Murder with an Ocean View: A Gripping Family Secrets Cozy Mystery

by Cheryl Marlow

An abandoned seaside home. A view to die for. And a raging fire that leaves a body in the ashes.

Someone has been secretly hiding out in the house, determined to keep its secrets hidden, even if it means burning it to the ground.

And no one can identify the victim.

When local realtor and Shoreline Circle member Tamika Roy falls under suspicion, innkeeper Paisley Penrose—along with her loyal Labradoodle, Noodle—can’t stay on the sidelines. Working alongside Detective Grant Halloway, Paisley begins asking questions, and a troubling list of suspects a wealthy out-of-state developer who stood to gain if the house—and anyone hiding inside it—disappeared, and a distant homeowner whose decision to quietly shelter a secret guest may have had deadly consequences.

But as rumors spread and the truth smolders beneath the wreckage, Paisley realizes the fire wasn’t meant to draw attention—it was meant to erase it.

Now someone is watching her, and if she gets any closer to the truth, she may be the next body left in ashes.

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 23, 2026

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This installment in the Paisley Penrose Cozy Mystery series surprised me in the best way. The setup alone is wonderfully atmospheric—an abandoned seaside home, a fire that leaves nothing but questions, and a victim no one can identify. But what really hooked me was how the mystery kept widening. I thought I knew what kind of story I was stepping into, and then it quietly unfolded into something much bigger. I absolutely did not expect it to involve more than one crime thread, and the way those pieces eventually connected was so satisfying without ever tipping into spoiler territory.
Paisley and Sheriff Grant continue to be one of my favorite slow‑burn pairs in cozy fiction. Their relationship is still understated, still gentle, still full of that quiet trust that makes every interaction feel meaningful. I love that it never overshadows the mystery—it just adds warmth to the edges of the story.
The Shoreline Circle, who usually play a larger role, felt more like background this time around. They’re present enough to keep the village alive and familiar, but this book leans more heavily on Paisley, Grant, and the investigation itself. And honestly, that shift worked for me. It let the emotional core of the story shine through.
What really stood out was how the book balanced the darker elements—arson, murder, even hints of a robbery ring—with the theme of community. Underneath the mystery is a story about friends showing up for each other the way family should. That sense of connection is part of what keeps me coming back to Sand Key Shores.
I didn’t guess the person involved until nearly the end, which is always a treat in a cozy mystery. The twists were clever without feeling forced, and the final reveal landed beautifully.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and continue to look forward to every new visit to this small Florida town and its wonderfully interesting residents—both the ones who live there and the ones who wander in with secrets of their own.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic addition to the Paisley Penrose series that grabs you from the beginning. When Paisley's friend and real estate agent, Tamike opens the door to check on a listing for the homeowner and is faced with a fire. The listing has burnt to the ground. While going through the ashes, a dead body is found. No one seems to know who the dead man was. But Tamike has to clear her reputation. Why? So of course, Paisley, her incredible clue finding dog, Noodle and Det. Grant Halloway are on the case. Finding that the real estate is prime for development add to that there are secrets someone obviously doesn't want out. There are many potential suspects and another death? The closer Paisley and Noodle get, the more danger they are in. Can they figure out this puzzle and find a murderer? Add to that and there seems to be a very slow burning potential romance between Grant and Paisley. This book is so good, I had to read it straight through. Of course, Noodle is a favorite. Not only do I highly recommend this book, but I highly recommend the entire series. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here is strictly my own.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an interesting and wonderfully woven mystery Paisley is trust into when her friend Tamike opens the door to a real-estate listing, only to be met with a sudden wall of flame and heat. When the ashes settle and a body is discovered, the mystery and speculation only intensifies. Prepared to help Tamika whether the image storm, and clear her name, Paisley and Noodle get to work. The tension and interactions with Det. Grant Halloway have me hoping for a spark of romance in that arena (at some point). With the house sitting on prime real-estate, there are a number of worthy suspects. Add to that the need to uncover the dead man's identity and potential connection to the house, and this mystery gets complicated quickly. Not to worry, they tie everything up neatly in the end.

I was gifted a copy of this book by the author and voluntarily provided this review. Happy Reading Y'all 📚

[Alicia Viola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder with an Ocean View blends a relaxing coastal backdrop with a steadily unfolding mystery that keeps things interesting from beginning to end. The seaside setting adds a peaceful atmosphere, while hidden tensions and quiet suspicions ripple beneath the surface.

The story moves at a comfortable pace, allowing clues to fall into place naturally. A cast of engaging characters brings warmth and personality, while unexpected turns add just enough intrigue to keep the mystery feeling fresh. The balance between cozy charm and suspense makes this an easy, enjoyable read.

A breezy yet engaging mystery with coastal charm—perfect for readers who enjoy a relaxing setting paired with a well-paced whodunit and a touch of small-town intrigue.

[Mrs K.Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder with an Ocean View is a Superb story and series about Paisley Penrose and her Aunt Dottie who are Inn Keepers and Noodle a very clever, sleuthing dog Noodle. There is a fire in an abandoned house and Detective Grant Halloway starts to investigate with Paisley and support from the Shoreline Circle who are the committee for social events. There are many interlinked parts to the mystery. But can they untangle the mystery and discover the truth?
I enjoyed the story very much and I highly recommend that you read.

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

[Dave Measner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another mystery for Paisley
The old house with the great ocean view has long been abandoned and when the owner has Tamika look into selling there is hope someone will fix it up and keep the developers away. When the house burns down and for a time Tamika is a suspect Paisley rallies to her friend and joins the investigation. When a body is found in the ashes where no one is supposed to have been, the case becomes more complex. A fine mystery with interesting characters who have developed as the series has gone on.
I received a free copy of this book from Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptionally good read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
As always the combination of characters ~ including Noodle~ makes for a relaxing read. The Circle have a quiet and strong bond which embraces all they do. Noodle is definitely still my favourite though he never says a word .....he's just there finding clues and giving support to Paisley and every member of the community. This book gave the reader an excellent challenge in finding the guilty party. Some motives are more personal while others are more monetary. Recommend this entire series....gift it to yourself or other mystery loving friends.

[J.E. Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story of mystery murder, and lots of suspense. I was drawn in right away and couldn't put it down. An empty on the market house, a crime ring, and unidentified body, and family secret are the makings of a great cozy mystery.

I loved reading about my favorite characters. Of course, that's Paisley, Noodle, and Officer Grant. This story had lots of twists and turns. The murder kept me guessing. I was surprised by the ending. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy via Booksprout; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paisley, Noodle and Grant are back to their crime solving. This was an enjoyable story with multiple crimes to keep you guessing. This book and series has a great mix of homeown neighbors, family, crime solving pup and ocean breezes. It is a well written story with suspense and suspects. Recommended read that keeps you thinking.

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

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another Paisley story that grabs you from the first page, ties you in knots, and that makes you figure out who is going to get caught by Grant. This story started with a fire in a house by the shore and makes you think that it is going to be a simple story, not a chance! Paisley and Grant with Noodle, the Doodle, look into clues and find more than they were expecting.
Great story!
I received an arc and this is my review.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy from the author, and these comments are all my own.
This is a great series, and I particularly enjoy Noodle the detective dog.
I will definitely be reading more of Cheryl's books!

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid series!

This series is so well written, and I have enjoyed it! I really hope there will be more. It's quiet and well thought pace makes it truly cozy!