What do you think?
Rate this book
Maine Clambake Mystery #4
Fogged Inn
An autumn chill has settled over Busman's Harbor, Maine, but Julia Snowden is warming up the town by offering lobster stew at the local diner. When her landlord discovers a dead body in the walk-in refrigerator, Julia must figure out who ordered up a side of murder.
Nothing's colder than a corpse--especially one stashed inside a sub-zero fridge. The victim spent his last night on earth dining at the restaurant bar, so naturally Julia finds herself at the center of the ensuing investigation. Lost in the November fog, however, is who'd want to kill the unidentified stranger--and why. It might have something to do with a suspicious group of retirees and a decades-old tragedy to which they're all connected. One thing's for sure: Julia's going to make solving this mystery her early bird special…
Includes Traditional Maine Clambake Recipes!
Nothing's colder than a corpse--especially one stashed inside a sub-zero fridge. The victim spent his last night on earth dining at the restaurant bar, so naturally Julia finds herself at the center of the ensuing investigation. Lost in the November fog, however, is who'd want to kill the unidentified stranger--and why. It might have something to do with a suspicious group of retirees and a decades-old tragedy to which they're all connected. One thing's for sure: Julia's going to make solving this mystery her early bird special…
Includes Traditional Maine Clambake Recipes!
314 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 23, 2016
636 people are currently reading
1753 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Ross
39 books1,145 followersBarbara Ross is the author of twelve Maine Clambake Mystery novellas and six novellas. Her books have been nominated for multiple Agatha Awards for Best Contemporary Novel and have won the Maine Literary Award for Crime Fiction. Barbara and her husband live in Portland, Maine. Readers can visit her website at Maine Clambake Mysteries.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 301 reviews
June 13, 2021
Fogged Inn is the 4th book in the Maine Clambake Mysteries written by Barbara Ross. I'm reading the books in order and love the coastal Maine setting. In this installment, Julia finds a dead body in their walk-in freezer... and that's the opening page of the book. Talk about jumping right into the murder scene. Loved it... Ross did an incredible job at explaining what happened when Gus (Julia's landlord) found the deceased man, then back-tracking to understand the events of the previous evening when Julia was running her restaurant with boyfriend Chris.
The fog is rolling in during the November setting, adding to the eerie sense of drama. Four couples were present plus the stranger who ended up frozen to death. A bus accident closing the town off from anyone getting in/out. A missing woman in addition to the murder victim who had stolen another stranger's car. A bit of a closed door mystery, but for me, the best part was the showdown Julia arranged at the end. When she suspected the murderer was one of the eight people in the restaurant, she stopped by to tell each of them that she had a confidential document that might reveal important information about an issue from the past. She went into hiding and waited for someone to break into her apartment... but all was not what it seems. Loved it!
My only concern was that we never really understood 100% exactly how the killer off'd the stranger and got away with it. We know the method and the timing, but Julia shut down the restaurant and left by 11ish... and somehow, the victim was inside the restaurant. I either missed the exact steps for how the killer did the deed and hid the body. Minor stuff, could've been me, still was an entertaining showdown and reveal! I've already bought the next book, a mini novella that takes place right around Christmas. And it has eggnog, which I love. Will read that next month.
The fog is rolling in during the November setting, adding to the eerie sense of drama. Four couples were present plus the stranger who ended up frozen to death. A bus accident closing the town off from anyone getting in/out. A missing woman in addition to the murder victim who had stolen another stranger's car. A bit of a closed door mystery, but for me, the best part was the showdown Julia arranged at the end. When she suspected the murderer was one of the eight people in the restaurant, she stopped by to tell each of them that she had a confidential document that might reveal important information about an issue from the past. She went into hiding and waited for someone to break into her apartment... but all was not what it seems. Loved it!
My only concern was that we never really understood 100% exactly how the killer off'd the stranger and got away with it. We know the method and the timing, but Julia shut down the restaurant and left by 11ish... and somehow, the victim was inside the restaurant. I either missed the exact steps for how the killer did the deed and hid the body. Minor stuff, could've been me, still was an entertaining showdown and reveal! I've already bought the next book, a mini novella that takes place right around Christmas. And it has eggnog, which I love. Will read that next month.
February 24, 2022
In this fourth book in the Maine Clambake cozy mystery series, it’s the off season and Julia and her boyfriend Chris have just started opening Gus’s for dinner to supplement their income and provide a gathering place for people in town since all the summer restaurants are closed. At the start of the book, Gus, who also rents Julia the upstairs apartment over his restaurant, comes up the stairs to tell her there is a dead body in the walk-in freezer… and the mystery fun ensues. This one was a particularly good mystery. I love how each of these mysteries always are very restaurant-food focused, and this was no exception. The mystery this time involved a stranger no one had seen before in town, a car accident, and a cold foggy Maine night. A perfect murder mystery! I really enjoyed the way the clues unfolded.
May 20, 2019
Another solid addition to this series by Ms. Ross. A quickly paced plot with several new characters that readers haven't met before made for an intriguing mystery that had enough twists to keep me guessing until Julia's reveal.
February 29, 2016
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Back to Busman’s Harbor, Maine, and this time it is snowy and icy and there are no clambakes. Instead Julia and Chris have opened Gus’s Too. They take over Gus’s restaurant in the evenings to give locals one place to dine during the off season. They are still finding their way, running the business by themselves, but they are off to a great start. That is until a dead body is found in the walk-in frig. Julie and Chris recognize the man as a customer from the night before. This leads them to take a closer look at all their customers from that night. Since it was foggy, rainy and cold there weren’t many. Some relatives of mine Caroline and Henry Caswell were among the guests. They certainly couldn’t have anything to do with that dead man, could they??
I started reading and I just couldn’t stop. I was excited not only about Chris and Julia’s new venture, but I desperately wanted to know how that guy ended up in a cooler in a restaurant that was locked up tight and why? Ross has plotted a marvelous mystery and I loved the way everything came together with a very unexpected ending, very different than a typical cozy mystery. At first I was sure I liked it but after thinking about it, I was totally on board with it.
We meet several new characters this time, couples that come to eat at Gus’s Too. When Julia does her investigation we get to know them all quite well and their connection to the town. She visits with each of them several times as she tries to figure out if they had anything to do with the man’s death even when they claim they didn’t know him at all. I found the dialogues interesting and I really tuned in to catch any clues.
Julia has moved into the apartment above Gus’s and Chris spends most night there. He still has his cabin which he is remodeling so he can rent it out during tourist season. They are starting to get more comfortable in their relationship but they have a lot of things to work out. Julia is a little too sure of herself after helping solve previous cases and Chris just wants her to leave the investigating to the police. Well, we all know that is not going to happen.
The fog plays a huge part in this story and I just don’t mean the weather outside. I really felt Julia and the police were working in a fog and through the fog to identify the victim and catch the killer. At times it was as thick as pea soup and I truly didn’t know how it was all going to come together in the dwindling amount of pages left, especially because I knew there were recipes back there too.
This is another strong story from Barbara Ross and I commend her for coming up with a great story in the off season when the town is really moving at a much slower pace with less people around. It was nice to get to know some of the other residents of Busman’s Harbor. They were a unique bunch. I hope they pop in for visits in future stories, especially those Caswells!
Back to Busman’s Harbor, Maine, and this time it is snowy and icy and there are no clambakes. Instead Julia and Chris have opened Gus’s Too. They take over Gus’s restaurant in the evenings to give locals one place to dine during the off season. They are still finding their way, running the business by themselves, but they are off to a great start. That is until a dead body is found in the walk-in frig. Julie and Chris recognize the man as a customer from the night before. This leads them to take a closer look at all their customers from that night. Since it was foggy, rainy and cold there weren’t many. Some relatives of mine Caroline and Henry Caswell were among the guests. They certainly couldn’t have anything to do with that dead man, could they??
I started reading and I just couldn’t stop. I was excited not only about Chris and Julia’s new venture, but I desperately wanted to know how that guy ended up in a cooler in a restaurant that was locked up tight and why? Ross has plotted a marvelous mystery and I loved the way everything came together with a very unexpected ending, very different than a typical cozy mystery. At first I was sure I liked it but after thinking about it, I was totally on board with it.
We meet several new characters this time, couples that come to eat at Gus’s Too. When Julia does her investigation we get to know them all quite well and their connection to the town. She visits with each of them several times as she tries to figure out if they had anything to do with the man’s death even when they claim they didn’t know him at all. I found the dialogues interesting and I really tuned in to catch any clues.
Julia has moved into the apartment above Gus’s and Chris spends most night there. He still has his cabin which he is remodeling so he can rent it out during tourist season. They are starting to get more comfortable in their relationship but they have a lot of things to work out. Julia is a little too sure of herself after helping solve previous cases and Chris just wants her to leave the investigating to the police. Well, we all know that is not going to happen.
The fog plays a huge part in this story and I just don’t mean the weather outside. I really felt Julia and the police were working in a fog and through the fog to identify the victim and catch the killer. At times it was as thick as pea soup and I truly didn’t know how it was all going to come together in the dwindling amount of pages left, especially because I knew there were recipes back there too.
This is another strong story from Barbara Ross and I commend her for coming up with a great story in the off season when the town is really moving at a much slower pace with less people around. It was nice to get to know some of the other residents of Busman’s Harbor. They were a unique bunch. I hope they pop in for visits in future stories, especially those Caswells!
February 23, 2016
It’s the off-season in Maine, and Julia and her boyfriend Chris are operating a dinner restaurant in the building where their friend Gus has his breakfast and lunch restaurant. When Gus comes in one morning to open, he finds a dead body in the refrigerator. The victim had come in for dinner the night before, but he is a stranger in town. Who was he? And why was he murdered in the restaurant?
This book opens with the murder right away, and the pace never slacks. I did miss a few of the usual supporting characters who are reduced to cameos here, but the new characters more than make up for it. The book builds to a sobering climax that adds some nice depth to the book and even a couple of our characters. I love this series, and this is another great entry.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
This book opens with the murder right away, and the pace never slacks. I did miss a few of the usual supporting characters who are reduced to cameos here, but the new characters more than make up for it. The book builds to a sobering climax that adds some nice depth to the book and even a couple of our characters. I love this series, and this is another great entry.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
August 15, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. It is book #4 in the series. I love visiting the Maine coastal town. The character developments and relationships really came to life in this 4th book. The murder mystery was very good, different, and poignant! I look forward to reading book #5.
November 14, 2019
This series just makes me want to visit Maine...although not in the winter
September 29, 2020
Best of the series so far! Loved the complicated delving into old, hidden secrets and Julia's dogged determination to track down information she's certain the police are missing.
February 23, 2016
Julia and Chris have agreed to keep Gus's restaurant open by serving dinner. A winter storm is raging through the area.The evening after Thanksgiving, a stranger sits at the bar for his meal. Four couples arrived separately and placed themselves in different areas of the restaurant. Later Officer Jamie Dawes informs the customers that there is a major accident blocking the highway and the customers are trapped there until the road is clear. The next morning a man is found dead in the walk-in freezer. Julia remembers that she sold 5 certificates in a block and finds that 4 of the customers paid with these gift certificates. They had been altered to show they expired that night. The state police asked Julia to let them find the answer. She feels they are not listening to her and starts looking for answers. Who is the dead man? Is the car accident related to the death?There are a number twists and turns that will keep you reading the book. A nice addition to this series
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Kensington Books through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinIons are my own.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Kensington Books through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinIons are my own.
January 8, 2019
Book four in the Maine Clambake Mystery series. So we finally get to see what this little town does once the summer is over and only the locals remain. Julia and Chris have opened "Gus's Too" which is a dinner restaurant inside Gus's that they run separate from Gus. A new customer spends the evening at their bar and after some strange events ends up found dead the next day. Of course this puts Julia and Chris right in the middle of the investigation whether they want to be or not. This is yet another excellent installment in this series that keep the reader guessing until the very last page and I was enjoying every minute of it as it is so well written. If you love cozy mysteries you have got to try this series as I have been unable to put it down. I really enjoyed it so I give it 4/5 stars.
March 11, 2016
The author chose a different and unusual way of presenting her book. It reminded me a bit of Agatha Christie...but also of Judy Bolton, a childhood favorite.
Of course I do not mean to say that this story was childish. It was that I had the same feelings after reading the story, which was a gentle mystery. In some of her actions Julia reminded me of Judy... I do not want to go into this with examples as I do not want to spoil the story.
I especially loved how Barbara Ross was able to make WINTER into sort of a character. It made the experience of reading this cozy mystery remarkable.
Recommended!
Of course I do not mean to say that this story was childish. It was that I had the same feelings after reading the story, which was a gentle mystery. In some of her actions Julia reminded me of Judy... I do not want to go into this with examples as I do not want to spoil the story.
I especially loved how Barbara Ross was able to make WINTER into sort of a character. It made the experience of reading this cozy mystery remarkable.
Recommended!
November 27, 2020
I really enjoyed this entry in the series. It was fun to get to see Busman’s Harbor in the off season. I always like a storyline that involves past events so I really enjoyed this one. The characters are like able and I enjoy reading about Julia’s adventures.
November 4, 2021
I love getting sucked into Busman's Harbor.
May 26, 2017
This is the fourth installment of the Maine Clambake Mystery series and I think the stories get better with each book. It’s the off-season in Maine, and Julia has moved into the studio apartment above Gus' Restaurant. She and her boyfriend Chris are operating the restaurant for dinner and calling it Gus' Too. Gus wakes Julia up hollering early in the morning that there is a dead body in his walk-in refrigerator. It ends up to be the stranger that was in the restaurant the night before. Not only that, but there was a car accident a couple of blocks away and the driver of one of the vehicles involved has disappeared. Julia also finds out that the gift certificates that the four couples who ate in the restaurant the night before during a storm, had been changed with an expiry date added. Are these situations related? Who is the dead man and why was he murdered in the restaurant? Who worked to get the four couples all in the restaurant together? Once again Julia investigates and finds out information that the police do not think is important. Are Julia and Chris in danger? Who is trying to get Julia to stop asking questions?
This book opens with the murder, and the pace never slows. Because it was off season, Julia, Chris and Gus were the main characters from town as well as the State Police and Julia's friend Jamie. This was nice because the characters involved in the mystery that Julia was investigating got me a bit confused at times. I like the way the story played out and the solutions to the various mysteries were unexpected. I enjoyed the side story very much and it added a nice dimension to the story. I definitely recommend this book to cozy mystery lovers. I love this series, and this is another great entry.
This book opens with the murder, and the pace never slows. Because it was off season, Julia, Chris and Gus were the main characters from town as well as the State Police and Julia's friend Jamie. This was nice because the characters involved in the mystery that Julia was investigating got me a bit confused at times. I like the way the story played out and the solutions to the various mysteries were unexpected. I enjoyed the side story very much and it added a nice dimension to the story. I definitely recommend this book to cozy mystery lovers. I love this series, and this is another great entry.
April 24, 2020
We are back in Busman's Harbor, Maine. Julia Snowden is now working at a restaurant during the off-season of her family's clambakes. The landlord and owner of the restaurant has woken to find a dead body in their refrigerator. No one has a clue who the guy is, which is strange. Julia sets out for a little sleuthing.
I love this series! I'm behind though, and need to get caught up. This is a bit different from the others in the series because it doesn't feature Julia's famous family clambakes, which I did miss. The mystery happened right away, which is how I like my cozies to start. Reading these in order is recommended for full reading pleasure.
I love this series! I'm behind though, and need to get caught up. This is a bit different from the others in the series because it doesn't feature Julia's famous family clambakes, which I did miss. The mystery happened right away, which is how I like my cozies to start. Reading these in order is recommended for full reading pleasure.
December 4, 2017
Bella storia, che mi ha fatto vagamente ricordare Assassinio sull'Orient Express e con una soluzione in parte inaspettata.
February 22, 2016
Synopsis:
An autumn chill has settled over Busman’s Harbor, Maine, but Julia Snowden is warming up the town by offering lobster stew at the local diner. When her landlord discovers a dead body in the walk-in refrigerator, Julia must figure out who ordered up a side of murder.
Nothing’s colder than a corpse—especially one stashed inside a sub-zero fridge. The victim spent his last night on earth dining at the restaurant bar, so naturally Julia finds herself at the center of the ensuing investigation. Lost in the November fog, however, is who’d want to kill the unidentified stranger—and why. It might have something to do with a suspicious group of retirees and a decades-old tragedy to which they’re all connected. One thing’s for sure: Julia’s going to make solving this mystery her early bird special…
Includes Traditional Maine Clambake Recipes!
Review:
Fogged Inn is the fourth book in A Maine Clambake series and it was very good. There was not one thing I did not enjoy about this book.
The characters are well developed, well rounded and three dimensional. Julia and Chris make a good couple, they seem to compliment each other. Both are hard working and are willing to work to make their relationship and dreams come true. I really enjoyed Gus, he was a crusty old guy but was a bit of a softie too.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in describing the characters and the setting with the written word. I was drawn into the book and felt like I was right there, watching all the action take place. I left reality and visited the world created by the author, which is such a great thing.
I thought the mystery was well plotted and wove the past and the present together perfectly. I really enjoyed the fact that past actions influenced present day consequences. Quite honestly, there is not one thing I would change about this book and I thought it was an excellent read. I was sad when I finished the book, I wanted to spend more time with Julia and Chris.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. This is the first book I have read by this author but I definitely plan on reading the first three in the series. This author has a new fan of her work.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
An autumn chill has settled over Busman’s Harbor, Maine, but Julia Snowden is warming up the town by offering lobster stew at the local diner. When her landlord discovers a dead body in the walk-in refrigerator, Julia must figure out who ordered up a side of murder.
Nothing’s colder than a corpse—especially one stashed inside a sub-zero fridge. The victim spent his last night on earth dining at the restaurant bar, so naturally Julia finds herself at the center of the ensuing investigation. Lost in the November fog, however, is who’d want to kill the unidentified stranger—and why. It might have something to do with a suspicious group of retirees and a decades-old tragedy to which they’re all connected. One thing’s for sure: Julia’s going to make solving this mystery her early bird special…
Includes Traditional Maine Clambake Recipes!
Review:
Fogged Inn is the fourth book in A Maine Clambake series and it was very good. There was not one thing I did not enjoy about this book.
The characters are well developed, well rounded and three dimensional. Julia and Chris make a good couple, they seem to compliment each other. Both are hard working and are willing to work to make their relationship and dreams come true. I really enjoyed Gus, he was a crusty old guy but was a bit of a softie too.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in describing the characters and the setting with the written word. I was drawn into the book and felt like I was right there, watching all the action take place. I left reality and visited the world created by the author, which is such a great thing.
I thought the mystery was well plotted and wove the past and the present together perfectly. I really enjoyed the fact that past actions influenced present day consequences. Quite honestly, there is not one thing I would change about this book and I thought it was an excellent read. I was sad when I finished the book, I wanted to spend more time with Julia and Chris.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. This is the first book I have read by this author but I definitely plan on reading the first three in the series. This author has a new fan of her work.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
February 10, 2017
Barbara Ross is writing some of the smartest cozies around, and this one is terrific, from the first line to the unusual ending. It's an exploration of long friendship, the role of an amateur sleuth in the community, and honesty in an evolving relationship. Highly recommended.
March 28, 2021
Lots of confusion with the characters/suspects and their intertwined relationships. However, the mystery was clever and I loved the outcome.
June 28, 2019
This is a fun series! I love returning to Maine and catching up with Julia and the residents of Busman's Harbor.
September 6, 2022
It’s off-season in Busman’s Harbor and Julia and Chris are making it a go with their relationship and a new nightly restaurant called Gus’s Too. It provides a place for locals to come at night for date night and let’s Chris show off his culinary skills. Four couples and a single man come to dine on the Monday after Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, one doesn’t make it alive by morning.
Book four in the Maine Clambake series was enjoyable in that we get to see Julia settle in to her new life back in her hometown. Since book one I’ve had my reservations about her relationship with Chris and I still have them after this book. Im just not sure they are right for each other for the long haul. So many secrets between them. Especially on Chris’ side.
Recipes are included for a fish and chicken entrée and a chowder. All sound delicious.
Book four in the Maine Clambake series was enjoyable in that we get to see Julia settle in to her new life back in her hometown. Since book one I’ve had my reservations about her relationship with Chris and I still have them after this book. Im just not sure they are right for each other for the long haul. So many secrets between them. Especially on Chris’ side.
Recipes are included for a fish and chicken entrée and a chowder. All sound delicious.
May 22, 2023
This book was enjoyable, but it was different from the other three previous books. The Maine Clambake Business is closed, since the story takes place during the winter months when the ferry is closed which goes both to and from Morrow Island. (That is where the clambakes take place in the warmer months.) The other members of the Snowden family are still present, but not to a large extent. There are many new characters, and they are the main characters of the story with complicated relationships. Julia Snowden's character is further developed as well as her relationships with Chris, Gus and Jamie. I will continue with the series, but I really hope that future books will put the story back on Morrow Island!
May 2, 2017
Julia is woken up early by the owner of the Restaurant downstairs to be told there is a dead man in the walk in freezer. Though she had seen the man the prior night, nobody knows who it is or why he died and in the freezer no less. So she starts asking questions and finds a mystery dated years in the past.
This was a nominee for the Agatha, and though it did not win, it is well worth a read. Julia is interesting and it is a works well with the police balance that I liked in my cozy sleuth!
This was a nominee for the Agatha, and though it did not win, it is well worth a read. Julia is interesting and it is a works well with the police balance that I liked in my cozy sleuth!
April 30, 2024
This was not a typical cozy in terms of the mood/setting of the story and what it produced in me. That's not to say that is a bad thing. I was surprised at how often I was in danger of being late for something because I was reading it and was having trouble putting it down. The mystery within a mystery was a twist I hadn't expected and I was beginning to wonder how Ms. Ross would carry the series through the dead of winter in Maine when the Clambake isn't happening. Boy, did she. I had to hurry and finish it before it interfered with my schedule any further and when I finished it, I felt for the characters. It's hard to describe why without using spoilers but - read it when you're ready to take a good look inside of yourself.
June 3, 2023
If I didn’t know better I’d think Lea Wait and Barbara Ross were the same person!! I recently finished the Mainely Needlepoint series and am now back to this Clambake Series.
They are so similar when I started on this one I actually had to remember this is Julia not Angie. Every character has an exact parallel. Even so, I enjoyed this - these stories are so clean they squeak. Nice for a change, we all need a little cozy in our lives.
A good plot and a nice supporting cast. Off to Book #5.
They are so similar when I started on this one I actually had to remember this is Julia not Angie. Every character has an exact parallel. Even so, I enjoyed this - these stories are so clean they squeak. Nice for a change, we all need a little cozy in our lives.
A good plot and a nice supporting cast. Off to Book #5.
December 28, 2025
Fun place for a body to be discovered. Some creepy things happening, but what do they have to do with the mystery and how are they happening? Besides that, lacked some excitement. Wish there had been better use of the fog.
January 20, 2021
Classic Connecticut, coming to Maine and trying to kill all the Mainers.
January 17, 2020
Out of all the Maine Clambake Mysteries I've read so far, this one had the best mystery. Though it's been done before, the concept of a group of seemingly unrelated people being brought together for a nefarious purpose always intrigues me.
Julia Snowden, the protagonist, wasn't perfect in this one, either. She got some things wrong and the cops actually knew more than she did, which made it more realistic than your typical cozy, where the cops all seem to be bumbling idiots.
The one thing I didn't care for in this book was the meanness. So far, Ross's series has neatly sidestepped the cattiness that tends to creep into cozies, but in this one there is quite a bit of nasty critique of people's hair, weight, age, and general appearance. Sometimes it's in Julia's thoughts, but other times it was outwardly expressed. For example, everyone makes fun of a woman on the island who's had plastic surgery, even going so far as to pull the skin on their faces back when they talk about her. When Julia discovers the real reason for the woman's surgery, which is quite tragic, she never once feels badly about making fun of her--or if she does, it's not expressed in the novel. Another person is repeatedly thought of as 'Bozo' by Julia because of his hairstyle.
I know small towns (and women) can be like this, so it's realistic, but it would have been nice to skip it. It wasn't necessary, and it made Julia seem small-minded and cruel. Otherwise, it's an awesome book, and I highly recommend it.
Julia Snowden, the protagonist, wasn't perfect in this one, either. She got some things wrong and the cops actually knew more than she did, which made it more realistic than your typical cozy, where the cops all seem to be bumbling idiots.
The one thing I didn't care for in this book was the meanness. So far, Ross's series has neatly sidestepped the cattiness that tends to creep into cozies, but in this one there is quite a bit of nasty critique of people's hair, weight, age, and general appearance. Sometimes it's in Julia's thoughts, but other times it was outwardly expressed. For example, everyone makes fun of a woman on the island who's had plastic surgery, even going so far as to pull the skin on their faces back when they talk about her. When Julia discovers the real reason for the woman's surgery, which is quite tragic, she never once feels badly about making fun of her--or if she does, it's not expressed in the novel. Another person is repeatedly thought of as 'Bozo' by Julia because of his hairstyle.
I know small towns (and women) can be like this, so it's realistic, but it would have been nice to skip it. It wasn't necessary, and it made Julia seem small-minded and cruel. Otherwise, it's an awesome book, and I highly recommend it.
February 8, 2016
Fogged Inn is the fourth book in the Maine Clambake series and winter has arrived in Maine. Julia and Chris have just opened Gus's Too, transforming Gus's diner into a fine dining restaurant during the winter months. Just after they finally open the restaurant, a dead man is found in the walk in cooler and Julia is thrown into the middle of yet another mystery, this one spanning decades.
I really enjoyed this, the plot was really well done; I confess I had no idea where it was going until the end. So many twists and turns that my head was spinning! Truly, this plot of dizzying; very well crafted and kept me turning pages well into the night.
I liked that Julia, a tiny bit high and mighty because she helped the police solve 3 other murders, got a bit of a comeuppance in the story. Between that and the confrontation with Chris, I felt like Julia grew as a character. The hallmark of this series has always been the rich characters, and I enjoy that more dimension is added as the series progresses.
In that same vein, though, I don't understand this whole story line with Jaime. I don't feel it adds anything to the series. Perhaps it will at some point, but for now it's just filler.
Overall, a great addition to an already great series and one I highly recommend.
I really enjoyed this, the plot was really well done; I confess I had no idea where it was going until the end. So many twists and turns that my head was spinning! Truly, this plot of dizzying; very well crafted and kept me turning pages well into the night.
I liked that Julia, a tiny bit high and mighty because she helped the police solve 3 other murders, got a bit of a comeuppance in the story. Between that and the confrontation with Chris, I felt like Julia grew as a character. The hallmark of this series has always been the rich characters, and I enjoy that more dimension is added as the series progresses.
In that same vein, though, I don't understand this whole story line with Jaime. I don't feel it adds anything to the series. Perhaps it will at some point, but for now it's just filler.
Overall, a great addition to an already great series and one I highly recommend.
February 21, 2016
I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The 4th volume of Barbara Ross’s Main Clambake Mystery series is the best of the bunch so far. The writing is riveting and the plot unique.
The action takes place in fictional Busman’s Harbor, Maine, a delightful seacoast town, during the winter off season. Julia and her boyfriend Chris are running a dinner restaurant and living in an apartment above. They are shocked to find a body, quite dead, in their walk-in refrigerator the morning after a particularly strange night at the diner. Their investigations uncover an incredible, decades-old event that brought the dead man and all their customers together on an evening of fog and freezing drizzle.
I’ve only visited Maine during the tourist season. FOGGED INN shows us what life is like there when all the tourists go home. As always, delicious recipes are included. You’ve got to try the “chowdah!”
The 4th volume of Barbara Ross’s Main Clambake Mystery series is the best of the bunch so far. The writing is riveting and the plot unique.
The action takes place in fictional Busman’s Harbor, Maine, a delightful seacoast town, during the winter off season. Julia and her boyfriend Chris are running a dinner restaurant and living in an apartment above. They are shocked to find a body, quite dead, in their walk-in refrigerator the morning after a particularly strange night at the diner. Their investigations uncover an incredible, decades-old event that brought the dead man and all their customers together on an evening of fog and freezing drizzle.
I’ve only visited Maine during the tourist season. FOGGED INN shows us what life is like there when all the tourists go home. As always, delicious recipes are included. You’ve got to try the “chowdah!”
Displaying 1 - 30 of 301 reviews