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Gray Whale Inn Mystery #12
Rigged for Murder
Murder means all hands on deck in this charming coastal whodunit.
When innkeeper Natalie Barnes signs on as sous-chef aboard the historic schooner Margaret Stout, she expects a week of good food, ocean breezes, and smooth sailing with a group of Texas women. But the voyage gets off to a rocky start when one of the guests dies suddenly on the very first night. The Coast Guard declares the death natural causes, but Natalie isn't convinced. After all, the victim left behind a journal full of questions—and the Margaret Stout has a murky history of its own.
As Natalie kneads dough, tends the ship's wood stove, and keeps the hungry passengers fed, she finds herself navigating dangerous waters. Missing medications, mysterious connections between crew and guests, and whispers of a long-buried secret suggest someone aboard is determined to keep the truth below deck. When a second woman falls deathly ill during a lobster bake on a remote Maine island, Natalie realizes this mystery is far from adrift. With a killer hiding in plain sight and no way off the schooner, she'll need all hands on deck to uncover the truth—before she's the next one sent to Davy Jones's locker.
When innkeeper Natalie Barnes signs on as sous-chef aboard the historic schooner Margaret Stout, she expects a week of good food, ocean breezes, and smooth sailing with a group of Texas women. But the voyage gets off to a rocky start when one of the guests dies suddenly on the very first night. The Coast Guard declares the death natural causes, but Natalie isn't convinced. After all, the victim left behind a journal full of questions—and the Margaret Stout has a murky history of its own.
As Natalie kneads dough, tends the ship's wood stove, and keeps the hungry passengers fed, she finds herself navigating dangerous waters. Missing medications, mysterious connections between crew and guests, and whispers of a long-buried secret suggest someone aboard is determined to keep the truth below deck. When a second woman falls deathly ill during a lobster bake on a remote Maine island, Natalie realizes this mystery is far from adrift. With a killer hiding in plain sight and no way off the schooner, she'll need all hands on deck to uncover the truth—before she's the next one sent to Davy Jones's locker.
- GenresCozy MysteryMystery
220 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2026
About the author
Karen MacInerney
52 books1,166 followersI'm the author of the Agatha-nominated Gray Whale Inn mystery series, Tales of an Urban Werewolf. the Margie Peterson mysteries and the Dewberry Farm mysteries (plus a new fantasy in the works). My reading is like my writing: eclectic!
I grew up in the Northeast, but I currently live in Austin with my husband, two kids, and a houserabbit named Bunny. Feel free to visit me online at www.karenmacinerney.com; I love connecting with readers.
I grew up in the Northeast, but I currently live in Austin with my husband, two kids, and a houserabbit named Bunny. Feel free to visit me online at www.karenmacinerney.com; I love connecting with readers.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 1, 2026
Natalie has agreed to work as a sous-chef aboard a historic schooner. She expects a week of good food, long days, ocean breeze and an enjoyable experience. But the schooner has been booked by a group of women from Texas. The group appears to be more frenemies than friends, on the very first night one of the women are found dead. From first appearance the death could be an accident, but because to the reactions and a few items found in the decease's belonging Natalie believes that it's murder.
This is a mystery will keep you on toes when trying to figure out who the murder is. There are plenty of twists, turns, and surprise throughout the book. Since Natalie is helping out a friend we don't see much in the usual secondary characters in the series. However, the secondary characters in this book are a great mix of ones you like and ones that leave you are suspicious. The plot moves at a great pace and there are plenty of suspects from both guest and crew. I really enjoyed the trip on the schooner with Natalie.
This is my opinion and thoughts, which have not been inflicted by anyone else.
This is a mystery will keep you on toes when trying to figure out who the murder is. There are plenty of twists, turns, and surprise throughout the book. Since Natalie is helping out a friend we don't see much in the usual secondary characters in the series. However, the secondary characters in this book are a great mix of ones you like and ones that leave you are suspicious. The plot moves at a great pace and there are plenty of suspects from both guest and crew. I really enjoyed the trip on the schooner with Natalie.
This is my opinion and thoughts, which have not been inflicted by anyone else.
Review of advance copy received from Author
It has been a while since I have gotten to visit with my friends at the Gray Whale Inn on Cranberry Island in Maine. I have loved this series from the beginning. I love the beautiful Maine coast, the Inn and amazing recipes/food talk, and Natalie, a down to earth MC, and her crew, the wonderful supporting cast. So there is good news and bad news here, the bad news is we don't get to spend much time at the Inn or with our supporting cast, I always want more John, lol. The good news is that we get to go on an amazing adventure. Natalie has been asked by her friend, Sarah, to help her out with her job as the chef on a schooner after she seriously cut her finger. The Margaret Stout is a 150 year old schooner that cruises for a select few who like to rough it as the cooking is done on a wood stove, the cabins are tiny, and there is no electricity. There is the beautiful scenery, the amazing food, and the simplicity of a quieter life. The only flaw in this wonderful picture is that the women's group that are their passengers, are quite a nasty backstabbing group. When a passenger dies over the first night, it looks like it may be a heart attack. The woman also likes to drink to excess, but Natalie notices a few things that make her question it. While the Coast Guard works on answers, Natalie keeps her eyes open. When a second woman has a health crisis while they are doing a lobster bake on the beach, Natalie's instincts scream that something is wrong. Who is trying to eliminate their friends? Why do they need them gone? Are any of the crew in danger? Come along for a fascinating journey on an old-time schooner, see if you can help Natalie solve the mysteries while you learn about life on the water, and enjoy the beauty and history. Many thanks to the author #Karen MacInerney #RiggedforMurder #GrayWhalePress #GrayWhaleInnMysteries #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader
July 31, 2026
"Rigged for Murder" is book #12 in the "Gray Whale Inn Mystery" by Karen MacInerney.
Inn keeper Natalie Barnes takes a temp job as a sous-chef on an historic schooner. She's hoping for smooth sailing and tasty foods but the group of Texas women who chartered the trip proves to be anything but. Long held secrets, strained relations, and veiled comments have Nat on guard - especially after one of the women is found dead on the second day. Who wanted her dead and why? Did the same person also make an attempt on another passenger a few days later?
Aside from a brief bit at the beginning and end, the entire book takes place during the schooner trip. The women were clearly hiding personal secrets and guarding some past group secrets but it took awhile to figure out who and why. Some of the crew were also holding tight to some secrets of their own. Red herrings and some cleverly placed tidbits of info kept the mystery from being solved too quickly. The ultimate reveal and take down were well done. There was also an interesting yet unrelated, tale about a long ago trip with a murderer and an ax!
Though I am not even remotely a water/sailing person, I found the functioning of the historic schooner - especially the pure creativity, organizational and skillsets it would take to keep the galley operational to be jaw dropping. The descriptions were so vividly described readers can't help but be drawn into the setting. Granted, there was more modern communication via the captain's connection to outside resources and the ability of those aboard to charge their phones in the small library area but those were the only real modern modifications.
A few tasty recipes are included at the end of the book as well as a sneak peak of the next Dewberry Farm Mystery coming in late 2026.
This was a thoroughly entertaining cozy read that will have you imagining traveling in conditions from a hundred years ago while solving a very modern mystery!
Inn keeper Natalie Barnes takes a temp job as a sous-chef on an historic schooner. She's hoping for smooth sailing and tasty foods but the group of Texas women who chartered the trip proves to be anything but. Long held secrets, strained relations, and veiled comments have Nat on guard - especially after one of the women is found dead on the second day. Who wanted her dead and why? Did the same person also make an attempt on another passenger a few days later?
Aside from a brief bit at the beginning and end, the entire book takes place during the schooner trip. The women were clearly hiding personal secrets and guarding some past group secrets but it took awhile to figure out who and why. Some of the crew were also holding tight to some secrets of their own. Red herrings and some cleverly placed tidbits of info kept the mystery from being solved too quickly. The ultimate reveal and take down were well done. There was also an interesting yet unrelated, tale about a long ago trip with a murderer and an ax!
Though I am not even remotely a water/sailing person, I found the functioning of the historic schooner - especially the pure creativity, organizational and skillsets it would take to keep the galley operational to be jaw dropping. The descriptions were so vividly described readers can't help but be drawn into the setting. Granted, there was more modern communication via the captain's connection to outside resources and the ability of those aboard to charge their phones in the small library area but those were the only real modern modifications.
A few tasty recipes are included at the end of the book as well as a sneak peak of the next Dewberry Farm Mystery coming in late 2026.
This was a thoroughly entertaining cozy read that will have you imagining traveling in conditions from a hundred years ago while solving a very modern mystery!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a long awaited new book in the Gray Whale Inn Mysteries series and, let me tell you, it's well worth the wait! This story takes us away from the lovely inn on Cranberry Island, Maine, as innkeeper, Natalie Barnes, leaves her lovely home and handsome husband for a week as hand in the galley of a 150-year-old schooner to help out an injured friend. She ends up with more than prepping meals on her mind when one of the guests on board is found dead. Natalie can't seem to escape suspicious deaths even when she's sailing off the beautiful Maine coast! Could one of the other members of the group of women have been involved in her death? They don't really seem to be warm and loving friends ... they're more competitive and judgemental than friendly with one another. Of course Natalie can't stop herself from trying to find out if there was foul play involved and circumstances lead her to believe that was definitely the case. Will Natalie finish out this cruise and get home to Cranberry Island in one piece? This intriguing story has twists turns, great subplots, wonderful sounding foods, descriptions of beautiful Maine surroundings, and even another mystery from the early days of the schooner's history. A great cast of characters and terrific storyline make this a really enjoyable read!
August 6, 2026
This Girls’ Trip is a Killer!
Rigged for Murder is the latest voyage into the idyllic, yet busy, life of Natalie Barnes, the popular innkeeper at Gray Whale Inn on beautiful Cranberry Island in Maine.
Natalie embarks on the trip of a lifetime “working” vacation on the Margaret Stout, a historic Maine Schooner. Just as she’s become acquainted with the guests and crew, the accommodations, and her duties as sous chef, predictably, she finds herself immersed in less than relaxing drama, murder and mystery.
Several Houston Moms are enjoying a break from their mundane lives filled with soccer and prep school PTA duties, but dirty little secrets, jealousy and bad habits interrupt the girlfriend bonding with tension and suspicious activity among nearly all on board. Natalie can’t stay out of any of it. How many of the guests and crew will remain on board at the end of the trip - alive?
Most of the action takes place at sea and away from Cranberry Island, so while I really enjoyed it, I did miss the regular cast of characters and their antics. It was fun to read about life on a schooner, and the Margaret Stout held a few mysteries of her own which kept my interest, even when I wanted to knock off a few characters myself!
Rigged for Murder is the latest voyage into the idyllic, yet busy, life of Natalie Barnes, the popular innkeeper at Gray Whale Inn on beautiful Cranberry Island in Maine.
Natalie embarks on the trip of a lifetime “working” vacation on the Margaret Stout, a historic Maine Schooner. Just as she’s become acquainted with the guests and crew, the accommodations, and her duties as sous chef, predictably, she finds herself immersed in less than relaxing drama, murder and mystery.
Several Houston Moms are enjoying a break from their mundane lives filled with soccer and prep school PTA duties, but dirty little secrets, jealousy and bad habits interrupt the girlfriend bonding with tension and suspicious activity among nearly all on board. Natalie can’t stay out of any of it. How many of the guests and crew will remain on board at the end of the trip - alive?
Most of the action takes place at sea and away from Cranberry Island, so while I really enjoyed it, I did miss the regular cast of characters and their antics. It was fun to read about life on a schooner, and the Margaret Stout held a few mysteries of her own which kept my interest, even when I wanted to knock off a few characters myself!
July 23, 2026
Advanced Reader Copy from Author
Rigged for Murder, Gray Whale Inn Mystery #12.
Great series!
Welcome back to Cranberry Island, but only briefly! Natalie is on an adventure aboard the Margaret Stout, a historic schooner, helping her friend Sarah with the food prep for a group of women passengers from Texas. The women are friends through their children’s elementary school and Girl Scout troop. Smooth sailing, think again! These women are quite the group and a perfect example of the sarcastic idiom of “with friends like these, who needs enemies!”
The adventure begins and just as they set sail the body count begins. Coast Guard boards the schooner but Natalie has already begun her investigation before the coast guard even removes the body! Can she sift through the clues, listen in on enough of the groups conversations and discover the big secrets before the next body drops!?! Fun read… with a taste of sailing and food prep without electricity or accessory motors.
Rigged for Murder, Gray Whale Inn Mystery #12.
Great series!
Welcome back to Cranberry Island, but only briefly! Natalie is on an adventure aboard the Margaret Stout, a historic schooner, helping her friend Sarah with the food prep for a group of women passengers from Texas. The women are friends through their children’s elementary school and Girl Scout troop. Smooth sailing, think again! These women are quite the group and a perfect example of the sarcastic idiom of “with friends like these, who needs enemies!”
The adventure begins and just as they set sail the body count begins. Coast Guard boards the schooner but Natalie has already begun her investigation before the coast guard even removes the body! Can she sift through the clues, listen in on enough of the groups conversations and discover the big secrets before the next body drops!?! Fun read… with a taste of sailing and food prep without electricity or accessory motors.
July 30, 2026
The latest Gray Whale Inn mystery is another winner. This time, Natalie trades her cozy island kitchen for a 150-foot schooner, stepping in as a Sui chef. It doesn’t take long before a passenger turns up dead, and Natalie once again finds herself juggling recipes and clues as she races to uncover the killer before anyone else is harmed.
Karen McInerney’s writing is so vivid and immersive that you can practically feel the ocean breeze and hear the creak of the ship’s timbers. She pulls you right into Natalie’s world, making every twist feel immediate and every discovery satisfying.
Like the rest of the series, this book delivers charm, suspense, and heart in perfect balance. It left me wanting more — and eager for Natalie’s next adventure.
Karen McInerney’s writing is so vivid and immersive that you can practically feel the ocean breeze and hear the creak of the ship’s timbers. She pulls you right into Natalie’s world, making every twist feel immediate and every discovery satisfying.
Like the rest of the series, this book delivers charm, suspense, and heart in perfect balance. It left me wanting more — and eager for Natalie’s next adventure.
July 30, 2026
Another fun mystery for Natalie Barnes to solve. This adventure takes Natalie on a historic schooner to fill in as a sous-chef for a week in a rustic galley kitchen. A group of frenemies from Texas have chartered the schooner for the week and one of them doesn’t even make it to day two of the voyage. Not only is Natalie getting up at 4:30 am and using a wood stove to cook, she is also snooping to uncover the secrets of the frenemies on board before another person dies. Ms. MacInerney not only weaves a solid current mystery, she adds a historic mystery to the mix. I thoroughly enjoyed joining the fun on this schooner adventure. The mixture of the two mysteries kept me turning the pages until both mysteries were solved.
Review of advance copy received from Author
In Rigged for Murder instead of the usual visit to Cranberry Island, Natalie is helping a friend out on a schooner trip. The ladies trip turns into murder on the first night. Natalie's adventure turns into her trying to determine what happened and who the culprit is before someone else becomes a victim.
I always enjoy The Gray Whale Inn books and Rigged for Murder was a great read. Not only did the mystery keep me guessing but the characters are always so much fun and so well written that they really come to life. This book gave the bonus of a glimpse into life aboard a schooner which I found very interesting.
I highly recommend Rigged for Murder to all cozy mystery readers.
I always enjoy The Gray Whale Inn books and Rigged for Murder was a great read. Not only did the mystery keep me guessing but the characters are always so much fun and so well written that they really come to life. This book gave the bonus of a glimpse into life aboard a schooner which I found very interesting.
I highly recommend Rigged for Murder to all cozy mystery readers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was honored to be a advanced reviewer.
Think desperate housewives on a week long schooner vacation. It offers a truly fun adventure with a beautiful Maine backdrop. Always engaging characters and a story plot and murder to savor. If you have never been to Maine please consider a trip. I was very charmed with Natalie helping a friend and also how much she can be supportive of a young crew member in a bad relationship. The book always ends too soon and has me wanting another chapter or more. A good thing that brings me back each time.
Think desperate housewives on a week long schooner vacation. It offers a truly fun adventure with a beautiful Maine backdrop. Always engaging characters and a story plot and murder to savor. If you have never been to Maine please consider a trip. I was very charmed with Natalie helping a friend and also how much she can be supportive of a young crew member in a bad relationship. The book always ends too soon and has me wanting another chapter or more. A good thing that brings me back each time.
July 31, 2026
Received an ARC from the author. This is a another great addition to the Gray Whale Inn series! Natalie is back in the middle of a suspicious death - but this time it's not at the inn. Set on a schooner, the Margaret Stout, Natalie must untangle clues, uncover secrets, and solve another mystery involving a group of friends on a chartered adventure.
I thought this was a fun cozy mystery and loved the use of a schooner as the setting. I hope this series continues as it is a personal favorite of mine!
I thought this was a fun cozy mystery and loved the use of a schooner as the setting. I hope this series continues as it is a personal favorite of mine!
August 6, 2026
A Free Trip is Not Always Such a Bargain!
Life aboard an historic Maine schooner has its quirks and its challenges but murder should not be on the menu. Innkeeper Natalie is invited aboard for a free cruise in return for providing some help in the kitchen. Alas, it's up to busy sous chef Natalie to cook and solve the murder and assorted mayhem asap before someone else gets hurt. One of the best parts of the story is the description of life on the boat in the absence of electricity and running water. This book had my attention from beginning to end!
Life aboard an historic Maine schooner has its quirks and its challenges but murder should not be on the menu. Innkeeper Natalie is invited aboard for a free cruise in return for providing some help in the kitchen. Alas, it's up to busy sous chef Natalie to cook and solve the murder and assorted mayhem asap before someone else gets hurt. One of the best parts of the story is the description of life on the boat in the absence of electricity and running water. This book had my attention from beginning to end!
Review of advance copy
A mystery that kept me guessing until the end and I was wrong. What better place for murder and mayhem than on a schooner cruise on Penobscot Bay in Maine with Texas girls, ahem women’s, get away! Rich women friends with secrets and rampant menage a trois and a who dunnit, It is mystery on top of mystery. If you are looking for an escape, head to Maine!
August 4, 2026
Really Enjoyable Mystery!
In this wonderful addition to the Gray Whale Inn mysteries, we get an adventure on a sailing schooner along with a puzzling murder mystery. This can easily be a standalone read, but I love the series.
In this wonderful addition to the Gray Whale Inn mysteries, we get an adventure on a sailing schooner along with a puzzling murder mystery. This can easily be a standalone read, but I love the series.
August 5, 2026
Great Read
Wow! Definitely a can't put it down read. This might be the best book in the series yet. The schooner as a setting for the story was definitely unique. The plot had twists and turns that kept you guessing. I definitely recommend this book.
Wow! Definitely a can't put it down read. This might be the best book in the series yet. The schooner as a setting for the story was definitely unique. The plot had twists and turns that kept you guessing. I definitely recommend this book.
August 5, 2026
mystery now and then
Steady plot has interred into wondering what had happened to the families now and mysteriously of the past crew and what was going t happen next and old past adventures and life on a sailing ship
Steady plot has interred into wondering what had happened to the families now and mysteriously of the past crew and what was going t happen next and old past adventures and life on a sailing ship
August 1, 2026
I loved it!!!
August 8, 2026
I really enjoyed this one even though it takes place away from the Inn. Natalie manages to keep John in the loop so it's not a totally new cast of characters.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I always enjoy Karen MacInerney’s Gray Whale Inn series and this was another fun installment. Natalie continues to be a smart, relatable protagonist who is likable and engaging.
This mystery took Natalie away from the inn and onto a schooner as a sous chef. It was a fun change of scenery and I appreciated learning a little about schooners and life on the water along the way. The group of women on board wasn’t exactly likable, but their personalities and baggage added plenty of tension which made the storyline more entertaining.
The mystery kept me guessing until the end.
I very much enjoyed this book and look forward to seeing what Natalie and her friends get involved in next.
This mystery took Natalie away from the inn and onto a schooner as a sous chef. It was a fun change of scenery and I appreciated learning a little about schooners and life on the water along the way. The group of women on board wasn’t exactly likable, but their personalities and baggage added plenty of tension which made the storyline more entertaining.
The mystery kept me guessing until the end.
I very much enjoyed this book and look forward to seeing what Natalie and her friends get involved in next.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews