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Rockfish Island Mystery #1
Black Bear Alibi
A small island with big lies...Welcome to Rockfish Island.Philip Russell, a U.S. Park Ranger for a small island in the Pacific Northwest has stumbled across a dead body in the woods. Unsure if the dead woman is a local or someone from the mainland, the new female sheriff is called in to find out if the community has anything to fear. Eager to help solve the mystery, both instantly find themselves at odds with each other. Philip, defending the people he's known his whole life, and Sheriff Lane, giving no one the benefit of the doubt...not even Philip. Together the investigation progresses and both quickly realize that on this sleepy island not everyone is who they pretend to be...and possibly, one of their fellow islanders is a killer.Read the first book in the Rockfish Island Mysteries Series followed by The Push, False Findings and Within The Pines!
479 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 11, 2019
1321 people are currently reading
2451 people want to read
About the author
J.C. Fuller
5 books201 followersJ.C. Fuller is a PNW author living in Washington state who loves all things mystery, especially thrillers and whodunits. She loves sharing her imagination with readers and has written her first psychological thriller, Safe to Assume. She also has a cozy thriller whodunit series known as The Rockfish Island Mysteries, the first of which is Black Bear Alibi. She is looking forward to continuing this series while working on additional standalone thrillers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 284 reviews
March 30, 2023
This story took me back to the days of Murder she Wrote and Matlock. It was a great murder mystery with a surprise ending and plot twists along the way. Looking forward to reading more in the series!
April 3, 2023
An amazing read, from page one we are given a mystery with tension and the stakes are high. The new Sheriff in town is female and has a lot to prove to the citizens of Rockfish island. She takes no prisoners and isnt afraid to get her hands dirty to do so. Her sidekick Phil is a Ranger whom finds the body and he too has something to prove not only to himself but to the Sheriff. This book was a page turner for me. I devoured it in one day.
November 28, 2025
I had so much fun with this story! A small town mystery where you suspect everyone! All the cozy vibes and it kept me guessing the whole time! I must add that the character development was done really well too! Highly recommend this cozy mystery!
July 18, 2025
Great small town mystery where everyone is a suspect. I enjoyed the writing it wasn't too corny and the main characters weren't annoying. A big feat in this genre. A couple weird remarks about the FMCs physique in the beginning but it leveled out quickly. I had a lot of fun this book needs some attention I'm excited to continue on.
March 22, 2023
This book has everything a thriller needs. The tension between main characters. The suspense of who done it mystery. The banter between the main characters Lane and Phil were great. I did predict some, but not all and still recommended highly! The concept in general was impressive.
October 5, 2023
WOWOWOW!!!!!
This book was so good. I love a good murder mystery where everyone has a motive and this was just that.
I was shocked by the final reveal & definitely cannot wait to continue this series!!
This book was so good. I love a good murder mystery where everyone has a motive and this was just that.
I was shocked by the final reveal & definitely cannot wait to continue this series!!
January 8, 2024
Listen...first off, I need to say mystery/thrillers are my favorite genre. I am the reader who is trying to figure out the killer as early in the book as possible. This book was totally different. I wasn't trying to figure out who did it until toward the end of the book! I was enjoying the ride way too much. The banter! The twists! Hattie! All the townsfolk made me want to live there. The book is fast-paced with short chapters. I highly recommend it. You will laugh and be swept away to a little island in the PNW.
May 1, 2023
JC Fuller has brought the characters of Rockfish Island to life. They almost seem like every day people I could run into, though with what happens in this mystery, I'd probably try to avoid one or two of them. Great story!
June 29, 2023
I was right about thr murderer and the motive! However it wasn't easy to solve, kept you guessing right up to the last chapter.
May 13, 2024
The book really kept me guessing! The book is about a girl getting murder in national park that is on little island with 1,000 people in town. And this nee sheriff just got the assignment the murder happens. She meets with a park ranger. They become a teak that go on a wild chase to track down the murder.
August 18, 2024
A park ranger finds the body of a young woman mauled by a bear. Except the bear didn’t kill her…so who did? An out of town sheriff pairs up with the local park ranger to solve the crime. The story kept me guessing for a good while before I did guess who did it. Enjoyed this one.
*Available on Kindle Unlimited
*Available on Kindle Unlimited
October 17, 2025
3.75 stars!
A classic whodunit with small town secrets, steady pacing, and plenty of suspects to keep you guessing. I enjoyed the atmosphere and mystery, even if it didn’t completely blow me away. Still, it’s a solid pick for anyone who loves traditional murder mysteries with that cozy but sinister feel.
A classic whodunit with small town secrets, steady pacing, and plenty of suspects to keep you guessing. I enjoyed the atmosphere and mystery, even if it didn’t completely blow me away. Still, it’s a solid pick for anyone who loves traditional murder mysteries with that cozy but sinister feel.
November 17, 2023
This is a must read! Kept me guessing throughout. Great story!
January 5, 2025
Couldn't put it down!
March 25, 2025
This was a great murder mystery. Great characters. Surprise ending. Will continue on with the series. Rockfish Island Mystery . 📕
June 5, 2024
This was an exciting mystery from chapter 1! J.C. Fuller draws you in to her small town mystery and you’re able to meet all the town locals through the eyes of the new-to-town sheriff. I loved being able to guess and theorize along with the characters and it felt IMPOSSIBLE to put down! I’m so glad there are 3 more books in the series so I don’t have to say goodbye to this setting or the characters yet!
November 2, 2025
This was a really good read.
December 12, 2023
I enjoyed the mystery, but the main character, Lane was so basic. She was also annoying and flat as a character. All I know about her is that she’s obviously white and blonde and not much else. I didn’t like her. She’s a terrible investigator with absolutely no instincts and terrible hunches. No charisma. No charm. Her entire career and her ambition is centered around her brothers, i.e. men. She unfortunately compares herself to her brother’s and also measures her successes by their’s. Like why??? It was disappointing. There’s also no mention of her mother unless I missed it which is very odd.
Phillip was an interesting character, and had better investigative skills than Lane in my opinion.
It would be nice to see a black or brown girl in some of these mystery novels. I know the author is white and may have a hard time writing a character who isn’t white, but but I’d like to see more inclusive representation….oh well.
Phillip was an interesting character, and had better investigative skills than Lane in my opinion.
It would be nice to see a black or brown girl in some of these mystery novels. I know the author is white and may have a hard time writing a character who isn’t white, but but I’d like to see more inclusive representation….oh well.
January 4, 2023
I'm a fan of YA fantasy books so this one was something new for me. I wouldn't call it a cozy mystery because the crime scene has a lot of gore, thankfully they don't talk about that too much. But what I fell in love with is the town. Rock Fish Island sounds like it would be a wonderful place to live. It's kind of like Mayberry with a cast of irascible and memorable characters. When the new Sherriff Lane arrives, she is not very likable (She has a secret name you'll never forget). But, by the end of the first book she softens up a lot and I imagine if these same characters appear in the sequels, they will each grow on you more. For a debut novel, this is good stuff and can only get better! Nancy Peterson did a good job bringing these characters to life. I’m still thinking about the town and the characters which to me is always the sign of a good book. Well done J.C. Fuller
May 22, 2019
If you love a good Whodunit murder mystery this is the perfect book to spend an afternoon getting lost in. I was addicted to the story from the beginning and couldn't put it down. Set in the Pacific Northwest, the author brilliantly weaves an array of characters together that keeps you guessing just who the murderer is till the end. Great Read, looking forward to more novels by this author.
May 23, 2019
Must read, I couldn't put this down!!! Without reading anything from this author, I didn't know to go expect, but was more than pleasantly surprised!!! Well written and thought out storyline, anxiously awaiting the next installment!! Literally was so emersed in the story, I was sad it ended!!!
August 23, 2022
Apr 19, 2022 - Excellent start to a new series! I can't wait to read the next book!
EDIT: Aug 22nd 2022 - Just finished listening to the audiobook version. The narration is amazing! One of my all time favorite reads.
EDIT: Aug 22nd 2022 - Just finished listening to the audiobook version. The narration is amazing! One of my all time favorite reads.
July 23, 2023
This was SUCH a good thriller! Fantastic writing and great characters. The setting of the Pacific Northwest was perfect for this cozy mystery. I cannot wait to read the rest of J.C. Fuller’s series! Phil is my fave!
May 24, 2019
This book was great! It kept the suspense going and the twist was unexpected. All around great read.
January 9, 2025
This was amazing.! I can hardly wait to read book two!
May 1, 2025
Black Bear Alibi is a straightforward, small town whodunit that delivers on setup but never quite crosses into must-read territory. The story kicks off with a dead body discovered in the woods by Park Ranger Philip Russell, bringing a new sheriff to town and stirring questions about whether danger is lurking in the community, or if it’s just a tragic accident.
One thing I did enjoy was the dynamic between the two main characters. Their playful, sometimes tense banter added personality and realism to the story, especially as they worked through their differing perspectives. The character development was solid, and I appreciated how clearly the author built their backgrounds and motivations.
That said, the story just never fully pulled me in. I didn’t struggle to read it, but I also wasn’t racing back to it either. There wasn’t a particular twist or reveal that stood out, and while I did connect with the characters, the plot itself lacked emotional weight or urgency.
Final thoughts: If you’re looking for a light, easy to follow mystery with well drawn characters and low stakes pacing, this could be a good gap filler. Nothing groundbreaking, but pleasant enough if you’re in the mood for something simple and familiar.
One thing I did enjoy was the dynamic between the two main characters. Their playful, sometimes tense banter added personality and realism to the story, especially as they worked through their differing perspectives. The character development was solid, and I appreciated how clearly the author built their backgrounds and motivations.
That said, the story just never fully pulled me in. I didn’t struggle to read it, but I also wasn’t racing back to it either. There wasn’t a particular twist or reveal that stood out, and while I did connect with the characters, the plot itself lacked emotional weight or urgency.
Final thoughts: If you’re looking for a light, easy to follow mystery with well drawn characters and low stakes pacing, this could be a good gap filler. Nothing groundbreaking, but pleasant enough if you’re in the mood for something simple and familiar.
April 15, 2024
Was it all because she's so pretty!?!
It's time to read:
A Black Bear Alibi by: J. C. Fuller
I loved this book so much that I went back and forth with reading this book with it’s actually paperback copy and the audio book. I loved listening to it as I was driving around town. But, then I loved reading the paperback too because I ended up giving the books gilding the edges or was it the tainted loves or the fact there’s someone unlived in Rockfish Island, it is a mystery! But, can you tell me what I loved more? It is so hard not to spill this story. What I can tell you is that I was reading so hard at the end of one of the chapters towards the end of the book, and it had me laughing so hard that I almost peed my pants. LOL!!!! If you read the book you will know what chapter I am referring too, with that comment. hee hee! Let's have fun reading.
I really love the undertones that she gives you while you are sitting on the edge if you are right for who did it?!?
This book deserves 5 stars and sealed with readmybook.net
1*2*3*4*5*
Way to go, J.C. Fuller!!!!
In Light N Love!
My Everlasting Friend,
Alice McMurtry founder of readmybook.net
It's time to read:
A Black Bear Alibi by: J. C. Fuller
I loved this book so much that I went back and forth with reading this book with it’s actually paperback copy and the audio book. I loved listening to it as I was driving around town. But, then I loved reading the paperback too because I ended up giving the books gilding the edges or was it the tainted loves or the fact there’s someone unlived in Rockfish Island, it is a mystery! But, can you tell me what I loved more? It is so hard not to spill this story. What I can tell you is that I was reading so hard at the end of one of the chapters towards the end of the book, and it had me laughing so hard that I almost peed my pants. LOL!!!! If you read the book you will know what chapter I am referring too, with that comment. hee hee! Let's have fun reading.
I really love the undertones that she gives you while you are sitting on the edge if you are right for who did it?!?
This book deserves 5 stars and sealed with readmybook.net
1*2*3*4*5*
Way to go, J.C. Fuller!!!!
In Light N Love!
My Everlasting Friend,
Alice McMurtry founder of readmybook.net
September 10, 2023
Just the cozy mystery I’ve been craving!!!
Rockfish Island is a small knit community, think it has like thousand people on island.
Ranger Phillip sees black bear cubs and decides to go in the forest where he stumbles upon and finds a dead body. He is not sure if it’s a local woman or tourist.
A new sheriff named Lane comes to help solve this mystery. Lane knows no one on island and in her mind are all potentially the person they are looking for where as Phillip knows all the islanders (so he thinks) and is convinced it has to be a tourist.
Phillip and Lane investigate this together and get to know each other. Phillip thought he knew everything about everyone on the island but quickly finds out that’s not the case and everyone has secrets.
Character building in this is 🤌🏻. I came to love them all. Makes me want to go to this island, even though a killer is somewhere out there, and do all the outdoor stuff they offer here.
Can’t wait to dive into book two The Push.
Rockfish Island is a small knit community, think it has like thousand people on island.
Ranger Phillip sees black bear cubs and decides to go in the forest where he stumbles upon and finds a dead body. He is not sure if it’s a local woman or tourist.
A new sheriff named Lane comes to help solve this mystery. Lane knows no one on island and in her mind are all potentially the person they are looking for where as Phillip knows all the islanders (so he thinks) and is convinced it has to be a tourist.
Phillip and Lane investigate this together and get to know each other. Phillip thought he knew everything about everyone on the island but quickly finds out that’s not the case and everyone has secrets.
Character building in this is 🤌🏻. I came to love them all. Makes me want to go to this island, even though a killer is somewhere out there, and do all the outdoor stuff they offer here.
Can’t wait to dive into book two The Push.
February 14, 2024
Wow. When I picked up this book I was not expecting it to go where it ended up going. Not until the late stages of the story did everything start falling into place and I'm pretty sure sheriff Lane felt the same way I did when the puzzle finally became complete.
Black bear alibi follows park ranger Philip and new sheriff Lane as the try and under cover who committed a gruesome murder on the small, quaint Rockfish island. While the sheriff, being new to the island, tries to look at everything objectively, Phil is there to help her get a better feel for the island and it's inhabitants and hopefully show the sheriff that no one in their small town could be capable of such an act.
This book. I had to pace myself. I absolutely loved it! The characters were great, each on bringing their own unique persona to the story and further painting the picture of what life on this island may really be like. And the story itself?! The twist?! This is definitely a binge worthy read and I will definitely be going back to rock fish island
Black bear alibi follows park ranger Philip and new sheriff Lane as the try and under cover who committed a gruesome murder on the small, quaint Rockfish island. While the sheriff, being new to the island, tries to look at everything objectively, Phil is there to help her get a better feel for the island and it's inhabitants and hopefully show the sheriff that no one in their small town could be capable of such an act.
This book. I had to pace myself. I absolutely loved it! The characters were great, each on bringing their own unique persona to the story and further painting the picture of what life on this island may really be like. And the story itself?! The twist?! This is definitely a binge worthy read and I will definitely be going back to rock fish island
May 16, 2024
I am about to say something that I don’t normally say, and that is I enjoyed this thriller book even with it being a slow burn. Yes, the story gave us a a dead body in which we need to figure out who done it most thrillers have a way of pacing the story however, this one was a bit slower, but I like that. it gave the story and more realistic feel to have the sheriff in the main character struggle to solve this crime run into dead ends, have multiple theories and multiple suspects. I started out with one suspect, then caught on to a piece of important information that immediately had me change my mind and I figured out who did the crime.. a thriller reader, I still appreciate the element of surprise and being proven wrong at the end of my thrillers, and that did not happen however, it was still a solid thriller that I enjoyed
Displaying 1 - 30 of 284 reviews