Murder at the Marina: A Cozy Coastal Small Town Double Murder Mystery

by Cheryl Marlow

A small-town celebration, a scandalous ex-client, and a seaside secret that refuses to stay buried.

Former PR pro Paisley Penrose thought she’d left crisis behind—until a disgraced former client turns up dead near the marina with his rented boat nowhere to be found.

Now officially advising the investigation, Paisley, with the help of her miniature Labradoodle Noodle, must navigate small-town whispers and big-city lies. But she’s not the only one chasing the truth. Rumors of hidden treasure have half the coast in a frenzy.

Suspects the victim’s bitter ex-wife, Sabrina, left broke and betrayed by scandal; Casey, the dockhand caught lying about the boat’s return; and Riley, the elusive caretaker searching for more than linens in the victim’s rental cottage.

When a second death sends shockwaves through the harbor, rumor turns deadly—and the killer’s trail drifts dangerously close to Paisley’s doorstep.

With help from handsome detective Grant Holloway, her own sharp instincts, and the ever-curious Shoreline Circle, Paisley must uncover the truth before she becomes the next victim.

250 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 24, 2025

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scandal, Small Towns, and a Dog Named Noodle

Paisley, a burned‑out PR fixer who’s tired of spinning lies for the rich and shameless, retreats to her hometown to help her aunt run the local inn. Cue small‑town charm, a sheriff who realizes she’s more useful than she lets on, and Noodle the dog—because what’s a cozy mystery without a four‑legged detective sidekick?

The setup is solid: scandal‑soaked past meets murder investigation, with Paisley reluctantly pulled back into the orbit of her former clients. The pacing, though, didn’t quite hook me. Normally I inhale a book in one sitting, but this one stretched over five evenings. That’s more about me than the story, but it never hit that “hate to put it down” level.

Two murders later, everything ties together neatly… maybe too neatly. The late‑arrival mastermind reveal felt a little convenient, like someone crashing the party just to say “Surprise, I did it!” Still, the journey had enough twists, small‑town atmosphere, and canine charm to keep me turning pages.

Verdict: A good read with a clever premise, a relatable heroine, and a dog who steals scenes. Not the most compulsive page‑turner, but cozy mystery fans will enjoy the ride.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paisley Penrose has left her big city PR job to help her Aunt Dottie run the Sandlin Inn in Sand Keys Shore. Paisley and her dog Noodle are enjoying the laidback life of Florida until a man from her PR past turns up dead in Sand Keys Shore. After the police ask for her assistance in the case, Paisley pairs with Detective Grant Halloway to investigate the murder. While they are digging up clues, another murder occurs. Will they be able to solve this case before another person dies?

Marlow does a really nice job setting the scene and developing her main characters, which helps pull the reader into the story. There were viable suspects and several twists and turns, making it difficult for me to determine the culprit. I was surprised when the murderer was revealed and I like how all of the loose ends were tied up. There is also a hint of romance between Paisley and Grant, which adds another level to the story. This was an easy and interesting read and I recommend it to readers who enjoy cozy mysteries.

*I was gifted a copy of this book and all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Marietta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another excellent written book by Cheryl Marlow and the second book of hers that I have read. I love the way that Cheryl has very one in the story involved with the crime right from the start. Paisley Penrose and her miniature Labradoodle Noodles, seem to be right there when ever there is trouble or a body to be found. Paisley works well with Detective Grant Holloway to solve the murder. The victim is an old client of hers from her days a PR pro. There are lots of suspect and lots of twists and turns to try and solve this murder. If you enjoy a great mystery and want to try to solve the crime before everything is revealed to you this an excellent book to read. Paisley does start to rethink how she should have help her clients out of back when she was a PR pro but now, she just wants to enjoy her time helping her aunt Dottie with the Inn. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book in this series and see if Paisley and Grant get more involve personally.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great addition to the Paisley Penrose Penrose mystery series! Paisley Penrose, tired of her city PR job she with her dog Noodle left for Sand Keys Shore to help her Aunt Dottie run the Sandlin Inn. Thinking her change of venue and job to help Aunt Dottie and live the lay back life in Florida. And all was going well until the body of one of one of Paisley's former disgraced clients is found dead at the marina. So, Paisley feels drawn in to help find a murderer, helping detective Grant Holloway. Of course, the smart, clue finding Noodle is on the case. With lots of twists and turns and page turning, some romantic sparks between Paisley and the detective, tied with the humor from the gossip ladies that hang out at the Salty Spoon, you're kept guessing until the end. Not only do I recommend this book, I recommend the series and can't wait for more. I received an ARC of the book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[J.E. Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

The laid-back town of Sand Key Shores is a wonderful setting for the book. The description of the harbor and the characters were quite varied. Then, with the addition of the dog, Noodle and his antics, I couldn't stop laughing at him. In this story, Paisley and Detective Grant are investigating two murders. When they get close to figuring it out, things heat up.

The clues kept me going, but I was not getting any closer to solving it. The women who gossip at the Salty Spoon were quite humorous. The ending was surprising and wrapped everything up nicely. I definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in cozy mysteries.

I received a complimentary copy from the author; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a body is discovered in the marina at Sand Key Shores, Paisley Penrose is abruptly confronted with memories from her previous career in public relations. The victim turns out to be a former client, drawing Paisley back into an investigation she never expected to join. Although Paisley had hoped to leave her old life behind when she returned home to help her aunt manage their family inn, trouble has a way of finding her—and her loyal dog, Noodle. Because of her past connection to the victim, Paisley is asked to serve as a consultant, working alongside Detective Grant Holloway to uncover the truth behind the mysterious death.
This is the second ARC I have received from this author, and the stories continue to improve. I will be excited to see where Paisley and Noodle go from here.

[Paulette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paisley Penrose burned out from her PR job of spinning careers of fallen clients, has happily joined her aunt in co-running a cozy inn. But when one of her former clients turns up dead, Paisley is compelled to help find the killer. With her trusty dog, Noodle, who can sniff out clues almost faster than treats they help the handsome detective Grant Holloway with his investigation. Suspects are not in short supply and the killer just might make Paisley their next victim.
Thank you to the author for this free ebook without remuneration. The review comments of this engaging book are my personal opinion.

[Mrs K.Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder at the Marina is a great story about Paisley Penrose who used to work in PR and now shares ownership with an Inn with her Aunt Dottie and Paisley's clever sleuthing dog Noodle. Paisley is friends with Detective Grant Holloway as they grew up together. Paisley and Grant went on a boat trip and a body was found. Paisley was invited to work with Grant on the case with limited access as she had previously met the person when working in PR. There are many clues but which ones will show the truth?
Excellent story and series that I enjoyed reading and recommend that you read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dave Measner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Past deeds catching up
The big reopening of the Marina is supposed to be a joyous time, but when a body is found floating in the inlet, a dark cloud mars the celebration. To make matters worse the dead man was a client from Paisley's PR past, and not a happy memory. With an unhappy ex-wife, past victims of his crimes and locals with nervous reactions to being questioned detective Grant Holloway has his hands full. But with Paisley and her dog Noodle on the case, along with the members of the Shoreline Circle gossip group assisting, there is plenty of help solving the mysteries.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paisley is working at the Inn that she co-owns with her aunt when a man named Trent is found dead floating in the marina. Her dog Noodle finds a bloody life jacket on the boat that they had been taking a tour on and they found out that he had rented in the day before. She ends up working with the local police as she knew him from her previous work. She partners with Grant which is really not a big problem and the two manage to put the clues together and figure out the mystery.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the last novel with Noodle and this one didn't disappoint. Again a wonderful cozy with a town's bunch of unsanctioned sleuths meeting in the Salty Spoon, a dead body in the water and a cute clue sniffing dog was entertaining and an easy read. Love the characters in this series and the attraction of dead bodies that keeps the stories coming.

This is an unbiased review of an ARC.

[Ella Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I think all of the characters are so fun and unique, and who doesn’t love reading about a dog? The setting was well built and very cozy. It is a fun read that keeps you guessing until the end. I would definitely recommend!

[Barbara Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allow a day for this clean, contemporary, small-town, mid-life, cozy murder mystery thriller in Sand Key Shores, Florida, involving financial skullduggery, betrayal, a touch of romance, and a few laughs.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.