New Corpse In Town

Secret Seal Isle Mysteries #1

by Lucy Quinn

FBI agent Cookie James is enjoying her extended leave from the agency on Secret Seal Isle, managing her quaint inn and flirting with the oh-so sexy-handyman, Dylan Creed…until her sixty-year-old mother goes skinny dipping and is almost drowned by a corpse. A phone call to the sheriff should mean the end of Cookie’s involvement, but when it’s clear the sheriff has no interest in the investigation, Cookie calls in reinforcements…her ex-partner Hunter O’Neil. Suddenly it’s like old times while the pair questions the residents of Secret Seal Isle. Except it’s not. Now she has both Hunter and Dylan vying for her attention, a wayward hippy mother, and a potential killer on the loose. With her love life heating up, her mother lighting up, and all signs pointing to the most unlikely suspect, Cookie does the only thing she knows to do—focus on solving the case.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Romance, Cozy, Amazon

236 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 13, 2016

About the author

Lucy Quinn is the brainchild of New York Times bestselling author Deanna Chase and USA Today bestselling author Violet Vaughn. Having met over a decade ago in a lampwork bead forum, the pair were first what they like to call “show wives” as they traveled the country together, selling their handmade glass beads. So when they both started writing fiction, it seemed only natural for the two friends to pair up with their hilarious, laugh-out-loud, cozy mysteries. At least they think so. Now they travel the country, meeting up in various cities to plan each new Lucy Quinn book while giggling madly at themselves and the ridiculous situations they force on their characters. They very much hope you enjoy them as much as they do.

Deanna Chase, is a native Californian, transplanted to the slower paced lifestyle of southeastern Louisiana. When she isn’t writing, she is often goofing off with her husband in New Orleans, playing with her two shih tzu dogs, or making glass beads.

Violet Vaughn lives in coastal New Hampshire where she spends most mornings in the woods with her dogs, summer at the ocean, and winters skiing in the mountains of Maine.

Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

New Corpse In Town
(Secret Seal Isle Mysteries #1)
by Lucy Quinn
This is a fun mystery with crazy characters, sexy guys, and a good plot. Sprinkles of humor thrown in made it an enjoyable short read! A first in the series and it certainly made me want to continue it!

[Sabine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.4 brownie stars
I very much liked this start into a new series. Cookie is an ex FBI agent becoming innkeeper on a tiny island in Maine and you just have to love her hilarious hippie mother.....A great uncommon background for a cozy mystery sleuth. Loved the humor and the mystery. I have the next installment on my kindle and will keep reading about Cookies adventures.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly decent cozy.

An FBI agent takes a leave of absence to a remote Maine sea island, after busting a mobster.

When her hippie mother finds a dead body behind their inn, she calls her former partner in to help investigate. Of course, there's a triangle with hot, slightly mysterious local handyman.

Very light, with a few humorous situations.

[Kylie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have done some heavy reading and need something lighter then this is it.
Cookie is a former FBI agent that makes the move to an out of the way island with her mother to run a small inn. Fearing repercussions from a crime boss, she takes on a new name 'Cookie' rather than risking using her name Charlene. Unfortunately while settling in and fixing up the Inn her mother becomes entangled with a dead body in the sea while skinny dipping!
Not having any faith in the laid back attitude of the local law enforcer Cookie soon finds herself trying to solve the murder herself by calling in a favour with a former FBI partner.
I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to more in this series.

[Cissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

I found this novel unsatisfying both as a mystery and as a romance.

The mystery is overly simple, and only dragged out as long as it did because everyone involved was acting like idiots.

The romance... well. I am bored with the Hot Chick protagonist having 2 Hot Dudes both panting for her, and she unable/unwilling to choose between them- and, of course, they have infinite patience, while she's all about the one she's currently with. It's especially stupid when both Hot Dudes look like seriously bad news in their own ways.

If you are in trying circumstances in real life and need distraction- this could offer it. All aspects are so repetitive that it really does not matter if you are paying attention.

Other than that circumstance, not recommended, even for free (as it currently is).

[Sandra DiMaio-Leach · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't finish this book, which is extremely rare for me. I tried to give it a chance but when the heroine, who has thrown over her job to hide from the mafia on a remote island, starts bitching about being left out of a police investigation, I gave up. I don't enjoy dumb heroines. I was also irked that this writer seemed to be trying to create a "Miss Fortune" book, using parallels to Jana Deleon's heroine.
I love the Miss Fortune series so this attempt irritated me more than entranced me.

[Jeffrey F. Evans · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of sil!y.

Not a great read. Anticlimactic ending. Not very believable. Kept waiting g for the story to develop but it just never did

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cookie James' mother finds a corpse in the ocean outside their inn and the local deputy has no interest in pursuing an investigation. Not to be deterred, Cookie, an FBI agent, starts her own investigation.

Set on a small island off the coast of Maine, "New Corpse In Town" artfully blends an intriguing murder mystery with some romance and a cast of unusual secondary characters.

An enjoyable, whimsical read. Recommended for anyone who likes cozy mysteries.

[Kristine Soly · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not entirely a bad book. Yes, it is silly, but mercifully short. It's the romantic conflict with 2 "hunks" that was more than enough in this one book. I absolutely could not bear the same dilemma to appear again, which apparently it does. If the author could have toned down (I mean, waaaay down) the testosterone and sexual tensions, then I would really have enjoyed this book. But there's a whole lot more to people than their "hunky-ness" and "titillation from the hunk's touch". An occasional reference, fine, but every single chapter (and in detail)...not necessary. It detracts from the story. Really...how about some other aspects of the characters than their hormone levels!! That aspect gets old fast. No need to appeal to the lowest prurient interests of readers whose emotional lives are not fulfilling just to sell a book.

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally picked this book to fill the Q spot in my author alphabet challenge. Of course, I enjoy a good cozy too so that didn't hurt things.

Seal Isle sounds like a place I wouldn't mind living at times. Remote, small population, friendly people...well until one of them washes up in front of your home.

Cookie and her mother Rain have moved to this island because of Cookie's past involvement with the FBI and the mob. Let's just say she isn't on the right side of the mob so she is trying to protect herself. However, those FBI instincts kick in with the dead body and the lack of interest from the deputy on the island. Cookie calls in her hunky ex-partner Hunter, and life gets interesting for them and the town.

I think my favorite character is probably Rain because she is so free and a bit crazy. Dylan, Cookie's potential suitor, also has some strong characteristics that make him likable too. We don't see much of Cookie's best friend, but she is a hoot and a half.

The mystery was intriguing and I liked how Cookie and Hunter paired up to solve the crime. It might surprise you how it ends up and how the story unfolds, but it was very enjoyable to put the pieces together.

[Cookie M. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bad. Just bad. Reads as if written by a high schooler. Hackneyed, formulaic, dull. I don't even care whodunnit.

[Lindsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finished it so I gave it two stars (I usually reserve one star when I can't even slog my way through the book). More of the story is spent on the heroine trying to decide which guy she likes --even though all three characters are duller than dishwater. There is no direction with too many random things thrown in but not fleshed out. You only get a brief description of why Cookie left the FBI and went into hiding. The local sheriff is fine with an FBI agent (Cookie's former partner) and Cookie investigating the murder. A perfect best friend shows up in the end for no real reason.

[Goth Gone Grey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smokin' cozy mystery

This has a lot of cozy mystery basics - poor police procedure, a new kid in town shaking things up, and quaint secondary characters and location. It also has a romance triangle that's a bit too emphasized, and testosterone dripping though every chapter.

The main character is a former FBI agent hiding under a new name with her hippie mother. When a body washes up while the town handyman (rawr) is working on her house, her first option is to skip the hiding part and call her former partner (rawr). Other guys in town lust after her, too, but it's all about these two.

As with this style of book, everything wraps up neatly with enough sexual tension and quirkiness to lead to the next book. Not bad for a first tag team writing event, but thus far I prefer Deanna Chase's standalone novels.

[Dionaea · Rating 1 out of 5]

I went into this thinking that I would hate it but I at least would be entertained. I didn't expect to be so pissed off at the characters depicted. I absolutely hated Cookie, all she did was drool over how hot the handyman and her old FBI partner were and moaning that she had to pick one. She had three conversations with the handyman and got embarrassed when the old partner saw her in her panties and t-shirt and felt her tits through her wet shirt or really annoyed when he tried to treat her delicately. So, I didn't have much sympathy for her plight. It felt like watching teenagers fumbling over how relationships work instead of mature adults. Adults that were supposed to be in the FBI or Navy or whatever the hell handyman signed up for.

The coroner/medical examiner was cute even if you didn't get a dose of testoserone from his breath like the other two men that Cookie was so attracted to.

[Katy Wood · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really?! I love a cozy mystery but this book pushed the limits of believability. So, the protagonist is an ex-FBI agent?? She is painted as a very dumb heroine with virtually no knowledge of procedure or how to conduct an investigation. I don't have a law enforcement background, but dang she was not much of an investigator. So many details pushed the limits of reality. Her and her mom hadn't been on "Secret Seal Island" long at all yet she calls her mother to check out different residents. Really?? The two hot men battling for her affections were unbelievable also. I am thankful that I didn't pay for this drivel. Thank you bookbub for a free, unbelievable, time killing read of no substance or suspense. I usually don't write reviews but this book STUNK!! please don't pay for this garbage.

[Don Rich · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining read. 'Lucy Quinn' (pseudonym used by two authors that co-wrote the series) keeps you guessing 85% of the way through the book. They leave the door open for the continuation of the series at the end, and not in a bad way that makes you mad or feeling like you're left hanging.

Interesting characters, but I have a few other titles to read before I can get back on the ferry to return to Secret Seal Island. All in all, this book isn't a bad way to spend a rainy afternoon though.

[Jackie Linkous · Rating 2 out of 5]

At first I was really enjoying the book. But I got tired of the constant back and forth discussion in the main character's (Cookie) head about which guy was hotter, which would be better in bed, etc. along with being jealous any time another woman showed interest in either of these men. I finished it because it was a relatively quick read and wasn't horrible, just tiresome to hear the same internal conversation over and over. Not sure if I'll read any others in the series.

[Sharon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Where do I begin? There is nothing good about this book. Flat characters, over predictable plot- but the worst is the poor job it did with law enforcement rules. Nothing the characters did made sense.

[Aubrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some of the character names made it so difficult to take this book seriously. Not sure if I would give the next book a chance.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

New Corpse In Town is book one in the Secret Seal Isle Mysteries by Lucy Quinn. One of the men that FBI agent Cookie James investigating threated her life, so Cookie decided to leave the city and buy Inn on Secret Seal Isle with her mother Rain. The Inn needs some work, and Cookie James hired Dylan Creed, a local carpenter. However, for Cookie James, her life became complicated when her Mother Rain fines a body, and Cookie's ex-partner Hunter O'Neil arrives to investigate. The readers will continue to follow this lovely cozy mystery to find out what happens.

New Corpse In Town is the first book I have read by Lucy Quinn, and I enjoy reading this book. I love the portrayal of the characters by Lucy Quinn and the way they interact with each other throughout this book. New Corpse In Town is well written and researched by Lucy Quinn. I like the description of the setting and the way it complements the plot of this book. In parts of New Corpse In Town, I was unable to stop laughing.

The readers of New Corpse In Town will learn about running a small Inn on an isolated island. Also, the readers of New Corpse In Town will understand the problems small communities have when a crime committed in their community.

I recommend this book.

[Emmalynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate love triangles, they ruin an otherwise pretty good story and that’s what we have here. Plus, not a fan of Hunter, who is condescending, rude, doesn’t want commitment etc.. so why is he an option?? The story was good, the solution was decent. Rain is a hoot but definitely sex-crazed. It will be interesting to see how the characters develop.

[Pauline F Cornelius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hunks, Cookie and Rain. Which way to go for cover?

Funny, witty, and delightfully entertaining. You will fall in love with Cookie and want to be her mom's best friend.
Two hot hot hunks want more than a bite of Cookie and then toss in a dead body on the beach attacking mom, and you will be laughing out loud.

[Sheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fine. Not particularly interesting but not awful. I didn’t like the mom character. I found her irritating. Since there wasn’t anything particular that drew me in to the series, I probably won’t read any more.

[Janine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad cozy mystery set in an interesting location.

[Just Josie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sweet enough, but nothing I would consider to be strong writing. It was light. Very surface level characters. I didn’t find it to be an interesting chase to figure out the mystery.

Read: 21.07.2024
1st rating: 2 stars
Genre/tropes:Mystery/romance(clean)/comedy/thriller
Cover: 3 stars
POV’s: Single 3rd person
Will I recommend: No

[M M · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific summer read. Will read more in this series.

[Marcia-Lee Finocchio · Rating 5 out of 5]

FBI agent on the run from a Mob

Cookie is hiding out from a mobster, moves to a small town with her mother and now the fun begins. Enjoyed reading this book 📚, on to the next installment.

[Ashley Abbiss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining and well-written romp of the type. I personally could have done with a bit more sleuthing and bit less obsessing about guys' muscles, but that's a matter of personal taste. Definitely better than some I've read, and at least the heroine doesn't do something totally stupid at the end and end up in mortal danger. It's the totally stupid I object to, by the way, not necessarily the mortal danger.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took a chance on this book

I read the one and two star reviews of this book before getting it as a free book, needing something light to read while tending to my terminally ill mother. This book is more like novel romance than cozy mystery. Cookie seems to blow her cover as she works with her former FBI partner Hunger to solve an apparent homicide. Meanwhile she is all aflutter over the island handyman Dylan. Her mother Rain is a baby boomer hippie who smokes pot and runs around naked sometimes. The plot is pretty simple, and the characters all act like teenagers with raging hormones. I doubt the FBI works in the way depicted in the novel. But it is a fast read with few typos. It was enough of a distraction since I couldn't really focus on a book anyway. There are better cozy mysteries out there, but I have read worse. Caveat emptor.

[Elyse · Rating 3 out of 5]

I need a 'Q' author for my alphabet challenge, perused my Kindle, and found this freebie I got in 2018. The name is a pseudonym for a pair of friends who dove into writing cozy mysteries but it still counts. ;) It's a series I think I might slowly continue, I'm not in a rush. It wasn't amazing but it was a cute cozy, well, a little more risque than a normal cozy. So right up my alley. The mystery wasn't anything earth-shattering but I liked the quiet little island town of Secret Seal Isle (but why is it called that? No mention of seals, secret or otherwise) in Maine and Cookie's hippie mother, Rain. I hope to learn more about Cookie's past in future books. I also really like the book titles, riffs on rock songs!