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Ravenwood Cove Cozy Mystery #6

Sun, Sand, & Secrets

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It's best to keep the past dead and buried...unless forgotten secrets threaten Ravenwood Cove's future.

Amanda loves her old-fashioned beach town, but when a grisly discovery uncovers an old mystery, she begins to wonder just how many secrets her friends are keeping from her.

150 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 11, 2017

760 people are currently reading
182 people want to read

About the author

Carolyn L. Dean

70 books152 followers
USA Today Bestselling author

Carolyn's Website at http://CarolynDeanBooks.com

I've been writing and making stories in my head as early as I can remember. In third grade I came home, set my lunchbox down, and told my mother I wanted to be a writer. Luckily, Mom was supportive.

I've been a published author for a while now, under different names and genres, but the thought of writing about a small coastal town in Oregon, and about its loves and mysteries and holidays and people has been with me for years. To be honest, I am a bit scared to dump those ideas onto the written page, but hope you'll enjoy getting to meet the people who inhabit my imagination.

In real life, I'm married with kids, live on the West Coast of the US, and own a hobby farm just outside of my favorite small town. I love to travel, and can often be found strolling down a windy Oregon beach, holding onto the string of a high-sailing dragon kite.

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5 stars
717 (47%)
4 stars
463 (30%)
3 stars
260 (17%)
2 stars
45 (3%)
1 star
12 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
Profile Image for James.
Author 20 books4,368 followers
July 30, 2022
In the 6th book, Sun, Sand, & Secrets, of the Ravenwood Cozy Mystery series published in 2017 by Carolyn L. Dean, Amanda ponders the question of what it will mean to marry her sweetheart, James, a local police detective. In the course of her analysis, Madeline Wu, a local shopkeeper we've met before, goes missing, then someone turns up dead. Along the path, a neighboring town's mayor gets involved, and some new romances might be brewing around the lovely little Oregon town.

I enjoy reading about the comings and goings of Amanda's renovated bed and breakfast / inn. This book felt more like a mini-edition, prepping us for Amanda's upcoming nuptials, rather than a full-on mystery. While it was fun, cute, and cozy, the mystery was very light - much more than usual. I enjoy light mysteries, but the crime didn't happen until about 50% into the book, and there wasn't a lot of investigating in the second half. It was a good read, but not a standout in the series. Still worth taking on, as it's under 2 hours... and I really do love the interactions Meg, Truman, Gram, and all the other wonderful characters.

I like inserting these types of books into bigger thrillers so I get a break from major analytical thinking, but I still have some puzzles to solve and the comfort of a fun, warm and interesting setting. It's not a complete week unless I've sneaked in a cozy of some sort!
Profile Image for Suzanne.
Author 33 books10 followers
June 16, 2017
Missing words

There a lot of missing words. I couldn't make heads or tails out of the ending. I think I missed something.
Profile Image for Patrizia.
1,945 reviews42 followers
June 20, 2017
3 stelle e mezza
In questo libro si parla più della vita della protagonista che di altro. Intendiamoci, la cosa non mi è dispiaciuta (l'escursione in kayak mi ha fatto venire voglia di provarlo anch'io), ma la storia gialla è rimasta molto nel sottofondo e non mi ha preso per niente, quasi non ho capito la soluzione...
Profile Image for Kathi.
27 reviews
September 22, 2017
I really enjoy this series of Carolyn Dean's cozy mysteries. Amanda and the town's characters just pull me in. I love the twists and turns and I am usually surprised at the ending. This particular book felt like a rushed story to meet deadlines. I felt her first books in this series were much more planned out and developed. I would also like to see more editorial participation. The grammatical errors stop me in my tracts for a few moments. This just wasn't my favorite of the books but I still love to revisit this town and people.
Profile Image for Jess Schira.
Author 15 books39 followers
June 13, 2017
I've become addicted to Carolyn Dean's cozy mystery series. While I really enjoyed this particular one, I have to admit, it didn't feel quite as up to her high standards as the previous installments. It felt a bit like a filler story instead of the highly developed mystery plot I've come to expect from her.

The good news is that the book still featured the same delightful cast of characters, the same adorable setting, and pleasant writing style that can be found in all of Ms. Dean's books.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Evans.
279 reviews3 followers
March 13, 2018
Almost married

So enjoying the mystery but right now I'm anxious about the wedding of James and Amanda! They are a great couple and I can understand her concerns about their roles as a married couple. Carolyn l dean, do you promise more after book nine ? I'm getting so close and I don't want this to end!!!!!
Profile Image for Patti Brennan.
269 reviews
June 12, 2017
Another winner

I enjoy reading this series by Carolyn L. Dean it is easy reading and heart warming tales of Ravenwood Cove with a delightful heroine and inn owner it has romance and mystery looking forward to the next book in the series
Profile Image for Claudia Wright.
48 reviews1 follower
July 4, 2017
Better editing needed

Likeable characters, good setting, decent story, but some of the typos are distracting. For example in the recipe, the crust called for "old" butter.
Profile Image for Suzanne Homeier-poe.
491 reviews1 follower
November 23, 2017
I enjoyed this book.

I find this series to be a easy and great read. I found this one to be a bit sad though.
Profile Image for Laura.
560 reviews7 followers
December 6, 2017
This one was just so much fun! The mystery was great too. I’m so attached to all the characters in this series now! I’m off to pick up the next one now...
31 reviews
February 15, 2018
Sun, Sand, and Secrets

The book was okay but I’m sort of getting tired of the ending always being the same. Again, as in other books, Amanda finds herself about to be killed. She’s able to escape after fumbling around looking for her car keys, then drives away, after seeing the killer on the road behind her. Then, as usual, she digs out her cellphone and dials 911 saying it’s an emergency as she’s driving away. Too repetitive! I’d prefer the ending to have a little more originality! Also, I wish authors wouldn’t just rely on spellcheck as the word may be spelled right but not used correctly can give a sentence an entirely different meaning.
Profile Image for Lisa Hibbard.
46 reviews3 followers
July 6, 2017
Fun fast-paced mystery

Amanda's newly engaged to James, but before she can celebrate, her friend Madeleine goes missing. While she and her fiance search for her, other events lead the reader down the trail with many twists. It's a fun, fast-paced mystery, looking forward to the next installment of life in Ravenwood Cove.
15 reviews
February 9, 2018
Once again she has outdone herself

I have read 6 of these books in this series in three days. When I read I create what the characters and settings look like in my mind, almost like a movie. I have so enjoyed this series and can’t wait to start book 7! I highly recommend this series.
Profile Image for Lora.
856 reviews25 followers
July 21, 2020
It's always nice to check in on my "friends" in Ravenwood Cove. I learned that old Mrs. Granger doesn't approve of oysters on pizza ("I'd rather take off my own shoes and eat them with ketchup"), and this time the mystery centered around fishmonger Madeline Wu. Although it's not my favorite in the series, it was another good and cozy mystery.
127 reviews
July 10, 2017
I like the author and love the characters in the town. This book seemed to be cut short to me. Almost like the cartoon where the sign falls down stating "That's All Folks!" I read this book in about three hours so it was not very long. I hope the next books are more involved and LONGER!
57 reviews
July 11, 2017
Exceptional

I enjoyed this book immensely. It was a continuation of a wonderful series with interesting characters. The small town life reflected causes you yearn for close neighbors.
Profile Image for Jana Gundy.
1,919 reviews17 followers
November 24, 2017
A fun read

I have been going through this series so fast but I can’t put them down! The stories are such a delight and I enjoy relaxing with a fun book. Amanda and gang are entertaining along with whatever mystery turns up!
Profile Image for Linda Rainey.
2,348 reviews21 followers
December 1, 2017
Another Great Cozy Mystery

Amanda and James work together solve another mystery.
I love Ravenwood Cove and all inequity citizens.
Truman is a character you won't easily forget.
I recommend this book to those who love cozy mysteries.
156 reviews1 follower
June 11, 2017
Excellent

Love these quick trips to Ravenwood Cove. Thanks for the great stories and will be happy to see the next book soon.
Profile Image for Susan.
1,616 reviews
June 15, 2017
Another interesting mystery, can't wait for the next book.
836 reviews10 followers
June 20, 2017
Light & Amusing!

This series keeps getting better & better. It's a light & cozy mystery with engaging characters & an intriguing storyline.
43 reviews
June 22, 2017
Small Town

Really enjoyed. Kept my interest. Could not put down until I found out who did it. Can't wait to start another book..
Profile Image for Nancy Haddock.
Author 8 books419 followers
June 26, 2017
Easy breezy

Another fun visit to Ravenwood Cove. It's a story town I'd love to visit, and I hope I don't have to wait too long for the next book.
38 reviews
July 2, 2017
AWESOMENESS

Again another GREAT book starting a new book please keep them coming great stories Carolyn L Dean love your stories.
Profile Image for Gabi Eagon.
492 reviews6 followers
August 11, 2017
Great read

Another great cozy by Ms Dean. Rave wood Cove is a great small town with interesting people and situations Don't miss it.
19 reviews
February 2, 2018
Another fun read!

I've enjoyed all of the previous Ravenwood Cove books, and am looking fwd to the next two in the series.
Profile Image for kathy miller.
28 reviews
June 17, 2017
Easy read

Good story...entertaining..need better proofreading..if you are looking for an easy read this is it..why does Kindle have a word total required?
Profile Image for Nikki.
1,420 reviews12 followers
August 7, 2022
An enjoyable read, cozy mystery set in Ravenwood Cove.

Amanda has said Yes to James, owner of the Ravenwood Inn marrying the local Police Detective. However, will things change between them, wil he expect her to change for him?

There is a mystery in this book when one of the residents of the town goes missing, then someone is found dead. However, each book in this series is getting shorter, this book being under 100 pages, so not much time to get involved in the story.

I'm giving the book 5 stars as I did enjoy it but I'm hoping future books will be longer.

Each book is a standalone story but the books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews

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