All Shell Breaks Loose

A Haunted Shell Shop Mystery #3

by Molly MacRae, Callie Beaulieu (Narrator)

Molly MacRae presents Book 3 in the Haunted Shell Shop Mystery series.

On North Carolina’s Okracoke Island, Maureen Nash sells exquisite seashells to locals and tourists—with Bonny the shop cat and the ghost of a Welsh pirate for company. And when needed, she steps in to help the police solve a murder…

Dr. Irving Allred is boasting around town that he’s about to get his hands on an authentic haunted sword. But minutes after Maureen hears the story, a woman walks into the Moon Shell, sword in hand. She found it while walking her bulldog on the beach—and its blade is stained with what looks like blood. Looks like it’s time to call the sheriff’s department.

Allred is furious that his prize is now in police custody—and even more agitated that an unknown buyer was trying to outbid him. He’s convinced that the sword will lead him straight to the ghost he’s hunting. He’s not the only one on the Outer Banks who’s been searching for spirits, though. An odd visitor also showed up at Maureen’s shop claiming the ability sense them . . . though somehow she didn’t seem to notice Maureen’s spectral friend hanging about.

When a man who’d been camping nearby is found cut down along the shore, Maureen starts providing some unofficial assistance to Captain Rob Tate by digging into the island’s maritime history. But it’s not the only mystery she’s facing—because the shop’s resident ghost is seeing ghosts himself . . .

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Cozy Mystery

Audible Audio

First published June 30, 2026

About the author

Molly MacRae spent twenty years in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Upper East Tennessee, where she managed The Book Place, an independent bookstore; may it rest in peace.

Before the lure of books hooked her, she was curator of the history museum in Jonesborough, Tennessee’s oldest town.

MacRae lives with her family in Champaign, Illinois, where she connects children with books at the public library.

Reviews

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Shell Breaks Loose by Molly MacRae with Callie Beaulieu (Narrator) (2026) is the third book in the Haunted Shell Shop mystery series. A haunted sword is the center of attention this time, especially after a man is found dead in the forest and the sword has recent blood stains on it. Dr. Irving Allred who wants the sword because of the ghost swears he had nothing to do with the man's death. Can Maureen and Emrys Lloyd sort things out?

https://pussreboots.com/blog/2026/com...

[Jess Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun mix of humor and mystery. I’m a sucker for a paranormal mystery, and I love the incorporation of pirate history.

The author really brings the town and characters to life, and the mystery was entertaining.

Thank you to #NetGalley #KensingtonPublishing and #KensingtonCozies

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

[Maureen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok story, like the ghosts helpful intervention…

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series and this book was the best yet.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as others in the series.

[Sharon P.]

I enjoyed All Shell Breaks Loose every bit as much as I did the first two books in the series. I may have to add Ocracoke Island, NC, to my travel bucket list. I'd love to see the village and the beaches that are home to these stories. As with the other Haunted Shell Shop mysteries, this one features Maureen Nash, proprietor of the shell shop, and her ghostly companion Emrys Lloyd, a deceased pirate who is attached to a shell her carved before his death in the 1700's. Her landlords and neighbors, Glady and Burt Weaver, also return to liven up the action.
The mystery begins with the discovery of a dead body and a pirate's sword. Along the way, we meet a few suspicious newcomers and wonder about the trustworthiness of some long-time island residents. And I didn't figure out whodunnit until the end.
Molly MacRae adds another fair-play mystery to her canon with All Shell Breaks Loose, a perfect summer (or anytime) read for folks who like cozy mysteries with a touch of humor.
I'm lucky she gave me an advance reader copy and happy to recommend the book to others. I'm looking forward to her next tale.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another fun book in this series. Despite all the mysteries, this sounds like a lovely place to visit and I would love to spend my day on the beach and then meeting the locals in places like the Shell Shop. The characters are kind of over the top, but in a way that keeps the story lively and interesting. I was shocked by where this mystery went and loved how all these strangers were connected. Plus another fun ghost and another dog friend! Very cozy and fun to read.

Thanks to the publisher for a free copy, my thoughts and review are my own.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 4 out of 5]

#AllShellBreaksLoose #NetGalley is the latest book in this exciting series.
Maureen is once again involved in a murder investigation, but thanks to her landlords and friends, Burt and Glady, they soon put all the pieces together and unravel the truth.
I loved the bulldog Ben, his attitude really showed in the story. I liked the new ghost too, she kept Emyrs on his toes, so to speak.

[Michelle Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! The central mystery involved a murder, and a sword. Perhaps a haunted sword. The setting was fun-- on Ocracoke Island, North Carolina. But it was the characters and dialogue that made the book hard to put down.

The protagonist Maureen, has a souvenir shop called Moon Shell that specializes in shells. She has also has written books on the topic as she is a retired malacologist (a scientist that studies the actual soft-bodied animals (mollusks)) She inherited the shop from her deceased husband Allen.

It's a small town and Maureen is joined in her detective murder sleuthing with Glady and Burt the actually owners of the building in which Maureen has the shop. And they live across the street and are champs at sleuthing. Maureen can SEE ghosts, and her resident ghost pirate is Emrys. She also has a cat Bonny, that can also see them. The fact that Maureen can see ghosts is a personal secret. Both Maureen and Emrys are soon to be joined by the ghost of the sword-- who is a fascinating addition to the entire story with a nice twist. And the sword is also the murder weapon for the murder mystery, the untimely death of "Howl." He was a tourist, on the island and involved with selling the sword.

The cast of characters is fantastic, including the gruff annoying doctor, Allred, who wanted to buy the sword because it was supposedly haunted. Along with tourists Martha Lee (documentary film maker and lawyer) and her dog, Ben (Franklin), Kitty, the significant other for Howl, the murder victim. Then there are the island residents including the new nurse practitioner, Brandy (who works with Allred) and the volunteer docent at the Historical Society, Paul, and Patricia, the National Park ranger and Maureen's friend from college. The latter was seen slapping Howl before he dies.

All have interesting back stories, and personalities, and all could be suspects. Maureen and her co-sleuths Glady and Burt (husband and wife) team up as they discuss, plan, ferret out and pursue clues, compare notes, debate suspects, set up traps for them and eventually discover many truths. Truths involved the provenance of the sword, who was selling it and to whom, a kidnapping, how the sword came to kill Howl, and lots of ghost stories.

The addition of the ghosts and Maureen's conversations with them is so well done and clever, including their ghost-abilities. The sweet touches with the dog and cat were fun too. The very best part was all the conversations in between the action. It really resonated and I could feel myself talking to Maureen, Glady and Burt and Emrys the ghost too. Each had a unique way of talking with phrases and mannerisms that brought them to life, so the author was a genius in that regard. I so enjoyed all of the phrases and quotes, even from Emrys with his Shakespeare.

The plot was very involved with twists and turns as suspects were ruled out or in and the tension and suspense slowly grew. I loved the climactic scene and I won't delve into it here to make this a spoiler review. Suffice it to say it was satisfying and you may want to read it twice-- just to imagine it!

I have not read other books by Molly MacRae and have learned this was the 4th in this "Shell Shop Mystery" series. MacRae's two other series: 1) Haunted Yarn Shop Mysteries, and 2) Highland Bookshop Mysteries. So, since I love cozy mysteries, I will definitely explore them.

P.S. The cover of the book is fantastic! Whoever created it was a genius. It is what attracted my attention, with the cat, dog, haunted sword, the shells on the beach and the lighthouse-- so well done!

P.P.S. I forgot to mention there are recipes at the end of the book for some of the foods mentioned in the book. Yum! Muffins!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t expecting a haunted shell shop, a pirate ghost, and a bloodstained sword to become my latest comfort read, but Molly MacRae’s All Shell Breaks Loose completely won me over. Kensington Cozies, thank you so much, along with NetGalley, for the gifted ARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Not every ghost is the one you should fear.”

Some books are all about the mystery. This one reminded me that the people are just as important.

Walking back into Maureen Nash’s little shell shop felt like catching up with old friends. Maureen has become one of those characters I genuinely enjoy spending time with. She’s curious without being reckless, thoughtful, and has a quiet kindness that makes you root for her.

Then there’s Emrys. I don’t care that he’s a ghost—I adore him. Every time he showed up, I smiled. Bonny the shop cat is another favorite, and Burt and Glady are exactly the kind of neighbors every cozy mystery needs. They bring humor, heart, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting.

Everything starts with a sword pulled from the beach. It looks like an incredible historical find…until someone turns up dead. From there the story mixes pirate history, island legends, ghost hunters, local gossip, and murder into something that feels both relaxing and impossible to put down.

What surprised me most was how much I enjoyed spending time on Ocracoke Island. Molly MacRae makes the setting feel lived in. I could picture the shell shop, hear the waves, and imagine myself wandering through town right alongside Maureen.

The mystery kept me guessing, but it was the atmosphere that stayed with me after I finished. That’s always the sign of a great cozy for me. I don’t just close the book feeling satisfied—I wish I had one more chapter.

If you enjoy cozy mysteries with memorable characters, a beautiful coastal setting, a touch of the paranormal, and a mystery that’s clever without becoming too dark, I’d absolutely recommend this series.

Have you ever finished a cozy mystery and realized you were going to miss the town almost as much as the characters?

#AllShellBreaksLoose #MollyMacRae #HauntedShellShopMystery #CozyMystery #MysteryBooks #KensingtonCozies

[Marian West · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just gets better and better. In this book, a tourist, Martha Lee, and her bulldog find a sword while wandering along a path. She shows it to Maureen and because of a stain that could be blood, they decide to call the police. The next day a dead body is found... with a wound that looks suspiciously like it was made by a sword. Everyone's a suspect as Maureen and her neighbors, Glady and Burt, try to solve the mystery. Not a real spoiler, but a new ghost arrives on the island who starts off as mean and dangerous, but ends up being quite helpful.

I love Maureen's humanity... that she cares about other people, even bad guys or potential bad guys. We're all human, after all. The accessibility ramp that Maureen added to the front of the shell shop after the last book came in handy, notably allowing Martha Lee to wheel her bulldog into the building when he was too tired to walk. As my friend said, accessibility helps more than just people with disabilities and the author shows this in her book. Another satisfying ending, and after bingeing all three of these books, I'm sad I have to wait so long for the next book.

Disclosure: We received a free ARC of this book. No guarantee of a review or other compensation was made.

[K.A. Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALL SHELL BREAKS LOOSE by Molly MacRae is the third book in the Haunted Shell Shop Mysteries. This is a fun, fun romp with a pirate ghost, a pun-toting malacologist running a tourist island shell shop, quirky neighbors, and adorable pets. The author does a marvelous job weaving humor in with the murder mystery and the subplots, all the while keeping a quick pace that kept me invested in what happens next. Protagonist Maureen Nash is a woman “of a certain age”, but her experience and outlook on life make you want to spend time with her. I couldn’t help but admire her kindness and how she treated everyone with respect, and went out of her way to make them feel welcome. However, her internal dialog runs a bit snarky, which makes it even more humorous. The setting of Ocracoke Island is delightful, and her descriptive prowess brings each aspect of the setting and the characters to life. If you enjoy entertaining characters with a puzzling murder to solve, along with a paranormal twist, then you’ll enjoy All Shell Breaks Loose!

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Susan Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

The premise of our heroine taking over a shell shop on an island that comes with a resident ghost that she not only sees but with whom she is able to communicate is wonderful. He has charmed her kitty Bonny as well. Naturally, there are the obligatory quirky characters, this time in the shape of her elderly landlords and a rather dubious doctor. Said doctor is telling all that he is awaiting the purchase of a haunted sword. When a sword is brought to the shop by a stranger and her bulldog, followed by the murder of the assumed owner of the sword, things could be getting interesting. Add in a new ghost who is on a journey of self discovery once she meets our intrepid heroine and her ghostly compadre and the plot really thickens.

Without giving away too much of the plot because it is rather fun and has some twists the reader might not see coming, our heroine, her two ghosts and the quirky octogenarians will combine forces to unmask the killer. I enjoyed the book and while it is fine to be a standalone, I am glad I had some background from reading the previous books.

Very entertaining summer fare. Five purrs and two paws up.

[April M Morin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Molly MacRae and Mystery Lover's Kitchen for an ARC of All Shell Breaks Loose. I don't give away spoilers in my reviews.
This is the third book in Molly's A Haunted Shell Shop Mystery series and can be read as a standalone. I loved the shell shop, all of the history about the area and pirates shared in it and especially loved the residential pirate ghost. Maureen owns the shell shop and it's known to be haunted. She also has a cat, Bonny. Maureen deals with tourists who wander into her shop to purchase shells as well as trinkets. Her landlords, siblings Burt and Glady live across the street and provide a lot of humor and mischief to the story.
Since it's a cozy, there is a murder that happens. Maureen and her friends get involved in trying to solve it along with the local police. I loved the beach setting and all of the characters. Dr. Allred is involved heavily in the crime and cause and is a quirky character.
The shell shop, the pirate history and the ghosts really made this a cozy series I am anxious to keep reading.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the book 3 in the Haunted Shell Shop Mysteries by Molly MacRae and narrated by Callie Beaulieu. Ms. Beaulieu does a wonderful job just as she does with Julie Mulhern’s Country club Mystery series.
Since I haven’t read or listened to the books before this one, I had a hard time keeping up with who was a spirit and who was real. It could be due to the fact that I was interrupted often while trying to listen to this story.

The descriptions of the characters and the town are great. I felt as if I were there. The mystery begins when a tourist walks into the Moon Shell with a sword she found that has some blood on it. In trying to locate the exact site of where the sword was found, the dog leads them to a body.

I liked the premise of the story. This is the first Molly MacRae book I have read.
There were plenty of suspects and humor. The ghosts added comedic relief along with Maureen’s snarky comments.

I thank RB Media and Tantor for allowing me to listen to this book. These are my own opinions.

[Drebbles · Rating 5 out of 5]

“All Shell Breaks Loose” is the fun third book in Molly MacRae’s Haunted Shell Shop cozy mystery series. This series has a little bit of everything that makes it fun to read – a Shell Shop on Ocracoke Island run by Maureen Nash, a great main character, a shop cat, a shop ghost (or two), an eccentric ghost hunting doctor who can’t see the ghosts in front of him, Maureen’s caring but eccentric neighbors Burt and Glady, plus a wonderful, at times sly sense of humor. Mixed in with all of this is a good mystery involving a murder and a haunted sword – this is well done and well plotted with just the right amount of suspects. In the end when all was revealed, the identity of the killer wasn’t quite a surprise to me but it was a bit sad. However, the very end of the book will leave readers smiling.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

[Luis Nuñez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining third book in this mystery series.

Ms. Molly McRae knows how to weave a shell of a story!

It was fun to catch up with protagonist Maureen Nash, the owner of the Haunted Shell Shop in Ocracoke, and especially Emrys the resident ghost.
The plot of this book centers around an ancient sword, and Maureen and her friends are busy uncovering the mystery plus a murder.

I still find that Glady is such an unlikable, abrupt character. Her name should be "Saddy" :-) She adds quirkiness to the cast of characters, which is clever.

There is a second ghost which keeps the mystery more perplexing, and at the end we find out whodunnit in a good way, without much tension.

Narrator Ms. Callie Beaulieu does a great job. Her voice is made to narrate cozy mysteries.

All-in-all, this was an enjoyable quick listen.

[LittleRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

The local doctor thinks he has finally found himself a ghost when he arranges to buy a “Haunted Sword”. But when one of the sellers turns up murdered, Maureen and her shell shop ghost, Emrys, along with her landlords and friends, Burt and Glady, find themselves trying to solve yet another murder on Ocracoke Island. Will Maureen be successful or will she be joining Emrys on the other side?

This is a cute series. I enjoy reading it and find Maureen, Burt, Glady and Emrys to be quite the sleuths. Emrys really adds to the story line and I love that Allred is so desperate to see a shots and yet so totally clueless of what is around him. It delivers a solid and satisfying cozy mystery and shenanigans in each and every entry

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series! The setting is a character itself. In book three, we find Maureen, and her neighbors, Glady and Bert, hot on the trail of another killer. It all starts when a woman stops by the shop, with her dog, and shows them a sword that she has found. Next thing Maureen knows, she has found a body, and is caught up in figuring out who did it with an assist from Emrys. There is also a sub plot with a whirlwind that keeps popping up in the shop. Is it another ghost? Is this one friend or foe? I really liked this book. The characters are fantastic. I love the island setting, and the mystery was really good. I cannot wait to read the next one! Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington for the advanced copy.

[Alicia Kozak · Rating 4 out of 5]

A haunted pirate sword is a great hook, especially given Ocracoke's history. Maureen, Glady, and Burt make a good (and well fed, with Burt's yummy sounding muffins) team. The kooky, ghost-hunting (although he doesn't notice the one standing right next to him) Allred plays a role again in this book, as well as some new quirky characters and a new ghost. Emrys still steals the show with his quotes and hijinks, but is quite helpful to Maureen as she investigates. Recipes at the end round out the latest in this fun series.

[Vintagebooklvr · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun, entertaining series that features an engaging shell shop owner, a pirate ghost, animals with plenty of personality and some mysteries to be solved. I think the series keeps on getting better. This installment kept me guessing till the end about the culprit. I thought I knew and was kind of sad that it seemed so obvious. Well, I was wrong. There was also plenty of interesting history about pirates and swords in the book. And Maureen's landlords provide plenty of smiles and laughs too.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Cynthia Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed All Shell Breaks Loose! It was such a fun beachy read that transported me right to Ocracoke Island. The combination of ghost pirates, a stolen sword, and a murder made for an entertaining mystery with just the right touch of the supernatural. Callie Beaulieu's narration was excellent, bringing the characters and the island's unique atmosphere to life. If you're looking for a light, engaging cozy mystery with plenty of coastal charm, this series is well worth a listen. I received an advance listener copy from RBMedia and all opinions are my own.

[G.P. Gottlieb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maureen is a retired widow who sells seashells from an Ocracoke Island tourist shop and lives in the apartment above. She has a cat and a pirate ghost for company, although only the ghost chats with her. A woman visits the shop carrying a bloody sword not long after the local doctor boasts about finding a haunted sword. Then a tourist is found stabbed to death nearby, and Maureen and her neighbors decide to help the local police find the murderer in this sweet and silly cozy about community, island history, and surprisingly talkative ghosts.

[Katie K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was the first book I’ve read in this series, and it had me hooked from the very first chapter. I thoroughly enjoyed the setting, the lively characters, the intriguing plot, and the humor woven throughout the story. I wasn’t even halfway through the book before I started adding the rest of the series to my "to be read" list. I highly recommend it to all my fellow cozy mystery lovers!

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading about places I've visited and North Carolina’s Ocracoke Island, where this takes place is one of them.
This is my first read in the series and it's a solid read.
Nicely paced. I enjoyed the Shell Shop and especially the cat there.
A fun pirate ghost, quirky characters and an intriguing plot.
I've added the rest of the series to my to read list.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

[Apilrain · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great third in the series. I love the returning characters, and the addition of Ben Franklin! I also love that the ghosts are exploring what they can do and how they can help more. Overall this was everything I needed at this time of the year. Quick fun read!

[Sarah Ehinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from NetGalley. This is a cozy mystery set on Ocracoke Island. Book 3 in the series, it reads well as a stand alone. The cast of characters are likeable and all a bit kookie. It gave the easy going, fun vibes that the scooby doo cartoon offered me as a kid, only the animals don't talk in this one. This would be make for a great summer beach read.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best one of the series yet. Dr Allred - the ghost hunter and small town doctor from the earlier books - plays a larger part in this story. And who wouldn't love Martha Lee and Ben?

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Cozies for the DRC

[Susan Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third in this series but you can start here if you want. This has it all - a wonderful island setting, a group of intrepid (and definitely unique) and great plots.