Invitation Only Murder

Lucy Stone #26

by Leslie Meier

With family tensions intensifying in Tinker’s Cove, part-time reporter Lucy Stone could really use some time off the grid—but disconnecting from reality comes at a deadly price . . .

Lucy doesn’t know what to expect as she arrives on a private Maine island owned by eccentric billionaire Scott Newman, only that the exclusive experience should make for a very intriguing feature story. An avid environmentalist, Scott has stripped the getaway of modern conveniences in favor of an extreme eco-friendly lifestyle. A trip to Holiday Island is like traveling back to the nineteenth century—much to the dismay of the island’s other residents . . .

Before Lucy can get the full scoop on Scott, she is horrified to find one of his daughters dead at the bottom of a seaside cliff. Stuck on a clammy island with murder suspects aplenty, Lucy must tap into the limited resources around her to outwit a cold-blooded killer—before it’s lights out for her next!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Suspense

272 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 26, 2019

About the author

Leslie Meier lives in Braintree and Harwich (Cape Cod), Massachusetts. She is the creator of 'Lucy Stone', a reporter and amateur sleuth in the fictional seaside village of Tinker's Cove, Maine.

Reviews

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucy Stone is back in one of my favorite cozy mystery series! It’s summer in Maine. Her daughter Zoe is visiting from college, and she’s brought back a rather unsavory boyfriend. Because, of course. Lucy and Bill go out to an island ten miles off the coast where Bill has been restoring a property in an 1850’s style where the owners actually want to live an 1850’s style life. Or at least, the patriarch of the family does.

Delicious food descriptions of lobster bisque, a clam bake, goat milk recipes, yummy omelets… this was a yummy book! But of course, not everything is so perfect on the island, and when Lucy comes to stay for the night to write a story for the Pennysaver, murder isn’t far behind.

The change of scenery, while we were isolated from Tinker’s Cove and the usual cast of characters, was interesting. The suspense of being trapped away from the mainland with the killer and no boats to get back… super spooky. This locked room mystery reminded me a lot of an old time Agatha Christie novel… everyone trapped in an isolated place while the killer picks you off one by one. I also liked all the Maine details, especially the stuff about lobster boats and puffins!

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a few weak storylines, the next book in Leslie Meier's Lucy Stone Mysteries, Invitation Only Murder, had a winner. Lucy visits a remote island off the coast of Maine, where everything is built to run like it was over a hundred years ago. A few modern conveniences exist, but the wealthy family who bought the place is focused on protecting the environment. A family of six (husband, wife, two twin girls from the husband's first marriage and two twin boys from his second marriage) rule the roost, and another family (two parents and two older sons) support the household and maintenance of the island... toss in a few summer workers from different colleges and industries, and you've got a complex cast. Poor Lucy is missing her own daughters and tries to take care of the kids on the island, but she almost dies trying. Enjoyed the different POVs and liked the ending this time. Only a few more to go until I'm current in the series.

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have read and loved this whole series, until now !
There’s nothing cozy about it . It’s depressing and dark and I skipped half the book till I got to the end and then there’s no answers ..... I will of course read the next one and hope it will go back to the original Lucy and her family ... I only gave it 2 stars because I like Lucy ...

[Ell · Rating 4 out of 5]

What’s not to like about this book? Leslie Meier has provided another winning installment in the Lucy Stone series. Reporter Lucy Stone has been invited to visit and write about an Island owned by an eccentric billionaire who rejects modern-day living in favor of an eco-lifestyle a la the 19th century. The island is 10 miles off the shore of Tinker Cove. Lucy arrives on the Island excited to spend a few days relaxing and writing. Soon the excitement gives way to horror. One of the billionaire’s daughters is found dead be the seaside. All the boats off the Island have been destroyed and there is no way to call or radio for help. This is a fast-paced and gripping mystery until the explosive end.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Invitation Only Murder by Leslie Meier is the 26th A Lucy Stone Mystery. I have read every single A Lucy Stone Mystery and it has always been one of my favorite series. I like Leslie Meier’s conversational writing style which makes every story a pleasure to read. I have watched Lucy go from working a part-time job as a customer service rep at night while taking care of her four kids during the day to reporter at the Pennysaver with only two college aged kids at home. She has solved over two dozen mysteries, but this one is by far the most dangerous. After finding Parker Newman dead at the bottom of a seaside cliff, Lucy becomes stuck on an island with a killer. There is no way for them to contact the outside world once the island’s boat were discovered missing. Scott Newman purchased Fletcher’s Island and is only using technology available in the early 1900s (no cell phones, televisions, motorized boats, electricity). The story moved along at a steady pace as Lucy helps out in the kitchen, explores the island, spends time with Scott Newman’s twin boys, and attempts to narrow down the suspects. Most readers will have no problem identifying the culprit before the reveal. I kept hoping for a twist to surprise me. Lucy came across as judgmental in Invitation Only Murder. I can certainly understand her views considering the island residents, but it was unlike Lucy. I also did not understand the attitude of some of the island’s residents. If I was on an isolated island with a killer, I would do whatever it took to get help. I did enjoy the foggy atmosphere of the island which made it feel spooky (great atmosphere for a mystery). Invitation Only Murder was disappointing to me. It felt different from the other books in this series. I missed Tinker’s Cove and its residents. The story lacked that cozy feel that I love in the Lucy Stone mysteries. It was interesting to learn about Puffins which nested on the island. If you have not read any of the other book in A Lucy Stone Mystery series, I do not suggest starting with Invitation Only Murder. I do, though, highly recommend reading this charming cozy mystery series with the intrepid Lucy Stone. Invitation Only Murder has impish twins, frightening fog, sniping sisters, a crazy killer and absence of contemporary conveniences.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucy travels to a private island off the coast of her hometown of Tinker's Cove, Maine to write a story about a wealthy environmentalist living there with his family without modern conveniences like telephones and electricity. Soon after her arrival, his young adult daughter tragically dies after a fall from a high sea cliff. Then his two twins sons by his second wife mysteriously disappear after searching for items on a scavenger hunt. Lucy begins to suspect that there is far more going on behind the scenes than the happy home her host portrays.

I've read most of the books in this long-running series, a rarity now in the cozy world. This installment can definitely be read as a standalone, especially since almost all of it is set away from her home and usual circle of characters. I liked that it was edgier than prior works. While Lucy appears to be back in the kitchen in a servant-like role to other characters, she is observant. However, there isn't much of a focus of what she will actually write for her story, which was the whole point of her going there. Still--the series continues to keep my interest so I am definitely looking forward to #27!!

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for an ARC. My review is voluntary.

[Katherine · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate reading stories that are nothing more than the authors beliefs shoved down our throats. There is so much wrong with this book I wouldn’t even know where to start. These are usually nice stories, not this one.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

INVITATION ONLY MURDER
Leslie Meier

I really enjoyed this "locked door" cozy murder mystery with Lucy Stone, cub reporter (LOL). It was a great read while it rained and rained. When Lucy and her family begin to feel some tension, Lucy accepts an unconventional invitation to remote Holiday Island (hence the locked door theme).

Once there she discovers the family and everyone on the island is just a bubble off as they live without electricity or modern-day conveniences. Strange that eccentric billionaire Scott Newman,
wants his family to live in this way to build character. He has taken everything modern from the island in favor of an eco-friendly lifestyle.

While Lucy is trying to get the real scoop on Scott and his family she stumbles across one of his daughters at the bottom of a cliff. Unfortunately, she is dead and they have to put the body in the ice house (where they keep ice) thus giving real meaning to putting the body on ice. Everyone agrees, well almost everyone, that this was an accident.

Then the twin boys, age eight, disappear while playing and no amount of searching for them locates them. WHAT IS GOING ON? Lucy begins to cock her head at everyone and soon she is pretty sure who is behind everything.

But having an idea who is behind it doesn't mean that you will live long enough to tell the authorities. Especially when you have to wait for a couple of days for the ferry to come back and that is your only means of communication with the outside world.

5 stars

Happy Reading!

[Kristin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lucy stone novels are never as good when they leave Tinkers Cove and the the town folks!

Also, it seems like the dead girl and the missing twins was an after thought. Also, why do these rich people have a maid but Lucy, the guest, has to do so much work around the house 🤔 what is the mom doing. Def one of the weakest books in the series! I hope the next one is better!!

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice edition to the Lucy Stone series. It was a little different with the majority of the book not taking place in Tinker's Cove. It was a nice change of pace and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This has always been a favorite series and I can't wait to read more.

[Marathon County Public Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucy Stone is not seeing eye-to-eye with her daughter, and family tensions are rising. When Lucy, a part-time reporter, receives an invitation to spend time on a private island off the coast of Maine, she looks forward to the time away. When she arrives on the island, she doesn’t know what to expect of island life. The island is owned by eccentric billionaire and environmentalist Scott Newman. Newman has stripped the island of modern conveniences in favor of an eco-friendly, nineteenth century lifestyle. Lucy comes to find out that not all residents of the island agree with his eco-friendly view.

As Lucy starts to settle in to the island ways, she finds one of Newman’s daughters dead at the bottom of a sea cliff. The young woman’s death seems to be an accident, but as more things come to light, Lucy suspects foul play. Now Lucy is stuck on an island with no way of getting off or of contacting authorities. Is there a murderer on the island or is Lucy’s reporter imagination getting the better of her?

If you like mysteries with crime-solving female protagonists, you will enjoy this book. I enjoyed reading this book because of the fast-paced story and the truth-seeking main character. I like the author’s fast-paced story set in a coastal town in Maine.

Robin W. / Marathon County Public Library

[Barbara Nutting · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh Lucy, the messes you get yourself into!! Now she’s isolated on an island and all hell breaks loose. But, in spite of her own injuries, she saves the day. Another foolish romp that I still find addicting.

Sort of a SPOILER - As usual I have a question - how did they know where the mines were planted in order to activate them?? That was a bigger mystery to me than the murder. Unanswered questions seem to be Leslie’s trademark.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucy Stone gets invited to stay on a remote island with two families over the July 4 holiday. She agrees, hoping to get a good story for the Pennysaver. The eccentric billionaire who owns the island has restored the house and the barn to their previous glorious looks, but wants to live there without any modern conveniences such as electricity, WIFI, TV or radio, and his wife, four children and the other workers agree to this as well. Lucy goes to the island on a sailboat and enjoys her first day, but learns that the family themselves don't run the wood stove or prepare meals, their servants do it for them. The twin daughters from the owner's first marriage, Taylor and Parker, are doing a survey of the puffins that live on the rocky cliffs. On her first morning after a great night's sleep, Lucy heads out to walk around the island, where she finds the body of Parker, who appears has fallen from the cliff above. After the furor calms down, the owner sends for his sailboat to take her body to Tinker's Cove. Both sailboats has been taken away by the currents and have smashed on the rocks. There is no way off until the ferry boat comes in three days.

This is the best Lucy Stone book I've ever read. It reminds me a little of "And Then There Were None" - 13 people on a remote island with no way off. Lucy wants desperately to go home but has to wait. And then a thick fog covers the island, making the place ever more spooky. Then the eight year old twin boys go missing - who is doing this?

This was a fast and fun read and many thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy. I'll definitely look forward to more in this series.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucy Stone absolutely wowed me in the fast paced book, Invitation Only Murder, by one of my most favorite authors, Leslie Meier.
I've followed Lucy through Zoe's birth, Mike's marriage and of course, dad to Lucy's first grandchild. I've seen Elizabeth and Sarah feud, and now Zoe is growing up into a young woman, with a mind of her own, lol.
I feel like I know the Stone family and their quaint little island town, Tinker's Cove, as well as I know my own neighborhood.

When Lucy is sent to interview an eccentric billionaire, she has visions of a relaxing time away from the chaos at home. Zoe has a boyfriend and it's setting Lucy's teeth on edge. She finds him to be a bum, and she has no plans to change her opinion of him.
Upon Lucy's arrival at Holiday Island, she thinks this should be an easy gig, until tragedy takes place and Lucy insists on finding the truth. She finds a dysfunctional family, who's patriarch Scott, is mentally unstable and insists everyone on the island be disconnected from the world.
Living in the 19th century may sound easier, but when Lucy needs help and she can't call or contact anyone, she needs to put on a brave face and save herself.

This book really showed a strong side of Lucy. Usually in her previous books, Lucy always had one of her friends to talk to. Sue, Rachel and Pam were always ready for coffee and breakfast, and I missed them in this book. Without anyone she truly trusted with her, Lucy really stayed strong and showed just how tough she is.
I would highly recommend this book.
#InvitationOnlyMurder #NetGalley

[Burlington Library · Rating 1 out of 5]

*Spoilers included in this review!*
I have read all the Lucy Stone mysteries (which were all good!) but this one was just strange. It was almost as if a different author was writing it. First off, there were some parts in this book that were definitely not what I would consider 'cozy.' I thought the part where Lucy has to help embalm the murder victim was way too detailed and disturbing. Second, when the the young boys disappeared, no one seemed worried by it! And finally, the ending was just totally unbelievable what with the culprit up in the silo and suddenly a professional marksman...just really weird. Hopefully the next book in this series will be better!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC from Netgallley.
I absolutely love this author and have read every single book she wrote. This book, while a good read was too easy to figure out the plot and was way past cozy. Harming and killing kids no matter the age isn't cozy and cussing isn't cozy. This book should be classified as a mystery if not suspense.

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think after 25 books in the series, the author has come to hate Lucy Stone and Tinker’s Cove. This book is a complete anomaly. Only Lucy shows up, and the plot is nuts. I guess I’m done with Leslie Meier.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucy goes to a private island to write a story about a man who has turned it into an eco friendly home with no modern conveniences. At first it seems ideal but cracks start showing when one of his twin daughters is killed and there is no way to contact anyone for help. they have to wait until the ferry comes again. Then his twin year old boys disappear,while looking for them, Lucy tries to figure out who the villain is, the man or someone else.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learn a bit about Puffins as Lucy Stone's latest adventure takes her to Fletcher's Island, Maine, off of the coast of Tinker's Cove.

Lucy is invited by billionaire Scott Newman to join his family as they celebrate July 4 in the 1850 lifestyle he has implemented on the island that he purchased. After local craftsmen (like her husband Bill) completed the restoration and upgrades, he wants everyone to know about it. . .

The blended Newman family seem perfectly adapted to Scott's vision until a death opens the cracks in their relationships with each other. . Lucy experiences puffins and a red tailed hawk along with some questionable people. during her stay.

A fast paced cozy set away from Tinker's Cove and Lucy's family and friends we have come to know and love in her previous 28(?) books. A very different ending for a Lucy Stone mystery.

I volunteered to read an ARC through Net Galley from Kensington.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve read every book in this series, and the reason I gave this one only three stars, is because Lucy has become way too judgemental of other people. In the beginning of the series and as Lucy’s family has grown, I’ve loved each book, seeing the kids come along and growing up and watching Lucy be the best mom she could be. But a few books back, I noticed the shift in Lucy. She just started judging everyone based on nothing more than how they’re dressed, or the fact that they come from money. I believe I first noticed it when she was highly critical of Toby’s wife. I also cannot understand how controlling she tries to be with her kids who are all adults now. I find it very disappointing, and it takes away from the quality of the story for me.

[Mary Kearney · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was ok. Not one of my favorites by her. Lucy goes to an island to do a story about the billionaire and his family. The billionaire has bought the island and has turned back time by living there without many modern conveniences. I think what I disliked about this book was the family on the island wasn't very likable. Lucy was there without her family and friends and I missed the interaction between her and her family and friends.

[Jane · Rating 1 out of 5]

A plot line so ridiculous in this final (for me) installment of the Lucy Stone series that even my willingness to suspend belief wasn’t sufficient to provide any credibility to the insane world created for this book. If Ms. Meier wants to write thrillers, perhaps she should retire Lucy and start a new series with new characters. Many thanks to Ms. Meier for all of the many other enjoyable hours spent in Tinkers Cove.

[Shawna Shaheen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 26th book in series is Lucy meetś the Newman's whole family Scott the millionaire that has a island for himself and his 2 twin daughters Taylor and Parker from previous mother ( they don't say what happened to her) and Lily Scott's 2nd wife with another set of 9 year olds twins Walter and Fred. Lucy gets stranded on island with some wacky people the help that worked for Scott. It really is not the best in the series but it is weird

[Regina the Constant Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ -Audiobook
I keep saying I’m not going to read anymore of her books, but I keep reading them anyway. 😂 Her newer books are a little better written than the earlier books in the series. I’ve been reading them out of order, but this one was my favorite so far. The characters and location was different which helped.

[Mystica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A private island owned by a millionaire is opening its doors for a welcome party for the mainland village. Lucy and her husband are invited too. Further as a reporter, she is invited to interview Mr. Newman on the island spending a few days with the family to get his ideas and views how he has discarded all modern appliances including telecommunication facilities and even cooking facilities wanting to live off the grid as it were.

Lucy approaches the break from her usual routine happily. There is much tension at home with her daughters and especially one of them has a new boyfriend who is anything but acceptable. Lucy feels the break will do all of them good.

The discovery of a teenager's body on the second day of her stay - the twin daughter of the owner is unexpected and when it is confirmed that it is not an accident but murder it becomes even worse. There are only two families on the island. The caretakers who have been there for generations and the only people who refused to leave the island and now the present owner.

When Scott Newman becomes more irrational, more drunk and not quite in his senses, his wife seems to be also losing control of reality. With two twin boys to look after and neglected by their mother who seems to be living in a world of her own,it is upto Lucy and the remaining older sister to be caretaking the two kids. When they disappear too, it is too much to be a coincidence and you need to try to reach the mainland in one way or the other. Waiting for the weekly steamer to come is far too long a wait with a family living on the edge.

The story was long, but the island was very well described. The characters were peculiar, but they added substance to a very odd dysfunctional family.

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucy Stone accepts an invitation for a celebration on Holiday Island. The Island and is residents are far from usual. For starters, the owner, a billionaire named Scott Newman. He is an environmentalist who has created his own little world, one with its own rules. There are mostly those who work for Scott there, and Lucy feels out of place almost immediately.

As is common for Lucy, there is a dead body before she could even get acquainted with things. The body is that of the daughter of Scott. The island runs independent of the mainland, and only when a ferry comes to pick Lucy up, can the authorities be notified of the murder. What are they going to do with the body? Since the island is isolated, one of the people there has to be the killer.

Scared, but determined, Lucy tries to get to the bottom of things. Then, there is the disappearance of at least one more person. Panic sets in and time is short. Lucy cannot imagine that even though the little island is actually very close to Tinker's Cove, how far away safety actually is. That certainly raises the element of danger.

As this is the latest book in the series, I am struggling to write this review. I have read it from the very beginning and I really do love Lucy as an amateur sleuth. She has limited resources this time around, so I applaud her when it comes to trying to find the killer. Leslie Meier has faithfully written this series for years (the first book, Mistletoe Murder, was released in 1991), and this book, Invitation to Murder, is number 26. I applaud Ms. Meier for her dedication to this series and I do hope to see Lucy again real soon.

Many thanks to Kensington and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

[Taryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucy has been invited to stay on billionaire Scott Newman's island and write up her observations for the paper. Scott who is an environmentalist has stripped the island of all its modern conveniences and dialed it back to the nineteenth century. Lucy is excited about the experience and looks forward to getting his family's thoughts on this older way of living. It all started out well until Lucy makes a horrible discovery on her walk, she finds one of Scott's daughter's dead. Did the young girl fall, was it an accident or was it something much more sinister. Lucy soon learns they are stuck I the island without any way to communicate with the outside world. It seems the boats that were on the island have been destroyed and according to her hosts they have to wait several days until the local ferry is meant to come pick Lucy up. Things go from bad to worse when Scott's twin boys end up missing and I one can find them. Finding herself in this situation has Lucy determined to figure out just what the neck is going on but will the answers come her way before someone else disappears or even dies? Follow along and find out just what happens!!!

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I struggled between three or four stars for this book and am giving it extra credit because I have enjoyed other Lucy Stone books. Yes, it's another murder mystery, but there are a couple of reasons why it is not quite as cozy as the other books. For most of the book, Lucy is away from her home and friends, and she is working on writing a news story about a man who lives in seclusion on an island with his family and also another family by the name of Hopkins. Lucy is a guest in the man's home. There is no electricity, so they live without the usual creature comforts. Lucy goes for a walk one morning and finds one of the man's daughters on the base of a precipice. The daughter is dead, and the story includes some details about the handling of the body that I found hard to take. Later on in the book, there is an incident with the twin boys that I also found less than cozy. Aside from that, I was entertained by the mystery story. I would not recommend this book if you are not familiar with the Lucy Stone mysteries.

[Amanda Goerlich · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess I'll start off with the only good thing about the book first, which was that it was fast paced and had alot of good suspense which is why I'm giving it 3⭐

Okay first off, I literally guessed the entire plot and murderer within the first 20 pages😐😑😐 and I'm not trying to say that to seem smart for figuring it out, it was literally just so predictable with a basic story line that literally anyone could have figured it out

Also without trying to spoil it too much, the ending made no sense! When the murderer was revealed at the end everyone was just like huh, that's odd why would they do that, instead of being shocked and scared to death that they were all friends with a murderer! Like what?!

Also they just fully did not try to stop the murderer from running away or anything they were all like eh, let's just leave them be. like what?! perhaps you should make sure they don't run away so they go to jail!!

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Invitation Only Murder by Leslie Meier is the 26th book in the Lucy Stone mystery series, and another terrific addition. I have been reading Lucy Stone books for years, and the books are like visiting old friends, I love this series, but I found this book exceptional. Lucy gets invited to Holiday Island to do an article on the eccentric billionaire Scott Newman, who is an avid environmentalist. There is no modern conveniences like electricity or phones on the island. Lucy discovers one of Mr. Newman's daughter's body at the bottom of a cliff. On top of that someone has stolen their boats, so no way to get off the island. Lucy sets out to solve the mystery, was it an accident or was she pushed? There is so much going on in this book, that it is non stop action and crazy and unique people. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series, as always. If you love cozy mysteries, I strongly recommend this book and the whole series.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. Thank you.