie and her books by visiting her website at: http://www.elliealexander.co/ or following her on social media—
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellie_alexa...
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elliealexande...
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/elliealexande...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliealexand...
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/elliealexan...
She loves inhabiting someone else’s skin through the pages of a book and is passionate about helping writers find their unique storytelling lens. As a writing teacher and coach, she guides writers in crafting the story they’ve always wanted to tell while navigating the path to publication that’s right for them.
Find out more about Ellie and her books by visiting her website at: http://www.elliealexander.co/ or following her on social media—
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellie_alexa...
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elliealexande...
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/elliealexande...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliealexand...
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/elliealexan...
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 2, 2026
In this the third book in the series, Meg Reed is now settling into her job at Northwest Extreme magazine.
Her latest assignment is to cover and report on the King of the Hook windsurfing Competition. For the last month Portland, Oregon had been experiencing a heat wave and the thought of windsurfing sounded appealing. Having found a bungalow to stay in at Hook River, she invites her two best friends Jill and fellow journalist Matt to join her.
She is hoping for a straightforward assignment involving sun, sand, and fun. And all seems to be going well until she finds herself struggling to stay afloat during a surf lesson. When she loses control trying to right herself, she discovers the lifeless body of a superstar windsurfer Justin Cruise.
Although in the short time she had been there, she had found Justin rather unpleasant Meg, still wants to find out who had killed him and why?
Meg is there to interview people for her magazine and uses that as an opportunity to get to talk to as many people she sees as possible suspects in the killing of Justin Cruise.
Although Meg is away from home in this book, in addition to her two best friends staying with her, Gam, her grandma turns up. Gam has strong New Age beliefs and is a holistic healer who spreads her warmth wherever she goes. She’s a lively character.
For those who have read the two earlier books, underlying, the current story we are aware that there is still a question mark over the untimely death of Meg’s father, Pops, who was an investigative journalist for ‘The Oregon Newspaper’. Was it an accident or was it murder? Will anymore evidence come to light?
A tantalising mystery, with a twist. Recommended.
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Reviewer: Lizzie Sirett
Her latest assignment is to cover and report on the King of the Hook windsurfing Competition. For the last month Portland, Oregon had been experiencing a heat wave and the thought of windsurfing sounded appealing. Having found a bungalow to stay in at Hook River, she invites her two best friends Jill and fellow journalist Matt to join her.
She is hoping for a straightforward assignment involving sun, sand, and fun. And all seems to be going well until she finds herself struggling to stay afloat during a surf lesson. When she loses control trying to right herself, she discovers the lifeless body of a superstar windsurfer Justin Cruise.
Although in the short time she had been there, she had found Justin rather unpleasant Meg, still wants to find out who had killed him and why?
Meg is there to interview people for her magazine and uses that as an opportunity to get to talk to as many people she sees as possible suspects in the killing of Justin Cruise.
Although Meg is away from home in this book, in addition to her two best friends staying with her, Gam, her grandma turns up. Gam has strong New Age beliefs and is a holistic healer who spreads her warmth wherever she goes. She’s a lively character.
For those who have read the two earlier books, underlying, the current story we are aware that there is still a question mark over the untimely death of Meg’s father, Pops, who was an investigative journalist for ‘The Oregon Newspaper’. Was it an accident or was it murder? Will anymore evidence come to light?
A tantalising mystery, with a twist. Recommended.
--------
Reviewer: Lizzie Sirett
September 11, 2025
"A Body At The Beach" is book #3 in the "Meg Reed Investigates" series by Ellie Alexander. Previously released as "Silenced In The Surf" by Kate Dyer-Seeley.
Meg Reed is covering a windsurfing competition when she discovers the body of the top competitor. He had his groupies but also had a reputation as an arrogant bully so there were a number of suspects.
Meg tries to continue doing her interviews and research for her article but also manages to gather some information about who the killer may be. Along with her friends Jill and Matt they share their information with Sheriff Daniels but Meg still manages to get herself into a sticky situation as she closes in on the killer.
For me, I had a strong hunch who the killer was well before Meg sorted it out but it was an interesting journey to the reveal.
Along with the murder, I found many of the subplots just as good or even better than the investigation. Things are slowly shifting with Meg and Matt in their friendship. Jill is still on a break from Will but is she ready to move on? Gran and the Sheriff continue to see each other. The best subplot is the whole situation with the possibility that Meg's beloved Pops may actually have been murdered and Matt's looking into the past is creating some issues with Pops enemies.
Overall, this was a really good cozy mystery read.
Meg Reed is covering a windsurfing competition when she discovers the body of the top competitor. He had his groupies but also had a reputation as an arrogant bully so there were a number of suspects.
Meg tries to continue doing her interviews and research for her article but also manages to gather some information about who the killer may be. Along with her friends Jill and Matt they share their information with Sheriff Daniels but Meg still manages to get herself into a sticky situation as she closes in on the killer.
For me, I had a strong hunch who the killer was well before Meg sorted it out but it was an interesting journey to the reveal.
Along with the murder, I found many of the subplots just as good or even better than the investigation. Things are slowly shifting with Meg and Matt in their friendship. Jill is still on a break from Will but is she ready to move on? Gran and the Sheriff continue to see each other. The best subplot is the whole situation with the possibility that Meg's beloved Pops may actually have been murdered and Matt's looking into the past is creating some issues with Pops enemies.
Overall, this was a really good cozy mystery read.
Read
November 18, 2025hoping the next murder victim isn’t just another arrogant jerk- let’s switch it up!
that being said i loved being taken along for another adventure. the characters and the different settings are the best parts of this series
that being said i loved being taken along for another adventure. the characters and the different settings are the best parts of this series
September 6, 2025
Loves book 3 in this series. I did not expect who the killer would be and I am loving the overarching plot of what really happened to Meg's father!
September 7, 2025
I loved it!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2025
While I love Ellie Alexander usually, this had way more romance and clothing details than usual and more than I prefer. Lots of action, though, and interesting characters.
November 22, 2025
Not a fan of Gam and the solution was vague and unresolved.
November 19, 2025
What a great addition to this series. I used to live in Oregon and seeing all these places in these books is something I love. I also loved seeing more of Gam.
“The more tea and cardigan sweaters, the better, in Jill’s opinion.”
“It’s simple but it isn’t easy. There’s a difference.”
“The more tea and cardigan sweaters, the better, in Jill’s opinion.”
“It’s simple but it isn’t easy. There’s a difference.”
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews