Marina Mews: A Coral Shores Veterinary Mystery

Coral Shores Veterinary Mystery #3

by D.L. Mitchell

"Marina Mews delivers the charm and sleuthing spirit of Miranda James's Cat in the Stacks Mysteries, with a coastal twist, a six-toed cat, and a determined amateur detective who won't stop digging for the truth." -Cam Torrens, bestselling author of the Tyler Zahn mystery/suspense series

When veterinarian Dr. Emily Benton takes Elvis, the terrier, for an early morning beach walk, she stumbles upon a lifeless diver washed ashore. The victim is William "Billy" Todd, beloved local marina owner and Emily's former scuba diving instructor. His death shocks the tight-knit Coral Shores community, especially his niece, Lala, who returns home to uncover what really happened to her uncle.

As Emily scrambles to locate Billy's orange tabby cat and dive shop mascot, Hemingway, she finds herself entangled in another mystery. Oddities begin to surface-from a frightened feline to suspicious visitors at the marina. Was Billy's death an accident... or something more sinister?

With the help of her loyal best friend, her charming detective boyfriend, and a cast of coastal characters (both two- and four-legged), Emily dives deep into the clues. But in a town where everyone knows everyone-will the truth surface in time?

Genres: Cozy Mystery

263 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 19, 2026

About the author

DL Mitchell is the author of the Coral Shores Veterinary Mystery series and a 2024 Nominee for Georgia Author of the Year. Trust the Terrier won the 2024 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion award for best cozy and second runner up for best mystery.

She brings her unique perspective as a practicing small animal veterinarian to the world of mystery fiction. With experience in bustling, big-city hospitals, her transition to a house call concierge veterinary practice has enriched her storytelling with firsthand encounters and insights into the human-animal bond.

She loves spending time with her husband, daughter, and their menagerie of pets, planning the next travel adventure, and running nearby trails. She’s a scuba diver but gets seasick, and when she’s on the road, she travels with her espresso machine and her blow-up, stand up paddle board. ​

Actively engaged in the Atlanta Chapter of Sisters in Crime and the Atlanta Writers Club, DL Mitchell finds support and camaraderie within this creative community

Reviews

[RAECHEL THOMAS · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely cozy mystery!
I haven't read the other Coral Shores mystery books, but I didn't feel like I was missing any information. Apparently, it's not out of the norm for Dr. Benton and Anthony to find themselves involved in a murder investigation.

* Murder investigation
* A cat named Hemingway
* Elements of love but zero spice
* Likeable, developed characters

Publication date is February 19th and I highly recommend you add it to your TBR now. Thank you to BookSirens.........I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Paulette Mahurin · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the heartfelt beginning special thanks to Veterinarian Emily Benton finding the body of a childhood friend and onto revelations this was no accident, the story moves at a fast pace. Set in the charming beach town, Coral Shores, Dr. Benton is drawn to investigate the death of her old friend and diving instructor. Initially thought to be an accident or a natural death, Emily picks up outpoints she encounters like why was an experienced diver diving alone and how did his boat land back at the dock? Against admonitions from her police officer boyfriend, working in conjunction with her brother Duncan, to leave the investigation to the police, she’s too far invested to let it go. Along with her BFF and office manager, Anthony, she follows dangling mysterious strings to begin unraveling that actually happened. The plot is rapidly moved along with the addition of new characters, especially Lala, the victim’s niece and a high school friend, and my favorite-the cats and dogs: Elvis, Hemmingway, and Bella. I especially loved the interchange between Emily and Anthony and the animals, how they lulled a frightened Hemmingway down from the rafters after her owner’s murder, how Bella’s cold nose wakes Emily up each morning, and the bond between Hemmingway and Elvis. I also loved the added attention to details about the animals and small animal clinic which lent to the authenticity of the story—the oversized lab’s ear infection and the multiple names given to a puppy, plus the great details about turtles. In these dark days of so much suffering around the world this book was a gift, a brightening of my last couple of days. Hats off to author DL Mitchell for a very entertaining read. Highly recommend.

[Estelle Bouldin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Purr-fect Cozy Mystery That'll Keep You Hooked

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 stars)

Marina Mews is a light, engaging, and impossible to put down cozy mystery. DL Mitchell delivers a fun, fast-paced whodunit set in the charming beach town of Coral Shores. I devoured this in just a couple of sittings.

Dr. Emily Benton is such a likeable protagonist. She's smart, compassionate, and refreshingly normal—no quirky gimmicks, just a dedicated veterinarian who genuinely cares about her patients (both the two-legged and four-legged variety). When she discovers her old dive instructor dead on the beach, she can't help but investigate, especially when his niece Lala becomes her friend in crisis.

The friendship between Emily, Anthony, and Lala felt authentic, and I appreciated that their bond—not romance—drove much of the story. Mike and Emily's relationship is sweet without being overwhelming, and the slow-burn commitment they reach felt earned.

The mystery itself was well-crafted with enough twists to keep me guessing. The credit card skimming scheme was more sophisticated than your typical cozy fare, and I appreciated Mitchell's attention to detail with the scuba diving and veterinary medicine elements—her professional background really shines through.

Hemingway the six-toed cat absolutely stole the show, and Elvis the terrier was adorable. The cat-and-dog friendship was genuinely heartwarming without being cheesy.

If you're looking for a quick, enjoyable beach read (literally—it's set on a Florida beach!) with lovable characters, cute animals, and a solid mystery, Marina Mews delivers. I'm looking forward to the next book in the Coral Shores series!

[Sharon Dooley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marina Mews
I enjoyed this cozy mystery, the third in this series. Although I had not read the earlier books, I found that the author transitioned seamlessly to this book. The setting is the laid-back South Florida coast in a beach town. The main character, Emily, found a body in scuba gear lying on the beach while she was dog walking. She learned the deceased was a friend, Billy, the owner of a local dive and bait shop.
As the police investigate, Emily goes to her job as the veterinarian owner of a small animal hospital. Along with her administrator, Anthony, she solved previous murders in this town, so when the police decide Billy's death was suspicious, they start sleuthing, despite admonitions from Mike. her police officer boyfriend, and her brother, Duncan, a detective
Along the way, we learn about animals, from the six-toed Hemingway cats in Key West to the various clients on a typical vet's day. As the author is a vet, tidbits about animal care are sprinkled throughout the clinic visits described. (I always like it when I can learn something from my cozy reading!) Cats and dogs dot the pages here as the sleuths investigate. Emily and Anthony ask questions: why mysterious break-ins occur at the dive shop after Billy's grieving niece moved in, and why was Billy broke? Why did he apparently dive alone?
So, read on to see how the mystery and crimes are revealed in this pleasant mystery with a well-developed cast of characters.
I received an advance reader's copy of this book and have reviewed it fairly.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and BookSirens for an advance review copy of Marina Mews, the third book in D.L. Mitchell's Coral Shores veterinary mystery series. I've enjoyed them all, but the author has really found her groove with this one.

Emily, the very likable protagonist, and her sidekick, Anthony, now function like a well-oiled machine, solving crimes and making the world a better place.

Elvis, the adorable terrier from Book 1, is back with a major role; he's the one who finds the body, which happens early in the story.

Emily is pet-sitting Elvis (who was adopted by her sheriff brother and his family). They're taking a walk on the beach when they come across the body of a SCUBA diver—who happens to be a local dive shop owner and the man who gave Emily her SCUBA lessons. Of course, Emily involves herself in his death investigation. At first, it appears to be an accidental drowning, but eventually, it is determined to be murder.

The victim leaves behind a six-toed cat named Hemingway, who is traumatized by something. His niece, Lala, an old high school friend of Emily and Anthony, returns to town to sort out her uncle's affairs and run his business.

Emily's knowledge of diving and attention to detail are key to solving the mystery. Although her brother and boyfriend, Mike (a sheriff's deputy) try to get her to stay out of it, they know she won't.

There were more suspects this time to up the suspense.

A very engaging read!

[Marietta Slater · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book of the Coral Shores Veterinary Mystery series. While I have not read the first two books, the author did a great job intertwining events from past books into this one making this a stand alone book. Since the author is a vet, she has seamlessly included information about treating animals which is a plus. I also liked how she included animals in this book.
Cast of Main Characters: The protagonist Emily is a vet, her boyfriend Mike is a detective, her brother Duncan also works for the local police department , her good friend Anthony is the vet clinic manager, Uncle Billy (the deceased) owner of bait shop, his niece Lala.
Emily finds Uncle Billy unresponsive on the beach. It is first thought it was just a diving accident; however, as the story unfolds it is looking more like murder. Lala comes to Coral Shores as Uncle Billy's next of kin. Emily and Anthony start looking into the murder and helping their friend Lala. Emily gets too close to the truth and is threatened.
Another pro to this book is the information about a turtle hospital. I have visited a turtle sanctuary/learning center on South Padre Island. Very impressive.
The only negative thing I have to say is the character Marc. He is just fluff and does NOT add anything to the story.
This was an ARC book (Advanced Reader's Copy) and in return I give my true review.

[Daniel Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed DL Mitchel’s third installment in her Coral Shores Veterinary Mystery series, Marina Mews. As with Mitchel’s prior stories, Marina Mews is centered around a patient of Dr. Emily Benton’s, in this case a six-toed cat named Hemingway.

Hemingway belongs to a beloved scuba instructor known as Uncle Billy. The mystery begins when Emily discovers Uncle Billy’s lifeless body washed up on a beach. When murder is suspected, Emily and her close confidant and partner in sleuthing, Anthony, set out to find the killer. Along the way, they learn Uncle Billy had secrets; not the good kind.

As always, Mitchel keeps things suspenseful, but cozy with plenty of pet antics, veterinarian realism as only a practicing veterinarian can prescribe, and G-rated romance. Fans of the series will be happy to know Emily and Anthony are joined by other Coral Shores characters like Marc, Michael and everyone’s favorite terrier, Elvis. The story moves fast and builds to a satisfying and surprising end.

Thank you to Book Sirens for providing me with an advanced reader copy of Marina Mews.

[Ruth Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured Marina Mews as eagerly as the story’s feline characters pouncing on their favorite treats. In this latest installment of the Coral Shores Veterinary Mystery series, author D.L. Mitchell once again treats us to her signature blend of suspense, intrigue, humor, and romance. The charming ensemble cast will stop at nothing to help friends and family in times of need, bathing the reader in feel-good emotions. And Mitchell’s skill at depicting the special bond that exists between pet owners and their animals is reminiscent of All Creatures Great and Small (albeit, minus the cows and sheep). And good news for fans of Elvis, the little Westie who launched this popular series: He may not take center stage in this volume, but the trusty terrier still manages to wag his way into a satisfying number of scenes. Highly recommended!

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Marina Mews” by DL Mitchell is a cozy mystery set in Coral Shores, FL. Emily, who runs a veterinary practice, and her assistant Anthony, investigate the death of Billy, a dive shop operator and friend of Emily’s. They reconnect with Lauren/Lala, Billy’s niece and a friend from high school. The book is as much about dealing with a personal loss as the investigation itself.

This is not the first book in this series, but it works fine as a standalone. Coral Shores sounds idyllic. Bella and Hemingway the cats and Elvis the dog are nice touches. The relationship between Emily and Mike, a police officer, is enjoyable. Duncan and Jane, Emily’s brother and sister-in-law, are good characters.

I’ve also read DL Mitchell’s “Untied Lines” in a different series (Mick Nassau) and enjoy her work.

I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Diane Nagatomo · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Marina Mews: A Coral Shores Veternary Mystery” is the second book I’ve read by D.L. Mitchel (the first was “Trust the Terrier”). In this series, we meet veterinarian Dr. Emily Benton again. Emily discovers a lifeless scuba diver washed up on the beach. It was a shock to see he was her former diving teacher and her high school friend’s uncle. But why would an experienced diver like him be diving alone? But it turned out he did not die from accidental drowning--he was murdered!

I loved this cozy mystery set in a charming fictional beach town in Florida with so many memorable characters—human, feline, and canine. The book was full of surprises and secrets. And as a bonus, I really enjoyed getting an insight into the work that a veterinarian does (for example, I had no idea a cat could get asthma!).

I received an ARC of this wonderful little book and my opinions are my own.

[Pamela Norsworthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's more fun than slipping back into the Florida town of Coral Shores, where the pets help the humans solve crimes? This time, it's a cat who communicates the clues when his owner turns up dead at his surf shop on the Marina. All the town favorites return in this third installment of the series--Emily the crime-solving veterinarian; her trusty assistant, Anthony; Emily's taciturn brother, the sheriff's deputy; and Emily's hunky boyfriend. And of course, Elvis the dog--the crime-solver from book #1.

The author has a talent for painting scenes you can see: the persnickety pets and owners who visit the vet hospital, the meals at Coral Shores hot spots so well-described you want to taste them, and oceanfront sunsets that make you want to book an island vacation. Cozy readers will find a lot to love in Coral Shores.

Thanks to the author for providing an advance copy of this book.

[Cam Torrens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read all of DL Mitchell's Coral Shores Veterinary mysteries. Marina Mews is the best one yet!

The author blends friendship/animal/small-town charm with coastal intrigue in her latest installment in the series. Veterinarian Emily stumbles upon the body of her childhood dive instructor on the beach. What first looks like a tragic accident quickly turns into a full-blown murder investigation, and Emily—never one to sit on the sidelines—dives into the case alongside her ever-loyal sidekick, Anthony. With clues surfacing at the marina and a terrified six-toed cat named Hemingway hinting at deeper secrets, the mystery ripples with cozy tension and heart.

And...my favorite character, Elvis, is back doing his part to keep kids happy, fellow animals company, and bad guys away!

[Katherine Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

The discovery of a dead body on the beach catapults Dr. Emily Benton, Coral Springs’ well-respected veterinarian, into a deadly investigation. Despite warnings from both her handsome police detective boyfriend and her protective brother, Emily refuses to step back from danger, especially when it involves the people she loves. Mitchell’s Marina Mews reunites familiar characters, including Elvis, the plucky terrier with an instinct for solving crime, while creating new ones, like Hemingway, a female cat who holds the key to catching the people who murdered her owner. Mitchell blends themes of friendship and loyalty with a gentle romance that leaves readers eager for the next trip to her charming Florida town. It shows that following the feline along with your heart pays off in a big way.

[Jacqueline]

I am an ARC reader for Book Sirens and this is my honest opinion. I enjoyed this book. It is a murder mystery resulting from a ruthless fraud, but the principal characters are veterinarians so the story involves two cute cats and a very cute terrier as well as some of their patients. This is book 3 or 4 in a series, each one involving animals as well as a crime to solve, so I've downloaded the previous books to read. I usually read much darker, more intense books than this and although the story starts with a murder and gets darker as the criminals get desperate, at the same time there is a fair amount of light animal based relief and a bit of romance. A nice, enjoyable read

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet, sad story with a positive ending. My heart went out to that poor scared cat in the rafters. It lost its' beloved master, and was scared out of its' witts!! I enjoyed following the process of finding out the killing agent and tracing it back to the user. The greed and disregard for human life was appalling. The cavalier nature of the suspects was gutwrenching. This was an intriguing and suspenseful story. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest review.

[A. R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful in a cozy mystery kind of way.

The sensory details that Mitchell used were superb. There were moments when I was sure I was sitting on a beach deck listening to the waves and enjoying the warmth.

Relationships were tender and fun. It was great that one character was related to the main character and that another was a boyfriend. And what can I say about the pets!!! They were delightful. Of course, I'm a dog/cat person and even owned a Westie. So Elvis was one of my favorites.

If you're a cozy person, I recommend this one!

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marina News is Book 3 in A Coral Shores Veterinary Mystery by D L Mitchell. Emily and her pup, Elvis, find a body in the marina. Because this is a series, I already new the core characters and how everyone fits in the story. Emily and her police boyfriend, Matt, are great characters. I found it interesting why Billy was murdered. Your hidden secrets always come to life. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Michelle Kssili · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. Emily’s persistence in solving the murder kept me hooked from start to finish—she’s determined, sharp, and refuses to let things go until the truth comes out. And Elvis, her terrier sidekick, completely stole my heart 🐾. He adds charm and personality without distracting from the mystery. The story is engaging, well-paced, and full of cozy mystery vibes. It's a fantastic read that I highly recommend to mystery lovers!

[Martine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily, veterinarian by day and amateur sleuth when necessary, is back solving murders once again. This latest installment is a strong addition to the series. The characters are wonderful and well-developed, the storyline is engaging, and there’s just the right touch of romance woven in. Add in loyal friendships, animals and a compelling mystery, and you have an enjoyable, entertaining read that’s hard to put down.
I received an advance review copy and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.

[Geraldine Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really enjoyable read.
It is a real must for those who love cozy mysteries where the protagonists are heavily invested in animals and their welfare
I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A murdered scuba instructor is the catalyst in this story . Who is responsible for his death and what is the reason?
This is an excellent book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[KerryO]

A lighthearted murder mystery in a fictional Florida coastal town. Emily, the local beloved vet, and her friends and neighbors are all likeable characters. An easy read for an afternoon by the pool or even the fireplace. I received an ARC from Book Sirens and the opinions expressed are my own.