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Gray Whale Inn Mystery #3
Murder Most Maine
It's springtime on Cranberry Island — and love is in the air. It seems like every woman has the hots for buff trainer Dirk De Leon. He and his equally-gorgeous business partner, Vanessa Black, are leading a weight-loss retreat at the Gray Whale Inn — forcing innkeeper Natalie Barnes to lighten up her butter-laden breakfast menu.
The mood on the island darkens when two grisly discoveries are made. The first is a skeleton walled up at the island's lighthouse. The second is a corpse of the fresh variety — the handsome Dirk! Could the spirit that once embodied the skeletal remains — perhaps the lighthouse keeper who disappeared a century ago — be responsible for Dirk's death?
The mood on the island darkens when two grisly discoveries are made. The first is a skeleton walled up at the island's lighthouse. The second is a corpse of the fresh variety — the handsome Dirk! Could the spirit that once embodied the skeletal remains — perhaps the lighthouse keeper who disappeared a century ago — be responsible for Dirk's death?
277 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2008
377 people are currently reading
823 people want to read
About the author
Karen MacInerney
52 books1,142 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 - 30 of 216 reviews
February 16, 2017
With this story, MacInerney brings us the third entry in her Gray Whale Inn series, following “Dead and Berried.” The action begins approximately 8 months after the conclusion of that 2nd novel.
Natalie Barnes, owner of the Gray Whale Inn, is providing accommodations and food service for a week-long retreat run by a company specializing in weight-loss techniques. When the participants arrive on the afternoon mail boat, John Quinton and Natalie go to meet them. John has four roles on the island. He is the town’s chief deputy, he is a wood sculptor, he is Natalie’s next-door neighbor and he is Natalie’s boyfriend of nearly a year. The moment the boat docks he takes on a fifth role – he is the retreat leader’s ex-boyfriend, a fact here-to-for unknown by Natalie.
From this point on, Natalie’s life, both personally and professionally, deteriorates at an exponential rate. From the moment the gorgeous and lithe Vanessa steps foot on the dock, John gravitates to her like a moth to a flame. Within 24 hours, Vanessa’s business partner, who is also a former lover, is missing and then found dead of ingested poison. Less than a day later, the police shut down Natalie’s kitchen, which threatens to put her out of business. And then it just gets worse from there.
The mystery portion of this novel is well crafted. The characters, the motives, the play-by-play descriptions leading to the climax and the murderer’s identity are paced, clearly written and realistic.
But, I feel that this author does not have the touch for writing a romantic component into a story. For instance, back in the previous book, Natalie has only been dating John for a few weeks when her ex-fiancé shows up. That storyline did not progress for very long before I was pretty irked at the unrealistic manner in which the author has Natalie respond to the machinations of her ex-fiancé. In fact, MacInerney managed to write the romantic equivalent of the college coed going down the basement stairs in a slasher movie. You can see right through it, you know that nothing good is going to come of it, and you can’t believe that the heroine doesn’t see that the words and the actions of the ex-fiancé don’t match.
Well, shampoo, rinse and repeat – only this time the aggravating storyline falls to John. At the first sight of Vanessa, it’s as if a switch is tripped. Everything seems to be about Vanessa and Natalie seems to become a mere afterthought in John’s existence. Eventually, John’s explanation is that those actions were his way of keeping a major secret that Vanessa had told him. However, he did not have knowledge of that secret when Vanessa arrived, so that story does not even come close to explaining the fact that, from the moment he sees Vanessa, John is shoulder to shoulder with her, has her feet in his lap on the sofa in the Inn’s parlor, hugs her intimately and even calls her “sweetheart,” all right in front of Natalie. Again, actions and words do not match and the make-up scene does not adequately resolve the issue. And even though that scene is clearly intended to be quite romantically dramatic, it actually comes across as forced, trite and unrealistic.
A second problem with the romantic element is that MacInerney has Natalie constantly refer to John as “my neighbor.” Yes, he does live right next door, but they have been dating for nearly a year. To have her refer to him as simply her “neighbor” rather than “John” in her internal monologues is off-putting and actually feels symptomatic of a third and nastier problem with MacInerney’s writing.
To wit, from a romantic standpoint, MacInerney has written a “clean” novel. There are no sex scenes and the kissing scenes that do exist are brief, non-detailed and essentially “sweet.” But beneath the cleanness is an underlying sense of judgment implying that sex is somehow dirty. The main characters are seemingly chaste and the only people engaged in sex are having extra-marital or clandestine affairs. In actuality, the feel goes beyond the idea that the author is trying to write a clean romance. It feels as if the author does not perceive the difference between loving passion and sensational erotica, but knows that some level of physical romance should be included in order to market the book.
I have the next book in the series in my library already, acquired at a good sale price. I will read it, but if the handling of the romantic plot does not improve substantially, it will be my last read for MacInerney.
Natalie Barnes, owner of the Gray Whale Inn, is providing accommodations and food service for a week-long retreat run by a company specializing in weight-loss techniques. When the participants arrive on the afternoon mail boat, John Quinton and Natalie go to meet them. John has four roles on the island. He is the town’s chief deputy, he is a wood sculptor, he is Natalie’s next-door neighbor and he is Natalie’s boyfriend of nearly a year. The moment the boat docks he takes on a fifth role – he is the retreat leader’s ex-boyfriend, a fact here-to-for unknown by Natalie.
From this point on, Natalie’s life, both personally and professionally, deteriorates at an exponential rate. From the moment the gorgeous and lithe Vanessa steps foot on the dock, John gravitates to her like a moth to a flame. Within 24 hours, Vanessa’s business partner, who is also a former lover, is missing and then found dead of ingested poison. Less than a day later, the police shut down Natalie’s kitchen, which threatens to put her out of business. And then it just gets worse from there.
The mystery portion of this novel is well crafted. The characters, the motives, the play-by-play descriptions leading to the climax and the murderer’s identity are paced, clearly written and realistic.
But, I feel that this author does not have the touch for writing a romantic component into a story. For instance, back in the previous book, Natalie has only been dating John for a few weeks when her ex-fiancé shows up. That storyline did not progress for very long before I was pretty irked at the unrealistic manner in which the author has Natalie respond to the machinations of her ex-fiancé. In fact, MacInerney managed to write the romantic equivalent of the college coed going down the basement stairs in a slasher movie. You can see right through it, you know that nothing good is going to come of it, and you can’t believe that the heroine doesn’t see that the words and the actions of the ex-fiancé don’t match.
Well, shampoo, rinse and repeat – only this time the aggravating storyline falls to John. At the first sight of Vanessa, it’s as if a switch is tripped. Everything seems to be about Vanessa and Natalie seems to become a mere afterthought in John’s existence. Eventually, John’s explanation is that those actions were his way of keeping a major secret that Vanessa had told him. However, he did not have knowledge of that secret when Vanessa arrived, so that story does not even come close to explaining the fact that, from the moment he sees Vanessa, John is shoulder to shoulder with her, has her feet in his lap on the sofa in the Inn’s parlor, hugs her intimately and even calls her “sweetheart,” all right in front of Natalie. Again, actions and words do not match and the make-up scene does not adequately resolve the issue. And even though that scene is clearly intended to be quite romantically dramatic, it actually comes across as forced, trite and unrealistic.
A second problem with the romantic element is that MacInerney has Natalie constantly refer to John as “my neighbor.” Yes, he does live right next door, but they have been dating for nearly a year. To have her refer to him as simply her “neighbor” rather than “John” in her internal monologues is off-putting and actually feels symptomatic of a third and nastier problem with MacInerney’s writing.
To wit, from a romantic standpoint, MacInerney has written a “clean” novel. There are no sex scenes and the kissing scenes that do exist are brief, non-detailed and essentially “sweet.” But beneath the cleanness is an underlying sense of judgment implying that sex is somehow dirty. The main characters are seemingly chaste and the only people engaged in sex are having extra-marital or clandestine affairs. In actuality, the feel goes beyond the idea that the author is trying to write a clean romance. It feels as if the author does not perceive the difference between loving passion and sensational erotica, but knows that some level of physical romance should be included in order to market the book.
I have the next book in the series in my library already, acquired at a good sale price. I will read it, but if the handling of the romantic plot does not improve substantially, it will be my last read for MacInerney.
May 8, 2020
I'm really anxious for the online book discussion that one of the groups I'm in is having next week. I fell in love with this series from the first book, and with this third installment, I'm loving it even more. It was a little rocky for Natalie and John in this book due to one of the guests being a love of interest of his when he was a teen. Natalie couldn't seem to let it go, and even when I was reading and would see John interact with this person Vanessa, I got upset for Natalie lol.
Everything worked out great but not after a few nail-biting scenes including the showdown with the killer. I hadn't even suspected that person, so I was completely surprised. As with the previous two books, the author does a great job of completely explaining the murder mystery and who did what. I liked the little wrap-up given from four months out from when the mystery actually ended too. There's always some sort of historical mystery going on in the book as well, and even though museum curator Matilda didn't get a full answer, she seemed happy with what was discovered about the latest historical puzzle. I hope to read on soon while this book is still fresh in my mind!
Everything worked out great but not after a few nail-biting scenes including the showdown with the killer. I hadn't even suspected that person, so I was completely surprised. As with the previous two books, the author does a great job of completely explaining the murder mystery and who did what. I liked the little wrap-up given from four months out from when the mystery actually ended too. There's always some sort of historical mystery going on in the book as well, and even though museum curator Matilda didn't get a full answer, she seemed happy with what was discovered about the latest historical puzzle. I hope to read on soon while this book is still fresh in my mind!
August 7, 2023
Natalie Barnes is trying to bring her inn into the black by having a diet camp stay there. She hopes to lose a little weight herself.
The owners of the camp are a man and a woman, and wouldn't you know it, but the woman has a past with Natalie's boyfriend. Then the male owner is killed off, and the diet camp doesn't seem on the u and up. Natalie tries to deal with her jealousy by investigating.
The ending was a little too happy for me.
The owners of the camp are a man and a woman, and wouldn't you know it, but the woman has a past with Natalie's boyfriend. Then the male owner is killed off, and the diet camp doesn't seem on the u and up. Natalie tries to deal with her jealousy by investigating.
The ending was a little too happy for me.
May 21, 2020
I've been wanting to start this series for a while now. One of my online book clubs was reading book 3 and I thought why not. I hate not starting with the first book. I have no complaints starting at book 3. I wasn't lost at all and didn't feel like I missed anything. I enjoyed this book so much. I will go back to read the two I missed and continue this series.
January 4, 2018
I didn't like this onevas much as the second one buf it's still good. I really liked finding out about the late 1800's mystery that happened at the lighthouse.
May 9, 2020
Murder Most Maine” by Karen MacInerney the 3rd instalment in the "Gray Whale Inn Mystery" series. I really enjoy this series and have been slowly buying the complete series.
I love the characters of Natalie, her bff Charlene and her niece Gwen. The setting of Cranberry a Island Maine seems idyllic, and the descriptions make it so you can envision being on the island.
I enjoyed the pace thought it moved along steadily. I was so engrossed that I read it practically in one sitting and I can’t wait to read the rest! I did think I knew who was the killer early on and ended up being correct. But overall it was a thoroughly enjoyable read.
I love the characters of Natalie, her bff Charlene and her niece Gwen. The setting of Cranberry a Island Maine seems idyllic, and the descriptions make it so you can envision being on the island.
I enjoyed the pace thought it moved along steadily. I was so engrossed that I read it practically in one sitting and I can’t wait to read the rest! I did think I knew who was the killer early on and ended up being correct. But overall it was a thoroughly enjoyable read.
October 1, 2018
The only redeeming quality about the Gray Whale Inn series is that it is set in Maine.
Or, at least, that was the appeal. I picked up the third installment in preparation for a marvelous week-long vacation in southeastern Maine. My conclusion is that the author only captures Maine by mentioning lobsters, lobster men, and lighthouses despite having lived there. The author is not able to capture dialects or even differentiate between different character’s speech patterns. Every conversation is inane and reminds me of writing I did in high school.
Even worse than that is the atrocious writing. I see that this author had several active series, so it’s hard to say what this book might have been like if she focused on just one series at a time. An editor should have caught some of the typos and grammatical errors.
The problems with the writing go much deeper than spelling and grammar. For example, both in this and the other books I’ve read, Natalie seems to take little interest in the mental state of her guests when murders are committed. Instead, she immediately leaves the Inn for various nonsense reasons. Wouldn’t an innkeeper stick around to both watch out for her property (especially this as Natalie’s entire life’s savings are tied up in the Inn)and maybe make some tea or coffee for the guests?
Another example occurs when a second member of a weight-loss retreat turns up dead at the Inn and both the keeper and police see no issue in immediate room and common area cleanings. No need to worry about obliterating evidence because we’re in Maine!!!
Even worse is Natalie’s constant snooping in guest’s rooms. She goes beyond opening side table drawers to actually opening envelopes and costing up at desks to fully read every document. While I’m sure some level of curiosity goes on at B&Bs, this level of intrusion is hard to believe. Furthermore, Natalie tampers with evidence over and over in a way I suspect would not fly even on this fictional island. Her fingerprints showing up on documents of dead guests (this was in a prior book) would put her into hot water. But, no, we’re going to go bake something super sweet (and put the recipe at the end of the book) and no one will notice!!!!!
The romance between Natalie Barnes and her supposedly hunky neighbor, John, is utterly ridiculous. It has been a little forced and more situational than anything, but that often happens in real life if there are few eligible single folk together for a whole summer on a small island. From the moment the group leader steps off the boat, John can’t take his eyes off of her and spends a lot of time canoodling with her without saying a word to Natalie that’s it’s supposedly because she’s having a rough time even before her business partner’s death. Natalie spends the entire book obsessing about John and looking moonily at his cabin. Then, at the end, he suddenly proposes and claims it’s Natalie he wants. I’m sorry, but where is the emotional connection other than Natalie’s appreciation of his green eyes?
Ugh. I looked ahead to synopsis and reviews of the next 5 books in the series. Guess what? At least three or four books are about a developer trying to ruin the island and ending up dead. Another is about another retreat (this time yoga). Smuggler’s Cove plays a part in another. Talk about repetitive plot lines!!! Only plucky, but irrepressibly stupid Natalie can crack the case!!! So, I’m done with this series. No more time shall be wasted upon it!
Or, at least, that was the appeal. I picked up the third installment in preparation for a marvelous week-long vacation in southeastern Maine. My conclusion is that the author only captures Maine by mentioning lobsters, lobster men, and lighthouses despite having lived there. The author is not able to capture dialects or even differentiate between different character’s speech patterns. Every conversation is inane and reminds me of writing I did in high school.
Even worse than that is the atrocious writing. I see that this author had several active series, so it’s hard to say what this book might have been like if she focused on just one series at a time. An editor should have caught some of the typos and grammatical errors.
The problems with the writing go much deeper than spelling and grammar. For example, both in this and the other books I’ve read, Natalie seems to take little interest in the mental state of her guests when murders are committed. Instead, she immediately leaves the Inn for various nonsense reasons. Wouldn’t an innkeeper stick around to both watch out for her property (especially this as Natalie’s entire life’s savings are tied up in the Inn)and maybe make some tea or coffee for the guests?
Another example occurs when a second member of a weight-loss retreat turns up dead at the Inn and both the keeper and police see no issue in immediate room and common area cleanings. No need to worry about obliterating evidence because we’re in Maine!!!
Even worse is Natalie’s constant snooping in guest’s rooms. She goes beyond opening side table drawers to actually opening envelopes and costing up at desks to fully read every document. While I’m sure some level of curiosity goes on at B&Bs, this level of intrusion is hard to believe. Furthermore, Natalie tampers with evidence over and over in a way I suspect would not fly even on this fictional island. Her fingerprints showing up on documents of dead guests (this was in a prior book) would put her into hot water. But, no, we’re going to go bake something super sweet (and put the recipe at the end of the book) and no one will notice!!!!!
The romance between Natalie Barnes and her supposedly hunky neighbor, John, is utterly ridiculous. It has been a little forced and more situational than anything, but that often happens in real life if there are few eligible single folk together for a whole summer on a small island. From the moment the group leader steps off the boat, John can’t take his eyes off of her and spends a lot of time canoodling with her without saying a word to Natalie that’s it’s supposedly because she’s having a rough time even before her business partner’s death. Natalie spends the entire book obsessing about John and looking moonily at his cabin. Then, at the end, he suddenly proposes and claims it’s Natalie he wants. I’m sorry, but where is the emotional connection other than Natalie’s appreciation of his green eyes?
Ugh. I looked ahead to synopsis and reviews of the next 5 books in the series. Guess what? At least three or four books are about a developer trying to ruin the island and ending up dead. Another is about another retreat (this time yoga). Smuggler’s Cove plays a part in another. Talk about repetitive plot lines!!! Only plucky, but irrepressibly stupid Natalie can crack the case!!! So, I’m done with this series. No more time shall be wasted upon it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2015
Ugh.
The characters here continue to be completely superficial, at best. Where in the first book I found them intriguing and promising, they haven't built on those characteristics or relationships since.
Which is part of what makes Natalie and John's relationship so puzzling. They have legitimately had about five minutes of book time together in the past two novels and I'm supposed to buy their feelings are real? Furthermore, any maturity they had in their relationship has been erased by the jealousy they alternatively displayed in the aforementioned books.
Natalie's blatant disregard for her guests privacy by snooping in their rooms was obnoxious, too.
And, finally, while Vanessa wasn't a victim in this plot, there was a tone of victim blaming directed towards her not only by Natalie, but by her niece and Charlene that I didn't care for. It was petty and just made already shallow characters become even more shallow.
Officially done with this series.
The characters here continue to be completely superficial, at best. Where in the first book I found them intriguing and promising, they haven't built on those characteristics or relationships since.
Which is part of what makes Natalie and John's relationship so puzzling. They have legitimately had about five minutes of book time together in the past two novels and I'm supposed to buy their feelings are real? Furthermore, any maturity they had in their relationship has been erased by the jealousy they alternatively displayed in the aforementioned books.
Natalie's blatant disregard for her guests privacy by snooping in their rooms was obnoxious, too.
And, finally, while Vanessa wasn't a victim in this plot, there was a tone of victim blaming directed towards her not only by Natalie, but by her niece and Charlene that I didn't care for. It was petty and just made already shallow characters become even more shallow.
Officially done with this series.
April 30, 2013
In Murder Most Maine, we are once again transported to charming Cranberry Island. A weight-loss program has brought an interesting group to the Gray Whale Inn for a retreat. The group includes a former friend (or should that be that girlfriend) of our favorite innkeeper's boyfriend, John. Natalie, with the help of her co-horts, not only has to use her detective skills (and snooping ability) to solve this murder before she loses business but also has to keep an eye out for the beauty's advances toward John. Another great plot with the additional history sideline story. As usual, there are also some yummy recipes included. The writing of Karen MacInerney is always a treat. I am ready to visit the island again in her next book. 5 stars.
May 12, 2020
Natalie Barnes is hosting the Lose-It-All Weight Loss retreat at her Gray Whale Inn. She hopes that if it's successful that it'll be a common event to host again.
Soon as the group arrives, it is evident that the program leader, Vanessa, and John, Natalie's neighbor/boyfriend, not only know one another, but go way back.
Natalie can't help but notice that John has been distant ever since Vanessa has shown up. But, before the retreat can get started, Dirk, the retreat trainer's body is discovered. John becomes a suspect, leaving Natalie to question how well she knew John.
There were so many mysteries to solve in this book. The renovation of the historic lighthouse leads to the uncovering of a hidden room with a skeleton. How Dirk died, a kitchen raider, that leads Natalie to do a little sleuthing while cleaning the members of the retreat's rooms. I enjoyed another Gray Whale Inn Mystery!!
Soon as the group arrives, it is evident that the program leader, Vanessa, and John, Natalie's neighbor/boyfriend, not only know one another, but go way back.
Natalie can't help but notice that John has been distant ever since Vanessa has shown up. But, before the retreat can get started, Dirk, the retreat trainer's body is discovered. John becomes a suspect, leaving Natalie to question how well she knew John.
There were so many mysteries to solve in this book. The renovation of the historic lighthouse leads to the uncovering of a hidden room with a skeleton. How Dirk died, a kitchen raider, that leads Natalie to do a little sleuthing while cleaning the members of the retreat's rooms. I enjoyed another Gray Whale Inn Mystery!!
May 20, 2020
Perfect Cozy Mystery
I love The Gray Whale Inn Mysteries! I usually try to read all of the books in order, but I hadn't read book 2 before this one, and I have to say, it was great! I did not feel like I was missing a big gap in the story line at all. Natalie Barnes runs The Gray Whale Inn, and in book 3, she is hosting a weight loss retreat. It introduced some new characters, who were participants, with one being the long lost girlfriend of Natalie's neighbor John! What was a lot of fun is that there were 2 mysteries. One was a skeleton that was found in the lighthouse, and the other a murder st the inn! Natalie had a lot on her plate to deal with, what with the low calorie menus for the retreat, but to have someone did at the Inn!? Could it have been poison! This cozy has a bit of everything, romance, jealousy, suspicion, and the of course murder! We in the backdrop of Maine with a list of fun, well rounded characters, it is a must read!
I love The Gray Whale Inn Mysteries! I usually try to read all of the books in order, but I hadn't read book 2 before this one, and I have to say, it was great! I did not feel like I was missing a big gap in the story line at all. Natalie Barnes runs The Gray Whale Inn, and in book 3, she is hosting a weight loss retreat. It introduced some new characters, who were participants, with one being the long lost girlfriend of Natalie's neighbor John! What was a lot of fun is that there were 2 mysteries. One was a skeleton that was found in the lighthouse, and the other a murder st the inn! Natalie had a lot on her plate to deal with, what with the low calorie menus for the retreat, but to have someone did at the Inn!? Could it have been poison! This cozy has a bit of everything, romance, jealousy, suspicion, and the of course murder! We in the backdrop of Maine with a list of fun, well rounded characters, it is a must read!
April 23, 2019
Another great mystery by Karen McInerney. Lots of action, murders and more. Ten people come to the Inn for a weight loss retreat. Many mysteries behind each person and then the plot thickens.
There were many suspects to the murders and finally it is solved before another death happens.
All in all it is solved and things begin again for Natalie and her and John become engaged and more plans are made for them and their happiness running the Inn together.
There were many suspects to the murders and finally it is solved before another death happens.
All in all it is solved and things begin again for Natalie and her and John become engaged and more plans are made for them and their happiness running the Inn together.
August 13, 2017
Not one of the best in this series. It was very obvious who the killer was. I really enjoyed the first two in this series and will continue on with the 4th with hopes that the plot isn't as predictable.
May 14, 2020
This is the first book I’ve read in this series. Overall I felt it was well written with strong characters and an interesting plot with a number of twists!
August 6, 2020
Not bad but a bit too formulaic
November 19, 2023
This was like a middle school melodrama 🙄
February 26, 2017
Murder Most Maine by Karen MacInerney is an entertaining cozy mystery. Part of a series (Gray Whale Inn Mysteries), this was my first MacInerney book. Her book has a lot of things that cozy mystery readers like me look for: likable characters, a close knit community--Cranberry Island, and a perplexing murder. Innkeeper, Natalie Barnes, gets involved when a weight-loss trainer from a group retreat staying at her Gray Whale Inn, is discovered dead. Natalie's "kinda" boyfriend is a suspect and that motivates her to solve the mystery. There are other secrets and a discovery at historic Cranberry Point Lighthouse. I think cozy mystery readers will like this book and want to read other books in the series like I do!
November 19, 2016
I am so glad I stuck with this series, the books definitely get better the farther you go in the series. I like that as well as the current day mystery there always seems to be a mystery to do with the island's history, by getting involved with the island mystery, Natalie is becoming more of an islander, she seems more accepted and is making friends. In this mystery Natalie is excited as she has a group of ten staying at the Inn and she is providing all the meals, even though this is a weight loss group Nat is all on board until some one kills the fitness guru, her kitchen gets closed down and John is a suspect!!!! No way she can stay out of this one!!!!!
March 20, 2014
Natalie is beginning to regret hosting a weight loss retreat at her bed and breakfast in Maine when she sees how her boyfriend reacts to being reunited with the female leader. However, when the male leader is murdered, Natalie has even bigger things to worry about, like keeping her boyfriend out of jail. A strong plot and sub-plot kept me turning pages even if the suspect characters could have been stronger.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
October 22, 2018
Unfortunately, this book on audio was not as enjoyable as previous one. If I hear “She said, I said, etc… one more time I’ll scream. I found that to be extremely annoying.
The romantic portion of the book did absolutely nothing to progress the story. I didn’t find it interesting. Thought this more high schoolish than an adult relationship.
Was an interesting turn events of role reversal in their relationship based on the last book.
They just need to communicate.
The mystery was adequate. The investigator was a little more palatable than Grimes but not by much.
The romantic portion of the book did absolutely nothing to progress the story. I didn’t find it interesting. Thought this more high schoolish than an adult relationship.
Was an interesting turn events of role reversal in their relationship based on the last book.
They just need to communicate.
The mystery was adequate. The investigator was a little more palatable than Grimes but not by much.
June 7, 2012
This book is more of the same. Natalie is still cooking constantly, getting head injuries and worrying about whether the inn will make it. B-O-R-I-N-G!
May 17, 2024
"Murder Most Maine" is book #3 in the "Gray Whale Inn Mystery" series by Karen MacInerney.
"It's springtime on Cranberry Island — and love is in the air. It seems like every woman has the hots for buff trainer Dirk De Leon. He and his equally-gorgeous business partner, Vanessa Black, are leading a weight-loss retreat at the Gray Whale Inn — forcing innkeeper Natalie Barnes to lighten up her butter-laden breakfast menu.
The mood on the island darkens when two grisly discoveries are made. The first is a skeleton walled up at the island's lighthouse. The second is a corpse of the fresh variety — the handsome Dirk! Could the spirit that once embodied the skeletal remains — perhaps the lighthouse keeper who disappeared a century ago — be responsible for Dirk's death?"
My thoughts:
Hosting a group of people who wanted to lose weight, created an interesting challenge for Nat. Low cal wasn't really on her menu or her own diet but she made the effort to also try to shed a few pounds with the group. The guests ranged from a mother & daughter, three sorority sisters wanting to shed a few pounds before their school reunion as well as another woman, one man and a reporter writing a story about the weight loss program.
The personal trainer - Dirk - was also a big believer in supplements, which raised a few eyebrows among the group but was a concern to Natalie as she hadn't known that would be part of the week and wondered about liability if something went wrong. The woman running the program - Vanessa - turned out to be quite familiar with some of the island residents as she had spent a few summers there in her youth.
Nat tried to focus on the menus and her own weight loss but the murder of the trainer through all that aside when John became a suspect and her kitchen was eventually closed. Stress and diets don't go well together! She had to figure out what happened and save the Inn and John!
Admittedly, I figured out who killed Dirk and why, well before Nat put the pieces all together but it was interesting reading all the events and twists that lead up to the dramatic reveal and take down.
The skeleton found in the lighthouse was also intriguing and showed how dangerous life could be - especially for some people back in the 1800's! This was a particularity well crafted part of the book!
I do like the core characters of this series. They are diverse in ages and interests but also strong on taking care of their fellow residents in times of trouble.
Overall, an entertaining read with some yummy recipes included at the end. There is also a preview of the first chapter in the next book of this series in the Kindle edition.
"It's springtime on Cranberry Island — and love is in the air. It seems like every woman has the hots for buff trainer Dirk De Leon. He and his equally-gorgeous business partner, Vanessa Black, are leading a weight-loss retreat at the Gray Whale Inn — forcing innkeeper Natalie Barnes to lighten up her butter-laden breakfast menu.
The mood on the island darkens when two grisly discoveries are made. The first is a skeleton walled up at the island's lighthouse. The second is a corpse of the fresh variety — the handsome Dirk! Could the spirit that once embodied the skeletal remains — perhaps the lighthouse keeper who disappeared a century ago — be responsible for Dirk's death?"
My thoughts:
Hosting a group of people who wanted to lose weight, created an interesting challenge for Nat. Low cal wasn't really on her menu or her own diet but she made the effort to also try to shed a few pounds with the group. The guests ranged from a mother & daughter, three sorority sisters wanting to shed a few pounds before their school reunion as well as another woman, one man and a reporter writing a story about the weight loss program.
The personal trainer - Dirk - was also a big believer in supplements, which raised a few eyebrows among the group but was a concern to Natalie as she hadn't known that would be part of the week and wondered about liability if something went wrong. The woman running the program - Vanessa - turned out to be quite familiar with some of the island residents as she had spent a few summers there in her youth.
Nat tried to focus on the menus and her own weight loss but the murder of the trainer through all that aside when John became a suspect and her kitchen was eventually closed. Stress and diets don't go well together! She had to figure out what happened and save the Inn and John!
Admittedly, I figured out who killed Dirk and why, well before Nat put the pieces all together but it was interesting reading all the events and twists that lead up to the dramatic reveal and take down.
The skeleton found in the lighthouse was also intriguing and showed how dangerous life could be - especially for some people back in the 1800's! This was a particularity well crafted part of the book!
I do like the core characters of this series. They are diverse in ages and interests but also strong on taking care of their fellow residents in times of trouble.
Overall, an entertaining read with some yummy recipes included at the end. There is also a preview of the first chapter in the next book of this series in the Kindle edition.
May 8, 2017
More Than She Bargained For?
This series must he read in order. The first book is Murder On The Rocks. The second book is Dead And Berried. This is the third book. I can't wait to read Berried To The Hilt!
It has been a year since Natalie opened The Gray Whale Inn. Life on the Island is becoming second nature to her (even if she still isn't used to the cold) and people are more and more accepting of her. Marge is even coming around, and had become a model employee, since their harrowing ordeal together at her (soon to be ex) husband's hands. Nothing bonds people quite like torture and near death experiences! A luxury weight loss retreat seems like the perfect way to put the Gray Whale on the map as a destination so she agrees to rent the whole place for a week to Lose It All. Can she pull off a full service Inn for dieters? Or will her love of sweets and carb loading be her downfall? Can adding lunch, dinner, and turn down service really be that much more work? Will she be able to keep her resolve and diet right along with them? Is her relationship with John the real deal? Or will they hit another unforseen snag? Has she truly found her place and her calling or will something go wrong yet again?
From the delicious recipes and charismatic characters to the murder mysteries both past and present, this series had found a special place in my heart! I can never wait to get engrossed in Natalie's next adventure. For a small island with only 100 year round residents, Cranberry Island is never short on drama. The addition of paranormal twists only makes the series more appealing. I will read this series as long as the author keeps writing it :)
This series must he read in order. The first book is Murder On The Rocks. The second book is Dead And Berried. This is the third book. I can't wait to read Berried To The Hilt!
It has been a year since Natalie opened The Gray Whale Inn. Life on the Island is becoming second nature to her (even if she still isn't used to the cold) and people are more and more accepting of her. Marge is even coming around, and had become a model employee, since their harrowing ordeal together at her (soon to be ex) husband's hands. Nothing bonds people quite like torture and near death experiences! A luxury weight loss retreat seems like the perfect way to put the Gray Whale on the map as a destination so she agrees to rent the whole place for a week to Lose It All. Can she pull off a full service Inn for dieters? Or will her love of sweets and carb loading be her downfall? Can adding lunch, dinner, and turn down service really be that much more work? Will she be able to keep her resolve and diet right along with them? Is her relationship with John the real deal? Or will they hit another unforseen snag? Has she truly found her place and her calling or will something go wrong yet again?
From the delicious recipes and charismatic characters to the murder mysteries both past and present, this series had found a special place in my heart! I can never wait to get engrossed in Natalie's next adventure. For a small island with only 100 year round residents, Cranberry Island is never short on drama. The addition of paranormal twists only makes the series more appealing. I will read this series as long as the author keeps writing it :)
September 29, 2021
#3 of Gray Whale Inn mysteries
Natalie Barnes is hosting a weight loss retreat at her inn on Cranberry Island. But once again bodies keep turning up: first the skeleton of an African American male in mid 30s in a hidden room at the base of the lighthouse which is under renovation. The second body is that if Dirk DeLeon, the attractive, male, pill pushing, fitness director who is co host of the retreat with his partner Vanessa who has secrets of her own, including having been involved with both Natalie’s deputy-sheriff/ artisan, boyfriend, John, and Tom, town leader and Lobsterman twenty years before when she vacationed several summers on the island, turning every male head, then and now. Police close down Natalie’s kitchen, jail several suspects while Natalie tries to unravel the clues as one of the retreat participants turns up dead as well. Romance on the rocks ends happily for several couples. .
Natalie Barnes is hosting a weight loss retreat at her inn on Cranberry Island. But once again bodies keep turning up: first the skeleton of an African American male in mid 30s in a hidden room at the base of the lighthouse which is under renovation. The second body is that if Dirk DeLeon, the attractive, male, pill pushing, fitness director who is co host of the retreat with his partner Vanessa who has secrets of her own, including having been involved with both Natalie’s deputy-sheriff/ artisan, boyfriend, John, and Tom, town leader and Lobsterman twenty years before when she vacationed several summers on the island, turning every male head, then and now. Police close down Natalie’s kitchen, jail several suspects while Natalie tries to unravel the clues as one of the retreat participants turns up dead as well. Romance on the rocks ends happily for several couples. .
February 23, 2024
It's the romantic elements of this series that have let me down in these last two books -- #2 and #3 -- and I honestly don't know if I'll continue with this series even though things are sorted (though I thought that at the end of the last book!) This time it's an old flame of John's who shows up at Gray Whale Inn and creates all kinds of emotional turmoil for Natalie (and me.) I really didn't like the way both of them behaved -- more like teens than grown adults. There is a lot more I could say, but it would turn spoilery so I won't.
The mystery was good and includes a secondary historical one that kept me reading to the very end. This is the point where audio editions of the books end so it might be the logical place for me to stop as well. My library does have the fourth book and I may try it...maybe. We'll see.
The mystery was good and includes a secondary historical one that kept me reading to the very end. This is the point where audio editions of the books end so it might be the logical place for me to stop as well. My library does have the fourth book and I may try it...maybe. We'll see.
November 5, 2019
First of all, the pros of this book: the history of the Underground Railroad and the historian on the island.
Cons: Ridiculous romances. Who would want to be engaged to either Natalie or John, given their childish jealousies and secrecy? Why is there so much fat-shaming in a story about a weight loss retreat? Natalie has weight issues too. And the critical descriptions of the poor, abused maid were unnecessarily cruel. The addition of the bulimia to the story and just brushing it aside as though it were okay since Vanessa was so beautiful and slim. Charlene's man-hungry behavior was non-stop and stereotypical. The "she said and then he said" were annoying in their constant use (hello, editor!).
Ok, I'll stop here, although there are more cons than pros.
Cons: Ridiculous romances. Who would want to be engaged to either Natalie or John, given their childish jealousies and secrecy? Why is there so much fat-shaming in a story about a weight loss retreat? Natalie has weight issues too. And the critical descriptions of the poor, abused maid were unnecessarily cruel. The addition of the bulimia to the story and just brushing it aside as though it were okay since Vanessa was so beautiful and slim. Charlene's man-hungry behavior was non-stop and stereotypical. The "she said and then he said" were annoying in their constant use (hello, editor!).
Ok, I'll stop here, although there are more cons than pros.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2023
Murder Most Maine by Karen MacInerney
This is a cotton candy book: not a lot of substance, tasty while it lasts, and very forgettable. It’s a cozy mystery set in Maine recounted by the owner of a bed and breakfast. However, unlike most mysteries, the min question isn’t Who Dun It? as much as it is Why is my boyfriend spending so much time with my guest? Like many fictional amateur sleuths, Nat puts herself in danger far too often. The smattering of history is interesting and lends some weight to the book. This book is obviously several books into the series. Every time Nat talk about something that happened in the previous books, I kept expecting her to say, “as shown in The Mystery of the Endless Prequels”—a la Nancy Drew.
This is a cotton candy book: not a lot of substance, tasty while it lasts, and very forgettable. It’s a cozy mystery set in Maine recounted by the owner of a bed and breakfast. However, unlike most mysteries, the min question isn’t Who Dun It? as much as it is Why is my boyfriend spending so much time with my guest? Like many fictional amateur sleuths, Nat puts herself in danger far too often. The smattering of history is interesting and lends some weight to the book. This book is obviously several books into the series. Every time Nat talk about something that happened in the previous books, I kept expecting her to say, “as shown in The Mystery of the Endless Prequels”—a la Nancy Drew.
January 6, 2020
Book 3 in the amazing Gray Whale Inn series
This book and series is exactly what I love about cozy mysreries- likable interesting characters, an intriguing cozy mystery, friendship, and a little romance. Natalie owns the Gray Whale Inn in Maine. In this book, she is host for a diet group. It is well done and the diet aspect isn't overdone. One of the main leaders of the diet group is found dead. Natalie ' s boyfriend John, is a suspect and appears to be rekindling a past relationship with another member of the group. This book moves at a good pace, is intriguing but not too descriptive or suspenseful. A perfect cozy mystery! I can't wait to read the next book!
This book and series is exactly what I love about cozy mysreries- likable interesting characters, an intriguing cozy mystery, friendship, and a little romance. Natalie owns the Gray Whale Inn in Maine. In this book, she is host for a diet group. It is well done and the diet aspect isn't overdone. One of the main leaders of the diet group is found dead. Natalie ' s boyfriend John, is a suspect and appears to be rekindling a past relationship with another member of the group. This book moves at a good pace, is intriguing but not too descriptive or suspenseful. A perfect cozy mystery! I can't wait to read the next book!
January 12, 2020
Enjoyed this in part but really questioning John’s distant behavior. Didn’t make sense how he handled himself. Definitely he has combination issues. He made a mountain when it could have been a molehill. Good book to read if you want to learn how not to emotionally abuse your partner. Sorry but it was disturbing. May also want to ease up on the multiple head injuries as the lead character is going to end up with some serious Neuro issues from multiple concussions.
On the good side, love many of the characters, love the lighthouse mystery, love the community and setting. Excellent writing style. I’ll definitely read the next in the series.
On the good side, love many of the characters, love the lighthouse mystery, love the community and setting. Excellent writing style. I’ll definitely read the next in the series.
May 14, 2024
A weight loss program retreat is occurring at the inn. Unfortunately, the trainer ends up turning up dead. Natalie proceeds to investigate.
The mystery was interesting, and I did not guess the killer right away. That aspect of the story kept my attention. However, I did not care for how the romance was handled. For grown adults, their lack of communication and trust issues was appalling. I also did not care with how easily these issues were resolved. I did like the fact that recipes mentioned in the story were included at the end. It was fun to read what each day's meal consisted of.
The mystery was interesting, and I did not guess the killer right away. That aspect of the story kept my attention. However, I did not care for how the romance was handled. For grown adults, their lack of communication and trust issues was appalling. I also did not care with how easily these issues were resolved. I did like the fact that recipes mentioned in the story were included at the end. It was fun to read what each day's meal consisted of.
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