What do you think?
Rate this book
Sandie James #3
Don't Rock the Boat!
A missing sailboat. An "I do". A dead body.
Sandie James, aspiring author and part-time cake decorator, couldn’t be more thrilled when her two dear friends, Geraldine O’Hara and Henry Edwards, invite her to their island wedding at the lovely Sand Reed Hotel. The only thing that would make the weekend even better is if Sandie’s boyfriend would get the time off work to share the happy occasion with her.
But under the sunny smiles, tensions are churning. The signs are there and soon Sandie begins to fear someone in the wedding party arrived on the island with murder in their heart. When a guest turns up dead, the local sheriff is all too eager to declare the death an accident, but Sandie is sure there’s been foul play.
With more than one person warning her off the investigation, can Sandie find the killer before someone else goes belly up, or will she be next?
Sandie James, aspiring author and part-time cake decorator, couldn’t be more thrilled when her two dear friends, Geraldine O’Hara and Henry Edwards, invite her to their island wedding at the lovely Sand Reed Hotel. The only thing that would make the weekend even better is if Sandie’s boyfriend would get the time off work to share the happy occasion with her.
But under the sunny smiles, tensions are churning. The signs are there and soon Sandie begins to fear someone in the wedding party arrived on the island with murder in their heart. When a guest turns up dead, the local sheriff is all too eager to declare the death an accident, but Sandie is sure there’s been foul play.
With more than one person warning her off the investigation, can Sandie find the killer before someone else goes belly up, or will she be next?
- GenresCozy Mystery
255 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2020
23 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Tessa Kelly
24 books36 followersTessa Kelly is the award-winning author of the SANDIE JAMES MYSTERIES series.
A former teacher with a degree in French, Tessa spent several years living in an uptown Brooklyn neighborhood, frequenting its many cafes and coffee shops and getting to know it from the inside and out. During her undergrad years, she has worked at a bakery just like the one depicted in her novel, where she developed a lifelong fondness for cheesecake brownies.
These days, when not writing, she loves to be outside exploring hiking trails, often wandering off the beaten path. Her other passions include baking, learning foreign languages, and reading.
Follow me on Amazon for news about my new releases!
A former teacher with a degree in French, Tessa spent several years living in an uptown Brooklyn neighborhood, frequenting its many cafes and coffee shops and getting to know it from the inside and out. During her undergrad years, she has worked at a bakery just like the one depicted in her novel, where she developed a lifelong fondness for cheesecake brownies.
These days, when not writing, she loves to be outside exploring hiking trails, often wandering off the beaten path. Her other passions include baking, learning foreign languages, and reading.
Follow me on Amazon for news about my new releases!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 23, 2020
Again lots of characters, so you have to keep your mind on the story. But they are a bunch of colourful characters, which makes the story very interesting. And difficult to figure out the mystery of who did it.
Unlike the first two books in this series, this doesn't take place in Sandie's hometown. But on an island, with a wedding party right in the middle of it. And this time Sandie has a sidekick, who helps her with the investigation. And I'm not talking about Marlowe, her father's dog, even though he helps solve the murder as well.
There is only one thing I don't get. Why does Marlowe have to stay with Ashley in her bungalow. Why not let Sandie get one of the guest bungalows and keep Marlowe at her side? It would make sense, seeing that there were not enough rooms for all the guests and one of them had to stay in a guest bungalow.
Apart from that, I really enjoyed the story. I hope there will be more!
Unlike the first two books in this series, this doesn't take place in Sandie's hometown. But on an island, with a wedding party right in the middle of it. And this time Sandie has a sidekick, who helps her with the investigation. And I'm not talking about Marlowe, her father's dog, even though he helps solve the murder as well.
There is only one thing I don't get. Why does Marlowe have to stay with Ashley in her bungalow. Why not let Sandie get one of the guest bungalows and keep Marlowe at her side? It would make sense, seeing that there were not enough rooms for all the guests and one of them had to stay in a guest bungalow.
Apart from that, I really enjoyed the story. I hope there will be more!
September 23, 2020
Tessa is a new to me author, and I'm so glad I found her. This is the first book I've read of hers and I was not only pleasantly surprised with this book but I'm going back to read the others! No spoilers here, but you need to know you get a fun mystery with the twists and turns you expect and an ending that will surprise you! With the help of her dog Marlow, Sandie gets to the bottom of the lies, deception, and mystery by deciphering clues in a wonderful plot that keeps you guessing...overall a great mystery with wonderful characters, that is fast-paced and makes sense even if you haven't read the other books. I am looking forward to reading the others and have the next book on my TBR list. I requested and was gifted a complimentary copy and this review is given voluntarily.
July 16, 2020
Don’t Rock the Boat! is the 3rd book in the Sandie James Cozy Mystery Series by Tessa Kelly.
I enjoyed the premise and setting of the book and was happy with the changes in Sandie, Kathy, and Geraldine’s personal lives.
I realize it is fiction and you have to suspend disbelief, but it takes me out of the moment when Sophie asks Will to get info on someone and he gets a person’s medical records for a case he isn’t working and then passes that info to Sandie.
My rating was a 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars.
I received this book as a gift and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
I enjoyed the premise and setting of the book and was happy with the changes in Sandie, Kathy, and Geraldine’s personal lives.
I realize it is fiction and you have to suspend disbelief, but it takes me out of the moment when Sophie asks Will to get info on someone and he gets a person’s medical records for a case he isn’t working and then passes that info to Sandie.
My rating was a 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars.
I received this book as a gift and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
August 1, 2020
This cozy had me all over the place! So many motives, so many suspects! Sandie was able to figure it out, with a lot of help from Marlow. I love smart dogs! Heck, I just love dogs! And Marlow not only found the clues, but saved Sandie. Now if only there wasn’t such a cliff hanger at the end! At least it’s one with good news for the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 30, 2024
I liked this book, and the series as a whole. I think there’s always something missing that prevents me from fully loving it. Maybe I am not a big fan of the love interest (I always have the feeling that
The mystery was interesting, and even though I had guessed that I still enjoyed the twists and turns.
The mystery was interesting, and even though I had guessed that I still enjoyed the twists and turns.
April 2, 2020
Sandie travels to the Sand Reed Hotel for Henry’s and Geraldine’s wedding and guests arrive to celebrate. However, they do not all get along, and soon Sandie is involved in murder, lies, and danger. I enjoy Tessa Kelly’s storytelling and liked the twists.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 11, 2021
Wedding surprises
An excellent fast paced exciting mystery. All of the characters were interesting and very believable. All of the twists and turns in the story kept me turning the pages to see who the culprit was. Looking forward to the next mystery.
An excellent fast paced exciting mystery. All of the characters were interesting and very believable. All of the twists and turns in the story kept me turning the pages to see who the culprit was. Looking forward to the next mystery.
February 3, 2022
This is another great mystery as have been all the books thus far. Kelly does a great job of developing characters, sticking with the main plot, and keeping the reader guessing. The mysteries are always suspenseful and well thought out. I cannot wait until book #4.
January 29, 2023
I love the Sandie James cozy murder mystery
The characters are varied and well developed. I kept switching on who I thought the murderer could be. So many mysteries, I definitely recommend this book.
The characters are varied and well developed. I kept switching on who I thought the murderer could be. So many mysteries, I definitely recommend this book.
March 9, 2025
Don't Rock The Boat
Another wonderful book by author Tessa Kelly. This is book three in this awesome series of books. Each book keeps getting better and better. This one is so good. My favorite so fa
r. So much action, mystery and intrique. Loved reading and highly recommend...
Another wonderful book by author Tessa Kelly. This is book three in this awesome series of books. Each book keeps getting better and better. This one is so good. My favorite so fa
r. So much action, mystery and intrique. Loved reading and highly recommend...
July 8, 2020
I really enjoyed reading it. It was fast paced and very well written. Thank you for the chance to read it
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 29, 2020
Great read
Another great and convoluted mystery, with several things all happening at the same time to muddy the waters and give the brain a real test!
Another great and convoluted mystery, with several things all happening at the same time to muddy the waters and give the brain a real test!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews