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A Maine Murder Mystery #1
Death and a Pot of Chowder
Maine's Quarry Island has a tight-knit community that's built on a rock-solid foundation of family, tradition and hard work. But even on this small island, where everyone knows their neighbors, there are secrets that no one would dare to whisper.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 12, 2018
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May 22, 2018
Death and a Pot of Chowder by Cornelia Kidd is the first book in the cozy A Maine Murder Mystery series. Anna Winslow grew up on Quarry Island off the coast of Maine where she now lives with her husband and son. The community is a close knit one in which everyone knows everyone on the tiny island.
Anna grew up knowing that her biological father had left her mother before she was even born but she never expected a letter to arrive informing her of his passing from a sister that she didn’t know existed. Anna being excited to learn a little something about that side of her heritage invites her half sister to come to the island to visit.
Just as Anna is picking up Izzie though she gets a call from her husband letting her know his brother is missing. When Carl’s body is found it becomes apparent that his death was no accident and with the police looking at Anna’s husband Burt for the murder Anna and Izzie decide to team up and find the real killer.
Death and a Pot of Chowder really isn’t the normal cozy that I fall in love with as it lacked the humor and quirkiness that I usually enjoy however this one had a small town charm that drew me into the story. Each chapter began with an excerpt from various women’s publications from the 1800’s and one would wonder why until you get the feel of the town and see that the antiquated ideas of that era still seem to hold true on the island so they actually fit rather well.
With the characters and setting being very well done I settled in to the mystery side of the book and liked that while the main character and her sister did their bit of asking around there was also a retired detective to help move the investigation along. When all was said and done with this first installment of the new series I found that I had enjoyed it quite a bit and will look forward to more to come.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more review please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Anna grew up knowing that her biological father had left her mother before she was even born but she never expected a letter to arrive informing her of his passing from a sister that she didn’t know existed. Anna being excited to learn a little something about that side of her heritage invites her half sister to come to the island to visit.
Just as Anna is picking up Izzie though she gets a call from her husband letting her know his brother is missing. When Carl’s body is found it becomes apparent that his death was no accident and with the police looking at Anna’s husband Burt for the murder Anna and Izzie decide to team up and find the real killer.
Death and a Pot of Chowder really isn’t the normal cozy that I fall in love with as it lacked the humor and quirkiness that I usually enjoy however this one had a small town charm that drew me into the story. Each chapter began with an excerpt from various women’s publications from the 1800’s and one would wonder why until you get the feel of the town and see that the antiquated ideas of that era still seem to hold true on the island so they actually fit rather well.
With the characters and setting being very well done I settled in to the mystery side of the book and liked that while the main character and her sister did their bit of asking around there was also a retired detective to help move the investigation along. When all was said and done with this first installment of the new series I found that I had enjoyed it quite a bit and will look forward to more to come.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more review please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
June 29, 2018
Anna Winslow has lived on Quarry Island, ME all her life. So has her husband, Burt. Burt and his brother Carl are fishermen, trapping lobster and netting fish for a living. It's dangerous work, but they are 4th generation lobstermen. It's in their blood. Anna loves the feeling of community and family on the small island. Island roots run deep. But then a letter Anna receives in the mail changes her whole life. She has a half-sister....one she never knew about. On the day she drives to Portland to meet her sister Izzie, her brother-in-law Carl drowns at sea. Turns out he was murdered. Izzie travels to Quarry Island to help the family cope, and ends up investigating Carl's death with Anna.
I loved this story! It's not just a cozy, but great women's fiction as well. Anna and Izzie have to learn how to become sisters amid the Winslow family grieving a murdered member. Turns out, the sisters make a great amateur sleuthing duo and help each other make some important life decisions as well. The background theme of life on a Maine island and the life of fishermen didn't overpower the mystery but added depth to it. The plot moved at a nice pace, with plenty of suspects and surprises. I wasn't quite sure how the story was going to end until I got there. All in all, a nice start for a new cozy series. I can't wait to find out what the second book in the Maine Murder Mystery series will bring! There are some yummy recipes included at the end of Death and Pot of Chowder, as well! I can't wait to try a couple of them!
Cornelia Kidd is a pseudonym for Maine author Lea Wait.
**I voluntarily read an advance readers copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
I loved this story! It's not just a cozy, but great women's fiction as well. Anna and Izzie have to learn how to become sisters amid the Winslow family grieving a murdered member. Turns out, the sisters make a great amateur sleuthing duo and help each other make some important life decisions as well. The background theme of life on a Maine island and the life of fishermen didn't overpower the mystery but added depth to it. The plot moved at a nice pace, with plenty of suspects and surprises. I wasn't quite sure how the story was going to end until I got there. All in all, a nice start for a new cozy series. I can't wait to find out what the second book in the Maine Murder Mystery series will bring! There are some yummy recipes included at the end of Death and Pot of Chowder, as well! I can't wait to try a couple of them!
Cornelia Kidd is a pseudonym for Maine author Lea Wait.
**I voluntarily read an advance readers copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
May 25, 2018
The first book in the Maine Murder series. The author also writes under the name, Lea Wait which I have always enjoyed. This book did not disappoint in fact, I feel it is one of best I have recently read. The MC did put herself in danger. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND it. Each chapter is opened by a comment on household, servants, and ethics of 1800-90. I did enjoy this information.
Anna Winslow, her husband Burt lived off the coast of Maine on Quarry Island. They have a teenage son. Burt as his brother, Carl are lobstermen. Anna and Burt have been married for many years. One day Anna received a letter that turned her life upside down. The day she is meet her half-sister, Izzie Jordan, Carl's boat is found in the open water and he is missing. His body his recover and it is determined that Carl was shot. The evidence points to Burt and he is arrested. Anna and her half-sister investigate to clear Burt. Why is Anna's son acting up? A side plot has Anna and Izzie plan on opening Cafe on Quarry Island. Recipes are included.
Disclosure: Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books for a review copy. The opinions expressed are my own.
Anna Winslow, her husband Burt lived off the coast of Maine on Quarry Island. They have a teenage son. Burt as his brother, Carl are lobstermen. Anna and Burt have been married for many years. One day Anna received a letter that turned her life upside down. The day she is meet her half-sister, Izzie Jordan, Carl's boat is found in the open water and he is missing. His body his recover and it is determined that Carl was shot. The evidence points to Burt and he is arrested. Anna and her half-sister investigate to clear Burt. Why is Anna's son acting up? A side plot has Anna and Izzie plan on opening Cafe on Quarry Island. Recipes are included.
Disclosure: Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books for a review copy. The opinions expressed are my own.
May 7, 2018
Cute book. Full review to come.
November 17, 2018
Lea Wait wrote this new series entry as Cornelia Kidd. I was eager to read this book as Lea Wait's Mainely Needlepoint series is one of my favorite cozy series. The mystery is about residents who have lived their whole lives in Quarry Island Maine. The characters in this book knew each other from childhood and married young. The men grew up knowing they would be lobstermen as were their fathers, grandfathers etc.
The book revolves around Anna Winslow, a life long residents of Quarry Island. Her husband Burt is a lobsterman and she has a teenage son Jake. When Burt's brother turns up missing, the mystery starts. Anna's meets her half sister who comes to visit after the death of their father. I knew who committed the crime very early in the book. I don't want to say too much but there is some really serious happenings going on in Anna's family and she and her step sister talk about developing a future business adventure. Then it was like, "Oh that right. I should think and talk about this later" It happened many times.
I do think the 2nd book that would probably feature this business adventure might be more interesting to me that the first book. It was an ok cozy read for me. I wanted to like it as much as the Mainely Needlepoint series.
The book revolves around Anna Winslow, a life long residents of Quarry Island. Her husband Burt is a lobsterman and she has a teenage son Jake. When Burt's brother turns up missing, the mystery starts. Anna's meets her half sister who comes to visit after the death of their father. I knew who committed the crime very early in the book. I don't want to say too much but there is some really serious happenings going on in Anna's family and she and her step sister talk about developing a future business adventure. Then it was like, "Oh that right. I should think and talk about this later" It happened many times.
I do think the 2nd book that would probably feature this business adventure might be more interesting to me that the first book. It was an ok cozy read for me. I wanted to like it as much as the Mainely Needlepoint series.
April 12, 2018
First, in a new series, Death and a Pot of Chowder will keep you questioning who done it all the way through the story.
I enjoyed the author’s writing style, characters, and the story setting. I really love the way the author brought Lzzie into the story for Anna and that she and Anna will be building a life together in their new endeavor and I am sure these two will find a lot of trouble in coming books.
As for this story, I really liked the detail the author brought into the story, but for some reason the mystery never grabbed me, it fell flat for me, even though it was very enjoyable. I will be reading the next story, I have a feeling these two ladies are going to be fun to read from here on out.
I enjoyed the author’s writing style, characters, and the story setting. I really love the way the author brought Lzzie into the story for Anna and that she and Anna will be building a life together in their new endeavor and I am sure these two will find a lot of trouble in coming books.
As for this story, I really liked the detail the author brought into the story, but for some reason the mystery never grabbed me, it fell flat for me, even though it was very enjoyable. I will be reading the next story, I have a feeling these two ladies are going to be fun to read from here on out.
March 24, 2021
Death and a Pot of Chowder by Cornelia Kidd is the first book in A Maine Murder Mystery series. Anna Winslow lives on Quarry Island with her lobsterman husband Burt and their son Jake. When Burt's brother Carl is murdered and Burt is arrested, Anna joins with her newly found half sister Izzie to clear him. I enjoyed this book very much. I loved meeting the other inhabitants of Quarry Island as well as meeting Izzie and getting to know about her. Vintage household hints are also provided as well as delicious sounding recipes. I loved the food descriptions and the plans to open a bar and cafe. An engaging and well written mystery.
June 21, 2018
Death and a Pot of Chowder by Cornelia Kidd is the first A Maine Murder Mystery. Anna Winslow lives on Quarry Island in Maine with her husband, Burt and son, Jake. She is surprised when she receives a letter from Isabel “Izzie” Jordan stating that she is her half-sister and would like to meet. A couple of weeks later, Anna is in Portland to meet up with Izzie. They arrive at their lunch destination when Anna gets a call from Burt regarding his brother, Carl. Carl’s boat was found adrift and he is missing. Anna and Izzie rush to Quarry Island where the search is ongoing. Later that night, Carl’s body is discovered, but he did not die from drowning. Detective Jonas Preston of the Maine State Police is on the case and they soon learn that the evidence is mounting against Burt. Anna and Izzie band together to track down Carl’s killer.
Death and a Pot of Chowder is set on Quarry Island, Maine. The author provided detailed descriptions of the island and its history. Anna is thirty-two and has been married to Burt since she was eighteen years old. Burt is a fourth-generation lobsterman and expects his son to follow in his footsteps. Anna grew up on the same street. Her mother and grandmother still live in the house (close knit family). It is a place where people can leave their doors unlocked and children can roam freely (until someone murdered Carl). The author did a terrific job at setting the stage for A Maine Murder Mystery series. I like how the author brought the two sisters together and their plans for the future. I loved how Anne of Green Gables was woven into the story (one of my favorite books). I thought the mystery was simple. I easily identified the guilty party. Anna and Izzie work together to figure out Carl’s movement before he was killed. They question various people and get assistance from retired detective and neighbor, Rob Erickson. I could have done with less speculation and repetition. There needed to be more action which would have helped the pacing (which was slow at times). My rating for Death and a Pot of Chowder is 3.5 out of 5 stars. I found Jake to be extremely annoying. I realize his attitude and behavior are realistic for a fourteen-year-old, but I did get tired of his yelling and door slamming. Izzie’s love of cooking comes through as she describes how she likes to create dishes and execute them. There are various cookbooks mentioned and there are recipes included at the end of the book. There are many engaging cozy moments as the two sisters bond, explore the island, cook, and plan for the future. Death and a Pot of Chowder is nicely written, has good characters, rustic setting and plenty of food. Death and a Pot of Chowder captured my interest and I will be picking up the next A Maine Murder Mystery.
Death and a Pot of Chowder is set on Quarry Island, Maine. The author provided detailed descriptions of the island and its history. Anna is thirty-two and has been married to Burt since she was eighteen years old. Burt is a fourth-generation lobsterman and expects his son to follow in his footsteps. Anna grew up on the same street. Her mother and grandmother still live in the house (close knit family). It is a place where people can leave their doors unlocked and children can roam freely (until someone murdered Carl). The author did a terrific job at setting the stage for A Maine Murder Mystery series. I like how the author brought the two sisters together and their plans for the future. I loved how Anne of Green Gables was woven into the story (one of my favorite books). I thought the mystery was simple. I easily identified the guilty party. Anna and Izzie work together to figure out Carl’s movement before he was killed. They question various people and get assistance from retired detective and neighbor, Rob Erickson. I could have done with less speculation and repetition. There needed to be more action which would have helped the pacing (which was slow at times). My rating for Death and a Pot of Chowder is 3.5 out of 5 stars. I found Jake to be extremely annoying. I realize his attitude and behavior are realistic for a fourteen-year-old, but I did get tired of his yelling and door slamming. Izzie’s love of cooking comes through as she describes how she likes to create dishes and execute them. There are various cookbooks mentioned and there are recipes included at the end of the book. There are many engaging cozy moments as the two sisters bond, explore the island, cook, and plan for the future. Death and a Pot of Chowder is nicely written, has good characters, rustic setting and plenty of food. Death and a Pot of Chowder captured my interest and I will be picking up the next A Maine Murder Mystery.
June 27, 2018
I really enjoyed the first book in this brand new series! I love that it takes place in Maine. I have never been there but I love reading about it and hopefully will get to go someday and see some real Maine lighthouses. The author is also known as Lea Wait but I haven't read any of her other series yet but I know I really am liking this one so far.
Anna Winslow was happily living with her husband Burt and 14 year-old-son Jake. Out of the blue, she got a letter from Izzie Jordan who said she was her half-sister. Anna was delighted to have a sister so she brought her to stay with them at Quarry Island and they really hit it off. They got their first chance at really working together when Burt's brother Carl was found at sea but hadn't drowned, it was murder. Since Burt had motive, means and opportunity, he was arrested for the murder. Izzie and Anna were determined to get Burt out of jail. After that they'd talked about owning a restaurant together but I thought it was really awesome on Izzie's part to put Burt as a priority.
Izzy was really an amazing sister that anyone would be proud to have. She was generous and loyal, pitched right in when she started staying with Anna. I loved Mamie as well. She was everything you'd expect a sweet grandmother to be--she cooked, she fussed over people but she also listened.
There were a couple of side mysteries going on and I guessed one of them at least. I had the killer wrong but I wasn't too far off. It was fun seeing how Izzie, Anna and their friend Rob, a retired detective would handle the showdown. Everything wrapped up really well. There was one interesting clue that wasn't addressed, as in someone said oh yeah, that's why that was. I don't want to say what it was but it had to do with Burt's tablet. That clue told me part of what I guessed.
I think it's so cool that two sisters found each other and worked together to solve a murder. Now they want to be business partners and I can't wait to see what happens next!
Anna Winslow was happily living with her husband Burt and 14 year-old-son Jake. Out of the blue, she got a letter from Izzie Jordan who said she was her half-sister. Anna was delighted to have a sister so she brought her to stay with them at Quarry Island and they really hit it off. They got their first chance at really working together when Burt's brother Carl was found at sea but hadn't drowned, it was murder. Since Burt had motive, means and opportunity, he was arrested for the murder. Izzie and Anna were determined to get Burt out of jail. After that they'd talked about owning a restaurant together but I thought it was really awesome on Izzie's part to put Burt as a priority.
Izzy was really an amazing sister that anyone would be proud to have. She was generous and loyal, pitched right in when she started staying with Anna. I loved Mamie as well. She was everything you'd expect a sweet grandmother to be--she cooked, she fussed over people but she also listened.
There were a couple of side mysteries going on and I guessed one of them at least. I had the killer wrong but I wasn't too far off. It was fun seeing how Izzie, Anna and their friend Rob, a retired detective would handle the showdown. Everything wrapped up really well. There was one interesting clue that wasn't addressed, as in someone said oh yeah, that's why that was. I don't want to say what it was but it had to do with Burt's tablet. That clue told me part of what I guessed.
I think it's so cool that two sisters found each other and worked together to solve a murder. Now they want to be business partners and I can't wait to see what happens next!
July 13, 2018
Being an avid reader I enjoy a good cozy mystery. So when I saw this book, I was eager to read and discover a new favorite story or a new author to follow. This author, Cornelia Kidd, introduces me to Quarry Island, Maine. It's a small island community that is very tight-knit. Everyone knows everyone, and of course...usually, everyone's business as well. The main character, Anna is surprised one day when she learns that she has a younger sister. The sister has reached out because the father has recently passed on and she wants to connect. On the day of her visit, tragedy strikes. Anna's husband, Burt, learns that his brother, Carl, has disappeared while out on his boat. Tragedy turns to heartbreak when it is discovered that Carl is found dead. It's labeled a drowning, but that's what it stays as. Anna's life is soon thrown into chaos when they are told that Carl's death was murder and that her husband is the prime suspect. With the help of her sister, Anna intends to delve deeper to figure out what really happened and who committed the crime.
This is the first book that I have read by Cornelia Kidd, I believe, and overall I enjoyed the story. It is well-paced and engaging. For me, Anna is a soft character. She's the main character but she doesn't have a lot of depth to her. I wanted more. She's comfortable with her life, for the most part, and she takes care of house and home. Finances have become tight, but she still does her best for her family. I love how quickly and easily Izzie blends into the family. You can tell that she is meant to be there. She has more character than Anna really. Izzie had to grow up fast, but she's managed to accomplish quite a bit in her life. She has dreams, goals, and ambitions. I love how helpful she is around the house and with Anna in the wake of all the tragedy that has happened. When disaster first hit I honestly thought Anna would make Izzie stay in a hotel or come back another time. I was very pleased that she doesn't do this. I'm also thankful that when others were telling Anna to be cautious of Izzie and to even send her away, that she doesn't listen to them.
A big negative for me concerning this story is how Anna handles the situations with her son, Jake. Jake is rude and disrespectful to not just her but others numerous times. Anna never once reprimands him, and it honestly bothers me. When the boy starts disappearing and just going off, I'm shocked that she never says anything. Everything is dismissed as "Oh he's just a teenager" and more such nonsense in my opinion. Another situation I didn't like was when the detective goes and pulls Jake from school. Why doesn't Anna get a phone call?! That is major! The detective is not a family member or relative, so the school should have phone Anna to let her know what was happening.
I truly enjoyed the mystery element of this novel. When the pieces begin to come together, the author artfully misdirects us until the end. I was shocked! Haha! I thought...well, maybe! But then dismissed those thoughts. Well played madam. Well played. I loved the twist. While I would have liked more depth from certain characters, this story is truly enjoyable. I definitely recommend it to those who are looking for a good mystery novel.
I am rating this book 4 out of 5 stars. The reason I am doing this is that I couldn't get past the lack of Anna really standing up and being a parent to Jake. It's hard for me to believe that even the most tolerating parent (real or fiction) would put up with his attitude and how things were handled. If things were written in a more realistic tone, this would be a five star novel hands down.
This is the first book that I have read by Cornelia Kidd, I believe, and overall I enjoyed the story. It is well-paced and engaging. For me, Anna is a soft character. She's the main character but she doesn't have a lot of depth to her. I wanted more. She's comfortable with her life, for the most part, and she takes care of house and home. Finances have become tight, but she still does her best for her family. I love how quickly and easily Izzie blends into the family. You can tell that she is meant to be there. She has more character than Anna really. Izzie had to grow up fast, but she's managed to accomplish quite a bit in her life. She has dreams, goals, and ambitions. I love how helpful she is around the house and with Anna in the wake of all the tragedy that has happened. When disaster first hit I honestly thought Anna would make Izzie stay in a hotel or come back another time. I was very pleased that she doesn't do this. I'm also thankful that when others were telling Anna to be cautious of Izzie and to even send her away, that she doesn't listen to them.
A big negative for me concerning this story is how Anna handles the situations with her son, Jake. Jake is rude and disrespectful to not just her but others numerous times. Anna never once reprimands him, and it honestly bothers me. When the boy starts disappearing and just going off, I'm shocked that she never says anything. Everything is dismissed as "Oh he's just a teenager" and more such nonsense in my opinion. Another situation I didn't like was when the detective goes and pulls Jake from school. Why doesn't Anna get a phone call?! That is major! The detective is not a family member or relative, so the school should have phone Anna to let her know what was happening.
I truly enjoyed the mystery element of this novel. When the pieces begin to come together, the author artfully misdirects us until the end. I was shocked! Haha! I thought...well, maybe! But then dismissed those thoughts. Well played madam. Well played. I loved the twist. While I would have liked more depth from certain characters, this story is truly enjoyable. I definitely recommend it to those who are looking for a good mystery novel.
I am rating this book 4 out of 5 stars. The reason I am doing this is that I couldn't get past the lack of Anna really standing up and being a parent to Jake. It's hard for me to believe that even the most tolerating parent (real or fiction) would put up with his attitude and how things were handled. If things were written in a more realistic tone, this would be a five star novel hands down.
June 23, 2018
In Cornelia Kidd's Death and the Pot of Chowder, the first installment in the Maine Murder Cozy Mystery series, this debut would whip you a recipe of decadent foods and a twisted case of murder. For Anna Winslow, she was born and raised on Quarry Island, Maine, and had her husband Burt and teenage son to complete the perfect family life. But she never knew much about her biological father, until she received a letter from his attorney about his will and about her half-sister Izzy. Later she met her at the airport, though younger than her and half-Korean, she welcomed her into her family and learned about her culinary career and her dreams to open her own restaurant. Besides all this, her brother-in-law Carl had gone missing on his boat to go lobstering along the lake. When his boat turns up, he's presumed he had drowned, and later revealed to be murdered. This makes Anna question around her on the island about who wanted him dead, when the police had suspected Burt, and then her son Jake acted weird with his best friend Matt. In order to clear her husband's name, she had developed a timeline with help from Izzie and dig dug down to learn the family secrets. Then she would realize who the killer is and how closer to her than she could ever think.
July 10, 2018
This was a good mystery. While I loved the setting and the delicious recipes discussed, some of the characters were a little dry...not much personality. There was a good mystery to the story and you were left guessing until the end. Not sure if the characteristics were typical of people from that area of the country or just this author's style of writing. Because of that, I wasn't drawn in to the lives of the people or wanted to get to know them better. They were just kind of flat to me.
I would definitely read another book by this author, though, to see is I like it better than this one. It wasn't a bad book, it just didn't grab me and make me anxious to keep turning the pages.
I would definitely read another book by this author, though, to see is I like it better than this one. It wasn't a bad book, it just didn't grab me and make me anxious to keep turning the pages.
June 18, 2018
I am a huge fan of Lea Wait. I was thrilled she started a new series. I was not disappointed. Death and a Pot of Chowder is the first book in the Maine Murder Mystery series. The plot was strong and fast paced. Never a dull moment. The characters were well developed and believable. The two main characters, two sisters who never knew each other, are likable and easy to root for as they learn more about one another and help each other. Of coarse, the small town Maine setting is delightful. I highly recommend this book and look forward to the next one to come out.
September 5, 2018
Death and a Pot of Chowder is the start of a fabulous new series! I enjoyed everything about it, beginning with Quarry Island, a small community of families who have lived on the island for generations, many making their living on the sea from lobstering. They are the kind of folks who will do anything to help each other. To an islander, where one is born and raised is important, but even if they are a bit suspicious of off-islanders, the residents will give them a chance. Most of the characters are gemstones, described so well that this reader felt she already knew them.
Maine sounds like a breathtakingly beautiful place, and it is clear the author loves it. The springtime changes are shown in relation to the characters and how they respond accordingly, to anything from plants and trees showing new life, to muddy ruts, to the chill in the air.
One fun thing is that each chapter begins with a quote from a book from the 1800’s to early 1900’s with housekeeping, cooking, or family advice. Some of the quotes showed a side of life I wouldn’t have imagined many homes in those days being able to afford, hiring and overseeing household help.
Family relationships are challenged in this mystery, beginning with Anna Winslow, her mother, and her grandmother. Anna receives a letter from a woman introducing herself as her younger half-sister. Their father, who Anna never knew, had just passed away and Isabel “Izzie” Jordan and Anna would inherit equal portions of his estate. Anna’s mother had never talked about her father, never even told her his name, but her grandmother had stayed in touch with her father’s parents and knew about Izzie.
Anna and her husband Burt also face challenges. He found his brother Carl’s boat adrift with no sign of his brother on board; he towed the boat to shore and a search party went out. The following day, Carl’s murdered remains were found. Burt, having had a loud disagreement with Carl the day he went missing, is the prime suspect. I love seeing Anna’s love for Burt and her faith in his innocence; she will do anything to help him even as her she gets to know her sister Izzie.
Family ties may be strained but remain strong. There are plot twists changing the direction of who the bad guy might be. There were several good suspects. I did guess who the killer was, even though I didn’t know the real motive until the person admits to doing so, and why. I highly recommend this exciting new mystery set against the beautiful, wild backdrop of an island off the coast of Maine. For those who enjoy recipes, there are some included for the dishes in the novel.
From a grateful heart: I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher, and was not required to post a review.
Maine sounds like a breathtakingly beautiful place, and it is clear the author loves it. The springtime changes are shown in relation to the characters and how they respond accordingly, to anything from plants and trees showing new life, to muddy ruts, to the chill in the air.
One fun thing is that each chapter begins with a quote from a book from the 1800’s to early 1900’s with housekeeping, cooking, or family advice. Some of the quotes showed a side of life I wouldn’t have imagined many homes in those days being able to afford, hiring and overseeing household help.
Family relationships are challenged in this mystery, beginning with Anna Winslow, her mother, and her grandmother. Anna receives a letter from a woman introducing herself as her younger half-sister. Their father, who Anna never knew, had just passed away and Isabel “Izzie” Jordan and Anna would inherit equal portions of his estate. Anna’s mother had never talked about her father, never even told her his name, but her grandmother had stayed in touch with her father’s parents and knew about Izzie.
Anna and her husband Burt also face challenges. He found his brother Carl’s boat adrift with no sign of his brother on board; he towed the boat to shore and a search party went out. The following day, Carl’s murdered remains were found. Burt, having had a loud disagreement with Carl the day he went missing, is the prime suspect. I love seeing Anna’s love for Burt and her faith in his innocence; she will do anything to help him even as her she gets to know her sister Izzie.
Family ties may be strained but remain strong. There are plot twists changing the direction of who the bad guy might be. There were several good suspects. I did guess who the killer was, even though I didn’t know the real motive until the person admits to doing so, and why. I highly recommend this exciting new mystery set against the beautiful, wild backdrop of an island off the coast of Maine. For those who enjoy recipes, there are some included for the dishes in the novel.
From a grateful heart: I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher, and was not required to post a review.
September 8, 2019
First in the series and a very good one. I like the characters and their family stories. I'm looking forward to the next one.
June 26, 2018
Anna Winslow and her husband Burt and their son Jake live on Maine’s Quarry Island, a tiny community where everyone knows everything about their neighbors. But things are not always as they seem. One day Anna receives a letter telling her that her long-lost father has died and she has a sister, Izzie Jordan, that she never met.
Burt and his brother, Carl, are lobstermen, just like their father and grandfather. Things are just fine with Anna, until she receives Izzie's letter. She goes to meet her sister on the mainland, and then gets a phone call that Carl's boat has been found without him on it. When Carl's body is found, and his death is termed a homicide, things turn upside down for Anna and her family. Anna and Izzie set out to find out whodunit, especially after Burt comes under suspicion, and is arrested for his brother's murder.
This had the clear markings of a cozy mystery, and at first I thought it was going to be less than what I'd hoped for...but the opposite turned out to be true. This book met, and exceeded, my expectations. Anna is a perfectly drawn character, and I cheered for her to get to the bottom of things and clear her husband's name.
The introduction of Izzie, who had never been to the island, was a unique and very useful tool for the writer. When Anna took Izzie on a tour of the island, it allowed the readers to go along and make what could have been boring pages of descriptions of residents and houses, into a perfect way to draw a map of the island.
The addition of Jake added great depth to this story. He reacted to his uncle's death, and the subsequent problems that it brings, were spot on, and made me to scream at him. When a character gets under my skin that way you know he is perfectly drawn. The relationship between Anna and Izzie was also intriguing, and perfectly written in-between the mystery passages.
The mystery part of this book was tightly written, and even though I thought I'd figured it out, there was a surprise at the end that made me go, "Well, I didn't see that coming."
This book, to use a phrase that is used a lot, is quite the page turner. I was always eager to see what would happen next, and how the characters would react.
Death and a Pot of Chowder is the first Maine Murder mystery by Cornelia Kidd. I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
Burt and his brother, Carl, are lobstermen, just like their father and grandfather. Things are just fine with Anna, until she receives Izzie's letter. She goes to meet her sister on the mainland, and then gets a phone call that Carl's boat has been found without him on it. When Carl's body is found, and his death is termed a homicide, things turn upside down for Anna and her family. Anna and Izzie set out to find out whodunit, especially after Burt comes under suspicion, and is arrested for his brother's murder.
This had the clear markings of a cozy mystery, and at first I thought it was going to be less than what I'd hoped for...but the opposite turned out to be true. This book met, and exceeded, my expectations. Anna is a perfectly drawn character, and I cheered for her to get to the bottom of things and clear her husband's name.
The introduction of Izzie, who had never been to the island, was a unique and very useful tool for the writer. When Anna took Izzie on a tour of the island, it allowed the readers to go along and make what could have been boring pages of descriptions of residents and houses, into a perfect way to draw a map of the island.
The addition of Jake added great depth to this story. He reacted to his uncle's death, and the subsequent problems that it brings, were spot on, and made me to scream at him. When a character gets under my skin that way you know he is perfectly drawn. The relationship between Anna and Izzie was also intriguing, and perfectly written in-between the mystery passages.
The mystery part of this book was tightly written, and even though I thought I'd figured it out, there was a surprise at the end that made me go, "Well, I didn't see that coming."
This book, to use a phrase that is used a lot, is quite the page turner. I was always eager to see what would happen next, and how the characters would react.
Death and a Pot of Chowder is the first Maine Murder mystery by Cornelia Kidd. I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
July 4, 2018
I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book.
Unfortunately it took me a lot longer to read this book than it normally takes me. I didn't read the blurb before going into this book so there was an interesting twist at the beginning of the story that captured my interest. Things just moved very slowly though and I found myself losing interest pretty quickly. I kept putting the book down and coming back to it later. I wasn't able to stay focused on the story. It seemed like there were just so many conversations about things that didn't really matter at the time or weren't important to the story.
There were also a couple characters that just didn't mesh well with me. I found it hard to like Burt at first. I thought he was a little too harsh when talking about Izzie. Anna's mom made a few harsh comments as well that I thought weren't very deserving. As a parent, I found Jake's behavior to be a little appalling at times. There is no way I would let my son get away with some of the things that Jake did without any consequences. I understand that Jake is a teenager and they are going to act out and do things they aren't supposed to, but it just didn't feel right that he didn't have any consequences for any of his actions at all. Like I said.. as a parent myself (to a child that is close to that age), it just didn't sit right with me.
There really wasn't any real sleuthing happening either until the last part of the book. Once all of the suspects started being thrown around and Anna and Izzie were trying to (actively) figure out who killed Carl, I became more interested and invested in the story. Once the sleuthing picked up and the mystery behind the murder started to come together, I sped through the book and finished it pretty quickly.
I felt really bad for Anna and Burt by the end of the story. This story just goes to show that people aren't always who they seem to be and that can be hard to accept sometimes. Another character I had a lot of sympathy for was Dolan. He didn't deserve what happened to him at all. I did really enjoy the relationship that Anna and Izzie formed throughout the book. I am glad that the two of them have each other. They have a promising future ahead of them.
I enjoyed the different kinds of food that were discussed in this book and looked over the recipes at the back of the book as well. They all sounded good. I may give one of them a try sometime.
Unfortunately it took me a lot longer to read this book than it normally takes me. I didn't read the blurb before going into this book so there was an interesting twist at the beginning of the story that captured my interest. Things just moved very slowly though and I found myself losing interest pretty quickly. I kept putting the book down and coming back to it later. I wasn't able to stay focused on the story. It seemed like there were just so many conversations about things that didn't really matter at the time or weren't important to the story.
There were also a couple characters that just didn't mesh well with me. I found it hard to like Burt at first. I thought he was a little too harsh when talking about Izzie. Anna's mom made a few harsh comments as well that I thought weren't very deserving. As a parent, I found Jake's behavior to be a little appalling at times. There is no way I would let my son get away with some of the things that Jake did without any consequences. I understand that Jake is a teenager and they are going to act out and do things they aren't supposed to, but it just didn't feel right that he didn't have any consequences for any of his actions at all. Like I said.. as a parent myself (to a child that is close to that age), it just didn't sit right with me.
There really wasn't any real sleuthing happening either until the last part of the book. Once all of the suspects started being thrown around and Anna and Izzie were trying to (actively) figure out who killed Carl, I became more interested and invested in the story. Once the sleuthing picked up and the mystery behind the murder started to come together, I sped through the book and finished it pretty quickly.
I felt really bad for Anna and Burt by the end of the story. This story just goes to show that people aren't always who they seem to be and that can be hard to accept sometimes. Another character I had a lot of sympathy for was Dolan. He didn't deserve what happened to him at all. I did really enjoy the relationship that Anna and Izzie formed throughout the book. I am glad that the two of them have each other. They have a promising future ahead of them.
I enjoyed the different kinds of food that were discussed in this book and looked over the recipes at the back of the book as well. They all sounded good. I may give one of them a try sometime.
April 15, 2018
First, in a new series, Death and a Pot of Chowder will keep you questioning who done it all the way through the story.
I enjoyed the author’s writing style, characters, and the story setting. I really love the way the author brought Lzzie into the story for Anna and that she and Anna will be building a life together in their new endeavor and I am sure these two will find a lot of trouble in coming books.
As for this story, I really liked the detail the author brought into the story, but for some reason the mystery never grabbed me, it fell flat for me, even though it was very enjoyable. I will be reading the next story, I have a feeling these two ladies are going to be fun to read from here on out.
There are some great recipes in the back!
I enjoyed the author’s writing style, characters, and the story setting. I really love the way the author brought Lzzie into the story for Anna and that she and Anna will be building a life together in their new endeavor and I am sure these two will find a lot of trouble in coming books.
As for this story, I really liked the detail the author brought into the story, but for some reason the mystery never grabbed me, it fell flat for me, even though it was very enjoyable. I will be reading the next story, I have a feeling these two ladies are going to be fun to read from here on out.
There are some great recipes in the back!
June 25, 2018
I loved this book! It's the first one in the new Maine Murder Mystery series, and it's a great start. The story is set on Quarry Island. You can't get any cozier for a cozy mystery than an island! The population is small, and the community is close-knit. Anna, the main character, is practical and calm. Anna's newly-discovered half sister, Izzie, is outgoing and inquisitive. They make the perfect amateur sleuthing duo! I loved the glimpses into life as a lobsterman's wife. I also liked the snippets from old cookbooks and housekeeping guides that began each chapter. I kept changing my mind about who the murderer was, and was surprised when everything was revealed. I quickly grew attached to the characters in this story, and I can't wait for the next installment in the series!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 10, 2018
Death and a Pot of Chowder by Cornelia Kidd is the 1st book in the Main Murder Mystery series, and an enjoyable read. Anna Winslow, her husband Burt, and their son live on Quarry Island in Maine. Anna discovers she has a half sister she never knew about, and Burt's brother Carl goes missing. This book has more twists and turns, that kept me reading page after page. I found this book to be a quick read, with a well developed plot and characters. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. If you love cozy mysteries, I recommend this book.
I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
July 13, 2018
I loved this book-it's the start of a new series. Takes place in Maine and is sort of a Murder She Wrote type of thing. In other words, violence happens but it's not a gore festival. This is something I can recommend to my Mom. Loved the characters, the atmosphere and look forward to the next one.
April 22, 2018
This is a wonderful start to a new series set on Quarry Island, Maine. I loved the setting of the book and the characters and the tight-knit community of the island. Everyone knows everyone, especially when it is not tourist season, and they leave their doors unlocked. This makes the mystery a little more challenging, as the motive could be something that happened recently or something that happened in the past. The descriptions of all of the food made me hungry, but also made me want to try some new recipes, which are included in the back of the book. I am looking forward to the next book in this series and can't wait to see what happens with Anna and Izzy's new venture.
I would like to thank Cornelia Kidd for an ARC of this book. This did not influence my review in any way.
I would like to thank Cornelia Kidd for an ARC of this book. This did not influence my review in any way.
June 11, 2018
Death And A Pot Of Chowder is the first book in the A Maine Murder Mystery.
I was drawn to this book by its description and when I learned that Cornelia Kidd also writes as Lea Wait, I knew I had to read it. I have read all of Wait’s Needlepoint and Antique Print series books and love her writing.
This story takes place on Quarry Island, Maine where most residents are involved in the lobstering industry. Anna Winslow is one of those residents. Anna’s husband Burt in a lobsterman as is his brother Carl. Anna has just gotten a letter and she doesn’t recognize the handwriting on the envelope. When she reads the note inside, she finds that she has a half-sister, Izzy, who lives in Connecticut. Anna drives to Portland to meet Izzy at the bus station. On the way back to Quarry Island, Anna learns that Izzy is a chef and is looking to find a job in Maine and get her career started. Shortly after they get home Anna learns that Carl had gone out on his boat to check his lobster traps and is missing.
The next day, Carl’s body is found washed ashore and it is found that he had been shot. As the police begin their investigation they soon zero in on Burt having killed his brother. His rifle has gone missing and they also learn that Carl had written a check on Burt’s checking account and nearly zeroing out the account. When Burt gets arrested for his brother's murder, Anna begins to do a little sleuthing of her own to clear her husband.
Even though Anna and Izzie have just met they are bonding quickly and Izzie proves extremely valuable in keeping the family upbeat and is able to see things in the friends and neighbors that Anna may not as she has known them all her life.
I found this story to be well-plotted and told with plenty of twist and turns. The story had interesting and believable characters and am looking forward to learning more about the interesting residents of Quarry Island.
Each chapter begins with excerpts from various cookbooks and household management books from the 1800’s, which I found to be very interesting. Delicious sounding recipes are also included with the book.
I am eagerly looking forward to the next book in this exciting new series to see what adventures Anna and Izzie will have next.
I was drawn to this book by its description and when I learned that Cornelia Kidd also writes as Lea Wait, I knew I had to read it. I have read all of Wait’s Needlepoint and Antique Print series books and love her writing.
This story takes place on Quarry Island, Maine where most residents are involved in the lobstering industry. Anna Winslow is one of those residents. Anna’s husband Burt in a lobsterman as is his brother Carl. Anna has just gotten a letter and she doesn’t recognize the handwriting on the envelope. When she reads the note inside, she finds that she has a half-sister, Izzy, who lives in Connecticut. Anna drives to Portland to meet Izzy at the bus station. On the way back to Quarry Island, Anna learns that Izzy is a chef and is looking to find a job in Maine and get her career started. Shortly after they get home Anna learns that Carl had gone out on his boat to check his lobster traps and is missing.
The next day, Carl’s body is found washed ashore and it is found that he had been shot. As the police begin their investigation they soon zero in on Burt having killed his brother. His rifle has gone missing and they also learn that Carl had written a check on Burt’s checking account and nearly zeroing out the account. When Burt gets arrested for his brother's murder, Anna begins to do a little sleuthing of her own to clear her husband.
Even though Anna and Izzie have just met they are bonding quickly and Izzie proves extremely valuable in keeping the family upbeat and is able to see things in the friends and neighbors that Anna may not as she has known them all her life.
I found this story to be well-plotted and told with plenty of twist and turns. The story had interesting and believable characters and am looking forward to learning more about the interesting residents of Quarry Island.
Each chapter begins with excerpts from various cookbooks and household management books from the 1800’s, which I found to be very interesting. Delicious sounding recipes are also included with the book.
I am eagerly looking forward to the next book in this exciting new series to see what adventures Anna and Izzie will have next.
February 14, 2018
A layered, engaging mystery! This book is set in my most favorite of mystery locations: Maine. The small, closet-knit island community is the best place for a great whodunit. Main character, Anna, is a wife and mom who's lived her whole life on the same road and has known the island and its citizens her whole life. So who could be better to investigate the death of a family member... especially when her own husband is suspect #1? Add in a new family member that Anna's just learned about, and some background on the primary characters, and there was plenty of meat to this story to keep me reading. The victim, though generally a good person, had flaws, which created several strong suspects as the story went on. There were plenty of clues and twists - both relevant and not - to keep me guessing til the very end. I also enjoyed the recipes at the end and how each chapter began with a snipped from old books about housekeeping and cooking. This is the first book I've read by Cornelia Kidd, but I'm already looking forward to reading more!
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
June 26, 2018
Death and a Pot of Chowder by Cornelia Kidd is a nicely written cozy mystery set on Quarry Island in Maine, where nothing ever happens......until Anna's heretofore unknown biological father passes away leading to her discovery of her heretofore unknown half-sister, her brother-in-law is presumed lost at sea then discovered murdered, and her dear husband is arrested for the crime! Lots of twists and turns involving family and neighbors, I stayed up past my bedtime to finish this well-crafted mystery! A+
p.s. Recipes included - yay!
p.s. Recipes included - yay!
May 15, 2018
A mysterious letter brings a new family member to Quarry Island, Maine--just as protagonist Anna Winslow's brother-in-law Carl's boat is missing off the shore of their small community. His body is later recovered and the police determine he didn't die due to drowning. Who in this tight-knit community, where no one locks their doors, would want to harm him and why?
The mystery plot was excellent, well-paced and kept me engrossed until the very end. I loved the realistic family dynamics, with its day-to-day struggles. The characters were well-developed, especially for a first-in-series book. Even though I have never been to Maine, I felt like I was right there on the sea.
I can't wait to visit Quarry Island again!
**Thanks to NetGalley for a complimentary ARC of this book. My review is voluntary.
The mystery plot was excellent, well-paced and kept me engrossed until the very end. I loved the realistic family dynamics, with its day-to-day struggles. The characters were well-developed, especially for a first-in-series book. Even though I have never been to Maine, I felt like I was right there on the sea.
I can't wait to visit Quarry Island again!
**Thanks to NetGalley for a complimentary ARC of this book. My review is voluntary.
June 16, 2020
An amazing first story in what was supposed to be a new series for this author. Unfortunately her health declined and the world has lost her.
I had a dream that the family did a deep dive into all her files and storage places. They found a file with hand written notes for the next book... A dream that I and many other wish could be real.
Lea, we miss you and wish you were still here with us.
I had a dream that the family did a deep dive into all her files and storage places. They found a file with hand written notes for the next book... A dream that I and many other wish could be real.
Lea, we miss you and wish you were still here with us.
July 13, 2018
Death and Pot of Chowder is my first book from Cornelia Kidd that I have read.
Anna Winslow her husband Burt and Jake their son. They live on Maines's Quarry Island, a very tiny community,where everyone knows everybody on the island.
Anna grew up knowing her dad wasn't her real father, Anna would ask her mom about her dad, her mom really didn't want to talk about her father. Until one day Anna received a letter in the mail that her long list father had died,and she has a half sister named Lizzie Jordan. That Anna has never meet.
Burt and his brother Carl are Lobsterman they are 4 generations of lobstering family.
On the day Anna goes to meet Lizzie for the first time, Anna gets a call saying Carl goes missing, Anna hurries back home again with Lizzie. They find the boat and a few hrs later Carl's body washes up on shore. Anna and Lizzie set out to find who murdered Carl and why.
This book has mire twists and turns,that kept me reading page after page, to see what would happen. I found this book to be a quick read,with well developed plot and characters.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series. If you love Cozy mysteries,you will love this book.
I received this book in exchange for a far and honest review.
Anna Winslow her husband Burt and Jake their son. They live on Maines's Quarry Island, a very tiny community,where everyone knows everybody on the island.
Anna grew up knowing her dad wasn't her real father, Anna would ask her mom about her dad, her mom really didn't want to talk about her father. Until one day Anna received a letter in the mail that her long list father had died,and she has a half sister named Lizzie Jordan. That Anna has never meet.
Burt and his brother Carl are Lobsterman they are 4 generations of lobstering family.
On the day Anna goes to meet Lizzie for the first time, Anna gets a call saying Carl goes missing, Anna hurries back home again with Lizzie. They find the boat and a few hrs later Carl's body washes up on shore. Anna and Lizzie set out to find who murdered Carl and why.
This book has mire twists and turns,that kept me reading page after page, to see what would happen. I found this book to be a quick read,with well developed plot and characters.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series. If you love Cozy mysteries,you will love this book.
I received this book in exchange for a far and honest review.
July 10, 2018
I have read books by Lea Wait before but this one written under her name Cordelia Kidd was the best yet! Her writing with this story reminded me very much of one of my very favorite authors, Elisabeth Ogilvie. Her descriptions of living on an island and the life of lobstermen and the hard work they have to do to earn a living are so real!
The story of Anna meeting her half sister is very interesting. Izzie comes to the island and gets involved in the mystery of who killed her half sister's brother-in-law. Anna and Izzie are a good sleuthing duo.
I pray there will be a few more books in this series. They will be on my list, for sure!
The story of Anna meeting her half sister is very interesting. Izzie comes to the island and gets involved in the mystery of who killed her half sister's brother-in-law. Anna and Izzie are a good sleuthing duo.
I pray there will be a few more books in this series. They will be on my list, for sure!
May 31, 2018
A wonderful start to a new series. This novel is set in Quarry Island, Maine in a tight knit community. The writing style was reminiscent of Lea Waite who also sets her books in Maine. With the descriptions of the area, I felt like I was in Maine.
The cover is adorable, so full of color and the setting says to me “read me, NOW!”
The story is well crafted and kept me engaged until the end. I liked the family dynamics and empathy I could feel towards them. The plot was set to good pace with enough turns to keep me guessing until the end. I plan to add this author to my reading list.
There are recipes at the end of the book which I look forward to trying out.
I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy from Crooked Lanes Books via Netgalley and these are my own opinions.
The cover is adorable, so full of color and the setting says to me “read me, NOW!”
The story is well crafted and kept me engaged until the end. I liked the family dynamics and empathy I could feel towards them. The plot was set to good pace with enough turns to keep me guessing until the end. I plan to add this author to my reading list.
There are recipes at the end of the book which I look forward to trying out.
I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy from Crooked Lanes Books via Netgalley and these are my own opinions.
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