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Sanibel Island Mysteries #5
Shell Shocked
When a dead body is found on one of Sanibel’s beaches, clutching a rare Scotch bonnet shell, everyone is shell shocked. Can reporter Guinivere Jones solve the mystery of the murdered beachcomber before another shell-seeker gets hurt?
The fifth book in the Sanibel Island Mystery series, SHELL SHOCKED takes readers back to sunny Sanibel Island, Florida, where everyone, including Guin and her best friend Shelly, is preparing for the world-famous Sanibel Shell Festival. To honor its designation as the Seashell Capital of the United States, the City has commissioned a magnificent shell sculpture, to be unveiled on the eve of the show.
However, things start to go horribly wrong as the sculpture nears completion, putting the project and those working on it in peril. And Guin finds herself once again butting heads (and more) with Sanibel Detective William O’Loughlin. Will she be able to break the story before it’s too late?
A page-turner that will leave you guessing who done it until the end, SHELL SHOCKED will entertain and thrill Sanibel and cozy mystery lovers alike.
The fifth book in the Sanibel Island Mystery series, SHELL SHOCKED takes readers back to sunny Sanibel Island, Florida, where everyone, including Guin and her best friend Shelly, is preparing for the world-famous Sanibel Shell Festival. To honor its designation as the Seashell Capital of the United States, the City has commissioned a magnificent shell sculpture, to be unveiled on the eve of the show.
However, things start to go horribly wrong as the sculpture nears completion, putting the project and those working on it in peril. And Guin finds herself once again butting heads (and more) with Sanibel Detective William O’Loughlin. Will she be able to break the story before it’s too late?
A page-turner that will leave you guessing who done it until the end, SHELL SHOCKED will entertain and thrill Sanibel and cozy mystery lovers alike.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2019
About the author
Jennifer L. Schiff
16 books83 followersJennifer Lonoff Schiff is the author of the popular Sanibel Island Mystery series and the stand-alone novels Tinder Fella, a delightful rom-com set in NYC, and Something's Cooking in Chianti, a culinary mystery set in Italy.
Prior to her career as an author, Jennifer worked as a fact-checker, researcher, writer, and/or editor for a variety of magazines and book publishers. She eventually left the publishing world to found a boutique marketing communications agency that helped companies tell their story, for which she won several awards.
When not busy working on her next novel, Jennifer can be found playing with her two cats, taking long walks on the beach, or with her nose in someone else's book.
Prior to her career as an author, Jennifer worked as a fact-checker, researcher, writer, and/or editor for a variety of magazines and book publishers. She eventually left the publishing world to found a boutique marketing communications agency that helped companies tell their story, for which she won several awards.
When not busy working on her next novel, Jennifer can be found playing with her two cats, taking long walks on the beach, or with her nose in someone else's book.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 20, 2021
Quick fun read for you Sanibel Island lovers out there. Love of Sanibel Island keeps me going through this series.
April 30, 2020
Another great one!
Couldn't put it down! Great way to spend covid 19 reading a great story that takes place in my happy place!!
Couldn't put it down! Great way to spend covid 19 reading a great story that takes place in my happy place!!
December 5, 2020
Another GREAT book by Jennifer!! I loved this one and was so sad each time I had to stop reading and go to work! So last night I stayed up and finished it. I thought I really got the right person this time but as per my usual I was wrong. I didn't see the end coming as it did. I can't wait to start the next one. I highly recommend these wonderful books. They are a great way to escape our crazy lives for a while and just let our brains relax.
September 19, 2020
This was my favorite in the series. I loved the characters and the mystery and the main character's struggle with relationships. All came together for a fun page turning read. I have enjoyed these especially during this time of Covid as I dream of being back on Sanibel.
January 28, 2021
What a great mystery series set in my favorite place. Guin and all the characters really come to life and are so approachable. Definitely a great series. I hope there will be many more! Jennifer Schiff knows how to add local color to an interesting story.
January 8, 2021
The Sanibel Island mysteries are pure fun. A mystery to solve, a little bit of romance and and a beautiful beach. The characters are endearing. Thoroughly enjoyable.
November 10, 2019
I HATE WHEN I COME TO THE END!
I’m a huge fan of these Sanibel mysteries. I love all the references to Sanibel, where my parents once lived and where I love to shell in the winter. In addition, I love the story lines. I’m never quite sure “who done it.” I was reading Shell Shocked on my iPad last night when I came to the end. It’s always a letdown when you finish a great book. Can’t wait for Book 6!
I’m a huge fan of these Sanibel mysteries. I love all the references to Sanibel, where my parents once lived and where I love to shell in the winter. In addition, I love the story lines. I’m never quite sure “who done it.” I was reading Shell Shocked on my iPad last night when I came to the end. It’s always a letdown when you finish a great book. Can’t wait for Book 6!
November 24, 2019
At long last...
A good mystery and important changes for Guin. Nice build up over 5 books to get to this point. I knew it was coming and applaud the developments for Guin. Schiff's fun characters and entertaining plot lines in the series make me smile. Thanks Jennifer for another good read.
A good mystery and important changes for Guin. Nice build up over 5 books to get to this point. I knew it was coming and applaud the developments for Guin. Schiff's fun characters and entertaining plot lines in the series make me smile. Thanks Jennifer for another good read.
January 31, 2020
This is the fifth book in Jennifer L. Schiff's Sanibel Island Mystery series. Join Guin Jones on another adventure as she tries to solve another murder. Suspicions are all around and what are the rumors about her boyfriend, Ris? Lots of mentions of Sanibel businesses. The author kept me guessing with every chapter. I love this series!!
November 10, 2019
What an amazing book! I can't say it enough, I absolutely love the writing, the way the story progresses and the characters! I am thrilled that there is another in the works! Enjoy this series folks, you will be glad you did!
October 21, 2019
Another winning episode!!
Could not put it down once I opened the front cover! Can’t wait for the next installment——intrigue, love and adventure!
Could not put it down once I opened the front cover! Can’t wait for the next installment——intrigue, love and adventure!
October 23, 2019
A great followup to Book 4, BYE BYE BIRDY. Fun read that will keep readers guessing. Fans of Guin and the Detective and Sanibel will love this book.
May 8, 2022
Somethings Cooking in Chianti was a fabulous introduction to the Guinevere Jones mysteries. Although I haven’t read any of the others in Jennifer L. Schiff’s series - this book totally soon on its own and was a fabulous read.
Reporter Guinevere Jones goes to Italy with her friend Glenn Anderson for a cooking course. She meets interesting characters that are also there for the cooking course. It’s a heavenly trip for Guinevere until of course she finds a murder. Guinevere gets involved and finds some buried secrets, romance, and some great kitchen skills all on the same adventure!
I loved this book it was easy and relaxing to read and took me on a fun trip to Italy even though I’m stuck at home.
Reporter Guinevere Jones goes to Italy with her friend Glenn Anderson for a cooking course. She meets interesting characters that are also there for the cooking course. It’s a heavenly trip for Guinevere until of course she finds a murder. Guinevere gets involved and finds some buried secrets, romance, and some great kitchen skills all on the same adventure!
I loved this book it was easy and relaxing to read and took me on a fun trip to Italy even though I’m stuck at home.
December 31, 2019
Shocked, I tell you shocked! There's a murder by conch shell on placid, shell-strewn Sanibel Island, FL and our intrepid Sanibel-Captiva Sun-Times reporter Guinivere is on the case. It's a shell of a problem.
This is a quick, somewhat unsatisfying read that is best done if you're on the island itself and/or have been to the island since you'll then know most of the places referenced in the book. It's like a cross between a quaint Miss Marple mystery and a Lonely Planet travel guide.
This is a quick, somewhat unsatisfying read that is best done if you're on the island itself and/or have been to the island since you'll then know most of the places referenced in the book. It's like a cross between a quaint Miss Marple mystery and a Lonely Planet travel guide.
November 7, 2025
Easy breezy reads!
I like taking breaks from heavier books and just enjoy a nice, cozy “beach-read.” As someone who LOVES Sanibel, and who hasn’t been back since hurricane Ian, I cannot resist immersing myself into the island and all of her environs, restaurants (too many of which are now permanently closed), and shelling beaches. Ms. Shiff’s books are great escapes and a welcome retreat. I am enjoying every one of them.
I like taking breaks from heavier books and just enjoy a nice, cozy “beach-read.” As someone who LOVES Sanibel, and who hasn’t been back since hurricane Ian, I cannot resist immersing myself into the island and all of her environs, restaurants (too many of which are now permanently closed), and shelling beaches. Ms. Shiff’s books are great escapes and a welcome retreat. I am enjoying every one of them.
July 24, 2021
I loved this one — I’m so happy with Guin’s decision to break it off with Ris because I think she has always had stronger feelings for “the detective”. I just wish he would lighten up.
The Sanibel Mysteries are quickly becoming my favorite. Thank you Jennifer Lonoff Schiff — you need to pat yourself on the back!
The Sanibel Mysteries are quickly becoming my favorite. Thank you Jennifer Lonoff Schiff — you need to pat yourself on the back!
July 11, 2022
Another great book in the series!! Well done with the continuity of all the characters and including new ones seamlessly. I can only imagine what that fountain looked like in that garden area. Well done with the plot twist, throughout the book until the reveal, I thought Denny did it! Well done!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2025
I'm sad Guin & Ris broke up but interested in seeing what's next for her & the detective, if anything.
Weird start to the book, in Bye Bye Birdy it ends with Guin in Australia with Ris & Ginny messages her to come home because Suzy has been arrested, but that doesn't happen. She's eventually questioned about a murder but murder has not happened until after Guin is home.
Weird start to the book, in Bye Bye Birdy it ends with Guin in Australia with Ris & Ginny messages her to come home because Suzy has been arrested, but that doesn't happen. She's eventually questioned about a murder but murder has not happened until after Guin is home.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2022
Shell shocked
I like how Jennifer writes describing the scenes so you feel like you are there. I am a snowbird who goes to Sanibel each year and love it when she mentions places I have been. Also keeps you guessing who the murderer is.
I like how Jennifer writes describing the scenes so you feel like you are there. I am a snowbird who goes to Sanibel each year and love it when she mentions places I have been. Also keeps you guessing who the murderer is.
January 3, 2021
I certainly did not figure out the killer in this book. Guin is still on my nerves with her insistence on solving a murder. She takes chances she shouldn’t take.
August 19, 2021
I love this series. It's fun to read stories that take place in locations that I know and love. Very enjoyable read.
August 31, 2021
I love mysteries and this was a page turner. I wasn't surprised at the ending though, thought there would be a strange twist at the end. Guess I have read too many Mary Higgins Clark mysteries!
April 15, 2022
I liked the book, the ending was not as good as her other ones. Unexpected endings usually make a good book, not this one. I have to go back and see what clues I missed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2023
Easy and fun read
Really enjoy her books. I like the way she
writes to entertain. Recommend to anyone wanting a good light entertaining read.
Really enjoy her books. I like the way she
writes to entertain. Recommend to anyone wanting a good light entertaining read.
June 21, 2023
I love this series of books. They are wonderful to read.
October 12, 2023
Sanibel William O'Loughlin is a good character, making people love him in his own way. But this novel failed to convince me. It was a nice pastime, though.
July 26, 2026
this is a great series
Loving this. Great characters and story. I enjoy learning about Sanibel Island. CAn’t wait to read the next book in the series.
Loving this. Great characters and story. I enjoy learning about Sanibel Island. CAn’t wait to read the next book in the series.
June 3, 2021
I recommend!
January 8, 2020
I still gave the book five stars, but did not enjoy it as much as the earlier ones, probably because of the identity of the victim. Good riddance to the romantic interest though
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews